the Crown of Heaven Glorifying of God hath respect to all the Persons in the Trinity it respects God the Father who gave us our Life it respects God the Son who lost his Life for us it respects God the Holy Ghost who produceth a new Life in us we must bring Glory to the whole Trinity When we speak of God's Glory the Question will be moved What are we to understand by God's Glory Resp. There is a twofold Glory 1. The Glory that God hath in himself his intrinsical Glory Glory is essential to the Godhead as Light is to the Sun he is call'd the God of Glory Acts 7.2 Glory is the sparkling of the Deity Glory is so co-natural to the Godhead that God cannot be God without it The Creature 's Honour is not essential to his Being a King is a Man without his Regal Ornaments when his Crown and Royal Robe are taken away but God's Glory is such an essential Part of his Being that he cannot be God without it God's very Life lies in his Glory His Glory can receive no addition because it is Infinite this Glory is that which God is most tender of and which he will not part with Isa. 42.8 My glory I will not give to another God will give Temporal Blessings to his Children Wisdom Riches Honour he will give them Spiritual Blessings he will give them Grace he will give them his Love he will give them Heaven but his essential Glory he will not give to another King Pharaoh parted with a Ring off his Finger to Ioseph and a Gold Chain but he would not part with his Throne Gen. 41.40 Only in the throne will I be greater then thou So God will do much for his People he will give them the Inheritance he will put some of Christ's Glory as Mediator upon them but his essential Glory he will not part with in the throne he will be greater 2. The Glory which is ascribed to God or which his Creatures labour to bring to him 1 Chr. 16.29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name And 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit The Glory we give God is nothing else but our lifting up his Name in the World and magnifying him in the eyes of others Phil. 1.20 Christ shall be magnified in my body Quest. What is it to glorifie God or wherein doth it consist Resp. Glorifying of God consists in four things 1. Appretiation 2. Adoration 3. Affection 4. Subjection This is the yearly Rent we pay to the Crown of Heaven 1. Appretiation To glorifie God is to set God highest in our Thoughts to have a venerable Esteem of him Psal. 92.8 Thou Lord art most high for evermore Psal. 97.9 Thou art exalted far above all gods There is in God all that may draw forth both Wonder and Delight he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is in him a Constellation of all Beauties he is Prima Causa the Original and Spring-head of Being who sheds a Glory upon the Creature This is to glorifie God when we are God-Admirers we admire God in his Attributes which are the glistering Beams by which the Divine Nature shines forth we admire him in his Promises which are the Charter of Free-grace and the Spiritual Cabinet where the Pearl of Price is hid we admire God in the noble Effects of his Power and Wisdom viz. the making of the World this is call'd the work of his fingers Ps. 8.3 such curious Needle-work it was that none but a God could work This is to glorifie God to have God-admiring Thoughts we esteem him most excellent and search for Diamonds only in this Rock 2. Glorifying of God consists in Adoration or Worship Psal. 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness There is a twofold Worship 1. A Civil Reverence we give to Persons of Honour Gen. 23.7 Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the children of Heth. Piety is no Enemy to Curtesie 2. A Divine Worship which we give to God is his Prerogative-royal Neh. 8.6 They bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground This Divine Worship God is very jealous of this is the Apple of his Eye this is the Pearl of his Crown which he guards as he did the Tree of Life with Cherubims and a flaming Sword that no man may come near to violate it Divine Worship must be such as God himself hath appointed else it is offering strange fire Levit. 10.2 The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Pattern in the Mount Exod. 25.40 he must not leave out any thing in the Pattern nor add to it if God was so exact and curious about the Place of his Worship how exact will he be about the Manner of his Worship surely here every thing must be according to the Pattern prescribed in his Word 3. Affection This is a part of the Glory we give to God God counts himself glorified when he is loved Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. There is a twofold Love 1. Amor Concupiscentiae a Love of Concupisence which is a Self-love when we love another because he doth us a good Turn Thus a wicked Man may be said to love God because he hath given him a good Crop or filled his Cup with Wine and to speak properly this is rather to love God's Blessings then to love God 2. Amor Amicitiae a Love of Delight as a Man takes delight in a Friend this is indeed to love God the Heart is set upon God as a Man's-Heart is set upon his Treasure And this Love is 1. Exuberant not a few Drops but a Stream 2. It is Superlative we give God the best of our Love the Cream of it Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the jâ—yce of my pomgranat If the Spouse had a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ must drink of it 3. It is Intense and Ardent true Saints are Seraphims burning in holy Love to God The Spouse was Amore perculsa in sainting Fits sick of love Cant. 2.5 Thus to love God is to glorify him he who is the chief of our Happiness hath the chief of our Affections 4. Subjection When we dedicate ourselves to God and stand ready prest for his Service Thus the Angels in Heaven glorifie him they wait on his Throne and are ready to take a Commission from him therefore they are resembled by the Cherubims with their Wings displaid to shew how swift the Angels are in their Obedience This is to glorifie God when we are devoted to his Service our Head studies for God our Tongue pleads for him our Hands relieve his Members The wise Men that came to Christ did not only bow the Knee to him but presented him with Gold and Myrrh Mat. 2.11 so we must not
of his people he gives them more than they ask as Hannah asked a Son and God gave her not only a Son but a Prophet Solomon asked Wisdom and God gave him not only Wisdom but Riches and Honour besides Iacob prayed that God would but give him Food and Rayment and the Lord encreased his Pilgrims staff into two â—ands Gen. 32.10 God is oft better to us than our Prayers as when Gehazi asked but one Talent Naaman would needs force two upon him 2 Kings 5.23 We ask one Talent of Mercy and God gives two Talents The Woman of Canaan asked but a crumb namely to have the life of her Child and Christ gave her more he sent her home with the life of her Soul 7. The great success the Prayer of Faith hath found like Ionathans bow it hath not returned empty Vocula pater dicta in corde saith Luther This little word Father pronounced in Faith hath overcome God Gen. 32.11 Deliver me I pray thee and this was mixed with Faith in the promise ver 12. Thou saiâ—st I will surely do thee good and this Prayer had power with God and prevailed Hos. 12.4 the Prayer of Faith hath opened prison doors stop'd the chariot of the Sun lock'd and unlock'd Heaven Iam. 5.17 the Prayer of Faith hath strangled the plots of enemies in the birth it hath routed their forces Moses Prayer against Amalek did more than Ioshuas sword and may not this hearten and corroborate Faith in Prayer 8. If all this will not prevail consider how heartless and comfortless it is to pray and not in Faith The heart misgives secretly God doth not hear nor will he grant Faithless praying must needs be comfortless for there is no promise made to unbelieving Prayer 'T is sad sailing where there is no anchoring and sad praying where there is no promise to anchor upon Iam. 1.7 The Disciples toyl'd all night and caught nothing the Unbeliever toyls in Prayer and catcheth nothing he receives not any Spiritual Blessings pardon of Sin or Grace As for the Temporal Mercies the Unbeliever hath he cannot look upon them as the fruit of Prayer but as the over-flowings and spillings of Gods bounty Oh therefore labour to exert and put forth Faith in Prayer Object But there is so much sin cleaves to my Prayer that I fear it is not the Prayer of Faith and God will not hear it Resp. If thou mournest for this it hinders not but that thy Prayer may be in Faith and God may hear it Weakness in Prayer shall not make void the Saints Prayers Psal. 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off There was much unbelief in this Prayer I said in my hast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in my trembling Davids Faith did tremble and faint yet God heard his prayer The Saints passions do not hinder the Saints prayers Iam. 5.17 therefore be not discouraged though sin will cleave to thy holy offering yet these two things may comfort thou mayest pray with Faith though with weakness and God sees the sincerity and will pass by the infirmity Quest. How shall we do to pray in Faith Answ. Implore the Spirit of God We cannot say Our Father but by the Holy Ghost Gods Spirit helps us not only to pray with sighs and groans but with Faith The Spirit carries us to God not only as to a Creator but a Father Gal. 4.6 He hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Crying there the Spirit causeth us to pray with fervency Abba Father there the Spirit helps us to pray with Faith Prayer is the key of Heaven the Spirit helps Faith to turn this key and then it unlocks Heaven MATTH vi 9 Hallowed be thy Name HAving spoken of the Introduction to the Lords Prayer After this manner pray ye and the Preface Our Father which art in Heaven I come now Thirdly to the Prayer it self which consists of seven Petitions A short body of Divinity is contained in them I begin with the first Petition I. Hallowed be thy Name In the Latin it is sanctificetur nomen tuum sanctified be thy Name In this Petition Hallowed be thy Name we pray that Gods Name may shine forth gloriously and that it may be honoured and sanctified by us in the whole course and tenour of our Lives It was the Angels song Glory be to God in the highest that iâ— let his name be glorified and hallowed This Petition Hallowed be thy Name is set in the fore front to show that the hallowing of Gods Name is to be preferred before all other things 1. It is to be preferred before Life we pray Hallowed be thy Name before we pray Give us this day our daily bread 2. It is to be preferred before Salvation Rom. 9.1 Gods Glory is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls As Christ said of love Matth. 22.37 This is the first and great Commandment so I may say of this Petition Hallowed be thy Name it is the first and great Petition it contains the most weighty thing in Religion Gods Glory When some of the other Petitions shall be useless and out of date we shall not need pray in Heaven Give us our daily bread because there shall be no hunger nor Forgive us our trespasses because there shall be no sin nor Lead us not into temptation because the Old Serpent is not there to tempt Yet the hallowing of Gods Name shall be in great use and request in Heaven we shall be ever singing Hallelujahs which is nothing else but the hallowing of Gods Name Every Person in the Blessed Trinity God the Father Son and Holy Ghost must have this honour to be Hallowed their Glory being equal and their Majesty co-eternal Hallowed be thy Name To admire Gods Name is not enough we may admire a Conquerour but when we say Hallowed be thy Name we set Gods Name above every Name and not only admire him but adore him and this is proper only to the Deity For the further explication I shall propound Three Questions 1. What is meant by Gods Name 2. What is meant by hallowing Gods Name 3. When may we be said to hallow or sanctifie Gods Name Quest. 1. What is meant by Gods Name Resp. 1. By Gods Name is meant his Essence Psal. 20.1 The name of the God of Iacob defend thee that is the God of Iacob defend thee 2. By Gods Name is meant any thing by which God may be known as a Man is known by his Name Gods Name is his Attributes Wisdom Power Holiness Goodness by these God is known as by his Name Quest. 2. What is meant by hallowing of Gods Name Resp. To hallow is a communi separare to set apart a thing from the common use to some sacred end As the Vessels of the Sanctuary were said to be hallowed so to hallow Gods Name is to set it apart from all abuses and to use it holily and reverendly In particular Hallowing of Gods Name is to
aspects and smiles of Gods Face Which brings me to the third thing 3. The Saints at Death shall not only have a Sight of God but shall enjoy the Love of God there shall be no more Veil on Gods Face nor his Smiles checker'd with Frowns but Gods love shall discover it self in all its Orient Beauty and fragrant Sweetness Here the Saints pray for Gods Love and they have a few drops but there they shall have as much as their Vessel can receive To know this love passeth Knowledge This will cause a Jubilation of Spirits and create such Holy Raptures of Joy in the Saints as are Superlative and would soon overwhelm them if God did not make them able to bear 4. Believers at Death shall gain a Celestial Palace an House not made with Hands 2 Cor. 5.1 Here the Saints are straitned for Room they have but mean Cottages to live in but they shall have a Royal Palace to live in Here is but their Sojourning House there in Heaven is their Mansion-house An House built high above all the Visible Orbs an House bespangled with Light Col. 1.12 Enriched with Pearls and Precious Stones Rev. 21.19 And this is not their Landlord's House but their Father's House Iohn 14.2 And this House stands all upon Consecrated Ground it is set out by Transparent Glass to shew the Holiness of it Rev. 21.27 5. Believers at Death shall gain the sweet Society of glorified Saints and Angels This will add something to the felicity of Heaven as every Star adds some lustre to the Firmament First The Society of the glorified Saints we shall see them in their Souls as well as in their Bodies Their Bodies will be so clear and bright that we shall see their Souls shining through their Bodies as the Wine through the Glass and Believers at Death shall have Converse with the Saints glorified And how delightful will that be when they shall be freed from all their Sinful Corruptions Pride Envy Passion Censoriousness which are Scars upon them here to disfigure them In Heaven there shall be perfect Love among the Saints they shall as the Olive and Myrtle sweetly embrace each other The Saints shall know one another as Luther speaks If in the Transfiguration Peter knew Moses and Elias which he never saw before Mat. 17.3 then much more in the glorified State the Saints shall perfectly know one another though they never saw them before Secondly The Saints at Death shall behold the Angels with the glorified Eye of their Understanding The Wings of the Cherubins representing the Angels were made of Fine Gold to denote both their Sanctity and Splendor The Angels are compared to Lightning Mat. 28.3 because of those Sparkling Beams of Majesty which as Lightning shoot from them And when Saints and Angels shall meet and sing together in Consort in the Heavenly Quire what Divine Harmony what Joyful Triumphs will it Create 6. Believers at Death shall gain Perfection of Holiness Here Grace was but in Cunabulis in its Cradle very Imperfect we cannot write a Copy of Holiness without Blotting Believers are said to receive but Primitias Spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 But at Death the Saints shall arrive at Perfection their Knowledge clear their Sanctity perfect their Sun shall be in its full Meridian Splendour They need not then pray for Encrease of Grace they shall Love God as much as they would Love him and as much as he desires to have them Love him they shall be then in respect of Holiness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God 7. At Death the Saints shall gain a Royal Magnificent Feast I told you before what a glorious Palace they shall have but a Man may starve in a House if there be no Chear The Saints at Death shall have a Royal Banquet shadowed out in Scripture by a Marriage Supper Rev. 19.9 Bullinger and Gregory the Great understand by that Marriage-Supper of the Lamb the stately Magnificent Festival the Saints shall have in Heaven they shall feed on the Tree of Life Rev. 22. They shall have the Heavenly Nectar and Ambrosia the Spiced Wine and Iuice of the Pomegranate Cant. 8.2 This Royal Supper of the Lamb will not only satisfie Hunger but prevent it Rev. 7 16. They shall hunger no more Nor can there be any Surfeit at this Feast because a fresh Course will be continually served in New and fresh Delights will spring from God therefore the Tree of Life in Paradise is said to bear Twelve sorts of Fruit Rev. 22.2 8. Believers at Death shall gain Honour and Dignity they shall reign as Kings therefore we read of the Ensigns of their Royalty their White Robes and Crowns Caelestial 2 Tim. 4.7 We read that the Doors of the Holy of Holies were made of Palm-Trees and open Flowers covered with Gold 1 Kings 6.35 An Emblem of that Victory and Triumph and that Golden Garland of Honour wherewith God hath invested the Saints glorified When all Worldly Honour shall lye in the Dust the Mace the Star the Robe of Ermin the Imperial Diadem then shall the Saints Honour remain not one Jewel shall be pluck'd out of their Crown they shall gain at Death a Blessed Eternity If the Saints could have but the least Suspicion or Fear of losing their Glory it would much cool and imbitter their Joy but their Crown fades not away 1 Pet. 5.4 As the Wicked have a Worm that never dies so the Elect have a Crown that never fades Ever is a short Word but hath no ending in fine erit gaudium sine fine Bern. 2 Cor. 4.18 The things which are not seen are Eternal Psal. 16.11 At thy right Hand are Pleasures for evermâ—re Who can span Eternity Millions of Ages stand but for Ciphers in Eternity This is the Elah or highest strain of the Saints Glory ever in Christ's Bosom Quest. How come the Saints to have all this Gain Resp. Believers have a right to all this Gain at Death upon a diverse account By vertue of the Fathers Donation the Sons Purchase the Holy Ghosts Earnest and Faiths acceptance Therefore the state of future glory is called the Saints proper inheritance Col. 1.12 They are Heirs of God and have a right to inherit Use 1. See the great difference between the Death of the Godly and the Wicked the Godly are great gainers at Death the Wicked are great Losers at Death They loose Four things 1. They lose the World and that is a great loss to the Wicked they laid up their Treasure upon Earth and to be turned out of all at once is a great loss 2. They lose their Souls Mat. 16.26 The Soul was at first a noble piece of Coin which God stamped his own Image upon this Caelestial spark is more precious than the whole Globe of the World But the Sinners Soul is lost not that the Souls of the Wicked are annihilated at Death but damnified 3. They lose Heaven Heaven is Sedes
Relations lie in our way to Heaven we must either leap over them or tread upon them A Child must unchild himself and forget he is a Child he must know neither Father nor Mother in God's Cause Deut. 33.9 Who said unto his father and his mother I have not seen him neither did he acknowledge his Brethren This is to aim at God's Glory 2. Then we aim at God's Glory when we can be content that God's Will should take place though it cross ours Lord I am content to be a Looser if thou a Gainer to have less Health if I may have more Grace and thou more Glory whether it be Food or bitter Physick thou givest me Lord I desire that which may be most for thy Glory Thus our Blessed Saviour Not as I will but as thou wilt Matth. 26.39 So God might have more Glory by his Sufferings he was content to suffer Joh. 12.28 Father glorifie thy name 3. Then we aim at God's Glory when we can be content to be out-shined by others in Gifts and Esteem so God's Glory may be encreased A Man that hath God in his Heart and God's Glory in his Eye desires that God should be exalted and if this be effected let who will be the Instrument he rejoyceth Phil. 1.15 Some preach Christ of Envy notwithstanding Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce and will rejoyce they preached Christ of Envy they envyed Paul that Concourse of People and they preached that they might out-shine him in Gifts and get away some of his Hearers Well saith Paul Christ is preached and God is like to have Glory therefore I rejoyce let my Candle go out if the Sun of Righteousness may but shine 2. We Glorifie God by an ingenuous Confession of Sin The Thief of the Cross had dishonour'd God in his Life but at his Death he brings Glory to God by Confession of Sin Luke 23.41 We indeed suffer justly He acknowledged he deserved not only Crucifixion but Damnation Josh. 7.19 My son give I pray thee glory to God and make confession unto him An humble Confession exalts God how is God's Free-grace magnified in crowning those who deserve to be condemn'd as the excusing and mincing of Sin doth cast a Reproach upon God Adam denies not he did tast the forbidden Fruit but instead of a full Confession he taxes God Inscripser◠Deos sceleri Gen. 3.12 The woman whom thou gavest me she gave me of the tree and I did eat It is long of thee if thou hadst not given me the Woman to be a Tempter I had not sinned So Confession glorifies God it clears it acknowledgeth he is Holy and Righteous whatever he doth Nehemiah vindicates God's Righteousness Chap. 9.33 Thou art just in all that is brought upon us And Confession then is ingenuous when it is free not forc'd Luke 15.18 I have sinn'd against heaven and before thee he chargeth himself with Sin before ever his Father chargeth him with it 3. We glorifie God by Believing Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to God Unbelief affronts God it gives him the Lye He that believeth not maketh God a lyer 1 Joh. 5.10 So Faith brings Glory to God it sets to its Seal that God is true Ioh. 3.33 he that believes flies to God's Mercy and Truth as to an Altar of Refuge he doth Ingarrison himself in the Promises he trusts all he hath with God Psal. 31.5 Into thy hands I commit my spirit this is a great way of bringing Glory to God therefore God honours Faith because Faith honours God It is a great Honour we do to a Man when we trust him with all we have we put our Lives and Estates into his hand a sign we have a good Opinion of him The three Children glorified God by believing The God whom we serve is able to deliver us and will deliver us Dan. 3.17 Faith knows there are no Impossibles with God and will trust him where it cannot trace him 4. We glorifie God by being tender of God's Glory God's Glory is dear to him as the apple of his Eye now when we are tender of his Glory by laying to heart his Dishonours this is a glorifying of him An ingenuous Child weeps to see a Disgrace done to his Father Psal. 69.9 The reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me When we hear God reproached it is as if we were reproached when God's Glory suffers 't is as if we suffered This is to be tender of God's Glory 5. We glorifie God by Fruitfulness Joh. 15.8 Hereby is my Father glorified if ye bring forth much fruit As 't is a Dishonour to God to be barren so Fruitfulness doth honour him Phil. 1.11 Filled with the fruits of righteousness which are to the praise of his glory We must not be like the Fig-tree in the Gospel which had nothing but Leaves but like the Pomocitron that is continually either mellowing or blossoming it is never without Fruit. 'T is not Profession but Fruit glorifies God God expects to have his Glory from us this way 1 Cor. 9.7 Who plants a vineyard and eats not of the fruit of it Trees in the Forrest may be barren but Trees in the Garden are fruitful We must bring forth the Fruits of Love and Good Works Matth. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Faith doth sanctifie our Works and Works do testifie our Faith To be doing good to others to be Eyes to the Blind Feet to the Lame doth much glorifie God And thus Christ did glorifie his Father He went about doing good Acts 10.38 By being fruitful we are fair in God's Eyes Jer. 11.16 The Lord called thy name a green olive-tree fair and of goodly fruit And we must bear much Fruit it is Muchness of Fruit glorifies God if ye bear much Fruit. The Spouse's Breasts are compared to Clusters of Grapes Cant. 7.7 to shew how fertile she was Tho' the lowest degree of Grace may bring Salvation to you yet not so much Glory to God it was not a spark of Love Christ commended in Mary but much love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she loved much Luke 7.47 6. We glorifie God by being contented in that State where his Providence hath set us we give God the Glory of his Wisdom in that we rest satisfied with what he carves out to us Thus did holy Paul glorifie God the Lord had cast him into as great variety of Condition as any Man in Prisons more frequent in Deaths oft 2 Cor. 11.23 yet he had learned to be content St. Paul could sail either in a Storm or a Calm he could be any thing that God would have him he could either want or abound Phil. 4.13 A good Christian argues thus It is God hath put me in this Condition he could have raised me higher if he pleas'd but that might have been a Snare to me God hath done it
have the knowledge of the true God is more then if we had Mines of Gold Rocks of Diamonds Islands of Spices especially if God hath savingly revealed himself to us if he hath given us eyes to see the light if we so know God as to be known of him as to love him and believe in him Matth. 11.25 We can never be enough thankful to God that he hath hid the knowledge of himself from the wise and prudent of the World and hath revealed it unto us The TRINITY Quest. VI. HOw many Persons are there in the Godhead Resp. Three Persons yet but one God 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God is but One yet there are three distinct Persons subsisting in one God-head This is a sacred Mystery which the Light within could never have discovered As the two Natures in Christ yet but one Person is a wonder so three Persons yet but one God-head I am in a great deep the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost God yet not three Gods but one God The three Persons in the blessed Trinity are distinguished but not divided three Subsistances but one Essence This is a Divine Riddle where one makes three and three make but one Our narrow Thoughts can no more comprehend the Trinity in Unity then a little Nutshel will hold all the Water in the Sea Let me shadow it out by this similitude In the Body of the Sun there is the Substance of the Sun the Beams and the Heat the Beams are begotten of the Sun the Heat proceeds both from the Sun and the Beams but these three though different are not divided they all three make but one Sun So in the blessed Trinity the Son is begotten of the Father the Holy Ghost proceeds from both yet though they are three distinct Persons yet but one God First let me speak of the Unity in Trinity then of the Trinity in Unity 1. Of the Unity in Trinity The Unity of the Persons in the Godhead consists in two things 1. The identity of Essence In the Trinity there is an Oneness of Essence the three Persons are of the same Divine Nature and Substance so that in Deo non est magis minus there are no degrees in the Godhead one Person is not God more then another 2. The Unity of the Persons in the Godhead consists in the mutual in-being of them or their being in one another The three Persons are so united that one Person is in another and with another Iohn 17.21 Thou Father art in me and I in thee 2. Let me speak of the Trinity in Unity 1. The first Person in the Trinity is God the Father Hâ— is call'd the first Person in respect of Order not Dignity for God the Father hath no essential Perfection which the other Persons have not He is not more wise more holy more powerful then the other Persons are a Priority not Superiority 2. The second Person in the Trinity is Iesus Christ who is begotten of the Father before all Time Prov. 8.23 24 25. I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was When there were no depths I was brought fortth when there were no fountains abounding with water Before the mountains were set led before the hills was I brought forth Which Scripture declares the Eternal Generation of the the Son of God This second Person in the Trinity who is Jehovah is become our Jesus The Scripture calls him the Branch of David Jer. 23.5 and I may call him the Flower of the Virgin having assum'd our Nature By him all that believe are justified Acts 13.39 3. The third Person in the Trinity is the Holy Ghost who proceeds from the Father and the Son His work it is to illuminate the Mind and inkindle sacred Motions The Essence of the Spirit is in Heaven and every where but the Influence of it is in the Hearts of Believers This is that blessed Spirit who gives us the holy Unction 1 Iohn 2.20 Though Christ merits Grace for us it is the Holy Ghost works it in us Though Christ makes the Purchase it is the Holy Ghost makes the Assurance and Seals us up to the Day of Redemption Thus I have spoken of all the three Persons The Trinity of Persons may be proved out of Matth. 3.16 Iesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the water and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son Here are three Names given to the three Persons He who spake with a Voice from Heaven was God the Father He who was baptized in Iordan was God the Son He who descended in the likeness of a Dove was God the Holy Ghost Thus I have shewn you the Unity of Essence and the Trinity of Persons Use 1. It confutes the Jews and the Turks who believe only the first Person in the Godhead this cuts assunder the Sinews of our Comfort Take away the distinction of the Persons in the Trinity and you overthrow Man's Redemption for God the Father being offended with Man for sin how shall he be pacified without a Mediator This Mediator is Christ he makes our Peace and Christ having died and shed his Blood how shall this Blood be applied but by the Holy Ghost Therefore if there be not three Persons in the Godhead Man's Salvation cannot be wrought out If there be no second Person in the Trinity then there is no Redeemer If no third Person then there is no Comforter And so the Plank is taken away by which we should get to Heaven 2. It confutes the execrable Opinion of the Socinians who deny the Divinity of the Lord Jesus they make him only to be a Creature of an higher Rank As the Papists blot out the Second Commandment so the Socinians would the Second Person in the Trinity If to oppose Christ's Members be such a sin what is it to oppose Christ himself 1. Jesus Christ is coequal with God the Father Phil. 2.6 He thought it no robbery to be equal with God 2. He is coeternal with God the Father Prov. 8.23 I was from the beginning for else there was a time when God was without a Son and so he should be no Father nay else there was a time when God was without his glory for Christ is the brightness of his Fathers glory Hebr. 1.3 3. He is coessential with God the Father The Godhead subsists in Christ Col. 2.9 In whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily 'T is said not only Christ was with God before the beginning but he was God John 1.1 and 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the flesh The Title of Lord so often given to Christ in the New Testament doth answer to the Title of Jehovah in the Old Testament Deut. 6.5 Matth. 22.37 so that Christ hath a
Sufferings Christ being God his Death and Passion is Meritorious Christ's Bloud is called Sanguis Dei The Bloud of God Acts 20.28 because the Person who was offered in Sacrifice was God as well as Man This is an invincible Support to Believers it was God who was offended and it was God who satisfied Thus Christ's Person in two Natures 2. Consider Christ's two Natures in one Person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-Man 1 Tim. 3.16 God manifest in the flesh Christ had a twofold Substance Divine and Humane yet not a twofold Subsistance both Natures make but one Christ A Siens may be grafted into another Tree a Pear-tree into an Apple which though it bear different Fruits is but one Tree So Christ's Manhood is united to the Godhead in an ineffable manner yet though here are two Natures yet but one Person This Union of the two Natures in Christ was not by Transmutation the Divine Nature chang'd into the Humane or the Humane into the Divine nor by Mixture the two Natures mingled together as Wine and Water are mixed Both the Natures of Christ remain distinct yet make not two distinct Persons but one Person the Humane Nature not God yet one with God 3. Consider Christ our Mediator in his Graces These are the sweet Savour of his Oyntments that make the Virgins love him Christ our Blessed Mediator is said to be full of grace and truth Joh. 1.14 He had the anointing of the Spirit without measure Joh. 3.34 Grace in Christ is after a more eminent and glorious manner then it is in any of the Saints 1. Jesus Christ our Mediator hath Perfection in every Grace Col. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is a Panoply Magazine and Store-house of all Heavenly Treasure all Fulness This no Saint on Earth hath he may excel in one Grace but not in all as Abraham was eminent for Faith Moses for Meekness but Christ excells in every Grace 2. There is a never-failing Fulness of Grace in Christ Grace in the Saints is Ebbing and Flowing it is not always in the same degree and proportion At one time David's Faith was strong at another time so faint and weak that you could hardly feel any Pulse Psal. 31.22 I said I am cut off from before thine eyes but Grace in Christ is a never-failing Fulness it did never abate in the least degree he never lost a drop of his Holiness What was said of Ioseph may more truly be applied to Christ Gen. 49.23 The archers shot at him but his bow abode in strength Men and Devils shot at him but his Grace remain'd in its full vigour and strength His bow abode in strength 3. Grace in Christ is Communicative His Grace is for us the holy Oyl of the Spirit was poured on the head of this Blessed Aaron that it might run down upon us The Saints have not Grace to bestow on others when the foolish Virgins would have bought Oyl of their Neighbour-Virgins Matth. 25.9 Give us of your oyl for our lamps are gone out The wise Virgins answer'd Not so least there be not enough for us and you The Saints have no Grace to spare to others but Christ diffuseth his Grace to others Grace in the Saints is as Water in the Vessel Grace in Christ is as Water in the Spring Joh. 1.16 Of his fulness have we received grace for grace Set a Glass under a Still or Limbeck and it receives Water from the Limbeck drop by drop So the Saints have the Drops and Influences of Christ's Grace distilling upon them What a rich Consolation is this to those who either have no Grace or their Stock is but low they may go to Christ the Mediator as to a Treasury of Grace Lord I am indigent but whether should I carry my empty Vessel but to a full Fountain Psal. 87.7 all my fresh Springs are in thee I am guilty thou hast Blood to pardon me I am polluted thou hast Grace to cleanse me I am sick unto death thou hast the Balm of Gilead to heal me Gen. 41.56 Ioseph opened all the Store-houses of Corn Christ is our Ioseph that opens all the Treasuries and Store-houses of Grace and communicates to us He is not only sweet as the Honey-comb but drops as the Honey-comb This is a great comfort in Christ our Mediator there is a Cornucopia and fulness of all Grace and Christ is desirous that we should come to him for Grace like the full Breast that akes till it be drawn Use 1. Admire the Glory of this Mediator he is God-Man he is co-essentially glorious with the Father All the Jews that saw Christ in the Flesh did not see his God-head all that saw the Man did not see the Messiah The Temple of Solomon within was embellished with Gold Travellers as they passed along might see the outside of the Temple but only the Priests saw the Glory which sparkled within the Temple only Believers who are made Priests unto God Rev. 1.6 see Christ's glorious inside the God-head shining through the Manhood Use 2. If Christ be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Man in one Person then look unto Iesus Christ alone for Salvation There must be something of the Godhead to fasten our Hope upon in Christ there 's Godhead and Manhood Hypostatically united If we could weep Rivers of Tears out-fast Moses on the Mount if we were exact Moralists touching the Law blameless if we could arrive at the highest degree of Sanctification in this Life all this would not save us without looking to the Merits of him who is God our perfect Holiness in Heaven is not the cause of our Salvation but the Righteousness of Jesus Christ. To this therefore did Paul fly as to the Horns of the Altar Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him not having my own righteousness 'T is true we may look to our Graces as Evidences of Salvation but Christ's Bloud only as the Cause In the time of Noah's Flood all that trusted to the high Hills and Trees and not to the Ark were drowned Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Iesus and so look unto him as to believe in him that so Christ may not only be united to our Nature but to our Persons Joh. 20.31 That believing you may have life thorow his name Use 3. Is Jesus Christ God and Man in one Person This as it shews the Dignity of Believers that they are nearly related to one of the greatest Persons that is Col. 2.9 In him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily so it is of unspeakable Comfort Christ's two Natures being married together the Divine and Humane all that Christ in either of his Natures can do for Believers he will do In his Humane Nature he Prays for them in his Divine Nature he Merits for them This for the Person of our Mediator Use 4. Admire the Love of Christ our Mediator that he should humble himself and take our Flesh that he might redeem us Believers should put Christ in their
their Offering Luke 2.24 A pair of Turtle Doves which was the usual Offering of the Poor Lev. 12.8 Christ was so poor that when he wanted Money he was fain to work a Miracle for it Matth. 17.27 He when he died made no Will. He came into the World poor 4. Why he came That he might take our flesh and redeem us that he might instate us into a Kingdom He was poor that he might make us rich 2 Cor. 8.9 He was born of a Virgin that he might be born of God he took our Flesh that he might give us his Spirit He lay in the Manger that we might lye in Paradise He came down from Heaven that he might bring us to Heaven And what was all this but Love If our Hearts be not Rocks this Love of Christ should affect us Behold Love that passeth Knowledge Eph. 3.19 Branch 2. See here the wonderful Humility of Christ Christ was made flesh O Sancta Humilitas Tu filium Dei descendere fecisti in uterum Mariae Virginis Aâ—st That Christ should clothe himself with our flesh a piece of that Earth which we tread upon O infinite Humility Christ's taking our flesh was one of the lowest Steps of his Humiliation Christ did humble himself more in lying in the Virgins Womb then in hanging upon the Cross. It was not so much for Man to die but for God to become Man that was the wonder of Humility Phil. 2.7 He was made in the likeness of Men. For Christ to be made flesh was more Humility then for the Angels to be made Worms Christ's flesh is called a Vail Hebr. 10.20 Through the Vail that is his Flesh. Christ's wearing our Flesh vail'd his Glory For him to be made flesh who was equal with God O Humility Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God He stood upon even Ground with God he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Patri co-essential and con-substantial with his Father as Austin and Cyril and the Councel of Nice expresses it yet for all this he takes flesh Christ strip'd himself of the Robes of his Glory and covered himself with the Rags of our Humanity If Solomon did so wonder that God should dwell in the Temple which was enrich'd and hung with Gold how may we wonder that God should dwell in Man's weak and frail Nature Nay which is yet more Humility Christ not only took our flesh but took it when it was at the worst under Disgrace as if a Servant should wear a Noble-man's Livery when he is impeached of High Treason Nay besides Christ took all the Infirmities of our flesh There are two sorts of Infirmities Such as are sinful without pain or such as are painful without sin The first of these Infirmities Christ did not take upon him sinful Infirmities to be covetous or ambitious Christ never took these upon him but Christ took upon him painful Infirmities as 1. Hunger Matth. 21.18 He came to the Fig-tree and would have eaten 2. Weariness as when he sate on Iacob's Well to rest him Iohn 4.6 3. Sorrow Matth. 26.38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My soul is sorrowful even unto death It was a Sorrow guided with Reason not disturb'd with Passion 4. Fear Hebr. 5.7 He was heard in that he feared Nay yet a further Degree of Christ's Humility he not only was made flesh but in the likeness of sinful flesh He knew no sin yet he was made sin 2 Cor. 5.21 He was like a sinner he had all sin laid upon him but no sin lived in him Isa. 53.12 He was numbred among Transgressors He who was numbred among the Persons of the Trinity he is said to bear the sins of many Hebr. 9.28 Now this was the lowest degree of Christ's Humiliation For Christ to be reputed as a sinner never such a Pattern of Humility That Christ who would not endure sin in the Angels should himself indure to have sin imputed to him it is the most amazing Humility that ever was From all this learn to be humble Dost thou see Christ humbling himself and art thou proud 'T is the humble Saint is Christ's Picture Christian be not proud of your fine Feathers 1. Hast thou an Estate be not proud the Earth thou treadest on is richer then thou it hath Mines of Gold and Silver in the Bowels of it 2. Hast thou Beauty be not proud it is but Air and Dust mingled 3. Hast thou Skill and Parts be humble Lucifer hath more knowledge than thou 4. Hast thou Grace be humble thou hast it not of thy own growth it is borrowed Were it not a folly to be proud of a Ring that is lent 1 Cor. 4.7 Thou hast more Sin then Grace Spots then Beauty O look on Christ this rare Pattern and be humble It is an unseemly sight to see God humbling himself and Man exalting himself to see an humble Saviour and a proud Sinner God hates the very resemblance of Pride Lev. 2.11 He would have no Honey in the Sacrifice Indeed Leaven is sowr but why no Honey because when Honey is mingled with Meal or Flour it makes the Meal to rise and swell ergo no Honey God hates the resemblance of the Sin of Pride better want Parts Comforts of Spirit then Humility Si Deus superbientibus Angelis non pepercit If God saith Austin spared not the Angels when they grew proud will he spare thee who art but Dust and Rottenness Branch 3. Behold here a Sacred Riddle or Paradox God manifest in the flesh The Text calls it a Mystery That Man should be made in God's Image was a wonder but that God should be made in Man's Image is a greater wonder That the Ancient of Days should be born that he who Thunders in the Heaven should cry in the Cradle Qui tonitruat in Coelis clamat in cunabulis qui regit sidera sugit ubera that he who rules the Stars should suck the Breasts that a Virgin should conceive that Christ should be made of a Woman and of that Woman which himself made that the Branch should bear the Vine that the Mother should be younger than the Child she bare and the Child in the Womb bigger than the Mother that the Humane Nature should not be God yet one with God This was not only mirum but miraculum Christ taking flesh is a Mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to Heaven when our Light shall be clear as well as our Love perfect Branch 4. From hence God manifest in the flesh Christ born of a Virgin a thing not only strange in nature but impossible learn That there are no impossibilities with God God can bring about Things which are not within the sphere of Nature to produce That Iron should swim that the Rock should gush out with water that the Fire should lick up the water in the Trenches 1 Kings 18.38 'T is natural for the water to quench the fire but for the fire to
of Love 2. Be like Christ in Grace He was like us in having our Flesh let us be like him in having his Grace In three Graces we should labour to be like Christ. 1. In Humility Phil. 2.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he humbled himself he left the bright Robes of his Glory to be clothed with the Rags of our Humanity A wonder of Humility Let us be like Christ in this Grace Humility saith St. Bernard is contemptus propriae excellentiae a contempt of Self-excellency a kind of Self-annihilation This is the glory of a Christian. We are never so comely in God's Eyes as when we are black in our own In this let us be like Christ. True Religion is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. to imitate Christ. And indeed what cause have we to be humble if we look within us about us below us above us 1. If we look intra nos within us Here we see our sins represented to us in the Glass of Conscience Lust Envy Passion Our sins are like Vermin crawling in our Souls Iob 13.23 How many are my iniquities Our sins are as the Sands of the Sea for number as the Rocks of the Sea for weight Austin crys out Vae mihi faecibus peccatorum polluitur Templum Domini my Heart which is God's Temple is polluted with sin 2. If we look juxta nos about us here 's that may humble us We may see other Christians out-shining us in Gifts and Grace as the Sun out-shines the lesser Planets Others are laden with Fruit perhaps we have but here and there an Olive-berry growing to shew that we are of the right kind Isa. 17.6 3. If we look infra nos below us here is that may humble us We see the Mother Earth out of which we came The Earth is the most ignoble Element Iob 30.8 Thou art viler than the Earth Thou that dost set up thy Scutcheon and Blaze thy Coat of Arms behold thy Pedigree thou art but pulvis animatus walking Ashes and wilt thou be proud What is Adam He is the Son of Dust and what is Dust The Son of Nothing 4. If we look supra nos above us here is that may humble If we look up to Heaven there we see God resisting the proud Superbos sequitur ultor à Tergo Deus The proud Man is the Mark which God shoots at and he never misseth the Mark He threw proud Lucifer out of Heaven he thrust proud Nebuchadnezzar out of his Throne and turned him to Grass Dan. 4.29 O then be like Christ in Humility 2. Did Christ take our flesh was he made like to us let us be made like to him in Zeal Iohn 2.16 The Zeal of thy House hath eaten me up He was zealous when his Father was dishonoured In this let us be like Christ zealous for God's Truth and Glory which are the two Orient Pearls of the Crown of Heaven Zeal is as needful for a Christian as Salt for the Sacrifice or Fire on the Altar Zeal without Prudence is Rashness Prudence without Zeal is Cowardliness Without Zeal our Duties are not acceptable to God Zeal is like Rosin to the Bow-strings without which the Lute makes no Musick 3. Be like Christ in the Contempt of the World When Christ took our flesh he came not in the pride of flesh he did not descend immediately from Kings and Nobles but was of mean Parentage Christ was not ambitious of Titles of Honour Christ did as much decline the worldly Dignity and Greatness as others seek it When they would have made him King he refused it he chose rather to ride upon the Fole of an Ass then to be drawn in a Chariot and to hang upon a wodden Cross then to wear a golden Crown Christ scorn'd the Pomp and Glory of the World he waved Secular Affairs Luke 12.13 Who made me a Iudge His Work was not to arbitrate Matters of Law he came not into the World to be a Magistrate but a Redeemer Christ was like a Star in an higher Orb he minded nothing but Heaven Was Christ made like us let us be made like him in heavenliness and contempt of the World Let not us be ambitious of the Honours and Preferments of the World let us not purchase the World with the loss of a good Conscience What wise Man would damn himself to grow Rich or pull down his Soul to build up an Estate Be like Christ in an holy contempt of the World 3. Be like Christ in Conversation Was Christ Incarnate was he made like us let us be made like him in Holiness of Life No Temptation could fasten upon Christ Iohn 14.30 The Prince of this World cometh and hath nothing in me Temptation to Christ was like a Spark of Fire upon a Marble Pillar which glides off Christ's Life saith Chrysostom was brighter than the Sun-beams Let us be like him in this 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy in all manner of conversation We are not saith Austin to be like Christ in working Miracles but in an holy Life A Christian should be both a Loadstone and a Diamond a Loadstone in drawing others to Christ a Diamond casting a sparkling lustre of Holiness in his Life O let us be so just in our Dealings so true in our Promises so devout in our Worship so unblamable in our Lives that we may be the walking Pictures of Christ. Thus as Christ was made in our likeness let us labour to be made in his likeness Branch 3. If Jesus Christ was so abased for us he took our flesh which was a disparagement to him 't was mingling Dust with Gold if he I say abased himself so for us let us be willing to be abased for him If the World reproach us for Christ's sake and cast Dust on our Name let us bear it with patience The Apostles Acts 5.41 departed from the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to endure shame for Christ's Name Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they were graced to be disgraced for Christ. That is a good saying of St. Austin Quid suis detrahit famae meae addet mercedi meae they who take away from a Saints Name shall add to his Reward and while they make his Credit weigh lighter they make his Crown weigh heavier O! was Christ content to be humbled and abased for us to take our flesh and to take it when it was in disgrace let us not think much to be abased for Christ. Say as David 2 Sam. 6.22 If this be to be vile I will yet be more vile If to serve my Lord Christ if to keep my Conscience pure if this be to be vile I will yet be more vile Use 3. of Comfort Jesus Christ having taken our flesh hath enobled our Nature Naturam nostram nobilitavit our Nature now is invested with greater Royalties and Priviledges then in time of Innocency Before in Innocency we were made in the Image of God but now Christ having assumed our Nature we are made
one with God our Nature is enobled above the Angelical Nature Christ taking our flesh hath made us nearer to himself than the Angels The Angels are his Friends Believers are flesh of his flesh his Members Eph. 5.30 and cap. 1.23 And the same Glory which is put upon Christ's Humane Nature shall be put upon Believers CHRIST's EXALTATION Phil. 2.9 Wherefore GOD also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every name c. BEfore we have spoken of Christ's Humiliation now of his Exaltation Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the Eclipse now you shall see it coming out of the Eclipse and shining in its full Splendour and Glory Wherefore God hath highly exalted him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Super-exaltavit Ambr. Above all Exaltation Quest. XVIII Wherein consists Christ's Exaltation Resp. In his rising from the Dead his ascending into Heaven and sitting at the right Hand of God the Father c. Quest. In what sence God hath exalted Christ Resp. Not in respect of Christ's Godhead for that cannot be exalted higher then it is as in Christ's Humiliation the Godhead was not lower so in his Exaltation the Godhead is not higher But Christ is exalted as a Mediator his Humane Nature is exalted Quest. How many ways is Christ exalted Resp. Five ways God hath exalted Christ 1. In his Titles 2. In his Office 3. In his Ascension 4. In his Session at God's right Hand 5. In constituting him Judge of the World First Title 1. God hath exalted Christ in his Titles 1. He is exalted to be a Lord Act. 19.17 The name of the Lord Iesus was magnified He is a Lord in respect of his Soveraignty he is Lord over Angels and Men Matth. 28.18 All power is given to him Christ hath three Keys in his Hand the Key of the Grave to open the Graves of Men at the Resurrection the Key of Heaven to open the Kingdom of Heaven to whom he will the Key of Hell Rev. 1.18 to lock up the Damned in that fiery Prison To this LORD all Knees must bow Phil. 2.10 That at the name of Iesus every knee should bow Name is put here for Person To that holy thing JESUS to the Scepter of that Divine Person every knee shall bow Bowing is put for Subjection all must be subdued to him as Sons or Captives submit to him as to their Lord or Judge Kiss the Son Psal. 2.12 With a Kiss of Love and Loyalty We must not only cast ourselves into Christ's Arms to be saved by him but we must cast ourselves at his Feet to serve him Second Title Christ is exalted to be a Prince Dan. 12.1 There shall stand up Michael the great prince Some think it was a created Angel but it was Angelus Foederis Christ the Angel of the Covenant He is a great Prince Rev. 1.5 The prince of the kings of the earth They hold their Crowns by immediate Tenure from him His Throne is above the Stars he hath Angels and Archangels for his Attendance Thus he is exalted in his Titles of Honour 2. God hath exalted Christ in his Office He hath honoured him to be Salvator Mundi The Saviour of the World Act. 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a saviour It was a great Honour to Moses to be a Temporal Saviour but what is it to be the Saviour of Souls Christ is call'd the Horn of Salvation Luke 1.69 He saves from sin Matth. 1.21 From Wrath 1 Thess. 1.10 To save is a Flower belongs only to his Crown Acts 4.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neither is there salvation in any other What an Honour is this to Christ How doth this make Heaven ring of the Saints Praises they sing Halelujahs to Christ their Saviour Rev. 5.9 They sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud 3. God hath exalted Christ in his Ascention If he be ascended then he is exalted Austin saith Some were of Opinion that Christ's Body ascended into the Orb and Circle of the Sun So the Hermians But the Scripture is plain he ascended into Heaven Luke 24.51 And Eph. 4.10 Far above all heavens Ergo above the Firmament He is ascended into the highest part of the Empyraean Heaven which Paul calls the third Heaven Concerning Christ's Ascension two things 1. The manner of Christ's Ascension 1. Christ being to ascend blessed his Disciples Luke 24.50 He lift up his hands and blessed them and while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven Christ did not leave his Disciples Houses and Lands but he left them his Blessing 2. Christ ascended as a Conqueror in a way of Triumph Psal. 68.18 Thou hast led captivity captive c. He triumph'd over Sin Hell and Death and Christ's Triumph is a Believer's Triumph Christ hath conquered Sin and Hell for every Believer 3. The Fruit of Christ's Ascension Christ's Ascension to Heaven causeth the Descention of the Holy Spirit into our Hearts Eph. 4.8 When he ascended up on high he gave gifts to men Christ having ascended up in the Clouds as his Triumphant Chariot gives the Gift of his Spirit to us As a King at his Coronation bestows Gifts liberally to his Favourites 4. God hath exalted Christ in his Session at God's right hand Mark 16.19 After the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God Eph. 1.20 He raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand far above all principality and power and every name that is named Quest. What is meant by Christ's sitting at God's right hand Resp. To speak properly God hath no right Hand or left for being a Spirit he is void of all bodily parts but it is a borrowed Speech a Metaphor taken from the manner of Kings who were wont to advance their Favourites next to their own Persons and set them at their right Hand Solomon caused a Seat to be set for the Queen his Mother and placed her at his right hand 2 Kin. 2.19 So for Christ to sit at the right Hand of God is to be in the next place to God the Father in Dignity and Honour The Humane Nature of Christ being personally united to the Divine is now set down in a Royal Throne in Heaven and adored even of Angels By Vertue of the Personal Union of Christ's Humane Nature with the Divine there is a Communication of all that Glory from the Deity to Christ as his Humane Nature is capable of Not that the Manhood of Christ is advanced to an Equality with the Godhead but the Divine Nature being joyned with the Humane the Humane Nature is wonderfully Glorified though not Deified Christ as Mediator is filled with all Majesty and Honour beyond the Comprehension of the highest Order of Angels Descendit Christus quo inferius non
decuit ideo ascendit quo altius non potuit Christ in his Humiliation descended so low that it was not fit to go lower and in his Exaltation he ascended so high that it is not possible to go higher In his Resurrection he was exalted above the Grave in his Ascension he was exalted above the Aery and Starry Heaven in his sitting at God's right Hand he is exalted above the highest Heavens far Eph. 4.10 Far above all heavens 5. God hath exalted Christ in constituting him Judge of the whole World Ioh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son At that day of Judgment shall Christ be exalted super-eminently He shall come in the glory of his Father Mark 8.38 He shall wear the same embroydered Robes of Majesty as the Father And he shall come with all his holy Angels Matth. 25.31 He who was led to the Bar with a Band of Souldiers shall be attended to the Bench with a Guard of Angels Christ shall judge his Judges he shall judge Pilate that condemned him Kings must leave their Throne and come to his Bar. And this is the highest Court of Judicature from whence is no Appeal 1. Use of Information Branch 1. See Christ's different State on Earth and now in Heaven O how is the Scene alter'd When he was on Earth he lay in the Manger now he sits in the Throne then he was hated and scorn'd of Men now he is adored of Angels then his Name was reproached now God hath given him a Name above every name Phil. 2.9 Then he came in the Form of a Servant and as a Servant stood with his Bason and Towel and washed his Disciples Feet Ioh. 13.4 5. now he is clad in his Prince's Robes and the Kings of the Earth cast their Crowns before him on Earth he was a Man of Sorrow now he is anointed with the Oyl of Gladness on Earth was his Crucifixion now his Coronation then his Father frowned upon him in Desertion now he hath set him at his right Hand before he seemed to have no Form or Beauty in him Isa. 53.2 now he is the Brightness of his Father's Glory Heb. 1.3 O what a change is here Him hath GOD highly exalted Branch 2. Was Christ first Humble and then Exalted hence learn the way to true Honour is Humility Luke 14.11 He that humbleth himself shall be exalted The World looks upon Humility as that which will make one contemptible but it is the ready way to Honour The way to rise is to fall the way to ascend is to descend Humility exalts us in the Esteem of Men and it exalts us to an higher Throne in Heaven Matth. 18.4 Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven Viz. He shall have a greater degree of Glory in Heaven Branch 3. Christ first suffered and then was exalted see hence that Sufferings must go before Glory Many desire to be glorified with Christ but they are not content to suffer for Christ 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer with him we shall reign with him The Wicked first reign and then suffer the Godly first suffer and then reign There 's no way to Constantinople but through the Straits no way to Heaven but through Sufferings No way to the Crown but by the way of the Cross. Hierusalem above is a pleasant City Streets of Gold Gates of Pearl but we must travel through a dirty Road to this City through many Reproaches and Sufferings Acts 14.22 We must enter into Glory as Christ did first he suffered Shame and Death and now is exalted to sit at God's right Hand 2. Use of Comfort Branch 1. Christ being so highly exalted hath Ennobled our Nature he hath crowned it with Glory and lifted it up above Angels and Archangels Though Christ as he was Man was made a little lower than the Angels Heb. 2.9 yet as the Humane Nature is united to the Divine and is at God's right Hand so the Humane Nature is above the Angels And if God hath so Dignified our Humane Nature what a shame is it that we should debase it God hath exalted the Humane Nature above the Angels and the Drunkard abaseth the Humane Nature below the Beasts Branch 2. Christ being exalted at God's right hand the Key of Government is laid upon his shoulders he governs all the Affairs of the World for his own Glory Do you think when Christ is so highly advanced and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth in his hand he will not take care of his Elect and turn the most astonishing Providences to the good of his Church In a Clock the Wheels move cross one to another but all make the Clock strike so Christ being at his Father's right hand he will make the most cross Providences tend to the Salvation of his Church Branch 3. Christ being at God's right hand we may be assured he hath now finished the Work of Man's Redemption Heb. 10.12 This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God If Christ had not fully expiated Sin and satisfied God's Law he had not sate down at God's right hand but had still lain in the Grave but now he is exalted to Glory This is an evident Token he hath done and suffered all that was required of him for the working out our Redemption Branch 4. Though Jesus Christ is so highly exalted in Glory yet he is not forgetful of us on Earth some when they are raised to Places of Honour forget their Friends when the Chief Butler was restored to his Place at Court then he forgot poor Ioseph in Prison But it is not so with Christ though he be exalted to such Glory in Heaven yet he is not unmindful of his Saints on Earth Our High-Priest hath all the Names and Wants of his People written upon his Breast-plate Art thou tempted though Christ be in Glory he knows how to pity and succour thee Heb. 4.15 We have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmity Dost thou mourn for sin Christ though in a glorified State he hears thy Sighs bottles thy Tears Branch 5. Christ being exalted at God's right hand this is for the Comfort of Believers that they shall one day be exalted to that Place of Glory where he is Christ's Exaltation is our Exaltation Christ hath prayed for this Joh. 17.24 Father I will that all those whom thou hast given me be with me where I am And he is said to go before to prepare a place for Believers Ioh. 14.2 Christ is called the Head and the Church is called his Body Eph. 1.22 23. The Head being exalted to Honor the Body Mystical shall be exalted too as sure as Christ is exalted far above all Heavens so sure will he instate Believers in all that Glory which his Humane Nature is adorn'd with Ioh. 17.22 As here he puts his Grace upon the Saints so shortly he
Calls Satan calls by a Temptation Lust calls evil company calls But as the Adder stops its Ear against the Voice of the Charmer so he who is effectually called stops his Ear against all the Charms of Flesh and Devil Use 3. Of Comfort to them who are the called of God This Call evidenceth Election Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them he also called Election is the cause of our Vocation and Vocation is the sign of our Election Election is the first Link of the golden Chain of Salvation Vocation is the second he who hath the second Link of the Chain is sure of the first Link As by the Stream we are led to the Fountain so by Vocation we ascend to Election Calling is an earnest and pledge of Glory 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification We may read God's predestinating love in the work of Grace in our heart Branch 2. To such as are called to be thankful to God for this unspeakable Blessing be thankful to all the Persons in the Trinity to the Father's Mercy to the Son's Merit to the Spirit 's Efficacy To make you thankful consider when you had offended God that he should call you that when God needed you not he had Millions of glorified Saints and Angels to praise him yet he called you Again consider what you were before God called you you were in your sins when God called Paul he found him persecuting when he called Matthew he found him at the Receipt of Custom when he called Zacheus he found him using Extorsion When God calls a Man by his Grace he finds him seeking after his Lusts as when Saul was called to the Kingdom he was seeking the Asses That God should call thee when thou wert in the hot pursuit of sin admire God's Love exalt his Praise Again that God should call you and pass by others what Mercy is this Matth. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight That God should pass by the wise and noble Persons of sweeter disposition acuter parts guilty of less Vice and that the Lot of Free-grace should fall on you O astonishing Love of God It was a great favour of God to Samuel that God call'd to him and revealed his Mind to him and passed by Eli though a Priest and a Judge in Israel 1 Sam. 3.9 so that God should call to thee a flagitious sinner and pass by others of higher birth and better morals here is that calls aloud for Praise As God so governs the Clouds that he makes them rain upon one place and not upon another so doth he dispence his Grace it shall drop its sweet dew upon one and not another Two at a Sermon one his heart the Lord opens the other is no more affected with it than a deaf Man with the sound of Musick Here is the Banner of Free-grace display'd and here should be the Trophies of Praise erected Eliah and Elisha were walking together on a sudden there came a Chariot of Fire and carried Eliah up to Heaven but left Elisha behind so when two are walking together Husband and Wife Father and Child that God should call one by his Grace but leave the other carry one up in a triumphant Chariot to Heaven but let the other perish eternally O infinite rich Grace how should they that are call'd be affected with God's discriminating Love how should the Vessels of Mercy run over with Thankfulness how should they stand upon Mount Gerizim blessing and praising God O begin the work of Heaven here Such as are Patterns of Mercy should be Trumpets of Praise Thus S. Paul being call'd of God and seeing what a Debtor he was to Free-grace breaks forth into Admiration and Gratulation 1 Tim. 1.13 Use 4. To the Called walk worthy of your high Calling Eph. 4.1 I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called in two things 1. Walk compassionately pity such as are yet uncalled Hast thou a Child that God hath not yet called a Wife a Servant Weep over their dying Souls They are in their Bloud under the Power of Satan O pity them Let their sins more trouble you then your own Sufferings If you pity an Ox or Ass going astray will you not pity a Soul going astray Show your Piety by your Pity 2. Walk holily yours is an holy Calling 2 Tim. 1.9 You are called to be Saints Rom. 1.7 Show your Vocation by a Bible-conversation Shall not Flowers smell sweeter than Weeds Shall not they who are ennobled with Grace have more Fragrancy in their Lives than Sinners 1 Pet. 1.15 As he who hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation O dishonour not your high Calling by any sordid Carriage When Antigonus going to defile himself with Women one told him He was a King's Son O remember your Dignity Called of God! of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven do nothing unworthy of your Honourable Calling Scipio refused the Embraces of an Harlot because he was General of an Army Abhor all Motions to sin because of your high Calling 'T is not fit for them who are the Called of God to do as others tho' others of the Iews did drink Wine it was not fit for the Nazarite because he had a Vow of Separation upon him and had promised Abstinence Though Pagans and loose Christians take liberty to sin yet it is not fit for them who are called out of the World and have the Mark of Election upon them to do so You are consecrated Persons your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and your Souls must be a Sacrary or Holy of Holies OF IVSTIFICATION Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace Quest. XXI WHat is Iustification Resp. It is an Act of God's Free-grace whereby he pardoneth all our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight only for the Righteousness of CHRIST imputed to us and received by Faith Iustification is the very Hinge and Pillar of CHRISTIANITY and an Errour about Iustification is dangerous like a Crack in the Foundation or an Errour in the first Concoction Iustification by Christ is a Spring of the Water of Life and to have the Poison of corrupt Doctrine cast into this Spring is damnable It was a Saying of Luther That after his Death the Doctrine of Iustification would be corrupted As it hath been in these latter Times the Arminians and Socinians have cast a dead Fly into this Box of precious Oyntment I shall endeavour to follow the Star of Scripture to light me through this Mysterious Point Quest. What is meant by Iustification Resp. It is verbum forense a word borrowed from Law-courts wherein a Person arraigned is pronounced Righteous and is openly absolved in the Court Thus God in justifying a Person pronounceth him to be Righteous and looks upon him as if he had not sinned Quest. What is the Ground of Iustification Resp. The Causa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the
meliorates and sweetens his Services and makes them come off with a better relish Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain 3. It must be done to a right End Finis specificat actionem The end of Obedience is glorifying God That which hath spoil'd many glorious Services is when the end hath been wrong Matth. 6.2 When thou dost thine alms do not sound a trumpet as the hypocrites do that they may have glory of men Good Works should shine but not blaze If I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 The same I may say of a sincere aim if I obey never so much and have not a sincere Aim it profits me nothing True Obedience looks at God in all Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Though a Child of God shoots short yet he takes a right Aim 2. True Child-like Obedience is Uniform A Child of God makes Conscience of one Command as well as another Quicquid propter Deum fit aequaliter fit All God's Commands have the same Stamp of Divine Authority upon them and if I obey one Precept because my Heavenly Father commands me then by the same Rule I must obey all As the Bloud runs through all the Veins of the Body and the Sun in the Firmament runs through all the Signs of the Zodiack so true Child-like Obedience runs through the First and Second Table Psal. 119.6 When I have respect to all thy commandments To obey God in some things of Religion and not in others shows an unsound Heart Like Esau who obeyed his Father in bringing him Venison but not in a greater matter viz. the Choice of his Wife Child-like Obedience moves towards every Command of God as the Needle points that way which the Load-stone draws If God call to Duties which are cross to Flesh and Bloud if we are Children we obey our Father Quest. But who can obey God in all things Ans. An adopted Heir of Heaven though he cannot obey every Precept perfectly yet he doth evangelically 1. He approves of every Command Rom. 7.16 I consent to the law that it 〈◊〉 good 2. A Child of God delights in every Command Psal. 119.97 O how I love thy precepts 3. His desire is to obey every Command Psal. 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Wherein he comes short he looks up to Christ's Bloud to make supply for his Defects This is Evangelical Obedience which though it be not to Satisfaction it is to Acceptation 3. True Child-like Obedience is constant Psal. 106.3 Blessed is he that doth righteousness at all times Child-like Obedience is not like an high Cholor in a Fit which is soon over but like a right Sanguine Complexion it abides it is like the Fire on the Altar which was kept always burning Lev. 6.13 Second Sign of Adoption To love to be in our Father's Presence the Child who loves his Father is never so well as when he is near his Father Are we Children we love the Presence of God in his Ordinances In Prayer we speak to God in the preaching of his Word he speaks to us And how doth every Child of God delight to hear his Father's Voice Psal. 63.1 2. My soul thirsteth for thee to see thy glory so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary Such as disregard Ordinances are not God's Children because they care not to be in God's Presence Gen. 4.17 Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Not that he could go out of God's Sight but the meâ—ning is Cain went from the Church and People of God where the Lord gave vissible Tokens of his Presence Third Sign of Adoption To have the Conduct of God's Spirit Rom. 8. â—4 As many as are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God It is not enough that the Child have Life but it must be led every step by the Nurse so the adopted Child must not only be born of God but have the Manuduction of the Spirit to lead him in a Course of Holiness Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to go taking them by their arms As Israel were led by the Pillar of Fire so God's Children are led by the Conduct of his Spirit the adopted Ones need God's Spirit to lead them they are apt to go wrong The fleshy Part inclines to sin the Understanding and Conscience are to guide the Will but the Will is imperious and rebels therefore God's Children need the Spirit to check Corruption and lead them in the right way as the wicked Men are led by the Evil Spirit The Spirit of Satan led Herod to Incest Ahab to Murder Iudas to Treason so the good Spirit leads God's Children into Vertuous Actions Object But Enthusiasts pretend to be led by the Spirit when it is an Ignis Fatuus a Delusion Ans. The Spirit 's Conduct is agreeable to the Word Enthusiasts leave the Word The word is truth Joh. 17.17 And the spirit guides in all truth Joh. 16.13 The Word 's Teaching and the Spirit 's Leading agree together Fourth Sign If we are adopted we have an intire love to all God's Children 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brother-hood We bear Affection to God's Children though they have some Infirmities There are the spots of God's Children Deut. 32.5 But we must love the beautiful Face of Holiness though it hath a Scar in it If we are adopted we love the Good we see in God's Children we admire their Graces we pass by their Imprudencies if we cannot love them because they have some Failings how do we think God can love us can we plead Exemption By these Signs we may know our Adoption Quest. What are the benefits which accrue to God's Children Ans. They have great Immunities King's Children have great Priviledges and Freedoms they do not pay Custom Mat. 17.6 God's Children are priviledged Persons they are priviledged from the hurt of every thing Luke 10.19 Nothing shall by any means hurt you Hit you it may not hurt you Psal. 91.10 There shall no evil befal thee God saith not no Affliction shall befal his Children but no Evil the Hurt and Poison of it is taken away Affliction to a wicked Man hath Evil in it it makes him worse it makes him curse and blaspheme Rev. 16.9 Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God But no Evil befals a Child of God he is better'd by Affliction Heb. 12.10 The Furnace makes Gold purer Again no Evil befals the Adopted because no Condemnation Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth What a blessed Priviledge is this to be freed from the Sting of Affliction and the Curse of the Law to be in such a Condition that nothing can hurt one When the Dragon hath poison'd the Water the Unicorn with his Horn doth extract and draw out the Poison so Jesus Christ hath drawn out the Poison of every Affliction that it cannot
grow Grace doth not lye in the Heart as a stone in the Earth but as Seed in the Earth which will spring up first the Blade and then the Ear and then the full Corn in the Ear. 2. Grace cannot but grow from the Sweetness and Excellency of it he that hath Grace is never weary of it but still would have more The Delight he hath in it causeth thirst Grace is the Image of God and a Christian thinks he can never be enough like God Grace instills Peace therefore a Christian cannot but strive to increase in Grace because as Grace grows so Peace grows 3. Grace cannot but grow from a Believers ingrafting into Christ he who is a Cien ingrafted into this noble generous Stock cannot but grow Christ is so full of Sap and vivifical Influence that he makes all inoculated into him grow Fruitful Hos. 14.8 From me is thy Fruit found Quest. 4. What motives or incentives are there to make us grow in Grace Resp. 1. Growth is the end of the Ordinances Why doth a Man lay out cost on Ground Manure and Water it but that it may grow The sincere Milk of the Word is that we may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 The Table of the Lord is on purpose for our Spiritual Nourishment and encrease of Grace 2. The growth of Grace is the best Evidence of the Truth of it things that have no Life will not grow a Picture will not grow a Stake in the Hedge will not grow but a Plant that hath a Vegetative life grows The growing of Grace shews it to be alive in the Soul 3. Growth in Grace is the beauty of a Christian. The more a Child grows the more it comes to its Favour and Complexion and looks more Ruddy so the more a Christian grows in Grace the more he comes to his Spiritual Complexion he looks fairer Abraham's Faith was beautiful when in its Infancy but at last it grew so Vigorous and Eminent that God himself was in love with it and crown'd Abraham with this Honour to be the Father of the Faithful 4. The more we grow in Grace the more Glory we bring to God Gods Glory is more worth than the Salvation of all Mens Souls This should be our design to raise the Trophies of Gods Glory and how can we do it more than by growing in Grace Iohn 15.8 Hereby is my Father glorified if you bring forth much Fruit. Though the least Dram of Grace will bring Salvation to us yet it will not bring so much Glory to God Phil. 1.11 Fill'd with the Fruits of his Righteousness which are to the Praise of his Glory It commends the skill of the Husbandman when his Plants grow and thrive it is a praise and honour to God when we thrive in Grace 5. The more we grow in Grace the more will God love us Is it not That we pray for The more Growth the more will God love us The Husbandman loves his Thriving Plants the thriving Christian is Gods Hephsibah or chief delight Christ loves to see the Vine flourishing and the Pomegranates budding Cant. 6.11 Christ accepts the truth of Grace but commends the growth of Grace Mat. 8.10 I have not found so great Faith no not in Israel Would you be as the beloved Disciple that lay in Christ's Bosom Would you have much love from Christ Labour for much growth let Faith flourish with good Works and Love increase into Zeal 6. What need we have to grow in Grace There is still something lacking in our Faith 1 Thes. 3.10 Grace is but in its Infancy and Minority and we must be still adding a Cubit to our Spiritual Stature the Apostles said Lord encrease our Faith Luke 17.5 Grace is but weak 2 Sam. 3.39 I am this Day weak tho anointed King So though we are anointed with Grace yet we are but weak and had need arrive at further degrees of Sanctity 7. The growth of Grace will hinder the growth of Corruption The more Health grows the more the Distempers of Body abate So it is in Spirituals the more Humility grows the more the Swelling of Pride is asswaged the more Purity of Heart grows the more the Fire of Lust is abated The growth of Flowers in the Garden doth not hinder the growing of Weeds but the growing of this Flower of Grace hinders the sprouting of Corruption As some Plants have an Antipathy and will not thrive if they grow near together as the Vine and the Bay-tree so where Grace grows Sin will not thrive so fast 8. We cannot grow too much in Grace there is no Nimium no Excess there The Body may grow too great as in the Dropsie but Faith cannot grow too great 2 Thes. 1.3 Your Faith groweth exceedingly here was Exceeding yet no Excess As a Man cannot have too much Health so not too much Grace Grace is the Beauty of Holiness Psal. 110.3 We cannot have too much Spiritual Beauty it will be the only Trouble at Death that we have grown no more in Grace 9. Such as do not grow in Grace decay in Grace non progredi in via est regredi Bern. There is no standing at a stay in Religion either we go forward or backward if Faith doth not grow Unbelief will If Heavenly Mindedness doth not grow Covetousness will A Man that doth not encrease his Stock diminisheth it If you do not improve your Stock of Grace your Stock will decay The Angels on Iacob's Ladder were either ascending or descending if you do not ascend in Religion you descend 10. The more we grow in Grace the more we shall flourish in Glory Though every Vessel of Glory shall be full yet some Vessels hold more he whose Pound gained Ten was made Ruler over Ten Cities Luke 19.17 Such as do not grow much though they do not lose their Glory yet they lessen their Glory If any shall follow the Lamb in whiter and larger Robes of Glory than others they shall be such as have shined most in Grace here Use. Lament we may the want of growth Religion in many is grown only into a Form and Profession This is to grow in Leaves not in Fruit. Many Christians are like a Body in an Atrophy which doth not thrive they are not nourished by the Sermons they hear like the Angels who assumed Bodies they did eat but did not grow It is very suspicious where there is no growth there wants a Vital Principle Some instead of growing better grow worse they grow more Earthly more Profane 2 Tim. 3.13 Evil Men proficient in Pejus shall wax worse and worse Many grow Hell-ward they grow past shame Eph. 23.5 they are like some Watred Stuffs which grow more rotten Quest. 5. How shall we know whether we grow in Grace Resp. For the deciding of this Question I shall First shew the signs of our not not growing Secondly Of our growing 1. The Signs of our not growing in Grace but rather falling into a Spiritual Consumption Sign 1. When
into his image 1 Iohn 3.2 We shall be like him If when Moses was with God on the Mount and had but some imperfect sight of his Glory Moses face shined Exod. 34.33 How shall the Saints glorified shine being always in God's Presence and having some beams of his Glory put upon them We shall be like him One that is deformed may look on Beauty and not be made Beautiful But the Saints that so see God as that sight shall transform them into his Likeness Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Not that the Saints shall partake of God's Essence for as the Iron in the Fire is made Fiery yet remains Iron still so the Saints by beholding God's Majesty shall be made Glorious Creatures but yet Creatures still 4. Our seeing of God in Heaven will be unweariable Let a Man see the rarest Sight that is he will be soon cloyed when he comes into a Garden and sees delicious Walks fair Arbours Pleasant Flowers within a little while he grows weary But it is not so in Heaven there is no Surfeit Ibi nec Fames nec Fastidium Bern. The Saints will never be weary of their Prospect viz. of seeing God for God being infinite there shall be every Moment new and fresh Delights springing from God into the Souls of the Glorified II. The Second thing implied in our enjoying God is our Loving of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is a Saints grief that his Heart is like the Frozen Ocean that he can melt no more in Love to God but in Heaven the Saints shall be like Seraphims burning in Divine Love Love is a pleasing Affection Fear hath Torment in it 1 Iohn 4.18 Love hath Joy in it To love Beauty is delightful God's amazing Beauty will attract the Saints Love and it will be their Heaven to Love him III. The Third thing implyed in enjoying God is Gods Loving us Were there Glory in God yet if there were not Love it would much eclipse the Joys of Heaven but God is Love 1 Iohn 4.16 The Saints glorified cannot love so much as they are loved What is their Love to God's What is their Star to this Sun God doth love his People on Earth when they are black as well as comely they have their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imperfections O how intirely will he Love them when they are without Spot or Wrinkle Eph. 5.27 1. This is the Felicity of Heaven to be in the sweet Embraces of God's Love To be the Hephsibah the delight of the King of Glory To be Sunning our selves in the Light of Gods Countenance Then the Saints shall know that Love of Christ which passeth Knowledge Eph. 3.19 From this glorious manifestation of God's Love will flow infinite Joy into the Souls of the Blessed Therefore Heaven is call'd entring into the joy of our Lord Mat. 25.21 The Seeing of God the Loving of God and being Beloved of God will cause a Jubilation of Spirit and create such Holy Raptures of Joy in the Saints as is unspeakable and full of Glory 1 Pet. 1.8 In Deo quadam dulcedine delectatur anima imo rapitur Aug. Now the Saints spend their Years with Sighing they weep over their Sins and Afflictions then their Water shall be turned into Wine then the Vessels of Mercy shall be fill'd and run over with Joy they shall have their Palm-Branches and Harps in their Hand Rev. 14.2 in token of their Triumphs and Rejoycing 2. The Second thing comprehended in Glory is the good Society there There are the Angels every Star adds to the Light Those Blessed Cherubims will welcome us into Paradise If the Angels rejoyced so at the Conversion of the Elect First How will they rejoyce at their Coronation Secondly There is the Company of the Saints Heb. 12.23 The Spirits of Iust Men made Perfect Quest. Whether shall the Saints in Glory know each other Resp. Certainly they shall for our Knowledge in Heaven shall not be diminished but increased We shall not only know our Friends and Godly Relations but those glorified Saints which we never saw before It must be so for Society without Acquaintance is not comfortable And of this Opinion were St. Austin Anselm Luther And indeed the Scripture seems to hint so much to us For if Peter in the Transfiguration knew Moses and Elias whom he never saw before Mat. 17.4 then surely in Heaven the Saints shall know one another and be infinitely delighted in each others Company 3. The Third thing comprehended in Glory is Perfection in Holiness Holiness is the Beauty of God and Angels it makes Heaven What is Happiness but the quintessence of Holiness Here a Christians Grace is imperfect he cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting He is said to receive but Primitas Spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Grace in Fieri Rom. 8.23 But at Death Believers shall arrive at Perfection of Grace Then this Sun shall be in its Meridian Splendour then they shall not need to pray for Encrease of Grace for they shall be as the Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Light shall be clear as well as their Joy full 4. The Fourth thing in Glory is Dignity and Honour they shall reign as Kings Therefore the Saints glorified are said to have their insignia Regalia their Ensigns of Royalty their white Robes and their Crown 2 Tim. 4.7 Caesar after his Victories in token of Honour had a Chair of Ivory set for him in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre the Saints having obtained their Victories over Sin and Satan shall be inthroned with Christ in the Empirean Heaven To sit with Christ denotes Safety to set on the Throne Dignity Rev. 3.21 This Honour have all the Saints 5. The Fifth thing in Glory is the Harmony and Union among the Heavenly Inhabitants The Devil cannot get his Cloven Foot into Heaven He cannot conjure up any Storms of Contention there there shall be perfect Union There Calvin and Luther are agreed there 's no jarring String in the Heavenly Musick there is nothing to make any difference no Pride or Envy there Though one Star may differ from another one may have a greater degree of Glory yet every Vessel shall be full There shall the Saints and Angels fit as Olive-Plants round about their Fathers Table in Love and Unity Then shall they joyn together in consort then shall the loud Anthems of Praise be sung in the Heavenly Quire 6. The Sixth thing in Glory is a blessed Rest Heb. 4.9 There remains a Rest Foelix transitus à labore ad requiem here we can have no rest tossed and turn'd as a Ball on Racket 2 Cor. 4.8 We are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 troubled on every side How can a Ship rest in a Storm But after Death the Saints get into their Haven Every thing is quiet in the Center God is centrum quietativum animae as the Schoolmen The Center where the Soul doth sweetly acquiesce
Clock a going The Soul is much in Prayer Weeping Fasting he strives as in an Agony that he may obtain him whom his Soul loves Plutarch reports of the Gauls an ancient People of France after they had tasted the sweet Wine of Italy they never rested till they had arrived at that Country He who is in love with God never rests till he hath gotten a part in him Cant. 3.2 I sought him whom my Soul loved How can they say they love God who are not industrious in the use of means to obtain him Prov. 19.24 A sloathful man hides his hands in his Bosom These not in Agony but Lethargy If Christ and Salvation would drop as a ripe Fig into his mouth he could be content to have them but he is loath to put himself to too much trouble Doth he love his Friend that will not make a Journey to him 6. He that loves God prefers him before Estate and Life 1. Before Estate Phil. 3.8 For whom I have suffered the loss of all things Who that loves a rich Jewel would not part with a Flower for it Galcanus Marquess of Vico parted with a fair Estate to enjoy God in his pure Ordinances When a Jesuit perswaded him to return to his Popish Religion in Italy promising him an huge Summ of Mony Saith he Let their Mony perish with them who esteem all the Gold in the World worth one days Communion with Iesus Christ and his Holy Spirit 2. Before Life Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives to the death Love to God carries the Soul above the love of Life and the fear of Death 7. He who loves God loves his Favourites viz. the Saints 1 Iohn 5.1 Idem est motus animi in imaginem rem To love a Man for his Grace and the more we see of God in him the more we love him is the infallible sign of love to God The Wicked pretend to love God but hate and persecute his Image Doth he love his Prince who abuseth his Statue tears his Picture Indeed they seem to shew great Reverence to the Saints departed they have a great Reverence for St. Paul and St. Stephen and St. Luke They Canonize dead Saints but perâ—ecute living Saints And do these love God Can it be imagined he should love God who hates his Children because they are like him If Christ were alive again he would not escape a second Persecution 8. If we love God as we cannot but be fearful of dishonouring him the more a Child loves his Father the more he is afraid to displease him so we weep and mourn when we have offended him Peter went out and wept bitterly Matt. 26.75 When Peter thought how dearly Christ loved him he took him up to the Mount where he was Transfigured Christ shewed him the Glory of Heaven in a Vision Now that he should deny Christ after he had received such signal Tokens of Christs Love this broke his Heart with grief He wept bitterly Are our Eyes Limbicks dropping Tears of grief for Sin against God A blessed Evidence of our love to God and such shall find Mercy He shews Mercy to Thousands of them that love him Use. Let us be Lovers of God we love our Food and shall not we love him that gives it All the Joy we hope for in Heaven is in God and shall not he who shall be our Joy be our Love It is a Saying of St. Austin Annon poena satis magna est non amare te Is it not Punishment enough Lord not to love thee And again Animam meam odio haberem I would hate my own Soul if I did not find it loving of God Quest. What are the Incentives to provoke and inflame our Love to God Resp. 1. Gods Benefits bestowed on us A Prince who bestows continual Favours on a Subject if that Subject have any Ingenuity he cannot but love his Prince God is continually heaping Benefits upon us He fills our hearts with food and gladness Acts 14.17 As the Rock followed Israel whither ever they went streams of Water out of the Rock followed them So Gods Blessings follow us every day We swim in a Sea of Mercy That Heart is hard that is not prevailed with by all Gods Blessings to love him Magnes amoris amor Kindness works on a Bruit The Ox knows his Owner 2. Love to God would make Duties of Religion Facile and Pleasant I confess to him that hath no love to God Religion must needs be a Burden And I wonder not to hear him say What a weariness is it to serve the Lord It is like rowing against Tyde But Love oyls the Wheels it makes Duty a Pleasure Why are the Angels so swift and winged in Gods Service but because they love him Iacob thought seven years but little for the love he did bear to Rachel Love is never weary He who loves Mony is not weary of telling it And he who loves God is not weary of serving him 3. It is Advantagious There is nothing lost by our Love to God â— Cor. â— â— Eye hath not seen c. the things which God hath prepared for them 〈…〉 Such glorious Rewards are laid up for such as love God That as Austiâ— saith they do not only transcend our Reason but Faith it self is not able to comprehend them A Crown is the highest Ensign of Worldly Glory and God hath promisâ—â— a Crown of Life to them that love him Iames 1.12 And it is a never-fading Crown 1 Pet. 5.4 4. By our loving God we may know that he loves us 1 Iohn 4.19 We love 〈◊〉 because he first loved us If the Ice melts it is because the Sun hath shined on 〈◊〉 Iâ— the frosen Heart melts in Love it is because the Sun of Righteousness hath shined upon it Quest. What means may be used to excite our love to God Resp. 1. Labour to know God aright The School-men say true Bonum non amatur quod non cognoscitur We cannot love that which we do not know God is the most Eligible good All the Excellencies which lye scattered in the Creature are united in God He is Optimus maximus Wisdom Beauty Riches Love do all concenter in God How fair were that Tulip which had the Colours of all Tulips in it All Perfections and Sweetnesses are eminently in God Did we know God more and by the Eye of Faith see his orient Beauty our Hearts would be fired with love to him 2. Make the Scriptures familiar to you St. Austin saith Before his Conversion he took no pleasure in Scripture but after Conversion it was his chast delight The Book of God discovers God to us in his Holiness Wisdom Veracity and Truth It represents God rich in Mercy incircled with Promises St. Austin calls the Scripture a golden Epistle or Love-letter sent from God to us By reading this Love-letter we shall be the more inamoured with love to God As by reading Lascivious Books Comedies Romances Lust is provoked 3.
Presence Ioh. 8.56 Abraham saw my day and rejoyced So when we see the Light of a Sabbath shine we should rejoyce Isa. 58.13 Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight This is the Queen of Days which God hath Crowned with a Blessing As there was one Day in the Week on which God did rain Manna twice as much as upon any other Day so God rains down the Manna of Heavenly Blessings twice as much on the Sabbath as on any other This is the Day wherein Christ carries the Soul into the House of Wine and displays the Banners of Love over it Now the Dew of the Spirit falls on the Soul whereby it is revived and comforted How many may write the Lord's day the day of their New Birth This day of Rest is a Pledge and Earnest of that Eternal Rest in Heaven and shall not we rejoyce at the approach of it That day on which the Sun of Righteousness shines should be a day of Gladness 2. Get up betimes on the Sabbath-morning Christ rose early on this day before the Sun was up Iohn 20.1 Did Christ rise early to save us and shall not we rise early to worship and glorifie him Psal. 63.1 Early will I seek thee Can we be up betimes on other days The Husbandman is early at his Plough the Traveller riseth early to go his Journey and shall not we when we are on this day travelling to Heaven Certainly did we love God as we should we would rise on this day betimes that we may meet with him whom our Soul loveth Such as sit up late at work on the Night before will be so buried in sleep that they will hardly be up betimes on a Sabbath-morning 3. Having dressed our Bodies we must dress our Souls for the hearing of the Word As the People of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them Exod. 19.10 so we must wash and cleanse our Souls and that is by Reading Meditation and Prayer I. By Reading the Word The Word is a great means to sanctifie the Heart and bring it into a Sabbath-frame Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth c. And read the Word not carelesly but with seriousness and affection it is the Oracle of Heaven the Well of Salvation the Book of Life David for the preciousness of God's Word esteemed it above Gold and for the sweetness above Honey Psal. 19.10 By reading the Word aright our Hearts when they are dull are quickened when they are hard are mollified when cold and frozen are enflam'd and we can say as the Disciples Did not our Hearts burn within us Some step out of their Bed to hearing The Reason why many get no more good on a Sabbath by the Word Preached is because they did not break Fast with God in the Morning by the Reading of his Word II. Meditation Get upon the Mount of Meditation and so converse with God Meditation is the Soul 's retiring of its self that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God the Heart may be raised up to Divine Affections Meditation is a Work fit for the Morning of a Sabbath Meditate on Four things 1. On the Works of Creation That is express'd here in the Commandment The Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea c. The Creation is a Looking-glass in which we see the Wisdom and Power of God gloriously represented God produced this fair Structure of the World without any pre-existent Matter and with a Word Psal. 33.6 By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made The Disciples wondred that Christ could with a Word calm the Sea Matth. 8.26 but it was far more with a Word to make the Sea Let us on a Sabbath meditate on the Infiniteness of our Creator look up to the Firmament there we may see God's Glory blazing in the Sun twinkling in the Stars look into the Sea there we may see God's Wonders in the Deep Psal. 107.24 Look into the Earth there we may behold the Nature of Minerals the Power of the Load-stone the Vertue of Herbs and Beauty of Flowers By meditating on these Works of Creation so curiously embroidered we come to admire God and praise him Psal. 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdom hast thou made them all By meditating on the Works of Creation we come to confide in God He who can Create can Provide he that could make us when we were nothing he can raise us when we are low Psal. 124.8 Our Help stands in the Name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth 2. Meditate on God's Holiness Psal. 111.9 Holy and reverend is his Name Hab. 1.13 Thou art of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity God is Essentially Originally and Efficiently Holy All the Holiness in Men and Angels is but a Chrystal Stream that runs from this Glorious Ocean God loves Holiness because it is his own Image A King cannot but love to see his own Effigies stamp'd on Coyn. God counts Holiness his Glory and the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15.11 Glorious in Holiness Here is a Meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath God's Holiness The Contemplation of this would work in us such a Frame of Heart as is suitable to an Holy God It would make us then Reverence his Name Hallow his Day While we are musing of the Holiness of God's Nature we begin to be transformed into his Likeness 3. Meditate on Christ's Love in redeeming us Rev. 1.5 Redemption exceeds Creation the one is a Monument of God's Power the other of his Love Here is fit Work for a Sabbath O the infinite stupendious Love of Christ in raising poor lapsed Creatures from a state of Guilt and Damnation 1. That Christ who was God should die That this Glorious Sun of Righteousness should be in an Eclipse we can never enough admire this Love no not in Heaven 2. That Christ should die for Sinners Not sinful Angels but sinful Mankind That such Clods of Earth and Sin should be made bright Stars of Glory O the amazing Love of Christ This was Illustre amoris Christi mnemosynum 3. That Christ should not only die for Sinners but die as a Sinner 2 Cor. 5.21 He was made sin for us He who was among the Glorious Persons of the Trinity was numbred among Transgressors Isa. 53.12 Not that he had Sin but he was like a Sinner having our Sins imputed to him Sin did not live in him but it was laid upon him Here was an Hyperbole of Love enough to strike us into Astonishment 4. That Christ should redeem us when he could not look to gain any thing or be at all advantaged by us Men will not lay out their Mony upon a Purchase unless it will turn to their Profit But what Benefit could Christ expect in purchasing and redeeming us We were in such a Condition that we could neither deserve nor recompense Christ's Love First We could not deserve it for we were in
while they do any eminent Service for God seek themselves and so their very serving of him is a dshonouring him 4. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by Celebrating his Praise Psal. 71.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the Day Rev. 5.13 Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sits upon the Throne Blessing God is honouring of God It lifts him up in the Eyes of others it spreads his Fame and Renown in the World In this manner the Angels the Quiristers of Heaven are now honouring God they Trumpet forth his Praise In Prayer we act like Saints in Praise like Angels 5. We show Honour to our Heavenly Father by suffering Dishonour yea Death for his sake St. Paul did bear in his Body the Marks of the Lord Iesus Gal. 6.17 As they were Marks of Honour to him so Trophies of Honour to the Gospel The Honour which comes to God is not by bringing that Outward Pomp and Glory to him as we do to Kings but it comes in another way by the Sufferings of his People They let the World see what a good God they serve and how they love him and will fight under his Banner to the Death Thus you see how you are to Honour your Heavenly Father God is worthy of Honour Psal. 104.1 Thou art Cloathed with Honour and Majesty What are all his Attributes but Glorious Beams shining from this Sun He deserves more Honour than Men or Angels can give him 2 Sam. 22. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised God is worthy of Honour Often times we confer Honour upon them that do not deserve it Many Noble Persons we give Titles of Honour to who are sordid and vicious they do no deserve Honour but God is worthy of Honour Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy Glorious Name which is exalted above all Blessings and Praise He is above all the Acclamations and Triumphs of the Arch-angels O then let every true Child of God honour his Heavenly Father Tho the wicked dishonour him by their Flagitious Lives yet let not his own Children dishonour him Sins in you are worse than in others A Fault in a Stranger is not so much taken notice of as a Fault in a Child A Spot in a black Cloth is not so much observed but a Spot in Scarlet every ones Eye is upon it A Sin in the Wicked is not so much wondred at it is a Spot in black But a Sin in a Child of God here is a Spot in Scarlet this is more visible and brings an Odium and Dishonour upon the Gospel The Sins of God's own Children go nearer to his Heart Deut. 32.19 When the Lord saâ— it hâ— abhorred them because of the provoking of his Sons and Daughters O forbear doing any thing may reflect Dishonour upon God Will you disgrace your Heavenly Father Let not God complain of the Provocations of his Sons and Daughters let him not cry out as Isa. 1.2 I have brought up Children and they have rebelled against me So much for the First If our Earthly Father be to be honoured then much more our Heavenly Vse II. Exhort First Branch Doth God Command Honour thy Father and thy Mother Then let it exhort Children to put this great Duty in Practice be living Commentaries upon this Commandment Honour and Reverence your Parents not only obey their Commands but submit to their Rebukes You cannot honour your Father in Heaven unless you honour your Earthly Parents To deny Obedience to Parents entails God's Judgments upon Children Prov. 30.17 The Eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it Eli's Two Disobedient Sons were slain 1 Sam. 4.11 God made a Law that the Rebellious Son should be stoned the same Death the Blasphemer had Lev. 24.14 Deut. 21.18 If a Man have a stubborn and rebellious Son which will not obey the voice of his Father or the voice of his Mother then shall his Father and his Mother lay hold on him and bring him out unto the Elders of the City and all the Men of his City shall stone him with Stones that he die A Father once complaining Never had Father a worse Son than I have Yes saith the Son my Grandfather had A Prodigy of Impudence that can hardly be parallel'd Manlius when he was grown old and poor and had a Son very rich the old Father desired some Food of him but the Son denied him Relief yea disclaimed him from being his Father and sent him away with reproachful Language The poor old Father let Tears fall as Witnesses of his Grief But God to revenge this Disobedience struck this unnatural Son with Madness of which he could never be cured Disobedient Children stand in the place where all God's Arrows fly Second Branch Let Parents so carry it as they may gain Honour from their Children Quest. How may Parents so carry it towards their Children that their Children may willingly pay the Debt of Honour and Reverence to their Parents Resp. 1. If you would have your Children honour you 1. Be careful to bring them up in the Fear and Nurture of the Lord Ephes. 6.4 Bring them up in the Admonition of the Lord. You conveyed the Plague of Sin to them Ergo Endeavour to get them healed and sanctified Austin saith his Mother Monica travelled more for his Spiritual Birth than his Natural Timothy's Mother instructed him from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 She did not only give him her Breast-milk but the sincere Milk of the Word Season your Children with good Principles betimes that they may with Obadiah fear the Lord from their Youth 1 King 18.12 When Parents instruct not their Children they seldom prove Blessings God oft punisheth the carelesness of Parents with Undutifulness in their Children It is not enough that in Baptism your Child is Dedicated to God but it must be Educated for God Children are young Plants which you must be continually watering with good Instruction Prov. 22.6 Train up a Child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it when he is old The more your Children fear God the more they will honour you 2. If you would have your Children honour you keep up your Parental Authority over your Children be kind but do not cocker them If you let them get too much Head they will Contemn you instead of Honouring you The Rod of Discipline must not be with-held Prov. 23.14 Thou shalt beat him with the Rod and deliver his Soul from Hell A Child indulg'd and humour'd in Wickedness will be a Thorn in the Parents Eye David cockered Adonijah 1 Kings 1.6 His Father had not displeased him at any time in saying Why hast thou done so And he afterward was a Grief of Heart to his Father and was false to the Crown ver 7 9. Keep up your Authority and you keep up
capacity Clearness is the grace of Speech 3. It s Compleatness This prayer contains in it the chief things that we have to ask or God hath to bestow VSE Let us have a great esteem of the Lords prayer let it be the model and pattern of all our prayers There is a double benefit ariseth from framing our petitions suitable to the Lords prayer 1. Hereby Error in prayer is prevented 'T is not easie to write wrong Copy we cannot easily err having our pattern before us 2. Hereby Mercies requested are obtained for the Apostle assures us God will hear us when we pray according to his Will 1 Iohn 5.14 and sure we pray according to his Will when we pray according to his pattern he hath set us So much for the Introduction to the Lords prayer After this manner pray ye II. The Prayer it self which consists of three parts 1. A Preface 2. Petitions 3. The Conclusion 1. The Preface to the prayer 1. Our Father 2. Which art in Heaven To begin with the first words of the Preface 1. Our Father Father is sometimes taken personally Iohn 14.28 My Father is greater than I But Father in the Text is taken essentially for the whole Deity This Title Father teacheth us to whom we must address our selves in prayer to God alone Here is no such thing in the Lords prayer as O ye Saints or Angels that are in Heaven hear us but our Father which art in Heaven Quest. In what order must we direct our Prayers to God Here is only the Father named may not we direct our Prayers to the Son and Holy Ghost Answ. Though the Father only be named in the Lords prayer yet the other two persons are not hereby excluded The Father is mentioned because he is first in order but the Son and Holy Ghost are included because they are the same in Essence As all the three persons subsist in one Godhead so in our prayers though we name but one â—â—rson we must pray to all To come then more closely to the first words of the Preface Our Father Princes on Earth give themselves Titles expressing their Greatness as High and Mighty God might have done so and expressed himself thus Our King of Glory Our Iudge but he gives himself another Title Our Father an expression of Love and Condescension God that he might encourage us to pray to him represents himself under this sweet notion of a Father Our Father Dulce nomen Patris The Name Iehovah carries Majesty in it the Name Father carries Mercy in it Quest. 1. In what sense is God a Father Resp. 1. By Creation it is he that hath made us Acts 17.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are his Off-spring Mal. 2.10 Have we not all one Father Hath not one God Created us But there is little comfort in this for so God is Father to the Devils by Creation but he that made them will not save them 2. God is a Father by Election having chosen a certain number to be his Children whom he will entail Heaven upon Eph. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He hath chosen us in him 3. God is a Father by special Grace he consecrates the elect by his Spirit and infuseth a supernatural principle of Holiness therefore they are said to be born of God 1 Iohn 3.9 Such only as are sanctified can say Our Father which art in Heaven Quest. 2. What is the difference between God being the Father of Christ and the Father of the Elect Resp. God is the Father of Christ in a more glorious transcendent manner Christ hath the primo-geniture he is the eldest Son a Son by eternal generation Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Isa. 53.8 Who shall declare his generation Christ is a Son to the Father yet so as he is of the same Nature with the Father having all the incommunicable properties of the Godhead belonging to him But we are Sons of God by Adoption and Grace Gal. 4.5 That we might receive the adoption of Sons Quest. 3. What is that which makes God our Father Resp. Faith Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus An Unbeliever may call God his Creator and his Judge but not his Father Faith doth legitimate us and make us of the Blood-Royal of Heaven Ye are the children of God by faith Baptism makes us Church-Members but Faith makes us Children Without Faith the Devil can show as good a Coat of Arms as we Quest. 4. How doth Faith make God to be our Father Resp. As Faith is an uniting Grace by Faith we have Coalition and Union with Christ and so the Kindred comes in being united to Christ the Natural Son we become Adopted Sons God is the Father of Christ Faith makes us Christs Brethren Heb. 2.11 and so God comes to be our Father Quest. 5. Wherein doth it appear that God is the best Father Resp. 1. In that he is most Antient Dan. 7.9 The antient of dayes did sit A figurative representation of God who was before all time This may cause Veneration 2. God is the best Father because he is perfect Matth. 5.48 Your Father which is in Heaven is perfect He is perfectly good Earthly Fathers are subject to infirmities Elias though a Prophet was a man of like passions Iam. 5.17 but God is perfectly good All the perfection we can arrive at in this Life is sincerity we may a little resemble God but not equal him He is infinitely perfect 3. God is the best Father in respect of Wisdom 1 Tim. 1.17 The only wise God He hath a perfect Idea of Wisdom in himself He knows the fittest Mediums to bring about his own designs the Angels light at his Lamp In particular this is one branch of his Wisdom that he knows what is best for us An Earthly Parent knows not in some intricate cases how to advise his Child or what may be best for him to do but God is a most wise Father he knows what is best for us he knows when Comfort is best for us he keeps his Cordials for fainting 2 Cor. 7.6 God who comforteth them that are cast down He knows when affliction is best for us and when it is fit to give a bitter potion 1 Pet. 1.6 If need be ye are in heaviness He is the only wise God he knows how to make evil things work for good to his Children Rom. 8 28. he can make a soveraign treacle of poyson Thus he is the best Father for Wisdom 4. He is the best Father because most loving 1 Iohn 4.16 God is love He who causeth bowels of affection in others must needs have more bowels himself quod efficit tale The Affections in Parents are but Marble and Adamant in comparison of Gods Love to his Children he gives them the cream of his Love electing Love saving Love Zeph. 3.17 He will rejoyce over thee with joy he will rest in his love
the power of Godliness cannot say God is their Father they may say Our Father which art in Hell Well then how may we know that God is our Father Resp. 1. By having a Filial disposition This is in four things 1. To melt in tears for Sin A Child weeps for offending his Father When Christ looked on Peter and he remembred his Sin in denying Christ he fell a weeping Clemens Alexandrinus reports of Peter he never heard a Cock crow but he wept This is a sign God is our Father When the heart of stone is taken away and there is a gracious thaw in the heart it melts in tears for Sin and he who hath a Child-like heart mourns for Sin in a Spiritual manner as it is Sin He grieves for it 1. As it is an Act of Pollution Sin deflours the Virgin-Soul it defaceth Gods Image it turns beauty into deformity 't is called the plague of the heart 1 Kings 8.38 It is the spirits of evil distilled A Child of God mourns for the defilement of Sin Sin hath a blacker aspect than Hell 2. He who hath a Child-like heart grieves for Sin as 't is an Act of Enmity Sin is diametrically opposite to God It is called a walking contrary to God Lev. 26.40 If they shall confess their iniquity and that they have walked contrary to me Sin doth all it can to spight God If God be of one mind Sin will be of another Sin would not only unthrone God but it strikes at his very Being if Sin could help it God should be no longer God A Child-like heart grieves for this O saith he that I should have so much enmity in me that my Will should be no more subdued to the Will of my Heavenly Father this springs a leak of godly sorrow 3. A Child-like heart weeps for Sin as it is an Act of Ingratitude Sin is an abuse of Gods Love it is a taking the Jewels of Gods Mercies and making use of them to sin God hath done more for his Children than others he hath planted his grace and given them some intimations of his favour and to sin against kindness dyes a sin in grain and makes it Crimson Like Absalom as soon as his Father kissed him and took him into favour plotted Treason against him Nothing so melts a Child-like heart in tears as sins of unkindness O that I should sin against the Blood of a Saviour and the Bowels of a Father I condemn ingratitude in my Child yet I am guilty of ingratitude against my Heavenly Father This opens a vein of godly sorrow and makes the heart bleed afresh certainly this evidenceth God to be our Father when he hath given us this Child-like frame of heart to weep for sin as it is sin an act of Pollution Enmity Ingratitude A wicked Man may mourn for the bitter Fruit of Sin but only a Child of God can grieve for the odious Nature of Sin 2. A Filial or Child-like disposition is to be full of sympathy We lay to heart the dishonours reflected upon our Heavenly Father when we see Gods Worship adulterated his Truth mingled with the poyson of Errour it is as a Sword in our Bones to see Gods Glory suffer Psal. 119.158 I beheld the transgressors and was grieved Homer describing Agamemnons grief when he was forced to sacrifice his Daughter Iphigenia brings in all his Friends weeping and condoling with him so when God is dishonoured we sympathize and are as it were clad in mourning A Child that hath any good Nature is cut to the heart to hear his Father reproached An Heir of Heaven takes a dishonour done to God more heinous than a disgrace done to himself 3. A Filial disposition is to love our Heavenly Father He is unnatural that doth not love his Father God who is crown'd with excellency is the proper object of delight and every true Child of God saith as Peter Lord thou knowest that I love thee But who will not say he loves God If ours be a true genuine love to our Heavenly Father it may be known 1. By the effects 1. Then we have an holy fear There is a fear which ariseth from love to God that is we fear the loss of the visible tokens of Gods presence 1 Sam. 4.13 Elies heart trembled for the Ark. It is not said his heart trembled for his two Sons Hophni and Phinchas but his heart trembled for the Ark because the Ark was the special sign of Gods Presence and if that were taken the Glory was departed He who loves his Heavenly Father fears least the tokens of his Presence should be removed least Profaneness should break in like a flood least Popery should get head and God should go from a people The presence of God in his Ordinances is the glory and strength of a Nation The Trojans had the Image of Pallas and they had an opinion that as long as that Image was preserved among them they should never be conquered So long as Gods presence is with a people so long they are safe Every true Child of God fears least God should go and the glory depart Try by this whether we have a Filial disposition Do we love God and doth this love cause fear and jealousie Are we afraid least we should lose Gods presence Least the Sun of Righteousness remove out of our Horizon Many are afraid least they should lose some of their Worldly profits but not least they lose the presence of God If they may have Peace and Trading they care not what becomes of the Ark of God A true Child of God fears nothing so much as the loss of his Fathers presence Hos. 9.12 Wo to them when I depart from them 2. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Day Isa. 58.13 If thou call the Sabbath a delight The Antients called this Regina Dierum the Queen of Days If we love our Father in Heaven we spend this day in Devotion in Reading Hearing Meditating On this day Manna falls double God sanctified the Sabbath He made all the other days in the Week but he hath sanctified this day this day he hath crown'd with a Blessing 3. Love to our Heavenly Father is seen by loving his Children 1 Iohn 5.1 Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him If we love God the more we see of God in any the more we love them we love them though they are poor A Child loves to see his Fathers picture though hung in a mean frame we love the Children of our Father though they are persecuted 2 Tim. 1.16 Onesiphorus was not ashamed of my chain Constantine did kiss the hole of Paphnusius's eye because he suffered the loss of his eye for Christ. It appears they have no love to God who have no love to his Children they care not for their company they have a secret disgust and antipathy against them Hipocrites pretend great reverence to the Saints departed they canonize
dead Saints but persecute living I may say of these as the Apostle Heb. 12.8 They are bastards not sons 4. Effect of love if we love our Heavenly Father then we will be Advocates for him and stand up in the defence of his Truth He who loves his Father will plead for him when he is traduced and wronged He hath no Child-like heart no love to God who can hear Gods name dishonoured and be silent Doth Christ appear for us in Heaven and are we afraid to appear for him on Earth Such as dare not own God and Religion in times of danger God will be ashamed to be called their God it would be a reproach to him to have such Children as will not own him 2. A Child-like love to God is known as by the Effects so by the Degree it is a superiour love We love our Father in Heaven above all other things above Estate or Relations as Oyl runs above the Water Psal. 73.25 A Child of God seeing a super eminency of Goodness and a constellation of all Beauties in God he is carried out in love to him in the highest measure As God gives his Children such a love as he doth not bestow upon the wicked electing love so Gods Children give God such a love as they bestow upon none else adoring love they give him the flower and spirits of their love they love him with a love joyned with worship this spiced Wine they keep only for their Father to drink of Cant. 8.2 4. A Child-like disposition is seen in honouring our Heavenly Father Mal. 1.6 A Son honoureth his Father Quest. How 〈◊〉 show our honour to our Father in Heaven Resp. 1. By having a reverential awe of God upon us Lev. 25.17 Thou shalt fear thy God This reverential fear of God is when we dare do nothing that he hath forbidden in his Word Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God It is the part of the honour a Son gives to his Father he fears to displease him 2. We show our honour to our Heavenly Father by doing all we can to exalt God and make his Excellencies shine forth though we cannot lift up God higher in Heaven yet we may lift him higher in our hearts and in the esteem of others When we speak well of God set forth his renown display the trophies of his goodness when we ascribe the glory of all we do to God when we are the trumpeters of Gods praise this is an honouring our Father in Heaven and a certain sign of a Child-like heart Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me 2. We may know God is our Father by our resembling of him The Child is his Fathers Picture Iudg. 8.18 Each one resembled the children of a King Every Child of God resembles the King of Heaven herein Gods adopting Children and Mans differ A Man adopts one for his Son and Heir that doth not at all resemble him but whosoever God adopts for his Child is like him he not only bears his Heavenly Fathers Name but Image Col. 3.10 And have put on the new man which is renewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the image of him that created him He who hath God for his Father resembles God in Holiness Holiness is the glory of the Godhead Exod. 15.11 The Holiness of God is the intrinsick Purity of his Essence He who hath God for his Father partakes of the Divine Nature though not of the Divine Essence yet of the Divine Likeness As the Seal sets its print and likeness upon the Wax so he who hath God for his Father hath the print and effigies of his Holiness stamped upon him Psal. 106.16 Aaron the Saint of the Lord. Wicked Men desire to be like God hereafter in glory but do not affect to be like him here in grace they give it out to the World that God is their Father yet have nothing of God to be seen in them they are unclean they not only want his Image but hate it 3. We may know God is our Father by having his Spirit in us 1. By having the intercession of the Spirit 'T is a Spirit of Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Prayer is the Souls breathing it self into the bosom of its Heavenly Father None of Gods Children are born dumb implet Spiritus sanctus organum suum tanquam Pila chordarum tangit Spiritus Dei corda sanctorum Prosper Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth But it is not every Prayer evidenceth Gods Spirit in us Such as have no grace may excel in gifts and affect the hearts of others in Prayer when their own hearts are not affected As the Lute makes a sweet sound in the ears of others but it self is not sensible how therefore shall we know our Prayers are indited by Gods Spirit and so he is our Father Resp. 1. When they are not only Vocal but Mental when there are not only gifts but groans Rom. 8.26 The best Musick is in consort the best Prayer is when the heart and tongue joyn together in consort 2. When they are zealous and fervent Iam. 5.16 The effectual fervent Prayer of a righteous man availeth much The eyes melt in Prayer the heart burns Fervency is to Prayer as Fire to the Incense it makes it ascend to Heaven as a sweet perfume 3. When Prayer hath Faith sprinkled in it Prayer is the Key of Heaven and Faith is the hand that turns it Rom. 8.15 We cry Abba Father We cry there is fervency in Prayer Abba Father there is Faith Those Prayers suffer shipwrack which dash upon the rock of unbelief Thus we may know God is our Father by having his Spirit praying in us As Christ intercedes above so the Spirit intercedes within 2. By having the renewing of the Spirit which is nothing else but Regeneration which is called a being born of the Spirit Iohn 3.5 This regenerating work of the Spirit is a transformation or change of Nature Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind He who is born of God hath a new heart New not for substance but for qualities The strings of a Viol may be the same but the Tune is altered Before this Regeneration there are Spiritual Pangs much heart-breaking for Sin Regeneration is called a circumcising of the heart Col. 2.11 In Circumcising there was pain in the flesh so in this Spiritual Circumcision there is pain in the heart there is much sorrow arising from the sense of guilt and wrath The Jaylors trembling Acts 16.30 was a pang in the new birth Gods Spirit is a Spirit of Bondage before it be a Spirit of Adoption This blessed work of Regeneration spreads over the whole Soul it irradiates the Mind it consecrates the Heart and reforms the Life Though Regeneration be but in part it is in every part 1 Thess. 5.23 Regeneration is the signature
and engraving of the Holy Ghost upon the Soul The new born Christian is bespangled with the Jewels of the 〈◊〉 which are the Angels glory Regeneration is the spring of all true joy At our first birth we come weeping into the World but at our new birth there 's cause of rejoycing for now God is our Father and we are begotten to a lively hope of glory 1 Pet. 1.3 We may try by this our relation to God Hath a regenerating work of Gods Spirit passed upon our Souls Are we made of another Spirit Humble and Heavenly This is a good sign of Son-ship and we may say Our Father which art in Heaven 3. By having the conduct of the Spirit We are led by the Spirit Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Gods Spirit doth not only quicken us in our Regeneration but leads us on till we come to the end of our Faith Salvation It is not enough the Child have Life but he must be led every step by the Nurse Hos. 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go taking them by their armes Their Armes as the Israelites had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire to go before them and be a guide to them so Gods Spirit is a guide to go before us and lead us into all truth and counsel us in all our doubts and influence us in all our actions Psalm 73.24 Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels None can call God Father but such as have the conduct of his Spirit Try then what Spirit you are led by Such as are led by a Spirit of Envy Lust Avarice these are not led by the Spirit of God it were blasphemy for them to call God Father These are led by the Spirit of Satan and may say Our Father which art in Hell 4. By having the Witness of the Spirit Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God This Witness of the Spirit suggesting that God is our Father is not a Vocal Witness or Voice from Heaven The Spirit in the Word witnesseth The Spirit in the Word saith he who is so qualified who is an hater of Sin and a lover of Holiness is a Child of God and God is his Father if I can find such qualifications wrought here is the Spirit witnessing with my Spirit that I am a Child of God Besides we may carry it higher the Spirit of God witnesseth to our Spirit by making more than ordinary impressions upon our hearts and giving some secret hints and whispers that God hath purposes of Love to us Here is a concurrent witness of the Spirit with Conscience that we are Heirs of Heaven and God is our Father This Witness is better felt than expressed this Witness scatters doubts and fears silenceth temptations but what shall one do that hath not this Witness of the Spirit If we wâ—â—t the Witness of the Spirit let us labour to find the Work of the Spirit if we have not the Spirit testifying labour to have it sanctifying and that will be a support to us 4. If God be our Father we are of Peaceable Spirits Matth. 5.9 Blessed are the peace-makers they shall be called the children of God Grace infuseth a sweet amicable disposition it files off the ruggedness of Mens Spirits it turns the Lion-like fierceness into a Lamb-like gentleness Isa. 11.7 They who have God to be their Father follow Peace as well as Holiness God the Father is called the God of Peace Heb. 13.20 God the Son the Prince of Peace Isa. 9.6 God the Holy Ghost is a Spirit of Peace It is called the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 The more peaceable the more like God It is a bad sign God is not their Father 1. Who are fierce and cruel as if with Romulus they had sucked the Milk of a Wolf Rom. 3.17 The way of peace have they not known they sport in mischief these are they who are of a persecuting Spirit as Maximinus Dioclesian Antiochus who as Eusebius took more tedious journeys and run more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Iewes than any of his Predecessors had done in getting of Victories These Furies cannot call God Father if they do they will have as little comfort in saying Father as Dives had in Hell when he said Father Abraham Luke 16.24 2. Who are makers of division Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and avoid them Such as are born of God are makers of Peace what shall we think of such as are makers of Division will God Father these The Devil made the first division in Heaven they may call the Devil Father they may give the Cloven Foot in their Coat of Armes their sweetest Musick is in Discord they unite to divide Sampsons Fox-tails were tyed together only to set the Philistians Corn on fire Iudg. 15 4. Papists unite only to set the Churches Peace on fire· Satans Kingdom goes up by Divisions St. Chrysostome observes of the Church of Corinth when many Converts were brought in Satan knew no better way to dam up the current of Religion than to throw in an Apple of Strife and divide them into Parties one was for Paul and another for Apollos but few for Christ. Would not Christ have his Coat rent and can he endure to have his Body rent Sure God will never Father them who are not Sons of Peace Of all them who God hates he is named for one who is a sower of discord among brethren Prov. 6.19 5. If God be our Father then we love to be near God and have converse with him An ingenuous Child delights to approach near to his Father and go into his presence David envyed the Birds that they built their Nests so near Gods Altars when he was debarred his Fathers house Psal. 84.3 True Saints love to get as near to God as they can In the Word they draw near to his Holy Oracle in the Sacrament they draw near to his Table a Child of God delights to be in his Fathers presence he cannot stay away long from God he sees a Sabbath day approaching and rejoyceth his heart hath been often melted and quickened in a Ordinance he hath tasted the Lord is good therefore he loves to be in his Fathers presence he cannot keep away long from God Such as care not for Ordinances cannot say Our Father which art in Heaven Is God their Father who cannot endure to be in his presence VSE I. Of Instruction See the amazing goodness of God that is pleased to enter into this sweet relation of a Father God needed not to adopt us he did not want a Son God did not want a Son but we did a Father God showed Power in being our Maker but Mercy in being our Father When we were enemies and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God that he should conquer our stubbornness and of enemies make us children and write his
are more than conquerours How are Gods Children more than Conquerours Because they conquer without loss and because they are crowned after death which other Conquerours are not 15. If God be our Father he will now and then send us some tokens of his Love Gods Children live far from home and meet sometimes with coarse usage from the unkind World therefore God to encourage his Children sends them sometimes tokens and pledges of his Love What are these He gives them a return of Prayer there is a token of Love he quickens and enlargeth their Hearts in Duty there is a token of Love he gives them the first fruits of his Spirit which are Love-tokens Rom. 8.23 As God gives the wicked the first fruits of Hell horrour of Conscience and Despair so he gives his Children the first fruits of his Spirit Joy and Peace which are foretasts of Glory Some of Gods Children having received these tokens of Love from their Heavenly Father have been so transported that they have dyed for Joy as the Glass oft breaks with the strength of the Wine put into it 16. If God be our Father he will indulge and spare us Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Gods sparing his Children imports this his clemency towards them he doth not punish them as he might Psal. 103.10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins We oft do that which merits Wrath grieve Gods Spirit relapse into Sin God passeth by much and spares us God did not spare his Natural Son Rom. 8.32 yet he will spare his Adopted Sons God threatned Ephraim to make him as the Chaff driven with the Whirlwind but he soon repented Hos. 13.4 Yet I am the Lord thy God ver 10. I will be thy King Here God spared him as a Father spares his Son Israel oft provoked God with their complaints but God used clemency towards them he oft answered their murmurings with Mercies here he spared them as a Father spares his Son 17. If God be our Father he will put Honour and Renown upon us at the last day 1. He will clear the innocency of his Children Gods Children in this Life are strangely misrepresented to the World they are loaded with invectives they are called factious seditious Elijah the troubler of Israel Luther was called the trumpet of Rebellion Athanasius was accused to the Emperor Constantine to be the raiser of Tumults the Primitive Christians were accused to be infanticidii incestus rei killers of their Children guilty of Incest as Tertullian St. Paul reported to be a pestilent person Acts 24.5 Famous Wickliff called the Idol of the Hereticks and that he dyed drunk If Satan cannot defile Gods Children he will disgrace them if he cannot strike his fiery darts into their Conscience he will put a dead fly into their Name but God will one day clear his Childrens innocency he will roll away their reproach As God will make a Resurrection of Bodies so of Names Isa. 25.8 The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away God will be the Saints compurgator Psal. 37.6 He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light The Night casts its dark mantle upon the most beautiful Flowers but the light comes in the Morning and dispells the darkness and every Flower appears in its orient brightness so the wicked may by misreports darken the honour and repute of the Saints but God will dispel this darkness and cause their Names to shine forth He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light As God did stand up for the honour of Moses when Aaron and Miriam went about to eclipse his Fame Numb 12.8 Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses So will God say one day to the wicked wherefore were not ye afraid to defame and traduce my Children They having my Image upon them how durst ye abuse my Picture At last Gods Children shall come forth out of all their calumnies as a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal. 68.13 2. God will make an open and honourable recital of all their good deeds As the Sins of the Wicked shall be openly mentioned to their eternal infamy and confusion so all the good deeds of the Saints shall be openly mentioned and then shall every man have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 Every Prayer made with melting eyes every good service every work of Charity shall be openly declared before Men and Angels Matth. 25.35 I was an hungred and ye gave me meat thirsty and ye gave me drink naked and ye clothed me Thus God will set a Trophy of Honour upon all his Children at the last day Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father Matth. 13.43 18. If God be our Father he will settle good land of inheritance upon us 1 Pet. 1.4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus who hath begotten us again to a lively hope to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled A Father may be fallen to decay and have nothing to leave his Son but his Blessing but God will settle an Inheritance on his Children and an Inheritance no less than a Kingdom Luke 17.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom This Kingdom is more Glorious and Magnificent than any Earthly Kingdom it is set out by Pearls and precious Stones the richest Jewels Rev 21.19 What are all the Rarities of the World to this Kingdom The Coasts of Pearl the Islands of Spices the Rocks of Diamonds In this Heavenly Kingdom is that which is satisfying unparallel'd Beauty Rivers of Pleasure and this for ever Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Heavens eminency is its permanency and this Kingdom Gods Children shall enter into immediately after Death There is a sudden transition and passage from Death to Glory 2 Cor. 5.9 Absent from the body present with the Lord. Gods Children shall not stay long for their Inheritance it is but winking and they shall see God How may this comfort Gods Children who perhaps are low in the World your Father in Heaven will settle a Kingdom upon you at death such a Kingdom as eye hath not seen he will give you a Crown not of Gold but Glory he will give you white Robes lined with Immortality It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom 19. If God be our Father it is Comfort 1. In case of loss of Relations Hast thou lost a Father yet if thou art a Believer thou art no Orphan thou hast an Heavenly Father a Father that never dyes 1 Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality 2. It is comfort in case of Death God is thy Father and at Death thou art going to thy Father Well might Paul say Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is your friend that will carry you home to your Father
How glad are Children when they are going home This was Christs comfort at Death he was going to his Father Ioh. 16.28 I leave the world and go to the Father and Iohn 20.17 I ascend to my Father If God be our Father we may with comfort at the day of death resign our Souls into his hands So did Christ Luke 23.46 Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit If a Child hath any Jewel he will in time of danger put it into his Fathers hands where he thinks it will be kept most safe Our Soul is our richest Jewel we may at Death resign our Souls into Gods hands where they will be safer than in our own keeping Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit What a comfort is this Death carries a Believer to his Fathers house where are delights unspeakable and full of glory How glad was Old Iacob when he saw the Waggons and Chariots to carry him to his Son Ioseph the Text saith His Spirit revived Gen. 45.27 Death is a triumphant Chariot to carry every Child of God to his Fathers Mansion house 20. If God be our Father he will not disinherit his Children God may for a time desert them but not disinherit them The Sons of Kings have been sometimes disinherited by the cruelty of Usurpers as Alexander the Great his Son was put by his just Right by the violence and ambition of his Fathers Captains but what Power on Earth shall hinder the Heirs of the Promise from their Inheritance Men cannot and God will not cut off the entail The Arminians hold falling away from Grace and so a Child of God may be defeated of his Inheritance but I shall show you that Gods Children can never be degraded or disinherited their Heavenly Father will not cast them off from being Children 1. It is evident Gods Children cannot be finally disinherited by vertue of the Eternal Decree of Heaven Gods Decree is the very Pillar and Basis on which the Saints perseverance depends Gods Decree tyes the knot of Adoption so fast that neither Sin Death or Hell can break it asunder Rom. 8.30 Whom he did predestinate them he also called c. Predestination is nothing else but Gods decreeing a certain number to be Heirs of Glory on whom he will settle the Crown whom he predestinates he glorifies what shall hinder Gods electing Love or make his Decree null and void 2. Besides Gods Decree he hath engaged himself by Promise that the Heirs of Heaven shall never be put by their Inheritance Gods Promises are not like blanks in a Lottery but as a sealed Deed which cannot be reversed The Promises are the Saints Royal Charter and this is one Promise that their Heavenly Father will not disinherit them Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Gods Fidelity which is the richest Pearl of his Crown is engaged in this Promise for his Childrens perseverance I will not turn away from them A Child of God cannot fall away while he is held fast in these two Armes of God his Love and his Faithfulness 3. Jesus Christ undertakes that all Gods Children by Adoption shall be preserved in a state of Grace till they inherit Glory As the Heathens feigned of Atlas that he did bear up the Heavens from falling Jesus Christ is that blessed Atlas that bears up the Saints from falling away Quest. How doth Christ preserve the Saints Graces till they come to Heaven Resp. 1. Influxu Spiritus Christ carries on Grace in the Souls of the Elect by the influence and co-operation of his Spirit Christ doth Spiritu continually excite and quicken Grace in the Godly his Spirit doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blow up the sparks of Grace into an holy flame Spiritus est Vicarius Christi The Spirit is Christs Vicar on Earth his Proxy his Executor to see that all that Christ hath purchased for the Saints be made good Christ hath obtained an Inheritance incorruptible for them 1 Pet. 1.4 and the Spirit of Christ is his Executor to see that this Inheritance be settled upon them 2. Christ carries on Grace perseveringly in the Souls of the Elect vi orationis by the prevalency of his intercession Heb. 7.25 He ever lives to make intercession for them Christ prayes that every Saint may hold out in Grace till he comes to Heaven Can the Children of such Prayers perish If the Heirs of Heaven should be disinherited and fall short of Glory then Gods Decree must be reversed his Promise broken Christs Prayer frustrated which were Blasphemy to imagine 4. That Gods Children cannot be disinherited or put by their Right to the Crown of Heaven is evident from their Mystical Union with Christ. Believers are incorporated into Christ they are knit to Christ as the Members to the Head by the Nerves and Ligaments of Faith so that they cannot be broken off Eph. 1.22 23. The Church which is his Body What was once said of Christs Natural Body is as true of his Mystical A bone of it shall not be broken As it is impossible to sever the leaven and the dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together so it is impossible when Christ and Believers are once united that they should ever by the power of Death or Hell be separated Christ and his Spiritual Members make one Christ now is it possible that any part of Christ should perish How can Christ want any Member of his Body Mystical and be perfect Every Member is an Ornament to the Body and adds to the honour of it How can Christ part with any Mystical Member and not part with some of his Glory too So that by all this it is evident that Gods Children must needs persevere in Grace and cannot be disinherited If they could be disinherited then the Scripture could not be fulfilled which tells us of Glorious Rewards for the Heirs of Promise Psal. 58.11 Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous Now if Gods Adopted Children should fall finally from Grace and miss of Heaven what Reward were there for the Righteous And Moses did indiscreetly to look to the recompence of reward and so there would be a door opened to despair Object This Doctrine of Gods Children persevering and having the Heavenly Inheritance settled on them may cause carnal security and make them less circumspect in their walking Resp. Corrupt Nature may as the Spider suck poyson from this Flower but a sober Christian who hath felt the efficacy of Grace upon his Heart dares not abuse this Doctrine He knows perseverance is attained in the use of means therefore he walks holily that so in the use of means he may arrive at perseverance St. Paul knew that he should not be disinherited and that nothing could separate him from the love of Christ but who more holy and watchful than he 1 Cor. 9.27 I
sin be sober in your attire savoury in your speeches grave in your deportment obey your Fathers voice Open to God as the Flower opens to the Sun As you expect your Fathers Blessing obey him in whatever he commands First and Second Table Duties A Lutenist that he may make sweet Musick toucheth upon every String of the Lute The Ten Commandments are like a ten stringed Instrument touch upon every String obey every Command or you cannot make sweet Melody in Religion Obey your Heavenly Father though he commands things contrary to Flesh and blood 1. When he commands to mortifie Sin that Sin which hath been dear to you Pluck out this right eye that you may see the better to go to Heaven 2. When he commands you to suffer for him be ready to obey Acts 21.13 every good Christian hath a Spirit of Martyrdom in him and is ready rather to suffer for the Truth than the Truth should suffer Luther said he had rather be a Martyr than a Monarch Peter was Crucified with his Head downwards as Eusebius Ignatius called his Chains his Spiritual Pearls and did wear his Fetters as a Bracelet of Diamonds This is to carry it as Gods Children when we obey his voice and count not our lives dear so that we may show our love to our Heavenly Father Rev. 12.11 They loved not their lives to the death 6. If God be your Father show it by your chearful looks that you are the Children of such a Father Too much drooping and despondency disparageth the Relation you stand in to God What though you meet with hard usage in the World you are now in a strange Land far from home it will be shortly better with you when you are in your own Country and your Father hath you in his Armes Doth not the Heir rejoyce in hope Shall the Sons of a King walk dejected 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean Is God an unkind Father are his Commands grievous Hath he no Land to give to his Heirs Why then do Gods Children walk so sad Never had Children such Priviledges as they who are of the Seed-Royal of Heaven and have God for their Father they should rejoyce therefore who are within a few hours to be crowned with Glory 7. If God be our Father let us honour him by walking very holily 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy A young Prince asking a Philosopher how he should behave himself the Philosopher said Memento te filium esse Regis Remember thou art a Kings Son do nothing but what becomes the Son of a King So remember you are the adopted Sons and Daughters of the high God do nothing unworthy of such a Relation A debauched Child is the disgrace of his Father Is this thy Sons Coat said they to Iacob when they brought it home dip'd in blood Gen. 37.32 so when we see a person defiled with Malice Passion Drunkenness we may say is this the Coat of Gods adopted Son Doth he look as an Heir of Glory 'T is a blaspheming the Name of God to call him Father yet live in Sin Such as profess God is their Father yet live unholily they will slander and defraud these are as bad to God as Heathens Amos 9.7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians to me O children of Israel saith the Lord The Ethiopians were uncircumcised a base ill-bred People when Israel grew wicked they were no better to God than Ethiopians Loose scandalous livers under the Gospel are no better in Gods esteem than Pagans and Americans nay they shall have an hotter place in Hell O let all who profess God to be their Father honour him by their unspotted lives Scipio abhorred the embraces of an Harlot because he was the General of an Army Abstain from all Sin because you are born of God and have God for your Father 1 Thess. 5.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil 'T was a saying of Augustus An Emperor should not only be free from Crimes but from the suspicion of them by an holy Life you would bring Glory to your Heavenly Father and cause others to become his Children Est pellax virtutis odor Causinus in his Hieroglyphicks speaks of a Dove whose Wings being perfum'd with sweet Oyntments did draw the other Doves after her The holy Lives of Gods Children is a sweet perfume to draw others to Religion and make them to be of the Family of God Iustin Martyr saith that which converted him to Christianity was the beholding the blameless Lives of the Christians 8. If God be our Father let us love all that are his Children Psal. 133.1 How pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity 'T is compared to Oyntment ver 2. for the sweet fragrancy of it 1 Pet. 2.17 Love the brotherhood Idem est motus animae in imaginem rem The Saints are the walking pictures of God if God be our Father we love to see his picture of Holiness in Believers we pity them for their Infirmities but love them for their Graces we prize their Company above others Psal. 119.63 it may justly be suspected that God is not their Father who love not Gods Children though they retain the Communion of Saints in their Creed yet they banish the Communion of Saints out of their Company 9. If God be our Father let us show Heavenly mindedness They who are born of God do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set their Affections on things that are above Col. 3.2 O ye Children of the high God do not disgrace your high birth by sordid Covetousness What a Son of God and a slave to the World What spring from Heaven and buried in the Earth For a Christian who pretends to derive his pedigree from Heaven yet wholly to mind Earthly things is to debase himself as if a King should leave his Throne to follow the Plough Ier. 45.5 Seekest thou great things for thy self As if the Lord had said what thou Baruck thou who art born of God akin to Angels and by thy Office a Levite dost thou debase thy self and spot the silver wings of thy Grace by beliming them with earth Seekest thou great things seek them not The Earth choaks the Fire Earthliness choaks the Fire of good Affections 10. Vlt. If God be our Father let us own our Heavenly Father in the worst times stand up in his cause defend his Truths Athanasius owned God when most of the World turned Arrians If Sufferings come do not deny God He is a bad Son who denyes his Father Such as are ashamed of God in times of danger God will be ashamed to own them for his Children Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels So I have done with the First Part of the Preface Our Father II. The Second Part of the
the Angelical this is to reflect dishonour upon the Lord of Glory We must give equal honour to the Son as to the Father we must believe Christs Deity he is the picture of his Fathers Glory Heb. 1.3 If the Godhead be in Christ he must needs be God but the Godhead shines in him Col. 2.9 In whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily Ergo he is God How could these Divine Titles be given to Christ Omnipotency Heb. 1.3 Ubiquity Mat. 28.20 a power of sealing Pardons Mat. 9.6 coequality with God the Father both in power and dignity Iohn 5.21 23. how I say could these Titles of Honour be ascribed to Christ if he were not crowned with the Deity When we believe Christs Godhead and build our hope of Salvation on the Corner-stone of his Merit When we see neither the Righteousness of the Law or of Angels can justifie but we fly to Christs Blood as to the Altar of Refuge this is an honouring and sanctifying Gods name God never thinks his name to be hallowed unless his Son be honoured 13. We hallow Gods Name by standing up for his Truths Much of Gods Glory lyes in his Truths Gods Truths are his Oracles God intrusts us with his Truths as a treasure We have not a richer Jewel to trust God with than our Souls nor God hath not a greater Jewel to trust us with than his Truths Gods Truths set forth his Glory now when we are zealous Advocates for Gods Truth this is an honour done to Gods name Athanasius was called the Bulwark of Truth he stood up in the defence of Gods Truths against the Arrians and so was a Pillar in the Temple of God better have Truth without Peace than Peace without Truth It concerns the Sons of Sihon to stand up for the great Doctrines of the Gospel the Doctrine of the Trinity the Hypostatical Union Justification by Faith the Saints perseverance We are bid to contend earnestly Iude 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to strive as in an agony for the Faith that is the Doctrine of Faith This contending for the Truth brings great revenues into Heavens exchequer this is an hallowing of Gods name Contend for the Truth Some can contend for Ceremonies but not for the Truth We should count him unwise that contends more for a box of Counters than for his box of Evidences 14. We hallow and sanctifie Gods name by making as many Proselites as we can to him by all holy expedients Counsel Prayer Example we endeavour the Salvation of others How did Monica St. Austins Mother labour for his Conversion she had sorer pangs in travail for his new birth than for his natural birth 't is an hallowing Gods name when we diffuse the sweet savour of Godliness and propagate Religion to others when not only we our selves honour God but are instruments to make others honour him Certainly when the heart is seasoned with Grace there will be an endeavour to season others Gods Glory is dear to a Saint as his own Salvation and that this Glory may be promoted he endeavours the conversion of Souls every Convert is a Member added to Christ Let us thus hallow Gods name by labouring to advance piety in others especially let us endeavour that those who are nearly related to us or are under our roof should honour God Iosh. 24.15 As for me and my house we will serve the Lord Let us make our houses Bethels places where Gods name is called upon Col. 4.15 Salute Nymphas and the church that is in his house Let the Parent endeavour that his Children may honour God and the Master that his Servants honour him read the Word drop holy Instruction perfume your Houses with Prayer the Iewes had Sacrifices in their Family as well as in the Tabernacle Exod. 12.3 this is an hallowing Gods name when we make proselites to him and endeavour that all under our charge should honour and sanctifie his name 15. We hallow Gods name when we prefer the honour of Gods name before the dearest things 1. We prefer the honour of Gods name before our own credit The Saints of old have for the honour of God been willing to endure reproach Psal. 69.7 For thy sake I have born reproach David cared not what reproach he suffered so Gods name might not suffer The Prophet Elijah was called in derision the hairy Prophet and the Prophet Isaiah the bearer of burdens and the Prophet Zephany the bitter Prophet but they did bind these reproaches as a crown about their head the honour of Gods name was dearer to them than their own honour Moses esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 The Apostles went away rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Acts 5.41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they were graced so far as to be disgraced for the name of Christ This is an hallowing Gods name when we are content to have our name eclipsed that Gods name may shine the more 2. We prefer the honour of Gods Name before our Worldly profit and interest Mal. 19.27 We have forsaken all and followed thee When these two God and Estate come in competition we will rather let Estate go than Gods Love and Favour Thus that noble Marquess of Vico parted with a fair Estate using these words Let their money perish with them that count all the Gold and Silver in the World worth one hours communion with Iesus Christ. 3. We prefer the honour of Gods name before our Life Rom. 8.36 For thy sake are we killed all the day long The honour done to Gods name is not by bringing that outward Pomp and Glory to him as we do to Kings but Gods honour comes in another way and that is by the Sufferings of his People When the World sees how intirely Gods people love him that they will dye in his service this exalts and honours Gods name Gods Crown doth flourish in the ashes of his Martyrs St. Basil speaks of a Virgin condemned to the fire who having her Life and Estate offered her if she would bow to the Idol answered Valeat vita pereat pecunia Let Life and Money go welcome Christ. When Gods Glory weighs heaviest in the ballance and we are willing to suffer the loss of all rather than Gods name should suffer now we do in an high degree hallow Gods name 16. Vlt. We do hallow and sanctifie Gods name by an holy Conversation 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye are a royal priesthood a peculiar people that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you As an unholy life doth dishonour Gods name Rom. 2.24 The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you so by our holy and Bible Conversation we honour Gods name An holy Life speaks louder than all the Anthems and Praises in the World Though the main work of Religion lyes in the heart yet when our light so shines that others behold it
at one draught catched Three Thousand Souls Let us examine How was our Faith wrought Did God in the Ministry of the word humble us Did he break up the fallow ground of our heart and then cast in the Seed of Faith a good sign but if you know not how you came by your Faith suspect your selves as we suspect Men to have stolen goods when they know not how they came by them 2. True Faith is at first minute and small like a grain of Mustard seed it is full of doubts and fears it is smoaking flax it smoaks with desire but doth not flame with comfort it is so small that a Christian can hardly discern whether he hath Faith or no. 3. True Faith is long in working non sit in instanti It costs many searchings of heart many Prayers and Tears there is a spiritual Combat the Soul suffers many sore Pangs of Humiliation before the Child of Faith be born they whose Faith is per saltum they leap out of sin into a confidence that Christ is theirs I say as Isaac concerning his Sons Venison Gen. 27.20 How is it that thou hast found it so quickly How is it that thou comest by thy Faith so soon The Seed in the Parable which sprung up suddenly withered Mark 4.5 Solent praecocia subito flaccescere 4. True Faith is ioyn'd with Sanctity as a little Bezoar is strong in operation and a little Musk sweetens so a little Faith purifies 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mistery of Faith in a pure Conscience Faith though it doth but touch Christ fetcheth an healing vertue from him Justifying Faith doth that in a spiritual sence which miraculous Faith doth it removes the Mountains of sin and casts them into the Sea of Christs â—lood 5. True Faith will trust God without a Pawn Though a Christian be cut short in Provisions the Fig-tree doth not blossom yet he will trust in God Fides Famem non formidat Faith fears not Famine God hath given us his Promise as his Bond Psal. 37.3 Verily thou shalt be fed Faith puts this Bond in suit God will rather work a Miracle than His promise shall fail He hath cause to suspect his Faith who saith he trusts God for the greater but dares not trust him for the lesser he trusts God for Salvation but dares not trust him for a livelihood 6. True Faith is Prolifical it brings for Fruit Faith hath Rachel's Beauty and Leah's Fruitfulness Fides pinguescit operibus Luther Faith is full of good works Faith believes as if it did not work and it works as if it did not believe Faith is the spouslike grace which marries Christ and good works are the Children which Faith bears by having such a Faith we may know the kingdom of God is within us Grace is certainly in our Hearts 3. We may know the kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by having the noble grace of Love Faith and Love are the two Poles on which all Religion turns Cant. 1.4 The Vpright love thee True Love is to love God out of Choice Love turns the Soul into a Seraphin it makes it burn in a flame of Affection Love is the truest Touchstone of Sincerity Love is the Queen of the Graces it commands the whole Soul 2 Cor. 5.4 If our Love to God be Genuine and Real we let him have the Supremacy we set him in the highest room of our Soul we give him the purest of our Love Cant. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my Pomgrenate If the Spouse had any thing better than other a Cup more juicy and spiced Christ should drink of that We give the Creature the Milk of our Love but God the Cream In short if we love God aright we love his Laws we love his picture drawn in the Saints by the Pencil of the Holy Ghost we love his Presence in his Ordinances Sleidan saith the Protestants in France had a Church which they call'd Paradise as if they thought themselves in Paradise while they had Gods Presence in his Sanctuary The Soul that loves God loves his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 It will be a glorious appearing to the Saints when their Union with Christ shall be compleat then their joy shall be full The Bride longs for the marriage day The Spirit and the Bride say come Even so come Lord Iesus Rev. 22.17 By this Sacred Love we may know the Kingdom of God is within us 4. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into our hearts by Spiritualizing the Duties of Religion 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye are an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices Spiritualizing Duty consists in three things 1. Fixedness of Mind 2. Fervency of Devotion 3. Uprightness of Aim 1. Fixedness of Mind Then we Spiritualize Duty when our Minds are fixed on God 1 Cor. 7.35 That ye may attend on the Lord without distraction Though impertinent thoughts sometimes come into the heart in Duty yet they are not allowed Psal. 119.13 they come as unwelcome guests which are no sooner spyed but they are turned out 2. Fervency of Devotion Rom. 12.11 Fervent in Spirit serving the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is a Metaphor alludes to Water that seeths and boyls over so the Affections boyl over the Eyes melt in tears the Heart flowes in holy ejaculations We not only bring our offering to God but our hearts 3. Uprightness of Aim An heart that is upright hath three ends in Duty 1. That he may grow more like God As Moses on the Mount had some of Gods Glory reflected on him his face shined 2 That he may have more communion with God 1 Iohn 1.6 our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Our fellowship is with the Father 3. That he may bring more Glory to God 1 Pet. 4.11 Phil. 1.20 That Christ may be magnified Sincerity aimes at God in all though we shoot short yet we take a right aim This is a sure evidence of Grace the Spiritualizing Duty The Spirits of Wine are best so is the Spiritual part of Duty A little Spiritualness in Duty is better than all the gildings of the Temple or outward pompous Worship which doth so dazzle carnal eyes 5. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us by antipathy and opposition against every known sin Psal. 119.104 I hate every false way Hatred is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. against the whole kind Hatred is implacable Anger may be reconciled hatred cannot A gracious Soul not only forsakes sin as a Man forsakes his Country never to return to it more but hates sin as there 's an antipathy between the Crocadile and the Scorpion If the Kingdom of God be within us we not only hate sin for Hell but we hate it as Hell as being contrary to Gods Holiness and our Happiness 6. We may know the Kingdom of Grace is come into us when we have given up our selves to God by obedience As a Servant gives up himself to
〈◊〉 to depart and be with Christ from this Connexion departing and being with Christ we see clearly that there is a subitus transitus speedy passage from death to Glory No sooner is the Soul of a Believer divorced from the Body but it presently goes to Christ 2 Cor. 5.8 absent from the Body present with the Lord it were better for Believers to stay here if immediately after death they were not with Christ in Glory for here the Saints are daily encreasing their Grace here they have many praelibamina sweet tasts of Gods love so that it were better to stay here if their Soul should sleep in their body and they should not have a speedy sight of God in Glory But this is the Consolation of Believers they shall not stay long for their kingdom 't is but winking and they shall see God it will be a blessed change to a Believer from a Desert to a Paradise from a bloody battle to a victorious Crown and a sudden Change no sooner did Lazarus dye but he had a Convoy of Angels to conduct his Soul to the kingdom of Glory You who now are full of bodily Diseases scarce a well day Psal. 31.10 My Life is spent with Grief be of good Comfort you may be happy before you are aware before another Week or Month be over you may be in the kingdom of Glory and then all tears shall be wiped away 2. The Glory in the kingdom of Heaven will be fully perfected at the Resurrection and general day of Judgment then the Bodies and Souls of Believers will be re-united what Joy will there be at the Re-union and meeting together of the Soul and Body of a Saint O what a welcome will the Soul give to the Body O my dear Body thou didst oft joyn with me in Prayer and now thou shalt joyn with me in Praise thou wert willing to suffer with me and now thou shalt reign with me thou wert sown a vile Body but now thou art made like Christs Glorious Body we were once for a time divorc'd but now we are married and Crowned together in a kingdom and shall mutually congratulate each others Felicity 5. Quest. Wherein appears the Certainty and infallibility of this Kingdom of Glory Resp. That this blessed kingdom shall be bestowed on the Saints is beyond all Dispute 1. God hath promised it Luke 12.32 It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom Luke 22.29 I appoint unto you a Kingdom Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bequeath it as my last Will and Testament Hath God promised a kingdom and will he not make it good Gods promise is better then any Bond Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal Life which God that cannot lye hath promised The whole Earth hangs upon the Word of Gods Power and cannot our Faith hang upon the Word of his Promise 2. There is a Price laid down for this kingdom Heaven is not only a kingdom which God hath promised but which Christ hath purchased 'T is called a purchased Possession Eph. 1.14 Though this kingdom is given us freely yet Christ bought it with the Price of his blood Christs blood is an Heaven-procuring blood Heb. 10.19 Having boldness to enter into the Holiest i. e. into Heaven by the blood of Iesus Crux Christi Clavis Paradisi Christs blood is the key that opens the Gates of Heaven to us should not the Saints have this kingdom then Christ would lose his Purchase Christ on the Cross was in hard Travail Isa. 13.11 he travailed to bring forth Salvation to the Elect should not they possess the kingdom when they dye Christ should lose his Travail all his Pangs and Agonies of Soul upon the Cross should be in vain 3. Christ prays that the Saints may have this kingdom settled upon them Iohn 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am i. e. in Heaven This is Christs Prayer that the Saints may be with him in his kingdom and be bespangled with some of the Beams of his Glory now if they should not go into this heavenly kingdom then Christs Prayer would be frustrated but that cannot be for he is Gods Favourite Iohn 11.42 I know thou hearest me alwaies and besides what Christ prays for he hath power to give Observe the manner of Christs Prayer Father I will Father there he prays as Man I will there he gives as God 4. The Saints must have this blessed kingdom by vertue of Christs Ascension Iohn 20.17 I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and to your God Where lies the comfort of this here it lies Jesus Christ ascended to take Possession of heaven for all Believers as an Husband takes up Land in another Country in the behalf of his Wife so Christ went to take possession of heaven in the behalf of all Believers Iohn 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you My Ascension is to make all things ready against your coming I go to prepare the heavenly Mansions for you The Flesh that Christ hath taken into heaven is a sure Pledge that all our Flesh and Bodies shall be where he is ere long Christ did not ascend to heaven as a private Person but as a publick Person for the good of all Believers his Ascension was a certain Fore-runner of the Saints ascending into heaven 5. The Elect must have this blessed kingdom in regard of the previous Works of the Spirit in their hearts they have the beginning of the kingdom of heaven in them here Grace is heaven begun in the Soul besides God gives them primitias spiritus the first Fruits of the Spirit Rom. 8.23 These First-fruits are the Comforts of the Spirit the First-fruits under the Law were a certain sign to the Jews of the full Crop or Vintage which they should after receive The First-fruits of the Spirit consisting in Joy and Peace do assure the Saints of the full Vintage of Glory they shall be ever reaping in the kingdom of God and the Saints in this Life are said to have the earnest of the Spirit in their hearts 2 Cor. 5.5 as an earnest is part of Payment and an assurance of Payment in full to be made in due Time So Gods Spirit in the hearts of Believers giving them his Comforts bestows on them an earnest or tast of Glory which doth further assure them of that full Reward which they shall have in the kingdom of heaven 1 Pet. 1.8 believing ye rejoyce there is the earnest of heaven Verse 9. receiving the end of your Faith Salvation there is the full Payment 6. The Elect must have this blessed Kingdom by virtue of their Coalition and Vnion with Jesus Christ. They are Members of Christ therefore they must be where their Head is Indeed the Arminians hold that a justified person may fall from Grace and so his Union with Christ may be dissolved and the Kingdom lost but I would demand of them can Christ lose a
Member of his body then he is not perfect and if Christ may lose one Member of his Body why not as well all by the same reason and so he shall be an head without a Body but be assured a Believers Union with Christ cannot be broken and so long he cannot be hindred of the kingdom Iohn 17.12 what was said of Christs natural Body is as true of his Mistical Iohn 10.39 A bone of him shall not be broken Look how every Bone and Limb of Christs natural Body was raised up out of the Grave and carried into Heaven So shall every Member of his Mistical Body be carried up into Glory 7. We read of some who have been translated into this Kingdom Paul had a sight of it for he was caught up into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. and the converted Thief on the Cross was translated into Glory Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise By all that hath been said it is most evident That Believers have a glorious Kingdom laid up for them in reversion and that they shall go to this Kingdom when they dye There are none doubt of the certainty of the Heavenly Kingdom but such as doubt of the Verity of Scripture 6. Quest. Why we should so earnestly pray for this Heavenly Kingdom Thy Kingdom come Resp. 1. Because it is a kingdom worth praying for it exceeds the glory of all earthly kingdoms it hath Gates of Pearl Rev. 21.21 We have heard of a Cabinet of Pearl but when did we hear of Gates of Pearl In that Kingdom is the Bed of Love the Mountains of Spices there are the â—herubims not to keep us out but to welcome us into the Kingdom Heaven is a Kingdom worth praying for there 's nothing wanting in that Kingdom which may compleat the Saints happiness for wherein doth Happiness consist Is it in knowledge We shall know as we are known Is it in Dainty Fare We shall be at the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb Is it in rich Apparel We shall be clothed in long White Robes Is it in delicious Musick We shall hear the Quire of Angels singing Is it in Dominion We shall reign as Kings and judge Angels Is it in Pleasure We shall enter into the Ioy of our Lord. Sure then this Kingdom is worth praying for Thy Kingdom come Would God give us a Vision of Heaven a while as he did Stephen who saw Heaven opened Act. 7.56 We should fall into a Trance and being a little recovered out of it how importunately would we put up this Petition Thy Kingdom come 2. We must pray for this kingdom of Glory because God will not bestow this kingdom on any without Prayer Rom. 2.7 They who seek for Glory and Immortality and how do we seek but by Prayer God hath promised a kingdom and we must by Prayer put the Bond in suit God is not so lavish as to throw away a Kingdom on them who do not ask it and certainly if Christ himself who had merited Glory did yet pray for it Iohn 17.5 Now O Father Glorify me with thy own self How much more ought we to pray for the Excellent Glory who have this Kingdom granted as a Charter of Gods meer Grace and Favour 3. We must pray that the kingdom of Glory may come that by going into it we may make an end of sinning I think sometimes what a blessed time it will be never to have a sinful thought more though we must not pray Thy Kingdom come out of discontent because we would be rid of the troubles and crosses of this Life This was Ionahs fault he would dye in a pet because God took away his gourd Lord saith he take away my life too Ionah 4.8 But we must pray Thy Kingdom come out of an holy design that the fetters of corruption may be pulled off and we may be as the Angels those Virgin Spirits who never sin This made the Church pray Rev. 22.20 Veni Domine Iesu. 4. Because that all Christs enemies shall be put under his feet the Devil shall have no more power to tempt nor wicked Men to persecute the Antichristian-Hierarchy shall be pulled down and Sions Glory shall shine as a lamp and the Turkish strength shall be broken 5. We must pray earnestly that the kingdom of Glory may come that we may see God face to face and have an interrupted and eternal communion with him in the Empyrean Heaven Moses desired but a glimpse of Gods Glory Exod. 33.18 how then should we pray to see him in all his embroidered Robes of Glory when he shall shine ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its Meridian splendour Here in this Life we do rather desire God than enjoy him how earnestly therefore should we pray Thy Kingdom of Glory come The beholding and enjoying God will be the Diamond in the Ring the very Quintessence of Glory And must we pray Thy Kingdom come how then are they ever like to come to Heaven who never pray for it Though God gives some prophane persons Daily Bread who never pray for it yet he will not give them a kingdom who never pray for it God may feed them but he will never crown them VSE I. Of Information 1. Branch From all this you see then that there is nothing within the whole sphere of Religion imposed upon unreasonable terms when God bids us serve him it is no unreasonable request he will out of Free-Grace inthrone us in a kingdom When we hear of Repentance steeping our Souls in brinish tears for sin or of Mortification beheading our king sin we are ready to grumble and think this is hard and unreasonable But do we serve God for nought Is it not infinite bounty to reward us with a Kingdom This Kingdom is as far above our thoughts as it is beyond our deserts No man can say without wrong to God that he is an hard Master though he sets us about hard work yet he is no hard Master God gives double pay he gives great vails in his service sweet Joy and Peace and a great reward after an eternal weight of Glory God gives the Spring flowers and a Crop he settles upon us such a Kingdom as exceeds our Faith Praemium quod Fide non attingitur Aug. Such as mortal eye hath not seen nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 Alas what an infinite difference is there between Duty enjoyned and the Kingdom prepared What is the shedding of a Tear to a Crown So that Gods commands are not grievous 1 Ioh. 5.3 our service cannot be so hard as a Kingdom is sweet 2. Br. See hence the Royal Bounty of God to his Children that he hath prepared a Kingdom for them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys A Kingdom bespangled with Glory It is infinitely above the Model we can draw of it in our Thoughts The Painter going to draw the Picture of Helena as not being able to draw her Beauty
content to stay here any longer Again Our unwillingness to go hence declares we love the World too much and Christ too little Love as Aristotle saith desires Union did we love Christ as we should we would desire to be united to him in Glory when we might take our fill of Love be humbled that we are so unwilling to go hence Let us labour to arrive at that divine temper of Soul as Paul had Cupio dissolvi I desire to depart and be with Christ Phil. 1.23 We are encompassed with a body of sin should not we long to shake off this viper We are in Meseck and the Tents of Kedar in a place where we see God dishonoured should not we desire to have our pass to be gone We are in a valley of Tears is it not better being in a Kingdom Here we are combating with Satan should not we desire to be called out of the bloody field where the bullets of Temptation fly so fast that we may receive a victorious Crown O ye Saints breath after the Heavenly Kingdom Though we should be willing to stay to do service yet we should ambitiously desire to be alwayes sunning our selves in the light of Gods Countenance Think what it will be to be ever with the Lord are there any sweeter smiles or embraces than his Is there any bed so soft as Christs bosom Is there any such joy as to have the golden banner of Christs Love displayed over us Is there any such honour as to sit upon the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 O then long for the Caelestial Kingdom 6. Wait for this Kingdom of Glory It is not incongruous or improper to long for Heaven yet wait for it long for it because it is a Kingdom yet wait your Fathers good pleasure God could presently bestow this Kingdom but he sees it good that we should wait a while 1. Had we the Kingdom of Heaven presently assoon as ever Grace is infused then God would lose much of his Glory 1. Where would be our living by Faith which is the Grace that brings in the chief revenues of Glory to God Rom. 4.20 2. Where would be our suffering for God which is a way of honouring him which the Angels in Heaven are not capable of 3. Where would be the active service we are to do for God Would we have God give us a Kingdom and we do nothing for him before we come there Would we have Rest before Labour a Crown before Victory This were disingenuous Paul was content to stay out of Heaven a while that he might be a means to bring others thither Phil. 1.23 â— While we wait for the Kingdom our Glory is increasing Every Duty Religiously performed adds a Jewel to our Crown Do we desire to have our Robes of Glory shine brighter let us wait and work the longer we stay for the Principal the greater will the Interest be The Husbandman waits till the seed spring up Wait for the harvest of Glory Some have their waiting Weeks at Court this is your walting time Christ saith Pray and faint not Luke 18.1 so wait and faint not Be not weary the Kingdom of Heaven will make amends for your waiting I have waited for thy Salvation O Lord said that dying Patriarch Gen. 49.18 VSE V. Comfort to the people of God 1. In all their Sufferings The true Saint is as Luther saith Haeres Crucis heir to the Cross Affliction is his Dyet drink but here is that may be as Bezoar-stone to keep him from fainting these sufferings bring a Kingdom The hope of the Kingdom of Heaven saith Basil should indulcorate and sweeten all our troubles 2 Tim. 2.12 If we suffer we shall reign with him 'T is but a short fight but an eternal triumph this light suffering produceth an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 1. A weight of Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Things which are precious the more weighty the more they are worth the more weight is in a Crown of Gold the more it is worth 'T is a weight of Glory 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An eternal weight of Glory Did this Glory last but a while it would much abate and imbitter the Joyes of Heaven but the Glory of that Kingdom runs parallel with Eternity God will be as a deep Sea of Blessedness and the Glorified Saints shall for ever bathe themselves in that Ocean One dayes wearing the Crown will abundantly pay for all the Saints sufferings how much more then when they shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 O let this support under all the Calamities and Suffering in this Life What a vast difference is there between a Believers Sufferings and his Reward Rom. 8.18 The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us For a few Tears Rivers of Pleasure for Mourning white Robes This made the Primitive Christians laugh at Imprisonment and snatch up Torments as so many Crowns Though now we drink in a Worm-wood Cup here is Sugar in the bottom to sweeten it 'T is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom 2. Comfort in Death Here is that which may take away from Gods Children the terrour of Death they are now entring into the Kingdom Indeed no wonder if wicked Men be appal'd and terrified at the approach of Death they dye unpardoned Death carries them to the Goal where they must lye for ever without â—ail or Mainprize But why should any of Gods Children be so scared and half-dead with the thoughts of Death What hurt doth Death do to them but lead them to a Glorious Kingdom Faith gives a Title to Heaven Death a Possession let this be a Gospel-antidote to expel the fear of Death Hilarion that blessed Man cryed out Egredere Anima egredere quid times Go forth my Soul go forth what fearest thou Let them fear Death who do not fear Sin But let not Gods Children be over-much troubled at the grim Face of that Messenger which brings them to the end of their Sorrow and the beginning of their Joy Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 it is part of a Believers inventory Is a Prince afraid to cross a narrow Sea who shall be Crowned when he comes to Land Death to the Saints shall be an usher to bring them into the Presence of the King of Glory This puts Lilies and Roses into the ghastly face of Death and makes it look amiable Death brings us to a Crown of Glory which fades not away The day of Death is better to a Believer than the day of his Birth Death is aditus ad Gloriam an entrance into a blessed Eternity Fear not Death but rather let your Hearts revive when you think these ratling wheels of Deaths Chariot are but to carry you home to an everlasting Kingdom MATTH vi 10 Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven WE come next to the Third Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it
hearts to submission Lord if thou usest so much gentleness and correctest in measure Thy Will be done 12. There is kindness in Affliction in that God often sweetens it with divine Consolation 2 Cor. 1.4 Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation After a bitter Potion a lump of Sugar God comforts in Affliction 1. Partly by his Word Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in my Affliction for thy Word hath quickened me The Promises of the word are a shop of Cordials 2. God comforts by his Spirit Philip Landtgrave of Hesse said that in his troubles se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs David had his Pilgrimage-Songs Psal. 119.54 and St. Paul his Prison-Songs Act. 16.25 Thus God candies our Wormwood with Sugar and makes us gather Grapes of Thorns Some of the Saints have had such ravishing Joys in Affliction that they had rather endure their Sufferings then want their Comforts O how much kindness is in the Cross In the Belly of this Lyon is an Honey-Comb may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods Will when God lines the Yoak with Comfort and gives us honey at the end of the Rod 13. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth curtail and shorten it he will not let it lye on too long Isa. 57.16 I will not contend for ever least the Spirit should fail before me God will give his People a Writ of Ease and proclaim a Year of Jubilee the wicked may plow upon the backs of the Saints but God will cut their Traces Psal. 129.4 The Goldsmith will not let his gold lye any longer in the Furnace then till it is purified The Wicked must drink a Sea of Wrath but the Godly have only a Cup of Affliction Isa. 51.17 and God will say Let this Cup pass away Affliction may be compared to Frost it will break and Spring Flowers will come on Isa. 35. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away Affliction hath a Sting but withal a Wing sorrow shall fly away this Land Flood shall be dryed up if then there be so much kindness in the Cross God will cause a Cessation of trouble say then Fiat Voluntas tua Thy Will be done 14. Vlt. There is kindness in Affliction in that it is a means to make us happy Iob 5.17 Behold happy is the Man whom God correcteth This seems strange to flesh and blood that Affliction should make one happy when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed I will sâ—ith he turn aside and see this strange sight Exod. 3.3 So here is a strange sight a Man afflicted yet happy The World counts them happy who can escape Affliction but happy is the Man whom God correcteth Quest. But how do Afflictions contribute to our happiness Resp. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God the Loadstone of Prosperity doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction VVhen the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my Father Luke 15.18 The Deluge brought the Dove to the Ark The Floods of Sorrow make us hasten to Christ. 2. Afflictions make us happy as they are Manuductions to Glory The Storm drives the Ship into the harbour Happy is that Storm which drives the Soul into the Heavenly harbour is it not better to go through affliction to glory then through pleasure to misery not that afflictions merit glory no cross ever merited but that which Christ endured but they do disponere fit and prepare us for glory Think O Christian what Affliction leads to it leads to Paradise where are Rivers of Pleasure always running may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods VVill and say Lord if there be so much kindness in Affliction if all thou dost is to make us happy Thy Will be done 7. Consideration It is Gods ordinary course to keep his People to a bitter Diet-Drink and exercise them with great Trials Affliction is the beaten Road all the Saints have gone in The lively Stones in the Spiritual building have been all hewn and polished Christs Lilly hath grown among the Thorns 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live Godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution 'T is too much for a Christian to have two Heavens that is more than Christ had It hath been ever the lot of the Saints to encounter with sore tryals Both of the Prophets Iam. 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction And of the Apostles Peter was Crucified with his Head downward Iames beheaded by Herod Iohn banished into the Isle of Patmos the Apostle Thomas thrust thorow with a spear who was chosen Apostle in Iudas room Matthias stoned to death Luke the Evangelist hanged on an Olive-tree Those Saints of whom the World was not worthy did pass under the Rod Hebr. 11.36 Christs Kingdom is Regnum Crucis this is the way God hath alwayes gone in such as God intends to save from Hell yet he doth not save from the Cross the consideration of this should quiet our Minds in Affliction and make us say Thy Will be done Do we think God will alter his course of Providence for us Why should we look for exemption from trouble more than others Why should we think to tread only upon Roses and Violets when Prophets and Apostles have marched through the Bryars to Heaven 8. Consideration God hath done that for thee Christian which may make thee content to suffer any thing at his hand and say Thy Will be done 1. He hath adopted thee for his Child David thought it no small Honour to be the Kings Son in Law 1 Sam. 18.18 what an Honour is it to derive thy pedigree from Heaven to be born of God why then art thou troubled and murmurest at every slight cross As Ionadab said to Amnon 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean So why art thou who art Son or Daughter to the King of Heaven troubled at these petty things What the Kings Son and look lean This may quiet thy Spirit and bring thy Will to Gods he hath dignified thee with Honour he made thee his Son and Heir and will entail a Kingdom on thee 2. God hath given thee Christ. Christ is communis thesaurus a Magazine and Storehouse of all Heavenly Treasure a Pearl of Price to enrich a Tree of Life to quicken He is the quintessence of all Blessings why then art thou discontented at thy Worldly Crosses They cannot be so bitter as Christ is sweet as Seneca said once to Polybius Why dost thou complain of hard Fortune salvo Caesare is not Caesar thy Friend So is not Christ thy Friend He can never be poor who hath a Mine of Gold in his Field nor he who hath the unsearchable Riches of Christ Say then Lord Thy Will be done though I have my Cross yet I have Christ with it The Cross may make me weep but Christ wipes off all
is not in Hell therefore whatever God inflicts he knows it is less then his Iniquities deserve this makes him say Lord Thy VVill be done O get into an humble posture the Will is never flexible till the Heart be Humble 6. Means Get your Heart loosened from things below be crucified to the world VVhence is Childrens frowardness but when you take away their Play-things when we love the world and God takes away these things from us then we grow froward and unsubmissive to Gods Will. Ionah was exceeding glad of the Gourd and when God smote it he grew froward and because God had killed his Gourd kill me too saith he Ionah 4.8 He who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lover of the World can never pray this Prayer heartily Thy Will be done his heart boils in anger against God and when the World is gone his Patience is gone too Get mortified Affections to these sublunary things 7. Means for submission to Gods Will Get some good perswasion your sin is pardoned feri Domine feri quia peccata mea condonata sunt Smite Lord smite where thou wilt said Luther because my sins are pardoned Pardon of sin is a crowning Blessing hath God forgiven my sin I will bear any thing I will not murmur but admire I will not complain of the Burden of Affliction but bless God for removing the Burden of sin The pardoned Soul saith this Prayer heartily Thy VVill be done Lord use thy pruning Knife so long as thou wilt not come with thy bloody Axe to hew me down 8. Means If we would have our wills submit to God let us not look so much on the dark side of the Cloud as the light side that is let us not look so much on the smart of Affliction as the good of Affliction 't is bad to pore all on the smart as it is bad for sore Eyes to look too much on the Fire but we should look on the good of Affliction Sampson did not only look on the Lions Carcase but on the Honey-comb within it Iudg. 19.8 He turned to see the Carcase of the Lion and behold there was Honey in the Carcase Affliction is the frightful Lion but see what Honey there is in it Affliction humbles purifies fills us with the Consolations of God here is Honey in the Belly of the Lyon could we but look upon the benefit of Affliction Stubbornness would be turned into submissiveness and we should say Thy VVill be done 9. Means Pray to God that he would calm our Spirits and conquer our Wills it is no easy thing to submit to God in Affliction there will be risings of heart therefore let us pray that what God inflicts Righteously we may bear patiently Prayer is the best Spell or Charm against Impatience Prayer doth to the Heart as Christ did to the Sea when it was tempestuous he rebuked the Wind and there was a great Calm so when the Passions are up and the Will is apt to mutiny against God Prayer makes a gracious Calm in the Soul Prayer doth to the Heart as the Spunge to the Canon when hot cools it 10. Means If we would submit to Gods Will in Affliction let us make a good interpretation of Gods Dealings take all God doth in the best sence VVe are apt to misconstrue Gods Dealings and put a bad Interpretation upon them as Israel Numb 20.4 Ye have brought the Congregation of the Lord into this Wilderness that we should die there So God hath brought this Affliction upon us because he hates us and intends to destroy us and such hard thoughts of God cause fullenness and stubbornness O let us make a fair and candid interpretation of Providence Doth God afflict us say thus perhaps he intends us Mercy in this he will try us whether we will love him in Affliction he is about to mortify some sin or exercise some grace he smites the Body that he may save the Soul Could we put such a good meaning upon Gods dealings we would say Thy Will be done Let the Righteous God smite me and it shall be a kindness it shall be an excellent Oyl which shall not break my Head Psal. 141.5 11. and Vlt. Means If you would submit to God in Affliction believe that the present Condition is best for you we are not competent Judges we fancy it is best to have ease and plenty and have the Rock pour out Rivers of Oyl but God sees Affliction best he sees our Souls thrive best upon the bare Common the fall of the Leaf is the Spring of our Grace Could we believe the present Condition is best which God carves out to us the Quarrel would soon be at an end and we should sit down satisfied with what God doth and say Thy Will be done So much for this Third Petition MATTH vi 11 Give us this Day our daily Bread IN this Petition there are two things observable I. The Order II. The Matter I. The Order First we pray Hallowed be thy Name before Give us this day our daily Bread Hence we learn Doct. That the Glory of God ought to be preferred before our own personal Concerns First We pray Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done before we pray Give us this Day our daily Bread Gods Glory ought to weigh down all before it it must be prefer'd before our dearest Concerns Christ prefer'd his Fathers Glory before his own Glory as he was Man Iohn 8.49 50. I Honour my Father I seek not my own Glory Gods glory is that which is most dear to him it is the Apple of his Eye all his Riches lye here as Micah said Iudg. 18.24 What have I more So I may say of Gods glory what hath he more Gods glory is the most Orient Pearl of his Crown which he will not part with Isa. 42.8 My Glory will I not give to another Gods glory is more worth then Heaven more worth then the Salvation of all Mens Souls better Kingdoms be demolished better Men and Angels be annihilated then God lose any part of his Glory First we pray that Gods Name may be hallowed and glorified before we pray Give us our daily Bread We are to prefer Gods glory before our nearest concerns Before there can be a preferring Gods glory before private concerns there must be a New-Birth wrought The natural Man seeks his own secular Interest before Gods glory Iohn 3.31 He is of the Earth earthly Let him have Peace and Trading let the Rock pour out Rivers of Oyl Iob 29.6 and let Gods glory go which way it will he minds it not A Worm cannot fly and sing as a Lark A natural Man whose heart creeps upon the Earth cannot admire God or advance his glory as a Man elevated by grace doth VSE Of Trial. Do we prefer Gods glory before our private Concerns Doth Gods glory take place Minus te amat qui aliquid tecum amat quod non propter te amat Aug. 1. Do
rich fall into a snare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophilact Pride Idleness VVantonness are the three worms that usually breed of Plenty Prosperity oft deafens the ear against God Ier. 22.21 I spake to thee in thy Prosperity but thou saidst I will not hear Soft pleasures harden the heart In the Body the more fat the less blood in the Veins and the less Spirits the more outward plenty often the less Piety Prosperity hath its Honey and also its Sting Prosperity like the full of the Moon makes many Lunatick The Pastures of Prosperity are rank and surfeiting Anxious care is the malus Genius the evil Spirit that haunts the rich Man and will not let him be quiet when his Chests are full of Money his heart is full of care either how to manage or how to encrease or how to secure what he hath gotten Sunshine in pleasant but sometimes it scorcheth Should not this make us content with that allowance God gives if we have daily bread though not dainties think of the Danger of Prosperity the spreading of a full Table may be the spreading of a snare Many have been sunk to Hell with golden Weights The ferry Man takes in all Passengers that he may encrease his Fare and sometimes to the sinking of the boat 1 Tim. 6.9 They that will be rich fall into many hurtful Lusts which drown them in Perdition The Worlds golden Sands are Quicksands this may make us take our daily bread though it be but coarse contentedly what if we have less food we have less snare if less dignity less danger as we want the rich Provisions of the World so we want the Temptations 7. If God keeps us to a spare diet if he give us less Temporals he hath made it up in Spirituals he hath given us the Pearl of Price and the holy anointing 1. The Pearl of Price the Lord Jesus he is the quintessence of all good things to give us Christ is more then if God had given us all the world God can make more worlds but he hath no more Christs to bestow he is such a golden mine that the Angels cannot dig to the bottom Eph. 3.8 From Christ we have Justification Adoption Coronation The Sea of Gods Mercy in giving us Christ saith Luther should swallow up all our wants 2. The holy Unction God hath anointed us with the graces of his Spirit Grace is a seed of God a blossom of Eternity the graces are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Damascen the impressions of the divine Nature Stars to enlighten us Spices to perfume us Diamonds to enrich us and if God hath adorned the hidden Man of the heart with these sacred Jewels it may well make us content tho' we have but short Commons and that coarse too God hath given his People better things then Corn and Wine he hath given them that which he cannot give in anger and which cannot stand with Reprobation and they may say as David Psal. 16.6 The lines are fallen to them in pleasant places and they have a goodly heritage I have read of Didimus and Anthony Didimus was a blind Man but very holy Anthony ask'd him if he was not troubled for the want of his eyes he told him he was why said Anthony are you troubled you want that which Flyes and Birds have when you have that which Angels have So I say to Christians if God hath not given you the Purse he hath given you his Spirit if you want that which rich Men have God hath given you that which Angels have and are you not content 8. If you have but daily bread enough to suffice nature be content consider it is not having abundance makes the life always comfortable it is not a great Cage will make the Bird sing a competency may breed contentment when having more may make one less content A staff may help the Traveller but a bundle of staffs will be a burden to him A great Estate may be like a long trayling garment more burdensome then useful Many that have great incomes and revenues have not so much comfort in their Lives as some that go to their hard labour 9. If you have less daily bread you will have less account to give The Riches and Honours of the World like Alchimy make a great show and with their glistering dazle Mens eyes but they do not consider the great account they must give to God Luke 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship What good hast thou done with thy Estate hast thou as a good Steward traded thy golden Talents for Gods glory hast thou honoured the Lord with thy Substance the greater Revenues the greater Reckonings this may quiet and content us if we have but little daily bread our account will be less 10. You that have but a small competency in these outward things your provisions are short yet you may be content to consider how much you look for hereafter God keeps the best Wine till last What though now you have but a small pittance and are fed from hand to mouth you look for an eternal Reward white Robes sparkling Crowns Rivers of Pleasure A Son is content though his Father gives him but now and then a little Money as long as he expects his Father should settle all his land upon him at last If God give you but a little at present yet you look for that glory which eye hath not seen may not you be content The World is but a Diversorium a great Inn if God give you but sufficient to pay for your Charges in your Inn you may be content you shall have enough when you come to your own Country Quest. How may we be content though God cut us short in these Externals though we have but little daily bread and coarse Resp. 1. Think with our selves some have been much lower then we who have been better then we Iacob an holy Patriarch goes over Iordan with his Staff and lived in a mean condition a long time he had the Clouds for his Canopy and Stone for his Pillow Moses that might have been rich some Historians say Pharaoh's Daughter adopted him for her Son because King Pharaoh had no Heir and so Moses was like to have come to the Crown yet leaving the Honours of the Court in what a low mean condition did he live in when he went to Iethro his Father-in-Law Musculus famous for Learning and Piety was put to great Straits he was put to dig in a Town ditch and had scarce daily bread yet content Nay Christ who was Heir of all yet for our sakes became poor 2 Cor. 8.9 Let all these Examples make us content 2. Let us labour to have the Interest cleared between God and our Souls he who can say My God hath enough to rock his heart quiet in the lowest condition what can he want who hath El-Shaddai the all-sufficient God for his portion though the nether-Springs fail yet he hath the upper-Springs though the bill of
a dead Man to a living Thus a Child of God hath corruption join'd with Grace here is a dead Man tied to the living So hateful is this that a believer desires to die for no other reason more than this that death shall free him from sin Sin brought death into the World and death shall carry sin out of the World Thus you see in the opinion of the Godly sin is the most hyperbolical and execrable evil 4. Look upon sin in the comparative and it will appear to be the most deadly evil Compare what you will with it 1. Affliction 2. Death 3. Hell And still sin is worse First Compare sin with affliction there is more evil in a drop of sin than in a Sea of affliction 1. Sin is the Cause of affliction the cause is more than the effect Sin brings all mischief 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Chrysost. Sin hath sickness Sword Famine and all Judgments in the Womb of it Sin rots the name consumes the estate wastes the radical moisture as the Poets â—ain of Pandora's Box when it was opened it filled the World full of Diseases when Adam broke the Box of Original Righteousnes it hath caus'd all the Penal evils in the World Sin is the Phaeton that sets the World on Fire Sin turn'd the Angels out of Heaven and Adam out of Paradise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Sin causeth Mutinies Divisions Massacres Jer. 47.6 O thou Sword of the Lord how long will it be ere thou be quiet the Sword of Gods justice lies quietly in the Scabbard till sin draws it out and whets it against a Nation so that sin is worse than affliction it being the cause of it the cause is more than the effect 2. God is the author of affliction Amos 3.6 Is there any evil in a City and the Lord hath not done it it's meant of the evil of affliction God hath an hand in affliction but no hand in sin God is the cause of every action so far as it is Natural but not as it is Sinful He who makes an instrument of Iron is not the cause of the Rust or Canker which corrupts the Iron So God made the Instrument of our Souls but the Rust and Canker of sin which corrupts our Souls God never made Peccatum Deus non fecit Austin God can no more act evil than the Sun can darken In this sense sin is worse than affliction God hath an hand in affliction but disclaims having any hand in sin 3. Affliction doth but reach the Body and make that miserable but sin makes the Soul miserable The Soul is the most noble part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar The Soul is a Diamond set in a ring of Clay it is excellent in its Essence a Spiritual immortal substance excellent in the Price paid for it redeemed with the Blood of God Act. 20.28 it is more worth than a World the World is of a courser make the Soul of a finer spinning in the World we see the Finger of God in the Soul the Image of God To have the pretious Soul endangered is far worse than to have the Body endangered Sin wrongs the Soul Prov. 8.36 Sin casts this Jewel of the Soul over-board Affliction is but Skin deep it can but take away the Life but sin takes away the Soul Luk. 12.20 the loss of the Soul is an unparallell'd loss it can never be made up again God saith St. Chrysostom hath given thee two Eyes if thou losest one thou hast another but thou hast but one Soul and if that be lost it can never be repaired Thus sin is worse than affliction one can but reach the Body the other ruins the Soul is there not great reason then that we should often put up this Petition deliver us from evil 4. Afflictions are good for us Psalm 119.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted many can bless God for affliction Affliction humbles Lam. 3.19 remembring my affliction the Wormwood and the Gall my Soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me afflictions are compar'd to thorns Hos. 2.8 these Thorns are to prick the Bladder of Pride Affliction is the School of Repentance Jer. 31.18 Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised I Repented The Fire being put under the Still makes the Water drop from the Roses the fire of Affliction makes the Water of Repentance drop from the Eyes Affliction brings us nearer to God The Loadstone of Mercy doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction When the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my father Luke 15.18 Afflictions prepare for glory 2 Cor. 4.17 This light affliction works for us an eternal weight of glory the Limner lays his Gold upon dark colours so God lays first the dark colours of affliction and then the Golden colour of Glory Thus Affliction is for our good but sin is not for our Good it keeps good things from us Jer. 5.25 Your sins have with-holden good things from you sin stops the current of Gods Mercy it precipitates men to ruine Manassehs affliction brought him to humiliation but Iudas his sin brought him to desperation 5. A man may be afflicted and his Conscience may be quiet Pauls feet were in the stocks yet he had the Witness of his Conscience 2 Cor. 1.12 the Head may ake yet the Heart may be well the outward Man may be afflicted yet the Soul may dwell at ease Psal. 25.13 the Hail may beat upon the Tiles of the House when there is Musick within in the midst of outward pain there may be inward peace Thus in affliction Conscience may be quiet but when a Man commits a presumptuous scandalous sin Conscience is troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by defiling the purity of Conscience we lose the peace of Conscience when Spira had sinned and abjured the Faith he was a terror to himself he had an Hell in his Conscience Tiberius the Emperor felt such a sting in his Conscience that he told the Senate he suffered death daily 6. In Affliction we may have the Love of God Afflictions are love tokens Rev 3.19 as many as I love I rebuke Afflictions are sharp arrows but shot from the Hand of a loving Father If a Man should throw a Bag of Money at another and it should bruise him a little and raise the Skin he would not be offended but take it as a fruit of love so when God bruiseth us with affliction it is to enrich us with the Golden Graces of his Spirit all is love but when we commit sin God withdraws his love 't is like the Sun overcast with a Cloud nothing appears but anger and displeasure When David had sin'd in the matter of Vriah 2 Sam. 11.27 the thing that David had done displeas'd the Lord. 7. There are many encouragements to suffer affliction God himself suffers with us Isa. 63.9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted God
our strength lay But in a true Gospel Sense we may so obey the Moral Law as to find Acceptance Which Gospel-Obedience consists in a Real Endeavour to observe the whole Moral Law Psal. 119.166 I have done thy Commandments Not I have done all I should do but I have done all I am able to do and wherein our Obedience comes short we look up to the perfect Righteousness and Obedience of Christ and hope for Pardon through his Blood This is Evangelically to obey the Moral Law which though it be not to Satisfaction yet it is to Acceptation Thus I have done with the first The Preface to the Preface God spake all these words I should now come to the second the Preface it self to the Commandments I am the Lord thy God c. Of the Commandments Exod. 20.2 I am the Lord thy God c. 2. THE Preface it self which consists of three parts 1. I am the Lord thy God 2. Which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt 3. Out of the House of Bondage 1. I am the Lord thy God Where we have a Description of God 1. By his Essential Greatness I am the Lord 2. By his relative Goodness Thy God 1. By his essential greatness I am the Lord or as in the Hebrew Iehovah This name of God sets forth his Majesty Sanctius habitum fuit saith Buxtorf the name Iohavah was had in more Reverence among the Jews than any other name of God it signifies Gods Self-sufficiency Eternity Independency Immutability Mal. 3.6 Use 1. If God be Iehovah the Fountain of being who can do what he will let us fear this great Lord Deut. 28.58 That thou maist fear Hashem Hanicbad Jehovah this glorious and fearful name Jehovah Use 2. If God be Iehovah the supream Lord then it condemns the Blasphemous Papists who speak after this manner Our Lord God the Pope Is it a Wonder the Pope lifts his Tripple Crown above the Heads of Kings and Emperors when he Usurps Gods Title Shewing himself that he is God 2 Thess. 2.4 The Pope goes to make himself Lord of Heaven for he will Canonize Saints there Lord of Earth for with his Keys he doth bind and loose whom he pleaseth Lord of Hell for he can free Men out of Purgatory But God will pull down these Plumes of Pride He will consume this Man of sin with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming 2 Thess. 2.8 Use 3. God is described by his relative goodness Eloeka Thy God Had God only called himself Iehovah it might have terrified us and made us fly from him but when he saith Thy God this may allure and draw us to him This though a Preface to Law is pure Gospel This word Eloeka Thy God is so sweet that we can never suck out all the Hony in it I am thy God not only by Creation but by Election This word Thy God though it was spoken to Israel yet it is a Charter belongs to all the Saints For the further Explication here are three Questions Quest. 1. How God comes to be our God Resp. Through Jesus Christ Christ is a middle Person in the Trinity He is Emanuel God with us He brings two differing Parties together He makes our Nature lovely to God and Gods Nature lovely to us He by his Death causeth Friendship yea Union He brings us within the Verge of the Covenant and so God becomes our God Quest. 2. What doth this imply God being our God Resp. It is comprehensive of all good things God is our strong Tower our Fountain of living Water our Salvation More particularly God being our God implies the sweetest Relation 1. The Relation of a Father 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you A Father is full of tender care for his Child Who doth he settle the Inheritance upon but his Child God being our God will be a Father to us a Father of Mercy 2 Cor. 1.3 the everlasting Father Psal. 9.7 If God be our God we have a Father in Heaven that never dies 2. It imports the Relation of an Husband Isa. 54.5 Thy Maker is thy Husband If God be our Husband he esteems us precious to him as the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 He imparts his Secrets to us Psal. 25.14 He bestows a Kingdom upon us for our Dowry Luke 12.32 Quest. 3. How may we come to know this Covenant-Union That God is our God Resp. 1. By having his Graces planted in us Kings Children are known by their costly Jewels It is not having common Gifts which shews we belong to God many have the Gifts of God without God but it is Grace gives us a true genuine Title to God In particular Faith is Vinculum Unionis the Grace of Union By this we may spell out our Interest in God Faith doth not as the Mariner cast its Anchor downwards but upwards it trusts in the Mercy and Blood of God and trusting in God engageth him to be our God Other Graces make us like God Faith makes us one with him 2. We may know God is our God by having the Earnest of his Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 God often gives the Purse to the Wicked but the Spirit only to such as he intends to make his Heirs 1. Have we had the Consecration of the Spirit If we have not had the Sealing work of the Spirit have we had the Healing work 1 Iohn 2.20 Ye have an Unction from the Holy One. The Spirit where it is stamps the Impress of its own Holiness upon the Heart It embroiders and bespangles the Soul and makes it all glorious within 2. Have we had the Attraction of the Spirit Cant. 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Hath the Spirit by its magnetick Vertue drawn our Hearts to God Can we say as Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my Soul loveth Is God our Paradise of Delight Our Segullah or chief Treasure Are our Hearts so chained to God that no other Object can inchant us or draw us away from him 3. Have we had the Elevation of the Spirit Hath it raised our Hearts above the World Ezek. 3.14 The Spirit lifted me up Hath the Spirit made us superna anhelare seek the things above where Christ is Though our Flesh is on Earth is our Heart in Heaven Though live here trade above Hath the Spirit thus lifted us up By this we may come to know that God is our God Where God gives his Spirit for an Earnest there he gives himself for a Portion 3. We may know God is our God if he hath given us the Hearts of Children Have we obediential Hearts Psal. 27.8 Do we subscribe to Gods Commands when his Commands cross our Will A true Saint is like the Flower of the Sun it opens and shuts with the Sun He opens to God and shuts to Sin If we have the Hearts of Children then God is our Father 4. We may know God is ours and we have an Interest in
him by our standing up for his Interest We will appear in his Cause and vindicate his Truth wherein his Glory is so much concerned Athanasius was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bulwark of Truth he stood up for it when most of the World were Arrians In former times the Nobles of Polonia when the Gospel was read did lay their Hands upon their Swords signifying that they were ready to defend the Faith and hazard their Lives for the Gospel No better sign of our having an Interest in God than by our standing up for his Interest 5. We may know God is ours and we have an Interest in him by his having an Interest in us Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his When God saith to the Soul Thou art mine the Soul answers Lord I am thine All I have is at thy Service My Head shall be thine to study for thee My Tongue shall be thine to praise thee If God be our God by way of Donation we are his by way of Dedication We live to him and are more his than we are our own And thus we may come to know that God is our God Use 1. Above all things let us get this great Charter confirmed that God is our God Deity is not comfortable without Propriety Tolle meum tolle Deum Aug. O let us labour to get sound Evidences that God is our God We cannot call Health Liberty Estate ours O let us be able to call God ours and say as the Church Psal. 67.6 God even our own God shall bless us Let every Soul here labour to pronounce this Shibboleth My God And that we may endeavour after this to have God for our God Consider 1. The Misery of such as have not God for their God in how sad a Condition are they when an hour of distress comes This was Saul's Case 1 Sam. 28.15 I am sore distressed for the Philistins make war against me and the Lord is departed from me A wicked Man in time of Trouble is like a Vessel toss'd on the Sea without an Anchor it falls on Rocks or Sands A Sinner not having God to be his God though he makes a shift while Health and Estate last yet when these Crutches are broken he leaned upon his Heart sinks It is with a wicked Man as it was with the Old World when the Flood came the Waters at first came to the Vallies but then the People would get to the Hills and Mountains But then the Waters came to the Mountains Then there might be some Trees on the high Hills and they would climb up to them I but then the Waters did rise up to the tops of the Trees Now all hopes of being saved were gone their Hearts failed them So it is with a Man that hath not God to be his God If one Comfort be taken away he hath another If he lose a Child he hath an Estate I but then the Waters rise higher Death comes and takes away all now he hath nothing to help himself with no God to go to he must needs dye despairing 2. How great a Privilege it is to have God for our God Psal. 144.15 Happy are the People whose God is the Lord. Beatitudo hominis est Deus Aug. That you may see the Privilege of this Charter 1. If God be our God then though we may feel the stroke of Evil yet not the sting He must needs be happy who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in such a Condition that nothing can hurt him If he lose his Name it is written in the Book of Life If he lose his Liberty his Conscience is free If he lose his Estate he is possessed of the Pearl of Price If he meets with Storms he knows where to put in for Harbour God is his God and Heaven is his Haven 2. If God be our God then our Soul is safe The Soul is the Jewel it is a Blossom of Eternity Dan. 7.15 I was grieved in the midst of my Body In the Chaldee it is In the midst of my Sheath The Body is but the Sheath the Soul is the Princely part of Man which sways the Scepter of Reason It is a Celestial Spark as Damascen calls it If God be our God the Soul is safe as in a Garison Death can do no more hurt to a vertuous Heaven-born Soul than David did to Saul when he cut off the lap of his Garment The Soul is safe being hid in the Promises hid in the Wounds of Christ hid in Gods Decree The Soul is the Pearl and Heaven is the Cabinet where God will lock it up safe 3. If God be our God then all that is in God is ours The Lord saith to a Saint in Covenant as the King of Israel to the King of Syria 1 Kings 20.4 I am thine and all that I have So saith God I am thine How happy is he who not only inherits the Gifts of God but inherits God himself All that I have shall be thine my Wisdom shall be thine to teach thee my Power shall be thine to support thee my Mercy shall be thine to save thee God is an infinite Ocean of Blessedness and there is enough in him to fill us If a thousand Vessels be thrown into the Sea there is enough in the Sea to fill them 4. If God be our God he will intirely love us Propriety is the ground of Love God may give Men Kingdoms and not love them but he cannot be our God and not love us He calls his Covenanted Saints Iediduth Naphshi The dearly beloved of his Soul Jer. 12.7 He rejoyceth over them with Joy and rests in his Love Zeph. 3.17 They are his Refined Silver Zech. 13.9 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 His Royal Diadem Isa. 62.3 He gives them the Cream and Flower of his love He not only opens his hand and fills them Psal. 145.16 but opens his Heart and fills them 5. If God be our God he will do more for us than all the World besides can What is that 1. He will give us Peace in Trouble When a Storm without he will make Musick within The World can create Trouble in Peace but God can create Peace in Trouble He will send the Comforter who as a Dove brings an Olive Branch of Peace in his Mouth Iohn 14.16 2. God will give us a Crown of Immortality The World can give a Crown of Gold but that Crown hath Thorns in it and Death in it but God will give a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 The Garland made of the Flowers of Paradise never withers 6. If God be our God he will bear with many Infirmities God may respit Sinners a while but long Forbearance is no Acquittance he will throw them to Hell for their Sins But if God be our God he will not for every failing destroy us He bears with his Spouse as with the weaker Vessel God may Chastise Psal. 89.32 He may use the Rod and the pruning Knife
Name and put his Image upon us and bestow a Kingdom of Glory what a Miracle of Mercy is this Every adopted Child may say Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11.26 2. Br. or Infer If God be a Father then hence I infer whatever he doth to his Children is Love 1. If he smiles upon them in Prosperity it is Love They have the World not only with Gods leave but with his love God saith to every Child of his as Naaman to Gehazi 2 Kings 5.23 Be content take two talents So saith God to his Child I am thy Father take two talents Take Health and take my Love with it take an Estate and take my Love with it Take two talents Gods Love is a sweetning ingredient into every Mercy Quest. How doth it appear that a Child of God hath Worldly things in love Resp. 1. Because he hath a good Title to them God is his Father therefore he hath a good title A wicked Man hath a civil title to the Creature but no more he hath it not from the hand of a Father he is like one that takes up Cloth at the Drapers and it is not paid for but a Believer hath a good title to every foot of Land he hath his Father hath setled it upon him 2. A Child of God hath Worldly things in love because they are sanctified to him 1. They make him better and are Loadstones to draw him nearer to God 2. He hath his Fathers Blessing with them A little blest is sweet Exod. 23.25 He shall bless thy bread and thy water Esau had the Venison but Iacob got the Blessing While the wicked have their Meat sawced with Gods Wrath Psal. 78.30 31. Believers have their Comforts seasoned with a Blessing It was a secret Blessing from God made Daniels Pulse nourish him more and make him look fairer than they that ate of the Kings Meat Dan. 1.15 3. A Child of God hath Worldly things in love because whatever he hath is an earnest of more Every bit of Bread is a pledge and earnest of glory 2. God being a Father if he frown if he dips his pen in gall and write bitter things if he corrects 't is in Love A Father loves his Child as well when he doth chastise and discipline him as when he settles his Land on him Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke Afflictions are sharp Arrows saith Gr. Nazianzen but they are shot from the hand of a loving Father Correctio est Virtutis gymnasium God afflicts with the same love he gives Christ he doth it to humble and purifie Gentle Correction is as necessary as Dayly Bread nay as needful as Ordinances as Word and Sacraments There is love in all God smites that he may save 3. God being a Father if he desert and hide his face from his Child it is in love Desertion is sad in it self a short Hell Iob 6.9 When the Light is withdrawn Dew falls Yet we may see a Rainbow in the Cloud the love of a Father in all this 1. God hereby quickens grace perhaps grace lay dormant Cant. 5.2 it was as fire in the embers and God withdraws comfort to invigorate and exercise grace Faith is a Star sometimes shines brightest in the dark night of desertion Ionah 2.4 2. When God hides his face from his Child yet still he is a Father and his heart is towards his Child as Ioseph when he spake roughly to his Brethren and made them believe he would take them for Spyes still his Heart was full of Love and he was fain to go aside and weep So Gods Bowels yearn to his Children when he seems to look strange Isa. 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee Though God may have the look of an enemy yet still he hath the heart of a Father 3. Br. or Infer Learn hence the sad case of the wicked they cannot say Our Father in Heaven they may say Our Iudge but not Our Father they fetch their pedigree from Hell Iohn 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil Such as are unclean and profane are the spurious blood of the Old Serpent and it were blasphemy for them to call God Father The case of the wicked is deplorable if they are in misery they have none to make their moan to God is not their Father he disclaims all Kindred with them Matth. 7.23 I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity The wicked dying in their Sins can expect no Mercy from God as a Father Many say he that made them will save them but Isa. 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them Though God was their Father by Creation yet because they were not his Children by Adoption therefore he that made them would not save them VSE II. Of Exhortation To perswade all who are yet strangers to God to labour to come into this Heavenly Kindred Never leave till you can say Our Father which art in Heaven Quest. But will God be a Father to me who have profaned his Name and been a great Sinner Resp. If thou wilt now at last seek to God by Prayer and break off thy Sins God hath the Bowels of a Father for thee and will in no wise cast thee out When the Prodigal did arise and go to his Father his Father had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luke 15.20 Though thou hast been a Prodigal and almost spent all upon thy Lusts yet if thou wilt now give a bill of divorce to thy Sins and fly to God by Repentance know that he hath the Bowels of a Father he will embrace thee in the Arms of his Mercy and seal thy Pardon with a Kiss What though thy Sins have been heinous The Wound is not so broad as the Plaister of Christs Blood The Sea covers great Rocks The Sea of Gods Compassion can drown thy great Sins therefore be not discouraged go to God resolve to cast thy self upon his Fatherly Bowels God may be entreated of thee as he was of Manasseh 2 Chron. 33.13 He prayed unto the Lord and he was entreated of him Manasseh made the streets run with Blood yet when his eyes ran with Tears Gods Fatherly Bowels began to melt and he was entreated of him VSE III. Of Comfort To such as can upon good grounds call God Father There 's more sweetness in this word Father then if we had ten thousand Worlds David thought it a great matter to be Son in Law to a King 1. Sam. 18.18 What is my Fathers family that I should be Son in law to the King But what is it to be born of God and have God for our Father Quest. Wherein lies the happiness of having God for our Father Resp. 1. If God be our Father then he will teach us what Father will refuse to counsel
Cor. 15.10 I laboured more than they all One would think this had savoured of pride but the Apostle pulls the Crown from his own head and sets it upon the head of Free-Grace Yet not I but the grace of God which was with me If a Christian hath any assistance in Duty or victory over Temptation he rears up a Pillar and writes upon it Hucusque adjuvabit Deus Hitherto the Lord hath helped me Iohn Baptist transferred all the honour from himself to Christ he was content to be eclipsed that Christ might shine the more Iohn 1.15 He that comes after me is preferred before me I am but the Herauld the voice of one crying he is the Prince I am but a lesser Star he is the Sun I baptize only with Water he with the Holy Ghost This i◠an hallowing Gods Name when we translate all the honour from our selves to God Psal. 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy name give glory The King of Sweden wrought that Motto on the Battle at Lypswich Ista a Domino facta sunt The Lord hath wrought this Victory for us 9. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name by obeying him How doth a Son more honour his Father than by Obedience Psal. 40.8 I delight to do thy will O my God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. The Wise Men showed honour to Christ not only by bowing the knee to him but by presenting him with Gold and Myrrh Matth. 2.11 we hallow Gods name not only by lifting up our eyes and hands to Heaven and bowing the knee in Prayer but by presenting God with golden Obedience As the Factor trades for the Merchant so we trade for God and lay out our strength in his Service 'T was a saying of Reverend Doctor Iewell I have spent and exhausted my self in the labours of my holy Calling To obey is better than sacrifice The Cherubims representing the Angels are set forth with their Wings displayed to show how ready they are to do service to God To obey is Angelical to pretend honour to Gods name yet not to obey is but a devout complement Abraham honoured God by Obedience he was ready to sacrifice his Son though the Son of his Old Age and a Son of the Promise Gen. 22.16 By my self have I sworn saith the Lord because thou hast done this thing and hast not with-held thy Son thy only Son that in blessing I will bless thee 10. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we lift up Gods name in our praises God is said to sanctifie and Man is said to sanctifie God sanctifies us by giving us Grace and we sanctifie him by giving him Praise What were our Tongues given us for but to be Organs of Gods Praise Psal. 71.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day Rev. 5.13 Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb for ever Thus Gods name is hallowed and sanctified in Heaven The Angels and Glorified Saints are singing Hallelujahs let us begin the work of Heaven here David did sing forth Gods Praises and Doxologies in a most melodious manner therefore was called the sweet singer of Israel 1 Sam. 23.1 Praising God is an hallowing of Gods name it spreads his renown it displayes the trophies of his excellency it exalts him in the eyes of others Psal. 50.23 Who so offereth praise glorifies me This is one of the highest and purest acts of Religion In Prayer we act like Men in Praise we act like Angels This is the musick of Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zenoph this is a work fit for a Saint Psal. 149.5 6. Let the Saints be joyful let the high praises of God be in their mouths None but Saints can in a right manner thus hallow Gods name by praising him As every one hath not skill to play on the Viol and Organ so every one cannot rightly sound forth Gods harmonious Praises only the Saints can do it they only can make their tongue and heart joyn in consort Psal. 111.1 I will bless thee O Lord with my whole heart and Psal. 66.17 He was extolled with my tongue There was heart and tongue joyning in consort This hallowing Gods name by praise is very becoming a Christian it is unbecoming to murmur this is a dishonouring Gods name But it becomes the Saints to be Spiritual Quiristers in singing forth the honour of Gods name It is called the garment of praise Isa. 61.3 how comely and handsome is this garment of praise for a Saint to wear Psal. 33.1 Praise is comely for the righteous especially it is an high degree of hallowing Gods name when we can speak well of God and bless him in an afflicted state Iob 1.21 The Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. Many will bless God when he gives but to bless him when he takes away is in an high degree to honour God and hallow his name Let us thus magnifie Gods name Hath not God given us abundant matter of praising him he hath given us the nether and upper springs he hath given us Grace a Mercy spun and woven out of his Bowels and he intends to crown Grace with Glory This should make us hallow Gods Name by being trumpets of his Praise 11. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we sympathize with him We grieve when his name suffers 1. We lay to heart his dishonours How was Moses affected with Gods dishonour he breaks the Tables Exod 32.19 We grieve to see Gods Sabbaths profaned his Worship adulterated the Wine of Truth mingled with Error 2. We grieve when Gods Church is brought low because now Gods name suffers Nehemiah layes to heart the miseries of Sion his complexion begins to alter and he looks sad Neh. 2.3 Why is thy countenance sad What sad when the Kings Cup-bearer and Wine so near O but it fared ill with the Church of God and Religion seemed to lose ground and Gods name suffered therefore Nehemiah grows weary of the Court he leaves his Wine and mingles his Drink with weeping This holy sympathy and grieving when Gods name suffers God esteems an honouring and sanctifying his name Hezekiah grieved when the King of Assyria reproached the living God Isa. 37.17 He went into his chamber and spread the letter of blasphemy before the Lord 2 Kin. 19.14 and no doubt watered the Letter with his tears He seemed not to be so much troubled at the fear of losing his own Life and Kingdom as that God should lose his Glory 12. We hallow and sanctifie Gods Name when we give the same honour to God the Son as we give to God the Father Iohn 5.23 That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father The Socinians deny Christs Divinity saying that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bare Man This is to make him below the Angels Psal. 8.5 For the Humane Nature considered in se is below