convey life to others All weakness is removed from him his humane nature is glorified and seated in Heaven and his Divine Majesty and glory is restored to him so that we may reflect upon him with comfort as a King on the Throne in his royal Palace and place of residence David was King as soon as anointed by Samuel but when crowned in Hebron then did he actually administer the Kingdom and reward his servants and followers in the desert Christ when lifted up filleth all things Eph. 4.10 Lastly His Victory over his enemies death and sin as is fully seen Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my lord sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool And Heb. 10.13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies he made his footstool But there is somewhat peculiar 1. By entring into Heaven he hath opened Heaven for us he hath carryed our nature thither our flesh into Heaven and advanced it at the Fathers right hand in glory and so hath taken possession of Heaven for and in the name of all believers that in time they may ascend and be partakers of the same glory John 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you 'T was prepared before the world began by the decree of God Matth. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world 'T was prepared in time by the purchase of Christ Heb. 9.15 For the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament that they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Now he is gone to Heaven to pursue and apply that right gone thither as our harbinger Heb. 6.20 Whither the forerunner is for us entred opened Paradise again to us which was formerly shut and closed by our sins 2. By this means we have a friend in Heaven who is always at the right hand of God to prevent breaches between him and us 1 John 2.1 And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous As David had Jonathan in Sauls Court to give notice of danger and to interpose to take off all displeasure conceived against him 'T is a great priviledge questionless to have a friend in the Court of Heaven to take up all differences between God and us as a merciful and faithful High Priest to answer all accusations of Satan and hinder wrath from breaking out upon us as it would do every moment if we had the desert of our sins 3. His being exalted at the right hand of God noteth that honour and power which is put upon the Redeemer He hath received all power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And Eph. 1.20 21. God set him at his right hand far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come So 1 Pet. 3.22 He is gone into Heaven Angels authorities and powers being made subject to him This height of honour to which Christ was exalted shews how much his friends may trust him and venture their all in his hands Psal. 2.12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him how much his enemies may fear him every knee must bow to him they must either bend or break Phil. 2.10 We have not thoughts high enough of the glory and excellency of Jesus Christ and therefore the glory and splendor of Created things doth soon dazzle our eyes and our hearts are hardly held up and fortified against these discouragements that we must meet with in his service Surely since Christ is in the highest dignity and power with God and hath all the Heavenly hosts and Creatures at his command we should more incourage our selves in the Lord for all this power is managed for the comfort and defence of the godly and the terror and punishment of his and their enemies This power was given him as God man when he entred into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of Majesty 4. Fulness of grace given him to dispence the spirit to his redeemed ones Acts 2.33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear As soon as he was warm in the Throne he poureth out the spirit that is the first news that we hear from him and presently the virtue of it appeared three thousand souls were added to the Church that day Now that is a pledge of what is continually dispensed in the Church There is still a spirit sent forth to convince the unbelieving world and to conquer the opposing wisdom and power of the flesh as also to beget and continue life in his people that they may actually be put in possession of what he hath purchased for them for he hath promised to be with the Ministry and dispensation of the word to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 meaning by that presence not only his powerful providence but his covincing and quickning Spirit 5. The actual Administration of his Kingdom He ruleth his Church preserveth his people and subdueth their enemies The enemies of Christ are of two sorts Temporal and Spiritual his Temporal enemies are such as oppose his cause and servants and seek to suppress his interest in the world The Jews despightfully used him and his messengers and they had their doom wrath came upon them to the uttermost 'T is supposed they are intended Matth. 16.28 There are some standing here which shall not tast of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom In a few years the City Temple and whole Polity of the Jews were destroyed for the erection of the Gospel kingdom The Romans were the next enemy who endeavoured the extirpation of Christianity by several persecutions these were next made the footstool of the King of Kings and after some years that vast Empire was destroyed by the Inundation of barbarous Nations and the residue marched under the banner of Christ. Within a little time all these Nations which oppose Christs interest and persecute his servants are subdued under him and either broken in pieces by sundry plagues and judgments or else brought to submit their necks to Christs blessed yoke There is no standing out against the King whom God hath exalted at his right hand Secondly the Spiritual enemies of Christs kingdom are sin Satan and death each of which hath a kingdom of its own opposite to the kingdom of Christ. The Apostle telleth us Rom. 5.21 That sin reigned unto death but he exhorteth Rom. 6.12 Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies And he promiseth Rom. 6.14 That sin shall not have dominion over you Satan hath a kingdom opposite to Christ he is called the Prince of this world by usurpation John 12.31 And the Devils are called Eph. 6.12 Rulers of the darkness of this world The ignorant
should not entertain Jealousies without a Cause 1 Sam. 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the Paw of the Lion and out of the Paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the Hand of this Philistine Former Mercies are Pledges of Future Deus donando debet God by giving becometh our Debtor Mat. 6.25 Is not the Life more than Meat and the Body more than Raiment He inticeth Hope by former Mercies Judges 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a Burnt-Offering and a Meat-Offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things God would not weary us altogether with expectation something we have in hand and therefore may expect more Well then when your Hearts are apt to faint take the Cordial of Experiences Psal. 77.10 I said this is mine Infirmity but I will remember the Years of the right Hand of the Most High We are apt to indulge the peevishness of distrust after many Deliverances 1 Sam. 27.1 I shall one day perish by the Hand of Saul Though God had put him twice into his Hands Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son c. how will be not with him also freely give us all things In common Experiences where we can have no absolute Assurance let us not baulk Duty for Danger 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a Death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us Paul would finish his Ministry notwithstanding Danger 2. Observe again from this As thou hast given Daturum te promisisti Thou hast promised to give God had promised to make over to him the Plenary Possession and Administration of the Kingdom Christ pleadeth the Grant and Promise It is an excellent Encouragement in Prayer when we can back our Requests with Promises Psalm 119.49 Remember the Word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope It is a modest Challenge God alloweth it put me in remembrance let us plead together c. Isa. 43.26 We may agrue and dispute with God upon his own Word Chirographa iua injiciebat tibi Domine shew him his own Hand Lord thou hast said this and that let it be fulfilled Thou hast given him As he was Man and Mediator for as he was God he had an eternal Right and an actual visible Right by Creation and Providence but Christ as Mediator was to receive a Crown By Gift Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance 1. It noteth That Christ hath his Kingdom by Right not by meer Power It is by the Father's Grant he was solemnly invested and set upon the Hill of Sion They are Rebels to God who do not acknowledg Christ to be King There are several manners of Possession Satan is Prince of the World but he is a Robber he holdeth it not by Grant from the Father but by Power he hath actual Possession of many Nations but no Right 2. It noteth what kind of Right it is that Christ hath it was by Grant and Donation It is the great condescention of our Lord that he would hold all things by our Tenure by way of Gift and Grant from the Father Free Grace is no dishonourable Tenure Christ himself holdeth his Kingdom by it Why should proud Creatures disdain this manner of holding The Lordship of the World was Christ's natural Inheritance yet he would hold all by Grace Power over all Flesh. Flesh is chiefly put for Men though all Creatures are under his Dominion We are sometimes expressed by our better and sometimes by our baser Part by our Better every Soul that is every Man Rom. 2.9 13.1 sometimes by the baser Part Isa. 40.6 All Flesh is Grass Mat. 24.22 No Flesh would be saved and elsewhere Here Flesh is fitly used it is put for the Nature of Man in common in opposition to those who are peculiarly Christ's by Tradition and Purchase And by Power over all Flesh is meant a judiciary Power to dispose of them according to pleasure yea of their everlasting Estate Potestatem omnis hominis accepit ut liberet quos voluerit damnet quos voluerit John 5.27 He hath given him Authority to execute Judgment also because he is the Son of Man It is the stile of God himself he is called Numb 16.22 The God of the Spirits of all Flesh And more express to this purpose Jer. 32.27 Behold I am the Lord the God of all Flesh Is there any thing too hard for me So that it noteth not a naked Authority but an Authority armed with a Divine Power Now because God will not give his Glory to another we may hence observe 1. That Christ is true God for otherwise he could not have such an Absolute Power It is proper to his Divine Nature though as it is a Gift his whole Person God-Man be invested with it He is called the only God not excluding the Father who subsisteth with him in the same Essence but including the Son Isa. 45.22 23. I am God and there is none else I have sworn by my self the Word is gone out in Righteousness and shall not return that unto me every Knee shall bow and every Tongue shall swear which is applied to Christ Rom. 14.11 and Phil. 2.9 10 11. He is called the great God the Supper of the Lamb is called the Supper of the great God Rev. 19.17 The true God 1 John 5.20 It should fortify Christians against those abominable Opinions wherein the God-head of Christ is questioned 2. Observe That Christ as Mediator hath power over all Flesh. All Kings and Monarchs have certain Bounds and Limits by which their Empire is terminated but God hath set Christ higher than the Kings of the Earth He is the true Catholick King his Government is unlimited Psal. 89.27 Also I will make him my First Born higher than the Kings of the Earth All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth Mat. 28.18 And Dan. 7.14 There was given him Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him His Dominion is an everlasting Dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed There is some difference about the extent of Christ's Mediatory Kingdom 1. It is not only confined to the Elect. We must distinguish between Christ's Power and his Charge He hath a Power given him over all but there are some given to him by way of special Charge which is given for the Elect as to all spiritual Ends to rescue them from the Power of Satan as in this Verse As Joseph in Egypt the Power of all the Land was made over to him though his Brethren had a special Right in his Affections The Kingdom of Christ as meerly Spiritual and Inward is proper to the Elect that Kingdom where Christ hath no other Deputy and Vicar but his Spirit but for his Judiciary Kingdom
he is resolved to say I am his that is the fitter Argument with God With our own Souls in our own Straits plead He is mine Psal. 42.11 Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the Health of my Countenance and my God but in Prayer plead I am his though you cannot plead his Choice plead your own Resignation Consider it is a forcible Argument Every one will provide for his own He is worse then an Infidel who will not provide for his own especially those of his own Houshold It is a comfortable Argument When we cannot speak of our Works we may speak of our Interest Lord I am a Sinner but I am thine I am a poor Wretch but I am one that would not be his own unless I am thine Oh but says the poor Soul If I could say that I am thine one that belongeth to the Purposes of thy Grace there were some Comfort Answ. It is sweet when we can say mutually I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine But are you not willing to chuse him though you cannot say he hath chosen you The choice of our Portion discovereth our Interest Canst thou in truth of Heart say Lord I have none in Heaven but thee none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee Psal. 73.25 If you can in the sincerity of your Hearts call God to witness this it is sweet Though thou canst not apply Christ canst thou resign thy self then we have the Fruit of Election though we have not the Sense of it God certainly hath chosen us when by the Work of his Grace he maketh us chuse him Fallen Man is not dainty in his choice till a Work of Grace passeth upon him he turneth from the Creator to the Creature he saith to the World Would to God thou wert mine to Riches Honours Pomp would thou wert mine Happy is the People that are in such a Case It is Grace turneth us from the Creature back again to God God is our Portion because we are his God cannot refuse that Heart which he hath thus drawn to himself 2. Observe again That none are given to Christ but those that were first the Father's Thine they were he had chosen them in the Purposes of his Grace and disposed them into Christ's Hands Thine by Election mine by Special Donation The Acts of the three Persons are commensurable of the same Sphere and Latitude those whom the Father chuseth the Son redeemeth and the Spirit sanctifieth The Father loveth none but those that are given to Christ and Christ taketh charge of none but those that are loved of the Father Your Election will be known by your Interest in Christ and your Interest in Christ by the Sanctification of the Spirit All God's Flock are put into Christ's Hands and Christ leaveth them to the care of the Spirit that they may be enlightned and sanctified In looking after the Comfort of Election you must first look inward to the Work of the Spirit on your Hearts then outward to the Work of Christ on the Cross then upward to the Heart of the Father in Heaven 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ. There is a Chain of Salvation the Beginning is from the Father the Dispensation through the Son the Application by the Spirit all cometh from God and is conveyed to us through Christ by the Spirit Secondly The Father's Act about Believers Thou gavest me them How are they given to Christ Things are given to Christ two ways by way of Reward or by way of Charge 1. By way of Reward So all Nations are given to him by way of Reward Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession He is Lord of all Acts 10.36 even of the Devils All Flesh are thus given to him to be ruled by him This Donation is very large and comprizeth Elect and Reprobates all Nations are Christ's Heritage in this sence as well as the Church All Power in Heaven and in Earth is given to him to dispose of Elect and Reprobates according to his own Pleasure Only in this giving by way of Reward there is a difference some are given to Christ at large to be disposed of according to his Pleasure others are given to him for some special Ministry and Service as Hypocrites in the Church and so Judas was given to him as Christ saith Vers. 9. Of them which thou hast given me I have lost none but the Son of Perdition Again others are given to him by way of special and peculiar Interest to be Members of his Body Subjects of his Kingdom c. So only the Elect are given to Christ the great Bargain that Christ drove with his Father was an Interest in Souls therefore it is said Isa. 53.10 11. When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin he shall see his Seed he shall prolong his days and the Pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his Hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and be satisfied This was all the Gain that Christ reckoned of 2. By way of Charge This again is proper to the Elect who are redeemed justified sanctified glorified The Elect are made over to Christ not by way of Alienation but Oppignoration none of them who are given to Christ by way of Charge can miscarry John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out And ver 39. This is the Will of him that sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose none but should raise it up again at the last day And John 10.28 29. I give unto them eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand There is Christ's Faithfulness and the Father's Power engaged therefore this must needs be proper to the Elect. Now because both these ways are proper to the Elect that that I observe is That the Father's Elect are given and committed to the Son as his Purchase and Charge First They are given to him by way of Reward Christ by virtue of his Purchase hath many Relations to Believers they are given to him as Subjects of his Kingdom as Scholars of his School as Children of his Family as the Spouse of his Bosom as the Members of his Body All these Relations I shall insist upon for this was the Honour that was granted to Christ upon his Obedience It was much that Christ would be our King more that he would be our Master more that he would be our Father
Blood in the same place where he shed the Blood of Naboth 3. The Place to which the Third Heaven The Tabernacle figured the Church the Temple Heaven In the Temple were three Partitions the Court where was the Altar of Burnt-Offerings the Holy Place where was the Table Candlestick Shew-bread and the Altar of Burnt-Incense then the Holy of Holies where the High Priest came once a Year So in that vast space which the Scriptures call Heaven there are as it were three Stories the Etherial Heaven the Starry Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens into this Christ as our High Priest is entred There was not only a change of his Presence but a translation of his Body into the High and Holy Place 4. The Witnesses the Eleven Apostles these were his choice Witnesses not the whole Company of Believers 5. Another Circumstance was his last Action a little before his Ascension Luke 24.50 He blessed his Disciples nay it is added again to put the greater Emphasis upon it Vers. 51. And while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven It is the fashion of good Men to die blessing Jacob and Moses when they were to take their leaves of the World they blessed the Tribes Christ before he would go would first leave his Blessing nay the last Act with which he would close up his Life was an Act of Blessing to shew that now the Curse was removed and he was going to Heaven to convey the Blessing to all the Heirs of Salvation Acts 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities as God blessed Adam and Eve when his Work was done 6. The Manner Acts 1.9 When he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their sight The Cloud answered to God's appearance in the Tabernacle When we look on the Clouds this was Christ's Chariot he will come again in like manner 7. In his Ascension he went to Heaven as a Conqueror he triumphed over his Enemies and gave Gifts to his Friends Ephes. 4.8 When â—e ascended up on high he led Captivity Captive and gave Gifts unto Men As glorious Conquerors lead their chief Enemies fettered in Iron Chains So Col. 2.15 Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non Sudore Sanguine aliorum ut quondam Imperatores solebant There is some Difficulty about the Exposition of that place those seem too literally to interpret it that think there was some open Pomp and Shew The Papists say he went to the Limbus Patrum and took Abraham Isaac Jacob and other holy Men of the Old Testament along with him in Triumph to Heaven but then he should have taken the Devils Zanchy thinks there was some real visible Triumph visible not to all but to God Angels and Men leading the Devils through the Air. Still it seemeth too gross and to be asserted without Warrant But this must be interpreted suitably to the other Acts of his Office this Triumph must be referred to his Ascension Christ fought for Heaven and struck the last Stroke on the Cross seized on the Spoil at his Resurrection led them in Triumph at his Ascension and by his quiet sitting on the Throne his Subjects enjoy the Benefit 8. Christ's Entertainment by the Angels Some were left to comfort the Apostles Acts 1.10 While they looked stedfastly towards Heaven two Men stood by in white Apparel These two Men were two Angels in the shape of Men. When the Husband is to go a long Journey he writeth to the Wife from the next Stage whilst her Grief is fresh and running and giveth an account of his Welfare Christ dispatcheth two Messengers out of his glorious Train which Message being done they accompany him with other Angels into Heaven Dan. 7.13 I saw one like the Son of Man with the Clouds of Heaven and they brought him near before him They that is the Angels the Son of Man that is Christ as appeareth by the next Verse they wait upon him and guard him into the Presence of God Certainly if the Angels came so chearfully to proclaim his Incarnation when born What Triumph is there by that blessed Company in Heaven at his Ascension Still the Angels are in Christ's Company when he cometh to Judgment the Angels shall come with him Christ coming into the Presence of the Father is royally attended his Entrance into Heaven is glorious with glorious Applauses and Acclamations Psal. 24.11 Lift up your Heads O ye Gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting Doors and the King of Glory shall come in viz. at the coming of his Humanity so Justin Martyr Basil Euthimius But clearly there is an Allusion to the bringing the Ark into the place prepared by David for it a Figure of Christ's entrance into Heaven They applaud him as mighty in Battel as newly returned from the Spoils of his Enemies The Entrance of a victorious and triumphant Captain is there described and so it is proper to Christ. Once more the blessed Saints have the like Applause Isaiah describes it Isa. 63.1 2 3. Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed Garments from Bozrah this that is glorious in his Apparel travelling in the greatness of his Strength I that speak Righteousness mighty to save Wherefore art thou red in thine Apparel and thy Garments like him that treadeth in the Wine-fat I have troden the Wine-press alone and of the People there was none with me c. There is a Dialogue as before to express the Saint's Acclamations to Christ The Church is brought in there wondring at Christ's glorious Triumph over all his Enemies as returning victorious from some bloody Fight like a great Commander in goodly rich Robes besprinkled with the Blood of his Enemies 9. The last thing is his Welcome from God Psal. 2.8 I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance c. Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my Right-hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool compared with Mat. 22.44 In the day of his Inauguration God will say Welcome Son Sit at my Right-hand all the Kingdoms of the Earth are thine Christ doth not only enter as a Conqueror but as a Favourite Son thy Work is well done sit at my Right-hand that is God's first Word to him and then Ask what thou wilt it is thine It is a fashion among great Princes when they would shew great Affection or extraordinary liking to any they bid them ask what they would as Herod to Herodias's Daughter Mat. 14.6 7. When Herod 's Birth-day was kept the Daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod Whereupon he promised with an Oath to give her whatsoever she would ask And Ahasuerus to Esther Esth. 5.3 What wilt thou Queen Esther and what is thy Request
Earth saith God to Pharaoh Exod. 9.16 So we are in the World that his Power may be known We had missed many wonderful Passages of Providence if Israel had not been in Egypt God will have us take many Experiences of the Sweetness and Power of Grace along with us to Heaven As Travellers at Night talk of the foul way and the Dangers of the Journey so in Heaven we shall discourse of the Praises of our Redeemer and his wise and powerful Conduct God would have us take these frequent Experiences of Grace along with us 2. To try us Were it not for the worldly State there would be no place for Temptation nor room for the Exercise of Grace He will not glorify us as soon as convert us neither can we expect to go singing to Heaven and without Blows Heb. 6.12 Be ye Followers of them who through Faith and Patience have inherited the Promises Never any went to Heaven but there was a time to exercise both his Faith and Patience we are to run and fight this is common to all the Saints In the way to Heaven many things will befall us that will make it seem unlikely that we shall ever come thither so we have need of Faith and Troubles must have their turn ' ere Heaven be possessed so we have need of Patience Why should we look for a peculiar Priviledg 1 Pet. 5.9 The same Afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the World All the Saints are troubled with a busy Devil a naughty World and a corrupt Heart Name but one Saint of God that hath been excused that went to Heaven without Trials and Temptations that quiet Estate which you dream of is without Precedent The Cross is the Badg of this Society as Elijah said Am I better than my Fathers You are not better than all the Saints than your other Brethren that are in the World You should be ashamed to be alone and never called out to exercise There is a measure of Sufferings appointed and every Member must take his share It is distributed by a wise Hand so much for the Head so much for the Shoulders so much for Hands and Feet Col. 1.24 Who now rejoyce in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh. Would we only be irregular and refuse to take our Burden Briefly there would be no Temptation no Trial were it not for the worldly Estate but here we must look for it The Skill of a Mariner is known in a Storm and so is our Fortitude and other Graces tried and discovered I have read in the Lives of the Fathers of a devout Man that being one Year without any Trial cried out Domine reliquisti me quia non me visitasti hoc anno Lord thou hast forgotten me and for a whole Year hast not put me upon any Exercise Those whom God will make most perfect he putteth them upon the greatest Trials Abraham had never been represented as the Father of the Faithful if he had not been exercised so much with so many Hazards and Temptations 3. To convince the World by their Example their Strictness Patience Fortitude They are in the World but not of the World If a Christian were not a Member of the World he would never be the Wonder of the World They have Flesh and Blood as others have and have not divested themselves of the Affections and Interests of Nature the same Bodies the same Interests yet they can deny all and upon the convenient Reasons of Religion abhor the Pleasures and dear Contentments of this Life and become weaned mortified strict holy and this raiseth the World's Wonder 1 Pet. 4.4 They think it strange that you run not with them to all Excess of Riot speaking evil of you They are so bewitched with these things that they wonder how any can resist the Temptation Godly Men are to walk up and down the World as God's Witnesses Ye are my Witnesses saith the Lord Isa. 43.11 They testify that there is a Reality in Religion and how it worketh by the Strictness and Mortification of their Lives They are to be Examples to the World 2. Cor. 3.3 Ye are the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of Stone but in Fleshly Tables of the Heart By your Lives God writeth his Mind to the World you are a living Rule a walking Bible 4. To fit them for Glory We do not commence per saltum Vessels of Honour must be seasoned Col. 1.12 Who hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light What should an unmortified Man do in Heaven Heaven would be a Prison to him the Company of God and the Communion of Saints a Burden We do not come into God's Presence hot and reeking from our Lusts we are first set in the Garden of the Church before we are transplanted to the upper Paradise they grow a while in the Land of Grace that they may take kindly with the Soil 1. Partly to weaken our Desires to the World The Stones were to be hewed and squared before they were to be set in the Temple there was no noise of Ax or Hammer heard there So during our Worldly State we are humbled with many Afflictions that we may be weaned by Degrees from the World and worldly Objects Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified to me and I unto the World The World doth not suit with the Saints as Children are weaned from the Teat by Wormwood When Men are pleased in the World they forget their Country We stir Liquors and Syrups that are over the Fire that they may not stick and burn to As Esther when she was chosen for Aâ—asuers's Bride was to accomplish the Months of her Purification before she was presented to him Esth. 2.12 So some days are to be spent in our purifying and sanctifying before we are presented to God 2. Partly to make us long for Glory Our worldly Estate is cumbersom Here are Sins and Afflictions that we may long for a better Estate Psal. 120.5 Wo is me that I sojorn in Mesech that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar As the Israelites Task was doubled that they might long for Canaan and cry out for the Land of Rest. The Inconveniencies of our Pilgrimage make the everlasting Estate more sweet Troubles without us Diseases upon us and Sins within us and all to make us long for home Notwithstanding all the hard Usage and Entertainment in the World how difficultly are we weaned 3 dly Christ's Apprehensiveness of this Danger You shall see it is a Circumstance often mentioned A little before his Death at his Death now in Heaven 1. A little before his Death We have two Instances one when he was about to wash his Disciples Feet and institute the Supper
Life no Man cometh to the Father but by me None can come to the Son but by the Father John 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him And none can come to both but by the Spirit Unity is his Personal Operation Eph. 4.3 Endeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace The Father hath an hand in it Christ hath an hand the Spirit hath an hand Well then let us bless God that we have such a compleat Object for our Faith as Father Son and Spirit The Father bestoweth Christ on us and us on Christ as Marriages are made in Heaven The meritorious Cause of this Union is Christ the Mediator by his Obedience Satisfaction and Merit otherwise the Father would not look upon us and the Spirit is sent from the Father and the Son to bring us to the Father by the Son The Spirit worketh this Union continueth it and manifests it All the Graces of God are conveyed to us by the Spirit the Spirit teacheth comforteth sealeth sanctifieth all is by the Holy Ghost And so are all our Acts of Communion we pray by the Spirit if we love God obey God believe in God it is by the Spirit that worketh Faith Love and Obedience We can want nothing that have Father Son and Spirit whether we think of the Father in Heaven the Son on the Cross or feel the Spirit in our Hearts Election is of the Father Merit by the Son actual Grace from the Holy Ghost 1 Pet. 1.2 Elect according to the Foreknowledg of God the Father through Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience and Sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ. Our Salvation standeth on a sure Bottom the Beginning is from God the Father the Dispensation through the Son the Application by the Spirit It is free in the Father sure in the Son ours in the Spirit We cannot be thankful enough for this Priviledg Fourthly The End and Issue That the World may believe that thou hast sent me By the World is not meant the unconverted Elect for Christ had comprehended all the Elect in these Words Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe in me through their Word Verse 20. The Matter of his Prayer is that they may be one c. and the Reason that the World may believe that thou hast sent me So that by the World is meant the reprobate lost World who shall continue in final Obstinacy By believing is meant not true saving Faith but common Conviction that they may be gained to some kind of Faith a temporary Faith or some general Profession of Religion as John 2.23 24. Many believed in his Name when they saw the Miracles which he did But Jesus would not commit himself unto them because he knew all Men. And John 12.42 43. Nevertheless among the chief Rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue For they loved the Praise of Men more than the Praise of God There Believing is taken for being convinced of the Truth of his Religion which he had established though they had no mind to profess it or if so yet they did not come under the full power of it But how is this the Fruit of the Mystical Union The Fruits of the Mystical Union are four to this purpose 1. Holiness Whosoever is in Christ is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Sanctification is a Fruit of Union 1 Cor. 1.30 For of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption And it is a means to convince the World Mark 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that they seeing your good Works may glorify your Father which is in Heaven 1 Pet. 2.12 Having your Conversation honest amongst the Gentiles that whereas they speak evil of you as of evil-doers they may by your good Works which they shall behold glorify God in the Day of Visitation 1 Pet. 3.1 Likewise ye Wives be in Subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the Word they also may without the Word be won by the Conversation of he Wives 2. Unity 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body To endear us to himself and to one another as Fellow-members Christ would draw us into one Body John 13.35 By this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have Love one to another Aspice ut se mutuò diligunt Christiani Oh the mighty Charity that was among the Primitive Christians Acts 4.32 And the Multitude of them that believed were of one Heart and of one Soul Divisions in the Church breed Atheism in the World 3. Constancy in the Profession of the Truth Jude 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called We are preserved in Christ as Wine in the Hogs-head being in the Cabinet where God's Jewels are kept Now this is taking with the World 4. Special Care of God's Providence God keepeth them as the Apple of his Eye Dan. 2.47 Of a truth it is that your God is a God of Gods and a Lord of Kings and a Revealer of Secrets seeing he could reveal unto you this Secret 1 Cor. 14.25 And thus are the Secrets of his Heart made manifest and so falling down on his Face he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth Dan. 3.28 Blessed be the God of Shadrach Meshech and Abednego who hath sent his Angel and delivered his Servants that trusted in him and hath changed the King's Word and yielded their Bodies that they might not serve nor worship any God except their own God Dan. 6.27 He delivereth and rescueth and he worketh Signs and Wonders in Heaven and in Earth who hath delivered Daniel from the Power of the Lions Joshua 2.11 And as soon as we had heard these things our Hearts did melt neither did there remain any more Courage in any Man because of you for the Lord your God is God in Heaven above and in Earth beneath Acts 5.12 13 14. And by the Hands of the Apostles were many Signs and Wonders wrought among the People and they were all with one accord in Solomon 's Porch and of the rest durst no Man join himself to them but the People magnified them And Believers were the more added to the Lord Multitudes both of Men and Women Doctr. That the general Conviction which the lost World hath of the Truth of Christianity is a very great Blessing to the Church Christ here prays for it let them be one and why that the lost World who are left out of his Prayer may believe that thou hast sent me that they might not count Christ to be an Impostor nor the Doctrine of the Gospel a Fable And what Christ prayed for he had promised before for as good
communicate it to his Members he is not weak when we are weak but able to do above what we can ask or think 3. As concerning the Life of Glory we have it by Christ also 1 Joh. 5.11 This is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son The door which is shut against us by our sins is opened by Christ. Let us follow his Precepts and Example and depend upon his Grace and you cannot miscarry Christ hath brought Life and Immortality to light assured us of an endless Happiness after Death Heathens had but a doubtful conjecture of another Life we have an undoubted assurance and that is some great stay to us 4. Concerning the troubles and afflictions that we meet withal As to the troubles of the Church of God he is alive and upon the Throne he can never cease to live and reign Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool The enemies of his Kingdom must bend or break first or last 5. Against Death Christ hath broken the power of it as it hath no dominion over him so it cannot totally seize upon his Members in their better part they still live to God assoon as they dye and as to their Bodies The body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness Rom. 8.10.15 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law But thanks be to God who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Job 19.25 I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand the last day upon the earth c. But what is this to us As it hath no dominion over him so not over us the power is broken the sting is gone If our flesh must rot in the grave our Nature is in Heaven Christ once dyed and then rose again from the dead Now this doth mightily secure and support us against the power and fears of death that we have a Saviour in possession of Glory to whom we may commend our departing Souls at the time of death and who will receive them to himself one that hath himself been upon Earth in flesh then dyed and rose again and is now in possession of endless Blessedness He is Lord of that World we are going into All Creatures there do him Homage and we e're long are to be adjoyned to that dutiful happy Assembly and partake in the same work and felicity SERMON IX ROM VI. 11 Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord. THE Protasis or Foundation of the Similitude was laid down vers 9 10. the Apodosis or Application of it to the case in hand in this Verse The Foundation is Christs Example and Pattern dying and rising now after this double Example of Christs Death and Resurrection we must account our selves obliged both to dye unto sin and rise again to newness of life Likewise reckon ye also your selves c. In which words 1. Our Duty which is Conformity or Likeness to Christ dying and living 2. Grace to perform this Duty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through or in Jesus Christ by virtue of our Union with him we are both to resemble his Death and Resurrection 3. The means of inforcing this Duty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reckon Vulgar existimate Erasmus out of Tertullian reputate consider with your selves Others colligite statuite Doctrine That all who are baptized and profess Faith in Christ dying and rising from the dead are under a strong obligation of dying to sin and living to God through the Grace of the Redeemer Here I. I shall consider the Nature of the Duties of being dead to Sin and alive to God II. The Correspondency how they do answer the two States of Christ as Christ dyeth to sin for the Expiation of it and after Death reviveth and liveth to God so we III. The Order first Death then the Resurrection from the dead so first dying to sin then being alive to God IV. The certain Connexion of these things if we dye we shall live and we cannot live to God unless we be dead to sin neither can we dye to sin unless we live to God V. In the two Branches the Apostle opposeth God to Sin I. The Nature of the Work It consists of two Branches dying to Sin and living to God Mortification and Vivification 1. Mortification is the purifying â—â—d cleansing of the Soul or the freeing it from the slavery of the flesh which detaineth it from God and disableth it for all the duties of the holy and heavenly life The reign of sin was the punishment of the first Transgression and is taken away by the gift of the Spirit upon account of the Merit of Christ however it is our work to see that sin dye it dyeth as our love to it dyeth and our love to sin is not for its own sake but because of some pleasure contentment and satisfaction that we hope to find in it for no man would commit sin or transgress meerly for his minds sake meer evil apprehended as evil cannot be the object of our choice Now then our love to sin dyeth when our esteem of the advantages of the carnal life is abated when we have no other value of the pleasures honours and profits of the world than is fully consistent with our duty to God and may further us in it Therefore we are dead to fin when we endeavour more to please God than to please the flesh and mind more our eternal than our temporal interests Rom. 8.5 They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit What we mind and value most sheweth the Reign of either Principle the Flesh or the Spirit 2. Vivification or living to God is the changing of the Heart by Grace and the acting of those Graces we have received by the Spirit of Regeneration All that have received the gift of the spiritual Life are bound to exercise it and put it in act by loving serving and obeying God 2 Pet. 1.3 4 5. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and vertue Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge c. They that have received Grace are not to fit down idle and satisfied but to be more active and diligent in the exercise of Grace and whatever remaineth of their lives must be devoted to
satisfactory to his Fathers Justice and expiatory of our sins The two solemn notions of Christs death are Ransom and Sacrifice 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself a Ransom for all And Eph. 5.2 And hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour And this Ransom and Sacrifice was paid with respect to the curse of the Law to free us from the penalty of the old Covenant 4thly Upon this Death Christ hath acquired a new right of Dominion and Empire over the World To be their Lord and Saviour to rule them and save them upon his own terms Rom. 14.9 For this end Christ both died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord of dead and living So Phil. 2.8 9 10 11. He became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every Knee should bow of things in Heaven and things in Earth and things under the Earth And that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father God hath made this God-man the supream Prince of his Church and given him all power in Heaven and Earth that all rational creatures should pay him all manner of Subjection and acknowledgement and his doctrine and faith be embraced by all Nations in the World 5thly Our Redeemer being possessed of this Lordship and Dominion hath made a new law of grace which is propounded as a remedy for the recovering and restoring of the lapsed world of mankind unto the grace and favour of God by offering and granting them their free Pardon Justification Adoption and right to glory to all that will sincerely repent and believe in him But sentencing them anew to death that will not That this is the Sum of the Gospel appeareth in many places of Scripture Mark 16. â—6 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned And Job 3.16 17 18 19. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life for God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already Because he haâ—h not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God c. 6thly This repenting and believing is such an hearty assent to the truth of the Gospel as causeth us thankfully and broken-heartedly and fiducially to accept the Lord Jesus as he is offered to us and to give up our selves to God by him An assent to the truth of the Gospel there must be for the general faith goeth before the particular A belief of the Gospel before our commerce with Christ. This assent must produce acceptance because the Gospel is an offer of a Blessedness suitable to our necessities and desires and our great work is receiving Christ. John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name A broken hearted acceptance it is because Christ and his benefits are a free gift to us and we come to accept this grace as condemned sinners with confession of our undeservings and ill deservings with confession that eternal wrath might justly be our portion For God lets none go out of the first covenant till they have subscribed to the Justice of it felt sin and know what is the smart of it And then a thankful acceptance it is For so great a benefit as pardon and life should not be entertained but with a grateful consent and a deep sense of his love who doth so freely save us Surely Christ cannot should not be received into the heart without an hearty welcom and cordial embracings And 't is a fiducial consent such as is joined with some confidence For there is confidence or trust in the nature of faith and cannot be separated from it and without it we are not satisfied with the truth of the offer nor cannot depend upon Gods word Eph. 1.13 And this is joined with a giving up our selves to him or to God by him For he is our Soveraign and Lord as well as our Saviour Col. 2.6 Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins 2 Pet. 3.2 The Apostles of our Lord and Saviour And we must be contented to be conducted to the unseen glory in his own way Besides in this remedying law of grace he cometh to us as the Physician of our Souls and we must own him as such and rest upon his skill and suffer him to apply his sharpest plaisiers and take his bitterest Medicines which are most ingrateful to flesh and blood Lastly 'T is a return to God to injoy please and glorify him which is our main business and therefore we must yield up our selves to the Lord with an hearty consent of subjection to be guided ruled and ordered by him 7thly All those that repent and believe have Remission and Justification by Christs Satisfaction and Merit given to them So that they are become acceptable and pleasing unto God For Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 10.4 And God having by a sin offering condemned sin in the flesh the Righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in us That is such a Righteousness as satisfieth the Law so that we shall be able to stand in the Judgment which without we could not Psal. 130.3 4. If thou Lord shouldst mark Iniquities Oh Lord who shall stand But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared Psal. 143.2 Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant for in thy sight shall no man living be Justified But why Upon a twofold account You have a Righteousness to plead to exempt you from the penalties of the Law And you have the conditions of the new Covenant to plead to intitle you to the privileges of the Gospel Christs merits and satisfaction as a sinner impleaded and faith and repentance as the condition VSE 1. Let us propound this to our faith That Christ was made sin for us that we might be the Righteousness 〈…〉 'T was agreed between the Father and the Son that if he would be sin 〈…〉 for sin we should be made free from sin and death and live by him See 〈…〉 thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong 〈…〉 the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand By this one offering Christ 〈…〉 as much honour to God as our sin took from him And therefore now justice being satisfied grace hath a free course Therefore this should comfort us against the guilt of sin Christs sacrifice is sufficiently expiatory
A Second Volume OF SERMONS PREACHED by the Late REVEREND and LEARNED Thomas Manton D. D. In Two PARTS The FIRST Containing XXVII SERMONS ON The Twenty Fifth CHAPTER of St. MATTHEW XLV ON The Seventeenth CHAPTER of St. IOHN AND XXIV ON The Sixth CHAPTER of the Epistle to the ROMANS PART II. Containing XLV SERMONS ON The Eighth Chapter of the Epistle to the ROMANS AND XL. ON The Fifth Chapter of the Second Epistle to the CORINTHIANS WITH ALPHABETICAL TABLES To each Chapter of the PRINCIPAL MATTERS therein Contained LONDON Printed by J. Astwood for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard MDC.LXXXIV TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM Earl of Bedford BARON of THORNAVGH AND KNIGHT of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER My LORD IF the Soveraign Disposer of all things had continued the Life of the Author of the following SERMONS he had express'd his Thankfulness for your Real and Noble Favours by the Dedication of the best Fruits of his Studies to your Lordship But since it hath pleased God to remove him from the Church on Earth to the Church in Heaven I am desired by his most near surviving Relation to comply with his Intention by Inscribing your highly Honourable Name in the Frontispiece of this Work Your Lordships Esteem of the Author and most free Kindness plac'd him in an Eminent Station and how faithfully he discharged his Publick Ministry for those great and most worthy Ends the Glory of God and the Salvation of Souls as there is a full Testimony given by many sincere and understanding Persons of all Ranks that were the happy Partakers of it so it is evident to others by the several Volumes of most useful SERMONS Printed since his Decease These had been more Exact and worthy of your Lordships perusal if they had been publisht by himself But such as they are I doubt not but they will be very Acceptable for the heavenly Matter contained in them I shall not Record here the many excellent Vertues that are Conspicuous in your Lordship and truely adorn your Honour but I cannot forbear to mention the Foundation of them Sincere and Solid Piety so clearly discovered in a most Christian Deportment under your heavy Afflictions Surely that Reverence and meek Submission to the high and Holy Providence of God that humble Trust in his Mercy which so admirably appeared in your deep Distress was from the Divine Spirit whose glorious Attribute is The Comforter I shall Earnestly pray That God who turneth the shadow of Death into the Morning will be pleased alwayes to Support you with his Reviving Presence that he will guide you by his Counsel through this Afflicting World and bring you to his Glory I am My LORD Your Lordships very Humble and Obedient Servant WILLIAM BATES To the READER Christian Reader OVR blessed Lord calling the Multitude to some account of their so free and frequent motions in going to hear the first Gospel Preacher John the Baptist doth it in these terms Matth. 11.7 8. What went you out into the Wilderness to see A Reed shaken with the wind But what went ye out for to see A man cloathed in soft Rayment They that wear soft Cloathing are in Kings houses But what went ye out for to see A Prophet yea I say unto you and more than a Prophet V. 11. Verily I say unto you that amongst them that are born of Women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he Teaching us several things by that speech relating to the Religious action of hearing the Word and to a true Gospel Minister With reference to the former 1. That he that goeth out to hear ought in the first place to propound to himself a due End 2. That men may propose to themselves in such motions very false and undue Ends such as going to see Reeds shaken with the wind men cloathed with soft Rayment c. 3. That the true End men should propose to themselves should be not to hear a Philosopher or an Orator but a Prophet which term signifieth a Person revealing the Will of God for the signification of that term is not to be restrained to one onely from God revealing things to come but publishing the Divine Will whether relating to future things or things before revealed which is evident not only from the application of it to the Baptist but to any that will consider that Predictions of future Contingencies was the least part of any of the ancient Prophets work This is that true and more special End which every good man ought to propound to himself when he goeth to hear as a Religious action whose Object is not a meer sound which is the Object of hearing considered as a natural Act but of the joyful Sound Nor can there lye any Obligation upon any religiously to hear any thing but the will of God which a Discourse doth not cease to be by the addition of mans words for the Explanation or Application of any part of the divine Will by such as God hath betrusted with that Employment more than an Embassadors message ceaseth to be his Masters will because delivered in his own words thô to the Sense of his Instructions Which thing well digested would not only teach Ministers what and how to preach but the People also what and how to hear according to the direction of their Lord. If our End in hearing were to tickle our Ears with a Sound our Reason would guide us to hear such whose Language is as the voice of one that hath a Lovely Song and can play well on an Instrument If our end were to promove our selves in Critical Learning or improve our Reason the same Reason would guide us to choose to hear the best Philosophizers or Grammarians such as best understood the Niceties of words and varietyes of Syntax But if our end be to hear a Prophet one that should reveal Gods mind unto us and to make it more intelligible that by it we may be more improved in Knowledge Faith Love Obedience and other Habits fitting us for the Kingdom of God and Eternal Salvation the same reason will teach us to hear the most substantial scriptural and practical Sermons that we can as being most accommodate to the true end of our action to which every wise man proportioneth mediate actions And indeed all other Discourses are abusively called Preaching and Athens were a more proper place for them than a Preachers Pulpit God hath seemed to have reserved it for a great Blessing to the last age of the World that for ought appears to us from any Books it hath been more fertile of such Preaching than any since that of the Apostles The ancient Church had Persons that did famously in their Generations such were Chrysostom in the Greek and Augustine in the Latine Church but besides that they were but very few whose reads the one and the
this Slumbring and Sleeping is 'T is twofold that of the Body and that of the Mind That of the Body when the Senses cease for a time to do their Office That of the Mind is a secure State of Soul and that is twofold Moral and Spiritual 1. Moral When Reason and natural Knowledge is as it were asleep and useless to us a man doth not act as a reasonable Creature Psal. 94.8 Oh ye bruitish among the People when will ye be wise and Psa. 22.27 All the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn to the Lord Psa. 119.59 I thought on my wayes and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies If men did improve common principles shew themselves men they could not continue in that course of Life wherein they allow themselves In part this Sleep of Reason may befall the Children of God they do not consider nor turn their minds to their Affairs nor act as men whose Eyes are open 2. Spiritual Sleeping Here I shall shew the Nature and Effects of it First The Nature of it when Graces are not lively and kept in exercise I shall instance in those three Theological Graces Faith Hope and Love a weak dead Faith a feeble Sleepy Love a cold and careless Hope 1. A weak and dead Faith that consists more in a Form of Knowledge than a lively assent to the Truths of Godliness A dead oppinionative belief may stand with a carnal Life Jam. 2.20 Faith without works is dead The Word of God is come to them in Word only not in power it puts no Life into what we do believe 1 Thes. 2.13 Doth not work effectually This will fit the slumbring and Sleeping of the foolish Virgins but alas the Wise have their drowsie fits the Truths of the Word concerning God Christ Heaven and Hell have not such a lively influence upon them by the blandishments of worldly Prosperity Faith is fallen asleep ready to give place to the Flesh and they are governed more by Fancy and Appetite than by the Heavenly mind there is no consideration of the Vanity of earthly things the Heart is kept strange to God and Heaven and the Soul is taken up with carnal projects more than it should be 2. A feeble sleepy Love which doth not level and direct our actions to the great end of them which is the pleasing and glorifying of God so that they live too much to themselves Love in vigour doth over-rule us to live unto God 2 Cor. 5.14 15. For the Love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one dyed for all then were all dead and that he dyed for all that they should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him who dyed for them and rose again And this keepeth us more sincere and uniform in our course alwayes tending to the great end 3. A cold and careless Hope When there is not that earnest and desirous expectation of Blessedness to come which doth fortifie us against the allurements of sense Math. 6.19 20 21. Lay not up for your selves Treasure upon Earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where Thieves break thorough and steal but lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where Thieves do not break thorough and steal for where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also They do not mind their true Treasure Secondly The Effects of this Sleepiness are seen in these things 1. In some Intermission of their care and caution Watching is a diligent taking heed to our selves and wayes so as we keep our selves from sin We are in constant danger of sins that come on us by insensible Degrees Psa. 39.1 I said I would take heed to my wayes that I sin not with my tongue The best are surprized and Corruption often breaketh out we may say of them as Christ of the Damsel they are not dead but sleep The Children of God are sometimes overtaken by their inadvertency Gal. 6.1 or overborn by the violence of Temptations Jam. 1.14 Inconsiderately and suddenly surprized with some sin So subtle and assiduous is Sathan in Tempting and so ready is Corruption to close with the Temptation as soon as it is represented that if a Child of God doth but abate any thing of his Circumspection and diligence he will be surprized by some one sin or other and thereby be brought to dishonour God and to lay a stumbling block before others Besides those sins of daily incursion and suddain surreption Sathan lieth in wait to draw us to greater Offences that may dishonour God and wound our Peace and scandalize the World against our Profession 2. Some abatement of our Zeal and fervency We are not alwayes fervent in Spirit and do not keep up our Life and Seriousness in the Duties of Holiness our Graces are not actuated and kept in exercise but suffer some decay though they be not quite dead Faith is weak Love is cold Math. 24.12 There is not that lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 Christians should not only be living but lively 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye as living Stones Nay There may be so great a damp and quenching upon us that there is no outward visible difference between a dead man and a dying Christian All things in us may be ready to dye Revel 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye Life is even quite gone in some cases when sin hath made fearful havock in the Conscience 3. In Forgetfulness of non-attendency to the Lords coming When we live merrily quietly in a careless and unprepared Estate this is necessarily to be taken in as the cause of the two former In the slumbring and sleeping of the foolish Virgins the Case is clear Christ's absence or tarrying long is the occasion the World takes to grow secure and wicked the Scoffers walked after their own Lusts because they said Where is the Promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3.3 4. And in the degenerate Church the reason why they were given to Sensuality carnal Pomp and Persecution is set down Math. 24.48 49. My Lord delayeth his coming Therefore the Officers of the Church smite their fellow Servants and eat and drink with the Drunken encourage the wicked and smite the Godly with Censures As it was with the Israelites there was no speech of making a Calf when Moses first went up to the Mount but when he tarryed long Exod. 32. And as for this Moses we wot not what is become of him then nothing would content them but making a Calf The Ordinances and Institutions of Christ had never been so perverted in the Christian World but that they forgat Christs coming to see how they have been observed 1 Tim. 6.14 That thou keep this Commandment without spot unrebukeable until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But now for the wise Virgins alas there is not such a constant waiting for the coming of the Lord for if we did not leave off to think of
and not of strong Meat for every one that useth Milk is unskilful in the word of Righteousness for he is a Babe but strong Meat belongeth unto them that are of full Age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil A Child if he should continue a Child and an Infant still is a Monster Thirdly The same reasons that invited you to begin with Christ should invite you to go on with his Service If a little Grace is desirable surely more is desirable because 't is the adorning of the Soul excellency in Grace is a great means to convince and Convert the World Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that others seeing your good works may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven and Joh. 15.6 Hereby is my Father glorified that ye bring forth much fruit Deprive not God of the Honour you owe him nor the World of such a powerful help we put forth our utmost endeavours to get excellent things here on Earth and shall Eternal Glory be only coldly thought of and carelesly sought after Fourthly The more serviceable you are for Christ here the more Glory you shall receive in Heaven We believe there are degrees of Glory we read of being Ruler of many Cities and sitting at Christs right hand and left Mat. 20.13 The Mother of Zebedee's Children when she asked Christ that her Sons might sit one at his right hand and the other at his left Christ doth not deny the thing that there were degrees of Glory but it was to be given them for whom it was prepared of his Father The next thing observable in the Parable is the going out of their Lamps Our Lamps are going or gone out what is the meaning of that sometimes the Phrase is used in Scripture for the failing and ceasing of the wickeds happiness or the Splendour and Glory wherein they lived in the World as Job 19.6 The light shall be dark in his Tabernakle and his lamp shall be put out with him and Job 21.17 How often is the Candle of the wicked put out But here it must be interpreted with respect to the scope of this Parable and so by the Lamps two things are intended 1. The glorious Profession that they make of Religion 2. The Hope and Comfort that is built thereupon Doct. 3. Their Lamps will go out who have not a stock of Grace to feed and maintain them Let us explain this First What is this going out of their Lamps Secondly When is this verified 1. What is this going out of their Lamps 1. It may note an extinction of their Profession and so Profession where it hath not a bottom of Grace will fail Pro. 26.26 His wickedness shall be shewed before all the Congregation God loveth to uncase Hypocrites in the course of his Providence one occasion or other falleth out to make them stumble and break the neck of all their respects to the wayes of God John 15.6 If a man abide not in me he is cast forth as a branch that is withered Christ dryeth up their Gifts and seeming Graces their Duties they are given up headlong to their own Apostate courses 2. It may be meant of the extinction of their vain Hopes and foolish Confidence and false Peace which is grounded upon their outward Profession and formal Practice of external Duties thus we read that the hope of the wicked shall be as the spiders web Job 8.14 curiously woven but gone with the turn of the Besome so Job 11.20 The hope of the wicked shall be as the giving up of the Ghost No more hope of them than of a mans Life that is giving up the Ghost or with pains and gripes which is not only to be meant of the hope or the continuance of their prosperous Condition in the World but of heavenly happiness there is a groundless expectation of that the Apostles expression intimateth it Rom. 5.5 And hope that maketh not ashamed The Hope of Temporaries will at length deceive them in their greatest need and leave them ashamed As Absaloms Mule left his Master hanging on an Oak so will their Hopes fail them and their pretences vanish 2. When is this verified and upon what occasions First Sometimes in Life They took Offence at Christ his Doctrine or something that did accompany it John 6.66 At that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him some one prejudice or other took them off Secondly Sometimes at Death If their Profession and Hope thereupon tarry so long Job 27.8 What Hope hath the Hypocrite when God cometh to take away his Soul A man may live by a form but he cannot die by a form with Comfort men are more serious in the confines of Eternity when present Enjoyments cease and we have nothing left to Comfort us but the expectation of the World to come then we shall repent that we have been no more provident for Eternity if God would spare them a little longer they would get Oyl then when they come to dye Oh that they could live over their Life again men that have neglected their time of present profiting then see their folly then how serious anxious and solicitous are they Thirdly 'T is possible men may go down with a careless Profession and a blind Confidence to the Grave but in Gods Judgment it will not hold out For the day of Revelation and Manifestation is hereafter and every one is not in a safe Condition that dyeth in Peace or without actual horrour and trouble Usually indeed 1 Cor. 15.56 The Sting of Death is sin But 't is possible Hypocrites may dye with stupid and benummed Consciences and therefore Christ maketh their vain Conceits to be blown away in the day of accounts Matth. 7.22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord That is 'till the day of Doom may think their Plea sufficient Reasons why this Profession is apt to fail for there is a distinct consideration of these things 1. Because they have a Principle of Apostasie in their Hearts still The Love of some Created thing is Predominant as it is in all Temporaries either Honour Riches or Pleasure which when it cometh to be touched or intrenched upon Religion must give way Christs first Lesson is Self-denyal 'Till there be an universal Soveraignty of Grace over all our desires and inclinations so as they shall all give way to the Love of God something is left that will tempt us to leave our Profession of Godliness though unwillingly as the young man went away sad Mark 10.22 And that which is lame is soon turned out of the way Heb. 12. and therefore we can have no satisfaction and security while any one Lust remaineth unmortified if you are not fallen you are falling 2. Because they do not improve what they have received The great want of Temporaries is the want of a constant serious lively diligence now when men have made a good
out that is exactly knowing not only of Laws but of all Persons and Causes That all things shall be naked and open to him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.12 13. and 1 Joh. 3.20 Again exceeding Just without the least spot and blemish of wrong Dealing Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right And Rom. 3.5 6. Is God unrighteous that taketh Vengeance God forbid For then how shall God judge the World It cannot be that the universal and final Judgment of all the World should be committed to him that hath or can do any thing wrongful and amiss And then that Power is necessary both to summon Offenders and make them appear and stand to the Judgment which he shall award without any hope of escaping or resisting will as easily appear Because the Offenders are many and they would fain hide their guilty Heads and shun this Tribunal if it were possible Rev. 6.16 Say to the Mountains and Rocks fall on us and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth upon the Throne and from the Wrath of the Lamb But that must not cannot be Psal. 90.11 Who knoweth the Power of thine Anger According to thy Fear so is thy Wrath. Authority is necessary also or a Right to Govern and to dispose of the Persons judged into their Everlasting Estate which being all the World belongeth only to the Universal King who hath made all things and preserveth all things and governeth and disposeth all things for his own Glory Legislation and Execution both belong to the same Power Judgment is a part of Government Laws are but Shadows if no Execution follow Now let us particularly see how all this belongeth to Christ. 1. For Wisdom and Vnderstanding 'T is in Christ two-fold Divine and Humane for each Nature hath its particular and proper Wisdom belonging to it As God 't is Infinite Psal. 147.15 His Vnderstanding is Infinite And so by one Infinite View or by one Act of Understanding he knoweth all things that are have been or shall be yea or may be by his Divine Power and All-sufficiency They are all before his Eyes as if naked and cut down by the Chine-bone We know things successively as a Man readeth a Book line after line and Page after Page but God at one View Now his Humane Wisdom cannot be equal to this A Finite Nature cannot be capable of an Infinite Understanding but yet it is such as it doth far exceed the Knowledge of all Men and all Angels When Christ was upon Earth though the Forms of things could not but successively come into his Mind or Understanding because of the limited Nature of that Mind and Understanding yet then he could know whatever he would and to whatsoever thing he would apply his Mind he did presently understand it and in a moment by the Light of the Divinity all things were presented to him so that he accurately knew the Nature of whatever he had a mind to know And therefore then he was not ignorant of those things that were in the Hearts of Men and were done so secretly as they were thought only to be known to God himself Thus he knew the secret Touch of the Woman when the Multitude thronged upon him Luk. 8.45 46. So Matth. 9.3 4. When certain of the Scribes said within themselves This Man blasphemeth Jesus knowing their Thoughts said Why think ye evil in your Hearts He discerneth the inward Thoughts and turneth out the Inside of the Scribes minds So Matth. 12.24 25. Jesus knew their Thoughts when they imagined that by Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils he cast out Devils But most fully see Joh. 2.24 25. He committed not himself to them because he knew all Men and needed not that any should testifie of Man for he knew what was in Man It may be they knew not themselves but he knew what kind of Belief it was such as would not hold out in time of Temptation We cannot infallibly discern Professors before they discover themselves Yet all Hypocrites are seen and known of him even long before they shew their Hypocrisie not by a conjectural but a certain Knowledge as being from and by himself as God He doth infallibly know what is most secret and hidden in Man Now if he were endowed with such an admirable Understanding even in the Dayes of his Flesh while he grew in Wisdom and Stature Luk. 2. and his Humane Capacity enlarged by Degrees what shall we think of him in that State in which he is now Glorious in Heaven Therefore to exercise this Judgment he shall bring incomparable Knowledge so far exceeding the manner and measure of all Creatures even as he is Man but his Infinite Knowledge as God shall chiefly shine forth in this Work Therefore he is a fit Judge able to bring forth the secret things of Darkness and Counsels of the Heart into open and manifest Light 1 Cor. 4.5 and disprove Sinners in their Pretences and Excuses and pluck off their Disguises from them 2. For Justice and Righteousness An incorrupt Judge that neither doth nor can erre in Judgment must be our Judge As there is a double Knowledge in Christ so there is a double Righteousness one that belongeth to him as God the other as Man and both are exact and immutably perfect His Divine Nature is Holiness its self In him is Light and no Darkness at all The least Shadow of Injustice cannot be imagined there All Vertues in God are his Being not superadded Qualities God's Holiness may be resembled to a Vessel of pure Gold where the Substance and Lustre is the same But ours is like a Vessel of Wood or Earth gilded where the Substance and Gilding is not the same Our Holiness is superadded Quality We cannot call a wise Man Wisdom or a righteous Man Righteousness We use the Concrete of Man but the Abstract of God He is Love He is Light He is Holiness its self which noteth the Inseparability of the Attribute from God 'T is Himself God cannot deny Himself His Act is his Rule Take Peter Martyr's Similitude A Carpenter chopping a piece of Wood by a Line or Square may sometimes chop right and sometimes wrong he cannot carry his Hand so evenly But if we could suppose that a Carpenter's Hand were his Rule he could not chop amiss Christ's Humane Nature was so sanctified that upon Earth he could not sin much more now Glorified in Heaven And there will be use of both Righteousnesses in the last Judgment but chiefly of the Righteousness that belongeth to the Divine Nature For all the Operations of Christ are Theandrical neither Nature ceaseth to work in them As in all the Works of Men the Body and the Soul do both conspire and concur in that way which is proper to either Only as in the Works of his Humiliation his Humane Nature did more appear so in the Works that belong to his Exaltation and glorified Estate his Divine Nature appeareth
only we do not come to this Happiness by our own Earning and Purchase but as Heirs of Christ. Adam's Tenure was that of a Servant the Blessings he expected from God were meer Wages We hold Promises in another manner Our Title is by Adoption which we have immediately upon closing with Christ Joh. 1.12 by vertue of our Sonship Rom. 8.17 Not by Merit but free Gift Rom. 6.23 2. A full Tenure As Children under Age differ but little from a Servant but we come then as Heirs to our full Right A Child though he be an Heir and owner of all his Father's Inheritance in hope yet as long as he is a Minor or under Age he differeth little or nothing from a Servant in point of Subjection and as to free Government and Enjoyment of his Rights and Goods But now to this Inheritance we come as meet Heirs They distinguish of Jus Hereditarium and Jus Aptitudinale an Hereditary Right and an Aptitudinal Right Now when we have believed suffered and been exercised enough we shall receive our full Inheritance being made meet for it Col. 1.12 3. A sure Title It was given us by the Father and purchased by the Son and we hold it by this Teâ—ure for ever God the Father gave it Luk. 12.32 Fear not little Flock 't is your Father's Pleasure to give you a Kingdom And Christ hath purchased it Heb. 9.15 It is left us as a Legacy by him Joh. 17.24 And he liveth for ever to be the Executor of his own Testament Heb. 7.25 So that now we are past all Danger when once admitted into Possession III. Here is the Description of that Happy Estate we are invited unto Where observe First The Notion by which 't is expressed 't is a Kingdom What can be thought of more Magnificent and Glorious than a Kingdom 'T is called a Kingdom 1. Partly with respect to Christ who is our Head and Chief in whose Glory we shall all participate and share in our Places and Capacities Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we shall Reign with him as Kings For he hath made us a Royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 And Revel 1.6 He hath washed us in his own Blood and made us Kings and Priests unto God And Revel 5.10 And hath made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign with him 'T is begun on Earth spiritually but 't is perfected in Heaven gloriously where the Saints shall be as so many Crowned Kings 2. And partly with respect to the very thing it self Our Blessed Estate shall be an Estate of the highest Dignity and Dominion of the fullest Joy and Content that Heart can wish for We have no higher Notions whereby to express a Blessed and happy Estate And therefore our Eternal Glory whereof we are Partakers is thus set forth especially to counter-ballance our mean and low Estate in the World Jam. 2.5 God hath chosen the Poor of the World to be rich in Faith and Heirs of a Kingdom The Saints shall have Dominion in the Morning Psal. 43.14 They shall sit with Christ as Kings upon the Throne to execute the Judgment written Oh! How should this warm our Hearts with the Thoughts of these things 3. Partly with respect to our Loss by the Fall In the Creation God put Man in Dominion but by subjecting our selves to the Creature who was made to be under our Feet we lost our Kingdom and are become Slaves under the power of Brutish Lusts and till our Blessed Estate we never fully recover it again but then we are absolutely free and at liberty to love and serve God Well then 't is no mean thing Christ inviteth us unto but unto a Kingdom which we shall all joyntly and severally possess There are two quarrellous Pronouns Meum and Tuum Mine and Thine which are the occasion of all the Strifes in the World These shall be excluded out of Heaven as the common Barrettors and Make-bates There is no Envy no Uncharitableness There one cannot say to another This Part of this Glorious Kingdom is mine That is yours For every Heir of this Kingdom shall be as much an Heir as if he were sole Heir Here we streighten others as much as we are enlarged our selves But there each one hath his full Proportion in that Blessed Estate each hath the whole and the rest never the less As the same Speech may be heard entirely by me and all as the Light of the Sun serveth all the World Another hath not the less because I enjoy the whole of it Secondly The Adjunct of this Kingdom is That it was prepared for us The word signifieth made ready God made ready this State of Happiness long e're we were ready for the Possession of it Eternal Love laid the Foundation of it Merit of infinite Value carried on the Building and powerful and effectual Grace still pursueth the Work in our Hearts For we must be prepared for the Kingdom as well as this Kingdom prepared for us So that in short this Kingdom was prepared for us 1. By the Father's Love 'T was his own Love and most free Goodness that inwardly moved him to do all this for us Luk. 12.32 'T is your Father's good Pleasure 2. By the Son's Merit and Mediation who died that we should live together with him 1 Thess. 5.10 3. By the Sanctification of the Spirit by which we are fitted for this Estate 2 Cor. 5.5 1. The Father's Love The Preparation is abscribed unto God 1 Cor. 2.9 The things which God hath prepared for them that love him And Heb. 11.16 For God hath prepared for them a City Particularly by God the Father So Matth. 20.23 It is not mine to give but to them for whom it was prepared of my Father The Father's Act may be thus conceived God loved us so much as he decreed to give Christ for us that by his precious Blood he might purchase and acquire for us a Blessedness in Heaven and in the Fulness of Time accordingly sent him into the World for that end and bound himself by Eternal Paction and Covenant that all that believe in his Name should have this Kingdom This was the Preparation of his Decree 2. Jesus Christ by way of Execution of this Decree maketh a further Preparation when by his Death he purchased it and by his Ascension went to seize upon it in our Name Joh. 14.2 I go to prepare a Place for you As Christ by his Death did purchase a Right and Title to Heaven so by his Ascension he prosecuteth and applieth that Right He is gone as our Harbinger to take up Rooms for us As the High-Priest entred into the most Holy Place with the Names of the Children of Israel upon his Breast and Shoulders and with the Blood of the Sacrifices So he hath entred Heaven with our Names to present the Merit of his Blood continually and to pour out the Spirit to fit us for Glory This is his Errand and
of this Affection to set the Mind a-work and to preoccupy and forestall the Contentments we expect before they come by serious Contemplations and feasts the Soul with Images and Suppositions of things to come as if they were already present So should we demean our selves as if the Judgment were set and the Judge upon his white Throne and we heard him Blessing and Cursing Absolving and Condemning The Heart will be where the Treasure is Math. 6.18 As if we saw Christ with his faithful ones about him If a Beggar were adopted to the Succession of a Crown he would please himself in thinking of the Happiness Honour and Pleasure of the Kingly Estate If you did hope to be Coheirs with Christ or to inherit the Kingdom prepared for you you would think of it more than you doe Our musings discover the temper of our Hearts A carnal Heart is alwayes thinking of building Barns advancing the Family higher our worldly Increase Luke 12.18 I will pull down my Barns and build bigger and bestow my fruits And those in James ch 4.13 To morrow we will go to such a City and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain 'T is usual with men to feed themselves with the pleasure of their Hope As young Heirs spend upon their Estate before they possess it 2. By hearty Groans Sighs and Longings Rom. 8.23 We groan in our selves They have had a taste of the Clusters of Canaan in private Justification They can never be soon enough with Christ when shall it once be They are still looking out and the nearer to enjoyment the more impatient of the want The earnest expectation of the Creature Rom. 8.19 Stretching out the head to see if they can spy a thing a great way off As Judg. 5. She looked through the Lettice Why is his Chariot so long a coming They would have a fuller draught of Consolation more access to him and Communion with him 3. By lively Tastes and Feelings 'T is called a Lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 not a living hope only but lively because it quickens the Heart and filleth it with a solid Joy Rom. 5.2 1 Pet. 1.8 Where we have such a fruition the very looking and longing giveth us a taste 3. This hope should put us upon serious diligence and earnest pursuit after this blessedness 1 Pet. 1.13 Partly as it purgeth the heart from Lusts 1 Joh. 3.3 He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as Christ is pure These are the Months of our Purification wherein we are made meet to be partakers of the Saints in light we are a preparing for Heaven as that is prepared for us and 't is a lively expectation which produceth this That puts us upon Mortification and diligence in cleansing the Soul that we may be counted worthy to stand before the Son of God Partly as it withdraweth our hearts from present things and minding earthly things But our Conversation is in Heaven Phil. 3.18 19 20 21. A man that is alwayes looking and longing for the world to come the present world is nullified to him and he hath a mean esteem of all secular Interests and contentments in comparison of those other which his Soul looketh after As a man looking upon the Sun cannot see an object less glorious on the contrary our overprizing secular Contentments necessarily breedeth an undervaluing of matters heavenly and those that have so great a relish for the world and the delights of the flesh they know not what Eternal life meaneth The Israelites longed for the flesh-pots of Aegypt before they tasted the clusters of Canaan by Faith Moses refused the Honours and Pleasures of Pharaoh's Court We cannot value real Happiness 'till we are brought to contemn earthly Happiness Partly as it urgeth to care and diligence and constancy in Obedience This is the Spring that sets all the wheels a going Phil. 3.13 I press towards the mark because of the high prize of our calling What is the reason Christians are so earnest and serious there is an excellent Glory set before them the Race is not for trifles we want vigour and find such a tediousness in the Lords work because we do not think of the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for us 2 Cor. 8.8 9. 1 Cor. 15.53 We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord Wherefore we labour that whether we are present or absent we may be accepted of him If it be tedious to us to be at work for God this tediousness will not consist with the chearful remembrace of that great Blessedness which he hath prepared for us How eminent should we be in the labours of Holiness to whom this Estate was so peculiarly designed Partly in Self-denyal men venture all in this vessel of Hope Self-denyal is seen in refusing and resisting temptations of honour and profit sin maketh many Promises and so prevaileth by a carnal Hope Balaam was enticed by proffers of riches to Curse Gods People Babylons Fornications are presented in a Golden Cup now Faith and Hope sets Promise against Promise Heaven against Earth the Pleasures at Gods right hand against carnal delights as the Kingdoms of the world are nothing to this glorious Kingdom Partly in Charity laying up treasure in Heaven Luk. 12.33 Being rich in good works 1 Tim. 6.18 I call this Self-denyal because 't is a loss for the present Eccl. 2. So in hazarding Interests Christians Blessings are future their Crosses are present Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.12 Thus you see there are some who are carryed on by the hopes of Heaven to make serious preparation others are wholly wedded and addicted to present things The World morally and spiritually considered is divided into two ranks the one of the Devil the other of God Some seek their rest and happiness on earth others eternal Felicity in Heaven by nature all are of this earthly Society in the Kingdom of darkness and strangers to the Common-wealth and City of God but when Grace hath wrought in them the belief of this coming of Christ and the hope of this blessed Estate is rooted in us we are alwayes purging out of fleshly lusts and weaning our hearts from the world exercising our selves to Godliness and denying our worldly Interests 4. This Hope must moderate our Fears Sorrows and Cares so as no temporal thing should unreasonably affect us Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock The Fear is allayed the World cannot take away any thing from us so good as Christ will give unto us if our earthly Estate be sequestred or any way taken from us we have a better Estate in Heaven Heb. 10.34 If we be reproached and disgraced in this world yet we shall be Kings and Priests and for ever be honoured in Heaven if banished and driven from place to place so that we can find no rest nor safety but are wearied out with our removals let us consider we have a place of eternal abode in Heaven
of God remaineth Heaven that I am shut out of is a Blessing which others enjoy Lazarus is in Abraham's Bosom 2. The Sight of Christ. They had a Glimpse before they went into Hell of the Glory of his Presence 2 Thess. 1.9 They shall punished with Everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord. That short Experience of Christ's Appearing will remain in their Minds to all Eternity 't will stick by them how they are thrust out Christ himself that hath the Keyes of Death and Hell shall bid them go as if he had said I cannot endure your Presence any longer 3. From the Company of the Blessed Luk. 13.28 Ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and your selves shut out Envy is a part of their Torment as well as their Loss Luk. 16.27 And in Hâ—ll he lift up his Eyes being in Torments and saw Abraham asâ—r off and Lazarus in Abraham's Bosom 'T is a Torment to think that others of the same Nature and Interest do enjoy what they have forfeited 4. Their Abode in those Happy Mansions which are in Christ's Father's House Rev. 22.14 15. Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City For without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Wâ—â—remongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a Lie II. This Loss is the more bitter and grievous because 't is a Loss of their own procuring Forsaking of God was their Sin and now their Misery They first Excommunicated God for a Trifle Job 22.7 Depart from us we desire not the Knowledge of God Man is like the Devil Art thou come to torment us before our time Rom. 1.28 They did not like to retain God in their Knowledge therefore God gave them over to a Reprobate Mind They abhorred the Thoughts of God 't was their Burthen The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Now they are filled with their own Thoughts Man was first a Fugitive before he was an Exile III. The Loss is irreparable Despair is a constant Ingredient to their Sorrow They cannot hope ever to be admitted into Goa's Presence any more There are many Ups and Downs in a Christian's Experience God hideth his Face that he may shew it afterwards the more gloriously This is a Curse that shall never be reversed 'T was the Churches Prayer Return again and cause the Light of thy Countenance to shine on us and we shall be saved Psal. 80.19 like the Sun-shine after a cloudy Night But here are Foggs of Darkness for evermore The Sun is to shine no more on them to all Eternity 2 Pet. 2.17 To whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever Hell is a Region upon which the Sun shall never shine 1. VSE Lay to Heart your Distance from God by Nature Let us not draw this great Judgment upon our selves Our Sin will be our Torment We are estranged from the Womb Isa. 58.3 As a Stream runneth away from the Fountain further and further so are we absent from God both in Heart and Affections as well as in State Ephes. 2.13 Ye were afar off As the Prodigal went into a far Country Thoughts of God are not only Strangers but unwelcom Guests The Devils believe and tremble So we Guilt will not suffer us to look God in the Face Psal. 10.4 2. Be not quiet 'till you come out of this Estate by Christ He is the Bridge between Earth and Heaven Joh. 14.6 There can be no Familiarity between us and God but through him Luk. 16.26 Christ is the Ladder by which we ascend the Means of Intercourse between God and us When Man was driven out of Paradise the Tree of Life was guarded by a Flaming Sword There is no Coming to God but by him And he is able to save to the utmost Heb. 7.25 3. Avoyd Sin that separateth between God and you Isa. 59.1 2. How will you pray when you cannot look God in the Face Fear followeth Guilt The Israelites when they had sinned worshipped at their Tent-Door You cannot come to God with such Confidence 4. Let us often delight in Communion with God and Acquaintance with him 'T is Heaven begun Heaven is for Gods Familiars Strangers here will not be owned and hereafter Mat. 7.23 Christ will say unto them I know you not But Christ will take notice of his old Friends Oh then love his presence make him of your Councel your Bosome-Friend 5. Live in an holy Sensibleness of his Accesses and Recesses For his Accesses that you may be thankful for his Recesses to be humble 'T is a Question which is worst not to take notice of his Accesses or Recesses not to mourn for his Absence or rejoyce in his Presence both are bad Not to mourn for his Absence is the worst sin because Absence is most sensible In the present Life when our enjoyment of him is lost 't is a temporary Hell yet 't is foul Ingratitude not to take notice of his Presence when he counselleth you in Doubts guideth you in Straits God will have his Acts of Familiarity to be observed 't is his Complaint Hosea 11.3 I taught Ephraim also to goe taking them by their Arms but they knew not that I healed them The one argueth little Feeling the other little Gratitude only want of feeling is the worser Sign for that is a sign of Deadness When God suspends all Acts of Familiarity some are stupid and insensible so they can take up with the comforts of the Creature they never mind Spiritual Visits Miâ—ha mourned for his Gods Love is discovered by Grief in Want as well as Delight in Enjoyment The main of Christianity lyeth in observing how 't is between us and God When actual Influences are suspended either of Grace or Comfort when Prayer finds not such an Answer and when we do not find such Excitation to holy Duties and God hideth himself from our Prayers We have handled the Loss Now we come Secondly To speak of the Pain There are sad Gripes at the parting of the Soul and Body what then will there be at the parting of the Soul and Christ when the terrour of Christs face shall banish them out of his Presence Secondly The Poena Sensus Here I shall take notice of 1. The Nature of the Torment Fire 2. The Aggravation from the Duration Everlasting 3. The Company and Society Prepared for the Devil and his Angels First The Nature of the Torment Fire By Fire is not meant material or ordinary Fire that cannot hurt Spirits Now this is such a Fire as is prepared for the Devil and his Angels All the other Expressions are Metaphorical the Wood the Brimtone the Lake the Smoak the Worm the Chains and why not this But observe though it be not Fire yet it noteth real and horrible Torments such aâ— are more painful than Fire 'T is called Wrath to come
out and when the Act is over our Thoughts and Discourse and Actions should still savour of the Solemnity Certainly it is an Argument of much weakness to be all for Flashes and sudden Starts If we would refresh our selves with Change it should be with change of Exercise and not of Affection If it seem irksome consider it is more easy to persevere in an Heavenly Frame than to begin again and when the Heart is warm we should take heed we don't lose the present Advantage A Bell is kept up with less difficulty than raised and when an Horse is warm in his Geers he continues his Journey with more ease than if he should stand still a while and grow stiff If we yield to weariness how shall we hope to raise the Heart again and to get it to this Advantage Corruption doth but cheat thee if thou thinkest to get a fresh start by intermission As I said before there is refreshment in Change of Exercise and when one Teat is drawn dry we may as the Lamb suck another that will yield new supply and sweetness And lift up his Eyes to Heaven The Scripture taketh notice of the Gesture Christ's Gestures are notable because real significations of the Motions of his Heart In the Garden when he began his Passion he fell on his Face and prayed Mat. 26.39 but here he lifted up his Eyes When he travelled under the greatness of our Sins his posture is humble but now when he is treating with God for our Mercies he useth a Gesture that implieth a more elevated and generous Confidence Gestures being Actions suited to the Affections are significant and imply the Dispositions of the Heart Let us see what may be collected out of this Gesture lifting the Eyes to Heaven 1. The raising of the Heart to God in Prayer Prayer is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ascension or Elevation of the Heart to God the Motion of the Body suiting with that of the Soul so David expresseth it Psal. 25.1 I lift my Heart to thee When you pray know what is your Work If you would converse with God you need not change Place but raise the Affection God boweth the Heavens and you lift up the Heart it is not the lifting up the Voice but of the Spirit the lifting up of the Voice or of the Eye are good as outward significations but the chief Work is to lift up the Heart the Understanding in raised Thoughts of God the Affections by strong Operations of Desire and Love Usually our Hearts are heavy and sink as Lead within us it is a Work of Difficulty to raise them We must pull up the Weights 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continuing in Prayer Acts 1.14 As Moses his Hands easily fell and sunk so do our Hearts Exod. 17. There are Plummets and Weights of Sin hang upon us which must be cut off if we intend to get up the Heart in Prayer 2. Spiritual Reverence of God The Heavens are his Throne and Dwelling-place Psal. 103.19 There his Majesty and Power shineth forth there we behold his Majesty in that sublime and stately Fabrick Earthly Kings that their Majesty may appear the greater to their Subjects have their Thrones exalted and made of precious Matter with cunning and curious Artifice But what are these to that sublime and admirable Fabrick of the Heavens The very sight of the Heavens shew how excellent God is So that looking up to Heaven noteth the raising the Heart in the reverent consideration of God's Majesty and Excellency We may come with Hope we speak to our Father but we must speak with Reverence we speak to our Father in Heaven When we lift up our Eyes and look upon that stately Fabrick the Awe of God should fall upon us We are poor Worms crawling at God's Foot-stool by looking up to Heaven we do most seriously set God before us So when Solomon speaketh against the slightness of our Addresses to God he propoundeth this Remedy Eccles. 5.2 Be not rash with thy Mouth and let not thine Heart be hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in Heaven and thou upon Earth There is a distance there God appeareth in his Royalty We tremble to come before the Thrones of Earthly Princes they are but thy Fellow Clay How far do the Stars of Heaven excel their richest Jewels What is all their State to the pure Matter of the Heavens to that blaze of Light wherewith he is cloathed Psal. 104.2 Who coverest thy self with Light as with a Garment who stretchest out the Heavens like a Curtain What are the Coaches of Princes to the Chariots of the Clouds and Wings of the Wind and that Majesty and State that God keepeth in the Heavens 3. It noteth Confidence in God or a disclaiming of all sublunary Confidence The Godly in all their Prayers and Cries look up unto the Heavens to note their Confidence in God and not in fleshly Aids as Psal. 127.1 I will lift up mine Eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my Help meaning his Relief and Deliverance should come from God alone A Christian looketh round about him and seeth no ground of help but in the tops of the Hills So Psal. 123.1 Vnto thee I lift up mine Eyes O thou that dwellest in the Heavens The Thrones of Princes are Places slippery and unsafe but our Supports are out of Gun-shot Lam. 3.41 Let us lift up our Heart with our Hands unto God in the Heavens We must not rest upon any thing in the World He that made the Heavens can accomplish our Desires The constant Course of the Heavens noteth God's Faithfulness A Man may foresee some natural Events some hundred Years before The glorious Fabrick of the Heavens is a Monument of his Power 4. To shew that their Hearts are taken off from the World and from Carnal Desires Christ's Eyes were to Heaven there his Father was and Christians lift up their Eyes to Heaven because they mainly seek those things that are Above where God's Throne is and where Christ is now sitting at his right Hand Col. 3.1 It is for Beasts to grovel and look downward Our Home is Above in those upper Regions there is our Christ our pure and sweet Companions Their Heart cannot be severed from their Head When we expect one we turn our Eyes that way as the Wife looks towards the Seas when she expects her Husband's return It doth them good to look towards these visible Heavens remembring that one day they shall have a Place of Rest there God hath fixed his Throne and Christ hath removed his Body out of the World that we may look upward These things from the Gesture And said The word noteth a vocal expression of the Prayer Moses cried Exod. 14.15 which noteth an inward fervency There are no words mentioned but Christ said that is with an audible Voice I shall from this word inquire First Why he prayed Secondly Why he pronounced his Prayers in the hearing of the Apostles
this Prayer You may observe hence That it is of advantage to use vocal Prayer not only in Publick when we may quicken others as one Bird setting all the rest a chirping and we profess we are not ashamed of God or his Worship but in private also God made Body and Soul and will be served by both Words are as giving vent to or as the broaching of a full Vessel Strong Affections cannot be confined to Thoughts Psal. 39.2 3. My Heart was hot within me while I was musing the Fire burned then spake I with my Tongue Musing makes the Fire to burn There is a continual Prayer by Ejaculations and Thoughts but words become solemn and stated times of Duty Words are a boundary to the Mind and fix it more than Thoughts which are usually light and skipping The Mind may wander but words are as a Trumpet to summon them again into the presence of God Our roving Madness will be sooner discerned in Words than in Thoughts When a Word is lost or misplaced we are more ashamed and by Words a dull sluggish Heart is sometimes quickned and awakned It is good to use this Help Now I come to the Prayer it self Father It is a Word of Confidence and sweet Relation in which there is much of Argument in that Christ as God's only Son speaketh to his own Father Father glorify thy Son A Father is wont to be delighted with the Glory and Honour of a Son as the Mother of Zebedee's Children sought their Preferment Matth. 20.20 It is good to observe that Christ doth not say our Father as involving our Interest with his because it is of a distinct Kind Christ would observe the distinction between us and himself he is a Son that is equal with the Father eternal with his Father but we are adopted Sons made so When he speaketh to his Disciples he saith not our Heavenly Father but your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things Mat. 6.32 And John 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God clearly distinguishing his own Interest from ours And mark Christ useth the Argument of Son and Father to shew that he was not therefore glorified because a Son but therefore a Son because glorified We may note hence 1. That it is very sweet and comfortable in Prayer when we can come and call God Father It is a Word of Affection Reverence and Confidence in all which the excellency of Prayer consisteth So Christ in all his Addresses Father if it be possible let this Cup pass from me Mat. 26.39 So also all his Prayers are bottom'd on this Relation Vers. 5. And now O Father glorify thou me with thine own self Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth c. He hath taught us the same to pray Our Father which art in Heaven Mat. 6.9 The great Work of the Spirit is to help us to speak thus to God not with Lips that feign but from our Hearts Rom. 8.15 Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father We confine the Spirit 's Assistance to earnest Tendencies and vigorous Motions the main Work is to help us to cry Father with a proper and genuine Confidence Now all cannot do thus a wicked Man cannot say safely to God my Father Whosoever claims Kindred of God while he is unjust and filthy it is not a Prayer but a Contumely and Slander He that sanctifieth and those that are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2.11 Christ counteth none to be of his Kindred but the Regenerate Pagans are Strangers and Carnal Men in the Church are Bastards they had need study Holiness that would claim Kindred of Christ. Consider then What Claim and Interest have you in God It is sad if we can only come as Creatures cry as Ravens for Food out of a general Title to his Providence or to cry Father and lie to take his Name in vain It is sweeter to speak to God as a Son then as a Creature Lord Lord is not half so sweet as Our Father This is a sweet invitation to Prayer Mat. 7.9 What Man of you who if his Son ask Bread will he give him a Stone Vers. 11. If ye then that are Evil know how to give good Gifts to your Children how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask him It is a Consolation in Prayer Gal. 4.6 Because ye are Sons he hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father It is a ground of Hope and Expectation after Prayer Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption to call God Father 2. Christ was about to suffer bitter things from the Hand of God and yet he calleth him Father In Afflictions we must still look upon God as a Father and behave our selves as Children Christ felt him a Judg yet counts him a Father God as a Judg was now about to lay on him the Sufferings of all the Elect yet Christ calls him Father to declare his Obedience and Trust. The Hour was come in which the whole weight of God's Displeasure was to be laid upon him yet in this Relative Term he acknowledgeth his Father's Love and manifesteth his own Obedience We should do so in all our Afflictions 1. Maintain the Comfort of Adoption 2. Behave our selves as Children 1. Maintain the Comfort of Adoption It is the folly of the Children of God to question his Love because of the greatness of their Afflictions as if their Interest did change with their Condition and God were not the God of the Vallies as well as the God of the Hills We have more cause to discern Love than to question it Bastards are left to a looser Discipline Heb. 12.8 If ye are without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons To be exempted from the Cross is to be put out of the Roll of Children The Bramble of the Wilderness is suffered to grow wild but the Vine is pruned The Stones that are designed for a noble Structure or Building are hewed and squared when others lie by neglected 2. Behave our selves as Children with Patience and Hope 1. With a submissive Patience Father is a word that implieth Authority and Love and Care all which are Arguments of Patience Fathers have a natural Right to Rule we must take it quietly and patiently at their Hands Isaac yielded to his Father when he went to be sacrificed It is said Gen. 22.8 they both went together which noteth his quiet submission But Fatherly Acts are not only managed with Authority but with Love and Care Slaves may be corrected out of Cruelty and Hatred by their Masters but Fathers do not deal so with Children Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our Flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Shall we not much rather
highly exalted him and given him a Name above every Name That at the Name of Jesus every Knee should bow of things in Heaven and things in Earth and things under the Earth And that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father His Inauguration into the Throne and Authority over all Things The preaching of the Gospel in his Name together with the success of it Isa. 55.4 5. Behold I have given him for a Witness to the People a Leader and Commander to the People Behold thou shalt call a Nation that thou knewest not and Nations that know not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the Holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee His Return at the Day of Judgment with Power and great Glory The Petition must be explained according to the Event of all the Glory that God put upon Christ after his Passion The meaning of the whole is Hitherto I have laid aside my Glory and now lay down my Life sustain me by thine Arm that I may overcome Death and raise me again with Triumph and Honour that I may go into Glory leading Captivity captive and receive the Principality that by the Resurrection publication of the Gospel and last Judgment the Glory of my Divinity may be known and acknowledged But how doth Christ pray Glorify me when he saith elsewhere John 8.5 I seek not my own Glory I Answer Christ speaketh there of himself in the Judgment of his Adversaries who thought him a meer Man and sheweth that he came not as an Impostor to seek himself God would well enough provide for his Glory and Esteem There he disclaimeth all particular privat Aims Affections and Attempts here he sueth out his Right according to his Father's Promise Observe hence 1. Christ saith The Hour is come and then Father glorify me The true Remedy of Tribulation is to look to the succeeding Glory and to counter-ballance future Dangers with present Hopes In this prayer Christ reviveth the Grounds of Confidence One is Father glorify me This was Comfort against the sad Hour and so it must be our course Not to look to things which are seen but to things that are not seen 2 Cor. 4.17 to defeat Sense by Faith When the Mind is in Heaven it is fortified against the Pains which the Body feeleth on Earth Strong Affections give us a kind Dedolency a Man will venture a knock that is in reach of a Crown 1 Tim. 4.8 It is the folly of Christians to let Fancy work altogether upon present Discouragements Faith should be fixed in the contemplation of future Hopes It is a sad Hour but there is Glory in the issue and close 2. Observe again First Christ had his Hour then he saith Glorify me Luke 24. 26. Ought not Christ to suffer and then to enter into his Glory Shame Sorrow and Death is the Road-way to Glory Joy and Life The Captain of our Salvation was thus made perfect Heb. 2.10 and all the Followers of the Lamb are brought in by that Method It is the folly of some that think to be in Heaven before they have done any thing for God's Glory upon Earth You would invert the Method and stated course of Heaven None is crowned except he strive lawfully 2 Tim. 2.5 6. and Vers. 11 12. It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer we shall also reign with him It hath the Seal of a constant Dispensation it is a faithful Saying All the Promises run To him that overcometh We must have Communion with Christ in all Estates Rom. 8.17 If so be that ye suffer with him that ye may be also glorified together It is a necessary Condition We are Heirs if so be that we suffer with him c. We are too delicate we would have our Path strewed with Roses and do not like this Discipline Abel signifies Mourning and Stephen a Crown they were the first Martyrs of either Testament If you want Afflictions you want one of the necessary way-marks to Heaven 3. Glorify me Christ seeketh not the empty things of this World but to be glorified with the Father We want some Spiritual Ambition and are too low and groveling in our Desires and Hopes If you be risen with Christ seek those things that are above where Christ sitteth at the right Hand of God Col. 3.1 It is no Treason to aspire to the Heavenly Kingdom Mat. 6.33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and to seek a place on Christ's own Throne Neither is it any culpable self-seeking to seek Self in God John 5.44 How can ye believe that receive Honour one of another and seek not the Honour that cometh from God alone Joh. 12.43 They loved the Praise of Men more than the Praise of God Here we may seek our own Honour and Glory without a Crime O behold the liberality and indulgence of Grace God hath set no stint to our Spiritual Desires we may seek not only Grace but Glory 4. Christ himself prayeth to be glorified it noteth the Truth of his Abasement He is the Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2.8 and had a natural and eternal Right he thought it no robbery to be equal with God and yet Christ himself is now upon his Knees If he had said Let them be glorified that had been much that he would open his Mouth to plead for Sinners But he saith Glorify me or glorify thy Son which is a strange Condescention that he that had the Key of David should now be knocking at the Father's Gate and receive his own Heaven by Gift and Intreaty He might take without robbery Glory as his due yet as our Mediator he is to ask When he took our Nature he brought himself under the Engagement of our Duty 5. Christ asketh what he knew would be given So John 8.50 I seek not my own Glory there is one that seeketh and judgeth The Father was zealous for the Son's Glory there was an Oracle from Heaven to assure him of it John 12.28 Father glorify thy Name Then came there a Voice from Heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorify it again meaning by strengthning him in the Work of Redemption And yet now again Glorify thy Son that he may glorify thee Obs. Providence doth not take away Prayers We are to ask though our Heavenly Father knoweth we have need of these things and we know God will give them to us John 16.26 27. At that day ye shall ask in my Name I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you for the Father himself loveth you The meaning is though there be need of my great Instance and I need not tell you I will make Intercession I pass by that now I only tell you of that free Access you have to God and his great Affection to you yet still you must
there Salvation in any other for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved it only excludeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those that are called Gods 1 Cor. 8.5 There is no God but one Many are called Gods but to us there is but one God the Father As also it is the scope of Christ he would lay down the Summary of Christian Doctrine the one Member being opposed to the vanity of the Gentiles the other to the blindness of the Jews 2. To note the Order and Oeconomy of Salvation in which the Father is represented as Supream in whom the Sovereign Majesty of the Deity resideth and the Son sustaineth the Office of Mediator and Servant Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater then I not in respect of Nature or essential Glory for therein they are both equal Phil. 2.6 Who being in the Form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God but in order of Redemption in which the Father is the principal Party representing the whole Deity because he is the Original and Fountain of it So 1 Cor. 8.6 But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him God the Father is to be conceived as the Supream Person or ultimate Object of Worship and the Son as Lord and Mediator And Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent That is Jesus Christ not as the Second Person in the Trinity but as Mediator Sent implieth 1. Christ's Divine Original he came forth from God he is Legatus à latere John 16.30 By this we know that thou camest forth from God He was a Person truly existing before he was sent into the World and a distinct Person from the Father for he that sendeth and he that is sent are distinguished 2. His Incarnation Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman 3. It implieth his whole Office of Mediator and Redeemer wherefore he is called the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Heb. 3.1 Apostle implieth one that was sent Christ was the chief Apostle and Messenger of Heaven the High Priest and Apostle The High Priesthood was the highest Calling in the Jewish Church and the Apostleship the highest Calling in the Christian Church to note that the whole Office of saving all the Church the Elect of all Ages is originally in Christ. He is the great Ambassador to treat with us from God and the High Priest to treat with God and appease his Wrath for us The Names of Christ also are of some use Such Scriptures are like Gold that may be beaten into thin Leaves In Summaries and Breviats every Mark and Letter is of use Jesus signifieth a Saviour at it is explained Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins This is a part of our Belief to acknowledg Christ a Saviour Then Christ signifieth anointed We shall draw out the sum of all in a few Points 1. Observe The Beginning Increase and Perfection of Eternal Life lieth in Knowledge 1. The Beginning of it is in Knowledg Knowledg is the first step to Eternal Life In Paradise Adam's two Symbols were the Tree of Knowledg and the Tree of Life As Light was the first Creature that God made so it is in the New Creation Col. 3.10 Put on the New Man who is renewed in Knowledg after the Image of him that created him By the inlightning of the Holy Ghost the Work of Grace is begun and the Seed of Glory is laid in the Heart The Holy Ghost representeth the Patern and then conformeth us to 〈◊〉 Regeneration is nothing but a transforming Light or such an Illumination as châ—â—ges the Heart 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of our God Ephes. 4.23 Be renewed in the Spirit of your Minds It maketh our Notions of God and Christ to be active and effectual The Force of the new Nature is first upon the Mind it taketh Sin out of the Throne God in the order of Grace followeth the Order which he hath established in Nature Reason and Judgment is to go before the Will 2. The Increase of it is by Knowledg 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The more thou growest in Knowledg the more thou growest in Life All the gradual Progress and Increase of the Spiritual Life is by the increase of Light 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace be multiplied unto you by the knowledg of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Heat doth increase by Light as a Room is warmer at high Noon than in a chill Morning I confess through corruption and literal airy Knowledg Men grow more carnal and careless as new Light quencheth old Heat but by the Light of the Spirit the Heart is more quickned and enlivened and as the Judgment is made solid so the Heart is more gracious 3. The Perfection of it is by Knowledg Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy Likeness The Heaven of Heavens is to satisfy the Understanding with the knowledg of God One great end of our going to Heaven is to better our Notions and Apprehensions While the Soul is Prisoner in the Body we have but low and dark Thoughts but there we are illuminated on a sudden One glympse of God in Glory will inform us more than the study of a thousand Years Vse 1. Is to shew us the sad estate 1. Of Men without knowledge Prov. 19.2 Also that the Soul be without Knowledg it is not good Fruit that hath but little Sun can never be ripe Men will say we are ignorant but we hope we have a good Heart You can as well be without the Sun in the World as without Knowledg and Light in the Heart In all the Communications of Grace God beginneth with the Understanding as strength to bear Afflictions Jer. 31.19 After I was instructed I smote on my Thigh and was ashamed yea even confounded because I did bear the reproach of my Youth James 1.5 If any of you lack Wisdom let him ask it of God It is the Perfection of the present Life and the Foundation of the next It is the Perfection of the present Life the excellency of a Man above the Beasts The more Knowledg the more a Man and the more Ignorant the more Brutish Psal. 49.20 Man that is in Honour and understandeth not is like the Beasts that perish Job 35.11 Who teacheth us more than the Beasts of the Earth and maketh us wiser than the Fowls of Heaven If a Man would glory in any thing it should be in the Knowledg of God Jer. 9.24 Let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me 2. Of
orasse est bene studuisse Every Minister findeth Prayer to be his best Comment So should you pray before and after reading the Scriptures as you do before and after you receive your bodily Food You do not know how Prayer will clear up the Eyes Psal. 119.18 Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law There is some excellency in the Letter of the Scriptures but this is nothing to what we see by the Spirit it will make a Man wonder at the Excellency Efficacy Consonancy of these Truths a Man seeth far more than ever he saw before The Spirit is needful both to open the Heart and to open the Scriptures Luke 24.32 Did not our Hearts burn when he opened to us the Scriptures compared with Vers. 45. Then opened he their Vnderstanding that they might understand the Scriptures To understand the Truth and to give us an active and certain Perswasion of it to open the Heart Acts 16.14 inclining it to Obedience giving in Light that works a ready Assent and firm Perswasion bringing forward the Heart with Power to Obedience In dark Places and difficult Cases when you have no certainty you should cry for Knowledg and lift up your Voice for Vnderstanding as the blind Man that cried to Jesus Lord that I might receive my sight Mark 10.52 4. Study the Creatures God is known out of his Word but his Works give us a sensible demonstration of him You have David's Night and Day-Meditation His Night-Meditation Psal. 8.3 When I consider thy Heavens the Work of thy Hands the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained not a word of the Sun the most noble Creature Psal. 19.5 he speaks of the going forth of the Sun like a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber and rejoicing as a strong Man to run a Race that is his Morning-Meditation When we walk out in the Night or Morning we may think of God view his stupendous Works The Heathens had no other Bible Consider that the huge weight of the Earth hangeth on nothing like a Ball in the Air. Job 26.7 He stretcheth out the North upon the empty Place and hangeth the Earth upon Nothing Consider the Beauty of the Heavens with their Ornaments the Bounding of the Sea the Artifice in the frame of the smallest Creatures the Excellent Ministries and Subordination of the Services of the Creatures one to another c. 5. Spiritualize every outward Advantage so as to raise your Hearts in the contemplation of God As when we observe the Wisdom of a Father or the Bowels of a Mother let us take occasion to exalt the Love and Care of God as from a Mother's Bowels Isa. 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking-Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb Yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee From the Wisdom of a Father Mat. 7.11 If ye then being Evil know how to give good Gifts unto your Children How much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him Tam Pater nemo tam pius nemo So the Centurion mentions his own Command and Government when he desires Christ to put forth his Power Mat. 8.8 9. Speak the Word only and my Servant shall be healed For I am a Man under Authority having Souldiers under me and I say to this Man Go and he goeth and to another Come and he cometh and to my Servant Do this and he doth it As if he should say All Sicknesses are at thy beck as well as these Souldiers at mine In your Carriage to your Children and theirs to you you may sublimate your Thoughts to consider of that Commerce between you and God So in the Work of your Callings a little is useful for bringing great Matters to pass think of Providence I press this because it will be a double Advantage it will keep the Heart Heavenly and you will serve Faith out of common Experiences and so it will help us in our Notions of God For if limited Creatures go thus far how much more excellent is God! 6. Purge your Heart more and more from Carnal Affections these are the Clouds of the Mind As in Fenny Countries the Air is seldom clear Blessed are the pure in Heart for they shall see God Mat. 5.8 We usually look upon God through the Glass of our own Humours Carnal Men fancy the Eternal Essence as one of their Society and misfigure God in their Thoughts 7. The last is In the progress of Knowledg or search of Truth beware of Novellism 2 Tim. 3.14 Continue then in the things thou hast learnt and been assured of knowing from whom thou hast learned them There is as great care to keep what we have as to gain more Knowledg The Devil taketh the advantage of our Changes when we renounce old Errors he bringeth Men to question Truth as in publick Changes when Men shake off the Ordinances of Men he stirreth up others to question the Ordinances of God And I have observed that some out of a pretence of growing in Knowledg put themselves upon a flat Scepticism and wary Reservation holding nothing certain for the present but waiting for new Light such as these the Apostle intendeth 2 Tim. 3.7 Ever learning and never coming to the knowledg of the Truth they make profession of being studious in Sacred Things but never come to any settlement and are loth to hold to any Principles lest they should shut the Door upon new Light New Light is become a dangerous Word especially now in the latter Times now we have a Promise that Knowledg shall be increased Dan. 12.4 Aims at Knowledg is the dangerous Snare of these Times as the Gnosticks pretended to more Knowledg This is a great Snare Satan promised more Knowledg to our first Parents Gen. 3.5 God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. Which Example the Apostle setteth before our Eyes 2. Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your Minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. And he telleth us Satan turneth himself into an Angel of Light Vers. 13 14. Now for your Direction know 1. Progress in Knowledg is rather in Degrees than Parts not in new Truths but greater proportions of Light Light respecteth the Medium Truth the Object I say It is rather not altogether a Man may walk in present Practices which future Light may disprove and retract But usually the increase of a Christian is rather in the measure of Knowledg than difference of Objects Our old Principles are improved and perfected Prov. 4.18 The Path of the Just is as the shining Light that shineth more and more to the perfect Day To know God more and Christ more to be more practically skilful in the Word of Righteousness Heb. 5.14 Strong Meat
to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou best sent The Heathens had many Moral Vertues but unless God did reveal himself to them by extraordinary ways which we cannot judg of all their priviledg was ut mìtiùs ardeant their Works being but splendida peccata If any now may be saved without Christ Christ is dead in vain and we may want the whole Gospel and yet be safe the Philosophy of Aristotle and Seneca would be the Way and Power of God unto Salvation as well as the Gospel We must have a care left by going about to make them Christians we make our selves Heathens Vse 2. Let us bless God for the Gospel that revealeth God and Christ. Many Nations are spilt on the World without any Knowledg of God and Christ and are as Sheep whom no Man taketh up blessed be God for our Privileges When we look to the Hole of the Pit from whence we were digged we shall find our selves as barbarous as others Portenta diabolica penè Aegyptiaca Numina vincentia saith Gildas of our Idols God threatneth Israel Hos. 2.3 I will strip her naked and set her as in the day that she was born If we should despise the Gospel abuse the Messengers of it God will return us to our old Barbarism and we that were so shy of letting in Popery should usher in Atheism When the Professors of the Gospel were banished Cambridg and Peter Martyr heard the Sacring Bell he said There is the Gospel's Passing-Bell It would be sad if we should hear such a sound The Ministry I may speak it without arogancy are the only visible Party that uphold the Life of Religion in the Land the Lord knows what may be the sad Fruits of their Suppression if either these Lights should be extinguished by Violence or be starved for want of Oil Methinks our Message should make our Feet beautiful We preach God and Christ If we be a little earnest for the Faith of the Saints remember it is for the good of your Souls it cannot be Zeal for our Interests for this is the way to endanger them bear with us it is in a Case of Salvation or Damnation If we be besides our selves it is for Christ 2 Cor. 5.13 If we seem to hazard all many Nations to whom God hath denied the Mercy would welcome it with all Thanksgiving when God hath opened a Door of Hope to the Indians it may be it will be more precious Vse 3. Study God in Jesus Christ. This is the most glorious Subject of Contemplation there we may find him infinitely just and yet merciful pardoning Sinners yet salving the Authority of this Law there we may see God and Man in one Person and the Beams of Divine Majesty allayed by the Vail of Humane Nature in the Godhead of Christ we may see his Power in his Humane Nature his Love and Condescension He is our Lord and yet our Brother a Man and yet God's Fellow and Equal Zech. 13.7 Awake O Sword against my Shepherd and against the Man that is my Fellow saith the Lord of Hosts He would have a Mother on Earth that we might have a Father in Heaven our Relation and Alliance to Heaven groweth by him In Christ only can we look upon God as a Father Deum absolutum debent omnes fugere qui non volunt perire otherwise we shall perish and be overwhelmed with despair Again Non solum periculosum est sed etiam horribile de De◠extra Christum cogitare In Trials and Temptations it is dangerous to think of God alone to consider him out of Christ but here infinite Majesty condescendeth to converse with you The Indian Gymnosophists would lie on their Backs and gaze on the Sun all day Oh how should we by the deliberate Gaze of Faith reflect upon this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.16 this glorious Mystery fit for Angels to look into Only get an Interest in it or else it will be more cold and comfortless thy God and thy Christ that is another thing when thou canst own God as thy Father and Christ as thy Brother Luther saith Deus magis cognoscitur in praedicamento Relationis quà m in praedicamento Substantiae To know God in relation to us is far sweeter than to be able curiously to discourse of his Essence John 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you When we know God in Christ and Christ in us this is to know him indeed not only be hear-say but acquaintance to know him so as to love him and enjoy him Vse 4. To press us to seek Salvation in no other but in God through Christ. Come to Christ you are in need of Salvation and there is no other way Acts 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved Christ is an Alsufficient Saviour able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him Heb. 7.25 a Plaster broad enough for every Sore do you cast your selves upon him see if he will refuse you John 6.37 He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast off Now I shall come to the Particulars that are to be known concerning God and Christ. First Concerning God Doct. 1. That there is a God This is the Supream Truth and first to be known Heb. 11.6 They that come to God must believe that he is The discussion is not needless Though it be impossible to deface those Impressions of the Deity which are engraven upon our Hearts yet the drift of our Desires and Thoughts goeth this way as if there were no God Psal. 10.4 The Wicked through the pride of his Countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his Thoughts All his Thoughts are there is no God Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Though he durst not speak it out yet he saith it in his Heart he entertaineth some such suspicious Thoughts and Desires about this Matter Those that are guilty of Treason would fain destroy the Court-Rolls so carnal Men would destroy all Memorials of God Yea many of the Children of God feel this Temptation Is there a God It will be not lost labour to answer the Inquiry I shall pitch upon such Arguments as are every Man's Mony 1. God is evidenced by his Works 1. Of Creation The World is a great Book and Volume the Creatures are Letters the most Excellent are Capital Letters If you cannot read the Beasts will teach you Job 12.7 8. Ask now the Beasts and they will teach thee and the Fowls of the Air and they shall tell thee Or speak to the Earth and it shall teach thee and the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee Who knoweth not in all these that the Hand of the Lord hath wrought this The mute Fishes that can hardly make any sound
sent From Christ's suing for Glory upon this Argument I might note That we may plead Promises God saith Put me in remembrance There is difference between a Plea and a Challenge Hypocrites challenge God upon the Merit of their Works Believers humbly urge him with his own Promises Not as if God did need excitement to make good his Word but we need grounds of Hope and Confidence Again Because Christ asketh nothing but what God will give I might observe That when we have done our Work we may expect our portion of Glory But I rather come to the particular discussion of the Words The words may be considered in a Mediatory or in a Moral Sence In a Mediatory sence so they are proper to Christ he prayed to the Father that thy Son may glorify thee Vers. 1. Now he saith I have glorified thee meaning in the days of his Flesh. By a Moral Accommodation they may be applied to every Christian every Christian should say as Christ I have glorified thee on the Earth I have finished the Work which thou gavest me to do First And which is most proper Let us consider them in the Mystical and Mediatory sense The first Phrase is I have glorified thee Christ glorified God many ways by his Person as being the express Image of his Father's Glory Heb. 1.3 By his Life and perfect Obedience John 8.46 Which of you convinceth me of Sin And Vers. 49. I have not a Devil but I honour my Father By discovering his Mercy John 1.14 We beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth By his Miracles then the sick of the Palsy was cured it is said the multitude glorified God Mat. 9.8 Mark 15.31 at other Miracles they glorified the God of Israel Mark 2.12 So his Passion exceedingly glorified God's Justice In his Doctrine by discovering his glorious Essence and the Purity of his Worship The System of Divinity was much perfected and advanced by the coming of Christ. Doct. That God was much glorified in Christ. God was much glorified in the Creation of the World Psal. 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of the Lord and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work The Fabrick of the whole World especially of the Heavens declares his Goodness Wisdom and Power His Goodness in communicating Being to all Creatures Life and Motion to some His Wisdom in making the Creatures so various and so excellent in their general kinds His Power in educing all things out of the Womb of Mother Nothing God was glorified in his Providences especially in the great Deliverances of the Church from Egypt and from the North but mostly in Christ Redemption being the most noble Work with which he was ever acquainted It is notable that the Spirit of God in Scripture often varieth the Expression at first it was Blessed be God that made Heaven and Earth then I am the God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt then it is Jer. 16.14 15. It shall no more be said The Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the Land of Egypt But the Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel from the Land of the North then it is Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 1.3 In Creation the Wisdom Goodness and Power of God appeared there was no need of other Attributes In Providence the Justice Mercy and Truth of God appears but these in Christ in a more raised degree In Creation the Object was pure Nothing as there was no help so no hindrance but now in Redemption Sin hinders so that here is shown not only Goodness but Mercy In Creation we deserve nothing now we deserve the contrary There was more Wisdom seen in our Redemption The Quarrel taken up between Justice and Mercy Mercy would pity and Justice could not spare In Redemption there is more Power in Creation Man is taken out of the Earth in Redemption out of Hell God's Justice opposed Redemption Christ must be sent to satisfy Justice and the Spirit sent to take away Unbelief God made all with a Word he saved all with a Plot of Grace In Creation Man was made like God in Redemption God is made like Man No Deliverance like this Babylon was nothing to Hell and the Brick-kilns of Egypt to the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone When God delivered his People out of Babylon he had to do with Creatures when he delivered them from the Wrath to come he had to do with Himself Justice put in high Demands against the compassions of Mercy his own Son must die with the Wrath of God and his own Spirit must be grieved in wrestling with the Denials of Men. Instead of our own Obedience we have the Merit of Christ. Oh here are depths of Mystery and Wonder Vse God loseth no honour by Christ. God hath more Glory and we have larger Demesnes of Comfort and Grace to live upon All Parties are satisfied we have a better Portion Adam had Paradise we have Heaven God hath more Glory the Creatures are more acquainted with the infiniteness of Mercy Power and Wisdom Innocence continued had been a great benefit but now it is more gracious and free and it is not the greatness of a Benefit that worketh on Gratitude so much as the graciousness and freeness of it Our Heaven costeth a greater price and it is not given to God's Friends but those that were once his Enemies On Earth This Phrase signifieth that Christ did not increase God's Essential Glory for that is uncapable of any addition his Nature is infinite and cannot be made more glorious and excellent but only that Christ manifested his Glory more fully to the World Observe Christ came down from Heaven to make Men glorify God We had Lesson enough before us in Creation and Providence but Men were stupid Things to which we are accustomed do not work upon us in the Gospel God would set his Praise to a new Tune God needeth us not and our Respects are due and yet at what cost is God to purchase the Praise of the Creature Blind and unthankful Men to dethrone the great God and set up every paltry Creature Therefore God sent his Son to revive the Notions of the Godhead and to give us further manifestations of his Glory That was Christ's Errand to glorify him on the Earth I have finished the Work Christ's Work was to manifest the Gospel and to redeem Sinners and how can he say I have finished the Work seeing the chief Work of Redemption was yet to come the offering up himself to Divine Justice upon the Cross I Answer He had determined to undergo Death and it was now at hand in the consent and full determination of his Will it was done So upon the Cross just before his Death he crieth It was finished John 19.30 It implieth 1. The Submission Faithfulness and Diligence of Christ he never left doing of
of our Mercies we should bless God for our Relations Our Relations are the Sphere of our Activity 2. The Duty of our Vocation and Calling Every Christian hath his way and place some work which God gave him But of this see more by and by 7. When God is the great Scope and End of our Lives and Actions of all that we are all that we do all that we desire God must be the ultimate End In our ordinary Actions 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatever ye do do all to the Glory of God Not offer a Meat-Offering and Drink-Offering to Appetite The Apostle instances in these things partly because in these natural Actions we are most apt to offend Such is the unthankful Nature of Man that we forget God when he remembers us most when he is most present in the fruits of his Bounty then he is usually banished from our Hearts Corruptions are most stirring when we are warmed with the liberal use of the Creatures Job sacrificed when his Children feasted Job 1.5 And it was so when the Days of their Feasting were gone about that Job sent and sanctified them and rose up early in the Morning and offered Burnt-Offerings according to the number of them all For Job said It may be that my Sons have sinned and cursed God in their Hearts The Devil bringeth his Dish usually to our Tables Disdain of the slenderness of our Provision Quarrels Contentions Censures of the People of God c. Partly for greater Emphasis If in common Actions we are to design God's Glory as our End much more in such Actions as we make a business of So in Acts of Grace the Creature cannot be the ultimate End and God's Goodness only a Means thereunto There is a great deal of learned Folly and Atheism vented branding those as mystical Divines that call upon Men to mind things as God minded them who aims at his own Glory as his ultimate End Eph. 1.6 They say Man's ultimate End is his own Happiness some cry up the Principle of Self-Love then belike all the Goodness of God is to be estimated by the Felicity of Man this were to make Man his own Idol and to measure all good and evil by his own Interest The fulfilling of God's Will and promoting his Glory should be the end of all Obedience otherwise we make not the Creature for God but God for the Creature and so make the Creature better than God as being the ultimate End of God himself at least to us as if the highest End of all his Goodness were the Felicity of the Creature Secondly Vbi Where On Earth I have glorified thee on Earth 1. Where so few mind God's Glory where all seek their own Things their own Honour their own Profit their own personal Contentment A Christian should walk in counter-motion to the generality of the World Phil. 3.20 But our Conversation is in Heaven Mal. 4.1 2. The day cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all the proud yea and all that do wickedly shall be stubble c. But unto you that fear the Lord c. He is an Exception from the common use and practice of Mankind 2. On Earth which is the place of our Trial where there are so many Difficulties and Temptations to divert us We must glorify him on Earth if we expect that he should glorify us in Heaven Many expect to glorify God in Heaven but take no care to glorify God here on Earth The Saints in Heaven glorify God but without any Difficulty Strife and Danger it costs them no Shame no Pain no Trouble no loss of Life or Limb but here where the Danger is there is the Duty and Trial. Mat. 10.32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven Christ will remember them and their labour of Love When he cometh in his Majesty he is not ashamed of his poor Clients and Friends these owned me in my Abasement and I will own them in my exalted State You cannot honour Christ so much as he will honour you Mat. 19.28 Ye which have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Ye who are here exposed to Sorrows and Sufferings for his Sake It is fond to think of glorifying God in Heaven and singing Hallelujahs to his Praise when thou dost not stand to his Truth on Earth Esse bonum facile est ubi quid vetat esse remotum The Trial of Duty is Self-Denial Thirdly Quomodo I have finished the work which thou hast given me to do 1. It is Work that glorifieth God It is not Words and empty Praises but an holy Conversation Job 31.20 If his Loins have not blessed me and if he were not warmed with the Fleece of my Sheep Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Psal. 50.23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his Conversation aright will I shew the Salvation of God John 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much Fruit so shall ye be my Disciples A godly fruitful Life is the real Honour the other is but empty Prattle It is our Work and Actions not our bare Profession only you may pollute God else Ezek. 36.20 You may exalt him in Profession and pollute him in Conversation Many Christians Lives are the Scandal of their Religion Again it is not Wishes that glorify God but Practice We would have God glorified but do not glorify him We would have him glorified Passively but do not glorify him Actively and are more careful of Events than Duties We are troubled about God's Name and are more ready to ask Lord what wilt thou do for thy great Name than Lord what wilt thou have me to do A Christian should rather be troubled about what he should do than about what he should suffer 2. That every Man hath his Work Life was given to us for somewhat not meerly that we might fill up the number of Things in the World as Stones and Rubbish not to grow in Stature so Life was given to the Plants that they might grow bulky and increase in Stature nor meerly to tast Pleasures that is the happiness of the Beasts to enjoy Pleasures without remorse God gave Men higher Faculties of Reason and Conscience to manage some Work and Business for the Glory of God and his own eternal Happiness The Rule is general that all Adam's Sons are to eat their Bread in the sweat of their Brows to follow some honest Labour and Vocation Adam's two Sons were Heirs Apparent of the World the one imployed in Tillage the other in Pasturage The World was never made to be an Hive for Drones and Idle Ones It is true there is a difference between Callings
coupling of the Cross and Glory The same Disciples Peter James and John were the Witnesses of his Agonies Mat. 26.37 and of his Transfiguration Mat. 17.1 So where Christ began his Passion there he began his Ascension Luke 22.39 He went out to the Mount of Olives and his Disciples followed him And Acts 1.12 he ascended from Mount Olivet 3. For the Advantage of his Members Christ knew it could not go well with the Church unless it went well with himself it was for our Profit The Holy Ointment was first poured on the Head of the High Priest then on his Members Psal. 133.3 His Glory and Grace is an Argument of ours He is endowed with the Spirit without measure that we might have an Unction from the Holy One. We are glorified with him and are said to ascend with him Ephes. 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Christ's Glorification is a Pledg of ours he is gone thither as our Fore-runner to seize on Heaven in our Right Heb. 6.20 Whither our Forerunner is for us entred and to prepare a place for us John 14.2 In Heaven he is at God's right Hand and can procure it for us and administreth and governeth the World for our good He is in a greater capacity to do us good He is our Intercessor and the World's Governor all things necessary to Salvation can better be dispatched by his Intercession and Power These things premised the Words will be easily opened Father glorify thou me with thine own self That is suffer me to return to the Glory which I had in common with thee in the Divine Nature by the Resurrection of my Body Ascension and sitting down at thy right Hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is opposed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is with thy self John 13.31 32. Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him If God be glorified in him God shall also glorify him in himself and shall straightway glorify him God was glorified by Christ as a Servant with an extrinsick Glory in the view of the World And now Christ prays to be glorified in or with the Father himself with his own proper Essential Glory the Godhead being restored to its full use and exercise and the Humanity being raised to the full fruition of the comfort of it Which I had with thee before the World was Grotius and others say Non reali possessione sed divinâ Praedestinatione that is by thy Decree in thy Purpose and Predestination But that 's not all because he speaketh here of that infinite and essential Glory which is one and the same in all the Persons and so Christ had it as God blessed for ever and Christ having abstained from the use and exercise of it in a way proper to it self now craveth a Restitution The Points are Doct. 1. That Christ is God true God and hath an eternal coequal Glory with the Father before the World was Before the World there was nothing but the Eternal Infinite Essence that was common to the Father Son and Holy Ghost The Socinians seem to grant that he is of God but not Eternal God by Nature but here is a clear proof which I had with thee before the World was Doct. 2. We may plead to God his own Promises in deep and weighty Cases Put me in remembrance saith God Isa. 43.26 as when Death approacheth or Difficulties come upon us Christ himself takes this Course Doct. 3. The ground of all sound Hope is what was done before all Worlds Christ had Glory actually and we have a grant of it ◠Tim. 1.9 According to his own Purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began There was a grant of Heaven and Grace and Christ received it for us So Tit. 1.2 In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lie hath promised before the World began There was a solemn Promise which Christ received on our behalf The frame of Grace was ancient God sealed up a large Charter and indented with Christ before ever there were any Men in the World Let us not look for our Happiness in this World our Comforts do not depend upon the standing of it when the World is no more you may be happy Doct. 4. The chief Point which I shall handle is That Christ in the Oeconomy or Dispensation of Grace was reduced to such an exigence that he needeth to pray to be glorified Father glorify thou me with thy self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was It is a matter of weighty Consideration that Christ should pray his Father to bestow on him the Glory which he wanted But how could Christ want Glory who was God-Man in one Person To clear this I shall a little state both his Humiliation and his Exaltation I. How far he humbled himself and wanted Glory What was indeed the utmost of his Humiliation Here I shall shew First What Glory he retained in the midst of it Secondly What he wanted Certainly tho in his outward appearance he had no form and comeliness in him yet inwardly he was the fairest of Men Isa. 53.2 compared with Psal. 45.2 First What Glory he was possessed of at the present Christ had a double Glory the Glory of his Person and the Glory of his Office 1. The Glory of his Person There was the Union of the two Natures He did not lose his God-head tho he took Flesh he was still the eternal Son of the Father The Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 John 1.14 The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he pitched his Tent And we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father He was still co-equal with his Father the fulness of the God-head dwelt in him his Flesh was taken into the Fellowship of the Divine Nature as soon as it began to have a Being in the Womb of the Virgin the highest Dignity a Creature is capable of The Person of the Son was truly communicated to the Nature of Man and the Nature of Man truly communicated to the Person of the Son He that was the Son of Man was truly the Son of God and he that was the Son of God was truly the Son of Man And by virtue of this Union there was a Communion higher than all other Communions the fulness of Grace was subjectively and inherently in his Human Nature He was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Psal. 45.7 And he is said John 3.34 to receive the Spirit without measure both for the Essence and Virtue of it to all Effects and Purposes for himself and others So that there needed nothing to be added to his full Happiness Christ was Comprehensor he perfectly knew upon Earth what we shall know in Heaven and was perfectly Holy and perfectly Good 2. The Glory of
his Office was to be Mediator between God and Man An Office of so high a Nature that it could be performed by none but him who was God and Man in the same Person For he that would be Mediator was to be Prophet Priest and King As a Prophet he was to be Arbiter to take knowledg of the Cause and Quarrel depending between them and as an Internuncius and Legate to propound and expound the Conditions of Peace that are to be concluded upon As he was a Priest he was to be an Intercessor to make Interpellation for the Party offending and then to be a Fidejussor or Surety making satisfaction to the Party offended for him As he was a King having all Power both in Heaven and Earth he was to keep and present the Church of God so reconciled in the state of Grace and to tread down all Enemies thereof Here is a great deal of Glory far above any Creature Secondly What he wanted that he should pray to be glorified The Glory of his Person and Office was yet but imperfect 1. Of his Person in both Nature It is said Phil. 2.7 He made himself of no Reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he made himself empty and void not simply and absolutely for then he would cease to be himself and then he would cease to be God but Oeconomically and Dispensatively vailing and covering his God-head under the Cloud of his Flesh the Beams of his Divinity as it were wholly laid aside only now and then it broke out in his Works and Speeches Certainly he abstained from the full use and manifestation of it He did not cease to be what he was but laid aside the manifestation of it and hid it in the form of a Servant as if he had none at all The World could not discern him to his own familiar Friends he was now and then discovered as occasion did require it Otherwise in his whole Course his Incarnation Nativity Obedience to the Law of Nature to the Law of Adam Law of Sin of Abraham were a vail upon him He suffered Hunger Thirst Weariness bitter Agonies shame of the Cross pain of Death ignominy of the Grave Yea he was not only in the form of a Servant to God this Commandment have I of my Father John 6.38 But he was subject to worldly Powers a Servant of Rulers Isa. 49.7 wholly at their dispose His Human Nature was subject to natural Infirmities Hunger Thirst Fear Sorrow Anguish he had not attained Incorruption Impassibility Immortality nor that glorious Purity Strength Agility Clarity of Body which he expected Phil. 3.21 together with the fulness of inward Joys and Comforts in his Soul He lost for a while all Sense and actual Fruition of his Father's Love Mat. 26.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me So that tho he had the Spirit without measure in Holiness and Righteousness yet he was still humbled with unpleasing and afflictive Evils 2. For his Office It was managed as suited with his Humiliation and all his Actions of Prophet Priest and King could not be performed gloriously but in an humble manâ—er as suited with his present State He was an ordinary Prophet teaching in the World as a Priest hanging on the Cross as a King but he had but few Subjects therefore it is said Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour as if he had not exercised any of his Kingly Office before but he was but as a King anointed he did not so evidently shew forth the Kingly Office as afterward Now he doth not overcome his Enemies by Force or by Power 1 Sam. 16.13 David was a King as soon as anointed but for a long time he suffered Exile and wandred in the Wilderness before he was taken into the Throne So it was with Christ. II. His Exaltation What Christ prayed for might be known by the Event His Exaltation begun at his Resurrection and received its accomplishment by his sitting at God's right hand His Exaltation answered his Humiliation his Death was answered by his Resurrection his going into the Grave by his ascending into Heaven his lying in the Grave by his sitting at God's right hand which is a Privilege proper to Christ glorified In the other we share with him we rise we ascend but we do not sit at God's right hand By his Grave tho this Body was freed from Corruption his Human Nature was discovered but his Body had not those glorious Qualities as afterwards at his Ascension Therefore leaving his Resurrection let us speak of his Ascension and sitting on the right Hand of God First His Ascension Three Things happened to Christ at his Ascension 1. The Exaltation of his Body and Human Nature it was locally taken from the Earth and carried into Heaven Acts 1.9 While they beheld he was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their sight into the same Heaven into which we shall be translated They err who say that Christ's Ascension standeth in this that Christ is invisibly present every where which destroyeth the Properties of a Body there was not only a change of State but a change of Place it was a created Nature still finite 2. The Glorification of his Person which is the thing spoken of in this Text then all the thick Mists and Clouds which eclipsed his Deity were removed Not that there was any Deposition or laying aside of his Human Nature that is an essential part of his Person and shall continue so to all Eternity but only of all Human Infirmities he laid aside his Mortality at his Resurrection and necessity of Meat and Drink but was not restored to his Glory till his Ascension his Body was so bright that it shall pass through the Air like Lightning clearer than the Sun Upon the Earth he was ignorant of something of the Day of Judgment now he hath all Wisdom not only in Habit but in Act. Before he grew in Wisdom which he manifested by degrees now the Glory of his Deity shineth forth powerfully 3. A new Qualification of his Office Christ hath exercised the Mediatory Office from the beginning of the World till now before his coming in the Flesh when on Earth and after his Ascension Secondly The next thing we are to speak of in the Glorification of Christ is his â—itting at God's right hand Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right Hand till I make thine Enemies thy Footstool It is Christ's welcome as soon as he came to Heaven The Angels guarded and attended him and they brought him near the Ancient of Days Dan. 7.13 I saw in the Night Visions and behold one like the Son of Man came with the Clouds of Heaven and came to the Ancient of Days and they brought him near before him They that is the Angels did it they are his Ministers Heb.
1.6 7. When he bringeth in the first begotten into the World he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him And of the Angels he saith Who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a Flame of Fire He cometh royally attended Then the Father welcometh him with Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal. 2.8 As Mediator Christ was to have a grant of the Kingdom by pleading his Right and then God seateth him on the Throne Sit thou on my right Hand Psal. 110.1 God doth as it were take his Son by the Hand and seat him on the Throne This sitting on God's right Hand implieth 1. The giving of all Power or a restoration of him to the full use of the Godhead He had an Eternal Right as the Second Person but he was to receive a new Grant Mat. 28.18 All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth Christ as God hath all Power equal Power with the Father by Eternal Generation but as God Incarnate it is given to him So Phil. 2.9 10. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every Knee shall bow of Things in Heaven and Things in Earth and Things under the Earth to make all Enemies stoop to him that he might receive Adoration from Angels Men and Devils 2. A Grant of Authority to rule according to Pleasure He is made Prince of Angels Col. 2.10 He is the Head of all Principality and Power He is to be their Soveraign Lord and Head of the Church Ephes. 1.22 Christ is to us the Head of all Vital Influences And Judg of the World Acts 17.39 He hath appointed a day in which he will judg the World in Righteousness by the Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given Assurance to all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead This is the Sum of Christ's Glorification The Uses of the whole Vse 1. In that Christ prayeth for Glory it presseth us 1. To take heed of dishonouring Christ now he prayeth to be glorified It was a great Sin that the Jews crucified the Lord of Glory but they have some excuse in that they knew not what they did 1 Cor. 2.8 Whom none of the Princes of this World knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory His Glory was not easily seen in his Exinanition and Abasement But now we know more and we cross his Prayers if we crucify him again afresh and put him to open shame Heb. 6.6 We cannot indeed crucify Christ really but we may draw the Guilt of his Enemies that crucified him upon us By your scandalous Lives you do in effect as to your Intentions deprive him of his Glory and approve the Act of the Jews against him you live as if no such thing had been done to Christ as his Translation into Heaven 2. Since Christ so earnestly sued for his Glorification it is our Duty by all means to procure and further his Glory We cannot do any thing as his Father doth we cannot bestow any thing upon him but Praise and magnify him by a stedfast Faith and by an Holy Life Mortified Christians are the Glory of Christ. 3. It is Comfort against the Reproaches and Oppositions of Men as to the Kingdom of Christ. Though the Jews scorn it the Turks blaspheme it Hereticks undermine it yet Christ's Prayers will do more than all their Endeavours still he will appear God manifest in the Flesh. Christ's Glory cannot be hindred he hath prayed for it Vse 2. In that Christ was glorified for he cannot be denied whatever he demands it is useful for our Comfort for our Instruction 1. For our Comfort 1. Christ's Glorification is the Pledg and Earnest of ours Had not he risen and ascended and been received up into Glory neither should we the Gates of Death had been barred upon us and the Gates of Heaven shut against us and we should have been covered with eternal Shame and Ignominy But now Christ like another Sampson hath broken through the Gates and carried them away with him our Head is risen and we in him we receive of his Fulness Glory for Glory as well as Grace for Grace Nobis dedit arrhabonem Spiritus à nobis recepit arrhabonem Carnis We have Livery and Seisin of the Kingdom of Heaven already in Christ. We are ascended with him Ephes. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus In Contracts Pledges are usually taken and given Our Head is crowned and shall not the Members The Humane Nature is already placed in the highest Seat of Glory 2. It is a sign God hath received Satisfaction The Lord sent an Angel to remove the Stone not to supply any Power in Christ But as a Judg when he is satisfied sends an Officer to open the Prison Doors Our Surety is delivered out of Prison with Glory and Honour God hath taken him up to himself What is done to our Surety concerneth us Christ hath perfectly done his Work there is no more to be done by way of Satisfaction God was well-pleased with him or else he had not been at his right Hand Certainly all the Work of his Mediation was not accomplished on Earth he is now in Exaltation performing those other Offices that remain to be fulfilled by him in Heaven 3. Hence we have Confidence in his Ability to do his People Good He is now restored to the full Use and Exercise of the Godhead he can give the Spirit and perform all the Legacies of the Covenant There were many repaired to Christ in the days of his Flesh when he was under Poverty Crosses Death the Thief on the Cross said Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom What shall we not expect now he is entred into Glory Faithful Servants follow their Prince in Banishment but they have greater Encouragement when he is on the Throne Those that adhered to David in the Desert might look for much from him crowned at Hebron Acts 2.33 Therefore being by the right Hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear Not that then only he was endowed with the Gifts of the Spirit for whilst he was on Earth he was filled with the Spirit without measure but then he received the Accomplishment of the Promise of pouring out the Spirit upon us for by Promise is meant the Accomplishment of the Promise for the Promise was long before Luke 24.49 And behold I send the Promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem till ye be endued with Power from on High Acts 1.4 And being assembled together with them commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for
given to Christ as Scholars in his School He is the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church Certainly Christ loveth the honour of this Chair he counteth it an honour to be our Prophet It is his Title Acts 3.22 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you from among your Brethren Christ he came out of the Bosom of God to shew his Mind and Heart he is called the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Heb. 3.1 Christ taketh the Titles of his own Officers Tho he be Lord of the Church yet he is an Apostle He counteth it an honour to be a Preacher of the Gospel God's Legat a latere the Son of God is first on the Roll of Gospel-Preachers He laid the Foundation of the Gospel when on Earth he teacheth now he is in Heaven others teach for him Christ counts it his Liberty to teach He is to be a Light to the Gentiles He doth not teach the Ear but the Heart he is still to nurture us and bring us up He is an excellent Teacher he doth not only set us our Lesson but giveth us an Heart to learn the Scripture is our Book but Christ is our Master and we shall see wondrous Things if he doth but open our Eyes 3. We are to be Children of his Family A Master is not so careful as a Parent This was the thing propounded to allure Christ to the work of Redemption Isa. 53.10 He shall see his Seed he shall have a numberless Issue and Progeny Tho all are Benonies Sons of Sorrow and Christ died in the Birth yet this was his Privilege He shall see his Seed Jesus Christ hath a great Family take it altogether Rev. 7.9 A great Company which none could number redeemed out of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues Christ is wonderfully pleased with the fruitfulness of his Death It is his great triumph at the last Day Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which God hath given me It is a goodly sight when Christ shall rejoice in the midst of them and go with this glorious Train to the Throne of the Father Jesus Christ is our Brother and our Father By Regeneration and the Merit of the Cross our Father but in the Possession of Heaven our Brother We are Co-Heirs with him 4. We are given to him as the Wife of his Bosom As a Father giveth the Daughter whom he hath begot to another for a Spouse and Wife so doth God give his Elect to Christ. Indeed Christ hath bought her at his Father's Hands other Wives bring a Dowry but Christ was to buy his Spouse As Saul gave his Daughter to David but first he was to kill Goliah and to bring the Fore-Skins of an hundred Philistines 1 Sam. 17.25 and 18.25 So God gave Christ the Church for a Spouse to be redeemed by his Blood the Infernal Goliah was to be slain Eve was taken from Adam when he lay asleep so when Christ was a dying the Church was as it were taken out of his Side He was willing to die that his Spouse might live Christ left his Father at his Incarnation his Mother at his Passion to make the Church his Spouse As a Man leaveth Father and Mother and cleaveth to his Wife This Honour Christ getteth by the Power of his Spirit it costs him long wooing David had bought Michal with the danger of his Life yet he was fain to take her away from Phaltiel 2 Sam. 3.13 c. The Devil hath gotten Christ's Spouse into his Hands Christ by his Spirit is to rescue her and oblige her to Loyalty Hereafter is the great Day of Espousals the Bride's and the Lamb's Hope Christ's Honour as well as our Comfort is but incompleat now Then he shall present the Church to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5.27 Christ is now decking her against that time We are to accomplish the Months of our Purification Odors and Garments are to be brought out of the King's Treasury Esther 2.12 5. We are to be Members of his Body Next to that of the Son of God there cannot be a greater Title than Head of the Church Poor Creatures that Christ will take us into his own mystical Body to quicken us enliven us and guide us by his Grace If he were a Head to all things that had been somewhat Col. 2.11 He is the Head of all Principality and Power But he is their Head for the Church's sake And gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church Eph. 1.22 over them to us He counteth himself not perfect without us Which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all that we should be called the fulness of Christ He esteemeth himself as â—â—aimed and imperfect without us He treateth his Mystical Body with the same respect as his Natural that was raised ascended glorified so shall we for the present he is grieved in our Miseries as well as we exalted in his Glory and so he communicates to us and with us 1. Vse Admire the Love of God in this Donation 1. Of God the Father that he should bestow us upon his own Son As Christ pleadeth it to the Father so should we plead it to our selves we were God's and he gave us to Christ. Electing Love is the sweetest others were his as well as you Psal. 36.7 How excellent is thy loving-kindness O God! That God should cast a Look on you 2. Of God the Son that he should take us as a Gift from the Father and as a Reward of all his Services Nothing could be more welcom than the tender of Souls Consider nothing could be added to the greatness of him who was equal with the Father the Privileges of the Incarnation were but as so many milder Humiliations but his main Reason was to gain an interest in Souls nothing else could bring Christ out of Heaven into the Manger the Wilderness the Cross the Grave What was his Reward for all his expence of Blood and Sweat He came from Heaven took our Nature shed his Blood Christ is very thirsty of an interest in Souls Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied This is enough I do not begrudg my Pains my Temptations my Agonies A Woman safely delivered after sore and sharp Labour forgetteth all her past Sorrow for joy of the Birth Christ longed till his Incarnation feasted himself with the thoughts of his Free-Grace Prov. 8.31 Rejoicing in the habitable parts of his Earth and my delights were with the Sons of Men. Afterwards he longed for his Passion Luke 12.50 I have a Baptism to be baptized with and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how am I straitned till it be accomplished His Delight was with the Sons of Men. 3. Bless the Spirit for his attesting witnessing working the Comfort of all this in all our Souls We have the
for the Reprobate World that they may believe I Answer No Faith or Believing is there taken for a more full Conviction that they may be convinced and rendred more inexcusable It is not taken in a strict sence for a saving Comprehension and Receiving of Christ but for a Conviction and Acknowledgment Divisions in the Church usually breed Atheism in the World all is false when so many Ways and Differences So think they Christ is an Impostor the Word a Fable Now this kind of Conviction is not only termed Believing in Scripture but explained Vers. 23. That the World may know that thou hast sent me Nay let us grant that Faith is taken in the highest and strictest sense yet there is a difference between praying for such a thing as may be a likely means of working Faith and praying that they may believe Christ only prayeth that his People may be one that the World may not plead Prejudice at most he doth but obliquely reflect upon the World in that Prayer that they may have means of Conviction but not Grace Christ denieth that the World either hath or ever shall have the Grace of Faith Vers. 25. O Righteous Father the World hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me And the special Reason why the Elect have known tho the World have not known is rendred Vers. 26. I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it By which is meant the special manifestation of his Grace given to Believers of all Ages which was given to the Disciples of that present Age and will be given to all future Believers A serious consideration of the Context will refute all these Sophisms Thus I have taken off the Objections Let me handle one Doubt more But if they were absolutely predestinated why doth Christ pray for them I Answer Predestination includeth all things that are necessary to the Salvation of the predestinated and so the Prayers of Christ must be taken in as well as other Means Take an Argument or two why Christ did not could not doth not pray for the Reprobate World This Prayer must either argue 1. A Nescience of his Father's Decrees which cannot stand with the Unity of his Person especially as now in Glory While upon Earth he knew it and approved it that God by an immutable Decree had left some to be justly hardened to their own ruine Mat. 11.25 26. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Or 2. A Contradiction to his Will and express Decree It is true we do not sin by asking a thing contrary to God's Decree as when I ask a Parent 's Life whom God hath determined to cut off by such a Sickness which I know not but if I did it is no rule to me But now God's Decree was a Rule to Christ in his Mediatory Actions as the Moral Law was a Rule to his Moral Actions and therefore when the Decree of God called for one thing and the Moral Law for another Christ was both to shew his Moral Affections and Mediatory Obedience Father let this Cup pass nevertheless not 〈◊〉 I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26.39 There was an innocent desire of Nature but an express Submission to his Father 's Will. 3. Because all Christ's Prayers were to be grounded on a Promise There was an Indenture drawn up between him and his Father he had the Assurance to be heard in whatsoever he asked Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession John 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Therefore he must needs exclude the Reprobate World out of his Prayers Observations First Let us look upon it as a Mediatory Action 1. Observe Here was the first solemn Offer of Christ's Meditation between God and Man and therefore upon this place we may ground the Doctrine of his Intercession I pray for them Here I shall speak of First The Person who is the Intercessor Secondly The nature of the Intercession Thirdly The Privileges and Fruits of it First The Intercessor I pray The Syriack twice repreateth the Pronoun I even I pray for them it is not an ordinary High-Priest but I I that am thy beloved and only begotten Son co-eternal and con-substantial with thy self I that have glorified thee upon Earth and done thy work I that am holy and harmless I whose Prayers thou hast promised to hear I who am an authorized Mediator sent into the World for this Purpose There are all these Advantages in the Intercession of Christ let us go over them a little briefly I shall refer them to these Heads the Dignity and Dearness of his Person the Sublimity of his Office the value of his Satisfaction the Articles of the Covenant or the Promise of being heard 1. The Person of Christ and there you have 1. His Dignity he is God-Man and so fit for this Office Job 9.33 Neither is there any days-man between us that might lay his Hand upon us both He communicates with God in the same Nature and we with him He is our Brother and God's Fellow Our Kinsman is in the Court of Heaven pleading for us he appeareth there in our Nature to set on our Salvation we need not be ashamed to go to him nor he to go to God He is of near Alliance to us and to God himself God's own natural Son which doth not only give him a Power to prevail with God but a Sufficiency to do us good None but Christ could serve our turn in this Matter Who can know all our Needs all our Sins all our Thoughts all our Desires all our Prayers all our Purposes and wait upon our Business with God Night and Day that no Wrath break out upon us but Jesus Christ who hath his constant residence in Heaven at his Father's right Hand There is an All-sufficiency required to Intercession as well as Oblation 2. The Dearness of his Person called his dear Son Col. 1.13 the Son of his Love one with him God bids him ask what he will Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession When Christ came first into Heaven he was to make his Demand He proclaimed it on Earth when Christ was baptized consecrated to God for the Priesthood Mat. 3.17 Lo a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased There was such perfect Love and Consent of Mind between God and Christ that if he had never died God could not have denied him any thing 2. The value of his Satisfaction Christ is an Intercessor not by Intreaty but by Merit John 17.4 I have glorified thy Name on Earth I
in them Secondly Actively by their Faith by their Ministry by their Life and Conversation 1. By their Faith To glorify any one is to have a good Esteem of him Those that did not believe did as it were obscure the Dignity of his Person rejecting him as a contemptible Man now the Apostles do every where express their Faith in his Godhead and their Sense of the Dignity of his Person and Office as I cleared in opening the 7 th and 8 th Verses 2. By their Ministry Christ was by them made known and was yet to be further manifested After the Resurrection they were his Heralds to proclaim his Triumphs for him over Death and Hell and his Ambassadors to go out into the World and gather Subjects for his Kingdom 3. By their Life and so by the Constancy of their Profession when others shrink in the wetting John 6.66 67 68. From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him Then said Jesus unto the Twelve Will ye also go away Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life By their Self-denial Mat. 19.27 Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee Fathers Mothers Nets Trades c. So by their Holiness and Fruitfulness of Conversation they were such a Company of which Christ was not ashamed This is a new Argument that Christ urgeth for their respect with the Father Whence I observe Doct. That the more we desire to glorify Christ the more Confidence we may have of his Intercession for us 1. It is the Evidence of our Interest in the Father and the Son and Spirit Interest is the ground of Audience none can hope to speed with the Father but his own those that are God's and Christ's 1. It is an Evidence that we have an Interest in the Father he acknowledges them for his that glorify his Son them and no other John 16.27 The Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God God's Love can have no cause but it self our Love to Christ is a certain sign of God's Love to us It is not the principal Reason why he loved them but the Argument whereby Christ would prove that his Father loved them So that this is the Evidence if we would have any Confidence of our Interest in God and speeding at the Throne of Grace Do you glorify Christ by Love and Faith Christ is his Beloved and he loves all them that love Christ. So again John 5.23 That all Men should honour the Son as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him Every Man naturally is touched with a Reverence towards the Godhead Now God the Father commandeth we should yield a like Reverence to the Son who is his living and perfect Image He that doth not worship Christ and honour Christ doth but worship and serve an Idol for he doth not honour God in that way wherein he will be honoured and hath revealed himself because they are in the Unity of the Godhead neither of them can be worshipped without the other There is a noted Story of Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium when the Arrians who denied the Godhead of Christ had Freedom of their Meetings and Lectures and Disputes under Theodosius the Great to the great disturbance of the Church and the Emperor could by no means be drawn to suppress them Amphilochius after he had tried all other means without Effect found out a way worthy of Record saith Theodoret whereby to make the Emperor sensible of the Evil of his Toleration One day as he came into the Palace and the Emperor and his Son Arcadius were standing together whom he had lately made Joynt Emperor with himself Amphilochius saluteth the Father with accustomed Reverence and Humility but when he cometh to the Son he speaketh to him as to a private Child and stroaking his Head saith How dost thou my Child without other Expression of Civil Honour and Reverence The Emperor was exceeding angry at the Contempt and that he had not given his Son equal Honour with himself and therefore after many Rebukes causeth him to be dragged out of the Palace with Disgrace and as they were pulling and haling him he turning to the Emperor said O Emperor after this manner and infinitely more is God the Father angry with those that do not honour his Son equal with the Father but make him less in Nature and Dignity By this sensible Conviction the Emperor was touched in Conscience and with Tears embraceth the good old Man and presently maketh a Law against the Arrians in which under a great Penalty he forbiddeth their publick Meetings and Lectures against the Godhead of Christ and by the Blessing of God was confirmed in the true Religion in which before he staggered and wavered All this is brought to shew that God will not own us unless we honour Christ and glorify him as we glorify the Father 2. It is the Evidence of our Interest in the Son Those that mind Christ's Glory he mindeth their Salvation He is interceding for you in Heaven when you are glorifying him on Earth he is doing your Business in Heaven when you are doing his Business in the World he is your Advocate and you are his Bayliffs and Factors Mat. 10.32 Whosoever shall confess me before Men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven When you own Christ in the World and avow his Name and Truth in the World you shall lose nothing When you come to pray Christ will own you Father hear him this is own of mine You cannot honour Christ so much as he will honour you When carnal Men come to pray Christ saith I know them not Oh it is sad to be disowned in the Court of Heaven When Christ disclaimeth any Interest or Intendment in his Purchase for us they are nothing a-kin to me are none of mine When we do all things for by-Ends we disclaim God for a Pay-master and therefore must look for our Reward elsewhere 3. It is a sign of your Interest in the Spirit John 16.14 He shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you that enlightning quickning Comfort and Refreshing which we have when it is used to the Glory of Christ it is a sign the Spirit dwelleth in us 2. Because the glorifying of God in Christ is the great Condition of the Covenant of Grace God hath made a bargain with Believers to give them Grace and by way of return he expecteth Glory All the Priviledges of the Covenant are leased out to the Heirs of the Promise and this is the Rent and Acknowledgment which God hath reserved to himself See the form of this Contract Psal. 50.15 Call upon me in the day of Trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me In all Experiences of Grace God will be glorified Glory and
〈◊〉 ye unlord the Law so the word signifieth 6. By taking some solemn time to meditate of and admire the excellency of his Person and the fulness of his Redemption In Heaven this will be our great Work there they praise the Lamb for ever-more Rev. 4.10 11. The four and twenty Elders fall down before him that sat on the Throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before the Throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Honour and Glory and Power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created They do not slight their glorious Work All the Glory they have is God's meer Bounty they hold it by Grace and magnify it by Grace So Rev. 5.8 The four Beasts and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them Harps and golden Vials full of Odours which are the Prayers of the Saints There is the Employment of the Church Militant and Triumphant Harps which are Instruments of Praise belong to Souls already glorified as Vials full of Odours belong to Believers on Earth The Earth is the true place of Prayer as in Heaven we shall be employed in Eternal Thanksgivings All the Church is yielding Homage to Christ It is the Study of Saints Ephes. 1.16 I cease not to give Thanks for you It was Paul's constant practice he breathed nothing but Christ 1 Cor. 2.2 I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified Our Thoughts of Christ should be sweet to us we should have ravishing apprehensions of him from day to day ravishing thy Heart with the excellency of Christ. Vse 3. Is Consolation to them that desire to glorify Christ. It is a singular Prop in your Prayers in every Address you have an Interest in Father and Son They are mine saith the Lord I loved them with an everlasting Love They are mine saith Christ I redeemed them with an everlasting Redemption And will not God provide for his own and Christ for his own Can he that hath the Father and Son miscarry and doubt of Audience You have the Father who is the Original Fountain of Blessing and you have Christ who is the Golden Pipe and Conveyance But especially in your last Address when you lie on your Death-Bed you know Christ's own Plea John 17.4 5. Father I have glorified thee upon Earth I have finished the Work that thou hast given me to do And now Father glorify thou me with thy self with the Glory that I had with thee before the World was It is a sweet Evidence What doth God look for from the Creature but Glory Objection 1. But you will say I cannot glorify Christ in my Addresses to God and cannot come with an Assurance becoming his Purchase I Answer 1. When we cannot apply let us disclaim Lord we come not in our own Names our own Worth and Desert which is none at all we come in the Merits of Christ we know there is no other Name under Heaven Hosea 14.3 In thee the Fatherless findeth Mercy that is every Person that wanteth a Guide Relief and Support Though we cannot say Father yet we can say we are Fatherless we have none to help us 2. If we cannot speak of the Love that he beareth to us for Christ's sake yet let us plead the Love that he beareth to him Christ's Name is very dear and precious in Heaven being God's beloved Son Lord for the Love that thou bearest to Christ We are his Clients though we cannot say we are his Members Though I cannot say Thou art mine yet I may say He is thine a Mediator of thy setting up God might have refused us if Christ had not Letters Patents from Heaven and his Commission under the Broad-Seal of God John 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed Lord he is thy own authorised Mediator Moses was refused that interposed of his own accord Exod. 32.32 33. I have nothing to bring thee but a Mediator of thine own It is a prevailing Argument Object 2. Alas there is little that I do for God my Station is private Those in the Magistracy and Ministry that are in an eminent Sphere of Activity they may glorify Christ they do his Work upon Earth but what do I do I Answer 1. God will be glorified by every Man in his Way and Place John 17.4 Father I have glorified thee upon Earth I have finished the Work that thou hast given me to do We must not speak of our Rank Christ is glorified by thy diligence and Faithfulness in thy private Place a Man-Servant or a Maid-Servant 1 Cor. 7.22 He that is called in the Lord being a Servant is the Lord's Free-man being redeemed from the thraldom of Satan and servitude of Sin he doth glorify Christ. Titus 2.9 10. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again Not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Godly Servants what an Ornament are they to the Gospel By the first Inlets of Religion into a Family it is made beautiful and lovely in the Eyes of Carnal Men who esteem the Doctrine by the Life and Practice of the Professors of it Servants in those days were bought and sold like Beasts The Lord doth not esteem Men by the Places they hold but by their Carriage in them 2. There is no Station so private but thou mayest do something for Christ to bring up thy Children in the Nurture of the Lord to instruct thy Servants thy Neighbours thy Fellow-Servants Zeal is like Fire or like Leaven it will spread and diffuse it self Object 3. I have laboured but to little purpose Answ. Success is not thy Work but God's We must mind our Duty and leave the success to God we shall not be responsible for lack of Success but want of Endeavours Isa. 49.4 Then I said I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain yet surely my Judgment is with the Lord and my Work with my God It was a complaint of Christ himself his Ministry was without Fruit yet not without Reward We may have the Crown of Faithfulness if not the Fruit. A Minister is like a Fountain that always runneth whether they will hear or whether they will forbear So must you act in your Families Object 4. I was never called to Martyrdom I doubt I shall not glorify him I Answer 1. Wish not for Troubles but leave them to God and when they come take up his Cross. Simon of Cyrene was compelled we must not chuse our Cross but bear it Christ himself did not carry his Cross till it was laid upon him we must not seek it but take it up not brew our Cup but drink it When a Cross meeteth us in our way which we cannot escape without Sin or breach of Conscience we must bear it 2.
it shall be even given thee to the half of the Kingdom 2 dly The Reasons why Christ would not have gone if it had not been expedient John 16.7 Nevertheless I tell you the Truth it is expedient for you that I go away A Woman had rather have her Husband live at home than go to the Indies but when she considereth that it is to do her good to enrich the Family by Traffick she yieldeth her Consent it is a profitable Voyage So it is expedient that Christ should go to Heaven In the Infancy of the Church Christ was present as a Nurse but he would not have them always hang on the Teat The Reasons of Christ's Ascension are these 1. He is gone that we may look upon him as in a greater Capacity to do us good All Weakness is now removed from him his Human Nature glorified and placed in Heaven his Majesty restored we may now reflect upon the Glory of his Person with Comfort he is now a King on the Throne a King in his Palace and place of Royal Residence David was King assoon as anointed by Samuel but when he was crowned in Hebron then did he actually administer the Kingdom Christ had his Followers in the days of his Flesh as David had his four hundred Companions in the Desert The Thief owned Christ upon the Cross and Christ tells him This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luke 23.43 What may we not expect from Christ now in Heaven every Office is royally exercised as a Prophet he sendeth out his Spirit as a King he ruineth his Adversaries as a Priest he intercedeth with God 2. To prepare a Place for us John 14.2 I go to prepare a Place for you It is good to consider how Christ prepareth Heaven for us by his Ascension It was prepared before the World began by the Decree of God the Father Mat. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit a Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World This was an Inheritance intended for the Heirs of Promise by a free choice he designed the Persons and their particular Portion and Degree of Glory But because we are to hold Heaven not only by Gift but by Purchase Christ came from Heaven to prepare it and went to Heaven again to prepare yet further to open the Door that was before shut up as our Head he went to seize upon it in our Right as our legal Head he possesseth Heaven in our Names as a Guardian taketh up Lands for the Heir Christ holdeth Heaven in our Right till we be ready for it he keepeth Possession And as our Mystical Head and Author of Grace he dispenseth the Spirit and maketh us fit for that place making Intercession for us that our Sins be no Impediment He is called our Fore-runner Heb. 6.20 Whither the Fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an High-Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec His going is to make way for us as our Harbinger to take up Rooms and Lodgings for us As the Captain of our Salvation he hath taken up Quarters for himself and all his Company Heb. 2.10 It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons to Glory to make the Captain of our Salvation perfect through Sufferings Christ hath opened Heaven-Door that was shut up there was a Guard set upon Paradise but Christ hath removed it He is gone to fit all things for our Entertainment as Joseph was sent into Egypt to prepare for Jacob. Die when we will our place is ready there is nothing to keep us out The Church is tossed with Waves but Christ is gone ashoar and hath secured for us a laâ—ding-Place And his Ascension is a Pledg of ours as he rose as the first Fruits of them that slept It is the meritorious exemplary efficient Cause of our Ascension 3. To represent his Satisfaction The Levitical Priest was to enter into the Sanctuary with Blood so doth Christ into Heaven to shew that he had done his Work The Apostle hath an Expression which needeth opening Heb. 8.4 If he were on Earth he should not be a Priest What is the meaning was not Christ a Priest when he was on Earth I answer Yes Why then doth the Apostle say that if he were on Earth he should not be a Priest that is he could not discharge the whole Office of the Priesthood for the high Priest once a Year carried the Sacrifice through the Court before the Sanctuary and there killed it and there took the Blood thereof into the holiest of all and presented himself before the Lord to intercede for the People So Christ carried his Sacrifice out of the City offered it up to God and then entred into the heavenly Sanctuary where he liveth for ever to intercede for us and his Blood always runneth fresh and therefore if he were on Earth he could not discharge the whole Office of a Priest So Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy Places made with Hands which are the Figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the Presence of God for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As the High-Priest entred on the behalf of the People with the Names of the twelve Tribes on his Breast and Shoulders So Christ is entred on the behalf of us all bearing the Memorial of every Saint on his Heart Mark the Apostle saith Now to appear not only once The High-Priest stayed not within the Sanctuary but Christ is our constant Leiger in Heaven all the time from his Ascension unto this day constantly still while it is called Now. 4. To pour out the Spirit John 7.39 The Holy Ghost was not yet given for Christ was not yet glorified When the Husband is wanting then he sendeth Tokens So when Christ is glorified then he giveth out the Spirit as Elijah when he ascended let fall his Mantle Proper Acts have their proper Fruits Christ in Earth established our Right and in Heaven he puts us in actual Possession the Purchase was by Christ's Exinanition the Application by his Advancement It was not meet Christ should use a Royal Act till his Advancement and till he went to the Father he ascended then that his Blood might not be spilt in vain but that he might be in a Capacity to execute his own Testament unless Christ had ascended we needed not this Supply 3 dly The Fruits and Benefits of his Ascension 1. It is a sign God hath received Satisfaction His Resurrection was a Pledg of it then our Surety was let out of Prison the Lord sent an Angel to remove the Stone not to supply any Power in Christ but as a Judg when the Law is satisfied sendeth an Officer to open the Prison Doors with Power and Authority Heb. 13.20 The God of Peace that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus Christ was not to break Prison While the Surety lyeth in Prison the Debtor can
their Minds to wean their Affections from the World We should be where Christ is Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sits at the Right-hand of God Who would not desire to be in Heaven now Christ is there As the Loadstone draws Iron to it let us be present in Heaven as Christ is present on the Earth by the Spirit Though our Bodies are tied with the Fetters of the Flesh yet let our Souls ascend let our Minds be there our Wishes our Desires there by these means we walk in Heaven before our time A Stone though it breaks to pieces by the fall will move to its Center though we naturally abhor Death we should desire it to be with Christ. It is a shame that a Stone should be carried with greater force to its Center than we to Christ. Vse 3. Comfort We have Christ for us in the Heavens Heb. 4.14 Seeing therefore that we have a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God We have Christ always for us in Heaven he hath a part of his Office to perform there his Absence doth not hinder us from having a Right to him or a Spiritual Possession of him He is ours and he hath his Residence in Heaven and hath Power to open it to us and give us entrance His high Honour doth not hinder him from the Discharge of his Office to do us good he is at God's Right-hand and yet a Minister of the Sanctuary Christ hath a Ministry and part of his Service to perform in Heaven he is our faithful Agent Heb. 8.1 2. We have such an High-Priest who is set on the Right-hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens a Minister of the Sanctuary For all his Glory Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Minister of holy Things he taketh care of all holy things which we present to God and to convey holy and spiritual Things to us Christ is not stately many forget their poor Friends when advanced Christ regardeth his poor Church as much as ever The Butler when he was advanced forgot Joseph but he remembreth us he disdaineth not to look after every poor Christian Heb. 4.15 We have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities His Heart is not changed by his Honour but he is in a greater Capacity to do us good Having such a Friend in Heaven we need not fear a Foe upon Earth Heaven is open for us Heb. 10.19 20. Having boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh. Vse 4. Direction in the Sacrament If we have any thing to do with Christ we know where to seek him Blessed are they that believe and have not seen John 20.19 Those that are far from Court never saw the King God hath removed Christ out of sight that we might behold him by Faith Let us look for him in the Sacrament not for his bodily Presence how can he be there bodily when he is received into Glory but for his Spiritual Presence the Influences of his Grace and a Derivation of Vertue from his Person II. The next Point is the necessary ceasing of his Corporal Presence upon his Ascension I am no more in the World but these are in the World Let us see the Reason why he will be no more with us Now the Reasons why Christ would withdraw his bodily Presence from us are these 1. That he might try the World and yet in a way suitable to his glorious Estate Christ when he came to try the Jews he came in Disguise not as the Son of God in Majesty and Glory John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not Still to try Men's Obedience there must be some Vail If he should be present in the World in a glorious way becoming his Majesty and Empire there would be no Trial and therefore in a manner he still cometh in Disguise his Glory is vailed under the Ministry of Men and carried on in a spiritual manner If he should appear in Glory and Power Sinners durst not quack and so the Wickedness of Man would not be discovered nor would the Faith of his People be exercised with such Praise and Honour if he were personally and gloriously present This is the Commendation and Praise of Christianity that they can walk by Faith when they cannot walk by sight 2 Cor. 5.7 We walk by Faith not by Sight They see not Christ because he is absent in Body yet they believe in him and love him and send their Hearts after him So 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom tho now ye see him nâ—t yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of Glory Faith is Eagle-eyed and can look above the Clouds The absence of Christ did not prejudice their Comfort and Hope Faith contenteth it self with an intellectual Sight and Certainty This is a trial of Christians when they can believe in Christ and rejoice in Christ as if they did see him with their bodily Eyes and hear him with their bodily Ears Ibi figunt desiderium quo nequeunt inferre conspectum saith Leo They fasten their Hearts upon him tho they cannot fasten their Eyes Faith is sight enough Thus would Christ try the World but yet as I said in a way suitable to his glorious Estate If he should still have continued his Body among us in that state of weakness wherein he conversed in the World his holy Body would still be subject to abuse and the injuries and scorn of wicked Men which would not agree with his Glorification and therefore after his Resurrection he only shewed his Body to some few chosen Witnesses and so departed into Heaven that it might be no more seen till he cometh to the last Judgment with Glory and Power So Christ himself saith Mat. 23.39 Ye shall not see me henceforth till ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord that is till ye be compelled to say so tho now ye are angry at the Children that welcomed me in this manner Mat. 26.64 Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven Never till then after I am taken down from the Cross and buried 2. That way might be made for his Spiritual Presence Some Presence of Christ there must be for our Comfort and Safety I will not leave you comfortless 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but will come unto you John 14.18 That Christ is still spiritually present with the Church is clear by those Promises to the Apostles and to Believers To the Apostles and their Successors Matth. 28.20 I am with you always
to the end of the World Into whatsoever place and time of the World our Lot is cast we may have an assurance of Christ's Presence that is of his Assistance and Blessing as much as if he were actually and corporally present with us To Ministers Now if they improve their Interest they might have Christ in their Company as the Apostles had they are taken into the same Patent and Charter So also to all Believers Mat. 18.20 Where-ever two or three are met together in my Name I am present in the midst of them Whenever we are met together in any religious Work and Business Christ's gracious presence is with us in this sence he will never depart from Believers Now this gracious Presence was not vouchsafed till his corporal Presence was removed Partly because Christ will do nothing unnecessarily When he was personally present to solve their Doubts to instruct them in all Cases the Spirit was not poured out in such abundance as it is usual still with God to make up to us in spiritual Supplies what we want in outward Helps Partly because his Disciples had carnal Thoughts of his bodily Presence and rested in it which was to be confuted by his absence Partly to make way for his unlimited universal Influence his bodily Presence could only be in some Places but now he is ascended he filleth all things Eph. 4.10 As the Sun if it should come down and shine on one particular Field it could not diffuse its Beams far and near but now it is fixed in the Firmament nothing is hidden from its Light So Christ exalted scattereth his Beams and Influences every where into all parts and corners of the World Partly because it was meet that Christ should enter into his Glory and Kingdom before he declared his Efficacy to Men by the more plentiful pouring out the Spirit as Princes use at their Coronation to give Gifts and send abroad Ambassadors So when Christ was in his Royal Palace he gave Gifts unto Men and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Ephes. 4.8 11. Vse 1. For confutation of the Lutherans who to establish their Doctrine of Consubstantiation make Christ's Ascension to be not a local Remove but only a change of the manner of his Presence they say he is still corporally present but not visibly as if the Humane Nature of Christ were made invisibly Omnipresent and not locally removed and carried into Heaven This is a Doctrine contrary to Scriptures for it is expresly said Acts 1.11 that he was taken up into Heaven And by virtue of this taking up he is no more in the World no more in the Earth nor in any place thereof For it is said Acts 3.21 That the Heavens must contain him till the time of the restitution of all things there is his personal-Presence fixed And therefore if any say Lo here or Lo there believe him not it is flatly contradictory to Scripture that Christ should be corporally present on Earth till he cometh to Judgment and it is contrary to the Truth of Christ's Body though it be glorified it is not deified a Body cannot be Omnipresent and without Quantity for then it is no more a Body And it is a Doctrine barren and of no use the Presence of Christ's Body is not so absolutely necessary to the comfort of a Christian John 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the Flesh profiteth nothing Nearness or distance of place doth not help or hinder his Presence with us or Efficacy upon us The Degree of his gracious Operation doth not depend upon the Degree of his Personal Presence as if Christ were like the Sun shining more or less hot according to the difference of his Posture and Scituation Christ doth not work like a natural Agent by Contact but according to his free Pleasure and the wise Dispensation of his own Will and our Communion with him is wholly Spiritual and Mystical not Gross and Carnal the Flesh profiteth nothing Yea it is against our Comfort Christ hath Business to do for us in Heaven and it is our Advantage that he is no more in the World If he were not in Heaven he were not a Priest Heb. 8.4 If he were on Earth he could not be a Priest And again Heb. 7.26 we had need of a Priest who is made higher than the Heavens that is that is ascended into the Third Heaven those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those Holy Places not made with hands now to appear in the Presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 But to leave this Vse 2. To press Christians to look for the Spiritual Presence of Christ tho they do not enjoy his Bodily You may make use of Christ now he is in Heaven as the Disciples did on Earth to ask him Questions to seek his Counsel to commend your Prayers and Persons to God It is no disadvantage to Faith that Christ is removed out of sight but only an occasion given whereby it may discover it self with more praise Therefore let us believe in Christ tho we see him not we shall one day see him in the Heavens to our Comfort and to the Terror of the Wicked in the mean time let Faith serve instead of Vision It will be your commendation whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1.8 God hath removed Christ out of sight to make way for the Exercise of Faith and Love and it is much better by Faith to converse with him in Heaven than by sight to see him upon Earth John 20.29 Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe Thomas would make his Senses the Judg he must feel the Wounds and put his Finger in the print of the Nails and thrust his Hand into his Side which discovered the weakness of his Faith Faith is not grounded on Sense but Testimony Be not discouraged tho you never saw him in the Flesh you shall one day see him in Heaven tho you could not hear his gracious Words yet you have Whispers and Counsels from his Spirit You saw him not hanging on the Cross yet he is crucified before your Eyes Gal. 3.1 In the Word and Sacraments he is notably and plainly laid forth to Faith The Gospel is a Magical Glass as it were wherein God will have the Soul look that we may see our absent Friend Sic Oculos sic ille Manus sic or a ferebat there are the very Postures of Christ. Therefore let us make use of our present Advantages you may expect as powerful Influences from him as if present in Person as the Sun doth not come down from Heaven but only his Influence There is a derivation of Virtue from his Person yea Christ is not like the Sun the farther absent from us in Body the more powerful is his Influence Ephes. 4.10 When he ascended up on high he filled all things Briefly then if you have any thing to do with Christ you know where to seek him Those
John 13.1 Jesus having loved his own that were in the World be loved them unto the end Christ was then thinking that he should shortly depart his Thoughts were not on his own Glory so much as our Danger If Christ would have thought of his own he might have thought of the Angels and glorified Saints Cyril and Chrysostom observe That he did not think of Angels and glorified Saints but of his own in the World those that were left to the Miseries and Temptations of an evil and unquiet World No question it was sweet to Christ to think of the glorified Saints and Angels but they were safe and now was a time to shew Pity rather than Delight The other Instance we have in his Prayers in this place from the 11th to the 17th Verse I might mention many Passages in his Sermons Christ when he was about to leave us he had the Affection of a Father to his Children or of a dying Husband to his Wife he was careful of our Estate after his Departure 2. So at his Death A great thing that was in the Eye of Christ was Victory over the World Gal. 1.4 He gave himself for us to redeem us from the present evil World Certainly Christ is willing to help you when he suffered so much that he might help you When you love the World you cross the end of Christ's Death His whole Life was but a renouncing the World The Poverty of Christ upbraideth our aspiring Projects and Pursuits of worldly Greatness We seek to joyn House to House and Field to Field and he had not a place whereon to lay his Head But in his Death he would make all sure One thing that he purchased of the Father is Grace to subdue the World When he was to die he said Lo I give my self upon Condition thou wilt give them Grace let them be freed from the Bondage of carnal Fears and carnal Desires There is not a thing more answerable to the Design and Aim of his Death than this is 3. After his Death and Ascension into Heaven he is tenderly affected toward Believers in the World He still retaineth his human Nature and his human Affections the same Heart and the same Pity Heb. 4.15 We have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities Christ tho he be exalted is tenderly affected towards those that are left behind he is still tenderly affected towards you in all your Straights and Troubles and Infirmities Christ's Exaltation hath made no Change in his Bowels he carried his Love with him not only into the Grave but into Heaven he is our Lord but still our Brother as God he knoweth our Infirmities and as Man he feeleth them his Love is most at work when you are in Danger O what a Comfort is this in all your Temptations there is one in Heaven that seeth and feeleth all this let us bear it the better and ride out the Storm If a Man were perswaded that his Friends on shore knew what Tempests he endured at Sea and were praying for him it would be a great Comfort to him in his Distress Christ's Heart worketh towards thee he who is always heard is now praying for thee in Heaven he is touched with a feeling of thy Infirmities How should this comfort us They have many Snares and many Enemies Lord help them The Reasons of this Apprehensiveness and tender feeling are his Interest Love Charge and Experience they are his own John 13.1 Having loved his own that were in the World he loved them to the end 1. His Interest Christ hath a share going in every Believer As when there are Ships at Sea in which you have a share you pray for their safe return and are tenderly affected when you hear they are in danger Christ is loth to lose his Share he had but now pleaded his Interest with the Father Vers. 10. All thine are mine and mine are thine We are a part of his Goods the World would weaken the Estate of Christ. Believers are his Treasure and they are in danger of Rocks and Pirats and therefore he prayeth to the Father Now Christ hath an Interest in them not only by the Father's Grant but their own Dedication they are his and all that they suffer is for his sake Vers. 14. I have given them thy Word and therefore the World hateth them Let a Man go on in a wicked carnal ungodly way and the World will not vex him Let a Man once be zealous for Christ and then he must expect Trouble enough They endure all this for me and shall I not be sensible If a Child should inadvertently break his Leg or Arm you would pity him but if he should break his Leg or Arm in your Service or Defence to rescue his Father you would pity him more 2. His Love John 13.1 Jesus having loved his own which were in the World he loved them to the end Those whom we love we are troubled about their Welfare A careless Father may die and never be troubled what shall become of his Children but Love is very sollicitous Alas poor Orphans they are without a Guide and Guardian left to Snares and Temptations and shall it not pity them Hugo cryeth out O Charitos quam magnum est Vinculum tuum Deum in Terram traxisti cruci affixisti Sepulchro clausisti c. O Love how great is thy Power it was Love that brought Christ from Heaven that nailed him to the Cross that laid him in the Grave that carried him again to do our Business with God Had it not been for Love he had never come from Heaven and left the Bosom of the Father for the Lap of the Virgin the Form of God for the Vail of Flesh the Glory of Heaven for the Darkness of the Grave Had it not been for Love he had never died to deliver us from this present evil World he had never been sensible of our State and Condition Love is jealous and sensible of all the Dangers of the Party beloved the same Love of Christ that exposeth us to Troubles and Hazards for Christ's sake the same Love maketh Christ compassionate of our Miseries and Sorrows We are jealous of his Honour and he is jealous of our Safety 3. His Charge Christ hath taken an Office upon him to defend pity and guide the Elect through all Temptations to Salvation Now Christ cannot be unfaithful in his Office Heb. 4.15 We have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities He that is passed into the Heavens is still our High-Priest Give me leave to admire that Expression Heb. 8.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Minister of the Sanctuary When he was upon Earth he came in the Form of a Servant and now he is in Heaven he is still a Servant We may speak what Christ hath spoken for us he is our Officer and Minister even in Heaven not only in the State of his Abasement but
in the State of his Exaltation Our Lord would be ours not only in Love but Duty that so we might have the greater Assurance Till all the Saints come to Heaven Christ looks upon himself as bound in point of Office they are his Charge he cannot be loving to the Church nor faithful to the Father if he should do otherwise 4. His Experience Heb. 4.15 He is touched with the feeling of our Infirmities was in all points tempted as we are yet without Sin Pray mark in all points Christ hath had Experience of all Trials whereinto any of his Servants can fall Poverty forsaking of Friends Exile Imprisonment Hunger Nakedness Watching Weariness Pain of Body Heaviness of Heart Desertion as to Sense Wrath and Curse of God Christ hath carried his feeling with him into Heaven he knew what Poverty meaneth what trouble of Conscience what heaviness of Spirit meaneth Christ could not so experimentally pity us so feelingly pity us if he were not like us in all things his Heart was intendred by Experience as a Man that hath felt the Gout and felt the Stone Israel knew the Heart of a Stranger Christ knew the Heart of a Man that is left to the World's Frowns and Snares He took a Communion of our Natures and Miseries as a Pawn and Pledg that he will pity us and help us Heb. 2.10 The Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through Sufferings Christ tho he was perfect he received the Spirit without measure yet he lacked one thing which his Office required to be a perfect Mediator till he had an experimental feeling So Heb. 2.18 In that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Christ was able as soon as he came from Heaven as God what could he not do But there is an Ability of Sufficiency and of Idoneity an Experimental Ability Christ had Experience tho not of Sin yet of Temptation to Sin he is not only able but willing he knoweth what it is Christ would borrow our Nature to make Experiments Vse 1. To teach us to walk with Caution and in a continual dependance upon God We are continually assaulted and live in the midst of Snares A Man that cometh into the World saith Luther is like a Traveller that cometh into an Inn where there dwell none but Thieves Now he that carrieth Jewels about him had need to take heed the diversity the frequency the continuation of Temptations should make us wary The Diversity there are Baits for every Temper Honours for the Ambitious Wealth for the Covetous and Pleasures for the Sensual The Devil hath a Diet to feed every Distemper some are fullen not bent to Pleasures but Satan is not at a loss to fit them with a Temptation there are Profits for them Others are facile and more easy they have Pleasures Others would be great they have Honours And when Satan knoweth the Lust he suiteth the Bait he is an old Sophister well skilled in the Tempers of Men. Therefore seeing that in every Business in every bit of Meat in every Recreation there are Snares we had need feed with fear and trade with fear When there is an Enemy in the Country we keep constant Watch and Ward Then for the frequency and continuance of Temptations they are always about us Long Suits prevail at last From the first use of Reason till the hour of Death as long as God continueth our abode in the World we are in danger There are many Baits Satan is craâ—â—y and the World is spightful and our Hearts are naught We are now upon our Trial the great Work of Religion is to walk in a constant watchfulness and dependance Alas many are as if they were in the Haven already so negligent so careless as if they were in the midst of Paradise out of Temptations Vse 2. To press us to grow weary of the World it is a place full of Snares here we have many Snares and many Enemies If we have a mind to sin no longer why should we desire to live in the World The World is a Step-mother to the Saints why should we desire to hang upon the Dug He that would always live here is like a Scullion that loveth to lie among the Pots In Heaven we have pure Company and are out of the reach and danger of Temptations The Devil when he was not fit for Heaven was cast out into the World a fit Place for Misery Sin and Torment it is Satan's Walk and Circuit Here is Antichrist the Devil 's eldest Son here are Terriculamenta Irritamenta Fears and Snares It is a dirty odd Corner of the Universe we can hardly walk up and down but we shall defile our Garments Here are Briars to hitch us Snares and Baits to intice us There is a more excellent Country above where we shall have the Company of God and the Fellowship of the Saints Saints without Corruption other manner of Saints than here There is no Tempter there there should be your Country In a pet we long for Heaven but it should be out of a resolved Judgment Men fight in the World as long as they are able and then make Heaven their Refuge It should not be a melancholy wish We should desire Heaven not as weary of Work and Service but as weary of Temptation Vse 3. Examination What kind of Temper have we There are Children of this World Luke 16.8 The World is their own Mother they love to lie hanging on the Dugs and Teats And there is a Spirit called the Spirit of the World 1 Cor. 2.12 A Genius that suiteth with present Conveniences there is their Portion Psal. 17.14 Their Names are written in the Earth Jer. 17.13 that is their Happiness The Nature of the World's Sons is all for the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye and the Pride of Life to go fine to feed high to shine in worldly Pomp affect Honours and great Places Too many Christians are baptized into this Spirit There is an use of the Things of this World but we should use them with fear they cannot smell the Rose of the Field Christ hath no scent or savour Oh it is a sad Character to be a Child of this World one that hath the Nature of the Mother in them one of the World's breed A Child of God is a Pilgrim and Stranger Psal. 119.19 I am a Stranger in the Earth Abraham purchased but a Sepulcher that is all the Faithful can lay claim to on Earth He looketh on himself as born and bred in another Land his Mother is a Princess the Bride the Lamb's Wife and his Father is in Heaven he is in the World but not of the World Vse 4. Comfort Christ is apprehensive of your Danger All Trials you meet with do either better your Hearts or hasten your Glory Christians must expect Danger but need not fear it Formido sublata est non pugna You are not absolutely freed from
Subjects against Enemies that shall cease but the Kingly Honour which he receiveth from his Subjects shall be for ever and ever he shall always be honoured as King and Mediator of the Church He shall resign the Kingdom that is that way of Administration by which he now governeth for when the Elect are fully converted and sanctified and Enemies destroyed there will be no need of this Care Now after he hath bought us out of his Father's Hands by his Merit and Purchase he is forced to recover us from the Devil by his Power and Conquest The Word is the Rod of his Strength the Sacraments are our Oath of Allegiance in Prayer we perform our Homages by Alms and Acts of Charity we pay him Tribute and Praise and Obedience are the constant Revenues of his Crown This is the first Grant 2. We are given to Christ as Scholars of his School He is the great Prophet and Doctor of his Church certainly Christ loveth the Honour of this Chair He hath also obtained this Title Acts 3.22 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you from among your Brethren him shall ye hear Christ came out from the Bosom of God to shew us his Heart and Mind So he is called Heb. 3.1 The Apostle of our Profession Christ doth so love a Relation to his Church that you see he taketh the Titles of his own Officers tho he is Lord of the Church yet he is the Apostâ—â— of our Profession he counteth it an Honour to be a Preacher of the Gospel The Son of God is first in the Roll of Gospel-Preachers he is God's Legat à latere an Apostle he laid the Foundation of the Gospel when he was upon the Earth and he teacheth us now he is in Heaven he doth not teach the Ear but the Heart he doth not only set us our Lesson but giveth us an Heart to learn it the Scripture is our Book and Christ our great Master and when he openeth our Eyes we shall see wondrous things in his Law Other Teachers teach for Hire but he bought this Liberty of God that he might open his School and become a Light to Jew and Gentile 3. We are given to him to be Children of his Family The only thing propounded to allure Christ to the Work of Redemption was Isa. 53.10 He shall see his Seed that he might have a numerous Issue and Progeny He delighteth in us tho we are all Benoni's Sons of Sorrow tho he died in the Birth yet he is wonderfully pleased with the Fruitfulness of his Death as a Woman delivered after sharp and sore Sorrow forgetteth all her past Sorrow for joy of the Birth At the last day this will be Christ's Rejoycing and Crown to see the Multitude of his little Ones all brought together Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which thou hast given me It is a goodly sight when Christ shall â—ejoyce in the midst of them and go with them as a glorious Train to the Throne of God the Father Jesus Christ is our Brother and our Father by Regeneration and the Merit of the Cross he is our Father but in the Possession of Heaven he is our Brother for we are Coheirs with him 4. We are given to him as the Spouse of his Bosom This is another of Christ's Honours to be the Churches Bridegroom The Epithalamium is in Canticles and Psal. 45. There the Nuptials are celebrated Ministers they are as John Baptist was called Friends of the Bridegroom Look as a Father giveth her whom he hath begotten to another for a Spouse and Wife so doth God give his Elect to Christ. Indeed Christ hath bought the Church at his Fathers Hands other Wives bring a Dowry but Christ was to buy As Saul gave his Daughter to David but first he was to kill Goliah and to bring the Fore-skins of an hundred Philistines 1 Sam. 17.25 and 18.25 So God gave Christ the Church for a Spouse but Christ was to redeem her with his Blood the infernal Goliah was to be slain Yea ' ere Christ did obtain this Honour he gaineth our Consent by the Power of his Spirit working with the Intreaties of the Word Hosea 2.14 I will allure her and bring her into the Wilderness and speak comfortably unto her and Vers. 19 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in Righteousness and in Judgment and in Loving-Kindness and in Mercies I will even betroth thee unto me in Faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. First I will allure then betroth As David after he had bought Michal with the danger of his Life yet was fain to take her away from Phaltiel 2 Sam. 3.13 The Devil hath gotten Christ's Spouse in his own Arms he is fain to rescue her and oblige her to Loyalty by the Intreaties of his Spirit Hereafter is the Day of Espousals now the Church is called the Bride then the Lamb's Wife Christ's Honour as well as our Consent is incompleat then he cometh to fetch her and present her to God Eph. 5.27 and bring her into his Father's House Christ is decking her against that Time we are to accomplish the Months of our Purification and to have Odours and Garments out of the King's Wardrobe Esth. 1.12 5. We are given to him to be Members of his Body Here is the nearest Relation and that which Christ most prizeth next to the Title of the Son of God to be Head of the Church O what an honour is this to poor Creatures that Christ will take us into his own mystical Body to quicken us and enliven us and guide us by his Grace To Angels he is a Head in point of Sovereignty and Power Col. 2.10 And ye are compleat in him which is the Head of all Principality and Power But to the Church he is an Head by virtue of Mystical Union Angels are his ministring Spirits but we his Spouse they are not called his Bride nor the Spouse of his Bosom nor the Members of his Body In the Ephesians the Church is called his Body the Fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes. 1.23 Poor Creatures are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth not count himself perfect without us as if he were a maimed imperfect Christ till all the Church be where he is He treateth his Mystical Body with the same respect that he doth his Natural it is raised ascended glorified so shall we For the present there is some Communion between us he is grieved in our Miseries and we are exalted in his Glory As there is a mutual Passage of Spirits between the Head and the Body so there is a Communion between Christ and us by Donatives and Duties II. How this is a ground of Establishment and Consolation 1. By this Gift we have an Interest both in God and Christ. 1 John 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have Fellowship with us and truly
so in the Body each Member liveth in the Whole and the Whole in all the Members and they all exercise their several Functions for the Common Good 1 Cor. 12.25 The Members should have the same care one of another We are not Friends and Brethren but Members 2. No one thing is so much inculcated in his Sermons John 15.17 These things I command you that ye love one another Will you take a Charge from a dying Man This was the great Charge that Christ left at his Death it was a Legacy as well as a Precept Speeches of dying Men are wont to be received with much Veneration and Reverence especially the Charge of dying Friends The Brethren of Joseph fearing lest he should remember the Injuries done to him in seeking his Life selling him into Egypt they use this Plea Gen. 50.16 17. Thy Father commanded us before he died saying So shall ye say unto Joseph Forgive I pray thee now the Trespass of thy Brethren and their Sin for they did thee Evil And now we pray thee forgive the Trespass of the Servants of the God of thy Father We count it a piece of Natural Honesty to fulfil the Will of the Dead When Christ took his leave of the Disciples this was the Charge that he left upon them Therefore when thy Heart beginneth to be exulcerated consider What Love do I bear Christ since I do not respect his last Commandment Again as it was Christ's last Commandment so it was his new Commandment John 13.34 A new Commandment I give unto you That you love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another It was his solemn Charge A New Commandment How New since it was as old as the Moral Law or Law of Nature New because Excellent as a New Song or new because solemnly and expresly renewed by him and commended to their Care as new Things and new Laws are much esteemed and prized Christ would have this Commandment always new and fresh or new because enforced by a New Argument As I have loved you so should ye love one another When we see how much Christ hath loved us even to the Death of the Cross we may learn to love with a new kind of Love Experti amorem meum tam novum inauditum This was a new kind of Love indeed to enkindle Love in our Souls Christ gave us such a new kind of Love as was never seen nor heard of Christ came from Heaven to propound us a Patern of Charity as to repair and preserve the Notions of the Godhead by the greatness of his Sufferings so to shew us a Patern of Charity and to elevate Duty between Man and Man Ephes. 5.2 Walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God of a sweet smelling savour In Christ's Example we see the highest Patern of Love John 15.9 As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you His Father loved him with an Infinite Love yet parted with him for the Salvation of Men and Christ parted with himself and all to raise our Love to God and Men the higher But I digress 3. In his Prayers that which he reinforced again and again is Unity and Love When he was about to die he foresaw the Divisions of the Church and that Satan would by all means endeavour to sow Strife corrupt Nature putteth us on Discords He left some Apostles others Believers but all Men wherefore he prays for the Apostles Let them be One for Believers Let them be One. Christ that left Unity as a Charge in his last Sermons he would leave it as a Legacy in his last Prayers But why was Christ so earnest in his Prayers 1. Because it is such an Excellent Blessing Christ would not have been so earnest for it if it had not been so excellent I would not digress into a commendation of Concord and Love Pax ab omnibus landatur à paucis servatur all commend it tho few observe it yet a little will not be unnecessary This is the Strength and Safety of the Church Col. 3.14 And above all things put on Charity which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bond of Perfectness or a perfect Bond the Cement of the Church The Church is but one Temple where Stones squared by Grace are cemented with Love and inhabited by the same Spirit this keepeth them fast in the Building This is the Beauty and Safety of the Church the joining that runneth through all the squared Stones As the Health of the outward Body dependeth on the Symetry and Proportion of the Members and the Harmony and Disposition of all the Parts so doth the Welfare of the Church upon the Bond of Love Next to Truth there is not a greater Blessing and Christ prayeth for the Apostles that they might be kept in the Truth for this End that they might be one in Love And as nothing is more profitable to the Church so nothing is more acceptable to God it pleaseth God exceedingly to see all that call him Father to love as Brethren Certainly there is not a greater Grief to his Spirit than to see us divided in Opinion and Affection in our Prayers and Supplications Certainly there is much in Concord in praying when all God's Children do besiege Heaven with uniform and joint Supplications Things stick in the Birth because we are not agreed what to ask As Reformation sticketh towards Men because we are not agreed what to hold forth to the World so it sticketh as to God because we are not agreed what to ask When the Israelites would have God's Help it is said They came all as one Man to ask his Counsel Judges 20.1 Then all the Children of Israel went out and the Congregation was gathered together as one Man from Dan even to Beersheba with the Land of Gilead unto the Lord in Mizpeh Oh when shall it be so amongst us there is not only Altar set up against Altar but Prayer against Prayer We are first divided in Practices and Opinions and then in Prayers God's dear Children and Servants are divided in Language we cannot in charity but judg them to be acted with the same Spirit inspired with the same Breath yet they yield a different sound It is said of the Primitive Believers that they continued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with one accord in Prayer and Supplication Acts 1.14 And they were with one accord in one place when the Holy-Spirit descended on them Acts 2.1 And yet how seldom doth any publick Congegration meet with one mind in the same place As in an Organ when some Pipes do make a sound others keep silence Mat. 18.19 If two of you shall agree on Earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven God looks for an Agreement and Harmony in our Requests if we would speed with him 2. Because Christ foresaw
is not so tender of his Works as of his Word It is more firm and stable than the Frame of Heaven and Earth that shall be dissolved but not the least Point of Truth shall fail Heaven and Earth do only continue till all that is prophesied of 〈◊〉 the Word be fulfilled His Word endureth for ever We shall have the Comfort of it in Heaven when all these things are melted 2. Nay which is more the Treason plotted against Christ taketh place that 〈◊〉 Word may be fulfilled and one main Reason why Christ came into the World was to accomplish the Word tho it cost him his Life yet saith he Heb. 10.7 Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God Promises shall be fulfilled tho most difficult for God to grant or us to believe Rather than God baulk from his Word God would send his Son to die for a sinful World Vse 1. Wait for the Accomplishment of Prophecies fear the Truth of Threatnings Hos. 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard Isa. 34.16 Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read No one of these shall fail none shall want her Mate For my Mouth it hath commanded and his Spirit it hath gathered them Look into the Book of the Law where these Curses are recorded When the Day of Execution cometh take this Prophecy into your hands see if any of these be found wanting not one thing shall fail This is the Unhappiness of Ministers all other Professions are believed when they discover Danger But who hath believed our Report It is our Duty to observe all Occurrences and compare the Rule and Event together and observe what Truth God makes good by what is fallen out and come to pass And so wait for the Accomplishment of Promises whatever Inconveniences fall out they shall be fulfilled When a Promise is thrown into the Fire it shall come out again and be fulfilled in its due time Vse 2. Here is Comfort to the Godly against the Wrath of their Enemies God hath a hand not only in Sickness and Famine but the Treasons of Men against Christ. If the Rod smites it is in the Father's hand Let Men live how they will yet God will have his Will if not his Will of Command his Will of Decree His Glory shall prevail at last You cannot hurt God whether you will or no he will be glorified SERMON XXI JOHN XVII 13 And now come I to Thee and these things I speak in the World that they might have my Ioy fulfilled in themselves OUR Lord is still amplifying that Argument of his own Departure and the Disciples danger in the World and so justifieth his earnestness in Prayer for them I come to thee and must leave their Company and therefore I have need to make some provision for them In the Argument of this Text Christ sheweth what was his special Aim in the whole Prayer He is so earnest not to blemish the Father as if he were backward and wanted Mercy but for their Comfort that they might know what Prayers were laid up in store for them and to give them a taste of his own Care He prayeth with them that they might know how he prayed for them Christ would have something left upon Record as a Pledg of his Affections to the Church These things I speak in the World c. In the words not to speak of the Occasion I come to thee which signifieth not his Address in Prayer but his Ascension to God as was cleared before Vers. 11. In the rest of the words we have Christ's Action and Christ's Aim The Comfort of the Disciples where we have the Author My Joy the Manner how received for quantity fulfilled the Quality in themselves And these things I speak in the World That is make this Prayer in their hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speak it signifieth Prayer with an audible Voice elsewhere he useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And here a Record and Patern is left for the use of the Church in all Ages That they may have my Joy What is the meaning of that 1. Because he rejoiceth in our Good My Joy and your Joy are distinguished John 15.11 These things have I spoken to you that my Joy should be fulfilled in you and that your Joy might be full There is nothing maketh the Heart of Christ so glad as to see his Members thrive in Peace and Grace So the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.2 Fulfil ye my Joy Nothing could be more comfortable to Paul than to see the Philippians thrive in Grace Thus some interpret it actively of the Joy which Christ hath in the good of his Members But I suppose it is rather to be taken passively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in themselves 2. Others think that by my Joy is meant a Joy like mine when they feel the same Desires kindled in their Hearts they may be comforted with the workings of the same Spirit of Prayer in them that is feel such a Joy as I feel in uttering these Requests But this doth not run so smoothly 3. My Joy because he is the Author of it Gaudium ex me Joy which I work as Mediator and Redeemer Of our selves we have nothing but Despair and Trouble Isa. 57.19 I create the Fruit of the Lips Peace Peace to him that is afar of and to him that is near and I will heal him We possess it but it is Christ's Joy he worketh it and causeth it by his Spirit elsewhere it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.6 4. My Joy because he is the Object of it Gaudium de me that that Joy which they have conceived from my Presence with them or care of them may not be lessened but increased that this Spiritual Joy may be fulfilled These two latter are of chief regard May be fulfilled not only accomplished but be abundant as Chap. 15.11 That your Joy may be full The filling up of Joy is a Phrase proper to S. John Ch. 3.29 This my Joy therefore is fulfilled saith John the Baptist because he heard the Bridegroom's Voice So 1 John 1.4 These things we write unto you that your Joy may be full And 2 Epist. 12. vers I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our Joy may be full Possibly this Joy is called a Full Joy not with respect to it self but with respect to other Joys In it self it is always a growing and receiveth a daily increase till it be perfected in Heaven Here we have but some fore-running Beams of the Noon of Glory the first Fruits of the Harvest The Joy of the World is a lank empty Joy In themselves that is in their Hearts by their own feeling and experience they have need of something within for they have nothing without John 16.33 In the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good comfort I
he might enjoy the World always They have their Reward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 6.2 They discharge God of all his Promises and look for no more A thousand Worlds will not satisfy a craving Heart but a Child of God is content with the least Mercies but not satisfied Contentment respects God's Allowance but this is not their portion they do not murmur but yet they desire more A Reprobate's Portion will not serve the turn Nothing is more acceptable to a Carnal Heart in conceit than to live here for ever and to delight themselves in Meat and Drink and the Sports and Glory of the World Now this is quite contrary to the Example of Christ a Disposition that seeketh to make the Life and Death of Christ of none effect Christ came from Heaven to Earth to fetch us to Heaven if thou cleavest to the World Christ's coming is in vain he lived in a poor Estate to teach us to despise the World his Life was a Sermon of Mortification he died to deliver us from the present World he ascended that we might follow him with our Hearts while we live here 2. The Courage of Christ's Example He was not for the Humor of that Age. John 8.23 Ye are from Beneath I am from Above ye are of this World I am not of this World He speaketh to the carnal Jews that looked for a Pompous Messiah that should maintain their Worship and State and deliver them from the Roman Yoke and Servitude Christ was not a Messiah for their turn if Christ had complied with their Humors he had been more generally received So a Christian's Courage is a Counter-motion to the Fashions and Humors of the Age. We must not be afraid to be singular in Holiness So was Christ Acts 2.40 Save your selves from this untoward Generation not only in purpose and thought of Heart but externally in course of Life When Men are afraid to estrange themselves from the corrupt and carnal Courses of the World that are in fashion they do not write after Christ's Copy What Father would endure his Son should be intimate with his Enemies and symbolize with them in Practice and Conversation Therefore you must look to this you are in danger Christ's Example is only left upon Record and the World's Example is before your Eyes living Examples work much and taint insensibly The Prophet complained Isa. 6.5 Wo is me for I am undone because I am a Man of unclean Lips and I dwell in the midst of a People of unclean Lips An estrangement in course of Life will draw trouble upon you but Persecution is not as bad as Hell nor is Man's Wrath to be feared as much as God's Judgments Carnal Men may make great Profession of the Name of Christ but they humour the World 1 John 4.5 They are of the World therefore speak they of the World and the World heareth them they comply to humor the Carnal World in their inveterate Customs and Superstitions Vse 2. To press Christians not to conform to the World It is Paul's Exhortation Rom. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be not conformed to the World It is a sad thing when Christians are cast into the World's Stamp and Mould to symbolize with them in Practices and Affections Two things you should take heed of The World's Spirit and the World's Courses and Practices First The World's Spirit A Man is Good or Evil according to the disposition of his Heart Phil. 3.19 They mind earthly things The Apostle doth not describe Carnal Men there by any notorious scandalous Sin but by the inward frame of the Spirit This is most odious in the Eyes of God the Carnal Conversation is an effect of a Carnal frame of Spirit first Men mind Earthly Things and then in time they come to hate the Gospel and to symbolize with the World in Practices 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us having loved this present World James 4.4 Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the World is enmity with God Whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God Now the Frame of the Heart may be known 1. By the working of the Thoughts Counsels and Deliberations Therefore we should observe what we think of and meditate most upon Inventions serve Affection As the Heart is so are the Thoughts and Counsels A worldly Man is always thinking of the World and framing endless Projects how to grow great and high Therefore it is said 2 Pet. 2.14 They have an Heart exercised with covetous Practices that is always plotting how to bring the World into their Net As the Apostle would have Timothy to exercise himself unto Godliness 1 Tim. 4.7 that is to be much in consulting and contriving how to carry on the Holy Life with most advantage So their Hearts are exercised with covetous Practices that is with worldly Purposes and Thoughts All Sins do more or less discover themselves by the Thoughts for a Man will deliberate to accomplish that which he aimeth at and chiefly VVorldliness occupieth the Thoughts for it is a serious Madness full of carking and caring and vain Projects VVhen our Saviour would represent a VVorldling he bringeth him in musing Luke 12.17 18. And he thought with himself saying I will do thus and thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbum mire appositum saith Beza for a worldly Man is always framing Dialogues within himself between his Reason and his carnal Desires Distractions in Worship are chiefly ascribed to Covetousness Ezek. 33.31 With their Mouth they shew much Love but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness The Prophet instances in that Sin tho other Lusts withdraw the Heart and distract in Hearing as unclean Glances vain Glory c. Words are but Thoughts expressed there is a quick intercourse between the Mind and the Tongue Now it is said John 3.31 He that is of the Earth is earthly and speaketh of the Earth There is nothing of Heaven in their Thoughts nothing in their Language and Communication a heavy Clod cannot move upward of it self Observe the drift of your Thoughts your first and last Thoughts Morning and Evening what Guest haunteth you in Duties When the Heart is deeply engaged the Mind cannot be taken off from thinking 2. By your esteem When a Man prizeth worldly Things when you over-rate them have too greatning Thoughts of the World the Devil is at your Elbow and the Spirit of the VVorld is set a-work Happy is the People that is in such a Case Psal. 144. ult VVhat is the Treasure of the Soul Carnal men have no savour of Christ. God's People sometimes may be taken with a glittering shew of worldly Things but their solid esteem is in Christ he is their Treasure the Soul feasts it self with the Riches of Grace To a Carnal Heart heavenly things are but a Notion it worketh no more than a Dream To a gracious Heart the Substance of the VVorld is but a Fancy John
cannot endure to eat twice of one Dish Vse 2. It serveth to encourage you in your private Exercises of Rehearsing and Meditation this is chewing the Cud. Psal. 62.11 God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongeth to God it was often revolved in the Mind The Meat is taken into the Mouth and Digestion is afterward Repetition is the outward Help Meditation the inward Conscience preacheth over the Sermon again to the Heart Vse 3. To Ministers not only to study new things but to inculcate those that are of a common use Jude 5. I will therefore put you in remembrance tho ye once knew this We are not to content your Curiosity but to provide for your Benefit not to please the Athenian but to profit the Christian. We are not Cooks but Physicians People do not remember half we preach or they lose their Affections Christ often repeateth the same Sentences so do the Apostles You may repeat the same things only with these Cautions 1. That it be in Matters mainly necessary There are some standing Dishes at Christ's Table 2. That it be with variety of Enforcement to avoid tediousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there are several Notions to help us every time we should have new Thoughts Adoro plenitudinem Sacrae Scripturae that all be subjected to Profit not a cover to Laziness There is much of God's Providence to be observed in inclining the Heart not only the Efficacy of the Spirit in quickning Gifts is to be regarded but the Power of his Providence in determining the Thoughts Much of God is to be seen in the choice of the Subject But let us look upon the words more particularly the Reasons of this Repetition with respect to the Disciples or to God First With respect to the Disciples It is repeated in their Ears for their Comfort and Instruction They are not of the World even as I am not of the World It either noteth their outward Condition or their inward Temper and Constitution or both they have little of the World's Respect and the World hath little of theirs Gal. 6.14 The World is crucified to me and I unto the World A dead Man hanging on the Cross is a miserable and ignominious Spectacle I despise the World and the World despiseth me as a crucified Man is made an Object of Shame and Scorn Paul sought not after the World nor did the World seek after him All the Honours Pomps Delights which the World doteth upon were as a Crucified Man in whom there is no Form and Comeliness why he should desire them thus they are to a gracious Eye Both Senses are taken and the Patern will agree to both Christ's Spirit Christ's Life 1. Take it for their Constitution and Temper of Mind They are not of the World as I am not of the World Christ repeateth it again in the hearing of the Disciples Observe That we can never enough be cautioned against the World We had need to be pressed often and often in this Matter 1. Because of our proneness to it The Love of the World is natural to us We need it in part and we love it more than we need it There are several Reasons partly because Worldliness is a part of Original Sin it is a Disease we are born with The Commandment that forbiddeth the Original of Sin saith Thou shalt not covet It is hard for any to say they are not tempted to Covetousness it is their Nature Partly by Custom we are daily conversant about the Things of the World our Affections receive taint from the Objects with which we usually converse long Converse is a bewitching thing Partly because it is of a present Enjoyment we have the World in Hand and Heaven in Hope and think Heaven a Fancy a Notion and the World Substance Prov. 8.17 Riches and Honours are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness The Judgment of Men is different from the Judgment of the Word We have a sensible experience of the Profit of the World Partly because it is a serious Sin applauded by Men. Psal. 10.3 The Wicked boasteth of his Heart's desire and blesseth the Covetous whom the Lord abhorreth Men think well of it and stroak it with a gentle Censure it is not so foul an Act. A Drunkard is more liable to Reproach than a Worldling It is consistent with the gravity and strictness of Profession Religion is a serious thing and of all Corruptions it is most incident to them that profess Religion the dissoluâ—eness of Luxury will not stand with the external gravity and strictness of Profession licentious Persons do procure shame and are publickly oâ—ioâ—s Partly because it is a cloaked Sin 1 Thess. 2.5 Neither at any time used we flattering Words nor a Cloak of Covetousness God is Witness It is hard to discover it and find it out there are so many Evasions of Necessity Providence and Provision It is a great part of Religion to keep our selves unspotted from the World James 1.27 2. Because of the heinousness and danger of it It is called Adultery James 4.4 Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the World is Enmity with God Whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God It is most unsuitable to the matrimonial Contract between God and the Soul wherein God propoundeth himself as God Alsufficient Now as if we had not enough in God Men go a whoring to the Creatures It is Idolatry Col. 3.5 And Covetousness which is Idolatry So Ephes. 5.5 No covetous Person who is an Idolater hath any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God It diverteth our Trust robbeth God of the fairest Flower in his Crown of his Soveraignty the trust and dependence of the Creature It is Enmity with God James 4.4 The World is the greatest Encroacher upon God and Grace it robbeth God and destroyeth Grace The Comforts of Christianity relish not with them that love the World It is impossible at the same time to look with one Eye to Heaven and another to the Earth 3. Because of the unsuitableness of it to the Divine Nature It is most unsuitable to the New Nature 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World It is unsuitable to our Hopes God hath provided Heaven on purpose to draw us off from the World God is most liberal in this World to the worst as Judas had the Bag these are Gifts for worldly Men not for God's Favorites Gen. 25.6 Vnto the Sons of the Concubines which Abraham had Abraham gave Gifts and sent them away from Isaac his Son Isaac had the Inheritance It is contrary to the Aim of Christ his whole Aim in coming and going was to bring us to Heaven Heb. 11.16 Now they desire a better Country that is an Heavenly wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a Country Vse 1. To press us to beware the more
Light with it to see Sin after another manner altho a Man did not know it before Faith persuadeth us that the Commands of God are just and equal there is a believing Commands as well as Promises this is a Command from God Psal. 119.66 Teach me good Judgment and Knowledg for I have believed thy Commandments SERMON XXVII JOHN XVII 17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth I NOW Proceed to the Reasons why God sanctifieth by his Truth It is most suitable to God's Honour and to Man's Nature I. To God's Honour It was meet that God should give a Rule to the Creatures or else how should they know his Will And then it was meet to honour this Rule by owning it above all other Doctrines by the concomitant Operation of his Spirit This is the authentick Proof the Efficacy of the Word is a Pledg of the Truth of it John 8.32 And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make ye free from the Bondage of Sin the Devil and Death A wicked Man cannot have an absolute assurance of the Truth of the Word he hath no feeling of the Power of it There is a great deal of Do How do you prove the Scriptures to be the Word of God A Believer hath the Testimony in his own Heart 1 John 5.10 He that believeth in the Son of God hath the Testimony in himself His Conscience and Heart are set at liberty by Water and Blood This made the Apostles bold and should make Ministers so Rom. 1.16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto Salvation We should not be ashamed to preach it and you should not be ashamed to profess it it is the Power of God God will not associate and join the powerful Operation of his Spirit with any other Doctrine So David when he commendeth the Law by which he doth not mean the Decalogue but the whole Word of God Psal. 19.7 8 9. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the Simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the Soul the Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the Eyes The Fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever the Judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether He had spoken before of the Excellency of the Sun now of the Word intimating that the Word of God is as necessary for the Heart as the Sun is for the World We can as well be without the Sun as without the Bible But how doth he evidence it From the Effects upon the Heart and Conscience Comfort and Grace are two great Evidences of the Perfection of the Word No Doctrine in the World save this Divine Truth set down in Scripture is able to discover the Sin and Misery of Man the Remedy and Relief of it in Christ. No Doctrine save this alone can effectually humble a Soul and convert it to God make it sensible of the Loss by Sin and restore it to a better Condition II. It is more suitable to Man's Nature The Word is more morally accommodated to work upon the Heart of Man than any other Instrument Means or Doctrine in the World 1. The Precepts of it It is the Copy of God's Holiness the Light by which we see ever◠thing in its own Colours The Light of Nature is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Work of the Law Rom. 2.14 15. It taketh notice of gross Acts of Sin and the outward Work of Duty they made Conscience to abstain from gross Acts of Sin and to perform outward Acts of Piety and Devotion as offering Sacrifices and Prayers But now there is an excellent Spirit of Holiness that breatheth in the Word and all matters of Duty are advanced to their greatest perfection Psal. 119.96 Thy Commandment is exceeding broad of a vast extent and latitude comprizing every Motion Thought and Circumstance in Duties not only the Act is required but the Frame of Heart is regarded not only Sins but Lusts are forbidden If ever there were an Instrument fitted to do a thing the Word is fitted to promote Holiness the true Purity that is pleasing to God 2. The Paterns and Examples of the Word We miscarry by low Examples and learn Looseness and Carelesness one by another Therefore the Word of God to elevate Holiness to the highest extent presseth not only the Examples of the Saints whose Memorials are left upon record in the Word but the Holiness of the Angels yea the Holiness of God himself The highest Aim doth no hurt he will shoot further who aimeth at a Star than he that aimeth at a Shrub Be ye Followers of them who through Faith and Patience have inherited the Promises Heb. 6.12 Thy Will be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven Mat. 6.10 Be ye holy as I am holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Communion begets Conformity We need all kinds of Examples high Examples that we may not rest in any low degrees and beginnings of Holiness low Examples that we may think it possible We are not Angels but Men and Women 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of like Affections that have the same natural Interests natural Wants with others It is a trodden Path in the Way to Heaven you may see the Footsteps of the Saints 3. Excellent Rewards and fit Arguments to induce us to the Practice of Holiness 2 Cor. 7.1 Having these Promises dearly Beloved let us cleanse our selves from all the Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises that by these ye might be Partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust. God covenants with us as if we were free-born to interest our Hearts in the Love and Practice of Holiness we have as much propounded as we can wish for nay and more 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the Heart of Man the Things which God hath prepared for them that love him Lactantius saith of the Heathens Virtutis vim non sentiunt cujus proemium ignorant They feel not the Power of Vertue because they are ignorant of the Reward of Vertue Life and Glory and the great things to come are powerful Motives can you meet with the like elsewhere All Creatures seek their own Perfection Philosophy is to seek of a sure Reward and Encouragement 4. Our many Advantages in Christ. We have not only Encouragement offered but Help and Assistance Christ hath purchased Grace to make us holy 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own self bare our Sins in his own Body on the Tree that we being dead unto Sin might live to Righteousness by whose Stripes ye were healed He hath not only purchased the Rewards of Grace to wit that God should not deal with us in Soveraignty but purchased the Abilities of Grace redeemed us from
needs be true for God is so infinitely Wise that he cannot be deceived and so infinitely Just and True that he will not deceive us and so Omnipotent that he cannot be jealous of our Knowledg and so Gracious that he is not envious of our Knowledg as the Devil would insinuate Gen. 3.5 For God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. It will be no infringement to his Interest if we should know his Nature and his Will But the great Question is What we should take for the Word of God Now that we may have a sure ground in this Kind let us consider how he hath revealed himself to Man The Dispensations of God are several 1. To Adam 2. To the World 3. To the Church 1. To Adam His Bible was his Heart the Law was written there and God preached to him immediatly and by Oracle gave him all extraordinary Commands and the Book of the Creatures for his Contemplation not so much to better his Knowledg as to increase his Reverence 2. To the World to Heathens God gave the Book of Nature which was more than they made use of and therefore he stopt there Psal. 19.1 2 3. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-Work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledg There is no Speech nor Language where their Voice is not heard c. This Revelation God hath made of himself even to all Nations they have Sun and Moon to look upon and the Structure of the Heavens to behold which are as so many Pledges of the Excellency and Infiniteness of God Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest to them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible Things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the Things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Acts 14.17 Nevertheless he left not himself without Witness in that he did good and gave us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness In the Book of Nature there is the rough Draught of God's Will Trismegistus said it was Liber unus Divinitate plenus Creation was nothing else but one Book that was full of the Glory of God and his Excellency God Spake to them by Things not by Words This with some Instincts of Conscience the Relicts of the Fall was all the Heathens had Conscience was God's Deputy to put them in mind of a Judg and the Heavens put them in mind of a God Look as Job's Messengers said I alone am escaped to tell thee so there are some few Reliques and Principles alone escaped out of the Ruins of the Fall to tell us somewhat of God and somewhat of a Judg. That Light proclaims every where and speaks to every Nation and proclaims it aloud to all People Kindred and Tongues of the Earth Take notice there is one infinite eternal God that made us and you and all things else God's refreshing the parched Earth with Showers of Rain shews how willing he is to be gracious to poor hungry Creatures Fruitful Seasons shew us the abundance of his Mercy The decking the Heavens with Stars and the Earth with Plants shew us what Glory he can put upon the Creatures This Language may be gathered out of the Creation and thus did God speak to all Creatures by the Voice of his Creatures 3. To the Church And the Dispensations of God to the Church have been various and diverse Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake in Times past unto our Fathers by the Prophets c. He spake his Mind by pieces that is signified by the Word now he gave a piece of his Mind and then a piece And he hath spoken also in sundry manners by several ways of Revelation The Church never wanted sufficient Revelation nor Means of Knowledg to guide them to the Enjoyment of God and true Happiness God's Dispensations to the Church may be reduced to three Heads There was 1. His Word without Writing 2. Then Word and Writing 3. Then Writing only 1. There was the Word without Writing by Visions Oracles and Dreams by which he manifested himself to Persons of the greatest Sanctity and Holiness that they might instruct others and impart the Mind of God to others Now mark this Dispensation was sure enough to guide them to Communion with God why Because the People of the World were then but few Families and the Persons intrusted with God's Message were of great Authority and Credit therefore sufficient enough to inform that present Age of God's Counsel and which was another Advantage they lived long to continue the Tradition with certainty to others for hundreds of Years Vision and Tradition was sure enough for as 't is observed by some three Men might continue the Tradition of the Counsel of God from Adam till Israel went down into Egypt There was Adam first God taught him by Oracle and he taught others he lived a long time Methuselah lived with Adam two hundred forty three Years and continued until the Flood then Seâ— lived with Methusalah ninety eight Years and flourished about five hundred Years after the Flood and Isaac lived fifty Years with Sem and died about ten Years before Israel's descent into Egypt So that Methuselah Sem and Isaac might continue the Knowledg of God and preserve the Purity of Religion from Adam's Death till Israel's going down into Egypt for so many hundred Years This was God's Dispensation to that Church 2. Afterwards there was both Word and Writing God's Word was necessary for the further revealing and clearing up of the Doctrine of Salvation which was revealed by pieces And Writing was necessary partly because in process of time Precepts were multiplied and it was needful for Mens Memories that they should be registred in some publick Record and partly because the long Life of God's Witnesses was much lessened and the Corruption of the World was increased and Satan began to imitate God by Oracles Visions and Answers and Idolatry and Superstition crept into the best Families Into â—erah's Josh. 24.2 Your Fathers dwelt on the other side the Flood in old Time even Terah the Father of Abraham and the Father of Nachor and they served other Gods And Jacob's Family was corrupt Gen. 35.2 Then Jacob said to his Houshold and to all that were with him Put away the strange Gods that are among you and be clean and change your Garments The People were grown numerous enough to make a Commonwealth and a Politick Body and it was fit they should have a publick Record and common Rule and therefore to avoid Man's Corruptions and to give a stop to Satan's Deceits the Lord thought fit there should be a written Rule at hand for
he will worship God and report that God is in you of a Truth In converting Sinners to God James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth In building up them that are sanctified Acts 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among them that are sanctified This is no sluggish idle Power that may be hid and obscured but manifests it self by sensible Effects it is lively and operative not only to change Men's Lives but Hearts Psal. 19.7 8. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the Simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the Heart the Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the Eyes This the Apostle makes to be a sensible proof of Christ speaking in him 2 Cor. 13.3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me which to you-ward is not weak but is mighty in you Object But this is an Argument to those that have felt it How will it perswade others Answ. 1. It is an Argument to others also for this mighty Operation is sensible to others they may see the change wrought in them and wonder at it 1 Pet. 4.4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to all excess of Riot 2. There are publick Effects of the Power of the Word besides private Instances Wherever the Word hath been Satan vanished where formerly he tyrannized and his Deceits are of no more force Oracles ceased at Delphos the Devils howled Where the Gospel is preached there are less Witchcrafts and Diabolical Delusions they are not so frequent where the Gospel has had a free passage 3. Those that have felt no experience of this Power have a secret fear of it John 3.20 Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light left his Deeds should be reproved Conscience is afraid of the Majesty of God shining forth in the Scriptures Men dare not pause upon and consider the Doctrine therein contained Atheism lieth in the Heart the Seat of Desire Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Men question the Word because they would not have it true When Men give leave to Lusts they are afraid the Word should prove true and therefore would rather accuse the Word of Falsity than their own Hearts as Ahab was loth to hear Micaiah because he prophesied Evil. Strong Lusts make the Soul incredulous they fear the Scriptures and then question them They know there is Power in them to astonish them and therefore as Malefactors desire to destroy the Records and Evidences that are against them so do wicked Men they are Antiscripturists in Affection rather than Opinion Fifthly By the Spirit 's Testimony That it is so is clear 1 John 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is Truth The Doctrine of the Gospel is there called Spirit because he is the Author of it 2 Pet. 1.21 For the Prophecy came not in old Time by the Will of Men but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Or because the Spirit is Truth therefore he is the Supreme Witness He is of God's Privy Council 1 Cor. 2.11 For what Man knoweth the Things of a Man save the Spirit of Man that is in him Even so the Things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God Now the Spirit witnesseth from Heaven or on Earth 1 John 5.7 8. For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. And there are three that bear witness in Earth the Spirit and the Water and Blood and these three agree in One. From Heaven in Miracles and so Christ as God might be a Witness in his own Cause On Earth so in an Association and Conjunction with Water and Blood when we feel the Effects of it in ease of Conscience or Sanctification of Heart And over and above the Spirit 's Testimony there is an inward Testimony 1 John 5.10 He that believeth in the Son of God hath the Testimony in himself But what is this inward Testimony a Witness to the Truth of Scripture by the certainty of our own Thoughts it is not that which every one's Mind and Fancy suggests to him but the Light of the Holy Ghost leading us into the acknowledgment of the Truth the same Holy Ghost which inspired the Penmen of the Scriptures inclines our Hearts to believe them 1 John 2.27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you all things and is Truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Faith cannot be wrought by Humane Authority or more rational Inducements it is the Work of the Spirit We may plead and urge but the Heart closeth not with what is represented till the Spirit worketh Isa. 53.1 Who hath believed our Report and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed There is an outward Report and an inward Revelation This Testimony of the Spirit may be thus discerned 1. It is affective Truth represented in the Light of Reason leaveth a weak Impression but Truth represented in the Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit 2. Cor. 2.4 worketh after another manner sees another manner of excellency and beauty in Christ another manner of vanity in the Creatures 2. It draweth to Admiration Psal. 119.18 Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law A Man never wondreth so at the dreadfulness of God's Wrath at the sweetness of God's Mercy in Christ at the Evil of Sin the strictness of Duty till the Spirit opens his Eyes Acts 13.12 Then the Deputy when he saw what was done believed being astonished at the Doctrine of the Lord. 3. It begets more certainty Till we have the Spirit 's Light we have but a trembling wavering Opinion but then we have that which the Apostle calleth The Fulness of the Assurance of Vnderstanding Col. 2.2 Tho we have no other Arguments yet we see by another Light As Gerson reporteth of a devout Man that doubted of an Article of Faith and came to be setled not by any new Demonstration but by the humiliation and captivation of the Understanding to see more by former Arguments As Hagar's Eyes were opened to see the Fountain by her Gen. 21.19 The Spirit taketh away the Vail of Ignorance the Pride of Reason and by an over-powering Force maketh the Soul stoop to the simplicity of the Gospel 4. It is a transforming Light 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of our God A Man
and that many would yield up themselves to the Obedience of the Faith therefore to shew that they have a room in his Heart they have a Name in his Testament As Parents provided for their Childrens Children yet unborn so doth Christ remember future Believers as well as those of the present Age and pleadeth their Cause with God as if they were standing by and actually hearing his Prayers for them It was Esau's complaint Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father when he came too late and Jaaob had already carried away the Blessing We were not born too late and out of due time to receive the Blessing of Christ's Prayers Hath he no regard to us are his Thoughts wholly taken up with the Believers of the first and Golden Age of the Church Certainly No. I pray not for these only but for them also which shall believe on me through their Word We that now live hundreds of Years after they are dead and gone have an Interest in them Increase and multiply was spoken to the first of the Kind of all the Beasts and to the end of the World all Creatures do produce and bring forth after their Kind by virtue of this Blessing Christ doth not only speak of the first of the Kind but that we might be sure to be comprized he telleth us so in express words Certainly much of our Comfort would be lost if we were not comprehended in Christ's Prayers for his Prayers show the Extent of his Purchase 2. The Honour that is put upon private Believers their Names are in Christ's Testament they are bound up in the same Bundle of Life with the Apostles Here is a Question Whether this Passage relateth to the foregoing Requests or else to these that follow What part of the Prayer hath this Passage respect to Answer I suppose to the whole it looketh upward and downward The middle part of the Chapter doth chiefly concern the Apostles and Disciples of that Age some Things are proper to them yet there are many Things in common that concern us and them too He had lately said I sanctify my self for their sakes he would not have that restrained In the latter part of the Chapter all Believers are more especially concerned yet some Passages are intermingled that do also concern the Apostles Vers. 22. The Glory which thou hast given me I have given them Vers. 25. They have known that thou hast sent me Vers. 26. I have declared my Name to them and will declare it Thus you see we are partly concerned in all the Prayer it is a great favour that he would make mention of us to God As David when about to die did not only pray for Solomon his Successor but for all the People so doth Christ not only pray for the College of the Apostles to whom the Government of the Church was committed upon his departure but for all Believers to the end of the World He prayeth for the Apostles as intrusted with a great Work and liable to great danger and hatred but yet he doth not neglect the Church Secondly Positively The Persons for whom he prays They are described by their Faith and their Faith is described by the Object of it that believe in me and by the Ground and Warrant of it through their Word And so the Points will be two 1. That Believers and they only are interested in Christ's Prayers 2. That in the sense and reckoning of the Gospel they are Believers that are wrought upon to believe in Christ through the Word Doct. 1. That Believers and they only are interested in Christ's Prayers Tho Christ doth inlarge the Object of his Prayers yet he still keepeth within the Pale of the Elect. He saith V. 9. I pray not for the World and now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for them that shall believe in me He doth not pray for all whether they believe or no but only for those that shall believe Now this Christ doth partly because his Prayers and his Merit are of equal extent I sanctify my self for their sakes and then I pray not for these only but for them that shall believe in me through their Word Rom. 8.33 34. 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 1 John 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 His Prayers on Earth do but explain the Virtue and Extent of his Sacrifice he sueth out what he purchased and his Intercession in Heaven is but a Representation of his Merit both are Acts of the same Office Partly because it is not for the Honour of Christ that his Prayers should fall to the ground John 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Shall the Son of God's Love plead in vain and urge his Merit and not succeed then farewel the sureness and firmness of our Comfort Now Christ's Prayers would fall to the Ground if he should pray for them that shall never believe Vse 1. It is much for the Comfort of them who do already believe You may be sure you are one of those for whom Christ prayeth whether Jew or Gentile Bond or Free. Particulars are under their general How do we prove John or Thomas to be Children of Wrath by Nature all were so So Christ prayeth for all those that shall believe as much as if he had brought them forth and set them before God by Head and Poll. And if Christ prayed for thee why is not thy Joy full Why did he speak these things in the World It is a Copy of his Intercession Christ would shew a little before his departure what he doth for us in Heaven he sueth out his Purchase and pleadeth our Right in Court It is a sign we have a Room in his Heart because we have a Name in his Prayers And what Blessings doth he seek for Union with himself Communion with him in Grace here in Glory hereafter It is a Comfort against all Temptations Doubts Dangers you are commended to the Father's Care Vse 2. It is an engagement to others to believe If he had commanded some great Thing ought we not to have done it This Comfort cannot be made out to you till you have actual Faith however it is with you in the Purpose of God yet you cannot apply this Comfort till you believe If a Man should make his Will wherein Rich Legacies should be left to all that can prove a Claim by being thus and thus Qualified would not every one put in for a Share Believe believe this is the Condition Vse 3. It sheweth the Excellency of Faith Those that have an Interest in Christ's Prayers are not described by their Love their Obedience or any other Grace tho these are necessary
Blood the Stomach the Meat the Liver imparts Blood to the Veins and the Stomach sends the Food abroad into its proper Vessels and Channels So God's Children impart their spiritual or temporal Gifts as the Body needeth When a Famine was but prophesied the Disciples thought of sending relief according to their ability to the Brethren of Judea Acts 11.29 It is never right but when there is this forwardness to distribute and communicate according to the Necessities of the Body II. Why Christ valueth it so much as to make it his only Request for Believers in the present State I answer We can never be happy till we have a share in this Union 1. Because God hath instituted the Mystical Union to be a means to convey all Grace to us Grace to us here and Glory hereafter we receive all from God in it and by it Christ without us doth not save us but Christ in us Christ without us is a perfect Saviour but not to you the Appropriation is by Union Generally we think we shall be saved by a Christ without us He came down from Heaven took our Nature died for Sinners ascended up into Heaven again there he maketh Intercession all this is without us Do not say there is a Saviour in Heaven is there one in thy Heart Col. 1.27 Christ in you the Hope of Glory He doth not say Christ in Heaven the Hope of Glory though that is a Fountain of Comfort but Christ in you 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Whatsoever is imputed or imparted Light Life Grace Glory it is still in him Still look to Christ within you It were a merry World to carnal Men to be saved by a Christ without them Christ without establisheth the Merit but Christ within maketh Application 2 Cor. 13.5 Know ye not your own selves how that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Unless first or last he be in you though disallowed for the present he will be of no advantage to you You have nothing to shew till you feel Christ within you All the Acts of his Mediation must be acted over again in the Heart His Birth he must be born and formed in us Gal. 4.19 My little Children of whom I travel in Birth again until Christ be formed in you His Death Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death His Resurrection Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those Things that are above His Ascension Eph. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus His Intercession Rom. 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered The Acts without us do us no good unless we have the Copy of them in our own Hearts 2. It is the Ground of that Exchange that is between Christ and us we communicate to him our Nature our Sins and Troubles and Christ communicateth to us his Nature and Merits and Priviledges What hath Christ from thee thy Nature thy Sins thy Punishments thy Wrath thy Curse thy Shame and thou hast his Titles his Nature his Spirit his Priviledges All this Interchange between us and Christ is by virtue of Union All Interestsly in common between Christ and the Church he taketh our Nature and is made Flesh and we are made Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 He is made the Son of Man we the Sons of God He had a Mother on Earth we a Father in Heaven He is made Sin we Righteousness 2 Cor. 5.21 Who hath made him to be Sin for us that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him He was made a Curse that we might have the Blessing of Abraham Gal. 3.13 14. Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree That the Blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. Thus he imparteth his Priviledges to us and assumeth our Miseries to himself he hath a share in all our Sorrows and we have a share in his Triumphs he is afflicted in our Afflictions as we ascend in his Ascension Eph. 2.6 He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus We live by his Life Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me c. And we are glorified by his Glory He suffereth with us in Heaven and we reign with him on Earth He suffereth with us non per Passionem sed Compassionem not that glorified Christ feeleth any Grief in Heaven but his Bowels yearn to an afflicted Member as if he himself were in our stead and we are sat down with him in heavenly Places because our Head is there and hath seized upon Heaven in our Right It is a notable Expression Col. 1.24 Who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Christ and the Church are considered as one Person whose Afflictions are determined by Providence thus much the Head must suffer thus much the Members Christ suffered his share and we ours in our turn In short Christ suffereth no more in the Body that he carried to Heaven but in his Body that he left upon Earth every Blow that lighteth on a Member lighteth on his Heart Acts 9.6 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Christ was in Heaven at that time how could he say why persecutest thou me did he climb up into Heaven and war upon Christ in the midst of his Glory No Saul persecuted the Christians and them Christ calleth me his mystical Body As in a Throng if some Body treadeth upon your Foot the Tongue crieth out You have hurt me the Tongue is in safety but it is in the same Body with the Foot and so their Good and Bad are common For though Christ's Person be above abuse he still suffereth in his Members and he that persecuteth the Church persecuteth Jesus Christ. 3. If once interessed in the mystical Union then they are safe preserved in Jesus Christ Jude 1. Sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ. Verse 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling c. The Union is indissoluble that is a Cabinet where God's Jewels are kept safe If a Member could be lost Christ's Body could be maimed As the Union between the two Natures could not be dissolved it was the Body of Christ in the Grave there was a Separation between his humane Body and humane Soul yet both still remained united to the Divine Nature so this Union cannot be dissolved You may
same Image from Glory to Glory That Glory which we lost in Adam and want by Nature is restored to us in Christ. Some by Glory understand the Spirit who is called a Spirit of Glory and was given to Christ without measure and from him to us as a means of Union between us and Christ and between us and Believers Others understand it of the Honour of Filiation as Christ was a Son by Nature so are we by Grace John 1.14 We beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father And Vers. 12. As many as received him to them gave he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Power to become the Sons of God It is an Honour It is a means of Union Adoption maketh way for Union with Christ and Christ left us the Relation of Brethren that we might love one another for we are Brethren But by Glory I suppose is meant rather the Happiness of the everlasting State which is usually called Glory in Scripture and so it is taken Vers. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me And there is the most perfect Union with Christ and we that expect one Heaven should not fall out by the way Ephes. 4.4 One of the Bonds is One Hope All the Difficulty is How was this given them The Disciples were upon the Earth and the greatest part of Believers were not then in being Answ. Christ acquired a Right and left us a Promise he would not go to Heaven till he had made it sure to us by Deed of Gift this then I conceive to be the meaning It is not good to streighten the Sense of Scripture yet some one is more proper Adoption Gift of the Spirit New Nature Eternal Life you may comprize all 1. Observe Christ's Care to make us every way like himself as far as our capacity will bear like but not equal The Reiteration sheweth his Care let them be as we are and the Glory which thou hast given me I have given them What Reseâ—â—lance is there between us and Christ 1. Between us and Christ as the Eternal Son of God 2. Between us and Christ as Mediator 1. Between us and Christ at the Eternal Son of God Christ is the Essential Image of the Father therefore called the Image of the Invisible God Col. 1.15 and the Character or express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 and we are God's Image by Reflection If there be two or three Suns appear one or two are but a Reflection There are some strictures in us Christ is one with the Father and we with him a poor Christian tho never so mean is one with Christ. Christ is called God's Fellow Zech. 13.7 and every Saint is Christ's Fellow Psal. 45.7 God even thy God hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows The Father loveth him because he is the express Image of his Person and the Father delights in the Saints because they are the Image of Christ the Father himself loveth you John 16.28 A Man that loveth another he loveth Head and Members with the same Love Christ is the Son of God so are we it was his Eternal Right and Privilege our Title cometh by him John 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father First He is Christ's Father and then Ours His by Nature Ours by Adoption otherwise we could not have it 2. But this likewise chiefly respects the Glory that was given to Christ as Mediator As God communicateth himself to Christ as Mediator so doth Christ communicate himself to his Members Christ as Man was begotten by the Holy Ghost and the same Spirit begetteth us to the Life of Faith The New Nature is formed in us by the Spirit as Christ was formed in the Virgin 's Womb. Gal. 4.19 My little Children of whom I travel in Birth again until Christ be formed in you All his Moral Excellencies are bestowed on the Saints 2 Cor. 3.18 We all beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. If a Picture be well taken it makes us know him whom it represents we see the Lineaments of his Face as if he were present So doth a Christian express and shew forth the Vertues of Christ. 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye are a Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy Nation that ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into his marvellous Light There is an answerable Impression to his Mediatory Actions and a Spiritual Conformity to them Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of Life Phil. 3.10 That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his Death Ephes. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus a dying in his Death a living in his Life an ascending in his Ascension dying to Sin rising to Newness of Life our Ascension is by Thoughts Hopes and Resolutions We resemble him in his Afflictions it is a part of our Conformity 2 Cor. 4.10 Always bearing about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Christ might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh. An afflicted Innocence and meek Patience is a Resemblance of Christ. And as in this Life we resemble Christ in his Actions and Passions so that a Christian is as it were a Spiritual Christ so in the Life to come we resemble him in Glory Christ after he died rose again and so do we the same Spirit raiseth us that raised Christ. He ascended into Heaven accompanied with Angels so are we carried by the Angels into Abraham's Bosom In Heaven he liveth blessedly and gloriously so do we Christ hath a Kingdom so have we Luke 12.32 Fear not little Flock it is your Father's Pleasure to give you the Kingdom At the last Day his Humane Nature shall be brought forth with a Majesty and Glory suitable to the Dignity of his Person So shall he be admired in his Saints 2 Thess. 1.10 Then the Mystery of his Person shall be disclosed so shall the Mystery of our Life Col. 3.3 4. For ye are dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God When Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in Glory Christ judgeth the World so do the Saints 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judg the World Mat. 19.28 Ye which have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his Glory ye also shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel The second
of the Condition of Christians in the World we are like him in Afflictions by that means we hold forth the Life of Christ 2 Cor. 4.10 Always bearing about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh. 2. Against Weaknesses and Infirmities of the Flesh those Saints that have now so many Infirmities shall be made like Christ and crowned with Perfection There is nothing less than Grace at the beginning it is as a grain of Mustard-seed a little Leaven But it groweth still as a Child groweth in favour more and more and as the Light increaseth to the perfect Day This should comfort us against all our Weaknesses and Infirmities Psal. 17.15 As for me I will behold thy Face in Righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness Vse 2. It informeth us 1. That our Condition in Christ is in this regard better than our Condition would have been if Adam had stood in Innocency Adam could only convey to us what he had received but Christ is a better Root we have in Christ what-ever we lost in Adam the first Root and more more than we lost Christ being God-Man must needs have the Image of God in greater Perfection now we are not renewed to the Image of the First Adam but of the Second Oh the depth of the Divine Mercy and Wisdom that hath made our Fall to be a Means of our Preferment 2. It informeth us what we may look for even for what Christ is in Glory we have a glimps of it in his Transfiguration in his giving the Law Let our Thoughts be more explicite about this Matter Vse 3. It is an Engagement to Holiness We expect to be as Christ is therefore let us not carry ourselves sordidly like Swine wallowing in the Mire 1 John 3.3 And he that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure We expect a Sinless State not a Turkish Paradise That Body that is made an Instrument of Whoredom and Drunkenness shall it be like Christ's Glorious Body Those Affections that shall be ravished with the Enjoyment of God shall they be prostituted to the World And that Mind which is made for the sight of God serve only to make provision for the Flesh shall it be filled with Chaff and Vanity 3. Observe That Glory is the Fruit of Vnion as well as Grace The Spiritual Union is begun here but it is accomplished in the next Life Here we are crucified quickned ascend and sit down with Christ in Heavenly Places Ephes. 2.5 6. Even when we were dead in Sins hath he quickned together with Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Col. 1.27 Christ in you the Hope of Glory Christ in us will not leave till he bringeth us to Heaven In this Life we cannot come to him the State of Mortality is a State of Absence therefore Christ will come to us but with an intent to bring us to himself that we may be where he is Vers. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory He cometh to us where we are that at length we may be where he is It is the Lord's Method to bring us from Death to Life from Misery to Happiness by degrees thousands of Years cannot make up that which was lost in an Hour till the Resurrection all is not perfected we do not fully discern the Fruits of our Union with Christ. Vse 1. To help us to conceive of the Mystery of Union Some Men fancy that as soon as we are united to Christ we are actually glorified in this Life It is true Christ is equally united to them upon Earth as to them in Heaven He that reigneth with the Church-Triumphant fighteth with the Church-Militant but there is a difference in the degree of Influence and Dispensation In the Blessings that he conferreth upon them he respects their different Condition and poureth out of his own Fulness as they are able to bear The Reason of this different Influence is because they are conveyed to us voluntarily not by necessity Phil. 2.13 It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure He gives more or less Comfort Grace Joy as he pleaseth his Grace floweth into his Members not by a necessity of Nature but according to his own Pleasure Give him leave to handle his Mystical Body as he handled his Natural Body His Natural Body grew by degrees and the capacity of his Humane Soul was inlarged by degrees else how could he increase in Wisdom as well as Stature Luke 2.40 There was a perfect Union between the Divine and Humane Nature at first yet the Divine Nature manifested it self by degrees not in such a latitude in Childhood as in grown Age. So tho there is a perfect Union between Christ and the Soul at first Conversion yet the Influence of Grace and Comfort is given out according to the measure of our Capacity All Believers upon Earth are united to Christ yet all have not a like degree of Manifestation and Influence As all the Members of the Body are united to the same Head and animated by the same Soul yet all the Members grow according to the measure of a part we cannot expect a Finger should be as big as an Arm So all that are united to Christ receive Influences according to their Capacities those that are glorified Glorious Influences those that are Militant Influences proper to their State Vse 2. It serveth to quicken those that are united to Christ to look for greater Things than they do yet enjoy John 1.50 Thou shalt see greater Things than these another manner of Union and Communion with God through Christ. There is a mighty difference between our Communion with God here and there The Saints in Heaven have Union with God by Sight as the Saints on Earth by Faith 2 Cor. 5.7 For we walk by Faith not by Sight and Faith cannot go so high as Feeling and Fruition Now we are unfit for converse with God because of our Blindness and Darkness as Men of weak Parts are not fit company for the strong But then our Faculties are more enlarged Grace regulates the Faculty but it doth not alter and change the Faculty God's Communications are more full and free and we are more receptive Here we have dark Souls and weak Bodies the old Bottles would break if filled with the new Wine of Glory At Christ's Transfiguration the Disciples were astonished and fell on their Faces Mat. 17.6 But in Heaven the sight of Christ's Glory will be ravishing no terror Here we are amazed at the sight of an Angel But there is a perfect suitableness between us and God and therefore a more perfect Union and Communion God more delighteth in the Saints as having more of his
the chief Object and Center of our Rest Otherwise we are troubled with divers Cares Fears and Desires Thus Grace worketh upon us But the distance lieth not only on our part but God's Before God and the Creature can be brought together Justice must be satisfied Christ came to restore us to our Primitive Condition 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself The Merit of Christ bringeth God to us and the Spirit of Christ bringeth us to God It is as necessary Christ should be united to us as we to God 5. Our Happiness in God is compleated by degrees In this Life the Foundation is laid we are reconciled to him upon Earth But the compleat fruition we have in Heaven there we are fully made perfect in one Here there is weakness in our Reconciliation we do not cleave to him without distraction there are many goings a whoring and wandring from God after our return to him And here on God's part our Punishment is continued in part God helpeth us by Means at second and third Hand We need many Creatures and cannot be happy without them we need Light Meat Cloaths House Our Life is patched up by Supplies from the Creature But there God is all and in all 1 Cor. 15.28 We find in God whatever is necessary for us without Means and outward Helps There God is all and in all he is our House Cloaths Meat Ordinances We have all immediately from God and in all all are made perfect in one We cannot possess any Thing in the World except we encroach upon one anothers Happiness Worldly Things cannot be divided without lessening and we take that from others which we possess our selves Envy sheweth the narrowness of our Comforts But there the Happiness of one is no hindrance to another all are gratified and none miserable As the Sun is a common Privilege none have less because others have more All possess God as their Happiness without Want and Jealousy Vse If to be drawn into Unity and Oneness with God be our Happiness and Perfection then take heed of two Things 1. Of Sin which divides God from you 2. Of doting upon the Creatures which withdraweth you from God 1. Of Sin which maketh God stand at a distance from you Isa. 59.2 Your Iniquities have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you As long as Sin remaineth in full Power there cannot be any Union at all What Communion hath Light with Darkness And the more it is allowed the more it hindreth the Perfection of the Union What is the Reason we do not fully grow up to be one with God in this Life that our Communion with him is so small Sin is in the way the less Holy you are the less you have of this Happiness such unspeakable Joys lively Influences of Grace and immediate Supplies from Heaven In bitter Afflictions we have most Communion with God many times that is nothing so evil as Sin as Afflictions abound so do our Comforts 2. Of doting upon the Creatures which withdraweth your Heart from God The more the Heart is withdrawn from God the more miserable Let the Object be never so pleasing it is an Act of Spiritual Whoredom Sin is Poyson Creatures are not Bread Isa. 55.2 Why do you spend your Mony upon that which is not Bread and your Labour for that which satisfieth not It cannot yield any solid Contentment to the Soul These things are short uncertain things beneath the Dignity of the Soul there is a Restlesness within our selves and Envy towards others they are not enough for us and them too Not for us if enough for the Heart not for the Conscience If God do but arm our own Thoughts against us as usually he doth when the Affections are satisfied with the World he will shew you that the whole Soul is not satisfied therefore he awakeneth Conscience As Children catch at Butterflies the gawdy Wings melt away in their Fingers and there remaineth nothing but an ugly Worm Desertion is occasioned by nothing so much as Carnal Complacency Many times the Object of our Desires is blasted but if not God awakeneth Conscience and all the World will not allay one Pang You may understand this Oneness with respect to our Fellow-Members and so you may understand it jointly of the compleatness of the whole Mystical Body or singly of the strength of that brotherly Affection each Member hath to another There is a double Imperfection for the present in the Church every Member is not gathered and those that are gathered are not come to their perfect growth So that let them be perfect in one is that the whole Body may attain to the integrity of Parts and Degrees First Let us take it Collectively that they may all be gathered together into a perfect Body and no Joints lacking Observe That all the Saints of all Places and all Ages make but one perfect Body In this sense the glorified Saints are not perfect without us Heb. 11.40 God having promised some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect It is no derogation for Christ is not perfect without us The Church is called the Fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes. 1.23 They are as to their Persons perfect free from Sin and Misery made perfect in Holiness and Glory but not as to their Church-Relation So Ephes. 4.13 Till we all come to the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ. All the Body must be made up that Christ Mystical may be compleat Now there are some Joints lacking all the Elect are not gathered Vse 1. See the Honour that is put upon the Saints The Saints on Earth and the Saints in Heaven make but one Family Ephes. 3.15 Of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named In a great House there are many Rooms and Lodgings some Above some Below but they make but one House So of Saints some are Militant some Triumphant and yet all make but one Assembly and Congregation Heb. 12.23 We are come to the General Assembly and Church of the First-Born which are written in Heaven we upon Earth are come to them Our Christ is the same we are acted by the same Spirit governed by the same Head and shall be conducted to the same Glory As in the State of Grace some are before us in Christ so some are in Heaven before us their Faces once as black as yours We have the same Ground to expect Heaven only they are already entred Vse 2. It is a ground of Hope we shall all meet together in one Assembly Psal. 1. 5. The Vngodly shall not stand in the Judgment nor Sinners in the Congregation of the Righteous Now the Saints are scattered up and down where they may be most useful then all shall be gathered together
the Spouse sought Christ about the City Cant. 3.3 Saw ye him whom my Soul loveth Here we are forâ—orn Orphans and often without his Society Upon Earth his Converse was so acceptable that the Apostles were loth to hear of his departure Now it is for a few days he is not always abiding with us Then we shall never be glutted God is always fresh and new to the glorified Saints Vse 1. To shew us the Love of Christ his Heart is not satisfied till we be in like condition with himself Luke 22.30 Ye shall eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom The greatest Love that David could shew to his Friend was to admit his Children to his Table 2 Sam. 9.7 Thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually said David to Mephibosheth and to Barzillai 2 Sam. 19.33 Come over with me and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem And when he would honour Solomon 1 Kings 1.33 35. He put him upon his own Mule and caused him to sit on his Throne So we be at his Table and on his Throne Rev. 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne We enjoy the same blessedness which Christ doth Adam was in Paradise we in Heaven Adam with the Beasts of the Earth we with God and Holy Angels Adam might be thrown out we never It is no matter if the World deny us a room to live among them they cast us out many times but Christ will take us to himself Vse 2. If the Presence of Christ be no small part of our Happiness let us more delight in it here We enjoy his presence in Ordinances Psal. 17.15 As for me I will behold thy Face in Righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Psal. 84.10 A day in thy Courts is better than a thousand I had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of my God than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness This is Heaven begun to be familiar with Christ in Prayer and Hearing c. Let us often give him a visit Oh shame thy self when thou art loth to draw near to God Dost thou look for Heaven Vse 3. Be willing to die Why art thou backward to go to Christ Would Christ pray for an Inconvenience You shun his Company when he desireth yours and he desireth your presence for your own sakes that you may be happy Love brought Christ out of Heaven that he might be with us he thought of it before the World was Prov. 8.31 My delight was with the Sons of Men he longed for the time when will it come We are to go from Earth to Heaven from conversing with Men to converse with Angels why are we so loth to remove What could Christ expect but hard Usage Labour Griefs and Death He came to taste the Vinegar and the Gall We are called to the Feast of Loves to the hidden Manna to Rivers of Pleasures if you love Christ why should you be unwilling to be in the Arms of Christ Let him be unwilling to die that is loth to be there where Christ is Love is an Affection of Union it desireth to be with the Party loved and can you be unwilling to die Death is the Chariot that is to carry you to Christ. Gen. 45.27 When Jacob saw the Wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him the Spirit of Jacob revived What is there in the World to be compared with Heaven Either there must be something in the World to detain us or it is the terribleness of the Passage or else a contempt of what is to come that you are unwilling to die If you have any thing in the World more worthy than Christ Father or Mother or Wife or Friend or Brother or present Delights it is a sign of a Carnal Heart Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth I desire besides thee Can you say so without dissembling quit them all then It is not the company of Angels but Christ it is not Wife Children Relations these must be loved in God and after God nothing within the Circuit of Nature none so worthy as Christ. Now you are put to the trial when sickness cometh and you see Death a coming Christ hath sent his Wagons his Chariots to see if we be real Or is it the terribleness of the Passage doth Nature recoil at our dissolution Where 's your Faith Death is yours 1 Cor. 3.22 Christ hath assured you and will you not trust his Word You love him little when you have no Confidence in his Word Or else contempt of things to come then why was all this cost to prepare a Place for you Why came Christ to lay down his Life to purchase that which we care not for what needeth all this waste Christians hear for the time to come we know not how soon we may be sent for and put to the trial it is good to be resolved that we may say the sooner the better 2. Observe Christ taketh great delight in his People's Company and Fellowship His Heart is much set upon it I. I shall give you some Demonstrations and Evidences of it II. Reasons I. Evidences 1. His longing for the Society of Men before the Creation of the World Prov. 8.31 I rejoiced in the habitable parts of the Earth and my Delights were with the Sons of Men. Tho Christ delighted in all the Creatures as they were the Effects of his Wisdom Power and Goodness yet chiefly with Men that are capable of God's Image and upon whom he should lay out the Riches of his Grace He thought on us before the World was and longed for the time of his Incarnation when will it come 2. In that he delighted to converse in humane shape before the Incarnation Zech. 1.10 The Man among the Myrtle Trees who is also called The Angel of the Lord Vers. 11. 3. He took pleasure to spend time busily among them whilst he was with them in the days of his Flesh. John 9.4 5. I must work the Works of him that sent me while it is Day the Night cometh when no Man can work As long as I am in the World I am the Light of the World His Affection to the Service made him go up and down doing good to Men he would not leave this Ministration to his Servants but would do it in Person as long as he was in the World John 1.14 The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us Christ did not assume our Nature as Angels assumed Bodies for the present turn but lived a good space of time and conversed with Men. 4. When it was necessary he should depart he had a mind of returning before he went away and removed his bodily Presence from us his Heart is upon Meeting and Fellowship again of getting his People up to him as in the Text or his coming down
Curiosity In things not revealed a simple Nescience is better than a bold Inquiry there is enough for Service and Adoration Let not Reason prescribe to Faith He were not God if he were not incomprehensible Should Worms make their own Apprehension the measure of Divine Truth It is not so because I cannot understand it by a Candle in the Night I cannot see it therefore it is not Some things are to be received from Divine Testimony tho we cannot fully conceive of them Let us bless God for the Word and take heed unto it as to a Light shining in a dark Place It is God's Mercy that Christ came from Heaven with a Commission to discover so much to us It is a Ray of the Face of God in Christ. Here is God's Heart discovered to us and our Hearts to our selves Vse 2. When you consult with the Gospel make use of Christ. He is to discover his Father's Name he taught the Gospel not only on Earth but in Heaven I have declared thy Name and will declare it Non loquendum de Deo sine lumine There is no Saving-knowledg of God from our selves Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Interpreter of his Father's Mind It is dangerous to set upon the Knowledg of the Mystery of the Gospel in the strength of our own Gifts and Parts to rest meerly on the study of Books and Humane Helps The Gospel is God's Riddle which none but himself can expound beg the Spirit of Revelation you cannot have a knowledg of it without a Revelation from Christ. We do not improve Christ's Prophetical Office so much as we should we think he must pacify our Consciences subdue our Affections but we do not look after Knowledg but think to get it by our own Industry 3. Point Christ doth not convey all Knowledg or the full notice of God's Name at once The Knowledg that is originally in Christ is not communicated to us but by degrees that it may increase more Like the good Housholder that brought out the best at last John 1.50 Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the Fig-tree believest thou thou shalt see greater things than these Partly to keep up our Dependance and Respect lest a Satiety grow upon us When there is no more use of a thing then we contemn it Man is a Creature that is led by Hope rather than by Memory Still God keepeth the best till last there is a perpetual use of Christ's Prophetical Office that he may declare more Partly to conform us to himself and to the Church Christ increased in Wisdom and Stature c. Luke 2.40 52. his Humane Capacity was inlarged by degrees The Church grew by degrees There was a Non-age then it was the Seed of the Woman afterwards In thy Seed c. To Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Then it was told what Tribe The Scepter shall not depart from Judah Gen. 49.10 afterwards of what Family to David that a Virgin shall conceive and shall bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel Isa. 7.14 At last Behold the Lamb of God John 1.29 Partly that he might suit his Dispensations to our Capacity God will not violate the Course of Nature Our Life is hidden in Christ. You do not teach University-Learning to a Boy Christ dealeth with us as we are capable according to our receptivity We are made meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col. 1.12 Vse 1. Comfort against present Defects Tho you are ignorant of some Mysteries of Religion do not despond Christ doth not give you all at once There is a double Comfort God will accept our weakness and we have an Head in whom is all Fulness As our Life is hidden in Christ so is our Wisdom hidden In the Text you see Christ hath undertaken for our growth we have a Teacher that will carry us on from one degree of knowledg to another Therefore let us not be discouraged tho we know little and our parts be weak and insufficient Vse 2. It presseth us to grow in Knowledg 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the Knowledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is more to be learned Do not say I know as much as they can tell me we never know so much but we may know more there is no stint in Knowledg If there be a measure of Grace beyond which we cannot pass the Apostle would not say Grow in Grace and Knowledg Therefore be conscionable and careful in the use of Means We must not rest in our low and imperfect Measures nor alwayes keep to our A B C. We must grow till we come to Heaven and then there will be no more growing A formal Man is where he was as a Picture doth not increase in Stature The way to keep what we have is to increase our Store Gifts that lie idle and unactive suffer loss and decay an active Nature such as Man's must either grow worse or better It is an ill sign when we are contented with a little Light groweth to the perfection of Glory our Reward is increased in the other World Col. 3.16 Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all Wisdom It is the worst of Poverty to have a poor Understanding Grace is multiplied through Knowledg 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the Knowledg of God and of Jesus our Lord. 4. Point Christ maketh one Mercy to be the Pledg of another I have declared and I will declare He is never weary of well-doing his Love is Infinite and cannot be wearied and his Grace is Infinite and cannot be spent Men waste by giving their drop is soon spent but the oftner we come to God the more welcome we are Our Faith is sooner tired than God◠Bounty for he doth not waste by giving I AM is God's Name he is where he was at first he is never at a loss what he hath done he can do and will do God's Providence is new and fresh every Morning God is One Gal. 3.21 he is always like himself The Creatures soon spend their Allowance but he is where he was at first But it chiefly holdeth good in Spiritual Mercies the least drop of Saving-Grace is an Immortal Seed it will grow it will increase it is a Spark that cannot be quenched it is the Pledg of meer Grace Therefore where Christ hath begun to work for thee in some sparks of Saving-Grace and Knowledg he will go on in his Work where he is the Alpha he will be the Omega where he is an Author he will be a Finisher Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith The Apostle would have us confident of this Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he that hath begun a good Work in you will perform it until the Day of Christ. God's first Work is an Earnest and God will not lose his Earnest it is the
is Love in them It is the common Error of the World to be led with false Evidences Many think God loveth them because he spareth them and followeth them with long-suffering and patience and maketh them thrive in the World and blesseth them with the increase and fatness of an outward Portion Ay but Love and Hatred cannot be known by the things that are without us it must be something within us must discover it Eccles. 9.2 All things come alike to all Some are fatted to Destruction and condemned to worldly Felicity God will give them enough Jer. 17.13 All that forsake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from me shall be written in the Earth because they have forsaken the Lord the Fountain of Living Waters Worldly Happiness may be God's Curse they shall be written in the Earth they shall have Happiness here that have none hereafter On the other hand there are some whose Names are written in Heaven and tho they have little of outward Comforts yet that is matter of Joy Luke 9.20 Rather rejoice because your Names are written in Heaven We must have a better Evidence than things without us before we can see our Names in those eternal Records and be assured that God loves us When God only gives things without you it is a sign you are only hired Servants You have your Reward and are satisfied and when you die your best Days are at an end there is no Inheritance kept for you as Abraham gave Ishmael and the rest of the Sons of the Concubines Gifts and Portions but he reserved the Inheritance for Isaac This is so far from an Evidence of Love that it is rather a sign of Hatred if your Hearts are herewith satisfied Nay as it excludes and cuts off all outward things so it cuts off all outward Profession as Baptism and Hearing of the Word For where the Heart is not washed Baptism is but the Monument of your unfaithfulness and breach of Vows And so for Hearing of the Word it is but like Vriah's Letters he thought they contained Matter of Preferment but when opened they contained Matter of Danger for he was to be set in the Fore-front of the Battel to be destroyed So when you think to come to God with these pleasing Excuses it is Matter of Condemnation because you have heard so much and profited nothing Here is no Evidence without you of the Love of God 2. Things within are excluded There are some Moral Inclinations meer Instincts of Nature which God hath left in Men out of his common bounty and pity to Humane Society Rom. 2.14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the Things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves Which shew the Work of the Law written in their Hearts These Moral Inclinations by which we avoid gross Sins are not an Evidence of God's Love Again there are Gifts for the use of the Body Hypocrites may have a great share in them Achitophel and Saul had excellent Gifts but this is not an Evidence of God's Love How did God love Christ Herein was a great Evidence of God's Love to Christ he loved him and gave the Spirit to him without measure John 3.33 34. So we know his Love by his Spirit that he hath given to us to witness our Justification and to work our Sanctification The Gift of the Spirit we may know by his Witness and by his Work 1. His Witness Hast thou a full Testimony of thy Adoption Rom. 8.16 The Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God It is such a certainty as ariseth from Gospel-Grounds working Joy and Peace stirring up to Thankfulness and Love to God which you have in God's way by praying reading hearing meditating I confess there is something lower that may be called the Witness of the Spirit There are Expressions and Impressions Have you not some secret Impressions of Confidence and Liberty in Prayer and Resolutions to wait upon God Doth he not stir you up to cry Abba Father put you upon often calling upon God and waiting upon God There is something in your Heart that carries you to God These Impressions are a kind of Witness and Testimony of the Spirit tho you have not those actual Testimonies of God's Favour 2. His Work Have you the Work of the Spirit what is that The Work of the Spirit is to sanctify and cleanse Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it It is the greatest sign of God's Anger and Wrath that can be to live and die under the Power of Sin not to be sanctified not to be cleansed not to be washed from Sin And therefore are you sanctified cleansed and washed Rev. 1.5 To him that loved us and washed us from our Sins in his Blood Is there any care of Obedience stirred up in your Hearts The Spirit will cause us to grow in Obedience John 14.23 If a Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him 3. There is one thing more in the Expression that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and that is If God love thee thou canst not but love him again 1 John 4.16 For we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us God is Love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him If thou lovest God his People his Ordinances and delightest in Communion with him his Love is in thee These are the Fruits and Effects of it Vse 3. To press us to labour after the Sense of his Love We should go to Heaven as comfortably and as richly as we can not only creep thither but labour after an abundant Entrance 2 Pet. 1.12 Tho it is not always our Sin to want it yet it is our Duty to strive after this Sense of God's Love in us The Sense of God's Love it is the Flame of Faith Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the Life which I live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me It is the ground of our Love to him again 1 John 4.19 We love him because he first loved us The more full and direct the Beams are cast upon any solid Body the stronger the Reflexion It is the Life of Joy that which inlargeth our Hearts in Thankfulness It is our Stay in Afflictions and our Strength in Duties especially in Prayer How can we call God Father unless in Custom and Hypocrisy except we have some sense of our Adoption Therefore labour after the Sense of his Love that it may be in you SERMON XLV JOHN XVII 26 And I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it that the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may
and all that is his if she will accept him for an Husband So Jesus Christ the Son of God the Heir of all Things sendeth Messengers to treat and deal with us about a Spiritual Marriage to tell us how he loved us gave his Life for us established an Everlasting Righteousness whereby we may be accepted with God and that he is ready to bestow it upon us if we will receive and honour and obey him as Lord and Husband which if we do then we are interested in this great Privilege Yea Lord I give up my self Body and Soul to thee and I take thee for Lord and Husband For these are the Terms Hos. 3.3 Thou shalt not be for another Man so will I also be for thee You will think this is easy because you do not understand what it is to receive Christ. Alas Christ stretcheth forth his Hands to many that never take him by the Hand again Isa. 65.2 I have spread out my Hands all the day to a rebellious People which walketh in a way that is not good after their own Thoughts He inviteth clucketh spreads his Wings but to no purpose till he puts his Fingers upon the Handles of the Lock Cant. 5.4 My Beloved put in his Hand by the hole of the Door and my Bowels were moved for him Herein he differeth from ordinary Suitors that he doth not only woo and invite but draw by the secret and prevailing Power of his Spirit he must inlarge the Heart and open the Hand or else we shall not receive him Why what is there in this Receiving a Renouncing of all others Thou shalt not be for another Christ findeth us intangled with a former Love of the World addicted to Carnal Pleasures in Covenant with Death and Hell this must be renounced for God is jealous and cannot endure a Rival it is Spiritual Adultery to have any thought of other Lovers As when the Ark was brought into the House Dagon was thrown to the Ground Christ will be entertained alone you must not only renounce your former Loves but hate them In ordinary Marriages if a Woman loved one and afterwards marry another Man it is enough that she withdraw her former Love tho she be not an Enemy to him whom before she loved In some Covenants if you come off from such a side it is enough But here is a League Offensive and Defensive when we receive Christ as our Captain his Enemies must be our Enemies if as dear as a right Hand or a right Eye it must be cut off and plucked out And again Christ himself is to be received not his Gifts and Benefits you must not come to him as to a Physician to give ease to the Conscience but as an Husband not marry the Estate but the Man otherwise you do not take what God offereth He hath given us his Son and all things with him Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but gave him up to the Death for us all How will he not with him also freely give us all things The Father doth not offer the Portion meerly but his Daughter and the Portion with his Daughter as you cannot have Life without the Son so you cannot have the Son without Life and you must receive him gladly Marriage importeth not a forced but a free Consent you do not receive Christ as a Land receiveth a Conqueror for Prince and King against their Will but as a Woman her Husband as being convinced her state will be much bettered by him So doth the Soul receive Christ as knowing in whom we believe and what we enjoy by him Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Neither Angels in Heaven nor any Creatures upon Earth are so lovely and fit for the Soul's Love and Trust. You cannot live without him If a Woman can live without an Husband she doth well if she marrieth not saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 7.8 but you cannot you are undone for ever if you have him not And you must receive him sincerely to obey him and serve him as Lord and Husband and not be ashamed to own him Act 2.41 Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand Souls When Articles are agreed and sealed and the Marriage compleated a Woman is content to go into her Husband's House and leave her Kindred and Fathers House So must you profess Christ openly and then live in constant Communion with him This is to receive Christ and is this easy Can all this be done till God inlarge the Heart O my Lord I am willing to receive thee do thou open and inlarge my Heart so to do Again it is expressed by apprehending Christ. Phil. 3.12 If that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus by taking hold of him leaning upon him Psal. 22.8 He trusted in the Lord or rolled himself upon the Lord by running for Refuge Heb. 6.18 Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before them as Joab laid hold on the Horns of the Altar or the Man that casually killed another ran to the City of Refuge by a being found in him as in an Ark when the Flood came upon the World All which Expressions imply a sense of Danger This Effect of Faith is sensible in a time of Trouble Bodily or Spiritual as things are more sensible one time than another Horses draw the Coach but down the Hill apace The Strength of an Anchor is seen in a Storm the Courage of a Souldier in a Fight The Child runneth and claspeth about the Mother when any thing affrighteth it Sometimes it is expressed by coming to Christ and coming to God by him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost all those that come to God by him By chusing Christ as Mediator owning him and consenting to God's Eternal Decrees that he is alone a sufficient Mediator This was represented by laying Hand on the Head of the Sacrifice Lev. 1.4 He that is he that brought the Sacrifice shall put his Hand upon the Head of the Burnt-Offering and it shall be accepted for him to make an Atonement for him q. d. This is me I deserve to die but here is my Sacrifice All Prayers were to be made in or towards the Temple 1 Kings 8. Deut. 12.13 14. Take heed that thou offer not thy Burnt-Offerings in every place that thou seest But in the place which the Lord shall chuse in one of thy Tribes there thou shalt offer thy Burnt-Offerings and there thou shalt do all that I command thee Daniel his Windows being open towards Jerusalem he kneeled upon his Knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks to God Dan. 6.10 he would not omit that Circumstance In all our Addresses to God we must make use of Christ. Sometimes it is expressed by committing our selves to him
you to be careful to get and keep your Hearts clean to perform service acceptably to him to be in the exercise of Faith Love and other Graces that you may entertain as you ought your Heavenly King who comes to take up his continual abode and residence in your Hearts FINIS A TABLE of the principal Matters contained in this PART A. ABasement of Christ the truth of it Page 11 Aboad of Christ in us the fruit of it Page 333 Account all must be called to an Account Page 55 Actions all Actions and Employments have their Temptations Page 215 Afflictions why they befal God's People Page 132 God loves his People in Affliction Page 344 God is a Father to them in Afflictions Page 6 How to carry our selves in Afflictions towards God as a Father Page 7 Ambassadors Ministers Christ's Ambassadors and why Page 280 Angels entertain Christ at his Ascension Page 127 Anointed who were anointed Page 44 What Christ 's anointing implys Page 44 To what Christ was anointed Page 45 Antiscripturists have no true Holiness Page 237 Iudgments of God on them Page 254 Apostles and ordinary Ministers how they differ and wherein they agree Page 271 Arrian's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 confuted Page 306 Ascension of Christ what it includes Page 61 The History of it Page 121 The Time of it Page 121 The place from whence and to whence Page 121 The manner of it Page 122 Christ ascended as a Conqueror Page 122 Angels entertain Christ at his Ascension Page 122 Christ's welcome of the Father at his Ascension Page 123 The Reasons of it Page 123 The Fruits and Benefits of it Page 124 A Token of his Satisfaction Page 124 A Pledg of our Ascension Page 124 Comfort to Believers from hence Page 126 How shall a Man know he is ascended with Christ. Page 125 Authority of Christ as Mediator Page 267 B. BElievers their Felicity and Dignity Page 108 Comfort to Believers Page 295 Believing vid. Faith Believing in Christ what it is Page 296 Difference between believing Christ and believing in Christ. Page 296 Difference between believing in Christ and believing in God Page 296 Which is most difficult to believe in Christ for temporal or for spiritual things Page 172 Blessing Christ blessed his Disciples before his Ascension Page 122 Blessing and praising God how they differ Page 49 139 Body all the Saints make but one Body Page 335 And shall at last be all gathered together into one Body Page 336 C. CAll to the Ministry the necessity of it Page 274 Extraordinary what it is Page 271 Not to be expected now Page 271 Ordinary inward what Page 272 Outward what Page 272 The necessity of it Page 272 What Call the first Reformers had Page 277 What is to be done where no Call can be had Page 278 How to make out our Calling to the People Page 276 Calling civil the necessity of it Page 53 What Callings are unlawful Page 54 God hath a hand in appointing Mens Callings Page 54 Every Man to keep in his Calling Page 276 How a Man should glorify God in his Calling Page 54 Every Calling hath its Snare Page 215 Care of Christ over his People Page 171 The fruit and success of it Page 173 Carelessness whether God hates most the careless Person or the openly vitious Page 229 Caution to be used in the World and why Page 135 Censure the whole Body not to be censured for the Miscarriages of some Page 180 Certainty of the Salvation of the Elect Page 78 And of their future Hopes Page 350 Charge what was the Charge God gave Christ concerning the Elect. Page 77 The ground of this Charge vid. Covenant of Redemption Page 77 Christ hath a Charge of his People Page 134 Christ is loyal faithful tender of his Charge Page 171 Children of God their Priviledg Page 125 Believers Children of Christ's Family Page 74 157 Christ what the Word signifies vid. Anointed Page 42 True God Page 17 A distinct Person from the Father Page 40 Sent by the Father vid. sent That he came out from God what it signifies Page 98 Made known to the Church by degrees Page 259 The Holiness of his Life Page 288 Tender of his Servants and Truth Page 18 Is ready to take notice of the good in his People Page 96 Speaks good of his People to the Father Page 80 Tho they have many Failings vid. Gentleness of Christ. Page 80 All that he hath is for his Peoples good and Comfort Page 125 Christ in us what is not to be understood by it Page 387 What is to be understood by it Page 389 How he is said to be in Believers vid. Union Page 311 Christ is in us as God is in Christ. Page 330 What must we do that Christ may be in us Page 332 Arguments to press us to look after this Priviledg Page 331 How we may know whether Christ be in us Page 333 Christian Doctrine the certainty of it Page 89 A Gift of God Page 90 Church visible in it always some Mixture Page 179 The use of wicked Men in the visible Church Page 179 316. Claim false Claims to God and Christ disproved Page 108 Comfort the loss of the greatest Comforts may be supplied Page 125 Commensurableness of the Acts of the three Persons in the Trinity Page 110 Of the distinct propriety of the three Persons in Believers Page 110 Reasons of it Page 110 Committing the Soul to Christ what it is Page 79 159 When we should do it especially Page 79 How we should do it Page ibid. We should commit our Bodies to Christ. Page 80 Communion with Father Son and Holy Ghost Page 310 Communion with God constant and habitual or solemn and special Page 358 Difference between Communion with God here and in Heaven Page 326 Communion between Saints on Earth and Saints in Heaven what it is Page 336 Company Christ takes delight in his Peoples Company Page 355 Reasons of it Page 356 Condition every Condition of Life hath its Snares Page 214 Confidence in God to be used in Prayer Page 4 Confirmation of Ministers the Magistrates Right Page 274 Conformity to Christ wherein it consists Page 324 Conscience what keeps it quiet without Christ. Page 297 Consubstantiation of the Lutherans disproved Page 127 Contentment none in the World for the Heart of Man Page 334 Continuance of God's People in the World in a time of Danger consistent with the Wisdom and Goodness of God Page 210 We should be willing to continue in the World as long as God hath Work for us to do vid. Desire of Death Page 211 Why God's People are not continued but taken out of the World in time of danger Page 211 Conversation worldly vid. wordly Conviction of the World of the truth of Christianity the fruit of the Mystical Vnion Page 320 A great Blessing Page 311 318 What the Spirit convinceth the lost World of viz. Sin Righteousness and Iudgment Page 312 313. The fruit and
to our old sins again at least let them not have dominion over us Baptism is the Sacrament of our Regeneration and implanting into Christ and reception into Gods family and as we are born but once so we are but once new-born being once received into Gods Family we are never cast out thence being once adopted into the number of his Children we are never disinherited no the gifts and calling of God are withâ—â—t repentance Rom. 11.29 Secondly As to the Perfection and Blessedness of it In that he liveth â—e liveth unto God This is 1. A Pattern and Copy of the spiritual Life here upon earth 2. A Pledge and Assurance of our glorious Life in Heaven The one is our Duty the other iâ— our Reward 1. The spiritual Life is a living to God as Christ liveth with God and to God As Mediator he liveth with God is sat down at his right hand so should we live in Communion with God be much and often in Company with him in our whole course we should always set him before us walking as in his eye and presence Psal. 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me It is his Law we live by in his Presence we stand his Work we do his Glory we seek for our great end is the pleasing and glorifying of God Gal. 2.19 For I through the Law am dead to the Law that I might live unto God Rom. 14.7 8. For none of us liveth to himself and no man dyeth to himself for whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we dye we dye unto the Lord whether we live therefore or dye we are the Lords Christ gave us a Pattern of an holy obedient and heavenly Life in his conversation here on Earth and in Heaven we must still write after his Copy we must be Christs as Christ is Gods and then all things are ours 1 Cor. 3.23 All are yours for you are Christs and Christ is Gods Wholly devote your time and strength and service to him God must be your solace and your strength and your beginning end way and all When you awake you should be still with him Psal. 139.18 all the day long you should keep in his Eye Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long In all your actions your intention must be to please and glorifie him 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever you do do all to the glory of God 2. Our glorious Life in Heaven that is a living unto God indeed for there we have nothing else to mind but God We are admitted before the Throne of his Glory to be with him for evermore Now if Christ be there we shall be there also for if we follow him we shall fare as he fared Job 12.26 Where I am there shall my servant be Joh. 17.24 Father I will that those also whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am So Joh. 14.3 If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Our Saviour desireth to have the Faithful in Heaven with himself it is a thing which his heart is set upon and he presents the efficacy of his Merits and Obedience to this end and purpose that the great work of the Restitution of lost Man may obtain its end and effect and his mystical Body may be brought together to one place that they may ever land and praise and glorifie God Many in the World cannot endure the presence and company of the Saints Christ cannot be in Heaven without them now the spiritual Life issuing it self into the heavenly is a great encouragement to us to go on in our Duty and Obedience Vse Let us often and seriously think of him Who dyed for our offences and rose again for our justification Rom. 4.25 and improve it 1. For the destruction of sin Christ dyed that he might destroy sin and take away sin if he had not fully done his work he could not rise again or if risen he needed to return once more to dye but Christ dyeth no more death hath no more dominion over him By raising up Christ God sheweth that he received the death of his Son as a sufficient ransom for our sins and all that believe in him shall have the comfort of it If he had remained in death or were still obnoxious to it his Satisfaction should not have been perfect neither should he have been able to apply the virtue and comfort of it to us but now who shall condemn when God justifieth when Christ is dead yea rather risen from the dead c. Rom. 8.33 34. If Christ hath paid our debt and born our sorrows so far that no more is required of him surely God will never reverse that Pardon which was sealed with Christs Blood The Curse and Condemnation are terrible indeed but he hath taken them away and given us a free discharge 2. For the new Life Christ is both the Cause and the Pattern of it His Spirit is the Cause of it and his Life in Heaven is the Copy after which we must write 1. His Spirit is the Cause of it who quickeneth our dead Souls therefore if you be entred into Gods Peace have sued out your Atonement you may expect to be saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his life that is by him who now liveth and sitteth at the right hand of God and there intercedeth for grace necessary that we may live unto God he that intercedeth wanteth no will and he that saith that all things are put into his hands wanteth no power 2. Christ is the Pattern of this new Life which we are to live in the World Christ is the great Agent to promote Gods Kingdom and Glory but his Spirit ingageâ— us in the same design as long as we live we should live unto God we are raised 〈◊〉 from the grave of sin that we should be to the praise of his glorious Grace The Câ—â—istians life is a life whereby we glorifie God see this life be begun in you and see it be perfected more and more Be Christs as Christ is Gods Heb. 7.25 He is able to save unto the uttermost all those â—haâ— come unto God through him seeing he over liveth to make intercession for us Christ liveth we need not doubt of a supply He gives life as Creator to the smallest worms In him was life Joh. 1.4 he can quickeâ— or when dead and dull he came into the World for this purpose Joh. 10.10 I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly and he is gone out of the World to Heaven for this purpose Eph. 4.10 He ascended for above the heavens that he might fill all things he is filled with the Spirit to
all that they that live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again Nothing must be alienated from him but used as he shall direct and appoint All your powers and faculties are his and to be imployed for him II. Let me shew you the Reasons of it They are taken from the Right God hath in you and to you Justice requireth that we should give every one his own to Caesar the things that are Caesars to God the things that are Gods We do but restore to God that which is his before when we give up our selves to him Now we are Gods 1. By his creating us out of nothing It is he that hath made us not we our selves Psal. 100.3 Surely God hath a propriety in all that we have for we have all by his creating Bounty as the Potter hath power over his own Clay So saith God in all the Vessels which he hath formed he formed them for himself If the Husbandman may call the Vine his own which he hath planted in his own ground and soil God may much more call the Creature his own which he hath made The Husbandman cannot make the Vine but only set it and dress it but we are wholly and solely of him and from him and from nothing else and therefore we should be wholly and solely for him and nothing else 2. By Preservation God is Lord of all because he preserveth all Nehem. 9.6 Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things that are therein and thou preservest them all and the host of Heaven worshippeth thee Preservation is the continuation of our Being by his providential influence and supportation Acts 17.28 For in him we live and move and have our being Heb. 11.3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear If we could any moment exempt our selves from the dominion and influence of his Providence we might be supposed to be exempted in that moment from his Jurisdiction and Government But man wholly depending on God for Being and Preservation we cannot lay claim to our time and strength not for one minute or moment for we can hold neither Body nor Soul nor any thing that we have a minute longer than God pleaseth If you will serve your selves and please your selves live of your selves if you can 3. By Redemption that Right is pleaded 1 Cor. 6.20 Ye are not your own ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God with your bodies and souls which are Gods By Creation and Preservation we are Gods but Redemption constituteth such a new Right and Title as doth not only strengthen the former but also is comfortable to us If a Slave were not killed out-right but continued a day or two though he died by the stripes given him by his Master there was no Plea or Accusation could be commenced against the Master for the life of his Slave Exod. 21.21 He was his money that is purchased by his money God hath bought us at an higher rate than money 1 Pet. 1.18 For ye are redeemed not with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversations received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of the Son of God as of a Lamb without spot and blemish Therefore the Redeemed are bound to serve him that ransomed them All our time and strength belongeth to the Redeemer who hath ransomed us from the worst slavery the bondage of Sin and Satan and with the greatest Price his own Blood This was Christs end Rom. 14 9. For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living 4. Christians have owned this Right by their Covenant consent Our Bodies and Souls were consecrated to Christ when we gave up our Names to him in Baptism Thou entredst into Covenant with me and becamest mine Ezek. 16.8 then were we enrolled in Gods Cense-book Isa. 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob and another shall subscribe with the hand to the Lord and sirname himself by the name of Israel By voluntary Contract and Resignation we gave up our selves and all that is ours to God Baptism is our Sacramentum militare our military Oath we were then listed in his Warfare and Service When Christ was baptized he was consecrated as the Captain of our Salvation and there presently after his Baptism he entred into the Lists with Satan We are entred as private Souldiers now it is Treachery and breach of Covenant if after we have owned and acknowledged Gods Right in us we shall alienate our selves from him and use our selves for our selves at our own list and pleasure 5. By Regeneration whereby we are actually taken into Christs Possession and fitted for his Use. This Right is pleaded in the Text As those that are alive from the dead yield up your selves to God There is a double Argument in it 1. As it puts an obligation upon us It is by the tender Mercies of the Lord that you are recovered out of the death of sin to the life of Grace Eph. 4.4 5. God who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he hath loved us even when we were dead in trespasses and sins hath quickened us together with Christ. We that were once wretched and miserable liable to death utterly disabled for the service of our Creator that he of his Grace hath called us and quickened us and made us alive who were formerly dead we have this spiritual Life from him and for him This should be an everlasting obligation upon us while we have a day to live to remember God hath renewed you for himself 2. As it puts an inclination into us Men that are raised to a new Life are fitted to do him service they are delivered from the power and death of sin have received Grace to serve him acceptably the new Creature is fitted for the operations that belong to it Eph. 2.10 For we are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus to good works that we might walk therein The withered branch is planted into the good Vine-stock that it may live again and bring forth fruit unto God So that if we have been made partakers of this mercy we are bound and we are inclined this shews Gods propriety in us that he expecteth to be honoured by us Vse 1. Information 1. It shews how vain the Plea was of those Libertines in Calvins time against whom he is justly severe and their Adherents who thought they might serve sin with their bodies as long as they did dislike and disallow it with their Souls they were safe enough They were wont to say Non ego sâ—d Asinus meus it was their Drudge the body that sinned
servants of righteousness There is an order in our deliverance and one part conduceth to another for Righteousness and the Conference of our Duty can have no hold on us till the power of our Lusts be broken Assoon as we are freed from the slavery of sin we are in part righteous but when we are freed from the Being of sin we are altogether holy and righteous but where sin reigneth there is an obstruction of the Life of Grace there the Creature is valued above God Earth before Heaven the Body before the Soul neither Faith Love nor Hope can produce any thorow work in our Souls not Faith Joh. 5.44 How can ye believe which receive honour one of another and seek the honour that cometh from God only Nor Love 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the world neither the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Nor Hope 2 Cor. 4.18 While we look not at the things that are seen that are but temporal but at the things that are not seen that are eternal The person that hath not his heart and hopes in Heaven and looketh not at that as his only Happiness and doth not make it the business of his Life to attain it but setteth his heart more upon the things of this Life is certainly unconverted 1 Cor. 15.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable This should be regarded by us that we may look more after this whether we have escaped the bondage of Corruption and that we do not return to Bondage again but that we maintain our liberty Gal. 5.1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled again in the yoke of bondage 6. He that is a Servant of Righteousness shews it by doing as much for Righteousness as formerly he did for Sin This is the end of the Apostles reasoning with them in this place therefore I shall a little insist upon it 1. That in Reason and strict Justice more might be required of us for the Reasons moving us to good are more than the Reasons moving us to evil if we consider either Master Work or Wages First The Master shall we not do as much for God as we did for Satan Whose are you Christians From whom did you receive your Beings And from whom do you expect your Happiness From God or the Devil Whom will you call Father or Master Pretences will do nothing in the case it will be tryed by your work Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do Joh. 8.34 He that committeth sin is of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.8 God be merciful to us we have done too much of the Devils work already it is time to give over the business is for the future whose work do you mean to do and how will you do it halfingly superficially perfunctorily or in the greatest earnest Secondly The Work Sin is a deordination a prostituting of the noble Faculties of our Souls to our base lusts and vain pleasures Tit. 3.3 Serving divers lusts and pleasures whereas by Holiness we obey the rational Appetite the Will guided by the highest Reason which is the Law and Will of God 1 Pet. 4.2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God The business is whether for the future we will be Beasts or Men and imploy our remaining time in the service of the Flesh or in obedience to the Will of God Whether the Beast should ride the Man or Reason and Conscience be put in Dominion again over Sense and Appetite Thirdly The Wages Surely Reason will teach you that there should be greater care to secure your Life and Salvation than to ruine and damn your selves now you went on earnestly in a way of sin as if you could not soon enough or sure enough be damned the sure wages of sin is eternal death ver 23. determined by the righteous appointment of Gods Law and though tâ—rough the Patience of God it be not presently executed yet Conscience sheweth the justness of it and the Word sheweth you how that sin had made it your due and therefore should you not do as much for Salvation as you have done in order to Damnation especially when your eyes are opened and you begin to have eternal Blessedness in view and pursuit Well then Reason will inform that you should do more for God and more for Heaven and more for Holiness than ever you did for Sin so that it is an equitable Proposal or the Rule of our Duty expressed after a modest manner there is less than in strict Reason may be required of you Men are weak and cannot bear too much severity what shall we say then do as much for Righteousness as you did for Sin 2. That in exact proportion even this equitable Rule will not always hold good why because in corrupt Nature our Principles were intire but in our renewed Estate they are mixt Gal. 5.17 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit there is a counterpoise to the life of Grace therefore our evil works were meerly evil but the good we do is not meerly good Our Lord telleth us That the children of this world and such we were all by Nature are wiser 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in their generation than the children of light Luke 16.8 We have the advantage of the World in matter of Motive and Reason but they have the advantage of us in matter of Principle Grace is a powerful thing but it is like a keen Sword in the hands of a Child The opposition of the flesh causeth weakness Our Motives are more noble but their Principles are more intire 3. Though the exact proportion will not strictly hold yet there is enough to distinguish the Servants of Righteousness from those that are not made free from sin as First The main bent of the Heart and Life is for Righteousness and not for Sin Where the main bent of the Heart and Life is still for the Flesh and the World they are far from Grace for there the Flesh and the World and by them Satan is superior still the influence of Corruption is more seen in their lives and actions than the influence of Grace but he whose main bent both of Heart and Life is for God he now serveth God as before he served Sin and therefore being made free from sin is become the servant of righteousness Secondly Because there is some proportion and resemblance between his activity in the new and spiritual Life and the former activity in a way of sin To clear this 1. I will shew wherein the Resemblance holdeth good 2. The Reasons why it must be so 1. The Resemblance holds good in these things First We may take notice of a care and solicitude to do evil Rom. 13.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
the presence of God and so an exclusion from all Bliss and Glory 2 Thess. 1.9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power So Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire Secondly The Pain is set forth by two Notions Mark 9.44 The worm that never dyeth and the fire that shall never be quenched by which is meant the sting of Conscience and the wrath of God both which constitute the second Death and make the Sinner for ever miserable 1. The sting of Conscience or the fretting remembrance of their past folly and madness in following the pleasures of sin and neglecting the promises of Grace What a vexing reflection will this be to the Damned to all Eternity And besides this 2. There are pains inflicted upon them by the wrath of God and the Body and Soul are delivered over to eternal Torments Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels There is no Member of the Body or Faculty of the Soul but feeleth the misery of the second Death for as no part is free from sin so none from punishment in the second Death the pain lyeth not in one place head or heart but all over and though in the first Death the more it prevaileth the more we are past feeling yet in this death there is a greater vivacity than ever the capacity of every sense is enlarged and made more receptive of pain While we are in the Body vehemens sensibile corrumpit sensum the sense is deadned the more vehemently and violently the object striketh upon it as the Inhabitants about the fall of Nilus are deaf with the continual noise too much light puts out the eyes and the taste is dulled by custom but here the capacity is not destroyed by feeling but improved As the Saints are fortified by their Blessedness and happily injoy those things the least glimpse of which would overwhelm them in the World so the wicked are inabled by that power that torments them to endure more and all this is eternal without hope of release or recovery II. This Death is Wages a Debt that will surely be paid for it is appointed by the Sentence of Gods righteous Law Now here we must consider 1. The Righteousness of it 2. The Certainty 1. The Justice and Righteousness of it for many make a question about it upon this ground because between the work and the wages there must be some proportion now how can an Act done in a short time be punished with eternal Death or everlasting Torments I answer 1. We must consider the Object against whom sin is committed it is an offence done against an infinite Majesty Now sinning wilfully against the infinite Majesty of Heaven deserveth more than any thing done against a man can do 1 Sam. 2.25 If one man sin against another the Judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him Sins against men are not so great as sins against God and the reconciliation and satisfaction is more easie 2. Consider the Nature of Impenitency in Sin 1. Their great unthankfulness for Redemption by Christ they forsook their own mercies and Gods healing grace to the last Joh. 3.19 This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation And then when they are in Termino there is no further Tryal their time and day of Grace is past 2. God offered them eternal Life and then their foolish choice is justly punished with eternal Death Every sin includeth a despising of eternal Life for rather than men will leave their brutish and sordid pleasures that they may live an holy life they will run this hazard the loss of that eternal Life which God offereth and the incurring these eternal pains which he threatneth This immortal happiness far exceedeth all those base pleasures for which they lose their Souls Well then man wilfully exchanging his everlasting Inheritance for momentany and transient pleasures becometh the Author of his own wo whilst he preferreth such low things before Gods eternal joyful presence 2. The Certainty This Debt will be paid if we consider 1. The Holiness of Gods Nature which inclineth him to hate sin and sinners Psal. 5.4 5. Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all the workers of iniquity They that take pleasure in sin God cannot take pleasure in them and if they will not part with sin God and they must part and therefore if they will do sins work all that sin bringeth to them by way of stipend is everlasting separation from the presence of God that is implacably adverse to all that is evil and though he hath prepared a place where the holy may dwell with him yet he cannot endure the wicked should be so near him 2. His Justice moveth him to punish it As Holiness belongeth to his Nature so his Justice to his Office his Holiness is the fundamental Reason of punishing the wicked his Justice is the next Cause His Holiness is indeed the fundamental Cause as appeareth by the fears of Sinners 1 Sam. 6.20 And the men of Bethshemesh said Who is able to stand before this holy God And by the security of Sinners Psal. 50.21 These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thy self but the nearest Cause is his Justice as Rector of the World declared both in his Laws and Providence Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death c. Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right 3. His unalterable Truth which is firmer than Heaven and Earth if he threaten will not he accomplish The truth of his Threatnings is as unchangeable as the truth of his Promises for in both God is one 1 Sam. 15.29 The strength of Israel will not lye nor repent for he is not as man that he should repent it is spoken in the case of deposing Saul for his disobedience to God The doubt is this Gods Threatnings do not always foretel the Event they shew the merit but not the event I answer The object is changed but God remaineth for ever the same if from impenitent we become penitent we are not liable to his Threatnings but objects of his Grace and capable of the benefit of his Promises a man walking in a room upward and downward hath sometimes the wall on his right hand sometimes on his left the wall is in the same place but he changeth posture 4. His irresistible Power God is able to inflict these punishments upon them Deut. 32.39 There is none that can deliver out
That 't is a great felicity not to be obnoxious to condemnation 2. That this is the portion of the true Christian or such as are in Christ. 3. Those who are in Christ obey not the inclinations of corrupt Nature but the motions of the Spirit First It is a great priviledg not to be obnoxious to condemnation There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ. To understand this you must consider First What condemnation importeth Secondly How came we by this exemption 1. What condemnation importeth The terror of it is unspeakable when 't is sufficiently understood and therefore by consequence our exemption and deliverance from it is the greater mercy In the general Condemnation is a sentence dooming us to punishment Now particularly for this condemnation 1. Consider whose Sentence this is there is Sententia Legis and Sententia Judicis the Sentence of the Law and the Sentence of the Judge The Sentence of the Law is the Sentence of the Word of God and that is either the Law of Works or the Law of Grace The damnatory Sentence of the Law concludeth all under the curse for all are under sin Gal. 3.10 For as many as are under the works of the law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them So all the World is guilty before God Rom. 3.10 But the Gospel or the Law of Grace denounceth damnation to those that believe not in Christ and obstinately refuse his mercy Mar. 16.16 he that believeth not shall be damned and also against them that love not Christ and obey him 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be accursed This is the Sentence of the Law But then there is Sententia Judicis the Sentence which the Judg passeth upon a sinner and is either 1. The ratifying of that Sentence which the word denounceth be it either Law or Gospel for what is bound in earth is bound in heaven and God condemneth those whom his Word condemneth so that for the present wicked men have a Sentence against them they are all cast in Law condemned already as it is John 3.18 If men were sensible of their danger they would be more earnest to get the Sentence reversed and repealed before it were executed upon them they are not sure of a days respite 't is a stupid dulness not to be affected with this woful condition there is but a step between them and death and they mind it not 2. As pronounced and declared So it shall be at the last day by the Judg of all the Earth Acts 17.30 Because he hath appointed a day in which he will judg the world in righteousness And 2 Thess. 1.8 He shall come in flaming fire taking vengeance on all them that know not God and obey not the Gospel Then the Sentence is full and solemn pronounced by the Judg upon the Throne in the Audience of all the World Then 't is final and peremptory and puts men into their everlasting estate And then 't is presently executed they go away to that estate to which they are doomed Of this the Scripture speaketh John 5.39 they that have done evil shall arise to the resurrection of damnation It is miserable to be involved in a Sentence of condemnation by the Word Now that shuts up a sinner as in a Prison where the Door is bolted and barred upon him till it be opened by Grace But doleful will their condition be who are Condemned by the final Sentence of the Judg from which there is no appeal nor escape nor deliverance 2. Consider The punishment to which men are condemned and that is twofold Either the poena damni the loss of an heavenly Kingdom they are shut out from that But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into utter darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 8.12 Or poena sensus the torments and pains they shall indure called the damnation of hell Matth. 23.33 Both together are spoken of Matth. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels Words that should cut a sinner to the heart if he had any feeling of his condition now to be exempted from condemnation to this punishment is the greater mercy 'T is enough to heighten in our thoughts the greatest sense of the Love of God that we are freed from the curse that Jesus hath delivered us from wrath to come 1 Thess. 1.10 that we are as brands plucked out of the burning but much more when we consider that we shall be admitted into Gods Blessed presence and see him as he is and be like him 1 John 3.2 And for the present that being justified by faith we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life Tit. 3.7 The Apostle expresseth both parts of the deliverance in one place 1 Thess. 5.9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark the Antithesis not to wrath but to obtain salvation Which should increase our sense of the priviledg that when others lie under the wrath of God we shall see him and love him and praise him in Heaven to all Eternity 3. How justly it is deserved by us by reason of Original and Actual sins both before and after Conversion Original sin for the Scripture telleth us Rom. 5.16 the judgment was by one to condemnation and again in Verse 18. by the offence of one judgment came upon all to condemnation All Adam's Children are become guilty before God and liable to death or brought into such an estate wherein they are condemnable before God So by many actual sins it is deserved by us As we are by nature children of wrath Eph. 2.3 so for a long time we have treasured up wrath against the day of wrath Rom. 2.5 We have even forfeited the Reprieve which Gods Patience allowed to us and have more and more involved our selves in condemnation Till we comprehend our great need of pardon and exemption from condemnation we cannot understand the worth of it Nay we have deserved this condemnation since conversion He doth not say here There is no sin in us but there is no condemnation sin in its self is always damnable and our Redemption doth not put less evil into sin but in strict Justice we deserve the greater punishment this is another consideration that should indear this priviledg to us 4. How Conscience standeth in dread of this condemnation For if our own hearts condemn us 1 John 3.20 they are a transcript of Gods Law both Precept and Sanction and therefore do not only check us for sin and urge us to duty but also fill us with many hidden fears which sometimes are very stinging When we are serious the more tender the heart is the more it smiteth for sin Ro. 1.23 Who knowing the judgment
them so as to affect and esteem them and esteem and affect them so as to seek after them and so to seek after them as to seek after them in the first place 1. We must know them For the Things of the Spirit must be understood before they can be chosen and desired John 4.10 If thou knewest the gift The brutish world know not the worth of spiritual and heavenly things therefore mind them not 2. Believe them None will seek after that which they judg to be a fancy or of the certainty of which they are not perswaded especially when they must forgo present delights and contentments to obtain it such is Salvation by Christ 2 Pet. 1.5 10 16 And besides this giving all diligence to add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledg Wherefore the rather brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election sure 3. Affect and esteem them above all other things Heb. 11.13 Being perswaded of these things they imbraced them So esteem them that your desires may not be checked and controled by other things Heb. 11.26 By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the Son of Pharoahs Daughter 4. To pursue after them with all diligence Phil. 2.10 Working out your salvation with fear and trembling and John 6.27 Labour not for the meat that perisheth but that which endureth to everlasting life 5. Seek them in the first place that you may not only make it your business but the chiefest business of your lives to obtain these Things Mat. 6.33 First seek the kingdom of God This is to set your faces heavenward when you make it your great business to please God and save your souls 2. This is Life and Peace By Life and Peace is meant Eternal Blessedness he addeth to the Word Life the Term Peace because in Eternal Life there is freedom from all evil and the presence of all good for there can be no true solid peace where there is the fear of any evil or a want of any good but here being neither the Soul is fully at peace and rest therefore 't is said that God will give glory honour and peace to every one that doth good Rom. 2.10 Heaven is the new Jerusalem the City of Peace where we converse with God who is a God of Peace and enjoy full peace and rest from all our Molestations but tho it be meant of Heaven yet peace of Conscience is not excluded partly because 't is the beginning and earnest of it that peace which we now have in the Kingdom of the Messiah by our Reconciliation with God Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God and the testimony of a good conscience 2 Cor. 1.20 This is a continual feast Now the fruit of righteousness is peace Peace in Heaven and peace on earth Luke 2.14 and Luke 19.38 Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord. Peace in Heaven and Glory in the highest 'T is begun here and perfected there And partly because whatever the Spirit worketh tendeth to our Peace and Blessedness not only hereafter but now Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing The Reasons are in common 1. With respect to Gods Justice God who is the most Righteous Governour of the world will make a just difference between the Righteous and the wicked by rewards and punishments it belongeth to his general Justice ut bonis bene sit malis male that it should be well with them that do well and ill with them that do ill Psal. 11.5 6. Vpon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest shall be the portion of their cup for the righteous God loveth righteousness his countenance beholdeth the upright Surely God is not indifferent to good and evil to them that will please the flesh and obey the Spirit his Justice will not permit that the carnal and the regenerate who are so different in their lives should meet together in the end no surely the end of the one will be death and the other life and peace 2. To suit his Motives to the profit of Men. 1. There needeth something frightful to make sin a terror to us therefore doth he counterballance with advantage the pleasures of sin that are but for a season we are vehemently addicted to carnal delights therefore to check this inclination God ballanceth the choicest and highest pleasures with eternal pain that by setting one against the other we may be deterred from pleasing the flesh Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the flesh ye shall die 2. To encourage the godly in their self-denying Obedience The godly quit and forgo many pleasures which others enjoy Now to restrain and deny the flesh seemeth a pain and trouble therefore to encourage them to continue in an holy course tho it be distastful to the flesh and to renounce worldly pleasures and sensual delights while they may injoy them God hath told them of life and peace they shall have joy enough 1. VSE is Information To shew us the folly of wicked men who are self-destroyers and wrong their own souls while they despise the ways of Wisdom and prefer carnal satisfactions before the pleasing of God All that hate me love death Prov. 8.36 Not formally but consequentially a wicked man sinneth not purposely that he may be damned but that is the issue 2. It sheweth us the security of the wicked they sleep most soundly when their danger is nighest as Jonah in the storm that was raised for his sake they are upon the brink of Hell yet they go on merrily lulling their Consciences asleep with outward and vain delights but tho they sleep their damnation sleepeth not it were better to waken and escape the danger Prov. 27.12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished A little sober Consideration of this truth may be of use to them VSE 2. Is Admonition Oh let this stop us from going on in a flesh-pleasing course Consider whither it will lead you what followeth upon this 1. 'T is Death If it were a small thing you might bear it but 't is a case of Life and Death eternal Life and Death This will be the eternal ruin of your precious and immortal souls The more you please the Flesh the more you add Fuel to that Fire which shall never be quenched and provide matter for that never-dying Worm or eternal sorrow and confusion of face to your souls Those things that now please the Senses will one day sting the Conscience We should not affect that which will be Death to us Remember the Hook when the Flesh looketh only to the Bait. 2. T is Death threatned in the Word of God and therefore certain as well as dreadful Rom. 6.21 The wages of sin is death and Rom. 7.5 The motions of sin did bring forth fruit unto death If a man warn
wicked yet it doth not lye idle he can deal with us cominus and eminus at a distance and near at hand he is whetting his sword and bending his bow if he fall upon us what shall we do if a spark of his wrath light upon the conscience how soon is man made a burden to himself Psal. 2.12 much more when he stirreth up all his wrath against us What shall we do First Accept of the conditions of peace God hath provided 2 Cor. 5.19 20. to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation Now then we are ambassadors of Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God We read of Princes that Luke 14.31 while their enemy is yet a great way off they send an Embassy and desire conditions of peace God sendeth the Embassy to us let us accept of the offer we are no match for God Scondly Get corrupt nature healed and the heart renewed by the spirit for there is no peace as long as the old heart remaineth when renewed we are reconciled we receive the atonement if God sanctifieth he is a God of peace Be once after the spirit and then you will be spiritually minded and to one that is spiritually minded there is life and peace 2. The next thing is our impotency to recover our selves out of this estate for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Hence observe Doct. That while we remain carnally minded there is no breaking off this enmity between God and us The reasons of this repugnancy or why the carnal mind standeth in such direct opposition to the Law are 1. The law is spiritual and we are carnal sold under sin Rom. 7.14 Men in an habitual state of carnality cannot obey a spiritual law 2. The law is pure and holy Psal. 119.140 Thy law is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it but it is otherwise with fleshly creatures impuritas est mixtura vilioris 3. The Law is directly contrary to the fleshly mind and therefore the fleshly mind is directly contrary to it The Law of God forbiddeth many things that are pleasing to carnal nature as all excess of bodily pleasures inordinate seeking after the prosits and honours of the World commandeth many things tedious to flesh and blood as the loving God with all our hearts serving him with all our might and strength loving Enemies doing good to all seeking others welfare as our own Secondly Besides its repugnancy there is an utter incapacity But may it not be brought to obedience by the Law demanding its right and due in the Name of God 1. Not by a bare prohibition for that exasperateth the evil Rom. 7.5 For when we were in the flesh the motions of sins which were by the law did work in my members to bring forth fruit unto death 2. Not by perswasions or instructions for spiritual arguments work little with a carnal heart perswasion alone prevaileth not against inclination 1 Cor. 2.14 For the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God 3. Nor will Resolutions Vows and Covenants make us subject for these are but the Dictates of Conscience till the Will be renewed 'T is our Judgment we should but the bent of our hearts lieth as a weight against it Rom. 2.18 Thou approvest the things that are excellent being instructed out of the law VSE is Information Since the unregenerate are altogether Flesh and the regenerate in part flesh the one can do nothing good the other nothing perfect 1. It giveth us a true account of mans natural incapicity to what is good First there is a natural propensity or inclination to the body before the soul and Earth before Heaven the creature before God John 3.6 That which is born of flesh is flesh 2. This is increased in us by being accustomed to a sinful life Jer. 13.13 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil 3. This custom is more confirmed and rooted by the general practice of all about us Isa. 6.5 Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips 4. 'T is not only practised but countenanced generally in the world 1 Pet. 4.4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same excess of riot 5. The incouragements of another course lye wholly in a World to come Matth. 5.12 Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven 6. The Precepts to renounce this sensuality are given by an Invisible God Who tho he hath given sufficient demonstration of the truth of his being is little cared for Psal. 10.4 The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts SERMON X. ROM VIII 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God THIS Verse is Consectary from the whole Discourse especially from the former Verse They who are in the flesh are professed Enemies to God and therefore they cannot please him In the Words here are two Things 1. The Persons spoken of 2. What is said of them 1. The Persons spoken of They that are in the flesh that is who are unregenerate in the state of corrupt Nature he saith not if the flesh be in you ye cannot please God but if you be in the flesh that is in a carnal state As to be in the faith 2 Cor. 13.5 implieth being in a Gospel-state and to be in Christ Rom. 8.1 noteth a state of true Christianity so to be in the flesh is to be under the dominion and power of the flesh so as to serve the lusts and passions thereof during this carnal and corrupt estate till men are converted and changed they cannot please God 2. What is said of them They cannot please God Which may be interpreted two Ways quoad conatum vel quoad eventum first with respect to their endeavour they will not frame their doings nor make this their business and scope to please the Lord as 't is said of the Jews that rigorously kept up the ritual Observances of the law 1 Thes. 2.15 They please not God and are contrary to all men They were as far from fulfilling the true meaning of the law as they were from observing the Gospel and all men as long as their lusts are untamed and unbroken they cannot do those things which are pleasing in his sight Secondly With respect to Gods acceptance and favour they are not accepted with him so as to obtain Life and Peace and be exempted from Condemnation Doct. Carnal men do not cannot please God To prove this I shall lay down some Propositions 1. That it is mans duty and happiness to please God For this end
and Goodness of God 2. Since 't is threatned the certainty of its accomplishment 1. It s consistency with the Justice Wisdom and Goodness of God 1. His Justice First Because those that live in the flesh continue in the defection and apostacy of mankind And so the old sentence is in force against them In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die Gen. 2.17 To shew you this let me tell you That by the Creation Man was to be subject to God and by his own make and constitution was composed of a body and a soul which two parts were to be regarded according to the worth and dignity of each the body was subordinated to the soul and both body and soul to God The flesh was a servant to the spirit and both flesh and spirit unto the Lord but sin entring defaced the beauty and disturbed the order and harmony of the Creation for man withdrew his Subordination and Obedience unto God his Maker and set up himself instead of God and the flesh is preferred before the soul reason and conscience are inslaved to sense and appetite and the beast doth ride the man the flesh becoming our Principle Rule and End now 't is horrible wickedness if you consider either of these disorders our contempt of God for it is great depreciation and disesteem of his holy and blessed Majesty which is neglected and slighted for a little carnal satisfaction and every perishing vanity is preferred before his favour the hainousness of the sin is to be measured by the greatness of him who is offended by it 1 Sam. 2.25 If one man sin against another the Judg shall judg him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him Now for creatures to seek their happiness without God and apart from God in such base things deserveth the greater punishment The other disorder is we love the happiness of the body above that of the soul man carrieth it as if he had not an Immortal Spirit in him Psal. 49.12 is as the beast that perisheth And is altogether flesh his Wisdom and Spirit is sunk into flesh and sin hath transformed him into a brutish nature Well now if men will continue in this apostacy what then more just than that God should stand to his old sentence and deprive him of that happiness which he despiseth that those who dishonour their own souls should never be acquainted with a blessed Immortality and those that contemn their God and banish him out of their thoughts and do in effect say to the Almighty Job 21.14 Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy ways That they may spend their days in mirth that God should banish them out of his presence with a curse never to be reversed they do in effect bid God be gone the very thoughts of him are an interruption to that sort of life they have chosen that he should bid them depart ye cursed who bid him depart first In short that the carnal life which is but a spiritual death should be punished with eternal death 1 Tim. 3.6 She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth A kind of carcase or rather a living creature dead estranged from the life of God and then deprived of eternal life 2. They refuse the remedy The great business of the Christian Religion is to dispossess us of the brutish Nature which is gotten into us I say this is the drift and tenure of Christianity to recover us from the flesh to God To turn man into man again that was become a beast to draw him off from the Animal life to life Spiritual and Eternal To drive out the Spirit of the World and introduce a Divine and Heavenly Spirit purchased by Jesus Christ and offered to us in the promises of the Gospel The World is mad and brutish enslaved to lower things but this healing institution of Christ is to make us Wise and Heavenly to recover the immortal Soul that was Imbondaged to earthly things and depressed and tainted by the objects of sence into its former liberty and perfection that the Spirit might command the flesh and man may seek his happiness and blessedness in some higher and transcending good than the beasts are capable of In short as sin was the transforming of a man into a beast so Christianity is the transforming of beasts into man again To restore humanity and elivate it from the state of subjection to the flesh Joh. 3.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given us great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 1 Cor. 2.12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we may know the things that are freely given us of God Now after this is done with such cost and care if men will love their bondage despise their remedy surely they are worthy of the severest punishment Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil If they refuse this Spirit that is offered to change our natures and lift us up from earth to Heaven and we will not be changed and healed but wallow in this filth and puddle still we are doubly culpable for not doing our duty and refusing our remedy But you will say The punishment is Eternal how will that stand with the justice of God to inflict it for temporal offences 1. Answer 'Till the carnal life ceaseth the full punishment doth not begin or take place as when men have done their work they receive their wages 'T is not inflicted till after death and in the other world there is no change of state our tryal is over our sentence is past the gulph is fixed between Hell and Heaven that the inhabitants of the one cannot come into the other place Luke 16.26 2. There was Eternal life in the offer Now if men will part with this for one morsel of meat this is prophaness indeed Heb. 12.15 16. The things propounded to their choice are Eternal happiness and Eternal misery if they refuse the one they in justice deserve the other 3. If they be Christians they do not pay their great debt or fulfil their Covenant-Vow and so make the forfeiture The Apostle here inferreth the great danger out of the debt Ye are debtors that if we live after the flesh we shall die they are entered into the bond of the holy oath So elsewhere Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof How are we Christs as dedicated to him in Baptism they have renounced the Devil the World and the flesh they are Christs not only de jure they ought to do so but de facto they have
crucified the flesh 'T is hypocrisie and perjury that the carnal and bruitish nature should reign in us baptism implyeth a vow we are baptized into the likeness of his death Rom. 6.3 Christ bound himself to communicate the vertue of his death and we bind our selves to die unto sin and to use all Christs instituted means to that end and purpose now if after that we are washed we still wallow in the mire and effect that life which we have renounced and gratifie what we should crucifie cherish the flesh rather than use Christs healing means to subdue it and purge it out our very baptism will sollicite the more severe vengeance and be a swift witness against us It were better scalding oyl had been poured upon us than the water of baptism and if there be any place in hell hotter than others 't is for hypocrites and perjured persons that have broken the vow of their God which is upon them this should the more sink into us because every covenant hath a curse included in it implicite or explicite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Plutarch A Consecration implieth an execration or imprecation of vengeance if we do contrary the Scripture abhoreth not this notion 't is said Neh. 10.29 they entered into a curse and an oath to walk in Gods law So it is in the new Covenant for all Christians do consent to the threats and punishments of the Gospel in case of failing in their duty as the Israelites were to give their Amen Deut. 29.41 to the curses of the law so we profess to submit to the law of grace and tenor of it In Mark 16.16 He that believeth not shall be damned We profess our consent to this law not to a part only but to the whole Now what ever Faith and Baptism calleth for that must be done or if it be wilfully left undone we approve the penalty as just and that God may rightly inflict it upon us Thus for the Justice of God 2. Now for the Wisdom The punishment is the greater to check the greatness of the temptation Much of the fleshly life is pleasant like the Eden of God to the besotted soul therefore God hath guarded it with a flaming Sword that fear may counterballance our delight 'T is an hard thing to bring a man to strive against his own flesh 't is born and bred with us and is importunate to be pleased but the end is death there must be a separation between the soul and sin or beeween the soul and God milder motives would do us no good against boisterous lusts and are not powerful enough to wean us from accustomed delights therefore is the punishment threatned the more dreadful and the sinful fear is checked by the severity of the intermination tho sense-pleasing and flesh-pleasing be sweet to a carnal heart 't will cost him dear The Wisdom of God is seen in Three Things 1. In punishing sin which is a moral evil with death and misery which is a natural evil In appointing that it should be ill with them that do evil these are fitly sorted Deut. 30.15 See I have set before thee life and good death and evil The evil of sin is against our duty and the evil of punishment against our interest and happiness now if men will willingly do what they should not 't is equal they should suffer what they would not what is against their wills these two are natural relatives sin and misery good and happiness we find some of this in our selves we have compassion of a miserable man whom we esteem not deserving his misery we think 't is ill placed there and we are also moved with indignation against one that is fortunate and successful but unworthy the happiness he enjoys which sheweth man hath an apprehension of a natural harmony and order between these things sin and misery goodness and felicity 2. The Wisdom of God lyeth in this that the love of pleasure which is the root of all sin should end in a sense of pain Man is a very slave to pleasure Tit. 3.3 Serving divers lusts and pleasures 'T is ingrained in our natures therefore to check it the Lord hath threatned the pains of the second death and this method our Lord approveth as most useful to draw us from our beloved sin Matth. 5.29 30. Better one member suffer than the whole body to be cast into hell In short God hath so proportioned the dispensation of joy and sorrow pleasure and pain that 't is left to our choice whether we will have it here or hereafter whether we will have pleasure as the fruit of sin or as the reward of well-doing both we cannot have you must not expect to enjoy the pleasures of Earth and Heaven too and think to pass from Delilahs Lap into Abrahams Bosom Luke 16.25 Son in thy life time thou receivedst thy good things and Jam. 5.5 Ye have lived in pleasure upon earth You have been merry and jocund but your time of howling and lamenting then cometh far beyond the degree of your former rejoycing 3. By setting eternal pains against momentary pleasures that ye may the better escape the temptation Momemtaneum est quod delectat eternum quod cruciat The pleasures of sin are but for a season Heb. 11.25 But the pains of sin are for evermore if the fearful end of this delightful course were soundly believed or seriously considered it would not so easily prevail upon us 'T is the Wisdom of our Lawgiver that things to come should have some advantage in the proposal above things present that the joy and pain of the other world should be greater than the comfort and pleasure of this world which is a matter of sense for things at hand would certainly prevail with us if things to come were not considerably greater therefore here the pain is short and so is the pleasure but there 't is eternal Those that will have their pleasure here they shall have it but to their bitter cost but those that will work out their salvation with fear and trembling will by the spirit mortifie the deeds of the body pass through the difficulties of Religion shall have pleasure at his Right Hand for evermore Psal. 16.11 3. 'T is consistent with his love and goodness This is necessary to be considered First Because we are apt to think hardly of God for his threatnings 'T is for our profit to give warning and to bring us to repentance and that we may take heed and escape these things he threatneth that he may not punish and he punisheth in part that he may not punish for ever The first awakening is by fear afterwards shame sorrow and indignation the curse driveth us to the promise First we look upon sin as damning then as defiling first as it fits us for Hell then as it unfits us for Heaven 2. 'T is a benefit to the world Punishment among men because of the degeneracy of the world is a more powerful engine of
condition after this life is they cannot tell whether they live above or below the earth but that they subsist and have a being is their firm perswasion and therefore are wont to assign to the dead part of the goods which they possessed if they lose any thing they think some of their friends in the other world have taken it to supply their wants there The Chineses are fully perswaded of a state of happiness and torment after this world Acosta telleth us in Peru they were wont to kill some of their slaves to attend the dead in the world to come and so Mexico and other places 'T is enough for us that be it an inbred notion or tradition received from hand to hand by their Ancestors such a conception is not a stranger to humane nature and the nearer any lived to the first Original of Mankind the more clear and pressing hath been the opinion hereof lapse of time which ordinarily decayeth all things hath not been able to deface it out of the minds of men who tho they have been gradually depraved and degenerated according to the distance by which they have been removed from their first originals yet they could never wholly blot out the sense of an Immortal Condition after this life nor could any solid and undubitable reasons he brought against it to convince it of falsity Well then this perswasion being spread through the Universe and with extreme forwardness received by all nations and hath born up against all encounters of time and constantly maintained its self in the midst of so many revolutions of humane affairs even among them with whom other truths are lost and in a great degree have forgotten humanity its felf Certainly this motive hath its use for the reduceing of man to God especially of those who have been bred in the bosome of the Church 2. The argument is of great force in regard of our fears We desire life but guilt maketh us fear death Sin impresseth this torment upon the consciences even of those which little know what sin meaneth Rom. 1.32 They know the judgment of God and that those who commit such things as they do are worthy of death Natural conscience looketh upon sin as mortal and baneful and know not how to be delivered from this fear nature owneth a distinction between good and evil and for evil feareth a punishment because of those natural sentiments which we have of God as an Holy and Just God Therefore now this tender of life is made to them that not only desire happiness but are in bondage through fear of death and by the Christian doctrine involved in the curse of the law and obnoxious to the flames of Hell Therefore for sinners to hear of life must needs be an inviting motive Mortifie sin and it shall not hurt you you shall live The sting of sin which so torments you shall be plucked out Ezek 18.13 repent and iniquity shall not be your ruin We are all sinners but how shall we do that sin may not be baneful to us Deal gently with it and it stingeth you to the death deal severely with it and it shall do you no harm When we are dead to sin we shall not die by sin you have deserved death but life is offered if you will use Gods healing methods to get rid of so great a mischief Thirdly I will shew you the expediency of the promise and that we may make use of such a motive as is drawn from the consequence The death which followeth the carnal life and that eternal life which by the merciful grant of God is the fruit of mortification For many question whether it be a true Mortification which looketh to the reward they say we must work for our life but not for life I Answer 1. To be over spiritual and nice above the word which is the true instrument of sanctification doth not cherish Religion but quench it we may make use of Gods Motives without sin why doth God plead with us so often upon the terms of life and death but that we may plead with our selves I know no reason to press men to an Holiness abstracted from all respect to the reward I confess 't is abase self-seeking to eye outward advantages in religious endeavours for then the end is far beneath the work and the spirit is made to serve the flesh but not the flesh the spirit and by-ends taint us but do not refine us 2. The doubt proceedeth upon a mistake of the reward what is this life propounded but the seeing loving and injoyment of God and the adoring and praising of God And can it be a fault to aim at these things Doth not the tendency of the new nature directly carry us to them as the perfection of that estate unto which we are called by Christ as naturally as the seed cast into the earth works through the clods to get up into stalk and flower Indeed the objection is fit for them that look for a carnal Heaven as the Jews did for a carnal Messiah an Heaven that consists in ease and fleshly delights However to deal throughly in this Argument in the life and happiness which we expect two things may be considered 1. The nature of that life and happiness 2. The personal benefit and comfort that hence results to us 1. The nature of that happiness consisteth in seeing God and being like him 1 John 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is To aim at this is a fruit of the new nature which aimeth at a perfect fruition of God and conformity to him Surely this cannot be in any reason questioned or scrupled at as our great end For it is a pure motive and doth engage the soul to the greatest and best tempered strictness that is imaginable 1 John 3.3 He that hath this hope the hope spoken of in the former verse purifieth himself as Christ is pure Is every day growing up into a nearer conformity to Christ whom he hopeth to see and to be more perfectly like him hereafter he whose heart is set upon the vision of God and that pure and sinless estate which he shall injoy in Heaven that man hath not a light tincture of Religion but is deeply dyed into the spirit of it for such things cannot be seriously and really minded without grace yea no act we do is religious unless it be directed and influenced by this aim and end 't is a rooted thought or the impression of a powerful habit 2. There is a personal benefit and happiness which resulteth to us from the fruition of God As we are freed from the pain and sorrows of this life in which respect 't is often called a rest especial as we are freed from the misery of those that die in their sins in which respect 't is often called salvation and most especially as the soul fully sanctified dwelleth in a glorified and immortal body and injoying
of the Gospel he urgeth this Argument 2 Tim 1.7 8. For we have not received the spirit of fear but the spirit of love and power and of a sound mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a poor cowardly dasterdly spirit mated or overcome with every difficulty but now a spirit confirmed in the love of God and the faith and hope of the Gospel is a fruit of power and fortitude the righteous is as bold as a Lion Pro. 28. 1. Dan. 3.17 18. If it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand O king but if not be it known unto thee O king that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up and Rom. 8.37 38. I am perswaded that neither life nor death nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3. It hindreth the readiness and chearfulness of our service and crippleth our endeavours The sloathful servant was affraid Luke 19.21 22. when we do not know whether we shall please or be accepted or no 't is a very discouraging thing and we drive on heavily when nothing appears to us but fear but love maketh a willing people 1 Joh. 5.3 For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous 4. It resisteth sin unwillingly we had rather let it alone than go about it the mortifying of lust is like the cutting off of an Arm with a rusty Saw rather let go any thing than sin but grace furnisheth us with the most powerful arguments For means 1. Cherish good thoughts of God the spirit of bondage is increased upon us by unreasonable fears and jealousies of God the Lord is good and doth good Psal. 119.68 his commands are not greivous Matt. 11.30 My yoke is easy and my burden is light The tryals sent us by him are not above measure nor beyond strength 1 Cor. 10.13 Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able Nor his punishments above deserving Neh. 9.13 thou hast punished us less then than we deserved he is not hard to be pleased nor inexorable upon our infirmities Mal. 3.17 And I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 2. Study the nature and constitution of the Gospel which maketh rich preparation of Grace Help and Comfort for you this is Gods Act of Oblivion which easeth you of your troubles for here God promiseth to blot out your transgressions and remember your sins no more this is a Sanctuary and Refuge for your distressed souls to fly unto when pursued by the laws curse the Charter of your hopes or the word of salvation which secureth you aginst the laws curse or the fears of the damnation of Hell the law is good as a rule of duty but the Gospel is glorious 2 Tim. 1.8 11. In short Your souls will never sit easie within you till you resolve not to seek for that in the law which is only to be found in the Gospel peace of Conscience and Reconciliation with God The law can only save the innocent but the Gospel pardoneth the penitent sinner Look not for that in self which is only to be found in Christ a perfect Righteousness and Merit to appease Gods Justice and propitiate him to us this is only by the Blood and Obedience of Christ never look for that on earth which is only to be had in Heaven which is exact and unspotted holiness Jude 21. Then we are presented faultless in his presence 3. An hearty and sincere love to God 1 John 4.18 There is no fear in love for perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment and he that feareth is not made perfect in love He speaketh not of a childlike Reverence of the Divine Majesty or a carefulness not to displease him but of slavish fear of Condemnation which is the life and soul of many mens Religion but they are never soundly converted till God hath their hearts that is their love Now this strong and fervent love arising from faith in Christ driveth and forceth this tormenting fear out of the heart and will never be affraid of him whom they love and on the other side will not love him whom they look upon as ready to condemn them and cast them into Hell Surely God will never damn the soul that loveth him therefore if we would get rid of the fear of wrath or hell let us love God with our highest and best affections we have reason to love him if we consider the wonder of his love and good will to sinners manifested to us in and by Jesus Christ. 4. Live holily and obey the motions of the sanctifying spirit We deprive our selves of comfort by falling into sin the more the spirit is a Sanctifier the more a Comforter Holiness breedeth a generous confidence 1 John 3.2 Behold now we are the Sons of God Gal. 5.18 But if ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law If we are not watchful against sin our bondage returneth therefore David saith Psal. 51.12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me by thy free spirit The Holy Spirit withdraweth and suspendeth his comforts when we walk vainly and loosely then we cannot serve God with any delight and readiness of mind 't is not a free spirit but a servile that then governeth us and influenceth our actions SERMON XXIII ROM VIII 15 But ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father IN the Words we have 1. A Priviledg Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption 2. One special fruit and effect of it Whereby we cry Abba Father In setting down the effect the change is emphatical ye received we cry He includeth himself and puts in his own name together with theirs to shew that it is a Priviledg common to all that receive the New Testament the meanest and least of Gods Children have an affectionate and childlike way of praying unto God Doct. That the spirit which we receive under the new Covenant dispensation is a spirit of Adoption I shall explain these Five Things 1. The state of Adoption which we obtain under the New Testament 2. The spirit of Adoption consequent thereupon 3. Whether all that live under the New Testament Dispensation have the spirit of Adoption 4. Whether all that have it know it 5. The reasons why this is the fruit of the new Covenant Dispensation 1. What is the state of Adoption Our admission into Gods family that he will be a Father to us and we shall be his children 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a father unto you and ye shall be my sons
rather God's Subject and hired Servant than his Son The people of Israel were â—his Children but as Children in their non age for an heir as long as he is a Child 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 4.1 The heir as long as he is a child differeth little from a servant though he be Lord of all A servile Spirit was upmost in that dispensation With respect to the Covenant of Grace so we are most strictly said to be children of God Gal. 3.26 For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Some live onely under the visible Administration of the New Covenant but not under the Efficacy and Power and by the Ordinances of the Gospel have the badgâ—s of liberty but they are not free indeed sons indeed there are among them others whom God hath begotten by his Spirit and Adopted and taken into his Family he hath a Paternal Affection towards them and they a Filial disposition towards him he hath a Paternal care and providence over them and they have a Filial confidence and dependance on him he expects the honour of a Father and they may expect the priviledges of Children his special Relation is distinct from his common Relation to other men for it proceedeth not from his common goodness but his special and peculiar love The whole Commerce and Communion that is between us and him is on God's part Fatherly on our part Childlike He giveth us his choicest benefits and we perform to him the best service we can 4. The manner how 't is brought about The first Foundation of it was laid in the Election of God He is the bottom-Stone in this Building Eph. 1.5 Predestinated to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will Now what are we that the thoughts of God should be taken up about us so long ago Secondly Before God's Eternal purposes could be executed and conveniently made known to the World Redemption by Christ was necessary Therefore 't is said Gal. 4.4 5. That he was made of a woman made under the law that we might receive the adoption of children Sin needed to be Expiated by the Son of God in our Nature before God would bestow his honour upon us Christ was to be our Brother before God could be our Father and to take a Mother upon Earth that we might have a Father in Heaven and to endure the Law 's Curse before we could be instated in the Blessing 3. It is necessary That we should be regenerated and born of God before it can be applied to us For this new Relation dependeth upon the New Birâ—h and none are Adopted but those that are Regenerated and renewed to the Image and Likeness of God Nominal Christians are Bastards and not Sons not illegitimate but degenerate Children The Relative Change goeth before the Real John 1.12 13. To as many as receive him to them gave he power to become the sons of God which are born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God And the next Foundation of this Relation is not our Being which we have from God as a Creator but our New Being which we have from him as our Father in Christ. As we are Men God is a Governor to us and we are his Subjects As we are New Men God is a Father to us and we are his Children 4. The Immediate issue of Regeneration is Faith John 1.12 To as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sâ—ns of God even to as many as believe in his name Receiving Christ is an â—earty consent to take Christ to the ends for which God offereth him namely That he may be our Lord and Saviour that we depending upon the Merit of his Obedience and Sacrifice and assurance of his Covenant and Promise may obey his Laws and wait for our final Reward 5. The benefits occuring to us thereby I shall Instance in Three 1. The gift of the Spirit to be our Sanctifyer Guide and Comforter This is a gift which he giveth to none but his Children and which he giveth to all his Children A gift which suiteth with the greatness and love of our Father and absolutely necessary for us as Children God as a Creator giveth us our Natural Endowments but as a Father in Christ he giveth us his Spirit Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into our hearts If we have this high Priviledge of Adoption we have also the spirit of Adoption to reside and dwell in our hearts as our Sanctifyer Guide and Comforter as a Sanctifyer he doth first change our hearts and transform us into the Image of God in Christ 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into his image from glory to glory And Titus 3.5 6. Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and the renewing of the holy Ghost which he hath shed on us abundently through Jesus Christ our Saviour and so he maketh us Children but as Bees first frame their Cells and then dwell in them so he doth dwell in us that he may further sanctifie us restraining us from sin Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live And quickening us to holiness Gal. 5.25 If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit As a guide leading us into all Truth John 16.13 When the spirit of truth is come he shall guide us into all truth And regulating all the motions of the spiritual Life Rom. 8.14 As many as are led by the spirit especially our prayers Jude 20. Praying in the holy Ghost Rom. 8.26 We know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit maketh intercession for us As a Comforter confirming our present Interest and future hopes 2 Cor. 5.5 Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God who also hath given us the earnest of his spirit Indeed the spirit is not so necessarily a Comforter as a Sanctifyer yet a Comforter he is and if not so explicitely and manifestly we may blame our selves This is Gods allowance and we deprive our selves of the benefit of it by our own folly 2. Such an allowance of Temporal Mercies as is convenient for us Matt. 6.32 For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things A Christian hath Two things to relieve him against all his distrustful fears and cares Adoption and particular Providence he hath a Father in Heaven and his Father is not ignorant of his condition nor mindless of it and therefore tho he hath little or nothing in hand 't is enough that his Father keepeth the Purse for him whose care extendeth to all things and
Abba father Wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son and if a son then an heir of God through Christ. Which teacheth us how to come to a conclusion in soul debates Have I a child-like inclination and sense and confidence that God hath adopted me into his favour and have the sanctifying of the spirit upon my heart I may be bold then to enter my claim 3. It Informeth us That the priviledges of believers are so linked together that where one of them is there are all the rest Therefore if we injoy one then we must collect and infer that the rest do belong to us also If sons we must not rest there then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. One link of the golden chain draweth on another there is a great deal of profit in these collections and inferences our minds are usually taken up with trifles and childish toys surely the priviledges of a Christian are not so much considered as they should be The benefit of it is this partly it keepeth our hearts in a way of praising God and constant rejoicing in God if we did more consider the excellency of our Inheritanne 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Blessed be God who hath begotten us to a lively hope to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled Our thoughts are too dead and cold till we revive the memory of our excellent priviledges by Christ. Partly as it keepeth us in a constant and cheerful adherence to the truth what ever it cost us we slight all temporal things how grievous or troublesome so ever they be Rom. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 5.3 We glory in tribulation as knowing that tribulation worketh patience Partly To help us to despise the pleasures of sin which are but for a season while eternal things are in view 2 Cor. 4.18 While we look not to the things which are seen but to the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal And Partly To digest the labours of duty and obedience all the pains of the Holy Life 2 Cor. 5.9 Wherefore we labour whether present or absent that we may be accepted of the Lord. What shall we not do for such a Father that hath provided such an inheritance for us that we may injoy him and be accepted with him Therefore we should stock our minds with these thoughts 4. That we should not question our estate because we are under grievous pressures and afflictions For the words are an anticipation of an objection If Sons of God and Heirs of Glory why are we then so afflicted he inverteth the Argument You are so afflicted that you may have the inheritance 'T is rather an evidence of our right than an infringement of it especially if patiently endured for Gods sake seeing thereby you are conformed to the Son by nature Rom. 8.29 He hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his son We have communion with Christ and his Sufferings and if we be like him in his estate of Humiliation we shall be like him in his estate of Exaltation also 2. USE is Exhortation 1. To bilieve this blessed inheritance which is reserved for the children of God 'T is a great happiness but let not us therefore suspect the truth of it for 't is founded in the infinite mercy of the eternal God and the everlasting merit of a blessed Redeemer And we are prepared and qualified for it by the Almighty Operation of the conquering spirit 't is an happiness that lieth in another world and we cannot come at it but by death But is there no life beyond this Where then shall the good be rewarded and the wicked punished 'T is unseen but it is set before us in the promises of the Gospel which God hath confirmed by miracles and sanctified to the conversion and consolation of many souls throughout all successions of ages and were the best and wisest of men that ever the world saw deceived with a vain fancy Or can a lye or delusion be sanctified to such high and holy ends therefore do you believe it John 11.26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die believest thou this If you believe your Reconciliation with God by the death of Christ why not your salvation by his life If your adoption into his family why not the inheritance both priviledges stand by the same grace 2. Let us live always in the desire of it that desire that will quicken you to look after it Phil. 3.14 And to seek after it in the first place Matth. 6.33 That desire that will quicken you to long for the enjoyment of it Phil. 1.23 3. To comfort your selves with the hope of it Rom. 5.2 And rejoice in hope of the glory of God 't is the glory of God God giveth it God is the solid part of it and can we expect shortly to live with God and upon God and not rejoice in the hope of it Is a deed of gift from God the security of infallible promises nothing Is the Title nothing before possession When this estate is so sure and near we should more lift up our heads and revive our drooping spirits 4. Let us walk worthy of it 1. Despising Satans offers Heb. 12.16 Be not a prophane person as was Esau. 1 Kings 21.3 The Lord forbid that I should part with the inheritance of my father Be chary of your inheritance keep the hopes clear fresh and lively 2. Wean your hearts from the world Col. 3.1 2. If ye be risen with Christ seek the things that are above set your affections above and not on the earth There is your Father your Head your Christ your Patrimony 't is reserved for you in the Heavens 3. Live in all holy conversation and godliness 1 Pet. 3.7 Living as heirs of the grace of life in all duties to God love to one another fidelity in all our relations We that shall live in the clear vision and full fruition of God in Christ should be other manner or persons 4. In an heavenly manner Phil. 3.20 But our conversation is in heaven Either acting for it or living upon it or sollacing our selves with it with delightful thoughts of Heaven sweeten your pilgrimage here be willing to suffer afflictions if God call us thereunto patiently you suffer with Christ Christ takes it as done to himself Acts 9.4 Why persecutest thou me Fill up your share of the sufferings Providence hath appointed for Christ Mystical Col. 1.24 Who now rejoice in my afflictions foâ— you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the church 2 Cor. 1.6 And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation and Phil. 3.10 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship
often quench the vigour and obscure the Glory of that life which they have whilest they shew forth too much of Adam and too little of Jesus And so the spiritual life is carried on darkly and in a riddle Jam. 3.2 In many things we offend all Certainly if our priviledges be hidden yet our graces should appear in their fruits and effects Little of our happiness will be seen in this world yet our holiness should be apparent and visible 2 Thes. 1.11 12. Wherefore also we pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. If your condition be obscured and darkned by afflictions it should not be obscured and darkned by sins a perpetual tenor of happiness we cannot expect in a changeable world yet by a constant course of holiness we should plainly distinguish our selves from those that will perish in the common apostacy and defection of mankind But alas Gods children are not so cautious but that they border too near the world and tho there should be such a broad difference that the children of God may be manifestly distinguished from the children of the Devil 1 John 3.10 Yet too much of the influence of the evil spirit remaineth with us and is bewrayed by us upon all occasions yet there is a generation of men that row against the stream of flesh and blood 1 Pet. 4.4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same excess of riot 3. Hidden as to their priviledges and the glory of their estate Many of Gods children being mean and low and indigent oppressed by the world harrassed with sundry calamities and afflictions it doth not appear that we have such a great and glorious Father Now we are stained with sin blackned with sufferings there is no visible appearance of our great dignity and prerogative There must be a distinction between Earth and Heaven our filiation in the world to come is another thing to what it is in this world for then their glory shall be manifest Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory For the present our glory is spiritual and future 1. 'T is spiritual and maketh no fair shew in the flesh as the Image of God is an internal thing as the Kings Daughter is glorious within Psal. 45.13 It lyeth not in great Revenues and pomp of living but a plentiful participation of gifts and Graces their comforts are spiritual known by feeling rather than by report Phil. 4.7 The peace of God which passeth all understanding Rev. 2.17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it Gods children are not utterly abandoned and left to the will of men The protection of Gods Providence is a Mystery and Riddle to the world that must have all things under the view of sense Psal. 31.20 Thou shalt hide them in the seâ—ret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues and Psal. 91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty Job 29.4 As I was in the days of my youth when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle God keepeth them and maintaineth them no body knoweth how there is a secret and invisible blessing goes along with them as others are blasted by an invisible â—urse And 2. 'T is future The time of our perfection and blessedness is not yet come and we cannot for the present judg of it nor the world imagine what it shall be they do not consider the end of things but look all to the present for the present they find the Saints miserable and those that are dead the world taketh them for lost 1 Cor. 15 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable They that are worse used by other men have little advantage by Christ now their Sonship entitleth them to a miserable portion in the worlds estimation who know not consider not things to come 2. From whom they are hidden Not from God who knoweth those that are his 2 Tim. 2.19 Not from Christ who died for them and hath their Names graven upon his Breasts and Shoulders and is mindful of them upon every turn John 10.14 I am the good shepherd who know my sheep and am known of mine Christ hath a particular and exact knowledg of all the Elect their individual Persons who they are where they are and what they are that shall be saved He taketh special notice of them that he may suitably apply himself to them they are not altogether unknown to the good Angels for they are their charge Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation And they shall gather them from the four winds at the last day Matth. 24.31 From whom then are they hidden 1. From the world The world knoweth us not as they knew him not they are hid from the world as colours from a blind man they have no eyes to see they are blinded by the delusions of the flesh and cannot judg of spiritual things because they are to be spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 As a beast cannot judg of the affairs of a man 't is a life above them these things are out of their sphear for they value all things according to the interest of the flesh and being blinded with malice and prejudice they censure this estate perversly and so malign and oppose it 1 Pet. 4.4 5. They think it strange you do not run with them into the same excess of riot speaking evil of you who shall give an account to him who is ready to judg the quick and the dead They are unwilling any should put a disgrace upon their fleshly course of life therefore if they cannot draw others into a fellowship of their sins they labour to blacken them with censures or root them out with furious oppositions and persecutions But their perverse judgment should be no discouragement to us let us rather pity their ignorance than be troubled at their malice it is enough for us that we have the favour of God and our hopes lye elsewhere 2. In a great measure from our selves What with corruptions within and temptations without we have much ado to be perswaded that God is our Father and we his children our condition being so unsuitable and our conversations so much beneath our rights and priviledges so that it needeth to be cleared by the spirit
of Adoption no less Agent or Witness will serve the turn Rom. 8.16 The spirit its self beareth witness to our spirits that we are the children of God When that is done yet the glory intended to be revealed in us is not sufficiently known we have not now an heart to conceive of it 1 Cor. 2.9 And Prophesie is but in-part 1 Cor. 12.9 And the Apostle when wrapt up in Paradise heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 12.4 Heavenly joys cannot be told us in an earthly dialect the Scripture is fain to lisp to us and to speak something of it as we can understand and conceive of things to come by things present therefore our glory is in a great measure unknown and will be till the day of manifestation and then there shall be a Crown of Glory prepared for us 3. Why this Glory is hidden 1. Because now is the time of tryal hereafter of recompence Therefore now is the hiding time hereafter is the day of the manifestation of the sons of God if the glory were too sensible there were no trial neither of the world nor of the people of God Christ himself might be discerned by those who had a mind to see him yet there was obscurity enough in his Person to harden those that were resolved to continue in their prejudices therefore 't is said Luke 2.39 This child was set for the rise and fall of many in Israel So if the whole excellency of a Christians estate were laid open to the view of fense there would be no trial Christ had his bright side and dark side a glory to be seen by those whose eyes were anointed with spiritual eye-salve John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the father And affliction and meaness enough to harden those who had no mind to see So God hath his chosen ones in the world who keep up his honour and interest and he hath his ways to to express his love to them but not openly they are called his hidden ones Psal. 80.3 They are under his secret blessing and protection but not visibly owned but in such a way as may be best for their trial and the trial of the world The Lord Jesus came not with external appearance his Divine Nature was hidden under the vail of his flesh and his Dignity and Excellency under a base and mean outside in the outward estate there was nothing lovely to be seen by a carnal eye Isa. 53.2 He hath no form and comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him Yet in himself he was the brightness of the Divine Glory and the express image of his person Heb. 1.3 2. God hath chosen this way to advance his glory that he may perfect his power in our weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 By wants and weaknesses his fatherly love appeareth to us more than in an absolute and total exemption from them God would not so often hear from us nor would we have such renewed experiences to revive the sense of his fatherly love and grace which would otherwise be dead and cold in our hearts were it not for these wants and afflictions during our minority and nonage 3. To wean and draw us off from things present to things to come That we may be contented to be hidden from and hated by the world if the course of our service expose us to it for we must not look upon things as they are or seem to be now but what they will be hereafter Now is the trouble then the reward present time is quickly past and therefore we should be dead to present profits and present pleasures and present honours and look to eternity that is to come 2 Cor. 4.18 While we look not to the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Oh how glorious will the derided vilified Believer be then It should be our Ambition to look after this honour 't is the day of the manifestation of the Sons of Cod tho the wicked have a larger allowance by the bounty of Gods common Providence yet you have his special love We think God doth not place his hands aright no! God doth not misplace his hands as Joseph thought of his Father Gen. 48. when he preferred Ephraim befor Manasseh What a poor condition was the only Begotten Son of God in when he lived in the world When you are poorer than Christ then complain tho you do not enjoy Pleasures Honours Riches Esteem yet if you enjoy the Favour of God 't is enough tho mean yet if heirs of glory Jam. 2.5 God doth not esteem persons according to their outward lustre 1 Sam. 16.7 Look not on his countenance or the height of his stature for the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh upon the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart 2. How manifested Their persons shall be known and owned Rev. 3.5 But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels 'T is no litigious debate then no more doubt when owned not by Charracter but by Name they shall be manifested to themselves and their glory also revealed to the world by the visible marks of favour Christ will put upon them when others are rejected Isa. 66.5 But he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Yea the world shall stand wondring 2 Thes. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe 2. Doct. That the state of the creatures shall he renewed when Gods children come to be manifested in their glory For he saith the whole Creation groaneth and waiteth 1. This is clear that heaven and earth that is the lower Heavens and the Elementary Bodies as well as the earth shall suffer some kind of change at the last day for 't is said Psal. 102.26 As a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed He will change them quite from the condition wherein they now are 2. That this change of the world and the heavenly and elementary bodies shall be by fire 2 Pet. 3.7 The heavens and the earth which are now reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and the perdition of ungodly men 3. That notwithstanding this fire and universal destruction rational creatures shall subsist to all eternity in their proper place assigned to each of them the Godly in Heaven the wicked in Hell Matth. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into eternal life 4. 'T is probable that the bruits and plants and all such corruptible bodies as are necessary to the animal life but superfluous to life everlasting shall be utterly destroyed 5. That the world and elementaty bodies shall be refined and purged by this fire and
dissettled This is the vanity of disorder 'T is very observable that when God cometh to punish a people or a Nation for their sins the Prophets express it as if the whole Creation were to be put into a rout and disorder as when Babylons Destruction is threatned Isa. 13.17 I will shake the heavens and the earth shall remove out of its place in the day of his fierce anger and it shall be as a chased roe and a sheep whom no man taketh up so Isa. 33.9 The earth mourneth and languisheth Lebanon is ashamed and hewed down Sharon is like a wildâ—rnesâ— Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits so Isa. 34.4 When God 〈…〉 â—dâ—means and other enemies of the Church 't is said all the â—oast of 〈◊〉 shall be dissolved and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll and all their hoast 〈◊〉 down as a leaf falleth off from the vine and as a falling leaf from the figtree for my sword shall be bathed in Heaven It shall come down upon Idumea and upon the people 〈◊〉 my curse to Judgment it was but a particular judgment yet the expressions carry 〈…〉 if the whole Universe were to be put into a disorder for by the sin of man came all those mutations which we see in the world On the contrary you shall see in the â—â—â—â—ises the Scripiture speak as if the whole Creation were to be restored when man is â—educed to God I shall only instance in that Isa. 51.16 I have put my words in thy mouth that I may cover thee in the shadow of mine hand that I may plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth and say unto Zion Thou art my people Implying that if mankind were better the marks and prints of the curse would cease and be quite extinguished there would not be such disorder in the creature as now appeareth but it would seem to be planted again mans re-establishment in a state of obedience to the Creator would be a re-establishment of the order of the world 2. There is the vanity of corruption 't is put into a corruptible condition the creature is now frail and fleeting and still decaying Eccles. 1.2 Vanity of vanity all is vanity not only vain but vanity its self and vanity of vanities is extream vanity thus not only some things but all things are thus fluid and vain because of their inconstancy and mutability so Psal. 39.5.6 Verily every man in his best estate is altogether vanity surely man every man walketh in a vain shew surely they are disquieted in vain The uncertainty weakness and emptiness of all earthly things is soon discovered and within a little while the most shining Glory is burnt to a snuff we vain creatures trouble our selves about these transitory nothings as if they would continue with us to all eternity and had some solid durable injoyment and satisfaction in them whereas they wither like Flowers while we smell at them 3. Vain in regard of its final dissolution and last change when the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up 2 Pet. 3.10 As a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed Psal. 102.26 Tho this change be not an abolition an annihilation yet a great waste it will be and an utter destruction of many things in the world 4. Vain in regard of its end and use There is a double end and use 1. Nextly and immediately this sublunary world was made to be a commodious habitation for man Psal. 115.26 The heaven even the heavens are the Lords but the earth hath he given to the children of men by an original grant God gave the use of all his creatures upon earth unto man indeed all things here below were either subject to our dominion or created for our use some things are not subject to our dominion as Sun Moon and Stars with their Influences yet created for our use therefore David in his night-Meditation Psal. 8.3 4. When I consider the heavens the work of thy fingers the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained what is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him That all this should be made for the comfort of man 't is Gods great goodness to us but other things were not only created for mans use but also subject to mans dominion Gen. 1.26 let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowls of the air and over the cattel and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth This was Gods Charter to man as a deputy-God and Vice-King in this lower world Man injoyeth the benefit of those things which are not under his command as Sun Moon Stars Clouds Winds all in their course do us service to give us light heat and influence and rain by which they drop down fatness on the earth but the other creatures we have a dominion over them and they are to be subdued by us the earth by habitation and culture the Sea by Navigation and fishing but above all the rest the cattel are most at our command to afford us Food and cloathing and do us a voluntary kind of homage in their labours submitting to our direction and government Well then the inferior globe of Earth and Air and Sea to have the dominion and use of the creatures that are therein were all made and given for mans use and comfort As God hath provided the highest Heavens for his own place and Court of residence so he hath made the earth for a commodious habitation for man But when was this given to man In innocency for by rebellion against God we forfeited this Lordship of ours and till it be restored by Christ we have no comfortable right to exercise it as by and by and in part this was manifested in renewing this Patent to Noah saved out of the Waters in the Ark which was a type of Christ Gen. 9.1 2. God blessed Noah and said unto him The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every fowl of the air and upon all that moveth upon the earth and upon all the fishes of the sea into your hand they are delivered This was the next end for which the creature was made 2. Vltimately and terminatively they were made for God For God made all things for himself Prov. 16.4 and the creatures are called his servants Psal. 119.91 They continue to this day according to thy ordinance for all are thy servants Man was but a fellow-creature with the rest of the world and could not challenge a Lordship over them by his own right without Gods free gift We could not claim a dominion over that which had no dependance on us neither by creation nor by present sustentation for dependance is the foundation of all subjection and
to look back upon God any more as when they break off a treaty of Marriage set another match a foot or rather as those that endeavour to draw away a mans heart from his own wife intangle him in the love of a strange woman so God to counterwork Satan blasts the creature and much of the beauty and vertue of it is lost that we may think of returning to him Hos. 2.7 I will return to my first husband for then it was better with me than now Disappointment in the creature sendeth many to God who otherwise would never think of him for they are made the more sensible of their disadvantage in forsaking him 2. The creature is still made an instrument of sin And therefore is involved in Gods curse as to the disorder ruin and destruction of many of the parts of it For if we use these creatures contrary to their nature and end and to the wrong of their proper Lord and Owner no wonder if he blasted what is so abused The creatures are sometimes abused as objects of worship and trust to the alienating mens hearts from God as in gross idolatry They worshipped the queen of Heaven meaning the Sun whom they made a female Isa. 44.18 And the Lord complaineth Ezek. 16.16 17 18 19. That they decked their high places with gold and silver and did set oyl and incense before them So still we set up the creature for our end and happiness as if it were more attractive and amiable than God and fitter to content and delight the soul. Use so much of the world as is within our grasp and reach against God and our true happiness Besides bruitish wickedness How many sacrilegious morsels do men offer to an intemperate appetite and abuse other things by their sinful desires meat to surfeiting drink to excess apparel to pride wealth power and interest to serve their revengful minds 3. In the curse on the creature man is punished His blessings cursed Mal. 2.2 Those things which were made for our use and service become first instruments of our sin and then of our punishment 'T is just with God not only to punish us in our persons but in the things belonging to us as demolishing the Houses and Castles of a Rebel is taken to be a part of his punishment among men Pharaohs house was smitten for Sarahs sake Gen. 12.17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house for Sarahs sake And Numb 16.31 The earth swallowed them up and their houses and their goods So God brought vanity on the creature for mans sake murrain on the Beasts and Cattel Blasts upon Corn and Vines and other Fruits of the Earth we have interest in them and our subsistence is by them yea the King himself is served by the field their destruction is our loss as mercy to the earth is mercy to men 1. USE To teach us the evil of sin Man by sin brought a curse upon himself upon his posterity and upon all the creatures that is it we ate upon sin disordered the whole world therefore let us work our hearts to a detestation and abhorrence of it we see how highly God is displeased with it the Creator who out of his overflowing bounty created all things and delighted in them when he had made them yet was provoked to curse what he had created when once man had sinned and so sin hath made a great change in the world but because these are ancient things and do little move us see the judgments of every age and time which are the fruit of this vanity which is brought upon the creature if a nation sin Deut. 28.22 23. The Lord thy God shall smite thee with fevers and with the sword and with blasting and mildew and consume thee until thou perish The heaven that is over thy head shall be brass and the earth under thee iron the Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust from heaven shall it come down upon thee until thou be destroyed So v. 39 40. Thou shalt carry much seed into the field and shalt gather but little in for the locusts shall consume it thou shalt plant vineyards and dress them but shalt neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes for the worms shall eat them Have olive trees but the olive shall cast its fruits These are things often fullfiled before our eyes so Isa. 24.4 5 6. The earth mourneth and fadeth away the world languisheth and fadeth away the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof they have transgressed the laws changed the ordinance broken the everlasting covenant Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth and they that dwell therein are desolate therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men left So for our persons 't is our sin that bringeth the curse of God on all that we injoy Thus God by the vanity and perishing of the creature would shew how angry he is with man for sin 2. USE Do not cast a greater burden upon the creature You have already brought in too much disorder and confusion upon the world But how do we cast a greater burden upon the creature When you sin with and by the creature as by injustice unmercifulness oppression because you have much filthy excess by these and such-like you make the creature the object and occasion of sin especially opposition to God oppressing his servants dealing cruelly and unmercifully with men hoping your greatness should bear us out in any of these cases 1. Consider how the creature will cry to God for revenge Hab. 2.11 for the stones shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of the timber shall answer it The very materials of their buildings and unjust acquisitions shall witness against them James 5.3 The canker and rust of your gold and silver shall witness against you 2. Those that put a burden upon the creature shall have the creatures burden put on them by your sin they are subjected to vanity and by their vanity you are subjected to wrath They are ready to revenge Gods quarrel if he do but hiss for them Isa. 7.18 He can make thistles grow instead of wheat and cockle for barley Inheritages gotten by oppression Job 31.40 3. The creatures shall be delivered but those that abuse the creature shall not They are subjected in hope but their worm dyeth not their fire goeth not out 3. USE Is to perswade us to turn our hearts from the creature to God for the creature is made subject to vanity They change but he changeth not 1 John 2.17 The world passeth away and the lusts thereof There is no true happiness to be found under the Sun Surely they that can see no vanity nothing but glory and goodness in outward things Satan hath bewitched them Matth. 4.8 Shall we fix our minds on a reeling world ever subject to changes Psal. 83.13 O my God make them like a wheel as the stubble before the wind Those things are
and them In this Life the Body hath an absolute necessity of them but in the next Life the meat its self as well as the eating or desiring of meat shall be taken away Partly because if these should be restored there must be a Resurrection of them which is only promised to men And the Apostles when they speak restrain it to mankind who have reasonable Souls living to God while their Bodies are not â—otting in the Grave but the Soul of the Beasts goeth downward Eccl. 3.21 that is perish with their bodies which are buried in the ground 4. All artificial works done by the hand of man as Cities Castles Houses Gardens They shall all be burnt up and be extant no more for tho these things are useful during the earthly Life yet then they are all consumed as being defiled by the inhabitants thereof 2 Pet. 3.10 The earth also and the works which are therein shall be burnt up That is which men have made and built thereupon which should turn our hearts from our affecting those things or fixing upon the Creature which is passing away whilest we neglect God who is the same that passeth not 2. That which shall be restored is the Fabrick of Heaven and Earth not the highest Heavens they need no purifying fire no unclean things entring there But the lower Heavens and this Earth the State of things after the Dissolution is called a World to come often Now World in the sacred Dialect comprehendeth the visible Heavens and Earth Meaning by Heavens the airy and starry Heaven and by Earth dry Land and Waters Well then Heaven and Earth Sun Moon and Stars which had a being in the Creation and undergo the purging fire at the dissolution shall be restored as Gold that hath been melted and refined in the fire If you ask for what use We must refer that to the event the Scripture in the general 2 Pet. 3.13 We expect according to his promise new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Wherein righteous men shall have a firm place and always dwell therein and exercise righteousness Whereas this earth is full of wicked and unrighteous men which then shall be all in Hell But the difficulty is about the use of this lower World 1. What if God restore it as a monument of his Wisdom Goodness and Power An object wherein by the great beauty of the creature the just shall see God by reflection 2. What if for the exercise of our delight and gratitude To delight the eyes and minds of the Saints the creatures having a glory and brightness put upon them somewhat proportionable to their own glorious estate God will make a proportion between the Heir and the Inheritance the Lord and the Servants the Habitation and the Inhabitant as the Church is altered so must her dwelling there shall he nothing in nature displeasing to the Eyes of Gods Children but all delightful to all eternity 3. What if to be a Trophy of the final Abolition of Death the last enemy that shall be destroyed The World is now a Monument of Sin and then of our Redemption that all the fruit of Sin is done away both in us and the World 4. What if to compleat the first grant of Dominion to man over the creatures This grant must sometime or other take place Psal. 8.6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the work of thine hands thou hast put all things under his feet 'T is not done here therefore in the World to come as the Apostle speaketh Heb. 2.5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come Which World to come concerneth the state of the Church under Christ and the state of Glory after the Resurrection now we have the right then the possession An eternal Kingdom over all creatures for 't is said of the Saints that they shall have Dominion in the morning and that they shall reign with Christ for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 and of the new Heavens and the new Earth Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things which beareth some sense VSE It sheweth us three things 1. The certainty of our Hopes There is hope that the creature at length shall be delivered into a state agreeing with the future Glory of Gods Children Therefore much more is their deliverance to be hoped for by the Children of God themselves For if these dumb insensible things be made partakers of a better estate than they have now Will not God take care for the recompence of his people 2. The excellency of our Hopes It appeareth hence what excellency of Glory is reserved for the Children of God since all the World shall be refined and restored for their sakes and seeing the Glory of that state requireth the creature should be changed before it can suit with it 3. It sheweth us the manner of entring into our hopes As the creature must be freed from the state of Corruption before it can partake with Gods Children in any degree of their glorious Liberty so must we be changed before we are capable of it How changed First By Grace Secondly By Death 1. We must be changed by Grace and freed from the Corruption of sin Eph. 5.5 For this we know that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God Common knowledg will easily shew us that those that impenitently persist in gross sins are uncapable of any right unto and never shall come to the Possession of that blessed estate of eternal Glory We have a larger Catalogue Gal. 5.20 21. And the Apostle concludeth that they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God There is no mixture of godly and ungodly in the Kingdom of Heaven Nay we may go further not only exclude them who live in gross sin but every unregenerate Person Joh. 3.3 Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God and in the 5 th vers 't is explained he cannot enter into it Every man in his natural estate be he to appearance better or worse is unmeet for Glory And there must be a change wrought in him he must be delivered from the Bondage of sinful Corruption or he cannot injoy the glorious liberty of the Children of God not only an Epicure or Drunkard or Whoremonger is excluded but a painted Pharisee as long as his heart is corrupt and unrenewed hath no right and never shall have possession he must be changed from a state of Corruption to a state of holiness and the Image of God in which he was created must be restored in him 2. Changed by Death The Saints being mortal must be changed before they can inherit eternal Life All that we derived from old Adam must be laid and left in the Grave 1 Cor. 15.50 Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption These earthly frail bodies
Singly Each Saint and Servant of God findeth enough to drive him off from the world and to make him long for Heaven a great deal of sin to make him long for his perfect estate Here in many things we offend all of us and the best of us Jam. 3.2 But above there are the spirits of just men made perfect A great deal of misery unless we are in love with distress and prefer vanity and vexation of spirit before our rest and quiet repose why should we not desire to be at home with the Lord which is much better for us Phil. 1.23 We had been more in danger to forget Heaven if all things had suited to our desires and our way had been strowed with worldly flowers and delights but God hath more wisely ordered it that our temptation to abide here should not be too strong or when the world appears to us in too tempting a garb and posture a valley of tears and snares a world full of sins crosses and pains should make us look out after a better estate Consider them collectively as a Church here 't is quite different from what it will be hereafter Alas how often is it like a ship in the hands of a foolish guide who knoweth not the right art of steering spotted with calumnies of adversaries or the stains and scandals of its own children sometimes rent and torn with sad divisions every Party impaling and inclosing the common salvation and confining it to their own bounds unchristianing and unministring all the rest and many times in the pursuit of these contentious unmanning themselves while they seek to bear down all that stand in their way tho 't is better to dwell in the Courts of the Lord than in the terms of wickedness yet truly a tender spirit will groan under these disorders and long to come to the great council of souls to the spirits of just men made perfect who with perfect Harmony are landing and praising God for evermore 2. Remove impediments Which are sensuality and addictedness to worldly things some seek all their delights and happiness in the things of this world and so set more by earth than Heaven and will do more for it Certainly when we fall into the snare of worldly hopes and are laying designs for greatness here 't is a troublesome interruption to think of a remove and their great change cometh upon them unawares unthought of and unlooked for Luke 21.34 Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be over-charged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares See also Luke 12.17 18 19 20. And he thought within himself saying What shall I do because I have no room to bestow all my fruits and goods and he said This I will do I will pull down my barns and build bigger and say to my soul Thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry but God said unto him This night thy soul shall be required of thee Psal. 146.4 His breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish Certainly the cares and pleasures of this world steal away the heart from the life to come worldly delights make us unwilling to remove 3. Meditate often on the worth of this blessedness Col. 3.1 If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Are you unwilling to come to God the object of your everlasting joy and love to Christ your blessed Redeemer and Saviour who hath done so much for you to bring you home to himself To the innumerable company of Saints and holy Angels and those peaceful Regions that are above Surely if you hold your eye open upon the mark you will press on with the more diligence Phil. 3.14 4. The more earnestly you look for these things the more doth heaven come to you before you come to it Phil. 3.20 but our conversation is in heaven living for heaven or upon heaven here by earnest hope the joy of the Lord entreth into you Rom. 15.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy in believing the more our hearts are exalted to look after it but usually we are taken up with toys and trifles 3. USE Have we this hope You may be contented with a presumptuous conceit or idle expectation and call it hope 't is not a slight thinking of heaven no but a certain and desired expectation of the promised blessedness according to the terms of the New Covenant the true hope is neither groundless nor fruitless 1. A groundless hope is a false hope which buildeth on false promises you cannot render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or an account of it 2 Pet. 3.5 as David asked the reason of his doubts so we of our hopes Psal. 42.15 hope thou in God they think if they have confidence though without holiness they shall see God they hope to be saved without regeneration and so hope for that which God never promised think to be saved while unsanctified these build on false evidences Jam. 1.21 build on the sand Matth. 7.24 build on false experiences Gods patience the blessings of this life deliverance only their cry from eminent danger Psal. 78.38 vanishing tasts Heb. 4.5 2. 'T is not fruitless 4. USE Is direction in the Lord Supper this duty was appointed to raise and confirm our hope for 't is a seal of the Covenant and the principal Covenant blessing is eternal life Three things are considerable The acting of hope The receiving new pledges of Gods love The binding our selves to pursue everlasting life 1. The acting of hope We come to take Christ and all his benefits which are Pardon and Life He is drinking new wine in his Fathers kingdom Matth. 26.29 We come to think of the happiness of the blessed some are gotten to heaven already we are of the same family Eph. 3.15 of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named 'T is but one houshold some live in the upper some in the lower room those on earth are of the same society and community with them in heaven Heb. 12.23 To the general Assembly and the Church of the first born which are written in heaven They have gotten the start of us and are made perfect before us that we may follow after we are reconciled to the same God by the same Christ Col. 1.20 we expect our portion from the bounty of the same Father Luke 12.32 He that hath been so good to that part of the family which is now in heaven will he not be as good to the other part also that remain here upon earth Therefore they that are working out their salvation with fear and trembling may and should incourage themselves and look upon this felicity as prepared for them though not enjoyed by them and will one day be their portion as well as of those others who
we must consider 1. The object 2. The Act. 3. The Properties 1. The object We consider God as good there is a double motive in the object to excite us to love God Because he is good and doth good Psal. 119.68 from his nature and from his work 1. The excellency of his nature he is good There is a threefold goodness in God 1. His essential goodness which is the infinite perfection of his Nature 2. His moral goodness and holiness which is the infinite perfection of his Will 3. His beneficial goodness which is the infinite propension that is in him to do good to the creature All these are the object of our love 1. His essential goodness should make him amiable to us partly because the glorious perfections of his nature are the object of our esteem and esteem is the ground of love We affect what we prize and value or else we do not really esteem prize and value it and partly because they are the object of our praise now we praise God for his excellencies to increase our love to him and delight in him otherwise our praise is but an empty complement and partly because the Angels and blessed Spirits do admire and adore God for the excellencies of his nature not only for the benefits they have received by him but as he is an infinite and eternal Being of glorious and incomprehensible Majesty they are represented as crying out Isa. 6.3 Holy holy holy Lord God of Hosts Now God must in some measure be served on earth as he is in Heaven Surely we should not speak or think or worship the infinite eternal God without some act of love holy delight and pleasure Ps. 14.71 Praise ye the Lord for it is good to sing praises to our God for it is pleasant and praise is comely so Psal. 95.1 Come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation and all this is the acting of love for the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods there are the motives Psal. 5.10 Let them that love thy name be joyful in thee So that you see 't is a great duty to delight our selves in Gods essential perfections 2. His moral goodness or his righteousness and holiness Surely this is an amiable thing and therefore the object of our delectation I prove it thus First If holiness be lovely and pleasant in the creature why not in God In the Saints Holiness doth attract our love Psal. 16.3 My delight is in the saints the excellent ones of the earth and Psal. 15.4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. We are to love Saints as Saints reduplicative why not God as Holy and Righteous We are to love the law of God as it is pure Psal. 119.140 Therefore we are to love God a copy of whose Holiness the Law is the same reason that doth enforce the one doth enforce the other Secondly I argue We are to imitate his Holiness and Righteousness therefore we are to love and delight in it Eph. 5.1 Be ye followers of God as dear children and 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory Now love begetteth likeness 't is the greatest demonstration of Gods love to us to make us like himself and the greatest expression of our love to God to desire it to endeavour after it to value and prize it as our happiness see Psal. 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness 3. His beneficial goodness or benignity Psal. 100.5 For the Lord is good for his mercy is everlasting Therefore all his Saints should love him we are first led to the Lord by our own interest and the benefits we have or may have by him Psal. 86.5 Thou Lord art good ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy unto all that ca lt upon thee This doth first attract the heart of guilty sinners to seek after God but afterwards we look upon him as a lovely object in himself while we look upon benignity as a moral perfection in God without the fruits which flow thence to us 't is an engaging thing as 't was observed heretofore that Cesar's vertues were more amiable than Cato's vertues Cesar's Vertues were Clemency Affability Liberality Cato's vertues rigid Justice and Fidelity in his dealings both were amiable but the one more taking than the other There is somewhat a like observation Rom. 5.7 Scarcely for a righteous man would one die but for a good man one would even dare to die By the righteous man is meant one of a severe and rigid innocency by a good man a man bountiful and useful To apply it Gods benignity is a thing amiable tho it be considered but as an Attribute in God not exercised and acted on us because this most suiteth the necessities of the indigent and faln creature therefore the Scripture doth much insist upon it to move us to return and seek reconciliation with him 2. He doth good or hath been good to us 1. As in Creation He made us out of nothing after his own image We must remember him as a Creator so as to consider the obligations which lye upon us to love please and serve him Eccles. 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth All that we are and have we have it from God and for God 2. In redemption Where we have the greatest representation of the goodness of God 1 John 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be a propiliation for our sins 'T is the signal instance and Rom. 5.8 Herein God commended his love that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly The fullest discovery 3. In the mercies of daily providence Deut. 30.10 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God for he is thy life and the length of thy days Especially in his tender care about his people Psal. 31.33 O love the Lord all ye his Saints for the Lord preserveth his Saints and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer His hearing prayer is one instance Psal. 116.1 I will love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications 4. In the rewards of the other world which are provided especially for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath â—ntred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him and 1 John 3.1 â— Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God Behold now we are the sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Thus God
from him But when God is willing to come among us and take our Nature and die for a sinful world there is a foundation laid for his being with us to help us and bless us upon all occasions The wonderful Marriage which the Divine Nature hath made with the Humane doth help us against the thoughts of distance but his Death and Sufferings as the price of our Atonement doth make up the quarrel and breach between us and God In his person God manifested in our flesh way is made for access For in Christ God doth condescend to man and man is encouraged to ascend to God But in his Sufferings the distance is taken away and the guilty fears appeased which most do alienate us from God God hath set him forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood Rom. 3.25 Now after such a foundation laid will the Lord be strange to his people as if the breach still continued It cannot be Thirdly God in our Nature hath taken upon him an Office to defend and help his people which he manageth both in Heaven and in Earth In Heaven by his constant intercession Heb. 8.1.2 We have such an High Priest who is sate on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched and not man And Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not enâ—red into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us We have a friend in Court Jesus the true and great High Priest who hath the Names of his People graven upon his breast and shoulder to shew how much they are in his heart and to represent them and their necessities to God On Earth 1. Externally by his powerful Providence for all Judgment is put into his hands John 5.22 that he may defend his Church and People 2. Internally by his Spirit Matth. 20.20 Lo I am with you always unto the end of the world Into what part or Age of the World our Loâ— falleth Christ is ready with his protection and blessing Now would Christ take such an Office to be Head over all things to the Church and neglect the duty of it No the Head of the Church is also the saviour of the body Ephes. 5.11 The whole body and every member of it is dear to him as united to him in the sacred mystical body and he will take care of them And upon these accounts we may pray for and expect grace to help in a time of need Heb. 4.16 Let us come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in a time of need Obj. But you will say If there be such a Power and Goodness in God and thus secured by the mediation of Christ and his blessed Covenant how cometh it that they are reduced to such great exigencies Judges 6.13 If the Lord be with us why then is all this befallen us Ans. 1. 'T is supposed you are Christians and have not the spirit of a worldling that liveth upon and seeketh his main happiness in the creatures apart from God a true Christian is one that is dead to the world but alive to God one that hath laid up his treasure above the reach of all enemies Matth. 6.19 20 21. Lay not up treasure for your selves upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for your selves treasures in heaven where neither moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal for where your treasure is there will your heart be also Otherwise we cannot deal with you for 't is a vain attempt to hope to reconcile Christianity with your carnal affections but if you be such tho the feelings of nature be not altogether quenched in you you will not be greatly moved as long as your main happiness is safe that is while Gods love to you is not lessened while your communion with him is as free as it was before while you lose no degree of grace and your hopes of glory suffer not any Eclipse for your solid happiness lieth in these things other things are but appendages to sweeten our Pilgrimage and tho a Christian hath a value for his natural comforts yet 't is a value and an esteem that is subordinated to higher enjoyments that he hath something of value to esteem as nothing for Christ. 2. Temporal protection and prosperity is not excluded from the compass and latitude of this priviledg but included so far as God seeth fit So far as it is good to have peace and liberty heretofore the blessings of Gods presence was visible and sensible as they observed of Abraham Gen. 21.22 God is with thee in all that thou dost So 't is promised to Isaac Gen. 26.3 I will be with thee and bless thee To Jacob Gen. 35.3 God was with me in the way that I went To Moses Exod. 3.17 I will be with thee To Israel Deut. 2.7 The Lord thy God hath been with thee Josh 1.5 I was with Moses and I will be with thee To David 2 Sam. 6.18 So that we cannot say that he will not own and bless us in the course of his Providence but communion with him and the enjoyment of his gracious presence is that which the godly desire most Exod. 33.5 If thy presence go not along with us carry us not up hence 3. Though temporal happiness be not altogether excluded there must be tryal For there is no crowning without striving nor can a reward be expected for sitting still 2 Tim. 2.5 He must strive According to the laws of the exercise to put in for the prize in the Olympick Games and to refuse to run or wrestle was ridiculous so 't is to think of Heaven and do nothing for it or run no hazzard for it partly because we need afflictions that the inner man may be renewed and we be more prepared dispositively fitted for glory being weaned from the world and mortifying the flesh 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 1 Pet. 1.6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice tho now for a season if need be ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations We suffer to quicken us in our drouziness and refine us from our dross partly to conform us to Christ that we may overcome the world he overcame it by suffering to shew us that by suffering we shall overcome it which is a nobler victory than if we had overcome it by the sword Rom. 8.37 Nay in these things we are more than conquerors 'T is â—or the honour of God that it should be known that God hath a people that love him and are dearly beloved by him 4. In these tryals God is with us and so if he
when he called himself the Son of God John 5.18 The Jews sought the more to kill him not only because he had broken the sabbath but said also that God was his father making himself equal with God And they were not mistaken in it For Christ was indeed so the Son of God as to be equal in essence power and glory with the Father Their fault was that they denied this Title to be due to Christ. The Apostle explaineth it Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God 'T was no Blasphemy no Usurpation of Divine Honour Christ was not thrust down from Heaven for Robbery and Usurpation as the sinning Angels were but was sent down This Divine Honour did justly and rightly belong to him Now that God spared him not on this occasion is the great demonstration and condescention of his Love 2. The singular and infinite love between God and Christ He is called his dear Son Col. 1.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Father loved him dearly and we are chary of what we tenderly love Therefore the only begotten Son is said to be in the bosom of the Father John 1.18 which intimateth not only his co-existence with him from all eternity but the mutual familiarity delight and complacency which the Divine persons have in one another which is also set forth Prov. 8.30 Then was I by him as one brought up with him I was daily his delight rejoicing always before him As two Mates or Companions of suitable dispositions always bred up together and rejoycing in one another Thus is Heaven fain to lisp to us in our own Dialect to set forth the intimacy oneness and delight that is between the Father and the Son yet God spared him not 3. Though he had no equal or advantageous exchange Christ is more worth than a thousand Worlds as the people could say of David thou art worth ten thousand of us 2 Sam. 18.3 How much more may it be said of Christ What could God gain that might be an equal recompence for the Death of Christ All the World set against God is nothing less than nothing Isa. 40.17 Now no man doth give much for what is but little esteemed but God gave his own Son to recover the perishing World of Mankind 2. Positively But delivered him up for us all Mark 1. The person who did it 2. The act what he did delivered 3. The persons for whom For us all 1. The person who God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all This word is used of several agents Judas delivered him John 19.11 He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin Pilate delivered him to be crucified John 19.16 the high Priests delivered him to Pontius Pilate Matth. 27.2 The people delivered him up to be scourged and crucified by the Gentiles Matth. 20.19 yea Jesus Christ delivered up himself Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences And here God delivered him up for us all one word is used but the act proceeded from several causes the people delivered him out of ignorance and inconsiderate zeal Judas out of covetousness and treachery the high Priests out of malice and envy Pilate out of a faulty compliance with the humours of the people and to preserve the reputation of his government Christ out of obedience to God God himself to shew his infinite love to us 'T is for our comfort to observe Gods act in this tradition if it had been done without Gods knowledge and consent nothing had been done for our salvation God doth nothing rashly or unjustly Therefore since Christ was delivered by the determinate counsel of God Acts 2.23 the reason must be enquired into 't was out of his love to recover a lost world that he might make satisfaction to provoked justice for our wrongs and offences so that Christ died not by the meer wickedness of man but the righteous and wise ordination of a gracious God and so 't is a great argument of Gods love and a ground both of gratitude and confidence to us We must look to the fathers act to whom we make our prayers with whom we would fain be reconciled whose judgment we fear whose favour we seek after Now he appointed his own Son to do the office of a Mediator for us the law which condemneth us is the law of God the wrath and punishment which we fear is the wrath of God the presence into which we come is the presence of God and the fountain of all blessings we expect is the favour of God and God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all to assure our comfort peace and hope his hand is chief in it 2. The act what he did he delivered him up not only to be made flesh for us 1 John 14. which was a state of being at the greatest distance from his nature who was a pure Spirit But God who is a Spirit was made flesh that he might be nearer to us and within the reach of our commerce and took a mother upon earth that we might have a father in Heaven which maketh all the promises of God more credible to us for the exaltation of man is a thing of more easie belief than the abasement of the Son of God if he will assume flesh we may reasonably expect to be apparelled and cloathed upon with his glory but also made sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Sin is taken in Scripture sometimes for a sacrifice for sin or a sin-offering by a metonymy of the adjunct for the subject as piaculum in Latin is both a sin and a sacrifice for sin so the Priests in the Prophets reproof are said to eat the sins of the people Hosea 4.8 that is the sacrifices when they minded nothing but to glut themselves with the far of the offerings part of which was the Priests portion and so Christ was made sin for us that is an expiatory sacrifice for our sin So in the beginning of this chapter Rom. 8.3 God by sending his Son in the similitude of sinful flesh hath by sin condemned sin in the flesh that is by the sufferings of Christ or his becoming a sin-offering hath put an everlasting brand upon sin to make it odious and hateful to the Saints Once more Made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 to note the pain and shame of his death and to shew that Christ was appointed to bear that curse of the law and punishment which belongeth to us which was so grievous and terrible as that his humane nature staggered and recoiled a little by a just abhorrence of the great evil which he was to undergo and when he was under it his soul was exceeding sorrowful and heavy unto death so that it extorted from him tears and strong cries yet God spared not his Son but delivered him up to these penal and dreadful evils God might be said not to spare his Son if he had only used him as
the animal life to the divine and spiritual 3. God will have the world seen in their proper colours the far greater part of the world do live and ungodly sensual life and they cannot endure those that would disgrace their delights by a contrary course John 15.19 The world loveth its own but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you 1 Pet. 4.4 They think it strange that you run not with them into the same excess of riot A contrary course produceth contrary affections and interests thence cometh their hatred and malignity against the Saints because they upbraid them with their sins The wicked and the righteous the spiritual and the carnal the sensual and the heavenly the formal and the serious can no more agree than the Wolf and the Lamb the Raven and the Dove 4. 'T is needful that our pride and carnal affections should be broken by the Cross 1 Pet. 1.6 Ye are in beaviness for a season if need be This smart discipline is needful to reclaim us from our wandrings to cut off the provisâ—on for the flesh which is an enemy to humble us for sin which is the greatest evil to wean us from the world to make us more mindful of heavenly things to make us thankful for our deliverance by Christ. How lazy and vain do the best grow when they live in Wealth Honour and Power Graces are eclipsed duties obstructed thoughts of Heaven few and cold We often fear the dejection of the godly we need more fear their Exaltation What lamentable work do they make in the world when they get uppermost so that we have more cause to thank Christ for our afflictions than our prosperity 1. VSE is Instruction That we have no reason to doubt of Gods Favour and Presence with us tho we be exercised with calamities and divers calamities â—ingle calamities are consistent enough with the love of God to his people God is a Father when he frowneth as well as when he smileth Christ was the Son of his love and yet a man of sorrows and so for Christians Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten God loveth those most whom he doth not leave to perish with the Godless and unbelieving world and divers calamities or variety of troubles tribulation distress persecution famine nakedness peril sword call it by what name you will 't is all incident to the Saints Some trials to ordinary sense seem to speak wrath utter wrath rather than love as when he seemeth to have broken off his ordinary course of kindness to his people and to cast them out of his protection leaving them in the hand and will of their enemies so that they are reproached troubled and reduced to great straits and necessities all this is necessary for till an utter exigence carnal supports are not spent and one trial by continance is blunted and loseth its edg till God send another therefore we need not one affliction only but divers but how many soever they be we have no reason to question the love of God Job 5.19.20 He shall deliver thee in six troubles yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee In famine he shaâ—l redeem thee from death and in war from the power of the sword In nakedness he will cloathe thee in persecution preserve thee in peril protect thee in distress comfort thee tho it cometh to the greatest trouble yet we have no cause to despond as if God had cast us off or withdrawn his love from us 2. That if we meet with many troubles this will be no excuse or plea to exempt us from our duty for as afflictions should not make us doubt of Gods love to us so they should not make us abate of our love to God Psal. 44.17 All this is come upon us yet we have not forgotten thee nor have we dealt falsly in thy covenant They had suffered hard things yet all this could not shake their constancy and resolution for God all our interests were given us that we might have something of value to esteem as nothing for Christ. 3. It sheweth us what a good allowance we should make Christ when we enter into Covenant with him and with what thoughts we should take up the stricter profession of Christianity Many think they may be good Christians yet their profession shall cost them nothing this is as if a man should enter himself a Soldier and never expect battel or a Mariner and promise himself nothing but calms and fair weather wiâ—hout waves and storms a life of ease is not to be expected by a Christian here upon earâ—h if God will suffer us to go to Heaven at an easier rate yet a Christian cannot promise it to himself but must be a mortified and resolute man dead to the world and resolved to hold on his journey to the world to come whatever weather he meeteth with among other of the pieces of the spiritual armor the Apostle biddeth us Be shâ—d with the armor of the gospel of peace Eph. 6.15 If a man be not thus shod he will soon founder in hard and rough ground But what is this preparation of the Gospel of Peace Peace noteth our reconciliation and peace with God and interest in his favour and love and peace arising from the Gospel the Law sheweth the breach the Gospel the way of reconciliation how it is made up for us but there is also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preparation or readiness of mind the Apostle's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts. 21.13 I am ready not to be bound only but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus And 1 Pet. 3.15 Be ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ready to render a reason of the hope that is in you Meaning there not sufficiency of knowledge in the mind but strength of resolution and will so that this preparation is a resolution to go through thick and thin to follow Christ in all conditions Alas else when we have lanched out with Christ we shall be ready to run ashore again upon every storm Now that we may thus resolve Christ would have us sit down and count the charges for he would not surprize any We should be ready to suffer the sharpest afflictions though it may be the Lord doth not see fit to exercise us with them God never intended Isaac should be Sacrificed yet when he would try Abraham he must put the knife to his throat and make all things ready to offer him up 4. How thankful we should be if God call us not to severe tryals such as tribulation distress persecution famine nakedness peril or sword which the primitive Christians endured that were purer Christians than we are If he deal more gently with us what use shall we make of this indulgence Manifold 1 Partly to be more strict and holy for when we are not called to passive obedience and sufferings our active obedience should be the more cheerfully performed Acts 9.31 Then the
door to God Page 250 Our example Page 301 And encouragement Page 302 How we may be like him Page 303 In seven directions he was delivered for us and how Page 325 Given for and given to us how differ Page 328 Christs love to his what Page 374 375 Christians of two kinds Page 19 100 Few like Christ Page 302 Have in them a principle and power opposite to flesh Page 76 Their life should convince the world Page 78 Indeed who Page 79 All such have the spirit Page 80 Different sorts of Christians Page ib. True Christianity what Page 109 They are warned to take heed of foulest sins Page 127 Are by the spirit exactly made like Christ and wherein Page 149 Children of God shall be manifested Page 128 Might live safe above enemies Page 320 And how Page 320 321 Are compleatly provided for Page 326 Church finally conquers Page 371 Condemnation what Page 2 Freedom from it Page 340 It is either by law of Works or Grace Page 2 The word of God the rule of it Page 2 When final and eternal Page 2 Fears of it hardly rid Page 34 Deserved by sin Original and Actual Page 3 Sin Conversion Page 3 Dreaded by Conscience Page 3 How we exempted Page 3 Out of Christ under Condemnation Page 7 Conformity to Christ in afflictions in holiness in glory Page 299 Corruption of man Page 106 Crucifixion a painful and shameful death Page 137 Conquerors and more Christians Page 366 How and who Page 367 Conscience Page 3 22 65 171 Checks for sin urges to duty Page 3 139 Presignifies Gods Iudgments Page 3 Is a rule Page 171 Not to be slighted Tho from spirit of Bondage Page 157 343 Not to be slighted When from spirit of Adoption Page 171 Presupposeth a God and a Law Page 171 Conviction smother'd tend to Atheism Page 78 Where Conviction begins Page 111 115 Conversation good wherein Page 16 Conversion what Page 5 6 God doth all at first yet we must do and what Page 115 'T is a mighty Work Page 135 Covenants two Page 40 Of nature brings us under fears Page 155 Covenant of Grace a Law of the spirit and why Page 9 10 11 Hath all requisites of a Law Page 11 Is Christs Law Page 17 Giveth liberty Page 20 Set up a remedy for us Page 24 Creatures as such subjects of God Page 35 36 Their state shall be renewed and how probably Page 192 D DEath and sin go together Page 21 89 How many kinds of Death and what each is Page 58 It is a punishment Page 89 A mark of Gods Displeasure Page 89 The Destruction of sin in Believers Page 89 To them a means to enter into glory Page 89 90 Comfortable onely to the holy Page 91 92 Death of Saints differs from Death of sinners and how Page 97 What is Death to sinners Page 108 Very fit Eternal Death be the punishment of sin Page 108 Debtors to the spirit Page 99 100 Christians are so Page ib. One Debt to God is indissoluble Page 101 Increased by Redemption Page 102 104 Decrees vid. Election Purpose Deliverance from Bondage of sin and Death very great priviledge Page 23 But begun now full at last Page 96 Dependence on God binds us to please him Page 68 Subjects us to God Page 102 Desires of Rest prove there is rest to be had Page 220 Desires of Hope strong Page 242 Destiny worthy to be known Page 40 41 117 Deadness to duty whence Page 131 Difficulties whet Christian hopes Page 238 Discouragements in obedience injurious to Christ and us Page 38 Lessen our Comforts Page 246 Sinners not Discouraged in sin Saints should not be in duty Page 247 Discourse with our selves Page 55 Disorder in mans mind Page 20 How great and whence Page 116 Dispair twofold and what each is Page 154 Displeasure of God seen most in his internal Government Page 85 Dissent too weak is too much consent to sin Page 52 Distress what Page 351 And why Page 341 Divel Flesh and World set out their best first Christ sets out his worst first his last is best Page 143 Divine works equally the works of Father Son and holy Ghost Page 94 In way proper to each Page ib. Do and Suffer ere we come to Heaven Page 241 Do as you can in Duty tho you cannot as you would Page 254 Dominion of the spirit Page 74 82 Of our Creator Page 100 Of Property and of Iurisdiction Page 100 In God is Universal Page 101 Dominion of God over all Page 316 Dominion of Man over the Creatures was by gift Page 195 Doubts of Eternity lye at bottom of our backwardness to good Page 143 Drooping Christians wanting to themselves Page 156 Die to sin and live to holiness mutually help each other Page 139 We must to live Page 242 Duty tho small yet must in their season be done Page 361 Dying men usually inquire whither going Page 40 117 To Believers is Christs pulling down their Cottage to build them a Palace on his own Charges Page 360 E EArnest of our Inheritance what how long continues Page 96 Earnestness of desire with hope Page 234 Earth and Heavens new Page 188 End of things best measure of them Page 143 269 Effectual Calling what Page 289 And its properties Page ib. Of meer love of God to us Page 290 Wrought by Almighty power Page 291 The particulars of it Page 291 Ends and aims of men different and they are as is their End Page 107 Election of particular persons to Life Page 293 Of meer grace unchangeable Page 293 Agreeable to the honor of God Page 294 And unsearchable in the methods of love to the Elect Page 294 295 Hence they are made to differ from others Page 295 296 By their conformity to Christ Page 299 In what this is Page ib. Shall be Called Iustified c. Page 304 Obligeth us to Duty and gratitude Page 309 Election and the effects are of grace in excellent order and connexion Page 308 This should affect our hearts and in what particulars Page 309 Endeavours must be continued to success Page 49 Eenemies of our Salvation agree in making us Rebels against God Page 64 Cannot hurt us while God is for us Page 314 315 316 Are in chains of Providence Page 321 Enquiry which dying men make Page 40 117 Episcopius fountain of new Theologie Page 5 Estates two in which all end Page 40 Which is ours we may know by the Scriptures Page 172 Esteem of God and things of God discover what we are Page 44 Eternity compar'd with time may set all right Page 182 Eternal Life what Page 59 Eternal death what Page 59 Exaltation of Christ our justification Page 348 Exhortation more necessary than tryal for weak Christians Page 47 Excommunicated by men received by God Page 186 Expiation of sin previous of our being heirs of God Page 179 Events are to be left to God Page 273 Evidence of true Christianity Page 82 83 84 330 Qualities of
continue and repair this House from day to day 3dly In its dissolution it is resolved to Earth again Gen. 3.19 Dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return and Eccles. 12.7 then shalt the dust return to the Earth as it was That is be resolved into the matter out of which it was made dust in its Composition and dust in its dissolution So 't is said of a Prince Psal. 146.4 His breath perisheth and he returneth to his Earth The greatest Potentate in the world can challenge Kin and Alliance of nothing so much as of the Earth Oh then let us long after that estate wherein these Corruptible Earthly Bodies shall be made Heavenly and Spiritual The Soul is now ill lodged it dwelleth in an Earthly House Surely such a Spiritual being was made for a nobler place and therefore let us still be looking out for a more Glorious Mansion 4thly The event supposed Or what will become of this Earthly Tabernacle-House That is implyed in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it will be dissolved plucked asunder And then the dust will be turned to the Earth as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ saith Paul There is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be resolved into his principles Death is not a destruction of the party that dyeth but a separating of the Soul from the Body a flitting from one place to another a releasing of the Soul from the Captivity of the Body wherein it was enclosed or a setting it at liberty It will come to this at length the band of Conjunction between these two parts is very weak 'T is but our breath Isa. 2.22 Cease from man whose breath is in his Nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of His breath is but like a puff of wind passing to and fro and turned in and out by the Nostrils Well then let this move us in the whole Course of our Lives to pass the time of our dwelling here in fear 1. Let us alwaies be ready to remove hence whensoever God shall call us Stand with your loins girt and your lamps burning Luk. 12.35 But Alas how little is this regarded in the world Men live as if they should never dye and then dye as if they should never live they live carelesly and dye uncomfortably Surely thoughts of death should be more familiar with us who have so many reasons to consider our own frailty and so many instances to put us in remembrance but we have eyes to see but not an heart to see Deut. 29.2 3 4. Most men are loth to quit their Earthly House the most Common Lessons need special grace to inforce them Psal. 90.12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Why should you be mindless when so many are surprized and snatched to Hell who as little thought of dying as you do God is ready to Judge are you ready to be judged 1 Pet. 4.5 They shall give an account to him that is ready to Judge the quick and the dead Gods delay is not because he is not ready for the work but you are not ready Have you made up all your accounts between God and your Soul sued out your pardon 2dly Let us cease our immoderate care for outward things which are in themselves of short Continuance and from which we may be taken we know not how soon Luk. 12.20 Thou fool this night shall thy Soul be required of thee and then whose shall these things be which thou hast provided He was a fool because his barns were full and his Soul empty A fool in providing but for half and the worser part for a short time how short he knew not When Bees swarm and leave the hive dust cast among them maketh them quiet and pitch again Oh remember your dusty Tabernacle 3dly Let us endeavour to make sure a state of Continuance a life that is hidden with Christ in God a better part that shall never be taken from us Luk. 10.42 So Psal. 119.96 I have seen an end of all perfection but thy Commandment is exceeding broad no end of it the Commandment in the effect is not so much subjective as effective 4thly Let us forbear any dependance upon man or fear of man who cannot long continue to do us either good or evil Psal. 146 3 4. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Son of man in whom there is no help his breath goeth forth he returneth to his Earth and that very day his thoughts perish When a bough is stripped off from the stock and root all the unripe grapes wither and come to nothing 1 King 1.21 If we trust or fear any let us trust and fear God who liveth for ever Heb. 10.31 I come now to the Second Consideration II. That there is a much happier Condition than this world is capable of even an abiding state of Blessedness which God hath provided for his people A Building of God an House not made with hands c. 1. This is called an House 2dly And there are divers Epithets to shew the eternity of this state 'T is described 1. By the efficient cause set forth negatively in that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a building not made with hands positively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a building of God 2dly The adjunct Eternal 3dly The place where 't is situated In the Heavens There is a state of Eternal Glory and Happiness that remaineth for the people of God A building of God an House c. Whether by this House is meant the Joys of the Soul in Heaven or the state of a glorified Body or both as making up that compleat House which the Saints desire I will not now dispute 1. Let it suffice that the state of Glory is called an House Heaven is sometimes compared to a Kingdom for the Glory and Splendour of that estate and sometimes to a City for the beauty and regularity of it and also sometimes to an House because of our social and familiar converse with God and one another Joh. 14.2 In my Fathers House are many mansions Heaven is the House of God wherein he will familiarly converse with his Domesticks and they enjoy a full and clear sight of his Glory and live in all Happiness as being ever in the Kings Palace Glorifying and enjoying him Psal. 84.4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be still praiâ—ing thee Selah 'T is a secure and quiet habitation beyond the reach of enemies Psal. 2.3 Tho the Heathen rage the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying let us break their bands asunder and cast away their Cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh c. When there was a great Tumult and bustle in the world Sitting noteth a quiet posture those Blessed Mansions are never disturbed
and discomposed In this life the Saints are tossed up and down but there is a quiet resting place prepared for them where the Soul reposeth her self with all Spiritual delights after her labour and Travail Here is our Tent there our House our House is where our goods are In Heaven we enjoy the Treasures which were laid up there before Rev. 14.13 Luk. 12.33 A Treasure in the Heavens that fadeth not There is all our comfort 'T is a Capacious House Joh. 14.2 In my Fathers House are many Mansions that will hold all the Children of God who at last shall be gathered together There is abundance of Room in Heaven 'T is not carnally to be conceived as if Heaven were to be divided into so many cells But to note that many shall be admitted into that Blessed rest through the Love of God and the merits of Christ. Oh! Let us oftner think of this Blessed House Here we have but a Tent the Body is often afflicted And after that dissolved torn and taken down But then an House that we shall never change where we shall live sweetly and securely without trouble of enemies 2dly This House is described 1. By the efficient cause expressed negatively and positively 1. Negatively the false cause is removed an House not made with hands Not built by man of Terrestrial and Feculent Matter not contrived with mans art and care or skill things made by man are not comparable to things made by God For as the workman is so is the work Man being a finite Creature limited and confined his work cannot be absolute as God's is the Holy places made by Bezaleel and Aboliah had their Glory but they were nothing comparable to the Holy places not made with hands Heb. 9.24 Those were figures These are true Whatever God doth it is done in a more Glorious manner he discovereth his Magnificence in the work 2dly The true cause is assigned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Building of God So 't is called Rom. 5.2 We rejoice in hope of the Glory of God God raised this House out of the greatest wisdom and highest love An House to shew the Riches and Glory and Honour of him that made it So where Heaven is compared to a City 't is said Heb. 11.10 He looked for a City which had Foundations whose builder and maker is God He is the Builder or Architect that doth frame and devise it according to model and he is the workman that did set it together man hath no hand in this at all God contrived it and prepared it 'T is so far above the Art and Power of man that only God could make it God is not only the principal but sole efficient of it 2dly By the adjunct 't is an eternal House All other Houses moulder to dust cernimus exemplis oppida posse mori all other buildings are infirm and moveable obnoxious to change decay and ruine experience doth sufficiently prove this by the ruine of so many Castles Palaces Cities and Kingdoms which have flourished in great Splendour Power and Strength yet now lye in the dust and do not appear But this City hath Foundations Heb. 11.10 Nothing can be firm that is not firmly fixed upon an unmoveable Ground But this hath Foundations the unchangeable Law of God and the everlasting merits of Christ. 3dly The place where 't is situated In the Heavens The place where God doth manifest himself in a more glorious manner than here upon earth which is a Common Inn for Sons and Bastards a Receptacle for Sinners and Saints yea for man and beast where God sheweth his bounty to all his Creatures A valley of tears where is the place of our Tryal and exercise But this is the place of our recompence there God will manifest himself in the greatest latitude that the Creature is capable of we shall have a place agreeable to our state and a state agreeable to the place The paviment is very Glorious The Starry Heaven we cannot look upon it without wonder and astonishment Adam's happiness was in an Earthly Paradise but ours is in Heaven Eph. 1.3 We have such a Glorious place and Glorious company That happy Region of the Blessed which is properly called the Heavenly Jerusalem doth as much excell all other Countries in height amplitude and beauty as the Inhabitants excel the Inhabitants of other Countries in wisdom nobleness and grace For sublimity The Stars seem to be like so many spangles for the distance 'T is above all Mountains Elements Sun Moon and Stars So far is it distant from the place of vicissitudes and changes And then for its Breadth as well as height some Stars have a body bigger than vast Countries yea than the whole Earth Then what is the capacity of Heaven it self For Beauty This world that is a stable for beasts the place of our exile the valley of tears hath a great deal of Beauty What hath God bestowed then upon Heaven Oh! When we shall meet with all the Holy ones of God then how shall we rejoice And the Innumerable Company of Angels that shall all join in Consort There is no pride or envy to divide us or make us Contemn one another but Love and Charity reigneth that the good of every one is the good of all and the good of all the good of every one There is one Body one Heart one Soul and one God that is all in all Whence is it that one Citizen loveth another rather than a stranger one Brother loveth another rather than another man that the head loveth the feet of his own Body rather than the Eyes of another Namely that Citizens dwell in one Common City or they are one Common House and are of the same stock members live by conjunction of the same life What conjunction then what love between the Blessed that have one God one Country one Palace one Life How sweet will this friendship be where there is no weakness to pervert or corrupt it After we have gotten through a short life here in the world this will be our portion Assoon as we do but step into this House we bid our everlasting farewel unto all sin and sorrow and step into it we do assoon as we dye in a moment in the twinckling of an Eye But above all what Joy is in the sight of God! 1 Joh. 3 2. We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Oh then let us get a Title to it and be able with clearness to make out our qualification by two witnesses Conscience and the Spirit Rom. 8.16 the Spirit it self beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God As in the mouth of two witnesses every thing is established God never giveth Heaven but he giveth earnest 2 Cor. 1.22 Who hath also sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts God never giveth Heaven to any but first he prepareth and fitteth them for it Col. 1.12 Giving thanks
hope in us John 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have eternal life in his name All that is written in the Gospel is to establish Faith in Christ as the Messiah and that in order to eternal life The whole sum of the Christian Religion is That God hath chosen us to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth whereunto he hath called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess. 2.13 14. All the parts of Religion harmoniously concur to establish this hope The whole Covenant of God implyeth it A Covenant is a transaction of God as the Soveraign with his Subjects and consists of Precepts and Laws invested with the Sanction of Promises and Threatnings His Commands all of them imply such an estate Some express it All imply it For they are work propounded to us in order to wages or a reward to be given and 't is not fit we should have wages before our work be over Some express it as John 6.27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life c. and Mat. 6.19 20. we are commanded not to lay up Treasures upon Earth but in Heaven c. And Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in c. And if there were no such estate all these Laws were in vain and would the wise and faithful God give us Laws in vain his Threatnings would be but a vain Scare-crow if there were not a world to come his promises but flatter us with a lye All the Doctrines concerning Christ point out such an eternal condition to us whether they concern his Person or Estates His coming from Heaven the place of Souls his going thither again or sitting down on the right hand of God and then his coming to Judgment Wherefore was Christ apparelled with our flesh But that we might be cloathed with his glory if Christ were in the Womb why not we in Heaven 'T is more credible to believe a Creature in Heaven than a God in the Grave Therefore he came into the world to purchase a right for us and he went to Heaven again to plead prosecute and apply that right Rom. 5.10 He is gone thither with the names of the Tribes on his Breast and Shoulders Heb. 9.12 All the benefits of Christ tend to this Justification Our release from the curse that we may be capable of life Rom. 5.18 Sanctification to prepare fit us for it and to begin this life in us for he that hath the Son hath life 1 John 5.12 All ordinances The word Isa. 55.3 Hear and your Souls shall live The Supper Luke 22.20 all Graces Faith to see it 1 Pet. 1.9 Receiving the end of your Faith even the Salvation of your Souls Love to desire it hope to wait for it The comforts of the Spirit to give us a tast of it So that this is the great object of Faith and to which all the rest tend 2dly The believing of this constituteth a main difference between the Animal and Spiritual life by which the world of mankind are distinguished The Animal life is that which is supported by the comforts and delights of the present world such as Lands Honours Pleasures Riches and when these are out of sight they are at loss and utterly dismayed But the Spiritual and Divine life is supported by the comforts and delights of the world to come by reflecting upon everlasting happiness and the glory and blessedness we shall injoy there as in the verses before the Text in the close of the former Chapter when we believe these things another kind of Spirit cometh upon a man and hath such a life and strength derived into his heart that he can bear up with joy and courage when the outward and Animal life is exposed to the greatest difficulties and decays because he is a man of another world And therefore we are said to live by Faith because we apprehend those great and glorious things which are kept for us in Heaven 2 Cor. 413 14. We having the same Spirit of Faith according as 't is written I believed and therefore have I spoken We also believe and therefore speak knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you Oh 't is a mighty thing to have a Spirit of Faith in the lowest condition such an one can hold up his head and avouch his hopes He can own Christ how dear soever it cost him None are of such a Noble and Divine Spirit as they Without it a man that wholly loveth the Animal life is but a wiser sort of Beast Not only the Sensualist or the Covetous but even the Ambitious who aspire after Crowns and Kingdoms and great Fame by their Gallantry and Noble Exploits are but poor base Spirits in comparison of those in whose Breasts the sparks of this Heavenly fire do ever burn and carry them out in the zealous pursuit of the world to come 3dly We need press this sound belief of the world to come Because whatever men pretend eternal life is little believed in the World The most part of those men who live in the common light of Christianity are purblind and cannot see afar of or look beyond the Grave Gods own Children have too cold and doubtful thoughts of this estate not such a lively clear and firm persuasion of things to come but that it needeth to be increased more and more The Apostle prayeth for the converted Ephesians That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his Calling c. Eph. 1.17 18. That is more clearly see and more firmly believe those good things which they should injoy in Heaven Alas we are so taken up with trifles and childish toys that our Faith is very weak about these excellent Blessings The evidences that 't is little believed are these 1. Because we are far more swayed with the promises of small temporal advantages than we are with the promise of eternal life The Blessings we expect in the other world are far more excellent and more glorious in their nature and certain in their duration yet they have less influence upon us than poor paltry perishing vanities What should be the reason I Answ. When a thing of less weight weigheth down a greater we judge then the ballances are not equal The Soul doubteth of things to come but readily closeth with things present Who would prefer a Cottage before a Palace A Lease for an year before an Inheritance There is no comparison between the things themselves but we are not equally persuaded of things to come and things in hand and of a present
there is such a thing as Eternal good for natural desires are not frustrate nature doth nothing in vain 2dly Now as these are increased and are more earnest directed to a more certain scope to Holy Men it doth more confirm it For holiness was never designed for our Torment The more Holy any are the more they long These desires are of Gods own planting raised up in them by his Spirit and therefore will not be disappointed 2dly It informs us how far they are from the Spirit of sincere Christians who are content to live here always Will not part with their earthly portion Their Hearts are set upon satisfying the vile lusts of the Body They are not as yet weaned Children but hang upon the worlds dug have no desire of that great happiness and Glory which God hath provided in the other world Such as mens natures are such will their desires be Most men are at home in this world pitch their Tents here desire no other portion than they have in hand there is a suitableness between the world and them As Fishes desire to be in the water and Fowls in the Air so they are the Children of this world and their Hearts cleave to present things Psal. 17.14 2. Use. To exhort us to rowse up our languid and cold affections That they may be more earnestly carryed out after Heavenly things and with greater fervency seek after them 1. Consider how clear these things are to the eye of faith In the promise you may see enough to awaken the most dead Heart The hope is set before thee Heb. 6.18 If we had eyes to see it So 't is said of Christ Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy set before him The promise sets it in our view that we may eye it much and often look upon it and press earnestly towards it sense cannot discover it but in the Scripture there is a clear representation and firm promise if we had more lively apprehensions and certain expectations we would more long after it 2dly The miseries and troubles of the present world are matters of sense Sense cannot discover what should draw our desires yet sense can discover what should drive them from the world enough to set us a groaning in a way of sorrow if not a groaning and desiring in a way of hope The misery of the present state is no matter of faith we need not Scripture to tell us that we are burthened and pained and conflict with sundry Tryals Oh draw off thy Heart more and more 3dly Rowse up you your Love Can you Love Christ and not long to be with him Col. 3.2 3. Set your affections on things above not on things on the Earth for you are deed and your Life is hid with Christ in God If Christ be in Heaven and your Life there should not your Love be there SERMON V. 2 Cor. 5.3 If so be that being Clothed we shall not be found naked THe Apostle here limiteth the Priviledge of the certainty of putting on Heavenly Glory which is not Common to all men but only belongeth to the faithful He limiteth also the desire of that happy estate which he had produced as an evidence of the certainty of it to the same faithful ones who departing out of this Life to an immortal Eternal estate are not found naked that is destitute of that true covering wherewith our filthy nakedness is Covered We groan and desire earnestly If so be c. There are several senses given of these words I shall only take notice of Two that seem to offer themselves with equal probability the First is built upon the special notion of that word to be Clothed upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in the former verse I Know not or I am ignorant of the mind of God in this thing whether we shall be found Clothed with our Bodies or naked that is stripped of our Bodies at the Lords coming As if it had respect to that mystery spoken of 1 Thes. 4.17 That we that are alive or remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air And to be for ever with the Lord. And 1 Cor. 15.51 Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed 2dly The other sense giveth us the reason why he and all the saints groaned or longed to be Clothed upon because they were prepared or made ready because they were found Clothed with the Righteousness and Holiness of Christ in the day of their transmigration whereas others who are naked and destitute of this Righteousness of Christ cannot and are not to expect this Glory I shall give my reasons why though both be probable I prefer this latter sense 1. 'T is not every probable to imagine that the Apostle should conceive that possibly they might survive till the coming of Christ or that his Gospel Kingdom should be of so short Continuance as that they should see the end of it especially when he had so zealously cautioned them against that mistake that the Day of Christ was at hand 2 Thes. 3.2 2dly In the first verse he supposeth a dissolution of the Earthly House of this Tabernacle where he compareth the weak and mortal estate of the bodily Life to a Tabernacle or Tent which men in their Travel easily set up and at their departure take down again or let fall of its own accord And that the Glorious estate which he expected should ensue after this Tabernacle was taken down or dissolved and he proveth his certain Knowledge of this because he and all the Saints groaned Even all those were Clothed and not Naked 3dly What he expected and groaned for he sheweth in the 8 th verse We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the Body and present with the Lord. Therefore Paul doth not suppose that he should live in the Body till Christ should come to change his Body without having need to put it off 4thly The commodiousness of the other sense and suitableness of it to other Scriptures where nakedness and clothing is used Metaphorically and with respect to our final estate of Glory or being found of Christ in the day of our transmigration That holiness is the true wedding Garment Matth. 22. That the graces of the Spirit are Garments of Salvation and Christs Righteousness represented by a robe is evident by Isa. 61.10 And many other Scriptures That we put on Christ that the Church is Clothed with the Sun Rev. 12.1 is a thing so evident that it needeth not to be insisted on And that in this estate we must be found of Christ at his coming to the general Judgement or to us in particular is evident by many Scriptures Rev. 16.15 Behold I come as a Thief Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame A Christian is Clothed with Christ and his Righteousness which is a covering which is not too
in time shall be admitted into his immediate presence Now this seeking Reconciliation with God is not a thing to be once done at our first acquaintance with him and no more no but you must be daily renewing and keeping afoot this friendship by Godly sorrow for sin and a lively Faith in the Mediator Repentance and Faith must be still reneewed that all breaches between God and us may be prevented 2dly Every day we must labour more to deck and adorn the Soul with the graces of Gods Spirit For these make us lovely in the Eyes of God Eph. 4.24 Put on the new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true holiness When the Soul is clothed and adorned with these Spiritual qualities of Righteousness and Holiness then 't is like God these are Ornaments and Garments which never fade and wax old The Lord delighteth in his own Image in us 3dly That we should Honour God in the world by an Holy Conversation His people that are reconciled to him God will not take them into his immediate presence by and by as Absolom 2 Sam. 14.24 The King said let him turn to his own House and let him not see my face c. That his people may be exercised and tryed that hope may set them a longing and that God may have Glory from the Heirs of Heaven here on Earth in their Conversation Matth. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven SERMON VI. 2 Cor. 5.4 For we that are in this Tabernacle do groan being burdened not for that we would be unclothed but clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of Life IN these words the Apostle still persists in explaining the nature of that groaning and desiring after the Heavenly estate which is in the Saints by declaring the reasons and ends of it They do not desire simply Death it self which is a fruit of sin but that happy change not altogether out of a wearisomness of this Life but out of a sense of a better In the words observe 1. The time when we groan For we that are in this Tabernacle groan 2dly The occasion of groaning Being burdened 3dly The end of groaning Expressed 1. Negatively not that we would be unclothed 2. Positively Expressed 1. Metaphorically But clothed upon 2dly Literally That mortality might be swallowed up of Life Let me explain these Clauses 1. The time when we groan We that are in this Tabernacle that is while we are in these Bodies of Clay 2dly The occasion Being burdened scil with sin and afflictions We have many pressures upon us which are very grievous and give us a great weariness 3dly The end 1. Negatively expressed Not for that we would be unclothed Those who interpret the Apostle to speak of the change of the living at Christs coming say the meaning is We would not at all put off the Body as others do at Death But this conceit I have already disproved The words therefore may have a threefold sense 1. With respect to the ground of this desire not that we would part with the Body out of impatience There is a double groaning one of Nature another of Grace 1. Of Nature out of a bare sense of present miseries 2dly Another of Grace out of a confidence and earnest desire of Eternal Life which the Spirit kindleth in us And so the sense will be As weary as we are yet we are not so weary as if for afflictions sake we would part with the Body wherein we may be serviceable to Christ and injoy something of him No this groaning arises not so much from a weariness of Life natural as from the hope of a better Life For therefore he saith though they were burdened and grieved in the Body yet they did not desire to be unclothed of the Body 2dly The manner They did not simply desire to be unclothed but only in some respect that they might be clothed upon with a better Life 'T is natural to all living Creatures to desire the Continuance of that being which they have No man ever yet hated his own flesh Therefore the Saints do not simply desire to be unclothed but do as all men do naturally shun Death But the natural horrour of Death is in a good measure overcome by the confidence of a better estate and therefore desire not to be unclothed but to be clothed upon as we would put off an old torn Garment for a new and a better 3dly They did not desire to part with these Bodies so as to part with them finally as if they were altogether uncapable of this immortality The Soul loveth the Body and would not part with the Body but upon necessity and that for a while only but being corruptible they would not lose the substance but the corruptibility There is another sort of Body and another sort of Life infinitely more desirable than this an Eternal immutable State of Life This we pant desire and groan after and from this we would not have the Body excluded i. e. we would not wholly and everlastingly be deprived of the Body which now we bear about with us And so the state of the case lyeth thus If we lived in an House which were our own where the Walls are decayed and the Roof ready to drop down upon our Heads we would desire to remove and depart for a while but would not lose the ground and the materials but have it built up into a better frame So not another Body but we would have it otherwise 2dly Positively So 't is doubly expressed 1. Metaphorically 2dly Literally 1. Metaphorically And so those that interpret the words of those which remain at Christs coming think the expression favoureth their opinion Because it is not said clothed but clothed upon keeping the Body still without being divested of it But the compound word is not always Emphatical and signifieth no more than the simple verb 1 Cor. 15.53 Then this corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the same putting on or being clothed upon well then we desire to be clothed upon What is that With Heavenly Glory 1. In Soul presently after Death the very getting into Heaven and the Glory wherewith we shall be encompassed there is a clothing upon Quos circumfusum vest it pro tegmine lumen 2dly In Body when it shall be restored to us at the last day and likened to Christs Glorious Body Phil. 3.21 2. Literally expressed That mortality might be swallowed up of Life The Patrons of the former disallowed opinion here challenge again the phrase as full for them as if the meaning were that that which is mortal should be swallowed up of Life without the pain or necessity of Death But the true meaning is that our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our mortal that the mortality wherewith the Body is now
parentage is from Heaven every thing tendeth to the place of its original Men Love their native soil things bred in the water delight to return thither Inanimate things tend to their centre a stone will fall to the ground though broken in pieces by the fall air imprisoned in the bowels and caverns of the Earth causes terrible Convulsions and Earthquakes till it get up to its own place All things seek to return thither from whence they came Grace that came from Heaven carryeth the Heart thither again Jerusalem from above is the Mother of us all Heaven is our native Country but the World is a strange place And therefore though the man be at home yet the Christian is not he is out of his proper place Contempt of the World is usually made the fruit of our regeneration 1 John 5.4 Whosoever is born of God overcometh the World There is something in them that intitleth it self to God and worketh towards him and carryeth the Soul thither where God sheweth most of himself so 2 Pet. 1.4 We are made partakers of the Divine Nature and escape the corruption which is in the World through lust The World will not satisfy the Divine Nature there is a strong inclination in us which disposeth us to look after another World 1 Pet. 1.3 Assoon as made Children we reckon upon a Childs portion another Nature hath another aim and tendency There is a double reason why the new Creature cannot be satisfied here 1. Here is not enough dispensed to answer Gods Love in the Covenant I will be your God noteth the gift of some better thing than this World can afford unto us Heb. 11.16 God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a City That Title is not justified till he give us Eternal rewards For to be a God to any is to be an Infinite Eternal Benefactor Compare Matth. 22.32 with the forementioned place 2dly Here is not enough to satisfy the desire expectation and inclination of the renewed heart The aim of it is carryed after two things Perfect injoyment of God and perfect conformity to God There is their home where they may be with God and where they may be free from sin Their Love to Christ is such that where he is there they must be Phil. 1.23 Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ Col. 3.1 If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God And there is a final perfect estate to which the new Creature is tending when it shall never dishonour God more but be made like him and compleatly subject to him when never troubled with sin more 2. There lyeth their Treasure and their Inheritance 'T is said Eph. 1.3 that Christ had blessed us with spiritual Blessings in heavenly places He hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in earthly places hath he not Here he hath Adopted Justified and Sanctified us in part but the full accomplishment is reserved for the World to come God would not dispense the fulness of our blessedness in the present World that 's an unquiet place we are not out of Gun-shot and harms way nor in an earthly Paradise There Adam injoyed God among the beasts but we shall injoy him in Heaven among the Angels In the World God would shew his bounty to all his Creatures A Common Inn for Sons and Bastards the place of tryal not of recompense the place where God hath set his Foot-stool not his Throne Isa. 66. 'T is Satans walk the Devils Circuit Whence comest thou From compassing the Earth too and fro Job 2.2 A place defiled with sin and beareth the marks of it given to all mankind in Common Psa. 115.16 The Heaven even the Heavens are the Lords but the Earth hath he given to the Children of men The slaughter House and shambles of the Saints for they are slain upon Earth A receptacle for elect and reprobate 3. There are all our kindred There is our home and Country where our Father is and our Lord Jesus Christ and all the Holy ones of God Vbi pater ibi patria We pray to him Our Father which art in Heaven 'T is Heaven that is our Fathers House and the everlasting mansions of the Blessed There is our Redeemer and Elder Brother Col. 3.1 The Heaven of Heavens doth contain him There are the best of the family Matth. 8.12 There is Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 'T is a misery to be strangers to the common-wealth of Israel to be shut out from the society of Gods people but in Heaven there are other manner of Saints there To be shut out from the company of the Blessed is a dreadful excommunication indeed 4. There we abide longest An Inn cannot be called our home Here we abide but for a night but there for ever with the Lord. The World must be surely left if we had a certain term of years fixed yet 't is very short in comparison of Eternity Therefore since we live longest in the other World there is our home Mic. 2.10 Arise depart hence this is not your rest God speaketh it of the Land of Canaan when they had polluted it with sin 't is true of all the world sin hath brought in Death and there must be a riddance This Life is but a passage to Eternity Israel first dwelt in a wandring Camp before they came to dwell in Cities and walled Towns and the Mysteries of their Religion were first seated in a Tabernacle and then in a Temple So here first in a Mortal Frail Condition and then come to the place of our Eternal rest There is an appointed time for us all to remove Job 7.1 There is an appointed time for man upon Earth his days are as the days of an hireling An hireling when he hath done his work then he receiveth his wages and is gone Actors when they have finished their parts they go within the curtain and are seen no more So when we have served our generation and finished our course our place will know us no more and God will furnish the World with a new Scene both of Acts and Actors 5. The necessary graces that belong to a Christian shew that a Christian is not yet in his proper place as Faith Hope and Love 1. Faith hath another World in prospect and view and our great aim is to come at it Sense sheweth us we have no abiding City upon Earth but Faith points at one to come where Christ is and we shall one day be Now this Faith were but a fancy if we should always abide in this Earthly Tabernacle and there were no other Life to be expected when this is at an end The Salvation of our Souls is called the end of our Faith 1 Pet. 1.9 That is the main Blessing we look for from Christ. So 1 Tim. 1.16 We believe on him to Life everlasting So Heb. 10.39 We are not of them who draw
evermore 2. This is that which is highly prized by them to be where Christ is Why is this so much prized by true Christians 1. Out of thankfulness to Christ's delighting in our presence Therefore much more should we delight in his He longed for the society of men before the Creation of the World Pro. 8.31 I rejoiced in the habitable parts of the Earth and my delights were with the Sons of men Christ delighted in all the Creatures as they were the effects of his Wisdom and Goodness and Power but chiefly in men as they were the objects of his grace capable of Gods Image and favour Thus he longed for the company of men before the World was When the World was once made he delighted to appear in humane shape before his incarnation As Gen. 18. A man appeared to Abraham and he is called Jehovah And Zach. 1.10 11. And the man that stood among the Mirtle-trees answered and said these are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the Earth As if he would try how 't would fit him to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh When the fulness of time was come 1 John 1.4 The word was made flesh and dwelt among us as long as it was necessary when he departed he had a mind of returning before he went away and removed his bodily presence from us his heart was upon meeting and fellowship again and getting his people to him John 14.2 In my Fathers House are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am you may be also Until the time that the meeting cometh he vouchsafeth his powerful presence to us Matth. 28.20 Lo I am with you to the end of the World he would never have gone from us if our necessities did not require it 't was necessary that he should die for our sins That nothing might hinder our believing and coming to him 't was necessary that he should go to Heaven if our Happiness had lain here he would have been with us here but it doth not 'T is reserved for us in the Heavens Therefore he must go there to prepare a place for us before he went he desired we might be there where he is As if he could not take content in Heaven till he hath his faithful with him Now he is gone away he will tarry no longer than our affairs require To have our Souls with him that doth not content him till he come and fetch our Bodies also That we may follow him in our whole person and then we and he shall never part when all the elect shall meet in one Common Rendezvous and Congregation Now shall not all this breed a reciprocal affection in us 2. Out of Love to Christ. We would fain get near him who is our great friend Psa. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee And the Saints are described to be those that love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 If we have heard him if we be Christians indeed if we loved him when we saw him not and delighted in him and tasted his grace in truth and felt his power we shall long to be near him and see him and converse with him intimately 3. Tast. Communion begun maketh us long for Communion perfected Psa. 63.1 2. O God thou art my God early will I seek thee my Soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty Land where no water is To see thy Power and thy Glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary 4. Their compleat Happiness dependeth upon it 1 John 3.2 We shall see him as he is and be like him John 17.24 That they may be where I am and behold my Glory Christ cannot be fully seen on this side time 1. Use is to condemn and disprove them from being true Christians that cannot abide the presence of Christ. The Gadarens desired him to depart out of their Coasts Matth. 8. Yet carnal men have such a Spirit Job 22.17 Which say unto God depart from us Cannot abide Christ in their neighbourhood that he should come near their Consciences 2. Vse is to press us to two things 1. To prize the Communion and fellowship of Christ for the present 'T is constant and habitual that he may dwell in your hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 Where Christ taketh up his abode there his Spirit is the Fountain of Life Gal. 2.20 Our defence against Temptations 1 John 4.4 Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World The seed and hope of Glory 1 Col. 27. Solemn and actual in holy duties there is Heaven begun there we behold his Face in Righteousness Psa. 17.15 And a day in his Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere Psa. 84.10 2. Let us long to be with him to get out of the pesthouse of the World and the Prison of corrupt Nature I allude to that Gen. 24.57 58. And they said we will call the damsel and enquire at her mouth and they called Rebekah and said to her wilt thou go with this man and she said I will go Wilt thou go to Jesus Lord I will go with thee Hindrances are these 1. A surfeit on the sinful pleasures and contentments of this World This weakens your desires and taketh off the edge of your affections Lot lingered when he was to go out of Sodom Gen. 19 16. 2. Do not darken your confidence by your sin and folly Then you will as a Malefactor fly from him as a judge rather than rejoice to be with him as a Saviour SERMON X. 2 Cor. 5.7 For we walk by faith and not by sight IN this verse a reason is given why we are said to be absent from the Lord while we are at home in the body because all things are transacted between him and us by faith and not by sight or Immediate vision for we walk c. These words do notably set forth to us both the nature of faith and the condition of believers here in the World 1. They set forth the nature of faith which mainly goeth upon things unseen or not obvious to present sense 2. The Condition of a believer in the World he doth not now see God face to face he hath only the promise of blessedness not the injoyment But that I may draw forth the full Scope and sense of the words I shall give you six observations or propositions 1. That faith and sight are opposed and contradistinguished the one from the other 2. That faith is for earth and sight is for Heaven the one is of use to us in this world the other is reserved for the World to come 3. That till we have sight 't is some advantage that we have faith 4. Those that have faith are not satisfied and contented till they have sight For therefore the Apostle groaneth and desireth 5. That if we have faith we may be sure that
the God of my Salvation And Psa. 23.4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear none evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff doth comfort me To make the promise yield us that which the creature cannot health strength life peace house and home and maintenance for our selves and Children When we die and have little or nothing to leave them and all means of subsistance are cut off and blasted then to live yea to grow rich by Faith as having nothing yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6.10 'T is enough that God carryeth the purse for us Many talk of living by Faith but 't is when they have something in the World to live upon As those Isa. 4.1 Only let us he called by thy name So in other cases why do the vain delights and dignities and honours of the World so prevail with Men that all the Promises of the Gospel cannot reclaim them yea fell their birth-right for one morsel of meat Heb. 11.15 The life of Sense is lifted up above that of Faith The Soul dwelleth in Flesh looketh out by the senses and knoweth what is comfortable to sense that God is unseen our great hopes are to come and the Flesh is Importunate to be pleased 2. Pet. 1.9 They that want these things that is Faith and other graces are blind and cannot see afar off Doct. 2. That Faith is for Earth and sight is for Heaven So the Apostle sorteth these two Here we believe in God and there we see him as he is As soon as we are reconciled to him God will not admit us into his immediate presence as Absolom when he had leave to return yet he could not see the King's face 2 Sam. 14.24 So God causeth us to stay a while in the World ere we come before him in his Heavenly Temple 1. Because now we are in our minority and all things are by degrees carryed on towards their state of perfection as an Infant doth not presently commence into the stature of a man In the course of Nature there is an orderly progress from an Imperfect state to a perfect The dispensations of God to the Church Gal. 4. And the Apostle compareth our estate in Glory and our estate by grace to Child-hood and manly Age 1 Cor. 13.11 12. Our words inclinations affections are quite changed in the compass of a few years so as we neither say nor desire nor understand any thing as some years before we did so it is with this and the next life Now our vision is very dark and imperfect looking upon things when they are shewed us as through a glass on purpose to give us a Glimpse of them but when we come to Heaven we shall see perfectly as we see a person or thing that is before our Eyes 2. We are now upon our tryal but then we are in termino in our final state now we are in our way but then we are in our Country Therefore now we walk by faith but then by sight God would not give us our reward here A tryal cannot be made in a state of sense but in a state of Faith We are justified by Faith we live by Faith we walk by Faith This state of Faith requireth that the manner of that dispensation by which God governeth the World should neither be too sensible and clear nor too obscure and dark but a middle thing as the day break or twilight is between the light of the day and the darkness of the night that as the World is a middle place between Heaven and Hell so it should have somewhat of either If all things were too clear and liable to sense we should not need Faith if to obscure we should wholly lose Faith Therefore 't is neither night nor day but towards the evening If the Godly should be presently admitted to their Happiness and have all things according to Hearts desire it would make Religion too sensible a thing not fit for that kind of Government which God will now exercise in the World Heb. 6.12 But followers of them who through Faith and patience have inherited the promises And Jam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth Temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Every man must be tryed and approved faithful upon tryal and then God will admit him into his presence 3. There is no congruity between our present state and the beatifical vision the place is not fit nor the persons 1. The place is not fit because 't is full of changes Here time and chance happeneth to all and there is a continual succession of Night and Day Calm and Tempest Winter and Summer There is neither evil nor only evil not all good nor all Blessing but a mixture of either The World to come is either all evil or all good This is a fit place for our exercise but not for our injoyments here is the patience of the Saints But there is the reward of the Saints 'T is a fit place to get an Interest in but not a possession 'T is Gods Foot-stool but not his Throne Isa. 66.1 Now he will not immediately shew himself to us till we come before the Throne of his Glory He manifesteth himself to the Blessed Spirits as a King sitting in his Royal Robes upon his Throne but the Church is but his Foot-stool as he filleth the upper part of the World with his Glorious presence so the lower part with his powerful presence This is a place wherein God will shew his bounty to all his Creatures a Common Inn and receptacle for Sons and Bastards a place given to the Children of men But the Heaven of Heavens he hath reserved for himself and his people Psa. 115.16 2. The persons are not fit Our Souls are not yet enough purified to see God Matth. 5.8 1 John 3.3 Till sin be done away which will not be till Death we are unmeet for his presence when Christ will present us to God he will present us faultless before the presence of his Glory Jude 28. Our Bodies also are not fit till we have passed the Gulph of Death We are not able to bear Eternal Happiness Old bottles will not hold the new wine of Glory a Mortal Creature is not capable of the Glorious presence of God and cannot endure the splendour of it Matth. 12.6 They fell on their Faces and were sore afraid Upon any manifestation of God the Saints hide themselves Elijah Wrapt his Face in a mantle Moses himself when God gave the Law trembled exceedingly 3. Point That till we have sight 't is some advantage that we have Faith There is no other way to live spiritually and in holy peace joy and the love of God but by sight or faith either by injoyment or expectation therefore sight being reserved for the other world if we would live holily and comfortably we must walk
present life requireth many ministries and services at our hands Besides sinful distractions there are many worldly occasions to divert us but then 't is our work and our wages to see God our business and blessedness to study divinity in the Lambs face John 17.24 That they may be where I am and Behold my Glory 'T is our constant work in Heaven to admire and adore God in Christ. The difficulties and distractions are removed and that mass of Flesh which we then carry about us will be then no clog to us 1 Cor. 6.13 Meats for the belly and the belly for meats but God shall destroy both it and them Nature calleth for them and in this life there is an absolute necessity of them but the necessity and use shall cease the Spiritual body will need no other supplies and put us upon no other Imployments than the loving pleasing and serving of God All the things which we shall see will leave more sweet enlivening and powerful Impressions on us than possâ—bly now they can because we shall understand them better and have more leisure to attend upon them 3. Our presence with him shall be perpetual We shall meet never to part more 1 Thes. 4.17 We shall be for ever present with the Lord. Wicked men shall see Christ for they must appear before his Tribunal but they shall see him to their confusion Rev. 1.7 Every Eye shall see him and they that have pierced him shall wail because of him But the Godly shall see him to their Consolation Job 19.26 I know that my Redeemer liveth and with these Eyes I shall see him The one shall see him as their Judge the other as their Saviour but the chiefest difference is the one shall see him for a while and then be banished out of his presence Matth. 25.41 depart ye cursed There is a dispute whither paena damâ—i or Paena sensus be the greatest I cannot determine such nice points The sense of pain is from the wrath of God Conscience reflecteth upon our loss the Agents are not to be compared yet on the other side the object is greater the thing lost is God himself 'T is the creature that is pained but I am sure the loss will be much greater than now we apprehend it to be for the present we do not value communion with Christ we have other things wherewith to entertain our Souls there are no pleasures of the flesh to abate and divert the sense of our loss nothing left but the vexing remembrance of our own folly and perverse choice which will torment us for ever but now to be received into Christs presence and ever abide with him how great is the Happiness 4. The person whom we see and with whom we be present he is our best friend 'T is with Jesus Christ who is the life of our lives and the whole felicity of his people as long as the Church is without him she cannot take full contentment What doth the Spouse esteem when she seeth him not to whom she is espoused What can delight the wife when the husband is absent What comfort when they want the presence of Christ to whom their Souls cleave When the Church is here upon Earth she heareth much of Christ he is evidently set forth before their eyes in the Word and Sacraments but we do not see him face to face we do not injoy his presence nor his Immediate Imbraces The Church is left upon earth but Christ is received into Heaven with his Father we believe in him now rejoyce in him now when we see him not 1 Pet. 1.8 But how shall we love him when we see him and see him glorious in our nature and injoy him by seeing Hearsay and report could not convey such a knowledge and report as this personal experience as they said John 4 42. Now we believe not because of thy saying but we have seen him our selves Here is but a sight at Second hand as the Queen of Sheba 1 Kings 10.17 It was a true report which I heard in my own land of thine acts and thy wisdom but when I came and mine eyes had seen it the half was not told me We believe the report of Christ in the Word but when we come to see him we shall find that prophesy was but in part the one half was not told us however sight is the more precious because faith went before we believed him a Saviour and now we find him to be so How glad was Simeon when he had Christ in his Arms Luke 2.29 30. Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation 5. The Place and the Company where we shall be present with him The place is glorious the Heaven of Heavens must contain him Acts 3.24 The Earth is not a fit place for his glorified body nor for us to converse with him in his glorified estate We shall be there where God dwelleth and where he hath designed to manifest himself to his People and amongst the Servants of the Lord shall we ever remain Heb. 12.22 23. To an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judg of all and the Spirits of just men made perfect A choice company picked and chosen out of the World to be objects of his grace In this Council of Souls we are to abide for ever Use. Let us often think of this Blessed Estate what it is to be present with the Lord among his Holy Ones to be called to Heaven as Witnesses of his glory The Queen of Sheba said of Solomon 2 Kings 8.10 Happy are the men that stand in thy presence They that stand before the Lord and see his glory are much more happy Zacheus being a little Man pressed to see Christ upon Earth and got upon a Sycamore Tree The Wise men came from the East to see him in his Cradle 'T is our burden in the World that the Vail of the Flesh and the Clouds of Heaven interpose between us and Christ that there is a great Gulph between us and him which cannot be passed but by Death That Christ is at a distance therefore our Enemies so often ask us Where is your God But then when we are in his Arms then we can say Here he is here is he whom we loved here is he in whom we trusted Then our Redeemer shall be ever before our Eyes to remember us of the grace purchased for us and we are as near him as possibly we can be we dwell in his Family and abide in his House David envyed the Swallows that had their Nests about the Tabernacle He telleth us Psal. 64.10 One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere Now you shall be always before the Throne and look upon Jesus so as to live on him This sight shall ravish and content your hearts The Three Children walked comfortably in the Fiery
Furnace because there was a Fourth there one that was as the Son of God If a Fiery Furnace be a comfortable place when Christ is there what will Heaven be when Christ and we shall be there to all Eternity Again this presence maketh way for enjoyment 'T is not a naked sight and speculation we are coheirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 We shall be like him live in the same state participate of the same glory Servants may stand in the presence of Princes but they do not make their followers their fellows and consorts with them in the same glory Solomon could only shew his glory to the Queen of Sheba but Christ giveth it us to be enjoyed Luke 22.30 Ye shall eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom The greatest love that David could shew his Friends was to admit them to his Table 2 Sam. 9.8 Thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually said he to Mephibosheth and so to Barzillai He put him upon his own Mule and caused him to sit upon his Throne 1 Kings 13.35 Thus Christ dealeth with us we sit upon his Throne we are feasted at his Table with unmixed delights In how much better Condition are we than Adam Adam was in Paradice we in Heaven Adam was there among the Beasts of the Earth we with God and his holy Angels Adam was thrown out of Paradice we never out of Heaven 'T is no matter if the World leave us not a Room to live in among them they cast us out many times but Christ will take us to himself Again if this presence of Christ be no small part of our Happiness let us more delight in it We injoy his presence in the Ordinances this is to begin Heaven upon Earth Therefore let us begin our familiarity here 2. Doct. That we are presently with the Lord as soon as the Soul flitteth out of the Body This is one of the plainest Texts to prove That separated Souls as soon as they are out of the Body do injoy Bliss and Glory There are a sort of men in the World who are so drowned in sense that they cannot believe things to come either questioning the Immortality of the Soul or else which is a step to it asserting the sleep of it And all because they so fancy it to be tyed to the Body as that it cannot exercise its functions and operations without it Those that deny the being of the Soul or the abiding of it after the Body is dissolved I shall not handle that now But to those that grant the abiding of the Soul but in a deep sleep without any sense and feeling of good or evil I must shew the falshood of this opinion or else all that I shall say will be to no purpose Therefore I shall handle these three things 1. That the Soul is distinct from the Body 2. That the Soul can live and exercise its operations apart from the Body 3. That the Souls of the Saints actually do so 1. That the Soul is distinct from the Body and is not meerly the vigour of the Blood appeareth by Scripture Reason and Experience In Scripture we read that when mans Body was organized and framed God breathed into him the Spirit of Life Gen. 2.7 The Life of man is a distinct thing from this mass of flesh that is proportioned into hands and feet head and belly arms and leggs bones and sinews And this life of man what ever it be 't is such a life as implieth Reason and a faculty of understanding and willing or opposing In him was life and that life was the light of men John 1.4 It doth not only enliven this flesh but discourse and choose things at its own pleasure A life that hath light in it 'T is distinct from the Body in its Nature being a Substance Immaterial and not capable of being divided into parts as the Body is for 't is a Spirit not created of matter as the Body was The Body was formed out of the dust of the ground and therefore it can be resolved into its original but the Spirit was Immediately Created by God out of nothing Therefore the Scripture saith Eccl. 12.7 Then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was and the Spirit shall return unto God who gave it Where the Body is dust in its Composition it shall be dust in its Dissolution There is described the first and last Condition of the Body in regard of its material cause and the Soul is described in the kind of its being 'T is a Spirit or an Immaterial substance its Author God gave it he framed the Body too but not so immediately in ordinary generation And our natural Fathers are distinguished from the Father of our Spirits Heb. 12.9 And by its disposal when the Body returneth to dust the Soul returneth to God that gave it When the material and passive part is separated from that inward and active principle of its motions the Scripture telleth you what becometh of the one and the other The material part is resolved to dust again but the Spirit returneth to God So the Saints resign it Acts 7.59 And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit 2. 'T is distinct in its supports The Body is supported by outward means and the help of the Creature but the Soul is supported without means by the Immediate Hand and Power of God himself The Body is patched up with daily supplies from without As it was made out of the Earth so is its food brought out of the Earth Psa. 104.14 And its clothing too but the Soul needeth not these things 3. 'T is distinct in its operations There are certain operations of the Soul wholly independant on the matter as understanding and willing for they agree to God and Angels who have no Bodies and there is no proper Instrument in the Body by which they should be exercised as sight by the Eye hearing by the Ear nay it understands not only corporeal things which are received by the ministry of the senses but Spiritual things as God and Angels who have no Bodies And it can reflect upon its self therefore it hath operations proper and peculiar to its self So that it doth not depend on the Body 4. 'T is distinct from the Body as to weakness and perfection as to pleasure and pain 1. As to weakness and perfection The Soul perisheth and decayeth not with the Body when the Body droopeth and languisheth the Soul is well and jocund yea better than it was before there are distinct periods of time beyond which 't is impossible to add a Cubit or hairs breadth to ones stature But the Soul is ever growing forward to its perfection And multitude of years though they bring on much weakness yet increase wisdom Job 32.7 Yea the Soul is strongest when weakest dying Christians have manifested the highest excellency under bodily infirmities and when least of the Life of Nature most Glorious expressions
but feignedly and hypocritically shunning that by all means which we profess to be our happiness 2. He is not a true Christian that doth not love Christ more than his own Body and his own life or any World thing whatsoever 'T is one of Christs conditions Luke 14.26 If any man come to me and hate not Father and Mother Brothers and Sisters and Wife and Children yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple All things must be trampled upon for Christs sake or else his heart is not sincere with him A chooseing Earth before Heaven preferring present things before Christ a fixing our happiness here these things are contrary to the integrity of our covenanting with God our valuation of the presence of Christ should be so high and our affection to it so great that we should not exchange our title to it or hopes of it for any Worldly Good whatsoever if God would give thee thy Health and Wealth upon Earth then thou wouldest look for no other happiness this is naught 3. As he cannot be a true and sound Christian so neither discharge the duties of a Christian who is not of this frame and constitution of Spirit 1. Not venture his life for Christ. Heb. 12.4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin Unless willing rather to be with the Lord than in the Body 2. Not Imploy his life for Christ nor live in order to eternity unless he hath been kept looking and longing for this happy change Gen. 49.19 Lord I have waited for thy Salvation As if all his life time he had been waiting for this None live the Heavenly life but those that look upon it as better than the worldly and accordingly wait and prepare for it 't is the end sweetneth the means 3. Nor lay down nor yield up his life with comfort The very fore-thoughts of their change are grievous to most men because they are not willing rather to be with Christ hâ—an in the Body and so they move from that which they speculatively call their Blessedness and count themselves undone when they come to injoy 4. There are many things to invite us to desire presence with Christ as there are many things to shew us why we are not satisfied with remaining in the body While we remain in the Body we dwell in an evil World Gal. 1.4 Which is a place of sins snares and troubles But of this see verse 4 th of this Chapter Use. Let us all be of this temper and frame of Spirit willing rather to be absent from the Body and to be present with the Lord. Almost all will prefer the Life to come in words when indeed they utterly neglect it and prefer the fleshly pleasures of this life before it cry out of the vanity and vexation of the World and yet set their hearts upon it and love it better than God and the World to come Gods Children do not often enough compare the difference between being present with the Body and being present with the Lord they root here to much The desire of this life is very natural to us but yet if it withdraweth us from these Heavenly good things and weakneth our esteem of the true life it should be curbed and mortified and reduced into its due order and place Therefore it is very necessary that we should often revive these thoughts and right Judge of the present and future life and use earthly good things piously as long as it pleaseth God to keep us here but still to be mindful of home and to keep our hearts in a constant breathing after Heavenly things Two things I shall press upon you 1. Vse the pleasures of the bodily life more sparingly 2. Let your love to Christ be more strong and more earnest 1. Vse the pleasures of the bodily life more sparingly They that have too great a care and love to the body neglect their Souls and disable themselves for these Heavenly desires and motions they cannot act them in prayer 1 Pet. 4.7 Be sober and watch unto prayer And they lye open to Satans temptations 1 Pet. 5.8 For your adversary the Devil goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour Therefore unless there be a great deal of Moderation and a spare medling of earthly delights they are indisposed for the Christian warfare 1 Thes. 5.8 Let us who are of the day be sober putting on the breast-plate of Faith and Love we cannot exercise Faith and Love with any liveliness nor expect the Happiness of the World to come 1 Pet. 1. 13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober and hope to the end Whilest we hire out our reason to the service of lust and appetite and glut our selves with the delights of the flesh and worldly pomp as dainty fare costly apparel sports plays and gaming there is a strange oblivion and deadness groweth upon our hearts as to Heavenly things A Christian looketh for days of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. But these must have their refreshings here The Drunkard seeketh his refreshing in pleasing his palate the idle man is loth to be put to work he would have his rest here The vain they must have their senses tickled and pleased pomp and vanity and sports and pastimes is the great business and pleasure of most mens lives 2. Let your love to Christ be stronger and more earnest for where love is we desire union and presence 'T is but a pretence of love where we aim not at the nearest conjunction that may be if we love our friend his presence is comfortable his absence troublesome as Dalilah said to Samson how canst thou say thou lovest me when thy Spirit is not with me Judges 16.15 If we love one we desire to be with him 4. Point That this will and choice cometh from confidence of a better estate and our own interest in it For while the Soul doubteth of the thing or of our injoying it we shall desire the continuance of our Earthly Happiness rather than to depart out of the Body with fears of going to Hell 1. 'T is Faith that breedeth hope which is a longing and desirous expectation For 't is the substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 2. 'T is assurance that doth increase it 'T is easie to convince men that Heaven is the only Happiness but is it thy Happiness Though the knowledge of excellency and suitableness may stir up that love which worketh by degrees yet there must be the knowledge of our interest to set a-work our complacency and delight We cannot so delightfully and cheerfully expect our change till our title be somewhat cleared 'T is sad with a man that is uncertain whither he is a going Use. Let us labour for this confidence an holy and well built confidence For he is not in the best Condition that hath least trouble about his everlasting estate but he that hath least cause Many that have been confident of
need it not but in their greatest extremity they want it Look as in Winter time there are great Land Floods when the rain and season of the year affordeth water enough and no Land needs them but in summer when there is the greatest drowth then they appear not Wicked men have comfort enough in the Creature and too much for them their hearts are merry now and they are glutted with the delights of sense and they are still seeking new comforts But in the time of extremity when they most need comfort these comforts are spent and leave them under anguish and torment But on the other side a Child of God that abridgeth himself of the contentments of the flesh and roweth against the currant and stream of carnal nature and exposeth himself to great losses and inconveniencies for Christs sake he had need of some solace to mitigate his sorrows and sweeten present difficulties Now what greater incouragement can there be than to think how God will welcome us with a well done and well suffered good and faithful servant Matth. 25.21 23. What comfort and joy and peace will it be unto us when we come to dye Then we shall see the labour is not lost the sufferings for Righteousness sake were not in vain the time we have spent in holy converse with God will be then sweet to us in the last review But the time spent in sin and vanity and idleness and fleshly designs will be very grievous and tormenting And though it be difficult to live in an exact course of self denying obedience yet when we shall have the approbation of God and Conscience the forethought of which is a mighty solace to us now carnalist will then wish Oh that I had pleased God as I have pleased men and my own sinful heart Oh would to God I had lived better served God and denyed my self a little while that I might have enjoyed my self and my God for ever 2. It may be God seeth fit to exercise us with a mean or an afflicted estate either he will keep us low and bare or else weak and sickly or in disrepute and obscurity rejected by the World As Jesus Christ was rejected of men or censured and traduced by men And we have no means to help our selves and vindicate our innocency Oh but if we may be accepted of the Lord at length we have no reason to complain Mans day is nothing to Gods day 1 Cor. 4.3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you c. God will count me faihful and reward my innocent and sincere tho imperfect endeavours God will be Glorifyed by his Servants sometimes in an high sometimes in a low and afflicted Condition look as in a quire or consort of voices he is commended that sings well whether he sings the base or the mean or the treble that is nothing so he singeth his part well but he is despised and disallowed that sings amiss whatever voice he useth So doth God approve accept and reward his people that serve and glorify him in any estate whether it be high or low rich or poor eminent or obscure God puts us sometimes in one Condition sometimes in another but those that carry themselves ill in their estate are rejected by him and punished 'T is not riches or poverty wealth or health that God looketh after but those that carry themselves well in either which is a great solace to a gracious heart and helpeth us to an indifferency for all temporal things so we may be approved by God at last As the Apostle Phil. 1.20 So Christ be magnified in my body whether by life or Death As a resolved Traveller taketh his way as he findeth it fair or foul so it will lead him to his journeys end 2. That this must be our work as well as our scope and this design must be carryed on with the greatest seriousness as our great care and business and with unwearyed industry as the main thing which we attend upon as a matter of unspeakable importance which must not be forgotten and left undone for 't is in the Text We labour There is a double notion which is of great use to us in the Spiritual life Making Religion our business and making Religion our recreation It must be our business in opposition to slightness it must be our recreation in opposition to tediousness and wearisomeness The Woâ—d in the Text hath a special signification We should with no less earnestness endeavour to please God than they that contend for honour in the World we should make it our constant imployment that God may like us for the present and take us home to him at length into his Blessed company and presence What is all the World to this There are a sort of men whose hearts are upon God and the life to come that make it their first care and chiefest business to seek him and serve him Whose minds and hearts whose life and love and cares and labours are taken up about the everlasting World But there are others who are plotting for preferment gaping for Worldly greatness gratifying the desires of the flesh seeking the favour of great ones raising their Estate Name and Family they look no higher than this World and think only of their settlement upon earth or laying designs for rising here and perpetuating themselves and their names in their Posterity by successive Generations The World morally considered is divided into two Societies the one of the Devil the other of God Augustine de civitate Dei Some seek their Happiness upon earth others an Eternal abode in Heaven By nature we are all of the earthly Society by grace transplanted and then we first seek the Kingdom of God Matth. 6.33 Have our conversation in Heaven Phil. 3.20 Carry our selves as of an Heavenly extraction All is known by our business a constant fidelity to approve our selves to God and a ready obedience in all Conditions of life sheweth which sort we are of What is it that you have been doing in the World and the end and business for and in which you have laboured until now What thing or prize have you had in view and chase Have you laboured for paltry vanities or the meat that perisheth not John 6.27 A man is known by his labour Have you lived for the World or God If you have spent so many years and you know not why or about what you have been strangely careless and forgetful What hath your great care been To please the flesh or to please God and be saved by him What have you made provision for either for earth or for Heaven You do for both but for which most 3. We must not only take care that we be accepted of God at last when we go out of the Body but whilst we are present in the Body it concerneth us to know that we are well pleasing to him We must strive to be accepted of him
a wedding Garment and he was examined the man was speechless Matth. 22.12 When every one is particularly observed and tryed there is nothing to reply but glorifying God Jude 15. 2ly Satisfaction of the World in the righteousness and justice of Gods proceeding When every person is arraigned and every work is manifest it cleareth Gods Justice in rewarding his own and in punishing the wicked and ungodly 1. It cleareth his justice in rewarding the faithful they undergo the tryal and though they have failings yet for the main their faith is found to praise and honour and Glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.7 When his people come to be Judged and have been found obedient to his commands Faithful under tryals patient under all sufferings and inconveniencies 'T is a faith that may be owned before men and Angels Christ will confess them before God Men and Angels Rev. 3.5 So in punishing the wicked Josh. 7.19 God is glorifyed by the Creatures conviction and acknowledgement Psal. 51.4 I acknowledge mine iniquity that thou mayst be justified when thou speakest and clear when thou Judgest God is justified when the Creature is rewarded according to his own deservings God overcometh and we are cast in the plea and suit 2. The word signifieth to be made manifest And so importeth that we must all be manifested or laid open before the Judgment seat of Christ our persons must not only appear but our hearts and ways be tryed 'T is said Luke 12.2 There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed nor hid which shall not be made known 'T is brought as a reason against Hypocrisy the innocency of Gods Servants is beclowded for a while and the sin of men lyeth hid for a while but at length all shall be open hypocrisy shall be disclosed and sincerity shall be rewarded So 1 Cor. 3.13 Every mans work shall be manifested All the ways and works of wickedness though acted in never so secret a manner shall be laid open The Scripture telleth us at the Judgment Eccl. 12.14 God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil The final doom shall repeal all the Judgments of this life and repair them abundantly many things that are varnished with a fair gloss and pretence here shall then be found filthy and abominable and many things disguised with an ill appearance to the World shall be found to be of God approved and allowed by him So 't is said 1 Cor. 4.5 That Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the Counsels of the heart and then shall every man have praise of God When every mans intentions and purposes actions and spring of actions shall be displayed then they that deserve blame shall be discovered and the sincere and upright Justifyed and commended Well then the Scripture shews they shall be made manifest and when made manifest In the general there are two places demonstrate it one is Psal. 50.21 I will reprove thee and set thy sins in order before thine Eyes All the ways and circumstances of sin shall be so represented to the conscience that the sinner shall not be able to deny or excuse evade or forget but ever be vexed with the remembrance of his past folly and ever see his sins before him as if fresh committed The other place is Rev. 12.12 And I saw the dead small and great stand before the Lord and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of life and the dead were Judged out of these things which were written in the Books according to their works There are Books and another Book there is the Book of conscience and the Book of Gods remembrance Mal. 3.16 In these Books all things are written which belong to the Government and Judgment of the Rational Creature our good and evil is all upon record our means and mercies and our unthankfulness and unprofitableness under them Jer. 17.1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron and the point of a Diamond Not only in their consciences but before God Isa. 65.6 Behold it is written before me God doth not forget or pass over but note and remember Now these Books are opened at the last day there is not one Book but Books the Book of Scripture is opened as a rule the Book of Conscience as a witness and the Book of Gods remembrance as the notice or Judges knowing both persons and facts But more particularly how are we manifested 1. By the knowledge of the Judge We may hide our sins from men but not from God from the World and from our selves but Christ shall perfectly discover them and bring them forth into the light and shew themselves to themselves and to the World and all their shifts will not serve the turn God observeth men now and observeth them in order to judgment Psa. 33.13 14 15 16. The Lord looketh from Heaven he beholdeth all the Sons of men from the place of his Habitation he beholdeth all the inhabitants of the Earth he fashioneth their hearts alike he considereth all their thoughts Though God resides in Heaven yet he beholdeth all and every of their actions yea their most secret thoughts He fashioneth their hearts alike Sept. One by one He is the former of their Souls as well as their Bodys and knoweth the Operations of their hearts as well as their outward actions Men think otherwise Ezek. 9.9 They say the Lord hath forsaken the Earth the Lord seeth not When he came to mark the Mourners and to distinguish them from the Sinners Psa. 94.7 They say the Lord shall not see neither shall the God of Jacob regard it These are mens Brutish Atheistical thoughts and so go on and are regardless of the Judgment But then your Judge shall Convince you upon his own knowledge A Judge is not disabled from being a witness The Woman of Samaria said John 4.29 Come and see a man that told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ Christ knoweth all that men do and is able to produce their lives by tale and number even those passages which were most secret there needeth no proof to our Judge for all is open and naked before him 2. The Good Angels may be produced as witnesses they have an inspection over this lower World are Conversant about us in all our ways and are conscious to our conversasations Psa. 91.11 He shall give his Angels charge over thee they shall keep thee in all thy ways Reverence is pressed upon us in Scripture in this respect Eccl. 5.6 Suffer not thy Mouth to cause thy flesh to sin neither say thou before the Angel it was an errour All the business is what is meant by the Angel There some understand it of the Angel of the covevenant the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Searcher of hearts who will not be mocked who cannot be deceived
is Gods glory 't is not strength for our lusts strength for our worldly ends but for the Lords honour we must please Appetite no farther than the pleasing of it fits us for the service of God In many cases nextly we may aim at some other thing beneath God but ultimately and terminatively all must be directed to God as the Apostle here considered them their Spiritual profit as his next aim but lastly and finally the glory of God 2. The Reasons of the general point 1. The Interest God hath in us obligeth us to live to his glory Rom. 14.8 For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord for whether we live or die we are the Lords The Apostles reasoning is built upon this supposition that those who are the Lords should live as for the Lord but the case is so with us we are his and therefore must live to him How are we the Lords 1. By Creation Prov. 16.4 God made all things for himself In the Creation of the World God could have no higher end than himself than his own glory for the end is more noble than the means Therefore when he made the World made Beasts made Man made Angels he did all for himself God is Independant and self sufficient of himself and for himself Self-seeking in the Creature is absurd and unbeseeming because we depend upon another for life and breath and all things Therefore to seek our own glory contentment and satisfaction apart from God 't is to arrogate a self-being to our selves apart from him we were made by God and were not made for our selves 2. By Preservation Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things As our being is from him so our moving and doing is through him through his providential influence and supportation therefore all must be for him and to him The motion of all Creatures is circular they end where they began as the Rivers return to the place from whence they came All that issueth from God in a way of Creation and is sustained and preserved by God in a way of Providence must be to him in the tendency and final end of their motions As we must deduce all things from God as their first cause and continual conserving cause so we must reduce all things to God as their last end 3. By Redemption That is pleaded 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Ye are not your own ye are bought with a Price Therefore glorify God with your Bodies and your Souls which are Gods You are twice bound as Creatures and as redeemed and a double obligation will infer a double Condemnation if we answer it not The bought belonged to the Buyer so we to Christ. 4. By Dedication We are dedicated and set apart for the Lords use Rom. 6.13 Yield your selves to God as those that are alive from the dead and your Members as instruments of Righteousness unto God So Rom. 12.1 I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God which is your reasonable service Now to live to our selves and speak for our selves is practically to retract our own vows and the dedication which we have made of our selves to his use and service 2. We are above all Creatures fitted for his glory As Men and as new Creatures 1. As Men Man above all other Creatures should glorify God Partly because by the design of his Creation he is placed nearer God as the end than other Creatures are Man is both proximè ultimè nextly and lastly for God and so return immediately to the Fountain of our Being There is nothing intervening between God and us towards which our use and service should be directed Other Creatures though they were made ultimately and terminatively for God yet immediately for Man lastly for God nextly for us So that man standeth in the middle between God and all other Creatures to receive the benefit of them that God may have the glory Oh then how much is man as man obliged to glorify God for whom this inferiour world was made All things are subjected to our Dominion or created for our use not only Fowls and Fishes and Beasts of the field to be injoyed by him but Sun Moon Stars Rain Weather and all the Seasons of the Year Psal. 8.3 4 5 6. When I consider thy Heavens the work of thy Fingers the Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visitest him Thou hast made him little lower than the Angels thou crownest him with glory and honour thou hast made him to have dominion over the work of thine hands thou hast put all things under his feet When we look up and behold those glorious Creatures the out-work and visible parts of Heaven which display their radiant Beauties to our wonder and astonishment and withal consider how much they serve for our comfort and use and with them the soveraign power wherewith thou didst invest man over all sublunary and inferiour Creatures Beasts Fowls Fishes Plants we cannot sufficiently admire that this vile clod of Earth Man should be so much in the eye of God to take care of him above the whole Creation The Sun doth not shine nor winds blow nor rain fall at our pleasure but 't is for our use Heaven is for us the airy Heaven to give us breath and motion the starry Heaven to give us heat light and influence The third Heaven or the Heaven of Heavens to be our dwelling place So that man is strangely stupid and oblivious if he should forget the God by whose bounty he injoys all these things And partly because man is more fitted as being furnished with higher capacities he teacheth us more than the Beasts of the Field We have faculties suited to this purpose we have an understanding that we may know him Surely such an understanding nature such an immortal Soul was never made for corruptible things God was pleased to stamp man with the Character of his own Image he beareth his superscription Now give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods We may find out his tract and foot-print in the Creatures but man had his Image Other Creatures glorify God necessarily we voluntarily and by choice they know not the first cause but are over-ruled by the Government of Providence but we have or should have an understanding to know him and an heart to love him Therefore the duty properly belongeth to us Other creatures glorify God passively we actively they are the Harp man makes the Musick Psal. 145 18. All thy works praise thee thy Saints bless thee Man is the mouth of the Creatures the Creatures by us glorify God 2. As new Creatures The people of God are most bound of all men to seek the glory of God you are created again in
in graces as they incline me to God In Jesus Christ as he bringeth me to him and fits me for him Now these things being so I must rowse up both these more to regard the Glory of God that it may influence and govern their actions Consider these motives 1. God will have his Glory upon you if not from you for he is resolved not to be a loser by the Creation of man For he made man for himself and the wicked for the day of evil Pro. 16.4 And Levit. 10.3 And before all the people I will be glorifyed God will have his Glory that 's certain he will have the Glory of his Justice in the day of wrath and evil If not the Glory of his Grace and Holiness in the day of his patience and mercy Therefore he will be gloryfied by you or upon you Some give him Glory in an active some in a passive way if he have not the Glory due to his Command he will right himself in the course of his providence How sad that will be Judge you For then we shall serve for no other use but to set forth the Glory of his vindictive Justice 2. He taketh notice of it and is well pleased with it when we glorify him here in the World 'T is one of Christs pleas for his Disciples John 17.10 Father I am glorifyed in them He is an Advocate in Heaven for those who are Factors for his Kingdom here upon Earth which is a comfort to all those who sincerely set themselves to promote the Glory of God and the good of the Church The more our endeavours are to Glorify God and Christ the more confident we may be of Christs mediation that he is negotiating our cause in Heaven 3. We shall be called to an account what we have done with our time and talents and interests and opportunities Luk. 19.23 He will require his own with usury what honour he hath by our gifts and graces estate or esteem relations and services how glorifyed as Magistrates Ministers Parents Masters Husbands Wives Children Servants Beasts are liable to no account because they have no reason and Conscience they are ruled by a rod of iron to Glorify God in their kind passively We are left to our own choice therefore we should mind it seriously If you do not ask your selves why you came into the World what will you answer at your appearance before Gods Tribunal Job 31.10 When he shalt rise up what shall I answer him I beseech you consider what you will say when the master returneth and taketh an account of your dispensation you were sent into the World for this business to serve the Lord What will you say when you cannot shift and lye Will this be an answer I spent my time in serving my own lusts I was drowned in Worldly cares never thought of pleasing God or glorifying God As if an Embassadour that is sent abroad to serve his King and Country should only return this account of his negotiation I was busied in Courtships and Cards and Dice and could not mind the Imployment you sent me about Or as if a Factor that is sent to a mart or fair should stay gusling in an Inn or Ale-house and there spend all his money which was to be imployed in traffique Oh what a dreadful account will poor Souls make that have spent their time either in doing nothing or nothing to purpose or that which is worse than nothing that will undo them for ever 4. How comfortable it will be at death when you have minded your business and seriously made it your work to live to God And can say as our Lord John 17.4 Father I have glorifyed thee upon earth I have finished the work thou hast given me to do Oh the comfort of a well spent life to a dying Christian 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto them also that love his appearing Or as Hezekiah Isa. 38.3 Râ—member Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth with a perfect heart I have been careful for matter manner and end to Glorify God by a constant obedience to his Holy will Now on the other side what thoughts will you have of a careless and mispent life when you come to die Many beguile themselves and do not think of the end of their lives till their life comes to be ended And then they howl and make their moan usually when they lye a dying they cry out of this World how it hath deceived them and how little they have fulfilled the ends of their Creation Partly because their Conscience puts off all disguises and Partly because present things are apt to work upon us and when the everlasting estate is at hand the Soul is troubled that it did no more think of it before Oh 't is better to be prepared than to be surprized think of your last end betimes 'T is lamentable to begin to learn to live when we must dye These end their life before they begin to live You are in your health and strength now but we are all hastening a pace into the other World But when God summoneth by sickness and you are immediately to appear before God what have you to say for your selves The Devil will then be busy to tempt and trouble us and all other comforts fail and have spent their allowance and are as unsavory as the white of an egg Will this comfort you that you have sported and gamed away your precious time That you have fared of the best and lived in pomp and honour Ah no but this will be a cordial to your hearts that you have made Conscience of honouring and glorifying God and have been faithful in your place in promoting the Churches good Therefore if hitherto you have been pleasing the flesh idleing and wantonning away your precious time say the time past is more than enough 1 Pet. 4.3 I have long too long walked contrary to my great end been dishonouring God and destroying mine own Soul 't is high time to remember and seek after God 5. Consider what a full reward abideth for those that live unto God and in all things regard his Glory 1 Sam. 2.30 Those that honour me I will honour And John 12.26 If any man serve me him will my Father honour In the issue you will find that self-denyal is the truest self-seeking That those who are contented to be any thing for the Lords Glory need not seek another pay-master God will Glorify you if you Glorify him Gods glorifying is effective and creative ours is but declarative He calleth the things that are not as though they were We do no more than call things to be what they are and far below what they are we declare
glorified in it Holiness as 't is a conformity to God and the work for the works sake Not but the other considerations tend to this and have an influence upon this so much obliged to Christ that every thing is sweet as it cometh from him or relateth to him 2. Sinful respect to the benefits and rewards of religion bewrayeth its self in four things 1 When Christ is loved for worldly advantages We must always distinguish between our Spiritual Interests and our Carnal To respect Christ for our Temporal advantage is that which God abhorreth as those that followed Christ for the loaves John 6.28 To be fed with a 〈◊〉 without labour and pains 〈◊〉 vix diligitur Jesus propter Jesam Scarce is Jesus loved for Jesus sake And still Christs name is reverenced but his office and saving grace are disregarded and men are content with his common gifts not seeking after his special benefits 'T is no great matter to own that which is publickly esteemed and now Christ is every where received to make a general profession of being Christians Saith Gilbert Now the Doctrine of Christ is handled in Councils disputed of in the Schools preached in Assemblies and his religion made the publick profession of Nations 'T is no great matter of thanks to own the general belief of Christianity There are many bastard motives of closing with Christ and his ways as fame and ease and carnal honour and the â—un-shine of Worldly countenance These are quite another thing than when a poor Soul out of the sense of his lost estate would desire Christ and would fain part with any thing â—o gain Christ Phil. 3.7 8 9. And a sound conviction of our misery and a sense of his excellency and our suitableness maketh us to close with him The other followed him for the loaves Indeed because his bread was buttered with worldly conveniencies By a respect to such base motives religion is prostituted to secular interests 2. When we have a carnal notion of the true rewards of godliness Carnal men look upon Heaven as a place of case and pleasure when Christ had spoken of the bread that will make men live for ever John 6. 34. They cryed out evermore give us of this bread of life They thought no more than of an everlasting continuance in the present earthly estate such carnal notions have men of Heaven as of a Turkish paradise but to know God and love God and have the Soul filled up with God to be with Christ and to be perfected in holiness these things work little upon them The Heaven of Christians is to injoy an everlasting communion with God To live in the belief and hopes of such an Heaven and to delight our Souls in the forethought of the endless sight and love of God This is a true act of sincere love to Christ seeking its full satisfaction Here we see him but as in a glass there face to face We shall behold the Glory of God in Heaven and the delights of love will then be perfect But usually men have a carnal notion of Heaven by a voluptuous life without labour and pain and trouble and this tainteth their hearts their apprehensions of benefit by Christ are Faeculent Earthly and drossy 3. When our respects to benefits are disorderly not in the frame wherein God hath set them As for instance when we desire some benefits and not others or hate his ways and love his benefits Numb 23.10 Oh that I might die the death of the righteous They love him as a Redeemer but hate him as a Law-giver A carnal man would sever the benefits from the duties As Ephraim is as an heifer not taught which would tread out the Corn but not break the clods Hosea 10.11 Their threshing was by the feet of Oxen shod with Iron Now the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn was not to be muzzled But harrowing and breaking the clods was a meer labour and no priviledge they would do the one but not the other If you love Christs benefits you must love them altogether Not taking one and leaving out another you shall not have pardon without sanctification nor the comforts of his Spirit without his quickening and purifying influence Nor freedom from Hell without freedom from sin Christ must guide you and rule you dwell in you and bless you and justify you and what ever he is made of God that he must be to you 1 Cor. 1.30 He will not give you any such grace as shall discharge you from duty and be a kind of licence and priviledge to sin 4. When we rest in the lowest acts of love and do not go on the perfection The first acts have more of self-love in them than love to God you must go on from them to gratitude and from gratitude to adoration an humble adoration of the Divine excellencies for the Divine excellencies are lovely in themselves as well as his benefits are comfortable to us and by an acquaintance with God in Christ we must settle into a more intire friendship with him and delight as much in praising him for his excellencies as we do in blessing him for his benefits The Angels and blessed Spirits that are above do admire and adore God because of the excellencies of his Nature not only for the benefits they have received from him they are represented as crying out Isa. 6.3 Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts By admiring and being affected with his Holy Nature and Soveraign Majesty and dominion and are we no way concerned in this Surely God must be lauded and served on Earth as he is in Heaven and though we cannot reach to their degree yet some kind of this respect belongeth unto us In the Revelations the Four living Weights and TwentyFour Elders are brought in Rev. 4 8. Saying Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Now by the four Beasts or four living Weights and the TwentyFour Elders the Interpreters generally understand the Gospel Church who are continually praising God for the Unity of his Essence the Trinity of Persons together with his Eternity Omnipotency and Holiness to shew we should love these things and be affected with these things as well as his bounty and goodness to us Indeed a Christian is like a River when it first boileth up out of the fountain it contenteth its self with a little hole but afterwards it seeketh for a larger channel but is still pent within banks and bounds but when it empâ—â—etâ— it self into the Ocean it expatiateth and inlargeth its self and is wholly mingled with the Ocean 2. Case is about the actual perswasion of Gods love to us For since this love of gratitude ariseth from a sense or apprehension of Gods love to us in Christ Therefore Gods Children are troubled when they cannot make particular application as Paul and say he loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 Ans. 1. A particular persuasion of Gods love
rejoycing in their good as our own mourning for their evil as our own such a Justice as groweth out of love Rom. 13 8. Owe no man any thing but to love one another for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law But to our fellow Saints and everlasting companions a Christ-like love 2 Pet. 1.7 Add to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity Another man in his special relations Philem. 11. Which in times past was unprofitable but now profiâ—able to thee and me That 's the sphere of our activity In the government of himself he doth exercise a greater command over his passions and affections Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Alloweth no bosom sin Psa. 18.23 I was upright before thee and kept my self from mine iniquity And still a constant carefulness to please God Heb. 13.18 For we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly 2. If so there will be a solemn dedication of our selves to God Rom. 6.13 But yield your selves to God as those that are alive from the dead The reason is because the great effect of grace is a tendency towards God and that tendency produceth a setting apart of our selves for Gods use and service and the reality of this is seen in using our selves for God 3. Where there is life there will be vital operations For life is active and stirring it cannot be hidden but will bewray its self in all that we do though not at all times in a like measure our prayers will be the prayers of a living man our conferences and discourses such as come from those that have life in them our whole Service of God such as hath warmth and zeal in it Jam. 5 16. The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man And Rom. 12.11 Not sloathful in business fervent in Spirit serving the Lord. Our addresses to God such as become feeling of wants an appetite after and favour of Spiritual things And if Christians do not feel this life for sometimes 't is weak and obstructed they cannot be satisfied nor rest in this frame when dull of hearing or Cold in prayer they rowse up and stir up themselves Isa. 64.7 There is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee What is wanting in fervour is made up in sense and feeling and bemoaning their condition so that the heart is alive because 't is sensible of its deadness living though not lively but the chief note is a sincere desire to please honour and glorify God and that by vertue of Christs Resurrection Christians obtain the grace of a new life SERMON XXXI 2 Cor. 5.16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet now henceforth we know him no more THere were false Apostles at Corinth who gloryed much in outward things not only Birth Wealth Abilities of Speech but such outward things as had a nearer connection with and respect to Religion as their acquaintance with Christ that they had known him in the flesh and owned him when yet alive And therefore are supposed to be intended in that expression I am of Christ 1 Cor. 1.12 As others received the Doctrine of Life from Peter Paul Apollos they immediately from Christ himself Now this boasting these Corinthian Doctors used as to keep up their own fame among the people so to lessen and weaken the credit of Pauls Apostleship for this objection lay against him that he had not as other disciples conversed with our Lord Jesus Christ on earth Now Paul that he might give the Corinthians occasion to Glory in his behalf and furnish them with an answer that gloried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 12. in external priviledges though they knew in their Consciences they had little reason so to do He had more valuable things to boast of namely That he was much in Spirit much in labours much in afflictions for the honour of the Gospel and to all which he was carryed out by the hopes of Eternal Life the terrour of the Lord at the day of Judgment and the Love of Christ constraining him This was the threefold cord Hope of Reward Fear of Punishment and the Love of Christ And these were more valuable considerations whereupon to esteem of any one than external priviledges could be In their outward priviledges he could vie with them For though he was none of Christs followers here upon earth yet he was equal to them by seeing and having been spoken to by Christ out of Heaven 1 Cor. 9.1 Am not I an Apostle have not I seen Jesus Christ the Lord But Paul did not seek his esteem meerly for his vision of Christ and that extasie which befell him at his first conversion but for the faithful discharge of his work upon the ground aforementioned that he would not glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as those others did Mortified Christians or those that have seriously given up themselves to the Lords use should more mind that and esteem themselves and others for true and real worth rather than such an external previledge Wherefore know we no man after the flesh c. In the Words we have 1. A general conclusion inferred against the boasting of the Corinthian Doctors Henceforth we know no man after the flesh We own no carnal respect to any man living and do not value any by outward acquaintance with Christ but according to the Spiritual power that is in him and taught by him 2. The conclusion restrained unto the instance of Christ Yea though we have known Christ after the flesh Where there is 1. A supposition Though we have known Christ after the flesh 2. An assertion Yet henceforth know we him no more That is as a friend conversing with us upon earth in an outward way but as a King and Law-giver of the Church that is ascended up to Heaven there to govern the Church by his Spirit and Laws Offering and designing to us Eternal life upon our obedience fidelity to him Well then to know Christ after the flesh is not forbidden with intent to deny his Humanity or to exclude the comfort thence resulting So we must still know him after the flesh his Humane Nature is the ground of our comfort But that we should not esteem and judge of persons by their outward conversing with him but their Loyalty and Obedience to him This I think to be the most proper meaning of the words Though some with probability carry them another way thus Henceforth know we no man after the flesh that is we do not value men for their Wealth Honour Nobility and though we have known Christ after the flesh alluding to his esteem when a Pharisee according to the humour of that sect he looked for a pompous Messiah but now owned him as a glorified Saviour sitting at the right hand of God in the
we might yield up our selves to God to love and serve and please him for we by his blood are purged from dead works that we might serve the living God Heb. 9.14 3. Believers are said to reconcile themselves to God 2 Cor. 5.20 We pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God As they do imbrace the offered benefit and lay aside their enmity and love God that loveth them and devote themselves to his use and service 2. More particularly I shall do three things 1. State the foregoing breach 2. Shew you the nature of this reconciliation 3. Shew you how Christ is concerned in it 1. To state the foregoing breach take these Propositions 1. God and man were once near friends Adam was the Lords favourite You know till man was made 't is said of every rank and species of the Creature God saw that it was good But when man was made in his day Gen. 1.31 God saw what he had made and behold it was very good An object of special love God expressed more of his favour to him than to any other Creature except the Angels Man was made after his Image Gen. 1.26 When you make the Image or Picture of a man you do not draw his feet or his hands but his face his tract or foot-print may be found among the creatures but his Image and express resemblance with man and so he was fitted to live in delightful Communion with his Creator Man was his Vice-roy Gen. 1.27 God intrusted him with the care charge and dominion over all the Creatures Yea he was capable of loving knowing or injoying God other Creatures were capable of glorifying God of setting forth his Power Wisdom and Goodness objectively and passively but man of glorifying God actively as being appointed to be the mouth of the Creation 2. Man gets out of Gods favour by conspiring with Gods grand Enemy His Condition was happy but mutable before Satan by insinuating with him draweth him into Rebellion against God and upon this Rebellion he forfeiteth all his priviledges Gods Image favour and Fellowship God would deal with him in the way of a Covenant Gen. 2.17 In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Do and live sin and die The comminatory part is only expressed because that only took place So that by this Rebellion he lost the integrity of his nature and all his Happiness he first run away from God and then God drove him away he was first a fugitive and than an exile 3. Man faln draweth all his posterity along with him For God dealt not with him as a single but as a publick person Rom. 5.13 Whereas by one man sin entred into the World and death by sin and so death passed upon all for that all have sinned And 1 Cor. 15.47 The first man is of the earth earthy the second man is the Lord from Heaven There 's a first man and a Second man nos omnes eramus in illo unus homo Adam and Jesus are the two great Institutions the one consistent with the Wisdom and Justice of God as the other with the wisdom and grace of God so that Adam begets enemies to God Gen. 5.3 Adam begot a Son in own likeness And 1 Cor. 15.49 we read of the Image of the earthly one Every man is born an enemy to God his nature opposite his ways contrary to God and so is eternally lost and undone unless God make some other provision for him 4. The Condition of every man by nature is to be a stranger and an enemy to God Col. 1.21 And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds That double notion is to be considered Strangers there is no Communion between God and us we cannot delight in God nor God in us till there be a greater suitableness or a divine nature put into us If that be too soft a notion the next will help it we are enemies there is a perfect contrariety we are perfectly opposit to God in nature and ways We are enemies directly or formally and in effect or by interpretation formally men are enemies open or secret open are those that bid open defiance to him as Pagans and Infidels and Idolaters Secret so are all sinners their hopes and desires are that there were no God they would fain have God out of their way rather than part with their lusts they would part with their God Psa. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God 'T is a pleasing thought and supposition that there were no God In effect and by Interpretation they do things or leave things undone contrary to to Gods will and take part with their sins against him As Love is a Love of duty and subjection so hatred is a refusal of obedience Love me and keep my Commandments Exod. 20.6 They are angry with those who would plead Gods interests with them But how can men hate God who is summum bonum fons boni The School-men put the Question We hate him not as a Creator and Preserver but as a Law-giver and Judge As a Law-giver because we cannot injoy our lusts with that freedom and security by reason of his restraint God hath interposed by his Law against our desires Rom. 8.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity to God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be As a Judge and avenger of sin not only desire of carnal liberty but slavish fear is the cause of this enmity Men hate those whom they fear We have wronged God exceedingly and we know that he will call us to an account we are his debtors and cannot answer the demands of his Justice And therefore we hate him what comfort is it to a guilty prisoner to tell him that his Judge is a discreet person or of a stayed Judgment he is one that will condemn him A condemning God can never be loved by a guilty creature as barely apprehended under that notion 5. God hateth sinners as they hate him For we are Children of wrath from the womb Eph. 2.3 And that wrath abideth on us till we enter into Gods peace John 3.36 And the more wicked we are the more we incur Gods Wrath. Psal. 7.11 He is angry with the wicked every day They are under his curse Gal. 3.10 Whatever be the secret purposes of his grace yet so they are by the sentence of his Law and according to that we must Judge of our condition 2. The nature of this reconciliation 1. As the enmity is mutual so is the reconciliation God is reconciled to us and we to God On Gods part his Wrath is appeased and our wicked disposition is taken away by regeneration for there are the causes of the difference between him and us his Justice and our sin His Justice is satisfied in Christ so that he is willing to offer us a new Covenant Matth. 3.17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased He is
as may suit with Gods honour and appease our guilty fears go to the light of nature it saith it is not in me to the Law 't is not in me only the Gospel revealeth it and there it is learned and discovered The light of nature apprehendeth God placable for he doth continue many forfeited mercies to us and doth not presently put us into our final estate as the faln Angels are in termino presently upon the fall It apprehendeth that God is to be appeased by some satisfaction hence those many inventions of lancing and cutting themselves and offering their Children solo Sanguine Humano iram Deorum Immortalium placari posse The Law that discovered our misery but not our remedy It sheweth us our sin but no way of deliverance from sin and acceptance with God The Law can do nothing for sinners but only for the Innocent It doth only discover sin but exact obedience and drive and compel men to seek after some other thing that may save them from sin and afford them a Righteousness unto Salvation when man was once a sinner the Law became insufficient for those ends Rom. 8.3 It became weak through our flesh 'T was able to continue our acceptance with God in that Condition in which we were first created but after that man by sin became flesh and had a principle of enmity in him against God the Law stood aside as weakened and insufficient to help and save such an one But then the Gospel yieldeth full relief propounding such a way wherein God is glorified and the creature humbled and due provision made for our comfort without infringing our duty that we might be in a capacity comfortably to serve and injoy God who otherwise had neither had a mind to serve him nor an heart to love him Thus Mercy and Justice shine with an equal glory So do also his wisdom and holiness Our necessity is thoroughly remedied and Gods love fully expressed When we were lost Children of wrath under the curse and no hand that could help us then he set his hand to that work which none could touch and put his shoulders under that burden which none else could bear If John mourned when none was found worthy in Heaven or Earth to open the book of visions and unloose the seals thereof How justly might the whole creation mourn because none was found worthy in Heaven or in Earth to repair this disorder till the Son of God undertook it and made himself an offering for sin Oh! Let us give due acceptance and intertainment to this wonderful love and blessed priviledge 2. The happiness of being actually pardoned is exceeding great This is notably set forth by the Psalmist Psa. 32.1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity in whose Spirit there is no guile The priviledge of the pardoned sinner is here set forth by three expressions Forgiving iniquity covering sin and not imputing transgression and the manner of delivery is vehement and full of vigour Oh the Blessednesses of the man And 't is repeated over and over again Let us a little view the phrase The Hebrew is who is eased of his transgression Junius qui levatur à defectione It compareth sin to a burden too heavy for us to bear The same Metaphor is used Matth. 11.28 Come to me all you that are weary and heavy laden The second expression relateth to the covering of filth or the removing that which is offensive out of sight as the Israelites were to march with a paddle tyed to their arms that when they went to ease themselves they might dig and cover that that came from them Deut. 23.14 You have the Law and the reason of it For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of the camp therefore shall thy camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee The third expression is To whom the Lord imputeth not sin That is doth not put sin to their account Where sin is compared to a debt as it is also Matth. 6.12 Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors So that sin is a burden of which we should seek to be eased filthiness which we should get to be covered debts which we should get to be discharged Oh blessed we when it is so when God lifts off from our shoulders the burden of the guilt of sin covereth this noysom filthiness which maketh us so loathsom to him and quits the debt and plea which he had in Law against us This forgiving or lifting of the burden is with respect to Christs merit on whom God laid the iniquities of us all Isa. 53.6 This covering is with respect too the adjudication of Christs Righteousness to us which is a covering which is not too short This not imputing is with respect to Christs mediation or intercession which in effect speaketh thus what they owe I have paid Oh the Blessedness of the man You will apprehend it to be so what a burden sin is when it is not pardoned Carnal men feel it not for the present but they shall hereafter feel it Now two sorts of Conscience feel the burden of sin A tender Conscience And a wounded Conscience 'T is grievous to a tender heart that valueth the love of God to lie under the guilt of sin Psa 38.4 Mine iniquities are â—one over my head as a burden too heavy for me Broken bones are sensible of the least weight So Psal. 40.12 Innumerable evils have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold of me What kind of hearts have they who can sin freely and without remorse Is it nothing to have grieved the Spirit of God and violated his Law and rendred our selves obnoxious to his wrath A wounded Conscience feeleth it also There is a domestick tribunal which we carry about with us where ever we go as the Devils carry their own Hell about with them though not now in the place of torments Pro. 18.14 The Spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity but a wounded Spirit who can bear Natural courage will bear up under common distresses which lie more without us but when the Spirit its self is wounded what support under so great a burden Ask Cain and Judas what it is to feel the burden of sin all sinners are subject to this and this bondage may be easily revived in them a close touch of the word will do it a sad thought a pressing misery a scandalous sin a grievous sickness a disappointment in the World there needs not much a do to put a sinner in the stocks of Conscience As Belshazzar that saw but a few words written on the wall and his countenance was changed and his thoughts troubled him So that the joints of his loins were loosed and his knees smote one against another Again 't is filthiness which rendereth you odious in the sight of God we our selves cannot endure our selves when serious John 3.20
Sin and the World Page 181 When Christ died all Believers died to sin in him Page 177 How those that were not then born were said to be dead to Sin when Christ died Page 179 How to improve the Death of Christ for the mortifying of Sin Page 182 Pardon of Sin is chiefly eyed in the Death of Christ. Page 230 Defects and failings of Christians to be bewailed Page 165 We are to labour to get ground of them Page ib. Desiring Christ. Why the Soul desires to be with Christ. Page 54 What hinders these Desires Page 55 v. Presence with Christ in Heaven Desire of Death Death not simply to be desired Page 24 What Desires of Death are lawful Page 24 34 Desire of Death ariseth from Assurance Page 70 Whether all Christians must desire Death Page 24 The Holiness to Regulated Desires of Death Page 35 Desire of Heaven None can desire Heaven but those that are clothed with a Gospel Righteousness Page 28 Determination a great help in Religion Page 175 Difficulties of Obedience how sweetned Page 73 Dominion of God his Title to it Page 86 Dying to Sin our consent to it given at Conversion and ratified in Baptism Page 180 How Believers may be said to be dead to Sin since there are so many carnal motions after Conversion Page ib. The Influence Christ's Death hath on our dying to Sin v. Death of Christ. E. EArnest the Nature of it Page 42 The difference between an Earnest and a Pledge Page 43 Earnest of the Spirit what it is Page 42 The Vse and End of it Page 43 Enemies all men by Nature are Enemies to God Page 217 244 The several Kinds of Enmity against God Page 217 244 245 God's Enemies carry on a War against him Page 246 God is an Enemy to carnal men Page 247 Wherein this Enmity of God is seen Page ib. It is a dreadful thing to have God an Enemy Page ib. End ultimate and subordinate Page 133 How to know what is our main End Page 77 The End varieth the Nature of the Action Page 136 Esteem of God the Effects of it Page 155 Esteem A Christian is not religiously to esteem others for external carnal advantages Page 194 The Reasons of it Page 195 Excellency of Heaven wherein it appears Page 38 Execution of the last Sentence will be certain speedy and unavoidable Page 107 Why the Sentence shall be certainly executed Page 107 The Sentence shall be executed on the wicked first Page ib. The Execution of the last Sentence shall be terrible F. FAith the objects of Faith Page 56 How it works as to another World Page 17 Faith goeth on certain grounds Page 59 How it should be rowzed up with reference to the promised Glory Page 17 Walking by Faith v. Walking Faith and Sight opposed to one another Page 56 Faith is for Earth Sight for Heaven Page 58 Till we have Sight it is an advantage that we have Faith Page 58 What relief Faith yields us in this World till we have Sight Page 59 If we have Faith we shall have Sight Page ib. Those that have Faith are not satisfied till they have Sight Page ib. Faith hath its Sights Page ib. Faith in Christ what it includes in it Page 255 256 Faith and Repentance Repentance respects God Faith Christ. Page 224 Both are wrought by the Word and acted in Prayer Page Ib. Fall of Man all mankind Fell in Adam Page 216 Fear Causes of Fear Page 111 Terror of the Lord ground of Fear v. Terror Page 110 Fear of future Iudgment how raised in us Page 114 Fear of Wrath and Love of God how consistent Page 113 Fitness for Heaven what it is Page 39 41 Gradual Fitness is to be lookt after Page 40 Fools carnal men are Fools v. Madness Page 126 127 Free Grace manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 98 Friendship between God and Mâ—â— in a State of Innocency Page 216 How this Friendship was broâ—en off Page lb. Fury of wicked Men in their sins Page 127 G. GArment Gospel Righteousness a Garment to cover our nakedness Page 28 Glory of God A Christian is in all things to aim at the Glory of God Page 130 We are to Glorifie God in all Relations and Conditions of Life and with all our Talents Page 135 136 I Indifferent actions God's Glory is to be our end Page 131 Actions that tend to our dishonour should not be omitted when God's Glory calls for them Page 133 Whether in every action a Christian is always bound to have actual thoughts of the Glory of God Page 132 Why the Glory of God is to be our Great end Page 128 133 139 Believers are fitted for Glorifying God as Men and as renewed Page 134 135 Aim at God's Glory ariseth from Love to God Page 131 How to know whether we Glorify God Page 140 Exhortation to Glorify God Page 137 Motâ—ves to Glorify God Page 138 Directions to Glorify God Page 139 Glory of God and good of the Church conjoyned Page 131 Glory of all that Grace that fits us for Heaven is to be given to God Page 41 Goodness of God the mercies of daily Providence declare much of God's Goodness Page 153 Gospel why called the Word of Reconciliation and why the Ministry of Reconciliation Page 234 To whom the dispensation of it is committed Page 234 Governour our Governour must be our Iudge Page 87 Grace the change that Grace makes in a Man Page 130 Acts of Grace easily discernable by a mans own Conscience Page 119 Habitual and actual Grace what Page 211 Groaning for Heaven the Reasons of it Page 20 Directions to stir it up Page 25 v. Desire of Heaven H. HAppiness Eternal why it is delayed Heart New v. New Heart Page 42 Heaven the Certainty of it v. Certainty Page 8 The Excellency of Heaven Page 38 Fitness for Heaven v. Fitness Why Believers are not presently admitted to Heaven upon Conversion Page 42 58 Hiding sin men naturally love to hide their sins from God men and themselves Page 96 God's people are subject to it Page ib. Why men endeavour to hide their sins Page ib. The folly of it Page ib. Holiness in God and in man how it differs Page 84 85 Holiness of Christ as God and as man v. Innocency of Christ. Page ib. Holiness of God manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 97 Home a Christian is not at Home while he is in the Body V. Strangers Page 50 Reasons of it Page Ib. God's Children are not at Home till they come to Heaven Page 54 Hope of Heaven the kinds of it Page 18 Expressed in Scripture by looking and longing Page 18 House State of Glory called a House Page 4 20 What a kind of House this is Page 5 Hypocrites the Reasons of the decay of their seeming Love to God Page 156 I. IMpediments that hinder man's turning to God Page 236 The Word of God a proper remedy to remove them Page 237 Imputation Non-Imputation of sin what is
have finished the work that thou gavest me to do The greatest work that ever could be done if you respect the importance of it The creating of a thousand Worlds would not bring in such a Revenue to Heaven as this one work of Redemption Or the difficulty of it the Son of God to be made Flesh Sin a Curse States most abhorrent from the Felicity of the Divine Nature Or his willingness to undertake it Lo I come to do thy Will He longed to be at it tho he had infinite complacency in the Bosom of the Father yet as soon as God had made an habitable World Prov. 8.30 31. There I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoicing always before him Rejoicing in the habitable part of his Earth and my delights were with the Sons of Men. He longed for that time when he might leave the company of Angels and dwell among us and feasted himself with the thoughts of his own Grace And with so much faithfulness I not only finished the Work but glorified thee all he did was for his Father's Glory This could Christ plead as the ground of his Requests he hath paid for all that he asketh not only made satisfaction for Sin but given a price for Glory He cannot out-ask his own Merit his Blood speaketh if Christ should hold his peace Heb. 12.24 And to the Blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel ' s. As clamorous as Abel's Blood for Vengeance It doth not speak against us tho we have made him to serve with our Iniquities but speaks the more for us to pacify his Wrath to pardon us and to do us good 3. The Sublimity of his Office It is an Authoritative Act. God hath always refused such Mediation as is not authorized by himself When Moses interposed for the Children of Israel said God Exod. 32.10 Let me alone that my Wrath may wax bot against them Because he would reserve this honour for him who alone hath this Office under the Broad Seal of Heaven So it is very notable that Christ refused all Mediation to him in the days of his Flesh. As of his Apostles Mat. 15.23 His Disciples came and besought him saying Send her away for she crieth after us c. But Christ would shew that he was sollicitous enough for the welfare of Sinners he needed no Intercessors So his own Mother when she interposed for the Honour of the Wedding John 2.4 Woman saith he What have I to do with thee As if he had said Cannot I do it without your intermedling In these Answers Christ would shew that he would have Sinners come of themselves without any mediation of their Fellow-Creatures they being no authorized Mediators God alloweth no other Mediator of Redemption but Christ and Christ no other Mediator of Intercession but himself It is Sacriledg in the Papists to set up others none is worthy to appear before God but Christ and how unworthy soever we are Christ will have us to come to himself God hath set him up for this purpose and no Copartners are allowed As it was said to Vzziah 2 Chron. 26.18 It pertaineth not to thee to burn Incense but to the Priests the Sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn Incense Incense could be offered by no other but a Priest and our Prayers by none but by Christ. Heb. 7.28 The Law maketh Men Priests which have Infirmity but the Word of the Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son who is consecrated for ever-more Christ is consecrated by an Oath to abide ever-more in the Office which Oath is renewed and confirmed upon his return to Heaven Psal. 110.4 The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck compared with Vers. 1. God will never repent of dispensing Grace in and through him to Sinners as long as Christ's Consecration lasteth none must meddle with his Office 4. The Articles of the Covenant or the Promise of being heard Therefore Christ speaketh with such Confidence John 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always and Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance c. There was a Covenant drawn up between God and Christ the Lord promised him as the Fruit of his Labours and Sufferings that he should obtain all manner of Grace for his People All these things shew us the Advantages of having such a Mediator and Intercessor Secondly The Nature of Christ's Intercession It is a part of his Priestly Office of which there were two Acts Oblation and Intercession Oblation was made once on the Altar of the Cross and Intercession is the continuation of his Sacrifice or the presenting it in Heaven It must be explained by Analogy to the Priests of the Law The Sacrifice was slain without the Camp and then the Priests were to enter with the Blood within the Vail into the Holy of Holies with sweet Incense and so to cause a Cloud to arise over the Mercy Seat But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this Building Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entred in once into the Holy Place having obtained eternal Redemption for us Heb. 9.11 12. Jesus Christ having offered up himself upon the Cross where he was both Priest and Sacrifice he is gone within the Vail Not into the Holy Places made with Hands which are the Figures of the True but into Heaven it self now to appear before the Presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 It is not a vocal but a real Intercession Christ is gone into Heaven and there presents his Person both in our Nature and his own together with his Merits lifting up Desires which are as a Cloud of Incense before the Mercy-Seat for our Comfort and Salvation Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a Golden Censer and there was given unto him much Incense that he should offer it with the Prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne The High Priest entred not for himself but for the People having the Names of the Twelve Tribes upon his Breast and Shoulders So Christ is entred on the behalf of us all bearing the particular Memorial of every Saint graven upon his Heart The High Priest staid within the Sanctuary for a short time and so came out to bless the People Christ entred within the Vail at his Ascension and we must wait till his coming out to bless us which will be at the Day of Judgment All this while he hath his Residence in Heaven and then he will open to us and give us entrance So that Christ's Intercession is A constant representation of his Merit for the pardon of our Sins and for our Acceptance together with strong Desires
the Vessel keepeth its course tho they move a contrary way or as in Clocks tho some Wheels move one way and some another yet all tend to make the Clock go 5. Observe In the Church are wicked Men who may finally miscarry nay Men eminent for a while in the Church yet afterwards prove dreadful Apostates There was a Cham in the Ark a Judas among the Apostles The visible Church never wanteth a mixture there is no possibility to eschew it Partly because they may be useful as to external Employment and Service God hath an use for wicked Men as a dead Post to support a living Tree They may have Gifts for the Benefit of the Body Wicked Men may supply the place of an Officer as Judas was an Apostle A wooden Leg may be a Stay to the Body tho it be not a true Member Mat. 7.22 23. Many shall say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works And then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work Iniquity Christ will disclaim them as here he doth A Torch giveth never the less Light tho carried by a Blackamore nor is the Gospel less efficacious because managed by carnal Instruments Partly because God hath reserved a perfect Discrimination till the last Day left the Wheat should be pulled up with the Tares He knew Men were envious and censorioâ—s therefore till Sins be open he doth not allow us to judg Partly to shew us his Patience to the worst of Men. Judas was continued among the Apostles Christ knew him when he was a Thief as well as when he was a Traytor before he discovered the Traytor he bore with the Thief tho a Son of Perdition he doth not deny him the Means Vse 1. Do not rest in outward Privileges Say What am I It is a Privilege to be a Member of the Church David accounted it so to be a Door-keeper in the House of God Psal. 84.10 A Man may be an Apostle of great Authority but there is a more excellent way that is Grace Outward Advantages without special Grace will not serve the turn Judas was under Christ's own Instruction Vse 2. Look to your Grounds and Motives upon which you take up the Profession of the Name of Christ. A sound Beginning will have an happy Ending but if it be only upon carnal Reasons sometime or other you will fall off and all will end in shame and horror Vse 3. When Scandals arise the whole Body is not to be condemned for the Miscarriages of some Members As the Beauty of a Street is not to be reckoned by the Sink and Kennel nor the sound Grapes by the rotten ones We are not to condemn Religion and Religious Persons tho some among them prove scandalous We are not to think the worse of Christ and his Apostles because a Judas was in their Company In the Floor there is Chaff as well as Wheat in the Field there are Tares as well as Corn in the Draw-Net there are bad Fish as well as good Mat. 18.7 Wo unto the World because of Offences for it must needs be that Offences come but wo to that Man by whom the Offence cometh Such is the Enmity of Man to Good that he is glad to have occasion to blemish the Truth Are there not many that are sincere and walk unblameably And doth not thy Heart tell thee thou hast no reason to speak against them Religion it self condemneth such ways Vse 4. Hearken unto this you that commit Sin with Jollity and Security you can eat and drink and rise up to play O take heed lest at length thou criest out O I have sinned I have damned my Soul I have betrayed Christ Judas came at length to this I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent Blood Mat. 27.4 Some are fet up as Beacons to warn others that by their dear Cost we may learn to beware We are whipped on their Backs as some Malefactors their Bodies are not buried but their Quarters are set up upon Gates of Cities and Places of great resort for a Warning to others Vt qui vivi noluerunt prodesse eorum morte Republicae utatur saith Seneca As Lot's Wife was turned into a Pillar of Salt to season after-Ages It is the property of God's Children still to edify themselves by what they see in others be it good or evil The Lord grant both you and I may tremble at this Instance to stir up Watchfulness for our own Safety that we may not fall into like Offences We have to do with a just and an holy God Thin Exhalations turn into great Clouds and Storms Thirdly The next Circumstance is an Appeal to Scripture That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Why doth Christ make this Appeal Partly to avoid the Scandal as if Christ could not discern an Hypocrite Partly to draw their Minds from the Treason of Judas and the Malice of the Jews to the Counsel of God revealed in the Scriptures Partly to shew the certain Accomplishment of whatever is foretold by the Holy-Ghost I shall prosecute these two last Reasons and thence take two Observations 1. Observe In the whole Passion of Christ nothing fell out by chance He was not betrayed by chance it was a Circumstance that fell under the Ordination of God It is notable that the same Word is used of Judas Mat. 26.15 What will ye give me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and I will deliver him unto you Of the Jews John 18.30 If he were not a Malefactor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we would not have delivered him to thee Of Pilate Mat. 27.26 When he had scourged Jesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he delivered him up to be crucified And of God Rom. 8.32 Who spared not his own Son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but gave him up to the Death for us all But there are express places of Scripture Acts 2.24 He being delivered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the determinate Counsel and Fore-knowledg of God We must look not to Instruments but to God's hand The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may have reference to a Prince giving Royal Gifts he gave us this precious Gift out of his Treasury Or to a Judg who delivereth a Malefactor into the hands of the Executioner Christ died not only as a Martyr but as a Surety here lieth all the hopes of our Salvation So Acts 4.28 For to do whatsoever thy Hand and thy Counsel determined before to be done God decreed it and God over-ruled it This is in part the meaning 2. Observe To shew the Truth of whatever is foretold in Scripture Scriptures must be fulfilled whatever Inconveniencies fall out See how tender God is of his Word 1. He valueth it above all his Works John 10.35 The Scriptures cannot be broken Luke 21.33 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my Words shall not pass away God
apt to content your selves with a sleepy profession Paul counted this terrour or matter of fear to be an help to him and should not we who are so much beneath him in holiness Will you that must shortly be in another World will you be careless and please the flesh and give up the boat to the stream 2. Do you perswade your Family Children Servants Friends and Neighbours with your Children about it tell them what a dreadful thing it is they have a conscience apt to fear Dives in the parable is represented as desirous of his brethrens welfare lest they should come into that place of Torment Luke 16.27 28. Then he said I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldst send him to my Fathers House for I have five brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come into this place of Torment Shall we be less charitable than a man in Hell is represented to be If we have a friend or a Child falling into the fire we save him by violence though we break an Arm or a Leg your Children by Nature are Children of wrath pluck them as brands out of the burning SERMON XIX 2 Cor. 5.11 But we are made manifest unto God and I trust also are made manifest in your Consciences 12. For we commend not our selves again to you but give you an occasion to Glory on our behalf that you may have somewhat to answer them who Glory in appearance and not in heart THe Apostle having proved his sincerity and fidelity in his Ministry now asserts it with confidence 1. By an appeal 2. An apology 1. An appeal to God as the Supream Judge 2. To the Corinthians as inferiour witnesses and he appealeth to the most impartial and discerning faculty in them their Consciences who are most apt to give infallible Judgment and to take Gods part and own what is of God 2. By an Apology or answer to an objection which might be framed against him by his adversaries verse the 12 th where First The objections were intimated We commend not our selves again to you Secondly His vindication from the end The reason why he spake so much of his fidelity and integrity But give you occasion to glory in our behalf that you may have somewhat to answer them Thirdly a description of the false Apostles at Corinth or those vain-glorious teachers who went about to lessen the Apostles Authority They glory in appearance and not in heart Let me explain these passages 1. The intimation of the objection for we commend not our selves again to you The Adversaries were wont to say upon all occasions he runneth out into his own praises which doth not become a modest and a sober man for boasting is the froth of pride and how can Paul be excused from pride This was the objection against Paul that he did commend himself too much 2. Pauls answer and vindication was from his end 'T was not to set forth his own praise but to arm them with an argument and an answer against the false teachers whereby they might defend his ministry and the doctrine they had heard from him 't was not pride and ostentation in Paul but a necessary defence of the credit of his ministry Their Faith and obedience to the Gospel depending thereupon 3. The false Apostles are described by their Hypocrisy and ambition They Glory in appearance and not in heart For the opening of this clause observe First That there were false Apostles at Corinth who sought to depretiate Paul and to lessen the Authority of his Doctrine 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. For such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light Therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their works Secondly These false Apostles were great boasters and apt to Glory when ever they are spoken of we hear of this glorying That wherein they Glory we may be even as they Thirdly Their glorying as that of all Hypocrites was in some external thing Called a glorying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 11.18 Seeing that many Glory after the flesh I will Glory also And here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But what fleshly and external thing they gloryed in is not expresly mentioned Some leave it in the general that they boasted before men otherwise than their Conscience and the truth of the thing did permit Omne id quod inter homines Humana sapientes maximi fieri solet Grot. Others instance in particular birth wealth abilities of speech frothy eloquence 1 Cor. 2. In a coloured shew of mans wisdom and eloquence and not in true godliness Some think in the multitude of their followers or in the applause of their hearers Some a shew of Zeal Holiness and Fidelity when they were destitute of the truth of godliness and that sincerity which is truely a comfort Some in their taking no maintainance to gain credit and advantage that appeareth by 2 Cor. 11.9 Of all the Churches planted by the Apostles Corinth was the richest And Macedonia the poorest yet Paul preaching at Corinth was maintained from Macedonia 2 Cor. 11.9 Wherefore As he himself puts the question that I may cut off occasion from them that desire occasion that wherein they Glory we may be found even as they 2 Cor. 11 12. But what if it be such things as had a nearer Connection with and respect to Religion As their acquaintance with Christ that they had known him in the flesh and owned him while yet a live which is supposed to be intended in that expression 1 Cor. 1.12 I am of Christ Others received the Doctrine of Life from Peter Paul Apollos They immediately from Christ himself This boasting these Corinthian Doctours used to keep up their own fame among the people and to weaken the credit and esteem of Pauls Apostle-ship for this objection lay against him that he had not as other Disciples conversed with our Lord Jesus Christ while he was upon Earth Now Paul that he might give the Corinthians occasion to Glory in his behalf and furnish them with an answer to those that gloryed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in external priviledges when their Consciences could give little Testimony of their sincerity Paul had more valuable things to boast of namely that he was much in Spirit much in labours much in afflictions for the honour of the Gospel To all which he was carryed out by the hopes of Eternal Life the terrour of the Lord at the day of Judgment and the Love of Christ these were more valuable Considerations whereupon to esteem any one than bare external priviledges could possibly be nay in their outward priviledges he could vye with them for though he was none of Christs followers whilest he was here upon earth yet herein he was equal to them if not exceeded them by having seen Christ
and being spoken to by him out of Heaven Therefore he saith 1 Cor. 9.1 Am not I an Apostle Have not I seen Jesus Christ the Lord But Paul did not seek his esteem meerly for his vision of Christ and that extasy which befell him at his first conversion but for his faithful discharge of his work on the grounds formentioned for he would not Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as others did but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mortified Christians that have given up themselves to the Lords use should more mind that and esteem themselves and others for true and real worth more than the advantage of external priviledges I am confirmed in this exposition by what is said verse 6 th wherefore henceforth know we no man after the Flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet henceforth know we him no more That is we should not esteem and judge of persons by their conversing with him in the flesh but by their Loyalty and Obedience to him If they be zealous for his Kingdom and can upon the hopes which he hath offered run all hazards and encounters of Temptations and upon the confidence of his coming to Judgment be faithful to him and out of Love to his person and gratitude for the work of Redemption deny themselves and live to his Glory they have cause to Glory in heart whereas others who boast only of personal acquaintance with him but are not found in Doctrine and the practice of Religion do only Glory in a meer appearance or outward shew before men but can have no true solid confidence in their hearts Well then here lay the case between Paul and his opposites They gloryed in some external thing which could give no solid peace to the Conscience But Paul could Glory in his perseverance diligence patience and self-denyal for the Gospel The sense of which made his heart rejoice and by the way the same glorying may be taken up by all the faithful painful Preachers of the Gospel against their opposites who are the Popish Clergy who Glory in their pomp and their great revenues and that they are the Successours of the Apostles and can pretend an external title to this inheritance and sit in their Chair as Pope Alexander the 6th Haec est bona persuasio quia per hanc nos regnamus Now you are to Judge who are they that Glory in Heart or in Appearance They that Glory in their riches or outward possession or they that Glory in their labours sufferings and converting of Souls to God Doct. That then a man hath the full comfort of his sincerity when he hath the approbation of God and of his own Conscience and hath also a Testimony in the Consciences of others All these had Paul 1. The approbation of God For he saith We are made manifest unto God God knew both his actions and his aims for the Lord considereth both Prov. 16.2 Now the Lord knew his labour his patience his travelling up and down to promote the kingdom of his Son as also that he did this out of hope fear and love Pauls main care was to approve himself to God and to be accepted with God 2. He had the Testimony of a good conscience He telleth them so now and told them so before 2 Cor. 1.12 This is Our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not in fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we had our conversation in the world but more abundantly to you ward Not by violent or fraudulent means did he seek to promote the Gospel not his self opinions not self ends they had more experience than others for whereas he was maintained by the poorer towns yet with them he laboured with his hands and still preached the Gospel As usually it falleth out often that handy-craft people are more liberal for the support of the Ministry than the Gentry or Nobles upon the account of the Gospel nay though he could speak of seeing Christ by extraordinary dispensation yet he would glory rather in the real and general evidences of grace than in any external priviledge and advantage whatsoever if Paul had never seen Christ yet he had wherein to glory 3. And he had a testimony in their consciences as well as his own I trust also we are made manifest in your consciences He was confident that he had a witness in their Bosoms of his sincere and upright dealing the greatest approbation that we can have from men is to have an approbation in their consciences for conscience is the faculty which is most apt to take Gods part We may easily gain their respect and applause by complying with their humours but that is not lasting that will not do Gods work and the Gospels Our greatest advantage if we be Faithful servants to God will be to have a witness in their consciences Thus did Paul he wanted not opposers at Corinth some questioned his Apostleship some slighted his abilities some saw no such evidence and excellency in his Doctrine what should the poor man do He courted not their affections by arts of insinuation but approved himself to their consciences But how did Paul commend himself to the Corinthians By three means 1. By the evidence of his Doctrine which he managed with such power and Authority that it was manifestly seen by all who had not a mind to lose their Souls and were not prejudiced by their worldly interest that it was not calculated for the Lusts and Interests of men but their Salvation 1 Cor. 4.2 By the manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God Paul preached such necessary Truths as if men were not strangely perverted they might see he aimed at their spiritual and eternal benefit 2. By the success of his Doctrine 2 Cor. 3.1 2 3. Do we begin again to commend our selves or need we as some others Epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministred by us written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the Living God Not in tables of stone but in the fleshly Tables of the heart The conversions which he had wrought among them gave a sufficient Testimony to their consciences that he was not a vagrant self-seeker he had been the Instrument of transcribing the Doctrine of Christ upon their hearts Paul prevailed with many at Corinth and had converted many God himself assured him of this success Acts 18.9 10. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision Be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace For I have much much people in this city 'T was an opulent but a wanton Town but God would be with him and had much People therefore Paul ventured and prevailed 3. By the purity holiness and self-denial which was seen