Laws set by him in the creation without taking advice of any creature I have oft endeavoured to prescribe to God certain ways which he should use in the government of his Church and other things I said ah Lord I would have it done in this order this event but God did altogether the contrary from that which I had requested then did I think but my counsel is not strange from the glory of God but will conduce much to sanctifie his name It 's well thought but doubtless God laught at this my wisedome and said Go too I know thee to be wise and learned but it was never my manner that Peter or Martin should teach lead form govern me I am not a passive God but an active Luth. Tom. 4. in Gen. fol. 56. 2 Extraordinary when God works against or besides his appointed order as in dividing the waters of the red Sea Reas 1 Because all things yea the most contingent things in the world are ordered by it as the falling of a tyle Exod 21.13 the flying of the head of the ax from the helve and killing a man Deut. 19.5 yea the ordering of a lot Prov. 16.33 2 The order of things in the world prove it 1 Natural order the motions of the heavens the Sun warms the earth the ayr moistens it the earth brings forth the grass the beasts feed on it and man feeds on them Look on the fowls God appoints them their residence Psal 104.17 18. and so doth he for other creatures Yea the fowl knows her appointed time and changes her country according to the season of the year That there 's a place appointed for the waters that they may not overflow the earth Psal 104.7 8 9. that there are springs of waters in the Valleys to give drink to the beasts of the field v. 10. that there should be an intercourse of light and darkness that the wilde beasts should get them to their dens on the day time that man may follow his work that there should be such provisions made for all the inhabitants of the world all this proves to us a providence 2 Politick order In Courts of Justice one Officer depends on another as wheels in a clock and moves not without the first wheel How many thousands are provided for in their several trades one depending upon another How hath God made the City to depend upon the Country and the Country upon the City how do all creatures move at his command as soldiers at the command of the General 3 From the reasonable actions God puts into unreasonable creatures Prov. 6.6 7 8. the Pismire having no guide over-seer nor ruler provideth her meat in the summer Jer. 8.6 7. the Stork Crane Swallow know their appointed time Who hath put wisdome in their inward parts Job 38.36 4 Should God not take care of things below it 's either because he will not or cannot or knowes them not but to affirm any of these were blasphemy 5 In his provision he makes for all creatures Psal 145.15 The eyes of all wait on thee and thou givest them food in due season thou openest thy hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing Psal 104.28 That thou givest them they gather thou openest thy hand they are filled with good v. 30. Every Spring God renues the face of the earth Psal 147.9 He giveth to the Beast his food and to the young Ravens which cry compared vvith Job 38.41 See Job cap. 36 37 38 39. 6 In ordering the sins of men for his own glory and good of his Church The envy of Josephs brethren for the advancement of Joseph and the preservation of Jacobs posterity The treason of Bigthan and Teresh for the advancement of Mordecai Cyrus his ambition for the Churches deliverance Titus Vespasian who persecuted the Christians at Rome God orders his passion that he goes to revenge Christs death at Jerusalem Sennacheribs covetousness and pride to punish the hypocrisie of the Jews Isai 10.5 6 7. the covetousness of Judas and malice of the devil to accomplish the work of our redemption 7 In a special respect to the good of his people Besides a general providence in the world he hath a special providence for their good 1 Cor. 9.9 He is the Savior of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the preserver of all but specially of them that believe 2 Tim. 4.9 10. 2 Chron. 16.9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect with him Zach. 2.8 He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye 8 In snaring the wicked in the work of their own hands Psal 9.16 The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands Higgaion Selah a thing to be meditated as Hierom renders it When Nebuchad-nezzar in his boasting is bereft of his wits Herod in his pomp eaten up of Worms the Philistims in their jollity have the house fall on them Judg. 16.30 who will not say they are taken in a snare 9 In making wicked men whether they will or no to do Gods will Acts 4.28 To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel had before determined to be done As in a kennel of hounds every one of them runs according to his natural inclination yet all of them serve the purpose of the Hunter And as in an Army of men one fights for honour another for spite another for pay yet all of them fight for victory for the Prince who sent them into the field so whatsoever wickedness evil men do they do but serve Gods providence and fulfill his will God sometimes changes their will sometimes stops it by offering consideration of good or ill danger or profit so that still he makes their wills serve his decree Use 1 Acknowledg this Providence in all thy undertakings God keeps us not onely waking but sleeping when we know not that we live then he observes our dreams in opposition of that tenent that God considers nothing but himself and is onely delighted in the beholding of himself in thy appointing future businesses James 4.15 16. Go to ye that say We will go to such a City and buy and sell c. Prov. 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledg him and he shall direct thy steps So did Eleazar for his Master Abraham Gen. 24. that he might get a Wife for Isaac but yet Eleazar did not neglect the use of means he that rightly looks to Gods providence is most carefull to use means When thou findest a treasure in digging of a field when thou escapest a fall in walking on a plank was it not God who brought thee to the one and saved thee from the other 2 Not to fear men to the balking of duty seeing Gods provicence takes care of us this stayed Davids heart when at Ziglag his Souldiers were at the point of stoning him 1 Sam. 30.6 He encouraged himself in
King cometh meek riding upon an Ass 2 Cor. 10 1 I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ 1 Peter 2 23 Isai 53 7 2 We have Saints commended for it Num 12 3 Moses was a very meek man above all the men of the earth Stephen Acts 7 60 Jer 11 19 3 It 's a great point of prudence to be of a meek spirit Jam. 3 13 q d a meek and a temperate carriage doth point out a prudent man 4 God hath promised sundry blessings to such as 1 Guidance and teaching in his way Psalm 25 9 2 Satisfaction Psalm 22 26 5 The infirmities and ignorance of those among whom we live Gal 6 1 We live not among perfect persons but among those who are apt to be overtaken with faults 6 Meekness will make our lives comfortable and pleasant This meekness hath these properties 1 It moderates anger impatience and revenge John 8 48 49 when the Jews told Christ he had a Devil he answers I have not a Devil with this caution that when Gods glory lies at stake then it speaks as in Moses Exod 32 27 who broke the Tables though a meek man 2 It shews it self by gentle answers and calm speeches Prov 26 11. Means to Meekness 1 Get poverty of spirit that you seeing your own wants and weaknesses may carry meekly towards others Gal 6.1 Restore him in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted 2 The ornament of this grace before God and men 1 Pet. 4.3 4. Hence it 's propounded to women instead of other ornaments 3 The wofull effect of a passionate frame of spirit Prov. 29.22 A furious man aboundeth with transgressions it 's apt to stir up strife 4 Consider we cannot walk worthy of our Christian calling without it Eph. 4.2 Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called with all meekness 5 As to have the sea calm the windes must be quieted so to have a meek spirit we must mortifie our lusts Jam. 4.1 Whence come wars and fightings come they not hence even from your lusts Though you may lay the cause on something else yet turbulency of heart ariseth from pride impatiency envy revenge c. 6 Consider the times wherein thy self was sinful and outragious Tit. 3.2 3. showing all meekness to all men for we our selves were sometimes foolish and disobedient living in malice and envy and thou then stood'st in need of forbearing so do now to others Obj. But if we must be thus meek how shall sin be reproved and Gods glory preserved and sinners gained A. As a good Musitian must know when he must strike the string of a lower sound when of a higher so must a Christian wisely consider from due circumstances where is place for meekness where for holy anger hence 1 meekness must be with conservation of Gods glory as in Moses 2 With a due witnessing against sin in the compass of our callings both by reprehensions and punishments herein Eli failed towards his sons 1 Sam. 2.23 3 With an endeavor to amend the sinner by reproof Gal. 6.1 We must not let him lie being faln for fear of grieving him no more then we would let a man lye that hath broken his leg for fear of putting him to pain onely as the one is done by a gentle hand so should the other be by a meek spirit There may fall out times and places where the exercise of meekness may be suspended and other graces take turn as to make good musick all the strings must be in tune but it 's not for all to sound but some at some times must be silent that others may do their part and their sound be heard For they shall inherit the earth q. d. Whereas it may be said If we be thus meek we shall expose our selves to all losses Christ saith Nay such shall inherit the earth Obj. Such as revenge themselves and will put up no wrongs are rather Lords of all things Ans Though they be Lords yet the tumultuousness of their lives keeps them from a comfortable possession of any thing Some by earth understand heaven Psalm 27.13 hence heaven is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. the land over against us see Psalm 142.5 thou art my portion in the land of the living q. d. ye meek are driven from your possession but you have a better in heaven He shall inherit the earth That is he hath not onely right to all at present 1 Cor. 3.22 All is yours but he shall partake of the new heaven and new earth 2 Pet. 2.13 They are not onely possessors of all by having contentation which is in stead of all but they shall actually reign on earth with Christ Apoc. 5.10 and hath made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign with him on earth Hence the text saith not the meek do inherit as if they had such a measure of earthly things as others or more but they shall have it for an inheritance Those that have followed me in the regeneration shall sit upon Thrones Matth. 19.28 the Kingdome and Dominion and the greatness of the kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high Also Heb. 2.5 Unto the Angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come there Saints have an inheritance To apply this 1 Comfort your selves in that small measure of earthly possessions As Abraham comforted himself that he should be heir of the world Rom. 4. though as yet he had not a foot thereof so should we comfort our selves in the promise 2 In all our spoil of goods when persecutors drive us from our possessions 3 In banishment whithersoever thou art driven thou art in thy own earth 2 Exhortation 1 Not to take any thing upon pretence of right to all for thou hast them but onely in promise 2 Moderate thy affections to the world thou shalt have earth enough one day be not like them Esai 5.8 They lay field to field that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth 3 To have a greatness of mind in hope of these enjoyments Earthly heirs are apt to have greatness of mind and to swell because of their estates 1 Tim. 6.17 but let us have a spiritual greatness of mind to contemn the pomp of the world Eccles 2.11.4 To press after the qualification 4 To get weanedness of affection to present possessions knowing though now you have a right in them for a time yet they shall be given to others though you shall have your share if godly notwithstanding any assurance in law that they are made over to you and your heirs for ever 1 Cor. 7.30 5 To have your faith and hope raised up to the expectation of the promise of new heavens and new earth Esa 65.17 2 Pet. 3.13 6 To press after meekness in hope of this inheritance V. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for
in the Life to come because their Reward is great in Heaven He means not the Reward of Merit but of Grace as if a King should give ten thousand pound a year for an hours service What I promise to give a man that is his reward though his service do not equal it as if I promise a man an hundred pound for making me a pair of gloves Now in merit there must be a proportion betwixt the work and wages for the recompence of merit is an act of righteousness now in all righteousness there must be equality when reward is promised to Gods children it is not to establish merit but to let Saints see that their labour will not be in vain Reasons against merit 1 God needs not any of our services nor gets no benefit by them Job 22.3 Can a man be profitable to God Job 35.7 8. If thou be righteous what givest thou to him or what receiveth he of thine hand Acts 17.25 He is not worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing 2 When we have done what we can we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 3 All good works are the workings of God in us and therefore reward is not due to our own works but God crowns his own grace in us so that Deus est debitor noster non ex commisso but promisso as Aug. saith God is our debtor not for any thing done by us but for his promise Matth. 10.42 So he promiseth to reward a cup of cold water given to a disciple 4 There is no proportion betwixt our sufferings and the crown of glory Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 18. we ought to take heed herein because the Papists use it to destroy grace Seeing then there is a reward in heaven let us endure reproaches we endure bitter Physick and sharp cutting in hope of long health let us endure reproaches and other sufferings in hope of glory Heb. 10.34 Use Caution Render not reviling for reviling imitate Christ 1 Pet. 2.23 and Paul 1 Cor. 4.12 being reviled we bless Yea he took pleasure in reproaches 2 Cor. 12.10 Let us look to the reward in heaven as Christ did Heb. 12.1 2. 3 Things may comfort under these 1 That our heart is well affected to every man yea even such as rail against us Matth. 5.44 2 That in private prayer we can pray for such reproaches Psal 109.3 4. 3 That thou hast a God to make thy complaint unto in all revilings as Nehemiah did Nehem. 4.3 4. 4 Your great reward in heaven 2 Exhortation Carry patiently under revilings for else 1 Thou wilt disturb thine own peace 2 Hereby thou wilt by an impatient frame of spirit discover so much evil as may be a just cause of revilement 3 By impatiency herein we may make others think us to be guilty 4 By reviling again you harden others in their reviling 5 You show great weakness to think so as if there were no other means to deliver you from an ill name but by an ill tongue Psal 38.12.13 When Davids enemies spake mischievous things against him he was a man that is both deaf dumb yet must we not so neglect our names that we should neglect the crimes falsely objected to us and confirm the slanderers but we must say I have not a Devil also If I have spoke evil bear witness of the evil He that neglects his name is cruell a good conscience is necessary for us before God a good name before our neighbour Luth. Ob. But I am guiltless and innocent and they reproach me falsely Ans The more false the things are the more cause thou hast to rejoyce if they were true thou hadst cause to be confounded For so persecuted they the Prophets Here 's the second ground of rejoycing It 's no otherwise with you then with the ancient Prophets of God whom they persecuted with reproaches as David Psal 31.11 Who was a reproach among his neighbours Psal 41.10 Mine enemies reproach me saying Where is thy God So strange were his reproaches that his heart was as it were broken with them Psal 69.20 So Jeremy cap. 20 10. I have heard the defaming of many Report say they and we will report it Nay it hath generally been the lot of true Prophets to be persecuted Matth. 23.34 So that we may say Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted Wâ—â—ness Eliah Micaiah Amos c. 7.13 Zachary Matth. 23.35 36. Yea the Disciples Matth. 10.23 So that we may â—â—y Gal. 4.29 As he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit So it is now Gal. 4.29 V. 13. Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost its savour wherewith shall it be salted It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be troden under foot of men Ye are the Salt of the Earth Quest Doth Christ call Ministers the Salt of the earth or all believers Ans Christ calls believers whether preachers or others the Salt of the earth 1 Because Christ not onely taught the twelve but all the disciples 2 Because it is not appropriated unto preachers alone but unto all believers to season others with grace for not onely preachers but all believers have the means of seasoning others as 1 Savoury speeches Col. 4.6 Let your speech be always with grace powdered with salt 2 Savoury examples Luke 14. ult Have salt in your selves and peace one with another that is as you live together in peace so let there be savoury and holy examples earth is put for the inhabitants of the earth by a Metonymie salt for them that do the duty of salt by a Metaphor But if the salt have lost his savor wherewith shall it be seasoned It is good for nothing no not so much as for the dunghill because it causes barrenness as if Christ should say If other men be unsavory you may season them but if you be unsavory who shall season you Use To apply this see 1 How unsavory mans nature is unless it be seasoned by the word Psal 14.3 men by nature are altogether become stinking their throats are like open sepulchres Rom. 3.13 Like putrified flesh to mans taste 2 See the duty of Christians which is to season others This is done 1 By the word which like unto salt gives rellish Psal 119.9 Wherewith all shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed unto thy word 2 By a holy and blameless conversation Scandalous practises make persons to stink Gen. 34.30 Simeon and Levi by their slaying the Sichemites made Jacob to stink among the inhabitants of the land Holy practises insensibly gain others 1 Pet. 3.1 Wives be subject to your husbands that if any obey not the word they may be won by the conversation of their wives let no man be led with vain glory because of present hearers let us live blamelesly among men and speak nothing for trifling sake but being much silent to answer to what
vices of Christians when their lives are holy they draw many to Christ when they are corrupt they turn many from Christ Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushell but on a candlestick A fourth Metaphor or similitude is taken from a candle set in a candlestick that gives light to them in the room such was Joshua and Zerubbabel Zach. 4.11 this was signified by the candlestick in the midst of the tabernacle and temple yea the seven Churches are called candlesticks Rev. 1.20 Churches ought not to meet in secret I mean for worship unless in some unusual case V. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your father in heaven Let your light so shine before men n this verse 2 things 1. A duty Let your light shine before men 2 The ends of the duty 1. That men may see your good works 2 may glorifie Gods 1. The duty let your light so shine before men Obs Christians ought to shine as lights to others Ob. But we are bid to do good in secret Ans Augustine answers he doth good not that he may be praised but God glorified in him he that doth this need not fear to be seen of men 1 From the state of conversion Eph. 5.8 Ye were once darkness now ye are light in the Lord walk as children of the light 1 John 1.6 2 That men may see your good works not to ambition as the Pharisees who gave alms to be seen of men Matth. 6.1 but to conversion to draw others to the faith not that you may be seen save in the praises of God Aug. in loc Tom. 10. de verb. dom 3 That men may glorifie our heavenly father 1 By receiving and approving the heavenly doctrine that you profess Song 6.1 The daughters of Jerusalem ask the Church Whither is thy beloved gone that we may seek him with thee 2 By conversion to the same faith 1 Pet. 2.12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles that they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation 3 By thanksgiving for so great a favour 1 Pet. 2.9 Praise him who hath called you from darkness to his marvellous light For application let your light shine forth to others for these ends testimony of conscience before God and testimony of a holy life before men 2 Cor. 8.21 Providing things honest not onely in the sight of the Lord but of men be not content to shine onely by doctrinals for so did the Jewish teachers Rom. 2.17 18 19. they were lights to them that were in darkness and rested herein but shine forth also in practicals Moreover in all your holy walking propose this end not that you may be magnified and lifted up above the stars but that God may be glorified as the authour of that little good you do the glory and praise of Christians in heaven is Christ as they are his glory praise on earth Luth. Tom. 2.94 So did John Baptist Joh. 3.30 He must increase I must decrease 2 Cor. 4.5 We preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord John 7.18 1 Cor. 10.31 Rom. 14.7 8. If any praise be cast on thee as God hath made honour to accompany virtuous actions as the shadow accompanies the body so hath God appointed estimation and praise to accompany a holy life give this glory to God Psalm 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but to thy Name do we give praise There is a secret influence in holy example though we speak never a word It will afflict our souls in death not onely to think of our personal evils but of our exemplary evil 2 Exhort Where you see holy Examples to follow them Luke 10.32 Shall God kindle Lights for us as Sun Moon and Stars and shall we not walk by their light Shall God give us holy Examples and we not walk by them Rom. 11.11 The Example of the Gentiles shall at length provoke the Jews to believe As Christians wrong the souls of wicked men when they do not give them an holy Example so do wicked men wrong their own souls when they follow not that Example which is given them A mans Life shews what his minde is for by the endeavours of our daily conversation our natures not appearing are understood Justin Martyr ad Zenam Serenum p. 394. That they may see your good works 2. things 1. What a good work is 2. What properties are requisite 1 What it is Answ It 's any thing commanded by God and done by a regenerate man so that 1 it must be commanded by God Mic. 6.8 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and it must be the work of a man whose person is accepted in Christ Matth. 7.16 Make the Tree good that the Fruit may be good Rom. 8.8 They that are in the Flesh cannot please God For as the sins of believers do not redound to their persons to make their persons wicked no more do the works of wicked men materially good as almes bounty c. redound to the persons of wicked men to make their persons righteous Prov. 15.8 Esa 66.2 2 The properties of a good work besides these two laid down as 1. commanded of God 2. done by a person accepted so 3. It must be done in a right manner as God hath set down Heb. 8.5 See thou make it according to the pattern shewed thee in the Mount John 14.31 as my father gave me a command so I do not onely what he commanded but as he commanded 4 It must be done to God Zach. 7.5 To whom hav eye fasted to me even to me Alms is a thing God commands yet if therein we have vain-glorious ends we have no other reward but the praise of men Matth. 6.1 2. Yet this single circumstance is not enough to make a work good for some thinking to do God service have killed his servants John 16.2 and some meerly out of zeal to God opposed Christianity and went about to stablish their own righteousness 5 That which is a good work must be brought about by just and holy means Rom. 3.8 We must not do evil that good may come we must not lye for God Job 13.6 7. herein Rahab the Midwives Exod. 1.19 and Jacob are supposed to fail Gen. 27.24 6 It must have a good end This is first in intention though last in execution Rom. 14.7 8. None of us That is of us that are Christians though the world do otherwise that lives to himself and no man dies to himself 2 Cor. 5.15 Jehu did a good work in destroying Baal out of Israel 2 Kings 10. and Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart 2 Chron. 25.2 they had some selfish ends as all carnal men have in what they did Use Learn how to judge of good works they are good when thus qualified Many things glorious in the
Some men are hard to please that do what you can you can never content them they are so humerous but it is not so with God If there be a willing minde and an holy sincere endeavour God accepts it 2 Cor. 8.12 If God should require obedience in rigour we could not please him Psal 130.3 but he requires obedience on easie terms even Gospel obedience and if there be some slips the Lord will be well pleased for his righteousness sake Esai 42.21 Matth. 17.5 6 It is a duty sutable to our consciences for when we do the will of God how doth conscience approve of it and how doth the conscience fill us with comfort herein 2 Cor. 1.12 when Paul's conscience witnessed that he endeavoured in godly sincerity to do Gods will it filled his soul with rejoycing 7 No formal professions are regarded of God how glorious soever unless we do Gods will Matth. 7.21 Not every one that saith Lord Lord but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven Mat. 21.29 31. The Father there had two sons one said he would go work in the Vineyard and did not the other said he would not and yet did and he is said to do the will of God Hence Christ saith Whosoever doth the will of my Father the same is my father and mother sister and brother Mark 3.35 8 It 's an everlasting duty When we come in heaven we must still be doing the will of God let us begin it then on earth Some duties cease when we die as prayer repentance mortification but this duty still continues for ever Ps 19.9 Pray we that God would grant us his grace not as to the wicked to do his will in being unwilling to do it but as to his children at leastwise to be willing to do it even in not doing it Du Ples c. 13. of Christ Relig. 9 This is the way to be stablished in conscience What is the will of God when we inure our selves to do it John 7.17 whereas others are wavering and uncertain 10 It hath been the commendation oâ— Christians that they have done the will of God It was Enech's praise that he pleased God Heb. 11.5 It was the praise of Zachary and Elizabeth Luk. 1.6 They walked in all the Commandements of God blameless for this Epaphras prayed that the Celossians might stand perfect in all the will of God Col. 4.12 11 To do Gods will is the way to have our own will bring your will to Gods and so you shall always have your will Because wicked men will not bring their wils to Gods they shall eternally suffer that they would not In earth as it is in heaven Though it may be interpreted of the course of the Stars that in a continual motion obey God yet Christ means it of the Angels Psal 10 â— 22 21 Praise him all his hosts ye ministers of his that do his pleasure We need not be ashamed of doing that our betters will do Herein we desire that we may serve the Lord on earth as the Angels in heaven serve him they do his will 1 Universally 2 Out of love 3 With cheerfulness 4 Perpetually so ought we this is to converse in heaven or to dwell in heaven to be like the Angels of heaven 5 Speedily as in the Angels sent to destroy Sennacheribs host and the seventy thousand in Davids time and young and old in Ezekiels time cap. 9.4 6 Faithfully The Angel tells the Lord I have done as thou hast commanded me Ezek. 11 9. We should endeavour to be â—â—ke them not that we can attain such perfection but that we should follow after without setting any measures or scâ—â—â—â—ings to our holiness In order to which patterns of holiness let us not onely look upon the Angels who are ready to serve us because the Lord biâ—s them for they all are ministring spirits Heb. 1.14 but we must use all means whereby we may more and more come to such an end which are the leading of the Spirit Rom. 8.14 and the guidance of the word and frequent prayer 2 Cor. 10.5 From all this four inferences 1 That not onely Angels but men ought to take notice of Gods will God ought not onely to rule in heaven but in the world 2 To mourn under our natural rebellion and long that God would heal it Rom. 7.15 16 17 23. 3 Pray to know the whole will of God Psal 143.10 Teach me to do thy will O God And that God would incline your hearts to do it It was Solomons prayer 1 Kin. 8.58 that God would incline the peoples hearts to walk in all his ways 4 That it 's not enough to do Gods will but we must do it like Angels we must do Gods will by being humble in conversation stedfast in faith gracious in words righteous in deeds exemplary in manners living peaceably with brethren enduring the wrongs of enemies and not retaliating To love God soveraignly and dearly to awe him reverently yea we must do it as Angels with an as of simitude though not of proportion Give us this day our daily bread Now we come to ask things which concerns our selves This Petition shews 1 That we must have a continual dependance upon the providence of God for earthly things Psal 145.15 16 The eyes of all wait on thee and thou givest them their meat in due season as the Israelites had for Manna 2 That we are onely to pray for necessities not for superfluities to pray for silk garments gold rings and jewels c. we have no command but onely for bread and clothes 1 Tim. 6.8 Having food and raiment be content but if God make our cup run over we owe more to God and his people the more we receive Prov. 8.9 Feed me with food convenient for me Therefore some Translations render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agreeing to our substance or the bread of want Jacob desired food to eat and raiment to put on Gen. 28.20 3 Christ would caution us herein against a carking sollicitude for to morrow Matth. 6. ult yet may there be a lawful care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the following day day after and under day is not meant onely one day but after the manner of the Hebrews the time of our life to come so that Christ would have us to commit the care to God that so long as life lasts he would give us nourishment Christ herein would remove from us as distrustfulness as not to doubt of Gods care of us so greediness whereby some pretend the expectation of old age for their covetousness So that Christ means give me sufficient for all my life following if thou pleasest not to give yearly give monethly if not monethly give daily bread and what ever thou givest more comes in over and above 4 Under bread is meant health peace and all temporal blessings Gen. 3.19 2 Kings 6.22 Job 42.11 houses strength 5 It showes all
a thing is the end of fasting is to get off hardness of heart and to get a melting frame and communion with God now to what end is thy fasting if you attain not the proper end thereof 9 Beware of the Rocks thou mayst dash thy self against in thy fasting as 1 To think thy fasting any satisfaction to divine justice as some Hypocrites seem to make it Isai 58.3 2 Beware that thou make not that a matter of gain which God hath made a matter of punishment hence what thou savest from thy family give to the poor Isai 58.6 7. The fast that God hath chosen is To lose the bands of wickedness and to deal thy bread to the hungry and bring the poor that are cast out to thy house 3 In thy fasts look not primarily at the removing of judgments and obtaining of mercies but primarily look at the return of Gods face and favour to thy soul and then at these benefits in the second place 4 If God in thy fasting shall at any time give thee enlargement of heart beware thou be not lifted up with it and so thou grow careless and thine heart harden upon a presumptuous conceitedness that thou hast found favour with God This was Hezekiah's case 2 Kings 19.15 compared with 2 Chron. 32.25 5 Think not fasting to be enough without turning from thy particular iniquity Isai 58.6 Thou must loose the bonds of wickedness In not turning from sin with thy fasting but retaining it thou must look to be plagued as Jezabel was after the fast in Jezreel 2 Kings 10. who profaning such an Ordinance came to have a more seared conscience and hardened heart after her fasting than before 6 Beware of feeding thy self without fear before or after a fast for Satan may lay snares both ways 7 Seen not to men to fast but to thy Father who sees in secret and will reward thee openly by granting thee that which thou prayest for and a Crown of Glory hereafter 8 Do not forbear the duty because of the painfulness of it when God calls thee to it Augustine saith What Storms are merchants exposed to to get wealth what Heats and Colds and Dangers do Hunters suffer from Horses Ditches Precipices from Rivers and wilde Beasts what hunger and thirst what straits of most mean meat and drink that they may take the beast and sometimes the flesh of the beast proves not fit to eat To what torments almost of daily strokes is the tender age of boys subject with what troubles of watching and abstinence are they exercised in their Schools not for to learn wisdom but for wealth that they may learn numbers he means figuring and cyphering I say if men will suffer such hardships for earthly things shall not we follow the Lord in painfull duties Aug. de verbis Domini Serm. 9. V. 18. Lay not up for your selves treasures on earth where Moth and Rust doth corrupt and where Thinges break thorow and steal but lay up for your selves treasures in heaven where neither Moth nor Rust doth corrupt and where Thieves do not break thorow nor steal for where your treasure is there will your hearts be also In the words two things 1 A prohibition v. 18. Lay not up for your selves treasure upon earth 2 A precept but lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven For both which there are three Reasons 1 From the corruptibility of all earthly things Rust and Moth corrupts them and Thieves steal them 2 From the incorruptibility and certainty of heavenly things neither Moth nor Rust doth corrupt them nor Thieves steal them 3 From the proneness of the heart to be where the treasure is v. 20. Lay not up for your selves treasure on earth Not as if Christ forbad the enjoyment of riches houshold-stuff apparel but he here condemns 1 A love of earthly things immoderately either by setting the heart upon them Psal 62.10 If riches increase set not your heart upon them or delighting Job 31.25 and rejoycing in the bare possession of them Luke 12.19 20. or tenaciously holding from good uses as the rich man that fared sumptuously every day but had nothing for Lazarus or through unbelief not disposing them to good uses for fear our selves or ours should come to want 1 Where moth and rust doth corrupt Here 's the first reason why we should not there lay up treasure on earth but in heaven because earthly treasures can hardly be kept but heavenly treasures will easily be kept earthly things can hardly be safe there are so many casualties to destroy them rust moth thieves Jam. 5.2 3. Your riches are corrupt and your garments moth eaten your gold and silver is cankred and the rust of them shall be a witness against you But lay up for your selves treasure in Heaven That is God and Christ and good works 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Ready to distribute laying up in store a good foundation against time to come Luk. 12.33 Sell that you have and give alms provide for your selves bags that wax not old a treasure in the Heaven that fades not It 's a folly for a man to lay up treasure there whence he is to go and not to send it thither whither he is to go It will appear that our treasure is not on earth but in Heaven 1 when our consciences witness with us that we love God soveraignly Psal 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee whom is there on earth I desire in comparison of thee 2 When the heart is ever and anon at spare hours running after God Psal 73.28 It 's good for me to draw near to God 3 By the dissatisfaction the soul hath in any thing without God but when God comes into the soul the soul as it were runs over Eccles 5.10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver give such a man all the world he is not satisfied till God come in the souls of good and bad men rest in their treasures 4 By the tendency of our endeavours as carnal men are still laying up one pound after another one field after another so a Christian is laying up one good work after another fruits that may abound in the day of account Phil. 4.17 And these not one or two or a few good works but many for a treasure is made up of much riches heaped together 5 By our vast desires after God when we can never have enough of him we never are satisfied with assurance enough we never have answers of prayers enough we can never have communion with God enough Carnal men have vast desires after the world because their treasures are there Psal 42.1 2. 6 By the consolation the soul takes in God and heavenly things Psal 4.6 Wordly men say who will shew them any good But a gracious heart saith Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon me As carnal men draw their chief comfort because they have so much goods so much in gold and silver so much in Bills and Bonds
so a Christian drawes his comfort from his spiritual treasure I saith he have so many answers from God such a measure of the spirits sealing so much peace of conscience such and such promises made over to my soul 7 By your pains in getting care in keeping and fear of losing Gods people spend much pains to get this heavenly treasure Joh. 6.27 They labour for the food that endureth to everlasting they will take pains with their souls and bodies they go from strength to strength till they appear before God in Sion Psal 84.7 Also they have a care to keep this treasure as men hide here and there and put lock upon lock for to guard it Achan he hid his two hundred shekels of silver and wedge of gold in the earth Josh 7.21 So Saints carefully keep their consciences pure carefully nourish communion with God carefully eschew sin Psal 119.11 called the hidden man 1 Pet. 3. So they are afraid of losing their treasure lest any lust should rob them of God or of peace of conscience 8 By the longings of the soul Whatsoever is the souls treasure the heart longs after it whether it be riches honour praise so if heavenly things be thy treasure thy soul will vehemently long after them if the Lord be thy treasure thy soul will long for him Psal 63.1 My soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and barren land wherein no water is The whole earth is as a barren land when the soul cannot enjoy God 9 By the references of the soul Men usually make all their references serve for their treasure their buying selling chopping changing so if heavenly things as Christ 〈◊〉 grace be thy treasure all will be refer'd to these Rom. 〈…〉 8. 1 Cor. 10. â—1 10 Treasures are prefer'd before all other things In any straits or difficulties persons are carefull to preserve these though with the loss of all their goods so if Christ and grace be thy treasure thou wilt sell all for him Matth. 13.44 The Kingdome of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field Paul counted all things dung in comparison of Christ Phil. 3.8 Gal. 6.14 God forbid I should rejoyce in any thing save in the cross of Jesus Christ 11 By the contentation the soul findes in it Whatsoever treasure the soul hath it is contented in it and not without it so if the Lord and heavenly things be thy treasure thou wilt be content with him and them Psal 16.3 4. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and my cup thou maintainest my lot the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly heritage See how contented he was in having God for his treasure Lam. 3.24 2 Use And as it serves for Trial so 2 for Caution not to lay up treasures on earth Not that earthly treasure is simply unlawfull Pro. 21.20 There is treasure to be desired in the dwelling of the wise but a foolish man spendeth it up Christ had his bag which Judas bare There was treasures in the house of God 1 Kin. 15.18 We finde sundry godly Princes have had treasures as David 1 Chro. 29.3 4. and Asa 1 Kin. 15.18 There was a treasury into which the poor Widow threw her mite Luk. 21.1 the Wise men that came to Christ had treasures of gold and other precious things But Christ here taxes the inordinate treasuring up of earthly things as 1 an unboundedly immense and exceeding large multiplying of earthly things The Prince himself was commanded not greatly to multiply to himself silver and gold Deut. 17.17 much less must private persons that have not half those wants that Princes have Jam. 5.3 Some rich men had so much gold and silver lying by them that it cankered and rusted yea they heaped up treasure together to the last day Some persons having but one or never a childe heap up earthly things in as great a measure as if they had twenty children 2 The loving of earthly things soveraignly as the young man who left Christ rather then his estate Matth. 19.22 and Demas who forsook Paul to embrace this present world 3 When we shall seek earthly treasures primarily Matth. 6.33 First seek the Kingdome of God 4 When we treasure them up ultimately or restingly as that wherein our souls rest The Glutton thus fill'd his Barns and his soul rested in them Luk. 12.19 Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry The Apostle bids love not the world 1 Joh. 2.16 The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 greatly to rest in it 5 When we treasure them up unnecessarily for we are onely to desire things necessary for the state and condition wherein God hath placed us for us and ours for the present and for future 1 Tim. 6.8 Having food and raiment let us therewith be content Against this the Wise man speaks Eccles 4.8 There is one alone and there is not a second yea he hath neither childe nor brother yet is there no end of all his labour neither is his eye satisfied with riches neither saith he for whom do I labour and bereave my soul of good Men that thirst for abundance can hardly keep conscience pure 6 Lay not up treasures on earth with neglect of spiritual graces and comforts The wicked had abundance of wealth Job 21.10 13. Hence v. 14. Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes 7 When we onely lay up treasure to our selves Men that labour with their hands are not onely to treasure up for themselves and families but also to give to him that lacketh Eph. 4.28 much more others Men that lay up treasure to themselves and theirs onely are called fools Luke 12.21 so is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God We ought to have the cause of God and poor Saints and godly uses to lye upon us as well as family wants the same commandement of God that tyes us to our children tyes us to the poor and to other good uses though not in the same measure of ministration Grounds why we should not lay up treasure on earth 1 Those that have had the most of them have confest a vanity in them Eccles 2.8 Solomon gathered Silver and Gold and had peculiar Treasures yea v. 9. he was increased more than all that were before him in Jerusalem yet v. 11. he saith All was vanity and vexation of spirit 2 Earthly Treasures are liable to consume and perish Thieves Moth Rust consume them It is not our calling them Fee-simples Inheritances Perpetuities or the Conveyance of them to us and our heirs for ever that will make them durable They are like fugitive Servants which oft
his disciples to go to the Samaritans and yet he himself would go to them and convert them Joh. 4.40 Answ It might be because they were in the same condition with the rest of the heathen and so the Gospel was not to be given to them at first 2 Or else because Christ himself intended to go thither therefore there was no need for his Disciples to go thither 3 Christ did not wholly forbid his Disciples to go to the Gentiles but onely that the first fruits of their ministry should be given to the Jews Act. 13.46 These Samaritans were neither Jews nor Gentiles but a mixture of Jewish and Gentile Religion together 1 King 17.24.33 V. 6. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel To the lost sheep of the house of Israel Christ was sent Matth. 15.24 By these lost sheep Christ means the Tribes of Juda Benjamin and Levi who came back out of Captivity to whom sundry of the other Tribes joyned themselves or at least the godly among them he calls them lost sheep because they wanted good pastors and teachers after his resurrection he tells his Disciples that they should be his witnesses in all Judaea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth Act. 1.8 Mean time they as all other preachers ought to do must contain themselves in the bounds of their lawful calling 1 Pet. 5.2 Feed the flock of God which is among you Feed the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers Act. 20.28 These Israelites were called sheep Psal 74.1.79.13.80.1 They were called lost because every man by nature is in a lost condition Psal 14.3 4. Matth. 18.10 Sundry of these were reprobates yet called by the name of sheep because they were adopted unto God for a people and were a national Church V. 7. And as ye go preach saying The Kingdom of heaven is at hand Here was the summe of the preaching Christ enjoyned these twelve to wit whereas the Jews expected a carnal and temporal kingdom wherein by the driving out the Romans and all their other enemies the Messias would place them Christ therefore bids his Disciples tell them that though there were a glorious Kingdom promised to the Jews upon earth yet that kingdom being far off there was another kingdom near at hand wherein the Lord Jesus should throw down Satans kingdom and set up his own translating his people thereinto Col. 1.13 and therefore that with a willing mind they should receive this king not onely by his power and providence ruling in the world but also ruling in their hearts every purpose by true and unfained repentance being brought under his government which other tearms express thus Luk. 24.47 That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem Neither did the twelve onely repeat these words but under them is expressed the benefits by Christ the manner of receiving and applying Christ and his benefits the resurrection last judgement heaven hell the burning of the world the denial of our selves both in lusts and enjoyments the future punishment that would betide those who refused the present grace offered But because faith and repentance was the preparation to this kingdom doubtless they insisted hereupon especially Great is the benefit of faithfull preaching which makes the kingdom of God which was far from us to be nigh unto us By this preaching it is that lost sheep are brought home into Christs fold V. 8. Heal the sick cleanse the Lepers raise the dead cast out Devils freely ye have received freely give Christ shows that his disciples should use the power of doing miracles together with their preaching with all freeness and readiness that they should not spare their miracles when there was any need thereof when they were desired thereto or their doctrine stood need of confirmation for hereby they should not onely get authority to their doctrine but good will to their persons and these miracles should supply their want of learning and language There are many whom other adjurers and inchanters and your witches could not cure very many of our men I say Christians have healed and do heal adjuring them by the name of Jesus Christ Crucified under Pontius Pilate disarming and casting out devils from men that have possessed them Just Mart. Apol. 1. p. 35. The power of his name Devils fear and tremble who being adjured by the name of Christ Crucified under Pontius Pilate obey us Just cont Triph p. 191. see the same p. 235. also p. 243. and Justin adds if you adjure devils by the name of your kings prophets or righteous men they will not be cast out Now as when God sent Moses to Israel to bring them out of Egypt he enabled him to do sundry miracles to gain belief to his words and that the people might know he was sent of God so doth Christ give his Disciples the like power for the same end Onely whereas some of Moses miracles were for terror the miracles of the Disciples were profitable and beneficial to those who partook of them Freely ye have received freely give As if he should say The scholers of Physicians get the skill of healing diseases with a great expence of time and study and not without great charge of money but you have received this power in a moment without any cost or labour therefore having received freely give freely You must not make sale of miracles to covetousness or vain glory for he well knew how the heart of some of them to wit Judas hung after money and the seeds of covetousness as well as other sins were in the hearts of the rest So Elisha would take nothing of Naaman for healing his Leprosie 2 King 5.16 and Gehezi taking money herein was smit with the same Leprosie When Magus would have bought this power Peter said Thy money perish with thee Act. 8.20 Reasons why they might take nothing for doing miracles 1 The selling of them perverts the end wherefore they were given which was not to satisfie any mans covetous lust but to confirm the Gospel 2 It s absurd for an Embassadour to make sale of the Princes favour which he is commanded in the Princes name to bestow upon his subjects 3 That whiles such Miracles were done freely the name of God might be more glorified and the Doctrine which they confirmed accepted for men do less esteem those benefits which themselves in some sort can recompense Quest Whether doth this precept Freely you have received freely give belong to one or both these precepts or to the latter onely Heal the sick cleanse the Lepers Answ Some of the learned think it belongs onely to the latter Howbeit to covenant for a Reward for such an act which is directly appointed to the glory of God is say some doubtless contrary to the glory of God hence it had been unlawfull directly or indirectly to compact with any man for any Miracle done for
course of the world Eph. 2.2 3. the guise of the times 6 The holy example of Christ hath a mighty transforming power to change us Sight works upon the imagination of bruit beasts as when Jacob laid the party-coloured rods before the sheep much more let us beholding the glorious grace of Christ in the Gospel be changed into the Image thereof 2 Cor. 3.18 Use 1 Be exhorted to follow Christ You say you do you are baptized into his name well but have you put on Christ Gal. 3.27 As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ Can we say a man hath put on his clothes that hath never a rag on him neither doublet shirt c. so when thou hast not Christ in thy words in thy shop in thy conversing in thy company c. how canst thou say thou hast put on Christ A Christian should be like that Martyr who to all demands answered he was a Christian when they asked his name he answered Christian when they asked his calling he answered Christian To rule over others to be in a better condition then others to be rich and to offer violence to inferiours is not to be blessed neither can any man imitate God in any of these things But he that bears his neighbours burden and being above doth good to him that is below what he hath from God gives it to them that are in want he is a follower of God thou so doing and living on the earth shalt behold God in the heavens governing the earth as a Common-wealth then shalt thou begin to speak the mysteries of God then shalt thou both love and wonder at those that are punished because they will not deny the Lord then wilt thou contemn the error of the world when thou hast learned to live in heaven then shalt thou begin to be a contemner of that which is here counted death and to fear death which indeed is death I speak not of strange things but being a Scholar of the Apostles I am become a Teacher of the Gentiles and what things were delivered to me I deliver to disciples Just Mart. ad Diognetum pag. 387. In imitation we chuse the rarest pattern in writing in building what pattern so excellent as Christ to follow we are apt to admire a picture drawn to life No person is so resembled by his picture as Christ is resembled by a humble holy walking Christian that hath the same graces stampt upon his soul that were in Christ though not in the same measure Joh. 1.17 Phil. 2.5 Means to follow Christ 1 Get the spirit of Christ 2 Cor. 3.18 We are transformed into the same image from glory to glory that is from one glorious grace to another but how as by the spirit of the Lord so that as the spirit put a mighty impulse upon Elisha to follow Eliah so doth the Spirit in Saints to follow Christ As in property of speech it is not the eye that sees but the man that sees with his eyes it is not the knife that cuts but the man that cuts with the knife it is not the ear that hears but the man that hears with the ear so in the body of Christ it 's no more the man that speaks but the truth of Christ that speaks in the man 1 Cor. 2.16 If we be in Christ Christ speaks in us thinks in us walks in us works in us The life of a Christian is not of himself but of Christ living in him A Christian lives not speaks not works not suffers not but Christ in him Luth. Tom. 1. fol. 438. 2 Take heed of impediments as 1 Love of credit Joh. 5.44 How can ye believe that seek honour one of another 2 Slanders Acts 28.22 As concerning this Sect we find it every where spoken against 3 Shame of the world Mark 8.38 Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words 4 Weights Heb. 12.1 2. Let us lay aside every weight Many a man by the weight of his calling and the weight of earthly employments and estate is so prest down that he cannot follow Christ 5 The pull-back of alliance and acquaintance He hath a devil and is mad why hear ye him Joh. 10.20 When the Officers began to be acquainted with Christ saying never man spake like this and Nicodemus began to be taken with Christ how did the Pharisees labour to take them off Joh. 7.45 to v. 53. 6 The poverty and meanness of Christ and of his Disciples in this world Matth. 8.19 20. Matth. 11.6 7 Mistakes in Christian religion Joh. 6.66 because Christ had spoken of eating of his flesh and drinking his blood many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him 3 Take up the cross what man can follow Christ without it Hence Christ conjoyns them Many follow Christ as cowardly soldiers do their Captain till the battle be to be fought and then they flie Matth. 19.27 4 Get love to Christ Song 3.1 2 3. Motives to follow Christ 1 He is our Shepherd we are his sheep Joh. 10.27 My sheep hear my voice and they follow me 2 It s the badge of Christs redeemed ones to follow Christ Rev. 14.4 They follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth they follow him in the regeneration Matth. 19.28 they follow him in glorification 1 Thes 4.15 16. 3 Our former haltings between Christ and the world We have walked as a serving man that followes two Gentlemen a stranger cannot tell as they walk to which of them he belongs Heb. 12.13 4 Where Christ is entertained we that follow him shall be entertained Matth. 10.40 He that receiveth me receiveth you as he that followes a Gentleman is entertained where his Master is entertained 5 It s an indispenceable duty if thou dost not follow Christ thou art not worthy of him That is Christ will never think thee worthy of him Many things may be dispensed with but duty to God cannot be dispensed with 7 The perfect example Christ hath left us 1 Pet. 2.22 leaving us a copy as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Metaphor from Schollars who begin their lines and make their letters like their Masters though they cannot write so exactly so let us imitate Christ in speaking acting c. V. 39. He that findeth his life shall lose it and he that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it Christ speaks after the opinion of men who think they have found their life Liberty or Estate when by denying of the truth they have saved them contrariwise they that have parted with their life Liberty and state for Christ sake carnal men think such men have lost them 1 But Christ tels the contrary saying he that findeth his life to wit with the loss of his conscience shall lose it and he that loseth his life for the witness of any truth of Christ shall be sure to save it eternally Findeth his life To finde the life is to invent tricks and evasions and cunning distinctions to
Lord to remember his kindnesses he had done for the house of the Lord and the offices thereof Neh. 13.14 and for the consecration of the Sabbath he concludes Remember mee O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the multitude of thy mercy See he begs sparing from God in his best services Psal 143.2 Enter not into judgement with thy Servant The very servants of God cannot stand in judgement by their own righteousness 4 Paul after conversion desires to be found Having Christs righteousness upon him and not his own at the day of judgement Phil. 3.9 The dangers of those who seek to be righteous by their own righteousness are 1 So long as thou stablishes thy own righteousness thou wilt not submit to Christs righteousness Rom. 10.3 4. They being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to stablish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God In the world the Law and works are so to be urged as if there were no promise but Christians are so to be taught to live as if there were no Law Luth. By grace we are made heirs the works which follow do not make us heirs or sons but are done of heirs and sons to testifie thanksgiving and obedience Luth. in Psal 130. A person will not seek out for a Phisician till he feel himself sick Matth. 9.13 If thou puttest thy deliverance from sin and wrath upon the performance of that righteousness the Law commands as any cause thereof thou makes thine own righteousness as great an idol as can be because thou makes thy righteousness to be that which Gods righteousness onely is and as thy righteousness will speak thou wilt have peace or bitterness this is in effect to make our own righteousness our Mediator Suppose your righteousness were a fullfilling of the whole Law one point excepted that very failing makes you guilty of the breach of all the rest and when men stand guilty before God Jam. 2.10.11 shall they plead that which is guilty to finde acceptation In the business of justification no man can enough remove the Law out of his sight and behold the promise alone Luth. Tom. 4.103 Bernard and other Doctors when they are out of disputation teach Christ purely but when they go into the field of the Law they so dispute as if there were no Christ at all Luth. in Psalm 130. The best righteousness we ever performed is not able as a deserving cause to turn away the least sin or wrath or to procure the least favour from God Gen. 32.10 I am less then the least of thy mercies said Jacob onely God having promised these mercies of his free grace we are in the use of means to seek hope for and expect a conveyance of them Quest But doth not our righteousness move and melt the Lord and prevail with him to do this or that good for his people Answ No It was not Hezekiahs prayers and tears Cornelius his prayers and alms Daniel his prayer and fasting Dan. 9.17 That melted and moved God but his own son hence Daniel prayes Cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary which is desolate for the Lords sake vers 17. Obj. But if we get nothing by our righteousness then we had as good sit still and do nothing Answ I overthrow it onely in point of satisfaction to divine justice in point of merit If works alone be taught as it happens in the Papacy faith is lost if faith alone be taught presently carnal men dream works are not necessary without the cause of justification No man can enough commend good works Who can enough declare the profit of one good work which a Christian doth from and in faith It 's more pretious then heaven and earth therefore the whole world in this life cannot give a worthy reward for such a good work Luth. Tom. 4. fol. 109. But for righteousness as it is one with uprighness I establish it Psalm 32.11 Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart See whom he calls righteous even them whom he calls upright Psalm 125.4 Do good to them that are good who are they even them who are upright in heart yea further God will crown the righteousness of his servants 2 Tim. 4.8 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness and not to me onely but to them also who love his appearing yea the righteous shall shine in the Kingdom of their father Matth. 13.43 And God hath a special eye of providence over such 1 Pet. 3.12 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ear is open to their cry See Gods care of righteous Noah Gen. 6.8 9. and of Lot 2 Pet. 7.8 9. 2 Moreover we ought to look upon our performances of prayer fasting baptisme supper c. as the ordinances of God wherein the Lord hath appointed us to meet with him and wherein he will make good the things he hath promised therein Esa 64.5 Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousness He comes with his handfull and poures out that which his own freeness hath engaged him to do for us Good works are no other thing then thanksgiving they are not done for righteousness but for witness they please not God simply for themselves but for the person believing Luth. We do confess our sins to him but what is the ground of forgiveness not our confessions prayers or tears but his own free grace because he delights in mercy Mic. 7.19 3 It 's base selfishness when thou wilt do no righteousness but for thy own sake who if thou shouldest know before hand thy righteousness would get thee nothing wouldest sit still and do nothing quere whether such a man had not indeed as good sit still and do nothing 4 Righteousness of sanctification and uprightness is evidential in point of assurance 2 Pet. 1.6 7 8 9 10. 1 Tim. 6.17 18. 5 To testifie our thankfulness Rom. 12.1 2 Danger by establishing thy own righteousness thou unthrones Christ of the principal part of his Office which is to be the righteousness of his people Jer. 23.6 Rom. 5.17 18. By the obedience of one shall many be placed righteous It s Christs Office to place persons at his Judgement seat righteous hence some read it constituentur This mistery was shadowed Exod. 25.17 18 19. The Law or Testimony was to be put in the Ark and the Mercy-seat was to be set upon the Ark v. 21. Christ is this Propitiatory or Mercy-seat Rom 3.25 1 John 2.2 Let us not take the Law out of the Ark as our righteousness but cast our eye upon the Mercy-seat which covers the Ark and Testimony 2 Use Consolation to the Saints that though made infamous by the world God counts them righteous our Principal comfort is that Christ takes away our filthy garments and gives us the righteousness of his Son Zach. 3.4 That all accusations that Satan can put