thy Law 4. In evil times when a man is made an offender for a rash and inconsiderat word Isa 29.21 then preserve thy self by silence except thou have a call from God to speak Psal 39 1. I said I will take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Amos 5.13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time And pray often to God to set a watch before thy mouth not to suffer thy heart to comply with the workers of iniquity and that the Lord would preserve thee from being taken with their worldly baits and allurements Psal 141.3 4. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 5. In evil times of wrath and imminent judgement by reason of impiety and iniquity abounding in the land draw near to God by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Zeph. 2.1 2. Gather your selves together yea gather together O nation not desired before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you before the day of the Lords anger come upon you Be humble and tremble in time at the threatning of wrath that ye may have rest in your souls in the day when the cup is poured forth Hab. 3.16 When I heard my belly trembled my lips quivered at the voice rottenness entred into my bones and I trembled in my self that I might rest in the day of trouble when he cometh up unto the people he will invade them with his troops They who tremble not in the time of a threatned judgement yet when the judgement is poured forth even these who were stout-hearted sinners in the day of wrath poured forth they become like Pashur Magor-missabib fear round about When thou hast repented of thy sins which together with the sins of others have provoked the Lord to great wrath then flee by faith in to the mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ who is the only Ark of Propitiation Heb. 11.7 Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his soul When the evil day of wrath is come and the judgement is incumbent then humble your selves under the mighty hand of God 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people which are called by my Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked wayes then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chron. 30.8 Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were but yeeld your selves unto the Lord and enter into his sanctuary which he hath sanctâ—fied for ever and serve the Lord your God that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you Thus Rehoboam and the Princes did humble themselves and the Lord gave them some deliverance 2 Chron. 12.6 7. 6. That thou may not faint in evil times wherein sin persecution and misery do abound guard thy heart with the hope of that eternal rest when thou shalt rest from all thy labours 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. For which cause we faint not c. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen Heb. 10.34 Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in your selves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance Which is purchased to us by the merits of the sufferings of Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be everlasting praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Believer his Prospect through the dark Valley of Death SERMON VII 2 COR. 5.1 2. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven THe Particle For points at the connexion of these words with the last verse of the preceeding Chapter wherein the Apostle gave the reason of his not fainting under all the pressures and afflictions he suffered in the body because he looked not so much by present sense to the things he suffered here as by faith and hope he looked to things eternal in heaven to wit unto an eternal rest and an immortal Crown of Glory which not seen by sense yet he believed was reserved for him in heaven Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 And the light afflictions in this present life are not to be compared with these eternal things not seen nor perceived by sense Rom. 8.18 What these eternal things are the Apostle describes in part in the two first verses of this Chapter even an immortal and glorified body in the day of the resurrection therefore he faints not but hath Christian courage in all the pain and shame he suffereth at the hand of men now in his frail and mortal body for we know saith he although our earthly house of the tabernacle of the body shall be dissolved when all the pins and joynts will be dissolved yet we have a building of God and we look for an house even a glorified body not of mans making and giving though our frail body be framed in the womb by the Lord yet the glorified body is of the Lords making and giving in a more special manner because in the day of our resurrection he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body Phil. 3.21 It is an house eternal and well situat in the heavens where it will not be subject to storms and tempests as it is in this life my assured knowledge saith he of that future happy condition stirreth up in my soul an earnest desire and longing to remove out of the body that I may be clothed upon with glory in my soul after death and with immortal glory both in soul and body at the day of resurrection By earthly house here is meant our body called an house of clay Job 4.19 because the body of the first Adam of whom by propagation we have our bodies was formed out of the red earth from which man was called Adam it is underpropped for a time by meat drink sleep and sometimes by medicine to fill up the breaches and to repair the decayes of this house of clay which in end will fall down to the dust of the earth It is called a tabernacle because the soul dwells in the body for a time as the Ark did reside in the Tabernacle built for
divine worship for a time in the wilderness until it got a settled residence in the Temple of Jerusalem in like-manner our souls in this time of our sojourning on the earth are lodged in frail bodies subject to many changes and to a continual flux By building or an house not made with hands is meant the immortal glorious body in Heaven here in this life the parents do minister the materials of our frail and natural bodies but the immortality and glory of the heavenly body will be only from God himself as is evident Phil. 3.20 21. It is said we groan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as men straitned and pressed with a burden that hinders them to go so fast in their journey as they would therefore the holy Apostle groans and longs to be eased of that burden of the body which retards him in his motions toward his countrey that is above and he desires to be clothed upon with that heavenly house of incorruption and to be invested in that full glory when the soul will be re-united unto a glorious body for ever without separation as likewise the body will be ever with the soul and where-ever it desires to be for the desire of the soul will be satisfied in Heaven as August de Civit. Dei saith truly Protinus ubi volet spiritus ihi erit corpus where-ever the spirit will desire to be there incontinent shall the body be In the words we have 1. The Apostle his assured knowledge of that far better estate after this life vers 1. For we know that if our earthly house c. 2. The effect this knowledge wrought in the holy Apostle to wit an earnest desire after that eternal house vers 2. For in this we groan earnestly desiring c. From the words we draw clearly these four Conclusions 1. The dissolution of the body is certain Our earthly house will be dissolved 2. The glory of the bodies of believers in this life is certain in the life to come We have a building of God c. 3. There is a great difference and opposition between our present and future condition in the body now the body of believers is in this life earthly and hath need of earthly supports and propps but hereafter in Heaven it will be heavenly in respect of its qualities it will not be gross and heavy but subtile and agile it is now corruptible but then it will be eternal now it is on the earth as a poor cottage of clay in the wilderness then will it be in Heaven as a Pallace beautiful strong and unmoveable upon Mount Zion that is above 4. The assured knowledge of our interest and title through Christ unto that happy condition of glory both in soul and body will stir up in believers a vehement desire of that compleat happiness in Heaven for in this we groan c. Conclus 1. There will be a dissolution of the body by death For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved that is although it were dissolved as the particle which is also here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is well rendered 1 Cor. 4.15 Though you have ten thousand instructers in Christ and the same particle is sometimes taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when 1 Joh. 3.2 We know that when he shall appear c. and so it may be well rendered here also when our earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved Certain it is it shall be dissolved Heb. 9.27 It is appointed for all to die Rom. 5.12 17. Sin came over all and by sin also death 1 Cor. 15.22 In Adam all die Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death If man had not sinned he had never died and of this immortality of the body upon the condition of his continuance in the estate of innocency the tree of life was a visible Sacrament and seal of assurance so as man was created with a possibility I do not say a power or inclination to sin or not to sin according as he should use the power of his own free will even so accordingly he was created with a body capable of mortality or immortality It is a gross errour of some who have it from the Pelagians denying Original sin That man would have died although he had continued in the estate of innocency by reason say they of the materials of the body made up of contrary qualities that by wearing one upon another would have made an alteration in the body and in end brought corruption But although mans body was composed of contrary qualities apt to war and wear one against another yet if man had continued in harmony and correspondence with his Creators will he would have kept these qualities in a just harmony one with another as he restrained the Lion and Wolf from devouring the Lamb and Kid in the Ark of Noah the Lion from doing any harm to the Prophets Ass 1 King 13.24 and the fire from finzing the hair of the head of the three Children Dan. 3.27 Is it not very probable the glorified Bodies in Heaven will have these same primitive natural qualities and yet they will be without any alteration or corruption is it not evident that the sentence of death was threatned only upon the condition of sinning against God The day thou eatest thou shalt die That this is not to be understood only of the spiritual death of the soul in being deprived of the favour of God is clear Gen. 3.19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground for out of it was thou taken for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return So that the sentence formerly threatned is execute upon man after his failie and for his failie Seing this earthly house will be certainly dissolved our care of it should be moderat and not immoderat let us not torment our selves with vexatious care what we shall eat or what we shall put on if we have food and raiment in any competent measure let us be content therewith as sojourners are content with a small portion in the time of their sojourning Let your greatest care be of your immortal souls which are as a precious jewel inclosed in the body for a time Is it not a shame for many persons to have so much care and take such pains for adorning a mortal body and in the mean time to neglect their immortal soul Were it not a sensless folly in a man to put forth all his care upon the repairing of the outside of his house and yet to have no care of the precious stuff and plenishing within it Frequent meditations of the certainty of the dissolution of our bodies would keep our spirits more humble and sober in the dayes of prosperity and health to this end the very Heathens did often think upon their mortality a Lictor or Serjeant was put into the triumphal chariot beside the Conquerour to put him in mind of his mortality
gave suck although in old age they will not serve for that use yet they do still serve for the ornament and integrity of the body Herefrom is matter of great comfort to the godly who suffer hard things in the body here be of good courage ye are not to dwell for ever in that silly frail house at the term of removal by death ye know of a durable house now it is mouldering down daily like an house of clay after a great shower but in heaven ye will have a mansion and fixed station in your fathers house Joh. 14.2 Although possibly there be sensible weakness or visible deformity now in thy body yet be thou patient in the hope thy body will be raised in strength and beauty as the body of Lazarus without any sores It is true after the Resurrection of our blessed Lord the print of the nails remained in his hands and feet as also the hole of the wound in his side but that was for a short time out of his merciful condescension to cure Thomas his doubting as also his eating Joh. 21. was not to satisfie necessity for then his body was glorious and immortal but it was to feed and confirm their faith of the Resurrection of his body 3. Though now thou be weary in the body after much labour so was our blessed Lord in this like unto us as in all things except sin Joh. 4.6 But be of good comfort thou who exercisest thy self in well-doing shalt rise in the body as one refreshed in the morning after a sound and quiet sleep then shalt thou be like unto Angels in doing the will of thy Lord with all chearfulness without all possibility of weariness 4. Now in the body thou art sometimes troubled about a livelyhood and things necessar but after the Resurrection thou shalt be satisfied to the full both in soul and body with the fruition of our all-sufficient and unchangable God even with that hid Manna of the sweet full and unspeakable variety of delight both in the sense of the love of God toward thee and in the sense of thy love reflected on God Rev. 2.17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna 5. Now thou art molested and fashed with the stirrings of inordinat concupiscence dwelling in the body as Sarah was grieved with Hagar dwelling in the same house with her but it is thy comfort after the Resurrection of the body as there will be perfect calmness in the affections without the least unruly motion so in all the members of the glorified body there will be perfect quietness as when the sea is calm there is no agitation in the Ship 6. Though now at the dissolution of the body and at the departure of its noble guest the immortal soul there may be and oft-times is much pain and agony like unto the grief Jacob had at parting with his dear Benjamin yet rejoyce thou in the hope of that joyful meeting again of thy soul and body as the joy was great when Jacob and Joseph met again together the glorified soul will bring glad tydings from heaven to the body like the faithful spyes Num. 14. for the encouragement of the body to go along with it to the third heaven this joy will be increased at their meeting with Christ accompanyed with millions of Angels and it will be perpetuated with him in the paradise of God for we shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4..71 Conclus 4. The assured knowledge believers have of that happy estate of soul and body in Heaven stirreth up in them an earnest desire after the fruition of it for it is said vers 1. We know c. and vers 2. In this we groan earnestly c. for the knowledge and perswasion of the truth of the good set before us doth stir up the heart to desire quickens us to diligence in using all lawful means for attaining the good desired and encourageth us against difficulties in the way The pleasantness and fertility of the land of Canaan seen and known to the faithful spyes Numb 14. stirred up in them an earnest desire of possessing the promised land it quickened them to diligence in the way and gave them courage against the sons of Anak who were to oppose them in their way to it Numb 14.9 The Apostle Paul knowing it was best to be with Christ did desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.23 This desire made him diligent and faithful in all the parts both of his Christian and Apostolick Calling it made him also couragious and resolute against all difficulties and discouragements Acts 21.13 2 Cor. 4.16 18. 1 Tim. 6.12 But gross ignorants who know or believe nothing concerning the compleat happiness of soul and body in Heaven have no true or well-grounded desire to remove out of the body and wicked obstinat sinners though they have some literal knowledge of it yet they have not that lively hope which purifieth the heart and therefore at death they are driven out of the body sore against their will as a Malefactor condemned is forced from his house to the prison Job 18.18 He shall be driven from light into darkness and chased out of the world As in his lifetime the wicked man rushed into sin like an horse into the battel without all fear of God so he shall be driven as a beast into that dark and bottomless prison he shall be chased and pursued with the fears and terrours of an evil conscience Psal 140.11 Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him Object But sometimes even the godly are unwilling to die as was Hezekiah Isai 38.10 and David Ps 39.13 What is the cause of this unwillingness in them who walked uprightly before the Lord Ans The causes are 1. An immoderat love sometimes in the godly toward some of their nearest and dearest relations it maketh them to linger in their desires and resolutions to die as Lot did linger in his departing out of Sodom Gen. 19.16 his great affection to his sons-in-law made him lingâ—r longer than he should but when death takes the godly by the heart as the Angel did Lot by the hand then they are willing to submit to the will of God and they say as our blessed Lord did at his death Father into thy hands I recommend my spirit 2. Their desire to do good in their station in the world is a cause of their unwillingness to remove for a time from that station and this I think made David and Hezekiah somewhat unwilling out of their great respect to the people of God over whom they were set this made Paul to hover and to be in a strait whether to depart or abide in the flesh even his great desire to benefit the Church of Christ by preaching the Gospel Phil. 1.23 These are truly pious desires and commendable purposes yet when the children of God perceive it is Gods peremptory will to remove them by death they commend their spirits to
for fruition the center of all his desires and hopes the motion of his heart toward God is the greater and he vehemently desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all This knowledge in some abstruse and supernatural mysteries is but confuse and general we know from divine revelation something of the matter but little or nothing of the manner It is our duty to acquiesce on divine testimony and refer the knowledge of the manner unto that day wherein we shall see God face to face It is with us here in this dark valley of Baca as it was with that blind man of Bethsaida Mark 9. who at the first touch of his eyes by Christ did see objects more generally and confusedly but afterward at the second touch more particularly and distinctly So here in this life by his first touch and illumination of our mind with the light of faith we see something of these great mysteries in a confused and general notion but at his second touch in heaven by the beatifick vision we shall know distinctly and more particularly at the least we shall know so much in these high mysteries as will satisfie the desire of the soul and will rejoyce the heart without all anxious or painful desire to know more Therefore Christian Reader I made choice to speak in the publick Congregation for some time on this portion of Scripture wherein the Lord Jesus Christ the Righteous BRANCH is held forth to us that coming to him we may be healed both of sin in our justification through him who is JEHOVAH our Righteousness and that we may be sanctified and daily purified from all uncleanness of the flesh and spirit by him who also is made of God sanctification unto us who bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness This knowledge is most to be sought after for as the fashion of this world passeth away so certainly the knowledge of things worldly will be out of fashion after death but the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ begun in the Elect here by faith unto the Gospel will be perfect and everlasting in that day of eternity when the Lamb will be our light for ever If thou ingenuous Reader shall reap as I pray God thou mayest any spiritual benefit by this small Treatise published at the desire of some pious and sober minded hearers give all praise to the Righteous BRANCH who as he is in himself most precious so he maketh himself savoury and precious to believers And that it may be seen he is so to thee let thy conversation smell of the BRANCH What escapes thou perceivest as in the multitude of words there want not failings impute them meerly to the weakness of the trembling hand here that holds forth the BRANCH but no wayes to the BRANCH it self Though possibly thou cannot construct some expressions in this Treatise with thine own sentiment and opinion yet certainly the intention of the Author to magnifie the riches and power of Gospel-grace in the conversion of chief sinners and his earnest endeavours to stir up Converts unto a suitable conversation in Christian duties and unto Christian communion in love and peace among themselves cannot be disrellished by any person of the Gospel-spirit Farewell ERRATA Pag. Lin. Read 16 23 facility 67 20 Acts 16. ibid 27 have heard 75 30 loffes 76 6 nor on 116 29 thou hast 125 1 Acts 10.1 132 20 Mat. 25.30 175 16 diversity 202 29 42 220 20 because of 241 24 ingenuous 259 20 jealous God 261 30 lenitives 263 23 special 279 19 of conscience THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH Growing out of the Root of Jesse and healing the Nations ISAI Chap. 11. from vers 1. to 10. And there shall come forth a Rod out of the Stemme of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his Roots IT is usual and worthy of the holy Prophets in speaking of temporal mercies and deliveries of the people of God from their enemies to insert something by way of Prophesie like a bright colour to give lustre to temporal benefits by speaking something anent our spiritual and eternal redemption by the promised Messias Thus the same Prophet having prophesied of the temporal deliverance of the Jews from the combination of the Kings of Assyria and Israel subjoyns an Evangelical Prophesie concerning the coming of the Messias Isa 7.14 The Prophet Jeremiah having spoken Chap. 23. of the return of the Jews from the captivity of Babylon subjoyns vers 6 a Prophesie of the kingdom and benefits of the Messias as also the like is done Jer. 33.15 In like manner the Prophet here having foretold their deliverance from Sennacherib King of Assyria subjoyns a gracious and comfortable Prophesie of the Messias his birth government and the deliverance and redemption both of Jews and Gentiles from their spiritual enemies by their happy conversion to the faith of the promised Messias In this Chapter from the beginning to vers 10. we have these particulars 1. The low beginning and original of the Messias set forth in borrowed expressions 2. His singular endowments and qualifications for executing the office of Mediator and for governing his Church vers 2. 3. The manner of his government vers 3 4 5. 4. The effects of his government vers 6 7 8 9. 5. The cause of these effects in the end of vers 9. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea Vers 1. By rod or twigg we understand the Lord Jesus Christ as a small twigg sprouting up from Jesse the father of David He is so called in respect of his outward low and humble condition in the world as it is also said Isai 53.2 He shall grow up as a root out of a dry ground he hath no form nor comliness c. Which is not to be understood in relation to the outward form or feature of his body which without all question was most comely having its constitution and complexion framed in a singular manner by the Holy Ghost but it is spoken in respect of his outward condition and estate in the world because he was born in a poor Cortage without all outward Pomp and State Luk. 2.7 This prophesie of Christs descending from the loyns of David and Jesse was accordingly fulfilled Act. 13.23 By Branch is meant our blessed Lord who is so called Jer. 23.5 Zechar. 3.8 and 6.12 In which places the 70. Interpreters render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oriens and in this Text they render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Flos because he was in dignity the first-born and flower of all the creatures To these places of holy Scripture wherein our blessed Lord is called the Branch many learned Interpreters do think that place Matth. 2.23 he shall be called a Nazaren doth relate he was called a Nazaren that is the Branch from the City Nazareth where he had his education it being a
his own good time can easily recompense all our temporal losses even in this world if it seem good in his eyes Is 61.7 For your shame you shall have double and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion therefore in their land they shall possess the double But certainly in that day of restoring all things all losses shall be recompenced though not in specie yet in value exceeding them very far therefore reckon with thy self that all the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 Object 4. The faithful Lord hath promised to deliver out of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 yet I am daily infested with sinful thoughts and sometime brought into bondage with my own consent Ans Yet it is the better that such thoughts are a grief to thy spirit as Hagar was to Sarah be of good courage the Lord in his own good time will cast out the bond-woman and her child even thy in-dwelling corruption and all the off-spring of it reverence the wisdom of God in suffering thy soul to be molested with these incursions and bickerings of that impure spirit he permits it that the grace of humility and prayer mâ—y be the more exercised by thee all the Canaanites were not driven out of the land of Canaan by the wise providence of God permitting and ordering it for good that the wilde beasts should not multiply in the land So the Lord in his wisdom permits the in-dwelling and stirrings of corruption within thy soul to preveen the encrease of pride and to keep thee humble and watchful and to stir thee up unto daily prayer for encrease of strength in the inner man Therefore give it not over but resist daily trusting to that promise Rom. 16.20 The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Thou art engaged into a good cause to fight against thy lusts although through the wiles of Satan at a time thou mayest be brought into bondage yet despair not of victory in end mourn as Peter did after his denyal in the high Priests Hall and if thou mournest bitterly for thy bondage it is not altogether voluntary when thou mourns for it there is some resistance to it from grace in thy will and he that gives grace to resist shall give victory in end Rom. 7.24 25. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The father of the possessed child brought his son who had been infested and molested from his childhood and when the child was a-coming to Christ the unclean spirit did vex him and rent him but he went forward to our blessed Lord who charged that soul spirit to come out of him and enter no more into him Mark 9.17 c. So it may be thou art never more infested than when thou hast a resolution to go to Christ and walk after his Commandments yet rise up by repentance and resolution of new obedience who knows but thy mighty Lord will rebuke that unclean motion and say as he did to that unclean spirit I charge thee to come out of him and enter no more into him Object 5. But in the mean time my soul faints within me under great afflictions and desertions because there is neither appearance of comfort nor out-gate Answ As faithfulness cleaveth to his loins as a girdle so let faith in thine heart cleave to him and his promises for as the lungs like bellows do cool and refresh the heart that it faint not through much heat and labour so faith breathing the faithful and gracious promises of God into the fainting soul doth revive the same Psal 27.14 Psal 42.5 Psal 119.81 When the Mariners in the Ship with Paul Acts 27. saw no light outward for directing their course they did cast out their Anchors and waited for the day so when thou who fears the Lord walkest in darkness and hath no light trust in the Name of thy faithful Lord and stay thy self upon thy God Isai 50.10 Remember for thy encouragement thy blessed Lord is faithful and compassionat Mat. 15.32 he had pity on the multitude who had continued with him three days without any bodily refreshment and would not send them away fasting lest they should faint in the way much more thy Lord full of compassion will not suffer a poor humble soul that hath been waiting on him by sincere obedience and for him by a lively hope purifying the heart and thirsting more and more for righteousness to depart out of this life without some refreshment in the inner man but as he did to that old expectant Simeon Luk. 2. he will give him Christ his Saviour into the arms of his faith that he may depart in peace in the hope of salvation VERSE VI. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them FRom this vers to the 10. is set down the great and admirable effects of Christs powerful government by his Spirit and Word to wit a strange change and metamorphosis of persons who before the light of the glorious Gospel did shine in their hearts were of a sensual and brutish disposition and of a wild and savage conversation who were rebellious against God and had an antipathy one against another who were like Wolves in oppression like Leopards and young Lions in fierceness like the Asp and Cockatrice in bitterness of spirit and venomousness in conversation but these after their conversion by the light of the Gospel shall live in obedience and peace with God and in concord with others who before them were in a state of grace The wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion c. that is they shall be so daunted by the power of grace with the Gospel that they shall live in a sweet communion and fellowship with these who were in Christ before them and also with these who sometimes were also bitter and malicious enemies to the godly even such as had been like Asps and Cockatrices shall be converted and made partakers of the meek and lowly Spirit of Christ The cause of all this change will be the light of the glorious Gospel as it is said in the end of vers 9. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea As at the Sun-rising the wild beasts do return to their dens and caves so the light of the Gospel in such as are effectually called according to the eternal purpose of God will make their wild and beastly affections to hide themselves for shame and they shall have no pleasure in the unfruitful works of darkness and they shall cast away all their idol-lusts Isai 31.6 7. Hos 14.8 Observ
in our blessed Lord his time did contract dust and fuilÈie and their feet had need of daily washing so our affections are not so closly united to God but many times they are open and enlarged toward the world which defiles the heart and puts even men converted unto a daily necessity of repentance and cleansing from all uncleanness of the flesh and the spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 But in Heaven there will be perfect purity of heart like Angels not a wandering motion there we will be far above the world which defiles the heart and far above the vain shadows of this present world which now and then interveening draws our eye and heart off God but at our change into glory nothing can or will interveen between God and us our minds and our hearts then will be wholly and unchangeably set upon him 4. Though now after conversion there may be some calmness in the conscience yet it continues not alwayes alike some of the godly do say as Job 7.4 I am full of tossing to and fro as David Ps 42.7 All thy waves and thy billows have gone over me and as Hezekiah Is 38.13 As a lyon so will he break all my bones c. But at our last change to glory in heaven there will be a perfect and an everlasting calm like that of men tossed at Sea when they come within a safe Harbour for the salvation of God will be a perpetual bullwark unto them 5. The body of the godly in this life is subject many times as a drudge unto a corrupt and imperious will but at our last change as the will of the godly will be wholly and sweetly subordinat unto the will of God so in the day of resurrection the body with all its members shall be a Temple filled with the Holy Ghost then there shall not be a wrong look in the eye nor an impertinent word in the tongue nor a wrong step in all the course of our bodily motion and conversation the body now is weak and sickly but then it will be ever healthful and strong now it is weary and subject to fainting but then it will be agile as Augustine speaketh it will be in an instant of time wheresoever the spirit shall desire to be then shall our bodies and tabernacles of clay be conform to the pattern shown in the mount when our blessed Lord was transfigured Philip 3.20 Vse 1. For conviction of many who think they are in a state of grace when in the mean time they are carryed away with sense and masterful passions like brute-beasts toward the fulfilling of their sinful lusts some are like Lyons in fierceness some like Bears in their inconsiderat wrath some like evening Wolves in their cruel covetousness some like the Asps in the venom of their tongues and others like the Crocodiles in dissembling their cruelty with false shews of pity that the more easily they may destroy the simple ones but such men would consider in time how far they are from being of the meek Spirit of Jesus Christ now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 Vse 2. For exhortation to all such who are yet the old men like Moab not changed from their Lees consider 1. in Gods accompt ye are compared to Beasts before this happy change spoken of here be wrought in you and as it is truly said it is better to be a beast than truly compared to a beast 2. Ye can have no evidence that ye are in Christ but from this change If any man be in Christ he is a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 and if any man be not a new creature he is not yet actually in Christ and it is not possible to be with him in glory after this life except ye be in him first as new creatures in this life for as there is no condemnation to them that are in him so there is no salvation to them that are not in him who is the Saviour only of his mystical body Eph. 5.23 3. If there be no change from thy state of corrupt nature death in its approach will be terrible like a Serjeant at Armes to apprehend a rebel in his act of rebellion and straightwayes to hale him before the Kings Bench Psal 7.12 13. 4. There is no coming to heaven without this change as lepers under the Law were not admitted into the assemblies of the people of God before they were cleansed from their leprosie So there will not be admission into the assembly of the first-born in heaven untill you be cleansed from your sins and all your presumptuous thoughts of salvation without cleansing the heart and conversation are but vain imaginations and groundless phantasies Jer. 4.14 O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Vse 3. For confort to all such in whom God by his Word and Spirit has wrought a real change from their former vain and sinful conversation be of good comfort he who has begun the good work of grace in thy soul will finish it untill the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 he is the wise builder and will perfect his work of free grace begun in thee in this life though thy knowledge of God and of thy happiness in him be but in part yet in the other life it will be full like the light of the Sun at noon-day 1 Cor. 13.12 Now thy knowledge is mediat as through a lattesse then shall it be immediat and intuitive 1 Joh. 3.2 we shall see him as he is In this state of grace our will is not only mutable by nature but also of a mutable condition even after we are in a state of grace and has a proneness and liberty unto evil but in heaven our will shall be of an immutable condition fixed alwayes upon God and subordinat unto his will necessarily yet most freely without all force and co-action for then it will be our meat and drink to do the will of our heavenly Father then there will be perfect purity in the affections we shall be presented to the Father altogether faultless Jude Epist 24. then shall there be full joy and everlasting delight in God himself the supreme good There will be an everlasting calm in the conscience not so much as an air of temptation or whisper of any inordinat motion and all the members of the body will be weapons of righteousness like vessels in the temple above wholly consecrat to God Therefore let the children of God in all the outward changes they see in this unconstant world and in some inward changes they feel now and then in themselves in respect of their spiritual condition yet hold fast their confidence in God and rejoyce in the hope of that unchangeable condition that abides them in heaven Quest Some will say I have a purpose to change and have some wishes for it as a thing necessar in this life before
be brought to light and they shall know there is no name under heaven whereby they can be saved but the Name of Jesus Act. 4.12 Quest It may be asked at what time was this prophesie fulfilled For answer Consider the Gospel or Doctrine of the glad tidings of salvation in Christ was a mystery hid from the Gentiles and other heavenly Truths and Ordinances were communicat only to the Jews Ps 147.19 20. Rom. 3.2 There was not a Church among the Gentiles before the time our blessed Lord gave commission to preach unto them Mat. 28.19 It is true there were some proselytes at diverse times before the birth of our Lord in time of the Patriarchs was Melchizedeck though some think he was Shem and Job in Moses his time was Jethro in Joshua his time Rachab in the time of the Judges Ruth in the time of David Ittai the Gittit in Solomons time Hiram and in Jeremiahs time Ebedmelech these were but the first fruits of the Gentiles and drops in comparison of that great flood of Converts foretold Is 2.2 It shall come to pass in the last dayes that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it After the birth of our blessed Lord and his sending forth the Apostles to teach all Nations the knowledge of the Gospel did abound in many parts of the world as the sea abounds with waters it was foretold by our blessed Lord that this prophesie should be fulfilled in a great part even before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Mat. 24.14 and it was fulfilled Rom. 10.18 Their sound went unto all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world Col. 1.23 which was preached to every creature which is under heaven for the Gospel was preached by the Apostles even to the greater part of the habitable world so far as it was known at that time according to that ample Commission given by our Lord to his Disciples Mat. 28 19 20. Therefore faith Augustine de Civit. Dei lib. 22.8 Whosoever he be that requires miracles at this time he himself is a great wonder and prodigy who believeth not when all the world believeth the Gospel But before the end of the world these Nations which sometimes were Christian and are now overspread with Turcism and Mahometism as at this day Assyria and Egypt and many Nations living at this day in Paganism shall be converted to the Christian Faith and the Gospel shall be preached unto many Nations which were not known in the dayes of the Apostles as it is at this day both in the Eastern and Western India Observ The preaching hearing and knowledge of the Gospel is the ordinary mean of conversion and of a Gospel-like conversation 2 Cor. 4.6 God hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Thess 2.14 God hath called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ This is evident from instances of divers persons converted to the Faith of Jesus Christ and to the way of Sanctification by the preaching of the Gospel Act. 2.37.47 Act. 16.14.33.31 It is also evident from the denominations the Gospel getteth as 1. The word of grace Act. 20.33 Not only because it is sent to a Nation or People out of Gods free-grace Matth. 13.11 It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given But also by it as the ordinar instrument the holy Spirit worketh the sanctifying and saving grace of believing and turning to the Lord in all come to years of discerning and appointed for Salvation Act. 11.21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. 2 Cor. 10.4 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds c. Gal. 2.8 He that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentils Therefore now in these dayes after that this sacred instrument and testimony is sealed and reposited by God in his Church the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3 15 as the only authentical Record and invariable Rule of the Christian Faith if any man shall pretend to the inward revelation of the Spirit without or contrair to the written Word it is Enthusiasm and a delusion of his own private spirit neither let any man think it is enough to have the outward revelation of the written Word without the inward operation of the holy Spirit enlightning the understanding by Faith to perceive and assent unto the truth revealed in the Word and enclining the will by love to receive and retain it in the heart for the Lord openeth both the understanding and the heart Luk. 24.45 Act. 16.14 The Gospel is called the word of life Act. 5.20 Because the Gospel is the seed of the new life 1 Pet. 1.23 Faith and belief to the threatnings of the Law is as the Plough to rent the fallow-ground of our heart but Faith conceiving and embracing Christ in the promises of the Gospel is the seed of our regeration Jam. 1.18 Of his own will beg at he us by the word of truth It is called the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 Because in the Gospel remission and reconciliation in the blood of Christ is offered unto all who repent and believe in him Act. 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins And it is called The word of Salvation Act. 13.26 Because it is the ordinar mean of Salvation Rom 1.16 2 Thess 2 13. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth That the Gospel is the ordinar mean of Conversion to the Faith of Christ is evident from Reason and clear consequences from Scriptural truths 1. Hope of life and immortality is a strong motive to turn men from the broad way that leadeth unto death and to everlasting destruction Now the Gospel sheweth unto us life and immortality in Christ Jesus Rom. 6.6 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin 2 Tim. 1.10 The grace of God is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2. By the knowledge we have of Christ and by believing in him as he is offered in the Gospel we are turned from an estate of condemned rebels unto an estate of persons justified and reconciled in the blood of Jesus Christ Isa 53.11 By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many for he shall
me hear and your soul shall live Joh. 6 51 I am the living bread which came down from Heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever When thou has beâ—n made partaker of the life of grace from Christ labour to preserve that life for he that is born of God keepeth himself 1 Joh. 5.18 Preserve the life of grace 1. By frequenting the Ordinances of Word and Sacraments for as by these means the Lord begets this new life in us so by the same means he preserves it in us 1 Pet. 2.1 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby As children who forsake their meat do decay daily so Christians who loath or neglect the Sacred Ordinances do decay in respect of the vigour of grace 2. Frequent good company as a good and wholsome air is very profitable for preserving life and health natural so good and gracious company is very profitable by their wholsome conference and admonitions to preserve the spiritual life of grace Prov. 27.17 Iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend But evil and ungodly company is like evil weeds that hinder the growth of good herbs they by their evil example and their mocking the work of Gods grace in others do discourage them and sometimes abate the vigour of the life of grace in them 3. Daily exercise is a mean to preserve natural life and health in some vigour because through want of exercise the body becometh lazy and the life less active so daily exercising of our selves to keep a good conscience void of offence toward God and men is a notable mean to preserve the life of grace in some vigour as Paul did Acts 24.16 4. When at any time thou perceivest a beginning of fainting in the life of grace then at the first go by prayer to Christ who is the life and wrought life in thee by his Spirit pray to him that according to the promise Isai 40.29 he would give power to thee who faintest and that he would increase strength It was the wisdom of the Shunamite to come unto Elisha that he might restore life to her child who had gotten life at first by the help of his prayers so it is the wisdom of believers when in their sense they seem to be dead and deprived of the life of grace that sometime they had at such a time to go to Christ and by prayer and faith to wrestle with him that he may come by his Spirit and revive their fainting soul It is their wisdom to do as Peter did Mat. 14.30 31. who beginning to sink immediatly he cried saying Lord save me and immediatly Jesus stretched forth his hand and saved him so although the Lord may suffer thee to sink and fail in spirit that thou may see and be humbled with the sight of thine own weakness yet if thou run to him by prayer he will not suffer thee to drown but will stretch forth his hand of power and revive thee and renew the vigour of thy faith that thou may praise him who is the Author the Preserver and the Perfecter of the life of grace in his Saints To him with the Father and the Holy Ghost be immortal praise honour and glory for now and ever Amen The Attractive Power of the Death and Cross of Christ SERMOM II. JOHN 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me OUr blessed Lord in the vers preceeding has spoken of his victory over Satan of casting him out of his spiritual possession of the elect and of their delivery from his power and bondage In this vers he speaketh of the procuring cause of their delivery to wit his own death on the Cross and also of the powerful and efficacious application of the vertue of his death by giving faith to the elect to believe in him and draw their hearts toward him Divis In the words we have these two things 1. The manner of our Lord his death And I if I be lifted up from the earth 2. The vertue and efficacy of his death I will draw all men unto me Whereas it is said If I be lifted up the meaning is when I shall be lifted up for the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here is taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when as it is taken also 1 Joh. 3.2 But we know that when he shall appear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As for the manner of his death If I be lifted up from the earth There was a twofold lifting up of Christ one from the earth unto the Cross whereto his body was nailed at his death whereof here and Joh. 3.14 There was another lifting up after his death unto the Throne of glory in Heaven Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgivenness of sins By his lifting up upon the Cross and the merit of his death he procured the remission of our sins and by his lifting up after his death to the Fathers right hand he doth apply the remission of sins by his intercession Our blessed Lord gave himself willingly for his sheep Tit. 2.14 Joh. 10.17 18. for if he had been pleased to make use of his own Almighty power all the power of the world could not have taken his life from him he that with one word did cast his enemies to the ground who by his power even upon the Cross did rent the rocks he could easily have rent in pieces the tree whereto his body was nailed yet in his wisdom he was pleased to suffer death at the hands of his enemies though his death was simply voluntar yet in some respects it was necessar 1. There was a necessity of it in respect of the punishment threatned against man upon his disobedience The day thou eatest thou shalt die therefore there was a necessity of satisfaction to divine truth and justice by the death of Christ the Mediator and surety of the Covenant of Grace which was made in him Gal. 3.16 and ratified by him Heb. 7.22 2. There was a necessity in respect of Gods decree to send his Son that he might make satisfaction to Divine Justice in our nature therefore it is said by our Lord Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them to me They were the Fathers by election and given to the Son that he might satisfie for them reconcile them and in end bring them to the salvation appointed for them As a King resolving to release and give liberty to so many Rebels Prisoners giveth them over to his Son that he may pay their ransome and so obtain their liberty according to the Fathers decree For this cause our blessed Lord in respect of the decree of the Father to send him into the world that he might die and save his elect is called the Lamb fore-ordained
shall the innocent Cautioner be wounded and sore distressed and shall not the Principal debtor be wounded with sorrow for the debt he himself contracted shall our spotless Cautioner suffer shame and reproach and shall not our hearts be broken with grief and shame for our sins which put the innocent Lamb of God to open reproach Psal 22.6 7. Psal 69.20 7. Pray to God for a soft and broken heart it is promised in the New Covenant Ezek. 36.26 27. Pray for the influence and insuperable operation of the grace of God upon thy hard heart that thou may know in thy self what is the exceeding greatness of his power to them who believe according to the working of his mighty power c. Ephes 1.19 The influence of his overpowering and overcoming grace will be as Aqua-fortis to cut and divide an heart of iron we are like little children within the house that can shut the door of the heart upon our selves but cannot open it Therefore we must cry to him who both opens the dark understanding Luk. 24.45 and also the heart and affections Act. 16.14 that he would open our hard hearts by his preveening grace and by his subsequent grace he would keep them open and enlarge them by love toward himself and his holy Commandments 3. The cure of the broken in heart he healeth them and bindeth up their wounds God healeth these that are of a broken heart with sorrow under great afflictions upon their persons or outward estate Hos 6.1 Come and let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up The Lord healeth these that are thus wounded by giving them patience and strength in the inner-man to bear the visitation of the Lord in the day of their trouble Psal 138.3 In the day when I cryed thou answeredst me and strengthendst me with strength in my soul Sometimes he comforts them with inward peace and joy that exceeds the pain they have from outward tribulation 2 Cor. 1.4 5. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation c For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ and sometimes by delivering them in their greatest extremity 2 Cor. 1.9 10. But we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us The Lord healeth also in a more special manner those whose hearts are broken with sorrow for their sins This is the healing we should desire most as David did in the time of his great sickness Psal 41.4 I said Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Our greatest care should be of soul-health 1. Because our care should be greater to have the soul healed than the body or outward estate This was David's first and greatest desire in the time of sore sickness Ps 39.8 13. he first prayes for deliverance from his sins and then with submission for deliverance from his bodily disease Deliver me from all my transgressions O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more The soul is more precious than the body as men are more careful to have an Apostem in the inward and noble parts healed than a scratch in the skin of the body so our first and greatest care should be to have the diseases of our souls healed 2. If the spirit be healed and if a man have peace with God and his own conscience he will be able patiently to bear the infirmities of the body But a wounded spirit who can bear Prov. 18.14 As a man having an Ulcer in his back is much disquieted even with a little burden but if the back be sound and whole he can walk quietly under a great burden So when there is no health nor peace in the conscience a very small affliction doth disquiet and perplex our hearts but when we have inward health and peace in the conscience we are able through the Lord who strengtheneth us to walk patiently and quietly under a great affliction Psal 23.4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me Psal 138.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me 3. Unlese ye have a care of your souls-healing in this life there is no coming to perfect soul-health and salvation in Heaven as the Lepers under the Law were not admitted into publick meetings till first they were cleansed and healed so no unclean thing shall enter into the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.27 That we may the better understand what this soul-healing is and how the cure is performed we would consider that sin in Scripture is compared oftentimes to sickness Isai 1.5 and in many places to leprosie 1. In bodily sickness there is a privation and want of health so in sin there is want of Original Righteousness which was the sound constitution of man in the state of innocency 2. In bodily sickness there is a collision of humours like contrary waves making a commotion in the body so in our corrupt hearts there is a contrariety of unruly lusts one desiring this visible and sensual good and another lust carried after another sinful object 3. In sickness there is consumption and a tendency unto death unless it be preveened so in sin there is a tendency unto eternal death unless it be preveened by the pardon of our sins in the blood of Christ 4. In sickness bodily men oftentimes become weaker and weaker so unless they be restored by sanctification sinners grow worse and worse 2 Tim 3.13 Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived Therefore by healing is meant specially these two 1. The forgiving of sin to these who are broken in heart with sorrow for it Isa 33.24 And the inhabitant shall not say I am sick to wit unto the second death the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity 2. The sanctifying of a broken-hearted man and healing him by degrees from in-dwelling corruption which many times over-mastered him these two acts of soul-healing are set down Psal 103.3 Bless the Lord who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases By the remission of sin the soul is healed and recovered from a state of guiltiness and obligation to punishment eternal and by sanctification it is recovered from pineing away in iniquity The impediments of soul-healing are 1. Waywardness and frowardness of men who cannot endure to have their wounds touched and ript up by the word of reproof Prov. 1.30 31. They would none of my counsel they despised all my reproof therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices They cannot
it is said in the New Testament he emptied himself and gave himself to the death Gal. 1.4 Eph. 5.2 Tit. 2.14 This kind of necessity agreeth well with a spontaneous willingness though not with a liberty of indifferency toward the opposit act And seing our blessed Lord submitted himself willingly to this necessity in order to our salvation let us also when-ever in a necessity of divine providence we are called to undergo this or that cross willingly and chearfully submit our selves to the necessity of his wise providence Let us say as our Lord did Not my will but thine be done Let us say as David did 2 Sam. 15.26 Behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him And with these loving Professors Acts 21.14 When Paul would not be perswaded we ceased saying the will of the Lord be done 5. There is a resemblance in the consequent and effect of their looking to the brazen Serpent and of believers their looking to Christ on the Cross 1. These Serpents in the wilderness were deadly the Septuagint Interpreters calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so in sin there is the bite of the old Serpent when a temptation to sin is fastned on our hearts and we give consent to it Jam. 1.15 When lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death The bite of the Serpents was painful before they looked up to the brazen Serpent there was a burning inflammation and pain from the sting so it is in sinneâ—s after they have sinned the sting of an evil conscience remains burning and tormenting them from the sense of guiltiness and the fear of wrath to come and fear hath torment 1 Joh. 4.18 2. They were pained at the heart before they looked to the brazen Serpent so before a sinner can look by faith to Jesus Christ and so be healed there must be pain and grief at his heart in some measure of sincerity for offending the just and gracious God Mat. 9.11 12. Jesus said unto them they that be whole need not a Physician but they that are sick Two sorts of persons are not healed at the first to wit those that are lethargick or phrenetick sensless of sin or conceitful of their own righteousness The Church of Laodicea is convinced first of her security and vain imaginations before she be invited to be healed Rev. 3.19 And the Pharisee conceited of his own righteousness returned to his house not justified Luke 18. As the lethargick is ordinarily cured by casting him into a fever and then he being sensible of his distemper is healed by the Physician so our great Physician puts secure and sensless sinners oftentimes to a sharp fever and exercise of conscience by discovering covering sin and wrath to them and thereafter heals them as he did the Jaylor Act. 16.30 31. The Phrenetick and conceity soul the Lord heals by beating them with the sharp rods of affliction Job 36.8 9 10. If they be bound in fetters and be holden in cords of affliction then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded he openeth also their ear to discipline and commandeth that they return from iniquity They were healed by looking up to the brazen Serpent so by faith in Christ Jesus we are healed from our sins Act. 16.30 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved He is the only Physician that is both able and willing to heal the broken in heart As the People stung were healed by their looking up as a condition appointed and required by God But they were not healed for their looking up as a cause meritorious of healing so Faith is appointed and required as an instrument or condition without which there is no Justification and Salvation but it is not the cause meritorious but looks to Christ alone as the procurer of our Justification and Salvation in his blood The sick Woman was healed of her bloody flux through her touching of Christ but not by any vertue in her touching for the healing vertue came from Christ himself alone Mark 5.30 Luke 6.19 He healeth us of all the stings that disquiet and torment our spirits of which there be four 1. The sting of a guilty and tormenting Conscience spoken of Job 20.12 2. The sting of outward great afflictions not only in the Wicked but also in the Godly to wit a fear and apprehension of wrath in the affliction Job 6.4 The arrowes of the Almighty are within me the poyson whereof drinketh up my spirit the terrours of God do set themselves in array against me 3. The sting of temptation 2 Cor. 12.7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh 4. The sting of death 1. Cor. 15.56 At that time our sins that were quiet from tormenting us as the viper was for a time Act. 28. at death they leap on our Consciences to torment them with fear of the second Death Therefore let us look to Christ crucified that we may be healed of all these stings Isai 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth Look to him who shed his blood for the remission of sins who has reconciled us in the blood of his Cross and this look will calm the Conscience from the sting of guiltiness Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 2. When thou art disquieted with the sting of afflictions look to Christ who by the merit of his sufferings hath taken away the curse and wrath from thy sufferings and maketh them medicinal and profitable for thy soul Heb. 12 10. He chastiseth us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness 3. Against the sting of temptations and sharp tryals look to his rich and free Love Rom. 8.37 He will give strength to resist 2 Cor. 12.9 He will give outgate 1 Cor. 10.13 4. Against the sting of death look by Faith to Jesus Christ who is the Saviour of his body Rom. 8 1. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Look by Faith to him interceeding at the right hand of God for preserving us Believers unto eternal Life Rom 8.34 Joh. 10.28 As by his death he purchased our peace with God so by his Intercession he perpetuats that peace Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the outermost that come unto God by him seing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them 4. All that looked to the brazen Serpent were healed although in such a great number of men all were not alike quick-sighted so all Believers though not alike strong in Faith by looking to Christ crucified are saved from their sins There is no exception of infants in the life of Faith although in the estate of Grace and for the time they be not able by a reflex act to discern their own estate as infants are refreshed with bodily food although their hand be not so
heart is ready to every good work and commanded duty with the Apostle Paul Acts 9.6 saying Lord what wilt thou have me to do For the Doctrine of Justification by Faith obligeth believers the more strictly to the duties of Sanctification for knowing they are justified in the blood of Christ which is the price of our redemption therefore should they glorify God in their body and in their spirit which are God's not only by the right of creation and temporal preservation but also by the right of redemption and everlasting salvation 1 Cor. 6.20 Seing they have the promises of free grace ratified in the blood of Christ they should cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 See more 2 Cor. 5.15 Tit. 2.11 12 14. So that the Doctrine of Justification by faith in Jesus Christ doth not make void the Law but establisheth the Law Rom. 3.31 Though it make the Law void as to Justification by it Rom 8.3 yet it doth not make it void or cancell it from being a fixt rule for our direction Now to the Lord Jesus Christ the Author and Finisher of our faith with the Father and Holy Ghost be all praise c. Amen Spiritual Life and Spiritual Walking SERMON V. GAL. 5.25 If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit THe Apostle having spoken in vers 22 23 24. of the seveâ—al fruits of the Spirit in the soul wherein he hath planted the life of grace he inferreth this conclusion If we live in the Spirit c. that is if we be quickened by the Spirit of God and raised to a new life of grace let it be seen in the course and actions of our life Let us walk by the Spirit that is by the guidance and direction of the Spirit according to the Word of God which was inspired into the Prophets and Apostles by the Holy Spirit In the words we have 1. A benefit supposed If we live in the Spirit 2. A duty proposed Let us walk in the Spirit For clearing the benefit supposed we would know 1. The nature and condition of this life which we are said here to have by the Spirit what it is 2. We would know the necessity of this life 3. The excellent quality of it in excelling all other kinds of life 1. As for the nature of this life it hath three effects or operations 1. Our Justification whereby our sins are forgiven and we are absolved from the sentence of damnation through the perfect obedience and satisfaction of our Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ as a man sentenced to death for some hainous crime is called a dead man even before the execution of the sentence and when he is absolved he is said to be a living man so by nature through sin and guiltiness we are children of wrath and dead in sins and trespasses obnoxious to eternal death and damnation but being justified by faith in Jesus Christ we are said to live in Christ and have the hope to live with him for ever This life is purchased to us by the merit of the death of Christ and is applyed by the Holy Spirit working faith in us whereby we are united to Christ and receive in and through him remission of sins offered to us in the preaching of the Gospel and sâ—aled in the holy Sacraments 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 2. The act also and operation of the life of grace is our Sanctification wrought in us by the Holy Spirit mortifying in us the deeds of the body Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live to wit the life of glory in Heaven and it is a quickening of us to live here unto righteousness as a man pincing away in sickness is said to be a dead man in respect of his fast approaching unto death and when he is in the way of recovery he is said to be a living man because there are pregnant hopes of his better health and life This life of Sanctification purchased also by Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 3. There is the life of comfort and spiritual chearfulness it 's said of old Jacob Gen. 44.30 His life is bound up in the lad's life because he was much comforted in his son Joseph When sin and judgement is set before us our heart is dead and comfortless like the heart of Nabal whose heart at the report of David's wrath against him died within him through fear 1 Sam. 25.37 But when the Spirit of the Lord in our fears and faintings doth revive us by the sweet and piercing smell of the cross of Christ received by faith into the soul then we live a comfortable life and our soul rejoyceth in God our Saviour 2 Cor. 4.11 For we which live are alwayes delivered unto death for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh that is that the life of comfort and inward strength from Christ might be manifested in our sufferings 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory This life of inward comfort and strength purchased also by the merit of the death of Christ is applyed and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit Eph. 3.14 15 16. I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ c. that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner-man This life is called our life in Christ Col. 3.3 4. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God It is purchased by him hid and preserved in him and with him as the life of the branches is preserved in the root Joh. 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also It is called the life of the Spirit or by the Spirit in this place because by the Holy Spirit we are united and joyned unto the Lord our Head and Saviour 1 Cor 6.17 He that is joyned unto the Lord is one spirit and because we are renewed to a new life by the Holy Spirit Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God It is called the life of faith Gal. 2.20 because by faith we receive the life of Justification Sanctification and of inward comfort from Jesus Christ 2. This life of grace is absolutely necessar as a midst and necessar antecedent unto eternal life 1. As the natural life is a necessar foundation of natural actings and operations dead Trees grow not dead Animals walk not dead men discourse not so the life
of the Spirit in us is the foundation of all our spiritual and supernatural actings without this life men are dead in sin and cannot grow in grace without it men are dead and cannot walk in the wayes of Gods commandments without it men are dead and cannot understand nor perceive the things of God in a saving way for the salvation of their souls 1 Cor. 2.14 2. The necessity of the life of grace wrought in us by the Spirit appeareth in this because without it there is no coming to the life of glory Joh 3.5 This life of grace is the infancy of the life of glory and as one cannot grow up to the perfect stature of a man unless he hath been first an infant so a man cannot be a perfect man in glory except first he be an infant in the state of grace as one cannot be put into actual possession of an inheritance till he first be born into the world so no man can be put into the possession of the heavenly inheritance until first he be born over-again by the holy Spirit the author of the life of grace and the preparer and preserver of us for the life of glory This life in or through the Spirit is absolute necessar even for all men who would come to the life of glory for it is said indefinitly Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God Though he were never so nobly descended of earthly progenitors yet if he live not in the Spirit it may be said of him as of Judas It had been good for him he had never been born 3. It is necessar for our comfort to assure us we are united to Christ and that neither life nor death shall separat us from him as life in the branch is an evidence of its ingrafture and union with the Tree So our partaking of the life of the Spirit is a comfortable evidence that Christ is in us by the indwelling of his Spirit and we are in him by faith and love 1 Joh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 3. This life in the Spirit is an excellent life if simply considered in it self 1. In respect of that true and pure pleasure that attends it the deceitful pleasures of a sinful life are like the sting of an asp casting a man into a deep sleep but when the conscience is awaked the heart through fear is as Pashur Magor-missabib fear round about the conscience of a sinful liver is like a chiding wife in the bosome casting up to the man all the former evil wayes he has walked in in the dayes of his former life But the godly and spiritual liver has much inward pleasure and soul-satisfaction Pro. 14.14 The back-slider in heart shall be filled with his own wayes and a good man shall be satisfied from himself His good conscience from the sense of the life of the Spirit within him is like Abishag to David in his old age it doth cherish the inner-man and warm it with a sense of Gods love shed abroad in the heart by the holy Spirit it sweetens common mercies to the man who lives in the Spirit The primitive believers from the sense and comfort of the life in the Spirit did eat their meat with gladeness and singlness of heart Acts 2.46 Oh that profane and worldly-minded men who speak of a holy and spiritual life as a condition sad and comfortless would become spiritual livers in the Spirit and take a proof of that estate of life I say to these men as Philip said to Nathanael Come and see and after sight and proof ye will say as the Queen of Sheba did it was true that was told me but not the half of that contentment and joy I find by experience to be in a godly and spiritual life was told me The life in the Spirit has great and certain gain accompanying it together with much unspeakabl contentment 1 Tim. 6.6 Godliness with contentment that is which has contentment alwayes attending it is great gain 1 Tim. 4.8 Godliness is profitable unto all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come It has the promise of temporal blessings Psal 34.6 7. Rom. 8.28 and of eternal blessings 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him These who live in the Spirit do live in great honour and reputation with God and the greater and wiser the person is who doth bestow the honour it is the greater but so it is that the great and wise God doth esteem much of men of an holy and spiritual life he calleth them his Treasure Psal 135.4 his inheritance and portion Psal 35.12 his jewels Mal. 3.17 The friends of God 2 Chron. 20.7 The sons of God 1 Joh. 3.1 This life in the Spirit is excellent if compared with the natural life the life of the sense is common to us with the brute beasts whereof some do excel men in some outward senses the life of reason is common to us with Pagans and Infidels and many of them in their philosophy hath excelled us yea our living under the outward means of Word and Sacraments is common to us with many hypocrits and castawayes but this life in the Spirit is far more excellent than that of sense and reason as a man by reason doth far excel the most sagacious beast so doth a man living in the spirit excel the greatest Moralists who were or are void of the life of grace by the Spirit natural men partake of the divine gifts but spiritual and godly men are made partakers of the divine nature by way of assimilation 2· Pet. 1 4. And as for men living or rather dieing and stinking above the earth in their vile lusts a godly and spiritual life doth excel that vile and miserable life as far as light doth darkness and Heaven doth Hell Seing we live the life of grace by the Spirit we should be very watchful that we grieve not the Spirit 1. It is the worst sort of unthankfulness to render evil for good and it is also unnatural for children to grieve their parents that under God are the author of their natural life How great a sin then is it to grieve the holy Spirit the author of thy spiritual life 2. Thou art sealed by the Spirit who sealeth thy eternal redemption to thy faith by the promises of the Gospel and more clearly by the administration of the holy Sacraments as the outward common seal and effectually by the graces of the holy Spirit of sanctification as the inward and privy seal of thine heavenly inheritance Ephes 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise And how loath are men and
by crying to him Memento te esse mortalem remember thou art a mortal man Philip of Macedon commanded his Page to knock every morning at his chamber door before he rose and to cry Memento mori remember thou must die The great Emperour of the Schythians Tamberlan in his military march caused carry before him his winding-sheet as well as the royal standart and many of the people of God amongst the Jews had their tombs in their gardens as we read Joseph of Arimathea had to keep their spirits sober in the midst of their worldly pleasures and delights but mens forgetfulness of their approaching dissolution makes many so impudent and obstinat in their sinful courses Lam. 1.9 Her filthiness is in her skirts she remembreth not her last end therefore she came down wonderfully she had no comforter We have dayly warnings of the approaching dissolution of this house of clay 1. From the propps we make use of dayly to support it as our meat and our drink they are for repairing this ruinous house for a time and yet do what we can it will fall down to the dust take warning from thy going to sleep and â—emember as thou puts off thy cloaths so thou must put off this garment of mortality If at any time thou take medicine remember it is but as a plaistering for a time of a decaying mud-house 2. Let sickness in the body at any time put thee in mind of thy dissolution by death because alteration doth tend in end to corruption as a drop from the roof doth in end wear the side-walls 3. Take warning from the death and burial of others when thou seest their scull or bones or dust this is a pious Necromancy thereby to divine of thine own dissolution by death 4. Take warning from the winter season when thou lookest on the earth thou seest neither grass nor flower then remember thou that of 1 Pet. 1.24 All flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away But thou who sowest in tears rejoyce in the hope of that harvest of compleat glory at the Resurrection which is the spring-time of the immortality of the body when the bodies of the Saints shall spring up in glory like the lillies that were hid under the ground in time of winter Isa 26.19 Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead There is great reason wherefore we should be preparing dayly for the dissolution of the body by death 1. This dissolution is inevitable and there is not exemption from it by any humane power It is true God himself did exempt Enoch and Elias from dissolution of the body because he is the supreme Law-giver and may dispence with his own penal statutes but no person can exempt himself from the necessity of a dissolution of the body riches cannot bribe death the rich glutton died honour and majesty in the great ones of the world cannot dash death out of countenance nor chase it away Kings are laid in their graves might and power of Armies cannot affright death it has taken away Kings and great Commanders upon the head of their Armies wisdom and eloquence cannot disswade it from approaching the wise and eloquent die as well as fools and ignorant men The Piety of the godly will not turn it away Abraham the fatheâ— of the faithful and all the Patriarchs died 2. This dissolution is uncertain in respect of the time manner and place We come into the world one way but go out of it a thousand divers wayes that rich worldling Luk. 12.18 was taken away on a sudden the Shunamit's son goeth forth well in the morning but dies before the evening though our dayes are numbred of God yet they are uncertain to us our breath is in our nostrils if either the air we draw in or the air we breath out be stopped we are gone in an instant if but the small passages from the reins be obstructed our heart is suffocat Therefore let us not in our vain presumption number years unto our selves but let us pray daily to God that he would teach us so to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psal 90 12. Quest How shall I be prepared for my dissolution and death Ans That thou mayest be prepared 1. Repent of thy sins and be reconciled unto God through faith in Jesus Christ the Mediator without delaying even while thou art in the way and cannot tell how soon thou mayest be removed that thou may appear before thy Judge Mat. 5.25 Delay not till the very term of thy dissolution be come for then it will be with thee as with a careless debt or who takes no course with his debts in time at the term-day he is confounded with fear lest death as a rude Messenger sent from the great Judge shall hale him to the bottomless prison from which there is no redemption 2. Embrace Christ the Saviour of sinners into the arms of thy faith that so with old Simeon thou mayest depart in peace Luk. 2.29 30. Holy Ambrose at his death beholding his friends weeping sore said Why weep ye I have not so lived that I am ashamed to live longer if it shall so seem good in the eyes of God neither am I afraid to die because I have a gracious Lord. 3. Be thou diligent in thy Christian and also in thy particular lawful Calling the fore-sight of death and appearance after death before the Tribunal of the Lord Jesus Christ made Paul careful to approve himself to God in his Apostolical Calling 2 Cor. 5.9 10. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him for we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ c. Upon this account Peter was also careful to do his duty faithfully 2 Pet. 1.13 14 15. Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle c. 4. In all the wayes of thy Christian conversation study to persevere in keeping a good conscience that at death thou mayest die with some comfortable evidence in thy self of thy future happiness 2. Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness c. 5. Labour thou to be prepared as were the wise Virgins Mat. 25. with the light of sound knowledge in thy mind that thou mayest say with the Apostle 2 Tim 1.12 I know whom I have believed And also having the oyl of sincere love in your heart toward God for the heart cannot conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9
of believers in this life and the condition of their glorified bodies in the life to come here the body is an earthly house mouldering down dayly but in heaven it will be fixt eternal and incorruptible This opposition is clearly set forth 1 Cor. 15.41 42 43. 1. Now the body of the Saints is subject to alteration and corruption It is sowâ— saith the Apostle in corruption but raised in incorruption The body now is in a continual flux and decay some pickles of our dust are running dayly our life is like a lamp within this pitcher of clay having need dayly to be recruited by fresh oyl but in heaven our bodies will be of a fixed condition without any need of reparation then the vital and animat spirits of the body will be pure and free from all superfluous humors and from all conflict of one bodily quality against another which like contrary tydes do make a great commotion within the body but in heaven there will be a perfect harmony amongst all the elementary qualities in the body and therefore no possiblity of alteration or declining to old age 2. There is an opposition in respect of the feature and beauty of the body The body is sown in dishonour but raised in honour Our body in this life is called a vile body Phil. 3.20 Saccus stercorum and the greatest on earth must carry about with them these monitories of humility A little time before death the face becomes pale and earth-like as wine near-run doth smell of the dreg after the soul is gone like an heavenly spark of fire out of a mud-house then the body becomes nasty and loathsome through stench Abraham desired to bury his some-time beautiful Sarah out of his sight But in the day of resurrection the bodies of the godly will be raised in honour like unto the glorious body of Christ As the tabernacle in the wilderness was made according to the pattern shown unto Moses in the Mount so the tabernacle of our body will be raised according to the pattern of Christs bâ—â—y shown in mount Tabor when he was transfigured Mat. 17. They will be raised in great comeliness both for splendor and proportion these bodies that had any defect or deformity in this life through want of any member shall have all made up in that day of restoring all things he that bringeth forth the lillie from under the ground in beautiful colours exceeding the glory of king Solomon and he that restored Malchus his ear will adorn the body with beauty and with integrity of members all doubts how such a thing can be are resolved by the Apostle Phil. 3.21 He will do it according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself 3. There is an opposition in respect of the healthful disposition and constitution of the body It is sown in weakness but will be raised in power The best constitution of the body now in comparison of that it had in the estate of innocency is at the best but weakness although all bodies now be not alike weak yet a sharp fit of an ague or of the stone will lay the strongest man on his back even the strongest bodies through much labour do become weak and feeble as a strong bow through much shooting becomes flug and remiss Sampson notwithstanding his great strength became weary and thirsty after his fight with the Philistines and on death-bed the strongest man is not able to carry a drink to his own head or to turn himself in his bed but in the day of resurrection the body will be raised in power and strength and so continue without all weariness for weakness in the body and weariness after labour is a consequent of mans fall and of original corruption if man had not fallen his labour in the garden would have been only a pleasant recreation without toil and sweat but in heaven there will be no remaines of corruption in the soul and therefore no weariness in the body 4. There is a great opposition between our body now and the glorified body in the resurrection in respect of exercise and operations It is sown a natural body but will be raised a spiritual body not of a spiritual Aerial or Etherial substance for the same individual body will be raised and it was not in this life Aerial or Etherial there will be a raising up of that same body which is fallen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that was a terrestrial body it is said demonstratively 1 Cor. 15.54 This corruptible and this mortal But the body will be raised up with spiritual qualities now it is a natural body and has need of natural means for preserving and continuing the spece and kind by Generation as also of meat drink and sleep for preserving the Individual by nutrition but after the resurrection the body will be abstract and retired from the use of these natural means and operations the glorified Saints will be like unto Angels neither giving in marriage nor taking in marriage Mat. 22.30 The number of the Elect and of the Church Triumphant will be compleat at the resurrection there will be no more enlargeing of the Church by posterity the whole desire and delight of the Saâ—nts glorified will be so â—ully taken up with the vision and fruition of the all-sufficient and unchangeable God that the beatifick vision will drown and swallow up any remembrance of natural desire or delight on the creature if Peter Matth. 17. was so deeply affected with a sight of that created glory he saw on mount Tabor that he forgot all his former contentments and enjoyments worldly below the mount when he said It is good for us to be here How much more will the Saints in heaven be ravished with the sight and knowledge of that increated glory of God himself in their souls when he shall be marvellous in his Saints 2 Thes 1.10 and when they shall also behold the glory of Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness in his humane glorified body The glorified body will not have any use or need of meat drink or sleep because the body then will be of a fixed and durable constitution and consistence without all possibility of alteration or decay Rev. 7.16 In heaven the body will be spiritual in respect of lucidity and agility in motion like unto the celestial Spirits and Angels who in a very short time make their motions through a vast space and interval as the Angel Gabriel did Dan. 9.23 In like manner our bodies then will be carryed quickly in an imperceptible moment of time wheresoever our souls shall desire to be 1 Thes 4.17 We shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air As for these members of the body which in this life serve for necessar and natural use they will serve in heaven for ornament and integrity of the body as the breasts of the woman come to old age who sometimes
God and the care of all their concernments unto their wise Lord who can raise up a Joshua in the place of Moses and an Elisha in the place of Elijah and also enable them with the spirit of their Calling It is also a natural and pious desire of godly Parents to live that they may bring up their young children in the knowledge and the fear of the Lord and under God provide for them nevertheless when they perceive it is Gods will to remove them by death from their children they willingly submit themselves to the will of God and as they cast themselves and the care of their soul upon the God of their salvation so with confidence they commit their children to God who taketh this title unto himself to be the father of the fatherless And I know well the God of truth doth not assume empty titles but is fully answerable unto them in the work of his gracious and fatherly providence 3. A cause of their unwillingness to die is sometimes their want of full assurance of the remission of their sins and of the salvation of their souls but if they had this they profess they would be most willing to die For answer to this scruple I confess it is no wonder the child of God desire this full assurance because the more they have of a well-grounded assurance they have the more of inward peace and comfort yet though thou have not that full assurance which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the full assurance of faith yet if by thy true repentance thou hast forsaken thy former evil wayes and hast brought forth fruits meet for repentance in the amendment of thy life and by faith cleavest to Christ and to the merit of his perfect righteousness I say unto thee as our blâ—ssed Lord said unto the Ruler of the Synagogue Mark 5.36 Be not afraid only believe Remember that of John 3.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned And Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life That full assurance called in a borrowed phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is like that of a Ship coming in to the Harbour with full Sails before the wind yet some Ships in time of a storm will come in safe also with a piece of a Cross-sail Bless thou God for thy faith of adherence to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the promises of salvation in him if with Job thou can say with an upright heart Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him Consider I beseech thee for thy comfort that God is more zealous of his own honour in performing his faithful promise made unto believers who depend upon him by faith and obedience than thou canst be of thine own salvation as he takes no pleasure in the destruction of a sinner so he takes much pleasure in thy turning and trusting in him if thou die leaning by faith on him and his promise of salvation then shalt thou be saved and carried by him out of this wilderness unto that Paradise which is above as it is said Cant. 8.5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved If the Son of God the beloved of the Father be also thy beloved and if thou die leaning on him then shalt thou come out of the wilderness of this world and shalt be filled with his everlasting love and fulness of the purest joy and delight in the Kingdom of Heaven Quest What are the means and helps to make the children of God willing to remove out of the body Ans 1. A special mean is that set down here in the Text to wit the assured knowledge of a far better estate after this life Moses a little time before his death went up to the top of Pisgah Deut. 34. and there the Lord shewed unto him the pleasant and plentiful land of Canaan that was on the other side of Jordan after which sight he willingly died there in like-manner the Lord our God for their further encouragement elevats the minds of his children by the eye of faith toward their eternal rest in Heaven then their hearts are so affected with love and desire to be there with Christ that they say as Paul did Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all Old Simeon a long expectant of glory waited for Christ the consolation of Israel and when he got him in his arms he said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation Luk. 2.29 30. In like-manner faith embracing Christ the Saviour and the hope of salvation in him and with him doth depart in peace 2. The seal of the Holy Spirit in the work and course of our sanctification doth encourage and make us willing to die as the Seal of earthly Kings make sure to men their earthly possessions so the King of kings by the Seal of the Holy Spirit as our Sanctification is called Eph. 1.13 maketh sure unto believers their heavenly inheritance which is said to be among them which are sanctified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 26. â—8 Therefore as ye would die willingly in the hope of that heavenly inheritance be very careful that your gift thereof pass not only through the Common Seal of the outward Ordinances of hearing the Word and receiving the holy Sacraments but also through the Privy Seal of purifying and sanctifying the heart for Blessed are they that are pure in heart they shall see God Mat. 5.8 and without holiness none shall see God Heb. 12.14 There is no coming unto the heavenly inheritance without regeneration as a child yet unborn cannot actually have the possession of an inheritance 3. The earnest of the Spirit which is also called The first fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 maketh a man willing to die as a man receiving though a small earnest-peny out of the hand of one that is faithful and able to perform the whole bargain at the term doth trust to his faithful promise and withal having received some earnest of the promised sum the nearer the term of performance is he is the more joyful In like-manner the child of God having sometime received an earnest or first-fruits of his salvation in the sense of Gods love shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost some peace in his conscience by faith in Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners and some joy of the promised salvation from a lively hope to be with Christ the nearer he is to the term of his removal he is or may be the more joyful so it was with the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 5 8. He also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit therefore we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. These first fruits of the Spirit in the soul are like unto these few clusters Joshua and Caleb brought from the valley of Eshcol they
give some refreshment to the soul and withall encourage it to go forward to Heaven where they shall get no worse but much more of such fruits Although thou hast not such a measure of the sense of Gods love towards thee as thou desirest yet if there be in thine heart a true and sincere hatred of all sin and a true and deep sense of thine own love toward God that thou mayest say in humility and sincerity as Peter did Joh. 21. Lord thou that knowest all things knoweth I love thee then mayest thou die willingly because 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen c. what God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 8.3 If any man love God the same is known and approven of him Peace in thy conscience from faith resting on Jesus Christ and his perfect righteousness is the earnest of thy full and everlasting peace in Heaven when thou shalt see God as he is Although thy peace of Sanctification may be interrupted now and then by thy sinning sometimes against thy light as it was in David Psal 51. yet in Heaven there will be perfect righteousness inherent for ever and the fruit thereof will be perfect and everlasting peace in the soul Spiritual joy which is called the joy of the Holy Ghost because he is the Author of it and is also called the joy of salvation because eternal salvation in Heaven is the object of it if at any time God hath given joy to thy heart after thy mourning in secret for thy sins and after thy believing in Jesus Christ who came into the world to save even the chief of sinners then look thou upon that joy as a love-token sent down to thee from Heaven and as an earnest of that full and everlasting joy in Heaven that shall never be taken from thee This consideration and joyful expectation maketh the children of God willing to be dissolved and to be with Christ at whose right hand is fulness of joy and pleasures for ever For if there be such joy from the earnest and first fruits that it is called 1 Pet. 1.8 Joy unspeakable and full of glory What will the joy be after this life when we shall receive the full sum of glory and shall reap the full harvest of joy in the kingdom of Heaven It is true some of the dear children of God who sometimes in their lifetime have had peace in their conscience and joy in their heart from the hope of salvation have been a little before their death under a cloud and great wrestlings against temptations to unbelief and despondency which were fierce as the sons of Anak at their coming out of this wilderness but before their dissolution that cloud evanished and they exprest their joy like the joy of the wise men when they saw the Star that led them to Christ appearing again Mat. 2.10 and they cried out Venit venit He is come he is come And then they say as Isa 25.9 This is the Lord we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Use For exhortation unto willingness at death to remove out of the body to this end we would seriously and frequently consider 1. This is the place and the time of our sojourning our rest is not here therefore let us pass the time of our sojourning here in fear 1 Pet. 1.17 Like unto loving and dutiful children in the time of their travels abroad who are afraid to do any thing in a strange countrey that may dishonour their loving father who sent them to their travels for a time and bare all their charges in the time of their absence this fear to dishonour our heavenly Father and our active care to honour him in this present world will make us willing and confident to return unto him at death who will make us welcome at our return and give us rest in these eternal mansions in our Fathers house this fear to offend God and care to please him in all things made the Apostle Paul willing and confident in the thoughts of his departure from this world 2 Tim. 4.7 8 I have fought a good fight c. henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing 2. Consider often the place thou leavest at death and the place thou goest to after death and the vast difference between these two as the Heaven is distant from the Earth thou leavest a world of iniquity and misery but goest to that other world wherein dwelleth righteousness all happiness there is a vast difference between the earthly house thou flitts from at death and that eternal house and mansion to which thy soul flitts immediatly after death and shall rest from all thy labours Rev. 14.13 Thy soul dwelleth now in a dark house there is much ignorance even in the best of Saints here and any light or knowledge we have now in the body is but like the light unto a prisoner in the dungeon through crevices and slitts by the ministry of our outward senses our hearing and seeing but in that heavenly mansion whereto the believer goeth at death there is full light Ps 36.9 In thy light shall we see light 1 Joh. 3.2 We shall see him as he is There will be an identity in the object God himself seen by all the glorified Saints yet there is an infinit variety of all things desireable for our happiness to be seen and known in God himself infinit in excellency an goodness even as a man beholdeth diverse reâ—ractions frâ—m one and the self same sparkling precious Diamond his light and knowledge in the souls of glorified Saints wilâ— endure for ever Rev. 21.23 The city had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof This eaâ—â—thly house doth oft-times smoak and maketh our eyes to gush ouâ— with tears as smoak doth from a soaking fite not yâ—t put out so the many sinful motions and fumes arising from in-dwelling concupiscence in the body maketh the children of God here many times to mourn in secret before the Lord and in the bitterness of their spirit to cry out with the Apostle Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death But at death the fire of concupâ—scence will be wholly quenched as at flitting the fire of the house wherein they formerly dwelt is wholly put out but after death we shall follow the Lamb in white robes not only without blame but also without all stain Now we dwell in a strait and narrow house here are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great pâ—essures and oppressions of spirit with one affliction after another but after death we shall be enlarged from all trouble and pain then God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes Rev. 21.4 Now we dwell in a dropping house one defluction after another from our weak and distempered head do trouble this earthly body but after death in our eternal house there will be a perpetual influence of life health peace and joy from our strong and everlasting Head the Lord Jesus Christ Now we dwell among many evil and troublesome neighbours who make us oft-times cry out with David Wo is me that I dwell in the tents of Mesecb But in heaven there will be perfect peace a sweet harmony in minds and affections amongst all the fellow-citizens there we shall be in a perpetual communion with the blessed Angels and with the glorified Saints Yea that which crowneth all we shall be in an immediat full and perpetual communion with God himself infinit in glory Rev. 21.3 God himself shall be with them And at the resurrection of the body we shall live in a communion of the visible glory of Christ the Lord whom we shall see with our bodily eyes 1 Thes 4.17 3. Lastly consider what joy thou hast had at any time here from faith in Jesus Christ whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeâ—kable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 O what shall our joy be after death when we shall see him face to face If now thy joy be so great in seeing him only through the lattesse of his Ordinances and if some of the Saints have such joy in suffering for him here how great shall their joy be in reigning with him there If we have some peace and calmness in our conscience when we are in the sea of this world what shall be the peace and calmness when we shall be brought within that haven of â—he third heaven where the salvation of God shall be our perpetual bulwark Old Jacob when he considered the misery and famine of the Land from which he parted when he looked to the waggons and provision sent to him by his beloved Joseph and when he considered he was going to be with his own Joseph in honour and great plenty he departed willingly from the place of his former abode So let us consider this present world from which we part it is a place of sin and misery let us consider any provision of inward comfort God hath sent us at any time it should be as a waggon and fiery chariot to carry our hearts upwards toward God the fountain of all comfort and happiness Consider our dear Joseph the Lord Jesus Christ that was sold for our iniquities is now at the fathers right hand the great Steward and Dispenser of grace and glory by death we are going to him in whom and with whom we shall enjoy all happiness for ever If there be comfort sometimes from a drop of joy here how full ever-flowing and over-flowing will our joy be that shall proceed from the vision and fruition of God for ever These everlasting pleasures and purest joyes are that pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb Rev. 22.1 I close with that of the Apostle Jude ver 24.25 Now unto him that is able to keep you â—rom falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty dominion and power now and ever Amen FINIS