in deed and truth not a talkative love but an active vigorous faithful fruitful love is acceptable both to God and man even the love that is kind and thinketh not evil is not easily provoked like unto Christs Love which he shewed evidently in his active and passive obedience doing good to all men not being weary in well-doing especially unto them who are of the houshold of Faith loving all Saints as Saints imitating Christ as in his active so in his passive obedience suffering with them and for them with all long-suffering and patience being their Brethren and Companions in Tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Lives for the Brethren we love not the Brethren if we love our Lives better than them This is Love that we walk after the Commandment of Christ they that walk worthy of God walk in the Wayes of his Commandments with and before the Lord humbly obeying from the heart that form of Doctrine which he delivered them that they may serve him thereby in newness of Spirit and in newness of Life they who would enter into Life must thus keep the Commandments for blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates of the City Is there then a Kingdom of Grace and Glory Is it purposed prepared purchased promised and reserved in Heaven for us Have we a real interest in and a true Title to this Kingdom O let the high praises of God then be in our hearts in our lips and in our lives who hath called us unto this Kingdom and Glory Let David's resolution and practice be ours I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live I will sing praises unto my God while I have any Being every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name his Heart and Tongue and Life were fixed and prepared for this blessed Work called therefore the sweet singer of Israel My heart is fixed and prepared O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth he prayes that he may praise O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise his whole Life and Conversation nothing else but a continual Hymn to God How fearful was he to sin O-let me not wander from thy Commandments refraining his feet from every evil Way that he might keep the Word of God hating every false Way rejoycing in the Way of his Testimonies as much as in all Riches inclining his heart to perform his Statutes alway even unto the end Was it David's Duty Delight and Work to be still praising God and is it not ours Have we not or may we not have as great reason and occasion to bless God as he every one that will may have God and Christ and Grace and Glory to praise and bless God for as his portion and happiness for ever If every one of us with David could say Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee He may also say when his flesh and his heart faileth him God is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever which is matter great enough to praise the Name of God for with a Song and magnifie him with Thanksgiving It is the silent Work of all the Works of God to praise him passively and the highest duty of Saints to bless him actively All thy Works shall praise thee O Lord and thy Saints shall bless thee David calls upon the whole Creation to pay this homage of praise to God as their duty and Gods due Praise ye the Lord from the Heavens praise him all Angels all Men Kings of the earth and all People Princes and all Judges of the earth both young Men and Maidens old Men and Children Sun Moon and Stars Earth Sea let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name alone is excellent his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven his glorious Name is exalted above all blessing and praise O the Treasures of Excellencies that are in God in every one of his unsearchable Names his Word and his wonderful Works his Works of Creation Redemption Providence c. which are external of Election Predestination Justification Adoption Regeneration Sanctification Consolation which are internal and the everlasting Kingdom of Glory matter for eternal praises Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable so are all his other Attributes God is especially to be praised in his Sanctuary every one there is to speak the praises of the glorious honour of his Majesty and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom Glorious things are spoken of God in his Kingdom of Grace and more glorious things here unutterable are spoken in the Kingdom of Glory Behold now is the accepted time to prepare and tune our hearts tongues and lives in the Kingdom of Grace for this Duty and Work of praise in the Kingdom of Glory what is it to glorifie God but to praise him whoso offereth praise and ordereth his Conversation aright glorifieth him It is meerly for want of the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and him Crucified and our unacquaintedness with the glorious excellencies of this Kingdom of God which is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory and our interest in it that we speak no more of the glory of this Kingdom and glorifie God no more by speaking to our selves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs making melody in our hearts unto the Lord giving Thanks alwayes for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Were all in these Kingdoms Eye-Witnesses of the Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ and Ear-Witnesses as Peter and others were of his receiving from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased I say Were these things ever before our eyes and ever sounding in our ears there would certainly be more seeking and praying and praising God for this Kingdom of God which contains all the glory we can possibly want or wish than now there is Have we not a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto we should all of us do well that we take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in our hearts Do we not say that the whole Word of God is true Is there any that professedly deny a future state of glory Why do we not all bless God for it till we bless God in it Let every
Word are his Laws Angels all Kings and Kingdoms are his Subjects All power is given unto this King in heaven and in earth he hath a Kingdom in every true Believer where he dwells and reigns as King The Sacred Scriptures are his Laws written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshly tables of their hearts their bâ—dies souls spirits every member faculty power quality and all that is within them mind memory will conscience affections thoughts intents desires c. words actions and all their enemies sin Satan and the world the honours pleasures treasures thereof are his Subjects This King of Saints is personally in heaven but dwells and reigns mystically in true Believers by his Spirit by his Word by his Grace Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Now the Office of the holy Spirit is by Regeneration to wash and cleanse our bodies souls and spirits from all filthiness that by his divine power we may be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth And by applying also the blood of Christ If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your consciences from dead works Ye know ye were not redeemed from your vain conversation with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ The holy Ghost is given to purifie our hearts by the grace of faith This King by his Spirit Word Bloud and Grace creates in us clean hearts and renews right spirits within us and thereby also prepares our bodies souls and spirits to be temples and habitations meet for his Majesty to inhabit and dwell in As our bodies are filled with our souls and spirits so would our gracious King have us filled in our bodies souls and spirits with all the fulness of God Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Such is the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man that according to his mercy he saves us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost which he sheds upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour He would have his word dwell in us richly in all wisdom for reaching and admonishing one another By his blood he dwelleth in us How free was he of it during the time of his pâ—ssive obedience in his estate of humiliation He poured out his soul unto death Being in an agony his sweat was as it were great drops of bloud falling down to the ground He offered his side to be broached that he might shed his hearts blood for our redemption the remission of our sins reconciliation our sanctification and salvation In whom we have redemption through his blood Without shedding of bloud there is no remission He hath made peace through the blood of his cross Reconciling all things unto himself whether they be things in earth or things in heaven The blood of Christ through the eternal Spirit purgeth our consciences from dead works to serve the living God Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him In his estate of Exaltation how free is he also of his blood by the virtue of it he makes continual intercession for us In the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper we have his blood given to drink which he tells us is drink indeed and calls upon us to drink yea to drink abundantly He dwelleth in us by his grace It pleâ—sed the Father that in him should all fulness dwell a fulness of grace and truth The fulness of him that fi leth all in all That of his fulness we all might receive grace for grace Through him great grace was upon all the Apostles and many of the Primitive Christians He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers with gifts and graces for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ That we henceforth be no more children tâ—ssed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love The Universal Church is the body of Christ his Spirit the virtue of his Bloud his Word Graces and Comforts are the life welfare and soul of it Christ our King dwells in this his body and every member of it which is his Kingdom by righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost He covers his body with the robe of his righteousness for their Justification which is their upper garment And to the Church the Lamb's Wife is granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen her under garment which is righteousness for Sanctification and purity both in body soul spirit and conversation The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus This Church or Body of Christ looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness is diligently to be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And knowing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for the sake of his Body which is the Church he became poor that through his poverty it might be made rich through him have an access by one Spirit unto the Father of lights from whom cometh every good gift and every perfect gift whether of Nature of Grace or of Glory For the Lord God is a sun and shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly The spirit of power of love and of a sound mind are his gift which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created the new man to be renewed in the spirit of his mind For that the soul be without knowledge is not good especially the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and him crucified all other knowledge shall vanish away but this is life eternal to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ
his Son made of a Woman made under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons we are all the Childrâ—n of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Sanctification According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in love God hath from the beginning chosen us to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth Consolation Our Lord Jesus himself and God even our Father which hath loved us hath given us everlasting Consolation through Grace Glorification There is no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus them he also Glorifieth they are called by the Gospel to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ especially at the day of Judgment when he shall come to be Glorified in his Saints to give Glory to them to receive Glory by them when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in Glory The Glory which God the Father gâ—ve his Son the Glory which thou gâ—vest me I have given them Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me To receive Glory from them passively actively the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in us and we in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ The faithful Ministers of Christ and Christ himself saith What is our Hope or Joy or Crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of God ye are our glory and jâ—y for this Joy that was set before him he endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God where he sees the travel of his Soul and is satisfied The general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in Heâ—ven shall Sing this new Song to the honour of the Lord Jesus Christ in Communion with all the holy Angels Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and blessing And every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are in them shall say Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Thus out of the Fullness which is in Christ do we all receive and Grace for Grace as Grace without us and upon us so all Grace within us namely saving-wisdom and knowledge all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in him who is the wisdom in a Myâ—â—ery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the World unto our glory which none of the Princes of this World knew but God hath Revealed him unto us Even the Mystery which hath been hid from Ages and from Generations but now is made manifest to his Saints The Mystery of Godliness which without controversie is great God manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels Preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the World received up into Glory And unto us by his spirit it pleased God saith St. Paul who called me by his Grace to reveal Christ in me No Man knoweth the things of a Man save the spirit of man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God of him are we in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom For this end Christ as our only Mediator hath taken upon himself the Office of a Prophet a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son who was not only a Prophet but a Preacher of this kingdom of God of whom it was truly said Never Man spake like this Man For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him the Spirit of the Lord anointed him to Preach the Gospel to the Poor he sent him to heal the broken in heart to Preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to Preach the acceptable year of the Lord All bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and undestanding It is he that Teaâ—heth in the wâ—y of Wisdom and leads in Right Paths that hath comp ssion on the ignorâ—nt and on them that are out of the way to give the knowâ—edge of Salvation unto them to give light to them th t sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide their feet into the way of Peace and to see that â—here be no wicked way in them and to lead them into the way everlasting which he doth by his Spirit by his Word by his Ministers Whom the Father will send in the name of his Son at his request I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you and at Believers request for whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do saith Christ If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink he that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Waters this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive which is the Holy Ghost which the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things that you need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things necessary to be known believed and practised in order to eternal life and therefore where the Spirit of God dwells there he is a Spirit of Wisdom of Counsel of Understanding in the fear of the Lord. Naturally we know nothing of God of Christ the Spirit of our Selves his Word Will Wayes Works as we ought to know the Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned no not the first Principles of the Oracles of God Having the Understanding darkenâ—d through the ignâ—rance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart The God of this World having blinded the minds of them that believe not least the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them They know not that of themselves they cannot know themselves The first beginning of true
with seeing their glorious Redeemer face to face and the faces of the general Assembly of the first-born and the stately Buildings made without hands the place of their everlasting abode with the honors pleasures and riches of its furniture which from the beginning of the World no eye hath seen O God besides thee what is prepared The Tongue Mans glory will be everlastingly employed in warbling forth the glory of God and the glory with God in the highest Praises in Singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb glorious things are spoken of thee and in thee O City of God The glorious Words which will proceed out of the mouth of Christ will be the Wonder and Joy of Angels and Saints It will be the Work and Wages of the Glorified to be speaking to themselves in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody in their hearts unto the Lord. What melody will it be to the Ear to be ever hearing this new Song sung in perfect harmony with Ten thousand times ten thousand and Thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Thou art worthy who wast slâ—in and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nâ—â—iâ—n and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests worthy is the Lamb that was slâ—in to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honor and Glory and Blessing Blessing and Honor and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever But Why do I speak of what is unspeakable and undertake to write of that which is so unconceivable He that was caught up into Paradise which is the third Heaven heard unspeakable words which it is not possible or lawful for a Man to utter and if it were possible for them to be uttered it would be impossible for them to be understood The Ear will have its perfect hearing there Doth not the Ear try words saith Job no need of trying words in Heaven where every one is a perfect Man not offending in a Word It is natural to all to natural Men especially to spend their time in nothing else but either to tell or hear some new thing as natural so spiritual persons have their delectation the one in hearing what Men say the other in hearing what God says I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace to his People and to the Saints even that peace which passeth all understanding Faith and all other Graces and Comforts comes by hearing the Word of God Preached and Read the benefit of hearing here in this life under the means of Grace is an unvaluable blessing What glory then will it be to hear of nothing but glory every one there will be very attentive to hear what God the Lord will speak who hath the words of eternal life If all bare Christ witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceed out of his Mouth when on Earth in his estate of humiliation much more will all in Heaven bear witness and admire and adore the glorious words which will proceed out of his mouth in his state of Exaltation his mouth is most sweet his words are altogether lovely here here only will the Ear be satisfied with hearing Let me hear thy voice saith Christ to the Church his Spouse for sweet is thy voice If the sanctified voice of his Church in Prayers and Praises be so sweet to Christ now How sweet will her glorified voice be to him in his glory and How sweet will Christs voice be then and there to his triumphant Church his voice will be sweeter than all theirs In Heaven there only is the hearing ear and the persons and things worthy to be heard What Instruments of Musick there will be and Musicians to time and tune and sound them to delight and ravish the sense of hearing God only knows The voice of Harpers harping with their Harps have there been heard Musick upon Rivers of Water make the sweetest and most solemn sound At Gods right hand there are Rivers of pleasures where there will be such Musick as will ravish the ears and hearts of Angels and Saints for ever What spiritual Meat and Drink there will be in Heaven to delight and please the spiritual taste or palate who can tell Sure I am there will be feeding and feasting in Heaven Our Lord Jesus will be the true Bread as truly in Heaven without Ordinances as on Earth in his Ordinances and so will his precious Blood be drink really and spiritually also but the manner of eating and drinking there is such a Mystery as cannot now be known and may not be spoken to If every Saint can say How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey to my mouth If the word of Christ be so sweet to a Christian sanctified How sweet will the word Christ be to such an one when glorified How sweet are the fruits of holiness and righteousness to a true believer who sits under Christ the Tree of Life with great delight How sweet I say is his fruit to his taste in the way of an Ordnance but to him that overcometh Christ will give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which whosoever eats of shall live for ever To taste that the Lord is gracious here is good to taste that the Lord is glorious will be best The glory of the Body is but the Body of Glory for our vile Bodies to be changed that they may be fashioned like unto Christs glorious Body What a high expression of glory is this When Christ was Transfigured in the Mount his face did shine as the Sun and when he revealed himself to St. John the Divine from the excellent Glory his Body was clothed with a Garment down to the foot and his Paps girt about with a Golden Girdle his head and his hairs were white like Wool as white as Snow and his Eyes were as flames of Fire and his Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace and his voice as the sound of many Waters and his Countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength so shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father but the glory wherewith the Soul will be filled will be much more glorious by how much the Soul excels the Body The glory of â—he Soul will be the Soul of Glory and the Glory of Christ put upon the Body and Soul the Glory of them both It doth not yet appear what we shall be â—ut when he shall appear we shall â—e like him as in our Bodies so also in our Souls We have for substance the same Souls with Christ â—he same faculties and qualities as understanding will memory conscience and affections with their executive powers which are so precious that one Soul in Christs account and esteem is more worth than one
one then that hath understanding sing praises to God sing praises sing praises to our King sing praises for God is the King of all the earth and the King of glory sing we praises with understanding Our Tongue in Scripture is called our glory therewith bless we God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places or things in Christ which is the best use we can put it to If we be strangers to this heavenly duty of singing praises to God in our hearts and houses with our glory it is much to be feared that as our chief end is not the glory of God by our not glorifying God so our last end will not be glory with God without controversie it is the duty that is most pleasing to God as it is most commanded by him and practised instantly by the perfectest Saints The holier any man is the more in prayer and the most in praise evening and morning and at noon David prayes unto God seven times aday doth he praise him Hypocrites can pray Saints only do bless and praise the Lord. The good and old way of speaking to God our selves and one another in Psalms and spiritual Songs is much given over in these Kingdoms The good Lord give us Repentance that this sin be not laid to our charge We have lost very much of the special presence and providence of God by our neglect herein our Prayers are not heard and answer'd for want of our solemn Praises We obtain mercy by our Prayers and keep them by our Praises It were well if one in ten with a loud voice glorified God for those daily mercies they receive from God There are not found that return to give glory to God after mercies received from God save some few strangers What are our hearts and lips and lives good for else but to warble out in spiritual Songs the praises of him who hath called us out of marvellous darkness into his marvellous light The glad tydings of a Kingdom of grace and glory should open our hearts to pray to God to open our lips that our mouths may shew forth his praises which that all may do let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all Wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord and whatsoever we do in Word or Deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving Thanks to God and the Father by him and above all for himself and the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness For Counsel and Consolation and I conclude Our honourable Magistrates and reverend Ministers who are taught of God that are Counsellors themselves of Peace and seek the Peace and Prosperity of Church and State I neither need nor dare give them one Word of Advice in this matter only taking the liberty and boldness by way of Petition most humbly to desire them who have obtained so great mercy to be the heirs of grace and glory that they would according to the Power and Prudence Wisdom and Goodness which God hath graciously and liberally given them improve it to the very utmost that if it were possible our most gracious and excellent Majesties Three Kingdoms may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ not by Profession only but in very Deed and in Truth For the Kingdom of God is not in Word but in Power since God our Saviour would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth and because he can swear by no greater doth swear by himself As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the Wicked but that the Wicked turn from his Way and live Turn ye turn ye from your evil Wayes for why will ye dye and now commandeth all men everywhere to repent Why should not first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty which is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour and I also heartily believe wi l be well-pleasing to our most Gracious King and all in Authority having laid so lâ—rge and sure a foundation of Peace to build as large a Kingdom of godliness and honesty upon It is in your power to compel every capable Subject in these Kingdoms to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and to thrust Labourers into this Harvest for the Harvest is great and the Labourers are few for the turning of every one unto Righteousness the unlimited Love of God who hath so loved Mankind the general Redemption of the whole World bâ— the precious blood of Jesus Christ the promise of the universal Spirit of Christ the freeness and fulness of the Covenant of Grace which if the Lord please I shall have occasion fully to handle in my Book of Scriâ—tural Oracles and the express Command of Christ Go ye into all the World and preach the Gospel to every Creature the promise of his presence and assistance his own practice and the practice of the primitive Preachers in publishing through the World the glad Tydings of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God are motives and encouragements great enough to put Magistrates and Ministers upon endeavouring an universal Conversion Reformation and Salvation among all their People O could our King and Governors be instrumental to bring these Kingdoms so to seek till they find a Kingdom of grace and glory what an exceeding eternal weight of glory would the King of glory crown them withall for their labour of Love at the last and great day Hearken to a King speaking from the King of Kings Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth serve the Lord herein with fear and rejoyce with trembling Let the Kings of the earth set themselves and the Rulers take counsel together for the Lord and for his Anointed saying Let us break the bands of Wickedness and cast away the cords of our Iniquities from us Let us exalt the King of Kings upon his holy hill of Zion that the Heathen may be his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth may be his possession and all Nations whom he hath made may come and worship before thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name Let our most excellent King Solomon be first herein who is a King of Peace that came into his Kingdom in Peace rules in Peace will dye in Peace and enter into that Peace which passeth all understanding If he follow Peace with all men and Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. His establishing a great Peace amongst us constrains me to believe he will be a means of raising a holy War through his Kingdoms and Dominions against Sin Satan and the World for the glory of
dust and ashes It is a bemoaning of our selves that we have been unaccustomed to the yoke of obedience both active and pâ—ssive a following hard after an Incensed God by our Transgressions with strong cries sighs groans a smiting upon the thigh being ashamed yea even confounded that we have sinned an accepting of the punishment of our Iniquities and weeping between the Porch and the Altar an attentive and intentive hearkning to the Call of God O Israel return unto the Lord thy God for thou hast faln by thine iniquity with an eccho Turn thou us unto thee O Lord and we shall be turned for thou art the Lord our God spare thy people take away our Iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the Calves of our lips This is after a godly manner to sorrow unto Repentance for godly sorrow worketh Repentance to â—alvation not to be repented of This sorrowing after a godly sort worketh Carefulness in us yea clearing of our selves indignation fear vehement desire zeal revenge in all things to approve our selves to be clear in the matter of sin that we sin no more lest a worse thing come unto us The times of former Ignoraâ—ce God wiâ—ked at but now Commandeth all Men every where to repent The Kingdom of Grace is at hand repent to get into it repent to keep in it repent to get out of it into a Kingdom of Glory repent or perish repent and be saved repent and believe the Gospel for the Kingdom of God is at hand He that believeth shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned There is no entering into or abiding in this Kingdom of God but by a Living Faith in God and in his Son Jesus Christ Ye believe in God believe also in me As Christ is the Author of our â—alvation so he is also the Author and Finisher of our Faith No entring into the Kingdom of glory without it for we are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation As many as are ordained to eternal life are ordained to believe God hath from the beginning chosen us to Salvation through belief of the truth that so Christ might dwell in our hearts by Faith which is the Bond of our Union with him Christ Prayes for them which shall believe on him that all may be one in us by vertue of this Union through Faith are we born from above Whosoever Believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God as many as received him even to them that believe on his name were born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the Will of Man but of God We are Justified and Reconciled to God by Faith being Justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and trusting or believing in Christ we are made accepted in the Beloved in whom we have Redemption through Faith in his Blood the Forgiveness of Sins Adoption into the number and priviledge of God's children As many as received him to them gave he power right or priviledge to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his Name We are also sanctified by Faith that is in Christ God now puts no difference between Jew and Gentile purifying their hearts by Faith God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Now this saving Grace of Faith is the Almighty Work of the Spirit of God whereby with the heart we believe all that God hath spoken because he hath spoken it It is a believing this faithful saying and accounting of it worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners It is a believing the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record That God hath given to us Eternal Life and this life is in his Son This is he that came by Water and Blood even Jesus Christ not by Water only but Water and Blood and the rather are we to believe for there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one And there are three that bear witness in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one if we receive the witness of Men the witness of God is greater for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son He that believeth not God hath made him a Liar because he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son I say it is a believing that all things are or must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms and in the Gospel concerning Christ and his Kingdom not because of Mens saying or Testimony only but purely upon the bare Word of God and his Son and his Spirit for in the mouth of these three Witnesses every Word of God in the Holy Scriptures is establisht It is a confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believing with the heart that God hath raised him from the Dead It is an humble and thankful hearty receiving or accepting of Christ for Lord and Saviour and trusting in his Allsufficiency as our one and only Mediatour through the vertue value and power of his Prophetical Sacerdotal and Regal Offices to bring us through all hazards and difficulties in a way of Grace to Glory in season and safely He that thus believeth and continueth to live by Faith hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life This Faith by the Holy Ghost which is given to believers worketh Love and worketh by Love The Love of God is shed abroad in the hearts of true Believers by the Holy Spirit by knowing and believing the Love that God hath to us we come to love God Who can know and believe heartily that God is Love and not love him God is Love in this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins we love him because he first thus loved us All God's graces together constitute this Kingdom of grace but Love is the life and soul of it even Gods love to us and our love to him and our love to each other he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him There is a threefold love between God and the godly a love of Union a love of Communion and Complacency and a love of Benevolence or Communication 1. Like as was between David and Jonathan the Soul of Jonathan was knit with the Soul of David Jonathan loved him as his own Soul Jonathan delighted much in David then Jonathan and David made a Covenant because he loved him as his own Soul and Jonathan stript
that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a Lie Sin Satan and Sinners must never more come there this Kingdom will have a happy riddance of them The everlasting presence of one only God is the heaven of heavens and the glory of this Kingdom of glory Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and he will dwell with thâ—m and they shall be his People and God himself shall be with them and be their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow neither crying neiâ—her shall be any more pain no more curse there will be nothing of Hell in Heaven no more then there will be of Heaven in Hell But the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in this Kingdom there will be no need of Sun Moon or Candle for the Glory of God will Lighten it and the Lamb is the Light of it Truly the Light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eye to behold the Sun in the firmament but with invisible eyes to see the invisible Sun of Righteousness in the firmament of glory Oh how sweet and plesaant will that be God is Light and in him is no darkness at all this Light shineth in darkness but the darkness comprehendeth it not The blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who only hath Immortality dwelleth in the Light which no Man can approach unto whom no Man hath seen nor can see because he covereth himself with Light as with a Garment for now we see through a Glass darkly or in a Riddle God his Word his Works of Nature Grace and Glory every thing we see hear taste touch smell hath an inexplicable and unutterable mystery in it now we know but in part but in the kingdom of glory we shall know as we are known It doth not yet appear what we shall be it doth not yet appear to us what God is Who can tell what God is but we know that when God-man shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is not in a Glass darkly but then face to face which will be our blessedness Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God we walk by Faith and not by Sight here but in Heaven we walk by sight and not by faith perfectly to see God Father Son and Holy Ghost in heavenly glory and to understand the Mysteries of Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity and that great Mystery of Godliness without Controversy God manifested in the Flesh Justified in the Spirit seen of Angels believed on in the World received up into Glory Preached unto and among the Gentiles even the unsearchable Riches of Christ to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God to the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God which the Angels desire to look into to behold with understanding at once all the secrets of nature grace and glory according to our capacities and to live for ever in the perfect vision and knowledge of them all will be our life eternal This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent If to see the Face of Relations and Friends especially Saints be so desirous but we Brethren sâ—ith St. Paul being taken from you for a short time in presence not in heart endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire With what desire should every one of us desire to behold the Face of God in righteousness that we may be satisfied with his likeness and the faces of an innumerable company of Angels and the faces of the general Assembly and Church of the First born with the beauties and comliness of God and perfect Godliness put upon them to see also a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth nothing but righteous persons and righteousness to see the great City the holy Hierusalem having the Glory of God and her Light like unto a Stone most precious even like a Jasper Stone clear as Crystal and a Wall great and high and Twelve Gates and at the Gates Twelve Angels and Names written thereon which are the Names of the Twelve Tribes of the Children of Israel on the East three Gates on the North three Gates on the South three Gates and on the West three Gates and the Wall of the City twelve Foundations and in them the Names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. And the City lyeth four square and the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal The Wall thereof an hundred and forty and four cubits according to the measure of a Man that is of the Angel and the building of the Wall of it of Jasper and the City pure Gold like unto clear glass and the Foundation of the Walls of the City garnished with all manner of precious stones the first foundation Jasper the second Saphire the third Chalcedony the fourth Emerauld the fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the eighth Beryl the ninth a Topaz the tenth a Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacint the twelfth an Amethyst and the twelve Gates twelve Pearls every several Gate of one Pearl and the Street of the City pure Gold as it were transparent glass where there is no Temple for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it and the City hath no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the Glory of God doth Lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there a pure River of water of Life clear as Chrystal therein proceedeth out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb In the midst of the Street of it and on either side of the River was there the Tree of Life bearing Twelve manner of fruits every Month which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which Jesus Christ will give to him that overcometh to eat of that he may live for ever Who is he that hath had from the Father of Lights the least saving glimpse of this glory that saith not it is good to be here Who hath had also the very least true sight of the vanity insufficiency brevity and certain uncertainty of all under the Sun that saith not Behold all is vanity and vexation of spirit my eye is not satisfied with seeing nor my ear with hearing nor my tast with eating and drinking or smell with smelling nor the hand with touching and handling Vanity of vanities all is vanity saith Solomon the Preacher A sight of the glory of all the Kingdoms of the World which the Devil gave Christ an opportunity to behold is but a glorious vanity compared with
of our Lord and Saviour his Counsel Command and Proclamation but let it rather be a principal motive to us to make the Exhortation the more effectual since it is the Counsel of Christ the Wonderful Counsellor who saith Counsel is mine let us with all readiness and thankfulness accept and embrace it as being worthy of all acceptation for it is the Counsel of the most worthy Person most Wise and able to give the best Counsel a Person on purpose sent from God the Father his only begotten Son the second Person in the glorious Trinity made Man and now God-Man for ever in one Person named Jesus Christ he it is that hath given this excellent Counsel to the World namely to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness which is not only his Counsel but Command for all Power is given unto him in Heaven and in Earth to Counsel and Command God the Father hath annointed him to be a Prophet a Priest and King so he was here on Earth and remains such in Heaven for ever A Prophet to give Counsel a King to Command that it be received and a Priest on our behalf to God the Father to make continual intercession for us that his Counsels and Commands may be effectual to us for our salvation and he is actually and effectually the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him in this Command that seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness A Command that can no wayes be thought grievous a gracious command indeed to seek a Kingdom not an Earthly but an Heavenly Kingdom the Kingdom of God Gods Kingdom a Kingdom all of Gâ—â—ce and Glory where he dwells in all his glory Whâ—t Prince that hâ—th many Kingdoms will Counsel and Command a Subject especially a Rebellious one to seek one of his Dominions but our gâ—â—cious Prince and Saviour doth Counsel and Command every one every where to seek the Kingdom of God by way of Proclamation Ho every one that haâ—h no Money come buy Grace and Glory without price Wherefore do you spend Money and Labour for that which satisfieth not Incline your ear and come unto me hear obey and your Soul shall live inviting all â—oâ—â—â—ly by Counsel Command and Poclamation but by Promise for their incouragement Ask and it shall be given you Seek and ye shall find Knock and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened The experience of all that are in a state of Grace on Earth and in a state of Glory in Heaven that have not lost their labor in seeking should be a powerful motive to every one that is to seek and is at a loss for Grace and Glory to seek that he also may find for he that seeketh findeth even Eternal Life in the Promise which God that cannot lie hath promised before the World began and will be righteous in performing to all them who by Faith lay hold thereof for all the Promises of God in Jesus Christ are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God The General Assembly in Heaven will give in this testimony There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord hath spoken unto us all came to pass whoever turns Gods Promises into Prayer God will for certain turn his Promises into Performances unto them Oh do not lose Grace and Glory for want of asking seeking and knocking Is the Lord God a Sun and Shield Will the Lord give Grace and Glory Will he withhold no good thing from them that seek him â—â—th he â—aâ—â— A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you I will take away the Stony heart out of youâ— flesh and I will give you an heart of Flesh I will put 〈◊〉 spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Staâ—â— and ye shall keâ—p my Judgment and do them yet wi◠〈◊〉 be enquired of you to do all this for you Is this all 〈◊〉 requires to be enquired of Is seeking the way to â—â—â—ing seek the Lord while he may be found Call upoâ— him while he is near the Lord is nigh mâ—â— all them tâ—â—t call upon him to all that call upon him in truth tâ—â— hand of God is upon all them for good that â—â—ek him God never said and never will say to any of the house of Jacob Seek my Face Favour Kingdom and Righteousness in vain But then we must seek this Kingdom of God and his Righteousness right It is not every seeking that will serve turn nor every seeker that findeth true it is that every wicked Man may and must seek first Gods Kingdom and Righteousness It is a Wicked Principle in them who affirm That a Wicked Man may not Pray Because he cannot Pray he may I hope Pray That he may Pray May he not desire Grace I am sure the desire of Grace is Grace in every one common grace at least which is to be Excited Exerted and Improved for special Grace the blessing of God can turn common grace into special to him that hath and improves it it shall be given the right seeking is with the whole heart then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and Pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart God is for the whole heart My Son give me thine heart they only are blessed that seek him with the whole heart I entreated thy favour with my whole heart saith David The only way to get Mercy Grace and Glory from God is to entreat the Favour of God with the whole heart with the mind will and affections even all the powers of the Soul must be vigorously at work in this spiritual duty in seeking first the Kingdom of God The Members of the Body must be also Instruments herein the strength of the inward and outward Man is to be put forth our Natural strength our Spiritual strength all the power we have and can get from God We had need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and to Pray That he would grant us according to the Riches of his Glory even his glorious Power to be strengthened with all might by his Spirit in the inner-man since we wrestle not against flesh and blood only but against principalities against powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high places We have three potent enemies to out-wrestle the Flesh the World and the Devil all combined against us we have God to wrestle with by Prayer and all other holy means for the obtaining of Grace and Glory if we be not Conquerors through Christ strengthening us we lose not only the prize of an incorruptible Crown but by our unfaithfulness and cowardize bring upon our selves an infinite weight of Judgment It is he that
peculiar bosome beloved sins search out your own sin keep your self from your iniquity if you would have good success in seeking first the Kingdom of God II. Let us put off and put away far from us these and all other sins in the fear of God or all our seeking the Kingdom of God will be but labour in vain Sinners God calls Heaven and Earth to record against you this day that he sets before you Life and Good Death and Evil Blessing and Cursing and desires you to choose Life even eternal Life O choose not Sin and Death before it Let my counsel be acceptable unto you break off your sins by righteousness and the iniquity of your covetousness by shewing mercy to the Poor lest God be wroth smite you and hide himself from you but rather seek good and not evil that ye may live be not faithless but believe God upon his Word Seek ye me saith God and ye shall live Their heart shall live that seek God his Kingdom and Righteousness in the use of all his holy means which I need but almost to name they are so often insisted upon but too seldom duely practised as namely 1. Hearing the Word preached in season and out of season instantly as Ministers are to preach it with solemn Preparation Intention Retention and a loving Affection in the hearing of it turning every Truth and Duty you hear into practice without delay for not the hearers of the Law but the doers are justified and blessed in their doing 2. Frequent Fasting frequent Praying and Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all men that they may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth which is our striving to enter in at the strait Gate Strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it even of them who seek to enter in and are not able because not willing to be at the pains and patience which is necessary to the finding the narrow Way and walking in it till they be meet and worthy to enter in at the strait Gate there is no pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations or Reasonings and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God or bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ and the Laws of his Kingdom but by this good old way of Fasting Praying and watching to purpose every man that striveth for the mastery especially of spiritual enemies is to be temperate in all things some do it to obtain a corruptible Crown we an incorruptible If we would so run as to obtain so fight as to overcome we must keep under our body and bring it into subjection that our Old Man being crucified the body of sin may be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin lest that by any means when we have done all save this which is the main we our selves should be everlasting Cast-awayes better the body of the flesh and the body of sin be destroyed in the severest way of duty than the soul be for ever lost in a way of sin how pleasing soever to the flesh Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee it is better for thee to enter into Life halt or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire by Fasting Praying and watching Heaven suffereth violence and onely the violent take it by force Holy Fasting especially alone and by our selves Prayer without ceasing keeping our Hearts Lips and Lives with all diligence by circumspect watchfulness from sin and all occasion and temptations thereunto are Gods gracious means appointed us for the obtaining of Grace and Glory 3. Reading searching and meditating of the Holy Scriptures day and night that the Word of Christ may dwell richly in us in all Wisdom with fervent and faithful Prayer before and after the duty for the Spirit of Truth to sanctifie us through the Truth duties much neglected both in Families and in our private communion with the Lord and I fear by too many of us slightly indifferently and indiligently done Were the Word of God read searched and meditated daily by us as it ought to be it would make us wiser for our selves in all respects than we are it is able to make even Children that exercise themselves therein wise unto salvation It is very great pity and a very great sin it is that every one that cannot doth not learn to read and every one that can doth not walk in Wisdom redeeming his time to search these Sacred Records day and night in which he thinks he hath eternal life I make no doubt but our most Gracious Sovereign the King and Governors will out of their Christian Wisdom Care Zeal and Charity which in many things they have manifested take order also that all who are capable both young and old in these Kingdoms may be diligently taught to read the Holy Scriptures that they perish not for want of knowledge that so the good Word of God may be daily read publickly in all Faimilies with Prayer and Praise to the Praise and Glory of God the Increase and Advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and their own immortal Honour Which I daily pray may come to pass and am in a longing expectation of as knowing there is Wisdom Wealth and Willingness Power and Prudence every way Ability and Opportunity in you our Governors and Counsellors for the accomplishing and effecting so great and good and necessary and pious a Work besides the many Thousands that wait for your Call Command Counsel Countenance and Encouragement to assist herein which labour of Love to so many perishing Souls will never be forgotten by the Lord and the administration of this Service will not only supply the want of Saints but will be abundant also by many Thanksgivings unto God Now the Lord make all Publick Persons in Church and State Publick spirited herein that the fruit of Righteousness may be sown in Peace by them that make Peace to the Glory of God and the Publick Good Were the Law and Gospel which is not to depart out of our mouth read and meditated therein day and night by us all high and low rich and poor c. that we might observe to do according to all that is written therein this would make our way prosperous then we should do wisely and have good success especially in seeking the Kingdom of Grace and Glory which is our best Wisdom to do every one for himself and each for other till we find it and attain it Whosoever delights in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate day and night shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of Water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doth shall prosper the universal faithful practice of these duties would through the blessing of
giving of Thanks be made by us all for the KING and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who will have all men first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and come unto the knowledge and the acknowledging of the Truth which is after godliness that they may be saved for which end the Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord that hath called us to glory and virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature and the divine life The last direction for getting and growing in grace is to get well acquainted with every promise of grace and every promise unto grace to mâ—ke a believing lively application of them to your selves Turn these Promises into Prayers and God will turn them into Performances He hath purposely made them known unto you that he might make them over to you for all the Promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God and your salvation if having these Promises we cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flâ—sh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God The promises of God are the breasts of Consolation from whence new born Babes desire or suck sincere milk that they may grow thereby in grace unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature or age of the fulness of Christ till they become such as have no need of milk for every one that useth milk is unsk lful hath no experience in the word of righteousness for he is a Babe but of strong meat which belongeth to them that are of full age of perfect even those who by reason of use habit or perfection have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil For Consolation to all the Sons and Saints and Servants of the Lord that hearken unto the counsel command and proclamation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that first seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness as you have heard that have this Kingdom and righteousness in you Look unto Jesus lift up your heads and hearts for your redemption draweth nigh when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Let us comfort one another with these words God and Christ and Grace and Glory are ours we are sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory all things are ours for we are Christs Paul Apollos Cephas the world life death things present things to come all are ours in possession and reversion This All should comfort us it is worth being a Son a Saint a Servant of God to be as rich as Heaven and Earth yea richer in having God for our portion Let not the Consolations of God seem small to us the promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come are all ours here are the unsearchable riches of Christ treasured up for the heirs of promise wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto them the immutability of his counsel confirmed them by an oath that by two immutable things in which it were impossible for God to lye we might have a strong Consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us which is Christ in us the hope of glory for we look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ to be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and they in him It s worth going through the Kingdom of grace all the way which many poor Christians are fain to do in a way of persecution and tribulation to the Kingdom of glory where they shall ever be with the Lord whose presence will make amends for all There God and Christ will be all and in all here Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith hope and love but when Christ who is our life shall appear we shall also appear with him in glory then shall we be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is then shall we be filled with all the fulness of God that will do for us exceeding abundantly above all that now we ask or think unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through grace comfort our hearts and establish us in every good Work to keep us from falling till we be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever AMEN FINIS
live unto God in holiness to him in justice commutative and distributive to and with others Whatsoever we would that men should do to us do we even so to them In sobriety towards our â—elves in body soul and spirit Gird up the loins of your â—inds be sober Present your bodies a living sacrifice â—y acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service â—mperate in all things And all these things namely that concern the welfare of the â—ody which are temporal as Health Peace Honours Pleasures Riches Protection Provision Food Raiment c. Shall be added cast in upon the by without carking care in God's ordinary providence as in wisdom he thinks meet Casting our care upon him committing our selves and ways to him walking with him in our general and particular Callings painfully and faithfully Vnto you who in faith seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness This Verse is part of that famous Sermon that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preached to the Multitude in the Mount and therefore should command the greatest reverence The occasion of the words is first Christs observation of the worldliness of the World especially the Gentile world for after all these things namely the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life do the Gentiles seek 2. The fears and thereupon the cares which possessed the hearts of the weak in faith that if they became the hearers and followers of Christ indeed and in truth then what should they do for food and raiment Why Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you There is not one word in this Verse but is pregnant with matter of infinite unspâ—akable worth and weight and contains variety of Doctrines and Duties which for brevities sake I must pass over with bare naming them Oh that all the Kings and Kingdoms of the world did but know and well weigh the mind heart affections and bowels of Jesus Christ in this very Scripture the Kingdoms then of the world would certainly and suddenly become the Kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ which is the King of Kings desire Should not Kings and Kingdoms then desire it for each other Oh that the desires and endeavours of us all were as great as good as fervent and as faithful as here they should be in so momentous a matter as seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness But as it looks backward and forward contains these Doctrines 1. All men naturally are carnally minded 2. Weak Believers are even carnal too thoughtful and careful about temporal things 3. It is the will of Christ Jesus that they of little fâ—ith would not trouble their heads and hearts with fears and cares about things pertaining to the body 4. The best way to cure a carnal mind is first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Seek 1. Every one by sin hath lost his right to spiritual and heavenly things 2. It is the duty of every one especially Believers to seek after grace and glory Ye The weakest true Believers may and must above all other persons and before other things seek God's Kingdom and his Righteousness First principally or chiefly 1. God's Kingdom and his Righteousness are the most substantial and principal things 2. These things are practically to be preferred before all other First early The best time of seeking God's Kingdom and his Righteousness is betimes in our age and betimes in the morning First earnestly We are to stir up our selves and others to seek spiritual things with greatest fervency and faithfulness The Kingdom of God 1. God hath a Kingdom of his own 2. He is the onely Author and Founder of it 3. He gives it to whom he will 4. This Kingdom is both grace and glory 5. This Kingdom hath an everlasting foundation And his Righteousness And. 1 Grace and glory are inseparable His. 2. The righteousness of Christ is God's Righteousness 3 The Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness is the onely way to glory 4. Christs righteousness is our Justification and Sanctification And all these things shall be added unto you And. 1. Temporal and Spiritual things are also inseparable 2. Believers have a right to all things 3. Heavenly and earthly things differ exceedingly All these things shall be added 1. True Believers may for a time want temporal mercies Having nothing yet possessing all things 2. God will in his good time relieve all their wants 3 God will give Believers convenient mercies without carking thoughts fears or cares Vnto you Of little faith The least degree of true faith entitles Christians to things Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Doct. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory which is to be sought by all above and before all other things till it be obtained with all possible care and diâ—igence The God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the mysteries of his Kingdom the eyes of my understanding being enlightned I may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints that I may make it manifest as I ought That there is a Kingdom of grace and glory the whole Word of God the Twelve Articles in our Christian Apostolical Creed the Decalogue or Ten Commandments our Lords Prayer the Summaries of our Faith Desires and Practise the unanimous constant consent of the Universal Church the different state disposition and conversation of the Godly and Ungodly and God's various dispensations towards them do admirably abundantly and undeniably prove For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Giving all diligence add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity For if ye do these things an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ So run that ye may obtain There is a Kingdom of grace within us Luke 17.21 Behold the kingdom of God is within you There is a Kingdom of glory without us 1 Thess 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory Not differing in nature but degree for grace is glory begun and glory is grace perfected Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord we are changed into the same image from glory to glory that is from one degree of grace unto another until grace commence glory Every Kingdom presupposeth a King Laws and Subjects that are to be governed guided and protected Accordingly the Kingdom of God hath a King Laws and Subjects The Lord Jesus Christ is King himself the eternal Câ—uncels of God in his