throne of grace in his name wee shall finde acceptance for his sake Hebr. 10.22 Rom. 5.1 2. though Jonathan could not appeas the anger of his father Saul against David yet our Jonathan will surely prevail with our God for us though wee are unworthy yet as the man of God looked on Jeboram for Jehoshaphat's sake 2 King 3.14 so will our God look favorably on us for Christ's sake 3 This must quicken and stirr up us to love the Lord Jesus the children use to love where the father doth the servants use to affect where their Lord God the Father loveth the Son therefore let us also get our hearts inflamed with love to him to them that love him all felicity is wished Eph. 6 24. to them that love him not all evils are denounced 1 Cor. 16.22 and many inducements there are to move us to set our affection upon 1. the dignity beauty majesty glory and excellency of his person Isa 45.3 Cant. 5.10 2. The love that hee hath shewed to us Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Jonathan's love to David caused David again to love him fire begetteth fire 3. The great afflictions hee hath suffered for us 4. The great endowments hee hath bestowed upon us 5. The many enemies hee hath conquered for us 6. The great things hee hath purchased for us in the heavens these are as so many load-stones to draw our hearts unto Christ Jesus as so many bellows to blow up the fire of our affections to inflame or hearts with fervent sacred and constant love unto the Lord Jesus and that so much the more because wee have hence seen Doctr. That the love of God to Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness which cometh to God's servants as the waters come to us from the fountain by and thorow the cistern the light cometh from the sun to the eie by and thorow the aër so is Christ the medium whereby all the goodness of God cometh unto us and God's love to Christ is the original and prime cause hereof as Gen. 45.17 18. the love of King Pharaoh to Joseph was the moving caus of all the favor and kindness hee shewed to his father and brethren when they were in great distress by reason of the famine so the love of God the King of kings viz. Christ Jesus is the fountain of all the happiness peace comfort which is derived and communicated to the brethren of Christ Jesus as the Ark was the caus of the wellfare of Obed-Edom's house so is God's love to Christ the caus of all our welfare this was shadowed out by the ladder in Jacob's vision Genes 28.11 12. reaching from heaven to earth the Angels ascending and descending to shew how all the goodness of God descendeth unto us by and thorow Christ this was also prophecied as the Lord hath put the grace of his spirit upon the son of righteousness to enlighten them that sit in darkness and why hath hee done so but because hee delighted in him and the Apostle speaketh plainly that wee are accepted in the beloved Ephes 1.6 Acts 2.33 Reas 1. Because wee are from all eternity elected in Christ as the Apostle witnesseth Eph. 1.4 saying wee are chosen in him before the foundation of the world in him noting the order in which wee are elected not the cause of election the grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him wee are not first elected and then Christ is chosen by reason of our fall but God out of his love did first chuse him to bee the head of the body mystical and then are wee chosen to bee his members as the head corner stone in the building is first chosen Psa 116.22 and then the other stones which are to bee put into the building hence hee is said to bee the first begotten amongst his brethren Col. 1.18 to have the preheminence to bee sealed John 6.27 set apart to be the prince of our salvation to be fore-ordained before the foundations of the world 1 Pet. 1.20 by how much more excellent things are by so much more timely and principally they bee in God's decree hee doth not think of electing and predestinating us first as a body and then come afterward by occasion to think of a him who is the head hee is the first pattern and wee are predestinated to bee like him Rom. 8.29 and as the master-picture and pattern is first and then the thing which is to bee drawn by it as in a naturall birth the head cometh first and then the feet after it so first was Christ chosen then as the head or the elect and fountain of grace and then are wee chosen in him things in their material existing have one order in their intentional another as for example a man that maketh a house intendeth to dwell under some covering 2 hee intendeth to build a house 3. to hire workmen 4. to prepare matter but in the execution hee 1. setteth stone and wood in place 2 hee hireth workmen then raiseth the frame and lastly entreth in and dwelleth there In order of materiall existing Christ is revealed promised exhibited after sin but intended before sin 1 Cor. 3.22 23. The Apostle reckoning the order in which things exist mentions 1. the world 2 the elect 3 Christ then God but giveth us to understand in order of intention that God intendeth first his own glory then Christ then the Church then the world out of which hee intended to gather such as should bee saved by Christ and thus Christ is the head of the elect and the fountain of grace 2. Because all the promises of God are to us in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 hee is the cistern by which God hath promised to convey the waters of life to our souls It is hee who of God is made unto us all things behooffull to our salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 it is in him that God hath promised audience and acceptance to our persons Gen. 3.15 it is in him that the blessing was promised to all nations Gen. 12.34 it is in his dayes that all peace and felicity was promised to the Church Jer. 23.5 6. it is hee that brought good and joyfull tidings Micah 4.4 5. 3 Because God hath put all fulness in him for the good of his Church as hee hath put all fulness of light into the sun for the giving of light to the world all fulness of water into the sea for the watering of the earth so hath God put all fulness into him for our behoof that are in him that wee might receive grace needfull to salvation Col. 1.19 John 1.16 Isa 61.1 2. as all Aegypt fetched out of Joseph's store as the ointment on Aaron's head ran down to the beard even the skirts of his garment Psalm 133.1 2. 4. Because our life the life of grace is hidden in Christ even when wee were dead in sin Col. 3.3 as the life of the tree in the winter is in the root the
the tidings of salvation rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voyce Doctr. THe study meditation and publishing of the Gospel is very comfortable to Gods faithfull Messengers Psal 8.9 10. Ier. 15.16 and Paul called it a finishing of his course with joy Acts 20.24 Herein they see the great things of God the sight whereof is more pleasant to the eye of the mind than the sight of the Sun is unto the eye of the body as the Psalmist saith of the marriners Psal 107.24 so may I say of the Ministers of the Lord they go down into the deep and behold the holy and heavenly wonders of the Lord. II. Hereby the Word of God doth cast a sweet savour in their nostrils and becometh as a warme fire in their bones often travelling among the flowers refresheth us with their smell the bruising of spice maketh the sent thereof the more odorifeous in our nostrils III. They are glad to do any service to bring any honour unto God it is their meate and drinke to do the Lords will IV. They are glad to do good to others to informe their judgments stablish their faith cleanse their affections comfort their hearts quicken them in the duties of holines and make them rich in the grace of the Spirit Vse 1 They are no faithfull Ministers that do not the work of the Lord with cheerfulnes that rejoyce not of all opportunities to publish the gladsome tidings of eternall happines but to go about the Lords busines by constraint as a lasy horse driven with the whip as a sluggard that must be compelled to his labour this want of delight in Ministers in their calling argueth want of love unto God want of a lively feeling of the goodnes and operation of the Word of God within them want of zeale for Gods honour want of hatred against sin want of true compassion to the Souls of Gods people inconsideratenes unsensiblenes of the weighty calling they have taken upon them of the fearefull accompt they must render unto God for the Souls of whom they have the oversight Vse 2 This discovereth the cause why some Ministers are so laborious so frequent constant earnest in the work of their Ministry it is a great delight unto them delight maketh hard things seeme easy irksome things seeme pleasant labour becometh no labour sufferings are turned into joy the work becometh as joyous as their meate As this hath relation particularly to Ministers so it is generally true of all faithfull Christians of every godly man that loveth Christ every one that is his friend heareth the Bridegroomes voyce and rejoyceth greatly Doctr. IT is a very great joy to Gods faithfull people to heare the voyce of Christ in the preaching of the Gospel as Israel shouted at the presence of the Arke 1 Sam. 4.5 so do the people of God at he presence of the Gospel as appeareth by the examples recorded in this behalfe Acts 8.8 Acts 2.46 Acts 13.48 1 Thes 1.6 II. By the entertainement they give the faithfull Ministers of the Word Gal 4.14 Job 33.23 Acts 21.17 III. By the charge which is in this regard given Phil. 2.28 29. IV. By titles given attributed to the Gospel Psal 89.15 Luc. 2.10 1 Tim. 1.11 V. By the promise which God hath made Jer. 31.12 13 14. Isai 35.2 Reas 1 From the nature of the Gospel and the preaching of it it is of a very pleasant and delightfull nature therefore likened to the light 2 Pet. 1.19 Ps 119.105 for as the light is pleasant to the eye Eccles 11.7 so it is a pleasant thing to Gods people to behold the light of the Gospel II. To the dewes as the dewes rejoyce the ground make it green and pleasant so doth the Gospel rejoyce the hearts of the people Isa 35.1 2. III. To milk as that delighteth and nourisheth the Child so doth this Gods Children 1 Pet. 2.2 IV. To wels of water which afford much refreshment to the thirsty traveller so doth the Gospel to the Souls of Gods people Isai 12.3 V. To ointment poured out because as that is very savoury to the nostrils of men so is this to the nostrils of Gods people Cant. 1.3 even the savour of life unto life 2 Cor. 2.16 Reas 2 From the matter of joy contained in it it is a letter full of the expressions of the love of Christ Jesus replenished with exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1.4 A garden overspread with sweet flowers a shop full of precious ointments and savoury perfumes a tree every branch whereof is loaden with most pleasant and comfortable grapes a proclamation of peace Acts 10.36 a treaty of Union 2 Cor. 5.18 19. the profer of a free pardon Mar. 1.4 a marriage feast between Christ and the people Mat. 22.2 3 4. gladsome tidings Rom. 10.15 a relation of the high and incomparable love of God to man of the victories which our Saviour wonne the downfall of Satan sin and the shutting up of the gates of Hell the large endowments high honourable priviledges of Gods people all matter of the truest sweetest most lasting joy and therefore cannot but make the hearts of Gods people exceeding joyfull Reas 3 From the sence and feeling the people of God have of the want of the Ministry of the Word as a sick man feeleth the want of Physick a man in darknes the want of light a hungry man the want of food a captived man the want of freedome a condemned man the want of a pardon and therefore do much rejoyce at the presence and enjoyment thereof as the Wisemen rejoyced at the appearing of the starre which formerly they beheld as the woman in the parable rejoyced at the finding of the groate which shee had lost thus the Apostle Rom. 18.15 alledgeth that of Isai 52.7 to signify that the coming of Gods Messengers unto such is very desirable their preaching sweet and comfortable their words being sweet as honey as drink to the thirsty bread to the hungry alluring and drawing them like a loadstone their conversation being cleare as the Sun as their lips their Doctrine so their feet their walking was holy and upright and their Message altogether replenished with comfort Reas 4 From the sweet agreement which is between the hearts of Gods people and the Ministry of the Gospel as between the eare and the best tuned musick the palate and the pleasantest wine the nostrill and the purest ointment never did Jonathan David better accord than the heart of a sincere Christian and the faithfull Ministry of the Gospel and surely as David said of Ionathan 2 Sam. 1.26 so may every faithfull servant of God say of Gods Word Ier. 15.16 Ps 19.10 Reas 5 From the near Union between Christ and his faithfull people they are his friends Ioh. 15.14 members of that body whereof Christ is the head 1 Cor. 12.12 joyned in wedlock with him Ephes 5.30 and therefore as the Bride rejoyceth to hear the voyce of the
Husband their portion and the onely beloved of their souls there is no cause of repentance of going back of leaving Christ though Christ be alone as Naomi was in much affliction in much reproach poverty envy trouble yet they may well say to him as Ruth to Naomi Ruth 1.16 and to all that shall question with them hereabout as Pilate answered them Ioh. 19.22 what I have chosen I have chosen I will not reverse it and to all you that have laid hold on him that have entred into Covenant with him let me say as Paul in another case to the Galatians Gal. 5.1 stand fast in the choise you have made suffer not your hearts to be divorced from Christ to be brought again in bondage to the World let not honours pleasures on the one side nor taunts reproaches persecutions losses on the other side divide your hearts from Christ as once the evill spirit made a breach between Abimelech and the men of Sechem But ever remember whatsoever the World proffer or threaten Christ is above all he will make a large satisfaction for all and therefore having Christ comfort your selves 1. Against adversaries be they never so powerfull subtile violent full of fury and indignation Christ is above all above all in wisedom turning all the devices of the crafty Achitophels of the earth into foolishnes and Isa 44.25 he taketh them in the snares of their own spreading in the pits of their own digging there is Prov. 21.30 31. for he can do great things Iob 5.9 10 11 12 13. he is above all in power he can open the prison Acts 12.7 8. he can divide the Sea Exod. 14.30 31. he is a man of warre Exod. 15.3 he is a valiant Captain Ios 5.14 he can make us valiant Psal 60.12 he can make one of us chase a thousand Ios 23.10 If he be the leader of the army he can overthrow the Wals of Jericho with the sound of a Rams horne he can smite our enemies with blindness send a trembling into their hearts overturn them with a barley cake and make their bowels sheaths for their own swords it is all one to overcome with few or with many to cast down with a stone or with a sword with a Jaw bone or with a thousand men with a goade or with a multitude of Canon shot 2. Against the strength of sin the mighty power of Satan though our lusts be as untamable as the wilds beasts in the forrest yet he can put a bridle into their lips though they be like the bloudy issue which no Physician could cure yet Christ is above all he can dry them up though they be like a deep a strong and swift runing stream he can stay them though they be like Trees of a deep Root of a mighty growth yet he can pluck them up though they be strong holds yet he can cast them down as David took the fort of Syon notwithstanding all the strength thereof so 2 Cor. 10.5 he can tame the Lion Isai 11.6 7. the vertue of his death can make iniquity to moulder like a tree whose roots are rotten like a house whose foundation is decayed like a body which hath received a deaths wound though it be as strong as the buildings of the Temple yet as that was cast to the ground not one stone left upon another so can Christ cast down our sins that not one lust shall remain upon another as David overthrew Goliah and made all the Philistines fly So will Christ overthrow Satan and put all our lusts to flight the same power that opened the eyes of the blind that healed the lame that raised the dead can and will do the like for us He is above all who is our Saviour our Physician our Husband our Friend the beloved of our Souls therefore think of this and be comforted 3. Against spiritual assaults and grievous temptations perplexity and anguish of conscience though no bed can give us rest no Sun can give us delight no Fountain afford refreshment no Musick can give any comfort no friend no earthly treasure no tidings give contentment but all paths are paths of Thorns every speech dreadfull as Thunder every Fountain as the waters of Marah all manner of comfort that can be presented like the Prophets pottage whereof they cried there was death in the pot yet the Lord Jesus is above all he is the Prince of peace Isa 9.6 he he can still the stormy Tempest Math. 8.26 he can cast out the unclean spirit that casteth men into the fire and into the water into manifold troubles and perplexities he can cure the stinging of the fiery Serpent Math. 21.6 7. he can binde up the broken heart and heal the wounded spirit though it be a burden in supportable yet he can give us ease Matth. 11.28 he can make our peace like a River turn the winter of our sorrow into a pleasant spring the Hail and Thunder of trouble into the Sun-shine of sweet and pleasant rest 4. Against all reproches contumelies Christ our head our soveraign our husband is above all therefore though for the present we are in the eye of the world as our Saviour was a face wherein was no beauty a dry Tree without leaves without fruits signs wonders spectacles gazing stocks a cursed people out-casts the worst of all sinners the most miserable of all base things and things which are not yet let us remember that Christ is above all and that we are Members of the body whereof he who is the head is above all the spouse of that husband who is the Prince of all Kings let us remember whatsoever we are in the eye of the world yet in and through Christ we are Exod. 19.5 as the Sun Phil. 2.15 Jewels Mal. 3.17 Kings 1 Pet. 2.9 the most honourable and glorious people in the world therefore Cant. 1.9 10 11. Cant. 6.10 5. Against all wants Christ Jesus who is ours is above all in him there is all fulnesse Therefore let us comfort assure our selves in all our necessities there shall no good thing be wanting for all things are in Christ in a transcendent manner after a more full larger sort than in the creature as light is in the Sun after a fuller manner than in the Gloe-worm he who hath him if he be well experienced in him shall find enough to supply himself if a man want love from the world the love of the Lord Jesus will abundantly recompence it as the love of the King of the Master will abundantly recompence the want of the love of the begger of the servant if a man want honour estimation respect among men to be honourable in the sight of God to have sonship with God heirship with Christ will largely answer it if a man want fellowship with men fellowship with God Christ sufciently countervaileth it if a man want rich and glorious apparel the royal
none of the Astrologers onely Joseph and Daniel can interpret it for Mat. 11.27 7. In regard of the ministration of his kingdom and government of his Church and people none so great a charge so many people to rule so many great and strong enemies to oppose subdue and conquer therefore hee is said to bee girded with the sword Justice by his Word the sword of the spirit striking the hearts of rebellious people to bring them into subjection to ride upon the word of Truth by the ministry of the Gospel defending his chosen beating down sin and superstition working many wonders striking terror into the hearts of his enemies and for the accomplishment hereof hee is said to anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows to have received more grace then all men or angels Psal 45.3 4 5 6 7. for thus also it is said that the spirit of God doth rest upon him filling him with all heavenly gifts and graces the spirit of wisedom fulness of knowledg in the things of God the spirit of understanding promptness and readiness to know all things of what nature or condition soever the spirit of counsel faculty and quicksightedness to free himself out of all perplexities the spirit of might courage to teach the truth and to oppose shake and overthrow all fals doctrine and to reprove their wicked conversation the spirit of knowledg a sure and firm understanding of things the spirit of fear filial cheerfull and perfect obedience Isa 11.2 3 4. Observ Isa 512. 1. In external appearance hee was outwardly of low estate Phil. 2.6 7. but the more contemptible hee was in his outward condition the more evident was the work of the God head manifesting it self therein 2. Hee wanted beauty in the eies of carnal men the sun seemeth not beautifull to the blinde but to such as have the eie of understanding savingly enlightned hee is the fairest of ten thousand Cant. 5. vers 10. Vse This by way of instruction sheweth where to go to have all our spiritual wants supplied and furnished Christ is the fountain in whom the Father hath put all fulness hee is the Physitian that can cure us when wee are diseased the Conquerer able to deliver us when wee are captived the Counseller able to advise us when wee are doubtfull hee is the Teacher which can instruct us when wee are ignorant Isa 9.6 therefore when all the cisterns of the world are broken holding no water when no physitian can cure us when all store-houses are empty and no hand can enrich us when all lips are shut and no tongue can comfort us when all waters like Abana and Pharphar have no healing virtue no cleansive power then like the woman Mark 5.11 let us come to Christ like Naaman 2 King 5.14 let us come to the Jordan of his blood for in his hand there is power to heal the wounded soul in his blood is efficacy to purge away the filth of sin which no nitre can purge in his word is virtue to comfort the troubled soul which no voice of man or angel can quiet Isa 50.4 in him as the Apostle saith dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell Col. 1.19 all fulness both for number and measure of graces there is in Christ an absolute compleatness 1. In respect of members Ephes 1.23 2. In respect of inhabitation of the divine nature Col. 2.9 3. In respect of power and authority over all both in heaven and earth Mat. 28.4 In respect of merit 5. In respect of grace in him is fulness of wisedom to make us wise fulness of redemption to make us free fulness of righteousness to make us just fulness of sanctification to make us holy and hee is made to us of God 1 Cor. 1.30 therefore to him let us come Mat. 11.28 2. This by way of confutation reproveth and confuteth all Saint-worshippers and Meritmongers in Christ is all fulness there needeth no supply from Saint Angels or Works a fulness is no where to bee had but onely in Christ hee is able to save us to the utmost his royal robes are long enough to cover us his arm is strong enough to deliver us hee needeth not another to bee joyned with him hee trod the wine-press of his Father's wrath alone Isa 63. hee is the lamb slain from the beginning of the world which taketh away the sin of all beleevers in the world John 1.29 neither Saint nor Angel but Christ hath purged away our sin and is set down at the right hand of God Heb. 1.3 hee maketh reconciliation Heb 2.17 hee offered himself Heb. 7.27 all other are broken cisterns weak shields such as will not cover us in the day of Gods anger therefore it is not kiss the Saints but the Son Psal 2.12 3. By way of exhortation this seemeth to stir up men to labor for fulness of grace to bee replenished in measure as Christ is above measure as the members of the body are answerable to the head the branches in the tree answerable to the fulness of the juice in the root of the tree so wee who are members of the body whereof Christ is head branches in the true vine should labor a blessed fulness of all graces wee should strive to bee full of knowledg as the sea full of waters Isa 11.9 abundant in love 1 Thess 3.12 perfect in patience Isa 1.5 ful of joy and peace in the holy Ghost Rom. 15.13 full of faith in beleeving God's promises full of courage in maintaining God's truth against all opposition Act. 6.8 rich in all good works 1 Tim. 6.18 like trees bearing much fruit lamps holding much oil vessels filled with good liquor like travellers going forward like rich men building their barns greater enlarging our hearts more and more towards God and his waies this is the Apostle's charge 2 Pet. 3.18 this is Saint Paul's earnest entreaty 1 Thes 4.1 and for increas of grace of grace wee should strive 1. Becaus the more grace the more sweetness shall wee finde the more consolation shall draw from the ordinances of God the more health the more comfort doth the body finde in the food prepared for it the more perfect the eie the more pleasure it taketh in the light of the sun which it beholdeth the ordinances of God do good to them that are good Mic. 2.7 to those they are sweet Psal 119.103 joyous Jer. 15.16 comfortable tidings Rom. 10.15 holiness maketh God's ordinances to the soul like the chariots which Joseph sent to Jacob an occasion of reviving Gen. 48.25 like a wel-spring to the thirsty like dew to the ground like a feast to the hungry Psal 65.4 Cant. 2.4 2. The more grace the more comfort wee shall have in God's presence the more clearness wee shall behold in God's countenance the more obedient the childe is the more favorably his parent looketh on him the more profitably the servant
life of children before they are born in their parents so our life is in Christ the tree of life the second Adam the common parent of God's people and as the tree when the spring cometh and the sun shineth it full of life buddeth and blossometh so when the sun of righteousness ariseth and causeth the light of his truth to shine in our hearts then that life is manifested in us which before was hidden in him John 14.6 5. Because all the favors and gifts which God bestoweth on his people are bestowed on them in and thorough Christ in him they have redemption remission in him wee are blessed with all spiritual blessings Ephesians 1.3.7 thorough him wee have all things that pertain to life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 all that God giveth to any person in love or in mercy hee giveth it in and through Christ as the King by reason of some eminent man in the Court whom hee highly favoureth bestoweth many gifts on them of his family kindred and acquaintance 6. Because it is in him alone that God is well pleased Mat. 3.17 thorough him hee accepteth our services thorough him hee graciously casteth out upon us the light of his countenance as David shewed kindness to lame Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake 2 Sam. 1.1 2 11 12 13. so God sheweth mercy and kindness to us who are lame deformed unworthy of any favor even for his son's sake for God is in Christ reconciling us unto himself 2. Cor. 5.19 Vse This may serve to assure the children of God of the stability of God's love towards them were they loved in themselvs their disorderly conversation their unholy walking their unseemly carriage might avert the love of God from them but being loved in Christ the love of God will ever continue constant with them for Christ is ever the same with God alwayes the beloved of God ever dear in God's sight and hence the love of God to his people is as a hous builded on a rock which neither winde nor water can overturn as a sun that ever shineth as a fountain that never faileth an everlasting love Isa 54.6 9 10. a love more durable than the mountains a love continued when wee have no feeling of it when wee by our sin have deserved an utter extinguishment thereof yet in Christ wee are still beloved God hath given us unto Christ for an inheritance God hath joined us in wedlock unto Christ and wee shall bee loved for our husband's sake a great stay it should bee to God's people that God's love shall ever continue to them Two things much commend Love Antiquity and Constancy wee say such one hath loved mee 30 40 years and will not fail mee 2 This move's us to labor for interest in and for a near communion and more intire fellowship with Christ Jesus because thorough him the love of God descendeth upon us men seek for infinite acquaintance with and labor much for near communion with them that are in favor with earthly princes that they may also enjoy the love of such worldly potentates the like care should wee use to enter communion with Christ that so weee might gain the love of God and great and sweet inducements there are to move all men to labor for this fellowship with the Son 1. The dignity of Christ hee is the Son of God Psal 2.7 the Prince of peace the Lord of glory the subject's much desire highly esteem intire acquaintance with the young Prince the like and much more should wee do to have communion with Christ 2 The honor whereunto wee shall bee advanced wee shall bee the sons of God by adoption the members of Christ citizens of the new Jerusalem the Lord's free-men a roial Priesthood a chosen generation wee shall bee in respect of others as the sun to the clouds as the vine to the bramble the lily to the thorn the conqueror to the captive the son to the servant the richly arrayed to the naked the Queen to common women 3. The neer relation wee shall thereby have with Christ thereby wee shall bee servants of the family whereof hee is Lord subjects of the common-wealth whereof hee is King sheep of the flock whereof hee is shepherd scholars of the school wherein hee is chief teacher vines in the garden whereof hee is the dresser souldiers of the army whereof hee is the leader members of the body whereof hee is the head the spouse to whom hee shall bee the husband 4. The clear and comfortable knowledg wee shall thereby have of the will of God the nearer wee approach to the sun the more light wee receive Christ is in the bosom of the Father Joh. 1.18 in him are all the treasures of knowledg hidden Col. 2.3 hee can open the book with seven seals Rev. 5.5 he can open the deep things of God the hidden mysteries of our salvation 1 Cor. 2 10. though as dark as Sampson's riddle hee will give light to such as sit in darkness if they do but approach unto them Luke 1.79 5. The sweet and heavenly sense and feeling of God's love which wee shall hereby attain hereby wee shall feel the love of God shed abroad into our hearts Ro. 5.5 bee made exceeding glad with the light of his face Psal 21.6 this will inable us to look upon him as a childe on his loving father as a malefactor on his reconciled Sovereign this will inable us to rejoice in the light of God's face as in the face of our dearest friend and as Solomon saith of a friend Pro. 27.9 so shall wee bee able to say of God as ointment and perfume rejoice the heart so shall the Lord our God rejoice our souls if wee have communion with his Son 6. The blessed and unspeakable peace which wee shall hereby enjoy Rom. 5.1 the raging tempest of our souls shall bee appeased the piercing arrows of trouble removed the fiery darts of Satan quenched the hideous cry of an accusing conscience silenced the deadly wounds of the soul healed the heart so quieted all sorrow and heaviness so taken away Rom. 15.14 all inward comforts so restored that wee shall say as Peter said of the Mount Phil. 4.7 It is good beeing here 7. The glorious victory wee shall hereby win over all the enemies of our salvation wee shall hereby conquer Satan as David did Goliah 1 Sam. 17. subdue sin as Joshua did the walls of Jerico Josh 6.20 1 Job 3.8 pass through affliction as Moses and Israël thorow the red sea Job 16.35 and pass as the three children thorow the fiery fornace Rom. 8.35 8. The stability and growth in grace which waiteth hereupon this will cause the grace of the Spirit to bee in us as a living spring that is never dry as a light that shineth more and more as an immortal seed which doth not fade this will cause us to bee as trees planted and willows growing by the river's side as trees bearing much fruit in our old age this will
shall wee give good evidence of our faith according to that of the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. Thus of the nature of faith the second thing here noted was the object of faith in Christ it receiveth imbraceth resteth and relieth upon Christ whence observe Doctr. That the Lord Jesus is the proper and peculiar object of the faith of all true believers God is the object of our faith not as hee is considered simply and absolutely in himself but as wee do live to him thorough the grace favor and goodness wee receive from him 1 Tim. 4.10 the word and promises of God by a Metonymy of the adjunct are said to the object of faith so far forth as they continue in them and exhibite unto us that which is the object of faith Christ as a mediator is the mediate but not the ultimate object of faith because wee believ thorough Christ in God Rom. 6.11 2 Cor. 3 4. 1 Pet. 1.22 and in this respect wee are said to bee in Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 to have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 to bee betrothed to Christ Eph. 5.23 this was the doctrine of the Baptist as St Paul relateth it Acts 19.9 the charge given by St Paul himself Acts 16.31 this is the gift of God to his chosen children Phil. 1.29 and this is the foundation whereon the people of God have builded John 12 11. and Christ must bee the object of our faith 1. Because hee alone is ordained of God to bee a Saviour Mediator between us and God him God the Father heareth in him hee is well-pleased Math. 18.5 him hath God the Father sealed and set apart for this work John 3.35 hee is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 hee is the promised feed Gen. 3.15 there is no other name Acts 12.1 1 Tim. 3.5 2. Because in him alone is eternal life to bee found God himself without Christ is a consuming sire Heb. 12.29 by reason of our sin all the creatures are as a dead thing they can do us no good all the ordinances of God are a killing letter God hath put all fulness into Christ Col. 2.9 our life is hidden in him Col. 3.3 and this was the ground of Peter's answer to our Saviour John 6.68 whither shall wee go no creature can save us they are all as Physicians of no value as empty vessels blinde guids thou alone hast the words of eternal life thou alone canst make the doctrine of salvation to quicken us when wee are dead 1 John 5.12 to comfort us when wee are dejected to encourage us when wee are opposed to make us wise wherein we are Ignorant Hee that harh him hath all hee that hath not the Son hath nothing 1 John 3.24 3. Because hee alone is a sure foundation whereon to build hee is a rock which will never sink Mat. 7.23 a friend which will never fail a bow which will never break he will save at the uttermost all such as come unto him Heb 7.25 no storm shall make shipwrack of the soul which is fastned to him by the anchor of a lively faith Heb. 6.19 no violent and boisterous windes shall overturn the trees rooted in him Col. 2.7 nor cast down the hous builded upon him 4. Because in his blood alone is efficacy to wash away our sins no water but Jordan could wash away the leprosie of Naaman 2 Kings 5. no Physician but Christ could heal the diseased woman Mark 5.29 none but hee could clâ—ans the Leper None but hee can redeem us from iniquity and procure remissionn of sin for us Eph. 1.7 1 John 1.7 5. Because in his intercession is efficacy to procure all good things for us at the hands of God Jonathan may strive to intercede with Saul for David and not prevail Solomon's mother may make suit for Adonijah and not bee heard men may make suit with men for others and not obtain their request good men make earnest supplication to God in the behalf of others and their petition not accomplished Ezek. 14.14 but Christ doth ever prevail with God for them that beleeve Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.25 6. Because in him alone is righteouss to make us just hee hath robes to cover all our imperfections hee can make us righteous in God's sight Gal. 2.16 Rom. 8.1 Vse Then this will acquaint us with the vanity of their faith who rely on any thing besides Christ who trust to their work to the naked observation of some religious duties to their civil righteousness who lean on this and make it the object of their faith are like the foolish builder that builded upon the sand like the Babylonish builders that thought to escape the deluge to ascend the highest heavens by a building of their own making these are men that go to a broken cistern for water to a drie breast for milk to a barren tree for fruit to a dumb idol for counsel or comfort and it will bee with them as with the worshippers of Baal 1 King 18 26 27. their abilities will prove like a deceitfull man Prov. 25.19 like a spiders web Job 8.14 like the Aegyptians garments Isa 20.4 for so Isa 59.5 6. Isa 64.6 when they shall come to the trial what is said of men will bee verified of their works Psal 62.9 and when they think to finde comfort they will go away sorrowfull as the young man did Mat. 19.22 2. Therefore this must stir up every man to make Christ the object of his faith to build and rest on him with lively and sure confidence to bee ingraffed into him to become a member of that body whereof Christ is the head to rest our hearts in him as the author of our salvation and everlasting life this is the commandement of God 1 Job 3.23 this is the pearl for the gaining whereof wee should sell all wee have this is the price for which wee should all strive Jude v. 3. this is the riches for which wee should labor this is the blessing which wee should uncessantly beg wee are cumbred with Martha about many things but this is the thing which is most needfull some sell their birthrights with Esau for a mess of pottage for worldly and vanishing pleasures som with Judas sell all the comforts they might finde in Christ for a little worldly lucre the most part spend their strength for that which is no bread which yieldeth no sound and solid comfort but if you will bee rich indeed if you will have that which shall bring true riches and everlasting consolations to your souls then labor for a lively faith in the Son of God And that you may bee able to make Christ the object of your faith 1. You must labor clearly to see to be truely sensible of the vanity of all humane abilities you must bee able to say of all humane abilities of all earthly endowments as Solomon did Eccl. 2.17 Eccl. 11.8 as Agur did Prov. 30.8 look on these things as on a tottering fence
and then you shall bee able to rest on Christ The woman came not to Christ till shee saw a vanity in all other Physitians Mar. 5.29 no more do wee rest on God rely on Christ till wee see there is no remedy elswhere to bee found thus Hos 2.6 7. this was that which caused the disciples to rest on Christ they found not whither els to go Joh. 6.68 2 Chron. 20.11 12. the contrary to this was the ground of Israëls unbelief Isa 31.1 2. You must strive to be throughly humble labor for a contrite and broken heart you must becom vile in your own eies bee far from all ambition and vain glory and so you shall feel your heart to bee drawn to rest and rely upon Christ then the doctrine of salvation shall bee sweet then God will reveal himself unto your souls very graciously multiply his grace upon you abundantly according to his gracious promise Isa 57.15 Psal 25.9.14 Jam. 4.6 and then shal you bee able to fasten your hearts upon Christ strongly then shall you bee able to rest in Christ firmly for Isa 61.1 Isa 29.19 Psal 22.26 the want of this continued the unbelief of the Pharisees Joh. 5.44 Gal. 6.3 3. You must bring your hearts to this pitch to seek the prais and commendation which God giveth to his people to bee approved in the sight of God to make it your crown your glory and comfort to bee accepted before the Lord to rejoice more in the inward witness of God's Spirit and our own consciences then in the applaus of all the men of the world you must with Paul 2 Cor. 1.12 and then you shall feel God will shed abroad his love abundantly into your hearts seal up to your souls the pardon of your sin strongly and inable you to rest upon him firmly Joh. 5.44 4. You must meditate and acquaint your selvs with the all sufficiency of Christ bee perswaded of his love goodness readiness to help you see in him more beauty more peace more joy more honor more comfort more power than in all the world look upon him as on a glorious sun and let all the world bee a glow-worm in comparison as an empty cloud to a full fountain as a withered arm to a strong man and this will work frame and draw your hearts to beleeve in him John 12.11 Joh. 10.28 John 7.31 Proceed wee now to the gain of Faith namely everlasting life whence learn Doctr. That everlasting life is the fruit of a true and saving faith Everlasting life is God's gift in regard of the free donation of it Rom. 6.23 It is Christ's purchase in regard of the price paid for it in regard of the meritorious cause thereof in regard of the head whence it is derived It is the work of the Spirit in regard of the principal cause efficient It is the fruit of the Word in regard of the external seed whence it springeth and instrument which worketh it It is the fruit of Righteousness in regard of the way which tendeth to Christ in whom this life is hidden Therefore our Saviour in earnest asseveration to perswade his disciples hereof John 5.24 And the Evangelist sheweth this to bee the principal purpose of God in inditeing the Scriptures Joh. 20.31 hence Paul Gal. 2.20 and plainly S. Peter speak's to this purpose 1 Pet. 2.8 9. And that everlasting life is in this manner a fruit of faith is apparent Reason 1. By the union which faith worketh between us and Christ it joineth us in wedlock with him it interesteth us in all the riches of Christ as Mediator it maketh us living members of that body whereof Christ is the head it build's us upon Christ as the residue of the building upon the head-corner stone it ingraffeth us into Christ as as the branches into the vine it maketh Christ to bee ours it fills us with fulness it causeth him to rule within us and to replenish us with all good things Ephes 3.17 John 2.16 Reason 2. By the interest which it giveth us God's promises this is the foundation whereupon our faith is builded and faith is the condition which God requireth to make us capable of what hee hath promised Gal. 3.13 14. this is the hand by which wee receiv all good things of God this is the key by which wee open the store-house of God's bounty without which all the good things of God are to us as the Sun under an eclips as water in a sealed fountain riches in a treasury locked up as the tree of Life to Adam when the Angel kept the way with a flaming sword it is faith doth give us claim and entrance into all the great and glorious promises of Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 3 4. 3. By the application it make's of the righteousness of Christ it covereth us with this as with a roial robe it healeth all our sins herewith and maketh us just in the sight of God for what els is our justification but the gracious sentence of God whereby for Christ apprehended by faith hee doth absolve the beleever from sin and death and accounteth him just unto life Rom. 3.22 24. Rom. 9.30 Rom 8.1 4. By the victory which it getteth over whatsoëver is adverse or repugnant to this everlasting life it conquereth sin it purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 it giveth an overthrow to Satan as David by his sling to Goliah 1 Sam. 17. therefore 1 Pet. 5.8 9. overcometh the world all the allurements and all the oppositions of it it trampleth them all under foot 1. John 5.4 Like David's Worthies it breaketh through an hoast of dangers to drink of the waters which are in the wells of Life 2 Sam. 23.16 it will follow the Lord wheresoëver hee goeth it will leave him in no estate it will endure any hardness sustain any loss bear any reproach encounter with any danger it will leave all rather then leave the Lord the power of faith is invincible nothing is too hard for it 5. By the gracious acceptation and spiritual adoption which it procureth for us with God whereby wee are become the sons of God 1 John 12. 1 John 3.1 made heirs and co-heirs with Jesus Christ Rom. 8.17 for as Christ in justification is applied as a garment to cover our sins so in adoption hee is applyed as our brother and Prince of our salvation Heb. 2.10 11 12 13. and by virtue of this adoption and communion with Christ all true beleevers are called the first begotten of God Hebr. 12.23 and this sonship of theirs remaineth unalterable the dignity and happiness of their condition is unchangeable John 8.35 6. By the use which it maketh of all the Ordinances of God the Word Sacrament praier c. which otherwise would bee as unsavoury meat without taste as a shell without a kernel as a deaf ear of corn as a cloud without rain without comfort without any benefit at all yea many times a trouble a terror a great disquietment the very savour