Therefore being justified by Faith we have Peace with God thrô our Lord Jesus Christ Thô there is a noise of War in thy Camp thy Corruptions fight and justle one against another nay not only Egyptian against Egyptian but an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew Corruption opposeth Grace and maketh an uprore in thy Soul yet the Gospel hath a Prince of Peace to allay the Tumult Heb. 7.2 Psa 147.14 and to make Peace in thy Borders There is Provision made for a Blessed Calm upon thy Soul when the Son of God shall rebuke thy Storm and say to the Winds that made it Mark 4.39 tho' furious Blasts from Satan Peace be still Thou shalt see it to be fair weather upon the Kings Feast-day Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you not as the World giveth give I unto you Joh. 14.27 In a word here is a Feast you may Sleep well after not in Sin or Security but in a Refreshment or Repose of your Spirits in the Peace of Conscience 21. The Oyl of Joy * Isa 61.3 It was the Blessing of Asher that he should dip his Foot in Oyl Deut. 33.24 and be as it were over shoes in his Inheritance where God's Paths dropped fatness Psa 65.11 It is clear in Scripture that Oyl by the Appointment of God was put to various uses The Children of Israel were commanded with Oyl to * Exod. 25 6. v. 37. compared dress their Lamps and with a finer to dress their †Lev. 2.4 5. c. meat in the Legal Sacrifices and with a most refined Oyntment made of various * Exo. 30.23.25 Spices after the Art of the Apothecary to †v. 26. anoint the Tabernacle and his * v. 27. c. Furniture by all which was Typified that Spiritual Oyl which the Gospel now affordeth we have now an Oyl an Oyl of Joy that feeds the * Oleum flammis alimoniam suppeditat Moller enar in Psalmos Ps 45.7 Candle of the Lord and makes it burn comfortably an Oyl of Grace that feeds the Lamp of our Profession that we be not in the Dark at * Mat. 25.3 4 5 6.8 midnight when we should see to go out and meet the Bridegroom we have now also an Oyl to dress our Sacrifice since we have received an Vnction from the Holy One 1 Joh. 2.20 an Oyl that fattens our Entertainment and an Oyl as we sit at meat Psa 104.15 that makes our Face to shine There is an Oyl of Joy communicated to the Head our Lord Jesus Christ and an Oyl of Joy imparted to his Members This Box of precious Oyntment was poured on his Head by a greater than Mary †Mat. 26.7 Joh. 11.2 Magdalen God anoints him Therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy Fellows Psa 45.7 latter part So Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me He is therefore in the New Testament styled by way of eminence the Christ of God and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 2.26 part the Lord 's Christ which signifies the Lords Anointed Now at the Feast his Members in some Conformity to their Head are anointed also He that ordained a Lamp for his anointed and made the Horn of David to bud hath also a Horn of Salvation to pour the Anointings of the Spirit on us God's Children may suck in this Oyl plentifully at the Feast where there be Springs of Joy to feed a chosen Vessel Thou preparest a Table before me thou anointest my Head with Oyl Psa 23.5 22. The Cup of Consolation with the Wine of the Kingdom-running over The Cup of Consolation was a Cup for Mourners a Portion mingled more especially to support them at the Death and Loss of Dear Relations and tho' used commonly among the Jews yet was deny'd them Jer. 16 5. latter part when God had taken away his Peace from them even loving kindness and mercies neither shall men give them the Cup of Consolation to drink v. 7. for their Father or for their Mother The Cup of Consolation was a little to sweeten the Bitterness unto their Children after their Parents had tasted Death Now the Feast of the Gospel hath its Cup of Consolation to wash off sadness from them that mourn in Zion it hath the Wine of the Kingdom for the Children she brings forth when they are bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his Mother because of the Afflictions of the Church of God Nay suppose the Trouble should arise more from a Reflection upon their own Personal State this Cup of Consolation is then to wash off their Fears Rev. 14.10 least they should drink of the Wine of wrath out of the Cup of Indignation The Wine of the Gospel is a refreshing Cordial from the Grace of God to cheer up drooping Spirits and comfort heavy Hearts It is a Cup of Salvation Psa 116.13 to a poor Soul that hath been afraid of that Red-wine in the Threatning lest he should pledge it in the Second Death A Man's Body when his Spirits are low needeth Recruits Prov. 31.6 Give strong Drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that be of heavy Hearts and so in Paul's Advice to Timothy 1 Tim. 5.23 Drink no longer water that is such as was commonly us'd at Meals in those hotter Climates as we drink Beer but use a little wine for thy Stomach's sake and thine often infirmities In like manner the Spirit of a Man when wounded or broke and sunk within him doth need Wine the Wine of the Kingdom that is the manifestations of the Love of Christ to chear it for the Spirit of a man may sustain his Infirmities that is he may bear up under outward Trouble he meets with in the Flesh but a wounded Spirit who can bear Prov. 18.14 Such a one must have the Cup of Consolation from Christ's own Hand for his Love is better than wine Song 1.2 The Roof of his mouth when he speaks a kind pleasant word like the best wine goes down exceeding sweetly causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak Song 7.9 If God's Children be sunk down thro' long heaviness and begin to sleep the Sleep of Death in their own sad Apprehensions Psa 13.3 yet a Cup of this pleasant Wine from Christ on a sudden makes an Alteration and breaks out in Praises Psa 118.17 I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Blessed Consolation Now the Gospel hath provided a Full Cup of this This is that precious Cluster Isa 65.8 where the new wine is found in it He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him Joh. 14.21 latter part So v. 23. latter part My Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him What
is prepared to shew forth his Salvation from Day to Day Psa 96.2 Tho' you think the Pit is ready to receive you in Psa 69.15 and shut her mouth upon you even Hell Job 17.1 while the Graves are ready for you yet the Gospel opens the Everlasting Gates Psa 24.7 9. that you may look thro' a Door of Hope Hos 2.15 Tho' you Mourn in your Complaints and make a Noise Psal 55.2 yet he can still the Voice of your crying Psal 5.2 when he stops the Voice of his Justice and prepare you to sing of Mercy Psa 101.1 Tho' you count it that for your Parts Ezek. 37.11 Psal 1.3 your Hope is gone and your Branch is withered yet he that planted it by the Rivers of Water Isa 55.10 will cause it to bud and spring forth again In a word tho' you cry out with those Frighted Mariners in Paul's Ship Act. 27.20 that all Hopes of being saved is taken away yet the Gospel still suits your Case for the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost Matth. 18.11 He finds you out tho' you are got where you lose your selves tho' you are muffled up in shades 1 Sam. 10.22 or hid behind the Stuff or covered over with Dust or disguis'd with Tears or wrapt in a Mantle of Confusion Psal 109.29 you throw in a Fright about you Nineteenthly The Gospel hath All-sufficient Provisions suited to the Condition of wretched Creatures sunk below the Recovery of any Men or Angels God can do for thee what Men Neighbours thine Acquaintance Companions Brethren nay thy own Flesh and Blood cannot The very Called and Chosen of God that are made nigh to Christ Eph. 2.13 can but stand round about thee weeping but the Lord can break in with Tender Mercies Luk. 1.78 Psal 136.23 and in thy Low Estate recover thee I was brought low and he helped me Psal 116.6 last words It is the work of God and beyond the sufficiency of Men God's Friends may pity thee but 't is God himself must favour thee thou may'st lye in thy Pit while their Eye trickleth down with Tears Lam. 3.49 but the Arm of the Lord can quickly draw thee out Isa 53.1 They may lament thee fallen but he can lift thee up I looked and there was none to help therefore my own Arm brought Salvation Isa 63.5 * Arthur Jackson upon Isai 4th Vol. somewhat changed from the Author 's When God sought but a little Help of Man to do his People Justice he found not one appear'd much more then doth it note an Insufficiency for any Helper besides Him that hath the All-sufficiency of Free Grace and Power to save Men tho' sunk in Misery thro' an Original Apostacy If God should look out for Help thro' the whole Creation round he would never find any but what himself brings And He can speak a word which neither Heaven nor Earth Angels or Men ever dare pronounce My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Lastly The Gospel hath Eternal Provisions suited to the continuance of Man's Immortal Spirit As the Soul must endure for ever the Gospel hath Provisions to make it Happy thro' the same endless Parallel Jam. 2.5 Do you hope as Heirs of the Kingdom for a Kingdom that cannot be shaken why the Gospel hath such a Kingdom prepared for you Matth. 25.34 Heb. 12.28 Do you hope for Glory when you see a Full End of Grace why Heb. 6.18 Heaven is the Hope that is set before you Do you expect more than to be ransomed for a little moment here the Gospel suits with your Expectation for the ransomed of the Lord shal return and come to Zion with Songs and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads Isa 35.10 It is an Eternal Inheritance that is prepared for the Heirs of the Grace of Life Heb. 9.10 an Eternal Salvation Heb. 5.9 an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 In one word you can never see a Full End of these All Things tho' you look towards the utmost Bounds of the Everlasting Hills Gen. 49.26 And thus I have shewn that as the Feast of the Gospel is full and plenteous so it is a Banquet of suitable Provisions that do fit all the Guests of it And Oh! that now as Man hath try'd to suit them and Apply them to your Case so God would by the Application of his Spirit press these Clusters for you into a Cup of Saving Health VII The Seventh thing is to give some Account Why it is a Feast with all Things in it 1. It is so in regard of the Great Founder Reas 1 who is a God that had All Things to give It is not the Provisions of a mortal Man but the Supper of the great King and no wonder when a King Feasts his Subjects if he hold a Feast in his House like the Feast of a King 1 Sam. 25.36 The Lord is a Great God and a Great King above all gods Psal 95.3 And therefore the Entertainment he makes must be a Feast that hath Provisions above all Feasts whatever a Feast with All Things in it Song 1.12 The King sitteth at his Table and the Feast of a King proclaims a Full Table and the Royal Founder of Divine Grace makes this Heavenly Fare the greater If this Great Provider were not God Joh. 9.33 he could do nothing Nihil dat quod in se non habet None can supply another with what he hath not himself antecedently but now All Things are eminenter in Deo that is they are dwelling by a Transcendent Fulness in him he is the God of all Grace 1 Pet. 5.10 first words and therefore he gives us all this Plenty We may say of every Dish made ready for God's Table as David spoke of the Materials he had made ready for the Temple 1 Chron. 29.16 All this Store cometh of thine Hand and is all thy own In himself is the Abundance of All Things and therefore the abundant Grace redounds 2 Cor. 4.15 There is a Full Treasure in God and therefore a Full Table he hath disht and garnisht forth for us This is the Lords Doing Psal 118.23 and therefore nothing Defective in it The Lord had so many Things to give that he made bare his Holy Arm Isa 52.10 that nothing might hang in his way to obstruct the Communication of a Full Gift to us In a word he is All and therefore he hath all ready 2. The Gospel is a large Feast Reas 2 with All Things ready because wheresoever God bestows that one Gift the Lord Jesus Christ he gives in all other Things with him Every Child of God hath a Richer Portion than he thinks of meerly for his Elder Brother's sake For He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us * Gave him up to Death for the Salvation of all the Elect.
Dickson upon the Epistles all how shall he not with Him freely give us all Things Rom. 8.32 When God provided his Son he would to magnifie this unspeakable Gift 2 Cor. 9.15 bestow a House-full of all other good that his Family should have Plenty and every Day variety When he parted with his Jewel he purchased All Things with it The Price of that dear Blood could not procure less than to buy in all Provision The Pouring out of Christ's Blood made the Cup of Salvation brim full Psal 116.13 So that when we receive of Christ's Merits we receive a full Reward 2 Joh. 8. we shall not be kept upon Gospel-Grace with Part when we have Christ that fully paid for All. 3. There be all Things Reas 3 because they all spring from God's abundant Love and Goodness What he gives he gives with all his Heart 1 King 4.29 and he that hath a Largeness of Heart infinitely more than the Sand upon the Sea-shore is large in Communicating and in his Gifts doth not bestow Little Matters on us Eph. 2.4 But God who is rich in Mercy for the great Love wherewith he loved us He put forth his Heart and then he put forth both Hands for us The Act of his Will to love us awakened and call'd up the Mercy of his Nature to appear for us and from hence where he sets his Love as Psal 91.14 He hath set his Love upon me there he provides All Things to shew it It was such a manner of Love 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that when it appears makes no less matters of it All Love overlookt our Defects and did not think All Things too many The Largeness of the Divine Love in making such a Feast ready may be heightened by a Consideration of his Bounty in Common Mercies to us It is a Royal Act of Grace that affords us any thing from Court He is a Benefactor that prepares our own Tables but the Riches of his Grace proclaim him more Bountiful to furnish the Table of the Lord Mal. 1.12 and make the Gospel of his Son ready for us It was Love and Bounty that filled our Cup to the Brim with common Mercies Psa 116.13 but it was a larger Love than this that made the Cup of Salvation overflow It was Love and Bounty that gave us Corn that we ever see or hear of the Shocks of it to come in in their Season Job 5.26 in the Appointed Weeks of the Harvest Jer. 5.24 but it was a Larger Love that hath given us of the Corn of Heaven Psa 78.24 It was Love and Bounty that he hath given for the Use of Man to drink of the pure Blood of the Grape as Wine is called among that Inventory of the Good Things of Men Deut. 32.14 but it was infinitely more that he gave us Blood to drink Rev. 16.6 even the Blood of Jesus Christ Oh! what a Large Love was that Isa 63.3 to give us one that should tread the Wine-press of his Father's Wrath This was infinitely beyond the common Bounty that made our Presses to burst out with New Wine Prov. 3.10 Oh! Love Emphatical God so loved the VVorld that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life Joh. 3.16 If God had not left it upon Record with a so he loved us we had never had no nor ever heard of such a Royal Entertainment as the Riches of his Grace in Christ Herein is Love 1 Joh. 4.10 not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins Oh! what a Present what a Gift of Love 2 Cor. 9.15 what an unspeakable Gift is here we may call the Gospel with an Emphasis a Love-Feast a Feast filled infinitely more with Love than those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those other Feasts of Charity Jude v. 12. which were no more than * Banquets of Love The Ground of these Ancient Love-Feasts was Provision for the Poor Brethren and preserving mutual Love among themselves Jenkyn upon Jude Fol. pag. 111 112. * These were Suppers used in the Primitive Times either to manifest their Brotherly Union or for the Comfort and refreshing of the Poor in Obedience to Christ's Injunction Luk. 14.12 13. Dr. Manton on Jude p. 407. Entertainments used in the Apostle's Days and the early Times of the Gospel to express a Love in the Primitive Christians and all this was but the Love of Creatures to one another But the Gospel is a Feast of Charity that is filled with the Love of a Merciful Creator 1 Pet. 4.19 and a Faithful Redeemer to us His Bowels opened and he shut up nothing from us His Affections rolled towards us and so brought in all to make a full Provision for us It was a Large Love and therefore a Little Flock feeds in large Pastures He was a God * Psa 86.5 v. 15. Psa 103.8 plenteous in Mercy Hab. 1.16 and therefore we have plenteous Meat 4. It is the result of the whole Counsel of God Reas 4 and therefore no wonder to see the Feast large The Apostle not only calls it VVisdom but the †Multiformis vel ut alij reddunt multi â—aria Sapientia Bodius in loc p. 368. col 1. Manifold VVisdom of God Eph. 3.10 The Infinite Wisdom of God did exert it self in such a wonderful variety of wise and mysterious Operations that he hath laid before us a Vniversal Entertainment Manifold Wisdom contriving what Dishes to provide must needs find out Dainties and prepare a great many He that was wonderful in Counsel is also excellent in working Isa 28.29 He who doth all Things according to the Counsel of his own Will Eph. 1.11 was a God that could search this out Psa 44.21 even a Spiritual Feast with All Things ready The Apostle argues it Eph. 1.8 9. VVherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence according to his Good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself * Inculcat nihil hìc temerè nihil inconsulto neque fortuitò contigisse Idem pag. 369. col 2dâ The Lord did nothing rashly or unadvisedly or by chance but carried on the whole Platform of the Gospel by Wise and Prudent Counsels The Wisdom of God had the management and ordering of all that was ever made known by the Foolishness of Preaching to us 1 Cor. 1.21 And this was sufficient to find out All Things for us that his understanding was infinite Psa 147.5 A Divine Contrivance could find out all the Dainties that any Poor Soul could ever want or wish I VVisdom dwell with Prudence and find out Knowledge of witty Inventions Prov. 8.12 Wisdom searcheth and discovers to us how his ways are past finding out Rom. 11.33 5. It is a Provision against All Evils