did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son God predestinates us to Christs image which image consists in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 So that till thou art holy thou canst not shew any signe of election upon thee but rather the Divels brand-mark 5. Purity is the end of our redemption if we could have gone to heaven in our sins Christ needed not have died Why did he shed his blood but to redeem us from a vain conversation 1 Pet. 1.18 19. and Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people Christ shed his blood to wash off our filth the Crosse was both an Altar and a Lavor Jesus Christ died not only to save us from wrath 1 Thes 1. ult but to save us from sin Matth. 1.21 Out of his sides came water which signifies our cleansing as well as blood which signifies our justifying 1 John 5.6 The truth is it were to make the body of Christ monstrous if the head should be pure and not the members 2. Reasons for heart-purity 2. Why Purity must be chiefly in the heart 1. Because if the heart be not pure we differ nothing from a Pharisaical Purity the Pharisees holinesse did consist chiefly in externals their 's was an outside Purity they never minded the inside of the heart Matth. 23.25 Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye make cleane the outside of the cup and of the platter but within ye are full of extortion and verse 27. Ye are like unto whited Sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward but are within full of dead mens bones The Pharisees were good only in superficie they were not Albi but dealbati whited over not white they were like a rotten post laid in Vermilion colour like a fair Chimny-piece guilded without but within nothing but Soot O such Hypocrites Salvian complains of who had Christ in their mouths but to no purpose we must go farther be pure in heart like the Kings daughter all glorious within Psal 45.13 Else ours is but a pharisaical purity and Christ faith Matth. 5.20 Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven 2. The heart must especially be kept pure because the heart is the chief seat or place of Gods residence God dwells in the heart he takes up the heart for his own lodgings Isa 57.15 Ephes 3.17 therefore it must be pure and holy A Kings Palace must be kept from defilement especially his Presence-chamber The heart is Gods Presence-chamber How holy ought that to be If the body be the Temple of the holy Ghost †* 1 Cor. 6.19 the heart is the Sanctum Sanctorum Oh take heed of defiling the room where God is to come let that room be washed with holy tears 3. The heart must especially be pure because it is the heart sanctifies all we do if the heart be holy all is holy our affections holy our duties holy The Altar sanctified the gift * Mat. 23.19 the heart is the Altar that sanctifies the offering The Romans kept their springs from being poysoned the heart is the spring of all our actions let us keep this spring from poyson be pure in heart SECT 1. Shewing the true beauty of the soul 1. SEE here what is the beauty that sets off a soul in Use 1 Gods eye viz. Purity of heart Inform. Thou who art never so beautiful art but a spiritual Leper till thou art pure Branch 1 in heart God is in love with the pure heart for he sees his own picture drawn there Holinesse is a beam of God it is the Angels glory They are pure virgin-spirits take away purity from an Angel and he is no more an Angel but a Divel thou who art pure in heart hast the Angels glory shining in thee thou hast the Embroydery and Workmanship of the Holy Ghost upon thee The pure heart is Gods Paradise where he delights to walk 't is his lesser heaven the Dove delights in the purest Aire the Holy Ghost who descended in the likeness of a Dove delights in the purest soul God saith of the pure in heart as of Sihon Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell God loves the fairest complexion the pure in heart is Christs Bride decked and bespangled with the jewels of holiness Cant. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes Thine eyes that is thy graces these as a Chain of Pearl have drawn mine heart to thee of all hearts God loves the pure heart best Thou who dressest thy self by the glass of the Word and adornest the hidden man of thy heart * 1 Pet. 3.4 art most precious in Gods eyes though thou mayst be blear-eyed as Leah lame as Barzillai yet being pure in heart thou art the mirrour of beauty and mayst say Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord Isa 49.5 How may this raise the esteem of purity this is a beauty that never fades and which makes God himself fall in love with us SECT 2. That Christians must not rest in out-side purity Branch 2 2. IF we must be pure in heart then we must not rest in outward purity civility is not sufficient a Swine may be washed yet a Swine still civility doth but wash a man grace changeth him civility like a Star may shine in the eyes of the world but it differs as much from purity as the Chrystal from the Diamond civility is but strewing flowers on a dead corps a man may be wonderfully Moralized yet but a tame Divel how many have made civility their saviour Morality may as well damn as Vice a Vessel may be sunk with gold as well as with dung Observe two things 1. The civil person though he will not commit gross sins yet he is not sensible of heart-sins he discerns not the Law in his members Rom. 7.23 He is not troubled for unbelief hardness of heart vanity of thoughts he abhors Jayle-sins not Gospel-sins 2. The civil person hath an aking tooth at Religion his heart riseth against holiness the Snake is of a fine colour but hath a deadly sting The civil man is fair to look to but hath a secret antipathy against the ways of God he hates grace as much as vice zeal is as odious to him as uncleanness so that civility is not to be rested in The heart must be pure God would have Aaron wash the inwards of the Sacrifice Lev. 9. Civility doth but wash the out-side the inwards must be washed Blessed are the pure in heart SECT 3. Shewing the signs of an impure heart LET us put our selves upon the Trial Trial. whether we are Use 2 pure-hearted or no. Here I shall do two things to shew the signs of 1. An impure heart 2. A pure heart 1. An ignorant heart is an impure
of Davids life-guard would have beheaded Shimei No saith King David Let him alone and let him curse 2 Sam. 16.11 And when Saul had wronged and abused David and it was in his power to have taken Saul napping and have killed him 1 Sam. 26.7 12. yet he would not touch Saul but called God to be Umpire Ver. 23. Here was a mirror of meekness 3. The examples of Heathens though their meekness could not properly be called grace because it grew not upon the right stock of faith yet it was beautiful in its kind Pericles when one did revile him and followed him home to his gate at night rayling upon him he answered not a word but commanded one of his servants to light a Torch and bring the Raylor home to his own house Frederick Duke of Saxony when he was angry would shut up himself in his Closet and let none come near him till he had mastered his passion Plutarch reports of the Pythagoreans if they had chanced to fall out in the day they would embrace and be friends ere Sun-set Cicero in one of his Orations reports of Pompey the great he was a man of a meek disposition he admitted all to come to him so freely and heard the complaints of them that were wronged so mildly that he excelled all the Princes before him he was of that sweet temper that it was hard to say whether his enemies did more fear his valour or his subjects love his meekness Julius Caesar not only forgave Brutus and Cassius his enemies but advanced them he thought himself most honoured by acts of clemency and meekness Did the spring-head of nature rise so high and shall not grace rise higher shall we debase faith below reason let us write after these fair Copies 2. Meekness is a great Ornament to a Christian 1 Pet. Motive 2 3.4 The ornament of a meek spirit How amiable is a Saint in Gods eye when adorned with this jewel what the Psalmist saith of praise * Psal 33.1 the same may I say of meekness it is comely for the righteous no garment more becoming a Christian than meekness therefore we are bid to put on this garment Col. 3.12 Put on therefore as the Elect of God meekness A meek spirit credits Religion silenceth malice it is the varnish that puts a lustre upon holiness and sets off the Gospel with a better gloss 3. This is the way to be like God God is meek towards Motive 3 them that provoke him * Cum crebris exacerbatur offensis iram suam temperat Cypr. how many black mouths are opened daily against the Majesty of heaven how do men tear his Name vex his Spirit crucifie his Son afresh they walk up and down the earth as so many Divels covered with flesh yet the Lord is meek not willing that any should perish 2 Pet. 3. How easily could God crush sinners and kick them into hell but he moderates his anger though he be full of Majesty yet full of meekness in him is mixed Princely greatness and Fatherly mildness as he hath his Scepter of Royalty so his Throne of grace Oh how should this make us fall in love with meekness hereby we bear a kind of likeness to God it is not profession makes us like God but imitation where meekness is wanting we are not like men where it is we are like God 4. Meekness argues a noble and excellent spirit a Motive 4 meek man is a valorous man he gets a victory over himself * Immensae virtutis est non sentire te esse percussum Passion ariseth from imbecillity and weakness therefore we may observe old men and children are more cholerick than others strength of passion argues weakness of judgement but the meek man who is able to conquer his fury is the most puissant and victorious Prov. 16.32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit then he that taketh a City To yield to ones passion is easie 't is swimming along with the Tyde of corrupt nature but to turn head against nature to resist passion to overcome evil with good this is like a Christian this is that spiritual Chivalry and Fortitude of mind as deserves the Trophies of victory and the garland of praise Motive 5 5. Meekness is the best way to conquer and melt the heart of an enemy When Saul lay at Davids mercy and he only cut off the skirt of his Robe how was Sauls heart affected with Davids meekness 1 Sam. 24.16 17. Is this thy voyce my son David and Saul lift up his voice and wept and he said to David Thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand thou killedst me not wherefore the Lord reward thee good c. This heaping of coals melts and thaws the heart of others it is the greatest victory to overcome an enemy without striking a blow the fire will go where the wedge cannot mildness prevails more than fierceness passion makes an enemy of a friend meekness makes a friend of an enemy the meek Christian shall have letters testimonial even from his Adversary It is reported of Philip King of Macedon that when it was told him Nicanor did openly rail against his Majesty the King instead of putting him to death as his Council advised sent Nicanor a rich Present which did so overcome the mans heart that he went up and down to recant what he had said against the King and did highly extoll the Kings clemency Roughness hardens mens hearts meekness causeth them to relent 2 Kings 6.22 When the King of Israel feasted the Captives he had taken in War they were more conquered by his meekness than by his sword 2 Kings 6.23 The bands of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel 6. Consider the great promise in the Text The meek Motive 6 shall inherit the Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Argument perhaps will prevail with those who desire to have earthly possessions * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys Some may object If I forbear and forgive I shall lose my right at last and be turned out of all No God hath here entred into Bond the meek shall inherit the Earth The unmeek man is in a sad condition there is no place remains for him but hell for he hath no promise made to him either of Earth or Heaven 't is the meek shall inherit the earth Object How do the meek inherit the Earth when they are strangers in the earth Hebr. 11.37 Answ The meek are said to inherit the Earth not that the Earth is their chief inheritance or that they have always the greatest share here but 1. They are the inheriters of the Earth because though they have not always the greatest part of the Earth yet they have the best right to it The word inherit saith Ambrose notes the Saints title to the Earth * Fruuntur
is a flowre of his Crown he whispers his love to the soul and sends his Spirit that blessed Dove which brings an Olive-branch of peace in its mouth John 16.7 The peace which Christ gives is peace in trouble Micah 5.5 And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our Land and tread in our Palaces Kings can proclaim war in a time of peace but Christ proclaims peace in a time of war Oh how sweet is this peace 't is pax supra pacem as Bernard saith Austin calls it serenitas mentis a sweet calm and sabbath in the soul it is a foretaste of glory it is a bunch of grapes from the true Vine which chears the heart it passeth all understanding Phil. 4.7 Thus Christ is all in regard of pacification he makes peace for us and in us this honey and oyle flows out of the Rock Christ 6. Christ is all in regard of remuneration he it is that crowns us after all our labours and sufferings he dyed to advance us his lying in the wine-press was to bring us into the wine-celler he is gone before to take possession of heaven in the name of all believers Hebr. 6.20 Whether the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus Christ is gone to bespeak a place for the Saints John 14.2 He makes heaven ready for them and makes them ready for heaven Thus Christ is all in regard of remuneration Rev. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me 2. If Christ be all it shews us what a vast disproportion Branch 2 there is between Christ and the creature there is as much difference as between ens and nihil Christ is all in all and the creature is nothing at all Prov. 23.5 Wilt thou set thine eyes on that which is not The creature is a non-entity though it hath a physical existence yet considered theologically it is nothing 't is but a gilded shadow a pleasant fancy when Solomon had sifted out the finest flowre and distill'd the spirits of all created excellency here 's the Result ALL WAS VANITY Eccles 2.11 The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Vain signifies empty O quantum est in rebus inane We read the earth in the Creation was void Gen. 1.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so are all earthly comforts void they are void of that which we think is in them they are void of satisfaction therefore they are compared to wind Hos 12.1 A man can no more fill his heart with the world than he can fill his belly with the aire he draws in Now the creature is said to be nothing in a three-fold sense 1. It is nothing to a man in trouble of spirit if the spirit be wounded outward things will give no more ease than a Crowne of gold will cure the headache 2. The creature is nothing to a man that hath heaven in his eye when Saint Paul had seen that light shining from heaven surpassing the glory of the Sun Acts 26.13 though his eyes were open he saw no man Acts 9.8 so he that hath the glory of heaven in his eye is blinde to the world he sees nothing in it to allure him or make him willing to stay here 3. The creature is nothing to one that is dying a man at the houre of death is most serious and is able to give the truest verdict of things now at such a time the world is nothing 't is in an Eclipse the sorrow of it is real but the joy imaginary Oh then what a vast difference is there between Christ and the creature Christ is all in all and the creature nothing at all yet how many damn their souls for nothing Branch 3 3. It shews whether the soul is to go in the want of all go to Christ who is all in all Dost thou want grace go to Christ Col. 2.3 In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Christ is the great Lord Treasurer go then to Christ say Lord I am indigent of grace but in thee are all my fresh springs fill my Cistern from thy Spring Lord I am blinde thou hast eye-salve to anoint me I am defiled thou hast water to cleanse me my heart is hard thou hast blood to soften me †* Quicquid ex me mihideest id repletur ex vulneribus Christi Aug. I am empty of grace bring thy fulness to my emptiness In all our spiritual wants we should repair to Christ as Jacobs sons did to their brother Joseph He opened all the store-houses Gen. 41.56 and gave to his Brethren corn and provision for the way Gen. 42.25 Thus the Lord hath made Christ our Joseph our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 2.3 In him are hid all treasures * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysostom Oh then sinners make out to Christ he is all in all and to encourage you to go to him remember there is in him not only fulness but freeness ho every one that thirsts come ye to the waters Christ is not only full as the honey-comb but he drops as the honey-comb Branch 4 4. If Christ be all see here a Christians Inventory how rich is he that hath Christ * Qui habet habentem omnia habet omnia he hath all that may make him compleatly happy Plutarch reports that the wife of Phocion being asked where her jewels were she answered My husband and his triumphs are my jewels so if a Christian be asked where are his riches he will say Christ is my riches A true Saint cannot be poor if you look into his house perhaps he hath scarce a bed to lie on 1 Cor. 4.11 Even to this present houre we both hunger and thirst and are naked and have no certain dwelling place Come to many a child of God and bid him make his will he saith as Peter Acts 3.6 Silver and gold have I none yet he can at the same time make his triumph with the Apostle 1 Cor. 6.10 As having nothing yet possessing all he hath Christ who is all When a believer can call nothing his he can say all is his The Tabernacle was covered with Badgers skins Exod. 25. yet most of it was of gold so a Saint may have a poor covering ragged cloaths but he is inlaid with gold Christ is formed in his heart and so he is all glorious within 5. How should a Christian sit down satisfied with Branch 5 Christ Christ is all What though he wants other things is not Christ enough if a man hath Sunshine he doth not complain he wants the light of a Candle hath not he enough who hath the unsearchable riches of Christ I have read of a godly man who being blinde his friend asked him if he was not troubled for the want of his sight he confessed he was why saith his friend Are you troubled because you want that which flies have when you have that which Angels have so I say to a
were requisite as none but Christ could give 3. Christ came as a Physitian out of the sweetness of his Nature he is like the good Samaritan who had compassion on the wounded man Luke 10.33 A Physitian may come to the Patient only for gain not so much to help the Patient as to help himself but Christ came purely out of sympathy there was nothing in us to tempt Christ to heal us for we had no desire of a Physitian nor had we any thing to give our Physitian as sin made us sick so it made us poor so that Christ came as a Physitian not out of hope to receive any thing from us but was prompted to it out of his own goodness Hos 14.4 I will heal their back-slidings I will love them Love set Christ awork not only his Fathers Commission but his own Compassion moved him to his spiritual Physick and Chyrurgery King David banished the blinde and lame out of the City 2 Sam. 5.8 Christ comes to the blinde and lame and cures them it is the sounding of his bowels that causeth the healing under his wings 3. The third particular is That Christ is the Only Physitian Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other c. There 's no other Physitian besides Verinus Non plures medici sed satis unus erit The Papists would have other healers besides Christ they would make Angels their Physitians all the Angels in heaven cannot heal one sick soul indeed they are described by their wings Isa 6.2 but they have no healing under their wings Papists would heal themselves by their own merits Adam did eat that Apple which made him and his posterity sick but he could not finde any herb in Paradise to cure him our merits are rather damning than healing to make use of other Physitians and medicines is as if the Israelites in contempt of that brazen Serpent which Moses set up had erected other brazen Serpents O let us take heed of that turba medicorum Indeed in bodily sickness it is lawful to multiply Physitians when the Patient hath advised with one Physitian he desires to have others joyned with him but the sick soul if it joyns any other Physitian with Christ it surely dies 4. How Christ heals his Patients Answ There are foure things in Christ that are healing 1. His Word is healing Psal 107.20 He sent his Word and healed them His Word in the mouth of his Ministers is healing when the Spirit is wounded in desertion Christ doth create the lips that speak peace Isa 57.19 The Word written is a Myrothecium or Repository in which God hath laid up Soveraign oyles and balsomes to recover sick souls and the Word preached is the pouring out of these oyles and applying them to the sick Patient He sent his Word and healed them We look upon the Word as a weak thing What is the breath of a man to save a soul but the power of the Lord is present to heal Luke 5.17 Christ makes use of his Word as an healing medicine the Receits which his Ministers prescribe he himself applies he makes his Word convincing converting comforting Caution Not that the Word heals all to some it is not an healing but a killing Word 2 Cor. 2.16 To the one we are a savour of death unto death Some dye of their disease two sorts of Patients dye 1. Such as sin presumptuously though they know a thing to be sin yet they will do it Job 24.13 They are of those that rebel against the light this is dangerous * Num. 15 30. David prays Psal 19. Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins 2. Such as sin maliciously when the disease comes to this head the Patient will dye Hebr. 10.29 But to them who belong to the election of grace the Word is the healing medicine Christ useth He sent his Word and healed them 2. Christs wounds are healing Isa 55.3 With his stripes we are healed Christ made a medicine of his own body and blood the Physitian dyed to cure the Patient * Ille Colaphizatus lauceatus spinis corenatus in cruce suspensus ut per ejus mortem nobis medelam pararet Aug. in Evang. Joh. The Pelican when her young ones are bitten by Serpents feeds them with her own blood to recover them Thus when we were bitten by the old Serpent then Jesus Christ prescribes a Receit of his own blood to heal and restore us Sanguis Christi salus Christiani * Corpus Christi est aegris medicina languorem sanans sanitatem servans Bern. The blood of Christ being the blood of him who was God as well as man had infinite merit to appease God and infinite vertue to heal us This this is the balme of Gilead that recovers a soul which is sick even to death Balm as Naturalists say is a juyce which a little shrub being cut with glass doth weep out This was anciently of very precious esteem the favour of it was odoriferous the vertue of it Soveraign it would cure ulcers and the stinging of Serpents * Pliny This balm may be an emblem of Christs blood it hath a most Soveraign vertue in it it heals the ulcer of sin the stinging of tentation it merits for us justification Rom. 5.9 O how precious is this balm of Gilead by this blood we enter into heaven 3. Christs Spirit is healing the blood of Christ heals the guilt of sin the Spirit of Christ heals the pollution of sin the Spirit is compared to oyle it is call'd the anointing of the Spirit Isa 61. to shew the healing vertue of the Spirit oyle is healing Christ by his Spirit heals the rebellion of the will the stone of the heart though sin be not removed it is subdued 4. Christs rod is healing Isa 27.9 Christ never wounds but to heal the rod of affliction is to recover the sick Patient * Unguento utitur medicus item ferro igue Bern. Davids bones were broken that his soul might be healed God useth affliction as the Chyrurgion doth his Launce to let out the venome and corruption of the soul and make way for a cure Quest But if Christ be a Physitian Quest why are not all healed Answ 1. Because all do not know they are sick they Answ 1 see not the sores and ulcers of their souls and will Christ cure them who see no need of him many ignorant people thank God they have good hearts but that heart can no more be good which wants grace than that body can be found which wants health 2. All are not healed because they love their sickness Answ 2 Psal 52.3 Thou lovest evil many men hug their disease Augustine saith before his conversion he prayed against sin but his heart whispered Non adhuc Domine Not yet Lord he was loth to leave his sin too soon how many love their disease better than their Physitian while sin is loved Christs medicines are loathed 3. All are not
Faith shows a Christian the land of promise Hope sails thither with patience Thus you see how Faith and Hope differ but these Twins must not be parted Faith strengthens Hope and Hope comforts Faith as Elm supports the Vine and the Vine loads the Elm with its fruit Faith is the Cable and Hope the Anchor and both these help to keep the soule steady that it doth not dash upon Shelves or sink in the Quick-sands Thus much for the first what hope is 2. What a Christian hopes for This is set down 1. Emphatically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That blessed hope Hope here is put by a Metonymie for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The things hoped for That blessed hope is the hope of blessedness A Christians hope is not in this life then he were in the Forlone-hope here is nothing to be hoped for but viciscitudes all the world rings changes but looking for that blessed hope This is the difference between the Seamans Anchor and the Believers Anchor The Seaman casts his Anchor downwards the Believer casts his Anchor upwards in heaven looking for that blessed hope The Believer is a rich heir Hebr. 6.17 and he waits till the Crown-royal shall be set upon his head According to our Common Law there are two sorts of Free-holds There is a Free-hold in Deed and a Free-hold in Law a Free-hold in Deed is when a man hath made an entrance upon Lands and Tenements and is actually seized of them but a Free-hold in Law is when a man hath right to Lands but hath not yet made actual entrance upon them Heaven is a Believers Free-hold in Law he hath a right to it it is promised by the Father it is purchased by the Son it is assured him by the Holy Ghost but he hath not the Free-hold in Deed but waits Gods leasure and looks for that blessed hope till the time comes that he shall actually enter upon possession of the inheritance 2. The Object of a Christian hope is set down Specifically The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christ Where by the way the Deity and Godhead of Christ is strongly proved from hence against the Arrians as Hierom and Chrysostom well observe The Apostle shows who this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this great God is it is saith he our Saviour Jesus Christ but that only in transitu To speak then of the Object of a Christians hope set down here Specifically 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour There is a threefold Epiphany or appearing of Christ 1. There is an appearing of Christ to us as when he was Incarnate Isa 9.6 To us a Child is born This was a happy appearing when this morning Star appeared then salvation appeared to mankind when Christ took flesh he did marry our humane nature to the divine nature The Virgins womb was the place consecrated for the tying that knot Great is this Mystery God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 'T is such an aenigma as the Angels adore 1 Pet 1.12 God said the man is become as one of us Gen. 3.22 but now we may say God himself is become as one of us he made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the likeness of men Phil. 2.7 This was Christs first appearing 2. There is an appearing of Christ in us that is when he appears in our hearts which is called a forming of Christ in us Gal. 4.19 Christ is said to appear in us when by the operation of his grace he transforms him into his own image In the Incarnation Christ made himself like to to us by Sanctification he makes us like to him holy as he is holy and this is a comfortable appearing What are we better for Christs appearing in our flesh unless he appear in our hearts what are we the better for a Christ without us unless we have a Christ within us Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory 3. There is an appearing of Christ for us and that two wayes 1. Christ appears for us as an Advocate Hebr. 9.24 He is entred into heaven there to-appear in the presence of God for us 'T is a Metaphor borrowed from our Law-Courts where the Atturney pleads for the Client so Christ pleads as an Advocate for the Saints Satan is the accuser but Christ is the Advocate he answers all bills of Indictment brought in and he appears saith the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the presence of God for us the High Priests under the Law appeared before the Ark and the Mercy-seat which was but a Type of Gods presence but Christ appears in the very presence of God for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the face of God he spreads his merits before his Father and in the vertue of his bloody sufferings pleads for mercy and if Christ appear for us in heaven shall not we appear for him upon earth 2. Christ appears for the Saints as a Judge and this appearing is meant in the Text looking for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Christs first appearing in the flesh was dark and obscure his beauty was vail'd over Isa 53.2 all that saw the Man did not see the Mesiah But his second appearing as our Judge will be a glorious appearing like the Sun breaking out of a Cloud * Tunc ejus sâ—lgor Majestas omnibus innâ—rescet Esti it will be a glorious appearing both in respect of Christ and the Saints 1. In respect of Christ himself and that thee manner of wayes 1. His Person will be glorious That light which shone upon Saint Paul surpassing the glory of the Sun Acts 26.13 was but a part of Christs beauty as a sparkle of the Sun of Righteousness what will it be when he shall appear in all his Spiritual embroidery 2. His throne will be glorious he shall sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the throne of his glory Matth. 25. he shall have his Chair of State set him more rich than Ivory or Pearl a Throne most sublime and magnificent 3. His attendants shall be glorious Matth. 25.31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him The Angels are the Courtiers of heaven they are compared to lightning Matth. 28.3 in regard of their sparkling lustre and these glorious sublimated spirits shall be Christi satellitium part of Christs Train and Retinue accompanying him to his Throne thus it will be a glorious appearing in regard of Christ 2. It will be a glorious appearing in regard of the Saints Christ will appear to do three things 1. Christ as a Judge will appear to acquit his people and that is by pronouncing the sentence Come ye blessed of my Father The debt-book shall be crossed in the blood of the Lamb. 2. Christ as a Judge will appear to vindicate his people The names of the godly many times lie buried in reproach but at that day they shall as
Bernard saith Fragrare unguentis optimis Christ will give them a new name he will call them his friends his Spouse the apple of his eye their names shall flourish with honour and give forth their perfume as the wine of Lebanon 3. Christ as a Judge will appear to crown his people when body and soul shall be reunited and perfected in glory Christ will take his people into his sweet and everlasting embraces he will lay them in his bosome he will set them upon his Throne he will fill them with the Inebriating wine of his love to all eternity And thus you see what is the Saints hope namely the glorious appearing of Christ when he shall appear as a Judge to acquit vindicate crown them Use 1 1. See here the misery of a wicked man who hath all his hope in this life Informat he makes the wedge of gold his hope he casts his Anchor downwards he can have no hope of Christs appearing he fears Christs appearing he doth not hope for it he is like a Prisoner that fears the Judges coming to the Bench. Christs appearing will be a dismal appearing to him when Christ shall appear where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear 1 Pet. 4.18 a wicked man is like a Mariner at Sea that hath no Anchor like a man in a storm that hath no shelter where is his hope when he shall come to die It is with a sinner as it was with the old world when the flood came the waters did arise higher and higher by degrees First the waters came to the Valleys but they encouraged themseves in the Hills then the waters came to the Mountains I but there might be some Trees upon the Hills and they would climb up to them then the waters prevailed and rose to the top of the Trees now they had nothing to trust to all hopes of being saved were gone So it is with a sinner if one comfort be taken away he hath another left if a Relation be gone he hath an estate left if one Crutch be broken yet he hath another to lean upon I but sickness comes and he sees he must die and appear before his Judge now he hath no hope he dies despairing he must lie for ever in the boyling furnace of Gods wrath * In inferno nulla est redemptio qui illic damnatuus demersus fuerit ulterius non exibit Aug. in Serm. ad Erem In cava Lethaeas dolia portat aquas 2. Put your selves upon the tryal Have you this blessed hope of Christs appearing and of your appearing with him in glory come almost to any man and you Use 2 shall hear him say he hopes to be saved well then Trial. let every soul put it self upon the tryal I shall show you four differences between a sound Hope and a sandy Hope 1. True hope is quickning it sets a man a working for heaven * Addit conatum quendam elevationem animi Aquinas it is called a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 it puts life into a man hope is a Spur to duty a Whetstone to industry Hope of victory makes the Souldier fight hope of gain makes the Merchant runthrough the several Zones Divine hope is as Wind to the Sails as Wheeles to the Chariot it makes a Christian active in Religion he runs the wayes of Gods Commandements * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macar Hope is circa arduum it cuts away through the Rock it wrastles with difficulties it despiseth dangers it marcheth in the face of death True hope never gives over till it hath the thing hoped for He who hath Divine hope will have Christ though it be in a Furnance he will profess the truth though the next word Christiani ad Leones The Romans as Tertullian observes would endure all kind of hardship they would fight with cold and hunger and run any hazard for hope at last to be Consul which was saith Tertullian unius anni gaudium volaticum honour but for a year Oh then what pains will he take who hath hopes of heaven where he shall be Crowned with a Garland of glory for ever doth that man say his hope is in God who stands all the day idle Prov. 19.24 there is a faint velleity in Hypocrites they would be saved but sit still and do nothing their hope is not a a lively hope but a dead hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 True hope is in the soul like fire which is an active Element it is ever sparkling or flaming 2. True hope is purifying 1 Joh. 3.3 He that hath this hope in him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 purifying himself Hope is in the soul as lightning is in the Aire it clears the Air he who hath hope in Christ sets himself against all sin both in purpose and practice he is a consecrated person there is engraven upon his heart Holiness to the Lord hope is a Virgin-grace it lives in the soul tanquam scintillatio in fomite tanquam ramus in radice * O quam multi cum vanaspe descendunt ad inferos Aug. St. Bernard compares holiness to the Root and hope to the Branch true hope flourisheth upon the root of holiness now then try your hope by this Scripture Touchstone The hypocrite saith he hath hope but is he a purified person what an unclean person and hope to go to heaven nothings enters there which defileth Rev. 21.27 what a drunkard and hope to be saved dost thou think to go reeling to heaven what an Apostate and yet hope to be saved as if there were any going to heaven backward * O quam multi cum vanaspe descendunt ad inferos Aug. The wicked man is not sure of happiness but secure 3. A true hope is a good hope 2 Thes 2.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who hath given us good hope through grace A wicked mans hope is as far from being good as his heart the Hebrew word for hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies both confidence and folly it is fitly applyed to a wicked mans hope his confidence is folly the hope of a godly man is compared to an Anchor Hebr. 6.19 the hope of a wicked man to a Spiders Web Job 8.14 And the sinners hope is fitly resembled to a Spiders Web three wayes 1. The Spiders Web hath no foundation such is the hope of the wicked it is a pleasing thing but it hath nothing to rest upon A godly mans hope is built upon a double Basis 1. The Word of God Psal 130.5 In his word do I hope The Word saith Let the sinner forsake his way and the Lord will abundantly pardon The Word saith Hereby we know that Christ abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 Joh. 3.8 Now a child of God finding these qualifications wrought in him he builds his hope for heaven upon them In his Word do I hope 2. The hope of a godly man is built upon experiences Rom. 5.4
Experience worketh hope A Believer can bring in a Catalogue of experiences Psal 119.65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant So can a Believer say God hath dealt well with him In several cases he hath had experiences of God when his sins and tentations have been strong God hath come in with Auxiliary Forces and his grace hath been sufficient When his heart hath been sinking under fears God hath boyed him up out of quicksands and lifted up his head out of deep waters Psal 3.3 Thou art O Lord my glory and the lifter up of my head When his heart hath been dead in duty the Spirit of God hath been sweetly tuning of his soul and now he makes melody in his heart to the Lord Ephes 5.19 A godly man hath many signal experiences of Gods favour to him and experience breeds hope So that a godly mans hope hath a foundation it is a well-built hope that hope must needs stand strong which stands with one foot upon a promise and with the other foot upon an experience But a wicked mans hope is tela aranea a Spiders Web he hath nothing to ground his hope upon his hope is an imposture a golden dream Isa 29.8 It is as when an hungry man dreameth and behold he eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty The hope of a sinner is like a dying mans will that hath neither seal set to it or witnesses in the will he promiseth to bequeath such a Mannor and Lordship so many thousand pounds to such a one but the will being without seal and witnesses it is null and void in Law just such is the hope of a wicked man his hope promiseth him great matters that Christ is his and all the priviledges of heaven are his but alas it is a meer delusion of his false heart when things come to be examined he wants both seal and witnesses he wants the seal of the Word to confirm his Title and the witness of the Spirit Plurimi spe periclitantur * Aug. this is a sad thing for a man to go to hell with the hope of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Eurip. 2. The Spider spins the web out of her own bowels she fetcheth all from her self The Bee fetcheth all from without the matter of her Comb and Honey the sucks from the flower The Spider fetcheth all from within her self A true Christian like the Bee fetcheth all from without he sucks from the sweet flower of Christs Righteousness Isa 45.24 In the Lord have I righteousness and strength But a wicked man like the Spider fetcheth all his hope from within â—he spins the thread of his hope out of himself his duties and moralities thus his hope is like the Spiders Web. 3. The Spiders Web is but weak the least blast shakes it the least touch breaks it Such is the sinners hope the least terror of Conscience shakes it Job 8.14 whose hope shall be cut off commonly before a wicked mans life is cut off his hope is cut off The godly man hope is a good hope it is solid and scriptural the other is a spiders Web. 4. A true hope is a Persevering hope Heb. 3.6 Whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence of hope firm unto the end True hope doth not faint it is not broken with affliction it is an Adamantine grace 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hope makes us endure therefore it is compared to an Anchor which holds the ship in a storm and to an Helmet 1 Thes 5.8 The Helmet keeps off the blow of the sword or arrow from entring So hope as an helmet keeps off the stroke from a Christian that it shall not hurt or dismay him In time of publick calamities hope keeps the soul from sinking Joel 3.16 The Lord shall roar out of Sihon the heavens and earth shall shake but the Lord will be the hope of his people Though heaven and earth be ready to come together yet a Believers hope abides Sola spes in miseriis consolatur * Cicero A Believer doth never cast away his Anchor The Jews were prisoners in Babylon yet prisoners of hope Zach. 9.10 Turn to your strong hold ye prisoners of hope When a Christan is on his death-bed and all hope of life is taken away yet his hope in God is not taken away 3. What unspeakable comfort is this to a child of Use 3 God that upon a serious trial finds he hath a well-built hope * Solamen vitae mortalis est spes vitae immortalis Austin when Christ shall appear Consolation â—t will be a glorious appearing to a believer Credula vitam spes fovet A Christian is like a rich heir that hath great Lands in Reversion he hath much in hope Alexander having given away almost all he had in Greece and being asked what he had left for himself answered Hope his meaning was he had hope to conquer more Kingdoms as afterwards he did So if a Christians outward comforts were taken away and one should ask him what he had left he might say The Anchor of hope he hath a confident hope of those eternal Mansions which Jesus Christ is gone to prepare for him John 14.2 When Christ who is his life shall appear then shall he also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 Oh what comfort is this how may this lighten and sweeten the crosse after the waters of Marah comes the wine of Paradise after a wet Spring a joyful Harvest Use 4 1. Be exhorted to chearfulness Rom. 5.2 We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Exhort Timorâ— contristatur animum Branch 1 fear begets sorrow hope begets joy Spes non potest esse sine gaudio Divine hope saith Austin cannot be without some mixture of joy hath a Christian hopes of heaven and not rejoyce Prov. 10.28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness Object Object But may some say It is long before we shall enter upon possession of heaven and hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 Answ Answ It is not long Rev. 22.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me This glorious reward we hope for is quickly in faiths account faith makes things future present what hope saith shall be faith saith it is already Christs coming is at hand the bright morning Star begins to appear as a Perspective glass makes those things which are a good way off seem near to the eye So faith makes Christ and heaven and the day of recompence seem to be near it gives a kind of possession of them in this life Oh then Christians rejoyce turn your lamentations into Halelujahs it is but a while and you shall be made partakers of those blessed things you hope for think of the certainty of Christs appearing Behold I come and think of the celerity I come quickly 2. Maintain your hopes against all discouragements Branch 2 either of fear or tentation Christians let