The Sorrow of the World worketh Death 2 Cor. 7.10 The sorrow of the World that is grieving more for Suffering than for Sin growing under the want of Temporals more than of Spirituals this is a weight it hinders desire after a Heavenly Life pressing on to Salvation this depresses the Spirit Godly Sorrow what carefulness it wrought what zeal what vehement desires c. Lay aside the weight of worldly sorrow 4. Sin Especially the easily besetting Sin Heb. 12.1 Who shall deliver me from the body of Death This is a weight in Paul's Spirit when I would do good evil is present there 's a Law in my Members c. Desire that Sin may be subdued look to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ to free you from the Law of Sin and Death especially the Lusts that are most prevalent that do most easily prevail that the Soul is usually overtaken with your Dalilah Herodias your Right Hand your Right Eye The following a Lust takes off the Heart from following after Knowledge c. 3. Run your Race with Patience that is first be not angry if the Blessing longed for be not presently bestowed be not like those that ask where is the promise of his coming Hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of God Lam. 3.26 All my appointed time will I wait till my change come Secondly Be not angry at the Crosses you meet with in the way of Salvation c. This was Israel's prevailing Sin whereby they vext the Spirit c. They could not with patience bear any Cross in the way to the Land flowing with Milk and Honey Satan and the World set themselves against the Heirs of Salvation that labour to work it out and with patience endure their buffetting There 's great reason for it for our light Afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more Exceeding and an Eternal weight of Glory Afflistion is not worthy to be compared with the Glory that is to be revealed Rom. 8.18 and 2 Cor. 4.17 Skin for Skin all that a Man hath will he give for his Life endures any thing parts with any thing rather than part with his Life He that will loose his Life shall find it loose Earth to find Heaven c. Psa 84. Going through the Vally of Baca a dry place make a Well this is a Well they going to God can satisfy themselves with his Law c. Thirdly Look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of Faith and Love c. The Author and Finisher of Grace and Glory Believe that he who is mighty to save will carry on the work to perfection The Jews had the Angel of God's presence with them to keep them and to drive out the Canaanites c. In a Wilderness he fed them with Bread from Heaven when they were ready to perish with tâ—irst he brought Honey out of the Rock c. When Sihon King of the Amorites and Og opposed them he slew those mighty Kings and he made a way through the Sea and Jordan Isa 63.9 The Angel of his presence saved them and in his Love and Pity redeemed them and bare them c. even thus Believers have the Angel of God's presence Christ Jesus c. He will bear in his Love and Pity as by his power as the tender hearted Mother bears her Child in her Arms Believers they have Christ to overcome their Spiritual Enemies Christ to feed them and supply them with Spiritual Nourishment Bread from Heaven and with water of Life giving by his Spirit so look to Christ as the Author and Finisher of Salvation As the Cloud and Smoak by day and the flaming fire by night c. was a sign of God's presence so God promises Isa 4.5 I will create on Mount Sion and her Assemblies a Cloud c. the shining of a flaming Fire Shining for Light to the Saints Flaming for Terror to the Enemies Christ will be as careful of Believers now as of the Jews of old believe that you have the Angel of his presence to conduct you to his presence and so hold fast your Confidence firm unto the end and you shall receive the end of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls Heb. 11.14 Christ is passed into Heaven as Priest he bare Sin on Earth but now he is entred without Sin Jesus the Son of God So hold fast your Profession Here 's an encouragement there 's no infirmities but Christ hath felt the like So then come boldly to the Throne of Grace by Faith go to the Throne of Grace in Heaven for Grace to help you to Heaven have Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven on a Throne of Grace fixed in Christ so shall you be drawn nearer and nearer to Heaven Section 10. With fear and trembling As the Gospel requires Men to set about a work of following Christ and of saving their Souls so it gives directions for the way and shews where strength is to be had c. Here you have a manifestation of the way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out Whence the Doctrine is Doct. 3. Salvation is to be wrought out with fear and trembling Whereas in the former Exhortation somewhat seemed to be ascribed to the Will and Power of Man as if he could do somewhat towards the perfecting of his Salvation This that the Apostle adds in these and the following words takes away all colour and ground of attributing any thing to Nature in this great work But shews it to be the sole work of God's Grace and Power in Christ And there being a glorious manifestation of God in this work revealed in the Hearts of Believers that 's a ground of fear and trembling Now for the opening of this point I shall shew what is not meant by Fear and Trembling 1. Not a slavish fear of Judgment The fear of Christians should be filial i. e. fear of dishonouring God should restrain from Sin not fear of being destroyed but an earnest desire of being accepted Not a dread of Vengeance should move you to walk in Holy and Gospel ways Christians should not be driven to seek Heaven meerly out of fear of Hell but drawn by the Glory of Heaven and Pleasures for evermore in the presence of God Not driven by fear of the wrath of the Lamb but drawn by the Cords of the Love of the Lamb. The fear of Christians should not be the fear of Slaves but the fear of Sons Not the fear of Cain Every one that findeth me shall slay me but the fear of Joseph Gen. 42.18 I fear God Exod. 20.20 When Israel feared because of the thunderings c. Moses said Fear not for God is come to prove you that his fear may be before your faces that you sin not Fear of Evils God doth not account his Fear his fear is not Sin Believers are set beyond the fears of Evil they have no ground to fear wrath and vengeance 'T is an Infirmity to do it
says a sinner must dye but what saith Paul He loved me and give himself for me out of love he made his Soul an offering for sin and now who shall condemn by which it appears that the power of his love to work out Salvation is beyond the power of sin to Destroy 2. The love of Christ towards the vessels of Mercy did abound beyond self-love The Law is to love our Neighbour as our selves Christ did more When Peter said Master pity thy self he was so great an offence to him that he calls him Satan He pitied Souls to be saved more than his Body and loved their lives even to his own Death And if the Jews had ground to say when he wept over Lazarus behold how he loved him much greater cause is there to say when Christ dyed for sinners behold how he loved them If the sheding of tears was so great a demonstration of his love what was this that he yielded his Blood should be shed 3. It abounds beyond all the wants and weaknesses of Saints It is not exhausted by what he hath done for them or bestowed on them as he hath the Residue of the Spirit so the Residue of Love and Grace even the fullness of it so as he accounted no suffering too great to undergo for them so no good thing too great to give them Heaven a Kingdom the fullness of Joy Holyness Light and Grace is not too much for his love to bestow we cannot have less to make us happy and 't is not more then his love can make us partakers of 2. The love of Christ is an abiding love he loves with an everlasting love here 's a love not to be quench'd with many waters which no floods of either Human or Diabolical or Divine wrath could Drown Having loved his own he loved them to the end John 13.1 that is the finishing of that work he had to do for them in the World and will to the end of his Mediatory work till he hath brought up all the Saints to the measure of the stature of his own fullness and when his love shall have brought him to this glorious end of his work in perfecting all the Saints and presenting them to the Father who shall be all in all and he shall have thus loved them to the end then he shall love them without end The Saints have then ground to comfort themselves with the abiding love of Christ If the World pass away if Riches come to nought c. yet the love of Christ doth not pass away and when there is so constant a hatred from the World and such abiding malice against the followers of Christ in evil men and evil Angels there is an abiding love of Christ to comfort them 3. The love of Christ was once a love fulfilling the Law and now is a love fufilling the Gospel it was once a love fulfilling Precepts and now is a love fulfilling Promises Rom. 13.10 Love is the fulfilling of the Law such was the love of Christ love brought him that was Lord of the Law under the Law and carried him through it even to perfect obedience â—is love made him say it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and by this there is Reconciliation and Peace with God and as it was once the fulfilling of the Law so now of the Gospel All the Promises are yea and Amen in Christ's love When Saints are unworthy of the good of the Promises the love of Christ will bestow it on them There are Promises of not remembring sin of giving Grace and Glory and every good thing of putting the Law in the mind of turning all to good of saving out of all troubles and love will fullfil them all the Gospel is the Testament and Will of Christ and there must be the Death of the Testator that the Will may be of force Now here we may take notice of this truth Christ dyed that his will may be of force and lives again to the Executor of his own will and his love is the fulfilling of it hence Christ promiseth to his Disciples I will not leave you Orphans I will come to you John 14.18 Christ being dead they were Orphans c. but happy were it for many poor Orphans if their Fatheâ—s could come again and set all things right and see that every Child should have his portion now although this cannot be yet it was so with Christ He arose from Death and will be the Executor of his own Will and hence he is called the everlasting Father having a Fatherly love and regard to all the Saints which is everlasting and which will perfect that which concerns them Saints are the travel of Christ's Soul and he must see the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 Rachel said give me Children or else I dye Christ said let me dye that so I may have Children Rachel dyed in travel and did not live to see of her travel Christ dyed in his travel with the vessels of Mercy and lives again to see of the travel of his Soul Every Saint at first was a Benoni a Son of Christ's sorrow in that he dyed in bringing them forth but afterwards a Benjamin a Son of his right hand he being alive for ever more and is ever seeing them to his satisfaction and they shall see him for ever to their satisfaction and living again he will see that they be partakers of that Grace and Glory that he bequeathed to them 4. The Love of Christ is such that when it finds not its Object lovely it can and doth make it lovely Christ found Mary Magdalen a sinful Woman and so not lovely but made her lovely in converting her Paul was an Enemy to Christ but he converted him his love made him lovely it made him a Believer a Saint a faithful Servant unto him This is set forth in Ezek. 16. Thou wast polluted in thy Blood I passed by thee and thy time was the time of love and love made them lovely I spread my skirts over thee I washed and clothed thee and decked thee with ornaments and thy beauty and renown was perfect through my comeliness put upon thee If we have cause to say as Isaiah wo is me a man of unclean lips If we abhor our selves and repent we may take comfort in this Christ doth not abhor but his love doth make us lovely 5. The love of Christ turns all evil things to good life death things present things to come all are yours the love of Christ makes them so and gives an advantagious and profitable propriety in them and makes even Reproaches for Christ's sake Riches and better then the Treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 Riches are things of worth so are Reproaches for Christ The Apostles rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ And better then Riches 1. In that God doth not esteem any man's wealth nor him for his wealth's sake will he esteem thy wealth Job 36.19
your hearts c. the refusing to hearken will harden your hearts against Christ there is no other name given whereby you may be saved neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 look whether you will there is no Salvation you may look to the World you may look to your Riches Lands c. but there 's no Salvation in them so then say to your selves that its vain for me to say to my Soul sit down here in Christ alone is Salvation to be had then look to him say that it 's good to be here here I will dwell this shall be my rest for ever I 'll commit my Soul to him who is able to keep what I shall commit to him against that day Christ in you the hope of Glory Christ formed in you Christ revealed to you Christ appearing with his Blood in the heart as well as in Heaven Christ sheding abroad his Love Christ believed on Christ judged worthy of Glory c. most worthy of Love and Obedience Christ esteemed as the chiefest of Ten Thousands as altogether lovely Christ being thus in the Heart is the hope of Glory in that Heart and assurance of Salvation in that Heart when the Sun of Righteousness thus shines into your Hearts then you shall see Salvation sure 'T is not the performance of Duties praying with fervency hearing with delight and abstaining from this or that Sin that is a sure ground of assurance of Salvation any Duty and Grace if there be a beam of Christ that you see derived from Christ the Sun of Righteousness coming from him and tending to him may afford some light towards assurance but then is full assurance when Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in the Soul God shines in the Face of Christ and sheds abroad his Love in the Heart by Jesus Christ 2. Consider the properties of true assurance of Salvation and the concomitants c. 1. The more assurance of Salvation there is the more Purity true assurance is purifying The more you dwell in the love of God the more will you labour to be like unto God and the more will you abhor impurity and the more will you follow after holiness Assurance will not make licentious dwelling in love and walking in your Lusts hopes of Glory and conforming to the courses of the World a looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein Righteousness dwells and not a putting off the old Conversation these will not consist together He that hath this Hope purifies himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Seeing we look for such things be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2. It makes fruitful in good works the abounding of the Love of God in the heart will cause an abounding in the work of the Lord it will constrain you to serve the Lord and to live to him 3. The more Assurance the more heavenly mindedness our conversation is in Heaven whence we look for a Saviour when Heaven is sure the mind will be most in Heaven If there is your hope there will be your hearts This will make you willing to leave all these things here below this will make you sojourners here in the World By Faith Abâ—aham sojourned â—n the Land of Promise as in a strange Land If you look for a City that hath Foundations then will you be strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 4. An earnest desire of Christ's appearing Where there is true Assurance a Man shall say to be with Christ is much better Let my beloved be like a Roe on the Mountains of Spices let him make haste to come let him come quickly When there 's a taste of the Love of God the Soul would have it fully When God shines into the hearts in some beams of his Glory the heart would know him perfectly and enjoy him fully That heart that enjoys Assurance of everlasting Love would have an everlasting and uninterrupted sense of that Love That Soul that sees its self above danger of wrath and loss of Love would be above danger of the with-drawings of Love That Soul that is Assured of Eternity of Love would be in such a condition as not to be subject to any moments displeasure in regard of the hidings of God's face 3. Take heed you give not the Right Hand of fellowship to the Enemies of Assurance As 1. Do not love darkness and hate light there 's no greater Enemy to the Assurance of your Salvation then this This is thâ— most direct way you can take to make your reprobation your damnation sure This is the condemnation this makes condemnation sure that light is come into the World and men love darkness rather than light John 2.19 Do not shut your Eyes from beholding the things of your Peâ—ce How should you be assured of your Salvation if you now shut your eyes from Salvation that is spoken to you c. or if you refuse him in whom Salvation is to be found and no other Rom. 1.28 Because they liked not to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a reprobate mind c. 2. Be not enslaved to the World to the Riches and to the Pleasures of it this will hinder you from desiring or seeking Salvation to be made sure The Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some have coveted after have erred concerning the Faith to deny the Faith to keep Richeâ— this is a great cause of Mens erring so dangerously concerning their Souls that they do not provide better for them that they study not the good of them because their Hearts are so much glued to the World 3. Let not Sin reign in your Mortal Bodies that you should obey it in the Lusts thereof so long as Sin â—â—igns you are in danger of Death for Sin reigned unto Death and you cannot say you are under Grace for that Spirit that speaks peace to a Sinner proclaims war against his Sin that Spirit that sheds abroad the love of God in the Heart will lust against the Flesh that Spirit that brings Chyist into the Heart as the hope of Glory will write the Law of Christ in the heart and cause a walking in newness of Life 4. Take heed of grieving and quenching the Spirit the Spirit strives in the preaching of the Gospel as with the men of the Old World Noah was a Preacher of the Righteousness of Faith Assurance is a Grace of the Spirit a Gift of the Spirit and if you resist the Spirit the Spirit will not witness with you that you are the Children of God but against you that you are Enemies to God 2. Be not Enemies to the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ's Kingdom of Light Assurance is a Priviledge of his Kingdom and of those that belong to it When you can see your selves translated out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ then happy are you then you are past all danger of
such a Righteousness that true Believers thereby are made the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5.21 which is an expression that lifts up the Creature as much as any in Scripture shewing that it is 1. A most excellent glorious and transcendent Righteousness that Believers have the Hebreâ— useth to set forth exeellent things by adding the name of God to them as the Mountains of God the Cedars of God c. So they are made the righteousness of God that is in having the highest and best Righteousness imputed to them 2. There is highest likeness and nearest conformity to God in this Inherent Righteousness being wrought in us and that which is wrought by us is a part of God's Image for the new man is after God in Righteousness but this Righteousness which is adherent and imputed is a more glorious part of God's likeness for this is perfect the other here being but in part and if we could be perfect in our works of Righteousness yet must they be far short of Christ's works or his Righteousness imputed 3. Believers are Righteous before God in the Righteousness of God for Christ is not only man but God but when we have said all we have reason to reckon this among the unutterable things which Paul saw when he was caught up into the third Heavens 3. The Riches of Christ's Righteousness appears in this that hereby we have Justification of Life Rom 5.18 The free gift came upon all men to the Justification of Life Christ's Righteousness is Righteousness unto Life as Hezekiah said in these things is the life of my Spirit so in Christ's Righteousness is the life of our Spirits when sinners that remain without Christ shall dye in their sins when those that trust in their own Righteousness shall dye therein those that desire to be found in Christ having his Righteousness shall live by him and his Righteousness 4. They that have Christ's Righteousness do not only live thereby but Reign in Life Rom. 5.17 They which receive the gift of Righteousness Reign in Life c. which notes thus much That true Believers are not in subjection to any persons or things which may take their life from them 't is one thing to live another thing to Reign in Life we live a bodily life but do not reign in that life but are in subjection to a Divine decree it being appâ—inted to all men once to dye we are in subjection to many infirmities and sicknesses c. and to men that have Power to kill the body Adam in Paradice did live more then a bodily life but did not reign in life Sin entred and Death by Sin but what a better Estate is here A Believer being in Chriâ—â— lives and reigns in life being lifted up far above any power that may take it away above the power of sin the Law and second death above the Power of Satan he hunts after the precious life but it is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 Prov. 30.31 one of the things that is comely in going is a King against whom there is no rising up The like may we say of Believers they reign in life so as there is no rising up against their life who shall lay any thing to their charge or condemn seeing it 's Christ that dyed c. II. There is Christ's Righteousness in his works towards men in the dispensation of that power which he hath in Heaven and Earth as a King he reigns in Righteousness as Priest he makes Intercession in Righteousness and as Prophet he Teaches in Righteousness Isa 63.1 I the Lord that speak in Righteousness His love led him into these Offices and not only love but Righteousness leads him through them and engages him to full and a faithful discharge of them concerning this take these Considerations 1. Saints may fly for refuge not only to the love but to the Righteousness of Christ Prov. 18.11 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous run thereto and are safe Not only as he is Gracious and Merciful but as he is Just Righteous Servants may run to a Righteous Lord for refuge and shall find his Righteousness a covert and hiding place Isa 32.1 He is Just to forgive sin 1 Joh. 1.9 Just to Justify Just to Sanctify to give Grace and Peace Just to hear Prayers Just to deliver out of the Enemies hand and to bring many Sons to Glory but remember that not our works but God's free Grace it is that makes all this to be Just Being a Surety he is a Just Surety being a Saviour a Just Saviour Just to give the Oyl of Joy c. And having betrothed any to himself he will take them to nearest communion Hos 2.19 20. I will betroth thee unto me in Righteousness Loving Kindness Judgment and Faithfulness Christ â—akes a Spoâ—se among the Captives and when any Israelite would do so Deut. 21.10 He was to briâ—g her to his House she was to shave her Head pare her nails put off the Raiment of her captivity and to bewail her Father and Mother a full Month so such as are taken from amongst the Captives to Sin and Satan to be bethrothed to Christ must put off the old man and lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness that is all sin for eveâ—y sin is a superfluity and â—ewail Father and Mother i. e. that they are Conceived and Boâ—n in Sin and be in Christ's House so he betroths in Righteousness c. and will not be like â—he hard hearted Jews that give a Bill of Divorce for the Lord hâ—tes puttiâ—g away and â—eeing he betroths in Righteousnes Juâ—gâ—ent and Fâ—â—thfulness therefoâ—e a time of the Maâ—riage of â—he Lamb must come and his Wifâ— shall be â—ade ready Thus Saints may fly for refuge to and take comfort in the Righteoâ—sneâ—s of Christ 2. The Râ—ghteousness of Christ makes him râ—ady to fulfil all Promises ready to act for the Saints and to put forth his Power on their beâ—alf Isa 11.5 there being a Prophecy of the K ngdom of Christ it 's said Righteousness shall be the girdâ—e of his Loins which shall make him â—eady tâ— reprove and argue for the me k of the Earth He shall argue out the Saints Innocency and â—he wickâ—dness of the World in persecâ—tiâ—g for Righteoâ—sness sake he shall debate the business with them that all may see what Reasâ—n â—e hath to smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and to slay the Wicked with the Breath of his Lips and to save the meek of the Earth Christ is well pleased for his Rightousness sake Isa 41.21 And when there are in the Saints so many failings when cause to say who is blind but my Servant and deaf as my Mâ—ssenger who is Pâ—â—ud Covetous Earthly c. and there is so much among them that is displeasing when divisions sâ—riâ—e and contention among Brethren yet for his Righteousness sake he is well pleased to do them good If we believe not as
lowest and meanest Prudence orders the way and means foâ— bringing about that which Wisdom judgeth best to bâ— dâ—ne Prudence is the Guide of Action and s conversant in doing Wisdom counsels and consider Prudence puts upon working that which counsel determines He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Eph. 1.11 Wisdom is conversant in counsel Prudence in working after that counsel Many men have a great measure of Wisdom and knowledge but they rest in knowing and content themselves in Speculation there is mention of a Servant who knew his Master's will and did it not His Wisdom did not dwell with Prudence he that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin 't is not so with Christ his Wisdom dwells with Prudence nay he is Wisdom c. Prov. 8.14 As he knows how to do good so he doth it He knows how to convince gain-sayers he knows how to Justifie Sanctifie and Save and how to subdue and destroy his Enemies The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Thus Wisdom dwells with Prudence and finds out knowledge of witty Inventions The Scripture discovers many of the witty Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence foretelling and promising more 1. What a wise Invention was the World the Heavens the Earth and all the Host of them These Works of the Lord are great and to be sought out when we consider the Heavens the work of God's hand the Moon and the Stars which he hath created the Earth and variety of Creatures therein but especially man in the frame of his Body but chiefly his Soul There will be abundant cause of admiring the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence and we may say of all they are fearfully and wonderfully made 2. When man was fallen by the subtil inventions of Satan what a witty Invention came forth of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to recover man fallen The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 3. When the World was to be destroyed by a Flood what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to save Noah and his Family and a stock of all living creatures in the Ark 1 Pet. 3.20 4. When Joseph's Brethren had their witty inventions to make void his Dreams then wisdom dwelling with Prudence had its witty inventions to accomplish them and herein to be admired that their wicked inventions intended by them to frustrate were made the means to further the fulfilling of them Gen. 50 2â— 5. When Pharaoh thought he saw an advantage against the Israelites they are intangled in the Land the Wilderness hath shut them in and now he resolves to pursue and overtake c. But what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence for the Salvation of Israel and utter destruction of Pharaoh and his Host at once by the same invention Exod. 14. 6. When Haman had a mischievous invention to destroy the Jews Wisdom dwelling with Prudence had a witty invention to save them and to cut off Haman Esther 6.7 7. There was a witty invention to cut off those three Shadrach Meshach and Abednego by setting up an Image and commanding them to worship it and because they would not worship it they were cast into the fiery Furnace but then Wisdom dwelling with Prudence that is the Son of God appeared in the Furnace and walked with them in the midst of the Fire restraining it that it had not power upon their Bodies or Garments only as we may conceive it did burn up their Bonds for they were cast in in Bonds but walked loose which is worthy of our Observation in that it hints to us God's great design in the fiery Trial at any time happening to the Saints which is to burn up their bonds Lusts within are Bonds these will the Lord consume by the fiery Trial and too often outward things as Riches Glory Prosperity are like the hands of the whorish Woman that is bonds to the Soul which sometimes are loosed by the fiery Trial and what is Death to Saints but the loosing of the bonds of the mortal body that so the Soul may go to its rest Hence Paul â—ays Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissâ—lved to be unbound to be let loose and to be with Christ which is much better And the design of destâ—oying Daniel in the Dâ—n of Lions was frustrated and ended in the destruction of the contrivers Here we may see 1. That there are Inventions within Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence within Satans and wicked men's inventions 2. The inventions within that is of Christ are the standing inventions Many are the devices of men's hearts saith Solomon but the counsel of the L rd shall stand Christ's inventions do oveâ—-rule and over come all Satan's and wicked men's inâ—entions As 1. Sometimes making them prove abortive destroying the Wisdom of the Wife and bringing to nothing the understanding of the Prudent 2 Setting them their bounds thus far shâ—ll â—hey come and no farther and here shall theiâ— pâ—oud waves be stayed c. 3. Giving them their tendency which is many times directly contrary to what men aim at making them serve to the Author's destruction men have perished and will perish by their own inventions and fall by their own counsel the Lord will be known by his Judgments herein and his Wisdom must triumph over all the Wisdom of Hell and the World But 1. Of all the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence the most Glorious is that of the Word being made Flesh and so made sin that sinners may be made the Righteousness of God in him Satan had a Subtile invention to destroy the the Lord a more witty invention to save men what an invention was here that one Person should be God-man Creator and Creature Off-spring of David and Root of David his Son and yet his Lord The Salvation of Sinners seemed utterly impossible God had said a sinner must dye There was an invention of fulfilling this Law upon a Surety which undertook for man As an Infinite Person was offended so there must be an infinite satisfaction and price of an infinite value without which man could not be reconciled to God what a glorious invention was here The Surety undertaking this was an infinite Person equal with the Father he gave a life of an Infinite Value he had in the humane nature united to him A Body hast thou prepared me It was the Body of the Son of God and so a Sacrifice of Infinite Value the Priest offering the Sacrifice was infinite the Son of God the Altar Sanctifying the Gift was the Divine Nature What an invention was it for the redeeming of lost man The Incarnation of Christ the Hypostatical union was the chief of the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence 2. The next is the mystical union betwixt Christ and the Vessels of Mercy who are joyned to the Lord and become one Spirit with him being
and heightens their torment they think upon the vain course they led upon the seasons of Grace they slighted the great Salvation neglected by them they contemplate on the eternity of their Misery and they think on the happiness of those that they persecuted and hated Dives is said to see Lazarus afar off the wicked think on the blessed estate of the Godly but on the other side the Saints never see Death but Light and Life they shall see Christ and be ever with him beholding his Glory Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they be with me to behold my Glory to be in everlasting contemplation of it and the Light of him shall satisfy and they shall be ever seeing him there shall not be any Cloud upon his Glory true he shall come in Clouds but when he comes Clouds shall go away when he ascended a Cloud received him out of the sight of the Disciples when he descends a Cloud shall usher him into their sight and then Clouds shall for ever pass away that Saints may for ever see him and then they shall see Christ and all other things by Christ The Lamb is said to be the light of the new Jerusalem by this light they shall see Christ himself as by the light of the Sun we see the Sun and by Christ's light all other things as the Scripture and all those things contained therein The Jews before Christ came knew him by Types and Signs but after Christ came they knew these Types and Figures by Christ now we know Christ by the Scriptures but when he shall appear we shall know the Scripture by Christ now we know the Creator by the Creatures then shall we know the Creatures by the Creator now the invisible things of God are known by the things that are made then that which is invisible to us of the things that are made shall be known by the Light and Glory of him that made them And their seeing shall be a beatifical Vision Christ shall then see the Saints and be satisfied and they shall see him and be satisfied Exod. 24.11 The Elders of Israel saw God and did eat and drink not as when they made the Calf but either they did eat of the Sacrifices or did eat and drink Spiritually they delighted in the Glory of the Lord and fed their Eyes and feasted upon the brightness of his Glory which was better to them than the most pleasant meat In answer to this Christ promises that we shall eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom this is the Portion of the Saints in Heaven they shall see Christ as God manifest in the Flesh and the God-head in Christ After the general Judgment they shall see God immediately as All in All and not only through the Man-hood of Christ. 2. Christ shall be a fountain of Glory to the Saints they shall receive of his fullness Glory for Glory as the Sun communicates the Glory of his Light so shall Christ the Sun of Righteousness which he beginning to do here shall do it perfectly to the filling of Souls and Bodies with Glory they shall have the Glory of being one in the Father and the Son Joh. 17.21 3. Christs Glory is a Pattern of the Saints Glory who are predestinated to be conformed to the Image of the Son Rom. 8.29 they shall see and be like him and be satisfied with his likeness If Saints now suffer so did Christ and as Christ is glorified so shall they if we suffer 't is no worse with us than 't was with Christ and when Christ shall appear it shall be as well with us as to a like Glory tho' not an equal Glory with his they shall appear with him in Glory there shall be a Manifestation of the Sons of God which the Creature hath an earnest expectation off that they may be delivered from their bondage unto the power of the Man of Sin into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.18 19 20. 1. A Gracious Liberty which they have being under Grace and in a State of Grace being free from the Curse of the Law from the raigning power of Sin and from being led Captive by Satan at his will this is a Liberty where with Christ hath made free 2. A Glorious Liberty where with Christ shall make them free not only from Sin as a King but from Sin as a Tyrant and from any temptations and buffetings of Satan not only from pleasing Men and walking as Men but from all persecutions from Men for Righteousness sake they shall not hurt nor destroy c. such a glorious Liberty shall be to the Sons of God a triumphant Liberty as under Solomon's Reign when there was neither Adversary nor evil Occurrent And as the Creature so the Saints also having the first fruits of the Spirit do groan for the Adoption even the Redemption of the Body There is a two-fold Adoption Rom. 8.23 First by receiving power to be Sons through believing in Christ Joh. 1.12 2. In receiving the Portions of Sons and that Inheritance which belongs to them as Joynt-Heirs with Christ There is also a two-fold Redemption 1. Of the Soul from under the power of Sin Satan and the World 2. Of the Body from Persecution and Trouble which is the State Saints shall be in after the fall of Babylon when there shall be none to make them afraid as also there shall be Redemption from Death and the Grave so that their vile Bodies shâ—ll be fashioned like Christ's Glorious Body Only 1. Consider if you would see Christ and be like him in Glory see that you be found in him having his Righteousness Psa 17.15 I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness that is thy Righteousness those that will not submit to the Righteousness of God must not look to be Exalted to his Glory yet an inherent qualifying Righteousness also is by many and may well be understood in that Expression whom he Justified them he Glorified 2. You must be Holy without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord you must be sanctified into a likeness with him in Grace else look not to be satisfied with his likeness in Glory 3. Confess Châ—ist and stand for his Glory In his Temple should every one speak of his Glory Psal 29.9 So should we in his Spiritual House they that delight not now to be speaking of his Kingdom and talking of his Power and of the Glorious Honour of his Majesty must not look to have an Inheritance in his Kingdom In his Temple is the joyful sound of his Glory such as now hear the joyful sound shall have the joyful sight of his Glory 4. Do all to his Glory confess he is Lord to the Glory of the Father be just to his Glory be sober to his Glory be charitable and mercifull to his Glory Pray Hear Eat Drink do all to his Glory all things are of thee of thine own have we given thee 1 Chron. 29.14 all Waters are from
the Sea and run to the Sea all flows from the Grace of God and should be to his Glory and thus if Glory be our end in doing all the sight of his Glory shall be our Reward 5. Câ—nsiderations of Christ's Riches of Glory should take off the Heart from all worldly Glory Gal. 6.14 Paul was Crucified to the World by the Cross of Christ and the World to him the World was a dead thing to him and he was dead to it the World did not care for him neither he for the World the World did disesteem him because of his confidence in Christ Crucified and he did disesteem the World knowing that Christ was infinitely better now if the Cross of Christ crucified him to the World much more may the Crown of Christ raise above the World Joh. 12.32 If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me this he spake signifying what Death he should dye as the brazen Serpent lifted up did draw the Eyes of those that were stung with the fiery Serpents So Christ Crucified will draw the Hearts of such as are stung with the terrors of the Law and so the Glory of Christ lifted up far above all Heavens should draw our hearts unto him CHAP. VIII A General Application of the Whole 1. WE may learn hence what reason we have to prize Christ above and prefer him before all other things and to be of the same mind as Paul who counted all things but Dung that he might win Christ Phil. 3.8 there is little reason for setting our hearts on Earthly Riches but greatest reason to set them on the Unsearchable Riches of Christ here 's the Treasure and where the Treasure is there the Heart should be This is the better part which if we choose shall never be taken from us he that covets and prizes them above all may have them without price The Poor have the Gospel of these Unsearchable Riches Preached unto them Men travel far and take great Pains and can be content to endure much the cold of the Night and heat of the Day as Jacob did in the pursuit of Earthly Riches how much more should we to get Heavenly Riches Take Christ as Sâ—viour and Lord as Righteousness and â—ife then the Riches of Grace and Glory even the Riches of Heaven and Christ's Kingdom shall be yours Those that are young are content to engage themselves in Masters that they may learn a Trade to get Wrâ—â—th of what greater concernment is it to tâ—ke Christ for our Master the like to him is nâ—â— to be found on Earth Masters here seek gain by thâ—â—r Servants and aims to be enriched by them but Christ is such a Master that aims at his Servants gain and is for the enriching them where I am there shall my Servant be and what I have shall be my Servant's Well done thou good and faithful Servant enter into the Joy of thy Lord now Joy by believing enters into them and they shall at last enter into Joy and shall not be called Magor Missabib i. e. fear round about but Joy round about 2 Cor. 8.9 Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ when he was Rich he became Poor that ye through his Poverty might be made Rich and if his Poverty tend to our Enriching how much more his Plenty If his Emptiness how much more his Fulness Here consider I. What is forbidden as evil in Relation to Earthly Riches is commanded in Relation to the Riches of Christ As 1. 'T is forbidden to covet Earthly Riches this is an evil covetousness Shouldest thou seek great things for thy Self Seek them not Jer. 45.5 Give me â—either Poverty nor Riches but Food convenient Prov. 10.8 but 't is a duty to covet Christ's Riches Covet earnestly the best things 1 Cor. 12.31 buy of me Gold that thou mayest be rich a little Knowledge and a little Grace should not satisfie Here we should love abundance and seek great things for our Selves to be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3.19 2. 'T is forbidden to Trust in uncertain Riches this is a cursed confidence lo this is the man that trusted in the abundance of his wealth Ps 52.7 But 't is our duty to Trust in Christ's Riches though worldly wealth is not yet these shall be to the Saints their strong City Prov. 18.10 11. Isa 26.1 4. 3. 'T is forbidden to Glory in the Riches of the World Jer. 9.23 Let not the Rich man glory in his Riches Hose 12.8 Ephraim loved to oppress and boasted that there by he became Rich. Zach. 11.5 They that sell them say blessed be the Lord I am Rich this is a glorying that is not good but having Christ ye may well glory in his Riches Let him that glorieth glory in me c. Jer. 9.24 1 Cor. 1.31 Having found Christ you have found you out substance Prov. 8.21 II. What is wanting in Earthly Riches is abundantly made up in Christ as Paul says what the Law could not do being weak through the Flesh God sent his Son and he did it so what Earthly Riches cannot the Riches of Christ will do for us 1. Earthly Riches will not profit in the day of wrath many will be the worse but none the better for them then The Rich are honoured esteemed their favour is sought and they are feared in the World but will not be so in the last day the Rich Transgressor mâ—st look to suffer as well as the mean but the Riches of Christ will profit in that day Phil. 3.9 2 Thess 1.10 2. Men carry not their worldly Riches with them when they dye they descend not after them Ps 49.17 but the Saints shall carry Christ's Riches with them yea gain the fullness of them by death whence to dye is gain Phil. 1.21 to dye is great loss to carnal men loss of the World loss of the Soul but when a Godly man dyes there 's gain he knows as he is known 1 Cor. 13.12 he apprehends that for which he is apprehended of Christ Phil. 3.12 he sees what he did believe enjoys what he hoped for and hath all the desire of his heart given him 3. Earthly Riches do not satisfy He that loveth abundance shall not be satisfied with increase Eccl. 5.10 but the Riches of Christ will satisfy the Soul as with Marrow and Fatness a Man's Life doth not consist in worldly Riches but it doth in Christ Worldly Men are Fools in saying Soul take thine ease thou hast much Goods c. but Saints are wise when they say Soul take thine ease thou hast all good laid up in Christ not for many years but for Eternity III. There are great mischeifs ordinarily attending Earthly Riches which Christ 's is no way subject too 1. They may flee away and as the Raven from the Ark never return any more a man heaps up Riches sometimes and begets a Son and nothing is left in his hand but Christ's Riches never flee a way they are
not enough for a Christian to know the personal Excellencies of Christ For although if Christ were revealed in his Personal Excellencies of Grace and Glory which follow upon the Hypostatical Union this were enough to allure the Heart unto Christ to close in with him for so he were a fit Object for Men and Angels to imbrace Angels that are wholy clean and without Sin would think it an Addition to their Happiness to have him for their Head and Husband which Happiness 't is probable they have but Men are guilty of Sin and they cannot draw near to Christ to take delight in his Personal Excellencies except Sin be first done away Christ as considered in his Personal Excâ—llencies is not an Object â—â—â—ted so Sinners wherefore 't is not enough so to know Christ When Christ was transfigured in the Mount Math. 17. His Face shining as the Sun and his Rayment as white as the Light Peter thought tâ—â—n that they had seen enough of Christ and seems to be contented with this Representation of Christ's Glory ver 4. 't is good to be here let 's make Tabernacles settle our abode but Christ knew 't was not good to abide there something more was to be known of him so he leads them down from the Mountain they had not seen enough of Christ they must know him in another manner therefore ver 9. Christ says tell the Vision to no Man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead Intimating that it was not enough to know Christ in his Glory but he must be known in his State of Humiliation as dying c. buried and risen again when the Apostâ—â—s thought they had seen enough of Christ in beholding his Personal Excellencies Christ then leads them to the Consideration of his Death Christ must be known in his Personal Excellencies but that is not enough we must look on him as dying as cloathed with his Garments of blood so he is a sit Object for Sinners The Prophets of old did not only represent him in his Glory but as dying Isa â—3 1 2. Who is this that cometh with dyed Garments from â—ozrah glorious in his Apparel and 〈◊〉 in his Apâ—arel This Christ himself in his Preaching of himself declares Math. 16.34 From that time Jesus began to tell his Disciples that he must suffer this the Disciples were a long time Ignorant off and so long were very rude and ignorant indeed and knew but little of the Mystery of the Kingdom of God although Peter could say in the name of the rest of the Disciples thou art Christ the Son of the Living God yet here he was Ignorant of this Mystery and when Christ speaks of his Death Peter rebukes him and says far be it from thee for which Christ called him Satan and said thou savourest not the things of God you know nothing of Christ aright unless you be acquainted with the Mysteries of his Death 2. 'T is not enough to know the History of Christ Crucified 't is not sufficient to meditate and contemplate on the great injuries done by the Jews the grievousness of his sufferings and the shame he was put to this may move the heart to a relenting and compassion to him as it will also to read the Stories of other Martyrs it may move the heart to indignation against the Jews for Crucifying of him this may beget admiration of his noble and heroical love which men may think to be Grace this is not enough This seems to be the fault which Christ reproved in those Women Wâ—ep not for me but for your selves and children Luke 23.28 You weep for me only out of natural pitty and compassion so indeed you may weep for your selves and your own miseries so you may weep for your Children and their calamities but you should not look on my sufferings as such as your selves undergo or your Children endure you must have more spiritual more raised thoughts of my sufferings not weep at them but rejoyce in them or weep for your Sins but rejoyce in my sufferings by which your Sins are done away 3. You must know the mystery of the Cross of Christ that is not only that he dyed but the ends for which he dyed and the benefits thereof that he dyed for our offences Rom. 4.25 That as Caiaphas Prophecyed Christ dying the whole Nation did not perish but some were saved by his death Now that thus you must look on Christ is evident because thus Christ is the object of justifying Faith Christ in his Personal Excellency is not the object of justifying Faith but the formalis ratio the proper respect and consideration that maketh Christ the object of Faith as justifying is his dying for Sin his sheding his blood that by it there might be the remission therefore Christ is a pleasing and grateful object to the Soul Christ as humbling himself and becoming obedient to death is an object suited to a humble Soul As the Brazen Serpent was lifted up c. so Christ on the Cross John 3.14 so the Scripture sets him forth Rom 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiatian through Faith in his Blood Look on Christ as by his Blood there is a propitiation for Sin so that then our care must be to know Christ as Crucified A humbled Soul must have recourse to Christ who is glorified and sits on the Right hand of God and yet to him as once upon the Cross 2. Now that I may in some measure unfold the Mystery unto you consider a threefold Mystery of Wisdom Love and Vertue 1. Of Wisdom in these particulars 1. Christ was delivered by the determinate Counsel and foreknowledge of God for a most Glorious and Blessed end that sinners in him might have the forgiveness of sins Act. 2.23 And he Blest with all Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 Of Grace here in acceptation v. 5. and in receiving the Holy Spirit in the saving Graces and Workings of it Act. 2.38 Repent and be Baptized in the name of Christ and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost And of Glory hereafter Heb. 2.10 He is the Captain of Salvation by whom many Sons are brought to Glory This end see in Eph. 1.9 10. that is to make a perfect Reconciliation and to close up all breaches betwixt God and the Elect betwixt them and the Creatures there was Enmity even betwixt them and the good Angels Christ was sent that by him a Recapitulation might be made that all might be gathered under one head i. e. Christ for the end c. Isa 42.1 so that in meditating on the story of Christ Crucified we must look back to the Eternal Counsel and Decree of God consider that everlasting Design and Plot that was laid therein the Covenant made betwixt God the Father and Christ 2. See a Mystery of Wisdom in a sweet and admirable Conjunction of Justice and Mercy such a thing that if the Angels had laid their heads together and studied to Eternity to
that Men ought to come to him that they might have life because he said that God was his Father making himself equal with God the Jews sought to kill him Joh. 5.18 because he went about continually to do good therefore the Jews sought continually to do him mischief Joh. 10.32 Many good works have I shewed you from my Father for which of these do you stone me Christ's question implies an affirmation that it was for some of these that they did stone him but the main cause of all was that he preached himself the King of the Jews that was the question Pilate asked of him Math. 27.11 and was his accusation ver 37. this did inrage the wicked World this provoked the Red Dragon to muster up his forces against him c. Now be ready to suffer for Christ's sake and see that we give the Enemies of Christ no other occasion to speak evil of us or do evil against us but such as Christ gave them take him for our pattern believe in Christ with our Hearts as the Son of God and confess him with our Mouths let it be our care continually to go about doing good to hold forth the Truth and Honour of Christ especially acknowledge him as King and plead for his Power and Prerogative this is opposed this is cried down by Men's words this is practised down by their deeds let it be our labour to set up Christ as King for this the People of God are now and shall be persecuted hence comes Wars and Fightings among us because some will not have Christ to reign now let us be zealous in this cause be content to suffer any thing in contending to set up Christ in his Throne Christ himself suffered that he might be crowned with Glory and Honour therefore let us suffer any thing so Christ may be crowned among us with Glory and Honour so he may rule in our Land and be the Lâ—ght and Glory of it and then we shall have fellowship c. so by our sufferings Christ shall be exalted and we likewise 2. Have the same mind in suffering as Christ had 1. Be not high minded the high minded man will not stoop to suffer if Christ had been high minded he had never been Crucified so if you mind high things your own Honour and greatness if you seek great things to your selves and worldly advantage you will not suffer with Christ Christ was humble and lowly in his mind before he was cast into a state of Humiliation inwardly before outwardly in mind before in body then was brought low by sufferings now faith the Apostle Phil. 2.5 Let the same mind be in you as in Christ be so far from thinking your selves too good as not worthy to suffer c. Be contented to descend from the heights you are in to lay aside Honour to become of no reputation and to empty your selves of your Estates and become obedient to the Death if Christ lead you thereto to give testimony to his Truth 2. Let there be a willingness before hand to endure the Cross as Christ was Christ gave them power against him that had no power but what was given he delivered himself up into their hands and went up to the Passover that the Jews might have opportunity to take him he laid down his Life which notes his willingness to suffer herein we should be like him be willing to suffer for Christ count it your Joy c. this is that our Saviour requires when he says take up the Cross take it up in the thoughts of it preparations for it and willingness to undergo it God loves a cheerful giver and cheerful sufferer as God accepts the will for the deed but not the deed where there is no will so God accepts willingness in suffering not suffering without willingness if you suffer unwillingly in a good cause then you suffer as evil doers the go heavily to sufferings and well they may they take no delight or joy in suffering and if you suffer unwillingly what ever your cause be if for well doing you suffer as evil doers i. e. with such a mind as they suffer but if you suffer for well doing and willingly happy are ye then you suffer as Christ did 3. Patience under the Cross Christ had a patient mind under the Cross Isa 53.7 he was oppressed and opened not his mouth c. 1 Pet. 2.21 22. Christ suffered leaving us an example that we should follow his steps How did he suffer 1. He did no Sin to deserve suffering of that step you heard before 2. When he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not that is to revenge c. but committed himself to him that Judgeth Righteously an excellent pattern for us be patient not provoked to wrath be silent from threatnings and revilings fiducially and contentedly commit our selves to God that judgeth Righteously with whom 't is a righteous thing to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to the troubled rest so then because Christ suffered we must suffer this is a call to us to follow his steps that is as ver 20. but if when you do well and suffer for it and take it patiently this is accepted with God 2. This must be a ground to you of worshipping Christ and giving Honour and Obedience to him because he became obedient unto death so we must become obedient to him to whom should we live but to him that died for us Paul said that the love of Christ did so restrain him and whose should we be in service and obedience but his that bought us c. Redeemed us with his own Blood Heb. 5.8 Christ learned obedience by the things that he suffered much more should we learn obedience to him by the things he suffered for us Ps 116.8 9. Thou hast redeemed my Soul from death c. what follows I will walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living Christ for suffering of death was Crowned c. and because he suffered we must serve him Phil. 2.8 9. He became obedient to death wherefore God also hath highly exalted him c. Rev. 1.5 6. and 5.9 and 12. and let Christ have in Service what he hath purchased and redeemed that is the Soul from death that Soul should bow to him let him have Soul-services he redeemed our lives let our lives be dedicated to him no less in thankfulness you can return to Christ than this let him have that in Service which he hath redeemed from Slavery Christ satisfying our Debts makes us Debtors to him Rom. 8.12 as the Jews said we have no King but Cesar they would acknowledge no other King than him that had made them Slaves let us say we have no King but Christ there is far more reason he died to free us from the worst slavery Quest How must we worship Answ We must worship Christ in Spirit and Truth according to his own Laws and Rules in that way alone
also in you that believe IN this Chapter you may observe two things 1. Paul's Relation of the Story of his Preaching the Gospel to the Thessalonians which for the manner was done with boldness v. 2. and in sincerity not in guile v. 3. not out of covetousness v. 5. but his sincerity appeared in two things 1. Because his aim was to please God v. 4. as pleasing God A service is never pleasing to God unless it be our aim and desire above all to please him 2. In his most affectionate desire of the Thessalonians 7.8 that is that they might be won to Christ and be saved Aiming at pleasing God and a desire to win Souls to God are always joyned together Remember these two marks of sincerity 2. The success of his Preaching the Gospel the good it wrought for which he blesses God In the Text observe 1. The Apostles Thankfulness and Praise offered up unto God He doth not Sacrifice to his own Net but casts in his Net to catch Souls for Christ and blesses God for what is done by him The work is only God's to make his word effectual and all the Glory must be his For this cause thank we God 2. The matter of his Thanksgiving and the ground of his praise Because when ye received the word of God ye received as 't was in Truth i. e. as it ought to be received And therein observe further 1 The Divine Authority of the word asserted As it is in Truth the word of God 2. The manner how it must be received by men As the word of God himself 3. The way in which it comes to work effectually that is by believing it Doct. The word contained in the Books of the Old and New Testament is in Truth the word of God This is the first Stone that must be layed when you begin the work of saving your Souls this is the Foundation of Religion our Faith our Hope our Profession of Religion is all vain unless this Principle be rooted in our Hearts Heb. 5.12 I may say of some of you as the Apostle of some of them Ye have need that one teach you which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God Now this is one of the first of those first Principles which that you may be instructed in Four Truths are to be shewn Truth 1. That word which is held forth as God's is so in Truth It hath God for its Author And if you ask as Christ concerning the Coin whose Image and Superscription hath it the Answer is God's give then to God the things that are God's You must not come with the Devil's Question no not in your hearts yea hath God said it But be like the Thessalonians here c. That there is a God that made the World and and all Creatures I hope is certain to you and that this God is to be worshipped There was a Law written in man's heart which did teach him how God was to be worshipped but Sin hath almost blotted out this Law so that there remains but here and there a Character of it and impossible it is that thereby we should come to a saving knowledge of the mind of God 'T is with us in respect of the things of God as with the Blind Man Mar. 8.24 Christ put his hands upon him and askt if he saw ought I see Men at Trees walking So we in our natural condition we see God as Man and as Trees and so fall to such gross Idolatries to worship stocks we look on evil as good on good as evil Now as Christ did put his hands the second time on the Blind Man and then he saw clearly so God must give his Law the second time and give us Eyes the second time and restore a divine and spiritual Light to us then we shall see the things of God clearly The former of these he hath done he lest his will upon Record in the word which in truth is his The latter we must desire him to do if he hath not done it already and as a means to further this I shall endeavour to prove it to you And here take Notice of three things as necessary to establish you in this Truth 1. There is the Spirit in Scripture giving Testimony to it as Christ says Though I bear witness of my self it is true John 8.14 So the Spirit in Scripture giving witness to it self is true John 3 33 34. Faith receives that Testimony 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scâ—ipture c. 2. Pet. 1.21 Holy Men speak c. Truth 2. There are Arguments to be drawn from the word it self to Evidence the Divine Authority As 1. The Power and Efficacy of the word The word is quick and powerful c. Heb. 4.12 There is a twofold word of God 1. There is the Eternally begotten word of God that is the Second Person John 1.1 this is most Powerful Omnipotent because he is God All the great works of God were done by this word v. 3. All things were made by him He is called the Word because begotten of the Divine understanding beholding the Divine Essence And as a word doth express and is the Image the Conceit of the mind so the Son is the express Image of the Father Now some understand that place of this word 2. There is the written word of God which may be called the word of the word of God Christ is the word of the Father This is the word of Christ Col. 3.16 He is the great Prophet that revealed this word Now as Christ is called the Power of God because by him all things were made so this word is the power of Christ 't is a powerful Instrument in his hand whereby he doth all great works Rom. 1.16 destroying Satan's Kingdom and setting up his own Kingdom converting Souls c and in this respect 't is said to be quick and powerful c. by this power Christ overcame the Devil Math. 4.4 7. ' Its written now the power of the word is seen 1. In conviction of the Conscience a wing and restraining mens Spirits How many proud Hearts have been made to stoop and fall down before the power of the word and to stand trembling before it as Act. 24.25 Felix trembled and said go thy way for this time c. he could not stand before the power of the word and experience tells us what a power the word hath in awakning sleepy Consciences in pricking Men at the Heart that they know not what to do in wounding Mens Spirits in such a manner as that the wise man says of it a wounded Spirit who can bear so as that the most exquisite torments of the body are not to be compared with it the scorching of Fire the dividing betwixt the Joynts and Marrow yea Death it self is nothing to it for would not a wounded Conscience choose Death to be freed from the torment thereof what a power is it that the word hath when Men have gone on in
Grace Gospel Righteousness have a Gospel Spirit So you are well prepared and walk through troubles dangers and oppositions in the midst of Satan's fiery darts and the World's reproaches and still the life of your Peace and Joy in the Love of God in Christ be preserved v. 17. Take the Helmet of Salvation Salvation being made sure shall be an Helmet on your Heads whereby you shall receive the blows of Tongues c. and not be hurt this shall defend you against all the Curses of the Law 1 John 4.17 Herein is our Love or Love with us made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment When others shall fear the Wrath of the Lamb c. you shall have boldness and not be ashamed in this World c. when your Salvation is sure the Soul dwells in God in the Love of God All-sufficiency Power Wisdom c. 4. The more assurance you have of your Salvation the less earthly will your thoughts and hearts be this will raise your Spirits and carry them up to God in Christ So that 1. You shall dwell in Love you shall dwell in God and God in you He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 And this is a glorious habitation for a Soul to dwell in the Love of God in Christ The World will be but the habitation for your Bodies The fulness of the Lord Jesus the Love of God which hath length and breadth c. shall be the habitation of your Souls The want of this the not breathing after the Assurance of Salvation makes men so earthly that their Souls are still travelling in the Creature seeking Joy and Contentment in the World 2. You 'll dwell safely and secure who can hurt those that dwell in God God must be overcome before they can be destroyed God is a better habitation then the World so whilst you dwell in the World above all labour for the assurance of the Love of God 5. The more Assurance you have the greater abounding of Grace there is from Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure so an entrance shall be administred aboundantly to you into his everlasting Kingdom then shall you expect the more and receive the more you shall come with the more boldness and receive the more Grace 6. Now is the day of Salvation the day wherein great Salvation is offered to you Behold now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Now in my absence work out your own Salvation Now is the day to make Salvation sure now Salvation is offered to you and revealed Christ now calls on Sinners and beseeches them to be reconciled to God Now God lets down the coâ—ds of his love in Christ that you may take hold on them and live Now is the Righteousness of God revealed for Sinners to embrace that they may be justified Now is the day in which the Spirit is poured forth Now is the day in which Christ is working the works of God that is for calling of Sinners out of the World and gathering the Elect into his Kingdom by the preaching of the Gospel for the saving of Souls and reconciling them unto God And this day shall have a night And now is the day and season for you to work out your Salvation to make it sure A night shall come when none shall have the means and opportunity of working out their Salvation the Night of Death or day of Judgment which is a Night in this respect then 't is too late to work out Salvation if you neglect Salvation now you shall not escape wrath in that day Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at first begun to be spoken by the Lord 't is great Salvation Salvation from the greatest misery to the enjoyment of the greatest Glory to an exceeding eternal weight of Glory 't is great Salvation spoken to not hid from you but spoken to you that you might make it sure And if the Gospel be hid when spoken consider what the Apostle says 2 Cor. 4 3. If our Gospel be hid it is to them that are lost Section 5. Use 2. Direct 1. To Sinners Such as are yet strangers from Christ and from the Covenant of Promise that you may make Salvation sure To this end 1. Build on a sure Foundation let your hopes of Glory be founded on Christ Christ is a sure Foundation Isa 28 16. A foundation of Justification Sanctification and Life that will not fail You may be as sure of acceptance as Christ anâ—â—o continue in favour with God as sure of Glory as Christ and to remain in a state of Glory and as sure of Life as Christ as sure to live because I live ye shall lille also Joh. 14.19 Christ's Life is a sure foundation of a Believers Life Christ's Acceptance a sure foundation of his Christ's Glory a sure foundation of his Glory so then hearken to the Lord's call Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth Sinners look to me who came to save you from your Sins know that there is death in Sin there is Damnation to all that are out of me your Lusts are hurtful Lusts if you follow them they will work out your ruin will bring everlastiâ—g hurt to your Body and Soul Fleshly Lusts war against the Soul they war against the Salvation Life and Peace of your Souls your Life consists not in the abundance of your Riches c. 'T is no profit to you to gain the World and loose your Souls in the Creature Neither is theâ—e any life in youâ— Dâ—tiâ—s These aâ—e no sure foundations to build youâ— Salâ—ation upon hopes of Salvation built only â—n them is like a House built on the Sand. So 〈◊〉 Christ to you look off from all those Behold me behold Life in my Death Peace in my Blood Righteousness in my Obedience Behold Love in me and Bâ—wels of Compassion with which you shall be received by me thus look to Christ and you shall â—e Salvation in him he that believes on him shall not be ashamèd for he shall be sure of Salvaâ—â—on You are all by nature of the World that lies in wickedness on which condemnation is coming apace Now prepare an Ark for the saving of your Souls Christ is this Ark as Noah in the Ark was safe and sure of being safe let the Waters rise as high as they would the Ark caâ—ried Noah still above them and when he was in the Ark God shut him in and then if any would have entred in none could Christ is the Ark prepared for the saving of Souls the Door of the Ark is not yet shut Christ calls you to come in unto him if you come not before God shuts the Door of this Ark there is no escaping of Condemnation O whilst it is to day if you will hear his voice harden not
that sins should grieve and but grieve the Godly they should not doubt of Love and fear Wrath if once the Soul trusts in the Name of the Lord and stay upon God If once ye be founded on the Rock Christ then your sins should work grief for God dishonoured not fear of God's Wrath Grief for God dishonoured and Joy in God well pleased by Christ may consist together This is the way oâ— the Gospel but indeed a narrow way too hard to keep in it if ye joy in God notwithstanding sin then not to turn to the left hand of making light of sin or if ye grieve then not to turn to the right hand of questioning the love of God and so remitting joy 7. God may afflict yet not hate he may afflict and that grievously as he did Job and yet be well pleased whom I love I rebuke and chasten c. Rev. 3.19 8. For a Believer to doubt of Salvation that takes hold of Christ and is founded on him is his sin For 1. The Spirit of God doth not witness that he is not a Gâ—ild of God If the Spirit of God doth convince a natural Man that 's out of Christ of his carnal and cursed Estate and then he say he cannot lay claim to the Promises of the Gospel to the Benefits of Christ this is not his Sin because it may be that the Spirit is a Spirit of bondage in him and witnesseth this to him and so 't is true But for such as believe in Christ and look for Salvation no other way such never receive the Spirit of Bondage again to fear Rom. 8.15 that is the Spirit doth not bring them into bondage The Spirit doth not witness that they are not the Children of God for he should witness untruth then but their doubting Hearts bring them into bondage 2. 'T is through wanâ— oâ— Fâ—ith that such doubt of Salvaâ—ion 't is for not believing as they ought and that is their Sin and Christ may repâ—ove them as he did Peter O thou of little Faith wherefore did it thou doubt As God hath made the Salvation of Believers sure in Christ c. so they ought to believe it to be sureâ— and 't is their Sin to doubt of it not to believe is to make God a Liar 1 Joh. 5.10 Section 7. 2. How Believers ought to carry themselves in the want of Assurance 1. Desire it thirâ—â— and long for it account it a Mercy worth the enjoying better than all the World can afford and God hath promised to satisfy the hungry with good things and not to send them empty away so then breath after it as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks 3. Wait with patience of God till he return with joy and peace into the Soul I will wait on God that hideth his Face from the House of Israel Isa 8.17 3. Exercise Faith of adherence when you want the Faith of evidence this is the advice of the Prophet Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that is Christ Iâ—a 42.1 That fears the Lord and serve him in Christ being acquainted with the great Mystery of Godliness here 's Faith of adherence which Judges Christ worthy of Glory and walketh in darkness and sees no light here 's want of Faith of Evidence now what should be done in this case Still trust still hold fast Christ look for Salvation in him and none else trust in the name of the Lord trust to the mercy of God his abundant Grace manifested in giving Christ as sufficient to â—ave you and stay on his God God iâ— his God though he knows it not stay upon him let the Soul he fixed on him and say as Job though he kill me I will trust in him If I perish it shall be at the feet of Mercy and then though you may walk in darkness for a time yet the Lord shall be a light unto you Sâ—ction 8 From the second sense of these words work out that is desire and endeavour this that Salvâ—tion begun to be wrought out may be perfected so much the word signifies Rom. 7.18 How to perform that which is good I find not Doct. 2. The perfecting of Salvation that is begun should be the great desire of all Believers when 't is begun to be wrought they should desire that Salvation may be wrought out a Person begun to be saved should long to be saved to the utmost Here consider a few things 1. The Salvation of Believers shall be perfected This is a work that shall be finished As in the fiâ—st Creation of the World things were imperfect at first but God did not cease Creating till Heaven and Earth were finished and all the Host of them so at the first Conversion when Salvation fiâ—st comes to the Soul it may be it is very imperfect a little Faith a little Love but weak and faint breathings of Spirit but smoking Flax a bruised Reed But God will go on in this work till every Saint be made perfect and all the Host of them Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ He wi l keep Believers till the day of Christ and perfect their Happiness in that day which shall endure for ever Christ dying said it is finished that is the types of the Law are fulfilled what Christ had to do towards the obtaining Man's Redemption was finished for Satisfaction Reconciliation Merit all are fiâ—ished and nothing remains but the application of Christ to the Soul and bestowing the Benefits purchased for the Elect by Christ that Christ lives to finish he died to finish the work of Satisfaction and Reconciliation he lives to finish the work of Sanctification and Glorification He died to finish the work hâ— had to do respecting God's paying the price 〈◊〉 Redemption recompencing him for the d shonoâ—r that was done him by Sin and he lives to finish the work he hath to do respecting the Elect which is to pour out hâ—s Spirit into their â—â—â—â—ts and to form them for himsâ—â—l and to fashion Soul and Body like to himself this is the meaning of that place Rom. 5.10 For if when were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his Life He died to finish a work with the Father for Men making peace for them he lives to finish a work in them which is to make them Holy aâ—d Happy and whatever Enemies there are to the happiness of the Saints Christ shall subdue them 1 Cor. 15.25 He must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet and till all his Members be conformed in glory to him and placed in Glory with him Joh. 17.22.24 The Glory that thou hast given me I have given them Now Believers have a right to but they shall also have the possession of it they shall partake in Christ's Glory in all his
the Mark they put forward with all their might so do Christians with all their Souls and strength Heaven and nothing but Heaven should be lookt on as the place of rest looking unto Jesus Make Christ your pattern What was his great desire Father glorify thy Son that thy Son may glorify thee Glorify me with the Glory I had with thee before the World was There was Joy set before him so Christ is set before the Saints revealed to their Faith they should long to see him as he is Glory is set before them c. In the World is Vanity in themselves Corruption Crosses on all hands Shame Reproach c. Before and above all in Heaven is set everlasting Joy Pleasures for evermore Where this Joy is there Believers hearts should be the mind the will and affections of a Believer should still be travelling towards this Joy running a Race towards Heaven as 't is said of the Creature Rom. 8.21 The earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth c. The Creature is in Bondage to Corruption Slaves to Lusts this is contrary to the end for which the Creature was made they naturally make towards that end to be Servants to the Saints and to be instrumental towards the manifesting the Glory of the Creator and to be free of Bondage So should Saints desire perfect freedom from Bondage to enjoy the Liberty the Inheritance portion and perfection of the Sons of God in the presence of God This hath been the great desire of Believers Rom. 8.23 We which have received the first Fruit of the Spirit What is meant by these The beginnings of Grace Knowledge of Christ Faith Love Humility Heavenly Mindedness the Comfort and Consolations of the Spirit we that have received these groan within our selves We would receive the whole lump of the Spirit there are burdens we groan under Sin is a burden when the Spirit hath wrought Holiness earthly things are a burden they cannot be gotten but by the sweat of our brows when Salvation that is purchased by Christ is believed then mortal estates are a burden when immortality is brought to Light then to be out of Christ's presence is a burden where Glory and the fulness of Christ is revealed we groan waiting for Adoption c. There 's Adoption in making you Sons and there 's Adoption in bestowing the Inheritance Glory and Liberty which belongs to them as they are the Sons of God They that are Sons and have the Spirit of Sons crying to God Abba would fully enjoy all the Priviledges all the Glory and all the love which belongs to them as the Sons of God in Christ Phil. 1.23 To depart and to be with Christ is far better beyond all comparison better there 's Joy without Sorrow Holiness without Sin Knowledge without Ignorance Eternity of all So to be in Christ in the World is infinitely better then to be in the World enjoying the contentment of it without Christ And to be in Heaven with Christ is exceedingly much better then to enjoy Christ only in the World The state of a Christian in Heaven is exceedingly beyond the state of a Christian on Earth though the Body may dye and be laid in the Grave Phil. 3.13 14. I count not my self to have apprehended I have not Knowledge enough I have not Grace enough I have not enjoyment of Christ enough it was much he had yet not enough but this one thing I do this is my main business forgetting the things behind earthly things behind and Grace receiv'd behind so far as not to be satisfied there with I reach forward to the things before The heart reaches out Faith is the hand that reaches out after earnest desire carries the Soul out unto them I press towards the Mark as a Man in a throng c. through a throug of Lusts and Temptations c. For the price of the high calling that I might enjoy all that Glory and happiness that God hath provided in Christ 2 Pet. 3 12. Looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God That day hastens and is coming be you hastening to it i. e. your Hearts and Souls by Faith and desire that it may come hasten to it Sect. 9. Use â— Information By this it appears that many there are that as yet are not in the way of Salvation Because they can't say as Paul this one thing I do Who 1. Such as have nothing before them but worldly things worldly profits and pleasures that have their hope only in this Life and not Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven but the love of the World fixed as an Anchor in the Earth whereby their Hearts and Souls are fastened to the World that with the two Tribes could be content to have their Portion on this side Jordan that their Houses Lands and Temporal Lives might continue for ever would desire no better Portion that see more gain in Life than in Death this is an evidence that they have not drunk of the Water that Christ gives their Souls have not been filled with the Glory of the World to come they are not acquainted with the Riches of Christ they know not the price of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus This is an inseperable property of a true Believer a desire to have his Salvation wrought out and finished where ever this work is begun the Heart would have it finished where Holiness is begun the desire of the Soul is to have it perfected There 's no greater burden than Sin to a Gracious Heart all the Contentments of the World cannot content a believing Soul nothing beneath Heaven nothing without the Presence of God nothing besides the Glory of Christ can make it perfectly Happy to be where Christ is that is best of all Faith will make us sojourn in the World when you are in the way of Salvation perfect Salvation is the mark which the Soul presses towards Now lay your Hearts to the bond of this undoubted Truth and do not conclude your selves to be in the way of Life if perfect Salvation be not the mark you press towards if it be not the presence of the Lord that you account the perfection of Happiness if you could be contented with worldly Felicity and your Desires are only towards the things of this Life then the root of all Evil is yet alive and growing in you 2. Such as dream of a present perfection that think they know as much as they need to know and do as much as is needful to be done He that thinks he knows enough knows nothing as he ought 1 Cor. 6.2 He that thinks he hath enough of Christ hath nothing of Christ Where there is true Knowledge of Christ begun the Soul is carried out with such earnest desires to know more that it accounts it self to know nothing I forget that which is behind Gal. 4.9 Now we know God or rather are known of God we are known perfectly but we do not
Will may stand there will be an answerable doing Such as are in the Flesh and broad way have their Conversation in Lusts but such as are in the narrow way have their Conversation in the Will of God Rom. 12.2 Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God An upright mind is that which proves and finds out the will of God and is able to distinguish it and say this it is An upright will is that likes it and approves it and consents to it as 't is Holy Just and Good The doings of Christians the just and upright doings are obeying the good and acceptable and perfect Will of God 2. Obeying the Law as good 1. because 't is better to obey the Law than to obey Lusts God's will than our own not for our good only but because the Law is good being drawn by goodness of Obedience more than by the goodness that comes from Obedience because 't is the Beauty of the Creature to be in subjection to the Creator 2 Because Obedience is acceptable and approved of God Obedience pleases God though it does not pacify him To do goood and to distribute forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 There 's a double Head of Sacrifices 1. A Propitiatory purifying Sacrifice that prevents displeasure from breaking out because of Sin as the Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross and none but this 2. A Sacrifice that God is well pleased with and accepts of when he is made propitious to a Person by Christ's Sacrifice and by his Spirit works Obedience Thus doing good is a Sacrifice of Praise which God is well pleased with This is that which moves a sound Christian to do good because it pleases God this is an excellent temper Christ pleased not himself So Christians must not please themselves it is God's Prerogative to do whatever pleases him but 't is Piety in Christians to do whatever pleases God This is the will of God even your Sanctification God's wilâ— is that Believers should be Holy doing good 3. Obeying the perfect will of God that is 1. There 's no Law nothing that God wills to be done that a sound Christian rejects although he fails in many points yet he rejects not nor despises any point of the Law The Carnal Mind is enmity against and makes void the Law but the found Mind does not he does not Sin out of contempt of the Law but through infirmity of the Flesh As renewed there 's a delight In the whole will of God I delight in the Law of God after the inner Man Rom. 7. 2. The doings of those that are in the way of Life are not for Life but from Life i. e. They do not this and that Duty they love not the Saints they abstain not from the Pollution of the World that they may live in their doings their doings proceed from Life and are not to procure Life They know that Christ hath done enough to procure Life he hath obeyed the Law and undergone the Curse of it for Righteousness to them they look on Christ as their Life and not on their doings as their Life They do not to deserve by their doings but because Christ hath deserved their doingâ— They do not count themselves worthy by their Service but do account Christ worthy of their Service and Obedience Their doings are not for Love but â—hey flow from Love They serve not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit their Service is not old Covenant but new Covenant Service Sect. 18. Doct. 2. A will to embrace speritual good offered or to do spiritual good enjoyn'd is of God's working Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works A willing and doing Christian that 's in the way of Life is God's workmanship a Mind â—iâ—led with the Knowledge of God in Christ filled with his Glory shining in the Face of Jesus Christ a Will drawn out to God in Christ in sweet embraces of his Love full of spiritual dispositions and desires living in God and living to God a life full of good works abounding in the fruits of Righteousness to the Glory of God is the special and peculiar work of God As God at first created the World out of nothing there was no praeâ—xisting matter which God did make use of in forming Creatures out of it they did all come forth from God and spring out from his Divine Power and God-head who said Let there be and they were So consider a Man as spiriâ—ualiz'd his Heart set into a spiritual frame enjoying God as his life and living to him thus he is made out of nothing there is no prae-existent will or disposition to embrace good offered to do any good that is commanded out of which he is educed God doth not by moral perswasions only stir up any good in him or blow up Coals of spiritual good in him that are lying hid under the ashes of Carnality and Corruption like a Talent wrapt up in a Napkin and hid in the Earth but by a Physical work creating Life out of Death in the Soul he doth not bring a greater Light out of a lesser in the Conversion of a Sinner but commands Light to shine out of Darkness as in the first Creation bringing in Spiritual and Divine Light where there was none He doth not bring forth a full perfect and compleat will of Embracing Christ and of laying hold on the Covenant out of a Velleity or imperfect will towards spiritual good towards the embracing of the Lord Jesuâ— but in all that are in the way of Life he creates such a will out of nothing or out of that which is worse than nothing Enmity Contrariety c. God doth not bring perfect Health out of Sickness Strength out of Infirmity Soundness out of Wounds Life out of an half Death as the good Samaritan did by pouring in Oyl and Wine into the wounds of him that was half dead but God in the Conversion of Sinners bringeth Life out of Death absolute perfect Death He creates Holiness out of nothing where there is nothing but sinfulness Purity out of nothing but Impurity Obedience out of nothing but Disobedience So this work is called a new Creation 2 Cor. 5.17 There is nothing of the Spiritual Man remaining in them The influence of God on the Souls of Sinners in their Conversion is not like the influence of the Sun only upon the Earth that is the Mother of Trees Plants Herbs c. the womb in which they are begotten there 's a seminal Power and Vertue iâ— the Earth to bring them forth but that is weak and inefectual in it self till the Sun by its enlivening and quickning influence doth strengthen and draw forth that seminal Vertue So there 's no seed of Grace no root of Holiness no seed of God till God sow