his Natures in his Offices in his sweet and gracious Dispositions In his Natures severally considered and united in his Hypostatical and Personal Union The Person of Christ consists of two Natures God the true Emanuel or God with us God manifested in the Flesh Man the true Emanuel or God with us God manifested in the Flesh So Joh. 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory of the onely begotten Son of God full of Grace and Truth That is the Word which was God in the Second Person The brightness of his Glory and express Image of his Person Heb. 1. 3. took our Nature to himself in one Person and became Mediatour perfect God and perfect Man First Perfect God equal with the Father in Essence Joh. 10. 30. I and my Father are one that is one God not one Person 't is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Person but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one thing or Being I am in the Father and the Father in me and therefore my Sheep are safe they are in my hand and in my Father's hand here are two distinct Subsistences and we are the same I and my Father are one God as God I am equal with him the same in Substance equal in Power and Glory Rom. 9. 5. Of whom concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever over all men and over all things or in all as Vatab. This Scripture is generally used by all Interpreters to prove the Divine Nature of Christ He is God over all and blessed for ever in himself and of himself and the Author of all those Blessings his Creatures enjoy By him are all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth Visible and Invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Coloss 1. 16. And therefore he is perfect God this being his peculiar Operation to create the World By him all things consist he upholds all things by the word of his Power Heb. 1. 3. Supporting and ruling them which is another property of the Divine Nature the ruling and bearing up of all things in the World which none but everlasting Arms can do So he hath Power to forgive Sins which only God can do to raise the Dead to judge the World Mark 2. 5 7. Joh. 11. 43 44. Acts 17. 31. To know the Secrets of all Hearts Luke 5. 22. To be the Object of Religious Worship Heb. 1. 16. All which abundantly prove the Lord Jesus to be perfect God and so of infinite Perfection and Blessedness to inrich all that come unto him which will evidently appear if we do but a little consider those Perfections of the Divine Nature as opened in the Scriptures all which are in Jesus Christ First His Simplicity being a most pure Essence without the least Composition or Diversity of Parts or Accidents There is no mixture of Qualities or Excellencies in God but every Attribute is his entire Essence and therefore he is a most pure and simple Being as the Names he gives himself import especially these two Ehejeh Exod. 3. 14. I am hath sent me unto you The Word is in the future Tense I will be hath sent me but in the Hebrew the future Tense expresseth often both the Present and preterperfect and so this Word holds forth God's most simple absolute and immutable Being and self Existence So Jehovah a Name which God seems to take most Delight in and which doth as it were sum up all his glorious Excellencies in one word importing his most pure glorious and incomprehensible Essence which he hath in and from himself before all time and unto all Eternity subsisting in and of himself and giving Being to all his Creatures and therefore must needs be the most perfect and simple Being The Unity of his Essence proves his Simplicity he is one God though three Persons Deut. 6. 4. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one God he is the first Being and one undivided Essence and therefore most pure and simple He is altogether a most perfect Being in and of himself who wants nothing that is excellent nor can have any thing in himself that is evil and therefore is a most simple pure Nature And if Jesus Christ as God be such a simple and excellent Being then he is a most perfect Treasure to his People there is nothing wanting in him to make them happy nor can there be any thing in him or come from him to make them miserable then he is true and faithful to Believers there can be no Contrarieties in him or Contradictions proceed from him his Love is sincere his Purposes are true there is a reality in his Expressions for he is one and of one mind to his redeemed ones O Believers think on the Purity of Christ's Nature the Perfection of his Blessedness the Integrity of his Affections and the Infiniteness of all his Perfections to make his beloved ones happy There 's no Moth or Rust no Worm or Death can ware out his pure Affections to his People There is no mixture in his Nature Composition is the Corruption or Imperfection of created Beings but in Christ's Divine Nature there is Unity and Simplicity there is nothing can alter his Thoughts and Resolutions to his sincere ones he is most true and most full in all his Perfections and this his Simplicity assures Believers of eternal and infinite Blessedness in their Union with and Relation unto him for he is in himself the most absolute and perfect Being the first and most simple Being he is most perfect in and of himself for he hath all his Perfections in and of himself as God and all that is sufficient for his infinite Blessedness in and from himself and hath all that in him which is sufficient for the Good of his Creatures and highest Happiness of his People Again he is most perfect because he wants nothing from another to make him blessed He needs no Creatures to contribute any thing to him nor doth he lose any thing by Creatures falling from him or can have any Addition to his Glory or Blessedness by the access of men or Angels to him So also he doth what pleaseth himself nothing can resist his Will or frustrate his Purposes and therefore is most perfect in himself And if the Lord Jesus be so perfect in himself then he is the Author of Perfection to his People for he hath made over himself his whole Person God-Man to Believers to be their Shield and exceeding great Reward Then Believer thy case is happy thy Treasure is full and perfect thy Choice is a blessed Choice and thy Lot a perfect Lot fall'n in a good Ground Then the Person of thy Beloved is altogether lovely his Accomplishments being altogether perfect not a Spot or Blemish in him Then all his Gifts to his Spouse are perfect his Righteousness is a perfect
the best of you your fair and specious Duties but he sees your inside and all your secret Rottenness when you sit before him as his People sit and seem devout in your Services he at the same time knows where your Thoughts are wandring and espies every vain Motion and sinful glance of your deceitful Eye when thou prayest with greatest Zeal his Eye is upon thy close Hypocrisie thy spiritual Pride thy base ends and those conceived Lusts which will break out when thy Duties are over O how should this abase thy proud Heart and prevent thy swelling Thoughts upon conceited Excellencies in thy self or supposed Worth in thy Duties seeing he knows what is in thee and how vain man would be wise This also should advise thy Soul to Sincerity in thy Profession Purposes Promises Duties because he beholds thee and weighs thy Paths searcheth thy Heart tries thy Reins and will shortly bring thy secret things to Judgment Lastly This counsels such as want Wisdom to be looking to Jesus and waiting at the Fountain and Spring-head for their Instruction Sixthly the Omnipotency of Christ is another of those glorious Properties of the divine nature which renders him so vast and unconceivable a Treasure to all that receive him He is the mighty God the everlasting Father Isa 9. 6. who hath infinite Strength to order and establish his Kingdom and to exert his Government in Sion and over Nations his Strength must needs be infinite because his Kingdom is eternal no created humane arm can sway the Scepter of the World and maintain an everlasting Rule over the Hearts and Conversations of all his People in all Ages and therefore he must be God and the mighty God to transact the whole Work that concerns him as Mediator and to answer the Appellations given him in Scripture Things are ascribed to Christ which cannot be performed by less than an infinite Power First His creating all things in Heaven and Earth Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him He is the eternal Word the Exemplar and efficient Cause of all created Beings The Heavens and Earth Angels and men the Inhabitants of the upper and nether World were all form'd by Jehovah Christ who gave Being to all his Creatures as pleased him and therefore his Power must needs be Almighty who is the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the Earth that fainteth not be that giveth Breath unto the People upon it and Spirit to them that walk therein Isa 40. 28. chap. 42. 5. What a potent Lord have Believers chosen who can supersede all their Difficulties by his Creation-help if his whole Store-house of Heaven and Earth be not full enough to supply their Wants he can soon set forth a new Edition of Mercies by his own immediate arm if their way to Glory lye through a waste howling Wilderness where no Foot-steps can be seen to guide them he can create a Cloud by day and Pillar of Fire by Night to conduct them If their Provisions fail to relieve them in their Journey he can rain a Shower of Manna from his secret Granary and open the Caverns of the Flinty Rock and put new Springs into the barren Wilderness to refresh them when they are invironed with Troops of Death he can in a Moment interpose his fiery Chariots and Horse-men and when all their Deliverers fail send from Heaven and save them when the Visibility of Religion ceases and the Heavens pass away as a Scrole when the Glory of the Lords House is dissolv'd into a Chaos when the Gold of the Sanctuary is become Dross and the Gospel-Church metamorphoz'd into the old World he can even then create a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness Is thy Heart Believer full of filthiness Thy Redeemer can create a clean Heart and if thy Tempest-tossed Soul can find no rest thy Lord can create the Fruit of the Lips Peace for thee What is too hard for a creating Arm to do Or what can undoe that People who have a faithful Creator to commit themselves and all their Concerns unto Secondly Another Proof of the Omnipotency of Christ is the upholding all things by the Word of his Power Heb. 1. 4. Who being the Brightness of his Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person and upholding all things by the Word of his Power Here 's another Royalty of the divine Nature of Christ a new beaming out of his Glory as God even in the bearing up maintaining and Dispose of the whole Creation in the former ver the forming of the Universe and whole World was ascribed to Christ and here the Preservation of it also is laid upon him as a further Evidence of his oneness with the Father having begun his Work in the Creation he carries it on in his providential Sustentation thereof He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17. He is the Foundation that underprops the whole Fabrick of Heaven and Earth which would soon sink down into its first nothing if everlasting Arms were withdrawn from beneath it he that first gives Being to his Creatures must continue it Conservation is but a Continuation of the first act of Creation to preserve the World from Destruction to continue the Creatures in their peculiar Nature and Properties and to govern those Diversities in an united Subserviency to his Will and Glory and the Well-being of the whole is a work of infinite Power and needs the same Strength that first produced them And this is the work Christians of your Messiah that person who is God-Man who by his divine power and efficacious Providence animates actuates cherishes quickens and sweetly disposes of all Creatures Actions and Affairs in the World He is the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth that changes Times and Seasons whose hands are under his Wings and hath a wheel within the Wheels that turns about things as pleaseth him brings Light out of Darkness Order out of Confusion Good out of Evil who hath the Government on his Shoulders and absolute Power in his hand to dispose of all persons and things as may most further the Pleasure of his own Will the Advance of his Glory and the Good of them that fear him And is not this Security enough to those who have intrusted themselves and all their Concerns with this glorious Potentate and King of Kings who hath the Management of all things in Heaven and Earth that it shall be well at last with the righteous the momentous Affairs of the world and of Sion shall issue in the best Good of those that love his Name How should this calm the tumultuous Fears of the godly into a sweet Serenity of Spirit and still their tempestuous Thoughts in a quiet Relyance on the Arm Care and
he is able to perform hence 't is said Joh. 1. 16. Of his Fulness we have all received and Grace for Grace Of that Fulness which the Divine Nature is alwayes issuing out to the Humane Nature of Christ do Believers receive Grace for Grace Grace sutable to Grace in Christ so that the Humane Nature of Christ must needs be alwayes full of Grace by reason of its Union with the Divine As the Sun that gives out Light is alwayes full of Light and the Sea that sends forth Waters to the Rivers is never vacant This is a glorious Mystery of wonderful Encouragement to Believers to consider what a full Jesus they are related to Thirdly By vertue of this Union the Lord Jesus Christ hath right to all Glory and Adoration of Men and Angels as Mediatour He is the most Illustrious Person all Honour Blessing Praise Glory Adoration is due to him Heb. 1. 6. When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him Surely he must be a glorious Person when all the Angels must bow at his Feet Seraphims Cherubims and all the Host of Heaven stoop and give Homage to him this the Lord Jesus Christ hath a proper Right to as he is God-Man Phil. 2. 9. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every name Every Tongue shall confess at last that he is Lord ver 11. Rev. 1. 17. And when I saw him I fell at his Feet as dead O the very Vision of Christ is enough to strike a poor Creature to the Earth Rev. 4. 9 10 11. The four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped this glorious Person that sate upon the Throne which is Jesus Christ Joh. 5. 23. That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father So that God the Son the Second Person the Mediatour of his People deserves all that Divine and Religious Worship which is due to God as God Thrones and Principalities are made by him and put under him Col. 1. 16. 17. Fourthly By vertue of this Union the Lord Jesus Christ hath absolute Authority Kingship and Headship in his Church and over all things to the Church Matt. 28. 18. All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth O what vast Power is this All Power on Earth to do what he will there All Power in Heaven to do what he will there Eph. 1. 22. And hath put all things under his Feet and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church Jesus Christ as God-Man is invested with all Power and Authority to transact the Work of a Mediator to perform the Offices of Prophet Priest and King The Godhead of Christ working as God and the Manhood of Christ working as Man yet both these Natures concurr towards the management of Redemption-work As a Prophet he is able to reveal the Will of God for he knoweth the mind of the Spirit being God he is infinite in Wisdom Job 36. 4. Rom. 11. 33. All Knowledge comes from him as Mediator In him are hid the Treasures of Wisdom Col. 2. 3. He maketh Wise to Salvation He giveth Wisdom Prov. 2. 6. He openeth the Eyes of the blind and giveth Light to them that sit in Darkness and in the Region and shadow of Death Matth. 4. 16. Luke 2. 32. Ministers can but preach to the Ear but Christ can preach to the Heart Ministers can but open the Scriptures Christ can open the Heart He is a full and effectual Head to his Body the Church to guide influence and adorn it Col. 1. 18. As a Priest And so there 's an infinite Sufficiency in his Satisfaction and Intercession seeing he is God-Man In his Satisfaction enough to silence all Pleas against his People He can arrest all the Sentences and Executions of the Law against them As an High-priest he is a sufficient Sacrifice for the Sins of the People He was made Sin for us that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. By the Obedience of Christ all Believers are made Righteous Rom. 5. 19. The Obedience of the Saints is represented compleat in Christ though imperfect in themselves Hence Believers that are wounded with the shortness of their Services in themselves may lift up their Heads when they look upon the perfect Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ Hence 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. If any man Sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous And he is the propitiation for our Sins Though the Saints do sin Christ becomes a Sacrifice for them This one Offering of Christ ever appears before God when new Provocations appear in his People By one Offering he perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. By vertue of this Union his Blood becomes infinite Blood equally as large as the Offence Nay it is more able to save than the Sins of Believers to damn It is the Blood of Christ that cleanseth from all Sin 1 Joh. 1. 7. Therefore his Obedience is a perfect Obedience and his Sufferings perfect Sufferings of more satisfaction to Divine Justice than if all the Sinners in the World had lain in Hell to all Eternity This Blood is so wonderfully precious that it is accounted by the Father as the Blood of God Acts 20. 28. If Infinite can satisfie Infinite then the Father is satisfied by the Blood of Christ because whatever the Justice of God can expect the Obedience of Christ can fully satisfie This Righteousness to Justification the perfect Obedience and Sufferings of Christ receives no Addition or Diminution by the Obedience or Disobedience of his People Eph. 1. 6. He hath made us accepted in the Beloved Ah! little do Souls know the Bottom they stand upon It is not poor Believer the shortness of thy Obedience the multitude and greatness of thy Sins can out-match this matchless Righteousness of Christ All the Injuriâ—s and Wrongs thou hast done is but the Injury of a Creature but the Satisfaction of Jesus Christ is the Satisfaction of God it is the Satisfaction of God the Soh presented to God the Father O what a blessed state are Believers in where there is such a price paid for their Sins Again By vertue of this Union There 's Sufficiency in the Intercession of Jesus Christ He must needs be able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him seeing he ever lives to make Intercession Heb. 7. 24 25. How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Consciences from dead works Heb. 9. 14. The Blood of Christ meritoriously purges the Soul from all filthiness being offered through the Eternal Spirit God will not deny himself whatever God the Son intercedes for God the Father will grant so that Christ's Intercession must needs be effectual O what potency hath Christ in Heaven what Prevalency in all his Addresses
are Sanctifyed are all of one Heb. 2. 11. Thirdly For this end he was actually designed of God and made over to his People in the Everlasting Covenant decrees purposes and determinations of God 1. Cor. 1. 30. He is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption He is made of God Non in creatione sed in ordinatione saith Paraeus Not created so according to his Divine Essence as some Hereticks assert but ordained and given of God to this end to be Sanctification that is the Author of Sanctification and therefore he is said to save to the uttermost Heb. 7. 25. which can never be accomplish'd without Holinesse For without holinesse no man can see the Lord Heb. 12. 14. Fourthly For this work was the Lord Jesus promised by the Father to come unto Sion and turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Rom. 11. 26. This Scripture is quoted out of Isa 50. 10. from which the Apostle varies following the Septuagint Translation then in great use rather than the Hebr. seeing it retaines tâ—e sense though different in words In Isa 't is The Redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from Transgression The Apostle saies He shall come out of Sion and turn away ungodlinesse from Jacob To reconcile which Peter Martyr thinks the Septuagint might mistake Lashub To turn for Leshabe To them that turn But this is not likely that those Learned Doctors could be so mistaken in the Original and therefore 't is a far better answer that Beza and Grynaeus do give That the Prophet speaketh of the Effect of Christs coming which is a turning away from Sin And that the Apostle speaks of the Cause of their turning from Sin which is Christs taking away of Sin for none can turn from sin till Christ do remove Sin And this is the end of his coming into the World To this end he is promised Mal. 3. 2 3. He shall sit as refiners fire and purify the Sons of Levi. The Sons of Levi are Firstly meant of the Apostles Secondly I suppose of all the Saints But so much is clear that the Lord Jesus is promised to be a refiner to his People in Gospel times and to purge away their filth and dross and to make them Holy Fifthly For this end it was the Lord Jesus Christ gave himself up to Redemption-work Eph. 5. 25 26 27. As Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might Sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the word Here we have 1. One great end of Christs Obedience and Suffering 't is to make his People Holy 2. Here 's the efficient Cause of this Holinesse that is By the Spirit of Christ The blood of Christ purges away the guilt of sin Meritoriously and the Spirit of Christ purifies the filth of sin Efficiently signifyed by Water as 't is often us'd in Scripture Joh. 4. 10. 14. Chap. 7. 38 39. 3. Here 's the instrumental cause of this Holinesse the means by which it is wrought and carryed on and that is by the word the immortal seed of the Soul This he undertook and was intended to do in the Covenant of Redemption betwixt the Father and him Isa 42. 1 2 3 4. He shall not fail till he hath set Judgment in the Earth that is Holiness for so 't is taken Joh. 16. 8. And this work is the Lord Jesus here engag'd to do Some take the word Ethmoch I uphold passively for the Fathers dependence and Christs Faithfulnesse He leans or stays upon his undertaking this work and trusts to his performance of what he undertook to do Others take it actively for the Fathers upholding and carrying Christ through this great work of Redemption and Sanctification In both senses 't is true The Lord Jesus stands engaged to carry on Redemption-work and is throughly furnished with grace to accomplish it Heb. 10. 7. Christ readily consents to the fulfilling of the Fathers will and what that was you have Isa 42. 7. To open the blind eyes and to bring out the Prisoners out of the Prison which is meant of the work of Redemption and Regeneration and it was the will of God the Father that Christ should do this 1. Thes 4. 3. This is the will of God even your Sanctification And this he stood bound to do to promote and perfect the power of Holinesse in all his Children Now what Christ did undertake he finished Meritoriously whiles on Earth Joh. 17. 4. I have finished the work thou hast given me to do And for the application of it he is in Heaven to see it perform'd and this is the work of his Intercession Joh. 17. 17. Sanctify them through thy truth thy word is truth This Christ Intercedes for in Heaven and therefore 't is the fruit of his Purchase for he Intercedes for no more in Heaven than what he dyed for on Earth Sixthly His Authoritative sending the Spirit of Holinesse to his people shews his right to it by his Purchase Joh. 16. 7. I will send him to you That is after the finishing of his work and re-instalment in Glory Joh. 7. 39. For the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Christ was not yet glorifyed Lastly Were not holinesse purchased for saved Souls Christs Redemption-work would be imperfect neither could Souls ever answer the ends for which he dyed Without Holinesse were procured and compleated by Christ there could be no Salvation For First Man cannot Sanctify himself We are all as an unclean thing and our Righteousnesse as filthy rags Isa 64. 6. And who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean no not one Job 14. 4. Indeed the Scripture sometimes speaks after this manner Make you a clean heart Ezek. 18. 31. Make you a new heart So Isa 1. 16. Wash ye make ye celan But there is Mans Duty not his power It shews the subject not the Author or this holinesse and where you find such Exhortations they are to lead men to Christ for the getting of this Holiness wrought in them as 1 Pet. 2. 4. To whom come as as to a living stone c. Secondly Without this holiness be wrought in Believers they can never be capable of answering the ends of Redemption which are First To enjoy Union and Fellowship with God Joh. 11. 52. 1 Joh. 1. 3. Heb. 8. 10. Now without Holiness no Fellowship with God 2 Cor. 6. 14 15. 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. For his Person is Holy and his offerings and services are Holy Secondly To reconcile together in one all things in Heaven and Earth Col. 1. 20. But no Fellowship with Angels or Saints in Heaven without holiness for they are holy Creatures Thirdly To be brought into the nearest Union and Conformity to himself Rom. 6. 4 5. But without Holiness this cannot be Fourthly To be a Name and a praise unto God Eph. 1. 12. But without Holiness no glorifying of God Fifthly To bring Souls to the possession of the purchased
they are given usually but to a few So is Holiness the priviledge of the fewest and least number of men few there be that find it Mat. 7. 13. Riches can procure the greatest things procurable as one saith Money answereth all things that is all things that are saleable among men so Holiness though it cannot purchase Mercy yet it fits persons for the greatest Mercies and highest Services None more advanced than holy Souls they dwell in the presence of God Psal 140. 13. They are through Christ very potent with God they are fit for the highest work When Persons come to dye they see the excellency of holiness and would purchase it with a world This proves that Sanctification is a rare Treasure Again The purchas'd Holiness of Christ hath not only excellent worth but large quantity he hath purchas'd fullness of Grace Grace for Grace O Believer though thy heart be empty of grace yet Christ's Treasure is full he hath as much as ever thou canst need or crave to make thee as Holy as thou wouldest be and that to all Eternity VSE If Holiness be the Purchase of Christ then 't is not the Creatures procurement or by any ways or means obtained short of the merit of Christ what the Apostle says of Righteousness is true of Sanctification Gal. 2. 21. If Righteousness come by the Law then Christ is dead in vain So if holiness be the Fruit of Mens Purposes Labours and Duties then Christ died in vain 'T is too common an errour in many to charge Christ with too much in some things and too little in other things In justification some lay too much on Christ I mean by charging their sins on him for pardon which they were never throughly convinc'd or repented of and in sanctification charge him with too little expecting their holiness and meetness from their purposes duties and improvements As if holiness were to grow out of the Sepulchres of their Services and not out of the grave of Christ 'T is true indeed the Lord Jesus hath appointed means for the promoting of Holiness and given promises and Ordinances for the conveying and perfecting of it but the vertue of all depends upon his blessing 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. Rom. 9. 16. Secondly Then how unexcusable are perishing Sinners under the Gospel that will not come to Christ to be made holy You that lye in your blood and from the Crown of your head to the sole of your feet are full of filthy Ulcers and putrifying sores whose Consciences cannot but condemn you sometimes for uncleannesse and never being cleansed by the blood of Christ how will you appear before the Holy God a Consuming fire in your unpurged sins How unjustifiable is your filthynesse who might have been cleansed but would not What will you answer in the day of Indignation when all this tender'd but refused Grace shall come against you when you would willingly part with the whole World if you had it to get a clean heart and a purged Conscience How dreadful will that word be in the day of Inquisition Ezek. 22. 24. Thou art a Land Thou art a Soul that art not cleansed How cutting will the memory be of rejected Grace when God shall say I would have healed you but you are not healed Jer. 51. 9. You might have had your natures changed your Consciences cleansed and your hearts sanctified but you would not Now away thou prophane hard-hearted wretch Be gone thou secret Drunkard Swearer Thief Lyer take him Devil go and be filthy still wallow in thy blood there lye cursing in torment to all Eternity as long as I am God thy blood shall lye upon thee Thirdly Then the Holinesse of Believers is and shall be sure being grounded on the Purchase of Christ 'T is bought and paid for O Believer for thee purchas'd Sanctification is assuredly thine as thou art not thine own The truth continuance growth and perfection of Grace is procured for thee by a price A price agreed on betwixt the Father and the Son First God will not deny it Justice it self cannot with-hold thy purchas'd due As sure as Christ with-holds not one drop of his blood or penny of the price so sure will not God with-hold any part of this Purchase Rom. 3. 26. That he may be just and the justifier of them that believe in Jesus And if the justifier then sure the sanctifier Poor doubting Believer when thou seest nothing but unworthiness in thy self of the least Grace and peace from God then think 't was Christ not I that made this purchase he who did not can not make a forfeit of his right and whose blood must perish whose Honour and Interest must suffer if one of those for whom Christ dyed should dye and perish for want of Holinesse O no! this cannot be The Judge of all the Earth must do right Gen. 18. 23. Secondly Jesus Christ the believers Advocate cannot suffer to see his poor and needy deprived of their right He is the Mediatour betwixt God and his people The days-Man and Umpire to see truth Established in the Earth and every one to receive his due He will give wicked Men their due much more his Children And all Power in Heaven and Earth are in his hands Math. 28. 20. He is the Faithful Witnesse Holy and Just one and therefore will cause that believers shall have the distributions of the due Measures of his Purchas'd Grace Thirdly there is nothing in thee or without thee that can hinder the accomplishment of it Isa 43. 13. I will work and who shall let Let Earth and Hell Sin and self combine together they shall not keep back the Communications of grace one day beyond God's time Math. 12. 20. 'T is not the strength of thy lusts can prevail against the arm of God and forces of his eternal Spirit who is commissioned to bring down all thy Enemies and set thee free indeed Christ will Reign till he brings down all his Enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. The greatest part of which is the Corruptions of his people CHAP. XIX Adoption-Grace prov'd to be the Fruit of Christ's Purchase The excellency of this state opened in several particulars I Come now to a fifth Fruit of Christs Purchase and discovery of that glorious Redemption-Treasure procur'd by his death that is a state of Adoption those whom he sanctifies he adopts and brings into a new Relation to himself to God the Father Son and Spirit The work of Sanctification doth change their Nature Adoption changeth their state they are really alter'd by Sanctifying Grace and relatively by Adoption-love God now becomes their Father and they are his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. Come out from amongst them and touch not the unclean thing Here 's a change in their Nature and Life And I will be your God and you shall be my Sons and Daughters there 's a change in their state Adoption is the taking of persons that are strangers and
His belly is as bright Ivory overlaid with Saphires His tender Bowels and boundless affections to his people are wonderfully lovely and delighting they are pure firm and fixed in their nature and they are chearing and enriching in their effects O Christs love is not fleeting 't is firm as Ivory set with gold overlaid with Saphires O how rich are his affections what a Treasure to those that have him His legs are as Pillars of Marble set upon sockets of fine gold The gracious motions and efficacious workings of his Spirit are exceeding mighty and glorious full of strength He hath power to bear up all those that follow him His legs are strong he can carry his Lambs that are committed to his arms there 's no burden too heavy for Christ his loins are strong he can bear what is laid upon him the weight of all the Saints on Earth is nothing to him He can carry on all his intendments and interest in the World his legs are as Marble able to bear his Body quick in motion O what a lovely Christ is this display'd in the Gospel His countenance is as Labanon excellent as the Cedars Those discoveries the Lord Jesus Christ makes of himself in his word and works are wonderful taking exceeding enriching Christ's word is fruit fullizing O when he speaks to the hearts of his Children what a deal of vertue goes through his lips Grace is poured out of his lips Milk and hony is under his tongue His appearances carries excellency riches and glory with them His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely His discourses the openings of his mind is wonderful pleasing The word of Christ never cloys the spiritual part Thus you see what a Person Jesus Christ is O Sinners consider his beauty O how lovely an object is he what can you object against his Person why you will not espouse him Thirdly Consider his lovely dispositions O Sinners will you accept of him He is of an excellent Spirit of a very sweet nature full of grace and goodness His sweet dispositions have been largely opened already he is full of mercy and compassions meekness gentleness patience long-suffering slow to anger ready to forgive great in kindness free and bountiful of a generous Spirit true and faithful Sinners you may trust him with your secrets you may venture your Souls upon him He is harmless and inoffensive he doth wrong to no man his company is lovely and desirable His converses are pleasant and profitable O what a person is Christ O Sinners never was such a one offer'd you as Christ is why will you not come unto him Fourthly Consider his quality and high dignity he is no mean Person but a mighty Potentate 1 Tim. 6. 15. The sole and only superintendent of the whole World the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19. 16. He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords He is not only a King but the King the only true Potentate from whom all ohters derive their glory a King not only of Men but of Saints not only of Saints but of Angels of Thrones Principalities and Powers Math. 26. 53. And can command them down now he is in Heaven for the service of his elect Heb 1. 14. Are they not all Ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation O Sinners shall this prevail with you to accept of him Fifthly Take notice of his potency He hath power as well as honour Math. 28. 18. All things are put under his feet Heb. 2. 8. All the Armies of Heaven and Earth are deliver'd over to him He is Lord of Hosts He hath the Keys of Heaven Death and Hell Rev. 1. 18. Who then can lock out Christ or exclude him from doing what he pleaseth seeing all things are at his beck He doth whatsoever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Psa 135. 6. He sitteth in the Heavens and laughs the Counsels of the Potentates to scorn he makes no reckoning of their combinations but derides their ambitious attempts against him Psa 2. 4. He shall pass thorow and over-flow and break all their consederacies in pieces Isa 8. 8 9 10. Let all the subtleties of Hell be woven together to make a web to catch the interest of Christ in it shall all be as a spiders web that can soon be swept away O admire the Kingdom of Christ the glorious power of Christ nothing is too hard for him He hath an absolute unlimited and uncontroulable power He is the supream over all persons and all things in all places Lands and Countries O what power hath he not only Authority but likewise Might 2 Chro. 20. 6. In his hand there is power and might and none is able to withstand him O Sinners come away to Christ he can protect you and defend you from dangers Sixthly Observe his wisdom too this is taking with some to have a head that hath intellectuals in him and marry one that hath exquisite parts and eminency of knowledge Now all Treasures of wisdom are in him Col. 3. 3. His judgments are unsearchable and past finding out Rom. 11. 33. His judgments his acts in the World his Righteous deeds and the way he takes to accomplish his designs O how wonderful deep are they The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of Counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isa 11. 2. He is of quick understanding full of judgment called The wonderful Counsellour Isa 9. 6. The only wise God from whom all wisdom is fetch'd that fills Men and Angels all the World do light their Candles at his Torch He is the Sun that fills the whole Creation with beams There 's no searching of his understanding he can bring to light the hidden things of darkness 1 Cor. 4. 5. He hath eyes can reach where men cannot he can reveal the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. O Sinners what an excellent one is Christ O how worthy of your choice Seventhly Weigh the glorious and blessed effects of your closing with the Lord Jesus Christ Sinners the very day you marry Christ he will pay all your debts and they are many he will pardon all your sins blot out all your iniquities remember them no more He will free you from all your Bondages deliver you from all your fears secure you from all your dangers if you will but espouse him O the very day you marry Christ he will wipe off all your shame and remove your reproach He will heal all your wounds and sicknesses he will begin to heal them immediately and never leave till he hath perfectly cured your Souls He will strip off all your filthy garments and cloath you with broidered rayment he will advance you to highest dignity he will lift up your heads above
Ability to revive her dead Brother she believed indeed he should rise at the last day and not before why saith Christ they that shall then rise from the dead shall rise by my Power and if I will raise up the dead then I can as easily do it now The hour is comming in which all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done Good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation Joh. 5. 28. 29. And I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 6. 54. That there shall be a general Resurrection of the dead at the last day when every Body though now consumed shall be raised up and reunited to the Soul and be brought to the final Judgment is not questioned by those that believe and know the Scriptures The Author of this Resurrection is God as God but the second Person the Lord Jesus is delegated to accomplish this Work which he shall do by his own Voice saith Christ himself by a Shout by the Voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trump of God saith the Apostle 1 Thes 4. 16. with a great Sound of a Trumpet saith the Evangelist Mat. 24. 31. That is the Lord Jesus shall at that last day by his mighty Voice pronounced by the Arch-Angel cause all the dead both small and great to arise in their same Bodies though chang'd into an immortal State and suitable Capacity to that Condition to which they are intended to receive their Soul and to come to Judgment And is not this a mighty Work to quicken the dead a work peculiarly ascribed to God 2. Cor. 1. 9. For we had the Sentence of Death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the Dead 'T is the work of God and of none but God to raise the dead 'T is a work full of Wonder and Amazement beyond all Principles of created reason to conceive how those Bodies dissolved to dust mingled with other Bodies in the Grave digested into other Natures by Beasts Fishes Fowls that have devoured them should yet return and be separated from other Dust and Natures into the same Individuals is such a Miracle as is only fit matter for Faith not Sense and a firm Foundation for the Believers Hope and Comfort It may be thou seest nothing but Deaths on thy Graces Frames and Capacities thou findest Decayes in thy Soul the Spirit of Life seems to be departed from thee thou canst not pray hear converse with that sweetness and delight as heretofore Comfort thy self Believer He that is the Life is the Resurrection also He that quickned thy Heart when Dead will revive it when decay'd 'T is as easie with him to restore thy Spiritual Frames as to bestow them He that can raise the whole World from their Bodily total Death can easily and will in due time cure thy Soul-dyings also Again This will chear drooping Sion who faints at her Desolations and fears what will become of the destruction on her Interests 'T is lamentable to observing Souls to see how Religion goes down daily Holiness is departed from the Earth The Rod of the wicked lies on the back of the Righteous the wicked are exalted and the Righteous oppressed The House of David waxes weaker and weaker and the House of Saul waxes stronger This is a sad Spectacle yet in this case Relief is to be fetch'd from an Omnipotent Jesus who hath said His dead men shall live who can open his Peoples graves and revive his decay'd Interest and cause a Nation to bring forth in a day and Overturn Overturn Overturn till his Kingdom be established in the Earth CHAP. III. The Humane Nature of Christ distinctly consider'd it 's Reality proved His Personality or the Divine and Humane Nature in one Person shewing what kind of Vnion it is and the glorious Consequents and Advantages thereof WE have a little enquired into the Divine Nature of Christ the Beams of whose Glory but darkly seen yield a wonderful splendor and reviving to a believing Eye In the next place let us consider his Humanity The Nature of Man which the second Person assumes into a Personal Union with himself He is perfect Man as well as God The Woman's Seed Made of a Woman made under the Law Gal. 4. 4. Made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh Rom. 1. 3. For he took not on him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. The Children being partakers of flesh and blood he likewise took part of the same ver 14. And was in all things made like to his Brethren ver 17. Called the Son of Man the Man Christ Jesus having the Substante of the Humane Nature though not the Personal Subsistence thereof He did not take the Person of Man into Union with himself for then he would have had two Persons and so have been no true Mediator The Mediator being one 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus But if the Lord Jesus had taken the Person of Man then he would have consisted of two Persons the Divine Subsistence and the Humane and so there would have been two Mediators or Persons mediating which is contrary to Scripture Neither did he take on him the vicious Qualities or Accidents of the Humane Nature being holy harmless separate from Sinners the Holy Spirit overshadowing the Virgin Mary and purging the Humane Nature of all its sinful dregs forming it of the Substance of the Virgin not of his own Essence whence the Holy thing begotten by the Spirit was not God but Man called the Holy Child Jesus purely conceived in the Womb of a Sinner without the least participation of her Sin or vicious Defects of her Nature receiving only the perfect Substance of Man Having the Essential parts of the Body Soul Humane Nature A true and real Body and not a Phantasme and Airy Vehicle as the Marcionites and Hereticks of old held He had Flesh and Bones which a Spirit hath not Luke 24. 39. Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have This was after his Resurrection when the Disciples doubted that it was an Apparition and not him and even then Christ had a real Body palpable and visible the object of External Senses A Natural and not an Heavenly Body as the Manichees affirm'd from 1 Cor. 15. 47. The first man is of the Earth Earthy the second man is the Lord from Heaven But to this I answer with Zanchy The Apostle doth not speak here of the Essential Body of Christ but of his Heavenly Spiritual Power which he lets out in raising the Dead as in the former verse The first man Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit He speaks not here of the Nature but of the person of the
second Adam as Mediator the Difference between whom was great the first Adam but a Creature this a Creator or Quickning Spirit the first Adam had his Rise from the Earth this second Adam as to his person from Heaven whence saith Paraeus 't is evident the Apostle doth not speak here of the matter of Christs Body but of the Original and Dignity of his Person for he grants in this whole Discourse that Christ's Body is one and the same with ours else how can his Resurrection be a proof of ours and 't is said As by man came death so by man came also the Resurrection of the Dead 1 Cor. 15. 20 21 22. And if Christ had not a real natural Body then he could not be the Seed of the Woman neither had his Death been a real Death or a satisfactory Propitiation if the same Nature that sinned had not also suffered And therefore it must needs be that Christ had a Natural Body He Eat Drank Spake Walked was weary smitten bound crucified which are also demonstrations of a Natural Body And as he had a perfect Body so had he a Soul also contrary to the Doctrine of Apollinaris or else he could not be a perfect Man and in all things made like unto his Brethren for 't is said when God made Man He breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life and man became a living Soul Gen. 2. 7. Hence saith Lactantius A Soul-less Body is no Humane Body 'T is said His Soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto Death Mat. 26. 38. Had not Christ a real Soul he had not been a living man nor could be said to have died when he cried out Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit Luke 23. 46. And having said so he gave up the Ghost This Spirit the Lord Jesus gave up into his Father's hands was not his Divine Nature for that was one with and ever with the Father and therefore must needs be his Soul which was his Life and that departing he is said to dye and give up the Ghost Besides That Knowledge in which he is said to increase with those Humane Affections that manifestly appeared in him and those Acts of his Natural Will plainly proves his Soul these being the Essential Faculties of a Rational Spirit Neither could he have perfectly transacted the Office of a Mediator and undergone all the Sufferings that were to be borne for the Sin of Man had he not consisted of a Humane Soul as well as Body part of these Penalties yea the greatest part being Spiritual and such as none but the Soul could be fully sensible of And in point of Justice the Soul of man having sinned there must be a Soul also in the Redeemer to undergo Sufferings wherefore he must needs be perfect man in the Essential Parts of the Humane Nature Body Soul He had also the Properties of the Humane Nature both Essential and Accidental The Essential Properties of man as well of the Soul as Body were in him The Essential Properties and Faculties of the Soul which are the Understanding Will Affections were seated in his Nature he had a created Understanding that eminently shin'd out in his youthful years being able at Twelve years old to dispute with the Learned Doctors of his Day even to the astonishment of his Hearers Luke 2. 46 47. And they found him in the Temple sitting in the midst of the Doctors both hearing them and asking them Questions and all that heard him were astonished at his Vnderstanding and Answers And ver 52. Jesus increased in Wisdom and Stature He had likewise Natural Affections so as without sin He loved the young man in the Gospel for those Excellencies that were in him Mark 10. 21. And had a peculiar degree of Affection to John above the rest of the Disciples Joh. 19. 26. He had compassion on the multitude Mat. 9. 36. And was grieved for the Heart hardness of his Disciples Mark 3. 5. And had indignation against Peter's tempting him to decline his Redemption-work Mark 8. 33. He had also the Essential Properties of a Humane Body such as do flow from the Essence thereof and are so absolutely necessary to it as that without these the Body would cease to be a Body as Quantity Figure Members Dimensions He had a Material Body consisting of Flesh and Bone with its Lineaments and Members Face Hands Feet he had a Stature in which he grew as other men do Luke 2. 52. A Body circumscribed in a place that must needs have a Circumference and be in one place at once circumscriptively not definitively as Spirits are Neither does its Union with the Divine Nature or its glorified state in Heaven alter this Essential Property of a Body Nor is the Omnipotency of God a sufficient Argument to warrant the Body of Christ to be in Heaven and Earth and in divers places at once seeing God's Absolute Power never crosseth his Actual Power or infer a contrariety to his Truth and to the natural Being of things Neither did he assume the Parts and Essential Properties of Man only but the Infirmities also and accidental Properties of the Humane Nature though not those which were Personal and Vicious and procur'd by Personal Sins or defection in their particular Natures as Diseases Blindness Lameness Deformity which were not the absolute and universal Products of Original Sin incident to every one but arising from some particular Causes and peculiar to some Persons onely these our Lord Jesus did not take upon him but such Infirmities as were accidental to the whole Nature for that he himself also is compassed with Infirmities Heb. 5. 2. not sinful as culpable Ignorance and Errour but Natural Infirmities such as were incident to our Natures Sin excepted and such as were the Effects and Punishment of Sin these Christ took on him as inculpable Ignorance Humane Passions of Sorrow Fear Anger in the Soul Hunger Thirst Weariness Pain bloody Sweat and Death in the Body Mark 13. 32. Mark 11. 13. Math. 26. 38. Math. 9. 36. Mat. 16. 23. Joh. 19. 28. Joh. 4. 6. Heb. 5. 8. Luke 22. 44. Mat. 27. 50. And O what enriching Priviledges and full Consolation do flow to Believers from the Words assuming the Humane Nature into Personality with himself And what glorious Excellencies are in Jesus Christ as he is God-Man in one Person infinite Treasures which can never be traced out nor fully understood by the Children of men as will appear if we consider the kind of this Union and the Consequents of it First Consider the kind of this Union between the Divine and Humane Nature of Christ and O what a glorious Mystery is it First It is a real Union 't is not Nominal in Name onely or Metaphorical in Shew or Similitude but in Reality and Truth The Divine and Humane Nature do constitute one Person which is Jesus Christ We have already proved that Jesus Christ is perfect God and perfect Man he is really so in one
1. 2. This Term Mediator is taken sometimes in a more large sense sometimes in a more strict sense First This Term as it is taken in a large Sense so the Lord Jesus Christ is a Mediator as he is the Head the middle between God and his Creatures so he is the Mediator of Angels as well as men It is by him the Angels were made and in him the Elect Angels are chosen and by him they are preserved for Angels cannot be thought to come to such a State of Felicity and such near Union with God but upon the account of a second person Col. 1. 20. in the sixteenth verse Christ is said to be the Creator of Angels and in this 20. ver there 's his Mediatorship for Angels By him to reconcile all things to himself whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven This is a place of very great Difficulty and hath puzled many Interpreters some conceive it is to reconcile man and Angels together supposing the Angels were enemies to fallen man but by Jesus Christ brought into a State of Amity but it cannot be so understood here for the Parties reconciled are not said to be men and Angels but God and these things how then is this understood Some therefore conceive that this Reconciliation is to be understood by way of Proportion and Similitude not as if the Angels needed Pardon for they never sinned but they stand in need of a Mediator that they may not sin for as Creatures they are mutable and as subject in their Nature to sin as the Devils were and it is by Jesus Christ they are preserved and kept in the Favour of God It is said all things in Heaven The Heavens themselves are or shall be brought into a capacity of meetness for the presence of God Saints and Angels by Jesus Christ as Mediatour The Angels are called Elect Angels 1 Tim. 5. 21. And how but as they are chosen in Christ for all Election is founded in the Lord Jesus Christ as a middle Person as the Head of Election Eph. 1. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him all those Creatures that shall be made or kept holy are plac'd in the Lord Jesus Christ Likewise the Angels are call'd the Sons of God Job 38. 7. When the Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy Now all Adoption is in the Lord Jesus Christ If they are reputed as the Sons of God this Relation must needs be in Christ who is the onely begotten Son of God therefore all the Angels must needs have dependance upon Christ as Mediator Eph. 1. 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him Some conceive it is meant of those Saints that were in Heaven before Christ came to suffer but that cannot be it being put in the Neuter Gender All things in Heaven so that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Mediator of Angels in that he procures for them Preservation with God and were it not for a Mediator they would never be secur'd from Falling Secondly More strictly Christ is called Mediatour in respect to God and fallen Man coming betwixt them as a middle Person to make up the Breach effect a Peace and reconcile them together Heb. 9. 15. He is the Mediator of the New Testament Heb. 12. 24. And to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant John 14. 6. He is the Way the Truth and the Life It is through his Name alone Salvation is to be had Acts 4. 12. He is appointed of God the Father to this end Joh. 3. 16. Rom. 3. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation for our Sins to be one that may reconcile God to Man and render him propitious and favourable to him Acts 2. 23. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Heb. 5. 4. Joh. 6. 24. For him hath God the Father sealed He was annointed and furnished with all Abilities for this end Isa 61. 1 2. And he is the onely Mediator 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. The onely Surety Heb. 8. 6. The onely Advocate 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. 'T is God the Son the Second Person is the only Mediator 't was he that made man and therefore fittest for him to re-make him It would be a great derogation from Christs Honour saith Austin should another mend and reform that spoiled work which he made He is fittest to restore man to the lost Image of God who himself is the express Image of the Father 'T is best meet for him to commend the Love of God to man who himself is the Son of the Father's Love He is the onely begotten Son of the Father and so fit to Adopt others into a state of Sonship As Man also Christ hath Right to Redemption-work Lev. 25. 23. As God he hath Ability to redeem As Man he was capable to suffer As God he was able to bear up the Humane Nature under Sufferings As Man he could bear the Punishment of Sin As God he could remove our Sins and purifie our Natures As Man he could compassionate his People As God he could help them As Man he is capable to tender a Satisfaction As God to render it infinite As Man he was able to become a Sponsor a Surety to make a promise in the behalf of his Seed And as God he could make good his Promise He can reveal the mind and disclose the deep things of God and pour out the Spirit of Grace He hath all Power in Heaven and Earth and is able to save to the uttermost He can exalt his Interest and subjugate his Enemies under his Feet He sits at the Right hand of God and is God with the Father and Man with Man CHAP. IV. Shewing what is the Work of Jesus Christ as he is Mediator WE come in the next place to shew wherein the Office and Work of this Mediator lies And it will much conduce to the Glory of Christ to display his Mediatorship Now we must consider him in a double Relation The Lord Jesus Christ hath to deal with two different Parties where there is a Breach 1. His Work lies with respect to God the Father 2. His Work lies with respect to fallen Man First His Work lies with respect to God the Father And here his Office lies in several particulars First One great part of the Work of Christ as Mediator is to mediate in the behalf of fallen Man with the Father so as to procure terms of Reconciliation Thus a Mediator is to agitate with the offended Person to bring to terms of Peace This was the Work of Jesus Christ from before all time He did act with God the Father that there might be a way found out for agreement between him and poor Sinners This was drawn up in the Covenant between the Father and the Son as in Isa 42. 6 7. I the Lord have called thee
and have it more abundantly He was made Sin for them that they might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. And now he is performing this and strips the poor Soul of his filthy Garments and takes away the filth of Original and Actual Sin and comes and cloaths the Soul with Righteousness and puts his fair Ornaments upon it and makes it as a fair Jewel in the sight of God and when the Soul hath bespotted his own Garments Christ comes and cloaths him with pure Rayment So that here 's alwayes Work for Christ to do for his People whilst on Earth to apply the fruits of his Purchase Fourthly The Lord Jesus Christ in pursuing his Mediatorly Work doth take upon him the Work of an Intercessor in Heaven and Advocates in the behalf of all his People He hath done all that was needful for him to do on Earth and now he is entred into the Heavens and sate down at the Right hand of God and ever lives to make Intercession for the Saints Heb. 7. 25 27. That is his Work now in Heaven to perform that part of his Priestly Office as is needful for him to do as a Mediator there CHAP. V. Wherein is opened the glorious Advocateship of Christ with the unspeakable Comforts and Advantages thereof THere are two parts of Christs Priesthood 1. His Satisfaction 2. His Intercession The first I have spoken to already and proved That the Lord Jesus by his Active and Passive Obedience hath satisfied the Law of God and made a full Atonement for the Sins of all Believers that he underwent all that they were bound to undergo and that in their Name Room and Stead for their Sakes Heb. 7. 22. Gal. 4. 4 5. Rom. 5. 19. This he did by his Active Obedience and also by his Passive Isa 53. 4. to vers 7. Gal. 3. 13 14. Joh. 1. 28 29. And by this one Offering of his hath he perfected them that are sanctified for ever Heb. 10. 14. by way of Merit that God hath no more now to charge on Believers by way of Punishment for their Sins seeing Christ hath borne it in his own Body for them on the Tree By this he hath obtained Salvation for them that 's the first part of his Priestly Work But Secondly Having dispatch'd his Expiation 't is needful that he carry on his Application of this Obedience and Suffering to them and this is done by his interceding in Heaven for them Now because so much of the Riches of Christ lies in this part of his Mediatorly Work and it is of such infinite Concernment as to the Faith Comfort and Advantage of Believers therefore I shall speak the more fully to this Subject and shall prove 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ God-Man doth now sit down at the Right Hand of God Interceding there in Heaven 2. How the Lord Christ carries on this Work of Intercession in Heaven 3. For whom he doth intercede in Heaven 4. What he doth intercede for 5. Why the Lord Jtsus Christ as a Mediator carries on this Work of Intercession 6. What are the unspeakable Comforts and Advanvantages that flow from this Intercession of Christ First Jesus Christ doth now sit down at the Right Hand of God and is entred upon the Work of Intercession There are two Arguments to prove this First The nature of the Office the Lord Jesus Christ hath undertaken now in Heaven He hath taken on him the Office of an Advocate on the behalf of his People 1 Joh. 2. 1. If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This word is ordinarily rendred a Comforter when applied to the Holy Ghost but when spoken of Christ as Gomarus and other Learned men affirm it is taken for an Advocate or one that undertakes the Cause of another an Atturney or Officer at Law that appears in Court for one that is there concerned and accused to look after and plead his Cause He is one that is by Law deputed and set apart to that Office and so is bound to do his utmost for his Client as for himself Thus is Jesus Christ set apart and deputed by the Father to this Office of Advocate and Intercessor Joh. 6. 27. For him hath God the Father sealed That is appointed set apart and confirmed to be Mediator and High-Priest Psal 110. 4. That he might satisfie for the Sins of his People and sue out the Benefits of it for them Secondly Christs Fidelity in the Performance of this Work proves he is now in Heaven interceding He cannot be content to have a Name and no more he is faithful in things pertaining to Men. The Lord Jesus Christ did actually carry on this Work of interceding for his People before he took their Nature upon him and came into the World Isa 53. 12. He bore the Sins of many and made Intercession for the Transgressors Upon his Deputation to this Office and by vertue of the Sacrifice to be offer'd he did ever since the Fall mediate for his People and put on Bowels for them He carried them all the dayes of Old Isa 63. 9. whilst he was in Heaven ever since Adam's Fall assoon as he had any Seed on Earth Again Christ was faithful in this Work of Mediation and Intercession whilst on Earth Heb. 5. 7. Who in the dayes of his Flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong cries and tears Those cries and tears he put up were for his People not for himself he needed it not He was willing to be subject to his Fathers Will to drink of the Cup the Father gave him to drink But he prayed for the conversion of those the Father had given him and prayes for the Salvation of his People Joh. 17. 19 20. Luke 22. 32. And this he doth now he is in Heaven he carries on this Work there in his Humane Nature He is entred into Heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 24. It is a Metaphor taken from an Atturney that appears in the behalf of his Clients So Jesus Christ is at the Right hand of God making intercession by way of Office When Satan or the Law doth accuse Believers there 's Christ at the Bar ready to make answer for them to plead the Cause of his Clients and procure their Justification the Apostle makes use of Christs Intercession to this purpose Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us Rom. 8. 33 34. So Heb. 6. 19 20. Which Hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that within the veil whither the Fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High-Priest for ever By an
entrance within the veil was typified out Heaven Glory As the High-Priest entred within the veil so Christ as an High-Priest is now in Heaven to carry on Redemption-work He is there to oppose all Designs against his People and secure them against all the Impleadings of their Enemies He ever lives to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. The word signifies to attain the Mark as an Archer doth or he that throws Darts hits the Mark so the Lord Jesus Christ intercedes so as to prevail Secondly How doth Christ intercede in Heaven Ans 1. Negatively Jesus Christ doth not intercede in Heaven Figuratively As if his Intercession were no more but the vertue of his Merit as Abel's Blood is said to speak Heb. 12. 24. But formally as one that takes upon him the Cause of his sinning suffering people Secondly he doth not intercede Charitatively by way of Courtesie and Kindness which he might do or leave undone as he pleaseth but officially by way of Office and Trust committed to him for so he is our Advocate 1 Joh. 2. 1. Thirdly Neither doth he intercede Precario in such an humble manner and Mode of Supplication of bowing the Knee and submissive Intreaties with Cries and Tears as the Saints do and as once he did whilst on Earth for this is inconsistent with that State of Majesty and Glory he is in at the right hand of God Heb. 1. 3. But Authoritatively by way of Right and Power as one that hath deposited a sufficient Price and now demands his Captives as one that hath made a Purchase and now requires the thing purchased as one that hath deserved what he moves for and hath Power as God to bestow Secondly Affirmatively and so First Christ's Intercession in Heaven is by his appearing there for us as our Mediator and Surety presenting his person God-man as our Agent and High-priest Heb. 9. 24. As the High-priest of old did appear in the holyest of all with the Names of the twelve Tribes on his Breast and Shoulders for a Memorial before the Lord Exod. 28. 9. to 22. to which says one the Church alludes Cant. 8. 6. Set me as a Seal on thy Heart as a a Seal upon thy Arm as a Manifestation of his Love so Christ's interceding is his appearing in the behalf of his People as their Advocate and Christ's sitting in Heaven in this Relation to his people may be calleâ— his interceding Secondly By presenting his Obedience and Sufferings before the Father on their behalf that they might have the Benefit of it and that God would in Justice communicate the Fruits of it to all his Seed 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. A type of this we might see in the High-priest's bringing the blood of the Sacrifice within the Veil and sprinkling it on the Mercy Seat Lev. 16. 11. to 17. First he killed the Sin-offering and then brought in the Blood before the Lord within the Veil without which his Act was not compleat Thus Christ first sheds his Blood on Earth for his People then enters into Heaven there to present his Blood for us Heb. 8. 4. Thirdly By declaring his Willingness that his People should have all that Mercy and Salvation which they need and that he purchases for them Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those whom thou hast given me be where I am Father I will that my Children have their due 't is true they have sinned but I have suffered they have fallen short but I have fulfilled all Righteousness thou knowest I obeyed for them and dyed for them that all which thou hast promised might be made good to them and Father I will that Justice be done for them in Heaven and I will that this and the other Mercy be given out to them here according as their Necessities and Capacities require whilst Christ was on Earth he came to do his Fathers Will and now he is in Heaven he must in all things have his own Joh. 11. 42. Thus much may be understood by the manner of Christ's Intercession in Heaven Thirdly For whom doth Jesus Christ intercede in Heaven Answ For all that come to God by him Heb. 9. 27. For all that do believe in him Joh. 17. 20. Some desponding Sinners may be ready to say alas this is not for me I am unworthy of so choice a Mercy will Christ plead for such a grace-abusing wretch as I Why Sinner if thou art one that comest over to Jesus Christ and believest on the Son thou mayest lay claim to this Advocate in Heaven and confidently expect the Benefit of his Intercession Again The Lord Christ intercedes for all his People on Earth Joh. 17. 11. And now I am no more in the World but these are in the World holy Father keep through thy own Name those whom thou hast given me The Saints on Earth are the Subjects for whom he intercedes particularly for his sinning people he made Intercession for the Transgressors Isa 53. 12. Some trembling Soul may say Christ's Intercession is for them that are holy but I am vile but know O Soul Christ interceeds in Heaven for his people that sin against him 1 Joh. 2. 2. Again Christ intercedes in Heaven for his weak and impotent people that are compast about with Clouds of Infirmities he hath a special Respect to these as a tender Father hath to a weak Child Christ's grace was sufficient for Paul when his own fail'd under the horrible Buffetings of Satan 2 Cor. 12. 9. Such as are weak in themselves that know not how to pray or wait upon God in any holy Duty as they should these are the Persons Christ pleads for to help them such as are ready to be overcome by Temptations Simon Simon Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Luke 22. 31. 32. Poor tempted Souls hurryed up and down sometimes assaulted with blasphemous Thoughts then poysoned by ugly Temptations put upon this Sin and then the other Sin every day the Devil following them with new Temptations laying in new Batteries against them Now the Lord Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God interceding for these Again Christ intercedes in Heaven for his suffering People such as are in danger of being overcome by their Enemies and have no Might and none to intercede for them Isaiah 59. 16. Sore Judgments there were upon the People of God and that justly for their Transgressions no Righteousness of their own to plead for them nothing at all that could justly intervene between Wrath and them Now in this case Christ steps in and he intercedes and brings Salvation These are the persons Christ intercedes for in Heaven Fourthly What doth the Lord Jesus intercede for in the behalf of his People First One thing he pleads for is for their Preservation in the World and from the Evil of the World Joh. 17. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the World but
in Glory when I see how Satan buffets and assaults you from day to day then I look upon the Palms of my hands and see your names engraven there and will not leave you comfortless I will come again to you He sends his Spirit to keep them Company here on Earth and he will come and fetch them home at last he will be faithful to them in all things that pertain to God and for the Salvation of their Souls Heb. 2. 17. and Believers may urge him with his Promise and Faithfulness and this obliges Christ to do all he can for them Seventhly Because of the great Necessity they have of his pleading for them He sees they would be undone if he did not stand up for them Satan would lay in his Accusations he is the Accuser and what ways he hath to accuse the Saints before God we know not he accused Job and doubtless he is ever and anon laying in fresh Charges against the people of God therefore Christ pleads for them he sees they want Grace and want Strength therefore he cannot be silent he saw Peter had need of Support Luke 22. 31 32. therefore he prayed for him Christ sees they stand in need of Promises Experiences Consolations and Priviledges therefore he pleads in Heaven for them Sixthly What are the Comforts and Advantages that flow from the Intercession of Jesus Christ to believing Souls There 's Cause of wonderful Joy and Consolation to Believers when they cast their believing Looks towards Heaven to see their Advocate there First In regard of the Excellency of this Intercessor O! what a glorious mighty and potent Friend have Believers to plead for them he is no mean person he is the Son of God the express Image of his Fathers Person Heb. 1. 3. He is one that made the World and upholdeth the World and after he had suffered for Sin he is gone to Glory and takes his Seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high he doth not stand by as a Begger but sits down on the Throne by the Fathers side and speak as a Friend for them O what a glorious and transcendent person is he it is not an Angel it is not a Saint but it is the Lord Jehovah Jehovah Christ O when the Believer by Meditation comes to reflect on his Glorious Agent in Heaven how he is honoured by Angels Saints and every Creature it will wonderfully consolate his Languishing Spirit Secondly Consider the Successfullness of this Intercession and it cannot but yield much Comfort the Father heareth him always Joh. 11. 42. The Father and he are one of one Nature one Glory one Will what the Son wills the Father wills and Jesus Christ is the Executor of his own Will and hath all Power in his hands to give out and perform what he pleads for What would'st thou have Soul Lord sayes the Soul I would have more Grace be more holy have strength against this and the other Temptation I am afraid I shall perish under these Blasphemous Thoughts Oh the horrible injections of Satan Lord support me Why sayes Christ Fear not Soul In me is Everlasting strength thou shalt have it in my time and according to my measure Thirdly Consider the extent of Christs Intercession and that will contribute wonderful Joy to Believers His Favour is not narrowed up to one or two Favourites but for all his Saints All that come to God by him Heb. 7. 25. All that believe in him Joh. 17. 20. Christ excepts none In this he out-goes the Affections of all Creatures It is rare for the largest Affections of Men not to run within some narrow limits but Jesus Christ hath an equal respect for all his Seed And then he intercedes for them in all their Matters Isa 63. 9. In all their Affiictions he is afflicted There is no part of their Trouble but he is concern'd in it As Christ is an Advocate in Heaven he is engag'd to attend the Concerns of his People though they should neglect him Isa 57. 18. He is privy to all their Matters How should this revive the Believing Soul It is the usual complaint of Souls O I fear Christ will not intercede for me I am so Carnal so full of Deceit Hypocrisie and Backslidings It is true He takes pleasure in the Prosperity of his People but I fear I am none of his They that pray and plead Spiritually may hope but I cannot pray nor look up But let me tell every poor trembling Believer There 's never a Soul that hath the Lord for his God that Jesus Christ can be unmindful of He intercedes for all his People and in all their Concernments Fourthly This may yield wonderful Comfort to Believers to consider That Jesus Christ doth not onely intercede in Heaven in their Names but in their very Natures He presents the Humane Nature in his own Person glorified and in this Nature he pleads to God for them He is set forth as the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. He cannot but be full of Pity and Compassion because he is of the same Nature with them They are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Eph. 5. 30. O if that Scripture were but put into the Believing Meditation of Believers what Comfort will flow from it O trembling Saint thou mayest object thy Unworthiness and defiled Nature but Jesus Christ hath thy Nature glorified now in Heaven at the Father's right hand Fifthly The restlesness and unweariedness of Christs pursuing the Blessedness and Salvation of all his Seed is that which may yield wonderful comfort to the Believing Soul Consider his Temper and Disposition whiles he was on Earth His Spirit shall not fail till he hath set Judgment in the Earth Isa 42. 4. And if Christ was so earnest to undergo such work then and was so restless and active till it was done surely he must needs be restless to carry on this Work now in Heaven He lives ever to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. There are some times when men on Earth cannot agitate the Cause of their Friends but Christ is alwayes taken up about this Work of Mediation Christ's Authority is capable to manage all the Affairs of his People were they millions of men therefore it must needs be matter of wonderful Comfort to Believers that they have such a Mediator in Heaven Sixthly Consider the Advantages that flow from this Intercession of Christ to Believers and it will yield matter of wonderful comfort Their Sins shall be surely pardoned O what wonderful comfort is this Blessed is the man whose Transgression is forgiven and whose Sins are pardoned Psal 32. 1. He is an Advocate for them to take away their Sins 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. No Bill shall be laid in against them at the Bar of God Who dares accuse that Soul that is covered over with the Blood of the Redeemer Rom. 8. 33 34. Their Persons and Performances shall surely find acceptance
not come Joh. 3. 18. Ah troubled Souls you that tremble least he will no more have Mercy on you but reject your Selves and Duties shut up his Bowels and harden his Heart against your Cries Ah! do but consider and seriously reflect on what Christ hath already done and suffered for you think on his Carriage whilst on Earth and his tender Reception of all that came to him he debarred none surely then his Advancement in Heaven produces no Alteration in him it may enlarge his Capacity but cannot straiten his Bowels to perishing Sinners Honour doth not puff him up or make him unmindful of their Concernments think upon his Promises he will cast out none that come to him Joh. 6. 37. Let their Sins be as red as Scarlet he will make them as white as Wool Isa 1. 18. He knows the Heart of a Stranger Exod. 23. 29. He remembers what 't is to lye under the Pangs of a troubled Soul when he trode the Wine-press of his Fathers Wrath alone and therefore cannot but compassionate the Miserable and those that are consumed with the Terrors of the Almighty Cease Soul to lay thy Charge on Christ 't is thy own Unwillingness and Unbelief that impedes thy way to Life not his Thirdly How fearful then is the Sin and how dreadful will be the misery of all those that refuse this Mediator will not hearken to this Prophet nor consent to his Proposals for Salvation The Tongues of Men and Angels are not capable here to commit an Hyperbole nor can such themselves sufficiently conceive it till they feel it Ah Sinners Weigh a little these ensuing particulars and you will find it true First It is a most aggravated Sin and hath all the circumstances of Evil in it There 's no sin of so deep a Dye and foul a Guilt It is a sin against the highest Mercy and greatest Deeps of Divine Favour There were some Discoveries of Mercy that God expended on the Gentile World In the times of their Ignorance God did wink at them feed them and cloath them But the Treasures of Grace were reserved for the Fulness of Time the Gospel dayes O wretched Caitiff By refusing Christ thou kickest against the most sounding Bowels against rich Mercy Eph. 2. 4. Against tender Mercy Luke 1. 18. Against Free Mercy Eph. 2. 8. It is a Sin against and a forsaking of thy own Mercy Thou stabbest thy own Soul with the same Dagger thou flingest at Christ O wretched Sinner thou takest pains to shut thy self out of the door of Mercy and to argue thy self into the depth of Misery O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self Oh Sinner thou sheddest the blood of thy own Soul Hos 13. 9. It is a sin against the choicest and costliest Remedy that ever God prepared The Garment God made to cloath thy Soul is dip'd in Blood and this thou throwest from thee How justly will thy Soul rot in chains of Darkness to all Eternity that refusest such a chargeable Remedy laid out upon thee The Law was but leading to it Gal. 3. 24. Had you liv'd to see the Priests killing the Sheep and Lambs and cutting the throats of these poor Creatures to make an Atonement for Sin you would have said surely the Antitype must needs be bloody All those charges men were at in their daily Sacrifices could not take away one Sin the Blood of Christ must do it O expensive Mercy And this thy Soul despiseth O cursed Sin All other Dispensations could not make those that use them perfect Heb. 9. 9. Nor all the World if sold can pay the Debt of one Soul or the price of one sin It is a sin against the most glorious Majesty that ever was Phil. 2. 9. Thou spittest in that Face that is infinitely above all Spots and Stains that the Angels admire and adore one Smile of which maintains all the Life and Consolation of the Saints in Glory this Jesus thou despisest O unbelieving Sinner where wilt thou go to hide thy self from the wrath of the Lamb at the last day Lastly 'T is a rejection of thy own Duty a throwing Christ out of his own Vineyard and how will God deal with such He will miserably destroy these miserable men Matth. 21. 41. The Lord Jesus Chrst hath Right to rule thee and thou rejectest the Homage thou owest to him and despisest his lawful Right and Authority which is a most grievous Sin indeed Secondly 'T is a most unreasonable Sin there 's no Plea at all will bear in the Court of Reason for such a Sin thy own Reason will judge and condemn thy Soul O! that ever thou shouldest chuse Death rather than Life and take the Iron Rod of Satan over thee and despise the golden Scepter of Jesus Christ Ah! Sinner there 's cause why thou shouldst leave thy Lusts and wicked Companions and depart from the Chambers of Death in which thy Soul hath dwelt so long but none at all why thou should'st not come over to Christ what doth Christ propose to thee that thou can'st cavil at Is it to leave thy Lusts If not these will ruine thy Soul if thou had'st Fire in thy Bosom thou would'st think it reason to cast it out if Fetters upon thy Feet and Clogs about thy Body to shake them off if a Serpent in thy Bosom to cast him out O Sinner sit down and consult with the Principles of Reason never was a better Bargain offered thee Think on it What if the Gate seem straight it is not so to thy Soul but to thy Lusts thou can'st not shun Trouble but must meet with it either here or to all Eternity Thirdly 'T is a most condemning Sin Joh. 3. 19. This will justifie the severest Doom of God that they might have Life but would not Salvation came home to them but they turn'd it off O Sinner take heed how thou refusest him that speaks from Heaven despise not Christ Secondly As 't is the greatest Sin so 't is attended with the greatest Misery For first it opens the Windows of Vengeance and le ts down divine Wrath on thy Soul it takes off all Possibility of Salvation he that shuts up this door leavs none open to Life Acts 4. 12. Christ is the only Way the Truth and the Life no possibility of escaping Wrath to come if thou refuse the Lord Christ Heh 2. 3. Don't flatter thy self with Hopes of after Mercy if thou give Christ a final Denial all hopes of Mercy is gone when once Christ who is the Blessing is gone from thy Soul Secondly There 's no Acceptance of any of thy duties 't is his Righteousness and Intercession makes way for thy Acceptance Eph. 1. 6. All Acceptableness of the best Services of any is through him 1 Pet. 2. 5. None of thy Complaints or doleful Cries can ever enter into Gods Ears if they be not mixt with the Odours of his Incense Ah Sinner thou flatterest thy self with this that thou wilt pray cry and weep
an hour of Salvation O Sinner be not wise too late Fourthly It is a most dreadful tremendous thing to leave the World without an Interest in Christ to be summon'd to Judgment and have nothing to help them no Mediator to plead for them no Righteousness to cover them no Duties to accompany them no Eye to pity them Isa 57. 12. chap. 30. 13. Jer. 5. 5. This is sad indeed when all Bowels are gone and boundless Miseries to be undergone Fifthly Of all perishing Sinners such as perish under the Gospel have the most dreadful Miseries Matth. 11. 21. 22. The Heathens and Pagans Publicans and Harlots shall have a more tolerable place in Hell than such as refuse a tender'd Jesus How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2. 3. O miserable Sinners sleight not Salvation tenders despise not Gospel calls but hasten away to this Redeemer Secondly Let the People of God be exhorted first to bless God for this Mediator Eph. 1. 3. Christ is the Fountain of Blessings the Author of Salvation the Gift of God and have you no Hosanna's for the Enjoyment of so rich a person 1 Joh. 4. 9 10. Secondly Ply hard the Throne of Grace find Work for Christ Heb. 4. 15 16. Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace make known your Requests unto God Phil. 4. 6. Consider Soul You have always need of Mercy not a Moment but you want Supplies from God for Soul and Body your Corruptions are alwayes resisting the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. never at peace with Grace but as a Bow that is bent are still pressing after their former Liberty and as Waters penn'd back are striving to force their way therefore Christians you alwayes need the Spirit 's help and fresh Supplies of Grace your Guilt is always encreasing James 3. 2. The Righteous falleth seven times a day hence daily Sacrifices were appointed because of daily Sins Heb. 7. 27. Your Temptations are continually renewed 1 Pet. 5. 8. New Tryals are daily falling on you new Difficulties are frequently occurring your Life new Troubles and Afflictions are constantly betiding you This is God's appointed way in which he will give out Mercy Ezek. 36. 37. Matth. 7. 7. 'T is true sometimes God hears before we ask but yet preventing Mercy doth not excuse from Duty and we have no ground to expect Mercy out of the way of Duty You are invested with a holy Priest-hood on purpose that you may be much employed in this Work 1 Pet. 2. 5. Your Work and Offices lies in this to offer up daily Sacrifices to God by Christ The Lord Jesus waits in Heaven to receive your Prayers 't is his Business and work in Glory to pursue your Advantages and therefore he expects to hear from you 9. Heb. 24. As an Agent that expects to hear from his Clyent and receive Intimation about his Condition as a Friend in a forreign Country that is hearkning for Letters from his Friend Christ in Heaven desires to hear from his People on Earth not that he is ignorant of them or needs to be put in Remembrance but this way are his Graces in them exercised their Love and Duty maintain'd and himself glorified Isa 30. 18. Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious In the Original it is he longs and as it were greedily and enlargedly desires an Occasion to be gracious he waits in Heaven to be puâ— in Remembrance to do his People good This way is their blessed Intercourse maintained betwixt Christ in Heaven and Believers on Earth by this Christ hears from them on Earth and they from him in Heaven Cant. 2. 14. chap. 8. 13 14. Thou that dwellest in the Gardens the Companions hearken to thy Voice cause me to hear it 'T is in the Original Cause to hear me which occasions a twofold reading First Cause me to he heard they are Christs Words to his Spouse Let me be the Subject of thy Discourse to others Secondly Cause me to hear it that is let me be spoken to let me hear thy Voice in Prayer as a man desires to hear from his Wife when absent and in the next vers She eccho's back the same Request to Christ that he would hasten his Return to her that she might have his Company also by Prayer Christ and Believers have sweet Intercourse with each other Cant. 1. 7 8. chap. 2. 5. 8. The Lord Jesus is wonderfully delighted to hear from his People Cant. 2. 14. chap. 4. 11. chap. 6. 13. Return Return O Shulamite c. This word Shulamite comes either from Solomon and so her Husbands name is named on her or from Salem Peace which is Jerusalem shewing her Descent to be from Jerusalem above hence Christ desires her Company because it was pleasure to him to look upon her her Countenance was as two Armies it is in the Original Mahanaim the same word that Jacob puts on the place where God met him Gen. 32. 1. 2. As if Christ should say thy Sight is Angelical to me tho thou art impure in thy self yet thou art fair in mine Eye 'T is a mighty thriving way there 's no such course can be taken to grow rich apace in divine Treasures Prayer is the Key that opens Christ Treasury and fetches out the Riches of Heaven because such may have of God what they will Joh. 15. 7. God is always giving where gracious Souls are rightly asking God's readiness to give should be an Argument always to crave as Sir Walter Raleigh when Q. Eliz. ask'd him when he would leave off beging answered when your Majesty leaves off giving Thirdly Trust to an interceding Jesus expect all your Mercies from him Psal 5. 3. In the Morning I will direct my Prayer to thee and look up the Arabick and some other Versions have it I will prepare or stand before him and he will see me But this agrees not with the Original where 't is I will order or dispose my Prayer as a General doth his Army and will look out as a man that watches on a Tower to see what I can espy and what Answer he will give By a Metonomy it signifies to expect or look for some thing Matth. 22. 21. In his Name shall the Gentiles trust The Lord Jesus is the sure and certain Object of a Believers Trust O Christians is Christ entred into Heaven there to appear for his People O then depend upon his Intercession expect all your needed Mercies by him take up your Acquiescence in his Mediation for you rest satisfied Believers that your case is good and it shall be well with you in every Condition because Christ intercedeth for you Now to strengthen your Dependance on Christ Consider His Engagement to the Father to become your Advocate Heb. 10. 9. Joh. 6. 39. His Promise to Believers to pursue their Cause in Heaven Joh. 14. 16. And his full Accomplishments with whatever is needful to compleat this Work He is infinitely wise and knows how to
manage your Concerns and prosper Col. 2. 3. He hath Skill and Counsel to finish his Affairs with Discretion he knows your Cases better than your selves and what Arguments to plead so as to prevail Psal 103. 14. Joh. 2. 24. 25. Psal 31. 7. Heb. 4. 13. Isa 40. 27. 28. He is active and laborious and quick at Work as well as in Wisdom Isa 11. 3. He is still unwearied in his Business and his Spirit never fails Isa 42. 4. His Eyes are always open he never slumbers or sleeps Psal 121. 4. 1 Kin. 8. 29. Isa 27 3. He loseth no time but takes the fittest Occasion to perfect his Designs 1 Pet. 5. 6. He is faithful in his Undertakings and one whom you may confide Heb. 2. 17. His name is faithful Rev. 19. 11. He is omnipotent and powerful to fulfil his Pleasure Heb. 7. 25. The Almighty one who can prevail with the Father and is one with him Joh. 11. 42. chap. 10. 30. Consider Christ's Interest in his people they are his own John 13. 1. They are his Seed Treasure Jewels Members and Sheep Joh. 10. 3. They are his Spouse and therefore he cannot forget or neglect their Concerns Ephesians 5. 29. Isa 58. 7. Think on his Concernments in all the Affairs of his Interest by vertue of that Union betwixt Christ and his People he becomes a sharer with them in all their Conditions their Mercies are his Delight Psal 35. 27. and their Afflictions are his Trouble Isa 63. 9. He sympathizeth with them as the head with the Members and the Husband with the Spouse their loss is his Loss and their Gain he reckons as his Interest Should Saints and their Concernments miscarry at last Christ himself would be a certain and eternal Looser he would loose his Blood and purchase his Obedience and Sufferings Lastly Consider Christ's Glory consists in the Good and Salvation of Believers 2 Thes 1. 12. His Glory is wrapt up in their Glory and his Life in their Life Joh. 14. 19. 2 Cor. 8. 23. Joh. 17. 10. Fourthly acknowledge the Intercession of Christ to be the procuring Cause of all your Mercies in every Reception of Mercy see an Interceding Jesus and say Lord 't is thy Mediation I owe these Enjoyments Priviledges and Prayer-returns unto Luke 22. 32. Psal 115. 1. Pro. 3. 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him This is to pay Tribute to Christ in Heaven and advance the Glory of the blessed Mediator this is giving Christ his Due Rom. 13. 7. and a sacrificing to God and not to your Dreg as it is Christ in Belelievers is the Hope of Glory so it is Christ in Heaven is the Hope and Procurer of Mercy Fifthly If Christ be your Advocate in Heaven then follow his Instructions on Earth Matth. 17. 5. He that commits his Cause to another commits himself to his Counsel also to be guided by him in every thing that might conduce to his Success in it Christ's work in Heaven is to order and regulate his People on Earth and therefore he is the Law-giver and King as well as Saviour Isa 33. 22. Jam. 4. 12. and the Duty of all Christ's Clyents on Earth is to live by his Prescription and Order given them and therefore 't is said Numb 21. 18. The Princes digged the Well even the Nobles of the People digged it by the Direction of the Law-giver This is spoken of that famous Well Beer-Elim that is the Well of the mighty ones that God gave Israel in the Wilderness it was alone the Gift of God verse 16. I will give them Waters yet they must dig for it as here and that according to Prescription as Moses gave them from the Lord This well was a Figure of Christ as the Hebrews themselves in their Midrash Koheleth do acknowledge as say they The first Redeemer caused a Well to spring up so the last Redeemer shall cause Waters to spring up as 't is said Joel 3. 18. A Fountain shall come forth from the House of the Lord and shall water the Valley of Shittim which signified the Graces of the Spirit that Well of Water springing up to Life eternal Joh. 4. 14. Sixthly Become Advocates for Christ on Earth confess his name Rom. 14. 11. chap. 15. 9. Phil. 2. 11. Plead his cause before men Hos 2. 2. Plead with your Mother This is spoken to the pious in Israel as Jonathas Caldaeus Jerom and others conceive who are the men and the whole House of Israel their Mother and their pious Children must plead that is expostulate reason and contend with her for God to bring her to the Sense of her Sin and Danger the Lord Jesus underwent all dangers in owning your Cause so should you in his he always intercedes for you so should you for him in Word and Deed your Lives and Lips should plead for him He pleads effectually for you so should you labour to be as successful as you may for him Joh. 3. 29. and in order to the Discharge of this important Duty consider That the suitable Qualifications of an Advocate must be acquired you must get Wisdom to know Christ and the things of his Will Kingdom and Glory you are not likely to do much Service to Christs Interest if you are ignorant and unacquainted with his Laws and Concernments Mic. 6. 8. Col. 1. 9 10. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Matth. 10. 16. Phil. 1. 9. Eph. 1. 17. You must be active and vigorous for God Rom. 12. 11. Slothful Spirits are not like to be much serviceable Prov. 27. 15. Eccles 10. 18. chap. 9. 10. Heb. 6. 11 12. You must be faithful and have Truth in the inner parts Rev. 2. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 2. Luke 12. 42. You must labour after Potency and Mightiness through Christ that you may prevail for him Phil. 4. 13. 1 Chro. 22. 13. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Now the way to get this Strength for Christ is by Faith to live on him Eph. 6. 10. 2 Tim. 2. 1. You must make a thorough and open Profession of him and of all his Truth 1 Tim. 6. 12 13 14. Heb. 4. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 13. profess him at all times Matth. 10. 32. profess him openly plainly sincerely and boldly so did the Apostles You must patiently persevere under all Sufferings for him Acts 21. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Heb. 10. 32. You must speak well for Christ at all times Mat. 11. 19. Cant. 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 9. You must live out his Glory Math. 5. 16. Phil. 2. 15. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Thus have we done with the Applicatory part of this Point and dispatch'd the wonderful Riches of Christ as to his personal Union CHAP. IX Opening somewhat of the sweet Dispositions of Christ viz. His Goodness Love and the Riches thereof as to the kind Fruits and Effects of it I Am now come to the third particular wherein we shall make a Discovery of the Riches of Christ as they consist in his excellent and sweet Dispositions as Mediator with those
precious Graces and Endowments in him which will much illustrate the personal Riches of Christ and be of wonderful Encouragement both to Saints and Sinners to think better of him and to hasten after a Dependance on him Now the first thing we shall treat of is the goodness of his Nature He is Goodness it self Psal 34. 8. O tast and see that the Lord is good This Psalm was penn'd by David when he was driven from Achish and was in sore danger of his Life in this Condition he seeks the Lord and found help by reason of the Goodness of God that is God in Christ indeed there is Creation-Goodness and providential-Goodness but the choicest is his Redemption-goodness that Goodness which he lets out to poor Sinners in a Mediator Thus is Jesus Christ the Gift of his best Love and is qualified and disposed to commend the infinite Goodness of God to perishing Sinners his Goodness is great Zac. 9. 17. called the Riches of his Goodness Rom. 2. 4. Now this goodness of Christ appears First In it's Extensiveness he is good to all Mans goodness is contracted and narrow its greatest Proportion reacheth but a few none but Friends Relations and such as may oblige or requite them are usually Sharers in it but the goodness of Christ is immense it reacheth to all the work of his hands Psal 145. 9. The Lord is good to all by him all things consist Col. 1. 17. He upholdeth all things by the word of his Power Heb. 1. 3. The very vilest and most unworthy Grace-abusing Soul have some kind of share in Christs Goodness he upholds his very Enemies and maintains the Being and Enjoyment of such as oppose him Secondly In it's Invincibleness all the Provocations of his Enemies cannot impede it's designed current he is resolved they shall have a share in his Mercy though they oppose their own Mercies nay all the Unkindness of his people cannot conquer it nor many Waters quench it He maketh his Sun to shine upon the good and bad Math. 5. 45. It 's strange to think how rare a portion of Mercy the wicked have in their day he that cryed Father forgive them they know not what they do cries Father spare them to see what they will be Thirdly It 's Freeness 't is not extracted but flows out of it 's own Accord Isa 65. 24. Before they call I will answer c. It hath no Creature-merit to provoke it Exek 16. 6. I said unto thee when thou wast in thy Blood live when there was no Beauty to attract it no desires to draw it forth mans Worthyness is no ground for the Communication of Christs Goodness what Lovelyness had the Ephesians to deserve it's liberal Effusions Eph. 2. 1. Fourthly 't is unwearied enduring Goodness it hath not the Shallowness of a slender Vessel which is easily emptyed but the Unfathomableness of the Ocean that can never be exhausted the vast Expences and Communications of it from the Creation of the World to it 's final Destruction will not diminish it one Iota his Anger indeed hath but a momentary Continuance Psal 30. 5. But his Goodness endureth for ever Psal 52. 1. Fifthly 'T is Communicative goodness running over flowing down and liberally diffusing it self for the good of others so 't is defined to be a Vertue by which a person of his own accord is abundantly prone to acts of Benignity Christ's Goodness is manifestative distributive and it's Dispensations are as natural as the irradiating Beams of the Sun Secondly Another excellent Disposition in Christ is his Love not only his Phylanthropy or good Will he bears to all men and the Desire he hath of their Salvation Ezek. 33. 11. But his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his special Love from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acquiesco such an ardent Affection hath the heart of Christ for a person adhering to him that it greatly acquiesces in and is fully contented with him Eph. 2. 4. Such is the Sweetness of Christ's Nature that it is full of Love God is Love 1 John 4. 16. And as the Father hath loved me so have I loved you Joh. 15. 9. Now this Love of Christ to his people is First A supreme Love the chiefest Love he hath a love of Benevolence to all Mark 10. 21. He beheld the young man and loved him but the Love he bears his own is transcendent and exceeds the Love of men and Angels Joh. 15. 13. Secondly An infinite Love Love that passeth all Knowledge exceedeth all Dimensions Eph. 3. 18. Chist's Love saith one hath Length in it because he loved his Elect from Eternity to Eternity O unmeasurable Length that hath no end his Love hath Breadth in it because not the Jews only but the Gentiles also are sharers in it 't is extended to the whole World Math. 28. 19. It hath depth in it because it brought him down into the Deeps not only of the Earth but of unconceivable Sufferings It brought him as low as the Grave yea to the very Borders of Hell Isa 53. 3. It hath height in it because it ascended far above all Heavens that he might fill all in all become our Advocate there prepare us for it and it for us and at last takes us up to himself that we may behold his Glory Thirdly An eternal Love Jer. 31. 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting Love All Creature-affections have their Beginning and End their Risings and Settings but the Love of Christ is as himself everlasting Rev. 1. 13. The transiency of his peoples Love cannot injure its permanency for where he loves he loves to the end Joh. 13. 1. Fourthly An unchangeable Love it hath no Ebbings and Flowings Waxings and Waneings Risings and Fallings but is th◠same Yesterday to Day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. It knows no Alteration Addition or Diminution the Heavens shall wax old as a Garment and be changed Heb. 1. 11. 12. But Christ and his Love is invariable Mal. 3. 6. 'T is true the Manifestations of his Love is mutable he may smile to day and frown to morrow but not the nature of it the Cisterns may be dry but not the Fountain Fifthly A free Love it hath no Consideration of Creature-merit fore-seen Faith or persevering Holiness Hos 14. 4. I will heal their Back-slidings and love them freely What reason can be given that of the same Lump should be made one Vessel of Honour and another of Dishonour nay that persons of the most exquisite Abilities natural Endowments unspotted Moralities and uncontroulable Sovereignty should be rejected and left to the hardness of their Heart and the righteous Judgment of God and that others of the meanest parts inconsiderable Qualifications prodigiously vitious Lives and miserable Penury should be elected to the highest Priviledges received into the most intimate Communion and made partaker of the highest Glory Sixthly The Spring and Fountain of all that Love that is in Believers to
pleasant Habitations after all your Wilderness Journeyings There 's a large dwelling-place here you are thrust into corners and may be have little conveniencies in your Houses Here you dwell in Strangers and perhaps Enemies Houses but there your dwelling shall be in your Father's House 'T is really so I do not flatter you with vain hopes or feed you with false reports if it were not so I would have told you Some might object here That there may be Houses in Heaven and yet they in Hell No says Christ I go to prepare a place for you when I come to Heaven I will bespeak a House for you it shall be your own your own proper Right every one of you and of all my People shall have a House of their own and it shall be Fee simple theirs to all Eternity But some may say How shall we be sure of this that when we dye we shall have a place in Glory Why saith Christ As sure as I go to Heaven shall you have a Mansion there for 't is one end of my going thither 't is part of my business there I go to prepare a place for you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This word saith Grotius notes a Divine Appointment a place that God allots and appoints for you that you might not think it is procured by your own Merit and labours As if he should say you may be sure my People you shall not miss of a place in my Father's House because he hath given you a house in Heaven and I go to possess it for you and to make it sure My Father hath given it and I have purchased it and now I go to take it into my own hand for you yea to fit and sute your Lot in Heaven as may be most meet for you and as may bear a full proportion to all your Labours and Sufferings for me And thus the word likewise imports saith Dr. Preston to fit and fashion one as a Vessel is fashion'd and shap'd to its proper Use But Believers may urge Lord how shall we get thither the Journey is far the Way we know not many Dangers lye betwixt this and Heaven the Prince of the Air and all the Devils of Hell lye betwixt this and Glory and how shall we get safely through all these Dangers Why saith Christ I will come again and receive you when I have done your Work in Heaven when I have difpatched my gathering and compleating work on Earth when all my Saints are called and perfected then will I come again and receive you to my self I will come and unite your Souls and Bodies together and then will shew you the way to Heaven and lead you into your own habitations there and as surely put you into possession of Glory as I am going to possess it for my self and in the mean time I will take care of you in the way and send my Spirit to guide you and bear you thorow it and my Angels when you are at your Journeys end shall receive your Souls and bring them unto me that where I am you may be also Joh. 17. 24. Joh. 12. 26. What greater Love can there be than the Engagements of Christ's Heart to get all his Children brought home to Heaven that they may be ever with him and partake of his Glory 1 Cor. 15. 22 23. CHAP. X. Several Deductions drawn from the Love of Christ IF the Lord Jesus be so full of Love and tender Affection then First What reason have Sinners never to be quiet till the Lord Jesus become their Friend till they have an Interest in his special Love Alas poor Souls the common Love of Christ though now you fare the better for it will shortly be at an end His Philanthropy though procious yet is but like a Box of Ointment which may be wasted and consum'd Mark 14. 4. But his special Love is like the two Olive Trees Zach. 4. 12. always emptying out it self through the golden Pipes of his Ordinandes to his People Christ's common Love to Sinners is like a Land-flood that will be drained But his special Love is compar'd to a Fountain a Wood of Water that springeth up to Life Eternal O then labour after an Interest in this Love of Christ that brings Salvation Put away the Evil of thy doings hearken to Christ's counsel receive him into thy Heart by Faith obey his Voice take him to be thy Lord and God and thou shalt possess his love too Psal 45. 10. Secondly Then what an abominable thing is it to hate Christ how unexcusable will Sinners Enmity against him be when he comes to Judgment Jer. 2. 5. Prov. 8. 36. All they that hate me love Death Psal 21. 8 9. Psal 132. 18. Nah. 1. 2. 3dly Then why should Believers take up such hard thoughts of Christ Isa 40. 27. Why sayest thou O Jacob my way is hid from the Lord and my Judgment is passed over from my God that is my Condition my trouble my Soul is out of God's thoughts He takes no notice of nor cares what becomes of me And my Judgment that is God's judging my Cause his righting and helping my oppressed Soul is gone from me or he hath laid it aside he will not help me in my Affliction This was Sion's complaint and hard thoughts of God and this displeased him Why sayest thou O Jacob c As if he should say what cause hast thou O Israel my People to entertain such harsh conceptions of my Love what Iniquity hast thou found in me what wrong have I done thee Have I not born thee from the Womb and carried thee all the dayes of old Look back to the Red Sea and to the Wilderness who cared for thee there Call to mind the Manna and the Rock the Bread and Water on the Way I suffered none to do thee harm I delivered thee out of the hands of all thy Enemies and plagued them that injured thee Thus have I been thy help from thy Youth up and why sayest thou then my way is hid from the Lord O Jacob thou dost ill to censure me so severely Is this the requital of all my love and kindness to thee hitherto Repent of these injurious apprehensions and put more favourable constructions on my wayes Gracious Souls have no reason to prejudge the Heart of Christ and censure him of unkindness and negligence for 't is impossible he should forget his People Isa 49. 15. He hath paid too dear for them to do so They have cost his Blood Eternal Counsels many Troubles many Wonders and will he reject them after all O no. He hath engraven them on the Palms of his hands where he cannot but see and must secure their names Isa 49. 16. I cannot look upon my hands but I must remember thee I should forget my self should I forget thee thou art set as a Seal upon my Heart and thy Walls are continually before me that is though thy Protection be gone for a time and I
that you know not of Vse 3. Of Exhortation First to perishing Sinners make use of the Mercy of Christ whilst you have it now is the acceptable time the day of Grace the Season of Visitation now the Sun shines not only in Sion but on Sodom nay it hath stood still on your Gibeon for a Season Josh 10. 12. 13. O let not Mercy go and leave you in your blood and let you lye in your Graves let not the Sun of the Gospel set on you and leave you in inner Darkness lest outer Darkness shortly seize upon you believe it Mercy seems to be near a Departure it looks as it were about to change Houses to go from Gentiles to Jews from West to East it seems near setting in England in these Western parts of the World Who knows how soon it may arise in the East O Sinners don't you lye a bed in your Security and let Mercy give you the slip O then you that are yet in your blood under Wrath in Danger of Judgment be advised to strike in with Mercy while 't is to be had Isa 55. 6. while divine Bowels yearn towards you weep over you and wait for you O turn in and close with Mercy whiles it's face is unveil'd to you it's Arms open'd to you and before it hath breath'd it's last Breath to you believe the Warnings and Treatnings of Mercy bow and stoop to the Convictions of Mercy receive the Tenders thereof obey it's Counsel and persevere it it's way be perswaded Sinners this day it may be the last time I may beseech you for Mercies sake to turn and live and Oh! how doleful will it be to out-live the day of Mercy and possibility of obtaining Salvation when the Angel of the Lord shall proclaim Time shall be no more Time was but now is past Secondly to all Souls both changed and unchanged if the Lord Jesus be so pityful to you O then be not cruel to your own Souls do not rob cheat and cozen your own Souls deprive them not of your own Mercies Jonah 2. 8. Don't consent to those ways that will rob you of all the Possibilities and Hopes of Salvation O! the sweet Comforts and Pleasures that now you loose for a few dirty Delights Prov. 3. 17. Think on the Substance the tryed Gold the rich Attire that you deprive your Souls of by refusing to hearken to the Counsel of Christ Rev. 3. 18. Don't starve your Souls by feeding on Husks while the bread of Life lies before you this is Cruelty to them indeed Luke 15. 16. 17. Do not wound rend and tare your Souls by cruel Lusts he that sins hateth his own Soul Prov. 15. 32. chap. 29. 24. Math. 16. 26. O the sad Bruises that Sin gives and the desperate Gashes it makes in the Sinners own Soul Isa 1. 6. Prov. 8. 36. Every Sin of thine O carnal wretch is a deadly blow on thy own Soul all thy carnal Pleasures thy merry jesting Words thy Swearing Lying Cheating Oppressing and Covetousness gives new Stabs to thy Heart it would be a barbarous sight to behold one unmercifully wounding another much more to see a person torturing his own Soul do not sell thy immortal Soul for a Lie for that which is not which will not profit in the day of Wrath Rom. 6. 21. Jer. 16. 19. Thus Elijah told Ahab 1 Kings 21. 20. That he sold himself to work Wickedness that is he gave himself wholly to the Service of Sin as a Servant that binds himself over to anothers Business Rom. 6. 16. Thirdly To the Children of Mercy whom the Lord Jesus hath loved and washed in his own Blood you that are chosen called justified sanctified and adopted unto Glory be exhorted First be not hard-hearted to Christ requite not his Pity with Cruelty grieve not his Spirit sadden not his Heart with your sinful and unsutable Walkings before him no Sins make greater Wounds on the Heart of Christ than the Sins of his own Children Eph. 4. 30. O be not cruel to him who is so tender of you do not feed him with Wormwood and Gall who hath feasted you with Joy and Gladness yea with his own Heart blood Secondly Put on Bowels of Pity towards others Col. 3. 12. They that are cruel to others shall find God cruel to them Jam. 2. 13. Thirdly Adventure for God in the way of Duty Psal 5. 7. Psal 23. 6. Psal 25. 10. Fourthly Then let the Consideration of Christ's Mercy comfort you under the World's Cruelty and your greatest Sufferings for Christ Psal 57. 3. Psal 32. 7. 10. Psal 59. 17. CHAP. XIII Wherein is opened the transcendent Humility of Christ ANother part of this total Sum of Christ's personal Treasure consisting in the Sweetness of his Disposition is Fourthly His Humility and Lowliness of mind This is an excellent Vertue and that which the very Heathens have esteemed at a high Rate 't is a rare thing saith Aretius and rare things are excellent Chrysostom calls it the chiefest Vertue the Salt that seasons all other Excellencies and the Beginning of all Good If any saith Austin should ask me what is the chiefest Vertue I should say Humility what is the next Humility what is the next Humility The humble Soul saith Manton is God's second Heaven Isa 57. 15 Of so great a worth is all true Humility in any especially in Persons of Height and Grandure for these to come down and humble themselves is exceeding high and noble O then what is Humility in the high and lofty one in the Lord of Glory and King of Kings and Lord of Lords yet this is part of Christ's Treasure Mat. 11. 29. Learn of me for I am meak and lowly He who best knew himself who is Truth it self and cannot lye hath declared that he is lowly and that not in Carriage and external Shew only but in Heart also O what stupendious wonder is this that so glorious a person as the only begotten Son of God should be lowly in Heart I speak not here of his divine Nature as God though in that respect he is lowly too Isa 57. 15. Though he inhabiteth the highest Heaven yet he dwelleth also in the lowest Heart yea 't is wonderful Condescension in God to behold the things that are in Heaven and Earth Psal 113. 5 6. But I treat here of Christ as Mediator God-man and so he is humble and lowly in Heart which will appear if we consider these particulars First His Humility whilst he was on Earth Secondly His Humility now he is in Heaven His Humility on Earth consists first in his Willingness being God over all and Maker of all to become man his Creature this is strange that the Son of God should be willing to be accounted yea to become the Son of man Heb. 2. 16. He did not take the Nature of Angels upon him but he took on him the Seed of Abraham so vers 14. Forasmuch then as the Children were Partakers of Flesh and
Blood he likewise also himself took part of the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He did freely receive their Communion-nature or did freely communicate with them in the same Nature He took on him the Seed of Abraham 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he consented to take their Nature and therein to be their Avenger and Redeemer as the word imports O Humility That this glorious Jehovah should condescend to so near a Union with man a Creature so low and of so small Account Isa 2. 22. Psal 8. 4. A Creature so poor destitute of all Good and deprived of its Beauty Strength Riches and Glory Psal 140. 12. Rev. 3. 17. A Creature so filthy and vile that it drinketh up Iniquity as water Job 15. 16. And a Creature so guilty before God of Rebellion and high Treason one that hath forfeited all his Mercies and stands bound over to the just Sentence of Death and Condemnation Secondly in his Birth He was born of mean and obscure Parents Joseph his Father was a Carpenter he descended not from persons of the highest Dignity but of low Estate as Mary her self acknowledgeth Luke 1. 48. He was born in a Stable and laid in a Manger Luke 2. 7. A contemptible place where bruit Beasts use to lodge and feed he was worshipped by the wise men of the East acknowledged to be King of the Jews and proclaimed to be Saviour of the World by an Herauldry of Angels and yet hath no bâ—tter Cradle than a Manger O unparellel'd Condescension Thirdly In his voluntary making himself of no Reputation and taking on him the Form of a Servant Phil. 2. 7. He did as it were evacuate himself and spoil himself of all his Glory as the word signifies not that he ceased to be God or to be equal with the Father but he concealed all this Glory and as it were depriv'd himself of all the Manifestations of it by uniting to himself the form of a Servant that is the humane nature in a servile State he took upon him the Form of a Servant Non dimittendo quod erat sed assumendo quod non erat says Zanchy As God he was omnipotent but this Omnipotency was hid under the weakness of his humane Nature his Omniscience veiled under a limitted Knowledge his Glory clouded under Shame his Riches concealed under Poverty his Majesty obscured under Contempt and his Immortality cloathed with Mortality Quest What Servant did Christ take on him the Form of Ans Why 1. Of the Servant of God Isa 42. 1. Behold my Servant whom I uphold Some take it passively on whom I will lean and in whom I will trust and commit my whole Work unto others actively whom I will raise up and strengthen and carry through my Work Again 2. He became the Servant of man also Matth. 20. 28. The Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister Fourthly In his being made under the Law Gal. 4. 4. When the Fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made under the Law and therefore 't is said he was a Minister of the Circumcision O! What Humility was this That the Son of God should stoop to the Paedagoge of the Law and enter on this low and legal Obedience Fifthly In his Obedience to his Parents and Submission to their low and mean Condition both for Food and Apparel Luke 2. 51. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them Sixthly In his Employment and Calling he was pleased to use till he entred upon his Ministry He continued with his Father and as one of the Fathers hath it wrought at his Father's Trade and therefore was called the Carpenter Mark 6. 3. Joseph says Mr. Lightfoot taught Christ his own Trade And Justin Martyr an ancient Writer sayes That Jesus Christ before he entred upon his Ministry made Plows and Yokes Seventhly In his Company He did not chuse the Society of Great and Noble but of mean and obscure Persons He set apart Fishermen and Publicans to be his Disciples and accompanied Publicans and Sinners which caused the Senate of Rome to vote him down from being a God because all his Disciples and followers were inconsiderable and beggarly Joh. 7. 48. Eightly In his contentment with mean things He had not a house where to lay his head Matth. 8. 20. And 't is said he was willing to be poor For being rich he made himself poor that we through his poverty might become rich 2 Cor. 8 9. He was content with any fare Barly Bread and Fishes a broyled Fish and an honey-comb Luke 24. 42. He was not as proud Persons are nice and choice of his Dâ—et but was pleased with any food Joh. 21. 5. Children have you any meat Ninthly In his submissive carriages towards God and men when the Lord bruis'd him and made his Soul an Offering for Sin we find not one hasty or undue Expression But 't is said He was led as a Sheep dumb before her Shearer Isa 53. 4 6 7. All that he said was this humble complaint O God my God why hast thou forsaken me He was rejected and despised of men and yet maintain'd an humble deportment ver 3. He was lowly to all Persons not only to the high and noble but to the poor and despicable not only to Friends but to Enemies not only abroad but at home not only among the meek and humble but among the proud and peevish not when it was admired but when despised Tenthly In his doing the meanest Services He condescended to the lowest and most contemptible actions if he might administer good Matth. 20. 28. He girded himself with a Towel as a Servant and washed his Disciples feet Joh. 13. 4 5. Lastly In his patient bearing others Sins and Sufferings Proud men cannot endure to bear another's Fault but Christ was willing to be numbred amongst Transgressors to be reckoned an Offender and to bear the Sins of many even of all that come unto him 1 Pet. 2. 24. He humbled himself to the Death Phil. 2. 8. To a shameful Death the Death of the greatest Malefactors and to the cursed Death of the Cross Secondly The Lord Jesus was not only humble whilst on Earth when he pass'd through his state of Humiliation but even now when he is in Heaven and hath entred into his Glory he detains this lowliness of heart This will be perspicuous if you consider First His Condescention to behold the things on Earth Psal 113. 5 6. One would have thought it beneath the Dignity of Christ now advanc'd above all Glory to take any notice of Sublunar Affairs but if he delighted in the habital Parts of the Earth before he came down to redeem them then much more now he hath the possession of the fruit of his Blood among them Secondly His Converses with the meanest and most despicable Persons on Earth by his Spirit Isa 57. 17. Joh. 14. 19. 21 23. Be they never so low and poor yet if
be undone for him your Souls are safe your best Interests are secur'd and all that God sees fit for you is beyond the reach of Men and Devils Secondly All the trust committed to Christ for you shall be made good He will perform it to a tittle The Father hath intrusted your Souls your Graces your Comforts your Names your Supplies your Strength your Interest your Peace your Welfare and your Glory with him who is faithful and cannot wrong you O Believers if he will not suffer men or Devils to do you harm surely he himself will not wrong you Psal 105. 14. Thirdly All your Relation-Rights shall be made good to you Look what is due to you from the Lord Jesus as your Friend as your Brother as your Husband and as your Head shall be made good to you Fourthly All that is due to you upon the strictest terms of the Gospel shall be communicated to you All that Christ hath purchased or God hath promis'd you shall have in due time Christ can defraud no man Luk. 12. 42. Fifthly Here 's Comfort to you under all the wrongs you meet with on Earth that you have a faithful Friend in Heaven Here the best of men are a Lye they are not what you conceive them to be they don't answer the expectation you have from them But Christ will never fail you of that Trust you have reposed in him he will be infinitely better but cannot be worse than your expectations Vse 5. Let this exhort first Sinners If Christ be so faithful O then chuse him for your Friend The fidelity of your present Friends cannot be compared with Christ Secondly Believers Trust in Christ Commit your Souls and all your Concerns to him Learn faithfulness from him and labour to be like him in your fidelity to God and Men. So much of the first Branch concerning Christ's Personal Riches CHAP. XVII Shewing that Christ is become a Purchaser in the behalf of Believers How he hath made this Purchase and what he hath purchased I Now come to the Second Branch of Christs Unsearchable Treasure which is his purchas'd Riches Those Treasures which he hath as Mediatour procured for all that come unto him And in the prosecution of this I shall shew 1. That the Lord Jesus became a Purchaser in the behalf of his People 2. How and by what means he made this Purchase 3. What he hath procured by this Purchase And in this I shall use what brevity I may having spent a greater time already on this Subject than I intended First The Scriptures do hold forth the Lord Jesus to be a Purchaser One that hath bought and procured great and glorious things by a Price Acts. 20. 28. Feed the Flock of God which he hath Purchased with his own blood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is which he hath acquired or gotten to himself to be a peculiar People by the blood or cruel bloody death of his Son So Grotius So Heaven is called the purchased Possession Eph. 1. 14. Vntil the Redemption of the purchased possession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is exceeding significant in the Originall both words being near of a signification until or to the purchasing of the purchas'd so 't is in the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a Buying or ransoming by a price yea a full sum so much as the worth of the thing requires As prisoners are redeemed by a full price So Erasmus and Aretius It signifies also a full and compleat Redemption as the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implies being added to the Primitive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I have shewn is an obtaining by purchase or an asserting or vindicating a thing to be ones Propriety by right and purchase which fully proves Christ to be a Purchaser so 1. Thes 5. 9. To obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the getting or purchasing of Salvation by Christ So 1. Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a Price 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word is a buying in the Market or publick place by paying the price demanded So that these expressions fully Prove Christ to be a Purchaser one that hath procured great things by buying them at a Price Secondly How and by what means hath Christ procured and purchased these great things First By giving himself in the room and stead of fallen Man to procure their Atonement and Salvation Eph. 5. 25. As Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He delivered over himself freely and knowingly To what See Ver. 2. For an Offering and Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first word signifies any Sacrifice the second a bloody Sacrifice saies Zanchy So Christ made over and delivered up himself to this end to become a bloody Sacrifice for his People and to fulfil the Fathers Terms for the saving of all that come to him This he did considerately and willingly Heb. 10. 7. This was according to the agreement betwixt the Father and the Son Isa 49. ver 2. to 10. Secondly By a perfect and perpetual Obedience of all those Laws that were or are required of us in order to our holinesse and Salvation and by a subjection to and Obedience of the special Law of a Mediatour This hath two parts First His Obedience of what was required of Man by any Law By the Law of Nature or by any Instituted Law either Moral Ceremonial or Judicial All this did Christ submit to and perfectly obey as in the stead of all Believers Mat. 3. 15. It became him to fulfill all Righteousnesse Whatever holinesse or Obedience was required of Man in the state of Innocency or since his fall And therefore 't is said Gal. 4. 4. He was made under the Law as a Man or Minister bound by his own consent to the full Obedience of it Secondly His obeying all those things that were required of him as Mediatour Phil. 2. 7. That he should make himself poor and of no reputation and take upon him the form of a Servant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He emptyed himself of his Glory He stript himself of all his royal robes and made himself of no account This was not required by any Law natural or positive but by the Law of a Mediatour Again he humbled himself to the death Phil. 2. 8. He had power or liberty absolutely considered to lay down his life or not to do it but with respect to his Mediatorship he had a Commandement to lay it down Joh. 10. 18. Further 'T was by this Law Christ was bound to do all that he did for his People Joh. 17. 19. Only for their sakes sanctifie I my self So ver 9. I pray for them I pray not for the World So he was not to strive or open his mouth but patiently to bear whatever was laid upon him Isa 42. 2. Isa 53. 7. Mat. 12. 19. And by this
evil wayes Come and close with Christ O! obey those Counsels he gives you in his Gospel Lastly Shew your high valuation of the Gospel by holding forth a Conversation sutable to it Only let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1. 27. As if he should say chiefly this is the main and sum of all O! live worthy of the Gospel First Then is your Conversation as becometh the Gospel when you live as becomes the grace of God discover'd in the Gospel 'T is infinite grace is revealed in it you should walk so as to honour grace you should press after more grace in your Conversations there should be grace in every step of your lives Tit. 2. 1 12. Secondly Then you live sutable to the Gospel when you live up to those great and Glorious things held out in it When the Gospel is opened there are choice Jewels brought forth to sale O most excellent things produc'd by it and you should live up sutable to these There 's the manifold Wisdom of God held forth in the Gospel Eph. 3. 10. Treasures of wonderful wisdom are opened in the Gospel O live up to these mysteries O Christians let your lives be exact for you have curious eyes to look upon you labour to hold forth much wisdom and much light in your Conversations In the Gospel is held forth the mystery of Godliness 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the mystery of godliness O what mysteries are here God Manifested in the flesh God and yet cloath'd in flesh Condemn'd for sin and yet justified in the Spirit seen of Angels Preached to the Geutiles the worst of Sinners in the World Now live sutable to the mysteries of Godliness Again the Gospel opens the glorious priviledges of Saints of every saved Soul O wonderful priviledges That Enemies should be reconciled and strangers made nigh that Rebels should be adopted Sons and Daughters made the Children of God by Christ Rom. 8. 16 17. O what a glorious priviledge is this Believing Souls are brought into by the Gospel to a state of Adoption Gal. 4. 6. A state of glorious liberty Eph. 5. 1. Gal. 5. 1. O live up to these glorious priviledges You are Children of the light walk as Children of the light Eph. 5. 8. The Gospel shews you the the things freely given of God the infinite love of God the wonderful Salvation-Grace of God O then you live sutable to the Gospel when you live up to those great and glorious things held forth in it Thirdly Then are your lives according to the Gospel when they are suted to the Rules of the Gospel look what the Gospel commands and requires that you do Gal. 6. 16. Math. 28. 20. Now the Gospel requires not only Bodily but Spiritual worship to worship God in the Spirit It requires not only external duties but internal holiness It calls for Obedience flowing from love and labours springing from faith well principled duties when you endeavour the greatest strickness in your lives That 's sutable to the Gospel Fourthly Then is your Conversation as becomes the Gospel when it is Subordinate to the ends of it One end of the Gospel is to exalt the praise of the glory of grace Eph. 1. 12. To make you vessels of Mercy for the glory of Mercy O Christians live so as you may most advance the glory of grace live self-denyingly and humbly exclude boasting then you live as becomes the Gospel Another great end of the Gospel is the sanctification of saved Souls to make Souls holy 2. Cor. 7. 1. Then you live as becometh the Gospel when you carry on Gospel holiness inward Holiness outward Holiness 1 Thes 4. 3. The Salvation of Souls that 's another great end of the Gospel that the Promise may be sure to all the seed 2 Thes 2. 10. That he that believes in Christ may have Everlasting Life O then live as you may be saved you must tread upon the World you have so much doted upon you must account all things loss and dung for Christ if ever you be saved O Christians labour then to hold forth a Conversation sutable to the Gospel So much for the first Inference Secondly If such great and unsearchable treasures are opened and tendered to Sinners in the Gospel O then how great is their sin that oppose and persecute the Preaching of it O this is a black sin indeed this activity comes from the Spirit of darkness O 't is a dreadful thing to oppose resist and persecute the Ministery of the Gospel For such do all they can to hinder the tenders of unsearchable Riches to the World they labour to keep the World poor to hinder the Salvation of Souls And is not this sad work Again such as oppose and persecute the Gospel are of the cursed brood and off-spring of the Pharisees who do shut up the Kingdom of God and neither enter in themselves nor suffer them that are entring to go in So do those that do oppose and persecute the Gospel and would put out the light of the Gospel they are the Children of the Devil the first-born of Hell they do their Fathers work Joh. 8. 41 44. They that hate the light are the Children of the Devil their deeds are evil Joh. 3. 20. They carry the Devils mark upon their forehead wherever they go up and down to say there goes the Devils Children there goes an Heir of Hell Again They are Soul murtherers they do hunt Souls and shed the blood of Souls Ezek. 13. 30. As well as they that hinder the Gospel of Life as they that bring in false Doctrines and feed persons with Lies and occasion death They that starve mens Souls as well as they that poyson them both are Soul murtherers They sight against Christ in Heaven They go up and down with drawn Swords pointed against Christ in Heaven O bloody wretches that have murthered Christ on Earth and now would kill him in Heaven too Acts. 9. 4. Saul Saul Why persecutest thou me O Souls 't is a fearful thing to oppose and persecute the Ministery of the Gospel for all the blood of all the Saints from the beginning of the world to this day shall be upon their heads Math. 23. 35. O 't is a sad thing to lye under the blood of one person but to have all the blood of all the Saints in the world to lye upon the head of a poor Creature O what will that Soul do That Soul will go to Hell with a vengeance and lye tumbling under the wrath of God to all Eternity Thus much of the Second Inference CHAP. XXIV Shewing the poor and lamentable State of all Christless Souls IF there are such vast and unsearchable treasures in Christ tendered to sinners in the Gospel Hence see then the poor and lamentable state of all those Souls that are without Christ O they are very beggerly Souls that are Christless Souls As they that are far from the Sun must needs be far from
them good men cannot regard wicked men let them be never so high and honourable Though they give every man his due yet they cannot weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary as any thing They had rather converse with a poor Saint than with the greatest persons in the world if wicked 2. Kings 3. 14. And Elisha said As the Lord of hosts liveth before whom I stand Surely were it not that I regarded the presence of Jehoshaphat King of Judah I would not look toward thee nor see thee So lightly esteemed are wicked men in the Eyes of God Saints and Angels Lastly A poor man is liable to dangers and sufferings he hath no might against the mighty but lies open to the injuries and oppressions of those that are above him Amos 4. 1. Hear ye this word ye kine of Bashan which oppress the poor which crush the needy Poor men lye under the feet of the potent and are subject to their Tiranny On the oppressors side is power and on the oppresseds side are tears Eccl. 4. 1. So Christless Souls are under the ruling power of Satan and taken Captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. They have no defence against the stroaks of Judgment 't is easie with God to crush them every moment they no have power to secure themselves from ruining vengeance wicked men are no more match for God than Bryars and Thorns Isa 27 4. Yea they can no more resist him than the stubble can the fire Mal. 4. 1. O sinner thou art a miserable Caitiff indeed O see thy poverty let this stain thy glory O sinner look about thee whiles thou hast a little time Art thou willing to die so poor O 't is not Houses nor Lands nor Money nor Friends can minister comfort to thee then O how wilt thou do to live for ever if thou hast none of Christs tryed Gold So much of the Third Inference CHAP. XXV Wherein Christ is set forth to sinners as a Match wortby of their choice in regard of the excellency of his Estate The amiableness of his Person His lovely Dispositions and other Considerations to win the hearts of sinners to be looking after this lovely Jesus IF there are such vast treasures in the Lord Jesus Christ then this will follow hence That the Lord Jesus Christ is worth the looking after by perishing sinners O what a match is Jesus Christ for undone sinners could â—hey but obtain him how happy would they be for ever this is a principal thing in a woers eye to get a rich match O Souls you cannot get a better match than Jesus Christ there 's none like him First In point of Riches O let me commend the Lord Jesus Christ to you upon the account of his wealth Sinners if you would have a rich Husband there 's none so rich as Christ He is wonderfully rich if you but consider the Nature and number of his riches If you observe the verity and variety of his treasures If you weigh the kind or degree of his substance you will say he is exceeding rich Take him positively or comparatively he is vastly rich he is really so and superlatively so The worlds treasures are but shadows But he hath substance true solid subsisting treasures Pro. 8. 21. That I may cause them that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures Christ's Gold is tryed Gold that which can bear the hardest touch and abide the fire And he is superlatively rich none like him Job was a rich man but his riches were limitted within the Confines of a Countrey He was the richest not in all the world but of all the men of the East Job 1. 3. But Christ is richest of all All the Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth put together cannot vye treasures with Christ What was said of the vertuous woman is true of Christ he excels them all Pro. 31. 29. O sinners would you have a rich match cast your eyes on Jesus Christ He hath a very taking Estate that will be wonderful attractive upon your hearts if rightly set I shall shew in a few particulars what an Estate Christ hath First It is a fair Estate exceeding large and full 't is incomprehensible and past finding out both as to his personal and purchased Treasure It is in heighth depth length breadth passing knowledge as hath been shewn at large Eph. 3. 18 19. Christs Estate is as large as himself is and he is past finding out Who can search out the Almighty to perfection Job 11. 7. All mens Estates lie here in the lower world within the measure of a spot of ground But Christ's treasure fills Heaven and Earth The Heavens yea the Heaven of Heavens are his Neh. 9. 6. The Lord Jesus Christ is rich every way considered He is rich in inheritance Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. He is rich in Jewels he hath abundance of choice Jewels he hath a day on purpose to make up his Jewels Mal. 3. 17. He is rich in mansions too Joh. 14. 2. In my Fathers House are many mansions A mansion for every Heir of Glorie O how many Houses hath this Heir of all things How many dwelling places in Glory He is rich in Crowns and Thrones We account that man rich that hath two or three Kingdoms But Jesus Christ hath a multitude of Crowns A Crown for every Subject Mat. 9. 28. Every saved Soul is a Crowned King or shall be so to all Eternitie Rev. 1. 6. Every overcoming Soul shall sit on Thrones and every one wearing a Crown of Glorie 1 Pet. 5. 4. O what a vast Potentate is Jesus Christ All the Angels in Heaven cannot draw an inventory of Christs Estate so numberless are his Treasures He that hath so many millions of Saints and can give every one of them a Kingdom O how rich must this Lord be O sinners think what a rich Jointure Christ can make you he can settle an Estate upon you indeed O will you Espouse Christ he hath a fair Estate indeed Secondly Christ hath a free Estate Some men may have large Estates but many Mortgages and debts upon them but Christ's Estate is all free no debts lies on Christ to lessen his Estate whatever he gives to the whole Creation doth no way lessen his Riches like the Sun whatever light it imparts to the World or Inferiour Luminaries doth not exhaust or diminish it's Original splendour all that the Rivers emptie from the Sea do not lessen it but repay its bounty by a retribution of all those receptions so whatever contributions come from Christ to men it doth not lessen his ability to give to his people The more Abraham gave to his Sons by Keturah the less he had for Isaac But Christ's liberality and Obligations do not diminish his treasure Christ's whole Estate comes to every Believer every saved Soul hath a whole Christ full of Grace and Glory Thirdly Christ hath a sure Estate exceeding safe there 's
Derivations from his Excellency Drops of his Fullness Sips of his Sweetness the impress of his Fingers The precious Ordinances of Christ are but the Galleries in which he walks the Chariot in which he rides the Cabinet wherein his Jewels lye the Cisterns through which Waters of Life pass to saved ones and if these be so pleasant O what then is himself and should not Believers then delight themselves in him Quest But how shall I do to get my Heart to this delight in Christ I find my Affections cold and my Spirits dead that I cannot taste that Sweetness in Christ nor take that Pleasure in the Almighty as I would Answ First withdraw your Hearts from all other Delights this course doth the Lord set Israel to get up to a delight in himself Isa 58. 13 14. There is no greater Enemy to true delight in God than a persons own carnal Pleasure and delight in things below God Whoredom and new Wine take away the Heart Hos 4. 11. 'T is impossible a Soul can take pleasure in Christ and Sin together Mat. 6. 24. For carnal Pleasures withdraw the Affections from God Job 21. ver 12. to 15. 1 Joh. 2. 15. Secondly Rest not till you have cleared up your Interest in Christ and can upon good grounds apprehend him as your peculiar and chief Treasure better than all the World besides and appropiate it to your own Souls Cant. 2. 3. 5. This drew the Spouses Heart to so much longing after and solace in the Lord Jesus even the sight of his transcendent Worth beyond all others and her title to all those Excellencies 't is seen Interest in Christ that draws out the Heart after him Cant. 7. 10. Doubts of Relation to Christ and Fears of laying a claim to these precious Treasures damps the Soul pleasure in Christ Thirdly Be satisfy'd about Christ's special love to you and delight in you 1 Joh. 4. 19. Jealousies about an Interest in this love of God did so cool the Jews Hearts towards him Isa 49. 14. But Zion saith the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me From hence they began to slack their pace after God and cryed out behold what a weariness is it and snuffed at it Mal. 1. 13. chap. 3. 14. Suspition of Christs Heart towards you will straiten yours towards him think well of Christ's Heart to you cherish daily a good Opinion of his Nature Affection and Faithfulness Fourthly Beg hard for heart-affecting fights of Christ This so enamoured the Spouses Heart she saw the beauties of her beloved Cant. 2. 1. She beheld him to be the rose of Sharon and Lilly of the Vallies the powrings out of his Name drew her affections to him Cant. 1. 3. The Eye affects the Heart Lam. 3. 51. As with Sorrow so with Joy 'T was David's Sight of God in the outgoings of his Love and Glory that made his Soul thirst after him Psal 63. 1. 2. Fifthly Be much in the consideration of what Christ hath done for you and bestowed upon you this so engaged Hezekiah's Heart to God Isa 38. 17. and filled David's heart wiih such an Extasy of Joy in God 2 Sam. 7. 19 20. Psal 8. Sixthly Get a nature and Spirit sutable to Christ Similo Simili gaudet Psal 17. 15. I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness This made the Image of Christ glorious in the Souls eye also when once it becomes changed into it's Likeness 2 Cor. 3. 18. Therefore did Paul delight in the Law of God after the inner man Rom. 7. 22. Because he had his inner parts changed into the Image of it what pleasure will wicked men take in a wicked Cause from the similitude it hath to their own Nature So will the Soul in Christ when once brought into a sutableness to him Lastly Be much in Communion with Christ and this will beget wonderful Joy in him Psal 119. 167. David's being much conversant in God's Laws begat and strengthen'd his delight in it So vers 14. 'T is Intimacy breeds Delight whereas Strangeness lessens all that Familiarity and Pleasure we else might take in Persons Psal 14. 10. A Stranger intermeddles not with his Joy Be not contented to keep to duty but press after Communion with Christ therein 6 Duty Sixthly Be not troubled at your Wants Losses and Sufferings you undergoe in this World Consider these four things First You can want no good thing the God of Glory stands bound for your Supplies Psal 34. 10. They that seek the Lord shall want no good thing Psal 23. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want It cannot be that those who are so much interested in the Heart Care Person and Treasure of the Lord Christ can be destitute what can you want who are entitled to all good things 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. Who are Heirs of the Promises Promises that concern the Life that now is and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. You have a surer Title to your Supplies than they that have most of the World in their hands for God hath laid up in the hands of Jesus Christ a full Allowance for you how short soever he may seem to keep you for a while the Earth is your Lords and the Fullness thereof and the Cattel on a thousand Hills Psal 50. 10. 12. Psal 24. 1. Heaven and Earth and all things therein are made over in the everlasting Covenant for your use Secondly You shall want or suffer no more than infinite Wisdom and fatherly Love sees best for you 't is impossible that divine Purposes should be frustrated towards you he that will work will work and nothing shall let 't is not Men nor Devils nor the greatest injury of time can deprive you of your Fathers Allowance and that is upon infinite Wisdom and good Pleasure The Wings and Wheels of Gods Providence over his people and for them are full of Eyes within and without to shew the wise Care and Providence of God over his in the worst of times and hardest condition and these Wheels are moving for your Good Christians and God sees in the darkest Providence what is best for you all his Dealings with his people are the Fruits of everlasting Love Jer. 31. 3. God doth in infinite Wisdom manage all your Concerns 't is not by Chance or through any inadvertency any Crosses or Losses befall you but all is done in wise Counsel 3dly The less you have of Creatures the more will God give you of himself if you be looking to him and by Faith live upon him God will admit of no Vacuums towards his people they can want no good thing therefore if creature-supplies be remov'd Grace comes in the room as they say Water will ascend to prevent a Vacuum and Grace will descend to prevent Emptiness in Believers God comes in the room of creature-comforts when Job was stript of all he had more of the visions of God Job 42. 5. John had never more