the Gentiles the Wrestlers were anointed Which may be applied to Christ who was now to wrestle and conflict with all the Prejudices and Difficulties of Man's Salvation But it is rather taken from the Customs of the Ceremonial Law Three sorts of Persons we find to be anointed among the Jews Kings as Saul David Solomon 1 Sam. 9.16 Thou shalt anoint him to be Captain over my People Israel Therefore they were called the Lord 's Anointed 1 Sam. 26.11 Priests All the Priests that ministred in the Tabernacle or Temple chiefly the High-Priest who was a special Figure of Christ Exod. 29.29 And the Holy Garments of Aaron shall be his Sons after him to be anointed therein and to be consecrated in them Prophets 1 Kings 19.16 Elisha the Son of Shaphat shalt thou anoint to be Prophet in thy room As Oil strengthneth and suppleth the Joints and maketh them agile and fit for Exercise so it noteth a designation and fitness for the Functions to which they were appointed So Christ because he was not to be a Typical Priest or Prophet or King therefore he was not typically but spiritually anointed not with a Sacramental but real Unction not of Men but of God immediatly Therefore we shall inquire how Christ was anointed It implyeth two things 1. The giving of Power and Authority Heb. 5.5 Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Therefore though Christ be of the same Power and Authority with the Father yet as Mediator he must be appointed Christ took not on him the honour of a Mediator but received it of his Father God needeth not to appoint a Mediator it was his free Grace To save Sinners is not proprietas Divinae Naturae but Opus liberi Concilii This Council had its rise from the Mercy and free Grace of the Father he might have required this punishment of our selves If any had interposed to mediate for us without God's Will and Calling his Mediation would have been of no value a Pledg whereof we have in Moses Exod. 32.32 33. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their Sins and if not blot me I pray thee out of the Book of Life And the Lord said unto Moses Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my Book And besides where should we have found a sufficient Mediator unless he should have given us one Therefore there is much in the Father's anointing or appointment therefore is the Mediation of Christ so effectual it is made by his own Will John 8.42 I proceeded forth and came from God neither came I of my self but he sent me John 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed as a Magistrate hath the King's Broad Seal Which is a great comfort when we go to God we may offer him Christ as authorized by himself thou hast sent thy own Son to be a Mediator for me And we may plead it to our selves in Faith God the Supream Judg the wronged Party hath appointed Christ to take up the Controversy between him and me 2. The bestowing on him the Holy Ghost who might make the humane Nature fit for the Work So Acts 10.38 Him hath God anointed with the Holy Ghost and with Power The humane Nature of Christ was fitted for the Employment for though it were exalted to great Privileges yet it could not act beyond its Sphere and Sanctification is the personal Operation of the third Person Now the Work of the Holy Ghost was in the Womb of the Virgin to preserve the Humane Nature of Christ from the infection of Sin From a Sinner nothing could be born but what was unclean and sinful by this Anointing Christ was made perfectly just strengthned to all Offices especially to offer up himself Heb. 9.14 Who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God To overcome all Difficulties and Temptations Isa. 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold my Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him The Work of Redemption was a weighty Work Christ had to do with God Devil and Man to bear the Wrath of God for the whole World 2. To what was Christ anointed To the Office of a Mediator in general particularly to be King Priest and Prophet of the Church To be a Prophet to teach us by his Word and Spirit Mat. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased hear ye him God bespeaketh audience To be a Priest to intercede and die for us To be a King to rule us by his Spirit and to give Grace and Glory to us Vse 1. Let us receive Christ as an anointed Saviour Christ is set over us by Authority Let us come to him as a Prophet denying our own Reason and Wisdom as a Priest seeking all our acceptance with God through his Merit Let us plead Lord Thou hast anointed Christ to offer himself a Sacrifice for me As a King let us give up our selves to the Authority and Discipline of his Spirit God's anointing is the true Reason and Cause why we should come to Christ. Vse 2. Comfort We are anointed too Christ's Ointment is shared amongst his Fellows he was anointed more than we but we have our part Psal. 133.2 Like the precious Ointment upon the Head that ran down upon the Beard even Aaron 's Beard that went down to the Skirts of his Garment 1 John 2.27 The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you We are made Prophets Priests and Kings Prophets meet to declare his Praises Priests fit for holy ministring Kings to reign over our Corruptions here and with Christ for ever in glory as the Queen is crowned with the King SERMON V. JOHN XVII 4 I have glorified Thee on the Earth I have finished the Work which Thou gavest me to do IN this Verse there is another Argument to inforce the main Request of his being glorified it is taken from the faithful discharge of his Duty and his Integrity in it it was all finished and finished to God's Glory therefore it was not unjust that he should now desire to be glorified When our Work is ended then we look to receive our Wages Now saith Christ I have finished the Work and besides which giveth weight to the Argument I have glorified Thee The Reason of Christ's Request seems to be taken from the Eternal Covenant Do your Work and you shall see your Seed and from those Promises 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour Prov. 4.8 Exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her Well Christ sheweth that his Request is not unequal Though this be the general Relation of the Context yet it is good to note the particular dependance between this and the former Verse Christ said that it was Eternal Life to know him that was sent now he sheweth he had discharged that Work for which he was
though it be a right Hand and a right Eye Mat. 5.29 If we consent to take Christ and retain our old Loves still we shall be little the better for being Christians 2. You must give your selves up to him to live in his Love and Obedience There are two Grand Duties we must resolve upon if we enter into this Relation Conjugal Love and Conjugal Obedience 1. Conjugal Love There is no want of love on Christs part Isa. 62.5 As a Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Now this Love must be mutual as he in us so we in him Now Conjugal Love is such a Love as is greater to the Yoke-fellow than to any other So our Love to Christ is a Superlative Love We must not only love him not less than other things nor equal with other things but above them cleaving to him alone Some love Christ less than other things they love him a little but love the World better Honour and Greatness better Joh. 12.42 How can you believe that seek honour one of another Pleasure 2 Tim. 3.4 Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God Profit 2 Tim. 4.10 Demas hath forsaken us and embraced the present World Some love Christ but love other things equal with him They are divided 't is a nice case hard to say which hath the Mastery they make a pother with Religion but never feel the true force of it But the true Conjugal Affection is superlative Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee Phil. 3.8 9 10. I count all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. They preferre Jesus Christ before all things in the World Besides as an Husband he must have this Love 2. This is a Lord that must have Conjugal Obedience Eph. 3.23 24. The Husband is the head of the Wife as Christ is the Head of the Church and the Saviour of the Body Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ so let Wives be to their own Husbands in every thing I urge it as Wives are subject to their Husbands in every thing so let the Church and each believing Soul be to Christ. Surely if you consent to marry to Christ you must reckon upon it that you are no longer your own to dispose of and therefore henceforth you must no more live to your selves Christ is accepted and received for Lord Col. 2.6 and as such you must consent to serve and obey him Psal. 45.12 He is thy Lord worship thou him You must take him so as never to be ashamed to own him take him for better for worse take him and his Cross Mat. 16.24 take him and his yoke Mat. 11.29 take him and his Spiritual Laws Joh. 14.21 You are to be obedient to Christ in all things You are no more to do what you will but what will please the Lord 1 Cor. 7.30 In short you must obey him if you will have benefit by him Heb. 5.9 Thirdly 'T is spoken of with respect to its Present State in this World The Relation is begun but 't is not publickly Solemnized 2 Cor. 11.2 I have Espoused you to one Husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ The Church is Sponsa not Vxoâ— here by the offers of the Gospel we are Espoused and by Faith engaged to him 'T is called a betrothing to him Hosea 2.19 20. I will betroth thee to me for ever Yea I will betroth thee to me in Righteousness and in Judgment and in Loving-kindness and Mercy I will betroth thee to me in Faithfulness The word is not taken generally for Marriage but strictly and hath a special Emphasis in that place and so noteth either the goodness of God he would not receive Israel as an unchast Prostitute that had broken Covenant with him but as a Virgin as if never any breach of Contract before or rather noteth the present state of the Church she is betrothed to Christ but the Marriage is not consummate The day of Espousals and publick Solemnities are deferred till the Resurrection when Christ will come as a Bridegroom to conduct his Spouse into his Fathers House for ever to remain with him Fourthly With respect to its Consummation 't is perfected at his second coming and 't is properly called a Marriage 't was but a wooing or betrothing before then when the Queen is brought to the King and abides with him for ever Psal. 45.15 With Joy and Gladness shall she be brought they shall enter into the Kings Palace Now there are many Reasons why this second coming of Christ is called a Consummation of the Marriage and Christ may then be said to come as a Bridegroom 1. Because there is a Personal Meeting and interview between his Spouse and himself Now he employeth Spokes-men 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Now we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us We pray you in Christs stead to be reconciled to God As Eliezer Abraham's Servant went to get a match for his Masters Son so the Ministers of the Gospel 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you to one Husband that I may present you a chaste Virgin to Christ. He sends Tokens and Spiritual Refreshings John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and manifest my self to him Then he cometh himself we meet him in Person here we meet him in Ordinances Isa. 64.5 Present in Spirit 2 Cor. 5. At Death our Souls meet him Eccles. 12.7 But then our whole man shall meet him Job 14.26 with these Arms embrace him We are indeed brought near to him by Faith and have some fellowship and Communion with him but we do not see him as he is nor see him face to face as afterwards 2. For the Publick Solemnization of the Marriage the Bridegroom and the Bride do both deck and adorn themselves The Bridegroom cometh in the glory of his Father with great abundance of the Holy Angels Revel 19.7 Let us be glad and give Honour to him for the Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready Common Garments are not for that Wedding we must be active in the Purifying our selves but the Grace is given by God Verse 8. And to her was granted that she might be cloathed in white linnen the fine linnen is the Righteousness of the Saints As Esther was supplyed out of the Kings Wardrobe these Ornaments and Garments of Salvation are purchased and bestowed freely upon us by Jesus Christ all is given we are here but renewed in part and cleansed in part all our filthy Garments are not yet put off but then we shall not have the least Remainder of Sin and Misery if we should meet Christ with our Deformities we should meet him with shame and Discomfort it would be a Dishonour to
2. They that begin their Happiness here nâ—â—e it their study to know Christ. John 17.3 This is Life Eternal to know thee the only â—â—ue God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent there is the Foundation and the beginning of it Study Christ in his Natures Person Offices this is fit Work for Saints Saith Moses Exod. 33.18 Shew me thy Glory 1. It is an Increasing Light but to the Wicked it is a growing Darkness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 outer Darkness Mat. 25.30 there they are held in Chains of Darkness you love Darkness better than Light and you shall have Darkness enough one Day Now there is a thick Curtain and Vail drawn between you and Christ and hereafter there will be a deep Gulph but our work in Heaven is to behold Christ's Glory Can a Man look for it and not follow on to know the Lord None shall have a fight of Christ hereafter that do not know him now 2. It must be such a Light as carries proportion with the Light of Glory that is an Affective transforming Light 1. An Affective Light Many may study to warm the Brain but not the Heart Rom. 2.20 Which hast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Form of Knowledg and of the Truth in the Law They may discourse more exactly than a good Christian have a Map and Model of Truth in the Brain they dig in the Mines of Knowledg that Christians may have the Gold Do you see him with any Affection Do you strive above all things to see his Face Psal. 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple It is David's Vnicum Moses Ravishment when he saw God's back Parts Exod. 34.9 If now I have found Grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us That is one effect of the sight of God a Man would not be without his Company I pray thee go amongst us As Absolom said 2 Sam. 14.32 Come hither that I may send thee to the King to say Wherefore am I come from Geshur It had been good for me to have been there still now therefore let me see the King's Face and if there be any iniquity in me let him kill me as if he should say let him kill me rather than deny me the King's Face Prize this above all the World Psal. 4.6 7. Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us Thou hast put Gladness in my Heart more than in the time that their Corn and their Wine increased Psal. 80.3 Cause thy Face to shine and we shall be saved 2. It is Transforming 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 the Lord. Light and Grace do always go together It is such a looking upon Christ as Laban's Sheep looked upon the peeled Rods in the Gutter it maketh us more like Christ. Sight worketh upon the Imagination in Brute Beasts Shall not the Eye of Faith be more strong to change than Natural Imagination A bare empty Contemplation will do you no good those that find themselves to be the Old Man still let them have never so much Knowledg it is no sign of Grace nor of an Interest in Glory Vse 3. Let the foresight of this glorious Estate wean thee from all inordinate Affections to Humane and Earthly Glory There is the Lust of the Eyes 1 John 2.16 By the Eyes we fire our Hearts Doth a stately glorious House allure thee What is this to Heaven the Palace of God and the Mansion of Blessed Spirits Do glorious Garments and Apparel bewitch thee What is this to our Robes of Righteousness and those Garments of Salvation wherewith the Saints shall be cloathed in the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God Doth the Face of Earthly Majesty astonish thee What will it be to behold the Lord Jesus in all his Majesty and Glory As the Sun puts out the Candle so should the fore-thought of these Excellencies extinguish in us carnal Desire and dissolve the Inchantment that would otherwise bewitch our Souls and make us impatient under the Cross. Beware of the Vanity of the Eye if it be consecrated to behold Christ's Glory Fifthly The next thing is the Reason of all this the Father's Eternal Love to Christ and in Christ to us For thou hast loved me before the Foundation of the World that is from all Eternity as the Phrase is often used in this sense in Scripture But how was Christ loved from all Eternity I Answer Partly as 〈◊〉 Eternal Son of God Prov. 8. from 21 to verse 30. before the Mountains were setled before the Hills were brought forth Partly as Mediator designed from all Eternity and so loved before the Foundation of the World as he was slain before the Foundation of the World Rev. 13.8 Christ was our Mediator from all Eternâ—â—â—y not only before we were born but before ever he came in the Flesh. To the Eyâ— of God all things are present nothing is past nothing is to come But why is this made a Reason I Answer It is a Reason 1. Of the last Clause the Glory given to Christ is a Fruit and Evidence of God's Eternal Love to him as Mediator for so he is considered here for what-ever was given to Christ was given to him as Mediator for to the Divine Nature nothing can be given tho the Father be the Fountain of the Godhead yet he is not so properly said to give Glory to Christ as God because he loved him 2. Of the whole Verse and so you may conceive it either thus that he improved his whole Interest in the Father conjuring him by his Infinite and Eternal Love or rather from Love to himself inferreth Love to us thou hast loved me and them in me for we also are loved before the Foundation of the World Mat. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit a Kingdom prepared for you before the Foundation of the World The Point to be discussed is The Eternity of God's Love to Christ and in Christ to us 1. The Eternity of God's Love to Christ as God as his Son the Love of Parents to Children is but a shadow of it We are Finite so are our Affections As his Image Heb. 1.3 Who is the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person Likeness is the Ground of Love God loves Christ not only as like him but as being of the same Essence with himself 1 John 5.7 For there are Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One. There is no created Instance to answer it all that we love are without us but Christ is of the same Essence with God Then
before him Conscience is privy to their constant uniform self denying obedience and this Testimony is of greatest stead to them at the last Isa. 38.3 Remember Lord how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect Heart He dareth appeal in a dying hour for his sincerity and care to please him A good or a bad Conscience is the beginning of Heaven or Hell The checks of an accusing Conscience are the first bitings of the worm that never dyeth And the approbation of a sincere Conscience a preface of the Joy of the Blessed 3dly They know it shall go well with them in that day There are two causes of fear and shame knowing for certain that it shall go ill with us or not knowing it shall go well with us Now they that are under any of these Conditions cannot groan cannot desire a change of state Did you ever know a guilty malefactor long for the Judges appearance and send to him to hasten his coming Indeed those who are confident it shall go well with them they desire the Assizes and are weary of lying in prison and long to be delivered Now those that are absolved from guilt and have sin weakned in their Hearts they know it shall go well with them in the other world Partly by the promise of God who hath assured the Justified and the Sanctified of an Heavenly Inheritance That 's the drift of the whole Gospel For to this end Christ dyed that he might first reconcile them to God and then present them holy and unblameable and irreproveable in his sight Col. 1.21 First sanctifie and cleanse them from the stain and guilt of sin and then present them to himself Clothe them with the fine Linnen which is the Righteousness of the saints Eph. 5.26 27. The Justified and Sanctified may draw near to God in Heavenly Glory Partly by the earnest of the Spirit in their Hearts Eph. 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 1.21 22. Sealing up to them their own Interest to the promise or their right to the Heavenly Inheritance and that in due time they shall possess it Use Is to press us to get ready and to be Clothed that we may with comfort expect and long for the day of our translation The first motive is in the word found 'T is often used with respect to the day of Judgment Found naked And in 2 Pet. 3.14 Matth. 24 46. Blessed is that Servant whom when his Lord cometh he shall find so doing 't is a Blessed thing for a servant to be found at his work So Phil. 3.9 That I may be found in him not having my own Righteousness which alludeth to the day of our general or particular doom Now this word implieth three things 1. That there will be an exact search and scrutiny after every one of us Wrath maketh inquisition for sinners and every man will be found out naked or Clothed There is no hiding in the throng of mankind In a particular Judgement God said he would search Jerusalem with Candles Zeph. 1.12 Drag sinners out of their lurking holes Much more in the general Judgment we shall be found 2dly The word found intimateth a surprize God may break in upon us sooner than we are aware of as usually he cometh to the greatest part of mankind unthought of unexpected 2 Pet. 3.10 The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night They do not look for such a day or not prepare for it but are found by it 3dly We remain in the state wherein we are found They that are found naked at their Death shall remain naked to all Eternity There is no change of Condition in the other world as Death leaveth us Judgment findeth us Luke 2.14 On earth peace Now you may be reconciled to God you may agree with your Adversary quickly while you are yet in the way But in the other world Men are in Termino in their final Condition Well then gather up this first motive escape the knowledge of God you cannot You will be found to be what you are Naked or Clothed And you may be sought after and found sooner then you are aware And when Christ hath found you in an unprepared Condition what will you do How will your naked trembling Soul dread to depart out of the Body into an unknown world Secondly My next motive shall be from the words Naked and Clothed Other qualifications than Christs renewing and reconciling grace will not serve the turn 'T is sin which rendreth us odious to God 'T is sin that keepeth us out of Heaven 't is sin that makes us uncomfortable in our selves and hinders our own Joy and peace The Condition of one that is yet in his sins is represented by nakedness upon a Twofold Reason Because it rendreth us loathsome to God and ashamed of our selves Well then will you be naked remain in your natural deformity how then can you appear before the bar of your Judge or look God in the face with any confidence Joseph washed himself and changed his garments when he was to appear before Pharaoh And is there not a greater reverence due to God Oh! Therefore since you are blind and miserable and naked get Clothing That is get the spots of sin washed off by the frequent application of the Blood of Christ your polluted natures changed by the Spirit of Christ. This is the Clothing which must render you acceptable to God and will make you comfortable in your selves so that you will not shun his presence but desire it 'T is said of the Spouse Psal. 45.14 15. Her Clothing is of wrought Gold she shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle work and then with gladness and rejoicing shall she be brought into the Kings Palace The more we get rid of sin and are beautified with holiness the more amiable and lovely in his Eyes And because of likeness and suitableness the more we delight to come to him yea the more we shall long to be admitted not only to present Communion but to constant habitation with him and when we are brought into the presence of God 't will be a welcome day to us at the death of every particular Saint or at the day of our Lords second coming when we shall have no imperfection spot or wrinckle or want of any thing which may perfect our Glory Then we shall put on immortality and incorruption and this Body of flesh shall be like to Christs Glorious Body and then there will be great rejoicing Oh then see that you be Clothed What must we do That we may not be found naked but Clothed 1. We must humbly seek Reconciliation with God by Christ when the Prodigal came humbled himself to his Father presently Luke 15.22 Bring â—orth the best Robe put it on him Then his nakedness is covered with the Robe of Christs Righteousness and the poor penitent believer is received into Gods Family and injoys all the Priviledges thereof and