despise not this riches of the bountifulnesse of God when in the Gospell it is offered vnto vs though wee may goe on with the hardnesse of our not repenting hearts yet if by speedy repentance wee preuent not our ruine we shall heape vp wrath against the day of wrath euen the day of the declaration of the iust vengeance of God vpon such obstinate and secure sinners h Rom 2.4.5.6 3. Let not worldly rich men glory in their riches i Jer 9.24 but rather vse their outward riches as helpes to further them vnto this true treasure else their riches shall not shelter them in the day of Gods wrath against the woes denounced against them k Iob 36.18.19 Luke 6.12 Lastly would any man know some sure way how to thriue with great successe in these spirituall riches let him then amongst other things especially remember to pray hard for the Lord is rich to all them that call vpon him l Rom 10.12 Thirdly CHRIST is in the faithfull m 2 Cor. 13.5 hee liues in them n Gal. 2.20 hee dwels in them o Ephes 3.18 but that this doctrine may be more fully vnderstood I propound fiue things 1. How Christ is conueied into the soule of the faithfull 2. By what effects he discouereth himselfe to be there 3. What they get by his comming 4. What intertainement they ought to giue him 5. Who haue not Christ in them How Christ is conueied into the faithfull For the first there is this order First God secretly giues Christ to the beleeuer and the beleeuer to Christ p Rom 8.32 Esa 9.6 Iohn 17.6 then Christ begins to manifest himselfe riding in the Chariot of the word q 2 Cor 2.14 The word that before was a dead letter receiueth life by the presence of Christ and that both in the Law and the Gospell The law being made aliue attacheth the particular sinner and playeth vpon him the part of a Sergeant accuser Iaylor or Iudge And the sinner putting in baile the Law brings him to Christ and will not let him goe to another r Gal 3.24 then the Gospell gets aliue and crucifies Christ before his eyes Å¿ Gal 3.1 and propounds varietie of sweet promises The sinner being beaten and wounded almost to death before hee would yeelde to the arrest of the Law seeing now whither he is brought laments with vnspeakeable groanes his owne sinnes and the horrible torments hee sees the Sonne of God put to for his sake and at the same time the spirit of the Sonne working saith a wide doore is opened Christ enters in with vnvaluable ioyes wrought in the heart of the sinner How we may know that Christ is in our hearts Now if you aske by what effects Christ discouers himselfe to bee there I answere there is a light when Christ comes in that giues the Knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ t 2 Cor 4.6 And being rauished they behold as in a mirrour the glory of God and are transformed into the same Image the spirit of God making them suddainely new Creatures u 2 Cor 3 18 2. The conuert now findes a sauour of the things of the spirit and his heart is bowed to be subiect to the law of God x Rom 8.5 7. 3. Hee is baptized with the fire of zeale and holy affections and desires y Math 3.11 4. There appeares a battell and combat in the soule and much lusting on either side the spirit resisting with teares and strong cries 5. In this combat Christ vndertaking the battell sends out by his ordinances his arrests and apprehends one by one euery imagination that rebelliouslie puts it selfe forward in the opposition and exalts it selfe and will not leaue till it be brought in subiection so as the obedience of Christ may haue the vpper hand z 2 Cor 10.5 6. The spirit of the Sonne discouers himselfe as a spirit of supplications by which the tender infant beginnes to learne with holy desires and secret incouragements to speake in Gods language and by prayer to make knowne his griefes and wants in the best manner vttering his affiance in God as a Father x Gal 4.6.7 7. The loue of God and of Christ and of Gods Word and Gods people is shed abroad in his heart and it now constraineth him to holy dueties a Rom 5.9 2 Cor 5.14 8. The body growes dead in respect of sinne and the spirit is life for righteousnesse sake b Rom 8.10 resolution more and more increasing both for reformation of sinne and new obedience 9. Hee findes himselfe proclaimed free the prison doore set open his fetters knocked off his wounds made by the law healing apace his depts paid himselfe in a new world inioying a true Iubile c 2 Cor. 3.17 Esa 61.1.2 10. He liues thenceforward by the faith of the Sonne of God for Saluation for Iustification and for preseruation d Gal 2.20 2 Cor 13.14 11. The heauenly dewes of spirituall ioyes often water and refresh his heart in the vse of the meanes with delightfull peace and tranquility in his heart and conscience e Hos 14.6 Rom 14.17 Lastly in a holy couenanting with God his daily purposes and desires are to cleaue vnto God deuoting and consecrating himselfe and his vowed sacrifices vnto God in the mediation of Christ Thirdly the benefites hee hath by the inhabitation of CHRIST The benefits come by Christ dwelling in vs. are such as these 1. GOD is in Christ reconciling him not imputing his sinnes f 2 Cor. 5.19 2. Christ is made vnto him Wisedome Sanctification Righteousnesse and Redemption g 1 Cor 1.30 3. All the promises of Christ are to him Yea and Amen hauing the earnest giuen in the spirit and the same sealed by the same spirit h 2 Cor. 1.20.22 4. Hee is not destitute of any heauenly gifts i 1 Cor 1.6.7 but hath the seeds and beginnings of all sauing graces 5. The grace of Christ shall be sufficient k 2 Cor. 12.9 against all temptations by the power of Christ that dwels in him and as his outward afflictions doe abound so shall the consolations of Christ abound also l 2 Cor 1.5 6. Paul is his and Apollo is his yea all things are his as he is Christs m 1 Cor 3.22.23 he hath his interest in all the means of saluation 7. God hath giuen him Christ how shall hee not with him giue him all other things also n Rom 8.34.35 Finally eternall life is the gift of God in and with Iesus Christ o Rom 6.23 For the fourth if you aske what you must doe when you finde Christ in your hearts I answere if you liue in the spirit walke in the spirit p Gal 5.24 let olde things passe and all things be new for if you be in Christ Iesus you must be new Creatures
glorious for the Lord shall then come to be glorified in his Saints and made maruellous in all them that beleeue m 2 The. 1.10 Ob. Ob. But the terror of the day may amaze a Christian Sol. Sol. There is no sparke of terror in this doctrine to a godly minde For what should he feare if he either consider the fauour of the Iudge or the manner of the iudgement For the Iudge is he that hath beene all this while their aduocate n 1 Ioh. 2.1 to plead their suits by making intercession for them And therefore when he comes to sit in iudgement he cannot goe against his owne pleading He is their brother and carries a most brotherly affection and will hee condemne his owne brethren He is their head and hath performed all the offices of a head vnto them and can hee then faile them when they haue most need of him nay it is he that hath beene iudged for vs on earth and will hee iudge against vs in heauen What shall I say He died for vs to shew his vndoubted loue euen that he might redeeme vs as a peculiar people to God and will hee faile vs in the last act when he should once for all accomplish his redemption for vs Besides he hath already promised to acquit vs in that day and it hath beene often confirmed both in the word and the Sacraments and praier he hath left many pledges of his loue with vs and therefore it were shamefull vnbeleefe to doubt his terror What though he be terrible to wicked men yet by iudging in seueritie he hath not nor cannot lose the goodnesse of his owne mercy what should wee feare him iudging in his power when wee haue felt saluation in his name Besides the maner of the iudgement shall be in all righteousnesse and mercy Thou shalt not be wronged by false witnesses nor shalt thou be iudged by common fame or outward appearance the Iudge will not be transported with passion or spleene nor will hee condemne thee to satisfie the people and besides there shall bee nothing remembred but what good thou hast sought or done and not the least goodnesse but it shall be found to thy honour and praise at that day And if it were such a fauour to a base subiect if the King should take notice of him to loue him and should in an open Parliament before all the Lords and Commons make a long speech in the particular praises of such a subiect what shall it be when the Lord Iesus in a greater assembly then euer was since the world stood shal particularly declare Gods euerlasting loue to thee and recite the praises with his owne mouth of all that hath beene good in thy thoughts affections words or workes throughout all thy life or in thy death especially if thou adde the singular glory he will then adiudge thee to by an irreuocable sentence And so wee come to the second appearance viz. the appearance of Christians in glory Then shall yee also appeare with him in glory The glory that shall then be conferred vpon Christians may be considered either in their bodies or in their soules or both The glory of Christians first in their bodies The glory of their bodies after the resurrection is threefold for first they shall be immortall that is in such a condition as they can neuer die againe or returne to dust for this mortall then shall put on immortalitie o 1 Cor. 15.53 Secondly they shall be incorruptible that is not only free from putrefaction but also from all weaknesse both of infirmitie and deformitie for though it be sowne in weaknesse yet it shall be raised in power though it be sowne in dishonour and corruption yet it shall be raised in honour and incorruption p 1 Cor. 15.42.43 Thirdly they shall be spirituall not that our bodies shall vanish into ghosts or spirits but because they shall be at that day so admirably glorified and perfected that by the mighty working of Gods spirit they shall bee as able to liue without sleepe meat mariage or the like as now the Angels in heauen are and besides they shall be so admirably light and agill and swift that they shall be able to goe abroad with vnconceiueable speed in the aire or heauens as now they can goe surely on the earth q 1 Cor. 15.44 The glory vpon the soule shall bee the wonderfull perfection of Gods image in all the faculties of it Then shall we know the secrets of heauen and earth And then shall our memories will and affections be after an vnexpresseable manner made conformable vnto God The glory vpon both soule and body shall be those riuers of ioyes and pleasures for euermore And thus shall the man be glorified that feareth the Lord. The consideration of this glory may serue for diuers vses First let vs all pray vnto God vpon the knees of our hearts from day to day that as hee is the father of glory so he would giue vnto vs the spirit of reuelation that the eies of our vnderstanding might be inlightned to know in some comfortable measure and that we might be able with more life and affection to meditate of the exceeding riches of this glory r Eph. 1.17.18 and inheritance to come Our hearts are naturally herein exceeding both dull and blinde maruellous vnable with delight and constancie to thinke of these eternall felicities and this comes to passe by the spirituall working of Satan and the deceitfulnesse of sinne and too much imployment and care about earthly things But a Christian that hath so high a calling and hopes for such a glorious end should not allow himselfe in that deadnesse of heart but as he gaineth sense by praier in other gifts of grace so should he striue with importunitie and constancie wrastling with God without intermission so as no day should passe him but he would remember this suit vnto God till he could get some comfortable abilitie to meditate of this excelling estate of endlesse glory Secondly this should make vs to be patient in tribulation Å¿ Rom. 5.2.3.4 and without murmuring or grieuing to endure hardnesse t 2 Tim. 2.3 and temptations in this world for they are but for a season u 1 Pet. 1.6 though they be neuer so manifold or great and the afflictions of this present life are not worthy of the glory to bee reuealed x Rom. 8.18 Though wee might be dismaied while we looke vpon our crosses and reproaches and manifold trials yet if the Lord let vs haue accesse vnto this grace y Rom. 5.2 to be able soundly to thinke of the glory to come wee may stand with confidence vnapalled and with vnutterable ioy looke vp to the glory wee shall shortly enioy when the triall of our faith being more pretious then the gold that perisheth shall be found vnto honour and praise through the reuelation of Iesus Christ z 1 Pet. 1.7 Yea
ministerie of Christ in his owne person of the Prophets and extraordinary Men and Angels is now ceased so as vnto vs this Mysterie is reuealed by the Spirit in the ministerie of Gods Seruants and in the vse of the Scriptures Quest But was not the Gospell reuealed till now since CHRIST Quest Answ Yes it was as these places may proue Iohn 8.56 Ans Abraham saw his daies and Moses wrote of him All the Prophets gaue witnesse vnto Christ 1 Pet. 1.10 Act. 10.43 Rom. 1.2 Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for euer Heb. 13.8 but the Gospell was hidden in respect of the time of the manifestation of the glory of Christ especially to the Gentiles and diuers things in the manner of Christs kingdome were not reuealed vnto them h 1 Pet. 1.10 as also in respect of cleerenesse of reuelation and the more ordinary life and power of the graces of the Messias and the more plentifull efusion of the gifts of the spirit Fiftly that it was not reuealed before viz. as it is now they had before Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the promise of the Messias to bee exhibited and wee haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tidings of the Messias exhibited Two things may be here obserued First That Gods Seruants may know their owne particular blessednesse for he saith it is reuealed to the Saints Secondly that the seasons of the reuelation of the Gospell in the power of it are singular priuiledges and greatly to be heeded and therefore woe is to those soules that neglect such dayes of grace it is double condemnation It is damnable to sit in darkenesse and haue no meanes of life but it is much more the condemnation of these worlds of prophane persons that light is come into the world yea into the Countrie yea Ioh 3. euen to their owne Townes and Congregations and yet they will loue darkenesse rather then light And on the other side it should teach men that know the time of such visitation both to beare witnesse to the light by presence countenance maintenance and establishing of it for them and theirs and also to walke as the children of the light euen as a people exceedingly priuiledged and blessed of God To his Saints The word Saint is somtime giuen to Christ i Psal 16.10 somtimes to Angels k Iob 15.15 somtimes to the blessed in heauen l Math 27.52 somtimes to the faithful on earth m Psal 16.3 The Pope hath his Saints and such are the choyse of the most desperate Traitors as he ordereth his Canonisations in our daies And the world hath his Saints to and they are ciuill honest men but here by Saints hee meaneth the faithfull on Earth and they are Saints that are holy by the righteousnesse of Faith n Act 26 18. that haue the spirit of Sanctification o 1 Cor 3 16.17 that are separate from sinners by a holy calling p Rom 1 6. 1 Cor 1 2. that are reformed from the principall euils of their former conuersation q 1 Cor 6 11. that call vpon the name of the Lord r 1 Cor. 1 2. that are consecrate to God in speciall holinesse of life Quest But if a man liue ciuilly in the world will not that serue the turne Quest Answ It will not Ans The defects of the ciuill honest man our righteousnesse must exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharises And it may be profitable oft to recount the defects of the ciuill honest man First he wants sinceritie in the first Table Secondly hee sticks not at the inward corruptions of the second Table Thirdly his praise is of men in his best actions or else some other corrupt ends Fourthly hee is wholy voide of the inward worship of God and in the outward hee is either secure or superstitious Fiftly hee neuer trauelled in the new birth for his honesty Sixtly he wants the righteousnesse of Faith Seuenthly for the most part his heart is not sound nor vpright in his family especially for matter of Gods worship Verse 27. To whom God would make knowen what is the riches of his glorious mysterie among the Gentiles which riches is Christ in you for hope of glory THese words containe the fifth generall reason taken from the excellency of the subiect the Gospell in the preaching of it propounds vnto men and that is Christ And in this reuelation of Christ consider 1. to whom viz. to the Saints 2. by whom viz. God 3. what is the cause viz. the Will and good Pleasure of God Hee would 4. the manner 1. if we respect the vnregenerate world it is in a Mysterie 2. if we respect the grace communicated it is a glorious and rich mystery 3. if wee respect the place where Christ as a Sunne of righteousnesse riseth it is in you that is in the heart of man 4. if wee respect the persons hee makes choyce of it is the miserable Gentiles Amongst the Gentiles 5. if wee respect future things he is reuealed as the hope of glory To whom Of the persons to whom I haue spoken in the end of the former verse onely this Doctrine may be added That only the Saints that is holy men find Treasures Riches in the power of the glorious Gospel of Christ The Lords secret is onely with them that feare him a Psal 25.14 till faith be reuealed men are shut vp b Gal. 3.23 as in a dungeon or prison the Lord speakes peace onely to his people and his Saints c Psal 85.8 The righteousnesse of God is reuealed to the iust man that will liue by faith d Rom. 1.17 Flesh and bloud till there be a new birth is not capable of this reuelation e Matt. 16.17 men that hate to be reformed haue nothing to doe with Gods Couenant f Psal 50. Hence we may see where the fault is when men be so auerse and vnteachable when people haue the meanes and cannot vnderstand to profit and doe good it is onely in their owne hearts lusts and wickednesse of life and therefore let euery one that would grow rich in knowledge labour to bee abundant in practise for the sauing knowledge of this mystery encreaseth as grace and holinesse groweth God Doct. God is the author of all sauing knowledge he is the Father of lights The vse is therefore First if any man lacke wisdome let him aske it of God g Iames 1.5 Secondly let all that would haue knowledge vse good means Those people that are too wise to vse reading hearing conference and prayer are but in a miserable case those they account silly people euen as babes sucklings h Matt. 11.25 in comparison of them carry away the blessing while they liue and die in their sinnes Thirdly in the ministery of men we must beleeue them no farther then they bring warrant from the word of God it is Gods word and
afflictions but reioyce in them rather that for diuers reasons First because they are the afflictions of CHRIST that is such as he accounts to be his Secondly because I know that in Gods Decree I haue my part of troubles assigned me and it is my ioy to think that in so good a cause I haue almost fulfilled them Thirdly because these Afflictions extend but to my flesh and outward man And lastly because it is for your good I suffer euen for the confirmation of your Faith and for the good of the whole body of Christ which is the Church Thirdly Verse 25. Whereof I am a Minister according to the dispensation of God which is giuen mee vnto you ward to fulfill the word of God Verse 26. Which is the mystery hid since the world beganne and from all ages but now is made manifest to his Saints I haue receiued this Commission concerning the Gospel immediately from GOD himselfe with strict charge that for your good I should pursue the execution of it till not only Faith and Hope were wrought but till we saw the worke and word of God euen accomplished and fulfilled Fourthly what can there be more excellent and worthy to be beleeued and trusted in then this Gospell of IESVS CHRIST and our reconciliation in him seeing it is that dreadfull Mystery which worlds of men haue wanted as being hid from whole Ages and Generations hitherto and now by the vnspeakeable mercy of GOD is reuealed by preaching vnto the Saints as a peculiar treasure entrusted to them And fiftly the rather should you hereupon settle Verse 27. To whom God would make knowne what is the riches of this glorious mystery among the Gentiles which riches is Christ in you the hope of glory considering the admirable subiect of the Gospell for it is the good pleasure of GOD in this rich and glorious Mystery of the Gospell to make known to the poore Gentiles Christ Iesus himselfe and that by giuing him therein to dwell in your hearts by Faith and as your assured and onely hope of immortall glory Sixtly Verse 28. Whom we preach admonishing euery man and teaching euery man in all wisedome that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus neyther should you euer cast away the confidence of your assurance and hope or grow weary heerein seeing it is the drift and end of all our preaching wherein wee eyther admonish or instruct you leading you through all sorts of wisedome in the word of GOD. I say the end of all is to present you at the length perfect and compleate euery one of you in CHRIST IESVS in some acceptable measure of Sinceritie and Knowledge in him Verse 29. Whereunto I also labour and strâ—â—e according to his working which worketh in me mightily And sâ—â—â—hly being incouraged with that successe which the LORD hath giuen to my ministery I will labour at I haue laboured and still striue with all possible diligence and endeauour in this glorious worke hoping that this also may proue a motiue among the rest to perswade with you to keepe Faith and Hope to the end with all Constancie and holy perseuerance CERTAINE OF THE Chiefest things obserued in the Notes vpon this first CHAPTER WHat rules wee must obserue in alledging the examples of godly men sinning fol. 4. The assurance of a lawfull Calling serues for many vses fol 5. Gods Children called Saints in this life in foure respects fol. 7. Comforts for the dispised Saints with answere of some Obiections fol. 7. 8. How Saints may be knowne fol. 9. Christian faithfulnesse is to be shewed in fiue things in spirituall things and in three things in temporall things fol. 10. 11. Idlenesse in Professors taxed fol. 11. Seuerall Vses arising out of the consideration of this that wee are Brethren fol. 13. How wee may get into Christ and how we may know whether we be in Christ fol. 13. 14 Spirituall things are the best things for nine reasons fol. 15. The Motiues and the manner of Thankesgiuing to God fol. 20. Foure Rules of tryall in our Thankesgiuing to God for others fol. 21. A Child of God neuer giues thankes but he hath cause to pray and contrariwise fol. 21. Foure sorts of prayers for others fol. 21. 68. Fiue reasons to warrant praying euery day fol. 22. The Sorts Obiects Parts Degrees Benefits Le ts Signes of Faith with the misery of the want of Faith the incouragements to beleeue and the defects of the common Protestants Faith fol. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28 29. 30. 31. 32. Indiscretion is not the cause of the reproaches and troubles of Christians fol. 33. The surest way to get Credit is to get Grace fol. 34. Foure Signes of Vaine-glory fol. 34. Seauen Obseruations about Loue. fol. 35. Seauen things to be shewed in Christian Loue. fol. 36. Foure things in the manner of our loue fol. 37. Motiues to perswade to the exercise of mutuall loue fol. 38. 39. 40. Eight helpes of Loue. fol. 41. 42. The defects of the common Protestants Charitie or Loue. fol. 42. 43. Eight Differences betweene true Hope and common Hope and seauen meanes to breede true Hopâ— fol. 45. 46. What wee must doe if we would haue heauen when we die fol. 46. What profit good men get by hearing Sermons fol. 49. 50. The sorts of euill hearers with their miserie fol. 50. 51. How the Word is said to be a word of truth and that it worketh truth in vs six wayes fol. 52. Concerning the Gospell what it containes who may and who doe receiue it and the effects of it fol. 53. 54. Motiues to fruitfulnesse what fruit wee should beare and the meanes to make vs more fruitfull fol. 55. 56. There is a season for fruit fol. 58. Seauen things to be done that we may heare the Word in truth fol. 59. The causes of fruitlesse hearing fol. 60. The great commodities of assurance ibid. Who loue not God and who loue not men fol. 64. To loue as Christ loued vs hath foure things in it ibid. Incouragements to prayer fol. 66. 67. Why many pray and speede not fol. 67. What wee should seeke to know Motiues to knowledge and rules for attaining knowledge fol. 70. 71. Signes of a naturall man fol. 73. Who make Schisme in the Church fol. 73. Rules for Contemplation fol. 75. Tenne Obiections against Knowledge answered out of Prou. 8. fol. 75. 76. Wherein Wisedome consists Wisedomes order in seauen things Wisedomes specialties in the behauiour first of the Heart in fiue things secondly of the tongue in seauen things thirdly of the Conuersation in eight things fol. 76. 77. 78. Motiues to holy life the causes of prophanenes rules for holinesse and the gaine of holinesse fol. 78 79. 80. Nine Reasons against merit fol. 81. What it is to walke worthy of the Lord it hath sixe things in it fol. 82. Eight rules to be obserued if we would please God and sixe rules if we would please men fol. 83.
in the time of temptation fall away these specialties of faithfulnesse receiue a great increase of praise if two things come to them first that mens hearts be faithfull that is that though they haue many wants and infirmities and faile much and often in well-doing yet the desire delight endeuour resolution and affection is in all pleasing and firmnesse to walke before God without eyther hypocrisie or presumption this was Abrahams praise Nehem. 9.8 Secondly that men continue faithfull vnto the death Nehem 9.8 with all constancy and holy perseuerance beleeuing in Christ and worshipping GOD euen to the ende of their dayes this is called for and crowned Reuel 2.11 Thus of faithfulnesse in spirituall things Faithfulnesse in temporall things stands in three things First Reu 2.11 Faithfulnesse in temporall things in the sincere diligent and carefull discharge of the duties of our Callings It was a singular prayse in Daniel that when his enemies sought occasion against him they could finde none concerning the Kingdome Daniel 6.5 hee was so faithfull and without blame and therefore they must take him if euer concerning the Law of his God Then doth the glory of Gods people shine A Caueat for Professors when together with their constant zeale in matters of religion they are found carefully diligent and faithfull in their callings then whatsoeuer befalls them for the Law of their God they may beare it with all comfort and constancy as did Daniel But how doth it blemish the glory of profession when men can say and see that Professors are idle deceitfull busie-bodies and carelesse in their places and callings they cannot build so much by profession as they destroy by their scandalous and carelesse courses Secondly in the right vse and profitable disposing of our riches euen the outward things God hath giuen vs. This lyeth vpon vs as one of the tokens of our faithfulnesse nay this is necessary to the being of this praise In the 16. Luke 16.9 of Luke Christ exhorts to the wise and liberall bestowing of our riches vnto the necessities of the poore and for other holy and needfull vses And because there lye in the hearts of carnall men many Obiections against this Exhortation therefore hee forceth it with reasons that meete with mens carnall conceits And first whereas men out of an ouer-great estimation and liking of these Obiect 1 earthly things doe easily obiect that they must be carefull of the sauing and sparing in the vse of their riches for they are all the comfort they haue in this world Solution Hee answereth that men should not so much loue these earthly things for they are riches of iniquitie that is sinne that makes a man miserable and accursed is most an end mixed with riches Verse 9. eyther they are wrongfully gotten and sinfully kept or they are causes of much sinning against God or men or himselfe Obiect 2 Oh but what good shall a man get by parting with his goods Sol. They shall receiue him into euerlasting habitations Solut. they that is eyther the Angels or the Poore or thy Riches shall let thee into heauen euen to sure dwelling places and this should moue the rich because the time will come when thou shalt want and all the riches in the world cannot helpe thee Obiect 3 Oh but a man may bee saued and enioy these euerlasting habitations though hee doe not so part with his riches Solut. Sol. Hee cannot for a man cannot bee saued without Grace and God will neuer trust him with Grace the true treasure that is not faithfull in bestowing riches Verse 10.11 and good reason for if God gaue a wicked worldling grace hee would neuer be faithfull in vsing it for he that is vniust in the least that is Riches would be vniust in much that is Grace Obiect 4 Oh but our goods are our owne and therefore why should we giue them to others Solut. Sol. Ver. 12. That is false for Grace onely is a mans owne but Riches are anothers Psal 24.1 Prou. 3.27 for God is the Lord of the whole and the poore is the owner of a part Obiect 5 Tush but a man may haue a good heart to God and yet not deliuer out his goods to other mens vses nor leaue his content that he hath in the fruition of them Solut. Verse 13. Sol. That is false too for a man cannot serue two Masters one man cannot serue God and Riches And thus our Sauiour meeteth with the Obiections of worldly men The wordes also containe notable reasons to perswade to faithfulnesse which lieth in this good vse of Riches first they are riches of iniquity secondly the right vse of them makes way for heauen thirdly hee is like to be a godly man in the vse of Grace that is a faithfull man in the vse of Riches fourthly God else will not trust vs with Grace fiftly he will else be a very vniust man and his riches wicked sixtly Grace onely is his owne goods and to be without Grace is to liue and dye a beggar lastly thou canst neuer serue God and Riches Thirdly in temporall things Faithfulnesse shewes it selfe in the vprightnesse and harmelesnesse of our carriage towards others as in keeping of promises Psal 15. in the honest discharge of the trust laid vpon men eyther in Church or Common-wealth Nehem. 13.13 Prou. 13.17 in witnesse-bearing Prou. 14 5.25 in iust gaines and lawfull meanes vsed for profit in our dealings with others Prou. 28.20 And such like dueties of iustice Thus then we see who is a faithfull man euen hee that knoweth his owne reconciliation with God by faith that performeth his vowes to God that sincerely worships God and laboureth the increase of holy graces that will doe nothing against the trueth but for the truth that is diligent in his calling that is seruiceable with his riches and lastly that is iust in his dealing Priuiledges of the â—â—ithfull Now if wee be such then is our estate most comfortable for first God will bee faithfull to vs in the accomplishment of all his promises secondly the Worde will be faithfull euen a sure fountaine of true comfort and helpe in all distresse thirdly Christ will be a faithfull both High Priest in heauen by his intercession making request for vs to God and both to earth and heauen he will be a faithfull witnesse Hebr. 2.17 Reuel 15. 3.14 so as while we liue we shall finde the testimony of IESVS in our hearts and when wee die hee will not bee ashamed of vs before his Father and the holy Angels and lastly wee shall be sure to haue a faithfull reward Prou. 11.18 And this of the second title giuen to Gods Children Brethren The Children of God are said to be brethren in a foure-fould relation 1 To Christ 1. to CHRIST 2. to the Apostle 3. to the Saints abroad 4. to the Saints at home For the first are wee brethren
5. Phil. 2. Foure things make glory vaine and to be heard of amongst men Ans It is not simply a sinne to seeke an honest report amongst men let them contemne their names that meane to bee allowed to liue in presumptuous sinne A good name is better then riches And Christ commandeth that our light should shine that men might see our good works And the Apostle wils them to hold forth the light of the word of truth in the middest of a crooked and froward generation But glory is then vaine first when it is sought in vaine things secondly when men seeke praise for the shew of that that is not thirdly when they make it the chiefe end of their actions fourthly when it makes men proude and vicious otherwise it is an honest ioy that comes of a good name and a reason to beare many crosses in other things patiently where men may support themselues with this comfort of a good Name And of your Loue to all Saints HItherto of Faith by which wee embrace CHRIST the head Now it remaines that I entreate of Loue by which we embrace the SAINTS the members By the one wee are ioyned to Christ by the other to the members of Christ Iohn 3.17 Loue is either in God or in man In God it is an Attribute in man an Affection or a quality in the affection Loue is a vice three waies Loue in man is either a vice or a grace It is a vice when it is set vpon a wrong obiect or is disordered and that three wayes first when wee loue things vnlawfull as Sinne secondly when wee loue things lawfull but too much as the World thirdly when Loue is turned into Lust and so is the mother of Fornication Adultery Incest and such like As Loue is a grace for I omit bare naturall affections It is onely in the Saints and so they loue first God and Christ as the fountaines of all Naturall and Supernaturall blessings secondly they loue the meanes of communion with God and Christ and thus they loue the word of God Psalme 1.2 and thus they loue the second appearing of Christ 2. Tim. 4.8 thirdly they loue man and so their loue is either to all men to their enemies or to the Saints Of this last heere Concerning this loue to Gods children if the coherence and the generall consideration of the words be obserued seauen things may be noted first Concerning loue 7. things may be noted from the coherence that the loue to Gods children is a grace supernaturall as well as faith Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because wee loue the brethren And againe Let vs loue one another for loue commeth of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God Hence it is called The loue that God hath in vs. Yea it is Obseruat 1 deriued from that precious loue wherewith God loue Christ Secondly we must first be ioyned to Christ by faith 1 John 3.14 1 Iohn 4.7 1 Iohn 4.16 Iohn 17.26 before wee can get any sanctified affection to man all humane affections in carnall men want their true comfort profit and constancie because they are not seasoned by faith in God till a man doe labour for his owne reconciliation with God he Obseruat 2 can neuer get a sound affection to Gods children nor reape the heauenly priuiledges of communion with Saints Thirdly to loue Gods children for any other respects then because they Obseruat 3 are Saints is a meere Naturall affection not a Spirituall grace a wicked man may loue a childe of God for his profit pleasure or credit sake for his company sake or for his amiable qualities in conuersing and such like but the right loue is to loue them as they are sanctified as they are begotten of God 1 Iohn 5.1 and for Spirituall respects and thus hee that giueth a Disciple a cup of cold water in the name of a Disciple shall not loose his reward Math. 10.41.42 Fourthly nothing can make more to the praise and credit of men then Obseruat 4 faith and loue the highest praise of a mans good estate is to bee able to shew that he beleeueth his owne reconciliation with God and that he loueth Gods children He doth not say he was glad at heart when he heard of their riches honours c. But when hee heard of their loue to the Saints and their faith in Christ 1 Thessal 3.6 The good tydings of the faith and loue in the Thessalonians was a great consolation to Paul in his affliction and all his necessities No better newes can be brought him and therefore hee prayes the Lord to increase them not in riches and the pleasures of this life but to make them abound in loue one to another Fiftly whosoeuer doth actually beleeue doth actually loue they are inseparable Obseruat 5 companions Faith worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 Ephes 6.23 1 Tim. 1.14 Hence he wisheth the people not barely loue but loue with faith so as commonly they are together in the same degrees also If no faith no loue if a shew of faith but a shew of loue if a purpose of faith but a purpose of loue if a weake faith a weake loue if an interrupted faith an interrupted loue if often at oddes with God often at iarres with men they are begotten by the same seede giuen by the same God receiued by the same Saints and lodged in the same heart Sixtly there is no hope of heauen if no loue to the brethren Hee that Obseruat 6 saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkenesse vntill this time And 1 Iohn 2.9.10 1 Iohn 3.16 Whosoeuer hateth his brother is a man-slayer And we know that no man-slayer hath eternall life Seuenthly and lastly he that loues one Saint truely loues any Saint and Obseruat 7 therefore the Apostle in the praise of their loue commendeth it for that it was towards all the Saints to haue Gods children in respect of persons is not to respect them at all aright he that cannot loue grace any where loues not any for grace The vses of all these obseruations briefly follow first heere is reproofe Vses and that first of such wicked wretches as can loue any but the Saints these are in a wofull and damnable case whatsoeuer their estate be in the world secondly of such as allow themselues liberty to hold Gods children in suspence they do not hate them 1 Iohn 5.1 but yet they will be better aduised before they be too forwards to ioyne themselues with them But let these be assured that till they be loued God will not beloued Secondly heere we may make triall by our Loue to Gods children both of our faith and hope as also of our loue to God and lastly the manner of our affection viz. for what wee loue other For naturall affection hath his naturall rewards Lastly the doctrine of loue is a comfort two waies
Knowledge 3. the Measure filled with it Of his will Will is a propriety in God Proprieties in God Proprieties in God are either Personall or Essentiall the Proprieties of the Person are such as these in the Father to beget and send foorth of the Sonne to be begotten and sent forth and of the holy Ghost to proceede the Properties of the Essence are of two sorts some note the Essence as they say à priori and these are such Proprieties as are incommunicable that is are so in God as they are in no Creature as Infinitenesse and Simplicitie free from all mixture parts or composition some note out the Essence à posteriori and these are such as are first and principally in God but in the second place communicable to the Creature and of this sort are Power Wisdome amd Will in God The will of God is either The Will of Gods good pleasure or The Will of his pleasure The Will of Gods good pleasure is in things where the effect is good The Will of his pleasure is in things where the effect is euill Bene placiti Placiti and so hee wils in respect of the end but not in respect of the meanes to the end as Sinne and some Miseries The Will of Gods good pleasure is heere meant and this is secret or reuealed The reuealed Will is heere meant The reuealed Will of God is of foure sorts It is 1. His determining Will concerning vs what shall become of vs c Ephes 1.5 2. His prescribing Will where hee requires either Obedience and this is reuealed in the Law or Faith and Repentance and so it is reuealed in the Gospell d Ephes 1.9 Acts 22.9 3. His approouing Will and that is that Will by which hee graciously accepts and tenderly regardeth those that come to him in Faith and Repentance e Gal. 1.4 Mat. 18.14 John 1.23 4. His disposing Will and this is the will of his prouidence f 1 Cor. 1.1 Rom. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The prescribing Will of God is wholly reuealed the other three but in part and by consequent Thus of the Will of God Knowledge This is the Grace by which the Will of God is apprehended The originall word is three waies accepted Sometimes for Knowledge so ordinarily Sometimes for Acknowledgement as it is translated in these places Luke 1.4 1 Cor. 16.18 2 Cor. 6.9 Sometimes for Knowing againe All three sences may be heere well considered off First of knowing Gods Will. Heere I consider three things first what we must know secondly why or the motiues to perswade to seeke for knowledge thirdly the meanes to be vsed thereunto What wee should seeke to know For the first wee must know that God doth approoue of vs in Christ the approouing will And this is so necessary that our hearts can neuer bee rid of the occasion of feare of our Reprobation till wee doe know it g 2 Cor. 13.5 Secondly we must know what God hath determined of vs his determining will To this end hath God giuen vs his Word and Spirit that wee might know what hee hath prepared for vs if wee loue him h 1 Cor. 2.9 Thirdly wee must labour to know what hee requireth of vs his prescribing will It is sayd of Dauid Acts 13.22 that hee did all the wils of God and so should wee also labour to know and by practise expresse the power of all Gods wils and the rather seeing we haue fulfilled not the will but the wils of the flesh from time to time i Ephes 2.3 Motiues to knowledge For the second there are many things might enflame vs to the desire of knowledge For this is the glory of Gods Elect not riches not strength not carnall wit k Ier. 9.24 It is the singular gift of Gods grace and speciall portion of his Chosen l Marke 4.11 It is a great sinne and greeuous curse to want it m Hos 4.11 but a damned plague to contemne it n Iob 21 14. Knowledge Why it is more excellent then all things all but losse and dung in comparison of it o Phil. 3.9 Without it Zeale is little worth p Rom. 10.2 and Sacrifice is in vaine q Hos 6.6 What shall I say This is eternall life to know God and whom he hath sent Iesus Christ r Iohn 17.3 Rules for attaining knowledge Thirdly what must wee doe that wee may attaine to the knowledge of Gods will I answer First wee must get to bee true members of Christ for No man knoweth the Father but the Sonne and they to whom the Sonne reuealeth him ſ Mat. 11.27 Secondly we must conscionably practise what we doe already know by the light of Nature or generall light of Religion and then Christs gracious promise lyeth for the further reuelation euen of sauing knowledge t Iohn 7.17 Thirdly men neuer soundly prosper in the attainment of sauing knowledge till they haue beene in the furnace of affliction of Conscience after men haue beene wounded in spirit and their hearts smitten within them they will then know and endeauour themselues to know u Hos 6.1.3 But this Question may be excellently answered out of two places of the Apostle Paul First in the 12. of the Rom. 1.2.3 The Apostle shewes that a man must doe fiue things if hee would know what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is First hee must deuote himselfe to a religious course of life this hee calles sacrificing of our selues to God Vers 1. Secondly hee must no more follow the fashions of the world Thirdly hee must by prayer and the vse of all the meanes repent for the sinnes of his minde and get a new minde to put his knowledge in Ver. 2. Fourthly hee must be prouing and trying often examining himselfe and trying his euidence concerning the faith of Gods good will to him as the hope of his glory Verse 2. Fiftly hee must not bee ouer-curious to prie into such knowledges as concerne him not but be wise to sobriety labouring especially by hearing and practise to get within compasse of the knowledge of his owne Iustification Sanctification and Saluation Vers 3. Againe in the 5. of the Ephesians Vers 14. to 22. to gaine the true light of Christ and vnderstand Gods will the Apostle shewes that wee must doe nine things First wee should awaken our selues out of the spirituall slumber of our hearts labouring by prayer and meditation of our danger to force open the eyes of our mindes Awake thou that sleepest Ver. 14. Secondly wee must forsake the company of wicked and carnall men that haue no taste nor feeling of things that belong to the kingdom of God Stand vp from the dead Verse 14. Thirdly wee must walke circumspectly precisely the originall word is being resolued to make a conscience of all our wayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or else in vaine to goe about to digge for knowledge
Obiect The faithfull themselues discerne not any such excellencie in their earthly condition Sol. Wee must distinguish of Christians Solut. some are but infants in grace and babes these may be entituled to great things and yet haue no great sense of it as the Childe in Nature hath no great discerning of the inheritance hee is borne to or his owne present condition wherein hee excels others A kingdome is neuer the worse because the infant Prince cannot discourse of the glory of it Some Christians fall away for the time into grosse sinne or error and these are in matters of grace like the drunken man or Paraliticke in nature their discerning is lost with their vprightnesse other Christians either want the meanes in the power of it or are tossed with great afflictions or are in the fit of temptation and then they haue but a darke glimpse of their felicity in Christ but the strong Christian that hath digested the assurance of Gods loue in Christ and is exercised in the word of righteousnesse sees such a glory in the Kingdome of Grace and doth acknowledge it with such vnmoueable firmenesse of heart that all the powers of either earth or hell cannot alter his iudgement in the high estimation of such a condition Vses The Vse of this Doctrine concerning Christs Kingdome is First for Consolation Gods Children should much exult and reioyce in their estates and in as much as Christ sitteth as king for euer all that are in his Temple should speake of his glory p Psal 29.10.18 and if there were nothing else for a Christian to ioy in yet let all the children of Sion reioyce in their King q Psal 149.2 Yea the thought of this that God is our King should vphold vs and fence vs against all crosses r Psal 74.12 for Christ is a hiding place for the winde and a couer for the tempest as riuers of waters in a dry place and as the shadow of a great rocke in a weary Land Å¿ Esay 32.2 And therefore let our eyes neuer grow dimme in viewing this glory or our eares grow dull in harkening to the word of this Kingdome Secondly for Reproofe and terrour vnto all wicked men that harden their hearts and refuse to returne What greater losse then to lose Christs Kingdome and what fairer seruice then to serue the Sonne of God Who would not feare thee O King of Nations t Jer 10.7 accursed is the estate of all such as subiect not their neckes to Christs yoake that refuse to let him raigne ouer them by his Word and Spirit that come not vp to doe their homage in Ierusalem euen to worshippe this King the Lord of Hoasts u Zach. 14.17 If Iesus Christ be a great King then where shall they appeare that say to the King Apostata x Iob 34.18 Euen all such I meane that dare reproach the way of Christ and deride the sinceritie of such as desire to imploy themselues in the businesse of the Kingdome c. Is hee a great King how dare wee then offer that vnto him which they durst not offer to a meane King on earth What meane the blinde and the lame in Gods house y Mal 1.13.14 how dare men so securely offer vp their blinde lip-seruice and lame deuotions It is a Kingdome that is offered why doe wee then trifle why doe they excuse What meanes these fond excuses I haue married a wife and cannot come I haue bought fiue yoake of Oxen and must goe proue them I haue bought a Farme and must goe see it I haue this pleasure and that profit and therefore cannot come Will they lose a Kingdome vpon so silly a pretence when thou needest not to lose either Wife Farme or Oxen. God doth not bid thee leaue thy Wife thy Labour thy Calling thy Liuing but onely wils thee to attend thine owne further aduancement in the season of it seeke lawfull profit but seeke Grace first Vse thy lawfull pleasures but chiefly seeke the pleasures of God euen these spirituall ioyes that are more worth then a Kingdome Thirdly for Instruction it should teach vs aboue all things to seeke our happinesse in this excellent estate vnder the gouernement of Iesus Christ Wee should in respect of the worth of it forsake our Fathers house and the immoderate desire of any earthly thing so that the King will please to delight in vs z Psal 4.5 Wee should open our hearts wider that the King of Glorie by his Word and Spirit may come in * Psal 24.10 Wee should labour for all those Graces by which an entrance is ministred into this Kingdome a 2 Pet 1.8.11 and whatsoeuer we are vncertaine of wee should make our Calling and Election sure and though we bee neuer so many waies opposed yet seeing wee fight for a Kingdome nay in a Kingdome wee should hold it alwaies a good fight b 1 Tim 6. and continue constant and vnmoueable and if Christ lead vs into his Chambers c Cant 1.3 of presence and delight vs with the sweete ioyes of his presence wee should remember such princely loue and ioy in him alwaies Let the Christian sing and make a ioyfull noyse to the rocke of his saluation and let him worshippe and bow downe let him serue with all reuerence and heare without all hardnes of heart d Psal 95.1.3 let no discontentment possesse the heart of the true Christian for to serue Christ is to raigne and all his Subiects are Kings and the worst estate of the meanest Christian is a rich Kingdome Of his Sonne Quest Quest Why is it called the Kingdome of the Sonne rather then of the Father Ans Answ Because God hath giuen all the power to the Sonne and this Kingdome is assigned ouer to him The merit of this happinesse is onely in Christ and the vertue that gathers vs into this kingdome is onely from CHRIST and no man commeth to the Father but by Christ Sonne of his loue Christ is the Sonne of Gods loue first because hee is most worthy of all others to be beloued As Iudas is the Sonne of perdition that is most worthy to be damned Secondly because hee was from euerlasting begotten of the loue of his Father hee is Gods naturall Sonne Thirdly because he is infinitely filled with the sense of his loue so they are said to be the Children of the marriage that are full of ioy in respect of the marriage Fourthly because it is hee by whom loue is deriued into others It is hee that makes all other Sonnes beloued Lastly in respect of his humane nature he is that Sonne vpon whom God hath shewed his principall loue in respect of the gifts with which that nature is admirably qualified The meditation of this that CHRIST our Sauiour is the Sonne of Gods loue is very comfortable for hee is like to speede in any thing hee requests the Father for vs and hee will be
not mens sayings or precepts must be our guide a feare of God bred by mans precepts will be in vaine i Matth. 15. Fourthly wee should prize euery dramme of true knowledge got from the Word at a high rate euen to excell all other things as being the peculiar gift of God Would The reasons of the dispensation of spirituall fauours in Christ are not in vs neither in will nor worke but in the good pleasure of GODS will which should teach vs with so much the more thankefulnesse to expresse our admiration of Gods loue that could finde nothing in vs but cause of hate euen for euer what are wee or what are our fathers houses that wee should bee thus exalted in the Courts of our God and withall wee should in all things resigne our selues ouer to Gods will as the highest cause of all things wee should rest in his approuing will as our cheefest happinesse and obey his prescribing will as the absolutest and perfectest forme of holinesse and be subiect to his disposing will being patient in all trialls and troubles because hee did it k Psal 39.9 Lastly this might breake to powder carnall hopes how canst thou plead thou hopest that God will saue thy soule seeing there is simply nothing in thee that the Lord cares for and thou hast not sought his grace by sound Repentance and true Faith Make knowne Diuers things haue beene noted before concerning this manifestation and reuelation of the Gospell that which onely I will here adde is the effects of it The proper effect of the powerfull publication of the Gospell is to bring life and immortalitie to light l 2 Tim 1.10 But the accidentall effect is to make variance and oppositions amongst men When CHRIST comes in this manner hee comes not to bring peace as the Fanne scattereth the Chaffe from the Wheat so is the word powerfully preached I need go no further then this Citie for an instance though matters of controuersie haue beene wholy forborne and differences in matters about Church-gouernement and ceremonies haue not beene so much as touched with publike preachings and that matter of regeneration faith and sanctification hath beene almost onely vrged yet see what stirres what differences of censures what indignation at the reformation of any soules that haue beene wrought vpon by the word what inuectiues what strange reports what abhominable lies and slanders haue beene almost weekly raised and divulged throughout all the Country round about What is the riches of the glory The Apostles varieâ—ie and effectuall tearmes are to be noted though he haue spoken much yet hee is not drawne drie but speakes still with great feeling and efficacie both of words and matter And indeed as any men are more holy they haue the more deepe and tender Affections in the meditation of the glory of the things of the Gospell This holy man cannot fall vpon the mention of the Gospell but his affections burst out into great tearmes of Admiration as if he thirsted after varietie of words to expresse his inward estimation and as it is a signe of a sanctifying disposition to be so affected so when we see holy men striuing for wordes to expresse the glory of spirituall things it may secretly condemne the coldnesse and barrainnesse of our dull spirits that vsually through the deceitfulnesse of sinne proue to haue the dullest affections where wee should bee most stirred and the Apostle doth well in seeking these affecting tearmes that so hee might excite affection and appetite in the hearers for people will no longer profit by the word then they admire it and long after it with estimation and therefore it should be a holy discretion in Ministers to study by all meanes to teach in such a manner as might most stirre affection and iust admiration at the power and fitnes of the Word But here a question may be asked Say that we haue gotten a great affection to the Word Quest What wee must do to keepe affection in the admiration of the word and that wee doe highly esteeme of it and long after it what must wee doe to keepe this appetite that wee lose it not and that it die not in vs by little and little I answere thou must looke to thy selfe in fiue things First take heede of euill company the people that cried out for very admiration Hosanna blessed be he that commeth in the name of the Lord Ans when they were gotten among the Scribes and Pharises had altered their note into Crucifie him crucifie him Secondly thou must purge often that is thou must by mortification be oft in humbling thy soule by confession and sorrow to God in prayer else fulnesse and satietie will ouer-charge this appetite for so must hee doe that hath a stomacke apt to be filled with ill humours as experience both in body and soule shewes Thirdly if thou wouldest not despise prophesying thou must try all things and keepe that which is good which thou doest if thou obserue these two rules 1. if in hearing such Ministers as haue either their hearts or the doctrine vnsound thou separate the pretious from the vile 2. If in hearing the best men thou be especially carefull to keepe that part of Doctrine as did particularly touch thee and so was in a speciall manner good for thee Fourthly thou must looke to thy selfe that the profits pleasures or lusts of the world steale not away thy heart from communion with God in the meanes Whoredome and Wine and the cares of this life c. will take away any mans heart m Hos 4.11 Luke 21.34 Fiftly thou must exercise thy selfe in the rest of Gods Ordinances else disvse in one will in time breede contempt of all and God will not haue all the honour giuen to one of his ordinances and doth of purpose many times withdraw his blessing which is the bellowes of affection and estimation from one of his ordinances because hee will be sought in all Againe out of the Apostles tearmes we may obserue the great excellencie of the Gospell for wit it is a mysterie most deepe for worth it is riches and for credit it is glory True knowledge is a rich knowledge Riches Doct. The true knowledge of Christ is a rich knowledge Hence the Corinthians are said to be rich in knowledge n 1 Cor 1.5 and Paul compares it with and commends it beyond all earthly riches o Phil 3.9 and it is so both in respect of the Obiect which is CHRIST the fountaine of all Treasure and in respect of the nature of it being a part of eternall life p Iohn 17.3 and in respect of the effects because it makes a man rich in grace And it appeares by the contrary Vses for to be blinde is to be poore and naked and miserable q Reuel 3.17 and Vse 1 therefore they are farre wide that thinke all this studying of the Scriptures and following Sermons will make Men
q 2 Cor 5.16.17 the olde conuersation in times past will not now serue turne but the olde man with his deceiueable lusts must be cast off r Ephes 4.22 Now thou must learne also to liue by Faith and not by sence and carnall hopes as thou hast done For CHRIST keepes his residence in our hearts by faith Å¿ Ephes 3.16 for in that wee henceforth liue in the flesh wee must resolue to liue by the faith of the Sonne of God that liueth in vs t Gal. 2.20 beeing assured that in him are all the treasures of holinesse and happinesse And to this end thou must pray constantly to God that thou mayest bee able to discerne the length bredth depth and height of this loue and louing presence of Christ u Ephes 3.18 For otherwise it is a knowledge passeth all naturall vnderstanding and his working in vs is aboue all wee can aske or thinke Why should a Christian feare any want that carrieth a Mine of treasure within his owne breast And what a shame is it that wee grow not exceeding rich seeing there is nothing but Faith and Prayer will get it x Rom 10.12 and why should we feare eyther tribulation or persecution or paine or perill seeing this is our victory euen our faith and wee are assured that in the end wee shall be in all these things more then conquerours through him that loueth vs and liues in vs y Rom 8.35.37 Further doth the spirit of meekenesse and of Christ dwell in thee Oh then aboue many things learne lowlinesse and humility z Mat. 12.29 and if the Lord giue thee a tender and a harmelesse heart watch with all carefulnesse that thou bee not beguiled from the innocent simplicity that is in Christ Iesus * 1 Cor. 11.3 Lastly thou must labour for inward sinceritie both of thoughts and affections thy heart is Christs chamber of presence where hee alwaies resides and as thou art carefull to looke to thy behauiour because of mans presence so must thou much more looke to thy heart to keepe it cleane and pure and chast and euery day to dresse it new since the King of glory is come in to dwell with thee Men would bee very carefull to looke to that roome where they would giue their best entertainement Alas wee haue no better roome then our hearts to welcome our Sauiour into And shall not wee keepe them with all diligence woe be to vs if wee tempt or grieue him by our inward vncleannesse 5 Seauen ill signes that Christ dwels not in a mans heart Now for the fift point there are seauen ill signes that Christ dwells not in a mans heart First when a man sauours nothing but carnall things Secondly when a man hath or desires or esteemes or labours after no other knowledge but what is ordinary or naturall Thirdly when a man makes no conscience of inward sinnes Fourthly when a man hath no zeale in Gods worship or holy affections towards God and his people and his word Fiftly when a man hath not a faith that he can liue by Sixtly when a man neuer feeles the heauenly ioyes of Christ in his heart Seauenthly when a man can liue in any grosse sinne without trouble and anguish of spirit or desire and indeauour to breake it off by repentance The hope of glory The riches of a Christian are either in this life and so it lies in the grace of IESVS CHRIST or else in the world to come and so it is glory euen a most glorious and admirable excellency of felicitie which shall haue in it eternall righteousnesse and the continuall blessed vision of God eternall ioyes and perfection of all things round about euerlasting honour and singular esteeme most sweete societie with holy Angels and blessed Saints with vnspeakeable peace and rest together with that admirable clarification of the very bodies of the righteous Vses Phil 3.21 Col 3.1.2 Rom 5.3 2 Cor 4.18 1 Pet. 4.13 The consideration hereof should allure vs to the continuall thought of Heauen and to a feruent affection after it striuing to expresse our hope of Heauen by a conuersation that tends to glory and immortalitie and to this end wee should be importunate with the Lord to shew vs this glory by the spirit of reuelation that we may be able profitably to solace our soules in the middest of the tentations and afflictions of this world with a serious contemplation of our right in Iesus Christ to this admirable glory that is to be reuealed Jam 2.5 Rom 15.7 And the meditation of the glory poore Christians shall one day haue should teach vs to honour them now and receiue them into our heartie and inward societie and to vse them as such as we are assured are the heires of more glory then this world is worth and lastly doe we looke for glory from God in another world then wee should seeke to glorifie GOD in all things with all our might in this world Secondly wee may in these words note that where Christ will glorifie in another world there he is the hope of glory in this world A Christian holds his glory by this Tenure Now concerning this hope many things haue beene noted already vpon the fourth verse and vpon the 23. verse and therefore thither I referre the Reader Verse 28. Whom we preach admonishing euery man and teaching euery man in all wisedome that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus IN this verse is contained the sixt generall Reason taken from the end and profitable effect of the Gospell If they continue constant by the power of the word they will be made fit to be presented in some measure of ripenesse and perfection vnto God in Iesus Christ Two things are in the verse to be obserued the Meanes and the End the meanes is preaching which is amplified by the parts of it admonishing and teaching and by the manner of it in all wisedome Whom we preach The reason why the Apostle falls so often into the mention and praise of their preaching is to rescue it from the contempt vnder which many times it lay disgraced There are foure things may be obserued here The honour of Ministers which tend to expresse the honour of the ministery in this place 1. They are as it were the Lords high treasurers to dispense the riches of the kingdome of Iesus Christ And if such an office bee in such request vnder earthly Princes what is it to be so honoured of the Prince of all Princes All the world is beholding to the ministery for they shew that Mine of incomparable Treasure they dig it vp they offer it as spirituall Merchants yea the Lord by them doth as it were particularly inrich all Christians 2. This honour of publishing the Gospell is now taken from the very Angels and giuen to them now Wee not the Angels preach vnto you 3. They haue the best subiect that euer men had
comming in the clowds of heauen and then miraculously recouers Peter a lapsed sinner Will they arraigne him in the common hall why there he ouercomes by patience no indignities could stir him and the Iudges wife from a dreame giues warning that hee was a iust man yea the Iudge himselfe was compelled to pronounce him innocent 3. Vpon the crosse Will they haue him to the crosse there are wonders of victorie a theefe without meanes saued the vaile of the Temple rent signes in heauen and earth and a title of victorie superscribed by his very aduersaries This is the King of the Iewes besides his incorruption in the graue and glorious resurrection and visible ascension to heauen All this being considered where is the ignominie of the crosse seeing the Deuils erected a crosse for themselues when they plotted to crucifie Christ And why should we be afraid of suffrings seeing the crosse is Christs triumph and let vs resolue also to ouercome by suffrings f Rom. 8.34 T is an excellent and loftie praise to ouercome by suffring Lastly let vs neuer iudge of Christ or Christians by their outward shew great things may be done in the kingdom of Christ which are not discerned by carnall reason Here we see a great adoe trophies triumphs yet the world tooke no notice of it so is there incomparable glory euen in this world in the soules and liues of Christians which the blinde multitude neuer takes notice of And thus much of the second interpretation The third and last interpretation is of those that limit not the time of this victorie to the crosse but consider it generally and in steede of the words vpon the same crosse read in himselfe and thus doe the most Interpreters new and old read it And so this victorie is vnderstood not so much of what Christ did attaine in his person as what he doth in vs by the conuersion of sinners by the Gospell hee daily spoyles principalities and powers and triumphs ouer them c. and so these words are a consequent of the putting out of the hand-writing mentioned in the former verse Foure things are in these words to bee considered who whom what and by what meanes For the first it is the second Adam that vndertakes this battel he that is God and man he of whom the prophesies ranne he that by a voice from heauen at his baptisme was acknowledged the only champion t was he that sent the challenge by his fore-runner Iohn Baptist he it is that foyled Sathan in many Monomachies this is he that now comes forth in the Gospell in the seuerall ages of the Church to spoyle these principalities and powers Now for the second the spoyled are called principalities and powers Principalities and Powers These termes are giuen to the good Angels Eph. 3.10 and to great Magistrates and Princes on earth Eph. 1.23 In effect they are giuen to Christ Esay 9.6.7 but vsually they are restrained to euill angels and so they are called either considering them as they were before their fall or as it is vsually conceiued it notes their estate euen since their fall The two words note two things in the euill Angels Excellencie and Abilitie Excellencie so they are principalities Abilitie so they are powers Their excellencie is two waies to be considered 1. in themselues 2. their soueraignty ouer the world In themselues and their owne nature euer since their horrible fall they are creatures of wonderfull knowledge swiftnesse discerning and such like An in respect of the vnregenerate world they haue a principality hence called worldly rulers g Eph. 6. the prince of this world h Ioh. 1 2. yea and the god of this world i 2 Cor. 4.4 We may obserue here in the holy Ghost a wonderfull patterne of candor he praiseth what is praise-worthy euen in his enemies and it may wonderfully comfort Gods children in their acceptation with God for if God can yeelde these titles and acknowledge that is yet good in the very Deuils sure then it cannot be he should not like what he findes good in his owne Saints though they haue many wants and sinnes seeing they sinne not of malicious wickednes as the Deuils doe As they are called principalities so for their abilitie and force of working The povver of the Deuils both in the vvorld and in the Church they are called powers The wonderfull power the diuels haue may be considered either in the world or in the Church In the first race of men before the floud how soone had they drawne away Cains race into apostasie and not long after Sethes till they had chased the light of sincerity within the walles of one house and not all sound there neither After the floud the world is no sooner filled againe but together with the building of Babel a most dreadfull confusion was wrought by the Deuils euen the beginning of a generall falling away into gentilisme and idolatrie which will neuer bee vtterly recouered againe while the world stands all the families making apostasie in the beginning of the Babylonish Monarchie and such an apostacie as they continued in for many hundred yeeres in the generalitie of them so as there was onely a little light left in the race of Sem. Now leauing the whole world lying vnder this powerfull wickednesse come to Abraham a brand taken out of the fire of the Chaldeans in whom the light shined with great glory see the power of these wicked spirits ouer his race the Ismalites went quickely off to gentilisme then the Edomites were easily gained after then in Aegypt the light that did remaine was almost put out the bondage of the Israelites being as great in soule k Ezech. 20. as it was in bodie In Moses time the light was diffused in that people all abroad againe and a kingdom of Priests was raised vp to God this light held with various encreases and decreases till the captiuitie after which time it waxed dimmer and dimmer till Christ the Day-starre arose and filled heauen and earth with the brightnesse of his comming After in the very first hundreds of yeeres these cursed spirits not onely persecuted religion by incredible tyranny but infected it with the tares of strange errors and prodigious superstitions and heresies till all grew together in one body in Antichrist Vnder Antichrist all sincerity was againe almost vniuersally put out the face of religion corrupted and idolatry brought into the Churches 1260 yeeres Lastly in our owne dayes when the prophesies were accomplished the euerlasting Gospell published againe alas yet consider the state of the world one part of the world lieth in Paganisme another in Turcisme another in Iudaisme another in Papisme and in all these foure these wicked spirits raigne and hold the world captiue at their pleasure Come we to the visible assemblies of the true Churches of Iesus Christ consider there their power how mightily it extends for there they haue secret Atheists Church-papists
1. Ceremonies vvere shadovves in diuers respects In respect of certaintie of signification the shadow is a sure signe of the body so was this of Christ to come 2. In respect of causation the body causeth the shadow so is Christ the cause of all ceremonies 3. In respect of the obscuritie of signification a shadow is darke so were the ceremonies 4. In respect of cessation a shadow is quickly gone so were the ceremonies they were not to last for any long time Lastly they were shadowes as they were types so the lambe was a shadow of Christ and the Arke of the Church c. They were shadowes not giuen to iustifie but to shew iustification by Christ It is added of things to come to keepe off the blow from our Sacraments which are no shadowes of things to come but of things past But the body is in Christ The words are diuersly interpreted some referre the words to the next verse but without reason some supplie a word body and reade but the body is the body of Christ but the plaine meaning is that the truth and substance of all the ceremonies is now enioyed by the Church in and by Christ in whom all is now fulfilled and therefore heauen should now suffer violence and the children of Sion should now reioice in their King and Christians should stand fast in the libertie that is brought vnto them in Christ Iesus VERS 18. Let no man beare rule ouer you by humblenesse of minde and worshipping of Angels aduancing himselfe in those things he neuer saw rashly puft vp with his fleshly minde 19. And holdeth not the head whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioynts and bands increaseth with the increasing of God IN these two verses hee concludes against philosophie and therein specially against Angell-worship a deuice like the old doctrine of the Platonists concerning their daemones tutelares The Diuines also that first broached this apostaticall doctrine in the Primitiue Church were Philosophers and if the Papists will persist in Angell-worship they must beare it to be accounted better Philosophers then Diuines The Apostle makes foure obseruations vpon these that bring in this worship of Angels 1. That they attribute that to themselues which is proper to God namely to beare rule ouer the consciences of men in matters of religion though they pretend to bring in those things because they would haue men thinke humbly of themselues 2. That they thrust in for oracles not things they haue seene and heard but deuised of themselues 3. That those things were founded on no other foundation then the opinions of men immoderately pleasing themselues in their owne deuices 4. That this course tends to the high derogation of the honour of Christ who only deserues all glory and by whom alone all the suits of the Church are dispatched The men then that vrge these things are 1. Hypocrites they pretend one thing and intend another 2. They are ignorant persons 3. They are proud and insolent in selfe-conceit 4. They are prophane without Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let no man beare rule ouer you The originall word hath troubled Interpreters but is for the most part rendred either beare rule ouer you and so play the part of a Iudge or rector or else defraud you of your prize it is granted by all to be a word taken from the manners in the olympiads or other-where who runne for prizes among whom there was one they caled Brabeutes that is one that by appointment did sit as iudge and gaue the prize to the winner If it be taken in the first sense viz. let no man beare rule ouer you then the Apostels meaning is to warne them for the reasons aboue rehearsed and herewith adioyned not to suffer their teachers to lord it ouer them in their consciences as before he had charged them not to let them carrie away their soules as a prey vers 18. or to condenme them vers 19. This may teach the Ministers of the Gospell to know and keepe their bounds and the people likewise not to suffer any to beare rule ouer their consciences with their owne deuices It condemnes also the hellish pride and imperiousnesse of the popish clergie in playing the Iudges ouer mens consciences at their owne pleasures seeing we haue no Iudge nor Law-giuer but only Iesus Christ to whom the Father hath giuen all power Quest But haue not the Ministers of the Gospell power vpon obseruation of the runners to be as Iudges to assigne the crowne to them that runne well Answ They haue and therefore are called the disposers of Gods secrets and watch-men and ouerseers but yet they must be true Ministers and they must giue iudgement by warrant from the word Let no man defraude you of your prize That is seeing you haue begunne to runne so well and haue runne so long let no man now beguile you of your prize the crowne of glorie The Church is like a field the race is Christian religion the runners are Christians the feete are faith and loue the goall or marke is death in Christ the brabium or prize is the possession of eternall life Now the doctrine hence implied is Doct. That men may runne and come neere the goall and yet loose the prize Many runne yet one obtaineth a 1 Cor. 9.24 Many receiue the grace of God in vaine b 1 Cor. 6.1 Many come neere the kingdome of God with the Scribe and yet loose c Mark 12.34 Many loose what they haue wrought d 2 Ioh. 10. Hence that exhortation Let no man take away your crowne e Reuel 3.11 The Vse may be first for reproofe of such as doe wronge either the iudges or standers by by a wrong applause such as giue away the honours of Gods children to such as neuer ranne in the race or not aright and giue the titles of the Church and Christianity to wicked men but especially this reprooueth those men that hauing runne well f Gal. 5.7 for a time suffer themselues to be hindred and so loose the prize Many are the waies the Deuill hath to hinder men in running sometimes by raising vp aduersaries g Phil. 1.29 and outward molestations h Reuel 2.10 Le ts in running sometimes he casts shame in their way and names of reproach i 1 Thess 2.2 Act. 18. sometimes he iniects tentations k Jam. 1.12 sometimes he leaues them l Gal. 5.7.9 by keeping them in bondage to the defence or loue of some lesser superstitions or smaller sins as the world accounts sometimes he hinders them by the domesticall enemie the sinne that hangeth so fast on m Heb. 12.1 vvhat vve must shun in running sometimes he casts men into a dead sleepe and they lie all along in the middle of the race 2. This may serue for instruction to teach vs with all heedfulnes to looke to our selues after we set out in the race of Christian
and Christians whatsoeuer become of vs in our outward estate This body of Christ is commended for three things ornament vnion and growth and well are all put together for not one can bee without the other especially the first and the third cannot be without the second It is no wonder Christians cannot grow nor be furnished if they bee not knit to Christ they may be neere the body but not of the body There is great difference betweene our best garments and our meanest members the worst member of the body will grow yet the best raiment though it sit neuer so neere will not so is it betweene wicked men professing Christ and the godly that are members of Christ indeed Of these three vnion is of the essence of the body the other two are adiuncts the one needfull to the being the other to the well-being of the Church First therefore of this vnion This vnion is two wayes here set forth 1. That it is in these words knit together 2. How it is in these words by ioynts and bands Knit together The faithfull are knit together 1. with Christ 2. with Christians The priuiledges flovving from our vnion vvith Christ Great is the glory of Christians knit to Christ for from that vnion with him flow many excellent priuiledges such are these 1. The communication of names the body is called sometimes by the name of the head viz. Christ a 1 Cor. 12. and the head by the name of the body viz. Israel b Esay 49. 2. The influence of the vertue of the death and resurrection of Christ c Rom. 6. 3. The inhabitation of the spirit of Christ d Rom. 8. 4. Intercession e 1 Joh. 2.2 5. The communication of the secrets of Christ f 1 Cor. 2.16 6. The testimonie of Iesus g 1 Cor. 1.5 7. Expiation as he is the sacrifice and passeouer offered for vs h 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Consolation in affliction i 2 Cor. 1.5 9. Power against tentations k 2 Cor. 11 9. 10. The anointing or power of office to bee Prophets Kings and Priests vnto God l 2 Cor. 1 2â— 11. Vniuersall grace not in respect of persons that it reacheth to all the members onely but in respect of parts that hee being the fulnesse that filleth all in all things m Eph. 1.27 12. Sympathie all miseries n Heb 2.15 13. The sanctification of all occurrents in life or death o Phil 1.21 14 The resurrection of the body both for matter p Rom. 8.11 and prioritie q 1 Thes 4 16. Lastly the opening of heauen r Heb. 10.24 a lease whereof is granted and sealed and earnest giuen in this life Å¿ Eph. 1.14 Thus of vnion with Christ From their knitting with Christians also arise excellent aduantages and prerogatiues for hereby they haue right to the externall priuiledges of Sion they stand in relation to all Saints they receiue the benefit of the praiers of the whole body and from the knowne Saints they haue the light of example fellowship in the Gospell outward blessings for their sakes assistance in the fight against the world sympathie in afflictions the profit of spirituall mercy counsell consolation admonition c. and lastly a part in their lot By ioynts and bonds The meaning is that Gods seruants are tied together by as neere certaine and sure meanes as any member in the body can bee ioyned to the rest by ioynts and bands Wee are tied to Christ both by his spirit and by faith and hope and holy dâ—sires we are tied to the Church in one spirit in one head in the freedome and vse of his ordinances the word and Sacraments in affection in subordination of callings and in the couenant of grace and in the same lot of inheritance The vses of all follow First if wee bee thus tied to Christ by ioynts and bands then they are to bee reproued that like it so well to be still chained in the bonds of iniquitie and seeke not this holy vnion let them take heede they be not reserued vnto euerlasting bonds But especially the meditation hereof should worke in vs a hatred of fornication and that filthy coupling with an harlot t 1 Cor. 6.15 and we should take heede of offending wounding or wronging the brethren for thereby men sinne against Christ himselfe to whom they are vnited u 1 Co. 8.11.12 and it should separate vs from sinners * 2 Cor. 6.15 and cause vs to striue to shew our selues new creatures x 2 Cor. 5.17 and to seeke those things that are aboue where our head and Sauiour is y Colos 3.1 Here also is great comfort for our vnion with Christ may assure vs that we shall not be destitute of any heauenly gift needfull for this life or the appearing of Christ for present sanctification or future preseruation for God is faithfull who hath called vs to this fellowship with his sonne And seeing we are tied with such ioynts and bands who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ a Rom. 8. Againe are we vnited to Christians and knit together as fellow members then we should be faithfull in the vse of our owne gifts and diligent in our callings for the common good b Rom. 12.6 7 8. to all well-doing to doe it with loue sinceritie and brotherly affection c v. 9 10. yeelding honour to the places and gifts of others d v. 10. with all vprightnesse diligence and respect of Gods glory e v. 11. with hope patience prayer f v. 12. with mercy sympathie and humilitie Thus of vnion ornament followes Furnished The Church is furnished with vnsearchable riches h Eph. 3.9 g v. 13.15.16 with all sorts of spirituall blessings in heauenly things i Eph. 1.3 she is cleansed by the bloud of Christ k Heb. 9.14 Christ is her wisedome righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption l 1 Cor. 1.3 shee is not destitute of any heauenly gift m 2 Cor. 1.6 and this he tooke order for when he ascended on high and led captiuitie captiue n Eph. 4.7 Oh then that the loue of Christ could constraine vs and that the spirit of Christ would inlighten vs to see the riches of our calling and the glorious inheritance of the Saints Thus of ornament growth followeth Increasing with the increase of God Growth is a marueilous glory to Christians The body of Christ groweth 1. In the number of parts or members Wherein the Church groweth men being added daily to the Church 2. In the powerfull vse of the meanes of saluation 3. In grace o 2 Pet. 3. vlt. as knowledge and the like 4. In practise of holy duties q Phil. 1.11 5. In the strength of Christ r Eph. 3.16 Le ts of grovvth p Col. 1.9 10 11. There are many lets of the growth of grace and holinesse in