Luk. 2.13 14. A multitude of the heavenly host was praising God saying Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Good Zachary so soon as his mouth was opened begun his Prophecy with Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited and redeemed his people Luk. 1.68 69. And old Simeon ended his life with praise and blessing God Luk. 1.19 'T is the duty of all Christians in every thing to give thanks 1 Thes. 5.18 because this is the will of God in Christ much more should every soul give thanks for Christ the top of all blessings the flower of all enjoyments think much of this threefold cord of obligation to praise 1. When a gift is free 2. When it is great 3. When special thanks is most due for though a man receive a benefit from another yet if he have in any measure deserved it before or it be in lieu of something to be done after it abates the thankfulness But though it be free yet if it be not much worth that lessens thanks but if it be a thing of worth yet if it be commonly to be had or given to all this will take off somewhat of the edg of thankfulness But now 1. Christ is an absolutely free gift not only undeserved but undesired and expected kindness by the rules of friendship and love in the heathens judgment doth challenge either recompence if we deal with our matches or acknowledgment where the distance is great and the greater this the greater that Now betwixt God and us the distance is infinite and if it were possible our love and thankfulness should fill up that distance and extend it self to infiniteness Let Angels and men adore and praise God for this gift to eternity in Heaven yet they must be ashamed and blush at the imagination of merit The dignity and worth of this gift must lay an infinite though sinless debt for ever on all the Citizens of Glory whether home-born and natives of the Country as elect Angels or adopted strangers as glorified Saints Christ is the flower glory and crown of free Grace 2 The gift is of unspeakable worth and excellency than which none could ever be greater none better the only begotten Son God blessed for evermore the brightness of his Fathers Glory co-equal and co-essential with the Father there could be no addition at all made to his Glory he was so high he could not be higher so great so good c. He is better than wealth or health than peace or life 3. There 's distinguishing favour in bestowing Christ on thee and not on others that which is common to all will never leave such an impression of wonder and praise but when it comes to me and us that makes deepest impression The passing by of my Father and Mother my Brother my Sister Husband or Wife Neighbour or Friend and taking me is a most endearing favour Two lye in the same womb sit in the same seat hear the same Sermon and one is taken and another left Psal. 147.12 19 20. Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Among many other grounds and reasons that 's one in the 19. verse He shews his wâ—rd unto Iacob his statutes and his judgments to Israel he hath not dealt so with any Nation Here he speaks not of the measure as if others had the same grace revealed in nature but in inferiour degrees for he saith as for his judgments they have not known them and being full of it he concludes Praise ye the Lord Christ esteemeth this the flower of Grace and blesseth his Father for it Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes To consider that of all England all Europe all Adam's posterity that ever were masters of a living soul the Lord passed by so many thousands and millions and the lot of free grace fell upon me precisely by name and not on many besides no less eligible than I was O how should it ravish our hearts into admiration and praise Blessed are your eyes for they see such things that many Kings and Prophets have desired to see and have not seen them Luk. 10.23 O what thoughts will ye have of this mercy in Heaven when you shall have your souls laden with a massy weight of glory and thousands of souls spitting out blasphemies on the Majesty of Heaven out of the sense of the torment of the gnawing-worm that never dies and you consider the soul of Iudas might have been in my souls stead and my soul in the same place of torment that he is now in O the unsearchable riches of the free grace of God in Christ How should we now sing that new Song that properly belongs to all redeemed ones Rev. 14.3 and to say with a loud voice Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitteth on the Throne for ever and ever Rev. 5.8 ad finem and Rev 7.12 O how should we extol and shew forth his praises had we as many tongues as members or joints or hairs were our whole body turned into that one member yet should we not be able for this high and glorious mercy sufficiently to celebrate the praises of the most high God 5. Fifth and last Branch of Exhortation Be fruitful in Christ True thankfulness improves the gift to the Donors honour A friend gives me a token I 'le receive it for his sake a jewel I 'le keep it for his sake a Book I 'le use it for his sake a Ring I 'le wear it for his sake that is so as may best express my love and report his goodness Were we truly thankful to our God we would use and improve this gift for his sake to his glory O let it be our chief care to improve this transcendently excellent gift to his glory who gave it Let me press this Exhortation on â—ou in the words of the Apostle Col. 2.6 As ye have therefore received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk ye in him It is not enough to have or to know that we have received Christ but we are to see that we walk in him or according to him 'T is not sufficient for us to take Jesus Christ this gift of God offered in the Gospel but our deportment and carriage must be such as becomes them that have received so great a favour Christ was the greatest Legacy that ever was bequeathed to poor creatures and he and his benefits that come with him is matter of greatest weight and concernment that ever God be-trusted in the hands of dust and ashes the most rich glorious and perfect gift that ever came out of the hands of God Wherefore let us gird up the loyns of our mind and be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Iesus Christ as obedient
understand what the Father hath given us in him and what good things he himself offereth to us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Water in several places hath different significations Here and in the Apocalypst saith Grotius I doubt not but that it signifies the Evangelical Doctrine as it contains those things which are necessary and sufficient to obtain eternal life And many of the Fathers differ not much from this who take it to mean the water of Baptism as it is a solemn profession of that Doctrine Piscator and others take it to be meant of the holy Spirit as appears by the 14 vers A well of water springing up to eternal life Joh. 7.39 So Cyril saith it signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a quickening gift of the Spirit But with Hammond I conceive it denotes the Grace of God exhibited in Christ. So Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the grace of the holy Spirit And Calvin all the whole Grace of renovation aqua viva not metonymically as quickning water but metaphorically saith Piscator because 't is ever springing never failing not like standing or dead water One general Doctrine ariseth from the whole Text as it stands related to the Context That Iesus Christ is meek and gracious slow to anger and full of compassion bearing with the ignorance and folly perverseness and resistance of them he intends to save How often did this woman provoke him how long did she withstand him what feminine artifices doth she use to elude breaking jests making captious fallacies as one disposed to slight and jeer whatever he spake c. yet he would take no denial from her but presented his gracious design as one that heard not O the unutterable treasure of Grace in Christ which all her provocations could not overcome In all this discourse we may read our stiffness and stubbornness Christs gentleness and goodness 1. Doct. Christ is the gift of God 2. Doct. One great reason why men refuse Christ and their own salvation is because they know him not Ignorance is the cause of rejecting Christ and his Grace this keeps souls from him Christ and holiness have no enemies but the ignorant did men know what Christ is and what the love of God was in giving him they must have iron-hearts indeed if they could despise and resist him If thou knewest c. 3 Doct. The blessed Son of God made himself very poor stooped exceeding low for the good of sinners And who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink He was Lord of Heaven and Earth the world was his and the fulness thereof the fowls of the mountains the beasts of the forrest and the cattel upon a thousand hills yet he begs a little cold water of a poor woman to quench his thirst O astonishing condescension deep humiliation Blessed Jesus whither did thy love to sinners carry thee 4. Doct. Knowledg in the mind makes way for a spontaneous motion of the will and affections the understanding is to the will as the needle to the thread If thou knewest thou wouldest When the understanding is enlightned with eye-salve and hath clear apprehensions of Christ as transcendently excellent then the Will puts forth it self in its strongest desires after him as the eye transmits the beauty it beholds to the heart so when there is an assent to the things revealed of Christ in the Word when we do with open face behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord in the Gospel then we are ready to accept of him and his Grace with suitable affections this is plain in the connexion in the Text and from the latter sweet connexion Thou wouldest have asked I would have given c. 5. Doct. If we can but rightly ask Christ will readily give ask and have is the language of the Gospel The Grace of God is free but it must be begged He will be inquired of and sought unto for that he intends and promises to give though this woman was a Samaritan yet he would not deny her living water had she desired it of him We must be touched with the knowledg and sense of our maladies and poverty before we will seek the remedy Therefore the Lord inviteth not the drunken but the dry not the full but the hungry that they may eat and drink To what end should Christ be sent unto us with the fulness of the spirit unless we were empty and 't is not enough to feel our wants so as to see our need of help from another unless the hope of present or near help be added thereunto because if we only see and feel our wants we should do nothing else but groan under our miseries and pine away with sorrow but this is true and profitable knowledg of the Grace of God when we know that the same is offered to us in Christ and that it is reached unto us by his hand and so our hearts are inflamed with vehement propassions and desires after it 6. Doct. Grace is the gift of Christ he is the fountain whence this water flows I would have given thee living water Christ gives grace to them that ask it of him as we should ask spiritual blessings ardently and importunately so he gives them most freely and liberally Ioh. 6.27 7. Doct. True Grace never fails those that once have it shall never lose it whoever drinks of this water of life which Christ gives shall never perish 'T is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denoting the perpetuity everlastingness of it Grace is sure and the priviledges of it are sure this is the advantage of spiritual comforts that they do not only satisfie our desires but secure us against our fears Once in Christ and for ever preserved in Christ. This certainty of Grace the comfort of a Christian is not respectu rei but Dei One of the Fathers brings in the flesh saying Ego deficiam I will surely fail and miscarry and the world Ego decipiam I will intice and deceive them and Satan Ego eripiam I will snatch and carry them away But God saith Ego custodiam I will keep them there lyes our safety and security he hath said I will never leave them nor forsake them 1. Doct. Christ is the gift of God Christ in a peculiar and eminent manner is termed Gods gift It is the common mode and fashion of great persons to give rich and magnificent gifts suitable to their state and quality regarding more what becomes them to give than their petitioners to ask or receive The great Alexander could tell his suitors whom he had more astonished than relieved with his bounty and favour That though the thing might be too great for them to receive yet it was not too great for Alexander to give If dust and asâ—es can speak and think at this rate O how large is the heart of God! The great and glorious God out of his infinitely overflowâ—ing love and unsearchable riches of Grace hath conferred upon poor lost self destroying
my husband my lot my portion Who will give me to drink of this Well of water springing up to eternal life this fountain of living waters this pure river that flows from the Throne from the heart of God Canst thou hear so much though infinitely short of his worth and not desire him Dost thou indeed believe that all this is true and yet thy soul not hunger and thirst after him Are these faithful sayings and is not he worthy of all acceptation Is it possible for a rational creature to hear of such a bottomless treasure of such a boundless pleasure and not covet the enjoyment of it O man where are thy wits What 's become of thy reason Art thou a man or a bruit If thou knewest the gift of God and what it is that is offered thee thou wouldest scorn the highest honours the sweetest pleasures the greatest riches yea trample upon all the Crowns and Kingdoms of this world for it It 's an inestimable priviledg that thou art a creature capable of so vast a happiness it 's the astonishing wonder of Heaven and Earth that God would give a Son such a Son to be thy Saviour what could he give more or better and it 's a special favour that the Gospel hath been sent to thee to reveal this great mystery to offer this excellent gift to thee and now when it is tendered wilt thou refuse it Wilt thou neglect and undervalue Christ or wilt thou not rather give it all humble and thankful acceptance Reflect upon those twelve incomparable properties and characters of this gift methinks though I have spoken but little yet I have said enough to one that will let his reason judg to draw out thy most vehement desires after this gift Yet I will add these Considerations more 1. Consider who it is that offers this gift to thee Christ is the gift of God in a peculiar and eminent manner so therefore were there no other reason thou must take it The worth greatness and excellency of the Donor is an argument to move us to take the gift we regard not so much what it is as from whom it is If thy Father or thy Prince offer a gift to thee would'st thou durst thou deny it If thy dearest Friend should send thee a token wouldest thou slight it Now look on the best of men in all his Excellencies in himself relations to thee and thy dependance on him consider in him all that faithfulness goodness greatness or any thing else that would most move thee to take a gift from his hands and there is infinitely more cause to accept this gift at the hands of God The great and glorious God the King of kings Lord of lords and God of gods the blessed Majesty of Heaven the first Cause the original Being self-sufficient all-sufficient absolutely perfect uncapable of any addition or diminution humbles himself to offer this gift to thee 'T is the high and lofty One that inhabits Eternity to whom millions of ages are but as one day who is boundless in his Being Omnipotent in his Power unsearchable in his Wisdom unconceivable in his Grace and infinite in all his Perfections He who dwells in that light inaccessible before whom the Angels the highest of Creatures vail their faces to whom the whole Creation is nothing less than nothing and vanity This God is he that made thee and all things of nothing supports all things influences all things and is all things and infinitely more than all things He is the God in whose hands thy life is and who is acquainted with all thy ways who is of infinite holiness and perfectly hates all wickedness of unlimited power able to avenge himself on thee every moment and turn thy soul and body into Hell Of infinite justice a jealous God who will by no means clear the guilty against whom thou hast sinned and been an offence and provocation to him all thy days and is thine enemy according to strict justice 't is he whose favour is life and whose frown is death and hell c. The height of a person that bestows a favour and the meanness and unworthiness of the object on whom it is bestowed as it doth exceedingly advance and heighten the Grace and goodness of him that doth it so it mightily aggravates the sin and danger of him that despiseth and refuseth it See that ye refuse not him that speaketh from heaven for if they escaped not c. Heb. 12.25 O what infinite grace and goodness is it for this great God to take so much notice of man and do so much for him What admirable wonderful condescension is it for the most High the God of Heaven and Earth that God whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain to manifest such respect to vile polluted dust and ashes yea to them that are rebels and traytors against his Majesty and thereby worthy of hell as once to offer his blessed only begotten Son to us as a Saviour Well may we with David be amazed at it and cry with admiration Psal. 8.14 O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens And adds What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him That so glorious a Lord should mind poor silly weak frail dying man sinful filthy polluted wretched miserable man could not but affect his heart with admiration and astonishment If a friend or neighbour thy equal do offer thee a kindness though but small how ill does he take it if thou accept it not O what horrid indignity dost thou offer to God what dishonour is it to all his Attributes if thou refuse this transcendent gift 2. Consider what it is that is offered to thee when this gift of God Jesus Christ is offered to thee To explain this fully would require the tongue nay exceed the skill of an Angel none can tell what Christ is but Christ himself all those particulars I mentioned speak somewhat of him but not the thousand thousandth part of that excellency that is in him This let me tell thee when Christ is offered to thee the greatest good that ever was that ever will be that ever can be is offered thee There never was nor can be the like offered thee 't is the best gift that ever was received or given in the world more than Heaven and Earth more than the whole world more than millions of worlds is offered thee He who is offered to thee is the Well of Salvation the Lord of Life the Author of all Consolation an Hive of sweetness a Paradise of pleasure an Heaven of joy He is the richest grace the dearest love the surest friend the highest honour the vastest treasure the exactest beauty the chiefest good the fullest felicity He is a comprehensive and universal good not one but all good riches honours pleasures friends relations health life earth heaven the world the other world all
help him Job 22.2 3. Nor thy wickedness hurt him Job 35.2 He expects no gain by thee looks for no requital he offers this gift to thee not that he may be blessed by thee but that he may be bountiful to thee it 's thy good not his own that he looks at The felicity of accepting is thine own and the misery of neglecting is thine own Prov 9.12 If thou be wise thou shalt be wise for thy self but if thou scornest thou alone shalt bear it Men call Customers to them and press them with many arguments and entreaties to buy that they may inrich themselves by their Customers but God calls men to buy of him not to inrich himself he is as rich and perfect and happy as he can be but to inrich themselves I counsel thee saith Christ to his lukewarm Church â—ev 3.18 to buy of me gold tryed in the fire Why that he might get â—omething by him and enrich himsâ—lf No that thou maist be rich that thou not I may be rich Now Brethren ponder it seriously it is wholly for your own good that you may escape wrath and death that you may attain Heaven and life that God is pleased once more to offer Christ to you He gives his Son to this end that you may be saved to bring you into the state of Sons and into a right to Heaven and Glory Had he given Christ only to rule over you with his Scepter of righteousness it would have been an excellent gift and no small priviledg to be Subjects to such a Prince especially for such as were bondslaves of Satan by nature but he gives Christ to save and redeem us Something yea very much of God is in the Creation much of God in his common providence but most of all yea whole God in the redemption of man If a Physitian should come to us who would heal us of all our diseases suppose we were an Hospital of unsound persons would he not be most acceptable to us What more acceptable to a poor man than wealth or a naked man than clothes or to an hungry man than bread a slave than freedom all this and infinitely more is Christ to us Now all that is required of us in order to the obtaining of all these benefits is to believe in Christ and what is believing but receiving Christ as he is offered to us in the Gospel Iohn 1.12 What is thy mind now about this offer what dost thou resolve on wilt thou have Christ this Gift of God or not Is there any thing unreasonable in his demands any thing defective in this offer or in the gift is not Christ fair or good enough is he not rich and honourable enough is there any want of love or loveliness in Christ for thee What hath been said of him will silence all these and the like objections What canst thou say is it an indifferent matter whether thou take this or not doth not thy eternal felicity depend on thine acceptance of him what sayest thou shall Christ be thy Lord or the Devil One of these will reign over thee Consider what thou dost thy Soul is immortal and must either take God and Christ and Heaven to be thy portion for ever or Hell and Death and Wrath and Divels for thy portion for ever one of these two is the portion of all the Sons and Daughters of Adam If thou wilt still prefer the world before Christ and love the creature above Christ and please thy flâ—sh more than Christ 〈◊〉 thou goest without him and however thou maist shift in this world yet when once thou appearest in another world God will rain fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest and this will be the portion of thy cup Psal. 11 6. But if now thou acceptest oâ— this gift of God Jesus Christ when all thy friends shall leave thee and dearest relations forsake thee yea when thy flesh and thy heart shall fail thee Christ will be the strength of thy heart and thy portion for ever Well consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding that thou maist know when thou art well offered and be wise on this side the other world I know not what other answer you can rationally make to all that hath been said to perswade your acceptance of this gift of God but that either you have it already or desire to know how you may make it your own I shall therefore to prevent mistakes in the one and to give assistance to the other first direct you to try your selves whether Christ be yours or not and then how to attain propriety in this excellent gift whereby you may be happy to all eternity Let this be your most serious inquiry whether you have indeed received this gift of God or not Is Christ yours can you truly say with the Spouse Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his If you can but once say and speak true I am my beloveds as Cant. 6.3 you may with the same breath conclude my beloved is mine Have you ever made a full intire affectionate deliberate and unreserved resignation of your selves unto him have you given up your heart head and hands all you are all you have unto Jesus Christ and that constantly Then he is wholly yours For God never gave his Son to any but such gave themselves to the Lord and are new creatures and sound believers But more particularly 1. If you have received this gift of God you do very highly esteem of him and prefer him above all other things in the world To them that believe Christ is precious they have a good opinion of his worth and excellency have him in greatest honour and estimation as Hinsius saith the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies He that loves Father or Mother or any Relation or Riches or Pleasures more than Christ is not worthy of him cannot be his Disciple Do you truly in judgment and affections account it your chief happiness to enjoy the Lord Jesus Christ is he the chiefest of Ten thousand in your eyes altogether lovely Can you say with David Psal. 16.5 The Lord is my portion or with him Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth I desire beside thee or in competition with thee So that whatever temptations to the contrary you meet with you do in your settled prevailing judgment prefer Christ before all and count all loss and dung in comparison of the excellency of the knowledg of Christ making him the end of your desires and endeavours putting the world and all other things behind him in your esteem and pursuit and thinking no labour nor losses nor sufferings too great for Christ. 2. Are you willing to receive Christ as Lord as well as Saviour submit to him as King as well as accept of him as Redeemer and come not only for ease and rest but to take his yoke upon you and become his Servants Is Christ your Lord
cui jus est preâ—â—cribendi eras It properly signifieth one that hath authority rule or dominion being a word of relation also It is in the writing of the Apostles simply and absolutely ascribed to Christ saith Zanchy a thousand times It is used civiliter as when we call an Honourable person or one that hath servants Lord. And Theologically when this appellation is given to the one true God answering the Hebrew name of God Iehovah which sets forth the absolute power and soveraignty of God over all the Creatures These are the words of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to his Disciples wherein he begins to give them the sense and exposition of that his strange and wonderful condescention of washing his Disciples feet whereof you have the History in the precedent verses He doth now at large declare to what end and renders the reason why he washed his Disciples feet this done partly to shew his admirable love to them vers 1. and to give them an example of humility and love one to another and partly to intimate that he only cleanieth us from our sins 1 Ioh. 1.7 There was in this his action a teaching mystery which they knew not till they were further instructed they yet perceived not that it was not so much material for them to have clean feet as to be cleansed by the blood of Christ and have true humility and love one to another Here he taketh up an argument from their own mouths to shew what they ought to do in imitation of him except they will contradict themselves and in actions dissent from their own words of common use If I your Lord and Master have frooped so low as to wash your feet ye ought also to wash one anothers feet ye ought to be ready and willing to serve one another in love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much more ought ye seeing you are not as ye confess Lords over one another but fellow-servants equally bound in mutual duty Verily verily I say unto you the servant is not greater than his lord and argument a majore from the greater to the less If Christ who excelleth all do so admirably abase himself how may it even shame thee vers 15. I have given you an example that you should do as I have done we must follow rationem exempli magis quam individuum actum the moral reason of the example rather than do the individual act that is we must after Christs example be ready to perform the meanest and lowest offices of love one to another Doct. Christ is a Christians Lord and Master and every Christian is Christs servant Christ and a Christian stand in relation one to another as Lord and servant There is a relation between Christ and Believers as betwixt Master and servants Though Christ saith to the Apostles Ioh. 15.5 Henceforth I call you not servants but friends The meaning is not that he calleth them not servants at all but not meer servants they being more than servants having such acquaintance with his counsels as his friends for he presently vers 20. bids them remember that the servant is not greater than his Lord Mat. 23.8 One is your Master even Christ and all ye are brethren and vers 10. the Apostles called themselves the servants of Iesus Christ Rom. 1.1 1 Cor. 4.1 Phil. 1.1 He is called our Master and we his servants because he is our Rector expleno dominio with absolute propriety and doth not give us Laws to obey while we do our own work but giveth us his work to do and Laws for the right doing of it and it is a service under his eye and in dependance on him for our daily provisions as servants on their Lord. He hath work for us to do in the world and the performance of it he will require He biddeth his Sons go work to day in my Vineyard Mat. 21.28 and expecteth that they do his will ver 31. His servants are as Husbandmen to whom he entrusteth his Vineyard that he may receive the fruit ver 33 34 41 43. Faithful servants shall be made rulers over his Houshold Mat 24.45 46. Christ delivereth his Talents to his servants to improve and will require an account of the improvement at his coming Mat 25.14 1. Christ is a Christians Lord and Master 2. Christians are his servants For the first concerning Christs Lordship enquire what it is 2. How it is 3. Where it is 1. What it is observe that Christ as God-man hath a threefold Lordship as he is God he hath the same glory and dominion with the Father and as God-man Mediator there is a dominion that results from his Office and this is thus distinguished 1. Christ hath a more general dominion or Lordship over all men yea over all creatures He is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9 5. Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Acts 10.36 He is King of Nations Soveraign Lord to rule and judg them Ioh. 3.35 the Father loves the Son and hath given all things into his hand Mat. 28.18 all power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth God hath put all things under his feet Eph. 1.22 This Lordship is or seems to be thaâ— Reign spoken of 1 Cor. 15.25 28. for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet and when all things shall be subdued unto him then shall the son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him that God may be all in all This Oeconomical Kingdom or Lordship is exercised over all whether good or bad whether willing or unwilling to serve him whether knowing or unknowingly and it is manifested by the Acts 1. Of restraining all creatures from crossing or hindering his will and works which he is determined shall be when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive Eph. 4.8 Satan sin death Hell and whatever opposed him in his state of humiliation captivity put for captives a multitude of captives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ hath the keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1.18 i. e. power to deliver to or keep from Hell and the Grave and he is the worlds master Ioh 16 33. be of good cheer I have overcome the world 't is but a conquer'd Enemy let the waves roar the Lord reingeth Psal. 93.1 72.9 his enemies shall lick the dust he rules in the midst of his enemies 2. His Lordship is manifested in guiding and swaying them to his will and end Psal. 68.30 Rebuke the company of spearmen the multitude of bulls with the calves of the people till every one submit himself with pieces of silver Captains and Companies of greatest might rage and cruelty are bridled and tamed made to stoop and pay tribute to him Kings of Isles shall bring presents Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts yea all â—ings shall fall down before him all nations shall serve him for he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the
that delivered him was called his Lord. So when we were mancipia peccati diaboli the Devils captives and slaves of sin in which condition if we had lived and died after a hard and toilsome service in the mean time our wages in the end should have been eternal death Christ by his death hath conquered sin and Satan and freed us from that wretched thraldom to this end that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luke 1.74 75 Thus the Israelites were delivered from Egypt the house of bondage to serve God Hence the Preface to the ten commandments and David confesseth Psal. 116.16 I am thy servant I am thy servant thou hast loosed my bonds If a man had brought another out of Captivity or he had sold himself all his strength or service belonged to the buyer Christ hath bought us from the worst slavery and with the greatest price no thraldom so bad as bondage to sin no prison so black as Hell and certainly Christs blood is better than any money not to serve him then is to defraud him of his purchase no bondage so great as ours no price so great as Christs and therefore no service so great as that which we owe. 2. By the fathers donation or delivery up of them Iohn 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word God hath made us and not we our selves and so hath absolute right to us and dominion over us hath given us unto Christ that we should serve him as well as be saved by him Isa. 44.21 Remember O Iacob thou art my servant I have formed thee thou art my servant O Israel they are given him for a Possession Psal. 2.8 3. By voluntary resignation and surrendring of themselves to him They have given themselves to the Lord that are real Christians 2. Cor. 8.5 'T is by their own consent and contract Rom. 6.13 Yeild up your selves unto God c. Christ loves to have his right and title established By our own consent we take Christ for our Lord and Master and give up our selves to him that we may be no longer at our own dispose and therefore 't is not only robbery but treachery and breach of Covenant to seek our selves in any thing and this resignation must be made out of a sense of Christs love to us in his death and sufferings 2 Cor. 5.15 Christ died that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him who died for them We enter upon other services out of hopes but we enter upon Christs service out of thankfulness 'T was our own voluntary Act by Marriage-Covenant we take him for our Lord our Husband Guide Governour and Protector and as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord so we Christ we have bound our selves by solemn vow and promise to be and continue Christs faithful servants unto the end of our lives now the word is gone out of our lips we may not alter it nor after we have made a vow enquire what we have to do He hath the best right to our best services by this three-fold title and a threefold cord is not easily broken our tongues are not our own to speak what we please nor our hearts to think what we please nor our hands to do what we list By vertue of these and many more titles we are anothers and are bound to live and Act for him according to his will and for his glory 3. What a Lord and Master Christ is The Scriptures give us these Characters or Properties of Him 1. He is the most absolute and supreme Lord. His stile is King of kings and Lord of lords he hath no superior or co-partner with him in his dominion and government all other Power and Lordship is dependent and derivative and subordinate 1. All Power is from him as 1. Civil Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree Iustice. 2. Ecclesiastical 2 Cor. 10.8 That power which the Apostle had was derived from Christ For though I should boast something more of the Authority which the Lord hath given us for Edification and not for Destruction 3. Inward and spiritual Mar. 16.20 They preached every where the Lord working with them the opening of the eyes of the blind quickening the dead turning them from darkness to light were the effects of his power not the parts or piety of the Preacher but his grace and spirit did the work Lastly extraordinary and miraculous power whereby they confirmed the word signs and wonders were wrought in his name and by his power When the lame man was healed and the Apostle examined by what power or by what name they had done it Peter answered Acts 4.10 Be it known unto you all tâ—at by the name of Iesus of Nazareth this man doth stand before you whole 2. As all power is derived from him and dependent on him so 't is to be used and obeyed in subordination to him 1. For him as the authority of Magistrates Parents 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream Eph. 6.1 Children obey your parents in the Lord so wives to husbands servants to masters Col. 3.18 2. According to him Acts. 5 29 the Apostle answered We ought to obey God rather than men 3. All other Lords are responsible to him for the use and abuse of that authority and those gifts they received from him and are therefore punishable by him 2 dly He is an universal Lord Lord of all 1. In regard of persons he is over all Rom. 9.5 He rules over all nations persons hearts all other Masters and Lords are inferiour to him Eph. 6.9 And ye masters do the same things to them that is your Servants forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him 2. In regard of matters and acts outward inward Godward manward civil spiritual all come under his cognizance Eph. 6.5 6. Col. 3.23 Rom. 14.18 in all these things we are to serve Christ 3. In regard of places the three kingdoms of Heaven Earth and Hell have no other Lord but Christ Angels and glorified Saints in Heaven Saints Sinners and every creature on Earth the damned and Devils in Hell are all his subjects 3 dly He is a spiritual Lord for the manner of his rule and government Iohn 18.36 My kingdom is not of this world not from hence Not that he governs not in Heaven and Earth for though his kingdom be not of this world Rex tamen est in hoc mundo Bern. when Pilate had openly declared whose accusation it was Jesus plainly tells him that his Kingdom was not secular but spiritual not of this world So that he nothing intrenched on Caesars
more mischief than a storm a lethargy of security is more dangerous than a feaver of soul-trouble Take heed to your selves that you lose not what you have wrought but that you receive a full reward let this gift of God make you aspire after the highest enjoyment of God in eternal life which is also the gift of God 3. Live upon and live up to this blessed gift of God improve Iesus Christ. The height of true Christian perfection is a full view of this lovely Iesus a conformity to him and deriving all influences from him there 's fresh springs in him new unheard-of treasures an unknown-land of grace and delights in him set your cistern under the cock put the mouth of faith to the full breasts of Gospel-promises made in Iesus Christ. Pray much give God no rest tell God there 's enough in his Son of that you want in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2.3 why should you want when there 's enough laid up for you why should you be afraid to ask when all is of free-gift God is more willing to give than you are to receive it easeth his heart as it were to give of the riches of his grace to sinners King James gave to Sir Henry Rich after Earl of Holland 3000 l. at once who had wisht for so much money You think saith the King now you have a great purchase but I am more delighted to think how much I have pleasur'd you in giving than you are in receiving Gods gifts finding room and welcome in your hearts is infinite content to an open-handed giver but you must neither slight nor trifle away his gifts you live all of begging beggars must not be wasters Nemo prodiger qui mendicat own God in all give him the glory When thou hast thy best Suit on remember who bought it made it put it on keeps it on what hast thou that 's not received thank thy good Master for so bountiful an alms 4. Admire free-grace in this great gift I have heard of a gracious Christian that lying down in his bed and rising up had this in his mind and mouth Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift Iesus Christ is such a gift as never came out of the hands of God and was never received by the hands of man a gift that consecrates all other gifts as the altar sanctified the gift laid thereon all Gods gifts to us without this would in some sort be giftless gifts crumbs cast to dogs as Luther call'd the Turkish Empire without which all our persons and performances are no better than dung in Gods account yea in Saints esteem as so many cyphers without a figure yea without Christ we our selves had been dead and damn d wretches Christ is the darling of Heaven the delight of Saints the object of Angels admiration If Heaven and earth were consolidated into one massy Pearl it would not be as the dust on the ballance to blessed Iesus cast in all the holy Angels and rational souls they would all be but trifles compared with this Lamb of God He is the best part of heaven all heaven more than heaven the King makes the Court his presence makes heaven which would be a black nothing a Tohu and Bohu an hell without his company Oh that real Saints were transported with admiration of Gods love in giving Christ and Christs love in giving himself for and to them this will be their work for ever begin it here and cry out with the Martyr in the flames None but Christ none but Christ. Be content to be burnt in this heavenly Sun so you may more fully see and admire him Long to see his blessed face upon his Throne though you could not see his face in the flesh Live to him here that you may live with him hereafter Since he is given to you give your selves back to him Come and see make strange discoveries the nearer you approach to him the better you 'l like him We are dim-sighted and unaffected here but perfect faculties and an endless eternity will compleat our praises of Him Thy best is reserved till the last Read and live and learn what Christ is but die and learn better sight will make you perfect Scholars Whither this Christ-admiring friend is gone whither I pray God bring your immortal souls with Your Souls real friend in Christian Offices O. H. Joh. 4.10 Iesus answered and said unto her if thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water THE first thing that God created in the world was Light Gen. 1.3 and the first work of God in the renovation or new Creation of lost man is to create light in the heart of such as dwell in the region of darkness and sit in the shadow of death The natural man is darkness and knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned And Ignoti nulla cupido what we know not we do not we cannot desire one great reason then why men submit not themselves to the government and ways of Christ is because their minds are not enlightned thorowly and in a manner suitably to the nature and worth thereof so long as they feel no necessity of Christ see no beauty or excellency in him they keep themselves at a distance from him and their own happiness Hagar was near the Well but her eyes were not opened and therefore she made not towards it So this Woman to whom Christ spoke in the Text was near the well of living water the fountain of all grace and comfort yet her eyes were shut and she knew it not of which Christ does admonish her in these words If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee c. They are the words of our blessed Saviour to the Samaritan woman at Iacob's Well near the City Sychar and part of that conference he had with her in his Disciples absence In this Chapter you have a relation of Christs Journey from Iudea by Samaria to Galilee together with the occasion thereof 〈◊〉 many observable passages in the way I shâ—ll only and but lightly touch upon those that concern this Woman in whose person is exemplified that saying of the Prophet Isa. 65.1 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said behold me behold me to a Nation that was not called by my name The story is this Our Saviour Christ leaving Iudea retires to Galilee now the way to Galilee lay through Samaria as he went there fell out an extraordinary thing or as Calvin calls it a happy chance for coming to Sycâ—ar which place though its name be no where else mentioned in Scripture is commonly thought to be Sichem situated on the side of mount Gerizzim the inhabitants whereof were murdered by Simeon
the inexhausted fountain of all those streams of blessedness that flow forth all the Creation over the eternal Spring and Well-head of all those fresh Seas and Oceans of all the swelling-tides and bottomless depths of unutterable riches of grace and love to all his elect He must needs be rich who sets up and enriches so many thousand Bankrupts that had not only wasted their goods but sold themselves into slavery and bondage he pays their ransoms buys out their liberty and purchases Crowns and Kingdoms for them It would beggar all the Angels in Heaven to pay down the ransom of one soul yea to purchase the pardon of one sin The redemption of the soul is precious the soul of the meanest man alive is of more worth than a world as he himself tells us who went to the price of souls What then shall we think of Christ who saves so many millions of souls Hence in Scripture the richest things on earth are made use of to shadow out the riches of Christ. Under the title of wisdom he saith Prov. 8.18 19 Riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness My fruit is better than gold and my revenue than choice silver And Prov. 3.16 Length of days are in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Eternity hath the honour of her right hand riches are the left-hand blessings of wisdom The riches of Christ are not ordinary things not perishing riches but unsearchable and inexhaustible Eph. 3.8 There are unsearchable riches of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to be traced out never to be drawn dry Though all true believers have all their debts paid and are all maintained and advanced by his riches and at his cost and charges yet there is no lessening of this treasure that 's never the emptier Sumit unus sumunt mille quantum isti tantum illi neque sumptus absumitur One believer draws water of life and a supply of all needful blessings out of this Well of Salvation and a Thousand gracious souls do the like and the One draws as much as the Thousand yet the Well is never drawn dry As the Apostle Paul speaks of his over-abundant grace confesses he was dipt in a sea of mercy One Paul obtained as much grace even so whole and compleat a ransom without diminishing as would have saved a world Grace reigns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is rich and Lord of all 5. Christ is a most precious gift He is more precious than rubies and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared unto him Imagine what you will name what you can and 't is unworthy to stand in comparison with Christ who is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon him and happy is every one that retaineth him Prov. 3.15 18. It 's too true there are not a few that set light by Christ and can see no beauty or comliness in him that they should desire him but to them that believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2.7 The wise Merchant understood his worth which made him sell all that he had with joy with a very good will so far from sticking and wavering so far from changing his mind that he persists in his resolution with a chearful heart that he might purchase this Pearl of great price Mat. 13.44 The Apostle Paul was at one with himself Yea doubtless I count all things but loss and dung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dogs-meat that I may win Christ Phil. 3.8 Let burning hanging all torments befall me tantumodo ut Christum nansciscar so I may get Christ saith Ignatius Could we give you a particular view and account but that 's impossible of every excellency and all the high perfections that are in Christ you would find him precious in all the parts of his Mediatorship in his person in his natures in his offices in all his gifts and graces Look on him as Mediator and there he shines forth most gloriously and appears to be the most peerless and precious thing in the world as Prophet he is most precious Enoch Noah Moses Elisha David c. were excellent and precious men in their times but were types of Christ he as far excels them as the substance doth the shadow He is Prophet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of eminency and exellency above all other Prophets they spake to the ear he to the heart they searched out the mind of God he came out of his bosome and saith Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding Prov. 8.14 So as Priest he is most precious this office is the most excellent part of his mediation he could never have opened our eyes as Prophet nor ruled our hearts as King had he not died for us O the death and blood of Christ this Lamb of God! how precious of what infinite value The death of a Man is more precious than of a Beast of a King than of many Men of Christ more than a thousand Kings Thousands of Rams and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl had been nothing to the price Christ paid See in the Hebrews how far Christs Priesthood excels all that went before him He alone is an everlasting Priest offering but once sufficient for all gone to Heaven c. and he is Sacrifice Priest Temple Altar and all in one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Never was there on earth a King so precious as Christ though all good Kings are precious he is over all King of kings and Lord of lords his kingdom spiritual over all hearts consciences over all nations ages all sorts and ranks of men from generation to generation he is head and King alone without either Collegue in the largeness of his dominions or Regent in his minority or Vice-roy in his absence How precious is grace one dram of it better than all the treasures in the world Now he is the fountain of it full of grace and truth so Truths Ordinances so Comforts Promises all that belongs unto him very precious 6. Christ is a most pleasant gift Nothing more desirable and amiable than Christ to sinners Excellency is the attractive of desire beauty draws the eye that affects the heart and delight following love makes very delightful Now Christ is altogether lovely Totus ipse in universum delectabilis desiderabilis all throughout from top to toe desirable and delightful the cheif among Ten thousand matchless and incomparable To say nothing of his bodily features though Historians report Christ to be very beautiful as man As God he is the perfection of beauty 't is true beauty is not formally in God yet it is in him eminently and by way of Analogy for if beauty be good and a desirable perfection in the creature it must needs be in the infinite God as the perfection of the effect is in the cause If Roses and Lillies be fair he must be fair that created them but in another kind if the Sun Moon
and Stars be beautiful the lovely Lord that made them must contain their beauty in the highest measure beauty in God is the amiableness and loveliness of his nature and all his infinite perfections as this pleasantness offers it self to his own understanding and the understanding of men and Angels So that as bodily beauty satisfies the eye and so acts on the heart to win love So the Truth of the Lords nature and all his Attributes offered to the understanding and mind drawing from them admiration and love is the beauty of God The Prophet speaks of it with admiration How great is thy beauty Zech. 9.17 David makes it his one thing that he may behold it Psal. 27.4 David desires no other life but to stand beside God and behold with the eye of his mind and faith God in his Nature and Attributes as he reveals himself to the creature Now this beauty of God shines forth to us in Christ 2 Cor. 4.7 who is the brightness of his Fathers glory and the express character of his person Heb. 1.3 When Moses was to behold God he was hid in the Rock while his glory passed by and that Rock was Christ. You sometimes see beauty that ravishes the heart of the beholder in the children of men O! but Christ is fairer than the Sons of men Psal. 45.2 on which place Austin thus descants To us Believers the heavenly Bridegroom seems to be most fair every way fair in Heaven fair on Earth fair in the Womb fair in the Cradle fair in his Miracles fair in his Doctrine fair in his Stripes fair on the Cross fair in his very Grave To make up a beauty is required 1. A good complexion fairness in colours So Christ is pure white and red Cant. 5.10 white in his Divine Nature which was the brightness of his Fathers substance Red in his humanity being of the same substance with the first Adam who was made of Red Earth White in his holiness Red in his blood and sufferings White in his own immaculate innocence and purity Red by the imputation of our sins which are like scarlet and Crimson White in his goodness and free grace to humble sinners but Red and bloody in his severity to his enemies that will not that he reign over them His effigies was so beautiful that no Painter could ever draw him because of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine lustre and grace that shone in him His countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedar Cant. 5.15 and 1.16 the Spouse cryes out wondering Behold thou art fair my beloved yea pleasant that is lovely and amiable 2. As he is fair in Coulors so he is comly in proportion and integrity of parts If a person have never so good colours yet if any part be wanting or be not an agreement of parts in regard of quantity scituation and stature 't is no beauty but an error of nature But Christ is beautiful for features for infiniteness and sweetness of order and proportion is so spread over his nature and attributes that nothing can be added to him nothing taken from him He is the fulness of the godhead the perfection of beauty Cant. 5.10 to the end His head is as most fine gold his locks bushy and black as a raven his eyes as the eyes of doves his cheeks as a bed of spices his lips like lillies c. O what a pleasant harmony and specious consent of parts is here yea he is altogether lovely Here she breaks off her praises in a general Elogy which no words can express enough q. d. Alas what is this I have spoken I am too barren and empty of language I know not what to call him but do you that hear me imagine or name any thing that is most desirable most worthy to be loved longed for and admired and that is he he is the desire of all Nations This pleasant and delightful gift is set forth in Scripture by something that pleases all the inward senses Here 's beauty to delight the eye O! how blessed are they who see the King in his beauty Here 's Myrrh Aloes and Cassia sweet perfumes to the spiritual smell Psal. 45.8 He is a bundle of myrrh Cant. 1.13 His voice is most sweet and pleasant to the ear Cant. 2.8 The voice of my beloved so taken with the sweetneâ—s of it that she speaks in broken language His lips like lillies dropping sweet smelling myrrh Cant. 5.13 How sweet is he to the taste Cant. 2.3 I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste of an excellent rellish wine milk honey fatted calf c. are but shadows of this He 's a delicate Banquet The kisses of his mouth and hidden manna are most delectable to the spiritual touch Cant. 1.2 The sense and experience of his mercy the assurance of his love the sealing of his Spirit O how swâ—et to a thirsty soul O taste and see that the Lord is gracious and transcendently amiable and pleasant as Mr. Rutherford Suppose all the corns of sand in all the earth and shores all the flowers herbs leaves and twigs of trees since the creation all the drops of dew and rain that the clouds send down all the stars in heaven all the joints hairs and drops of blood of all men that have been are or shall be were all rational creatures and had the wisdom and tongues of Angels to speak of the beauty and loveliness of Christ they would in all their expressions stay millions of miles on this side Christ and his excellency 7. Christ is a most useful gift In this respect he is the one thing needful and were there no other excellency in him this were enough to commend him to us he is so useful that we cannot be without him Though a gift were never so rich pleasant and precious in it self yet if the excellency in it may not be made use of and it be not good and fit for us it is not much valued But this gift of God is so admirable good for our use that he seems to be fitted and dressed and made all for our use in regard of his Mediatorship that office is wholly for us and our benefit He was born lived died rose again sits on Gods right hand as Advocate and comes to judgment for our sakes and for our good He is God and Man Prophet Priest and King A Saviour a Redeemer a Surety an Advocate a Mediator Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. all for use to us lost and perishing sinners He is a jewel indeed but not locked up in heaven to be made use of by none Christ is shadowed forth in Scripture by Head Vine Milk Water c. now what more necessary and useful to men than these Who could reconcile us to God when we were enemies but Christ in his blood Rom. 5.10 Who could justifie us in the sight of God when we were sinners but Christ by his righteousness Rom.
the good of both worlds and infinitely more He is so needful a good that thou art undone without him that 's the misery of hell yea the very hell of hell He is so plentiful a good that thou art perfectly happy in him thou needest no more he is the Heaven of heavens he is the only suitable satisfying good which suits the nature and fits and fills the desires of the rational creature he can enlarge and suit all thy faculties answer and relieve all thy necessities fill up all the capacities of thy heaven-born soul. He is an everlasting good who will stay with thee and stand by thee when all other good things shall fail thee Wilt thou not now say Lord whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire in comparison of thee I 'm sure he is such a gift as thou wouldest have if thou knew what thou dost as thou shouldst have if thou understood thy self and answeredst the ends of the Gospel as thou must have if thou be not eternally miserable O what dost thou think of having this gift as thine own sure by this time thy heart may melt into astonishment and thy bowels be moved within thee and thy soul cry with the Martyr in the flames None but Christ none but Christ Well what saist thou to him is not Christ worthy to be accepted and embraced Is it not worth the while to have him for thine own Whatever thou thinkest now when death shall close thy eyes thou wilt be of this mind when thy soul stands quivering on thy lips ready to take its flight into the unknown regions of the other world when Devils will be waiting to seize upon it as soon as ever it leaves the body to hale it to the unquenchable flames of Hell when thy friends relations shall be weeping and wailing by thee but unable to afford thy dying body the least cordial or thy departing soul the least comfort Ah what wilt thou do in such an hour which is hasting on thee Without Christ on whom wilt thou call to whom wilt thou flee where wilt thou rest or hide thy self from the wrath of the Lamb of God Believe it though thou maist live without him thou canst not die without him without infinite horrour and confusion Is it not thy greatest concern to have him for thine to whom thou must stand or fall for ever from whose mouth thy sentence of eternal absolution or condemnation must come and who shall judg thee to thine unchangeable state of life or death of salvation or damnation though thou maist think thou canst do well enough without him at this day having what heart can wish in the world yet what wilt thou do at that day when the world shall be on a flame if Christ be not thine Once more let me intreat thee to answer Art thou willing or not to have this gift What say'st thou canst thou find in thine heart to deprive thy precious soul of such an inestimable treasure and to leave it naked in the other world to the cruelty of Devils and the dreadful curses of the Law and intolerable wrath of God 3. Consider on what terms thou maist have this gift for thine thou maist possibly think that so boundless and bottomless a treasure must cost thee very dear and the price must be exceeding great of a pearl so matchless and incomparable much will be expected from me and I shall never be able to compass this gift But know sinner to thy comfort all that God requireth of thee is only to accept Christ heartily and thankfully canst thou desire any thing cheaper wouldest thou desire him to fall lower in his terms Nay is it possible to do so and make thee happy How can he be thine unless thou receive him for thine that is a poor favour a vile gift that is not worth acceptance what more reasonable take him for thine and he shall be thine canst thou both deny him and enjoy him refuse the gift and have it too Our emptiness is the best plea and self-denial our best price thou givest more for thy bread thy clothes thy house and for the needful comforts that are for the support of thy frail body than thou needest to give for this great and glorious Christ thou payest money for them but thou maist have him without money and without price One would think that the equity of the condition should both amaze thee and allure thee God doth not â—ell but give his Son he knows thou hast nothing and he would only have thee to know that too and be humbled under the sense of thy spiritual poverty thou maist lose a gift by offering to buy it Thy money perish with thee c. 'T is said indeed Isa. 55.1 Come buy c. for the word is used here improperly for to get attain receive procure furnish your selves c. So Prov. 3.8 and elsewhere something must indeed be done by those that partake of Christ they must come and accept of him And something parted with but of no valuable consideration in gain to God and what would be prejudicial to us and inconsistent with having this gift But God requires not of thee things impossible he doth not say If thou wilt remove mountains dry up oceans stop the course of nature create worlds and Christ shall be thine as great as good as he is he doth not say If thou satisfie my justice answer the demands of my Law merit my love and favour then shall he be thine No he himself hath done all this for thee all that he desires is that thou wouldest receive him that hath done so Neither doth he require any thing of thee that is barbarous and cruel as the Heathen Deities did of their worshippers he says not if thou wilt lance and mangle thy body as Baal's Priests did or if thou wilt go barefoot in sackcloth long and tedious Pilgrimages as the Papists do If you will offer your Children in the fire and give the fruit of your bodies for the sin of your souls as some did then he is yours Nor doth he require of thee chargeable and costly as to offer the best and chiefest of thy flock in sacrifice to him nor as he once did of the young man to sell all that thou hast and give it to the poor Nor as Idolaters lay down such a part of thy estate for thy pardon But he only requires that thou first thirst and then buy be sensible of thy want and poverty and nothingness and then open an empty hand and take Christ as thy Saviour and Lord and wilt thou not do it Canst thou deny him and thy poor soul so reasonable so equitable a request as the Servant said to Naaman If the prophet had commanded thee some great thing wouldest thou not have done it how much more then when he only saith wash and be clean So say I to thee If God had commanded the greatest things imaginable
Kings Priests Prophets Titles of Dignity Names of Honour or whatever else was ascribed to them to express their Dignity and Soveraignty they were only used â—o express those transcendent Excellencies which these personal Types did adumbrate and appear most properly to belong unto this Prince of Peace 2. So for the New Testament he is almost expressed but always intended and implied in every chapter verse line and word thereof Take away Christ out of the Gospel and there remains nothing but empty words Take Christ out of the History and it is but a meer Fable and remove him from the Doctrine thereof and it falls to the ground being without a foundation Take Christ out of the Precepts and they are not of force or a yoke too heavy for us to bear Take him out of the Promises and they are not Yea and Amen The Promises without Christ are Wells sealed up bones without marrow In the Epistles if Christ be absent there is no Grace Mercy or Peace 2. He is the prime and marrow of all things as well as of words as Austin tells us having gone through all Creatures and enquired of them for God each one of them did answer I am not he Sed per ipsum sum quem quaeris in me but I have my being from him whom thou seekest in me So if we view the whole Creatition and note the particular excellencies of every Creature we should find that all these are derived from Christ he is the pearl of the word and of the world Is there any thing praise-worthy and excellent even in our estimation which we may not find Christ comprehend the same eminently in himself as the vertue and perfection of the effect is in the cause If riches be desirable and excellent Christ is rich and Lord of all in him are unsearchable riches treasures of wisdom and knowledg If you talk of honours as riches so honours are his We behold his glory as of the only begotten Son of God When man was at first created he was created with honour and glory Psal. 8.5 but Christ is better than man in his primitive purity and original splendour not men only but Angels also worship him Heb. 1.6 Philip. 2.9 God hath highly exalted him he saith not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God hath highted him but hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over-highted or super-exalted him and hath given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a name above all names that is real honour above all names all expressions and above all thoughts and above all excellencies not only in this world but in the world to come O how excellent is his name in all the earth Psal. 8.1 If there be any worth in pleasures as many conceive here then is an object altogether lovely and delightful here is beauty to delight the eye sweetest musick in his voice to ravish the ear and that which pleases all the senses of the inward man Another esteemed excellency is Wisdom which Solomon saith exceedeth folly as far as light exceedeth darkness Eccles 2.13 Now herein doth the excellency of Christ chiefly appear for he was filled with wisdom Luk. 2.40 In him were hid treasures of wisdom Col. 2.3 He is the Wisdom of God and saith Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding In a word there is one excellency more and but one in this world far transcending all these that is Grace for that makes a man excellent Psal. 16.2 The righteous is more excellent more honourable than his neighbour Prov. 12.26 and procures a name better than of sons and daughters even an everlasting name that cannot be cut off Isa. 56.5 But the grace of any Christian is but as the drop to the Ocean in regard of the grace of Christ who is full of grace and truth Iohn 1.14 Grace is poured into his lips Psal. 45.2 yea such uncreated grace hath no one Christ is better than health than wealth than peace than pleasure than wisdom or grace Christ made ours by his Fathers gift and goodness hath all the sweetness comfort and happiness of all these in him and infinitely more All these are but streams that lead us to the fountain but beams that guide our eyes to that Father of lights to that Son of righteousness God reconciled God incarnate 3. Christ is the first and chiefest of all persons which raises him one degree higher in his superlative excellency 'T is reported of Apelles that at his drawing of his rare pictures of Venus among the Heathens stiled the Goddess of beauty that he assembled together the most beautiful Women of the Island of Coos comprehending in that his own work their divided perfections so to conclude this Encomium of Christ I shall collect the Eminencies of all things and persons and beings and shew that he is the chiefest of all chieftains the choicest of all choice persons in Heaven and Earth God Angels and Men of gods so called he is the chiefest nay he stands alone he is the only true and wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 Of Angels he is the chief the Angel of the Lords substantial presence Isa. 63.9 he is the Archangel 1 Thes. 4.16 the Prince anâ— Head of those glorious spirits Col. 2.10 the head of all principalities and powers Of men he is the prince and choicest the chiefest of ten thousand the standard-bearer among the armies of Angels and men the choice of the flock the flower the rose the glory of all the children of men yea he contains all their excellencies whereof some had one excellency some another he hath all Abraham was excellent in his faith Moses in his choice Iob in his patience David in his sincerity having a heart like Gods heart but Christ hath all eminency of grace in one some are gods but must dye like men Christ is the Prince of life that never dyes some are wise but he is wisdom it self some are strong but he is most mighty some are fair but Christ is fairer than the Sons of men Among relations he is the chief among shepherds he is the chief shepherd of our souls 1 Pet. 5.4 the good shepherd Iohn 10.11 Among Sons he is the first-begotten Son Heb. 1.6 the first-born of every creature Col. 1.15 the first-born among many brethren Rom. 8 29. still he hath the preheminence Among Prophets Priest and Kings he is the most excellent and far transcends all others he is in every respect absolutely perfect and a superlatively excellent Saviour so that there is none such no Saviour besides him this is the person whom you undervalue and make light of 3. By refusing this gift of God you do exceedingly gratifie Satan the great enemy of your souls If a man had conference with the Prince of Darkness and should make this motion to him wherein he might most serve and gratifie him I am confident it would be his only wish to such a soul above any thing in the world that he would keep at distance from Christ neither
come near Him nor his Ordinances have nothing to do with him Now will any be so stupid as to gratifie his greatest adversary to his own unspeakable prejudice Is it not horrible indignity to Christ monstrous cruelty to the soul to refuse Christ who hath done and suffered so much for him and to be led by Satan captive and blindfold into misery to slight Christs sweet invitations and yield to Satans malicious temptations Satan is that strong man that hath power over all men in nature he keeps his goods in peace in the palace of our hearts and there sports himself in carrying on the design of the souls ruin sometimes by policy sometimes by force he keeps possession Luk. 11.21 22. And wherein can a man more designedly gratifie Satan further his wicked designs and establish his kingdom yea enlarge his dominion than by siding with him against Christ who besiegeth the soul with Ordinances and Providences for Satan knows well enough that Christs rise will be his fall Christs scepter will be his destruction that when Christ a stronger than he comes he will overcome him and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted pull down his strong holds divide the spoils and deliver poor captive man out of prison and slavery O then do not so much gratifie Satan 4. If you refuse Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel you are guilty of the greatest sin and folly that can be Though for most part men think not so of it and accordingly lay it not to heart yet it is the greatest sin the sin of sins and in some sort the only sin of the world Men commonly think murder adultery theft drunkenness to be very hainous sins and so indeed they be but unbelief far worse for it is the mother of these and all other evils Take all the sins that ever were committed against any of Gods just laws and none is like to this no greater sin can be laid to ones charge than to refuse wilfully and trample under foot the Son of God Christ promises to send his Spirit the Comforter into the world and he shall convince the world of sin because they believe not on him Joh. 16.9 he means this sin alone saith Austin as if not believing in the Son of God were the only sin Indeed it is the main and master-sin O beloved little do you think who daily sit under the Ministry unwrought on by the Word of God what a grievous and fearful sin you commit and dreadful guilt you carry home with you in neglecting from day to day so great Salvation in forsaking your own mercy and in judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life when Jesus Christ this most precious gift is offered to you by chusing rather to cleave to a lust than to Christ blessed for ever and rather to wallow in the mire and mud of earthly riches and swinish pleasures than to receive this most pleasant and excellent gift rather to cast away your time in idleness pride worldliness and sensuality than in seeking after this transcendent favour rather make choice of a life made up of drunkenness whoredoms railing at godliness The greatness of this sin appears in this that it is most directly and diametrically opposite to the most fundamental Doctrine and command of the Gospel the primary and principal command of Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3.23 When the Jaylor being sadly convinced cryed out to the Apostles Sirs what shall I do to be saved they answered him Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Not to believe is accounted by God notorious disobedience and horrid gain saying Rom. 10. ult In the Law God strictly requires obedience to his just precepts Do this and live by doing these things thou shalt save thy self from hell but no man living being able to purchase Heaven at this rate by Christ he takes off this yoke so that if they will but believe on his Son they shall not be condemned by the Law and thus he treats men Since thou canst not fully obey my Law nor satisfie my Justice I 'le give thee my Son who shall do all for thee through whose perfect obedience thy imperfections may be remitted and healed only thou must believe in him and if thou wilt do but this one thing for thy soul all thy sins shall be pardoned thou shalt be received into favour adopted for my Son and in thy obedience to the rest of my commands I 'le accept the will for the deed though thou canst not perform such perfect obedience as thou shouldest yet if thou labour to do what thou canst I 'le help thee with strength from Heaven bear with unallowed infirmities c. 'T is a sin against light and much knowledg a sin against love and special mercies it binds all a mans other sins upon him it puts and keeps him under the guilt of all his sins Infidelitate manente maneat peccatum omne he that lives in unbelief dies in his sins it makes a mans actions though moral and spiritual be sinful be a man never so holy and devout do or suffer never so much none of these nor all nor whatever can be named or imagined God will not be pleased with them for without faith 't is impossible to please God yea 't is a sin that defiles all a mans outward enjoyments and temporal good things To them that are unbelieving nothing is pure wife children house In a word 't is the height and perfection of madness to refuse Christ Quis nisi mentis inops c. Heaven and earth may be astonished Angels and all Creatures may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishness and monstrous madness 5. If you refuse Christ you utterly undo your own souls for ever if ye miss of this gift ye must expect nothing but misery here and eternal damnation hereafter For there is no name under heaven by which you can be saved Whatever your formalities be how fair soever ye carry in the eye of the world let your profession be never so plausible 't is Christ alone that can save you If you will accept of the Lord Jesus Christ you are in the suburbs of Heaven there is but a thin wall between you and the land of Praises ye are within an hours sailing of the shore of the new Canaan when death digs a little hole in the wall and takes down the sails you have no more to do but set your foot down in the fairest of created Paradises but if you will not accept of Christ let me tell you the truth you are in the suburbs of Hell there is but the cutting of a small thred and you have your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers 1. By refusing Christ you do no less than put and fix your selves in the state of condemnation Let not this be accounted as a harsh censure of my own head for 't is the Scipture Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth on him is
not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and the reason this sentence is past upon such is because they believe not on the only begotten Son of God and the wrath of God abides on them Ioh. 3.36 We are all lost in Adam and if it be the office of Christ to save them that are lost they do worthily abide in death who refuse him and his Salvation 2. This sin of refusing Christ this very sin will e're long bring you actually into the place of condemnation whence there is no return What shall we be damned No far be it from me to pronounce the sentence of condemnation upon the worst of men but this you may be assured of that if you live and die without Christ your portion will be in utter and everlasting darkness 2 Thes. 2.12 That they all might be damned that believed not the truth c. Iesus Christ will be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes. 1.7 8 9. and take your lot with them Rev. 21.8 The unbelieving shall have their portion in the lake of fire and brimstone the very worst place in Hell Luke 12.48 To say nothing of Temporal Judgments answer me this question Isa. 33.14 Who among you can dwell with everlasting burnings The time will come when you shall remember what the Minister said O how fain would he have had me to escape these torments how earnestly did he entreat me With what love and tender compassion did he beseech me how did his bowels earn over me yet I did but make a jest of it and hardened my heart against all how glad would he have been after all his studies prayers and pains if he could have perswaded me cordially to accept Christ he would have thought himself well recompenced for all his labours he would have laid his hands under my feet and have fallen down on his knees to beg of me obedience to his message and all the entreaties of Ministers are the entreatings of God O how long did he wait how freely did he offer how lovingly did he invite how importunately did he solicite how long did Christ stand knocking at my door crying open to me sinner why sinner are thy lusts and pleasures better than me is earth better than heaven why then dost thou delay or deny wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O that thou wouldest hearken to my voice and obey my Gospel O that they were wise As one that is loath to take a denial would not be repulsed O how would he have gathered thee and thou wouldest not shall the God of heaven and earth follow thee in vain from one place to another Turn ye turn ye why will ye die I would not have you perish If you go on with your refusal of Christ you may expect that the hellish gnawing of conscience for this one sin will hold scales with all the united horrour of all the rest you will then cry out O fools and ideots that we were when we refused so excellent a gift so blessed a Saviour we could then see no beauty in him nor comeliness wherefore we should desire him but now how fair and glorious is he whom we see upon the white Throne how desirable is his Sacred Majesty O how amiable is his countenance how doth he shine with incomparable splendor above the brightness of ten thousand Suns What wrong have we done our own souls that we have deprived of so beautiful and delightful an object as this most sweet and glorious Saviour If now we had time and leave to make our choice we would prefer the enjoyment of him whom we once contemned before ten thousand worlds But alas we cannot the term of mercy is expired and the time of justice wrath and vengeance so much spoken of by our faithful Pastors is now come and now we must be judged to the easeless endless and â—emediless torments of the infernal pit And all our pleasures and delights are gone O that we had never been born O that we had been so happy as our horses or swine which die but once and fell no more pain for ever whereas we must be ever dying and never free from pain and misery Wo wo wo unto us that ever we were born to see this day and to die this death and to live this life which will be a never dying death We that accounted such an one a precise fool for his care to receive and improve this gift of God shall groan out this sad complaint in the anguish of our spirits This was he whom we had sometimes in derision and a Proverb of reproach we fools counted his life madness and his end to be without honour now he is numbred among the Children of God and his lot is among the Saints Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness hath not shined upon us and as for the way of the Lord we have not known it What hath pride profited us or what good have riches with our vanity brought us all these things are passed by as a shadow and as a Post that hasts away O with what infinite horrour and restless anguish will this conceit rent the heart in pieces and gnaw up the conscience when he considers in hell that he hath lost heaven for a lust and Christ for a meer shadow whereas he might at every Sermon had even the Son of God his own for the very taking and with him for ever unspeakable joy and glory yet then neglecting so great Salvation must now be crying out therefore against himself as the most raging Bedlam that ever breath'd lye down in unquenchable flames without remedy ease or end Whereas all those that now accept of Christ shall while they live when they die and for ever cry out with the Apostle 2 Cor. 9.15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift 2. Second Branch of Instruction and Exhortation Such as have received this gift of God must make it their care and business to retain and keep him Buy the truth but sell it not Prov. 23.23 Remember how thou hast received and hold fast Rev. 3.3 This was the exemplary wisdom and care of the Church Cant. 3.4 I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me She came by him hardly and therefore she will not part with him lightly it cost her dear to find him she sought him up and down with tears and pains and returns with many a non inventus yet at last got him with much hazard and danger much loss and suffering and therefore having found him whom her soul loved she would by no means part with him nor leave him for the greatest advantages in the world she knew well that nothing under heaven could countervail the loss of him nothing in this wide universe though never so lovely and desirable could be equivalent to
garden Cant. 4.16 and now lo here I am to answer the longing expectation of thy blessed Soul which doth even pant and thirst after me who am the health of thy countenance and thy God Psal. 42.11 My company thou dost affect I see 't is most sweet and pleasant to thee and my company thou shalt have here I am to be with thee as thou didst pray and desire I come to eat thy pleasant fruits and bring with me the inexpressible comforts of my Spirit do thou eat and drink Yea drink abundantly O beloved 2. Be willing to be with him in reading much and often in the book of God where thou maist find this precious pearl as in a field what else saith the Prince of Anhalt is the whole Scripture but the swadling-clothes of the child Jesus the Apostle Col. 3.16 right well terms the word of God the word of Christ because he is the matter of the whole and the contents of all the Bible shadowed in the Law and shewed in the Gospel Vnam vocem habent duo Testamenta the word of the Lord contains nothing but the word which is the Lord. Austin How vainly do men look for immediate inspirations when ordinary means is afforded and others forbid the reading of the Scriptures and call Pictures and Images Lay mens books 3. Be willing to be with him in the Communion of Saints Who are a garden inclosed Cant. 4.12 in which Christ doth shew himself most graciously by their savoury speeches and holy conversations emblematizing and representing in a proportionable degree that most admirable ravishing fairness and pleasantness that is in Christ himself let these then be the excellent ones of the earth in whom is all your delight Psal. 16.3 Attend his Ordinances which are the conduits to convey Christ to us though others pretend to be above them yet keep ye under them if ye would keep Christ to put the pitcher above the rock is not the way to take water O let your fellowship be with the Father and with the Son 3. Shake off sloth ease and security indulge not your selves love not your carnal ease be not drunken with the pleasures of the flesh nor surfeit with the profits of the world nor intoxicated with pomp and honours set not your affections on things below let not down your watch be not secure nor high-minded Rom. 3.3 Cant. 5.2 3 4 5 6. you have there Christ knocking at the door of her heart with importunity and tender vehemency for admission and he moves and solicites Open my sister my spouse c. every word an argument a talent weight of love and does Christ call and knock and beg at the door of our souls to enter O what vile ingratitude is it to shut him out Doth he solicite and entreat so many ways by his Word and Ordinances Rod and admonitions and motions of his Spirit what inexcusable obstinate madness is it to drive him away Is any thing so worthy to be harboured there as he and is it not an imcomparable honour that he should vouchsafe to come under our roof She aggravates her fault because of his importunity But observe her idle excuses and vain frivolous pretences for not opening to him vers 3. I have put off my coat how shall I put it on What absurd and sluggish inconveniences does she plead making that her apology which should be her shame in casting off those garments of holiness and spiritual duties which should ever adorn her and growing weary of her nuptial robes which she should ever wear And the other is like unto it I have washed my feet how shall I defile them This is spoken after the manner of those hot Countries where they used to wash constantly before they composed themselves to a setled rest or before they sat down to eat By this custom the Church would excuse her somnolency and negligence as if there were trouble or danger in rising up to entertain him Sad shifts A Christian should endure more for Christ than a little cold or unseasonable diligence One spark of Hell will burn up all these cloaks and fair pretences In the fourth verse Christ proceeds further since knocking would not serve outward means and moral arguments will not prevail he works inwardly and effectually by the powerful visitations and motions of the Spirit which is called the finger Mat. 12.28 compar'd with Luk. 11.20 Then her bowels were moved in her or for him Here 's the great effect of spiritual visits of Christ and the close and lively workings of his Spirit in the heart then she arose and her handâ— dropped with myrrh active and vigorous endeavours should accompany inward motives and suggestions of grace the feet should make haste and the hands be diligent and operative for this is to oyl the lock and make the soul dextrous and prompt to all duties of holiness Vers. 6. You have the effect of her sloth I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone or he was gone he was gone which duplication is more passionate and denotes the expedition and certainty of his absence for which she is much troubled and like a sad widow wrings her hands and crys out he is gone c. my soul failed when he spake or melted or went out of me for his words which he had used to me I was exanimated and astonished O take heed of sloth 4. Hold fast the word of truth keep the mystery of faith in a pure conscience and then you keep Christ. Take heed therefore of all Opinions that are opposite and destructive to the truths of Christ he will not lodg where his truth is thrust out by errours What was it that brought ruin to the ancient Churches of Greece but this they gave way to fond opinions some to Iewish fables some to the Doctrine oâ— Balaam and of Devils and of the Nicholaitans as you read in the second or third Chapter of Revelation and Ecclesiastical History Preserve every truth of Christ according to its moment and weight the dust of Gold is precious 't is dangerous to be careless in the lesser truths Better heaven and earth should be blended together saith Luther than one dust of Gods Truth should perish If you hearken to Satan and Seducers this will be a little one and that shall be a little one till you have little'd away all the principles of faith Count not those small things as the men of the world do for which the children of God have ventured their all Martyrs were not so prodigal of their lives but they knew what they did when they durst not give place for a moment O beware of errour if you would keep Christ let men be in the eyes of the world in righteousness Saints in holiness Angels in zeal like Christ himself If damnable errours be the ground of their Catechisms and their opinions be heretical they cannot keep Christ amongst them receive and retain his faithful Ministers and
Embassadors He that receiveth them receiveth me and he that despiseth them despiseth me saith Christ Mat. 10.40 Luk. 10.16 Will Christ stay where his servants are despised and contemned no the Kingdom of Heaven shall be taken from such Mat. 22.43 he takes it as done to himself Mat. 25.40 5. Be humble and fruitful these may well be joined together for humble souls like the low valleys watered with the dew of Grace are most fruitful he knows the proud afar off and resists the proud but he gives grace to the humble and dwells in such souls Barrenness under Ordinances provokes him to leave men as the barren fig-tree Luk. 13 6 7 8 9. If it will not bear fruit after it hath been dressed and watered Christ gives over to plead for its standing and removes his presence from it He delights to walk in a fruitful garden Cant. 4. ult Awake O Northwind and come thou South blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow forth Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits Impart him to others that 's the way to have him would you have Christ to stay with you walk about with him take him abroad never come into any company but leave something of Christ there while you seek to shut him up in your selves you lose him Say with the Spouse Cant. 7.10 11 12. Come my beloved let us go forth into the fields let us lodg in the villages c. Let your minds and mouths be season'd with sweet and holy conceptions and expressions of him to the glory of God and edification of others then will Christ walk with you as he did with those that were communing together of good things Luk. 24.15 Not bitter in censuring others not wasting your time in idle discourses but use gracious speeches and savoury communications In a word commit all to him in a way of well doing and he will not leave his charge employ him and while he hath any thing to do for you he will not leave his work Improve and make use of him and he will abide with you Beware of committing and approving thy self in the least sin or the least compliance with it say not as Lot of Zoar Is it not a little one Sin approved is that very Delilah that cuts off the locks and makes the Believer a prey to every Philistine Sin is that which separates between us and our God the great make-bait between heaven and earth Isa. 59.2 Sin is that which will soon grieve away the holy Spirit by which you are sealed to the day of Redemption Ephes. 4.30 O do not sin willingly and knowingly against God and do not abate in your constant and fervent performance of duty for these things strike at the union betwixt Christ and you at the untying of the knot which God hath made so fast and if it should once come to that what would become of you No sooner is the branch broken off the root but it immediately withers and dies For as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the Vine no more can ye except you abide in me He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 separated from me ye can do nothing You had need to use all holy means whereby you may keep Christs special presence with your souls many evils will flow in upon that soul that lets go Christ Psal. 71.11 God hath forsaken him prosecute and take him Satan will sift you sin will foil you afflictions be too heavy for you and you are sure to have worse company when he goes and you will be apt to depart from him Christ is that to thee that thy soul cannot be without thy light life health happiness thine all Hell is heaven with Christ and heaven is hell without him Mallem presente Christo esse in inferno quam absente Christo in coelo said Luther Third Branch of Exhortation is to make use of this Gift of God O improve him to the uttermost 't is not enough to have Christ unless you use him Not enough to have a Well of Salvation but we must draw water and drink it too if we intend a benefit by it Isa. 12.3 so we must be always drawing and drinking and deriving good from Christ as the branch makes the best of the root and draws from it as though it would exhaust all its life and vertue O that we could carry it so to Christ even to draw from him as though we would draw him dry if such a thing were possible We have a saying in Philosophy The nearer any thing comes to the first cause the more abundantly doth it receive from it as the nearer any thing is to the Sun the more it participates of its light and heat Now you Believers are nigh unto Christ. In whom all fulness dwells Col. 1.19 You are even in him and he in you O what supplys of Grace should you be fetching from him upon all occasions Why do you not live under more constant more free and full derivations from him why should ye want or what should you want who are not only at the fountain but in it It 's not enough for Christians to have faith by which to live but they must live by the faith which they have Gal. 2.20 i. e. They must by faith draw continual supplys of Grace comfort and strength from Christ. 'T was the looking to the Brazen Serpent that cur'd them them that were stung 't is drinking of water that quenches the thirst and eating the meat that satisfies the hungry You then that have received Christ and do keep him make use and improvement of him for though some gifts are only for laying up and looking at yet this is both the excellency of Gods gift and an encouragement to you for the performance of this duty that he is for use yea all for use and benefit to us The great end for which he was given to us is that we should make use of him for our own good God gave his Son to all Believers that they by applying him might have life thorough him 1 Ioh. 4.9 Ioh. 3.16 As Christ is a publick person which both adds much to the excellency of this gift and gives great encouragement to us to make use of him It shews his excellency Heaven is an excellent thing because publick for 't is observed there is nothing in heaven that is the seat and element of happiness but it is common to all of publick use and enjoyment The inhabitants of that glorious place the glorified Saints and Angels all see the face of him that sits on the Throne they all drink of the water of life all have access to eat of the apples of the tree of life there is no forbidden fruit in heaven all have the blessing of the immediate presence of the Lamb and there is neither need of Sun nor Moon nor light
of candle to any all equally enjoy Eternity there is one lease and term-day to the lowest inhabitant of glory as to the highest and that is Eternity There is common to all one City the streets whereof are transparent gold that the poorest inhabitants of a place do all walk on streets of gold of Ophir is a great commendation of a City 'T is common to them all that they shall never sigh never be sad never be sick never be old never die all feel the smell of the fairest rose that ever men or Angels heard of or can imagine the flower the glory the joy of Heaven the Lord Jesus Christ. All walk in white and can sin no more all have eternal life fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore So Christ is a publick gift all that truly believe may receive him may keep him may use him though there be many thousands of souls that are receiving from Christ yet he is full enough to supply thy wants though millions of souls employ him in the world yet he is at leisure to do thy work too if thou employ him All his offices and benefits are for thy use most properly he is made ordained appointed and fitted unto us of God Wisdom righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Is not a Redeemer of use for captives a Saviour for sinners a Priest for offenders a Prophet for the ignorant a King to deliver such as are in bondage and to conquer and subdue oppressors What is a Physician for but for sick persons Look on Christ in all his undertakings from first to last he is for use As particularly 1. Wherefore did Christ empty himself and come into the world was it not for sinners and will such cast him off and pass him by as useless Did he rent the heavens and come down to thâ— earth on purpose to seek and save lost sinners Luk. 19.20 and 1 Tim. 1.15 and will ye noâ— now make use of him 2. Wherefore was he made a Sacrifice and laid down his life and spilt his most precious blood was it not for us Messias was to be cut off but not for himself not for Angels but for us and did God give his Son to die for no use and purpose is not he the good shepherd that giveth his life for his sheep that they may have life and have it more abundantly Ioh. 10.10 He died that by his death he might reconcile us to God when we were enemies Rom. 5.10 His blood was spilt to justifie us Rom. 5.9 He was delivered for our offences Rom. 4.25 He paid a ransome for us and made satisfaction to divine justice in our nature and stead He gave himself for his Church Ephes. 5.25 26. that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by his word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle that it might be holy and without blemish He died that he might kill sin which would be our death and crucifie the old man and to establish a new Covenant and open a way to Heaven and shall all this be in vain did Christ die as a fool dieth 3. Wherefore did he rise again from the dead was it not for our use and benefit Rom. 4.25 He rose again for our justification that is God did declare by raising him from the dead that he hath accepted the death of his Son as of a sufficient ranâ—ome for our sins and he being our true pledg and surety therefore having satisfied for us by his death and returning again to life gives us a clear evidence and firm argument that God was fully reconcil'd and life purchased for us which assurance we could not have had if Christ our pledg had remained under the power of death and shall not we make use of Christs Resurrection to confirm our faith that God is satisfied for us He rose again that he might quicken us to a new life and shall we lye dead rather than improve 4. What was the end of Christs Ascension was not that also for us and our use and benefit that then he might lead captivity captive and give gifts to men Ephes. 4.8 either passively that Christ might take away from Satan death and hell and all their captives and make them his happy captives and shall such a Redemption be refused Or actively that he might captivate the world flesh devil death and hell which in several kinds had captivated mankind and shall not we make use of him for conquering such enemies He ascended that he might give his Spirit and confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost Act. 2.16 17. and that he might prepare a place for us And shall these great benefits be neglected 5. Once more Wherefore is he an Advocate but to plead for us when we dare not cannot come to speak for our selves What a strange piece of folly were it for a man that has a friend in the Court who is appointed purposely to plead his cause or present his petition and yet he make no use of him when the success of his business concerns his whole estate or life when we have sinned and offended God we have Christ our advocate with the Father to interpose betwixt the blow of Justice and our guilty souls and shall this priviledg be neglected 1 Ioh. 2.1 If we want any thing that God hath laid up for us he is ready to make intercession for us who cannot be denied Heb 7.25 He must perfume all our Sacrifices or they are not accepted offer up all our Prayers or they are not answered What need had we then to make use of him It is only by the blood of Christ that we have boldness or liberty to enter into the holy of holies Heb. 10.19 And by him is a new and living way consecrated for us that we may draw near with true hearts and full assurance of faith Heb. 10.20 22. And none can come unto the Father but by him O then make use of this only name and way and be often walking in it to God and his Throne of Grace Object O but I am a wretched sinner a worthless worm and captive what have I to do with such a precious Saviour with so glorious a Lord Answ. But pray tell me wherefore is Christ a Saviour is he not for sinners Wherefore is he a Redeemer is it that he should lye by God as useless was he not a Redeemer for Captives Hath not God fitted and dressed Christ as I may so speak for sinners use and advantage what if all the world should say so Christ should be a Saviour and save none a Redeemer and ransome none at all an Advocate and plead for none for all are sinners all are captives all are at enmity with God naturally We have the more need to use him because such Now for Direction how we must make use of Christ 1. As for the manner 2. The particular cases wherein 1. How or in what
enemies Col. 1.21 Those that are afar of are made nigh by the blood of Christ he hath broken down the partition-wall and slain the enmity Ephes. 2 16 17 18. If thou hast some dear friend who bestows a gift on thee in token of his dear love and respect to thee and there should be afterwards some disagreeing and falling out betwixt you wouldst thou shew this gift a pledg of league and amity c. thus hold up Christ to God 3. Or though it be not thus yet thou wantest the sense and feeling of his love and art comfortless in the want of it O then make use of Christ in this case who is able to make all Consolations abound and fill thy soul with joy and peace in believing He hath said Ioh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless Tristatur aliquis nostrum veniat in cor Iesus Is any man sad saith Bernard let that sweetest name Jesus come into his heart and so he shall have that peace and comfort that the world cannot give neither can the world take it away from him Christ is a most soveraign Cordial apply and use him and your joy will be full 4. Or art thou terrified in Conscience and groaning under the insupportable burden of a wounded spirit art thou affrighted with accusing and condemning thoughts O go to Christ who as he can make peace in the Court of Heaven so he can create peace in thy heart and still the crys of Conscience and make a calm there also though the waves roar and the winds blow c. thy soul shall have peace in him which passeth all understanding Col. 1.20 And will say in me ye shall have peace be of good cheer let not your hearts be troubled though your hearts ake and tremble yet he is greater thaâ— your hearts who is nigh to justifie you Isa. â—â— 8 so that you may triumph with the Apostle Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died Rom. 8.34 Expect no peace in laying aside Christ. 5. Are you afraid of death and judgment to come in this case also make use of Christ. It 's reported by Cassander that in ancient times sick and weak dying persons were directed and accustomed to make use of Christ at that time especially interposing him betwixt them and Gods Judgment saying these words Lord we put thee the death of our Lord Iesus Christ betwixt us and thy judgment But what need we look into Historians the Scriptures shew what languishing souls and drooping spirits must do Psal. 23.4 5. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death yet I will fear no evil c. Christ hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.4 taken out the venome and malignity of it Death lost its sting in Christs side And now O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Or fearest thou judgment look to Christ and thou shalt not die the second death but he will raise thee up at the last day Ioh 6.49 50. Having Christ thou maist stand in judgment and lift up thy head with joy for 't is the day of thy Redemption then the redeemed of the Lord shall return with joy everlasting and you shall appear with him in glory 4. Fourth Branch of Exhortation Be â—ery thankful for him yea let your whole soul go out in thankfulness be ever praising and magnifying God for his unspeakable mercy in Christ your Sacrifice your Redeemer your Saviour often call upon your sluggish hearts and say Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Psal. 103.1 and 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for this the greatest of all his benefits O be thankful not in a common ordinary formal manner but in the most lively enlarged and raised manner that is possible where the mercy is high and great the thankfulness must bear some proportion to it O let your apprehensions be widened to conceive the vastness of this mercy that your affections may be more enlarged to praise God for it O how shall we get our hearts affected with it what thankfulness can be enough for such a gift should not the whole soul be summon'd in to give its most united acknowledgment of so signal a mercy for God to give his only begotten Son to be a Saviour for sinners Here 's the wonder of wonders God never did the like before and he 'l never do the like again and blessed be his name there is no need he should It would have been admirable mercy if God would have sent some other person upon this Errand to redeem and save undone sinners If send he will why did he not send an Angel or body of Angels to try their skill and see what they could do Nay why did he not send an Angel as once he did with a flaming sword in his hand to keep off sinners from the Tree of Life O this did not comport with his gracious designs though it did too well with the creatures merit therefore he would not do it no his own Son shall be pitcht upon he is the person whom God will send Surely here was love great love great to the degree of infiniteness Millions of Angels were nothing to one Son to one such Son his first-born his only begotten Son the Son of his love who lay in his bosom had been his delight from everlasting O astonishing mercy O admirable goodness and condescention how may we cry out here Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him and the Son of man that thou makest this account of him Psal. 8.4 and 144.3 or as Iob 7.17 What is man that thou shouldest magnifie him and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him Here was God so loving so as can never be expressed never be comprehended Ioh 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed on him might not perish but have everlasting life The Heavens and the Earth were once called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the ingratitude of a sinful people Isa. 1.2 May not now Heaven and Earth Angels and men all creatures whatsoever be called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the stupendious love of God! O Christians what influence hath this upon your dull and sluggish hearts what are you made of that you are no more in the sense of it drawn out in blessing loving admiring and adoring of God Pray if there be any holy ingenuity in you take some pains with your selves that you may be much more affected with it and give not over till you have such thoughts and affections upon Gods giving his Son raised in you as may in some measure answer to those thoughts and affections which you shall have about it when you shall be in Heaven The Angels never reaped that advantage that we do yet they were at praising-work as soon as ever Christ was born
3. Removing the spirit of bondage and restoring peace and joy to the soul He gives them peace with him Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and Iob. 16.33 He gives them a free spirit an inlarged heart a sound mind the spirit of power and love 2 Tim. 1.7 5. He shews his Lordship towards his peculiar people in maintaining them in his service and supplâ—ing them in all their wants From this Head wherein dwells all fullness all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred increases with the increase of God Col 2.19 The Lord is their shepherd they shall not want Psal. 23.1 and 84.11 Verily his houshold shall be fed they shall want no good thing He gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 Even of outward necessaries they shall have what they want if not what they would 6. In defending them against and upholding them in all temptations and troubles He tells them in all their dangers and straits my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 He will keep them in all their ways surely then in all his work safety evermore accompanies duty His Servants are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 They are preserved in Christ Jesus Iude 2. and are never unsafe but when they leave working or with Ionah run away from their Master Micah 5.4 He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide There is no security but in Christs family never are his servants in danger but when they go out of it and he takes care of the seed and posterity of his Servants Psal. 69.36 7. At last abundantly rewarding and dignifying them In doing his work there is great reward That happiness which Christ gives his Servants in this life is unspeakable their work seems to have more of wages than of work in it but in the next life their joy will be so great as that it cannot so well be said to enter into them as they to enter into it Mat. 25.51 Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of their Lord whose bosom is the hive and center of all goodness and that in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up Râ—v 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Their services are all Booked he who formerly gave them abilities for to work will now give them a recompence for working their work though never so great is but small to their wages nor is the weight of their labours comparable to that of their Crown and put in all their heavy sufferings too Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life 2. How is this threefold Lordship exercised 1. By what means 2. For what end 3. In what manner or order 1 st By what means doth he exercise this Lordship 1. By his hand of providence concourse and co-operation in the creature that Providence Christ speaks of in Iohn 5.17 19 22 My father worketh hitherto and I work For what things soever he doth these also doth the son likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Nazianzen well interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. nor for the similitude of those things they do but in respect of the same power and authority of both the Son doth not imitate but co operate he works not like but the same work that the Father doth Quod operatur filius opus patris est Hil. Whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth because they are one God have one will power and working for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son the Father judgeth not alone because he judgeth by the Son The word judging here signifies full power to rule in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 8.6 There is one God the father of whom are all things and we in him or for him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him By here notes not the instrumental but the principal cause the Prepositions of and by are not so to be taken that we make two Causes seeing they have but one Nature though they be distinct persons and the Father and Son work together but by these of and by the Apostâ—e differenceth their order and manner of working Col 1.17 He is before all things and by him all things consist 2. By his Word and Spirit in common works and gifts Psal. 110 2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord i. e. God the Father â—ho had said sit thou on my right hand i. e. receive chief power and authority from me and exercise jurisdiction over alâ— shall send forth the Rod of thy power i. e. thy powerful and mighty Rod or the Rod and Scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might â—he means specially the Preaching of the Word which is the Power of God to Salvation and is able to cast down strong holds and every high thing Be thou Ruler by thy word and spirit notwithstanding all the resistance of thine enemies 1 Pet. 3.19 By which aâ—so he went and preached to the spirits in prison by the power and manifestation of his spirit 3. By his Word and Spirit in saving works and effects His Word worketh effâ—ctually in all them that believe 1 Thes. 2.13 and the Spirit of Truth the Comforter which he promises to send Iohn 14.16 18 and 16.14 He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto on 2. The end or use of this threefold Lordship why or for which he exercises it 1. For his Fathers and his own glory John 13.31 Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him i e He shall be glorified in the admirable work of mans redempâ—ion for death to overcome death is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great glory and shews him to be the Lord of life Col. 1.16 all things were created and do consist as well for him as by him that he might have the preheminence and glory as the first-born of every creature or heir of all things 2â— For the salvation of his chosen that he may give unto them eternal life Iohn 17.2 Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son may also glorifie thee as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 3. For the overthrow of all adverse power to these ends whatever opposeth the glory of God and happiness of believers his Lordship is exercised for
right which he saith not to avoid death but to shew that he was unjustly accused 4. He is an eternal Lord Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever Isa 9.7 Luke 1.33 He is the King immortal 1 Tim. 1.17 Death the King of terrors and terror of Kings is subdued by this Lord not only so as never to touch him but also never to hurt any of his Servants Other Rulers though they be called gods and lords yet shall dye like men earthly Monarchs either by some Poison or Treason are brought to untimely deaths at least some disease or other will lay their glory in the dust but Jesus Christ is yesterday today and the same for ever 5. He is a mighty Lord most able to do what is good for his Servant and to subdue all persons and things to himself Psal. 3.21 He can kill the Soul and throw both the Body and Soul into Hell he can subdue the hearts of men even of the deadliest enemies unto his love and obedience he can protect and shelter his Servants from all evil and bestow all good things on them for the world is his and the fulness thereof He hath under his command the forces of all creatures in Heaven and Earth which he rules as he pleases to his own purpose he can at ease frustrate the harmful intentions and noisom qualities of the worst of them he can turn their malice into mercy their hatred into love yea can bring forth glory to himself and profit to his Servants not only against but even out of their mischievous designments as in Daniel and the three Children c. 6. He is a most just Lord his is a Scepter of righteousness Heb. 1.8 his right hand is full of righteousness The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Psal. 145.17 In him is exact and perfect integrity and equity of all his counsels words and actions and there is no unrighteousness in him His will is the rule and standard of justice and whatever he commands is most equal and right because he wills and commands it 7. He is a most glorious Lord and Master The glory of Kings and Emperours is but a borrowed ray or spark from his Majesty the glory of all the Caesars c. is but a black coal in comparison of his splendor and when he shall appear in his glory the glow-worms of worldly splendor and majesty shall disappear and be extinguished the poorest Servant he hath shall then appear with him in such glory that the combined-excellency of Kings shall not be so much as a shadow to it 8. He is a most gracious Lord he puts them upon none but safe honourable and comfortable employments He puts no more upon them than they can go through and lays no more upon them than they are able to bear he knows their mould and frame remembers they are but dust he is Jesus as well as Lord a Shepherd as well as a Master he joins his glory and their happiness together he never requireth brick from his people without giving them straw he will either multiply grace or diminish the temptation his Grace is always sufficient for them 9. He is a wise judicious Master A man that serves a fickle and unconstant Master who often changes his mind has a hard task and endless labour but a prudent man who orders his affairs with discretion and deliberation his commands are but once obeyed his work is soon done what he doth now anon he must undo and so Sysiphus like he is ever doing and hath never done he never knows an end of his work But the Servant of Christ is at a good certainty and knows before-hand what his work must be and what his wages as his Master himself is so his Commandments are immutable and invariable without so much as a shadow of change Iam. 1.17 That was a needless cavil and meer peevishness and selfishness in Ionah Ionah 4.2 10. He is a most knowing and discerning Lord. He observes the ways and works of his Servants so narrowly that the closest and subtillest among them cannot deceive him he spies them in every corner nay every corner of their hearts in them all things are open and naked before him though now in some sort he be absent yet he needs no informer he knows what every Servant doth in his absence and will manifest every ones work to all the world his eyes are as a flame of fire clearer than ten thousand suns he takes notice of all their services and hearts Rev. 2.19 I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first 11. He is a pitiful and merciful Lord and Master He hath an eye as pitying as it is piercing he doth no less observe the wants and troubles than the ways and works of his Servants he is a Father as well as a Master and As a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him Psal. 103.13 14 And spareth them as a father his son that serveth him Mal. 3.17 hath more tender bowels than a mother Isa. 49.15 Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Christ is not as the slothful man thought a cruel and hard Master Matt. 25.24 that looks for much work and gives little encouragement but is moved with compassion towards his Servants Matt. 18.27 he will not have his Servants complain that they serve an hard Master 12. He is a meek and lowly Master condescending to serve his Servants here and hereafter 1. Hereâ— Matt. 20.28 He came not to be ministred unto but to minister Luke 22.27 Whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth He stoopt so low as to wash his Disciples feet 2. Hereafter Luke 12.37 Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Verily I say unto you That he shall gird himself and make them sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them Study but yet expect not to understand either the comfort or condescention of this promise made to the faithful Servants of Christ He shall gird himself c. Lord saith one did I not think that the cheer and the attendance were both one I should say the attendance were infinitely better than the meat Think what it is for Christ himself to serve at the Table what is it but infinite delight for the guests to have him set himself to solace them who is infinite as in sweetness so in knowledg to make his sweetness please them Nor will the dignity of these
come unto me Hear and your soul shall live why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Alas ye feed on husks and chaff till you return to Christ. Isa 55.2 3 4 7. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and fools delight in folly turn ye at my reproof Forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding O that you were wise and would understand these things and consider your latter end O that there were such hearts in you c. O that ye knew the things that belong unto your peace in this your day before they be hid from your eyes O when shall it once be what is your resolution shall Jesus Christ be your Lord and Master or shall he not Take heed how you refuse him that speaks from heaven do not as you want Christ despise this loving invitation and make light of this gracious offer lest his wrath be kindled in his breast and you perish He that hath so long held forth his Scepter of Grace yet stands waiting for your return yet stretcheth forth his arms to embrace you yet opens his very heart to entertain you Hark he bids you come and lodg your souls in his warm bosom yet he calls by his Word yet he strives by his Spirit and follows you with checks of conscience and renews his mercies on you every morning would fain draw you with cords of love if it would be But it will not be always thus his patience will not always wait his Spirit shall not always strive with man the door of mercy shall not always stand open When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us then 't is too late Luk. 13.25 O come to Christ now or never do it this day or you may never be invited again Hear now Christ bespeaks and wooes thee sinner Cast down thy weapons of rebellion surrender thy soul to me give me thy heart submit to my government I vvill pass by all thy former resistance and put up all the wrongs thou hast done me I will remember thy iniquities no more but pass an act of everlasting oblivion upon them O look unto me and be ye saved This is my business with you my beloved at this time this is mine errand to your Souls What answer shall I return from you to him that sent me The great work you know of us Ministers is to perswade men to become Christs covenanting Servants to consent to his Laws and acknowledg his Lordship our way to win your hearts is to tell you what he is some little hath been spoken but not the thousand part of the excellencies of this incomparable Lord O he is the chiefest of ten thousâ—nd his name is wonderful he is God and Man in one person he is Man that you may not be afraid of him God that he may be able to do you good He is the Lord of lords and King of kings Heir of all things Saviour of the world c. 'T is infinite condescention of love in him to treat with you or intreat your consenâ— that he may be your Lord. This being a matter of greatest importance and knowing the terror of the Lord let me perswade you for that end I intreat you to press upon your selves and improve in your retirements these considerations as motives 1. Motive Yeild up your selves to the service of the Lord Christ or you are unjust you do him open wrong Equity and justice requires that you render to all their due jus cuique tribuere is the first and most proper act of justice Tribute to whom tribute fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13.7 It is a common principle among you which nature teacheth that you deal righteously with men owe no man any thing do no man wrong let every one have that which of right appertaineth to him And if we may not deny unto Caesar the things that are Caesars it is but right we should also give unto God the things that are Gods by so many just titles Why now you cannot without apparent wrong to Christ deny him your selves you are his and owe your selves unto him and all you have and all that you can do you are not your own but his I lay claim unto you in the name of Christ and challenge your souls and bodies to his use Dare you deny the claim or will any step out and question this title The Lord Jesus hath laid challenges to you It has been a custom in England on the Coronation day as multitudes of people were feasting in Westminster-Hall a Herald comes forth and Champion for the King and proclaimed his title to the Crown and if any questioned his title he was there ready to make it good I do now proclaim to you that Christ is your Lord and you are his Servants and challenges your service if any question his Title I will justifie it and make it good let the case come to tryal on condition that whoever is convinced shall yield subjection Let me ask you then Did not he make you and not ye your selves Psal. 95.6 and does not he preserve and sustain you and ye are the Sheep of his pasture Vers. 7 Did not Christ purchase you with his own blood 1 Pet. 1.18 Were you not the dearest purchase and was not the greatest price paid for you that ever the world heard of Well what say you to this Title Doth not justice give every one his own and are not you Christs If there be any creature in Heaven or Earth that can lay a better claim or pretend a juster Title to you than Christ then let it have your hearts and service but if the Lord Jesus have the full and sole right to you then do not so much wrong him and your own souls as to deny or withstand this just and reasonable motion 2. Give up your selves to this Lord or you are unthankful gratitude as well as justice requires this at your hands Nothing is more abhorrent to an ingenuous spirit than the brand of ingratitude to be so base and unworthy as to render evil for good ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris call a man unthankful and you call him all that 's naught abhor it as death to be guilty or have the name of ingratitude Well now suppose a man had by some capital crime incurred the danger of the Law and the sentence of death were past upon himâ— should another step in and humble himself to beg the pardon or begger himself to buy the freedom for him Must not that man be wholly his who hath ransomed him from the Gallows This is our case Sin was our work and Death was our wages
such a jewel all the treasures upon earth could not bear proportion to him nor make reparation for the loss of him I know the true Believer shall never lose Christ because Christ will never suffer him to be lost but he may do that which may tend to the losing of him though through grace he shall not be actually loâ—t and he may do that which may deprive him utterly of the sense evidence and comfort of this gift though his propriety in it remain firm and sure 'T is true a Saint shall never be left so to himself or his sin as that sin shall bereave him of his jewel his Christ but may and often doth steal away the key of his cabinet his evidence and assurance Cant. 5.5 6. I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone Thus you see Christ sometimes withdraws himself from them that dearly love and earnestly desire him for as he is said when pleased to gratifie his people with his grace and assistance strength and deliverance to come out of heaven his dwelling place Isa 26. ult and 64.1 So he is said to return thither when he forbears to put forth and exercise his grace and to shew his mercy and loving kindness to them Hos. 5. ult Isa. 18.4 he is said to hide his face in regard of his special grace and love and in regard of intercourse and communion with his Church not totally but in part not finally and for ever but for a moment a small moment he shortens his hand in his wonted operations and ceaseth to be so intimate and familiar with his servants and seems to be a stranger to them and their condition and this he does for divers good reasons and considerations 1. Christ leaves them sometimes because they will not open to him when he knocks at the door of their hearts either they are not at leasure or busied about other matters and employments or are too much setled upon their lees sloath and security hath seized upon them Cant. 5.2 3 4. 2. He does it for tryal that he may make an experiment of his Churches love to him and faithfulness in his service to see whether his people can abide to be without him or will serve and follow him frowning as well as smileing As a Father may leave his dear Child and stand behind the door to see what it will do So God exercised Iob David Heman Asaph and others the Wife is tryed in the long absence of her Husband 3. To raise and quicken them more to love and desire him for though the absence of fuel doth diminish the fire yet commonly the absence of Lovers doth increase and heighten love and makes it more impatient and restless Cant. 5.8 This made the Spouse sick of love and her soul failed she could not bear it Isa. 26.9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night 4. To cure formality in believers and to remove all trusting to resting in or relying on any thing besides himself and that the soul may not be satisfied with any thing below himself As a Father sometimes le ts go his hold that the Child may see his dependance upon him The Children of Israel were exceedingly formalized in their Devotion they only looked at the external Sacrifices but did not frame their doings to turn unto God Hos. 5 6. Therefore he takes this course with them They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord but they shall not find him He hath withdrawn himself from them i. e. they shall go after their accustomed manner of sacrifices but God hides himself because he will bring them off their formality and security So if we trust in outward Ordinances and lay too much stress upon them the time may come when we shall use them and seek God in them and not find him because of formality 5. That he may teach them to live by faith not to be too much dejected but believe that he is near to them but behind the Wall Cant. 2.8 9. He is kept off from the soul by the wall of sense and carnal reason that the soul may improve his faith in looking over this wall as Iob did Iob 19.25 26 I know that my redeemer lives c. Isa. 50.10 He will come and will not tarry 6 That his presence may be more esteemed and valued when re-injoyed there is often a remisness and abatement in love to Christ but when he is lost and found again we shall watch better over our selves and set a higher price on him than before we have need sometimes to be taught the worth of mercies by the want of them post frigora dulcior ignis when we know what it is to want his presence we learn to esteem it Post tempestatem dulcior securitas How sweet is a calm after a storm Christs favourable Aspect is more sweet and acceptable when the sun-shine thereof begins to break forth again after some black and bitter tempest of desertion Now since there is some danger of losing Christ in these respects we had need look to our selves and do all we can to retain him with us for our help I shall lay down some motives and then directions as in the first branch 1. To perswade us to this I shall use no other arguments or motives but only to tell you what Christ is to the soul and so it may see what it deprives it self of by losing him 1. Keep him for he is thy life Whoso findeth him findeth life Prov. 8.35 and 3.18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her speaking of wisdom under which notion Christ is commended to us So Prov. 4.13 Take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life He saith I am thy life and the length of thy days with him is the fountain of life he is the only well-spring of life and all blessedness How sweet is life skin for skin and all that a man hath will he give for his life he 'l part with any thing every thing rather than life When many of Christs followers forsook and walked no more with him Will ye also forsake me said he to his Apostles Peter answered for himself and the rest Lord whither shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life Joh. 6.68 q. d. Lord if we leave thee we leave our life and all our comfort we forsake our own mercy and judg our selves unworthy of everlasting life had we no other reason 't is motive enough to stay with thee and keep close with thee to consider that our lives are hid in thee eternal life and consequently all that 's dear to us the quintessence of all happiness is with thee 2. Keep him for he is thy light how sad and miserable is it to walk in darkness if you let Christ go you eclipse your own light 't is night when