the former was only a type of Christ a sign of his Presence therein was the typical Glory of Christ contained but the latter was more than a type even the place of his real Presence Into it the King of Glory came Christ's Presence in the Temple made it most Glorious hence it is that he is most Glorious If thou then art a Temple of Christ in which he dwells if Christ come to thy Soul and make himself known there then art thou filled with Glory thou hast Excellency of Knowledge the most precious Knowledge because of the King of Glory The Queen of Sheba beholding the Glory of Solomon said happy are the Men that stand before thee and hear thy Wisdom but a greater and more glorious Person is Christ infinitely happy are they that stand in his Presence and see his Face they will say with the Apostle in the Text Non Eximium duxi 2. In particular consider him 1. In his Natures 2. In his Names 3. In his Relations 4. In his Offices 1. According to his Natures which are two 1. Divine so he says I and the Father are one what the Father is the Son is whatever glorious Excellencies the Father hath the Son hath the same the same Attributes Eternity Incomprehensibleness Immutability whatever the Father doth the Son doth the Father worketh hitherto and I work So he is the Creator of Heaven and Earth by him all things were made he is the Fountain of all Beings of all Excellencies and so the knowledge of him must be most Excellent he is called Wisdom it self and so to know him must be the greatest Wisdom he is the brightness of the Father's Glory and the Express Image of his Person that is as a Person distinct from the Father and the most Express Image because he hath the very same Nature Identical Glory with the Father in a distinct Person If then to know God the Creator of all things Eternal Invisible c. If to know Wisdom Infinite Wisdom If to know the brightness of the Father's Glory be most Excellent then the knowledge of Christ is most precious he that sees me sees the Father This was Moses's Request and a most choice one I beseech thee shew me thy Glory no greater Glory than to behold the Glory of God and the brightness of that is to be seen in Christ's Glory of Eternity Glory of Omnipotency Glory of Omnisciency of Eternal Love even that passeth Knowledge unspeakable Goodness c. hence there 's ground to say Non Eximium c. 2. Humane as taking on him the Seed of Abraham The Son of God begotten from all Eternity in respect whereof 't is said who can declare his Generation yet was born in time and became the Son of Man The Great God equal with God took the form of a Servant so he is become Immanuel God with us God in our Nature in which dwells the fulness of the God head Bodily Câ—l 2.9 that is by a Substantial and Hypostatical Union so as that both Natures make but one Person this was that God and Man betwixt whom was a great Gulf that these might meet God comes down to Man because Man could not come up to God God satisfies his own Justice by himself when Man could not satisfy for himself so Justice and Mercy both are glorified perfect Satisfaction and free Grace meet together Christ taking Humane Flesh satisfies for Man there Justice is glorified the price of Redemption is paid Man is freed from Eternal Misery he deserved without any personal satisfaction of his own there fâ—ee Grace is Magnified Great now is this Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh a Mystery of Infinite Wisdom in contriving Man's Salvation in a way wherein the greatest Glory of God shines forth a Mystery of Incomprehensible Love which makes the Glorious Angels stand amazed 1 Pet. 1.12 well might the Apostle esteem the Knowledge of Christ as most Excellent 2. Consider him in his Names And so 1. His Name is called Wonderful Judg. 13.16 Isa 9.6 a Name that may be admired it cannot be perfectly apprehended this argues his Name to be most Glorious as therefore we cannot behold the Sun because so full of Light the greater is its brightness the less we are able to look upon it so the more unsearchable Christ's Name is the greater is the Glory of it As the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance and the Ministration of Legal Ordinances was so glorious that they could not stedfastly behold the the Face of Moses 2 Cor. 3.7 the like we may say the less stedfastly we can behold the Glory of Christ's Name the more glorious it is 't is Secret so full of Glory If Moses's Face was so glorious c. much more is the Eternal Name of Christ that excels in Glory Now if the Name of Christ be so Glorious as that it is Secret and Unsearchable then it must be most Excellent Knowledge in any measure to apprehend the Name of Christ. 2. His Name is The Lord the Lord God gracious c. Exod. 34.5 This is Christ's Name v. 4. 't is said The Lord proclaimed his Name before Moses 't is full of Glory and Goodness most Sweet and Precious this was an Answer to Moses's Request I beseech thee shew me thy Glory God reveals this his Name that he might shew his Glory his Name is his Glory so the Knowledge of Christ is most Glorious 3. His Name is Messias Dan. 11.25 That is the Anointed Psa 2.2 that is one that is chosen and set apart by the Father in an Eternal Decree to gather Jacob. Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me c. and also fully authorized to execute all Judgment to set about the work of Redemption as Joh. 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed that is given him a Commission to be King Priest and Prophet so that he may save to the utmost those that are given him to save and lastly anointed that is furnished with all Gifts Qâ—â—lifications and Abilities to sit him for the fulfilling his great work The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me c. What Spirit See Isa 11.2 The Spirit of Wisdom Understanding Counsel Might Knowledge Fear Now thus to know Christ as Messias such a Messias must needs be a a most sweet and precious thing Andrew having found Christ and meeting Peter he cries out he had found the Messias Joh. 1.41 they were so much taken with him that they willingly leave all to follow him 't is worth our leaving all to know Messias to see where he dwelleth and to abide with him 4. Jesus because he saves his People from their Sins being the good Shepherd that gives his Life for his Sheep Joh. 10.11 The Woman of Samaria thought Christ worth the knowing Joh. 4.29 because he had told all things that she had done she
He shaketh the Earth and doth great things past finding out ond Wonders without number And as the consideration of Christ's Power should make us ready to serve him so to serve him with our might Eccles 9.10 What thou do'st do with thy might be not heartless cold lukewarm in the service of so powerful a Lord. The works which he doth for Saints he doth them with his might The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro in the Earth to shew himself strong c. 2 Cbron. 16.9 As he is strong so he delights to shew himself strong on behalf of those whose Hearts are perfect with him CHAP. VII THere are in Christ the Riches of Glory Job 40.9.10 Hast thou an Arm likâ— God Deck thy self now with Majesty and Excellency this is the Glo y of Christ he hath the Arm of God and like God he is decked with Majesty and arrays himself with Glory and Beauty he is clothed with Majesty and Honour and decked himself with light as with a Garment If the King's Daughter be all Glorious within much more is the King himself who is the Lord and King of Glory who is most Glorious in himself and hath the command of his Glory being able to maintain and communicate it as he pleases Christ hath the Glory of being every way the chiefest that is in Dominion Strength Wisdom c. being altogether Lovely therefore altogether Glorious There is an Hâ—brew word for Glory which signifies Weight true Glory arises out of that which is of VVeight and VVorth the World's Glory is but a shadow which flies away as a Bird Hos 9.11 and is but as the Grass of the Field Christ is the substance If Saints shall have an exceeding weight of Glory how much more then hath Christ If their's be Glory from an Hyperbole to an Hyperbole as 2 Cor. 4.17 then how many Hyperboles are there in Christ's Glory Christ is the gathering together of all Glory as the Sea was the gathering of the Waters as the scatter'd light created the first day was on the fourth day gathered into the Body of that great light the Sun which rules the day so the scattered Glory which was here a little and there a little amongst creatures is gathered in Christ into a fulness of Glory which makes him the beginning or Head of the Creation of God Col. 1.17 18. If Sion be the perfection of Beauty how much more is Christ And these Riches of Glory are Unsearchable we may well say here we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness i. e. the darkness in which his Glory dwells in relation to us and by reason of the darkness of our Minds Job 26.14 How little a portion is heard of him When we have thought or spoken out our all we may conclude these are but part of his ways and of his Glory Now to speak what we can of his Glory let 's consider how he himself describes it Luke 9.26 The Son of Man shall come in his own Glory in his Fathers Glory and with the Angels that is the Glory he shall have given him of the Creatures for the Creation which is in bondage to men's lusts and those abuses which it's weary of shall serve to set forth the Glory of Christ which is its earnest expectatiâ—n Rom. 8. 1. There is his own glory his eternal essential glory which he had with the Father before the world and still hath being in the form of God and it is no Robbery to think so when the man of Sin shews himself that he is God that is robbery but not so when Christ is equallized with God The best description of his Glory is to say he is above all Eph. 4.6 the face of his Glory we can't see only the back parts thereof in his word and works c. whence we may conclude as the Psalmist He that made the Eye shall not he not see c. Psa 94.9 He that made all was not he before all and is not he above all so far above all in power that he is the Almighty In Knowledge that he is Omniscient in Duration that he is Eternal he is the brightness of his Fathers glory and Express Image of his Person That is his own Glory which he shall come in Heb. 1 3. 2. There is his Fathers glory which he shall come in that is Glory which he had and shall have from his Father and Glory becoming so glorious a Father Labans Son spoke it enviously of Jacob of that which was our Father's hath he gotten him all this glory we may say it wel of Christ of that which was his Fathers hath he gotten him all his Glory There is 1. The Glory he had from the Father in his humble Estate for in that he had much Glory which was manifested forth in his Miracles in which he had a Witness from the Father When John's Disciples asked Christ art thou he that should come Math. 11.5 he answers go tell John the blind see the Lame walk c. and those works will tell what I am Joh. 9.30 herein is a marvellous thing he hath opened mine Eyes and yet ye know not whence he is Cbrist in his humble Estate had Glory under a Vail and there was a Cloud upon the face of his Glory Under the Law God made a Cloud to be the Sign of his Presence which was then his Pavilion this was a Type of that Cloud of Flesh and humane Infirmities wherein Christ in his Dâ—vine Glory was covered in his humble State although under his Feet then there was a paved work of Saphire stone like the body of Heaven in clearness Exod. 24.10 which was a figure of those Beams of Divine Glory which did shine from Christ's works and goings when he was in the World declaring him to be the Lord from Heaven much of his Glory came forth in his Speech never Man spake like this Man he spake like one having Authority in this State he had the Glory of Grace and Vertue of perfect Righteousness Zeal Power Patience Humility Holiness and Love c. and these were his Glory we are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory that is as John 1.16 we receive of his Fulness Grace for Grace Grace is Glory 2. There is the Glory of his Exalted State and if so much of his Glory did shine forth from under his Sufferings in his low Estate what then is the glory of his Exalted State there is the glory of his Soul and Spirit which in the kind of Spirits is most Excellent being far above Angels There is the glory of his Body which of all bodily things is most Excellent having a brightness above the brightness of the Sun and above the strength of all Creatures If we consider him in his Person as God man so he hath the glory of being the Father's King whom he hath set over all the works of his hands having given him all power in Heaven and Earth and
on the Foundation A Man that hopes for Salvation must stay and rely on Christ He is the sole Foundation Other Foundation can no Man lay c. This Foundation is laid by the Father and fix'd by his Eternal Decree and by Christ's being Incarnate by being laid down in the Grave and set up at the Right Hand of God 't is in vain for Men to lay another Foundation of their own Duties and Good Works but that you may have Life you must be laid by the Father on Christ in hiâ— Eternal Decree chosen in Christ that is to be saved by him given to Christ and actually laid on Christ by the work of the Spirit Baptizing you into Christ Converting Renewing you after the Image of Christ and then actually laying your Selves on Christ by the Exercise of your Faith depending on and adhering to him so that this is the one thing needful for Ministers to Preach and for you to know That you may be the more convinced of this I shall prove it by Scripture and add some Arguments for faâ—â—her Confirmation I shall begin with Scripture Testimonies because that must be my work which Paul Professes to be his v. 1. To declare the Testimony of God to evidence the Truths I deliver by Divine Authority out of the word of God that is a Truth for Faith to rest on which is found in the word and founded upon the Word Now both Old and New Testament hold forth this Truth This was Abraham's Joy that he saw Christ's Day the Knowledge of Jesus Christ was most precious to him This God requires a People above all to Glory in Jer. 9.21 Let not the Wise Man glory in his Wisdom the wise Statesman the Philosopher c. but in this that he understandeth and knoweth me The meanest Person that knows Christ hath more to glory in than the most knowing Person in the World that is Ignorant of Christ If you had with Sâ—lomon Understanding exceeding much and largeness of Heart that you could speak of the Nature Vertues and Excellencies of all Creatures and Ignorant of Christ yet he that knows any thing of Christ hath more to make him renowned Well may we glory in this for Christ is a Peoples Glory Isa 60.1 Christ tells his Disciples that their condition was more happy than that of the Prophets because they knew more of Christ Blessed are your Eyes c. The Prophets were more blessed because they knew something of Christ though but his back parts because they knew he should come but more blessed are you because you see Christ come amongst you Math. 13.16 what these knew see Math. 11.4 5 6. If the clearer Knowledge of Christ doth make you more blessed than Prophets that had more intimate communion with God and Revelations from him of future things then certainly this is the most precious Knowledge To know the Scripture or to know the mind of God what things he will bring to pass hereafter all this is nothing to the Knowledge of Christ for blessed are you above and beyond all the Prophets c. yea this puts all Believers since Christ did reveal himself to the World in his Offices into a degree of Glory above John the Baptist Math. 11.11 amongst them that are born to Women there was one greater than John but he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he none was greater none of the Prophets that is than John because Christ was born in his time and he saw the Lamb of God Joh. 1.29 but the Kingdom of Christ was not then so fully set up Christ did not so openly manifest himself to be the Son of God John died before Christ died and arose and ascended before there was a flocking of Men in unto Christ therefore it follows he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven i. e. in the Kingdom of Christ his Kingdom of Grace set up in the World he sees more of Christ's Glory than John did in his time and so is greater Certainly then the Knowledge of Christ is most excellent and precious it makes you not only greater than great Scholars and Learned Men but than Prophets yea than John Baptist will you hear Paul plainly expressing his Opinion see Phil. 3.8 I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ The Knowledge of Christ is the Excellency of Knowledge so excellent that in comparison with him other things are but Dung Col. 2.3 In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge .. Observe what kind of Excellency this is 1. 'T is Secret Hidden not outward and visible the natural Eye cannot discern the Excellency of it 't is a hidden Treasure Although Carnal Men cannot Judge it to be most Excellent yet in Truth 't is so * Thesaurus dicit absconditos quod non Eminent magno Splendore conspicul sed potius sub crucis humilitate simplicitate contemplibili quasi delitescunt Calvin 2. There are Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge all Wisdom is in Christ he hath all Knowledge of all things in himself but that is not the meaning here Treasures of Knowledge are not only in him subjectively but objectively there is a Treasure of such glorious things in Christ in his Person Nature Offices c. that he that knows Christ hath a Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge he hath the most precious and excellent Knowledge and Wisdom that is to be gotten such Wisdom that it may be said of this created Wisdom and Knowledge of Christ what is said of Christ himself the Eternal and Increated Wisdom Prov. 8.11 Wisdom is better than Rubies and all things that may be desired are not to be compared with it this is the meaning of these words Significat nos perfectè sapere si Christum verè cognoscimus Calvin That we are truly wise if we know Christ truly This will further appear if we consider 1. The Excellency of Christ in himself 2. The Excellent Benifits of the Knowledge of Christ 1. The Excellency of Christ in himself 1. In general Christ is the most glorious Person King of Glory Psa 24.7 as Death is called Job 18.14 the King of Terrors that is Omnium terribilium terribilissimum the Terror of Terrors the greatest of Terrors so Christ is King of Glory most Glorious none like him Moses was a Type of Christ a typical Mediator and had abundance of Glory from Christ by reflection 2 Cor. 2.7 so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance What then is Christ the Fountain from which this Glory is derived Heb. 3.3 This Man is counted worthy of more Glory than Moses because he is the builder of the House He was Moses's Lord Moses had the Glory of a Servant of Christ Christ is the Lord and King of Glory Christ is then most Glorious Hag. 2.1 The Glory of the latter House is greater than the Glory of the former
but broken Cisterns these are not worth the making sure but the Fountain of living waters is worth the making sure The Father who is the Father of Lights his Love is worth tho making sure Christ in whom is Righteousness Merits Glory in whom all fulness dwells The Spirit who shall be a Well of Water springing up to everlasting life who shall be in the heart as flowing Rivers of Grace Comforts Joy Fullness of Joy Pleasures for evermore these are worth the making sure Sect. 3. For the further clearing of this consider 1. What Salvation is 2. And what the Assurance of it is 1. Now Salvation is the restoring of an undone Creature from fulness of misery to fulness of Glory 1. Salvation begun in this life is a Translation of a Sinner from a state of Guilt Unrighteousness Condemnation to a state of Righteousness and Justificaâ—ion from Polution to Purity from Prophaness to Piety from Wrath to Grace from a state of Emptiness and Poverty into a state of Fulness in Christ from the Power of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ 2. Salvation perfected is the bringing of a Creature into the presence of God making it partaker of the Glory of Christ God shining to the Soul in all his Glory Christ in his infinite Excellency God shining on the Soul in perfect likeness and suitableness to him We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.3 This is that which is worth the making sure II. What assurance of Salvation is Now that is when that is done in the heart which the Apostle speaks of 2 Cor. 4.6 God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our hearts giving the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ unto the Soul then the Soul is at rest God appearing in the Glory of his Love reconciled in Christ in the Glory of his All-sufficiency Power and Wisdom God appearing as your God to your Souls the seeing of your selves to be partakers of the Divine Nature with Christ that as Christ hath the Divine Nature so you partake with him in it this is assurance of Salvation Now is not this a Pearl worth the selling all to purchase it Sect. 4. Use 1. Fxhort To perswade you that amidst the multitude of your Affairs and Imployments in the World this may not be neglected but with the greatest diligence prosecuted the making your Salvation sure to your selves As Solomon says above all keeping keep the Heart so above all working work out your own Salvation make sure that which may be made sure and is indeed worth the making sure You are made for ever if once your Salvation be made sure and whatever you are you are most miserable if the Salvation of your Souls be not made sure Be not like Martha troubled about many things cumbred with much serving with serving your Lusts serving of Men serving of the Body Take heed of loosing your Lives in seeking to save your Lives Take heed of loosing your Souls in seeking the things appertaining to the Body of coming short of Heaven in your toiling in Earth but chuse with Mary that better part She sate at Jesus his Feet and heard his word Luke 10.39 Look on this as the one thing needful as the best part that you can choose to hear the word of Christ to search the Gospel of Christ to study that Salvation that is in Christ And wrought out in their hearts that come to Christ behold that life and immortality that is brought to light in him To provoke hereto consider 1. The Father makes it his great work to save Souls a greater work than the Creation of the World wherein more of his Glory is manifested the greatest of God's works next to the Incarnation of the Son of God Now as God makes it his great work so next to the glorifying of that God in Christ this should be your greatest work to get an assurance of your Salvation 2. Jesus Christ died to make Salvation sure to the Elect to the Children of Promise 't is so glorious a work that Christ valued it above his own Life he delighted not so much in his own Life as in the Salvation of Sinners The Son of God pleased not himself that he might do whatsoever pleased him He denied himself that might do what he pleased He humbled himself that was Lord of Glory that he might save poor lost Souls He put himself into the miserable condition of Sinners that they might be translated into his estate of Happiness and Glory so this is a most glorious work for to take Salvation from Christ or make Christ sure or the favour of God Eternal Life in him should be your great work and such a work as you should not leave though you may be reproached and persecuted in it we should be contented to loose Temporals to make sure of Eternals to loose Life to save Life If you were in a Ship at Sea that was full of Gold and in danger of drowning you would cast out all to save your Life so let all things stoop to this work of saving of your Souls yet it is not always so you may make Salvation sure and keep your Riches haply enjoy Peace and not endanger your temporal lives 3. Salvation assured shall be an Anchor sure and stedfast to your Souls you shall see Christ holding you fast and hereby you shall hold fast Christ. And hereby you shall have Hope and Joy in the greatest troubles there 's no Tempest of afflictions shall carry away your hearts from Peace Your Joy is sure Joy your Comforts sure Comforts if you have this sure and stedfast Anchor nay there 's no sin shall trip up your heels of Joy and Peace in Christ with the Father in Christ's Righteousness to cover your Sin in Christ's satisfaction for Sin it should work in you Godly sorrow for doing any thing repugnant to his Glory but it should not disturb a Believers Joy in God And hereby you shall be kept stedfast in the Faith and in the profession of Godliness and in following the Lord Jesus you shall be armed against all trials and oppositions Eph. 6.13 Take the whole Armour of God v. 14. Have on the Breast-plate of Righteousness make that sure and that shall be the Armour of proof on your hearts and nothing shall kill the heart of your Peace and Joy whilst you keep that as a Breast-plate v. 15. Have your Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace By Feet are understood also Legs It was a custom antiently to wear a kind of Brazen Boots on the Legs 1 Sam. 17. Goliah had such greaves of Brass on his Legs to defend him against darts c. And they that have such may walk on Thorns and Briars and not be hurt Now have your Feet shod that is walk in Gospel-ways have the Gospel of Peace in your hearts believe the Gospel Promises Gospel
S raphins had six Wings with twain they covered their Faces and with twain their Feet Shewing that beholding the Infinite Glory of God they were as it were ashamed of themselves of their own emptiness and the great disproportion betwixt God and themselves that they were far from high mindedness and boasting in any perfection they saw that what they had they had from God and that perfection they had came Infinitely short of God and so rejoyce in him and not in themselves And so many Saints Isaiah cried Woe is me I am unclean for mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host c. And Peter said when the Glory of Christ's Godhead appeared in that Miracle Depart from me for I am a sinful Man O Lord. An Expression of Humility and of an opinion of his own unworthiness even so the Infinite Grace and Love of God in Christ's appearing this begets Humility this puls Pride out of the Throne and high mindedness Pride falls before the discoveries of God in the Soul This is that especially which is to be understood in this place by Fear and Trembling The Scripture uses this Expression sometimes and still it signifies Humility as Psa 2.11 Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Be humble in your Service trust not to your own Strength be humble in your Rejoycings take not the Glory to your selves say that you are nothing rejoyce in God and give Glory to him Again 1 Cor. 2.3 I was with you in weakness and fear and much trembling that is I did not boast my self to be some body I was not with you in a proud and stately deportment I did not seek Glory with ostentation of Eloquence but I carried my self with humility amongst you Eph. 6.5 Servants be Obedient to your Masters with fear and trembling that is be humble and submissive not proud and stout against them so work out your Salvation with fear and trembling and be cloathed still with Humility both in Heart and Life be far from high mindedness and carnal Confidence think not to travel towards Heaven in your own strength Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear So see the love of God let your Eye be fixed on Christ who died to reconcile and lives to save you Behold the Trinity carrying on the work the Father loving from all Eternity Christ mediating and rejoyce in the first fruits of the Spirit believe that the Spirit of Christ that 's dwelling in you shall renew and Sanctify you till Sin be wholy abolished and shall quicken your Mortal Bodies and make them like to Christ's glorious Body and know that you can do nothing of your selves and so you shall work out your Salvation with fear and trembling So that Fear and Trembling is to be taken here 1. As opposed to Hardness Stupidity and Insensibleness That when God manifests forth the Glory of his Infinite Goodness in Christ unto Sinners the Heart is no way affected or moved herewith a fearing and a trembling Heart that 's here meant is a Heart affected with the shining forth of God's Glory in Christ. God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts giving of the light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ Now when the Heart is affected herewith and raised in admiration then it fears and trembles 2. As opposed to high mindedness to high thoughts of a Man's self of his worth and goodness A fearing and trembling heart is a heart sensible of its weakness and nothingness 3. As opposed to Carnal Confidence to trusting in a Man 's own Righteousness and Power as if a Man could merit Heaven by his Righteousness or travel thither in his own strength Section 13. Use 1. Is of Information By this it appears that many there are to whom the way of Life and Salvation is not discovered All that think they are travelling to Heaven are not indeed going thither Many there be that think they are working out their Salvation but there be but few that work it with fear and trembling This is the temper of those that God hath brought into the way of Life their hearts are fearing and trembling hearts hearts admiring at the Riches of Divine Grace hearts that are humble and broken off from Carnal Confidence But how few among the multitude that would be thought to be travelling towards Heaven have these fearing and trembling Hearts Rom. 3.17 18. The way of Peace have they not known there 's no fear of God before their Eyes Christ is the way of Peace Life and Salvation is the woâ—k of the whole Trinity If the way of Peace be known and the Trinity be look'd on as engag'd in this work it will work fear but the fear of God is not before the Eyes of many and so the way of Peace have they not known As many as are without fear and Holy trembling I do not mean slavish fear but reverenâ—ial fear are yet ignorant of the way of Life 1. As many as have not their Hearts deeply affected with and sâ—nsible of the Glory of Divine Grace and Goodness in Christ to Sinners As many as do not fear the Lord and his Goodness as many as heaâ—ing yet do not taste that the Lord is gracious The Apostle speaks of some that counted the Blood of the Covenant as a common thing they not apprehending the price and value of it So many there are that look on the glad Tidings of the Gospel the discoveries of Divine Grace and of the Infinite Love of the Lord Jesus but as common things and are no way taken with the Glory of the Gospel and the Riches of Divine Grace therein discovered This insensibleness of Heart towards the precious things of the Gospel this unaffected Spirit bewrays their Ignorance of the way of Life and what a common thing it is for Persons to make light of the Gospel and to neglect their Salvation that is spoken therein nay to despise the Gospel and to discover enmity against it There 's nothing more contrary to fearing Goodness than the making light of and despising Goodness and there 's nothing more common than that And what greater Evidence can there be than this that Men are not in the way of Salvation Hos 8.12 I have written unto them the great things of my Law but they were counted a strange thing c. 2. As many as are full of high thoughts of themselves As the discovery of this that Salvation is the work of the Trinity the beholding of God in Christ will bring down high thoughts so where high Thoughts are in the Throne and an opinion of Righteousness in Men's selves this bewrays an Ignorance of the way of Life They do not fear and tremble c. 3. As many as work uncleaness with greediness as freely yield up themselves Servants to Lusts fearing and trembling doth not consist with such freedom in Sinning the fear of goodness will restrain
Will may stand there will be an answerable doing Such as are in the Flesh and broad way have their Conversation in Lusts but such as are in the narrow way have their Conversation in the Will of God Rom. 12.2 Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God An upright mind is that which proves and finds out the will of God and is able to distinguish it and say this it is An upright will is that likes it and approves it and consents to it as 't is Holy Just and Good The doings of Christians the just and upright doings are obeying the good and acceptable and perfect Will of God 2. Obeying the Law as good 1. because 't is better to obey the Law than to obey Lusts God's will than our own not for our good only but because the Law is good being drawn by goodness of Obedience more than by the goodness that comes from Obedience because 't is the Beauty of the Creature to be in subjection to the Creator 2 Because Obedience is acceptable and approved of God Obedience pleases God though it does not pacify him To do goood and to distribute forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 There 's a double Head of Sacrifices 1. A Propitiatory purifying Sacrifice that prevents displeasure from breaking out because of Sin as the Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross and none but this 2. A Sacrifice that God is well pleased with and accepts of when he is made propitious to a Person by Christ's Sacrifice and by his Spirit works Obedience Thus doing good is a Sacrifice of Praise which God is well pleased with This is that which moves a sound Christian to do good because it pleases God this is an excellent temper Christ pleased not himself So Christians must not please themselves it is God's Prerogative to do whatever pleases him but 't is Piety in Christians to do whatever pleases God This is the will of God even your Sanctification God's wilâ— is that Believers should be Holy doing good 3. Obeying the perfect will of God that is 1. There 's no Law nothing that God wills to be done that a sound Christian rejects although he fails in many points yet he rejects not nor despises any point of the Law The Carnal Mind is enmity against and makes void the Law but the found Mind does not he does not Sin out of contempt of the Law but through infirmity of the Flesh As renewed there 's a delight In the whole will of God I delight in the Law of God after the inner Man Rom. 7. 2. The doings of those that are in the way of Life are not for Life but from Life i. e. They do not this and that Duty they love not the Saints they abstain not from the Pollution of the World that they may live in their doings their doings proceed from Life and are not to procure Life They know that Christ hath done enough to procure Life he hath obeyed the Law and undergone the Curse of it for Righteousness to them they look on Christ as their Life and not on their doings as their Life They do not to deserve by their doings but because Christ hath deserved their doingâ— They do not count themselves worthy by their Service but do account Christ worthy of their Service and Obedience Their doings are not for Love but â—hey flow from Love They serve not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit their Service is not old Covenant but new Covenant Service Sect. 18. Doct. 2. A will to embrace speritual good offered or to do spiritual good enjoyn'd is of God's working Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works A willing and doing Christian that 's in the way of Life is God's workmanship a Mind â—iâ—led with the Knowledge of God in Christ filled with his Glory shining in the Face of Jesus Christ a Will drawn out to God in Christ in sweet embraces of his Love full of spiritual dispositions and desires living in God and living to God a life full of good works abounding in the fruits of Righteousness to the Glory of God is the special and peculiar work of God As God at first created the World out of nothing there was no praeâ—xisting matter which God did make use of in forming Creatures out of it they did all come forth from God and spring out from his Divine Power and God-head who said Let there be and they were So consider a Man as spiriâ—ualiz'd his Heart set into a spiritual frame enjoying God as his life and living to him thus he is made out of nothing there is no prae-existent will or disposition to embrace good offered to do any good that is commanded out of which he is educed God doth not by moral perswasions only stir up any good in him or blow up Coals of spiritual good in him that are lying hid under the ashes of Carnality and Corruption like a Talent wrapt up in a Napkin and hid in the Earth but by a Physical work creating Life out of Death in the Soul he doth not bring a greater Light out of a lesser in the Conversion of a Sinner but commands Light to shine out of Darkness as in the first Creation bringing in Spiritual and Divine Light where there was none He doth not bring forth a full perfect and compleat will of Embracing Christ and of laying hold on the Covenant out of a Velleity or imperfect will towards spiritual good towards the embracing of the Lord Jesuâ— but in all that are in the way of Life he creates such a will out of nothing or out of that which is worse than nothing Enmity Contrariety c. God doth not bring perfect Health out of Sickness Strength out of Infirmity Soundness out of Wounds Life out of an half Death as the good Samaritan did by pouring in Oyl and Wine into the wounds of him that was half dead but God in the Conversion of Sinners bringeth Life out of Death absolute perfect Death He creates Holiness out of nothing where there is nothing but sinfulness Purity out of nothing but Impurity Obedience out of nothing but Disobedience So this work is called a new Creation 2 Cor. 5.17 There is nothing of the Spiritual Man remaining in them The influence of God on the Souls of Sinners in their Conversion is not like the influence of the Sun only upon the Earth that is the Mother of Trees Plants Herbs c. the womb in which they are begotten there 's a seminal Power and Vertue iâ— the Earth to bring them forth but that is weak and inefectual in it self till the Sun by its enlivening and quickning influence doth strengthen and draw forth that seminal Vertue So there 's no seed of Grace no root of Holiness no seed of God till God sow
and heightens their torment they think upon the vain course they led upon the seasons of Grace they slighted the great Salvation neglected by them they contemplate on the eternity of their Misery and they think on the happiness of those that they persecuted and hated Dives is said to see Lazarus afar off the wicked think on the blessed estate of the Godly but on the other side the Saints never see Death but Light and Life they shall see Christ and be ever with him beholding his Glory Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they be with me to behold my Glory to be in everlasting contemplation of it and the Light of him shall satisfy and they shall be ever seeing him there shall not be any Cloud upon his Glory true he shall come in Clouds but when he comes Clouds shall go away when he ascended a Cloud received him out of the sight of the Disciples when he descends a Cloud shall usher him into their sight and then Clouds shall for ever pass away that Saints may for ever see him and then they shall see Christ and all other things by Christ The Lamb is said to be the light of the new Jerusalem by this light they shall see Christ himself as by the light of the Sun we see the Sun and by Christ's light all other things as the Scripture and all those things contained therein The Jews before Christ came knew him by Types and Signs but after Christ came they knew these Types and Figures by Christ now we know Christ by the Scriptures but when he shall appear we shall know the Scripture by Christ now we know the Creator by the Creatures then shall we know the Creatures by the Creator now the invisible things of God are known by the things that are made then that which is invisible to us of the things that are made shall be known by the Light and Glory of him that made them And their seeing shall be a beatifical Vision Christ shall then see the Saints and be satisfied and they shall see him and be satisfied Exod. 24.11 The Elders of Israel saw God and did eat and drink not as when they made the Calf but either they did eat of the Sacrifices or did eat and drink Spiritually they delighted in the Glory of the Lord and fed their Eyes and feasted upon the brightness of his Glory which was better to them than the most pleasant meat In answer to this Christ promises that we shall eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom this is the Portion of the Saints in Heaven they shall see Christ as God manifest in the Flesh and the God-head in Christ After the general Judgment they shall see God immediately as All in All and not only through the Man-hood of Christ. 2. Christ shall be a fountain of Glory to the Saints they shall receive of his fullness Glory for Glory as the Sun communicates the Glory of his Light so shall Christ the Sun of Righteousness which he beginning to do here shall do it perfectly to the filling of Souls and Bodies with Glory they shall have the Glory of being one in the Father and the Son Joh. 17.21 3. Christs Glory is a Pattern of the Saints Glory who are predestinated to be conformed to the Image of the Son Rom. 8.29 they shall see and be like him and be satisfied with his likeness If Saints now suffer so did Christ and as Christ is glorified so shall they if we suffer 't is no worse with us than 't was with Christ and when Christ shall appear it shall be as well with us as to a like Glory tho' not an equal Glory with his they shall appear with him in Glory there shall be a Manifestation of the Sons of God which the Creature hath an earnest expectation off that they may be delivered from their bondage unto the power of the Man of Sin into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.18 19 20. 1. A Gracious Liberty which they have being under Grace and in a State of Grace being free from the Curse of the Law from the raigning power of Sin and from being led Captive by Satan at his will this is a Liberty where with Christ hath made free 2. A Glorious Liberty where with Christ shall make them free not only from Sin as a King but from Sin as a Tyrant and from any temptations and buffetings of Satan not only from pleasing Men and walking as Men but from all persecutions from Men for Righteousness sake they shall not hurt nor destroy c. such a glorious Liberty shall be to the Sons of God a triumphant Liberty as under Solomon's Reign when there was neither Adversary nor evil Occurrent And as the Creature so the Saints also having the first fruits of the Spirit do groan for the Adoption even the Redemption of the Body There is a two-fold Adoption Rom. 8.23 First by receiving power to be Sons through believing in Christ Joh. 1.12 2. In receiving the Portions of Sons and that Inheritance which belongs to them as Joynt-Heirs with Christ There is also a two-fold Redemption 1. Of the Soul from under the power of Sin Satan and the World 2. Of the Body from Persecution and Trouble which is the State Saints shall be in after the fall of Babylon when there shall be none to make them afraid as also there shall be Redemption from Death and the Grave so that their vile Bodies shâ—ll be fashioned like Christ's Glorious Body Only 1. Consider if you would see Christ and be like him in Glory see that you be found in him having his Righteousness Psa 17.15 I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness that is thy Righteousness those that will not submit to the Righteousness of God must not look to be Exalted to his Glory yet an inherent qualifying Righteousness also is by many and may well be understood in that Expression whom he Justified them he Glorified 2. You must be Holy without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord you must be sanctified into a likeness with him in Grace else look not to be satisfied with his likeness in Glory 3. Confess Châ—ist and stand for his Glory In his Temple should every one speak of his Glory Psal 29.9 So should we in his Spiritual House they that delight not now to be speaking of his Kingdom and talking of his Power and of the Glorious Honour of his Majesty must not look to have an Inheritance in his Kingdom In his Temple is the joyful sound of his Glory such as now hear the joyful sound shall have the joyful sight of his Glory 4. Do all to his Glory confess he is Lord to the Glory of the Father be just to his Glory be sober to his Glory be charitable and mercifull to his Glory Pray Hear Eat Drink do all to his Glory all things are of thee of thine own have we given thee 1 Chron. 29.14 all Waters are from
straight Gate they will follow hard and press towards the Mark c. they put on with Zeal and Resolution in the way that leads to life They go to Sion with their faces thitherward that is they come to ordinances with strong affections as a hungry Man to a Feast They run with patience the Race set before them this is an evidence of the true Knowledge of Christ. 2. Next I shall lâ—y down the grounds of consolation they have who have attained to the saving Knowledge of the Excellency of Christ. 1. You that have attained to Excellency of Knowledge of Christ shall have the perfection of the Knowledge of Christ. He that knows in part shall know as he is known He that sees Christ darkly as in a Glass shall see him face to face He that knows his back-parts shall know his fore-parts This is evident from that of Christ to the Woman of Samaâ—ta John 4.14 Whosoever shall drink of the Water I shall give shall thirst no more that is shall not thirst after other Waters he shall not seek other comforts he finds enough in Christ that knows Christ aright and can say as Peter to whom elsâ— shâ—uld I go then hast the words of Eternal Life he goes not to the creatures to suck comfort from them he shall thirst no more after other things He shall thirst no more that is he shall be filled with Christ he shall have enough in Christ to satisfy him tho' as yet he hath not When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness satisfied with the clear Vision and Knowledge of Chrest so as that he shall desire to know nothing but Christ and shall know as much of Christ as he can desire 1 John 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God c. and we shall see him as he is that is now we see him darkly then face to face clearly perfectly Christ now looks through lattess Cant. 2.9 but Christ shall lay himself open to our view Then the Glory of Christ's Person shall be made visible to us then Christ in all his Glory shall appear then the mystery of Christ shall be made plain then Christ who is altogether lovely shall be altogether known as lovely then there shall be perfect knowledge of that Love of his which now passeth knowledge then Faith shall be swallowed up in Vision Desire shall end in perfect Delight What comfort then may this afford to those that have in some measure attained to the Knowledge of Christ and thirst for more you shall have what yea more than you thirst after 2. There shall be wrought in you a perfect Conformity unto Christ in Glory this shall follow upon the perfecting of your Knowledge If you behold as in a glass the Glory of the Lord and are changed c. translated c. then much more seeing Face to Face you shall be changed from Glory to Glory that is Glory you shall have in some measure answerable to the Glory of Christ The Glory of the Members shall be in their measure proportioned to the Glory of the head this appears 1 Joh. 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is because we shall see him so we shall be like him and what a glorious condition shall you be then in Christ as you have heard is a most glorious Person therefore 't will be your greatest Glory and Happiness to be made like him 3. You have reason to be strong in Faith you know whom you have believed to whom you have committed your Souls for Salvation and from whom it is you look for Life and Immortallity Glory Honour you know him to be the Son of God and so that he is able to keep what you commit to him you know his Righteousness that it is not a Covering too narrow for a Man to wrap himself in but adequate to the breadth of all your Sins you know him to be Intercessor with the Father in the bosom of the Father nay one with the Father so that you need not to fear the wrath of God nor to fly from him as a Consuming Fire you can with Moses go up to the top of the Mountain to talk with God when others may justly fear to touch the foot thereof least they be consumed you need not fear the wrath of the Devil you know one that hath led him captive that is able to bind that strong Man and hath done it you know that there is a Vertue in Christ's Blood which you know how to make use off and by it to overcome the Devil who is the Accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12.11 when he comes and hath great wrath then a wo is denounced to the Inhabitants of the Earth but rejoyce ye Heavens c. ver 12. you have not need to fear the wrath of Man you know Christ who is able to turn the wrath of Man to his own Glory and to your Good Isa 43.1 c. in a word you have in all your Distresses ground of strong Consolation and may comfort your Souls as Job did Chap. 19.25 c. you are assured of Safety and Salvation therefore be strong in Faith let not your Hearts be moved at the apprehension of Danger hold you your Confidence stedfast to the end let it be your care to keep a good Conscience to hold forth the Honour of Christ and if your Hearts suggest Dangers answer your fears as Abraham did Isaac the Lord will provide Christ will take care of your Safety 4. You that know Christ are known of Christ he knows you for his own he owns you he appears for you he knows your Souls in all your Adversities and that as a Father pittieth his Child in all his distresses and will do his utmost to relieve and ease it Psal 31.7 I know my Sheep and I am known of mine Joh. 10.13 14. noting his care of them Gal. 4.9 Since ye know God or rather are known of God those that know are known as 't is said we love God because he first loved us so if we know Christ he hath first known us if our Earthly Friends forsake or will not own you as Job's and David's yet Christ will not he will not forget or forsake you therefore you should be always ready to own Christ he knows you in your Sufferings know you him in his Sufferings c. and you need not to fear that dreadful Sentence of Christ Depart from me I know you not to all that now know not God and that desire not to know him so he shall say but to you Come ye Blessed c. Doct. 2. The Principal study and care of a People must be to know the Mystery of the Cross of Christ This Point I shall endeavour to prove and then to unfold the Mystery and shew what 't is you must labour to know of Christ Crucified and so descend to Application I. I shall prove it by these steps and degrees 1. 'T is
not enough for a Christian to know the personal Excellencies of Christ For although if Christ were revealed in his Personal Excellencies of Grace and Glory which follow upon the Hypostatical Union this were enough to allure the Heart unto Christ to close in with him for so he were a fit Object for Men and Angels to imbrace Angels that are wholy clean and without Sin would think it an Addition to their Happiness to have him for their Head and Husband which Happiness 't is probable they have but Men are guilty of Sin and they cannot draw near to Christ to take delight in his Personal Excellencies except Sin be first done away Christ as considered in his Personal Excâ—llencies is not an Object â—â—â—ted so Sinners wherefore 't is not enough so to know Christ When Christ was transfigured in the Mount Math. 17. His Face shining as the Sun and his Rayment as white as the Light Peter thought tâ—â—n that they had seen enough of Christ and seems to be contented with this Representation of Christ's Glory ver 4. 't is good to be here let 's make Tabernacles settle our abode but Christ knew 't was not good to abide there something more was to be known of him so he leads them down from the Mountain they had not seen enough of Christ they must know him in another manner therefore ver 9. Christ says tell the Vision to no Man until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead Intimating that it was not enough to know Christ in his Glory but he must be known in his State of Humiliation as dying c. buried and risen again when the Apostâ—â—s thought they had seen enough of Christ in beholding his Personal Excellencies Christ then leads them to the Consideration of his Death Christ must be known in his Personal Excellencies but that is not enough we must look on him as dying as cloathed with his Garments of blood so he is a sit Object for Sinners The Prophets of old did not only represent him in his Glory but as dying Isa â—3 1 2. Who is this that cometh with dyed Garments from â—ozrah glorious in his Apparel and 〈◊〉 in his Apâ—arel This Christ himself in his Preaching of himself declares Math. 16.34 From that time Jesus began to tell his Disciples that he must suffer this the Disciples were a long time Ignorant off and so long were very rude and ignorant indeed and knew but little of the Mystery of the Kingdom of God although Peter could say in the name of the rest of the Disciples thou art Christ the Son of the Living God yet here he was Ignorant of this Mystery and when Christ speaks of his Death Peter rebukes him and says far be it from thee for which Christ called him Satan and said thou savourest not the things of God you know nothing of Christ aright unless you be acquainted with the Mysteries of his Death 2. 'T is not enough to know the History of Christ Crucified 't is not sufficient to meditate and contemplate on the great injuries done by the Jews the grievousness of his sufferings and the shame he was put to this may move the heart to a relenting and compassion to him as it will also to read the Stories of other Martyrs it may move the heart to indignation against the Jews for Crucifying of him this may beget admiration of his noble and heroical love which men may think to be Grace this is not enough This seems to be the fault which Christ reproved in those Women Wâ—ep not for me but for your selves and children Luke 23.28 You weep for me only out of natural pitty and compassion so indeed you may weep for your selves and your own miseries so you may weep for your Children and their calamities but you should not look on my sufferings as such as your selves undergo or your Children endure you must have more spiritual more raised thoughts of my sufferings not weep at them but rejoyce in them or weep for your Sins but rejoyce in my sufferings by which your Sins are done away 3. You must know the mystery of the Cross of Christ that is not only that he dyed but the ends for which he dyed and the benefits thereof that he dyed for our offences Rom. 4.25 That as Caiaphas Prophecyed Christ dying the whole Nation did not perish but some were saved by his death Now that thus you must look on Christ is evident because thus Christ is the object of justifying Faith Christ in his Personal Excellency is not the object of justifying Faith but the formalis ratio the proper respect and consideration that maketh Christ the object of Faith as justifying is his dying for Sin his sheding his blood that by it there might be the remission therefore Christ is a pleasing and grateful object to the Soul Christ as humbling himself and becoming obedient to death is an object suited to a humble Soul As the Brazen Serpent was lifted up c. so Christ on the Cross John 3.14 so the Scripture sets him forth Rom 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiatian through Faith in his Blood Look on Christ as by his Blood there is a propitiation for Sin so that then our care must be to know Christ as Crucified A humbled Soul must have recourse to Christ who is glorified and sits on the Right hand of God and yet to him as once upon the Cross 2. Now that I may in some measure unfold the Mystery unto you consider a threefold Mystery of Wisdom Love and Vertue 1. Of Wisdom in these particulars 1. Christ was delivered by the determinate Counsel and foreknowledge of God for a most Glorious and Blessed end that sinners in him might have the forgiveness of sins Act. 2.23 And he Blest with all Spiritual Blessings Eph. 1.3 Of Grace here in acceptation v. 5. and in receiving the Holy Spirit in the saving Graces and Workings of it Act. 2.38 Repent and be Baptized in the name of Christ and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost And of Glory hereafter Heb. 2.10 He is the Captain of Salvation by whom many Sons are brought to Glory This end see in Eph. 1.9 10. that is to make a perfect Reconciliation and to close up all breaches betwixt God and the Elect betwixt them and the Creatures there was Enmity even betwixt them and the good Angels Christ was sent that by him a Recapitulation might be made that all might be gathered under one head i. e. Christ for the end c. Isa 42.1 so that in meditating on the story of Christ Crucified we must look back to the Eternal Counsel and Decree of God consider that everlasting Design and Plot that was laid therein the Covenant made betwixt God the Father and Christ 2. See a Mystery of Wisdom in a sweet and admirable Conjunction of Justice and Mercy such a thing that if the Angels had laid their heads together and studied to Eternity to
him as Jacob by wrestling c. Isa 26.8 9. Hos 12.2 3 4 6. 5. When God gives Precepts and lays Commands on us know that the Holiness Majesty and Goodness of God deserves Obedience and sing as the 24 Elders Rev. 4. ult Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Honour c. you must see the greatest reason of yielding Obedience Now these qualifications make up that honest and good heart Luk. 8.15 That having heard the word keeps it c. by this try the honesty of your hearts many think they have honest hearts because they hate no man do no Injury but are upright in their dealings but here 's a way to try the honesty of your hearts indeed do you not hate some part of the word there is self-denial mortification of Lusts required heavenly mindedness a seeking the praise of God only and not of Men. Joh. 5.42 43 44. Rom. 2.29 Signs of true receiving the word of God 1. Holding fast the word undeâ— Persecutions Luk. 8.15 there are four sorts of Hearers only the last that believe the word aâ—ight and they grow by it and live on it and according to it and when Persecutions do arise for the word's sake a mock or scoff from Men is not so grievous as the word is precious As Christ endured the contradiction of Sinners so can they this is set forth as the highest of Christ's Sufferings Heb. 12.3 Consider him that endured Contradiction of Sinners c. and mockings are called Cruel they are hard to be born Heb. 11.36 these will try whether the word be received and blest so as to see Sin the greatest Evil. 2. If it work effectually to thorough Conviction and Conversion so that all high Imaginations stoop and the strong holds of Sin are demolished Agrippa was almost perswaded So the word did not work effectually in him The Jews did halt between two Opinions when the word works effectually then Men will pitch on Joshua's choice I will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 and the World will be despised for the word's sake You will go into Patmos for the word as John did Revelat. 1.9 rather than leave the word to escape Persecution This Discourse concluding so abruptly seems Imperfect but the Authors Notes proceed no further THE FOURTH DISCOURSE Of working out our Salvation PHILIPPIANS ij xij Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling ver 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good Pleasure THese words contain 1. An Exhortation work out Salvation 2. A Direction intimating tâ—e way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out which is with fear and trembling 3. An encouragement in this work for it is God which worketh c. or a reason the Apostle gives of his Direction 't is to be wrought with fear and trembling because it is God's work And the Soul of a Believer eyeing and beholding God going on in this work appearing in his glory ought to fear and tremble even at that glory â—â—â—ifested forth therein The Exhortation is to a duty of very great consequence there is no work that so nearly concerns us as this the Apostle here perswades us to set about work out c. so we should give diligent heed to this work Sect. 1. Explaining the sence of the Text. Take the meaning of the words thus work he means not either that Sinners in their natural state can by working raise themselves into a state of spiritual Life nor that Believers when they are spiritually quickned can or should so perform Duties as to think they shall merit Salvation thereby nor so work as the mercenary Pharisees did trusting in their own works Paul was no such Legalist but his meaning is consider the condition of your poor Souls that they are wretched and miserable c. look to the saving of them study the way of Life give not rest to your eyes till you have found it out search the Gospel wherein Salvation is revealed labour to be acquainted with the Mysteries of Christ work out Salvation this is meant two ways 1. Give Diligence to make Salvation sure to your Souls desire that it may be made out to your Spirits in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit Rejoyce in nothing but the assurance of Salvation that as it is wrought out in Christ so also in your Hearts 2. Work out that is Salvation being begun to be wrought desire the perfection and accomplishment of it Christ having begun to save you look to be saved to the utmost by him having received the first fruits of the Spirit groan for the adoption viz. the redemption of the body leaving the first principles of the Doctrine of Christ that is these being well laid go on o perfection Heb. 6.1 Labour to know more of Christ and to receive more from Christ till we attain to the measure of the stature of the fâ—lness of Christ Your own Salvation Your Hearts desire and endeavour must be that others also may be saved but especially look to the saving of your own Souls And indeed you cannot desire the Salvation of others unless the Spirit of God have first stirred up your hearts to desire the Salvation of your Selves With fear and trembling The Apostles meaning is not that you should have doubtful thoughts and perplexing fears about your Salvation like such as are under a Covenant of works whose condition the Apostle sets forth Rom. 10.5 6. Who shall ascend into Heaven c. who can tel whether we shall go to Heaven or Hell Fear and trembling is not opposed to Faith and full assurance but to highmindedness to glorying in the Flesh or to carnal Confidence Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear Again with fear that is see God in Christ working your Salvation reconciling you to himself by his Spirit calling in your hearts and conforming you to himself and so fear and tremble at the glory of Wisdom Power and Love that shines forth from this work For it is God which worketh this is a reason why we should fear take notice of the work of God in Christ and the work of God in the Heart causing his Spirit to dwell in an unclean Soul to make it a holy and spiritual Temple for himself to dwell in let the discovery of God and his glorious approach to your hearts in this great work work fear and reverence in your Hearts this also is an encouragement to work out Salvation and look to be â—aved and to be assured of it because it is a work that God hath undertaken whatever difficulties there are in it God hath undertaken he will master them whatever is to be done by Men as they are to believe they are to repent they are to deny themselves and to take up their Cross and to follow Christ all this God will work in them To will and to do so work it out by Faith in the good pleasure and power of God for the perfecting of
your hearts c. the refusing to hearken will harden your hearts against Christ there is no other name given whereby you may be saved neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 look whether you will there is no Salvation you may look to the World you may look to your Riches Lands c. but there 's no Salvation in them so then say to your selves that its vain for me to say to my Soul sit down here in Christ alone is Salvation to be had then look to him say that it 's good to be here here I will dwell this shall be my rest for ever I 'll commit my Soul to him who is able to keep what I shall commit to him against that day Christ in you the hope of Glory Christ formed in you Christ revealed to you Christ appearing with his Blood in the heart as well as in Heaven Christ sheding abroad his Love Christ believed on Christ judged worthy of Glory c. most worthy of Love and Obedience Christ esteemed as the chiefest of Ten Thousands as altogether lovely Christ being thus in the Heart is the hope of Glory in that Heart and assurance of Salvation in that Heart when the Sun of Righteousness thus shines into your Hearts then you shall see Salvation sure 'T is not the performance of Duties praying with fervency hearing with delight and abstaining from this or that Sin that is a sure ground of assurance of Salvation any Duty and Grace if there be a beam of Christ that you see derived from Christ the Sun of Righteousness coming from him and tending to him may afford some light towards assurance but then is full assurance when Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in the Soul God shines in the Face of Christ and sheds abroad his Love in the Heart by Jesus Christ 2. Consider the properties of true assurance of Salvation and the concomitants c. 1. The more assurance of Salvation there is the more Purity true assurance is purifying The more you dwell in the love of God the more will you labour to be like unto God and the more will you abhor impurity and the more will you follow after holiness Assurance will not make licentious dwelling in love and walking in your Lusts hopes of Glory and conforming to the courses of the World a looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein Righteousness dwells and not a putting off the old Conversation these will not consist together He that hath this Hope purifies himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Seeing we look for such things be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2. It makes fruitful in good works the abounding of the Love of God in the heart will cause an abounding in the work of the Lord it will constrain you to serve the Lord and to live to him 3. The more Assurance the more heavenly mindedness our conversation is in Heaven whence we look for a Saviour when Heaven is sure the mind will be most in Heaven If there is your hope there will be your hearts This will make you willing to leave all these things here below this will make you sojourners here in the World By Faith Abâ—aham sojourned â—n the Land of Promise as in a strange Land If you look for a City that hath Foundations then will you be strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 4. An earnest desire of Christ's appearing Where there is true Assurance a Man shall say to be with Christ is much better Let my beloved be like a Roe on the Mountains of Spices let him make haste to come let him come quickly When there 's a taste of the Love of God the Soul would have it fully When God shines into the hearts in some beams of his Glory the heart would know him perfectly and enjoy him fully That heart that enjoys Assurance of everlasting Love would have an everlasting and uninterrupted sense of that Love That Soul that sees its self above danger of wrath and loss of Love would be above danger of the with-drawings of Love That Soul that is Assured of Eternity of Love would be in such a condition as not to be subject to any moments displeasure in regard of the hidings of God's face 3. Take heed you give not the Right Hand of fellowship to the Enemies of Assurance As 1. Do not love darkness and hate light there 's no greater Enemy to the Assurance of your Salvation then this This is thâ— most direct way you can take to make your reprobation your damnation sure This is the condemnation this makes condemnation sure that light is come into the World and men love darkness rather than light John 2.19 Do not shut your Eyes from beholding the things of your Peâ—ce How should you be assured of your Salvation if you now shut your eyes from Salvation that is spoken to you c. or if you refuse him in whom Salvation is to be found and no other Rom. 1.28 Because they liked not to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a reprobate mind c. 2. Be not enslaved to the World to the Riches and to the Pleasures of it this will hinder you from desiring or seeking Salvation to be made sure The Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some have coveted after have erred concerning the Faith to deny the Faith to keep Richeâ— this is a great cause of Mens erring so dangerously concerning their Souls that they do not provide better for them that they study not the good of them because their Hearts are so much glued to the World 3. Let not Sin reign in your Mortal Bodies that you should obey it in the Lusts thereof so long as Sin â—â—igns you are in danger of Death for Sin reigned unto Death and you cannot say you are under Grace for that Spirit that speaks peace to a Sinner proclaims war against his Sin that Spirit that sheds abroad the love of God in the Heart will lust against the Flesh that Spirit that brings Chyist into the Heart as the hope of Glory will write the Law of Christ in the heart and cause a walking in newness of Life 4. Take heed of grieving and quenching the Spirit the Spirit strives in the preaching of the Gospel as with the men of the Old World Noah was a Preacher of the Righteousness of Faith Assurance is a Grace of the Spirit a Gift of the Spirit and if you resist the Spirit the Spirit will not witness with you that you are the Children of God but against you that you are Enemies to God 2. Be not Enemies to the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ's Kingdom of Light Assurance is a Priviledge of his Kingdom and of those that belong to it When you can see your selves translated out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ then happy are you then you are past all danger of
perishing Christ will â—ose none of his but â—aise them up at the last day And know that if you are oâ— Christ's Kingdom you do Judge him worthy and are willing to serve him And tâ—ere is nothing that more directly opposes the Assurance of your Salvation than an unwillingness to come under the yoke and opposing the Kingdom of Christ a walking contrary to the Gospel which you shall see clâ—â—r from that glorious Promise which Christ makes Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God c. Such as overâ—ome the Enemies of Christ Sin Satan and the World and come and live under the dominion of Christ so as that they have their conversation in the Gospel of Christ such as walk in Christ in his will to his Glory They shall be made Pillars in his Temple This Temple is Spiritual the Church Militant and Triumphant this Pillar is Spiritual and notes the stability of the Sons of God a confirmed Estate of happiness from which they shall never fall 't is spoken in allusion to the Pillars of Solomon's Temple 1 King 7.21 He set up Pillars in the Porch of the Temple the right Pillar he called Jachin which signifies he shall establish so I will make them Pillars this notes an establishment in the favour of God through Christ an establishment in a state of Grace and Glory The left Pillar he called Boaz this shall always remain in its strength so that they are Pillars and their Salvation is sure that is they shall not be overcome but remain in their strength that have overcome by the Spirit of Christ poured into them whereby they are translated out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Christ They shall go no more out such as are in favour shall go no more out of favour such as are in Christ shall go no more out of Christ And I will write upon him the name of my God that is he shall be acknowledged to be the Child of God he shall be able to see and read his Adoption by the Spirits witnessing it in his Heart and sealing it up and others shall read his Adoption in his holy Conversation and in his zeal of following Christ and his love to the Saints c. I will write upon him the Name of the City of my God he shall be known to himself and others that he is one of God's City and Houshold And my new Name he shall be honoured for King and Conquerer he shall be highly Exalted and Crowned with Glory like to Christ Rev. 2 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna an allusion to the golden Pot of Manna kept in the Holiest of all Heb. 9.4 which is meant of Christ the Spiritual Manna he shall feed on the fulness of Christ whatever is in Christ he shall take for his own most freely and nothing shall be with-held from him Now Christ's Kingdom is the golden Pot wherein this Manna is hidden so that if you come to Christ as your King and be his Followers you shall feed on him as Bread of Life I will give him a white Stone The Antients did absolve Persons accused of any Crime and cleared of it by giving them a white Stone to this Christ alludes and says I will give him a white Stone by this is meant assurance of a Discharge of all their Sins the Spirits witnessing to any that they are the Children of God A new Name that is of Sons of God this shall you know and read and rejoyce in By this know that assurance is part of the Glory and Priviledges that they enjoy who are of Christ's Kingdom You have not this white Stone this new Name that are Enemies to his Government over whom Sin reigns and who commit it with greediness Sestion 6. 2. Direct To Saints and Believers to shew them how assurance may be obtained confirmed and continued To make way for this let these things be premised 1. The Salvation of a Person may be sure and yet he want the assurance of it Salvation may be made sure in Heaven yet not in the Heart sure in regard of God's knowing them to be his but not in regard thâ—ir knowing God to be their's or themselves to be God's An Interest in Christ and an evidence of that Interest are not always Companions there may be Peace with God and not Peace in their Conscience 2. Assurance is a Gift of God bestowed upon whom and at what time God pleases 't is a fruit of free Grace it is the shining of God in the Face of Christ in the Souls of Believers Now as when the Sun arises it fills the World with light and makes it day though it may be under a Cloud and the beams thereof are not to be seen so God sometimes shines into the Heart and brings out of darkness into light so far as that there may be trust and affiance in the free Grace of God through Christ yet the light beams of his loving kindneâ— mâ—y be so far with-held as that the Soul may not have the evidence of his favour There is a direct act of Faith whereby Believers look on and trust to the Grace of God in Christ as the Foundation of their Salvation this all Believâ—â—s 〈◊〉 There is a reflex act of Faith a Person 's â—elieving that God is reconciled to his Soul in particular and that Christ died for him c. â—his God gives at what time he pleaâ—es â—â—ith in thâ— fiâ—â—â— act is sometimes given and 〈◊〉 in the laâ—ter 3. The assuâ—â—â—â— of Salvation having been given it may be loâ—â— again Salvation shall not be lost assurance of it may For a small moment have I forsaken thee Isa 54.7 8. I hid my face for a moment This God may do 1. Out of his Soveraignty that the Soul may acknowledge it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 2. Out of his Love that the Soul may set a higher esteem on the light of God's Countenance and may be more abundantly satisfyed in the beams of his Glory shining in the Soul more than in all worldly Excellencies And that he may look on God's Favour and Loving-kindness as that which is better than Life and that he may say as the Spouse thy Love is better than Wine Spiritual Joy is sometimes in danger to be overwhelmed in worldly Joys The Souls of Believers are sometimes oppressed with carnal security as the Spouse when Christ came Cant. 5. I have put off my Coat c. Then Christ withdrew himself worldly things withdraw the Heart too much from Christ and that may cause a withdrawing of God from the Soul Now the Directions to Saints 1. How to get assurance are these 1. Take heed of surfeiting with worldly Joys and Contentments If with Solomon you will not withold your Hearts from any Joy God may withold Joy from your Hearts the Earth being betwixt us and the Sun this makes
and proceeds from weakness of Faith Psa 23 24. 4. Eâ—ery Believer ought to say as David I will fear no Evil. But they may rejoyce in Love and expect good and count that all things shall work for good to them In Christ they are carried above all fears of Evil for their Hearts should not fall down in them so that fear of Evil is not the thing here required this is forbidden elsewhere as by Moses fear not so not enjoined here 2. Fear of Doubting and Distrust Trembling opposed to Confidence and full Assurance is not here meant Men in a natural condition out of Christ may well be under the tortures and rackings of this fear they may be in bondage through fear of Death They may be tossed with fear and doubting and say as Rom. 10.5 Who shall ascend into Heaven Who shall descend into the Deep Or who can tell whether we shall go to Heaven or Hell But for Believers that are in the way of Salvation they ought not thus to fear 't is for such that have no other Spirit but the Spirit of Bondage which Believers do not receive If they are in bondage 't is not the Spirit of God but the unbelief of their own Spirit is the cause of it We have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we may cry Abba Father They are Sons having the Spirit of Sons Now as Christ says the Servant abideth not in the House for ever Joh. 8.35 He may be cast forth and so is subject to fears So Men in a natural estate are in danger to be cast forth into outer darkness But the Son abideth ever he is beyond fear so Believers are Sons they are always in Lâ—ve The Apostle Exhorts Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith c. Heb. 10.22 Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace Now if he should exhort to fear and trembling because of doubtings of Salvation he should conclude it to himself and make void his other Exhortations Again Believers are exhorted to be in a constant frame of rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always Phil. 4.4 We rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.1 But fear of doubting is directly contrary to this joy Of it the Apostle says 1 Joh. 4.18 Fear hath torment But against this that place may be objected Heb. 4.1 Let us fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of us should fall short Where he seems to exhort to fear of doubting of coming short of Heaven For answer Consider Because some there are that put their Hand to the Plow and look back again some that have Lamps and not Oyl a form and not the power of Godliness a Faith that is not saving but vain so they may seem to stand and walk in the way of Life but because they have no more not true Faith in Christ noâ— real Interest in nor Union with him they come short or come too late as 't is said of the foolish Virgins They came when the Door was shut So the Apostle Exhorts all to fear that is to look well to themselves and to be searching for Salvation and not content themselves with a form with shews and shadows so as to think that their Profession and the performance of some Duties is enough to bring Men to Heaven But they should labour to see themselves stated in Grace interested in Christ that so they may know that they shall not come short The ground of this Exhortation is the Examples of the Jews they had the Promises the Gospel was Preached unto them that is Promises of rest in Canaan But many came short Why They did not believe Now there are Promises of a rest a better rest in Heaven Heb. 10.34 We have in Heaven c. Now fear c. that is look well to your selves take heed you be not deceived lest your Hopes prove vain Believe the Gospel the promises of Life made in Christ and let the word of hearing be mixt with Faith Take heed of an evil heart of Unbelief if the Gospel be not mixt with Faith the Promises of the Gospel will not profit you Christ is of none effect to you if you believe not in him so that this is an Exhortation to those that have not yet received Christ in their Hearts and entertained the Gospel Promises and fear is to be taken for heed-fulness wariness and utmost Diligence If once they believe and are interested in Christ they may be sure then that they shall not come short 2. What is to be understood by Fear and trembling For this consider the Apostle is Exhorting you to work out your Salvation that is make it sure to your selves see God in Christ reconciling and saving and desire that it may be carried on to perfection Now amidst the beholding of God in Christ and desires of perfect enjoyment there being so much of God declared in this business in giving Christ and so much of his Glory shining forth you must fear i. e. admire and stand amaz'd at the love of God giving Christ himself to a wretched polluted Creature full of Enmity Tremble at the infinite greatness of Divine Love be humble and trust not to your own strength but to that infinite Grace and Love in which God comprehends poor Creatures for carrying on Salvation to perfection Sâ—ction 11. That this may be the better understood consider these particulars 1. The Salvation of Sinners is the work of the whole Trinity Of Father Son and Holy Ghost God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself God in Christ through his Spirit saves the Elect and will make them perfectly happy The Salvation of Sinners is the Father's work by ordination he predestinates them to be conform'd to the Image of his Son he chuses to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess 2.13 'T is Christ's work by Mediation he makes their case his own they being under Sin under a Curse he represents their Persons in undergoing Punishment suffering Death Rising and Entring into Glory Believers in him died rose c. Rom. 6.3 to 11. It 's the Spirit 's work by renovation God will have a change of Carnal to Spiritual of Sinful to Holy of Enemies to be made Obedient to the Lord Jesus In a word to be conformed to the Image of Christ Christ's work is to make Peace and to reconcile to God The Spirit 's is to conform to Christ in Grace and Glory to fashion Soul and Body like to him Not that the three Persons are divided in their Operations that one doth what another doth not but this is to be understood by way of Appropriation The Scripture doth Appropriate to each Person one work The Salvation of Sinners is the Father's work by purpose Christ's work by price Redeeming out of Misery the Spirit 's work by performance shedding abroad God's Infinite Love in the Heart shewing God in Christ God giving Christ Christ giving himself to
his Spirit in the Heart he is the Well of Water that is springing up to everlasting Life For Explication of this point before I come to the proof I shall distinguish first of Good which is two fold 1. Carnal Outward Worldly good good that pertains to the Body and outward Man As the enjoyment of the things of the World in a sufficiency for Food and Raiment to preserve the Natural Life This good Men can embrace and they can be diligent in their several Callings to get this Worlds good 2. There 's a spiritual good that appertains to the Soul which is the life perfection and peace of the Soul Eternal Everlasting good Meat that endures to everlasting life That is an All-sufficient God There 's none good but one that is God a God reconciled believed and enjoyed in Christ This good a natural Man cannot will or desire because 't is not possible for him to apprehend it There 's no suitableness in Man for it 2. I shall distinguish of God's working which is two fold I In the old Creation So 1. God gives to Creatures a being some of one kind and some of another kind and puts several faculties and dispositions into them to work in several ways and to bring forth Fruits of several kinds He Created the Sun and filled it with Light and put into it a faculty and disposition to run a race in the Heavens and to be the Light of the whole World He Created the living Creatures and gave them a power to propagate after their kind 2. God doth by the same power by which he created preserve and continue them in their beings So 't is said they are created by God That is confirmed Rev. 4.10 Conservation being a continued Creation 3. God doth stir up the â—aculties and Powers put into several Creatures determining to several operations This or that every Creature shall do God concurring with them in their operations so they all act and move by the power of God in them So it 's said In 〈◊〉 we live move and have our being Acts 17.25.28 The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the Waters Gen. 1.2 Which imports the effectual quickning power of the Holy Ghost which upholds and sustains and gives vertue to all Creatures whereby they live move and have their beings So that of all Creatures this is true whatsoever they do 't is God works them to do What a Rational Creature wills God works it to will iâ— a way suitable to the faculty of Rational Creatures that is in presenting of objects to the understanding thereby moving and inclining the wi l. Now in this old Creation there 's no willing or dâ—ing that which is good wiâ—hout special grace There s no disposition or faculty towards it there 's no willing of God to take him as the Supreme Good and the will of God as the Supreme Rule the glory of God as the Supreme End There 's no Piety no Holiness left in the Old Creation Men are Corrupt the Creature is subject to Vanity and in Bondage to Corruption II. Thâ—re is God's working in the new Creation this begins in the Souls of Men c. Herein God works i. e. of Carnal makes Spiritual from Spiritual Death raises to a Spiritual Life and stirs up to Spiritual Operations and brings into Holy ways Now as in the Old Creation it 's said all live move and have their being so in this New Creation all live move and have their being in God God makes New and places Holy dispositions and God preserves and upholds them once made God determines and stirs up by an actual influence of his Spirit So God works to will and do of his good pleasure For the proof of this Three things are to be clear'd 1. Consider In the Natural man there 's no free will to Spiritual good no embracing or doing of it There is free will to Sin in the Men of the Old Creation Free will to natural actions in as much as herein they act by Knowledge and Election chusing to do this and not that There 's no free will to Spiritual good 1. Because they are under such darkness that covers it that they can't know and apprehend Spiritual objects Spiritual things can't be apprehended but by a Spiritual Eye Now the Soul of every Man is Carnal 't is imprison'd in Flesh it dwels in thick darkness As God is said to dwell in thick darkness because his glory is vailed and hid 1 Kings 8.12 He is hid by the thick covering of Carnal things that he doth not shine forth in Spiritual glory in the World so the Soul of man dwells in thick darkness God is above it and full of Glory Splendor and Majesty in himself Men are under it they are darkness so that they cannot look beyond things Carnal they see no good but in things Carnal The Carnal Man perceives not the things of the Spirit of God neither can he know 1 Cor. 2.14 So can't chuse and embrace them What the mind can't know as good the will can't embrace as good Now this mind cannot judge and apprehend God in Christ to be the chief good When Peter confessed Christ who he was he replies Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this to thee but my Father which is Heaven Math. 16.17 There 's no more of saving Spiritual Light in the Carnal Man before the New Creation then there was of Natural Light before the Old Creation The Men of the Old Creation have Light whereby they know the Creatures and have Souls terminated in them but not Light whereby they know God Whence the Apostle sais Ye were darkness Eph. 5.8 Men naturally dwell in the darkness and not in the Light of the Lord. They walk in the darkness of Creature-comforts and not in the Light of Divine glory And that which strenghtens this argument is that Men love darkness that covers them They had rather dwell in darkness than in the Knowledge of the glory of God Men do turn from Light and would turn the Light from them A Man hath free will towards darkness that he chuses but not free will towards Light that he refuses Light is come into the World into the Old Creation but Men as Men in a natâ—ral temper as sinners do evermoâ—e loâ—e darkness There must be a New Câ—eaâ—ion before Light will be received with Joy 2. They are under a state of deadness to all Spiritual good there 's no free will in a Dead Man to Spiritual Actions and there is no mâ—râ—â—n a Natural Man to Spiritual Actions Ye are Dead in Trespasses and Sins As Dead to Spiritual Life as the Bodies that lye in the grave to Natural Life As dead to a Life of God as Dead Bodies are to a Life of Man God lives in himself he lives to his own glory to this whatever he doth tends A Natural Man is alienated from this Life of God 3 Under a state of â—nmity against Spiritual good The Carnal
mind is Enmity against God 't is not subject neither indeed can be So there 's no free will to Spiritual good in a Natural Man the Carnal mind and Spiritual good are in opposition one to another Rom. 8.7 2. Man renewed and raised made Spiritual and having the Seed of God in him hath free will to Spiritual good As a Natural Man hath free will in Natural Actions he acts with deliberation and Election So Man renewed hath free will to Spiritual Actions This is implied God works to will so in a renewed estate a Man hath free will The Lord hath shewn what is good and what he requires and the Sâ—irit in them stirs them up to good God hath shined in the Heart and in the Face of Christ and hath appeared in his Glory shed abroad his Love and hath taken away the Heart of Stone in which there is no free will to God and given a Heart of Flesh in which there is a fâ—ee will to God a consent to be saved by Christ The Spirit acting by Light and Love convincing the Soul of the worth of Christ and stirring up to a following of the Lord Jesus that heart can reason out service Christ is worthy because a Lamb slain c. Rev. 5.9 And the heart chuses to serve Christ here 's free will to the doing of good When Christ is revealed in his Glory as most lovely and the Soul is brought into the treasures of good that are in Christ and sees a fulness in him and then embraces him here 's a free will in embracing of good a chusing of Christ above the World You are not sound Christians unless you have such a free will as this 3. That free will to Spiritual good which is in the renewed man is of God's working As the Apostle sais I live yet not I but Christ in me Gal. 2.20 So that a Believer hath free will and he acts freely in the ways of God he embraces what God shews to be good he châ—ses the things that please God yet not he but Christ in him Christ lives Christ wills and Christ works that which is good in him Without me ye can do nothing John 15.5 There 's no free will nor power to do good till Christ be in the heart I can do all things through Christ strenghtening me I can will as I ought and do as I ought through Christ Christ determines to good actions Christ stirs up to good actions Now this will further appear by considering the great design of God in saving Sinners As all God's works are God's manifestations so God intends in this work a glorious manifestation of himself 1. In his Power as in the first Creation his Eternal Power and Godhead is to be seen so in the second Creation Eph 1.19 The Apostle prays that the Ephesians might have the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to know the exceeding greatness of his Power to them that believe God's design is not to make known the power of Nature and Free will but his own power in the exceeding greatness of it If the Conversion of a Sinner be but by Moral perswasion by holding forth of Spiritual objects to be embraced then how is it that the exceeding greatness of power is manifested to them that believe if Faith come forth from free will and power of Nature only excited and stirred up by Divine Grace c. So certain it is that Faith is made out of nothing there 's no disposition in us towards believing but 't is a work of Divine Power creating it in a Soul most empty of Spiritual good 2. In his Grace which he declares first in the freeness of it For it is by meer Grace that any are called and justified There 's nothing that that puts a difference betwixt one and another nor why one embraces the Gospel and another does not but meer Grace 1 Cor. 4 7. These things I write that no one be puffed up against another for who maketh thee to differ If Men have free will to good if that Will be not meerly of God's working whereby one Man doth embrace Christ and lay hold on the Promise of Life God doth not make him to differ but his own free will doth so and so this opinion directly opposes the design of the Gospel to commend Grace in its freeness Free will established in natural men makes void free Grace As the Apostle says If of works then not of grace else grace is no more grace Rom. 6.11 So likewise if of free will grace is no moâ—e grace and if of grace then nor of free will So when the Gospel is Preached to all and some lay hold on it and embrace Christ in their hearts and follow him and others refuse and go on in evil ways leading to destruction What makes the difference Divine Grace God works a will in one and not in another the one he brings out of darkness and the other he leaves in darkneâ—â— and so all grâ—â—nd of glorying in a Man'â—â—elf iâ— taken away that he that glorys may glory in the Lord. So that free wiâ—l to good is nor in nature but where 't is it is a fruit of free Grace God works to will Secondly in the sufficiency of it when the Creature is insufficient and can do nothing to procure pardon and to make his Peace Grace gave Christ. And when Christ is offered and there 's no power to embrace Christ then Grace gives to believe in Christ and works a consent in the will to take Christ. When there 's no power against Corruption and to do good Grace gives the Spirit to be a living conquering Law causing Obedience Objection Some may object against this truth for establishing of free will in the Natural Man from the general and Universal render of the Gospel Go preach the Gospel to every Creature God gave his Son that all that believe c. Rom. 12.17 Whosoever will let him take of the Water of Life freely To what purpose are these tenders if there be not free will and power in Man to embrace them Answ 1. These general tenders of Grace do not argue in Men a freedom of will to receive Grace or a power to believe but only a duty to Believe Men ought to believe so all are called on and unbelief is Men's sin and greatest sin 2. The Election only shall lay hold on the Grace of the Gospel Rom. 11.7 Israel hath not obtained but the Election that is such persons as were Elected hath obtain'd it and the rest were blinded Now because the Election is secret and hid the Gospel is preached to all alike 3. The Preaching of the Gospel the holding forth of the Promises of Life in Christ to Sinners is the ministration of the Spirit to those that are ordain'd to Life that 's the way in which the Spirit comes down into their Souls and is a Spirit of Faith and Love in them 2 Cor. 3. 4. Reprobates having the Gospel Preached and
33.14 At the same time the Church of the Jews shall be call'd the Lord our Righteousn ss So here Thy Righteousness that is the Lord thy Righteousness c. So this Prophecy reaches to that time of the Gospel when the Jews shall be called especially considering what follows The Glory of the Lord shall be thy Rereward that is there shall be a time when the Lord's presence with and providence towards his Church shall be as eminently haply more eminently on with and towards the Jews than when they came out of Egypt Then the Lord their Ruler went before them in a Cloud and Pillar of Fire and when Pharaoh pursued them the Cloud and Pillar went behind them so then the Glory of the Lord was their Rereward And now in this time not only the Lord as Ruler not only David their King but the Lord their Righteousness shall go before them and the Glory of Power and Grace shall be their Rereward 2. Verse 10. Then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noon-day Compare Isai 60.1 Thy light is come the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee One observes that the word in the Original is of the Dual number and so translates it Sicut Duo meridies As two Noons as if two Suns should shine together there shall be greater light then ever was before The Lord shall appear in greater Glory so that it 's no more said the Lord liveth that brought them up out of Egypt but that brought them out all Lands Jer. 16.15 which was not fulfilled at their return from Babylon but must be in the last days of the Gospel 3. Verse 11. The Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy Soul in drought as he did in the Wilderness and make fat thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered Garden and like a Spring of Water whose Waters fail not The best exposition is Psa 72.7 In his days shall the Righteous flourish and abundance of Peace as long as the Moon endureth They shall be in a flourishing condition their Souls shall wonderfully prosper their Garden the Paradice of God shall yield them Fruit enough The Tree of Life shall yield them all manner of Fruits to nourish and refresh their Souls And the Waters of life better than the Jews Honey out of the Rock shall flow abundantly And observe that the flourishing state shall continue He shall guide thee continually and Waters fâ—il thee not And in the other place so long as the Moon endureth or till there be no Moon that is no change in the Chuâ—ches Prosperity and Peace The Moon is often changing then the lâ—ght of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun Isa 3â— 26 That iâ— as there shall be a greater so a never-failing â—ight Light fails in the Moon but not in the Sun Light shall not fail Waters shall nâ—t fail Now was it thus with the Jews after their return from Babylon Can we find any thing like a full accomplishment of this Prophecy No ceâ—tainly We must wait for the full accomplishment of it hereafter 4. Verse 12. And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places The Captivâ—ty in Babylon lasted but one Generation the waste places thereby could not be very old Thou shall raise up the Foundation of many Generations That is either 1. Which have lain waste many Generations much longer then during the Babylonish Captivity so had not its full accomplishment after their return from thence Or 2. After their return from Babylon the Foundation of their Temple was laid and then the work was interrupted which after some Generations was reviv'd and that Temple built and the top-stone lay'd So one in answer to this under the Gospel says the Foundation was lay'd by the Apostles but Spiritual Temples have not been built up answerable to the Apostles Foundation Satan and the Man of Sin have hindred this work but at last there shall be a Temple and glorious Church built upon those Foundations like to them that were laid by the Apostles and the top-stone shall be laid crying to it Grace Grace The Grace that shall appear to be in it shall make to cry Grace Grace to it 3. Calvin gives the sence thus We may refer it to the times to come thou shalt raise up the Foundations that shall continue very long c. As if he had said other Buildings have not long continued as the Temple c. but this shall continue many Ages It hath been but a day of small things with the Church yet these small things small Assemblies and the small numbers of witnesses have continued in all Ages since the Apostles much more that large and glorious Temple and City of God which is to be built up will continue many Generations till at last it will be translated into Heaven when as before Christ presented it to himself a glorious Church so at last he shall present it to the Father when he shall deliver up the Kingdom to him and God will be All in All. 5. There is more yet in this Verse Thâ—u shalt be call d the Repairer of the breaches the restorer of the Paths to dwell in All breaches made in the Church either by the Persecution and Violence of Enemies or by the Saints divisions shall be made up And the Restorer of Paths to dwell in By Paths we are to understand the ways of God's Commands and Ordinances the way of Divine worship instituted by God And all ways and paths of will-worship made and invented by Men Anti-christian Paths shall be for ever forsaken And the Paths of the Apostles and Primitive Christians which they walk't in shall be perfectly restored to the Church which for a long time the Man of Sin hath hedged up Compare with this Ezek. 43.11 Shew them the form of the House and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof and all the Ordinances Forms and Laws that they may keep the whole Form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof The meaning is the paths of the Temple the goings out and comings in shall be restored and be as well known to the Saints as the ways are now to the places of meeting and they shall walk freely in them Lastly Observe the expression they shall dwell in thesâ— paths they shall continue and abide in them they shall not turn out of them to the Right-hand or to the Left-hand but as Isa 30.21 Thou shalt hear a Voice behind thee saying this is the way walk in it when thou shalt be ready to or should without this Voice be turned to the Right-hand or Left See what these paths are Isa 38.8 where is a Prophecy of Christ's Kingdom An high way and a way it shall be called the way of Holyness the unclean shall not pass over it No Prophane or Hypocritical Persons for they are most unclean and within are like Painted Sepulchres but
this is the Storm falling on the Remnant of the Woman's seed during the time of the witnesses lying dead Rev. 11. and 12. being compared 't will appear that those keeping the Commandments of God and testimony of Jesus are Heirs of those Promises that are made of the Spirit of Life to enter into the witnesses which shall make them stand upon their Feet These shall ascend in a Cloud and be above the Earth-quake and so in this great Storm be preserved as seed of that Glory which shall follow to the Church 3. This is some ground to hope that God hath some special favour for England because the Sabbath hath been called the Holy of the Lord and Honourable more here than in any other Nation And so to strengâ—hen thiâ— Hope be the more zealous of a sâ—rict obsâ—rvâ—tion of it Here the Doctrine of the Sabbath hath been better taught and a strict of sâ—lvation of it hath been enjoyned couâ—tenanc'd and encouraged by Humane Laws and the prophanâ—tion of it hath been made punishâ—ble and although the best have come too far short of what is here required yet a generation haâ—h been here coming nearer to this pattern than other Churches abroad have done aâ—d God haâ—h said them that Honour me I will honour God will have a day to honour those that honour him on his day I will make thee to ride upon the High â—laces of the Earth 4. Make the Sabbath a delight and then God himself will be your dâ—light Delight your selves in the Lord's work delight your selves in the Law and so you shall in the Lord's favour in the Light of his Countenance if Grace be put in your Hearts so that you delight to Honour God then gladness shall be put in your Hearts more than when their Corn and Wine and Oyl increased Thus you may delight in him in trouble our rejoycing is the Testimony of our Conscience a good Conscience witnessing our Sincerity towaâ—ds God in worshipping him is a continual Feast Thus you shall delight in him in a state above troubles and shall go to God your exceeding Joy and shall enter into the Joy of the Lord and the Lord himself shall be your Joy 1. Then you shall delight in God more clearly manifesting himself and better known The Earth shall be full of the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord. And there shall be none to hurt you for endâ—avouring to know him The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it Isa 40.5 i. e. His love betâ—er known As now 't is shed abroad in the heart so then it shall be shining upon the Person The Church at last shall be a Philadelphia Christ mentions not any thing that he had against that Church a Type haply it was of the Glorious Church in the day of Reformation Now what says Christ of that Rev. 3.9 I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan to come and worship before thy Feet and to know that I have loved thee and if they indeed then much more the Saints themselves shall know that they are beloved of God and so delight themselves in the Lord. 2. They shall delight themselves in the works and ways of God towards them The Providences of God shall be all delightsome Providences Not good dispensed in and by Evil but good apart from evil Aâ— Israel shall dwell alâ—ne so good shall come alone and not evil with it Then God's works shall be like his thoughts of good and not of evil to grant an expected end So his works are good and there 's no afflicting evil in them and God will give the Saints their expected end that is what from his word they did expect to be accomplish'd here in the World not the last and utmost end that is fulness of Joy in Heaven 1. The groaning Creature shall have its expected end the liberty of the Sons of God in which its Liberty is wrapt up Then upon all shall be written Holines to the Lord and not be then the Lusts of the Flesh tho Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life as all in the World is so now Men lust after Worldly Pleasures and satisfy their Lusts with them the Voluptuous Man doth so and the Glutton and Drunkard The Lusts of the Eye being coveted by an Evil Covetuousness The Covetous Man makes his Riches the Lusts of his Eye and the Pride of Life Men that have much are usually proud of it This is the Creature 's bondage and burden to be so but then the Sons of God that possess and use them well will honour God with their Substance their Fields are like those of Canaan Fields of Offerings they shall Consecrate their gain to the Lord c. when thus the Creature shall have its expected end 2. The groaning Saint and Servant of God shall have his expected end the Adoption the Redemption of his Body They shall sit under their Vines and none make them afraid and stand before the Lord c. and shall have Peace flowing in like a River and Grace flowing in abundantly I wil pour out a Spirit of Grace and Supplication Now 't is but dropt out upon the Saints then it shall be poured out As Christ was anointed with the Oyl of Gladness above his Fellows so the Saints shall be anointed with the Oyl of Gladness above their Fore-Fathers with the Oyl of Grace and Gladness above them 5. Thus shall they be fed with the Heritage of Jacob their Father What is that 1. God himself was Jacob's Heritage as he said to Abraham he would be his exceeding great Reward so Rev. 21.3 I will be with them and be their God for they shall be satisfied with favour 2. Canaan the Land flowing with Milk and Honey was Jacob's Heritage and what was Typed out hereby will be given to the Church and is meant Deut. 32.13 He made him ride on the High places of the Earth that he might Eat the encrease of the Field and he made him suck Honey out of the Rock c. Butter of Kine Milk of Sheep fat of Lambs the fat of Kidneys of Wheat Thou didst drink the pure Blood of the Grape these were a Type of Christ and that fulness of Grace and Glory that is in him There is Honey and Oyl out of this Rock Righteousness and Peace the Joys of the Holy Ghost the substance of that shadow fat of Lambs Kidneys of Wheat He is the Bread of Life and hâ— the pure Blood of the Grape Christ will feast them at his Table in his Kingdom Christ himself his Grace and Glory the blessings of his Kingdom Righteousness Peace and the Joys of the Holy Ghost is the Heritage of the Saints and this they shall be fed with Jacob had an Inheritance viz. Canaan but there were times when he was not fed with his Heritage as 1. when he fled from his Brother Esau who threatned to be avenged on him and to kill him then he was
difference betwixt the Godly and the Wicked at last to shew himself upright and that there is no unrighteousness in him Here then we see the proper work of the Sabbath-day and other Duties as Preaching Prayer Meditation Holy Conferences that help forward the main Duties thereof The End of the Fifth Discourse THE SIXTH DISCOURSE Of Christ's Judging all the World ROMANS xiv x But why dost thou judge thy Brother or why dost thou set at nought thy Brother We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ THe words are a strong and forcible argument to hold Men back from doing that which they are very prone to that is to judge one another There was a great deal of dissention amongst the Believers that Paul wrote to about the use of things in themselves indifferent as Meats and observation of Days the occasion was the inequality of Believers some converted from Gentilism Strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel did live in a freer use of time and meats not observing the Jewish Feasts not tying themselves to the use of meats that the Jews were stinted to under the Law Others that were Jews and were called and embraced the Faith of Christ being weak in Faith did not understand that the Legal Ceremonies were abrogated by the coming of Christ so out of reverence and respect to the Law did abstain from meats therein prohibited and did observe Fasts and Feasts therein enjoyned The believing Jew now contemned the believing Gentile as a contemner of the Law on the other side the believing Gentiles did condemn the Jews for their Judaizing and walking contrary to the liberty of the Gospel and the difference grew to such a height as that each side seems to condemn the other as not having a part in Christ. Now this proud contempt of each other the Apostle strikes at and labours to bring them down to a more charitable opinion and loving carriage one towards another We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ For us to Judge is to place our selves in Christ's Throne to which we shall be all cited by sound of the Trumpet and voice of the Arch-angel and there appear to receive a Sentence suitable to what we were in the body We are to be all Judged by Christ so be not Judges of one another The words hold forth the last and most glorious part of the Administration of Christ's Kingdom Hitherto you have heard only of Christ's ruling in the midst of his Enemies over his Church in the midst of Enemies or mingled with wicked i. e. Enemies not at all subdued and made his Footstool but at the last day he shall sit in a Seat and Throne above his Enemies which are at his left hand to be cursed and his Church come out from the midst of Enemies standing on his right hand to be blessed Doct. 1. There is a Judgment-seat prepared for Christ on which he shall sit at the last day 2. All Men shall stand and appear before his Judgment Seat to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth 1. Christ hath a Judgment Seat prepared Jude 14. Math. 25.31 He shall sit on the Throne of his Glory that is he shall not appear in the form of a Servant as when he came first in the Flesh and was despised but ln the form of the Son of God made Judge Act. 17.31 He will Judge the World by the Man Christ Jesus he shall be Judge not only as God but as Man 2 Cor. 5.10 We must till appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ After Death comes Judgment Heb. 9.27 Judgment shall come that is by Christ's coming to Judgment Quest. What is meant by Judgment Seat whether to be understood properly of a material Throne that Christ as Man shall sit on as Earthly Judges use to sit Answ That which may make for the clearing of this consider in these particulars 1. Christ shall descend from Heaven in that nature which ascended he shall descend He was in the World and shall come into the World again as said the Angel Act. 1.11 This same Jesus which was taken up from you into Heaven shall so come c. that is locally and in the same body thus said Christ himself I will come again and receive you to my self Joh. 14.3 And Paul 1 Thess 4.16 The Lord himself shall descend and Saints shall meet him in the Air as he that ascended is the same that descended into the lower parts that is the Grave so the same shall descend again He descended first by vertue of a Sentence pronounced against him next he shall descend to give Sentence against those that were against him 2. Christ shall visibly appear in the World he shall not hide himself as he did many times at his first coming but to be seen Men shall see their Judge Zach 12.10 They shall look upon me Rev. 1.7 Every Eye shall see him Saints shall see him in whom they have believed Sinners shall see him whom they peâ—secuted and despised It was Job's Comfort and Confidence I shall see my Redeemer he shall stand the latter day on Earth It seems he then comes further than the Air not only Saints see but Sinners Numb 24.17 Balaam said I shall see him but not nigh 3. He shall appear gloriously A Judgment seat is an honourable Place Judges sit in their Robes in the Seat of Justice So Christ shall be seen in his Glory Math. 24.30 with Power and Glory that is a visible brightness and fulgor Math. 25.31 in his Glory the Glory of the only begotten Son of God i. e. that becomes such a Person what this Glory is we can't yet know but shall when we see him Math. 24.30 The Sign of the Son of Man shall appear in Heaven that is as some exceeding Glory and Majesty in Heaven which shall bear witness that Christ the Lord of Heaven and Earth draweth near to Judge the World 1. In the Glory of the Father Math. 16.27 that is such Glory as declares him to be God equal with the Father which the Jews denied and then shall see it shall declare him to be an Infinite Person Heb. 1.2 He is the Express Image of his Father's Person and brightness of his Glory And as he is so he shall be seen at that day God shall be seen in Christ as he is in Christ the fulness of the Godhead in Christ's humane nature shall shine forth 2. With innumerable companies of Angels who shall be his Ministers in gathering the Elect. He hath glorious Attendants Math. 25.31 He shall come and all the Holy Angels Now he hath but a few Poor Men of the World to attend him his followers are esteem'd as himself in the days of his humiliation Rejected of Men despised of the People Christ chuses now the weak things of the World but then all his Angels shall come with him Jude 14. Ten Thousand of his Saints according to Enoch's Prophecy that is as 't is expounded Zech.