flowing in till there be fullness and then they never flee away concerning Babylon's wealth the cry will be Alas alas in one hour so great Riches are come to nought Rev. 18.16.17 but Sion's Riches never came to nought being the durable Riches Prov. 8.18 2. They many times hinder Mens entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven 't is hard for â— Rich Man to enter thither because Riches are loved more than that Kingdom but being rich in Christ and having Vertue and Knowledge Temporance and Godliness added to Faith so you may know that Entrance shall be administred abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of Christ 2. Pet. 1.8 11. 3. The love of Money is the Root of all Evill a Root bearing Gall and Wormwood as Lying Deceit Violence Apostacy Pride c. on the other side the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much good will grow as Obedience Zeal of following Christ Boldness to Confess him a heavenly Conversation with contentment with food convenient as the love of Money is the Root of Sin so of piercing Sorrow and distracting Cares but the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much Peace and Joy will grow even that Peace which passeth Understanding and Joy unspeakable and full of Glory 2. Let those that are partakers of Christ's Riches take these Instructions 1. Be poor in Spirit when you are rich in Christ being rich in the Spirit of Christ given you be poor in your own Spirits Paul said in nothing came I behind the very chiefest Apostles though I be nothing 2 Cor. 12.11 whatever I have now there was a time when I had nothing and was nothing I see now but I was blind I am Righteous now but I was a Sinner and by the Grace of God I am that I am 1 Cor. 15.10 I have no Sufficiency of my self but his Grace is sufficient for me thus be poor in Spirit then you are blessed for yours is the Kingdom of God Math. 5.3 blessed are those that are thus poor in Spirit for they are rich blessed are they that are empty for they are full blessed are they that are thus nothing in Christ they have all 2. Know that it is by your Faith you are Rich Jam. 2.5 rich in Faith Faith seeing Christ Faith receiving Christ and staying upon him makes Rich. Thou standest thou livest thou lovest thou followest Christ by Faith therefore be not high minded but fear be not low minded but believe 3. Such as are rich in Christ should be rich towards Christ 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Charge them that are rich in this World that they be rich in good works much more should those that are rich in Christ be rich in good works abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15 58. 6. 20. 4. Prize the Riches of Grace as well as the Riches of Glory Isa 33.6 the fear of the Lord is his treasure as the fear of the Lord and zeal of worshiping God was that which brought so much treasure to Hezekiah and filled his Treasures with precious things so the Worship and Service of God was esteemed by him as a great Treasure the Treasures of Grace which he had in his Heart were better than the house of his precious things he is a sound Christian that looks on the favour of God and the fear of God as his Treasure 5. Communicate of your Riches As the Ministration of the Spirit so the Riches of Christ are given to profit withal and we should be good Stewards of them in trusting as we are intrusted comforting as we are comforted when Christ gives his Riches he gives his Charge with them Occupy till I come Luk. 19.13 with 1 Pet. 4.10 6. Honour the Lord with your earthly Riches feed Christ hungry and cloath Christ naked we may argue as the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.11 If we have sown Spirituals is it a great matter if we reap your Carnal things If Christ sows his Heavenly Spiritual Incorruptible Riches is it a great matter for him to reap our Carnal make you Friends of the Mammon of Vnrighteousness Covetuos Men look on Mammon as their best Friend Saints should not do so but make themselves Friends with it Not Christ we can't make him our Friend by our Riches Believe come to him Reverence him and so he will be our Friend our Riches cannot purchase his Friendship but make the Saints our Friends do good to the Houshold of Faith and then when these fail they shall receive you with Joy and consecrate your Gain to the Lord If Men have not a heart to it themselves the Lord will do it for them Mich. 4.13 I will consecrate their Gain to the Lord c. when covetous Men make a God of their Wealth Saints should Honour God with it 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mountains of Gilboa let their be no Rain nor Dew nor Fields of Offerings the Fields of Canaan were Fields of Offerings of the Fruits of them were made Offerings to the Lord so shâ—â—ld the Fields of Saints be Fields of Offâ—rings tâ—eir Riches the Riches of Offerings and 〈◊〉 â—hat is in the hands of wicked Men is the Mammon of Unrighteousness but shall in the handâ— of Saints be the Riches of Righteousnesâ— 3. Comfort to such as have Christ and his Riches with him Those tâ—at have theâ—â— Portion only in this life and enjoy their good things here hereafter mâ—y have torment and as Jam. 4.1 Go too now ye Rich Men weep and howl for the Miseries that are to come upon you But go too now ye Sainâ—s that are so much scorned and contemned in the World so much persecuted c. rejoyce and be exceeding glad great are your Riches â—n Christ much have you received mo e is laid up for you great is your reward on Earth but far greater in Heaven If you are of the Poor of the World you are rich in Christ if you loose outward Riches for Chrâ—st's sake you have an hundred fold and in the World to come Everlasting Life and the fulness of heavenly Riches In every State you may know how to want and how to abound having Food and Rayment you may very well be content and account Food convenient as all Phil. 4.18 I have all and abâ—und having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you what an Excellent frame of Spirit was there and most worthy of our Imitation and what cause is there to rejoyce in filling up that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ as Paul did Coll. 1.24 seeing Christ is filling up that which is behind of our Grace and Glory and is the Lord Proving and Trying you as Silver is tried doth he bring you into a Net and lay Afflictions upon your Loins doth he at any time cause Men to ride over your Heads what is the Issue of all Psa 66.12 Thou ledd'st us through fire and Water and brought'st us out into a wealthy Place Heaven is the wealthy place thither at
we ought yet he remains Faithful When the Israelites did so much provoke the Lord in the Wilderness yet he was well pleased for his Rightousness sake to save them 3. Christ shall prosper in a work of Righteousness Ps 45.4 Ride prosperously because of Righteousness It is a Righteous thing with God to render Tribulation to them that trouble you to Babylon to Persecutors to the Man of sin In the last day it will be the great Work of Christ as in Egypt God rendred tribulation to the Egyptians to the Task Masters c. and to the Israelites Rest so Persecuâ—ors of Righteousness most look to have their portion of wrath and vengeance from the Righteousness of Christ 4. Christ shall be a Fountain of Righteousness to the Afflicted and Oppressed World he is the â—un of Râ—ghteousnesâ— he is full of Righteousness as the Sun is full of Light the World is Empty of Righteousness Christ is full of it and this Sun shall arise Psal 85.11 And Righteousness shall look down from Heaven it 's in a great measure gone out of the Earth and almost confined to Heaven all kind of unrighteousness flows from under â—â—e Throne Iniquity flows thence like Water and unrighteousness as a mighty Stream but Righteousness shall have a time to look down from Heaven and the Waters of Life shall issue from the Throne of God and of the Lamb and from thence Judgment shall run down as Water c. And now what abundant comfort may flow into the Saints from the Righteousness of Christ in his Works for and towards Believers By the Righteousness he fulfilled for them they are reconciled to God believing and being in him having this Righteousness there is no condemnation to them and by the other Righteousness they shall be saved from the Wrath of the Devil and wicked men Therefore as Christ's Righteousness sustains him Isa 59.16 that is it bears him up and carries him on in a work of Vengeance upon his Enemies and Salvation of his Servants in the one his Righteous fury upholds him Isa 63.5 in the other his Righteous â—ove so should Christ's Righteousness sustain Believers under their burthens and crosses which they meet withal in the works and ways of God This should support their sinking and drooping Spirits and say to those that are of a fearful heart Be strong fear not for God will come with vengeance and recompence he will come and save you Jacob said with this Staff I passed over Jordan the Saints having the Staff of Christ's Righteousness may pass over Jordan and be above the fears of Death Satan c. The World with this may go through Fire and Water and be sure to be brought into the wealthy place Jacob with his Staff got into a wealthy State he had a Staff in his hand but a better Staff in his Heart that was his dependance on the Lord his God This is the true Jacob's Staff which if we have it shall sustain and uphold us for doing and suffering It will be our stay and strength in both And if Châ—ist hath Riches of Righteousness and be Faithful and Just to Believers how should this engage them to be Faithful and Just to him He is Just to the Vessels of Mercy in giving Repentance and Remission of sin which should teach them to be Just to him in giving him his due Subjection Service Worship and Glory when he had undertaken it he was just in giving himself for them and should not they be Just in giving up themselves and say we are not our own but bought with a price c. Be Just to confess him be Just to serve him and suffer for him be Just to render all their due and especially to the Houshold of Faith Comforting as being Comforted Instâ—ucting as being Instructed Forgiving as he Forgave and giving freely as we have freely received And if Christ have the Riches of Righteousness then all wicked men that are Enemies to Christ have cause to tremble such as break his bonds and bruise his members that will not have him to reign over them and would not that any of his faithful Servants and Members should live among them hating them because Christ hath chosen them such have cause to fear before him As the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against the unrighteousness of men so Christ's Righteousness doth engage him to punish the unrighteousness of men as he is Gracious and Merciful abundant in goodness so he will not clear the guilty Exod. 34.7 As he looks to those of a humble and contrite heart that tremble at his word and rejoices over them to do them good so he beholds them that are proud and rebellious and harden themselves against him and will bruise them with his Rod of Iron c. Psal 2.9 CHAP. V. THere are in Christ Riches of Wisdom in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2.3 He hath Wisdom in greatest Abundance the Treasures of Wisdom Solomon had Wisdom and largeness of Heart as the Sand upon the Sea shore wheâ—ein he was a type of Christ but behold a greater then Solomon is here Exceeding him more then he did the Children of the East if any ask as Job 2â— 12 Where is Wisdom and the place of Understandig It 's not to be found in the land of the living The depth saith it 's not in me and men must say 't is not in them verse 23. God understandeth the way and knoweth the path thereof and the Scripture discovereth where it is to be found that is in Christ 1. Christ hath the Riches of Speculative Wisdom in the knowledge of the highest and best Objects of all deep things he understands all deep Mysteries they are no Mysteries to him darkness is no darkness to him but Darkness and Light are both alike he knows the Divine Nature That Name which is secret to us is manifest unto him and he hath the knowledge of the deepest Mysteries of Nature He enters into the Treasures of Snow and Hail and Springs of the Sea and walks in the search of the deep He knows the Ordinances of Heaven all which was hid from Job He knows all the Mysteries of the Word all Scripture-truths Promises and Prophecies He opened the Scripture the things concerning himself He hath the knowledge also of the Mysteries of Iniquity which hath been working so long all Antichristian Counsels and coâ—tâ—ivances He knows the Mysteries of men's Hearts John 2 2â— He knows what was in man all tâ—e Churches shall know those of the Synagogue o Saâ—â—n shall know yea all the World shall know that â—hriâ— searcheth all Hearts c. Rev. 2.23 He knows the depts of Satan and is not ignorant of his deâ—ices 2. Chriâ—â— hath the Richâ—s of Practical Wisdom and thus as it is Prov. 8.12 I Wisdom dwell with Prudâ—nce and find out knowledge of witty inventions Wisdom is the knowledge that Christ hath of all thiâ—gs the highest and best the
He shaketh the Earth and doth great things past finding out ond Wonders without number And as the consideration of Christ's Power should make us ready to serve him so to serve him with our might Eccles 9.10 What thou do'st do with thy might be not heartless cold lukewarm in the service of so powerful a Lord. The works which he doth for Saints he doth them with his might The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro in the Earth to shew himself strong c. 2 Cbron. 16.9 As he is strong so he delights to shew himself strong on behalf of those whose Hearts are perfect with him CHAP. VII THere are in Christ the Riches of Glory Job 40.9.10 Hast thou an Arm likâ— God Deck thy self now with Majesty and Excellency this is the Glo y of Christ he hath the Arm of God and like God he is decked with Majesty and arrays himself with Glory and Beauty he is clothed with Majesty and Honour and decked himself with light as with a Garment If the King's Daughter be all Glorious within much more is the King himself who is the Lord and King of Glory who is most Glorious in himself and hath the command of his Glory being able to maintain and communicate it as he pleases Christ hath the Glory of being every way the chiefest that is in Dominion Strength Wisdom c. being altogether Lovely therefore altogether Glorious There is an Hâ—brew word for Glory which signifies Weight true Glory arises out of that which is of VVeight and VVorth the World's Glory is but a shadow which flies away as a Bird Hos 9.11 and is but as the Grass of the Field Christ is the substance If Saints shall have an exceeding weight of Glory how much more then hath Christ If their's be Glory from an Hyperbole to an Hyperbole as 2 Cor. 4.17 then how many Hyperboles are there in Christ's Glory Christ is the gathering together of all Glory as the Sea was the gathering of the Waters as the scatter'd light created the first day was on the fourth day gathered into the Body of that great light the Sun which rules the day so the scattered Glory which was here a little and there a little amongst creatures is gathered in Christ into a fulness of Glory which makes him the beginning or Head of the Creation of God Col. 1.17 18. If Sion be the perfection of Beauty how much more is Christ And these Riches of Glory are Unsearchable we may well say here we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness i. e. the darkness in which his Glory dwells in relation to us and by reason of the darkness of our Minds Job 26.14 How little a portion is heard of him When we have thought or spoken out our all we may conclude these are but part of his ways and of his Glory Now to speak what we can of his Glory let 's consider how he himself describes it Luke 9.26 The Son of Man shall come in his own Glory in his Fathers Glory and with the Angels that is the Glory he shall have given him of the Creatures for the Creation which is in bondage to men's lusts and those abuses which it's weary of shall serve to set forth the Glory of Christ which is its earnest expectatiâ—n Rom. 8. 1. There is his own glory his eternal essential glory which he had with the Father before the world and still hath being in the form of God and it is no Robbery to think so when the man of Sin shews himself that he is God that is robbery but not so when Christ is equallized with God The best description of his Glory is to say he is above all Eph. 4.6 the face of his Glory we can't see only the back parts thereof in his word and works c. whence we may conclude as the Psalmist He that made the Eye shall not he not see c. Psa 94.9 He that made all was not he before all and is not he above all so far above all in power that he is the Almighty In Knowledge that he is Omniscient in Duration that he is Eternal he is the brightness of his Fathers glory and Express Image of his Person That is his own Glory which he shall come in Heb. 1 3. 2. There is his Fathers glory which he shall come in that is Glory which he had and shall have from his Father and Glory becoming so glorious a Father Labans Son spoke it enviously of Jacob of that which was our Father's hath he gotten him all this glory we may say it wel of Christ of that which was his Fathers hath he gotten him all his Glory There is 1. The Glory he had from the Father in his humble Estate for in that he had much Glory which was manifested forth in his Miracles in which he had a Witness from the Father When John's Disciples asked Christ art thou he that should come Math. 11.5 he answers go tell John the blind see the Lame walk c. and those works will tell what I am Joh. 9.30 herein is a marvellous thing he hath opened mine Eyes and yet ye know not whence he is Cbrist in his humble Estate had Glory under a Vail and there was a Cloud upon the face of his Glory Under the Law God made a Cloud to be the Sign of his Presence which was then his Pavilion this was a Type of that Cloud of Flesh and humane Infirmities wherein Christ in his Dâ—vine Glory was covered in his humble State although under his Feet then there was a paved work of Saphire stone like the body of Heaven in clearness Exod. 24.10 which was a figure of those Beams of Divine Glory which did shine from Christ's works and goings when he was in the World declaring him to be the Lord from Heaven much of his Glory came forth in his Speech never Man spake like this Man he spake like one having Authority in this State he had the Glory of Grace and Vertue of perfect Righteousness Zeal Power Patience Humility Holiness and Love c. and these were his Glory we are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory that is as John 1.16 we receive of his Fulness Grace for Grace Grace is Glory 2. There is the Glory of his Exalted State and if so much of his Glory did shine forth from under his Sufferings in his low Estate what then is the glory of his Exalted State there is the glory of his Soul and Spirit which in the kind of Spirits is most Excellent being far above Angels There is the glory of his Body which of all bodily things is most Excellent having a brightness above the brightness of the Sun and above the strength of all Creatures If we consider him in his Person as God man so he hath the glory of being the Father's King whom he hath set over all the works of his hands having given him all power in Heaven and Earth and
others in the World as Nobleness of Birth Breeding Beauty Honour Riches not to prefer him as better before God by these So know not Christ according to the Flesh that is do not look upon him in his outward condition in his fleshly Priviledges or external meanesses if so Christ will either be utterly contemned or esteemed only according to his Inferiour Excellencies which will not advance him in your esteem above other men 1. Look not on Christ in his outward meanness and lowness of his condition in respect of which there was no Beauty or comeliness for which he should he desired In his Birth he was mean a Carpenters Son as the Jews said this was a stumbling block to the Jews What was in him to win their respects or that he should be esteemed the Redeemer of Israel What to perswade a Man to Worship him What to be a motive and ground for Faith to be fix'd on him What to perswade a Man to forsake all to follow him What to take off the affections from all other objects and to unite them to him There is no outward appearance of such transcendent Glory and Excellency to beget a transcendency in their esteem of and affection to him This is true when Christ is known after the Flesh when you Judge carnally of him and look on him only with a worldly Eye Especially too when men consider that this is the condition of Christ's Members who outwardly for the most part are in a mean condition hated and Persecuted and kept under in the World There is no Excellency in the Knowledge of Christ if he be only known after the Flesh therefore you must labour to have your understanding and your hearts spiritualized refined from all carnal conceits and respects Look on Christ with a new and spiritual Eye and so the Apostle adds v. 17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature If any Man would know Christ aright and be in him let him become a new creature his understanding his heart must be new made of a carnal one it must be made spiritual and learn to judge of things in a spiritual way and to see the spiritualness of Christ and divine Excellency through all his carnal and outward appearances In his natural Birth look through and see his Eternal Generation not to be declared through his swadling cloths see him Glorious in his Apparel deckt with Majesty and Honour which the Wisemen saw and fell down and Worshipped him In his Humiliation see him making way for his Members exaltation in his becoming mean see him labouring to bring many Sons to Glory working Salvation in his Sufferings taking away sin by being Sacrificed laying a foundation of Eternal Life in his Death And rising and ascending let your hearts be raised after him Now know him no more after the Flesh but consider him now as highly Exalted Crowned with Glory and Honour set down on at the Right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty on high Have high thoughts of Christ answerable to his Highness Have Spiritual and Glorious thoughts of Christ answerable to his Spirituality and Glory look on him as King of Righteousness and King of Peace According to that 2 Cor. 10.5 There must be a casting down of imaginations and every high thing c. that is because of Christ's visible and outward meaness and worthlesness there be many things in the World that get above Christ and have the upper-hand of Christ Mens imaginations and reasonings they are to throw down Christ to depresse and undervalue him and to set up worldly greatness honour riches above Christ What is to be done now You must lay aside carnal weapons that is carnal imaginations and fleshly reasonings which are as a high Wall standing up betwixt Christ and the Soul and keeping out the true Knowledge of Christ Jer. 4.19 there is mention made of the Walls of the Heart which the Septuagint renders the Senses The Senses the Carnal Imaginations are a Wall which hinders the letting in of Christ now this Wall must be broken down that the Spiritual Excellences of Christ may shine in upon the Soul Math. 16.17 and every Thought must be brought into Captivity to Christ that is all high Thoughts you have of the Excellency of Worldly things must be made to stoop to Christ you must acknowledge him infinitely to surpass all in Excellency Thus let 's look not on Christ according to the Flesh in his outward meaness to undervalue him 2. Look not on Christ after the Flesh that is let not your apprehension of any thing that is outward and carnal in Christ be the ground of your esteem of him Let not this be the main motive to invite you to him As to Instance that you may the better understand 't is said of Herod that he heard of the same of Jesus therefore when Luk. 23.8 he was brought to him he was glad being desirous to see him having heard many things of him Christ had a great Fame in the World he was much talked off so he desired to see him many now hear many things Christ is Preached and much talked off there goes a great Fame of him and this is some Mens ground of coming to hear the Word and Profession they make of being the Followers of Christ This is to know and esteem Christ after the Flesh but now you should not do so all this while you come not up to see Christ in his Glory and to behold him in his Chiefest Excellency Herod was upon the Fame Christ had desirous to see Christ and exceeding glad when he saw him yet what follows ver 11. Herod with his Men of War set him at naught and mocked him and Arrayed him in a gorgeous Robe and sent him to Pilate If on this ground you esteem Christ because he hath a Fame in the World and many follow after him if the World set against Christ you will do as Herod did c. you will set him at naught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he accounted him as no body so if your esteem of Christ be grounded upon his inferior Excellencies only and on some fleshly respects you do not esteem Christ as any thing Others there were that followed Christ because of the Loaves they knew Christ according to the Flesh and many do still follow him for advantage to gain Esteem and Credit to be freed from Misery that they may not go into Condemnation all this is to know Christ after the Flesh and if so when occasion is given you will leave Christ you will slight him and set him at naught nay you will turn Enemies to him and mock him See then that outward and carnal respects be not the main Motive inviting you to Christ and raising your esteem of him Quest But you will say How must we know him then what is it that we must look on to raise our esteem of Christ into a transcendency Answ Know him as Isaiah did Chap. 9.6 To
know perfectly Brethren I count not my self to have apprehended I follow after I do not sit down satisfied with that I have but I follow after that which I have not that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of God God apprehends the Elect in Love he apprehends by his Spirit to bring nigh to himself to make Vessels of Mercy and Glory and they desire to apprehend God and to be nigh him and to be filled brim full with Mercy and Glory they that are full already are most empty Luk. 1.53 Use 2. To stir up the Saints with more diligence to labour to work out their Salvation as Peter exhorts Believers 2 Pet. 1.5 Giving all diligence add to your Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge c. So to add Faith to Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Holiness to Holiness Hos 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. You that know any thing of Christ should follow on to know more and you shall know more if you hear if you search the Scriptures if you ask more Wisdom and Knowledge 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of the Lord. Grow in all Graces in Faith Humility Heavenly mindedness and as a great furtherance hereto grow in Knowledge That Salvation may be perfected Consider what it is The Apostle describes it by two parts 1. Wee shall see him as he is 2. We shall be like him To see Christ as the Express Image of the Fathers Person to know God in Christ and to enjoy him as your God and to bear the Image of Christ perfectly in your Soul and Body this is compleat Salvation To see him in whom all fulness dwels and to be like him that is the brightness of the Fathers Glory is Glory enough So these are two great things that ought to be your mark 1. Grow in the Knowledge of Christ Math. 13.11 To you it is given to know the Mystery of Christ To know the great Mystery of Godliness to you a Spirit is given to lead you into all Truth to you the Promises are made of being taught of God Desire Knowledge and believe this Promise so more and more still of the Fulness Excellency and Glory of Christ shall be revealed to you 2. Grow in a conformity to Christ Christ is perfectly Holy labour to be more like him in Holiness let the same mind be in you as in Christ the same Meekness Compassion Heavenly mindedness and Zeal for the Glory of the Father Fashion not your selves to the World but fashion your selves according to the Pattern of Christ and believe that your vile Bodies shall be fashioned like to his Glorious Body and let this Hope he your Happiness till you actually enjoy this Happiness Use 3. Direction about this great work of working out our Salvation 1. Propose right ends to your selves Intermediate and Mediate 1. Intermediate ends that you may have perfect Happiness perfect Redemption from all Evils and that an end may be put to Sin and Sorrow that there may be no more sinning nor no more sorrowing The desire of your own good is not unlawful if you desire Heaven as your Happiness Christ as your Life the presence of God as your best portion this you ought to desire as your happiness the enjoyment of God as your chief good and perfect likeness to Christ as the most perfection that you can be made partakers of Thus did Paul desire his own happiness and good 2 Cor. 6. We which are in this Tabernacle do groan c To be cloathed upon that immortality may be swallowed up of life that Vanitv may be swallowed up of fulness Earthly things of Heavenly Temporal of Eternal that is you must not make it your Business to be Rich Great Renowned and Happy in the World but to be Rich Glorious and Happy in Heaven Lay not up for your selves Treasure on Earth but in Heaven say not to your Souls there are Goods laid up on Earth but much Glory in Heaven Treasures which Moth and Rust cannot corrupt nor Thief break through and steal 2. Your own Happiness must not be your chief and ultimate end but the Glory of God Desire that perfection of Glory may be given you that God may have all that Glory which he expects from you Mark that Petition Father glorify thy Son that thy Son also may glorify thee Joh. 17.1 Desire your own Glory for the Glory of God Desire perfect Knowledge and perfect Holiness that you may do nothing besides Glorifying God that you may not come short of any degree of Glory that he expects from you It is the Everlasting Exercise of the Saints in Heaven to sing Hallelujahs 2. Lay aside every Weight As those that run in a Race will not load themselves with unnecessary weights and he that strives for Masteries is temperate in all things 1 Cor. 9.15 He will take heed of Surfeiting and Drunkeness so in running this Spiritual Race towards Heaven lay aside every weight whatever may be a clog to your hearts to slacken your diligence from endeavouring after the encrease of Heavenly perfections whatever may draw down your hearts from Heaven what may remit your desire of Christ's appearing and of being in his presence As 1. The Love of the World This will be a heavy weight on hearts to hinder their ascending to Heaven If the Mountains should fall upon your Bodies these would be such a weight that you would not be able to stir in the least motion under them the love of the World in the heart is as great weight upon the Spirit it suppresses breathings of Spirit after Heaven it quenches thirstings after Heavenly Glory Take heed of loading your hearts with this weight do not load your selves with thick clay So much immoderate love as there is to the World so much weight is in your Spirits pressing them down from Heaven 2. The cares of the World These are a weight they beget Heaviness in your Spirits and deadness unto Spiritual things Luke 20.34 Take heed of surfeiting and drunkeness and the cares of the World Provident cave is not forbidden but immoderate carâ—king cares take heed of being drunken with cares these cares are choaking things Spiritual desires joys motions and breathings are in danger to be choak'd by worldly cares This our Saviour shews in that parable of the Sower Some Seed shall fall among Thorns and the Thorns sprang up with it and choaked it Luke 8.7 By this is meant such hearers as hear the word and go forth and are choaked with the cares riches and pleasures of the World and bring no fruit to perfection ver 14. If you give up your selves to these this will hinder the bringing Fruit to perfection Worldly Men bar Fruit but not Fruits to perfection no Faith no Love Repentance Reformation so if Saints be overtaken with these this will hinder much their growing onwards to perfection in Knowledge in Grace 3. Worldly Sorrow