he hath called to the profession of the Goâ—pel He gives authority to some for edification not to destruction 2 Cor. 20.8 13 10. Accordâ—ng to the power which the Lord hath given to edification and not to destruction Mark 13 34. as a man taking a far Journey gave authority to his servants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the charge of his domestical affairs he appoints officers sets every one in his place and furnishes him with gifts suitable to his place and cuts out every one his task or work Eph. 4.8 When he ascended or assumed this Lordship he gave gifts to men He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. He appoints Ministers to be stewards to distribute to every one in his family their due proportion by way of feeding and governing and they are all accountable to this Lord. 4. Prescribing administrations for their food physick and all necessaries 1 Cor. 12.5 There are differences of adminstrations but the same Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversities or distinctions of ministries Ecclesiastical functions for the use and benefit of his house that none of his servants may want what is good and fit for them he appoints stewards and rulers over his houshold to give every one their meat in due season Mat. 24.45 and overseers to feed the Church of God and to take care of his Flock which he purchased with his own blood Act. 20.28 to preach the Word and dispense the Sacraments Mat. 18.17 Tell it unto the Church that is the governing and ruling Church which was invested with the power of binding and loosing saith Cameron ver 18 and the subject of the power of jurisdiction to whom belong the censures of excomunication absolution 1 Cor. 5.4 5. By the power of the Lord Iesus Christ c. 5. Conferring gifts and temporal mercies and deliverances upon them Eph. 4.7 To every one is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ gratia gratis data gifts for edifying the Church 6. Correcting them in this life for their miscarriages Judgment commonly begins at the house of God He judges them in this world that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent Rev. 2.16 Repent or I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth Ver. 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds He suffers the world to do that which he will not endure in his own Family His servants will never be faithful to him nor find him faithful to them if he did not sometimes chastise them 7. Calling them to account in the end and rewarding and punishing according to their works Mat. 25.19 After a long-time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them and gives them their hire that had been labourers in the Vineyard Mat. 20.8 All must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad He hath sundry sorts of servants some that are only titular and complemental call him Lord and Master but are unprofitable wearing his badge but refusing his work profess him but in works deny him using the name of the Lord but transgressing the rule of their Lord the reward of these is to be cast into utter darkness Mat. 25.30 His faithful servants shall be rewarded with his presence who served him in his absence and shall enter into the joy of their Lord. 3. Christ hath yet a more special Lordship over true believers living members of his body that are justified and sanctified servants to him in their hearts Rom. 14.18 He that in these things that is righteousness peace and joy serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men that have the kingdom of Christ within them Luke 17.22 The weapons of this kingdom are not carnal but spiritual and mighty and so his conquest of them 2 Cor. 10.4 The former were members of the Church these are the members of Christ and this Lordship is exercised and put forth by his 1. Drawing them in by effectual calling making them willing in the day of his power Psal. 110.3 as he is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give them repentance and remission of sins Acts 5.31 putting his Laws into their minds and writing them upon their hearts Heb. 8.10 This calling by his word and effectual operation of his spirit doth bring them not only into the visible but into the invisible Church uniting them to Christ the head as well as tying them to the members and whereby grace is not only offered but conferred is a calling in a saving manner according to his purpose the immediate consequence of the election of his grace 2. Suppressing in them whatever is opposite to his rule and overcoming all enmity to his will manifesting and magnifying his grace and strength in their infirmities and making his power to rest upon them 2 Cor. 12.9 10.4 5. Pulling down of strong holds and casting down reasonings and imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ not only curbing but curing their nature and changing the whole man 3. Qualifying them for his service and enabling them to do his work making them ready to do his will Aâ— people prepared for the Lord Luke 1.17 making them vessels unto honour purged and sanctified meet for their masters use and prepared unto every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 If he find employment he will give endowments too if an errand a tongue if a word an hand if a burden a back I can do all things through Christ which strengthâ—neth me saith Paul Phil. 4.13 as the Apostle laboured according to his working which worketh in him mightily Col. 1.29 So carrying them on in his ways with renewed strength they walk and are not weary they run and faint not â—sa 40.28 29 30 31. 4. Giving them freedom to and in his work he makes them free Iohn 8.32 Free from sin that they become his servants Rom. 6.18 from the guilt power and bondage of sin 1. By releasing their debts pardoning their sins Acts 5.31 it 's an Act of Christs Lordship and Princedom to remit and forgive sins 2. By loosing their bonds and breaking the snares and fetters of them He proclaims liberty to captives and opening of prison to them that are bound Isa. 61.1 2. Rom 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death
enemies Col. 1.21 Those that are afar of are made nigh by the blood of Christ he hath broken down the partition-wall and slain the enmity Ephes. 2 16 17 18. If thou hast some dear friend who bestows a gift on thee in token of his dear love and respect to thee and there should be afterwards some disagreeing and falling out betwixt you wouldst thou shew this gift a pledg of league and amity c. thus hold up Christ to God 3. Or though it be not thus yet thou wantest the sense and feeling of his love and art comfortless in the want of it O then make use of Christ in this case who is able to make all Consolations abound and fill thy soul with joy and peace in believing He hath said Ioh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless Tristatur aliquis nostrum veniat in cor Iesus Is any man sad saith Bernard let that sweetest name Jesus come into his heart and so he shall have that peace and comfort that the world cannot give neither can the world take it away from him Christ is a most soveraign Cordial apply and use him and your joy will be full 4. Or art thou terrified in Conscience and groaning under the insupportable burden of a wounded spirit art thou affrighted with accusing and condemning thoughts O go to Christ who as he can make peace in the Court of Heaven so he can create peace in thy heart and still the crys of Conscience and make a calm there also though the waves roar and the winds blow c. thy soul shall have peace in him which passeth all understanding Col. 1.20 And will say in me ye shall have peace be of good cheer let not your hearts be troubled though your hearts ake and tremble yet he is greater thaâ— your hearts who is nigh to justifie you Isa. â—â— 8 so that you may triumph with the Apostle Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died Rom. 8.34 Expect no peace in laying aside Christ. 5. Are you afraid of death and judgment to come in this case also make use of Christ. It 's reported by Cassander that in ancient times sick and weak dying persons were directed and accustomed to make use of Christ at that time especially interposing him betwixt them and Gods Judgment saying these words Lord we put thee the death of our Lord Iesus Christ betwixt us and thy judgment But what need we look into Historians the Scriptures shew what languishing souls and drooping spirits must do Psal. 23.4 5. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death yet I will fear no evil c. Christ hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.4 taken out the venome and malignity of it Death lost its sting in Christs side And now O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Or fearest thou judgment look to Christ and thou shalt not die the second death but he will raise thee up at the last day Ioh 6.49 50. Having Christ thou maist stand in judgment and lift up thy head with joy for 't is the day of thy Redemption then the redeemed of the Lord shall return with joy everlasting and you shall appear with him in glory 4. Fourth Branch of Exhortation Be â—ery thankful for him yea let your whole soul go out in thankfulness be ever praising and magnifying God for his unspeakable mercy in Christ your Sacrifice your Redeemer your Saviour often call upon your sluggish hearts and say Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Psal. 103.1 and 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for this the greatest of all his benefits O be thankful not in a common ordinary formal manner but in the most lively enlarged and raised manner that is possible where the mercy is high and great the thankfulness must bear some proportion to it O let your apprehensions be widened to conceive the vastness of this mercy that your affections may be more enlarged to praise God for it O how shall we get our hearts affected with it what thankfulness can be enough for such a gift should not the whole soul be summon'd in to give its most united acknowledgment of so signal a mercy for God to give his only begotten Son to be a Saviour for sinners Here 's the wonder of wonders God never did the like before and he 'l never do the like again and blessed be his name there is no need he should It would have been admirable mercy if God would have sent some other person upon this Errand to redeem and save undone sinners If send he will why did he not send an Angel or body of Angels to try their skill and see what they could do Nay why did he not send an Angel as once he did with a flaming sword in his hand to keep off sinners from the Tree of Life O this did not comport with his gracious designs though it did too well with the creatures merit therefore he would not do it no his own Son shall be pitcht upon he is the person whom God will send Surely here was love great love great to the degree of infiniteness Millions of Angels were nothing to one Son to one such Son his first-born his only begotten Son the Son of his love who lay in his bosom had been his delight from everlasting O astonishing mercy O admirable goodness and condescention how may we cry out here Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him and the Son of man that thou makest this account of him Psal. 8.4 and 144.3 or as Iob 7.17 What is man that thou shouldest magnifie him and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him Here was God so loving so as can never be expressed never be comprehended Ioh 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed on him might not perish but have everlasting life The Heavens and the Earth were once called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the ingratitude of a sinful people Isa. 1.2 May not now Heaven and Earth Angels and men all creatures whatsoever be called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the stupendious love of God! O Christians what influence hath this upon your dull and sluggish hearts what are you made of that you are no more in the sense of it drawn out in blessing loving admiring and adoring of God Pray if there be any holy ingenuity in you take some pains with your selves that you may be much more affected with it and give not over till you have such thoughts and affections upon Gods giving his Son raised in you as may in some measure answer to those thoughts and affections which you shall have about it when you shall be in Heaven The Angels never reaped that advantage that we do yet they were at praising-work as soon as ever Christ was born
more mischief than a storm a lethargy of security is more dangerous than a feaver of soul-trouble Take heed to your selves that you lose not what you have wrought but that you receive a full reward let this gift of God make you aspire after the highest enjoyment of God in eternal life which is also the gift of God 3. Live upon and live up to this blessed gift of God improve Iesus Christ. The height of true Christian perfection is a full view of this lovely Iesus a conformity to him and deriving all influences from him there 's fresh springs in him new unheard-of treasures an unknown-land of grace and delights in him set your cistern under the cock put the mouth of faith to the full breasts of Gospel-promises made in Iesus Christ. Pray much give God no rest tell God there 's enough in his Son of that you want in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2.3 why should you want when there 's enough laid up for you why should you be afraid to ask when all is of free-gift God is more willing to give than you are to receive it easeth his heart as it were to give of the riches of his grace to sinners King James gave to Sir Henry Rich after Earl of Holland 3000 l. at once who had wisht for so much money You think saith the King now you have a great purchase but I am more delighted to think how much I have pleasur'd you in giving than you are in receiving Gods gifts finding room and welcome in your hearts is infinite content to an open-handed giver but you must neither slight nor trifle away his gifts you live all of begging beggars must not be wasters Nemo prodiger qui mendicat own God in all give him the glory When thou hast thy best Suit on remember who bought it made it put it on keeps it on what hast thou that 's not received thank thy good Master for so bountiful an alms 4. Admire free-grace in this great gift I have heard of a gracious Christian that lying down in his bed and rising up had this in his mind and mouth Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift Iesus Christ is such a gift as never came out of the hands of God and was never received by the hands of man a gift that consecrates all other gifts as the altar sanctified the gift laid thereon all Gods gifts to us without this would in some sort be giftless gifts crumbs cast to dogs as Luther call'd the Turkish Empire without which all our persons and performances are no better than dung in Gods account yea in Saints esteem as so many cyphers without a figure yea without Christ we our selves had been dead and damn d wretches Christ is the darling of Heaven the delight of Saints the object of Angels admiration If Heaven and earth were consolidated into one massy Pearl it would not be as the dust on the ballance to blessed Iesus cast in all the holy Angels and rational souls they would all be but trifles compared with this Lamb of God He is the best part of heaven all heaven more than heaven the King makes the Court his presence makes heaven which would be a black nothing a Tohu and Bohu an hell without his company Oh that real Saints were transported with admiration of Gods love in giving Christ and Christs love in giving himself for and to them this will be their work for ever begin it here and cry out with the Martyr in the flames None but Christ none but Christ. Be content to be burnt in this heavenly Sun so you may more fully see and admire him Long to see his blessed face upon his Throne though you could not see his face in the flesh Live to him here that you may live with him hereafter Since he is given to you give your selves back to him Come and see make strange discoveries the nearer you approach to him the better you 'l like him We are dim-sighted and unaffected here but perfect faculties and an endless eternity will compleat our praises of Him Thy best is reserved till the last Read and live and learn what Christ is but die and learn better sight will make you perfect Scholars Whither this Christ-admiring friend is gone whither I pray God bring your immortal souls with Your Souls real friend in Christian Offices O. H. Joh. 4.10 Iesus answered and said unto her if thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water THE first thing that God created in the world was Light Gen. 1.3 and the first work of God in the renovation or new Creation of lost man is to create light in the heart of such as dwell in the region of darkness and sit in the shadow of death The natural man is darkness and knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned And Ignoti nulla cupido what we know not we do not we cannot desire one great reason then why men submit not themselves to the government and ways of Christ is because their minds are not enlightned thorowly and in a manner suitably to the nature and worth thereof so long as they feel no necessity of Christ see no beauty or excellency in him they keep themselves at a distance from him and their own happiness Hagar was near the Well but her eyes were not opened and therefore she made not towards it So this Woman to whom Christ spoke in the Text was near the well of living water the fountain of all grace and comfort yet her eyes were shut and she knew it not of which Christ does admonish her in these words If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee c. They are the words of our blessed Saviour to the Samaritan woman at Iacob's Well near the City Sychar and part of that conference he had with her in his Disciples absence In this Chapter you have a relation of Christs Journey from Iudea by Samaria to Galilee together with the occasion thereof 〈◊〉 many observable passages in the way I shâ—ll only and but lightly touch upon those that concern this Woman in whose person is exemplified that saying of the Prophet Isa. 65.1 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said behold me behold me to a Nation that was not called by my name The story is this Our Saviour Christ leaving Iudea retires to Galilee now the way to Galilee lay through Samaria as he went there fell out an extraordinary thing or as Calvin calls it a happy chance for coming to Sycâ—ar which place though its name be no where else mentioned in Scripture is commonly thought to be Sichem situated on the side of mount Gerizzim the inhabitants whereof were murdered by Simeon
come near Him nor his Ordinances have nothing to do with him Now will any be so stupid as to gratifie his greatest adversary to his own unspeakable prejudice Is it not horrible indignity to Christ monstrous cruelty to the soul to refuse Christ who hath done and suffered so much for him and to be led by Satan captive and blindfold into misery to slight Christs sweet invitations and yield to Satans malicious temptations Satan is that strong man that hath power over all men in nature he keeps his goods in peace in the palace of our hearts and there sports himself in carrying on the design of the souls ruin sometimes by policy sometimes by force he keeps possession Luk. 11.21 22. And wherein can a man more designedly gratifie Satan further his wicked designs and establish his kingdom yea enlarge his dominion than by siding with him against Christ who besiegeth the soul with Ordinances and Providences for Satan knows well enough that Christs rise will be his fall Christs scepter will be his destruction that when Christ a stronger than he comes he will overcome him and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted pull down his strong holds divide the spoils and deliver poor captive man out of prison and slavery O then do not so much gratifie Satan 4. If you refuse Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel you are guilty of the greatest sin and folly that can be Though for most part men think not so of it and accordingly lay it not to heart yet it is the greatest sin the sin of sins and in some sort the only sin of the world Men commonly think murder adultery theft drunkenness to be very hainous sins and so indeed they be but unbelief far worse for it is the mother of these and all other evils Take all the sins that ever were committed against any of Gods just laws and none is like to this no greater sin can be laid to ones charge than to refuse wilfully and trample under foot the Son of God Christ promises to send his Spirit the Comforter into the world and he shall convince the world of sin because they believe not on him Joh. 16.9 he means this sin alone saith Austin as if not believing in the Son of God were the only sin Indeed it is the main and master-sin O beloved little do you think who daily sit under the Ministry unwrought on by the Word of God what a grievous and fearful sin you commit and dreadful guilt you carry home with you in neglecting from day to day so great Salvation in forsaking your own mercy and in judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life when Jesus Christ this most precious gift is offered to you by chusing rather to cleave to a lust than to Christ blessed for ever and rather to wallow in the mire and mud of earthly riches and swinish pleasures than to receive this most pleasant and excellent gift rather to cast away your time in idleness pride worldliness and sensuality than in seeking after this transcendent favour rather make choice of a life made up of drunkenness whoredoms railing at godliness The greatness of this sin appears in this that it is most directly and diametrically opposite to the most fundamental Doctrine and command of the Gospel the primary and principal command of Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3.23 When the Jaylor being sadly convinced cryed out to the Apostles Sirs what shall I do to be saved they answered him Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Not to believe is accounted by God notorious disobedience and horrid gain saying Rom. 10. ult In the Law God strictly requires obedience to his just precepts Do this and live by doing these things thou shalt save thy self from hell but no man living being able to purchase Heaven at this rate by Christ he takes off this yoke so that if they will but believe on his Son they shall not be condemned by the Law and thus he treats men Since thou canst not fully obey my Law nor satisfie my Justice I 'le give thee my Son who shall do all for thee through whose perfect obedience thy imperfections may be remitted and healed only thou must believe in him and if thou wilt do but this one thing for thy soul all thy sins shall be pardoned thou shalt be received into favour adopted for my Son and in thy obedience to the rest of my commands I 'le accept the will for the deed though thou canst not perform such perfect obedience as thou shouldest yet if thou labour to do what thou canst I 'le help thee with strength from Heaven bear with unallowed infirmities c. 'T is a sin against light and much knowledg a sin against love and special mercies it binds all a mans other sins upon him it puts and keeps him under the guilt of all his sins Infidelitate manente maneat peccatum omne he that lives in unbelief dies in his sins it makes a mans actions though moral and spiritual be sinful be a man never so holy and devout do or suffer never so much none of these nor all nor whatever can be named or imagined God will not be pleased with them for without faith 't is impossible to please God yea 't is a sin that defiles all a mans outward enjoyments and temporal good things To them that are unbelieving nothing is pure wife children house In a word 't is the height and perfection of madness to refuse Christ Quis nisi mentis inops c. Heaven and earth may be astonished Angels and all Creatures may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishness and monstrous madness 5. If you refuse Christ you utterly undo your own souls for ever if ye miss of this gift ye must expect nothing but misery here and eternal damnation hereafter For there is no name under heaven by which you can be saved Whatever your formalities be how fair soever ye carry in the eye of the world let your profession be never so plausible 't is Christ alone that can save you If you will accept of the Lord Jesus Christ you are in the suburbs of Heaven there is but a thin wall between you and the land of Praises ye are within an hours sailing of the shore of the new Canaan when death digs a little hole in the wall and takes down the sails you have no more to do but set your foot down in the fairest of created Paradises but if you will not accept of Christ let me tell you the truth you are in the suburbs of Hell there is but the cutting of a small thred and you have your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers 1. By refusing Christ you do no less than put and fix your selves in the state of condemnation Let not this be accounted as a harsh censure of my own head for 't is the Scipture Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth on him is
not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and the reason this sentence is past upon such is because they believe not on the only begotten Son of God and the wrath of God abides on them Ioh. 3.36 We are all lost in Adam and if it be the office of Christ to save them that are lost they do worthily abide in death who refuse him and his Salvation 2. This sin of refusing Christ this very sin will e're long bring you actually into the place of condemnation whence there is no return What shall we be damned No far be it from me to pronounce the sentence of condemnation upon the worst of men but this you may be assured of that if you live and die without Christ your portion will be in utter and everlasting darkness 2 Thes. 2.12 That they all might be damned that believed not the truth c. Iesus Christ will be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes. 1.7 8 9. and take your lot with them Rev. 21.8 The unbelieving shall have their portion in the lake of fire and brimstone the very worst place in Hell Luke 12.48 To say nothing of Temporal Judgments answer me this question Isa. 33.14 Who among you can dwell with everlasting burnings The time will come when you shall remember what the Minister said O how fain would he have had me to escape these torments how earnestly did he entreat me With what love and tender compassion did he beseech me how did his bowels earn over me yet I did but make a jest of it and hardened my heart against all how glad would he have been after all his studies prayers and pains if he could have perswaded me cordially to accept Christ he would have thought himself well recompenced for all his labours he would have laid his hands under my feet and have fallen down on his knees to beg of me obedience to his message and all the entreaties of Ministers are the entreatings of God O how long did he wait how freely did he offer how lovingly did he invite how importunately did he solicite how long did Christ stand knocking at my door crying open to me sinner why sinner are thy lusts and pleasures better than me is earth better than heaven why then dost thou delay or deny wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O that thou wouldest hearken to my voice and obey my Gospel O that they were wise As one that is loath to take a denial would not be repulsed O how would he have gathered thee and thou wouldest not shall the God of heaven and earth follow thee in vain from one place to another Turn ye turn ye why will ye die I would not have you perish If you go on with your refusal of Christ you may expect that the hellish gnawing of conscience for this one sin will hold scales with all the united horrour of all the rest you will then cry out O fools and ideots that we were when we refused so excellent a gift so blessed a Saviour we could then see no beauty in him nor comeliness wherefore we should desire him but now how fair and glorious is he whom we see upon the white Throne how desirable is his Sacred Majesty O how amiable is his countenance how doth he shine with incomparable splendor above the brightness of ten thousand Suns What wrong have we done our own souls that we have deprived of so beautiful and delightful an object as this most sweet and glorious Saviour If now we had time and leave to make our choice we would prefer the enjoyment of him whom we once contemned before ten thousand worlds But alas we cannot the term of mercy is expired and the time of justice wrath and vengeance so much spoken of by our faithful Pastors is now come and now we must be judged to the easeless endless and â—emediless torments of the infernal pit And all our pleasures and delights are gone O that we had never been born O that we had been so happy as our horses or swine which die but once and fell no more pain for ever whereas we must be ever dying and never free from pain and misery Wo wo wo unto us that ever we were born to see this day and to die this death and to live this life which will be a never dying death We that accounted such an one a precise fool for his care to receive and improve this gift of God shall groan out this sad complaint in the anguish of our spirits This was he whom we had sometimes in derision and a Proverb of reproach we fools counted his life madness and his end to be without honour now he is numbred among the Children of God and his lot is among the Saints Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness hath not shined upon us and as for the way of the Lord we have not known it What hath pride profited us or what good have riches with our vanity brought us all these things are passed by as a shadow and as a Post that hasts away O with what infinite horrour and restless anguish will this conceit rent the heart in pieces and gnaw up the conscience when he considers in hell that he hath lost heaven for a lust and Christ for a meer shadow whereas he might at every Sermon had even the Son of God his own for the very taking and with him for ever unspeakable joy and glory yet then neglecting so great Salvation must now be crying out therefore against himself as the most raging Bedlam that ever breath'd lye down in unquenchable flames without remedy ease or end Whereas all those that now accept of Christ shall while they live when they die and for ever cry out with the Apostle 2 Cor. 9.15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift 2. Second Branch of Instruction and Exhortation Such as have received this gift of God must make it their care and business to retain and keep him Buy the truth but sell it not Prov. 23.23 Remember how thou hast received and hold fast Rev. 3.3 This was the exemplary wisdom and care of the Church Cant. 3.4 I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me She came by him hardly and therefore she will not part with him lightly it cost her dear to find him she sought him up and down with tears and pains and returns with many a non inventus yet at last got him with much hazard and danger much loss and suffering and therefore having found him whom her soul loved she would by no means part with him nor leave him for the greatest advantages in the world she knew well that nothing under heaven could countervail the loss of him nothing in this wide universe though never so lovely and desirable could be equivalent to
of candle to any all equally enjoy Eternity there is one lease and term-day to the lowest inhabitant of glory as to the highest and that is Eternity There is common to all one City the streets whereof are transparent gold that the poorest inhabitants of a place do all walk on streets of gold of Ophir is a great commendation of a City 'T is common to them all that they shall never sigh never be sad never be sick never be old never die all feel the smell of the fairest rose that ever men or Angels heard of or can imagine the flower the glory the joy of Heaven the Lord Jesus Christ. All walk in white and can sin no more all have eternal life fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore So Christ is a publick gift all that truly believe may receive him may keep him may use him though there be many thousands of souls that are receiving from Christ yet he is full enough to supply thy wants though millions of souls employ him in the world yet he is at leisure to do thy work too if thou employ him All his offices and benefits are for thy use most properly he is made ordained appointed and fitted unto us of God Wisdom righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Is not a Redeemer of use for captives a Saviour for sinners a Priest for offenders a Prophet for the ignorant a King to deliver such as are in bondage and to conquer and subdue oppressors What is a Physician for but for sick persons Look on Christ in all his undertakings from first to last he is for use As particularly 1. Wherefore did Christ empty himself and come into the world was it not for sinners and will such cast him off and pass him by as useless Did he rent the heavens and come down to thâ— earth on purpose to seek and save lost sinners Luk. 19.20 and 1 Tim. 1.15 and will ye noâ— now make use of him 2. Wherefore was he made a Sacrifice and laid down his life and spilt his most precious blood was it not for us Messias was to be cut off but not for himself not for Angels but for us and did God give his Son to die for no use and purpose is not he the good shepherd that giveth his life for his sheep that they may have life and have it more abundantly Ioh. 10.10 He died that by his death he might reconcile us to God when we were enemies Rom. 5.10 His blood was spilt to justifie us Rom. 5.9 He was delivered for our offences Rom. 4.25 He paid a ransome for us and made satisfaction to divine justice in our nature and stead He gave himself for his Church Ephes. 5.25 26. that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by his word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle that it might be holy and without blemish He died that he might kill sin which would be our death and crucifie the old man and to establish a new Covenant and open a way to Heaven and shall all this be in vain did Christ die as a fool dieth 3. Wherefore did he rise again from the dead was it not for our use and benefit Rom. 4.25 He rose again for our justification that is God did declare by raising him from the dead that he hath accepted the death of his Son as of a sufficient ranâ—ome for our sins and he being our true pledg and surety therefore having satisfied for us by his death and returning again to life gives us a clear evidence and firm argument that God was fully reconcil'd and life purchased for us which assurance we could not have had if Christ our pledg had remained under the power of death and shall not we make use of Christs Resurrection to confirm our faith that God is satisfied for us He rose again that he might quicken us to a new life and shall we lye dead rather than improve 4. What was the end of Christs Ascension was not that also for us and our use and benefit that then he might lead captivity captive and give gifts to men Ephes. 4.8 either passively that Christ might take away from Satan death and hell and all their captives and make them his happy captives and shall such a Redemption be refused Or actively that he might captivate the world flesh devil death and hell which in several kinds had captivated mankind and shall not we make use of him for conquering such enemies He ascended that he might give his Spirit and confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost Act. 2.16 17. and that he might prepare a place for us And shall these great benefits be neglected 5. Once more Wherefore is he an Advocate but to plead for us when we dare not cannot come to speak for our selves What a strange piece of folly were it for a man that has a friend in the Court who is appointed purposely to plead his cause or present his petition and yet he make no use of him when the success of his business concerns his whole estate or life when we have sinned and offended God we have Christ our advocate with the Father to interpose betwixt the blow of Justice and our guilty souls and shall this priviledg be neglected 1 Ioh. 2.1 If we want any thing that God hath laid up for us he is ready to make intercession for us who cannot be denied Heb 7.25 He must perfume all our Sacrifices or they are not accepted offer up all our Prayers or they are not answered What need had we then to make use of him It is only by the blood of Christ that we have boldness or liberty to enter into the holy of holies Heb. 10.19 And by him is a new and living way consecrated for us that we may draw near with true hearts and full assurance of faith Heb. 10.20 22. And none can come unto the Father but by him O then make use of this only name and way and be often walking in it to God and his Throne of Grace Object O but I am a wretched sinner a worthless worm and captive what have I to do with such a precious Saviour with so glorious a Lord Answ. But pray tell me wherefore is Christ a Saviour is he not for sinners Wherefore is he a Redeemer is it that he should lye by God as useless was he not a Redeemer for Captives Hath not God fitted and dressed Christ as I may so speak for sinners use and advantage what if all the world should say so Christ should be a Saviour and save none a Redeemer and ransome none at all an Advocate and plead for none for all are sinners all are captives all are at enmity with God naturally We have the more need to use him because such Now for Direction how we must make use of Christ 1. As for the manner 2. The particular cases wherein 1. How or in what
sundry Sermons preached at St. Iames Dukes-place by Zech. Crofton The life and death of Edmund Stanton D. D. To which is added a Treatise of Christian-conference and a Dialogue between a Minister and a Stranger Sin the Plague of plagues or sinful sin the worst of Evils by Ralph Venning M. A. Cases of Conscience practically resolved by I. Norman The faithfulness of God conâ—idered and cleared in the great Events of his Word or a second part of the fulfilling of the Scripture The immortality of the Soul explained and proved by Scripture and Reason to which is added Faiths-triumph over the fears of death by Tho. Wadsworth A Treatise of the incomparableness of God in his Being Attributes Works and Word by George Swinnock M. A. A discourse of the original c. of the Cossacks The generation of Seekers or the right manner of the Saints addresses to the throne of Grace with an Exposition on the Lords-Prayer The administration of Cardinal Ximones A discourse of Family-instruction by Owen Stockton with directions for those that have suffered by the Fire An Essay to facilltate the Education of Youth by bringing down the rudiments of Grammar to the sense of seeing which ought to be improved by Syncresis by M. Lewis of Totenham An Artificial Vestibulum wherein the sense of Ianua Linguarum is contained compiled into plain and short sentences in English for the great â—ase of Masters and Expeditious progress of Scholars by M. Lewis Speculum Sherlockianum oâ— a Looking glass in which the admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the man as to his Acuracy Judgment Orthodoxy A discourse of Sins of Omission wherein is discovered their Nature Causes and Cure by George Swinnock Mr. Baxter's Reformed Pastor His Majesties Propriety in the British Seas vindicated Quakerism no Christianity or a through-Quaker no Christian proved by their Principles and confirmed by Scripture by I. Faldo Differences about Water-baptism no bar to Communion by Io. Bunian The Dutch-dispensatory shewing the vertues qualities and properties of Simples the vertue and use of Compounds whereto is added the Compleat Herbalist Judg Dodaridge's laws of Nobility and Peerage Dinglys Spiritual Fast. Solitude improved by Divine Meditation by Matth. Ranew A Murderer punished and pardoned or Tho. Savage his life and death with his Funeral sermon Small 8 vo A defence against the fear of death by Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed by William Gearing The godly mans Ark or a City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrs. Moors evidences for Heaven by Edmund Calamy The Almost-Christian discovered or the false-Professor tried and cast by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian-freedom or a discourse shewing the extent and restraints of Christian-liberty by S. Bolton D. D. The sinfulness of Sin and fulness of Christ in two Sermons by Will. Bridg. A Plea for the godly or the Righteous mans Excellency The holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A Treatise of Self-denial All three by Tho. Watson The life and death of Tho. Wilson of Miâ—dstone in Kent The life and death of Doctor Samuel Winter A Covert from the Storm or the fearful encouraged in the day of Trouble Worthy-walking press'd upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel The Spirit of Prayer All three by Nath. Vincent The inseparable union between Christ and a Believer by Tho. Peck A discoâ—rse of Excuses setting forth the variety and vanity of them the sin and misery brought in by them by Iohn Sheffield Invisible reality demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. I. Ianeway The Saints encouragement to diligence in Christs service both by Mr. Iames Ianeway A discourse concerning the Education of Children Convivium Coeleâ—te a plain and familiar discourse concerning the Lords Supper both by R. Kidder The Saints perseverance asserted in its Positive-ground against Mr. Ives by Tho. Danson A Wedding ring fit for the Finger by Will. Secker The Young-mans Call and Duty by Nich. Lockyer An Explanation of the shorter-Catechism of the Assembly of Divines by Tho. Lye The Childs Delight with Pictures by Tho. Lye The life and death of Tho Hall A Plea for the Non-Conformists tending to vindicate them from Schism by a Doctor in Divinity The flat opposition of Popery to Scripture by I. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour The Weavers Pocket-book or Weaving spiritualiz'd by I. C. D. D Two disputations of Original-sin by Richard Baxter The History of Moderation The welcome Communicant The ready way to prevent sin by William Bagshaw The Little-peace-maker discovering foolish Pride the Make-baâ—e Philadelphia or a Treatise of Brotherly-love by Mr. Gearing Reformation or Ruine being certain Sermons on Levit. 26 2â— 24. by Tho. Hotchkis The Riches of Grace displayed to which is added the priviledg of Passive Obedience and 52 proposals in order to help on Heart-humiliation by Will. Bagshaw The parable of the great Supper opened in 17 Sermons by Io. Crump A present for Teeming-women by I. Oliver Non-conformity without Controversie by Benj. Baxter The Christians daily Monitor by Iosh. Church A Treatise of Closeâ—-prayer by Richard Mayo The Religious Family by Philip Lamb. A sober inquiry or Christs Reign with Saints a thousand years A discourse of the prodigious Abstinence of Martha Taylor A Memento to young and old by Iohn Maynard The priviledg of the Saints on Earth above those in Heaven by William Hook Index biblicus multijugus or a Table of the holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and particular matters are distinguished and Epitomized The day of Grace with the conversion of a Sinner by Nath. Vencent The Greek Testament in 8 vo An easie and useful Grammar for the learning of the French tongue by Mr. Gosthead Gentleman Mr. Raworths work and reward of a Christian. The Miners Monitor or advice to those that are employed about the Mines A Protestant Catechism for little Children A Scripture Catechism by Samuel Petto A Catechism according to the Church of England Grotius Catechism Brief of the Bibles-History The Fountain sealed by Dr. Sibbs Nero Tragidea Cottons None but Christ. Cornelianum dolium The Christians earnest longing for Christs appearing preached at the Funeral of Mr. Noah Webb by Dan. Burgess Wilsons Catechism Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia Cocains Poems Poor Robins Jesâ—s Croftons Foelix Sâ—elus or Prospering prophaneness provoking holy conference by Zech. Crofton Gramaticus Analyticus by the same Author Alexanders advice to his Son Artificial Embelishments H. Excellency of Christ set forth Gods Soveraignty displayed by Mr. William Gearing In small 12 s. The duty of Parents towards their Children A little Book for little Children A method and instruction for the Art of divinâ— Meditation All three by Tho. White The considerations of Drexelius on Eternity The shadow of the Tree of Life by M. M. The Psalms of David newly translated more plain smooth and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore The Prisoners Prayers Mr. Henry Lukin's Life of Faith Awakening Call to Sinners Câ—umbs of Comfort or the Lord Bacons Prayer FINIS
3. Removing the spirit of bondage and restoring peace and joy to the soul He gives them peace with him Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and Iob. 16.33 He gives them a free spirit an inlarged heart a sound mind the spirit of power and love 2 Tim. 1.7 5. He shews his Lordship towards his peculiar people in maintaining them in his service and supplâ—ing them in all their wants From this Head wherein dwells all fullness all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred increases with the increase of God Col 2.19 The Lord is their shepherd they shall not want Psal. 23.1 and 84.11 Verily his houshold shall be fed they shall want no good thing He gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 Even of outward necessaries they shall have what they want if not what they would 6. In defending them against and upholding them in all temptations and troubles He tells them in all their dangers and straits my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 He will keep them in all their ways surely then in all his work safety evermore accompanies duty His Servants are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 They are preserved in Christ Jesus Iude 2. and are never unsafe but when they leave working or with Ionah run away from their Master Micah 5.4 He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide There is no security but in Christs family never are his servants in danger but when they go out of it and he takes care of the seed and posterity of his Servants Psal. 69.36 7. At last abundantly rewarding and dignifying them In doing his work there is great reward That happiness which Christ gives his Servants in this life is unspeakable their work seems to have more of wages than of work in it but in the next life their joy will be so great as that it cannot so well be said to enter into them as they to enter into it Mat. 25.51 Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of their Lord whose bosom is the hive and center of all goodness and that in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up Râ—v 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Their services are all Booked he who formerly gave them abilities for to work will now give them a recompence for working their work though never so great is but small to their wages nor is the weight of their labours comparable to that of their Crown and put in all their heavy sufferings too Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life 2. How is this threefold Lordship exercised 1. By what means 2. For what end 3. In what manner or order 1 st By what means doth he exercise this Lordship 1. By his hand of providence concourse and co-operation in the creature that Providence Christ speaks of in Iohn 5.17 19 22 My father worketh hitherto and I work For what things soever he doth these also doth the son likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Nazianzen well interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. nor for the similitude of those things they do but in respect of the same power and authority of both the Son doth not imitate but co operate he works not like but the same work that the Father doth Quod operatur filius opus patris est Hil. Whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth because they are one God have one will power and working for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son the Father judgeth not alone because he judgeth by the Son The word judging here signifies full power to rule in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 8.6 There is one God the father of whom are all things and we in him or for him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him By here notes not the instrumental but the principal cause the Prepositions of and by are not so to be taken that we make two Causes seeing they have but one Nature though they be distinct persons and the Father and Son work together but by these of and by the Apostâ—e differenceth their order and manner of working Col 1.17 He is before all things and by him all things consist 2. By his Word and Spirit in common works and gifts Psal. 110 2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord i. e. God the Father â—ho had said sit thou on my right hand i. e. receive chief power and authority from me and exercise jurisdiction over alâ— shall send forth the Rod of thy power i. e. thy powerful and mighty Rod or the Rod and Scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might â—he means specially the Preaching of the Word which is the Power of God to Salvation and is able to cast down strong holds and every high thing Be thou Ruler by thy word and spirit notwithstanding all the resistance of thine enemies 1 Pet. 3.19 By which aâ—so he went and preached to the spirits in prison by the power and manifestation of his spirit 3. By his Word and Spirit in saving works and effects His Word worketh effâ—ctually in all them that believe 1 Thes. 2.13 and the Spirit of Truth the Comforter which he promises to send Iohn 14.16 18 and 16.14 He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto on 2. The end or use of this threefold Lordship why or for which he exercises it 1. For his Fathers and his own glory John 13.31 Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him i e He shall be glorified in the admirable work of mans redempâ—ion for death to overcome death is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great glory and shews him to be the Lord of life Col. 1.16 all things were created and do consist as well for him as by him that he might have the preheminence and glory as the first-born of every creature or heir of all things 2â— For the salvation of his chosen that he may give unto them eternal life Iohn 17.2 Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son may also glorifie thee as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 3. For the overthrow of all adverse power to these ends whatever opposeth the glory of God and happiness of believers his Lordship is exercised for
that delivered him was called his Lord. So when we were mancipia peccati diaboli the Devils captives and slaves of sin in which condition if we had lived and died after a hard and toilsome service in the mean time our wages in the end should have been eternal death Christ by his death hath conquered sin and Satan and freed us from that wretched thraldom to this end that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luke 1.74 75 Thus the Israelites were delivered from Egypt the house of bondage to serve God Hence the Preface to the ten commandments and David confesseth Psal. 116.16 I am thy servant I am thy servant thou hast loosed my bonds If a man had brought another out of Captivity or he had sold himself all his strength or service belonged to the buyer Christ hath bought us from the worst slavery and with the greatest price no thraldom so bad as bondage to sin no prison so black as Hell and certainly Christs blood is better than any money not to serve him then is to defraud him of his purchase no bondage so great as ours no price so great as Christs and therefore no service so great as that which we owe. 2. By the fathers donation or delivery up of them Iohn 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word God hath made us and not we our selves and so hath absolute right to us and dominion over us hath given us unto Christ that we should serve him as well as be saved by him Isa. 44.21 Remember O Iacob thou art my servant I have formed thee thou art my servant O Israel they are given him for a Possession Psal. 2.8 3. By voluntary resignation and surrendring of themselves to him They have given themselves to the Lord that are real Christians 2. Cor. 8.5 'T is by their own consent and contract Rom. 6.13 Yeild up your selves unto God c. Christ loves to have his right and title established By our own consent we take Christ for our Lord and Master and give up our selves to him that we may be no longer at our own dispose and therefore 't is not only robbery but treachery and breach of Covenant to seek our selves in any thing and this resignation must be made out of a sense of Christs love to us in his death and sufferings 2 Cor. 5.15 Christ died that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him who died for them We enter upon other services out of hopes but we enter upon Christs service out of thankfulness 'T was our own voluntary Act by Marriage-Covenant we take him for our Lord our Husband Guide Governour and Protector and as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord so we Christ we have bound our selves by solemn vow and promise to be and continue Christs faithful servants unto the end of our lives now the word is gone out of our lips we may not alter it nor after we have made a vow enquire what we have to do He hath the best right to our best services by this three-fold title and a threefold cord is not easily broken our tongues are not our own to speak what we please nor our hearts to think what we please nor our hands to do what we list By vertue of these and many more titles we are anothers and are bound to live and Act for him according to his will and for his glory 3. What a Lord and Master Christ is The Scriptures give us these Characters or Properties of Him 1. He is the most absolute and supreme Lord. His stile is King of kings and Lord of lords he hath no superior or co-partner with him in his dominion and government all other Power and Lordship is dependent and derivative and subordinate 1. All Power is from him as 1. Civil Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree Iustice. 2. Ecclesiastical 2 Cor. 10.8 That power which the Apostle had was derived from Christ For though I should boast something more of the Authority which the Lord hath given us for Edification and not for Destruction 3. Inward and spiritual Mar. 16.20 They preached every where the Lord working with them the opening of the eyes of the blind quickening the dead turning them from darkness to light were the effects of his power not the parts or piety of the Preacher but his grace and spirit did the work Lastly extraordinary and miraculous power whereby they confirmed the word signs and wonders were wrought in his name and by his power When the lame man was healed and the Apostle examined by what power or by what name they had done it Peter answered Acts 4.10 Be it known unto you all tâ—at by the name of Iesus of Nazareth this man doth stand before you whole 2. As all power is derived from him and dependent on him so 't is to be used and obeyed in subordination to him 1. For him as the authority of Magistrates Parents 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream Eph. 6.1 Children obey your parents in the Lord so wives to husbands servants to masters Col. 3.18 2. According to him Acts. 5 29 the Apostle answered We ought to obey God rather than men 3. All other Lords are responsible to him for the use and abuse of that authority and those gifts they received from him and are therefore punishable by him 2 dly He is an universal Lord Lord of all 1. In regard of persons he is over all Rom. 9.5 He rules over all nations persons hearts all other Masters and Lords are inferiour to him Eph. 6.9 And ye masters do the same things to them that is your Servants forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him 2. In regard of matters and acts outward inward Godward manward civil spiritual all come under his cognizance Eph. 6.5 6. Col. 3.23 Rom. 14.18 in all these things we are to serve Christ 3. In regard of places the three kingdoms of Heaven Earth and Hell have no other Lord but Christ Angels and glorified Saints in Heaven Saints Sinners and every creature on Earth the damned and Devils in Hell are all his subjects 3 dly He is a spiritual Lord for the manner of his rule and government Iohn 18.36 My kingdom is not of this world not from hence Not that he governs not in Heaven and Earth for though his kingdom be not of this world Rex tamen est in hoc mundo Bern. when Pilate had openly declared whose accusation it was Jesus plainly tells him that his Kingdom was not secular but spiritual not of this world So that he nothing intrenched on Caesars
right which he saith not to avoid death but to shew that he was unjustly accused 4. He is an eternal Lord Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever Isa 9.7 Luke 1.33 He is the King immortal 1 Tim. 1.17 Death the King of terrors and terror of Kings is subdued by this Lord not only so as never to touch him but also never to hurt any of his Servants Other Rulers though they be called gods and lords yet shall dye like men earthly Monarchs either by some Poison or Treason are brought to untimely deaths at least some disease or other will lay their glory in the dust but Jesus Christ is yesterday today and the same for ever 5. He is a mighty Lord most able to do what is good for his Servant and to subdue all persons and things to himself Psal. 3.21 He can kill the Soul and throw both the Body and Soul into Hell he can subdue the hearts of men even of the deadliest enemies unto his love and obedience he can protect and shelter his Servants from all evil and bestow all good things on them for the world is his and the fulness thereof He hath under his command the forces of all creatures in Heaven and Earth which he rules as he pleases to his own purpose he can at ease frustrate the harmful intentions and noisom qualities of the worst of them he can turn their malice into mercy their hatred into love yea can bring forth glory to himself and profit to his Servants not only against but even out of their mischievous designments as in Daniel and the three Children c. 6. He is a most just Lord his is a Scepter of righteousness Heb. 1.8 his right hand is full of righteousness The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal. 145.17 In him is exact and perfect integrity and equity of all his counsels words and actions and there is no unrighteousness in him His will is the rule and standard of justice and whatever he commands is most equal and right because he wills and commands it 7. He is a most glorious Lord and Master The glory of Kings and Emperours is but a borrowed ray or spark from his Majesty the glory of all the Caesars c. is but a black coal in comparison of his splendor and when he shall appear in his glory the glow-worms of worldly splendor and majesty shall disappear and be extinguished the poorest Servant he hath shall then appear with him in such glory that the combined-excellency of Kings shall not be so much as a shadow to it 8. He is a most gracious Lord he puts them upon none but safe honourable and comfortable employments He puts no more upon them than they can go through and lays no more upon them than they are able to bear he knows their mould and frame remembers they are but dust he is Jesus as well as Lord a Shepherd as well as a Master he joins his glory and their happiness together he never requireth brick from his people without giving them straw he will either multiply grace or diminish the temptation his Grace is always sufficient for them 9. He is a wise judicious Master A man that serves a fickle and unconstant Master who often changes his mind has a hard task and endless labour but a prudent man who orders his affairs with discretion and deliberation his commands are but once obeyed his work is soon done what he doth now anon he must undo and so Sysiphus like he is ever doing and hath never done he never knows an end of his work But the Servant of Christ is at a good certainty and knows before-hand what his work must be and what his wages as his Master himself is so his Commandments are immutable and invariable without so much as a shadow of change Iam. 1.17 That was a needless cavil and meer peevishness and selfishness in Ionah Ionah 4.2 10. He is a most knowing and discerning Lord. He observes the ways and works of his Servants so narrowly that the closest and subtillest among them cannot deceive him he spies them in every corner nay every corner of their hearts in them all things are open and naked before him though now in some sort he be absent yet he needs no informer he knows what every Servant doth in his absence and will manifest every ones work to all the world his eyes are as a flame of fire clearer than ten thousand suns he takes notice of all their services and hearts Rev. 2.19 I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first 11. He is a pitiful and merciful Lord and Master He hath an eye as pitying as it is piercing he doth no less observe the wants and troubles than the ways and works of his Servants he is a Father as well as a Master and As a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Psal. 103.13 14 And spareth them as a father his son that serveth him Mal. 3.17 hath more tender bowels than a mother Isa. 49.15 Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Christ is not as the slothful man thought a cruel and hard Master Matt. 25.24 that looks for much work and gives little encouragement but is moved with compassion towards his Servants Matt. 18.27 he will not have his Servants complain that they serve an hard Master 12. He is a meek and lowly Master condescending to serve his Servants here and hereafter 1. Hereâ— Matt. 20.28 He came not to be ministred unto but to minister Luke 22.27 Whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth He stoopt so low as to wash his Disciples feet 2. Hereafter Luke 12.37 Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Verily I say unto you That he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them Study but yet expect not to understand either the comfort or condescention of this promise made to the faithful Servants of Christ He shall gird himself c. Lord saith one did I not think that the cheer and the attendance were both one I should say the attendance were infinitely better than the meat Think what it is for Christ himself to serve at the Table what is it but infinite delight for the guests to have him set himself to solace them who is infinite as in sweetness so in knowledg to make his sweetness please them Nor will the dignity of these