therefore be sure thou be a Saint be sure thou be more then flesh and bloud be sure thou lye in none of the sinnes God hath threatned with the losse of this inheritance be sure of the imputation of the righteousnesse of Christ be sure thou haue in thee the spirit of the Sonne be sure to commit thy selfe to the word of grace In light The Christians inheritance is said to be held in light in sixe respects First because hee now obtaynes it in the times of the Gospell which times in comparison with the times of the old Testament are called times of light the light of the Iewes being spread abroad among the Gentiles and exceedingly enlarged by the rising of the Sunne of righteousnesse Secondly because this inheritance can neuer be assured without the light of knowledge In the vnderstanding of man there is a three-fold light of knowledge Naturall Euangelicall and Celestiall the Naturall light is the light of Reason the Euangelicall light is the light of Faith and the Celestiall light is the light of Heauen Before wee can see our inheritance in the light of Heauen wee must first see it in the light of Faith and as for the light of Reason it will doe no good for any euidence in this tenure Thirdly because this inheritance is held with true ioy on earth and perfect ioy in heauen and Ioy is expressed by the word light in many places in Scripture Fourthly in respect of the admirable communion that a Christian hath with God and Christ who is light of light that true light Iohn 8.12 Fiftly because of the certainetie of this inheritance it is said to be held in light It is worthy the noting that Catharinus a Papist writing vpon this place thus vnderstands the meaning of Light and is much offended vvith those that pleade for vncertayntie of assurance Sixtly in light that is in Heauen and the light of Heauen is an excellent light both for the perfection of it and the continuance of it It is a perfect light for there shall be on Gods part a cleare reuelation and on mans part a cleare vision and for continuance that light shall neuer be ouercome of darkenesse nay it shall neuer admit any mixture of obscuritie in as much as Heauen is a Citie that needes not the Sunne nor Moone to shine in it for the glory of God doth lighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof Reuel 21.23 In the meane while till God translate vs to this light of heauen let vs labour to settle our hearts in the light of Faith and certainetie and glad our hearts with the light of the Spirit and ioy choosing rather to dye then to forsake the face and presence of God the fountaine of all true light both in earth and heauen Verse 13. Who hath deliuered vs from the power of Darkenesse and translated vs into the Kingdome of his deare Sonne IN this Verse our redemption is considered more particularly for as it is by inchoation in this life it stands of two parts the first is our deliuerance from the power of Darkenesse and the second is our translating into the Kingdome of Christ. Darkenesse This Darkenesse imports the miserie of vnregenerate men from which the Children of God in the dayes of Redemption are deliuered and it notes not onely the darkenesse of Gentilisme proper to the Pagans of that time but also the darkenesse of Sinne of Ignorance of Infidelitie of Aduersitie of Death and of Hell for euery vnregenerate man is couered with a sixe-fold darkenesse First the darkenesse of Sinne Secondly the darkenesse of ignorance which as a vayle couers all flesh Thirdly the darkenesse of Infidelitie for as there is the light of Faith in the regenerate so there is a darkenesse of vnbeliefe that possesseth euery vnregenerate man All men haue not Faith it is the gift of God both the Prophets and Apostles haue complayned Who hath beleeued our report Fourthly the darkenesse of Aduersitie miseries of all sorts breaking in vpon the soule body state and names of men Fiftly the darkenesse of Death for Death is the house of darkenesse and this is the wages of Sinne Lastly the wicked man is in danger of vtter darkenesse euen of the darkenesse of hell out of all this wee may see the extreame misery of all carnall persons vpon whom the Kingdome of darkenesse breakes in and preuayles so many wayes and therefore accursed is their misery that can liue in this estate without sense or remorse or feare If Securitie as a wretched Lethargy had not ouergrowne mens hearts how could they eate drinke sleepe marry giue in marriage c. when they finde themselues in the power of such fearefull and horrible darkenesse Power This darkenesse gets power and preuayles ouer the world by the vnwearied labour of the Prince of darkenesse who as hee seduced our first Parents to extinguish the fayre light in which they were created whence flowed an vniuersall darkenesse vpon all mankinde so doth hee still as God of the vnregenerate world worke effectually in binding mens mindes more and more that the light of the Gospell might not shine in their hearts both by hindering by all the wayes hee can the meanes of light and by leading man on from sinne to sinne till custome haue worne out sense and bred a very liking of darkenesse more then the light And thus poore man runnes from darkenesse to darkenesse and from dungeon to dungeon till hee fall vnto the euerlasting dungeon of vtter darkenesse and this would be the end of all flesh were it not that God of his infinite mercy hath prouided a meanes in Iesus Christ to deliuer the Elect from the power of this Darkenesse Deliuered Euery man hath great reason to thinke of this deliuerance out of the Kingdome of darkenesse wherein naturally hee is for while he so continueth he knoweth not whither he goeth he hath no fellowship with God his deedes are all euill his ignorance will not excuse him yea it will be his condemnation his feete treade not in the way of peace Who hath deliuered vs. Here are foure things 1. What deliuered 2. Whom vs 3. When hath 4. Who viz. God the Father Deliuered The originall word doth not signifie onely to let out or lead out or buy out but it noteth forcibly to snatch out Man is not gotten so easily out of Sathans hands nor will the World and Flesh let them goe without force or without blowes Quest. What must wee doe that wee may be deliuered from this power of darkenesse Ans. Beleeue in Iesus Christ who is the true light Know that all true light is begunne in the assurance of Gods loue to thee in Iesus Christ seeke this knowledge To this end attend vpon the preaching of the Gospell by which life and immortalitie are brought to light And because this Sonne doth not alwayes shine Walke in the light
that the life of Christians ought to answere their profession knowledge and the meanes they inioy In the inlarging hereof I consider foure things 1. The Motiues to excite vs to an holy endeauour after innocencie 2. The Reasons why so many men in the visible Church inioying the meanes haue attayned to so little innocencie 3. What we must doe that wee may thus walke 4. The Benefits would be gotten by a holy care of Christian Innocencie The Motiues are such as these 1. Wee are not in our owne power to liue to our selues but are tyed to liue to him that dyed for vs 2 Our soules and bodyes are destinate to incorruption in the Heauens and therefore wee should set our selues so to liue for this short space in this world as wee might deliuer them vp vndefiled in the day of the Lord. 3 Haue wee euer found vnrighteousnesse in God shall wee then serue Sathan that neuer did vs good and forsake the Lord our God When our hearts are tempted to sinne wee should say Shall I thus requite the Lord for the innumerable benefits hee hath bestowed vpon me 4 The long night of sinne and ignorance and hellish darknesse and danger by the light of the Gospell by the meanes of Christ our Sauiour is past and a short season remaines vnto vs to glorifie God and worke out the assurance and fruition of our owne saluation Shall wee not then arise from the sleepe of sinne and now cast away the workes of darknesse Is it not now time to arme our selues against the sluggishnes of our owne Natures and the corruptions that are in the World to walke honestly as becomes this day of grace and fauour 5 The miserable euents of seruing the flesh might moue vs. If wee haue the meanes and make a shew and yet liue carnally and scandalously vvee may deceiue our selues but God will not be mocked wee shall reape as wee sow if wee sow to the flesh wee shall of the flesh reape corruption And for these things the wrath of God commeth vpon the Children of disobedience And therefore let no man deceiue vs with vaine words and if Ierusalem will not be instructed my soule saith the Lord shall depart from her and shee shall be desolate as a Land that no man inhabiteth And contrariwise if wee would sow to the spirit and neuer be weary of well doing nor faint or faile in due season wee should reape reape I say of the Spirit euen life euerlasting 6 We should be much moued by the dreadfull relation wee stand in to God to Christ to the holy Ghost and to the Church to God for wee are his Seruants and therefore ought to be holy as hee is holy we are his Children and therefore ought to proue it by our obedience To Christ for he hath washed vs in his bloud and shall wee pollute our selues againe hee was in his owne practise a perfect patterne of innocencie and shall wee not learne of him wee are his Members shall wee shame and dishonour our Head our Sauiour is in Heauen and shall we be buryed like Moles in the loue of sensuall and earthly things or rather ought not our affections and conuersations to be where Christ is euen in heauen at the right hand of the Father To the holy Ghost wee are his Temple and shall wee defile Gods holy place To the Church which is the Citie of the holy God which hee hath consecrated to himselfe and therefore were it not wickednesse to prophane it with impuritie Let vs liue as the Citizens of God Lastly in the 1 Thes. 4. I finde an Exhortation to holinesse and it is inforced by fiue reasons first it is the will of God Vers. 3. Secondly a holy life is an honorable life Vers. 4. Thirdly they are Gentiles not Christians that liue prophanely Vers. 5. Fourthly God is a certaine auenger of all vnrighteousnesse Vers. 6. And finally we are called vnto holinesse Vers. 7. Secondly if it be asked how it comes to passe that such multitudes of people liuing in the bosome of the Church are touched with so little care of holinesse of life I may answere diuers things 1 The Vayle of Ignorance lyeth vpon their hearts and grosse darknesse still couers those people Though the light be come and the glory of the Lord Yet for the most part these men abhorre the light and therefore are their wayes darke and slippery 2 Mens hearts goe after their eyes and mens senses are made Maisters of their liues and therefore are their affections onely stirred with carnall things they take their directions from their owne flesh and walke in the way of their owne lusts 3 Many times their brethren deceiue them I meane they are misled sometimes by their owne mistaking and misapplying of Gods promises and sometimes by the sinfull dawbing of wicked Teachers that set themselues to strengthen the hands of the wicked and discourage the hearts of the righteous crying Peace and safetie where there is no peace Vngodly men these are that gainesay the doctrine of those faithfull men that would cure this sinfull generation by a meete seueritie of doctrine 4 The most men see no necessitie of the restoring of their soules they cannot be perswaded of the necessitie of Regeneration and conuersion by the Word and when they come to the meanes they seeke not to God to lead them 5 Men are double-hearted and diuide one part to the flesh and the world and another to God the more open part of their liues some pretend to direct with some respect of holinesse but the secret and inward part is full of all rottennesse and yet men will not see that God and Sinne God and Riches God and the Flesh cannot be serued both of one man at one time 6 They are incorrigible will neyther be heal'd by the word nor be forced by the workes of God They will not vnderstand though all the foundations of the earth be moued Thirdly that wee might attayne vnto this holinesse of Conuersation 1 Wee must grow out of liking with our owne wayes and our present carnall course and forsake that way and returne from it 2 Wee must get out of the way of sinners for hee that walketh with the vngodly will be like them 3 Wee must mightily labour for knowledge and be much in contemplation and to this end exercise our selues in Gods word day and night and dwell in Gods house Coherence with Verse before and Psal. 1.2 Prou. 8.20 and 2.11.12 Psal. 84.4.5 Esay 2.3 yea wee should by conference aske the way one of another 4 Wee must get into Christ for hee is the way and till wee labour our ingrafting into Christ and settle our selues to seeke a Sauiour euen vnto vs by faith all our workes are in vaine 5 That our conuersations might be more holy and vnrebukeable wee should first labour
and Paul compares it with and commends it beyond all earthly riches and it is so both in respect of the Obiect which is CHRIST the fountaine of all Treasure and in respect of the nature of it being a part of eternall life and in respect of the effects because it makes a man rich in grace And it appeares by the contrary for to be blinde is to be poore and naked and miserable and therefore they are farre wide that thinke all this studying of the Scriptures and following Sermons will make men beggars they remember not that to take the Gospell from Ierusalem was to leaue their Houses as well as Gods House desolate and the want of the knowledge of GOD in the Land was the cause the Lord contended with them by so many iudgements and if any Nation vnder Heauen may auouch the truth thereof this English Nation may for wee may well say the Gospell hath beene a rich Gospell vnto vs it hath brought vs Peace and Prosperitie within our walles and abundance into all the quarters and corners of the Land Hence also wee may gather a tryall of our faith for if wee haue faith wee are carefull to seeke and as glad to finde sauing knowledge as the carnall man is to finde his earthly wealth Parents also may hence know which way to goe about to make their children happy euen by stirring vp in their hearts the instruction and nurture of the Lord. Glorious Doct. This mistery is glorious and it is so First if wee respect the originall of it it was begotten and conceiued in the bosome of Eternity Secondly if wee respect the persons imployed in the ministery of it viz. GOD himselfe CHRIST Angels and the choyse of men Thirdly if wee respect the effects It brings glory to God for vpon the opening of the Booke by the Lambe there followeth Himnes to God It brings a glorious rest to the hearts of Christians when they are satisfied in the assurance of the tidings of Gods loue and purged of those vnruly affections that so tormoiled their hearts before Besides the glorious priuiledges which after men are called out of darkenesse they enioy in this maruailous light Finally it shewes a Christian the glory of Heauen this should comfort Gods Seruants against the scornes of the world and troubles of life The Gospell with disgrace and much want is a great portion and it matters not how wee be esteemed in the eyes of the world if wee be made glorious by the Gospell in Gods eyes and in the eyes of the Saints they are glorious times when the Gospell workes openly in the life and power of it Among the Gentiles In the calling of the Gentiles wee may informe and instruct our selues many wayes First it should settle vs in the assurance of the truth of Gods promises Neuer any promises more vnlikely and besides they lay dead for a long time That which Noah foretolde is come to passe for laphet is perswaded to dwell in the Tents of Sem That sea of knowledge which Esay spake of is likewise gloriously accomplished among the Churches of the Gentiles Ieremie said the Gentiles should come vnto God from the ends of the earth and it is fulfilled The concourse to the preaching of the word which Micha and Zachary foretold is likewise verified Secondly wee may hence see that the word will make great alterations where it comes Thirdly that God is tyed to no place nor people if the Iewes will not bring forth fruits worthy of the Gospell but despise it the Lord will prouoke them to enuy euen calling vnto himselfe a people that sought him not Fourthly that they that are last may be first and that they that now are not vnder mercy may goe to Heauen before vs. Fiftly that as any people are more sensible of their miserie without grace they more see the riches of their calling The Gentiles that wallowed in sinne and wickednesse see a wonderfull glory in Religion when by the Gospell they are conuerted And that may be the reason why Publicanes and sinners are so deepely affected and inwardly touched when ciuill honest men are scarsely moued with any sence of the need of their conuersion Sixtly their conuersion may assure vs that none are so miserable but the Gospell can make them happy Seauenthly wee may see cause to bewaile the hardnesse of our hearts Can the Gospel conquer so mightely and effectually these worlds of people to the obedience of faith and such a tender sence of the glorious riches thereof and are our hearts no more melted and stirred within vs Though the Lord cry and roare and stirre vp himselfe in his iealousie as a man of warre yet are we deafe and heare not and blind and see not Eyghtly in that he saith that this mistery is glorious among the Gentiles it shewes that the Monarchy of CHRIST ouer these conquered Gentiles is truly glorious Which may iustly confound our Statists and Politicians that can see no glory but in earthly kingdomes Ninthly let vs that are abiects of the Gentiles that haue no true honour but by Gods couenant draw water with ioy out of these Wels of Saluation and lastly our calling that are Gentiles by nature should make vs in compassion of the Iewish-nation pray heartily for their restoring since they were cut off that wee might be grafted on and the Law came out of Sion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem Which richeâ— is Christ in you Out of these words 4. things may be obserued First that there is one and the selfesame happines conferred by the Gospel to all the faithfull the same I say in nature and qualitie though not the same in quantitie the same spirituall meat and the same spirituall drinke the same GOD and Father the same CHRIST and Sauiour the same meanes and the same merits the same graces and the same glory Which may serue for good vse For if the Lord giue vs the same wages hee did his best Seruants we should striue to doe the same worke wee should bewaile our sinnes with the same sorrow and watch ouer our liues with the same care and abound in the same fruits of righteousnesse and liue by faith in all trials and tentations as they did And againe it may be comfortable for penitent sinners For the same God that had mercy on Dauid will confirme vnto them if they truly desire his fauour and will forsake their owne imaginations by an euerlasting couenant the sure mercies of Dauid And if by faith we proue our selues the children of faithfull Abraham we shall be blessed with Abraham Secondly that Christ is the onely true riches of the Christian. 2 Cor. 8.9 Eph. 1 7. 2.7 3.8 Heb. 11.26 This may serue for diuers vses 1. To warne vs that wee despise not poore Christians seeing they are made rich in the faith of CHRIST and
wade into them only a word or two of it This losse is incureable two wayes sometimes in the crosse or iudgement it brought vpon the offender sometimes in the vnstedfastnesse it selfe for sometimes though the Lord restore inward ioy and assurance yet hee will not remooue the outward signe of his wrath sometimes hee drawes backe the outward affliction but doth not restore the inward comfort or not in so great a measure so as some of Gods children may die without the sense of the ioy of Gods saluation till they come to heauen yea they may die in great terror and despaire yet the Lord may be reconciled and they may truely repent though these terrors or iudgements bee not released because God many times will thereby purge the publike scandall and cleere his owne iustice Besides such spectacles doe giue warning to a carelesse world to let them know that God hath treasures of wrath for sinne if they repent not Thus of the doctrine of stedfastnesse of faith and vnstedfastnesse also now briefely for some vses of it It may serue for great reproofe of the great neglect of seeking this stedfastnesse of faith We may complaine aswell of the common Protestant as of the Papists heerein for they are alike aduersaries to the assurance of faith let such as are touched with feare of God and desire to beleeue trauell more and more for attainement heereof and to this end cleaue to the sure word of the Prophets and Apostles and labour in the practise and exercise of all holy and Christian graces And for particular consideration of the troubles and losses of Gods children we may note 1. That it is a wonderfull fearfull thing to fall into Gods hands and that the promises of God yeeld no protection to a willing offender woe vnto prophane beasts if sinne make God angry towards his owne children and make them also vile before men then where shall those beasts that wallow in sinne appeare if they bee iustly abased that fall once into one sinne what shall be the confusion of face and heart in those men when all the sinnes they euer committed shall be reuealed before Gods Angels and men at the last day 2. They that stand haue great reason to take heede lest they fall from their stedfastnesse and bee carried away with the errour of the wicked 3. We should be wonderfull thankefull if God hath kept vs from falling it is his singular grace to keepe the scot of his Saints VERS 6.7 As yee haue therefore receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke yee in him 7. Rooted and built vp in him and stablished in the faith as yee haue beene taught abounding therein with thankesgiuing In these two verses the Apostle concludes the exhortation begunne in the 23. verse of the former chapter for whereas after all these reasons and the answer of sundry obiections they might finally haue sayd tell vs then at once what it is you would haue vs to doe the Apostle answers summarily that concerning holy life hee would haue them walke as they haue receiued the Lord Iesus Christ and concerning faith hee would haue them to bee rooted and soundly edified and established in the faith especially to abound in thankfulnesse to God for their happy estate in Christ Iesus The 6. verse containes a precept concerning holy life viz. to walke on in Christ and a rule by which that precept is to be squared and determined viz as they haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord. As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord c. These words may bee diuersly vrged vpon them according to the diuers sences may be conceiued of them For 1. To walke as we haue receiued Christ may beare this sence namely to frame our obedience according to the measure of the knowledge of Christ we haue receiued it shall be to vs according to what we haue to whom God hath giuen much of them he requireth much and iudgement certainely abideth for him that hath receiued the knowledge of his masters will and doth it not if our practice bee according to the knowledge wee haue this may bee our comfort God will accept of vs and otherwise they are but in a miserable case that are barren and vnfruitefull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Such a sence as this may be gathered viz. So liue with care of a godly life as ye neglect not to preserue the doctrine concerning Christ ye haue receiued Certainely it ought to bee the care of euery godly minde to doe his best to preserue the purity of the doctrine hee receiued together with Iesus Christ great is the generall neglect of many sorts of people heerein 3. Or thus Let the doctrine you haue receiued from Christ Iesus bee your onely rule both for life and manners So liue and walke as you haue receiued The Apostle commandeth to separate from euery brother that walketh inordinately and not after the traditions which they had receiued of the Apostle By tradition he meaneth the holy word of God deliuered by liuely voice vnto the Churches while yet it was not written euen the same which now is written The elect Lady and her children are commended for walking in the truth as they had receiued commandement of the Father Yea so must wee sticke vnto the word receiued as if any man teach otherwise he should be accounted accursed For the Apostles receiued it not of men but by the reuelation of Iesus Christ And as they haue receiued of the Lord so haue they deliuered vnto vs Therefore wee must conclude with the Apostle These things which wee haue learned and receiued and heard out of the holy word those things we must doe 4. The sence may bee thus as yee were affected when yee first receiued Christ so walke on and continue at first men receiue Christ with singlenesse of heart with great estimation of the truth with wonderfull ioy with feruent loue to Gods children with a longing desire after spirituall things with endeauour to beare fruit and without the mixtures of mens traditions and inuentions Now then they are exhorted to take heed that they lose not what they haue wrought but preserue those holy affections and desires still striuing against the witchcrafts of Sathan and the world that they be not beguiled from the simplicity that is in Christ Iesus The doctrines hence to be noted are 1. That Christians doe receiue Christ and that not onely publikely into their countries and Churches which yet is a great priuiledge for Christ bringeth with him many blessings and staies many iudgements brings a publike light to men that sit in darknesse and shadow of death and raiseth immortality as it were to light and life againe but priuately and particularly into their hearts and soules This is the happiest receiuing of Christ. Oh the glory of a Christian in receiuing Christ for he that receiueth Christ into his hart receiueth excellent illumination vnspeakable ioy
preferments and those that in the time of temptation fall away these specialties of faithfulnesse receiue a great increase of prayse if two things come to them first that mens hearts be faithfull that is that though they haue many wants and infirmities and fayle much and often in well-doing yet the desire delight endeauour resolution and affection is in all pleasing and firmenesse to walke before God without eyther hypocrisie or presumption this was Abrahams prayse Nehem. 9.8 Secondly that men continue faithfull vnto the death with all constancie and holy perseuerance beleeuing in Christ and worshipping GOD euen to the end of their dayes this is called for and crowned Reuel 2.11 Thus of faithfulnesse in spirituall things Faithfulnesse in temporall things stands in three things First in the sincere diligent and carefull discharge of the duties of our Calling It was a singular prayse in Daniel that when his enemies fought occasion against him they could finde none concerning the Kingdome hee was so faithfull and without blame and therefore they must take him if euer concerning the Law of his God Then doth the glory of Gods people shine when together with their constant zeale in matters of religion they are found carefully diligent and faithfull in their callings then whatsoeuer befals them for the Law of their God they may beare it with all comfort and constancie as did Daniel But how doth it blemish the glory of profession when men can say and see that Professors are idle deceitfull busie-bodies and carelesse in their places and callings they cannot build so much by profession as they destroy by these scandalous and carelesse courses Secondly in the right vse and profitable disposing of our riches euen the outward things God hath giuen vs. This lyeth vpon vs as one of the tokens of our faithfulnesse nay this is necessary to the being of this prayâ—e In the 16. of Luke Christ exhorts to the wise and liberall bestowing of our riches vnto the necessities of the poore and for other holy and needfull vses And because there lye in the hearts of carnall men many Obiections against this Exhortation therefore he forceth it with reasons that meere with mens carnall conceits And first whereas men out of an ouer great estimation and liking of these earthly things doe easily obiect that they must be carefull of the sauing and sparing in the vse of their riches for they are all the comfort they haue in this world Hee answereth that men should not so much loue these earthly things for they are riches of iniquitie that is sinne that makes a man miserable and accursed is most an end mixed with riches eyther they are wrongfully gotten and sinfully kept or they are causes of much sinning against God or men or himselfe Oh but what good shall a man get by parting with his goods Sol. They shall receiue him into euerlasting habitations they that is eyther the Angels or the Poore or thy Riches shall let thee into heauen euen to sure dwelling places and this should moue the rich because the time will come when thou shalt want and all the riches in the world cannot help thee Oh but a man may be saued and enioy these euerlasting habitations though he doe not so part with his riches Sol. Hee cannot for a man cannot be saued without Grace and God will neuer trust him with Grace the true treasure that is not faithfull in bestowing riches and good reason for if God gaue a wicked worldling grace hee would neuer be faithfull in vsing it for hee that is vniust in the least that is Riches would be vniust in much that is Grace Oh but our goods are our owne and therefore why should we giue them to others Sol. Ver. 12. That is false for Grace onely is a mans owne but Riches are anothers for God is the Lord of the whole and the poore is the owner of a part Tush but a man may haue a good heart to GOD and yet not deliuer out his goods to other mens vses nor leaue his content that hee hath in the fruition of them Sol. That is false to for a man cannot serue two Masters one man cannot serue God and Riches And thus our Sauiour meeteth with the Obiections of worldly men The words also contayne notable reasons to perswade to faithfulnesse which lyeth in this good vse of Riches first they are riches of iniquitie secondly the right vse of them makes way for heauen thirdly hee is like to be a godly man in the vse of Grace that is a faithfull man in the vse of Riches fourthly God else will not trust vs with Grace fiftly hee will else be a very vniust man and his riches wicked sixtly Grace onely is his owne goods and to be without Grace is to liue and dye a beggar lastly thou canst neuer serue God and Riches Thirdly in temporall things Faithfulnesse shewes it selfe in the vprightnesse and harmelesnesse of our carriage towards others as in keeping of promises Psal. 15. in the honest discharge of the trust laid vpon men eyther in Church or Common-wealth Nehem. 13.13 Prou. 13.17 in witnesse-bearing Prou. 14.5.25 in iust gaynes and lawfull meanes vsed for profit in our dealings with others Prou. 28.20 And such like duties of Iustice. Thus then wee see who is a faithfull man euen he that knoweth his owne reconciliation with God by faith that performeth his vowes to God that sincerely worships God and laboureth the increase of holy graces that will doe nothing against the truth but for the truth that is diligent in his calling that is seruiceable with his riches and lastly that is iust in his dealing Now if wee be such then is our estate most comfortable for first God will be faithfull to vs in the accomplishment of all his promises secondly the Word will be faithfull euen a sure fountaine of true comfort and helpe in all distresse thirdly Christ will be a faithfull both high Priest in heauen by his intercession making request for vs to God and both in earth and heauen he will be a faithfull witnesse so as while we liue we shall finde the testimonie of IESVS in our hearts and when wee die hee will not be ashamed of vs before his Father and the holy Angels and lastly wee shall be sure to haue a faithfull reward And this of the second title giuen to Gods Children Brethren The Children of God are said to be Brethren in a foure-fold relation 1. to CHRIST 2. to the Apostle 3. to the Saints abroad 4. to the Saints at home For the first are we brethren to CHRIST then it should teach vs two things first to liue comfortably for an higher estate of excellencie canst thou not haue secondly to liue nobly like the Sonnes of the most High not basely like the Sonnes of the Earth Why wallowest thou in
that which is simply impossible for there are many things vnpossible in respect of vs which are not onely possible but easie to God And therefore the common-people reason foolishly God can saue me therefore hee will doe it and the Papists as willfully Christ can be present in the Sacrament therefore hee will For besides that they will neuer proue his body can lie in all places at one time truely and locally present remayning a true body they also reason but absurdly till they finde his will to be there in their manner The Glory of God is taken somtimes for the signe of his presence Exod. 16.10 for the meanes of his worship 1 Sam. 4.22 for prayse and honour 2 Chron. 29.11 But here it is taken for the excellencie of God aboue all creatures as it may be reuealed God is more excellent then all Creatures in Trinitie of Persons in our essence in perfection of Nature in infinitenesse of beeing in eternitie in puritie and singlenesse in immutabilitie of Nature Will and Qualities in vnderstanding in prescience which absolutely falleth to no creature in the Idaea of Vertue and in omnipotencie By reason of mans Fall and custome in sinne Gods glory is much darkened so as now man of himselfe cannot so conceiue of the wonderfull excellencie of his Creator Gods Glory is reuealed vnto man 1. By his Workes especially his dreadfull and great workes 2. By the Signes of his presence 3. By the meanes of his worship 4. By the Confession of guiltie persons 5. By the Prayses of his Seruants and therefore to giue glory is translated to giue thankes 6. By Christ who is the Lord of glory the King of glory hee maketh the Glory of God as it were visible in his flesh 7. By Man 8. By the Spirit of Reuelation 9. By the Gospell But if you aske who of all men see Gods glory I answere onely the Saints in the brightnesse of it to wit such as haue the Gospell shining in their hearts c. such as acknowledging Gods threatnings turne vnto him by true repentance such as leade an holy and innocent life such as haue a true and liuely Faith Thus of the words apart Power of his Glory There are foure Reasons why the Power of God should be said to be the Power of his Glory or glorious 1. Because it will neuer leaue strengthening till it bring to Glory 2. Because the power of all the meanes of saluation is from heauen and therefore a glorious power 3. Because Gods Glory sets his Power aworke in as much as by promise it lyes ingaged to his people 4. It is a glorious Power because of the persons and things that are vsed in Gods worke as God himselfe the Sonne of God the Spirit of God ordinances that are of God and men specially consecrated by God Doctrines First the perseuerance of Gods Children is most certaine so long as there is Power in God or Glory they cannot fall away by losing their happinesse This poynt hath abundant and apparant confirmation out of the old Testament in these places Psal. 145.10.13.14 Esay 42.3 Ezech. 36.24.25.26.27 Ierem. 32.40 Hos. 2.19 Out of the Gospels Mat. 16.18 and 24.25 Iohn 4.14 and 5.24 and 6.39 and 10.28.29 and 13.1 Out of the Epistles also Rom. 6.8.9.10.11 and 8.30 and 11.29 Ephes. 4.12.17 Phil. 1.6 2 Tim. 2.19 Heb. 7.16 1 Iohn 2.19 and 3.9 1 Pet. 1.5.13.18.20.23 Secondly there is little reason of presumption in this Doctrine for as Power will preserue so Glory will reuenge if such as are in couenant with God returne to sinne woe vnto them Gods Glory will not beare it and he hath many wayes to scourge them for by their sinnes they may bring vpon themselues crosses of all sorts terrours of Conscience losse of many gifts and want of sence of all grace Gods presence and the ioyes of his promises and Saluation Church-censures the want of many blessings sore trauell and terrours vpon their returne againe terrible buffets both of the Word and Spirit c. And therefore wee should worke out our saluation with feare and trembling It is a fearefull thing to fall into Gods angry and scourging hand Hitherto of the Obiect Parts Ends and Causes of Knowledge the Effects follow which in the end of the Verse are noted to be three viz. Patience Long-suffering and Ioyfulnesse Patience This is a vertue that well becomes a Christian and a blessed fruit of the tree of life much to be desired of man though it may seeme troublesome to the flesh to endure crosses and afflictions yet if all things be considered it is a vertue of great prayse God himselfe is magnified of Men and Angels for his patience and forbearance It is the admirable glory of the Sonne of God that in the great worke of his Father about the gathering of the Churches in the middest of the oppositions of the world and euill Angels hee should not cry nor lift vp nor cause his voyce to be heard and yet hold out without failing or discouragement yea as the Captaine of our saluation he was made perfect by suffering This is the praise of the Saints which they may remember with comfort that they haue endured many and great fights of afflictions The Souldiour cannot please his Captaine vnlesse he endure hardnesse nor hee that striueth for Masteries be crowned vnlesse he toyle in the Combat nor the Husbandman reape vnlesse hee patiently endure the labour of sowing and wayte till haruest All that will liue godly must suffer the holy exercise of Christian Patience is a good signe that men are good hearers of the Word and that they practise what they heare Men are not therefore miserable because they suffer much Christians neede not to be ashamed to suffer they may be troubled on euery side yet not distressed they may be perplexed and yet not dispayre they may be persecuted and yet not forsaken they may be cast downe and yet not destroyed Patience is a vertue full of good fruits it appeaseth strife it helps away the crosse it is impatience and stubbornnesse that makes the father continue to beate his childe it fits vs for perseuerance with comfort as the Coherence shewes The patient abiding of the poore shall not perish for euer but they shall receiue at the length a crowne of life The worth of this grace appeares by the hurt of impatiencie for Impatiencie exalts folly depriues a man of the possession of his owne soule dishonours all a mans gifts and graces and all the good things hee hath before done c. Let vs therefore runne with patience the race that is set before vs. Thus did Christ endure the Crosse and now weares the Crowne The things wee commonly beare are nothing to that Christ and
Christ here on earth though it â—e not so visible and pompous as other kingdoms are yet it excels all the kingdomes on earth for when all other kingdomes are not onely shaken but translated or remoued or dissolued the kingdome of Christ will endure to the end in Christs kingdome the number of possessors doth not diminish the largenesse of the possession of each whereas in other states many Kings make little Kingdomes Besides wicked men may be not onely Subiects but Kings in other Kingdomes but this Kingdome though it be euery where yet it is wanting to the ignorant and sinners Christ raignes in this Kingdome by his Word and Spirit and his gouernement is taken vp especially by two things first the collection of his Church and secondly the maintenance of it Great are the priuiledges of the Saints vnder the gouernment of Iesus Christ they are qualified with eternall graces they are comforted with the daily refreshings that flow from the sense of Gods fauour they are confirmed in the assured peace with Angels and good men they are estated into an euerlasting inheritance they daily reape the benefits of Christs Intercession they often suppe with Christ and are feasted by the great King they liue alwayes in the Kings Court in as much as they are alwayes in Gods speciall presence they partake of the priuiledges Prayers and Blessings of all the righteous and they haue the Spirit of God in them to vnite them to God and Christ to leade them in the pathes of holy life to comfort them in all distresses to warne them if they goe out eyther on the left hand or the right and to helpe them in their prayers making request for them when they know not what to pray as they ought Obiect The World sees no such glory in the estate of Christians in this Kingdome Sol. There lyes a vayle ouer the eyes of all worldly men and besides this Kingdome though it be in the world is not of it though it be here yet it is not from hence and the afflictions that commonly couer the face of the Church doe hide from carnall men the beautie of it and by reason of the opposition that is betweene the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of Darkenesse though the world know the glory of Christians yet they will not acknowledge it Obiect The faithfull themselues discrene not any such excellencie in their earthly condition Sol. Wee must distinguish of Christians some are but infants in grace and babes these may be entituled to great things and yet haue no great sense of it as the Childe in Nature hath no great discerning of the inheritance hee is borne too or his owne present condition wherein hee excels others A kingdome is neuer the worse because the infant Prince cannot discourse of the glory of it Some Christians fall away for the time into grosse sinne or error and these are in matters of Grace like the drunken man or Paraliticke in nature their discerning is lost with their vprightnesse other Christians eyther want the meanes in the power of it or are tossed with great afflictions or are in the fit of temptation and then they haue but a darke glimpse of their felicitie in Christ but the strong Christian that hath digested the assurance of Gods loue in Christ and is exercised in the word of righteousnesse sees such a glory in the Kingdome of Grace and doth acknowledge it with such vnmoueable firmenesse of heart that all the powers of eyther earth or hell cannot alter his iudgement in the high estimation of such a condition The Vse of this Doctrine concerning Christs Kingdome is First for Consolation Gods Children should much exult and reioyce in their estates and in as much as Christ sitteth as king for euer all that are in his Temple should speake of his glory and if there were nothing else for a Christian to ioy in yet let all the Children of Sion reioyce in their King Yea the thought of this that God is our King should vphold vs and fence vs against all crosses for Christ is a hiding place from the winde and a couer from the tempest as riuers of waters in a dry place and as the shadow of a great rocke in a weary Land And therefore let our eyes neuer grow dimme in viewing this glory or our eares grow dull in harkening to the word of this Kingdome Secondly for Reproofe and terrour vnto all wicked men that harden their hearts and refuse to returne What greater losse then to lose Christs Kingdome and what fayrer seruice then to serue the Sonne of God Who would not feare thee O King of Nations accursed is the estate of all such as subiect not their neckes to Christs yoake that refuse to let him raigne ouer them by his Word and Spirit that come not vp to doe their homage in Ierusalem euen to worship this King the Lord of Hoasts â—f Iesus Christ be a great King then where shall they appeare that say to the King Apostata Euen all such I meane that dare reproach the way of Christ and deride the sinceritie of such as desire to imploy themselues in the businesse of the Kingdome c. Is hee a great King how dare wee then offer that vnto him which they durst not offer to a meane King on earth What meane the blinde and the lame in Gods house â—ow dare men so securely offer vp their blinde lip-seruice anâ— lame deuotions It is a Kingdome that is offered why doe wee then triflle why doe they excuse What meanes these fond excuses I haue marryed a wife and cannot come I haue bought â—iue yoake of Oxen and must goe proue them I haue bought a Farme and must goe see it I haue this pleasure and that profit and therefore cannot come Will they lose a Kingdome vpon so silly a pretence when thou needest not to lose eyther Wife Farme or Oxen. God doth not bid thee leaue thy Wife thy Labour thy Calling thy Liuing but onely wils thee to attend thine owne further aduancement in the season of it seeke lawfull profit but seeke Grace first Vse thy lawfull pleasures but chiefely seeke the pleasures of God euen these spirituall ioyes that are more worth then a Kingdome Thirdly for Instruction it should teach vs aboue all things to seeke our happinesse in this excellent estate vnder the gouernment of Iesus Christ. Wee should in respect of the worth of it forsake our Fathers house and the immoderate desire of any earthly thing so that the King will please to delight in vs Wee should open our hearts wider that the King of Glory by his Word and Spirit may come in Wee should labour for all those Graces by which an entrance is ministred into this Kingdome and whatsoeuer we are vncertaine of wee should make our Calling and Election sure and though we be neuer so many wayes opposed yet