God and one another Creature-affections are but streams deriv'd from this Ocean Candles lighted at this Sun We love him because he first loved us 1 John 4. 19. The ascending Love of Saints is a faint Reflection of the descending Love of Christ the same Waters that empty themselves into the Sea have their Birth from it Seventhly An active love Creature-affections are dull and sluggish and savour rankly of the Vessel they are in but Christ's are vigorous and laborious a parental Love that sets his Wisdom on designing his Faithfulness on securing and his Power on accomplishing the chiefest Concernments and highest good of his Children Lastly a fruitful Love full of good Works 't is commended love Rom. 5. 8. manifested love 1 John 4. 9. Not love in the Womb or abortive but love in the Birth I shall name some of it's Fruits to his People First the giving of himself for them Eph. 5. 25. Who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2. 20. This is the highest Testimony of his Love imaginable he could not have bestowed a better thing he that gives himself gives all He gave himself to procure a purchased Treasure to enrich them to destroy the partition Wall and fill up that bottomless Gulf that lay in their way to glory he gave himself to discharge their Debts remove their Guilt justifie their Persons fulfil all Righteousness and make good the new Covenant Secondly The opening of his heart to them John 15. 14 15. I have called you Friends for all that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you O! the wonderful Love and Kindness of Christ to his People that he communicates his Secrets and opens to them the Thoughts of his Heart from all Eternity he leads them into his retired Chambers and secret Recesses and feasts them liberally with hidden Manna and excellent Discoveries of the things freely given them of God Saints cannot ascend up into Heaven and see the Length Depth Breadth and Height of those glorious things God hath prepared for them but they have the Priviledge to wade deep into sanctuary Waters and the Spirit of Grace is freely given them to reveal the Depths of divine Love Thirdly The Communication of all good things to them He will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he withhold Psa 84. 11. Psal 34. 10. O boundless Love indeed he may bestow some sublunar Portions on his Enemies but his Children only shall have the Inheritance they shall have his Wisdom to direct them his Goodness to supply them his Power to protect them and his Spirit to instruct them Joh. 16. 13. 14. And O what a wonderful Gift is the Spirit he will shew them their Duty reprove them for their Sin answer their Doubts clear up their Way and enlighten them in their Darkness he will open their Hearts enlarge their Souls regulate their Wills illuminate their Minds and sanctifie their Persons he will communicate Counsel reveal Christ discover their Inheritance and seal them up to the day of Redemption Fourthly His minding and pursuing all their Concerns in Heaven the Business Believers have in another Country where they cannot come is very weighty they need Receptions of more Grace every day Strength against Corruption Wisdom in their Difficulties Patience in their Sufferings and Faith in their Temptations now Christ doth agitate their Cause becomes their Factor and dispatches their Work Exod. 28. 29. Heb. 7. 25. Isa 49. 15. 16. Fifthly His gracious Presence with them Joh. 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortless Heb. 13. 5. Jer. 32. 40. 2 Cor. 6. 16 He may hide his face for sometime and suspend the gracious light of his Countenance he may stand behind the Wall and step behind the Curtain yet these are but momentary not continual and imaginary not real Sixthly His bearing with them and forbearing of them 1 Cor. 13. 7. Charity beareth all things it cannot easily be overloaded what gross Indignities and abusive Injuries doth Christ patiently receive from the hands of his People Amos 2. 13. Psal 95. 10. Seventhly His thinking often and well of them and his being a Friend to their Friends and an Enemy to their Enemies where a mans Affections are there will his Thoughts be also the Adulterers Thoughts are on his Uncleanness the wordly man 's on his Treasures and the Ambitious on his Honours but Christ's are on his People Isa 43. 4. They are his Hephzibah's the delight of his Soul his Jewels and Treasures Isa 62. 4. Mal. 3. 17. He esteems their Enemies as his Exod. 23. 29. and favours their Friends with peculiar Blessings Exod. 1. 20. Gen. 39. 5. Eighthly His being troubled with their Troubles and delighted with their Welfare Joh. 11. 33. 35 36. when the Lord Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead and saw Mary weeping and the Jews that were with her 't is said He groaned in Spirit and was troubled nay when he came to the place where Lazarus lay he wept whereupon the Jews said Behold how he loved him and his Heart is the same now in Heaven Isa 63. 9. True love will suffer in the Tryals of it's Friend Acts 9. 4. hence the Afflictions of Saints are call'd the Afflictions of Christ Col. 1. 24. what Hester said concerning her people may be more truly spoken by Christ Hester 8. 6. How can I endure to see the Evil that shall come upon my people He is grieved at the Evil of their Sins or Sufferings Mark 3. 5. Eph. 4. 13. and takes wonderful Pleasure in their Welfare Poov 8. 31. no tender parent can more earnestly desire the Happiness and rejoyce in the Advantages of his Children than Jesus Christ in his Psal 147. 11. If the Joy of his Ambassadors doth much depend upon the Prosperity of the Souls of their Auditors 3 Epist Joh. ver 4. Then surely himself is not altogether unconcern'd Lastly His preparing a Heaven for them John 14. 2 3. In my Fathers House are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you c. The Lord Jesus knows that his departure from the World with the sad Consequences thereof would breed great Trouble in the Hearts of his Disciples therefore labours to prevent it by telling them of the occasion of his Departure that it was for their sakes and in their business and though the World would abuse them when he was gone and cast them out of their House and Country yet he tells them he had a Father in Heaven that would receive them and he was going thither to prepare a place for them and there was store of room for them in Heaven The word translated Mansion here signifies an abiding fixed place Here you dwell in Tabernacles but in Heaven are places for you out of which you shall never be turned more Don't expect much Happiness in the World but look to Heaven for all your satisfying Comforts There 's a Rest for you after all your wearying Duties and Troubles there are
approves of as his Creatures his Providences and Evils of Punishment which are just and righteous But sinful Evils have no dependance on his Fore-knowledge or Influence from his Essence Indeed Actions as they are natural have their Being from God but the pravity and sinfulness of those Acts Sin being but the privation of that good which was and should be in them is derived from the Subject whose Acts they are As the Motion of the Clock is from the Art of the Artificer but the obliquity of the Motion is from some defect in the Clock it self Gods fore-knowledge of Sin confers no Physical Vertue and necessity to the Being and succession of Sin and yet his knowledge of it is certain all things being naked and manifest in his sight who is Truth it self and cannot deceive or be deceived He determining to permit the Being of Sin must needs fore-know it else his Knowledge would not be perfect and if his Knowledge should be imperfect his Essence would be so too they being both the same but this cannot consist with the Fountain of all Perfection He is the Holy One and can do no Iniquity Zeph. 3. 5. His Fore-knowledge of Sin doth not offer Violence to the Nature of man or destroy the natural Freedom of his Will but foreseeing what man would be determined to leave him to the natural Motion of his own Will Judas betraying Christ as it was sinful was the Consequent of Gods Foreknowledge but the effect of his own Covetousness Acts 2. 23. All Contingencies are perfectly foreseen of God also both in himself as the first Cause and so they are necessary to succeed in due time he sees them also in the second Causes in respect of which they are said to be contingent for to God nothing is accidental although it seems so to men through an Unacquaintedness with their Dependance on the first Cause Rebeccah's meeting Abraham's Servant at the Well and her Discourse with him Gen. 24. 15. seem to Standers by to be things contingent but look back to the former Verse and you will see them to be the answer of Prayer and so before appointed The like was the Midianites drawing Joseph out of the Pit Gen. 37. and the Wind blowing down the House on Job's Children Job 1. though they look like Accidents yet were the Effects of Gods Permission and fore-appointment Again God fore-knows all Contingencies not only as they are in their first and second Causes but as they are in themselves for all things being present to him he perfectly knows what every Cause will produce in time and so must necessarily come to pass according to that Axiome Every thing that is when once it is it appears necessary that it should be Acts 15. 18. Known unto God are all his Works from the beginning of the World Heb. 4. 13. Neither is there any Creature which is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 56. 8. Thou tellest my wandrings put thou my tears into thy Bottle are not they in thy Book Psal 139. 2. Thou understandest my Thoughts afar off that is before they are in Being Prov. 15. 3. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good This Wisdom of Christ as God is part of his Unsearchable Treasure and so great a Deep that 't is past finding out by his most intelligent Creatures in Heaven and Earth Rom. 11. 33. O the depths of the Riches both of the Wisdom and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out Again as God is infinitely wise in himself so is he the Author of all Wisdom to his Creatures He enlightneth every one that cometh into the World Jo. 1. 9. This is laid down to prove the Divine Nature of Christ he is the Word which is God this appears both in his making all things verse 3. and in his incomprehensible Essence He is the Light shining in Darkness and the Darkness comprehends it not Also he is the Fountain of all that Light and Life his Creatures enjoy and therefore must needs be God The Evangelist doth not speak here of Christ as Mediator and so of that saving Light which he gives to his Elect by his Spirit but of his divine Essence which the Jews would not own and as a proof of it doth instance in his creatorly Power he is the Fountain of that natural Light which all men have all Wisdom comes from him who is the Father of Lights he is the Fountain of Light able to fill the Children of men with all that Knowledge that is necessary to their highest Happiness to guide them with his Eye and lead them into all Truth First This yields wonderful Comfort to Believers that they have chosen such a Saviour as is able to make them wise to Salvation who not only knows what is best for them but can also reveal and make out the Knowledge thereof to them that they might know and chuse what makes for their best Good here and for ever He is the Son of Righteousness Mal. 4. 2. The bright Morning Star Rev. 22. 16. The Light of Israel Isa 10. 7. The Pillar of Fire by Night Neh. 9. 12. To shew them their way in their greatest Difficulties and Obscurity Secondly This assures gracious Souls that he who hath undertaken their Conduct Supply and Preservation to Glory knows how to make it good and finish the work he is intrusted with he can keep that good thing committed to him he can help them in the worst of Straits and lead them through the greatest Improbabilities Weaknesses Dangers yea Impossibilities to their desired Rest Thirdly This also relieves them that they have a Friend in Heaven who knows their Soul in Adversity and is acquainted with all their Troubles Wants Weaknesses Wrongs Fears Dangers yea with all their Labours Duties Desires and Designs for him and knows how to succour comfort support and deliver them when all Refuge fails them and there is none to help and how to requite and crown all their Duties and Sufferings for his Name He knows their Corruptions the Strength and Prevalency of them and how to subdue and destroy them he sees their Ways and Infirmities and how to heal them he knows the Power and Malice of their Enemies to restrain them and discovers the most secret Plots against his innocent ones to disappoint them that in vain is the Snare laid in his Sight against them He observes thy Tears Believer thy corner Duties thy Bed-side Breathings after him though hid from others he takes notice of thy Innocency when men revile thee and knows how to plead thy Cause and bring thee to the Light Fourthly This will serve to humble the proud Heart of men that God is acquainted with all their Vileness he sees their high their fretful their vain their unclean their unsound their rebellious Hearts Souls men see
Ability to revive her dead Brother she believed indeed he should rise at the last day and not before why saith Christ they that shall then rise from the dead shall rise by my Power and if I will raise up the dead then I can as easily do it now The hour is comming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done Good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation Joh. 5. 28. 29. And I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 6. 54. That there shall be a general Resurrection of the dead at the last day when every Body though now consumed shall be raised up and reunited to the Soul and be brought to the final Judgment is not questioned by those that believe and know the Scriptures The Author of this Resurrection is God as God but the second Person the Lord Jesus is delegated to accomplish this Work which he shall do by his own Voice saith Christ himself by a Shout by the Voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trump of God saith the Apostle 1 Thes 4. 16. with a great Sound of a Trumpet saith the Evangelist Mat. 24. 31. That is the Lord Jesus shall at that last day by his mighty Voice pronounced by the Arch-Angel cause all the dead both small and great to arise in their same Bodies though chang'd into an immortal State and suitable Capacity to that Condition to which they are intended to receive their Soul and to come to Judgment And is not this a mighty Work to quicken the dead a work peculiarly ascribed to God 2. Cor. 1. 9. For we had the Sentence of Death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the Dead 'T is the work of God and of none but God to raise the dead 'T is a work full of Wonder and Amazement beyond all Principles of created reason to conceive how those Bodies dissolved to dust mingled with other Bodies in the Grave digested into other Natures by Beasts Fishes Fowls that have devoured them should yet return and be separated from other Dust and Natures into the same Individuals is such a Miracle as is only fit matter for Faith not Sense and a firm Foundation for the Believers Hope and Comfort It may be thou seest nothing but Deaths on thy Graces Frames and Capacities thou findest Decayes in thy Soul the Spirit of Life seems to be departed from thee thou canst not pray hear converse with that sweetness and delight as heretofore Comfort thy self Believer He that is the Life is the Resurrection also He that quickned thy Heart when Dead will revive it when decay'd 'T is as easie with him to restore thy Spiritual Frames as to bestow them He that can raise the whole World from their Bodily total Death can easily and will in due time cure thy Soul-dyings also Again This will chear drooping Sion who faints at her Desolations and fears what will become of the destruction on her Interests 'T is lamentable to observing Souls to see how Religion goes down daily Holiness is departed from the Earth The Rod of the wicked lies on the back of the Righteous the wicked are exalted and the Righteous oppressed The House of David waxes weaker and weaker and the House of Saul waxes stronger This is a sad Spectacle yet in this case Relief is to be fetch'd from an Omnipotent Jesus who hath said His dead men shall live who can open his Peoples graves and revive his decay'd Interest and cause a Nation to bring forth in a day and Overturn Overturn Overturn till his Kingdom be established in the Earth CHAP. III. The Humane Nature of Christ distinctly consider'd it 's Reality proved His Personality or the Divine and Humane Nature in one Person shewing what kind of Vnion it is and the glorious Consequents and Advantages thereof WE have a little enquired into the Divine Nature of Christ the Beams of whose Glory but darkly seen yield a wonderful splendor and reviving to a believing Eye In the next place let us consider his Humanity The Nature of Man which the second Person assumes into a Personal Union with himself He is perfect Man as well as God The Woman's Seed Made of a Woman made under the Law Gal. 4. 4. Made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh Rom. 1. 3. For he took not on him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. The Children being partakers of flesh and blood he likewise took part of the same ver 14. And was in all things made like to his Brethren ver 17. Called the Son of Man the Man Christ Jesus having the Substante of the Humane Nature though not the Personal Subsistence thereof He did not take the Person of Man into Union with himself for then he would have had two Persons and so have been no true Mediator The Mediator being one 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus But if the Lord Jesus had taken the Person of Man then he would have consisted of two Persons the Divine Subsistence and the Humane and so there would have been two Mediators or Persons mediating which is contrary to Scripture Neither did he take on him the vicious Qualities or Accidents of the Humane Nature being holy harmless separate from Sinners the Holy Spirit overshadowing the Virgin Mary and purging the Humane Nature of all its sinful dregs forming it of the Substance of the Virgin not of his own Essence whence the Holy thing begotten by the Spirit was not God but Man called the Holy Child Jesus purely conceived in the Womb of a Sinner without the least participation of her Sin or vicious Defects of her Nature receiving only the perfect Substance of Man Having the Essential parts of the Body Soul Humane Nature A true and real Body and not a Phantasme and Airy Vehicle as the Marcionites and Hereticks of old held He had Flesh and Bones which a Spirit hath not Luke 24. 39. Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have This was after his Resurrection when the Disciples doubted that it was an Apparition and not him and even then Christ had a real Body palpable and visible the object of External Senses A Natural and not an Heavenly Body as the Manichees affirm'd from 1 Cor. 15. 47. The first man is of the Earth Earthy the second man is the Lord from Heaven But to this I answer with Zanchy The Apostle doth not speak here of the Essential Body of Christ but of his Heavenly Spiritual Power which he lets out in raising the Dead as in the former verse The first man Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit He speaks not here of the Nature but of the person of the
in Glory when I see how Satan buffets and assaults you from day to day then I look upon the Palms of my hands and see your names engraven there and will not leave you comfortless I will come again to you He sends his Spirit to keep them Company here on Earth and he will come and fetch them home at last he will be faithful to them in all things that pertain to God and for the Salvation of their Souls Heb. 2. 17. and Believers may urge him with his Promise and Faithfulness and this obliges Christ to do all he can for them Seventhly Because of the great Necessity they have of his pleading for them He sees they would be undone if he did not stand up for them Satan would lay in his Accusations he is the Accuser and what ways he hath to accuse the Saints before God we know not he accused Job and doubtless he is ever and anon laying in fresh Charges against the people of God therefore Christ pleads for them he sees they want Grace and want Strength therefore he cannot be silent he saw Peter had need of Support Luke 22. 31 32. therefore he prayed for him Christ sees they stand in need of Promises Experiences Consolations and Priviledges therefore he pleads in Heaven for them Sixthly What are the Comforts and Advantages that flow from the Intercession of Jesus Christ to believing Souls There 's Cause of wonderful Joy and Consolation to Believers when they cast their believing Looks towards Heaven to see their Advocate there First In regard of the Excellency of this Intercessor O! what a glorious mighty and potent Friend have Believers to plead for them he is no mean person he is the Son of God the express Image of his Fathers Person Heb. 1. 3. He is one that made the World and upholdeth the World and after he had suffered for Sin he is gone to Glory and takes his Seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high he doth not stand by as a Begger but sits down on the Throne by the Fathers side and speak as a Friend for them O what a glorious and transcendent person is he it is not an Angel it is not a Saint but it is the Lord Jehovah Jehovah Christ O when the Believer by Meditation comes to reflect on his Glorious Agent in Heaven how he is honoured by Angels Saints and every Creature it will wonderfully consolate his Languishing Spirit Secondly Consider the Successfullness of this Intercession and it cannot but yield much Comfort the Father heareth him always Joh. 11. 42. The Father and he are one of one Nature one Glory one Will what the Son wills the Father wills and Jesus Christ is the Executor of his own Will and hath all Power in his hands to give out and perform what he pleads for What would'st thou have Soul Lord sayes the Soul I would have more Grace be more holy have strength against this and the other Temptation I am afraid I shall perish under these Blasphemous Thoughts Oh the horrible injections of Satan Lord support me Why sayes Christ Fear not Soul In me is Everlasting strength thou shalt have it in my time and according to my measure Thirdly Consider the extent of Christs Intercession and that will contribute wonderful Joy to Believers His Favour is not narrowed up to one or two Favourites but for all his Saints All that come to God by him Heb. 7. 25. All that believe in him Joh. 17. 20. Christ excepts none In this he out-goes the Affections of all Creatures It is rare for the largest Affections of Men not to run within some narrow limits but Jesus Christ hath an equal respect for all his Seed And then he intercedes for them in all their Matters Isa 63. 9. In all their Affiictions he is afflicted There is no part of their Trouble but he is concern'd in it As Christ is an Advocate in Heaven he is engag'd to attend the Concerns of his People though they should neglect him Isa 57. 18. He is privy to all their Matters How should this revive the Believing Soul It is the usual complaint of Souls O I fear Christ will not intercede for me I am so Carnal so full of Deceit Hypocrisie and Backslidings It is true He takes pleasure in the Prosperity of his People but I fear I am none of his They that pray and plead Spiritually may hope but I cannot pray nor look up But let me tell every poor trembling Believer There 's never a Soul that hath the Lord for his God that Jesus Christ can be unmindful of He intercedes for all his People and in all their Concernments Fourthly This may yield wonderful Comfort to Believers to consider That Jesus Christ doth not onely intercede in Heaven in their Names but in their very Natures He presents the Humane Nature in his own Person glorified and in this Nature he pleads to God for them He is set forth as the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. He cannot but be full of Pity and Compassion because he is of the same Nature with them They are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Eph. 5. 30. O if that Scripture were but put into the Believing Meditation of Believers what Comfort will flow from it O trembling Saint thou mayest object thy Unworthiness and defiled Nature but Jesus Christ hath thy Nature glorified now in Heaven at the Father's right hand Fifthly The restlesness and unweariedness of Christs pursuing the Blessedness and Salvation of all his Seed is that which may yield wonderful comfort to the Believing Soul Consider his Temper and Disposition whiles he was on Earth His Spirit shall not fail till he hath set Judgment in the Earth Isa 42. 4. And if Christ was so earnest to undergo such work then and was so restless and active till it was done surely he must needs be restless to carry on this Work now in Heaven He lives ever to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. There are some times when men on Earth cannot agitate the Cause of their Friends but Christ is alwayes taken up about this Work of Mediation Christ's Authority is capable to manage all the Affairs of his People were they millions of men therefore it must needs be matter of wonderful Comfort to Believers that they have such a Mediator in Heaven Sixthly Consider the Advantages that flow from this Intercession of Christ to Believers and it will yield matter of wonderful comfort Their Sins shall be surely pardoned O what wonderful comfort is this Blessed is the man whose Transgression is forgiven and whose Sins are pardoned Psal 32. 1. He is an Advocate for them to take away their Sins 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. No Bill shall be laid in against them at the Bar of God Who dares accuse that Soul that is covered over with the Blood of the Redeemer Rom. 8. 33 34. Their Persons and Performances shall surely find acceptance
an hour of Salvation O Sinner be not wise too late Fourthly It is a most dreadful tremendous thing to leave the World without an Interest in Christ to be summon'd to Judgment and have nothing to help them no Mediator to plead for them no Righteousness to cover them no Duties to accompany them no Eye to pity them Isa 57. 12. chap. 30. 13. Jer. 5. 5. This is sad indeed when all Bowels are gone and boundless Miseries to be undergone Fifthly Of all perishing Sinners such as perish under the Gospel have the most dreadful Miseries Matth. 11. 21. 22. The Heathens and Pagans Publicans and Harlots shall have a more tolerable place in Hell than such as refuse a tender'd Jesus How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. O miserable Sinners sleight not Salvation tenders despise not Gospel calls but hasten away to this Redeemer Secondly Let the People of God be exhorted first to bless God for this Mediator Eph. 1. 3. Christ is the Fountain of Blessings the Author of Salvation the Gift of God and have you no Hosanna's for the Enjoyment of so rich a person 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Secondly Ply hard the Throne of Grace find Work for Christ Heb. 4. 15 16. Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace make known your Requests unto God Phil. 4. 6. Consider Soul You have always need of Mercy not a Moment but you want Supplies from God for Soul and Body your Corruptions are alwayes resisting the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. never at peace with Grace but as a Bow that is bent are still pressing after their former Liberty and as Waters penn'd back are striving to force their way therefore Christians you alwayes need the Spirit 's help and fresh Supplies of Grace your Guilt is always encreasing James 3. 2. The Righteous falleth seven times a day hence daily Sacrifices were appointed because of daily Sins Heb. 7. 27. Your Temptations are continually renewed 1 Pet. 5. 8. New Tryals are daily falling on you new Difficulties are frequently occurring your Life new Troubles and Afflictions are constantly betiding you This is God's appointed way in which he will give out Mercy Ezek. 36. 37. Matth. 7. 7. 'T is true sometimes God hears before we ask but yet preventing Mercy doth not excuse from Duty and we have no ground to expect Mercy out of the way of Duty You are invested with a holy Priest-hood on purpose that you may be much employed in this Work 1 Pet. 2. 5. Your Work and Offices lies in this to offer up daily Sacrifices to God by Christ The Lord Jesus waits in Heaven to receive your Prayers 't is his Business and work in Glory to pursue your Advantages and therefore he expects to hear from you 9. Heb. 24. As an Agent that expects to hear from his Clyent and receive Intimation about his Condition as a Friend in a forreign Country that is hearkning for Letters from his Friend Christ in Heaven desires to hear from his People on Earth not that he is ignorant of them or needs to be put in Remembrance but this way are his Graces in them exercised their Love and Duty maintain'd and himself glorified Isa 30. 18. Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious In the Original it is he longs and as it were greedily and enlargedly desires an Occasion to be gracious he waits in Heaven to be puâ— in Remembrance to do his People good This way is their blessed Intercourse maintained betwixt Christ in Heaven and Believers on Earth by this Christ hears from them on Earth and they from him in Heaven Cant. 2. 14. chap. 8. 13 14. Thou that dwellest in the Gardens the Companions hearken to thy Voice cause me to hear it 'T is in the Original Cause to hear me which occasions a twofold reading First Cause me to he heard they are Christs Words to his Spouse Let me be the Subject of thy Discourse to others Secondly Cause me to hear it that is let me be spoken to let me hear thy Voice in Prayer as a man desires to hear from his Wife when absent and in the next vers She eccho's back the same Request to Christ that he would hasten his Return to her that she might have his Company also by Prayer Christ and Believers have sweet Intercourse with each other Cant. 1. 7 8. chap. 2. 5. 8. The Lord Jesus is wonderfully delighted to hear from his People Cant. 2. 14. chap. 4. 11. chap. 6. 13. Return Return O Shulamite c. This word Shulamite comes either from Solomon and so her Husbands name is named on her or from Salem Peace which is Jerusalem shewing her Descent to be from Jerusalem above hence Christ desires her Company because it was pleasure to him to look upon her her Countenance was as two Armies it is in the Original Mahanaim the same word that Jacob puts on the place where God met him Gen. 32. 1. 2. As if Christ should say thy Sight is Angelical to me tho thou art impure in thy self yet thou art fair in mine Eye 'T is a mighty thriving way there 's no such course can be taken to grow rich apace in divine Treasures Prayer is the Key that opens Christ Treasury and fetches out the Riches of Heaven because such may have of God what they will Joh. 15. 7. God is always giving where gracious Souls are rightly asking God's readiness to give should be an Argument always to crave as Sir Walter Raleigh when Q. Eliz. ask'd him when he would leave off beging answered when your Majesty leaves off giving Thirdly Trust to an interceding Jesus expect all your Mercies from him Psal 5. 3. In the Morning I will direct my Prayer to thee and look up the Arabick and some other Versions have it I will prepare or stand before him and he will see me But this agrees not with the Original where 't is I will order or dispose my Prayer as a General doth his Army and will look out as a man that watches on a Tower to see what I can espy and what Answer he will give By a Metonomy it signifies to expect or look for some thing Matth. 22. 21. In his Name shall the Gentiles trust The Lord Jesus is the sure and certain Object of a Believers Trust O Christians is Christ entred into Heaven there to appear for his People O then depend upon his Intercession expect all your needed Mercies by him take up your Acquiescence in his Mediation for you rest satisfied Believers that your case is good and it shall be well with you in every Condition because Christ intercedeth for you Now to strengthen your Dependance on Christ Consider His Engagement to the Father to become your Advocate Heb. 10. 9. Joh. 6. 39. His Promise to Believers to pursue their Cause in Heaven Joh. 14. 16. And his full Accomplishments with whatever is needful to compleat this Work He is infinitely wise and knows how to
manage your Concerns and prosper Col. 2. 3. He hath Skill and Counsel to finish his Affairs with Discretion he knows your Cases better than your selves and what Arguments to plead so as to prevail Psal 103. 14. Joh. 2. 24. 25. Psal 31. 7. Heb. 4. 13. Isa 40. 27. 28. He is active and laborious and quick at Work as well as in Wisdom Isa 11. 3. He is still unwearied in his Business and his Spirit never fails Isa 42. 4. His Eyes are always open he never slumbers or sleeps Psal 121. 4. 1 Kin. 8. 29. Isa 27 3. He loseth no time but takes the fittest Occasion to perfect his Designs 1 Pet. 5. 6. He is faithful in his Undertakings and one whom you may confide Heb. 2. 17. His name is faithful Rev. 19. 11. He is omnipotent and powerful to fulfil his Pleasure Heb. 7. 25. The Almighty one who can prevail with the Father and is one with him Joh. 11. 42. chap. 10. 30. Consider Christ's Interest in his people they are his own John 13. 1. They are his Seed Treasure Jewels Members and Sheep Joh. 10. 3. They are his Spouse and therefore he cannot forget or neglect their Concerns Ephesians 5. 29. Isa 58. 7. Think on his Concernments in all the Affairs of his Interest by vertue of that Union betwixt Christ and his People he becomes a sharer with them in all their Conditions their Mercies are his Delight Psal 35. 27. and their Afflictions are his Trouble Isa 63. 9. He sympathizeth with them as the head with the Members and the Husband with the Spouse their loss is his Loss and their Gain he reckons as his Interest Should Saints and their Concernments miscarry at last Christ himself would be a certain and eternal Looser he would loose his Blood and purchase his Obedience and Sufferings Lastly Consider Christ's Glory consists in the Good and Salvation of Believers 2 Thes 1. 12. His Glory is wrapt up in their Glory and his Life in their Life Joh. 14. 19. 2 Cor. 8. 23. Joh. 17. 10. Fourthly acknowledge the Intercession of Christ to be the procuring Cause of all your Mercies in every Reception of Mercy see an Interceding Jesus and say Lord 't is thy Mediation I owe these Enjoyments Priviledges and Prayer-returns unto Luke 22. 32. Psal 115. 1. Pro. 3. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him This is to pay Tribute to Christ in Heaven and advance the Glory of the blessed Mediator this is giving Christ his Due Rom. 13. 7. and a sacrificing to God and not to your Dreg as it is Christ in Belelievers is the Hope of Glory so it is Christ in Heaven is the Hope and Procurer of Mercy Fifthly If Christ be your Advocate in Heaven then follow his Instructions on Earth Matth. 17. 5. He that commits his Cause to another commits himself to his Counsel also to be guided by him in every thing that might conduce to his Success in it Christ's work in Heaven is to order and regulate his People on Earth and therefore he is the Law-giver and King as well as Saviour Isa 33. 22. Jam. 4. 12. and the Duty of all Christ's Clyents on Earth is to live by his Prescription and Order given them and therefore 't is said Numb 21. 18. The Princes digged the Well even the Nobles of the People digged it by the Direction of the Law-giver This is spoken of that famous Well Beer-Elim that is the Well of the mighty ones that God gave Israel in the Wilderness it was alone the Gift of God verse 16. I will give them Waters yet they must dig for it as here and that according to Prescription as Moses gave them from the Lord This well was a Figure of Christ as the Hebrews themselves in their Midrash Koheleth do acknowledge as say they The first Redeemer caused a Well to spring up so the last Redeemer shall cause Waters to spring up as 't is said Joel 3. 18. A Fountain shall come forth from the House of the Lord and shall water the Valley of Shittim which signified the Graces of the Spirit that Well of Water springing up to Life eternal Joh. 4. 14. Sixthly Become Advocates for Christ on Earth confess his name Rom. 14. 11. chap. 15. 9. Phil. 2. 11. Plead his cause before men Hos 2. 2. Plead with your Mother This is spoken to the pious in Israel as Jonathas Caldaeus Jerom and others conceive who are the men and the whole House of Israel their Mother and their pious Children must plead that is expostulate reason and contend with her for God to bring her to the Sense of her Sin and Danger the Lord Jesus underwent all dangers in owning your Cause so should you in his he always intercedes for you so should you for him in Word and Deed your Lives and Lips should plead for him He pleads effectually for you so should you labour to be as successful as you may for him Joh. 3. 29. and in order to the Discharge of this important Duty consider That the suitable Qualifications of an Advocate must be acquired you must get Wisdom to know Christ and the things of his Will Kingdom and Glory you are not likely to do much Service to Christs Interest if you are ignorant and unacquainted with his Laws and Concernments Mic. 6. 8. Col. 1. 9 10. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Matth. 10. 16. Phil. 1. 9. Eph. 1. 17. You must be active and vigorous for God Rom. 12. 11. Slothful Spirits are not like to be much serviceable Prov. 27. 15. Eccles 10. 18. chap. 9. 10. Heb. 6. 11 12. You must be faithful and have Truth in the inner parts Rev. 2. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 2. Luke 12. 42. You must labour after Potency and Mightiness through Christ that you may prevail for him Phil. 4. 13. 1 Chro. 22. 13. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Now the way to get this Strength for Christ is by Faith to live on him Eph. 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. You must make a thorough and open Profession of him and of all his Truth 1 Tim. 6. 12 13 14. Heb. 4. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 13. profess him at all times Matth. 10. 32. profess him openly plainly sincerely and boldly so did the Apostles You must patiently persevere under all Sufferings for him Acts 21. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Heb. 10. 32. You must speak well for Christ at all times Mat. 11. 19. Cant. 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 9. You must live out his Glory Math. 5. 16. Phil. 2. 15. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Thus have we done with the Applicatory part of this Point and dispatch'd the wonderful Riches of Christ as to his personal Union CHAP. IX Opening somewhat of the sweet Dispositions of Christ viz. His Goodness Love and the Riches thereof as to the kind Fruits and Effects of it I Am now come to the third particular wherein we shall make a Discovery of the Riches of Christ as they consist in his excellent and sweet Dispositions as Mediator with those
the Pool's side near the means of cure but never the better ver 6. 7. And so continued till Christs time came to cure him So Israel were barren and unfruitful till the Lord became a dew to them Hos 14. 5. Therefore this is no discouragement if thou believe and come to Christ God will be a dew to thee and thou shalt quickly find a change 8. Object But saith one I am not only never the better for all the means of grace but I am worse than I was before when I was under first awakenings my heart was more tender but now my heart seems to be more brawny and hard I find more unbelief than ever more indisposition to go to Christ I am worse than I was Answ So was Sarah too as to the receiving the promised mercy more and more indisposed she complaines of the deadness of her womb she was past age to be the Mother of Children till the time of life came then Sarah's growing indisposition becomes no impediment at all to the fulfilling of the promise So was Israel they began to say for their part their hope was cut off and God had forsaken them when mercy was nearest to them So the woman that had a bloody issue twelve years and had spent all that she had on Physitians yet was nothing bettered but rather grew worse till Christ came and healed her Mark 5. 25 26. Persons are usually worst in their own eyes when mercy is nearest their doors Again Thy not comming to Christ is the cause of thy decaies and hardnings 't is thy unbelief that deadens thy heart and withers thy Soul Christ doth withdraw his influence from such and refuseth to do any mighty works in them because of unbelief O then Soul come away to Christ and this is the way to cure thee 9. Object But saies the Soul Christ seems to take no notice of me I call but he heareth me not I come to Ordinances but I cannot see him nay he seems to be angry with me every thing goes against me his word speaks bitter things to me methinks there 's never a threatning but belongs to me I am the Hypocrite and unclean person that God strikes at in every Sermon and his rod lies heavy on me too and in the way of his providence he writes bitter things against me Answ Soul is this thy case doth Christ take no notice of thee It is because thou takest so little of him when he unveils his beauty thou dost not believe in him when he makes a promise to thy Soul When he sends words of Counsel thou dost not obey him He hath called and thou hast not answered and therefore when thou callest he doth not answer Zach. 7. 13. Yet at such a time what follows doth God make an end of such sinners No see Chap. 8. 2 3. O Soul if the Lord Jesus Christ seems to take no notice of thee but to frown upon thee it is to frown thee from thy unbelief it is but to make thee sensible of thy slighting him If thou wilt this day accept of the Lord Jesus Christ his frowns will soon pass away as a dark Cloud doth when the Sun shines he will remember thy Iniquities no more 10. Object But may some Soul say I would fain come to Christ but I cannot I like the terms well but O my unbelieving heart O my impenitent hard heart I cannot sense Salvation-kindness Answ O Soul The afflicting sense of thy unbelief is a hopeful sign of thy faith If thou dost see thy unbelieving heart so as to be burdened under it and be weary of it the Lord reckons it for the beginnings of faith Mark 9. 24. This is the method of Salvation-Grace in begetting faith to convince thee of its impotency to believe Joh. 16. 9. Soul is this thy weariness that thou canst not come to Christ Wouldst thou have a wider heart for him Thou art the Soul he waits for that mournest over thy unbelief Mark 9. 24. But there 's one thing more may be as a discouragement to some Souls 11. Object O saies the Soul I fear the time is past and that God will be gracious no more I have had a day of grace but that is gone The Angel came troubling the Waters but I would not step in I bave had the dawnings of mercy but I resisted I fear I have outstood my Market That I have outstrived the Spirit so long that he will strive no more And this bows me down that I am afraid to look up Answ Sinner if this be thy case know that thy fears of losing the day of grace is a sign it is not lost The greatest symptome of departing grace is security and false peace 1 Thes 5. 3. So it was with the people before the flood Noah threatned judgments but they dreamt of peace Math. 24. 37. c. Security usher'd in the departure of grace from them But while the Spirit of grace strives with thy Soul the day of grace is not past from thee Doth God call upon thee now and plead with thy heart And dost thou find some movings and turnings of thy Bowels in thee crying out O that there might be mercy for me that this day of grace may not be past If so then sure the Spirit strives yet with thy Soul Therefore Soul if now thou wilt close with Christ none of these pleas can debar thy closing with him Well Sinners consider the Lord Jesus Christ invites you to come to him once more he demands your answer what say you will you be his or no Do your hearts accept of him Do you like his proposals will you heartily consent to be his upon all his terms If so I shall lay down some Counsels to direct you in your right comming to Christ First Sinner if thou will come to Christ thou must come as a poor needy empty undone Sinner stript of all beauty as having nothing at all that may deserve his favour 'T is the poor have the Gospel Preached to them Math. 11. 5. It signifies such as are brought to great necessities and extremities So Beza renders it Such as are brought very low Therefore some derive it from a word that signifies falling down at the rich Mens feet As some beggers will Ferus interprets it the poor in Spirit that acknowledge themselves mean and are low in their own eyes So Calvin takes it for them that are oppressed with the sense of their own wants such as feel their pinching necessities that lye down overwhelm'd with the apprehension of their emptiness The Treasures of the Gospel are design'd to such Persons that are poor and afflicted in their own Spirits There 's no greater obstacle in this Match betwen Christ and sinners than a sense of self worthyness This keeps many from seeing the beauty of Christ their own Righteousness hangs in their eye they are too heavy laden with their own thick clay I mean the sense of their own worthyness to be