well-pleasednesse was with him his delight was in him his presence with him and his purpose of glorifying him firme unmoveable and inseparable yea even when the shines and appearances of his love and delightfull fellowship were withdrawne and hidden from him and he for our sakes so far left as to feele the punishment of our sins which he suffered yet even then did the Father love him yea and also therefore love him Heb. 29. Phill. 2.6 7 9 10. Ioh. 16.32 end 10.17 And in his ministration of the Gospell and communication of Spirit and all the opperationes thereof in the harts of his people the Father is well-pleased with him and as he hath accepted his sacrifice and ransome for the sons of men so he accepteth all his Spirituall offerings and opperationes in the harts of believers acquainting them with and drawing and presenting them before his Father Isa 42.1.2.8 Psal 20.3 Ioh. 17.1 8 and 5 19 37. In all loving him II. In keeping these his Fathers commandments hee himself tooke delight in and was well-pleased in and with his Fathers love not desiring other loves favour riches pomp or Kingdome nor being troubled for being deprived of them or any of them having all his satisfying and content in the love and well-pleasednesse of his Father alwayes being well-pleased with him Ioh. 4.32 34 and 5 43 44 and 10.30 Psal 40.8 Ioh. 14.31 and 16 32. III. In all trials that befell him on earth in keeping these commandments this his Fathers love and well-pleasednesse with him and his delight and satisfying therein found had its perfect working with him carrying him through all labours and sufferings so as he neither drew back from any part of the first command Heb. 12.2 Isa 50.5.6.7 Nor did nor will faile in the other command to fulfill all righteousnesse Isa 42.1.2.8 IV. In all this his so keeping these commands through all he met on earth he retained the beliefe and held fast the confidence he had in his Fathers love with assurance of being upheld and in due season to see the travell of his soul and to be glorified with the glory he had with his Father before the world was Isa 50.5 6 7 and 53 8 11. Ioh. 17.1.2.3 And now being glorified at his Fathers right hand remaineth there Advocating for and sending forth Spirit to his people waiting till all his enemies be made his footstoole when he will take his great powre and raigne being the well-beloved of his Father Psal 110. 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 Eph. 4.7.12 Rev. 11.17 Thus hath Iesus Christ kept these his Fathers great commandments and abode in his love which might be of much use to us I. To informe us of the great love of Christ to us that hath undertaken and performed these so great needfull and fit commands to be done by him for us and of the great love of God in the gift of his son to fulfill such commandments for us and so loving and accepting him in the keeping of them Gall. 2.20 1 Ioh. 4.9 10 and 3 16. Rom. 8.32 and 5 6 11. 2 Cor. 3.18 and 4.6 And of the full and perfect saluation that is to be found in Jesus Christ that great saluation hee hath wrought in his owne body for men and that healthfull and eternall saluation which by his Spirit applying the former hee worketh in those that believe on him and love him 1 Ioh. 4.14 1 Pet. 2.24 Heb. 5.8 9 and 7 24 25. II. To exort us to looke to him and to that hee hath done and that which apertaines to him to doe to believe both and to accept and receive the one and to depend one and submit to him for and in the other Isa 42.1.8 and 45.22.23 and 55.1.6 Rom. 4.24 25. and 5.1.6 11. and 6. to the end And soc to love him and it love to receive and highly prize this his direction and promise to follow and walke in the one and to depend one and wayte for the other And so wee come to the third thing in this point which is that heer also affirmed by our Saviour that As he hath kept his Fathers commands and abode in his love so if wee keepe his commandements wee shal abide in his love In which are contained two things clearly set forth Viz. FIrst A sweet and healthfull direction how to continue in his love namely I. In keeping his commandments II. In keeping them as hee kept his Fathers commandements Secondly A comfortable promise that so keeping his commands they shall abide in his love First the healthfull direction hath three things in it to be opened and understood for our better use-fulnesse I. The commands of Jesus Christ to believers heere-ment what they are II. The keeping of them of which hee heere speaketh what that is III. The manner of keeping as he kept his Fathers commands what that is I. For the first of these to know rightly what the commandements of Jesus Christ to believers heere-ment are livers things may be considered Consider I. That there bee commandements of divorts sorts mencioned in the Scripture as to instance the chiefe of them There are I. Such commands as by the grace of creation by Christ and by the grace of redemption wrought in and by Christ in his own body and the common frultes thereof all men are bound with all their powers and in and by that strength that at any time hath beene given into their naturall powres by God to perform to the utmost in performance of which if noe fayling bee found they shall have life but the least fayling therein if but once in any part of any one command doth alwayes leave a man in and of himself under sinne and death the wages thereof and by these commandements are all men found under the guilt of sinne and under the powre of curse and death even al those that sight against and run crosse to these commands al those also who doe their utmost to make themselves righteous in and by the keeping of them Rom. 2.12.14 and 3.10 20. and 6.23 and 10.5 Gall. 3.10 Ieb 9.22 30 33. And the trespasses which these commandments doe charge mankind withall and which through the fall they were necessitated to commit and left without devine powre to help themselves were all laid on Jesus Christ who mas manifested to take them away and to make propitiation for the sins of the world Isa 53.2 6. 2 Cor. 5.19.21 1 Ioh. 3 4 5. and 2.2 Ioh. 1.29 And under this law of commandments was Jesus Christ made for those that were under it Gall. 4.4 And hee himselfe and hee only did altogether and alwayes fulfille it so as it could charge him with no sinne of his own commission but only with our sins against it in that hee was made under that law for us so as al his whole suffering and sacrifice was for us 1 Pet. 2.22.24 and 3 18. 2 Cor. 5.21 And to this law hath he perfectly satisfied in respect of himselfe in fulfiling it
3.7.8 Jsa 40.7.8 In mortifying all the affections and lusts of the flesh and lustes after any thing besides this love of Christ and the fruites thereof Coll. 3.1.4 Gall. 5 23. In carrying us forth to the acknowledgment of our owne nothingnesse and confession of the great love of God and seeking the enjoyment of it more and more abundantly Psal 103. Rom. 1 16. Cant. 1.2.3.4 In enflaming our desires and commanding all our powres for all services of love through all labours and sufferings laid before us Rom. 12.12 Phill. 2.1.2.6 Rev. 12.11 2 Cor. 5.14 And this is to yeild up too and to eate and drink in and digest his love Ioh. 4.32.34 VI. To exercise our selves and walke in this love of his with this remembrance and estimate of and considence in and yeelding to the opperation of this his love and to do all wee have to do in performances or sufferings in and through this remembrance beliefe and acknowledgment of the love of Christ which is to walke in his love 1 Cor. 13 1 13 and 16 14. VII To rejoyce evermore in the Lord and in this his love and to give him thanks waighting for the enjoyment of the fulnesse thereof Phill. 4.4 1 Thess 5.18 1 Joh. 3.1 2 And thus also we shall be cloathed with his love All these particulars joyned together are encluded in continuing in his love soe that the sence whether briefly propounded or largly set forth with explication meete in one to continue in his love in performance of which abideing in his love what freedome from sinne in respect of accusation or tirannicall commands what freedom from the bondage of the law and from terrors and feares of wrath and death What enjoyment of peace and joye What heavenly operationes in purifying the hart and silling with childlike love desires and sweet content What experiments of strength and goodnesse is found none know but those that experiment it Rom. 5.1 5. 1 Cor. 2.14 But al they that continue thus in his love doe both know and experiment it such and soe good that is better then life 1 Ioh. 3.1 2 3. Psal 63.1 2 3. And they have their experiments for the proofe and can set their scale to the same witnessing him to be true Rom. 8.1 2. Ioh. 7.37.38.39 3.33 And from this gracious charge and invitation of our Saviour to his disciples to continue in his love arise two observationes clearly Obs I. The insinit love and good will of Jesus Christ to those that believe in him and love him farther shewing it selfe in this that he is not content only to love them and so peculiarly to love them yea and to make known such love to them also but that hee would have them also alwayes to continue and abide in this his peculiar love and receive al refreshing and satisfying in it and to be ever with him and before him eateing and drincking loves in his presence Psal 36.8 and 65.4 Cant. 5.1 A favour greater then that of David to Mephibosheth 2 Sam. 9.7 Even as much as that desired by the church Cant. 8 6. Well may his love be said to passe knowledge for height breadth depth length Eph. 3.18 19. Obs II. The infinit obligation in which believers are to Jesus Christ and soc their duty and way that is safe and seemly for them and well-pleasing to him namely To continue and abide in this his love Allwayes to remember and prize it to rest on and yeild too it to dwell and walke in it as is before-shewne Eph 5.1 2. and 4.1 7 20 24. Psal 23. to the end To which his great love obligeth and his charge from both which there are good grounds and strong motives of much usefulnesse to us as to instance a little It serveth I. To reprove such believers and professors of the Gospel of much faultinesse and ingratitude as having made some beginnings in the Spirit and in receite of some spirituall light in the Gospel helping them to believe have experimented not only peace in conscience in beliefe of the atonement made by Christ but also in dependance on Christ have met with some discoveries insights and tast of his peculiar love and lovelinesse and the sweet movings and operationes thereof 2 Cor. 3 3 18. Heb. 10. Gall. 3.1 2. and 4 15. Who notwithstanding are againe withdrawne and turned aside either to delight themselves with or to heape up to themselves or adorne themselves with or seeke satisfying in the glory riches and things of this world 2 Tim. 4 10. Or to please themselves or others in any idollatrous or superstitious service or to perfect themselves in becomming under the bondage of the law to help themselves with fleshly observances and performances to make up their assurance or faith Gall. 3.1 13. and 5.1 5 6. and 4. Yea or that have in any sort left their first love met with in Jesus Christ Rev. 2.4.5 To which what need more be said then Behold and remember this his so great love And what hart will it not wound to think that it should bee so bewitched after the tast therof to commit so great folly to preferre vanity to charge the all mightie with iniquity to requite him so evill that is so gracious Oh great solly Gall. 3.1 2 3 4. Ier. 2.5 6 13 41 46. Deut. 32.2.6 7. II. To admonish all that have believed in Jesus Christ and loved him to acknowledge the cause of all their weaknesse and in temptationes readinesse to start aside for gain or feare all their murmurings discontents all their follies through envy wrath or any worldly or fleshly lusts to proceed from a forgetfulnesse of this great love of Jesus Christ and of God in him and want of resting thereon and yeilding up to and walking in the motiones thereof which would have preserved them Iam. 1.12 Deut. 32.4.5.6.15 III. To exort us to love the Lord Jesus Psal 31.23 And to set forth the praises of his love Psal 145. to the end And to continue and abide in his love accepting it and yeilding to it as is before shewne the directiones whereto followeth The third thing to bee veiwed is the sweet and safe direction our Saviour giveth his disciples how to continue in his love in which direction a gracious promise is encluded If yee keep my commandments yea shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in his love FOR our better understanding of this direction and promise First wee have two things to bee enquired into Viz. I. What were the Fathers commandments concerning Jesus Christ which he kept II. How or in what manner Jesus Christ kept his Fathers commandments secondly wee have two things expressed to be veiwed and believed of us Viz. I. That Iesus Christ did keepe his Fathers commandments II. That in keeping them he did abide in his Fathers love Thirdly wee have our saviours assirmation containing both I. The direction how and II. The promise
of continuing in his love First For the things to be enquired into that wee may know them the first is what were the Fathers commandments concerning Jesus Christ and in the scripture they appeare to bee these two commandments I. That he should save all men by giving himself a ransome and offering up himself a sacrifice for them to make propitiation for their sins so as to make them saveable and to open the door for a speciall and eternal saluation for al those that submit to him and believe on him 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 10.7 And this command encludes in it his taking the nature of mankind subject to humane infirmities Rom. 6.3 His being made under the law for them that were under the law Gall. 4.4.5 His bearing the sins of the world Ioh. 1.29 2 Cor. 5.19 His dying the death for every man 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 2.9 His rising againe acquit of all the sins imputed to him and a victorer over all the curse and death imposed on him and over all the enemies he conflicted with 1 Cor. 15.4 1 Pet. 3.22 And so by the eternall Spirit offering himself with out spot to God sealing the new Testament with his precious bloud and with the vertue thereof entred the holy of holies to make reconciliation for the sins of the people and appeares in heaven before God for them Heb. 9.11.12.14 15 16 17 23.24 All this is in the first commandment II. That he should bring all men to the knowledge of the truth and so enlighten and convince them that the Lord may dwell among them and how ever that they may be brought to acknowledge Jesus the Lord to the glory of God 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Rom. 14.9.11.12 And more especially such as are in the day of grace submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth to guide them into all truth and to unite and conforme them to himself making them meete for and in due season partakers of the inheritance with himself Ioh. 16.13 14 15. Isa 55.4 5 2 Cor. 3.3 18. Coll. 1.12.13 1 Pet. 2.3.9 And this commandment containes in it His declaration of the Gospell His communication of Spirit His enliving the dead His opening the eyes of the blind and the eares of the deaf his bringing the prisoners out of prison his comforting cloathing and bewtifying them with grace and glory Isa 61.1.2 3. Luk. 4.18 21. Isa 42.1 8 and 49 6 9. And that these two commandments the one to work and accomplish in himself as the publick person in the roome and place a perfect salvation for mankind with God by giving himself a ransome for them and so purchasing them into his owne dispose as their Lord and so making them saveable Rom. 14.9.10.11.12 The other to offer the knowledge and tenders of this grace to them that they may come to the knowledge of the truth Ioh. 1.9 And that such as are submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth in the day of grace and abide therein hee to confer upon them and work in them eternall saluation Ioh. 8.31.36 That these bee the commandments of the Father concerning Jesus Christ our Lord is evident I. By the expresse and plaine affirmation of the scriptures speaking of the mind and will of God concerning the Man Jesus Christ the mediator betweene God and men what God willeth concerning him that he would have done by him It saith of the first God will have all men to be saved And of the second And come to the knowledge of the truth And speaking of the answerable performance by Christ it saith of the first hee gave himself a ransome for all and of the second a testimony or to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2.4.5.6 Both which are expresly said in other places also to bee his will to be done by Christ and which he came and undertooke to doc and having sinished the one part that respecteth the one commandment and beene performing and stil is performing the other part of his wil which respecteth the other commandment Psal 40.7 8 9 10 Heb. 10.7 9 10 12 15 16. Isa 61.1.2.3 II. By the plaine testimony and confession of Jesus Christ himself who as he was abased and died for our sins and rose for our justification and so offered himself as the ransome to God and became the propitiation for the sins of the world so he comprehendeth his humilation death and resurrection under the first part of the will of his Father and calleth it his commandment saying I have powre to lay downe my life and I have powre to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father Ioh. 10.18 And of this part of Gods will its most probable he spake Ioh. 6.38.39 I came down from heaven not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent mee and this is the Fathers will which hath sent mee that of all that he hath given mee I should loose none but should raise it up againe at the last day Agreeable to that is said els-where As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.22 Agreeable to that which he after saith The bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Ioh. 6.51 And this to be heere-ment appeares I. In that this said Vers 38.39 Is made the ground of his faithfulnesse and powre for that he said before Vers 37. and after Vers 40. II. In that the phrase is altered Heere is said hath given as intimating to purchase but in Vers 37. It is said giveth as intimating by the heavenly call III. And in that the other part of his will is exprest as distinct and in other tearmes Vers 40. And to manifest his love and obedience to his Father in this command in laying downe his life and offering himself as the sacrifice for the sin of the world Ioh. 1.29 That the world might know it when he was in the house where those that sought to apprehend him could not have come to take him he said that the world may know that I love the Father and as the Father gave mee commandment even so I doe arise let us go hence Joh. 14.31 And thus have wee the first commandment given to Christ set forth by his owne testimony And for the other commandements hee saith expresly This is the will of him that sent mee that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last daye Ioh. 6.40 intimating To glory for all shall rise and speaking of the Gospel and the ministration thereof through which he sendeth forth Spirit to enlighten and convince and to bring the convinced to believe and the believer to partake of eternall life in which respect the Gospell is a light and a judge Ioh. 12.46 47 48 49.50 He said I have not spoken of my selfe but the Father which sent mee hee gave mee a commandement what I should say
and what I should speake and I know that his commandment is life everlasting whatsoever I spake therefore even as the Father said unto mee soe I speake and so he saith The Lord God hath given mee the toung of the learned that I should know how to minister a word in due season to him that is weary Isa 50.4 In respect of these commands put on Christ and undertaken to bee performed by him hee is in generall called The Saviour of the world Ioh. 4.42 And Gods salvation to the ends of the earth Isa 49.6 And in speciall the Saviour of his Body his people Eph. 5.23 Mat. 1.21 And hence also hee is said to be created for the glory of God and bidden by God to bring forth the blind people that have eyes and the deafe that have eares Isa 42.6 7. and 43.7.8 And because hee undertooke and went on in these commandements by the will and apointment of the Father hee is said to enter in the performance of both by the doore Ioh. 10.1 2 3.17 18. So that by our Saviours own testimony it apeares what the Fathers commands concerning him were III. It farther apeares by the furniture wherewith hee was fitted to keepe these commands and so to perform both parts of his Fathers will in effecting salvation for the world and eternall salvation in his peculiar people the Scriptures Assirming I. That for the first Hee was sent into the world to bee the Saviour of the world 1 Ioh. 4.14 Ioh. 3.17 1 Tim. 1.15 And had a body given him that was sit to suffer Psal 40. Heb. 10.7 And was made under the law Gall. 4.4.5 That soe hee might beare the sinnes of men and suffer and offer up himselfe in sacrifice for them 2 Cor. 5.19 21. II. That for the second hee was exalted at Gods right hand and imeasurably silled with the Holy Ghost to send forth in the Gospell to make known the saluation wrought by his death and in his owne body and to aply the vertue of his bloud and so to give repentance and remission of sins and so to heale and save Isa 50.4 10 and 61 1 2 3 4 and 42 1 8. Psal 68.18 20. Act. 2.31 33 and 5 31 32. By which furniture it appeares what the commands to him were IV. It is yet farther manifest in that these commands appeare to be peculiar too and for Jesus Christ our Lord who is the Lord from heaven a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45.47 These commands being such as not only are but ever were beyond the powre of all creatures or any meere man to performe Iob. 28.1.23 The law which God at first put in mans hart and to which by the grace of creation he was bound with all the commands encluded in that law for loving God with all the hart soul and strength and ones neighbour as himself were suitable and fit for a living soule as the first Adam was made and might have beene kept by him if he had abode in his integritie and so sin might have been kept from entring into the world Eccles 7.29 1 Cor. 15.45 But to take away transgression when it is come into the world and to doe it by dying and rising againe and so to ransome and work a redemption with God for transgressors this is and alwayes was beyond the powre of any meere man to doe Psal 49.7.8 And so likewise to enlive these ransomed ones lying dead in trespasses and sins and to enlighten them and give in the Holy Spirit to renew and save them and fill them with eternal life is beyond the powre of all creatures or any meere man though converted Ioh. 1.13 and 3 3 5 6 and 6 44 45. 2 Cor. 3.4.5.6 These things are peculiar to him that is the son of God God man the saviour and their is none besides Heb. 1. and 2. to the end Tit. 2.10 Isa 45.21 Who had a body given him to suffer and was manifested in this world to take away transgressions Heb. 10. 1 Joh. 3.5 And was exalted at his Fathers right hand and filled with Spirit to enlighten his ransomed to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale the broken harted and bring his people to life and glorie sa 42.1 8 and 50 61 1 4. Whence God in putting these commands upon his owne son Jesus Christ and on him onlie is said to have laid help upon one that is mightie Psal 89.19 V. The state and condition wee were in whom he came to save doth also evidence these foremencioned to be the commandments that were given to Christ by him that sent him forth to be our saviour our needs requiring the same that he should fulsill these commandments for though his being righteous in fulfilling the law to which by the grace of creation wee were all bound was both needfull and profitable for us in that thereby no need of any part of his ransome or sacrifice for himself but all for us Heb. 7.26.27 Yet could not all that righteousnesse of his have made satisfaction for our sins and overcome our death and procured life for us it he had not done this for us by dying for our sins and rising for our justification and so fulfilled that commandment Mat. 26.39 Gall. 2.21 Rom. 4.25 Ioh. 10.18 Neither by all that his personall righteousnesse joyned with the fulfilling of this command if he had not been filled with Spirit to send forth and should not by that Spirit in the Gospell be fulfilling the other command in teaching and renewing us applying that salvation wrought to us and working salvation in us could wee be eternally saved Isa 42.1.8 and 61 1 4 and 54 3.11 Ioh. 6.44 45 and 15 1 8. And thus it appeares what the Fathers commandments concerning Christ are II. The second thing to be enquired is How or in what manner Jesus Christ kept his Fathers commandments and that the Scripture shewes I. That he kept and performed the same in and through an union with his Father in mind will and purpose and so in love to his Father and to his chosen and to mankind Ioh. 10.27.30 Heb. 10.7 9 10. Psal 40.7.8 Ioh. 4.34 And so from the law writ in his hart with delight to doe his will II. That hee so kept and performed them in the midst of a gain-saying people and against many temptationes from the devill and from the world both Jewes and Gentiles and notwithstanding many illrequitealls from his called ones Isa 53.1 2 3 4. and 65.2 Mat. 4.1.12 Heb. 12.3 III. Hee so kept and performed them constantly goeing through and enduring all the labour payne and suffering set before him till hee entred his rest where hee abideth faithfull Isa 50.5 6. and 53.7 Heb. 12.2 and 4.10.16 Phill. 27.11 IV. He kept and performed them by the very powre of the devine nature in and by the stirring and motion of the Holy Ghost Luk. 4.1 14. Heb. 9.14 Rom. 1.4 and 6.4 Isa 11.1 2. And thus and in this manner did Jesus keepe his
and so without sin and this the scripture sets forth as his peculiar hee knew no sin he did no sin c. Ioh. 8 46. Heb. 7 26. Ioh. 17.4 Isa 50 and 53. Heb. 2 13. Ioh 13 1. Mat. 4 and 10. Ioh. 17 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2 22 3 18. And that every one of us yea the best of all his servants while heere on earth offend in many things Iam. 3.2 Having sin still in nature Iob. 14 4 and 15 14. And also in his life Rom. 7 15. Gall 5 17. Against the law of works Rom. 3.19 20. Yea and the Gospell and so even against the law of grace In strists about the worke peculiar to Christ seeking in endavours to make peace and give satisfaction by performances or to doe in ones owne strength to make up duty and conscience good Rom. 9 32 and 10 3 and 7 15 24 25. and 8 7 8. Gall. 2 and 3. Or else in short-comming of that which through grace given wee might in the faith and love mencioned or walking therein to the denyall of the flesh and yeelding up to the Spirit in all things Rom. 7 15 25. Gall. 5 17. Yea it may bee in failing in particular service or ministration yea so certaine it is that all of us do in some things offend that who ever saith either that hee hath no sin or that he hath not sinned there is no truth in him and he casteth the lye on God Ioh. 1.8 10. Neither can any regenerate man avoid this by saying personally in themselves they have no sin or of themselves they do no sin but onely as they are one with their brethren and reckon themselves after them so they are sinners and do sin while any of their brethren have sin and are found to sin for in such a sence even so might Jesus Christ himself have said Isa 53 2. Cor. 5 21. 1 Pet. 2 24. And so may he still be said to suffer affliction Act. 9 4. Coll. 1 24. Isa 61 9. And to want of his fulnesse and perfection Eph. 1 23 and 4 13. And yet is this his peculiar that he knew no sin nor did sin being Holy harmelesse undefiled separate from sinners which could not bee if any could be said to be without sin in this life in such a sence besides himself Therefore there is yet one thing more to be put in in our keeping his commandements namely that as any sin is yet found either in our nature or life either against law of works or law of grace in failing either in faith or love or walking therein and yeelding to the Spirit there through according to grace received So wee in the acknowledgement of this his grace do speedily confesse our sins and seeke remission and healing of him and so in confidence of his goodnesse and love of brethren go one still in his way before him 1 Sam. 12 20 22. Pro. 28 13 14. 1 Ioh. 1 7 9. And in these five particulars is comprehended the keeping of his commands that appertaines to us III. For the third thing in this point the manner of keeping his commandements even as hee kept his Fathers commandements what this also is Viz. I. That all be done in an one-nesse and a greement of mind and will with the mind and will of Christ and God in Christ and so from the motion of the Spirit and law writ in the hart 1 Cor. 2 16 2. Cor. 3 3 17 18. II. Faithfully in the midst of his house and among the sons of men even a perverse people and in the midst of temptationes from the world the flesh and the devill Psal 101. Phill. 1 27 30 and 2 15 16 17. III. Constantly at all times and in all things with patience through all labours and sufferings till the season of entring his rest be fully given Act. 14 22. 2 Tim. 2 3 and 3 11 12. Mat. 10. Which will be but a first fruites heere Heb. 4 3 11. And perfectly at their departure hence Rev. 14 13. And gloriously at his comming againe for which they looke and long Phill. 3 20 21. 2 Cor. 5 1 6. 2 Tim. 4 8. Rev. 22 17 20. IV. Holding and excercising faith and love through all these 2 Cor. 5 1 14 19 c. For thus it is in all these respects before shewne that Christ kept his Fathers commandements And thus it is shewne what the commandments and the keeping of them with the manner thereof is Which may be Vse I. A discovery of the mistake or scant conceiptiones of the truth of such as in this place by commandements understand noe farther thing but the precepts of ten-words engraven in tables of stone and delivered by Moses to the people to be first kept by Christ by his Fathers command and to be now kept by believers by Christs command which beeing a law without us and enjoinning to doe and live will leave us all under sinne and death it beeing impossible for us to have life and enjoy the righteousnesse of the law that way because wee cannot perform the righteousnesse that apertayneth to us according to that law Rom. 3 10 20. Gall. 3 10. Rom. 8 3 4 Phill. 3 3 9. And though it were perfectly performed by Iesus Christ yet if there had not beene greater commandments that he received of the Father and performed for us our faith were but vayne and wee had beene in our sinnes and soe in danger of wrath still Ioh. 10 18 and 12.31 Heb. 9 22 26. 1 Cor. 15 14 17 18 Rom. 3 25. The ignorance whereof causeth many to establish a righteousnesse of their owne by setting upon the law and so submit not to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 4 In whom nothing avayleth but faith which worketh by love Gall. 5 6 All which may be clearly and fully seen in that which is all-ready said about this buy sinesse Vse II. And this also may bee an information of the cause of soe much darknesse and so many great and smarting afflictiones that many believers in this life do fall into namely because they keepe not the commandements which Christ hath put in their harts which are the same the Father by his Spirit through Christ hath given unto them which had they attended too their peace had beene as a river and their righteousnesse as the waves of the Sea Psal 89 30 31 32. Isa 48 18. Soe that the cause of such smarting afflictiones on them is not because they were unable to keepe the law of works or came short thereof through a necessity by that weaknesse Psal 103 10 and 143 2 Nor yet because they were unable to walke suitable and answerable to the Gospell or law of grace or fell short thereof through a necessity by that weaknesse Psal 130 3 4. For God requires in this no more then hee hath sowne Luk. 19.21.22 But in and according to the Gospell accepts of believers the will for the deed and requires
also an unfeyned love of our brother 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Ioh. 4.21 1 Pet. 1.22 From both which commands writ in the hart aptly springs up all contained in the particular precepts of the Gospell as is before shewne Ioh. 4.13 and 7 38 39. And walking in this faith and love in minding the precepts and veiw of the opportunities the motiones to go according to the mind of Christ will aptly spring up so as one may go one serving in newnesse of Spirit and not in oldnesse of letter Pro. 6.20 21 22 23. Ioh. 3.16 17. Rom. 12.2 and 7 6 25 and 8 1 2. So that from this whole consideration that the commands of Christ to his disciples are such commands as are contained and expressed in the Gospell and put with the Gospell by Christ into the hart of the believer and do naturally and aptly spring up in the believe of the Gospell it appeares that believing in Iesus Christ and loving our brother are the commands of Christ heere ment Consider III. The commandments of Ghrist to his disciples are such as are suitable to the commendements himselfe hath performed for them Pro. 3.1.13 Heb. 3.8.9 1 Cor. 6.20 Now hee in fulfilling the commandements hee received of the Father for us having taken away our sinnes and dyed our death and soe purchased us and wrought salvation for us and by his Gospell and Spirit sent forth having made knowne this salvation to us and in aplying it evidenced himselfe to bee our righteousnesse and life and ready and able eternally to save us 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Ioh. 3.5 Heb. 5.9 Suitable heerto it is that wee abhoring our sinnes and denying our selves our wisedome righteousnesse strength with all that is ours and all fleshly delights and considences to accept of him for all and so to believe in trust too and depend on him for all grace righteousnesse life and safety 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Phil. 3.3.4.7 8 9.10 1 Pet. 1.13.14 Gall 1.20 And hee having so loved us suitable it is that wee should so love one another 1 Ioh. 3.16 Eph. 5.2 So that in this consideration it also apeares That believing in Iesus Christ and loving our Brother are the commandments of Christ heere ment Consider IV. The commandements of Christ to his disciples are such commandements as he hath given into their harts and cannot nor are otherwise required to bee kept then as they are in the hart whence believers confesse that they have received the command from him 1 Ioh. 4.21 And hee is said to write them in their harts Heb. 8.10 And the commandement is true in him and in them 1 Ioh. 2.8 The law without was engraven in tables of stone and writ in leaves but the Epistle of Christ is writ by his Spirit in the hart 2 Cor. 3.3.7 The law without leaves under sinno and death but Christs law within affords life 2 Cor. 3.6.7.8 9 10. Whence Christ saith hee that hath my command ments and keepeth them hee it is that loveth mee Ioh. 14.21 In which consideration it apeareth that faith and love Which all Christs disciples have Coll. 1 4. and are to keepe and walke in Heb. 3.14 Are the commandments heere ment And yet that this may bee moore evident some proofes heerof may be considered Proofe I. These two commandements of faith and love as they are contained in the Gospell and spring from the Gospel believed so they contayne the whole summe of the patterne or forme of healthfull and sound words which the Gospel requireth of us 2 Tim. 1.14 And of all that which the Gospell believed springeth up in the hart 1 Ioh. 5.13 Ioh. 20.31 1 Ioh. 3.1.3 and 4 19 21. Whence the commandment is called the word of the Gospell it selfe believed 1 Ioh. 2 7. And the Gospell is called the commandment which in hart believed that which is said before of Christ his keeping his Fathers commandements is by believers found true in him and that which is said in consideration the second of faith and love springing up in the hart the believers find true in them because the darknesse is past and the true light now shineth 1 Ioh. 2.8 And so in respect of the Gospell put in the hart it is called the old command and that which was at first heard and received from Christ and which quickeneth and in respect of its Spirituall entrance receipte and abiding and the faith and love springing up therefrom it is called the new commandement being allwayes greene and flourishing so that the believer may thereby bring out of the good treasurie of his hart things new and old Mat. 13.52 Which according to all the considerationes proveth faith and love to bee the commandements heere ment Proofe II. These two commandements of faith and love are the commendements which God giveth unto and putteth in the hart of his children Ier. 31.33 Phill. 2.29 Eph. 2.8.10 They are the commandements of God the Father when he calleth and uniteth men to his son Jesus Christ causing them to beliefe on the name of his son Jesus Christ and to love one another as his son hath given commandement 1 Ioh. 3.23 and 4 21. And they are the commandements expresly given by Iesus Christ to all his disciples when he makes knowne his Father to them to believe on him for eternall life Ioh. 12.36 and 14 1. And to love one an other as hee hath loved us Ioh. 13.34 and 15 12. And these are also the very commandements which the Holy Ghost putteth into the harts of believers 1 Pet. 1.21.22 1 Ioh. 3.21.24 So that these two commandements of faïth and love are evident to be the commandements heere ment Proofe III. All labouring to attaine and fulfill in performance any or all other particular preceipts of law or Gospell which flowes not from and is not acted through this believing in the name of Iesus and love of the brethren whatsoever endeavours and services they bee and how and to what end soever otherwise done whether To please God and get boldnesse with him or to get therethrough the righteousnesse of God and so Christ and faith in him and love to brethren or to assure themselves by such attainments and observances of a peculiar interest in Christ even all whatsoever so done to comfort themselves therewith all of it I say as the scripture shewes I. It is but a serving of God according to the oldnesse of the letter and so leaves the doores thereof under sin and curse and the feare of both Rom. 7.6 25 and 8 2 7. Gall. 3.10 Tit. 1.9.10.15 Ioh. 3.5.6 II. The doers thereof do therein and thereby deprive themselves of and hold themselves out from enjoyment of Christ and unfeyned faith in him and love of brethren Rom. 9 32. and 10.3.4.1 Sam. 2 9. Zach. 4.6 Psal 107.11.12 Ecclez 15.16 and 16.15 III. They deceive themselves and are deceived in all that which by such observances and ataynments they judge themselves by to bee in Christ and to have peculiar interest in
and in respect of us in suffering for all it can charge us with that so through his death for us we might be dead to it 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 6.10 11. and 7.4 And by his death and resurrection spiritually evidenced and aplieil to us bee in bolieving freed from the bondage of it Gall. 4.4 5. and 3.25.26 5.1 So that such commands in respect of such a bond is not heere ment II. Such commands as are beyond all the reach anâ— powre that is or ever was in any creatures and these are To make satisfaction for sins entred and to take them out of the waye and to abollish death and to procure favour and life againe with God for mankind And allso by Spirit to make knowne this saluation wrought and to communicate the same to such as embracing this knowledge doe there through believe and so to enlive and sanctifie them therewith and therein working salvation in them and communicating eternall life to them which commandments are before shewne what they are and how they belong only to Jesus Christ our Lord the mediator betweene God and men who is found faithfull and perfect in performance thereof and by fullfilling the one hath wrought salvation with God for men and in full filling the other offereth salvation to men and communicateth eternall Salvation to those that believe in him as is before declared nor is there any creature in and by whom the fulfilling these commands can be found that beeing peculiar to Iesus Christ our Lord Ioh. 28.1 23. Psal 40.6 10. and 49.7.8 Isa 49.6 9. and 50.2 9. Heb. 10.1 10. So that these commands are not heere ment III. Such commandements as are given by Jesus Christ the fulfiller of these former commandements unto those who by his Spirit through the Gospell are drawne to believe on him into whose hart by the same Spirit he putteth those commandments Heb. 8.2 6 10. Ier. 31.33 Which commandements are not such or so given as to bind us to worke our righteousnesse in and by our owne observances and performances by our owne strength or such as we had once in Adam or by his devine providence have in our naturall powres as the former law did under which by nature we were and under which he was made for us such commandements so given are to us-ward beeing fallen heavy and burthensome neither can wee have life in our observance of that law but his commandments bee not grievous but easie sweete and affording-light and life in the observance Rom. 8.2.3.4 Phill. 3.3 9. Gall. 2.21 and 3.5 10 25. and 4. and 5.18 Ioh. 1.14.16.17 Rom. 3.27 Matt. 11.27.28 1 Ioh. 5.3 Gall. 6.8 Nor are these commandements of Jesus Christ to his disciples such or so given as those which have already beene shewne to be put upon Jesus Christ himself and poculiar to him Psal 40.6 Jsa 50. to the end 1 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor. 3.3 17 18. But they are such commandements and so given as that they come from Jesus Christ our saviour in the declaration of the saluation wrought in and by his owne person with God for men in fulfilling the first commandement he received of his Father and the saluation which by Spirit applying the former he worketh in men to God in fulfilling the other commandement he received of the Father when he helpeth any to believe in which believing he putteth these commandements into their hart Ioh. 6.38 40 and 17 6 8. 2 Cor. 3.3.17 18. Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.6.10 Which commandements are to believe on him and to love one another which by this first consideration appeares to bee the commandements of Christ to his disciples and those heere-ment 1 Pet. 1.2.8.18.19 20 21 22. Consider II. That the commandements of Christ to his disciples are such commands as are I. Contained and expressed in the Gospell II. Put with the Gospell by the Spirit of Christ into the hart of believers III. And do naturally and aptly spring up in the beliefe of the Gospell I. The commands of Christ to his disciples are contained and exprest in the Gospell the Gospell fully declaring the mind of Christ not only in declaration of that good he hath wrought for us and that which hee is able and ready to worke in us and to confer on us but that also which hee requireth of us that wee may receive him and be followers of him Mar. 1.14.15 Act. 13.38 40 and 20 27 35 and 26 18. 2 Cor. 5.19.20 Whence the Gospel also is called the commandement 2 Ioh. 4.5 1 Ioh. 2.7 2 Pet. 2.21 Rom. 16.26 And the law of Christ the law of faith the law of righteousnesse the law of the Spirit of life and the law of libertie Gall. 6.2 Rom. 3.27 and 9 31 32 and 8.2 Iam. 1.12 And the so receiving the Gospell as thore through to believe on Jesus Christ and love our brother and yeeld to and walk in that faith and love is called obedience of the doctrine of faith of Christ Rom. 6.17 and 16 19 26. Heb. 2.5.9 And all not so receiving the Gospell where it comes are said not to obey the Gospell the word the truth 2 Thess 1.8 1 Pet. 4.17 and 3 1. Gall. 3.1 The Gospell of Christ is a full and perfect doctrine and stands need of no other law for precepts to direct and leade such as come into Christ having in it self not only generall but particular precepts even for every branch of al that which the grace of God requireth of believers as to give some instances precepts for repentance Mat. 3.2 Mar. 1.15 Act. 17.30 For submission to Christ and receiving his reproofe and forsaking all wee have for his sake Iam. 4.6.7 Pro. 1.23 Mat. 16.24 25 26. For believing whatever his Gospell reporteth Ioh. 12.36 Mar. 1.15 For approbation of and resting on him Pro. 4.8 Isa 30.7.15 For hearing and attending to the sayings of Christ Pro. 8.10 Mat. 17.5 For looking to Jesus Christ for beginning and finishing in us all that belongs to life and godlinesse Isa 45.22 Heb. 12 2. For loving the Lord Psal 31.23 And therein and so for child like affectiones to God Mall 1.6 For brotherly affectiones to believers 1 Pet. 4.8 For compassion and meeknesse to such as are ignorant and out of the way Mat. 5.44 As likewise for being feare-lesse and strong in the way Isa 8.12.13 and 41.14 1 Cor. 16.13 For being patient Iam. 5.7 For being sinceere Tit. 2.7 For being fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 And so alwayes and in all to have God and Jesus Christ only for our God and Lord 1 Cor. 8.6 1 Ioh. 5.20.21 To worship him in Spirit and truth Ioh. 4.24 To seeke to glorify his name in all things 1 Cor. 10.31 To delight in keeping sabboth with him Isa 58.13.14 Heb 4.10.11 And with his Heb. 10.25 To veeld our neighbour that preheminence and respect God hath given him in our love care and service and so to honour our parents and not to hurt but preserve the