many even of as many as do beleeve therefore that obedience is not the souls righteousnesse 2 Faith is a Law-duty and the work of faith a Law-work though the object of faith be of Gospel-revelation now if a Law-work be the condition of the New Covenant It is not a Covenant of grace but works Rom. 11.6 If it bee of works it is no more grace else work is no more work 3 A man might stay upon Old Covenant works because the condition of his Covenant as Hezekiah did 2 King 20.4 and Abijah did 2 Chron. 13.12 But a man may not stay upon his faith nor intreat favour for his faiths sake but for Christs sake The Old Covenant made premises unto performances the New Covenant makes promises of performances Many promises indeed are made of comfort to them that mourne of rest to them that are weary of pardon to them that confesse but not because they mourne are weary or confesse In promises of this nature faith findes footing not in a condition but in a connexion as also when the promise saith The barren shall bring forth I will poure water upon dry ground here is no condition for barrennesse and drinesse is none but here is a connexion unto faith a heart full of groans an eye full of tears a life full of reformation may bee good signes but bad grounds faith knowes nothing but Jesus Christ 4 The condition of the Old Covenant was to bee performed in the power of him that was in Covenant and was no part of the Covenant to be given of God in which respect it is compared unto Pharoahs Taskmasters who required the whole tale of Bricke but gave no straw Faith is no such condition because the work of God wherein hee is mindful of his Covenant and Engagement though not to the creature yet to himself and to his Son on the behalfe of the creature 2 Cor. 4.13 Eph. 1.17 18 19 2.8 Hagar hath seed but in a natural way an Ishmael who was of the Law of Works after the flesh Sarah also hath seed but in a supernatural way an Isaac who was of promise of faith of the Spirit Gal. 4.29 Works were the condition of the Old Covenant and not Fruit Faith is the fruit of the New Covenant and not the condition 5 What is properly conditional in the constitution is certainly uncertain in the event all the good covenanted for hangs upon the condition as that which may bee injoyed or lost The Old Covenant was so according to the tenour whereof Ishmael the childe thereof is cast out But the New Covenant is not so not a Covenant which way bee broken Heb. 7 22.-9.15 16 17. being of the nature of a Testament Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11.25 therefore not a Covenant properly conditional or having faith for a condition as Works were in the Old Covenant I shall adde no more under this head lest I bee reproved for furnishing so large a Porch to so little an house The New Covenant is a Covenant of Grace distinguished from the Old in the fulnesse thereof The Old Covenant had but the shadow of good things but the shadow of Election Vocation Justification c. The High Priest was but a shadow So the Temple the Sacrifice the Peace Heb 10.1 2. None fully purged or fully pardoned or furnished with a full answer to every charge and challenge of the Law Heb. 9.9 But the New Covenant hath the substance being full of Christ it is full of grace and truth For by one offering hee hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 Under this Covenant no more conscience of sin Heb. 10.2 not that a man is past sinning or past feeling but because hee is past charging Rom. 8.33 34. No more conscience of sin as transgression of the Law which is a Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 No more conscience of sin as a debt to that Law and so needing new Sacrifice but as Christ made satisfaction once and at once Rom. 6.10 Heb. 7.27 1 Pet. 3.18 so hee is made righteousnesse The Old Covenant was a weak Covenant not in commanding or condemning power it is able to damn a whole world for disobedience but in helping a poor miserable undone creature Rom. 8.3 What can the Sun do for a blinde man a Physitian may help nature but cannot give it the Old Covenant is like unto those Physitians upon whom the woman that had the Bloody-issue waited twelve years and spent all her substance being never the better but the worse The New Covenant is like unto Christ if wee touch but the hemm of that Garment there is healing which doth not onely declare a Law for the heart but also write it upon the heart not impose a duty onely but dispose unto obedience administring not onely the letter but the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 The Old Covenant is like unto Moses the Minister thereof who could not lead the people into Canaan The New is like unto Joshua a Type of our Jesus under whom the Tribes received their Inheritance Compare the times of Moses and Joshua and you will finde a fulnesse of grace in Joshuahs time Compare the times of the Old and New Covenant you will finde a fulnesse of grace in the New Covenant time exceeding fulnesse comparative with the former time 1 Moses his Spies brought up an ill report upon the good Land Numb 13.32 but Joshuahs returned with glad tidings Jos 2.23 Vnder Moses the Land is seen as a Land to bee obtained by warlike performances and the enemies being mighty they are discouraged Under Joshua the Land is seen as a Land of Promise to be given unto them in faithfulnesse Reformations under the Old Covenant commonly miscarry men are discouraged and run from Moses backe again into Egypt when corruption and temptation shew themselves men say as the Prophets servant Alas what shall wee do Under the New Covenant mans eye being open unto the Lord they can say with the Prophet There are more for us than bee against us and with the Apostle Wee can do all things Jesus Christ strengthning of us 2 Moses led the people toward the Land within sight of it and left them Joshua led them into Canaan Under the Old Covenant men may bee toward the Kingdome and nigh unto it but under the New they enter it and possesse it Agag may bee taken prisoner and bound under the one but hee is hewn in sunder and destroyed under the other 3 Under Moses Circumcision was neglected during the time that Israel was in the Wildernesse Under Joshua it was renewed Jos 5.5 9. So under the Old Covenant men are driven from iniquity by fear of punishment or dragged on in a way of duty by hope of reward the heart not yet set against that nor for this Vnder the New Covenant the heart is circumcised to love the Lord and thereby sweetly drawn after him 4 No Jubilee was kept by Moses nor by the people in his time but
Elijah's Mantle OR THE REMAINES Of that late worthy and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ Mr. JOHN TILLINGHAST Viz. I. The Conformity of a Saint to the Will of God On Act. 21.14 II. The will of God and Christ concerning Sinners On Gal. 1.4 III. No Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus On Rom. 8.1 IV. Christs Love to his owne On Joh. 13.1 V. True Gospel Humiliation On Zach. 12.10 VI. The most effectual means to kill and subdue sin On 1 Joh. 2.2 VII The Advocateship of Jesus Christ a great ground of Saints comfort and support under sins and infirmities On 1 Joh. 2.2 VIII The only way for Saints to be delivered from the errors and evils of the times On I Tim. 6.11 IX Of the Old Covenant from Gal. 4.30 being so farre as the Author had proceeded in a Treatise of the two Covenants before his death Published by his owne Notes Rev. 14.13 And I heard a voyce from Heaven saying unto me write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes doe follow them London printed for Livewell Chapman and are to be sold at the Crown in Popes-head Alley 1658. To the Reader THis dear Servant of Christ the Author of these Sermons who whilst in the Body lived much in and of the love of our Lord Jesus and is now swallowed up of that love which passeth knowledge who yet doth and I am perswaded will live in the love of many precious * In London Lewes Nudigate Frasingfield Yarmouth Walpoole Walsham Truâ—ch c. Saints among whom hee conversed here on earth made it his great designe the love of Christ constraining him both by preaching and walking to promote faith towards Christ and love to all Saints Hee lived much by faith and was often in coming to the Father by the Son as a poor Sinner as he usually expressed it And here I cannot but take the opportunity to say that which I apprehend the Word of Christ and also our experience doe witness 1 That the Act of Faith whereby wee are looking to Jesus coming to him and rowling upon him as the only way to the Father it is indeed the great Act it is that which doth honour God and that which Christ doth honour as a great faith After that poor woman of Canaan Mat. 15. had endured many repulses and yet making after Christ and hanging upon him he saith O woman great is thy faith this was clearly a faith of dependance 2 We are extreamly averse to this duty There is a great desire of evidence c. but when we should look to and stay on the Promise or rather on God in it O what a difficult work is it Indeed by thus beleeving Romans 16.26 Heb. 11.2 we yeeld unto God the obedience hee requires without which wee cannot please him and it is that for which the Gospel is sent among us and hereby wee doe indeed act Self-denial Is it not a great part of Self-denial for the Soul which doth naturally set up his owne righteousnesse and would not be beholding to God for his to renounce his right that is so dear to him Phil. 3.8 9. Hereby also the Soul denies his Carnal reason as Abraham Rom. 4. hee sacrificed his Carnal reason before he could enjoy or Sacrifice his Isaac It is no wonder that our hearts are so hardly brought up to such actings there is not only an inabillity to them but enmity against them as Christ hath told us Yee will not come to me Joh. 5.40 3 We have no assurance and evidence but in and by these acts of reliance it is possible wee may have a true faith and great faith of reliance without evidence but our assurance comes in this way as we have not the reflection of the Sun upon the wall except the beames of the Sun flow forth 4 Our Lord Jesus being the Author and Finisher and also actor of our faith Heb. 12.2 Joh. 15.5 Phil. 2.13 without whom wee can doe nothing hee that worketh to will as well as to doe in his people and that freely we cannot act this faith but as we are acted by him let us therefore expect all our fruites from him And because faith worketh by love and the more the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts the more faith c. also the more faith the more love to God let us look much into the Gospel which gives us so great discovery of that love 1 Behold there with admiration God from Eternity freely purposing the Salvation of the Elect in Jesus Christ hee hath saved us c. not according to our works but according to his purpose and grace which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 2 After we had all fallen from God in that fearful Apostacy of our first Parents under the Wrath and Curse of God Rom. 5.18 Ephes 3.2 behold God sending forth his dear Son made of a Woman c. for the redemption of poor sinners from this woful state and thereby not only delivering his people from the depth of misery but restoring them to the height of happinesse for by the death of our Lord Jesus is a way made to bring us unto God 1 Pet. 3.18 by it we come to him Heb. 7.25 all those that come to God come by him wee come even to the Father Joh. 14.6 No man cometh to the Father but by me here is the true center of our immortal souls Thus our dear Lord doth bring us to soul-rest Mat. 11.28 29. O what manner of love is this 3 Behold here the will of the Father and the Son both concurring in this matter Gal. 1.4 which the heart of this Author was much taken up with 4 Here is a discovery of Christ as an overcommer actually Rev. 3.21 It is observeable that the very first promise of Jesus Christ Gen. 3.15 declares him a Conqueror and all the Saints for many Ages lived upon and were comforted in Christ as hee who was to overcome and though this perhaps in the weakness of their faith the tempter might trouble them withall but what if their expected Messiah should not come or what if he should not overcome their enemies what would become of them then Now there is no roome for this temptation he hath abolished death 2 Tim. 1.10 I have overcome the world Joh. 6.33 and therefore saith the Lord Be you of good cheer it is for you and be yee comforted by it there is vertue and strength in it for you whereby you shall bee more than conquerours And hereby may the Saints come up to that difficult Piece of Self-denial to submit to the will of God who will have some remainders of corruption yet in his people as in these Sermons is mentioned where the Author doth caution us not so to submit to as not to strive against corruptions to mourn over them and watch
the incensing of them and making them rash and furious against the present powers And as for the two others I have coppied out part of a Letter received from each NOw dear Sir I begge your prayers that I may bee kept in the houre of my trial from the evil of every temptation incident to such a condition and may bee enabled to doe or to suffer whatsoever the will of the Lord is I am a poor Creature and when I look upon my self I am ready to say Surely the Lord will not make use of such an unworthy Creature as I am in any such Honourable work in the World as to bee counted worthy to suffer or doe any thing for his name But when I consider in whom persons and performances are accepted and made worthy I am silent and can only say I am in the hand of the Lord let him doe with mee as seemeth good unto him Indeed I have an unruly Natural temper that is ready to be running out to wrathful wayes pretending the accomplishment of the righteousnesse of God thereby but I desire to look on it as my burden and shame and to bewaile it both in my self and others in whom I judge I see too much of it especially some suffering Saints both in their speaking and writing which is a sore blemish making them much unlike our Lord and Master who when hee was reviled reviled not againe and when evil entreated threatned not neither doth it answer that blessed counsel Psal 37. throughout O could we be found more in Christs Lamb-like posture in which he overcomes Revel 17. we should also bee more glorious and speedy over-comers Faith and Prayer when joyned with humility meekness and patience seldome misse an eminent successe whatever it bee they contend against this is a portion my Soul wants begge it for mee and exhort to it in others SIR I shall not detain you longer but let you know that hitherto the Lord hath been with me and I find that Christs Sufferings have so large a present allowance that even besides the future wages of Glory which shall bee revealed in us wee are gainers of more than can bee spoken Love Light Freedome Power and what not that is good for us and truly Gods choyse hath been so clear both as to matter and manner of Sufferings that were it to begin again I think wee should be rather apprehensive of being over-set with the honour and comfort than to bee sunk with fear or trouble but whether the Baptisme is fully accomplished is yet to mee a question me thinks this is too casie for a Crown the drops of bloud are yet to come at least it must not bee my will but the Lords and if the remainder of wrath shall be restrained it must bee from them that lye free among the dead over whom the worldly life hath no power no more than the second Death so that if our Father sees wee may bee without danger to our selves or hazzard to his own concernments adventured a while longer in this world of trouble and temptation hee may suspend taking us to himself and yet surely the fiery Chariot must be made ready the Lord grant that our faith fail not if wee boggle at the passage wee may come short of the Kingdom living testimonies of dying Saints for their Lord and Master did make a quick dispatch of worldly Principalities Kings of Armies must flee apace when God gives the word and the company grows great that publish it The Contents of the ensuing Treatises 1 The Conformity of a Saint to the will of God On Act. 21.14 THe Text opened and explained Page 1 Doct. That it is a great and special duty lying upon Saints even in the most hard and difficult cases to have their wills bowed and submitted to the will of God p. 2 The definition of Divine submission to the will of God p. 3 opened p. 2. to 8 The Division of this submission to the will of God p. 9. opened p. 9. to 11 The Obligation lying upon the creature to submit to this will of God 12. This opened in many particulars to p. 14 The Excellency of this blessed worke set forth in several particulars p. 14. to 16 The Evil of not submitting to the will of God the greatness of it set forth in several particulars p. 16. to 18 General Rules to bring us to and further us in this submission p. 18. to 20. Cases of Conscience about submission of our wills to Gods p. 20. to 66 2 The will of God and Christ concerning Sinners On Gal. 1.4 The Text opened page 67 68 Doct. That the Salvation and Sanctification of poor sinners is the will of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ p. 68 What Will of God is here spoken of p. 69 That it is the will of God and Christ sinners should bee saved proved p. 70 Christs will manifested in two particulars ibid God the Fathers will shewed in several particulars p. 71 to 75 Reasons why it must needs bee that God the Father is willing p. 75. to 81 Reasons why it must needs bee that Jesus Christ is willing from p. 82 to 90 Object If it bee thus Then will it follow that all sinners must necessarily bee saved This answered p. 90 91 Object That God will have all men to bee saved answered p. 92 Object But what incouragement doth this afford to the faith of poor sinners to say God and Christ are willing c. Answered ibid. Object But if it bee not the will of God and Christ that all sinners should bee saved then I may presume in laying hold on the Premise because I may bee one of those whom it is the will of God not to save Answered ibid. Object But would it not bee better for the faith and comfort of poor souls to say that God would have or that God doth will it that all should bee saved Answered ibid. Use 1. Then let poor sinners hence be incouraged notwithstanding all the suggestions of Satan and cavils of their own hearts to come to Christ for salvation p. 94 95 Use 2. Comfort to the Saints your salvation is sure you have God and Christ the will of either ingaged for you p. 96 Use 3. Duty to the Saints Then bee you willing to doe or suffer any thing for God p. 97 3 No Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Proved in Seven Sermons on Rom. 8.1 Serm. I. The Text opened p. 98 Doct. Souls interessed in Jesus Christ are persons priviledged and exempted from Condemnation p. 99 What is meant by Condemnation opened p. 100 to 103 Why souls in Christ must needs bee freed from it p. 103 to 105 What that is which frees those which are in Christ from Condemnation p. 105 106 How great and glorious a Priviledge this is shewed p. 107 to 100 Objections answered p. 110 111 Use 1. See then what a vast difference there is betwixt the condition of one that hath interest
come to mee and him that cometh to mee I wil in no wise cast out Christ is willing poor sinners should come bee thou O sinner willing to come As bee is a willing Saviour so should wee bee a willing people and who would not bee willing to bee saved when God and Christ are willing to save As the father of the Prodigal met his Son coming so Christ will meet thy soul above halfe way In a word if thou wilt not come thou wilt bee damned for ever There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby thou canst bee saved but by the name of Christ Hee that beleeveth on him which is the coming I speak of shall bee saved but hee that beleeveth not shall bee damned Vse 2. Comfort to the Saints Your salvation is sure you have God and Christ the will of either ingaged for you If the Divine will bee irresistable as it is then your salvation is firme and everlasting because it is grounded upon this will A mans affections are hardly overcome but his will is harder to bee overcome you may overcome the man when you cannot the will the will is such a thing that most men if they can have their will they will have it Now Saints the will of God and Christ is engaged for your salvation God and Christ should not have their wills should you misse of Heaven Who hath or can resist his will Hence likewise learn for your comfort That you shall never want what shall bee for your good here If it bee the will of God and Christ to give salvation to you then surely are they willing to give you all things necessary for your temporal well-being of sustentation here if it be their will to give Heaven to you then surely nothing needful for you between this and Heaven shall bee wanting to you Think you that they are willing to give the greater and not the lesse O trust then for the one as well as the other Use 3. Duty to the Saints Are God and Christ willing to have you saved Then bee you willing to do or suffer any thing for God Doth the Lord lay out himself for your good lay out you your selves for his glory bee you as willing to glorifie God here as God is to have you glorified hereafter Think not any thing you have or can do too much for him who hath not thought himself or any thing hee could do too much for you No Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus proved in Seven SERMONS SERMON I. Rom. 8 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus IN the former Chapter Paul sets forth the great Combate that hee found in himself betwixt the Flesh and Spirit the Old and New Man the law of his members and of his mind the one delights in doing good the other hates it the one wills to do it the other resists the doing of it one serves the Law of God the other the Law of Sin This Combate grows so high and the worser part so prevalent that vers 24. Paul as a poor Prisoner in Bonds cries out O wretched man that I am In this his low condition in comes the Lord Jesus Christ to his rescue and then presently the day is his and he obtaines a glorious victory vers 25. whereupon he celebrates this Christian Triumph in our text There is therefore no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus The words are a blessed Triumph founded upon that confidence a Christian hath in and that experience he daily hath of the strength and power of Christ rescuing him from Sin the Law Hell the Devil and all the enemies of a Beleevers Salvation without mincing of them they afford us this truth Doct. Souls interessed in Jesus Christ are persons priviledged and exempted from Condemnation 1 They are freed from Condemnation at present Joh. 3.18 He that beleeveth in him is not condemned i. e. are not for the present under any Sentence of Condemnation as others are 2 They are also freed for future â—oh 5.24 Shall not come into Condemnation that is no sentence of Condemnation or execution thereof shall hereafter pass upon them In prosecution of which blessed comfortable truth I shall shew 1 What is meant by Condemnation which a Saint is freed from 2 VVhy souls in Christ must needs be freed from it 3 VVhat that is which frees them 4 How great and glorious a priviledge this is 5 Answer some Objections and then apply all As touching the First not to speak of the Word which hath various acceptions in Scripture but of the thing it self Condemnation holds forth three things 1 The passing a Sentence of Death upon a Malefactor this is a part of Condemnation now in Adam all men sinned and Gods Justice passed a Sentence of Condemnation upon all upon Adam himself actually and all his Posterity vertually as in his loines This sentence the Law of God passeth upon every individual man actually at his first coming into the VVorld and so all according to the Apostle Ephes 2.3 are borne children of wrath and all men from the first man to the last are under an actual sentence of Condemnation 2 The effects of the Sentence passed which are punishments inflicted on Soul and Body out of wrath and for satisfaction of Justice Before the Fall man lay under no punishment but the whole man had the Divine Image stamped upon it the Soul was endued with those Divine properties and perfections of Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness the Body free from sufferings and immortal Man falling God out of wrath strips him of his Image the Soul in a great measure is deprived of those glorious perfections of Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness the Body becomes passible and subject to Mortality so that the Excellencies of Soul and Body are lost and these are but the effects of the Sentence which the Justice of God did immediately pass upon Man so soon as he was fallen 3 The final execution of this Sentence and that is the heavie and insupportable Wrath of God lighting upon Soul and Body in Hell hereafter Taking Condemnation for either and all of these a Soul interessed in Christ is freed from it 1 From the Sentence passed true a Sentence was vertually passed upon him in the fall of Adam his common person but this was reversed in the standing of Jesus Christ the second Adam and his common person so actually also the Law of God passeth a Sentence upon him at his first coming into the World which is againe actually reversed at his conversion so as that a converted Soul stands free from any sentence arising either from Adams guilt or his owne Obj. But how can the Law in Equity and Justice passe an actual Sentence upon a man who before his coming into the World is justified in his common person Ans Though a Saint be justified long before in Christ yet the Law may pass an actual
justification from death eternal hath respect to his passive Rom. 5.10 Christs Passive obedience viz. his death and sufferings is that frees us from condemnation for herein hee bare the curse of the Law and was condemned for us So that all the free dome poor souls have from that guilt which is brought in by sin and the consequence thereof viz. a sentence of condemnation here with its effects and the final execution thereof hereafter is by the death of Christ his blood his passive obedience 1 Joh. 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Hence these and such like Scriptures which attribute justification to the blood death and sufferings of Christ speak not of justification fully but onely of a part of it viz. Justification from death eternal Hence also wee learn how exceedingly every Saint is beholding to Christ for dying for had hee not dyed wee had been all to this very day under the fearful sentence of condemnation with all the effects thereof and should have been under the final execution thereof for ever in hell hereafter and also for fulfilling the Law of God actively for him which had hee not done though his death shoud have freed him from hell yet could hee not have had an entrance into Heaven 4 But wherein doth it appear that this freedome from condemnation is such a great and glorious priviledge Answ 1. Is it not a great and glorious priviledge for a man to have all his accusers mouths stopped This is the priviledge of those who are freed from condemnation Suppose a Malefactor under sentence hath a pardon that very act stops all his accusers mouthes as to that thing for which hee was condemned So the act of Gods pardoning grace stops sins mouth consciences mouth the Devils mouth As there can bee no legal condemnation without a precedent accusation so there can bee no accusation as touching things remitted after pardon When Satan accused Joshua Zach. 3. begin Christ stops his mouth Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire So when the Devil accuseth any soul which hee hath delivered from condemnation Christ stops his mouth is not this Satan one whom I have freed from condemnation Have not I plucked him out of the fire Are not his sins pardoned Why then Satan doest thou rake up these old businesses again 2 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to bee freed from that which to bee under would make one unspeakably miserable for ever Soules freed from condemnation are so under condemnation and under the wrath of God which burnes like devouring flames of fire I Under condemnation and under all the plagues and judgements of God under the weight of all thy sins each of which will one day weigh like a mountain of lead under all the dreadful curses of the Law under the sting and biting of a tormenting conscience under the power of the Devil under all afflictions as legal punishments for sin c. 3 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to have ground to beleeve that I shall injoy an eternal life with God in glory after this short life is ended This is the soules that is freed from condemnation Christ would never have freed him from the one but in order to the other Hee would never have plucked him out of hell but in order to the putting him into Heaven and therefore once freed from hell and thou art safe for ever returning thither again Joh. 5.24 There is a passage from death to life but none back again 4 Is it not a great priviledge to bee in such a condition wherein I can triumph over all my enemies spiritual and temporal Soules freed from condemnation are in this condition they can triumph over sin because they see the guilt thereof taken away and have the promise and strength of Christ to mortifie it in them over the Law because the curse is gone Gal. 3.13 over the Devil because they see principalities and powers spoyled over death because it s but an entrance into life and so far as there is evil in it it s swallowed up into victory over hell because Christ hath delivered them from wrath to come over the malice reproaches contumelies of the world because Christ hath overcome the world and also they behold all the malice of the world bound up in a chain and that chaine to bee at the disposal of their Father 5 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to know assuredly that although through infirmity I fall into sin yet sin shall never be laid to my charge This is that souls also which is freed from condemnation Rom. 8.33.34 6 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to have a share and propriety in all that is Christs this is their's they are heirs of God and coheires with Christ and so Christs life death riches wisdome righteousness strength grace glory all is theirs 7 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to have all our afflictions and crosses turned into blessings and mercies This also is their's they meet with no affliction but it is a mercy to them if in poverty their poverty is a mercy if in sickness if in temptation under reproach under losses yea death it self yet it is a mercy 8 Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to have God and the whole Creation at peace with a man This likewise is theirs God is at peace with that soul Col. 1.20 and all the creatures which are at war with others are at peace with him Such are in Covenant with God and being so God makes a Covenant for them with all the creatures as Job 5.23 Hos 2.18 9 And lastly Is it not a great and glorious priviledge to have all things working together for our good Health if wee can have it strength parts riches honours if wee can have them Satans temptations Gods hidings c. all things conspiring as it were our good This is the priviledge of called souls who are freed from condemnation Rom. 8.28 Object O but will some poor soul say Were I freed from condemnation surely the Devil would not bee so busie with mee by his temptations I should not bee so under his power as I am Answ 1. It is one thing to bee under the power of Satan by way of Divine permission God permitting Satan to have a power over thee another by way of voluntary subjection Christ was under the power of Satan by way of Divine permission when his body by Satan was transported from place to place So also Peter when hee was left to be winnowed by Satan and Paul when buffeted yet none under Satans power by way of voluntary subjection 2 Thy temptations rather argue that thou art freed from condemnation than otherwise Satan doth not use to trouble his friends but those that are his enemies or in a way to bee so Object But I finde corruption strong within mee which surely would not bee were I freed from condemnation Answ 1. It is one thing to have the guilt of
prosecution of this point I shall shew 1 That the Saints have in-being in Jesus Christ 2 What in-being in Christ Saints have 3 That in-being in Christ frees Saints from Condemnation Of the first Saints have in-being in Christ 1 If Saints have in-being in the Covenant of Grace then also in Christ with whom this Covenant is made but Saints have in-being in the Covenant of Grace Heb. 8.8 for finding fault with them he saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah The Parties to whom this Covenant of Grace belongs are the house of Israel and the house of Iudah i.e. all the Saints The Covenant is made with Christ as Psal 89.3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen but for them that is they are the persons to whom all the priviledges and benefits of this New Covenant doe belong if therefore all the priviledges of the Covenant of Grace belong to Saints then have they in-being in the Covenant of Grace and so in Christ with whom the Covenant is made 2 If Saints are renewed after the Image of Christ then have they in-being in Christ no renewing by Christ but from in-being in Christ no depravation but from our union with the old Adam no renovation but through our union with the new Adam But Saints are renewed after the Image of Christ Col. 3.10 Beleevers are said to be renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him i.e. after the Image of Christ There is a knowledge that men have from their union with the old Adam i. e. natural light and natural understanding this knowledge though it were in mans first Creation very perfect yet now it is very imperfect and in a great measure lost Natural light and the Copy of Natural knowledge being much blotted by the Fall of man now Saints they are by Christ renewed in knowledge How not so much in a Natural way not in that knowledge which was a part of the Image of the first Adam but they are renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him i. e. the knowledge that Saints have by Christ it is Spiritual knowledge such knowledge as is a part of the Image of the new Adam so that Saints in their knowledge are renewed after the Image of Christ they have a knowledge for kind though not for degree the same with that Christ hath and as in their knowledge they are renewed after the Image of Christ so likewise in their righteousness and holiness which are the other parts of the Image of the new Adam they have such a righteousness as Christ hath and such a sanctification or holiness as Christ hath now this being so that Saints are renewed after the Image of Christ it must follow that they have in-being in Christ for renovation comes from union and in-being 3 If Saints may lay claime to Christ and what is Christs as their owne and proper right then have they in-being in Christ for in things of this nature propriety whereby I may challenge a thing for my owne comes from possession no possession no laying claime to a propriety But Saints may lay claime to Christ and what is in Christ as their owne they may lay claime to Christs Wisdome Riches Righteousness Strength Grace Glory and all as theirs and therefore they have in-being in Christ 4 If Saints are crucified with Christ quickned raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places with Christ then are they in Christ for it is by vertue of in-being that they are quickned together with him raised up and made to sit together in heavenly places Ephes 2.5 6. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus 5 If Saints partake of daily supplies of life grace and strength from Christ then are they in Christ for there is no participation but from union the branches partake of the juyce of the root from union with the root members partake of the life of the head from union with the head but Saints partake of daily supplies of grace life and strength from Christ without which constant supplies they grow dry and wither yea can doe nothing as Christ saith Joh. 15.5 I am the Vine yee are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me yee can doe nothing therefore have in-being in Christ 6 And lastly If Saints can never fall finally or perish everlastingly then have in-being in Christ for it is not hanging on the our-side of the Ark but being within which keeps from drowning it is not the branches lying by the Vine but being in it that preserves it from withering But Saints can never fall finally Joh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemration but is passed from death to life Ch. 10 28 29. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand my Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand therefore they have in-being in Christ 2 But what in-being in Christ have the Saints Ans There is a Three-fold in-being in Christ that Saints have 1 A Vertual in-being in Christ as Christ is the common Person or representative of all Gods Elect and this comes meerly from Gods Election there being no other reason of it God hath elected them to Salvation and therefore hath given them to Christ who is become their common person 2 A mystical in-being in Christ as Saints are members of that true Spiritual invisible Body whereof Christ is head this comes chiefly from regeneration 3 An actual in-being in Christ not but that the former which I terme mystical is actuall too but I distinguish it from that because that is such an in-being as chiefly tends to make the Body of Christ perfect this is such an in-being as doth chiefly tend to the making of their particular persons perfect in him whereby every Saint in particular hath actual union with Christ and is actually in this blessed Person of the Lord Jesus and by being in him made perfect and actually justified from all sin now this is through faith and regeneration Obj. But have not Saints actual union before Faith is Union the fruite of faith or faith of union Ans Actual union is Two fold either Christs actual uniting himself to us or out being actually united to Christ You in me I in you there is an actual union on Christs part and on our part Actual union on Christs part that is before beleeving and is then effected when Christ first comes into us by his Spirit to draw us to his
can receive the end of the Covenant but according to the connexion of means and end the fruit also of the Covenant and effect of the grace thereof 3 The New Covenant in its constitution hath not Mankind for its object but the elect remnant who are in it not because they beleeve but who beleeve because they are in it Heb. 8.10 This is the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel after those dayes c. not that the Covenant is made after those daies but fulfilled yet because in the promulgation Christ is tendred Repentance and Faith required in him with assurance that whosoever beleeves in him shall not perish therefore are all to adhere to that revelation not perplexing themselves about secret intention which cannot be known unto submission but after it 4 The New Covenant is a Covenant of Grace not in a large sense only for so the Old Covenant was of Grace the Lord did no more owe unto man a Covenant than Creation but in a special sense and distinguishing from the old Covenant viz. in freeness in fulness in firmness 1 The New Covenant is a free and absolute Covenant Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 where the termes are not I will if yee will but I will and yee shall the Lord being the only taking party and active in making the Covenant man being passive and taken into it long before he taketh hold upon it or upon Christ in it it is called therefore the New Testament it being the nature of a Testament to dispose of good things without the concurrence of any precedent act as necessary thereunto to bee performed by them to whose advantage those good things are disposed of moreover it is the New Testament in the Bloud of Christ the Head of the Covenant and Surety thereof had Adam fulfilled the Condition of his Covenant it had not remained conditionally to his Seed but they had enjoyed Paradice though not without works yet without works as the condition of such enjoyment In like manner Jesus Christ having performed the condition of the Covenant of Reconciliation his Seed hath peace though not without faith not without works yet without them as the condition thereof It is a famous question whether Faith bee the condition of the New Covenant as Works were the condition of the Old and argued with much seeming strength on both sides although with many it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were it not for the Word there would be no strife intending by a condition but medium fruitionis meanes of enjoyment of the end of the Covenant or qualificatio faederalis the qualification of a Covenanter necessary unto an actual claime and title to the blessings thereof in which sense the thing is granted but not the expression The New Covenant is pure and absolute in respect of condition many good from first to last being founded not in the will of man but of God consider it in the Decree that is absolute and inconditional and according to the good pleasure of God Ephes 1.5 a purpose of God which doth stand not of works but of him which calleth Rom. 9.11 Who hath mercy on whom he will have mercy vers 15. If the Decree were conditional it were no deceiver till after the Condition did God decree to write Names in his Book upon condition they beleeve repent and persevere none are written till then not till the exhalation of their last breath which is the utmost of perseverance the condition thereunto which is contrary to the Scriptures Eph. 1.4 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.2 Rev. 13.8 Consider it in the execution that is absolute also and inconditional as the Decree is If the Decree of life bee antecedent to the Decree of faith in order of nature then faith is no condition unto life in the execution though no man doth live without faith or thus If the Decree of glorifying of grace in the salvation of the creature be antecedent to the sanctification thereof then sanctification is no condition in the execution though no man not sanctified be glorified for the Lord peremptorily decrees to sanctifie save God doth not one thing for another though one thing after another therefore vocation is free Rom. 8.30 Matth. 11.25 26. Jam. 1.18 Justification free Rom. 3 24-4 5-5 18 Sanctification free Jer. 31.33 Ezek. 36.27 Glorification free Rom. 9.21.23 The Kingdome of Christ is a dew from the Lord which waiteth not for men nor tarrieth for the sons of men Mic. 5.7 What place then hath faith in the doctrine of the Covenant Wee may say of faith as Tertullus of the Governour Act. 24.2 By thee wee enjoy much quietness yet in all things Jesus Christ must have the preheminence Col. 1.18 It is a temptation and a suare when soules study faith more than Christ beleeve in faith more than in Christ and reason more for or against themselves from some worke in them than from the word and promise of the Father consider therefore 1 Faith is needful not unto the procurement of New Covenant blessings but the enjoyment thereof not any grace is purchased but much grace is possessed thereby Joh. 3.36 When a man is called unto a dinner coming is needful not unto procurement but enjoyment 2 Faith giveth no man a right to Christ or in Christ but receives a right The ransome of Christ and acceptation thereof is not mine because I beleeve but because it was intended for mee is given unto mee as the bread I eat is not mine because I eat it but upon some other former account it is in vain to give hope a reason for life unlesse hope have a reason 3 The Covenant is constituted in the whole without faith but not so executed The Elect non-convert are the children of the Covenant according to the Constitution but not according to the Execution being afar off in the region and shadow of death and yet loved before the world was free from the curse which was wholly and onely as to them upon the head of the Lord Jesus Gal. 3.13 Wherefore faith being the fruit of the Covenant and but subordinate and secondary means unto the actual fruition of the blessings of it it cannot properly bee called the Condition of the Covenant or have any higher respect then that order and way in which the fulnesse of Christ who is the life is communicated and received unto life eternal a consequent of the Covenant though antecedent to salvation as also prayer is Rom. 10.13 which yet is not the condition of the Covenant What danger is there in making faith the condition of the New Covenant as works were of the old Answ Much danger many wayes 1 The condition of the Old Covenant was the matter of justification by which and for which a man was justified but faith is no such matter therefore no such condition 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.19 The obedience which is the soules righteousnesse is the obedience of one but the obedience in beleeving is the obedience of