Demas Julian and many others were But these were rotten Posts not real Pillars and therefore were easily broken when the burden of Temptation was laid upon them Hypocrisie will end in Apostacy They went out from us because they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out from us that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us saies the Apostle 1 Joh. 2.19 Here we see Many are in the Visible Church who are not of the Church Mystical and these will manifest themselves at one time or other what they are Some were troubled to see so many forsake the Church but he would not have them marvel at it for if they had been of us they would have continued with us They were not right and sound if they had they would never have done so They now discover they were none of us and so are the better avoided We lose nothing by their departure The Corn loseth nothing when the Chaff is gone but is the purer nor the Body when bad Humours are worn away but is the more sound and healthful but yet every one that is upright shall so far overcome as to continue his station in the Mystical Body of Christ A true Believer may be so far worsted in a particular Combat as to be cast out of the Church by a Sentence of Excommunication and that deservedly which was the case of the Incestuous Corinthian 1 Cor. 5. Yet was not he totally and finally overcome by the Enemy but was recovered by Repentance and restored to the Communion of the Church again and went no more out Judas went out and Demas forsook the Truth and Servants of Christ but we find nothing of their Recovery and rising again by Godly Sorrow Where there is no Root there is no lasting Fruit some hasty Blossoms but they are soon nipt and quickly fall off They are true sincere Christians that are persevering to the end Sampson pulled down the Pillars of Dagon's Temple and the house fell and all therein were slain Judg. 16.29 But all the Powers of Earth and Hell combin'd shall not be able to destroy the Temple of God nor utterly break one Pillar thereof God gave his People charge to break down the Pillars that the Idolaters had set up Deut. 12.5 But Believers are Pillars of God's setting up and none shall destroy any one of them 'T is true if left to themselves they are like to Sampson when God was departed from him but as others easily conquered by the assaults of their Enemies as Peter resolved to be more firm and constant than all men Though all forsake thee yet will not I saies he Yet how easily and quickly was he overcome to deny his Lord and Master But being upheld by the stronger Pillars of God's Almghty Power and immutable Covenant they are not so totally routed and vanquished as never to recover but are renewed in their Life and Strength as Peter was And as a Bone that hath been broken and once well set again is stronger than ever so they gather strength by their Falls and are confirmed in the truth and ways of God unto the end This is the first thing here promised to Overcomers The Second follows Bran. 2. Christ will give to such not only to be Pillars in his Temple but excellent Names shall be by him written upon them The Pillars in Solomon's Temple had very significant Names engraven upon them but these here promised are much more excellent The Text mentions three I will write upon him saith Christ the Name of my God and the Name of the City of my God and my new Name Of these briefly 1. Christ will write upon the Overcomer the Name of his God Some carry the sense thus He shall be acknowledged to belong unto God As things written upon Pillars are made visible and legible to all or as things openly marked declare their Title and shew whose they are So Christ will set Marks and Characters of God's Image upon them that are Victorious such as shall extort and force this acknowledgment even from their very Enemies who will he convinced in their Consciences and clearly see that they are the Servants and People of God When Professors are overcome by their Corruptions Pride Worldliness Passion Uncharitableness Injustice and Unrighteousness in their dealings Unfaithfulness in their words and promises then the world writes other Names upon them then they are called Hypocrites Dissemblers Formalists a people that make Religion but a cover for Vice a cloak for Covetousness and for Maliciousness seem better but are worse than mere civil and moral men O say they we had rather trust or deal with just honest men though they make not such shews of Religion than with many great Professors who for a pretence make long Prayers as the Pharisees did but none more unjust and false than they they will say or do almost any thing to wrong and defraud another to over-reach and go beyond another Oh! that these things were not too justly and truly spoken of too many that are called Christians and Church-Members Pudet haec opprobria nobis On the contrary when any get Victory over these Epidemical Evils and manifest it by a constant acting in a contradiction to such sinful waies then men will say Ay these are the people of God indeed if there be any Saints upon Earth these are such If all Professors were such as these we would be among them our selves Oh! how desirable is it to see the day come that is prophesied of Isa 60.14 when all they that have afflicted and despised the people of God shall bow themselves down at the soles of their feet and call them the City of the Lord the Zion of the Holy One of Israel They are Overcomers that must hasten the fulfilling of this That which God promised to put his Name in Solomon's Temple 1 Kings 8. is made good to them Christ will write his Fathers Name on their Foreheads He also promiseth to write upon him the Name of the City of his God even the new Jerusalem which cometh down from God out of Heaven There is a threefold Jerusalem Terrestrial Celestial and Mystical 1. The terrestrial or earthly Jerusalem called the City of David The City of the great King c. Isa 22.4 Psal 48.2 This City was once one of the Wonders of the World as the Gold among the Metals so was Jerusalem among the Cities Here the famous Temple was built here was the Ark of the Testimony and the Tables of the Covenant the sacred Vestments the Priests wore and it was the Seat of the great King even God dwelt there In Salem that is Jerusalem was his Tabernacle and his Dwelling-place in Sion Psal 76.1 2. 2. There is the Celestial or Heavenly Jerusalem called a City God hath prepared for Believers a City Heb. 11.16 Of this some understand that Psal 87.3 Glorious things are
20.27 That they have not shunned to declare unto us all the Councel of God And whilst others are daubing with untempered morter sowing of pillows under their elbows and healing the hurt of the Daughter of my people slightly crying peace when there is no peace yet we have some who are found faithful Moniters as to our approaching imminent dangers by whom instrumentally the silver Trumpet of the Gospel giveth forth a most certain sound causing the Saints and people of God to see and understand that now it is high time to prepare to the Battel Amongst whom this worthy and faithful servant of Jesus Christ the Author of these excellent ensuing discourses diservedly ought to be reckoned and rancked not in the meanest place whose design herein next unto the glory of God I doubt not confidently to affirm is the spiritual good and benefit of all his people whilest it evidently appeareth that he endeavoureth the good of all but especially the houshold of faith of some he hath compassion making a difference others he saveth with fear pulling them out of the fire that if possible he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus To this end our Reverend Author in delivering the mind of God in this Discourse so speaketh as stooping down to the meanest capacity so manifesting much of a sweet Self-denying and Soul-saving Spirit whose Preaching is not with inticeing words of mens wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and with Power who though he could speak with Tongues God having given him the Tongue of the Learned that he might know how to speak a word in season to every weary soul yet I am sure that in the Church of Christ he had rather speak five words with his understanding that all might he edified and comforted than five hundred in an unknown Tongue But I need not say any more in this matter the Work that is before thee Christian Reader doth sufficiently speak for him wherein he as a good Steward of the manifold Grace of God doth labour to give to every one a portion for here thou hast both milk for Babes and strong meat for strong Men in Christ Such as are yet strangers to Christ he labours to bring them into a measure of Spiritual Acquaintance with him and such as do in measure savingly know him he labours to put them into a more full enjoyment of him In order hereunto in the first place he wisely and faithfully acquaints all who desire to set their faces Zion-ward what things they may meet withal in travelling thither letting them understand the worst first that meeting with such things in the way they might not be discouraged so as to be turned out of the good way of the Lord. Moreover in those sweet Discourses he as a Son of Consolation doth speak comfortably labouring more and more to confirm and encourage all the godly to keep on in their way considering that all who are now in Heaven that Haven of Rest and Happiness have more or less trod in the same path viz. of Active and Passive Obedience Yea our Lord himself who is the Captain of our Salvation in his bringing of many Sons to Glory was made perfect through Sufferings and is through Sufferings entered into Glory In which way all that will be found good Soldiers of Christ must be willing to follow him Now as a strong enducement or as a mighty encouraging and perswasive argument hereunto our reverend Author doth hold out in these divine discourses many sweet promises as being proper and peculiar to all and only to such as shall be found overcomers Thereby intimating unto us first That here while we are in the body is the time and place for managing of this spiritual combat and conflict and then secondly here is laid before us what these Enemies are with which we are to encounter in this spiritual combat namely Sin and Satan the World and the Flesh Thirdly by what means every Christian shall be enabled so to manage the great engagement as they may undoubtedly be Conquerers in the end I more then Conquerers viz. Through the faith of Christ who loveth all that are his which love of his being shed abroad in a soul will be in it such constraining love as will be stronger than death causing the soul so to exercise faith in Christ that through the strengh of Christ it shall certainly prevail and wholly overcome and so come in the end to see and share in the comfort of those sweet promises viz. 1. To eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God 2. Not to be hurt of the second death 3. To eat of the hidden Manna and to have that white stone c. 4. To have power over the Nations and to have the Morning-star 5. To be cloathed in white rayment c. 6. To be a pillar in the Temple of God and to go no more out c. 7. To sit with Christ in his Throne yea to inherit all things Now good Reader That thou maist be helped to do thy duty faithfully so as thou maist obtain all these things promised effectually and so be made happy in the Lord everlastingly is the earnest prayer of him who is thy sincere well-wisher in the Lord. T.W. SERMON I. REV. II 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God THE order of giving this Book of the Revelation is very observable For God the Father gave it to his Son Jesus Christ Christ to his Angel the Angel to John and John to the Seven Churches in Asia Rev. 1.1 4. It 's observed that this John was honoured to be an Evangelist in his Gospel an Apostle in his Epistles and a Prophet in his Revelation It is a Book of singular use to Christians to the end of the world And though many things in it are very mysterious which Christ will reveal to his Servants in their proper seasons yet many things are more clear and obvious The Epistles to the Churches though directed to the Angel of each Church yet concern the whole body and each member and therefore it 's said He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit speaks unto the Churches This is spoken to each particular Church which plainly shews they were all bound to attend the voice of the Holy Ghost in all that is delivered yea all the Churches that have been since now are or ever shall be are concerned in it for all that is written is for our learning upon whom the ends of the world are come Rom. 15.4 The Text is the conclusion of that Epistle directed to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus By the Angel some understand the Ministers so stiled to shew both their dignity and duty This Ephesus was that famous City Acts 19. where the great goddess Diana was so much esteemed in which a Church was planted at first vigorous and
flourishing but at this time declining both in her inward affection and outward conversation called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies remisness she abating of her first Love and declining from her first Works Now the words of the Text are a gracous and sweet promise given out to encourage her to repentance and a recovery of her self Having used threatning arguments he concludes with this excellent and full promise if by any means she might be brought to remember whence she was fallen and might get Victory over her present dangerous Distempers To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God Here is 1. The matter of the promise to eat of the Tree of Life which is described by the scituation of it in the midst of the Paradise of God 2. The condition of it overcoming The Doctrine is this Doct. That Overcomers shall eat of the Tree of Life in Gods Paradise Here is something implied and also something expressed of these in order 1 That which is implied is that we have Enemies who fight against us and seek our destruction for ever against whom we are to manage a Spiritual Warfare and though none under twenty years old in Israel went forth to War yet here none are exempted not only are Ministers called to act and quit themselves as good Soldiers of Jesus the Christ 1 Tim. 2.4 as Timothy was the Weapons of whose Warfare are not Carnal but Spiritual as St. Paul speaks 2 Cor. 10.4 They are to fight by the preaching of the Word weilding well that sword of the Spirit by Church censures by enduring hardship and the like yet is not the War limited to them but every one must come out to the battel even young ones must strive to fight this good fight wherein the glory of God and the cause of their Souls are eminently concerned This world is the field in which the Battels are to be fought and the War managed In Heaven there are no Enemies nor shall they there learn War any more 'T is true we read there was war in Heaven Rev. 12.7 and the Dragon and his angels fought but it is meant of the Church here often called Heaven in Scripture and in this Book of the Revelation This world is the Enemies Country and while the Church is here it must be militant in a conflicting and warring condition and this without intermission the Enemies are restless and implacable and will admit no truce no cessation of arms In Heaven above they are Triumphant having Crowns on their Heads and Palms in their hands in token of full Victory but here we must all hold swords and labour to be expert in war every one having his sword upon his thigh Cant. 3. 8. because of fear in the night this war is both defensive and offensive we must not only be standing upon our guard in our own defence but God hath provided armour by which we may overcome our Enemies and worst them in the Combate as they said of old to your Tents O Israel so let me say to your arms to your arms O all ye children of men especially O all Believers take to you the whole armour of God whereby ye may be able to withstand in every evil day and having done all to stand For this is not an arbitrary business but of that absolute necessity that we must either fight or dye kill or be killed conquer our Enemies or be finally and eternally overcome by them The Trumpet of the Gospel gives no uncertain sound 1 Tim. 6.12 but requires us to prepare our selves to the Battel If any say who or where are our Enemies I answer the Flesh the Devil and the World are the professed and avowed Enemies of our Souls 1. The Flesh our carnal and worldly lusts these are our worst Enemies the greatest fight is within quot vitia tot inimici as many Adversaries as there are corruptions 2 Kings 11. 13 14. when Athaliah heard the noise of the Guard and of the People in the Temple She came into the Temple and seeing them in their Warlike posture she rent her Clothes and cried Treason Treason when we look into our hearts which should be the Temples of God and find so many lusts gathered together there that are Enemies to Christ and would not he should reign in us and seek to betray our Souls to the Enemies without us we may well cry out Treason Treason Proud lusts covetous lusts unclean lusts lying and hypocrisy distrust and infidelity with a great Regiment besides these war continually against our Souls and fight against the Government of Christ and the Dominion of his Spirit and Grace in us against these therefore we should bend our main Forces more especially 1. Against the sin of our Nature This is called the Law in our Members and is said to war against the Law of our mind Rom. 7.23 This enemy is ever present with us as the Apostle St. Paul complained when we should doe good it is present either to divert us from it or distract us in it This is a very importunate evil a wrestless and unwearied Enemy we may cease evil acts when we cannot avoid inward motions this was it which made that excellent Apostle cry out O wretched man that I am Rom. 7.24 who shall deliver me 2. The special predominant and most beloved Delilah the sin that doth more easily beset us we should bend our utmost strength against this every one hath a peccatum in deliciis a darling sin a right eye of pleasure a right hand of profit and though no true Believer can have a beloved sin for he hates every false way yet some sin there is by which he is most easily overcome and against this the heat of the Battel should be directed As it was said of old fight neither with small nor great but with the King of Israel 1 Kin. 33.31 So say I fight above all with the Ruling lust and predominant corruption the sin that we cannot well hear reproved can hardly tell how to part with are most delighted and pleased in the thoughts of it is first in a morning and last at night with us Oh this is that Enemy which when it kisseth is ready to kill us we may easily see the dagger it hath ready to strike us under the firth rib even when it fawns and flatters most as Joab did to Abner we can never be too careful here to stand upon our watch to keep guard against it as David did Psal 18.23 I was also upright before God says he and kept my self from mine inquity No better means of safety no greater sign of integrity then to keep our selves from our iniquity Let our chief war be against these indwelling Enemies especially against the sin of our Nature and the evil we are most apt to indulge and are most addicted to and the Victory over the rest
read Satan's seat was there A King ruleth over all his Subjects yet he hath his Throne in some chief City of the Land Satan that King of the bottomless Pit as he is stiled Rev. 9.1 reigns over all wicked men yet in those notoriously wicked he may be said to have his seat This was say some the Seat or Court of Attalus in whose time it was written Discedat ab Aula qui velit esse plus Like that to the Prophet Flee thee away O thou Seer for it is the King's Court Amos 7.13 Afterwards it was the Seat of the Roman persecuting Governours who were Satan's chief Instruments in afflicting and destroying the Saints and so is called Satan's seat Christ takes special notice of the places of his peoples abode I know where thou dwellest even where Satans Seat is He observes how perillous a place this Pergamos was and what dangers as to Liberty and Life his Servants were in here Antipas had already suffered Martyrdom for the Truth the name of some good Minister or of the Pastor of that Church as many judge an Honour not granted to the Angels of Heaven as Latimer saith yet we find a Church planted and preserved here who held fast his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as with tooth and nail or by main strength Christ will have to do where Satan reigns some good he will have in the worst places a remnant of upright ones in a crooked and perverse Generation As Satan had a Judas among the Apostles a Demas among the Disciples a Simon Magus among the Believers so the Lord had a Noah in the ungodly world a Job in an Idolatrous Vz a Lot in filthy Sodom a Joseph in Pharaoh's Court Saints in Nero's house and some that held fast the Truth even in Pergamos itself those he reserves to be Witnesses for him and to testifie against those to their Condemnation who will not by their good Example be brought to Conversion Let us all labour to be good in evil Times it 's excellent in itself and will be our commendation before Christ at last as appears by his Testimony of them here Thee have I found righteous before me saies the Lord to Noah in this Generation Gen. 7.1 What kind of Generation that was is set down It was a time when Iniquity abounded all flesh had corrupted their way a deluge of wickedness had covered the Earth for Noah now to be righteous was excellent indeed And it will be our glory if we study to be Lights in a dark World holy among the filthy Lilies among Thorns and as the Fish fresh in Salt-waters This may comfort us also in very evil Times Christ will preserve some from the stroak of Persecution Antipas was slain yet some did remain some yea many may suffer hard things yea 't is possible some particular Churches may be extirpated yet a Church Christ will have on Earth against which the Gates of Hell Satan's Seat shall not prevail Many Faithful ones may be removed by a natural or violent Death yet because Christ lives therefore his Truth shall live his Cause and Interest shall live and survive all Enemies and Opposers Let this help our Faith and Joy though we dwell where Satan's seat is Rome Antichristian is now esteemed that Seat of the Beast mentioned Rev. 16.10 yet even there God hath his People Come out of her my People saies the Lord Rev. 18.4 A People Christ had and still hath where Antichrist most prevails though it greatly concerns them to come out thence dangerous to continue there both for Infection of Sin and for Infliction of Punishment as this Scripture expresseth Come out that ye partake not of her Sins and receive not of her Plagues Pliny saith That Mice will hasten out of a house that is ready to fall on their heads And Spiders with their Webs will drop before the house falls Certainly Antichrist's ruine hastens and Babylons Fall approacheth Come out of her therefore O all the People of God Come out from her Idolatries be ye separate from all her Abominations and Corruptions And to encourage all to strive to get Victory over the Evil of Evil Times this further Promise in the Text is given to them of Pergamos and to us in them the sum whereof take in this Proposition Doct. That Overcomers shall have such special and peculiar Favours given them by Christ as none know but they that receive them There are some things in which the men of the world intercommon with the Saints as Natural Endowments Worldly Enjoyments External Church-Priviledges the common Gifts of the Spirit and superficial Tastes of Heavenly things Absalom had Beauty as well as yea greater than David Herod and Jonadab had Wit and Policy as well as Joseph the Fool in the Gospel was rich as well as Abraham the foolish Virgins were in Church-Fellowship as well as the wise Apostates such as are not renewed to Repentance may taste the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come as well as those who had better things in them even things that accompany 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that have Salvation in them Saul had the Gift of Prophecy Judas Gifts of Preaching Prayer and working Miracles as well as the other Apostles yet notwithstanding all this there are peculiar benefits Believers share in which others have no part no lot in The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Psal 25.14 Not here meant of his providence blessing him in outward things of this Job speaks saying The Secret of God was upon his Tabernacle Job 29.4 But the understanding of the mysteries of his Word and Covenant hid from the wise and prudent of the World and their own interest in them Believers are the friends of God as Abraham was called the friend of God James 2. So Christ called his Disciples friends now the secret Cabinet is unlockt and set open to a friend though shut to strangers Amicus alter idem A friend is another self and a man cannot conceal any thing from himself and therefore not from his friend Whatsoever Christ heard of his Father he made known to his friends John 15.15 His secret is with the righteous Prov. 3.32 the very Arcana Imperii the mysteries of the Kingdom are made plain to them Luke 8.10 It is a favour to be of the Kings Court but more to be of his Council Courtiers know more than those that live far remote from the Kings Court but Counsellors know his secrets the Privy-Counsellor is acquainted with the special mysteries of State Carnal professors and hypocrites may know many truths which Heathens who live not under the sound of the Gospel may be ignorant of and in an ordinary way cannot know yet are they but of the Court Believers only are of the Counsel to whom the mysteries of grace and godliness are disclosed It is said the Lord told Samuel in his ear 1 Sam. 9.15 When
that better informs him speedily returns into his way is more circumspect to prevent wandering for the future and mends his pace for the time he lost He that thus keeps the Works of Christ and that to the end to the end of the present Trial yea to the end of his Lise this is he that overcometh That 's the first Quest 2. What is that Power Christ here promises to give to Overcomers Answ Some think it extends only to the present Enemies of this Church of Thyatira viz. Jezebel and her adherents which although it hath much Comfort in it to the Members of that Church Yet this Interpretation is too narrow For the Text saies He that overcometh to him will I give Power over the Nations a Term of a very large extent Yea to shew the largeness of the Power it is said to be the like Power to what Christ received of his Father Now God the Father hath given Christ Power over all flesh Joh. 17.2 And though Believers are not capable of having a Power every way equal with what Christ hath received yet some share in it or shadow of it is here promised to be given them Now Christ hath received 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which does import Rule and Authority This is Threefold 1. There is Potestas Dispositiva a Right to order and dispose all things and persons in the Nations which some call a Providential Power on this account he is stiled King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Because he ruleth by his Power for ever His eyes behold the Nations Psal 66.7 He disposeth of his Enemies For he hath bought them though they deny him 2 Pet. 2.14 He gave the price of his Blood sufficient for them and hath Right to dispose of them and to expect service from them He hath this Power over his Friends he hath received Gifts for them though at present rebellious yet he will subdue them to himself that he may dwell in them Psal 68.18 Power to turn them from Darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. He hath the Key of David he openeth and none can shut and shutteth and none can open Rev. 3.7 called the Key of the house of David Isa 22.22 that is of the Church as some interpret A Similitude taken from those that keep the Keys of a City Castle or Pallace the Gates whereof cannot be opened without their leave and Order Thus Christ had opened a Church-door in Philadelphia vers 8. which no man can shut There was an open door though many adversaries 1 Cor. 16.9 He openeth the heart-door also so opened he Lydia's heart Acts 16.14 He openeth the door of faith as he did to those Gentiles Acts 14.31 He openeth the door of hope in the valley of Achor Hos 2.15 And makes the Soul that is filled with trouble and despairs to evade to hope against hope He openeth a door of deliverance from the greatest dangers and extremities A shadow of this power is promised to Overcomers for by Faith and Prayer they engage the Power and Providence of Christ to work for them Jacob had by prayers and tears power over the Angel viz. Christ the great Angel of the Covenant and prevailed so that a strange change was wrought in his Brother who though he breath'd out threatnings and slaughter against Jacob yet meeting together Esau embraced him so lovingly contrary to his expectation that he accepted it as a plain token of Gods presence Hence he saith I have seen thy Face as though I had seen the face of God Gen. 33.10 In his Brother 's reconciled countenance he saw the gracious face of God smiling upon him This Victory God granted to Jacob as the fruit of his Wrestling and Weeping in Prayer suffering himself to be overcome by him and subduing his Brother's rage and malice against him David's Prayer prevailed with God to defeat Achitophel's evil Cousel 2 Sam. 15.31 and 17.23 Stephen's Prayer prevailed for the Conversion of many of his Persecutors Faithful and fervent Prayers have made wonderful Turns in the Nations of the World as might at large be shewed While Moses lifted up his praying and believing hand Israel prevailed against Amalek Exod. 17.11 when he let them down Amalek prevailed and the Israelites hands were enfeebled where we see how dangerous it is to faint in Prayer and how powerful Prayer is against the Power of Warlike Enemies When Esther and her people were solemnly engaged in this work what a strange Turn was made thereby A great Turn there was upon the King's heart he recalls all his Orders granted out for the destroying of the Jews and the whole Plot was turned upon Haman's head who contrived it against God's people This way they have great Power over the Nations 2. There is Potestas Legislativa a Legislative or Lawgiving Power which Christ hath received of his Father Thus he is stiled the Judge the King the Lawgiver to his people Isa 33.22 There is one Lawgiver saith St. James Jam. 2.12 viz. Christ Lycurgus Solon and others had Potestatem vitae necis Power of Life and Death and many now there are who make and give Laws yet there is but one Supreme and Absolute Lawgiver whose Will is the Rule of Justice and this is Christ none can give Laws that directly bind the the Conscience but he 'T is true We are to submit our selves to every Ordinance of man but it is for the Lord's sake 1 Pet. 2.13 'T is God's command that lays an Obligation upon our Consciences to observe man's yet withal if mens Laws be contrary to God's though we must submit unto not resist the Higher Powers yet active Obedience must not be given We are to obey God rather than men saies the Apostle Act. 4.19 For men to impose Laws upon the Conscience to be observed ex intuitu voluntatis upon the bare sight of their Will is to set themselves down in the Throne of God and speaks the very Spirit of Antichrist Now a shadow of this Law-giving Power may be given by Christ to those that overcome the Enemies and live in the times of the Churches Exaltation upon the head of them all When Christ was invested with all Power in Heaven and Earth he said to his Disciples Go ye and teach all Nations to observe whatsoever I have commanded Mat. 28.19 20. And when Christ shall have exalted the Mountain of his House above all the Hills and Mountains of worldly Power and Glory then shall the Law go forth from Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and all Nations shall flow unto it Behold here a shadow of this Law-giving Power given to his Church even as he received of his Father All Nations shall either professionally or really stand in an awful respect of and to the Church and bow to the Laws of Christ therein established for they primarily receive the Law from Christ's mouth and secondarily from the Church There is Potestas Distributiva which is
spoken of thee O thou City of God 3. There is the Mystical Jerusalem which is the whole company of Believers here this is the City set upon a Hill Mat. 5.14 and it is called The City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12.22 in regard of the Original of it and by Right of Inheritance as a Learned man speaks This is said to come down from God out of Heaven because the Power and Mercy of God shall signally appear in building his Church and making it glorious in the World The two latter may be taken in here though some wholly carry it to the last The sum is Overcomers shall be enrolled as free Denison and Citizens of the New Jerusalem No more to be Forreiners and Strangers but Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Ephes 2.19 Even here on Earth their City is in Heaven as is said Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our City-converse and Behaviour is above Some account it much to be Free of such a City as London is to have free Liberty to trade therein O what a Favour is it then to have liberty of Access to the great God of Heaven To drive a free and full Trade Heaven-ward to be Spiritual Merchants who deal for goodly Pearls of great price This is better than the Merchandise of Silver and the gain of those things than fine Gold They are more precious than Rubies and all we can desire are not to be compared with them as Solomon speaks Prov. 3.15 16. And after all you shall be taken up into the Celestial Jerusalem You that have been Fellow-Soldiers here and Overcome shall be Fellow-Citizens there and Triumph And though it will be a very glorious state he will bring his conquering Church into here yet Heaven will be Heaven when all is done Notwithstanding this the state here promised that they shall trade freely Heaven-ward and be helped to order their Lives here as Citizens of Heaven is an inestimable Priviledg To have their Hearts in Heaven their Discourses of Heaven as the Primitive Christians had the Kingdom so much in their mouths that their Enemies were jealous they had evil Designs against the Civil Government but it was the Heavenly Kingdom they talked of their daily recourses to Heaven their being Heavenly in earthly things their desires to be in Heaven and the like shew that Christ hath written this Name upon them that these are the Citizens of the New Jerusalem so that he that runs may read it This is the most sublime and noble state the most pleasant and delightful the most profitable to perfect Divine Discoveries to strengthen their Graces to encrease their Comforts this is the most safe estate for prevention of Temptations because hereby their Souls are taken up with high things and not so apt to be taken in Satans snare as the Bird that mounts aloft is not in danger to be caught in the Fowler 's Net And in a word It is the most suitable estate for they look to go to Heaven when they dye and expect a Saviour from Heaven at the last Day Almost all they have of any worth is there already Their Names are written in Heaven their Treasure is in Heaven their chief Relations are in Heaven their Inheritance is in Heaven and therefore to have a way and course of Life here that is becoming a Citizen of that City must needs be a choice and precious Mercy and this is here promised to him that Overcomes 3. Christ further promiseth to such That he will write upon them his new Name Some understand it of the Honour they shall share in with Christ When he had overcome God gave him a Name above every name the name of a King and Conquerour So Overcomers shall be made Kings and Priests unto God and shall reign on the Earth Phil. 2.9 Rev. 1.6 Others take it to be meant of Adoption and Regeneration But of this I have spoken in a former Sermon A new Name written in the white Stone Rev. 2.17 I come to the Vse of this to our selves Vse 1. See here the different estate of Believers and Unbelievers of them that Overcome and of them that are Overcome by the Enemy Unbelievers have no part no lot in these Promises They may be in the Temple of God and seeming Pillars there but they will not continue long but either go out or be cast out for ever none of the promised Names shall be written on them but Names of Contempt and Reproach Believers shall have the Stability Beauty and Perpetuity and all the excellent Names here set down O the Misery of the one O the Felicity of the other Who would be an Unbeliever still What should discourage Believers Vse 2. Let us all then strive for the Victory If a man strive for Mastery he is not crowned except he strive lawfully saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 9. 2 Tim. 2.5 and therefore much less they that strive not at all To move us unto Courage in this War many things might be urged Consider 1. the Justness of the Cause Though Soldiers be never so strong and well furnished yet if their Consciences tell them they fight in a bad Quarrel it will abate their Valour and make them timerous But our Cause is most just and our War lawful for God who is Justice it self hath proclaimed it by his Heraulds the Apostles saying Fight the good fight of Faith Endure hardship as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ Put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand and withstand in the evil day Resist the Devil and he will flee from you 2 Tim. 6.12 2 Tim. 2. Ephes 6.10 11. Jam. 4.7 Besides the Glory of God and the Salvation of our Souls lye at the stake our Enemies Design is to dishonour God and to destroy us And can there be a Cause of greater Importance If we would not treacherously betray these by our Sloathfulness and Cowardice into the hands of our Enemies let us enter the field and never cease our couragious fight till we have obtained a full Victory 2. The Enemies at this day are full of Rage and Wrath and a time of great Trial seems to be at hand terrible shakings there are already upon us Philadelphia is warned of an hour of Trial which was the Persecution under Trajan the Emperour as Expositors judge Some write that Philadelphia was Terrae motibus concussa often shaken with Earthquakes whatever of these proper natural Earthquakes as a City she was liable to she was as a Church shaken by the violent Assaults of enemies And it is the judgment of many Learned and Godly Men that an Hour of Temptation is drawing on upon the present Reformed Churches of Christ in Europe wherein they are like to be extremely shaken Satan's rage and wrath he is come down in is very great and his great Agent the Beast spoken of Rev. 13. is very powerful and his Worshippers