Glory upon our Bodies We shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels not for substance but quality our Bodies shall be agile and nimble now our Bodies are as a weight then they shall be as a wing moving swiftly from place to place our Bodies shall be full of clarity and brightness like Christs glorious Body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of the Saints shall be as Cloth dyed into a Scarlet colour made more illustrious they shall be so clear and transparent that the Soul shall sparkle through them as the Wine through the Glass 2. God will put Glory upon our Souls If the Cabinet of the Body shall be so illustrious of what orient brightness shall the Jewel be Then will be the great Coronation-day when the Saints shall wear the Robe of Immortality and the Crown of Righteousness which fades not away O how glorious will that Garland be which is made of the Flowers of Paradise Who then would not hallow and glorifie Gods Name and spread his renown in the World who will put such immortal Honour upon his People as eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 7. Vlt. Such as do not hallow Gods Name but profane and dishonour it God will pour contempt upon them though they be never so great and though cloathed in Purple and Scarlet yet they are abhorred of God and their name shall rot Though the name of Iudas be in the Bible and the name of Pontius Pilate be in the Creed yet their names stand there for Infamy as being Traytors to the Crown of Heaven Nahum 1.14 I will make thy grave for thou art vile It is spoken of Antiochus Epiphanes he was a King and his name signifie◠Illustrious yet God esteemed him a vile Person to show how base the wicked are in Gods esteem he compares them to things most vile to chaff Psal. 1.4 to dross Psal. 119.118 and the filth that fomes out of the Sea Isa. 57.20 and as God doth thus vilely esteem of such as do not hallow his Name so he sends them to a vile place at last Vagrants are sent to the House of Correction Hell is the House of Correction which the Wicked are sent to when they dye Let all this prevail with us to hallow and sanctifie Gods Name Quest. What may we do to honour and sanctifie Gods Name Answ. Let us get 1. A sound Knowledge of God 2. A sincere Love to God 1. A sound Knowledge of God Take a view of his superlative Excellencies his Holiness his incomprehensible Goodness The Angels know God better than we therefore they sanctifie his Name and sing Hallelujahs to him and let us labour to know him to be our God Psal. 48.14 This God is our God We may dread God as a Judge but we cannot honour him as a Father till we know he is our God 2. Get a sincere Love to God A Love of Appretiation and a Love of Complacency to delight in him Iohn 21.15 Lord thou knowest I love thee He can never honour his Master who doth not love him The reason Gods Name is no more hallowed is because his name is no more loved So much for the First Petition MATTH vi 10 Thy Kingdom come A Soul truly devoted to God joyns heartily in this Petition Adveniat Regnum tuum Thy Kingdom come In which words this great Truth is implyed that God is a King he who hath a Kingdom can be no less than a King Ps. 47.7 God is King of all the earth And he is a King upon his Throne Psal. 47.8 God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness 1. He hath a Regal Title High and Mighty Isa. 57.15 Thus saith the high and lofty one 2. He hath the Ensigns of Royalty his Sword Deut. 32.41 If I whet my glittering sword He hath his Scepter Heb. 1.8 A scepter of Righteousness is the scepter of thy Kingdom 3. He hath his Crown Royal Rev. 19.12 On his head were many crowns he hath his Iura Regalia his Kingly Prerogatives he hath power to make Lawes to seal Pardons which are the Flowers and Jewels belonging to his Crown Thus the Lord is King And 2. He is a great King Psal. 95.3 A great King above all Gods He is great in and of himself and not like other Kings who are made great by their Subjects That he is so great a King appears 1. By the immenseness of his Being Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord. His center is every where he is no where included yet no where excluded he is so immensly great That the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 1 Kings 8.27 2. His greatness appears by the effects of his Power He made heaven and earth Psal. 124.8 and can unmake it God can with a Breath crumble us to dust with a Word he can unpin the World and break the Axle-Tree of it in pieces He pours contempt upon the mighty Iob 12.21 He cuts off the spirit of Princes Psal. 76.12 He is Lord Paramount who doth whatever he will Psal. 115.2 He weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Isa. 40.12 3. God is a Glorious King Psal. 24.10 Who is this King of Glory the Lord of Hosts he is the King of Glory He hath internal Glory Psal. 93.1 The Lord reigneth he is cloathed with majesty Other Kings have Royal and Sumptuous Apparel to make them appear glorious to the beholders but all their Glory and Magnificence is borrowed but God is cloathed with Majesty his own Glorious Essence is instead of Royal Robes and he hath girded himself with strength Kings have their guard about them to defend their Persons because they are not able to defend themselves but God needs no guard or assistance from others He hath girded himself with strength His own Power is his Life-guard Psal. 89.6 Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord God hath a prehiminence above all other Kings for Majesty Rev. 19.16 He hath on his vesture a name written Rex Regum King of Kings He hath the highest Throne the richest Crown the largest Dominions and the longest Possession Psal. 29.10 The Lord sitteth King for ever Though God hath many Heirs yet no Successors He sets up his Throne where no other King doth he rules the Will and Affections his Power binds the Conscience Angels serve him all the Kings of the Earth hold their Crowns and Diadems by immediate tenure from this great King Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and to this Lord Iehovah all Kings must give account and from Gods Tribunal there is no appeal VSE I. Br. 1. If God be so great a King and sits King for ever then it is no disparagement for us to serve him Deo servire est regnare It is an Honour to serve a King If the Angels fly swiftly upon the King of Heavens message Dan.
Influence as the Body of the Sun is in Heaven it only sends forth its Beams and Influences to the Earth or as a King who is in all places of his Kingdom Authoritative by his Power and Authority but he is personally in his Throne Resp. But to answer God who is Infinite is in all places at once not only by his Influence but his Essence for if his Essence fills all places then he must needs be there in Person But Ergo Minor in Ier. 23.24 Do not I fill heaven and earth Object But doth not God say Heaven is his Throne Isa. 66.1 Resp. It is also said that an humble Heart is his Throne Isa. 57.15 The humble Heart is his Throne in regard of his gracious Presence and Heaven is his Throne in regard of his glorious Presence and yet neither of these Thrones will hold him for the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him Object But if God be Infinite in all places then he is in places impure and he mingles with that Impurity Resp. Though God be in all places in the Heart of a Sinner by his Inspection and in Hell by his Justice yet he doth not mingle with that Impurity or receive the least tincture of Evil Divina natura non est immista rebus aut sordibus inquinata Aug. No more then the Sun shining on a Dunghil is defiled or its Beauty spotted or then Christ going among Sinners was defiled his Godhead was a sufficient Antidote against Infection Reason why God must needs be Infinite in all places at once not only in regard of the Simplicity and Purity of his Nature but in regard of his Power which being so glorious who can set him Bounds or prescribe him a Circuit to walk in 'T is as if the Drop should go to limit the Ocean or the Star to set the Sun its Bounds Use 1. It condemns the Papists who would make more things Infinite then the Godhead they hold that Christ's Body is in many places at once that it is in Heaven and in the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament Though Christ as he is God is Infinite and in all places at once yet as Man he is not Christ when he was on Earth his Manhood was not in Heaven though his Godhead was and now he is in Heaven his Manhood is not on Earth though his Godhead be Heb. 10.5 't is spoken of Christ A body hast thou prepared me This Body cannot be in all places at once for then it is no more a Body but a Spirit Christ's Body in Heaven though it be Glorified it is not Deified it is not Infinite for so it must be if it be both in Heaven and in the Bread and Wine by Transubstantiation If God be Infinite present in all places at once then it is certain he governs all things in his own Person he needs no Proxies or Deputies to help him carry on his Government He is in all places at an instant and manageth all Affairs both in the World and Heaven A King cannot be in all places of his Kingdom in his own Person therefore he is fain to govern by Deputies and Vicegerents and they often pervert Justice but God being Infinite needs no Deputies he is present in all places he sees all with his own Eyes and hears all with his own Ears he is every-where in his own Person therefore is fit to be the Judge of the World he will do every one Right If God be Infinite by his Omnipresency then see the Greatness and Immensness of the Divine Majesty What a Great God do we serve 1 Chr. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the glory and the majesty and thou art exalted as head above all Well may the Scripture display the Greatness of his Glory who is Infinite in all places He transcends our weak Conceptions how can our finite Understanding comprehend him who is Infinite He is infinitely above all our Praises Neh. 9.5 Blessed be thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise O what a poor Nothing is Man when we think of God's Infiniteness as the Stars disappear at the rising of the Sun O how doth Man shrink into nothing when Infinite Majesty shines forth in his Glory Isa. 40.15 The nations are as a drop of the bucket or the small dust of the ballance O what a little of that Drop are we The Heathens thought they had sufficiently praised Iupiter when they called him Great Iupiter Of what Immense Majesty is God who fills all places at once his is excellent Greatness Psal. 150.2 If God be Infinite filling Heaven and Earth see what a full Portion the Saints have they have him for their Portion who is Infinite His Fulness is an Infinite Fulness and he is infinitely sweet as well as infinitely full If a Conduit be fill'd with Wine here is a sweet Fulness but still it is Finite but God's is a sweet Fulness and it is an Infinite He is infinitely full of Beauty of Love his Riches are call'd unsearchable Eph. 3.8 because they are Infinite Stretch your Thoughts as much as you can there 's that in God exceeds it is an Infinite Fulness He is said to do abundantly for us above all that we can ask Ephes. 3.20 What cannot an ambitious Spirit ask he can ask Crowns and Kingdoms Millions of Worlds but God can give more then we can ask because he is Infinite nay or think We can think what if all the Dust were turn'd to Silver if every Flower were a Ruby every Sand in the Sea a Diamond yet God can give more then we can think because he is Infinite O how rich are they who have the Infinite God for their Portion Well might David say The Lord is the portion of my inheritance the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places and I have a goodly heritage Ps. 16.5 We may go with the Bee from Flower to Flower but we shall never have full Satisfaction till we come to the Infinite God Iacob said I have enough in Hebrew Li col I have all Gen. 33.11 because he had the Infinite God for his Portion God being an Infinite Fulness there is no fear of Want for any of the Heirs of Heaven though there be Millions of Saints and Angels which have a share in God's Riches yet he hath enough for them all because he is Infinite Though a thousand Men behold the Sun there is Light enough in the Sun for them all Put never so many Buckets into the Sea there 's Water enough in the Sea to fill them Though an innumerable Company of Saints and Angels are to be filled out of God's Fulness yet God being Infinite he hath abundantly enough to satisfie them God hath Land enough to give to all his Heirs there can be no want in that which is Infinite If God be Infinite he fills all places is every-where present this is sad to the Wicked God is their Enemy and they cannot escape him
they cast their Crowns before the Throne they lay all their Honour at his Feet Thus they shew humble Adoration to the Eteral Essence Study God's Eternity it will make us adore where we cannot Fathom 2. Think of the Soul's Eternity As God is Eternal so he hath made us Eternal We are never-dying Creatures we are shortly entring upon an Eternal State either of Happiness or Misery Have serious thoughts of this Say O my Soul which of these two Eternities is like to be thy Portion I must shortly depart hence and whither then shall I go to which of these Eternities either of Glory or Misery The serious Meditation of the Eternal State we are to pass into would work strongly with us 1. Thoughts of Eternal Torment a good Antidote against Sin Sin tempts with its Pleasure but when we think of Eternity it may cool the intemperate Heat of Lust Shall I for the Pleasure of Sin for a Season endure eternal Pain Sin like those Locusts Rev. 9.7 seems to have on its Head a Crown like Gold but it hath in it a Tail like a Scorpion Verse 10. And a Sting in its Tail and this Sting can never be plucked out Shall I venture eternal Wrath is Sin committed so sweet as lying in Hell for ever is bitter This would make us flye from Sin as Moses from the Serpent 2. The serious Thoughts of Eternal Happiness would very much take us off from these Worldly Things we should not esteem much of them What are these Sublunary Things to Eternity they are quickly gone they salute us and take their Farewel But I am to enter upon an Everlasting Estate I hope to live with Him who is Eternal what is the World to me They who stand upon the top of the Alps the great Cities of Campania seem as small things in their eyes so he who hath his Thoughts fixed on his Eternal Estate after this Life all these things seem as nothing in his eye What is the Glory of this World how poor and contemptible compar'd with an Eternal Weight of Glory Aeternis inhianti in fastidio suns transito Bern. 3. To conclude The serious Thoughts of an Eternal Estate either of Happiness or Misery would have a powerful Influence upon whatsoever we take in hand Every Work we do promotes either a blessed or cursed Eternity every good Action sets us a step nearer to an Eternity of Happiness every bad Action sets us a step nearer to an Eternity of Misery O what Influence would the Thoughts of Eternity have upon our Religious Duties it would make us do them with all our Might A Duty well performed lifts a Christian higher towards Heaven and sets a Christian a step nearer to a blessed Eternity GOD's Vnchangeableness THE next Attribute is God's Unchangeableness Mal. 3.6 I am Iehovah I change not 1. God is unchangeable in his Nature 2. In his Decree 1st Unchangeable in his Nature 1. There is no Eclipse of his Brightness 2. No Period put to his Being 1. No Eclipse of his Brightness His Essence shines with a fixed Lustre Iam. 1.17 With whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Psal. 102.27 Thou art the same All created Things are full of Vicissitude 1. Princes and Emperours are subject to Mutation Sehostris an Aegyptian Prince having subdued divers Kings in War made them draw like Horses in his Chariot as if he intended to turn them to Grass as God did King Nebuchadnezzar The Crown hath many Successors 2. Kingdoms have their Ecclipses and Convulsions What is become of the Glory of Athens the Pomp of Troy Iam seges est ubi Troja fuit Kingdoms tho' they have a Head of Gold yet Feet of Clay 3. The Heavens change Psal. 102.25 26. As a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed The Matter of the Elements as it is more pure so more firm and sollid the Heavens are the most ancient Records where God hath written his Glory with a Sun-beam yet these shall change though I do not think they shall be destroyed as to their substance yet they shall be changed as to their qualities They shall meâ—t with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3.12 and so be more refin'd and purifi'd Thus the Heavens shall be changed but not He who dwells in Heaven With him is no Variableness or Shadow of Turning 4. The best Saints have their Eclipses and Changes look upon a Christian in his Spiritual Estate and he is full of Variation though the Seed of Grace doth not dye yet the Beauty and Activity of it doth often wither A Christian hath his Aguish Fits in Religion sometimes his Faith is at an high Tide sometimeâ— low Ebâ— somtimes his Love flames and at another time like Fire hid in the Embers and he hath lost his first Love How strong was David's Grace at one time 2 Sam. 22.3 The God of my rock in him will I trust At another time I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul What Christian can say he doth not find a Change in his Graces that the Bow of his Faith doth never unbend the Strings of his Viol do never slacken Sure we shall never meet with such Christians till we meet them in Heaven But God is without any Shadow of Turning 5. The Angels were subject to Change they were created Holy but Mutable Jud. 6. The angels which kept not their first estate Those Morning-stars of Heaven were falling Stars But God's Glory shines with a fixed Brightness In God there is nothing looks like a Change no better or worse no better in him because then he were not perfect nor worse in him for then he should cease to be perfect He is immutably Holy immutably Good There is no Shadow of Change in him Object Christ who is God assumed the Humane Nature here was a Change Resp. If indeed the Divine Nature had been converted into the Humane or the Humane into the Divine here had been a Change but not so The Humane Nature was distinct from the Divine therefore there was no Change As suppose a Cloud cover the Sun this makes no Change in the Body of the Sun so though the Divine Nature be covered with the Humane this makes no Change in the Divine Nature 2d There is no Period put to his Being 1 Tim. 1.16 Who only hath immortality The Godhead cannot die 1. An Infinite Essence cannot be changed into a Finite but God is Infinite 2. He is Eternal Ergo he is not Mortal to be Eternal and Mortal is a Contradiction Use 1. See here the Excellency of the Divine Nature in its Immutability this is the Glory of Godhead Mutableness denotes Weakness it is not so in God he is the same Yesterday and to Day and for ever Heb. 13.8 Men are fickle and mutable like Ruében Unstable as water Gen. 49.4 They go in changeable Colours 1. They are changeable in their Principles sometimes Protestant sometimes Papist if their Faces altered as fast as their Opinions
eatest of it thou shalt surely die The Subject then of our next Discourse is the Covenant of Works This Covenant was made with Adam and all Mankind for Adam was a publick Person and the Representative of the World Quest. For what Reason did God make a Covenant with Adam and his Posterity in Innocency Resp. 1. To shew his Soveraignty over us we were his Creatures and as God was the great Monarch of Heaven and Earth God might impose upon us terms of a Covenant 2. God made a Covenant with Adam to bind him fast to God as God bound himself to Adam so Adam was bound to God by the Covenant Quest. What was the Covenant Resp. God commanded Adam not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge God gave Adam leave to eat of all the other Trees of the Garden God did not envy him any Happiness only meddle not with this Tree of Knowledge because God would try Adam's Obedience As King Pharaoh made Ioseph chief Ruler in his Kingdom and gave him a Ring off his Finger and a Chain of Gold only he must not touch his Throne Gen. 41.40 in like manner God dealt with Adam he gave him a sparkling Jewel Knowledge and araid him with a fine Vesture put upon him the Garment of Original Righteousness only saith God Touch not the Tree of Knowledge for that is aspiring after Omnisciency Adam had power to have kept this Law Adam had the Copy of God's Law written in his heart This Covenant of Works had a Promise annexed to it and a Threatning 1. The Promise Do this and live In case Man had stood it is probable he had not died but had been translated to a better Paradise 2. The Threatning Thou shalt die the death Hebr. in dying thou shalt die that is thou shalt die both a natural Death and an Eternal unless some other Expedient be found out for thy Restoration Quest. But why did God give Adam this Law seeing God did foresee that Adam would transgress Resp. 1. It was Adam's fault he did not keep the Law God gave him a stock of Grace to trade with but he of himself broke 2. Though God foresaw Adam would transgress yet that was not a sufficient reason that Adam should have no Law given him for by the same reason God should not have given his written Word to Men to be a Rule of Faith and Manners because he foresaw that some would not believe and others would be prophane Shall not Laws be made in the Land because some break them 3. God though he foresaw Adam would break the Law he knew how to turn it to a greater good in sending Christ. The first Covenant being broken he knew how to establish a second and a better Well concerning the First Covenant consider these four Things 1. The Form of the first Covenant in Innocency was working Do this and live Working was the Ground and Condition of our Justification Gal. 3.12 Not but that working is required in the Covenant of Grace we are bid to work out salvation and be rich in good works But works in the Covenant of Grace are not required under the same Notion as in the first Covenant with Adam Works are not required to the Iustification of our Persons but as a Testification of our Love to God not as a Cause of our Salvation but as an Evidence of our Adoption Works are required in the Covenant of Grace not so much in our own strength as in the strength of another It is God which worketh in you Phil. 2.13 As the Scrivener guides the Child's hand and helps him to form his Letters so that it is not so much the Child's writing as the Scriveners that guides his hand so not our working as the Spirit 's co-working 2. The Covenant of Works was very strict God required of Adam and all Mankind 1. Perfect Obedience Adam must do all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 and not fail either in the matter or manner Adam was to live up to the whole breadth of the Moral Law and go exactly according to it as a well made Dial goes with the Sun a sinful thought had forfeited the Covenant 2. Personal Obedience Adam must not do his work by a Proxy or have any Surety bound for him no it must be done in his own Person 3. Perpetual Obedience He must continue in all things written in the Book of the Law Gal. 3.10 Thus it was very strict There was no Mercy in case of failure 3. The Covenant of Works was not built upon a very firm Basis therefore it must needs leave Men full of Fears and Doubts The Covenant of Works rested upon the strength of Man's inherent Righteousness which though in Innocency was perfect yet was subject to a change Adam was created holy but mutable He had a power to stand but not a power not to fall Adam had a stock of Original Righteousness to begin the World with but he was not sure he should not break Adam was his own Pilot and could steer right in the time of Innocency but he was not so secured but that he might dash against the Rock of a Temptation and he and his Posterity suffer Shipwrack So that the Covenant of Works must needs leave Jealousies and Doubtings in Adam's heart he having no Security given him that he should not fall from that glorious state 4. The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin Man's Condition was very deplorable and desperate He was left in himself helpless there was no place for Repentance the Justice of God being offended sets all the other Attributes against Mandkind When Adam lost his Righteousness he lost his Anchor of Hope and his Crown there was no way for Man's relief unless God would find out such a way that neither Man nor Angels could devise Use 1. See the Condescension of God who was pleased to stoop so low as to make a Covenant with us For the God of Glory to make a Covenant with Dust and Ashes for God to bind himself to us to give us Life in case of Obedience Entring into Covenant was a sign of God's Friendship with us and a Royal Act of his Favour 2. See what a glorious Condition Man was in when God entred into Covenant with him 1. He was placed in the Garden of God which for the pleasure of it was called Paradise Gen. 2.8 he had his choice of all the Trees one only excepted he had all kind of precious Stones pure Mettals rich Cedars he was a King upon the Throne and all the Creation did obeysance to him as in Ioseph's Dream all his Brethrens sheaves did bow to his sheaf Man in Innocency had all kind of Pleasure that might ravish his Sences with delight and be as Baits to allure him to serve and worship his Maker 2. Besides he was full of Holiness Paradise was not more adorned with Fruit then Adam's Soul was with Grace He was the Coin on which God had
his Bloud abusing his Love grieving his Spirit and will he ever pray for me Resp. Which of us may not say so But Christian dost thou mourn for Unbelief be not discouraged thou maist have a part in Christ's Prayer Numb 16. The congregation murmured against Aaron yet though they had sinn'd against their High-Priest Verse 46. Aaron run in with his censer and stood between the dead and the living If so much Bowels in Aaron who was but a Type of Christ how much more Bowels is in Christ who will pray for them who have sinn'd against their High-Priest Did not he pray for them that crucified him Father forgive them Quest. But I am unworthy what am I that Christ should intercede for me Resp. The Work of Christ's Intercession is a Work of Free-grace Christ's praying for us is from his pitying of us Christ looks not at our Worthiness but our Wants Quest. But I am followed with sad Temptations Resp. But though Satan tempts Christ prays and Satan shall be vanquished tho' thou maist loose a single Battel yet not the Victory Christ prays that thy Faith fail not therefore Christian say Why art thou cast down O my Soul Christ intercedes 't is Man that sins 't is God that prays The Greek word for Advocate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Comforter This is a Soveraign Comfort Christ makes Intercession CHRIST's Kingly Office Quest. XVI HOw doth Christ execute the Office of a King Resp. In subduing us to himself and in restraining and conquering his and our Enemies Now of CHRIST's Regal Office Revel 19.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ is of mighty Renown he is a King he hath a Kingly Title High and mighty Isa. 57.15 2. He hath his Insignia Regalia his Ensigns of Royalty Corona est insigne Regiae potestatis His Crown Rev. 6.2 His Sword Psal. 45.3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh His Scepter Heb. 1.8 A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom 3. His Escotcheon or Coat-Armour he gives the Lyon in his Arms Rev. 5.5 The lion of the tribe of Iudah And he is the Text saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King of Kings He hath a Preheminence of all other Kings he is call'd the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He must needs be so for by him Kings reign Prov. 8.15 They hold their Crowns by immediate Tenure from this Great King Christ infinitely out-vyes all others Princes he hath the highest Throne the largest Dominions and the longest Possession Heb. 1.8 Thy throne O God is for ever and ever Christ hath many Heirs but no Successors Well may he be called King of Kings for he hath an Unlimited Power other Kings their Power is limited but Christ's Power is unlimited Psal. 135.6 Whatsoever he pleased that did he in heaven and earth and in the seas Christ's Power is as large as his Will The Angels take the Oath of Allegiance to him Heb. 1.6 Let all the angels of God worship him Quest. How Christ comes to be King Resp. Not by Usurpation but Legally Christ holds his Crown by immediate Tenure from Heaven God the Father hath decreed him to be King Psal. 2.5 6. I have set my king upon my holy hill I will declare the decree God hath anointed and sealed him to his Regal Office Joh. 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed God hath set the Crown upon his Head Quest. In what sence is Christ King Resp. Two ways 1. In reference to his People And 2. In reference to his Enemies 1. In reference to his People 1. To govern them it was prophesied of Christ before he was born Matth. 2.6 And thou Bethlehem art not the least among the princes of Iudah for out of thee shall come a governour that shall rule my people Israel 'T is a vain thing for a King to have a Crown on his Head unless he have a Scepter in his Hand to rule Quest. Where doth Christ Rule Resp. His Kingdom is Spiritual he rules in the Hearts of Men. He sets up his Throne where no other King doth he rules the Will and Affections His Power binds the Conscience he subdues Mens Lusts Mic. 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities Quest. What doth Christ rule by Resp. By Law and by Love 1. He rules by Law 'T is one of the Iura Regalia the Flowers of the Crown to Enact Laws Christ as King makes Laws and by his Laws he Rules The Law of Faith Believe in the Lord Iesus the Law of Sanctity 1 Pet. 1.15 Be ye holy in all manner of conversation Many would admit Christ to be their Advocate to plead for them but not their King to rule them 2. He rules by Love He is a King full of Mercy and Clemency as he hath a Scepter in his Hand so an Olive-branch of Peace in his Mouth Though he be the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah for Majesty yet the Lamb of God for Meekness His Regal Rod hath Honey at the end of it He sheds abroad his Love into the Hearts of his Subjects he rules them with Promises as well as Precepts This makes all his Subjects become Volunteers they are willing to pay their Allegiance to him Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be a willing people Plur. Gnam nedabot 2. Christ is a King to defend his People as Christ hath a Scepter to rule them so a Shield to defend them Psal. 3.3 Thou O Lord art a shield for me When Antiochus did rage furiously against the Iews he took away the Vessels of the Lord's House set up an Idol in the Temple then this Great King call'd Michael did stand up for them to defend them Dan. 12.1 Christ preserves his Church as a Spark in the Ocean as a Flock of Sheep among Wolves That the Sea should be higher then the Earth and yet not drown it is a Wonder so that the Wicked should be so much higher than the Church in Power and not devour it is because Christ hath this Inscription on his Vesture and his Thigh King of Kings Ps. 124.2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side they had swallowed us up They say Lions are Insomnes they have little or no sleep 't is true of the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah he never slumbers nor sleeps but watcheth over his Church to defend it Isa. 27.2 3. Sing ye unto her a vineyard of red wine I the Lord do keep it least any hurt it I will keep it night and day If the Enemies destroy the Church it must be at a time when it is neither Night nor Day for Christ keeps it Day and Night Christ is said to carry his Church as the Eagle her young Ones upon her Wings Exod. 19.4 The Arrow must first hit the Eagle before it can hurt the young Ones and shoot through her Wings the Enemies must first strike through Christ before they
can destroy his Church Let the Wind and Storms be up and the Church almost covered with Waves yet Christ is in the Ship of the Church and so long there 's no danger of Shipwrack Nor will Christ only defend his Church as he is King but deliver it 2 Tim. 4.17 He delivered me out of the mouth of the lion viz. Nero. 2. Chr. 11.14 The Lord saved them by a great deliverance Sometimes Christ is said to command Deliverance Psal. 44.4 Sometimes to create Deliverance Isa. 65.18 Christ as a King commands Deliverance and as a God creates it And deliverance shall come in his time Isa. 60.22 I the LORD will hasten it in his time Quest. When is the time that this King will deliver his People Resp. When the Hearts of his People are humblest when their Prayers are ferventest when their Faith is strongest when their Forces are weakest when their Enemies are highest now is the usual time that Christ puts forth his Kingly Power in their Deliverance Isa. 33.2 8 9. 3. Christ is a King to Reward his People there 's nothing lost by serving this King 1. He Rewards his Subjects in this Life 1. He gives them Inward Peace and Joy a Bunch of Grapes by the way and oftentimes Riches and Honour Godliness hath the promise of this life 1 Tim. 4.8 These are as it were the Saints Vails but besides the great Reward is to come An eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Christ makes all his Subjects Kings Rev. 2.10 I 'll give thee a crown of life This Crown will be full of Jewels and it will never fade 1 Pet. 5.5 2. Christ is a King in reference to his Enemies in subduing and conquering them He pulls down their Pride befools their Policy restrains their Malice That Stone cut out of the Mountains without Hands which smote the Image Dan. 2.34 was was an Emblem saith Austin of Christ's Monarchical Power conquering and triumphing over his Enemies Christ will make his Enemies his Footstool Psal. 110.1 He can destroy them with ease 2 Chron. 14.11 It is nothing for thee Lord to help He can do it with weak means without means He can make the Enemies destroy themselves he set the Persians against the Grecians and 2 Chron. 20.23 the Children of Ammon helped to destroy one another Thus Christ is King in vanquishing the Enemies of his Church This is a great ground of Comfort to the Church of God in the midst of all the Combinations of the Enemy Christ is King and he can not only bound the Enemies power but break it The Church hath more with her then against her she hath Emanuel on her side even that Great King to whom all Knees must bend Christ is called a Man of War Exod. 15.3 he understands all the Policies of Chivalry he is described with seven Eyes and seven Horns Rev. 5.6 The seven Eyes are to discern the Conspiracies of his Enemies and the seven Horns are to push and vex his Enemies Christ is described with a Crown and a Bow Rev. 6.2 He that sat on the white Horse had a Bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer A Crown is an Ensign of his Kingly Office and the Bow is to shoot his Enemies to Death Christ is describ'd with a Vesture dip'd in Blood Rev. 19.13 He hath a golden Scepter to Rule his People but an Iron Rod to break his Enemies Rev. 17.12 14. The ten Horns thou sawest are ten Kings these shall make War with the Lamb but the Lamb shall overcome them for he is King of Kings The Enemies may set up their Standard but Christ will set up his Trophies at last Rev. 14.18 19. And the Angel gathered the Vine of the Earth and cast it into the great Wine-press of the Wrath of God and the Wine-press was trodden and blood came out of the Wine-press The Enemies of Christ shall be but as so many Clusters of ripe Grapes to be cast into the great Wine-Press of the Wrath of God and to be trodden by Christ till their Bloud comes out Christ will at last come off Victor and all his Enemies shall be put under his Feet Gaudeo quod Christus dominus est alioqui desperassem said Miconius in an Epistle to Calvin I am glad Christ Reigns else I should have despaired Use 1. Branch 1. See hence it is no Disparagement to serve Christ he is a King and it s no Dishonour to be employed in a King's Service Some are apt to reproach the Saints for their Piety they serve the Lord Christ he who hath this Inscription upon his Vesture KING of KINGS Theodosius thought it a greater Honour to be a Servant of CHRIST then the Head of an Empire Servire est Regnare Christ's Servants are call'd Vessels of Honour 2 Tim. 2.21 And a Royal Nation 1 Pet. 2.9 Serving of Christ Ennobles us with Dignity 'T is a greater Honour to serve Christ then to have Kings serve us Branch 2. If Christ be King it informs us that all Matters of Fact must one day be brought before him Christ hath Ius vitae necis the Power of Life and Death in his hand Joh. 5.22 The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son He who once hung upon the Cross shall sit upon the Bench of Judicature Kings must come before him to be judged they who once sat upon the Throne must appear at the Bar. God hath committed all Judgment to the Son and Christ's is the highest Court of Judicature if this King once condemns Men there is no Appeal to any other Court Branch 3. See whither we are to go when we are foiled by Corruption go to Christ he is King desire him by his Kingly Power to subdue thy Corruptions to bind these Kings with Chains Psal. 149.8 We are apt to say of our Sins These sons of Zerviah will be too strong for us we shall never overcome this Pride and Infidelity Aye but go to Christ he is King though our Lusts are too strong for us yet not for Christ to conquer he can by his Spirit break the Power of Sin Ioshua when he had conquered five Kings caus'd his Servants to set their Feet on the Necks of those Kings so Christ can and will set his Feet on the Necks of our Lusts. 2. Use of Caution Is Christ King of Kings Let all Great Ones take heed how they imploy their Power against Christ Christ gives them their Power and if this Power shall be made use of for the suppressing of his Kingdom and Ordinances their account will be heavy God hath laid the Key of Government upon Christ's shoulders Isa. 9.7 and to go to oppose Christ in his Kingly Office it is as if the Thorns should set themselves in Battalia against the Fire or a Child fight with an Archangel Christ's Sword on his Thigh is able to avenge all his Quarrels It is not good to stir a Lion Let not Men provoke the
the adoption and the glory But now in the time of Gospel the Chartar is enlarged and the believing Gentiles are within the Line of Communication and have a Right to the Priviledge of Adoption as well as the Iews Acts 10.35 In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Position 2. Adoption takes in both Sexes Females as well as Males 2 Cor. 6.18 I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters I have read in some Countries Females are excluded from the Supream Dignity as by the Salique Law in France no Woman can inherit a Crown But if we speak of Spiritual Priviledges Females are as capable as Males Every gracious Soul of whatever Sex lays claim to Adoption and hath an Interest in God as a Father Ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Position 3. Adoption is an Act of pure Grace Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will Adoption is a Mercy spun out of the Bowels of Free-grace all by Nature are Strangers therefore have no Right to Sonship only God is pleased to adopt one and not another to make one a Vessel of Glory another a Vessel of Wrath. The adopted Heir may cry out Lord how is it thou wilt show thyself to me and not unto the World Quest. What this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this Filiation or Adoption is Resp. Adoption is the taking a Stranger into the Relation of a Son and Heir So Moses was the adopted Son of King Pharoah's Daughter Exod. 2.10 And Esther was the adopted Child of her Cousin Mordecai Esth. 2.7 Thus God adopts us into the Family of Heaven and God in adopting us doth two things 1. He Ennobles us with his Name he who is adopted bears his Name who adopts him Rev. 3.12 I will write on him the name of my God 2. God consecrates us with his Spirit Whom he Adopts he Anoints whom he makes Sons he makes Saints When a Man adopts another for his Son and Heir he may put his Name upon him but he cannot put his Disposition into him if he be of a morose rugged Nature he cannot alter it But whom God adopts he sanctifies He doth not only give them a new Name but a new Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 God turns the Wolf into a Lamb he makes the Heart humble and gracious he works such a Change as if another Soul did dwell in the same Body Quest. From what State doth God take us when he adopts us Resp. From a State of Sin and Misery King Pharoah's Daughter took Moses out of the Ark of Bulrushes in the Water and adopted him for her Son God did not take us out of the Water but out of our Bloud and adopted us Ezek. 16. God adopted us from Slavery It is a Mercy to redeem a Slave but it is more to adopt him Quest. To what God adopts us Resp. He adopts us to a State of Excellency it were much for God to take a Clod of Dust and make it a Star it is more for God to take a Piece of Clay and Sin and adopt it for his Heir 1. God adopts us to a State of Liberty Adoption is a State of Freedom A Slave being adopted is made a free Man Gal. 4.7 Thou art no more a servant but a son Quest. How is an adopted Son free Resp. 1. Not to do what he list he is freed from the Dominion of Sin the Tyranny of Satan the Curse of the Law 2. He is free in the manner of Worship he hath God's free Spirit which makes him free and chearful in his Service of God he is joyful in the house of prayer Isa. 56.7 2. God adopts us to a State of Dignity God makes us Heirs of Promise God Instals us into Honour Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable The Adopted are God's Treasure Exod. 19.5 His Jewels Mal. 3.17 His first Born Heb. 12.23 They have Angels for their Life-guard Heb. 1.14 They are of the Bloud-Royal of Heaven 1 Iob. 3.9 The Scripture hath set forth their Spiritual Heraldry they have their Escutcheon or Coat-armour Sometimes they give the Lyon for their Courage Prov. 28.1 Sometimes the Dove for their Meekness Cant. 2.14 Sometimes the Eagle for their Sublimeness Isa. 40.31 Thus you see their Coat of Arms display'd but what is Honour without Inheritance God adopts all his Sons to an Inheritance Luke 12.32 It is your Father's good pleasure to give you a kingdom 'T is no Disparagment to be the Sons of God To reproach the Saints is as if Shimei had reproached David when he was going to be made King Adoption ends in Coronation The Kingdom God gives his adopted Sons and Heirs excels all Earthly Monarchies 1. In Riches Rev. 21.21 the Gates of Pearl and the Streets of pure Gold and as it were transparent Glass 2. In Tranquility it is peaceable the white Lily of Peace is the best Flower of a Prince's Crown Pax una triumphis innumeris melior No Divisions at Home or Invasions Abroad no more the Noise of the Drum or Canon but the Voice of Harpers harping the Hieroglyphick of Peace Rev. 14.2 3. In Stability other Kingdoms are corruptible though they have Heads of Gold yet Feet of Clay but this Kingdom into which the Saints are adopted runs parallel with Eternity 't is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 The Heirs of Heaven reign for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 Quest. What is the Organical or Instrumental Cause of Adoption Resp. Faith interests us in the Priviledge of Adoption Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Before Faith be wrought we are Spiritually Illegitimate we have no relation to God as a Father an Unbeliever may call God Iudge but not Father Faith is the filiating Grace it confers upon us the Title of Sonship and gives us right to inherit Quest. Why Faith is the Instrument of Adoption more then any other Grace Resp. 1. Faith is a quickning Grace it is the Vital Artery of the Soul Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by faith Life makes us capable of Adoption dead Children are never adopted 2. Faith makes us CHRIST's Brethren and so GOD comes to be our Father Use 1. Branch 1. See the amazing Love of God in making us his Sons Plato gave God Thanks that he had made him a Man and not only a Man but a Philosopher but it is infinitely more that he should invest us with the Prerogative of Sons It is Love in God to feed us but more to adopt us 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! It is an Ecce Admirantis a Behold of Wonder The Wonder of God's Love in adopting us will appear the more if we consider these six things 1. That God should adopt us when he
and Worship must be given only to God Use 1. Let us give God no just cause to be jealous A good Wife will be so Discreet and Chast as to give her Husband no just occasion of Jealousie Let us avoid all Sin especially this Sin of Idolatry or Image-worship It is heinous after we have entred into a Marriage-Covenant with God now to prostitute our selves to an Image Idolatry is Spiritual Adultery and God is a jealous God he will avenge it Image-worship makes God abhor a People Psal. 78.58 They moved him to jealousie with their graven Images When God heard this he was Wroth and greatly abhorred Israel Image-worship enrageth God Prov. 6.34 Iealousie is the Rage of a man It makes God divorce a People Exod. 32.7 Thy People lo-ammi Hos. 2.2 Plead with your Mother plead for she is not my Wife Cant. 8.6 Iealousie is cruel as the grave As the Grave devours Mens Bodies so God will devour Image-worshippers Use 2. If God be a jealous God let it be a word to such whose Friends are Popish Idolaters and they are hated by their Friends because they are of a different Religion and perhaps they cut off their Maintenance from them O remember God is a jealous God better move your Parents to hatred than move God to jealousie Their Anger cannot do you so much hurt as Gods If they will not provide for you God will Psal. 27.10 When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up 2. The second Reason against Image-worship Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation There is a Two-fold Visiting 1. There is Gods visiting in Mercy Gen. 50.25 God will surely visit you That is he will bring you into the Land of Canaan the Type of Heaven Thus God hath visited us with the Sun-beams of his Favour He hath made us swim in a Sea of Mercy This is an happy Visitation 2. There is Gods visiting in Anger Ier. 5.9 Shall I not visit for these things That is Gods visiting with the Rod and Isa. 10.3 What will ye do in the day of Visitation That is in the day when God shall visit with his Judgments Thus Gods visiting is taken here in this Commandment visiting Iniquity that is punishing Iniquity Observe here three things Observ. 1. That Sin makes God visit Visiting Iniquity Sin is the cause why God visits with Sickness Poverty Psal. 89.31 32. If they break my Commandments Then will I visit their transgression with the rod. Sin twists the Cords which pinch us Sin creates all our Troubles It is the Gaul in our Cup and the Gravel in our Bread Flagitium flagellum sunt sicut acus filum Sin is the Trojan Horse The Phaeton that sets all on Fire It is the Womb of our Sorrows and Grave of our Comforts God visits for Sin Observ. 2. One special sin God visits for is Idolatry and Image-worship Visiting the iniquity of the Fathers Most of Gods invenomed Arrows have been shot among Idolaters Ier. 7.12 Go now unto my place which was in Shiloh where I set my name at the first and see what I did to it God for Israels Idolatry suffered their Army to be routed their Priests slain the Ark taken Captive and we never read that the Ark returned to Shiloh any more Hierusalem was the most Famous Metropolis of the World There was the Temple Psal. 122.4 Whither the Tribes go up the Tribes of the Lord. Yet for their high places and Images their City was besieged and taken by the Chaldean Forces 2 Kings 25.4 When Images were set up in Constantinople the chief Seat of the Eastern Empire this City which was in the eye of the World impregnable was taken by the Turks and many cruelly Massacred Then the Turks in their Triumphs reproached the Idolatrous Christians causing an Image or Crucifix to be carried through the Streets in Contempt and throwing Dirt upon it cried This is the God of the Christians Here was Gods Visitation for their Idolatry God hath set special marks of his Wrath upon Idolaters At a place called Epoletium there perished by an Earth-quake 350 Persons while they were offering Sacrifice to Idols Idolatry hath brought Misery upon the Eastern Churches it removed the golden Candlesticks of Asia This Iniquity God visits for Observ 3. Idolatrous Persons are Enemies not only to their own Souls but to their Children Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children As an Idolatrous Father intails his Land of Inheritance so he intails Gods Anger and Curse upon them A jealous Husband finding his Wife hath stained her Integrity may justly cast off her and her Children too because they are none of his If the Father be a Traytor to his Prince no wonder if all the Children suffer God may visit the Iniquity of Image-worshippers upon their Children Quest But is it not said Every one shall dye for his own Sin The Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father How then doth God say he will visit the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children Resp. Though the Son be not Damned for his Fathers Sin yet he may be severely punished Iob 21.19 God lays up his iniquity for his Children That is God lays up the Punishment of his Iniquity for his Children the Child smarts for the Fathers Sin Ieroboam thought to have established the Kingdom by Idolatrous Worship but it brought Ruin upon him and all his Posterity 1 Kings 14.10 Ahab's Idolatry wronged his Posterity they lost the Kingdom and were all Beheaded 2 Kings 10.7 They took the Kings Sons and slew seventy Persons There God visited the Iâ—â—quity of the Father upon the Children As a Son catcheth an Hereditary Disease from his Father the Stone or Gout so he catcheth Misery from him his Fathers Sin ruins him Use 1. If so then how sad is it to be the Child of an Idolater It had been sad to have been one of Gehazi's Children who had Leprosie intail'd upon them 2 Kings 5.27 The Leprosie of Naaman shall cleave to thee and to thy Seed for ever So it is sad to be a Child of an Idolater or Image-worshipper His Seed are exposed to Gods heavy Judgments in this Life God visits the Iniquity of the Fathers upon their Children Methinks I hear God speak as Isa. 14.21 Prepare slaughter for his Children for the Iniquity of their Fathers Use 2. See what a Privilege it is to be the Children of good Parents The Parents are in Covenant with God and God lays up Mercy for their Posterity Prov. 20.7 The just man walks in his Integrity his Seed are blessed after him A Religious Parent doth not procure Wrath but helps to keep off Wrath from his Child He seasons his Child with Religious Principles he prays down a Blessing on his Child He is a Load-stone drawing his Child to Christ by good Council and Example O what a Privilege is it to be born of Godly Religious Parents
he will joy over thee with singing No Father like God for Love if thou art his Child thou canst not love thy own Soul so intirely as he loves thee 5. God is the best Father for Riches God hath land enough to give to all his Children he hath unsearchable riches Eph. 3.8 He gives the hidden Manna the Tree of Life Rivers of Joy Gates of Pearl Who ever saw gates of Pearl God hath treasures that cannot be emptied pleasures that cannot be ended Earthly Fathers if they should be ever giving they would have nothing left to give God is ever giving to his Children yet hath not the less his Riches are imparted not impaired Like the Sun that still shines yet hath not the less light He cannot be poor who is infinite Thus God is the best Father he gives more to his Children than any Father or Prince can bestow 6. God is the best Father because he can reform his Children A Father when his Son takes bad courses knows not how to make him better but God knows how to make the Children of the Election better he can change their Hearts When Paul was breathing out persecution against the Saints God soon altered his course and set him a praying Acts 9.11 Behold he prayeth None of those who belong to the Election are so rough cast and unhewen but God can polish them with his Grace and make them fit for the Inheritance 7. God is the best Father because he never dyes 1 Tim. 6 16. Who only hath immortality Earthly Fathers dye and their Children are exposed to many injuries but God lives for ever Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the last Gods Crown hath no Successors Quest. 6. Wherein lies the Dignity of such as have God for their Father Resp. They have greater Honour then is confer'd on the Princes of the Earth They are precious in Gods esteem Isa. 43.4 Since thou wast precious in my eyes thou hast been honourable the wicked are dross Psal. 119.119 and chaff Psal. 1.4 but God numbers his Children among his Jewels Mal. 3.17 he writes all his Childrens names in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 Whose names are in the book of life Among the Romans the Names of their Senators were written down in a Book Patres conscripti God enrolls the names of his Children and will not blot their names out of the Register Rev. 3.5 I will not blot his name out of the book of life God will not be ashamed of his Children Heb. 11.16 God is not ashamed to be called your God One might think it were something below God and he might disdain to Father such Children as are Dust and Sin mingled but he is not ashamed to be called our God and that we may see he is not ashamed of his Children he writes his own Name upon them Rev. 3.12 I will write upon him the name of my God that is I will openly acknowledge him before all the Angels to be my Child I will write my Name upon him as the Son bears his Fathers name What an honour and dignity is this 2. God confers honourable Titles upon his Children 1. He calls them the excellent of the earth Psal. 16.2 or the magnificent as Iunius renders it They must needs be excellent who are e Regio Sanguine nati of the Blood-Royal of Heaven they are the Spiritual Phenixes of the World the glory of the Creation God calls his Children his glory Isa. 46.13 Israel my glory God honours his Children with the Title of Kings Rev. 1.6 And hath made us Kings All Gods Children are Kings though they have not Earthly Kingdoms yet 1. They carry a Kingdom about them Luke 17.21 The kingdom of God is within you Grace is a Kingdom set up in the hearts of Gods Children They are Kings to rule over their Sins to bind those kings in chains Psal. 149.8 2. They are like Kings they have their insignia Regalia their ensigns of Royalty and Majesty 1. They have their Crown In this Life they are Kings in a disguise They are not known therefore they are exposed to poverty and reproach they are Kings in a disguise 1 Iohn 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God and it doth not appear what we shall be Why what shall we be Every Son of God shall have his Crown of Glory 1 Pet. 5.4 and white Robes Rev. 6.11 Robes signifie Dignity and white signifies Sanctity 3. This is their honour who have God for their Father they are all Heirs the youngest Son is an Heir 1. Gods Children are heirs to the things of this Life God being their Father they have the best title to earthly things they have a sanctified right to them though they have often the least share yet they have the best right and they have a Blessing with what they have i. e. Gods Love and Favour Others may have more of the Venison but Gods Children have more of the Blessing Thus they are Heirs to the things of this Life 2 They are Heirs to the other World Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 They go sharers with Christ in glory Among Men commonly the eldest Son carries away all but Gods Children are all Joint-heirs with Christ they have a copartnership with him in his Riches Hath Christ a place in the Celestial Mansions so have the Saints Iohn 14.2 In my Fathers house are many mansions I go to prepare a place for you Hath he his Fathers Love so have they Psal. 146.8 Iohn 17.26 That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them Doth Christ sit upon a Throne so do Gods Children Rev. 3.21 What an high honour is this 4. God makes his Children equal in honour to the Angels Luke 20.36 They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 equal to the Angels nay those Saints who have God for their Father are in some sense superiour to the Angels for Jesus Christ having taken our Nature Naturam nostram nobilitavit hath enobled and honoured it above the Angelical Heb. 2.16 God hath made his Children by Adoption nearer to himself than the Angels The Angels are the Friends of Christ Believers are the Members of Christ and this honour have all the Saints Thus you see the Dignity of such as have God for their Father What a comfort is this to Gods Children who are here despised and loaded with calumnies and invectives 1 Cor. 4.14 We are made as the filth of the world c. But God will put Honour upon his Children at the last day and crown them with Immortal Bliss to the envy of their Adversaries Quest. 7. How we may know that God is our Father All cannot say Our Father The Jewes boasted that God was their Father John 8.36 We have one Father even God Christ tells them their pedigree ver 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil They who are of Satanical Spirits and make use of their power to beat down
9.21 then well may we look upon it as a favour to be taken into his Royal Service Theodosius thought it a greater Honour to be Gods Servant than to be an Emperour 'T is more Honour to serve God than to have Kings serve us Every Subject of this King is Crowned with Regal Honour Rev. 1.6 Who hath made us Kings Therefore as the Queen of Sheba having seen the Glory of Solomons Kingdom said Happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee 1 Kings 10.8 so happy are those Saints who stand before the King of Heaven and wait on his Throne Br. 2. If God be such a Glorious King crowned with Wisdom armed with Power bespangled with Riches then it showes us what Prudence it is to have this King to be ours To say as Psal. 5.2 My King and my God 'T is counted great Policy to be on the strongest side if we belong to the King of Heaven we are sure to be on the strongest side The King of Glory can with ease destroy his Adversaries he can pull down their Pride befool their Policy restrain their Malice That stone cut out of the Mountains without hands which smote the Image Dan. 2.34 was an emblem saith Austin of Christs Monarchical Power conquering and triumphing over his enemies If we are on Gods side we are on the strongest side he can with a Word destroy his enemies Psal. 2.5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath nay he can with a Look destroy them Iob 40.12 Look upon every one that is proud and bring him low It needs cost God no more to confound those who rise up against him than a look a cast of the eye Exod. 14.24 In the morning watch the Lord looked to the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and troubled their host and took off their chariot-wheels What Wisdom is it then to have this King to be ours then we are on the strongest side VSE II of Exhortation Br. 1. If God be so Glorious a King full of Power and Majesty let us trust in him Psal. 9.10 They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Trust him with your Soul you cannot put this Jewel in safer hands and trust him with Church and State Affairs He is King Exod. 15.3 The Lord is a man of war he can make bear his holy Arm in the eyes of all the Nations If means fail he is never at a loss there are no impossibles with him he can make the dry bones live Ezek. 37.10 As a King he can command and as a God he can create Salvation Isa. 65.18 I create Ierusalem a rejoycing Let us trust all our affairs with this great King Either God can remove Mountains or can leap over them Cant. 2.8 Br. 2. If God be so great a King let us fear him Ier. 5.22 Fear ye not me saith the Lord Will ye not tremble at my presence We have enough fear of Men. Fear makes danger appear greater and sin lesser but let us fear the King of Kings who hath power to cast Body and Soul into Hell Luke 12.5 As one wedge drives out another so the fear of God would drive out all base carnal fear Let us fear that God whose Throne is set above all Kings they may be Mighty but he is Almighty Kings have no Power but what God hath given them their Power is limited his is infinite Let us fear this King whose eyes are as lamps of fire Rev. 1.14 The mountains quake at him and the rocks are thrown down by him Nahum 1.6 If he stamps with his foot all the Creatures are presently up in a battalio to fight for him O tremble and fear before this God Fear is Ianitor Animae it is the Door-keeper of the Soul it keeps Sin from entring Gen. 39.9 How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God 3 Br. If God be so Glorious a King he hath jus virae necis He hath the power of Life and Death in his Hand Let all the Potentates of the Earth take heed how they employ their Power against the King of Heaven they employ their power against God who with their Scepter beat down his Truth which is the most Orient Pearl of his Crown who crush and persecute his People which are the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2.8 Who trample upon his Laws and Royal Edicts which he hath set forth Psal. 2.3 What is a King without his Laws Let all that are invested with worldly Power and Grandeur take heed how they oppose the King of Glory The Lord will be too hard for all that come against him Iob 40.9 Hast thou an Arm like God Wilt thou measure Arms with the Almighty Shall a little Child go to fight with an Arch-angel Ezek. 22.14 Can thy Heart endure or can thy Hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee Christ will put all his Enemies at last under his Feet Psal. 110.1 All the Multitude of the Wicked who set themselves against God shall be but as so many Clusters of ripe Grapes to be cast into the Wine-press of the wrath of God and to be trodden by him till their blood comes forth The King of Glory will come off Victor at last Men may set up their Standard but God alwaies sets up his Trophies of Victory the Lord hath a golden Scepter and an iron Rod Psal. 2.9 Those who will not bow to the one shall be broken by the other 4. Br. Is God so great a King having all Power in Heaven and Earth in his Hand let us learn Subjection to him Such as have gone on in Sin and by their Impieties hung out a Flag of defiance against the King of Heaven Oh come in quickly and make your Peace submit to God Psal. 2.12 Kiss the Son least he be angry Kiss Christ with a Kiss of Love and a Kiss of Obedience obey the King of Heaven when he speaks to you by his Ministers and Ambassadors 2 Cor. 5.20 when God bids you fly from Sin and espouse Holiness obey him to obey is better then Sacrifice To obey God saith Luther is better then to work Miracles Obey God willingly Isa. 1.19 That is the best obedience that is chearful as that is the sweetest Honey which drops out of the Comb Obey God swiftly Zech. 5.9 I lift up mine eyes and behold two Women and the wind was in their Wings Wings are swift but wind in the wings denotes great swiftness such should our obedience to God be Obey the King of Glory Vse III. Comfort to those who are the Subjects of the King of Heaven God will put forth all his Royal Power for their Succour and Comfort 1. The King of Heaven will plead their Cause Ier. 51.36 I will plead thy Cause and take Vengeance for thee 2. He will protect his People He sets an invisible guard about them Zech. 2.5 I will be a Wall of Fire to her rounâ— about A wall that
is defensive a wall of Fire that is offensive 3. When it may be for the good of his People he will raise up deliverance to them 1 Chron. 11.14 The Lord saved them by a great deliverance God Reigning as King can save any way by contemptible means the blowing of Trumpets and blazing of Lamps Iudg. 7.20 By contrary means He made the Sea a wall to Israel and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning The Fishes Bâ—lly was a Ship in which Ionas sailed safe to shore God will never want ways of saving his People Rather then fail the very Enemies shall do his Work 2 Chron. 20.23 He set Ammon and Mount-Seir one against another And as God will deliver his People from Temporal Danger so from Spiritual from Sin and from Hell Iesus hath delivered us from Wrath to come 1 Thess. 1.10 Vse IV. Terrour to the Enemies of the Church If God be King he will set his â—tmost strength against them who are the Enemies of his Kingdom Psal. 97.3 A Fire goes before him and burneth up his Enemies round about 1. He will set himself against his Enemies He will set his Attributes against them his Power and Justice and who knows the power of his Anger Psal. 90.11 2. God will set the Creatures against them Iudg. 5 20. The Stars in their course fought against Sisera Tertullian observes that the Persians fighting against the Christians a mighty Wind arose which did make the Persians Arrows to fly back in their own Faces Every Creature hath a Quarrel with a Sinner The Stone out of the Wall Hab. 2.11 The Hail and Frost Psal. 78.47 He destroyed their Vines with Hail and their Sycamore Trees with Frost 3. God will set Men against themselves 1. He will set Conscience against them and how terrible is this Rod when turned into a Serpent Melancthon calls it Erinnys Conscientiae a Hellish Fury It is called Vermis Conscientiae the Worm of Conscience Mark 9.44 What a Worm did Spira feel in his Conscience he was a Terror to himselfe The worst Civil Wars are between a Man and his Conscience 2. God will set the Diseases of Mens Bodies against them 2 Chron. 21.18 The Lord smote Iehoram in his Bowels with an incurable disease God can raise an Army against a Man out of his own Bowels He can set one Humour of the Body against another the heat to drie up the moisture and the moisture to drown the heat the Lord needs not go far for Instruments to punish the Sinner He can make the joints of the same Body to smite one against another as Dan 5.6 3. God will set Mens Friends against them where they used to have Honey they shall have nothing but Aloes and Wormwood When a mans ways please the Lord he shall make his enemies to be his friends Prov. 16.7 But when he opposeth God he maketh his Friends to be his Enemies Commodus the Emperour his own wife gave him poison in perfumed Wine Sennacherib's two Sons were the death of him 2 Kings 19.37 4. God will set Satan against them Psal. 109.6 Let Satan stand at his Right hand What doth Satan at the Sinners Elbows 1. He helps him to contrive Sin 2. He tempts him to commit Sin 3. He terrifies him for Sin He that hath Satan thus standing at his Right hand is sure to be set at Gods Left hand Here is the misery of such as oppose Gods Royal Scepter he will set every thing in the world against them If there be either Justice in Heaven or fire in Hell Sinners shall not be unpunished Vlt. If God be such an absolute Monarch and Crowned with such Glory and Majesty let us all engage in his Service and stand up for his Truth and Worship dare to own God in the worst Time He is King of Kings and is able to reward all his Servants VVe may be Losers for him we shall never be Losers by him we are ready to say as Amaziah 2 Chron. 25.9 What shall I do for the Hundred Talents If I appear for God I may lose my Estate my Life I say with the Prophet God is able to give you much more then this He can give you for the present inward Peace and for the future a Crown of Glory which fades not away Quest. What Kingdom doth Christ mean here Resp. Negat 1. He doth not mean a Political or Earthly Kingdom The Apostles indeed did desire 1. Christs Temporal Reign Acts 1.6 When wilt thou restore the Kingdom to Israel But Christ said his Kingdom was not of this world Ioh. 18.36 So that when Christ taught his Disciples to pray Thy Kingdom come he did not mean it of an Earthly Kingdom that he should reign here in outward Pomp and Splendor 2. It is not meant of Gods Providential Kingdom Psal. 103.19 His Kingdom ruleth over all that is the Kingdom of his Providence This Kingdom we do not pray for when we say Thy Kingdom come for this Kingdom is already come God exerciseth the Kingdom of his Providence in the World Psal. 75.7 He putteth down one and setteth up another Nothing stirs in the World but God hath an Hand in it He sets every wheel a working He humbles the Proud and raiseth the Poor out of the Dust to set them among Princes 1 Sam. 2.8 The Kingdom of Gods Providence ruleth over all Kings do nothing but what his Providence permits and orders Act. 4.27 This Kingdom of Gods Providence we do not pray should come for it is already come What Kingdom then is meant here when we say Thy Kingdom come Answ. Positively there is a twofold Kingdom meant here 1. The Kingdom of Grace which Kingdom God exerciseth in the Consciences of his People this is Regnum Dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods lesser Kingdom Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of God is within you 2. The Kingdom of Glory which is sometimes called the Kingdom of God Luke 6.20 and the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.3 When we pray thy Kingdom come 1. Here is something tacitly implied That we are in the Kingdom of Darkness 1. We pray that we may be brought out of the Kingdom of Darkness 2. That the Devils Kingdom in the World may be demolished 2. Something positively intended Adveniat Regnum Gratiae Gloriae 1. We pray that the Kingdom of Grace may be set up in our Hearts and encreased 2. When we pray Thy Kingdom come we pray that the Kingdom of Glory may hasten and that we may in Gods good time be translated into it These two Kingdoms of Grace and Glory differ not specifically but gradually they differ not in nature but only in degree The Kingdom of Grace is nothing but the inchoation or beginning of the Kingdom of Glory the Kingdom of Grace is Glory in the Seed and the Kingdom of Glory is Grace in the Flower the Kingdom of Grace is Glory in the Day-break and the Kingdom of Glory is Grace in the full Meridian the Kingdom of
had betrayed Christ and hanged himself Thus Satan is the worst Tyrant when Men have served him to their utmost strength he will welcome them to Hell with Fire and Brimstone VSE Let us pray that Satans Kingdom set up in the World may be thrown down 'T is sad to think that though the Devils Kingdom be so bad yet that it should have so many to support it Satan hath more to stand up for his Kingdom than Christ hath for his What a large harvest of Souls hath Satan and God only a few gleanings The Pope and the Turk give their power to Satan If in Gods visible Church the Devil hath so many Loyal Subjects that serve him with their Lives and Souls then how do his Subjects swarm in places of Idolatry and Paganism where there is none to oppose him but all vote on the Devils side Men are willingly slaves to Satan they will fight and dye for him therefore Satan is not only called the Prince of this world Iohn 14.30 but the God of this world 2 Cor. 4.4 to show what power Satan hath over Mens Souls O let us pray that God will break the Scepter of the Devils Kingdom that Michael may destroy the Dragon that by the help of a Religious Magistracy and Ministry the Hellish Kingdom of the Prince of Darkness may be beaten down Satans Kingdom must be thrown down before Christs Kingdom can flourish in its Power and Majesty 2. When we pray Thy Kingdom come here is something positively intended 1. We pray that the Kingdom of Grace may be set up in our hearts and encreased 2. That the Kingdom of Glory may hasten and that we may in Gods due time be translated into it I begin with the First The Kingdom of Grace When we pray Thy Kingdom come we pray 1. That the Kingdom of Grace may come into our hearts This is Regnum Dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods lesser Kingdom Rom. 14.17 The Kingdom of God is righteousness Luke 17.21 The kingdom of God is within you Quest. 1. Why is Grace called a Kingdom Answ. Because where Grace comes there is a Kingly Government set up in the Soul Grace rules the Will and Affections and brings the whole Man in subjection to Christ. Grace doth king it in the Soul it swayes the Scepter it subdues mutinous Lusts and keeps the Soul in a Spiritual Decorum Quest. 2. Why is there such need that we should pray that this Kingdom of Grace come into our hearts Resp. 1. Because till the Kingdom of Grace come we have no right to the Covenant of Grace The Covenant of Grace is sweetned with Love bespangled with Promises the Covenant of Grace is our Magna Charta by vertue of which God passeth himself over to us to be our God But who are Heirs of the Covenant of Grace only such as have the kingdom of Grace in their hearts Ezek. 36.26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you there is the kingdom of Grace set up in the Soul then it followes ver 28. I will be your God The Covenant of Grace is to an ungracious Person a sealed Fountain it is kept as Paradise with a Flaming Sword that the Sinner may not touch it without Grace you have no more right to it than a Farmer to the City Charter 2. Unless the Kingdom of Grace be set up in our hearts our purest Offerings are defiled they may be good as to the matter but not as to the manner they want that which should meliorate and sweeten them under the Law If a Man who was unclean by a dead body did carry a piece of holy flesh in his skirt the holy flesh could not cleanse him but he polluted that Hag. 2.12 Till the kingdom of Grace be in our hearts Ordinances do not purifie us but we pollute them the Prayer of an ungracious person becomes sin Prov. 15.8 In what a sad condition is a Man before Gods kingdom of Grace be set up in his heart whether he comes or comes not to the Ordinance he sins If he doth not come to the Ordinance he is a contemner of it if he doth come he is a polluter of it A Sinners works are opera mortua dead works Heb. 1.6 and those works which are dead cannot please God a dead Flower hath no sweetness 3. We had need pray that the kingdom of Grace may come because till this kingdom come into our hearts we are loathsome in Gods eyes Zech. 11.8 My soul loathed them Quanta est faeditas vitiosae mentis Tully An heart void of Grace looks blacker than Hell Sin transforms one into a Devil Iohn 6.70 Have not I chosen twelve and one of you is a devil Envy is the Devils eye hypocrisie is his cloven-foot thus it is before the kingdom of Grace come So deformed is a Graceless person that when once he sees his own filth and leprosie the first thing he doth is to loath himself Ezek. 20.43 Ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your evils I have read of a Woman who alwayes used flattering glasses by chance seeing her Face in a true glass in insaniam delapsa est she ran mad Such as now dress themselves by the flattering glass of presumption when once God gives them a sight of their filthiness they will abhor themselves Ye shall loath your selves in your own sight for all your evils 4. Before the kingdom of Grace comes into us we are Spiritually illegitimate of the Bastard brood of the Old Serpent Iohn 8.44 To be illegitimate is the greatest infamy Deut. 23.2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation He was to be kept out of the holy Assemblies of Israel as an infamous Creature A Bastard by the Law cannot inherit before the kingdom of Grace come into the heart a person is to God as one illegitimate and so continuing he cannot enter into the Congregation of Heaven 5. Before the kingdom of Grace be set up in Mens hearts the kingdom of Satan is set up in them They are said to be under the power of Satan Acts 26.18 Satan commands the Will though he cannot force the Will he can by his subtle temptations draw it The Devil is said to take men captive at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to take them alive as the Fowler doth the bird in the snare The sinners heart is the Devils Mansion-house Matth. 12.44 I will go to my house It is officina Diaboli Satans shop where he works Eph. 2.2 The prince of the air now worketh in the children of disobedience The members of the Body are the tools which Satan works with Satan possesseth Men. In Christs time many had their Bodies possessed but it is far worse to have their Souls possessed One is possessed with an unclean Devil another with a revengeful Devil No wonder the Ship goes full sail when the
Wind blowes no wonder Men go full sail in sin when the Devil the Prince of the Air blowes them Thus it is till the kingdom of Grace come Men are under the power of Satan who like Draco writes all his Lawes in blood 6. Till the kingdom of Grace comes a Man lyes exposed to the Wrath of God And who knowes the power of his anger Psal. 90.11 If when but a spark of Gods Wrath flyes into a Mans Conscience in this Life it is so terrible what then will it be when God stirs up all his anger So unconceivable torturing is Gods Wrath that the wicked call to the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from it Rev. 6. 1st The Hellish torments are compared to a fiery lake Rev. 20.15 other fire is but painted in comparison of this And this lake of fire burns for ever Mark 9.44 Gods breath kindles this fire Isa. 30.33 and where shall we find engines or buckets to quench it Time will not finish it tears will not quench it To this fiery Lake are Men exposed till the kingdom of Grace be set up in them 7. Till the kingdom of Grace come Men cannot dye with comfort only he who takes Christ in the armes of his Faith can look Death in the face with joy But it is sad to have the king of Terrors in the Body and not the kingdom of Grace in the Soul 'T is a wonder every Graceless person doth not dye distracted What will a Grace-despiser do when Death comes to him with a Writ of Habeas Corpus Hell followes Death Rev. 6.8 Behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was death and hell followed him Thus you see what need we have to pray that the kingdom of Grace may come He that dyes without Grace I may say as Christ Matth. 26.24 It had been good for that-man he had not been born Few do believe the necessity of having the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts as appears by this because they are so well content to live without it Doth that Man believe the necessity of a Pardon that is content to be without it Most People if they may have Trading and may sit quietly under their Vines and Fig-trees they are in their kingdom though they have not the kingdom of God within them If the Candle of Prosperity shine upon their head they care not whether the Grace of God shine in their hearts Do these Men believe the necessity of Grace Were they convinced how needful it were to have the kingdom of God within them they would cry out as the Jaylor Acts 16.30 What shall I do to be saved Quest. 3. How may we know that the Kingdom of Grace is set up in our hearts Answ. It concerns us to examine this our Salvation depends upon it and we had need be curious in the search because there is something looks like Grace which is not Gal. 6.3 If a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceives himself Many think they have the kingdom of Grace come into their heart and it is only a Chimera a golden dream Quam multi cum vana spe descendunt ad inferos Aug. Zeuxis did paint grapes so lively that he deceived the living birds There are many Deceits about Grace Deceit 1. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace in their hearts because they have the means of Grace they live where the silver trumpet of the Gospel sounds they are lift up to Heaven with Ordinances Iudg. 17.13 I have a Levite to my priest sure I shall go to Heaven The Iewes cryed Ier. 7.4 The temple of the Lord The temple of the Lord we are apt to glory in this the Oracles of God are committed to us we have Word and Sacrament Alas this is a fallacy we may have the means of Grace yet the kingdom of Grace may not be set up in our hearts we may have the kingdom of God come nigh us Luke 11.20 but not into us the sound of the Word in our ears and not the savour of it in our hearts Many of the Iewes who had Christ for their Preacher were never the better Hot clothes will not put warmth into a dead Man Thou may'st have hot clothes warm and lively Preaching yet be Spiritually dead Mat. 8.12 The children of the kingdom shall be cast out Deceit 2. Men think they have the kingdom of Grace set up in their hearts because they have some common works of the Spirit 1. They have great enlightnings of mind profound knowledge and almost speak like Angels drop'd from Heaven but the Apostle supposeth a case that after Men have been enlightened they may fall away Heb. 6. Quest. But wherein doth this illumination come short Answ. The illumination of Hypocrites is not vertual it doth not leave an impression of Holiness behind 't is like weak Physick that will not work The mind is enlightned but the heart is not renewed A Christian is all head but no feet he doth not walk in the wayes of God 2. Men have had convictions and stirrings of Conscience for sin they have seen the evil of their wayes therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come but I say convictions though they are a step towards Grace yet they are not Grace Had not Pharaoh and Iudas convictions Exod. 10.16 Quest. What makes convictions prove abortive wherein is the defect Answ. 1. They are not deep enough A Sinner never saw himself lost without Christ. The seed that wanted depth of earth withered Matth. 13.5 These convictions are like blossoms blown off before they come to maturity 2. These convictions are involuntary the Sinner doth what he can to stifle these convictions he drowns them in Wine and Mirth he labours to get rid of them as the Deer when it is shot runs and shakes out the arrow so doth he the arrow of conviction Or as the Prisoner that files off his fetters and breaks loose so a Man breaks loose from his convictions His corruptions are stronger than convictions 3. Men have had some kind of humiliation and have shed tears for their sins therefore now they hope the Kingdom of Grace is come into their hearts But this is no infallible sign of Grace Saul wept Ahab humbled himself Quest. Why is not humiliation Grace Wherein doth it come short Answ. 1. Tears in the wicked do not spring from love to God but are forced by affliction Gen. 4.13 as water that drops from the Still is forced by the fire The tears of Sinners are forced by Gods fiery Judgments 2. They are deceitful tears lachrymae mentiri doctae Men weep yet go on in sin they do not drown their sins in their tears 4. Men have begun some reformation therefore sure now the Kingdom of Grace is come But there may be deceit in this 1. A Man may leave his Oaths and Drunkenness yet â—â—ill be in love with Sin he may leave Sin
the Bible Object 5. Where the Kingdom of Grace comes it softens the heart but I find my heart frozen and congealed into hardness I can hardly squeeze out one tear Do Flowers grow on a Rock can there be any Grace in such a rocky heart Answ. 1. There may be grief where there are no tears The best sorrow is rational In your judgment you esteem sin the most hyperbolical evil you have a disgust and displacency against sin this is a rational sorrow and such as God will accept 2. A Christian may have some hardness in his heart yet not have an hard heart subjectum a praestantiori parte A field may have Tares in it yet we call it a field of Wheat in the best heart is a mixture of hardness yet because there is some softness and melting God looks upon it as a soft heart therefore Christian dispute not against thy self if thou canst find but one thing that the frame and temper of thy Soul be holy art thou still breathing after God delighting in him is the complexion of thy Soul Heavenly Canst thou say as David Psal. 139.17 When I awake I am still with thee As Colours laid in Oyl or a Statue carved in Gold abide so doth an holy complexion the Soul is still pointing towards God If it be thus with thee assure thy self the Kingdom of Grace is come into thy Soul be not unkind to God to deny any work of his Spirit which he hath wrought in thee VSE I. Of Exhortation Labour to find that this Kingdom of Grace is set up in your hearts while others aspire after Earthly Kingdoms labour to have the Kingdom of God within you Luke 17.21 The Kingdom of Grace must come into us before we can go into the Kingdom of Glory Motives 1. Motive This Kingdom of God within us is our Spiritual Beauty the Kingdom of Grace adorns a person and sets him off in the eyes of God and Angels This makes the Kings daughter all glorious 〈◊〉 Psal. 45.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Grace sheds a glory and lustre upon 〈◊〉 Soul As the Diamond to the Ring so is Grace to the Soul An heart beautified with Grace hath the King of Heavens picture hung in it 2. Motive The Kingdom of Grace set up in the heart is our Spiritual Defence Grace is called the armour of light Rom. 13.12 It is light for beauty and armour for defence He who hath the Kingdom of Grace within him is strengthened with all might according to Gods glorious power Col. 1.11 he hath the shield of Faith the helmet of Hope the breast-plate of Righteousness This armour can never be shot through it fortifies a Christian against the assaults of Temptation and the terrours of Hell 3. Motive The Kingdom of Grace set up in the heart brings Peace with it Rom. 14.17 The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace There is a secret Peace breeds out of Holiness Peace is the best Blessing of a Kingdom Pax una triumphis innumeris melior The Kingdom of Grace is a Kingdom of Peace Grace is the root Peace is the flower grows out of it it is Pax in procella such Peace that no worldly affliction can shake The doors of Solomons Temple were made of Olive-tree carved with open flowers 1 Kings 6.32 in a gracious heart is the olive of Peace and the open flowers of Joy 4. Motive The Kingdom of Grace enricheth the Soul A Kingdom hath its riches A Believer is said to be rich in faith Iam. 2.5 how rich is he who hath God for his God who is heir to all the Promises Heb. 6.17 A Man may be rich in Bills and Bonds a Believer though he may say as Peter Silver and gold have I none Acts 3.6 yet he is rich in Bills and Bonds he is Heir to all Gods Promises and to be Heir to the Promise is better than to be Heir to the Crown 5. Motive When the Kingdom of Grace comes it doth fix and establish the heart Psal. 57.7 O God my heart is fixed Before the Kingdom of Grace comes the heart is very unfixed and unsettled like a Ship without a ballast like Quick-silver that cannot be made to fix but when the Kingdom of Grace comes it doth stabilire animum it fixeth the heart upon God and when the heart is fixed it rests quiet as in its center 6. Motive This Kingdom of Grace is distinguishing it is a sure pledge of Gods love God may give Kingdoms in anger but where ever the Kingdom of Grace is set up it is in love God cannot give Grace in anger The Crown alwayes goes with this Kingdom let us therefore be ambitious of this Kingdom of Grace Quest. How shall we do to obtain this Kingdom Answ. 1. In General Take pains for it We cannot have the World without labour and do we think to have Grace If thou seekest her as silver Prov. 2.3 A Man may as well expect a crop without sowing as Grace without labour We must not think to have Grace as Israel had Manna they did not plough or sow but it was rained down from Heaven upon them no we must operam dare take pains for Grace Our Salvation cost Christ blood it will cost us sweat 2. Let us go to God to set up this Kingdom of Grace in our hearts God is called the God of all grace 1 Pet. 5.10 Say Lord I want this Kingdom of Grace I want an humble believing heart O enrich me with Grace let thy Kingdom come and be importunate suitors As Achsah said to her Father Caleb Iosh. 15.19 Thou hast given me a south-land give me also springs of water So Lord thou hast given me enough of the World here is a South-land but Lord give me the upper springs of Grace let thy Kingdom come What is the Venison thou hast given me without the Blessing When we are importunate with God and will take no denyal then he will set up his Kingdom within us 3. Keep close to the Word preached the Word preached is virga virtutis the rod of Gods strength it is the great engine God useth for the setting up the Kingdom of Grace in the heart Rom. 10.17 Faith comes by hearing Though God could work Grace immediately by his Spirit or by the ministry of Angels from Heaven yet he chooseth to work by the Word preached this is the usual means by which he sets up the Kingdom of Grace in the heart and the reason is because he hath put his divine sanction upon it he hath appointed it for the means of working Grace and he will honour his own Ordinance 1 Cor. 1.21 What reason could be given why the Waters of Damascus should not have as soveraign vertue to heal Naamans Leprosie as the Waters of Iordan only this because God did appoint and sanctifie the Waters of Iordan to heal and not the other Therefore let us keep to the Word preached because the power of God goes along with it VSE
temptation Satan is not yet fully east into Prison but is like a Prisoner that goes under bail he walks about tempting he labours to trappan us into sin he is either laying of snares or shooting of darts Stat in procinctu Diabolus He laid a train of temptation to blow up the castle of Iobs Faith This is a great grief to a Believer to be followed with temptations to sin as it is for a Virgin to have her Chastity assaulted but in the Kingdom of Heaven the Saints shall be freed from the Red Dragon he is cast out of Paradise and shall be for ever lock'd up in Chains Iude 6 7. In the Kingdom of Heaven we shall be freed from all vexing cares The Greek word for care 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from a Primitive that signifies to cut the heart in pieces Care discruciates the Mind it wasts the Spirits it eats out the comfort of Life Care is an evil spirit that haunts us Care to prevent future dangers and preserve present co 〈…〉 all care is full of fear and fear is full of torment 1 Iohn 4.18 God threatens it as a Judgment Ezek. 12.19 They shall eat their bread with carefulness Every Comfort hath its Care as every Rose its Prickle but in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall shake off this viper of Care What needs a Saint glorified to take any Care who hath all things provided to his hand There is the Tree of Life bearing all sorts of Fruit. When the Heart shall be freed from Sin the Head shall be freed from Care 8. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all Doubts and Scruples In this Life the best Saint hath his doubtings as the brightest Star its twinkling If there were no doubtings there would be no unbelief Assurance it self doth not exclude all doubting Psal. 26.3 Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes but at another time Psal. 89.49 Lord where are thy former loving kindnesses A Christian is like a Ship at Anchor which though it be safe yet it may sometimes be tossed upon the Water Sometimes a Christian questions his interest in Christ and his title to the Promise and these doubtings as they eclipse a Christians Comfort so they are a bearing false witness against the Spirit But when the Saints shall come into the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no more doubtings then a Christian shall say as Peter Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel and delivered me Acts 12.11 So now I know that I am passed from Death to Life now I am got beyond all Rocks I have shot the gulph now I am in my Saviours embraces for ever 9. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all society with the Wicked Here we are forced sometime to be in their company Psal. 120.5 Wo is me that I dwell in Mesech and sojourn in the tents of Kedar Kedar was Ishmaels Son whose Children dwelt in Arabia a profane barbarous People Here the Wicked are still raising Persecutions against the Godly and crucifying their eares with their Oaths and Curses Christs Lilly is among Thorns but in the Heavenly Kingdom there shall be no more any pricking bryar Matth. 13.41 The Son of man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend As Moses said Exod. 14.13 Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day ye shall see them again no more for ever So will God say Stand still and see the Salvation of God these your enemies that vex and molest you you shall see them again no more for ever At that day God will separate the precious from the vile then Christ will throughly purge his Floor he will gather the Wheat into the Garner and the Wicked which are the Chaff shall be blown into Hell 10. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all signs of Gods displeasure Here God may be angry with his People Though he hath the heart of a Father he may have the look of an enemy this is sad As when the Sun is gone the Dew falls when the Light of Gods Face is gone Tears drop from the Saints Eyes but in the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no spiritual eclipses there shall never appear any tokens of Gods displeasure the Saints shall have a constant aspect of Love from God they shall never complain any more as Cant. 5.6 My beloved hath withdrawn himself 11. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from all Divisions That which is the saddest thing in the World is to see divisions among them that are good 'T is sad that such as have one Faith yet should not be of one Heart Ephraim envies Iudah and Iudah vexeth Ephraim 'T is matter of tears to see those who are united to Christ to be divided one from another The Soldiers spear pierced Christs side but the divisions of Saints wound his heart but in the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be no vilifying one another or censuring Those who before could hardly pray together shall praise God together there shall not be one jarring string in the Saints Musick 12. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from Vanity and Dissatisfaction What Solomon saith of Wisdom Iob 28.14 The depth saith it is not in me and the sea saith it is not with me The same may I say concerning satisfaction every Creature faith It is not in me Take things most pleasing and which we promise our selves most content from still out the Spirits and purest Quintessence of them and we shall say as he did Eccles. 2.11 And behold all was vanity God never did or will put a satisfying vertue into any Creature In the sweetest musick the World makes either there is some string wanting or out of tune Who would have thought that Haman who was so great in the Kings favour He set his seat above all the princes of the provinces Esther 3.1 yet for want of the bowing of a knee he was dissatisfied but in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall be freed from these dissatisfactions The World is like a Landskip you may see Gardens and Fruit-trees curiously drawn in the Landskip but you cannot enter into them but you may enter into the Joyes of Heaven Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord the Soul shall be satisfied while it bathes in those rivers of pleasure at Gods Right-hand I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Psal. 17.15 Thus you see what the Kingdom of Glory implyes Namely A Blessed Freedom from all Evil. 13. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven be freed from the Torments of Hell 1 Thess. 1.10 Iesus which delivered us from the wrath to come 1. The multiplicity of these Torments In this Life the Body is usually exercised but with one pain the Stone or Head-ache but in Hell there is a diversity of Torments there is Darkness
to affright Fire to burn a Lake of Sulphur to choke Chains to bind the Worm to gnaw 2. The Torments of Hell will sieze upon every part both of Body and Soul the Eyes shall be tortured with the sight of Devils the Tongue that hath swore so many Oaths shall be tortured Luke 16.24 Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue The Memory shall be tormented to remember what Mercies have been abused what seasons of Grace neglected the Conscience shall be tormented with self-accusations 3. In the pains of Hell there is no mitigation no mixture of Mercy In this Life God in Anger remembers Mercy Hab. 3.2 but in Hell there is no alleviation or lessening of the pains As in the Sacrifice of Jealousie Numb 5.15 God would have no Oyl or Frankincense put to it so in Hell there is no Oyl of Mercy to lenifie the sufferings of the Damned no Incense of Prayer to appease Gods Wrath. 4. In the pains of Hell there is no intermission The Poets feign of Endymion that he got leave of Iupiter alwayes to sleep What would the damned in Hell give for one hours sleep Rev. 14.11 They rest not day nor night they are perpetually upon the rack 5. In the pains of Hell there is no expiration they must alwayes lye scorching in flames of Wrath Rev. 14.11 The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever but in the Heavenly Kingdom the Elect shall be freed from all infernal torments Jesus hath delivered us from the Wrath to come A Prison is not made for the Kings Children Christ drank that bitter cup of Gods Wrath that the Saints might never drink it 2. In the Kingdom of Heaven there is a Glorious Fruition of all Good Had I as many Tongues as Hairs on my Head I could not fully describe this I may say as Iudg. 18.9 10. Heaven is called The excellent Glory 2 Pet. 1.17 I may as well span the Firmament or drain the Ocean as set forth the Glory of this Kingdom Caelum non habet Hyperbolem The Kingdom of Heaven is beyond all Hyperbole Were the Sun ten thousand times brighter than it is it could not parallel the lustre of this Kingdom Apelles Pensil would blot Angels Tongues would lessen it I can but give you the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or dark shadow of it expect not to see it in all its orient colours till you are mounted above the Stars But let us not stand afar off as Moses to behold this Canaan but enter into it and taste the honey Concerning the Fruitions and Priviledges of the Heavenly Kingdom 1. We shall have an immediate Communion with God himself who is the inexhausted Sea of all Happiness This Divines call The Beatifical Vision The Psalmist did triumph in that enjoyment he had of God in this Life Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee If God enjoyed by Faith doth give so much Comfort to the Soul how much more when he is enjoyed by immediate Vision Here we see God but darkly through the glass of Ordinances but in the Kingdom of Heaven we shall see him face to face 1 Cor. 13.12 we shall have an intellectual sight of God i. e. we shall see him with the eyes of our mind we shall know God as much as the Angels in Heaven do Matth. 18.10 1 Cor. 13.12 We shall know as we are known We shall have a full knowledge of God though not know him fully as a Vessel in the Sea is full of the Sea though it holds not all the Sea To see and enjoy God will be most delicious in God are beams of Majesty and bowels of Mercy God hath all Excellencies concentred in him bonum in quo omnia bona If one Flower should have the sweetness of all Flowers how sweet would that Flower be All the beauty and sweetness which lyes scattered in the Creature is infinitely to be found in God therefore to see and enjoy him will ravish the Soul with delight We shall so see God as to love him and be made sensible of his Love and when we shall have this sweet Communion with God then God shall be all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 Light to the eye Manna to the taste Musick to the ear 2. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven with these eyes see the Glorified Body of Jesus Christ. This our Saviour makes a great part of the Glory of Heaven to view the Glory of his Humane Nature Iohn 17.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That they may behold my glory When Christ was transfigured upon Earth it is said That his face did shine as the sun and his rayment was white as the light Matth. 17.2 If the Glory of his Transfiguration was so great what will the Glory of his Exaltation be Much of the Glory of God shines in Christ by vertue of the Hypostatical Union Col. 2.9 In whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily Through Christs Humanity as through a bright mirrour we may see some beams of the Divine Majesty shine forth put a back of Steel to a Glass and you may see a Face in it Christs Humane Nature is as a back of Steel put to the Divine Nature through this we may see God and then our Capacities shall be enlarged to a wonderful degree to receive this glorious object and we shall not only see Gods Glory but some of his Glory shall be put upon us non tantum aderit Gloria sed inerit Bern. A Beggar may behold the Glory of a King and not be the happier but Christs Glory shall be ours We shall be like him 1 Iohn 3.2 we shall shine by his beams 3. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven enjoy the society of innumerable company of Angels Heb. 12.22 Quest. But is there not enough in God to fill the Soul with delight Can the sight of Angels add to the Souls happiness What need is there of the light of Torches when the Sun shines Answ. Besides the Divine Essence the sight of Angels is desirable much of Gods curious workmanship shines in the Angels the Angels are beautiful glorious Creatures and as the several strings in a Lute make the harmony sweeter and the several Stars make the Firmament brighter so the society with Angels will make the delight of Heaven the greater and we shall not only see the Angels with the glorified eye of our understanding but converse with them 4. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have sweet society with Glorified Saints then the Communion of Saints will be illustrious O what a blessed time will it be when those who have prayed wept suffered together shall rejoyce together we shall see the Saints in their white Linnen of Purity and see them as so many Crowned Kings in beholding the Saints Glorified we shall behold an Heaven full of Suns Some move the Question whether we shall know one another in Heaven Surely our knowledge shall not be diminished but
increased It is the Judgment of Luther and Anselm and many other Divines that we shall know one another yea the Saints of all Ages whose Faces we never saw and when we shall see the Saints in Glory without their spots viz. their infirmities Pride and Passion this will be a glorious sight We see how Peter was transported when he saw but two Prophets in the Transfiguration Matth. 17.3 but what a blessed sight will it be when we shall see such a Glorious Company of Prophets and Martyrs and Holy Men of God How sweet will the Musick be when they shall all sing together in consort in the Heavenly Quire And tho' in this great Assembly of Saints and Angels one Star may differ from another in Glory yet no such weed as Envy shall ever grow in the Paradise of God then there shall be perfect Love which as it casts out Fear so also Envy though one Vessel of Glory may hold more than another yet every Vessel shall be full 5. In the Kingdom of Heaven there shall be incomprehensible Joy Aristotle saith Ioy proceeds from Vnion When the Saints Union with Christ is perfected in Heaven then their Joy shall be full all the birds of the Heavenly Paradise sing for Joy What Joy when the Saints shall see the great gulph shut and know that they are passed from Death to Life what Joy when they are as holy as they would be and as God would have them to be what Joy to hear the Musick of Angels to see the golden banner of Christs Love displayed over the Soul to be drinking that Water of Life which is quintessential and is sweeter than all Nectar and Ambrosia what Joy when the Saints shall see Christ clothed in their Flesh sitting in Glory above the Angels then they shall enter into the joy of their Lord Matth. 25.21 Here Joy enters into the Saints in Heaven they enter into joy O thou Saint of God who now hangest thy harp upon the Willows and minglest thy drink with weeping in the Kingdom of Heaven thy Water shall be turned into Wine you shall have so much felicity that your Souls cannot wish for more The Sea is not so full of Water as the Heart of a Glorified Saint is of Joy there can be no more Sorrow in Heaven than there is Joy in Hell 6. In Heaven there is honour and dignity put upon the Saints A Kingdom imports honour All that come into Heaven are Kings they have 1. a Crown Rev. 2.10 dabo tibi the Crown of Life Corona est insigne regiae potestatis This Crown is not lined with Thorns but hung with Jewels it is a never-fading Crown 1 Pet. 5.4 2. The Saints in Heaven have their Robes they exchange their Sackcloth for white Robes Rev. 7.9 I beheld a great multitude which no man could number clothed in white robes Robes signifie their Glory White their Sanctity And 3. They sit with Christ upon the Throne Rev. 3.21 We read 1 Kings 6.33 the doors of the Holy of Holies were made of Palm-trees and open Flowers covered with Gold an emblem of that victory and that garland of Glory which the Saints shall wear in the Kingdom of Heaven When all the Titles and Ensigns of Worldly honour shall lye in the dust the Mace the Silver Star the Garter then shall the Saints honour remain 7. We shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have a blessed Rest. Rest is the end of motion Heaven is Centrum quietativum animae the blessed Centre where the Soul doth acquiesce and rest In this Life we are subject to unquiet motions and fluctuations 2 Cor. 7.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are troubled on every side like a Ship on the Sea having the waves beating on both sides but in the Kingdom of Heaven there is Rest Heb. 4.9 How welcome is Rest to a weary Traveller When Death cuts asunder the string of the Body the Soul as a Dove flyes away and is at Rest. This Rest is when the Saints shall lye on Christs bosom that hive of sweetness that bed of perfume 8. The Saints shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have their Bodies richly bespangled with Glory they shall be full of Clarity and Brightness as Moses Face shined that Israel were not able to behold the Glory Exod. 34 30. The Bodies of the Saints shall shine seven times brighter than the Sun saith Chrysostome they shall have such a resplendency of Beauty on them that the Angels shall fall in love with them and no wonder for they shall be made like Christs glorious body Phil. 3.21 The Bodies of Saints glorified need no Jewels when they shall shine like Christs Body 9. In the Heavenly Kingdom is Eternity 't is an eternal fruition they shall never be put out of the Throne Rev. 22.5 They shall reign for ever and ever It is called the everlasting kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 and an eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 The Flowers of Paradise of which the Saints Garland is made never wither If there could be a cessation of Heavens Glory or the Saints had but the least fear or suspicion of losing their Felicity it would infinitely abate and cool their Joy but their Kingdom is for ever the Rivers of Paradise cannot be dryed up Psal. 16.11 At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore The Kingdom of Heaven was typified by the Temple which was built with Stone covered with Cedar over-laid with Gold to show the fixed permanent state of Glory that Kingdom abides for ever Well may we pray Thy Kingdom come Having spoken of the Kingdom of Grace and how we may know that Kingdom is set up in our Hearts I am next speaking of the Kingdom of Glory or Heaven 1. What is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven 2. What are the Properties of this Kingdom 3. Wherein this Heavenly Kingdom excels all the Kingdoms upon Earth 4. When this Kingdom shall be bestowed 5. Wherein appears the Certainty and Infallibility of it 6. VVhy we should pray for the coming of this Kingdom 1. Quest. What is meant by the Kingdom of Heaven Resp. 1. It imports a blessed freedom from all evil 2. It implies a glorious fruition of all good 1. Immediate communion with God who is the inexhausted Sea of all Happiness 2. A visible beholding the glorified Body of Jesus Christ. 3. A glorious Vision of Saints and Angels 4. Dignity and Honour the Crown and white Robes 5. A blessed Rest. Quest. 2. What are the Properties or Qualifications of the Kingdom of Heaven Resp. 1. The Glory of this Kingdom is solid and substantial the Hebrew word for Glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a VVeight to show how solid and weighty the Glory of the Caelestial Kingdom is The Glory of the worldly Kingdom is Aery and imaginary like a blazing Comet or Fancy Act. 25.23 Agrippa and Bernice came with a great Pomp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a great Fancy Iob. 26.7 The Earth hangs like a Ball in the Air
without any thing to uphold it The Glory of the Heavenly Kingdom is substantial it hath twelve Foundations Rev. 21.14 That which God and Angels count Glory is true Glory 2. The Glory of this Kingdom is satisfying Psal. 36.9 With thee is the Fountain of Life How can they choose but be full who are at the Fountain head Psal. 17.15 When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy Likeness i. e. VVhen I awake in the Morning of the Resurrection having some of the Beams of thy Glory shining in me I shall be satisfied Iob 28.14 The Creature saith concerning Satisfaction It is not in me If we go for Happiness to the Creature we go to the wrong Box only Heavens Glory is commensurate to the vast Desires of an Immortal Soul A Christian bathing himself in these Rivers of Pleasure cries out in a Divine Extasy I have enough The Soul is never satisfied till it hath God for its Portion and Heaven for its Haven Dissatisfaction ariseth from some defect but God is an Infinite Good and there can be no defect in that which is Infinite 3. The Glory of Heavens Kingdom is pure and unmix'd the Streams of Paradise are not muddied omnia clara omnia jucunda there that Gold hath no alloy no bitter ingredient in that Glory but pure as the Honey drops from the Comb there is a Rose grows without Prickles the Rose of Sharon there is Ease without Pain Honour without Disgrace Life without Death 4. The Glory of this Kingdom is constantly exhilarating and refreshing there 's fulness but no surfeit Worldly Comforts though sweet yet in time grow stale A Down-bed pleaseth a while but within a while we are weary and would rise Too much Pleasure is a pain But the Glory of Heaven doth never surfeit or nauseate the reason is because as there are all Rarities imaginable so every Moment fresh Delights spring from God into the glorified Soul 5. The Glory of this Kingdom is distributed to every individual Saint In an Earthly Kingdom the Crown goes but to one a Crown will fit but one Head but in that Kingdom above the Crown goes to all Rev. 1.6 All Elect are Kings The Land is settled chiefly upon the Heir and the rest are ill provided for But in the Kingdom of Heaven all the Saints are Heirs Rom. 8.17 Heirs of God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Co-heirs with Christ. God hath Land enough to give to all his Heirs 6. Lucid and Transparent This Kingdom of Heaven is adorned and bespangled with Light 1 Tim. 6.16 Light is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Glory of the Creation Eccl. 11.7 The Light is sweet Hell is a dark Dungeon Mat. 22.13 Fire but no Light The Kingdom of Heaven is a Diaphanum all imbroidered with Light clear as Christal How can there want light where Christ the Sun of Righteousness displaies his Golden Beams Rev. 21.23 The Glory of the Lord did lighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof 7. The Glory of this Kingdom is adequate and proportionable to the desire of the Soul In Creature-Fruitions that which doth commend them and set them off to us is Suitableness The Content of Marriage doth not lye either in Beauty or Portion but the suitableness of Disposition The Excellency of a Feast is when the Meat is suited to the Pallat This is one ingredient in the Glory of Heaven it exactly suits the desires of the glorified Saints we shall not say in Heaven Here is a Dish I do not love There shall be Musick suits the Ear the Anthems of Angels and Food that suits with the glorified Pallat the hidden Manna of Gods Love 8. The Glory of this Kingdom will be seasonable the seasonableness of a Mercy adds to the Beauty and sweetness it is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver After an hard Winter in this cold Climate will it not be seasonable to have the Spring Flowers of Glory appear and the singing of the Birds of Paradise come When we have been wearied and even tired out in battle with sin and Satan will not a Crown be seasonable 3. Quest. Wherein the Kingdom of Heaven infinitely excels all the Kingdoms of the Earth Resp. 1. It excels in the Architect Other Kingdoms have Men to raise their Structures but God himself laid the first Stone in this Kingdom Heb. 11.10 This Kingdom is of the greatest Antiquity God was the first King and Founder of it no Angel was worthy to lay a Stone in this Building 2. This Heavenly Kingdom excels in Altitude 't is higher scituated than any Kingdom the higher any thing is the more excellent The Fire being the most sublime Element is most Noble The Kingdom of Heaven is seated above all the visible Orbs There is first the Aery Heaven which is the space from the Earth to the Sphere of the Moon 2. The Starry Heaven the place where are the Planets of an higher Elevation Saturn Iupiter Mars 3. The Caelum Empyraeum the Empyraean Heaven which Paul calls the third Heaven Vbi Christ is there is the Kingdom of Glory scituated This Kingdom is so high that no Scaling Ladders of Enemies can reach it so high that the old Serpent can't shoot up his fiery Darts to it If wicked Men could build their Nests among the Stars yet the least Believer would shortly be above them 3. The Kingdom of Heaven excels all other in Splendor and Riches it is described by precious Stones Rev. 21.19 What are all the Rarities of the Earth to this Kingdom Coasts of Pearl Rocks of Diamonds Islands of Spices What are the Wonders of the World to it The Egyptian Pyramides The Temple of Diana The Pillar of the Sun offered to Iupiter What a rich Kingdom is that where God will lay out all his cost Those who are poor in the World yet as soon as they come into this Kingdom grow rich as rich as the Angels Other Kingdoms are inriched with Gold this is inriched with the Deity 4. The Kingdom of Heaven excels all other Kingdoms in Holiness Kingdoms on Earth are for the most part unholy there 's a Common Shore of Luxury and Uncleanness running in them Kingdoms are Stages for sin to be acted on Isa. 28.8 All Tables are full of Vomit But the Kingdom of Heaven is so holy that it will not mix with any Corruption Rev. 21.27 There shall enter into it nothing that defileth 'T is so pure a Soyl that no Serpent of Sin will breed there There is Beauty which is not stained with Lust and Honour which is not swelled with Pride Holiness is the brightest Jewel of the Crown of Heaven 5. The kingdom of Heaven excels all other kingdoms in its pacifick Nature 't is Regnum Paci◠a kingdom of Peace Peace is the Glory of a Kingdom Pax una Triumphis innumeris melior A Kings Crown is more adorned with the white Lilly of Peace then when it is beset with the red Roses of a bloody War but where shall
we find an un-interrupted Peace upon Earth Either home-bred Divisions or Forreign Invasions 2 Chron. 15.5 There was no Peace to him that went out or to him that came in But the kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom of Peace there are no Enemiest o conflict with all Christs Enemies shall be under his Feet Psal. 110.1 The Gates of that kingdom alwaies stand open Rev. 21.25 The Gates shall not be shut at all to show that there 's no fear of an assault of an Enemy the Saints when they dye are said to enter into Peace Isa. 57.2 There 's no beating of Drums or roaring of Canons but the Voice of Harpers harping in token of Peace Rev. 14.2 In Heaven Righteousness and Peace kiss each other 6. The Kingdom of Heaven excels in Magnitude 't is of vast Dimensions though the Gate of the kingdom be strait we must pass into it through the strait Gate of Mortification yet when once we are in it is very large though there be an innumerable Company of Saints and Angels yet there is room enough for them The kingdom of Heaven may be called by the Name of that Well Gen. 26.22 Iacob called the Name of it Rehoboth for he said now the Lord hath made room for us Thou who art now confin'd to a small Cottage when thou comest into the Caelestial kingdom thou shalt not be straitened for room As every Star hath a large Orb to move in so it shall be with the Saints when they shall shine as Stars in the kingdom of Heaven 7. The Kingdom of Heaven excels in Unity all the Inhabitants agree together in Love Love will be the Perfume and Musick of Heaven as Love to God will be intense so to the Saints Perfect Love as it casts out Fear so it casts out Envy and Discord Those Christians who could not live quietly together on Earth which was the Blemish of their Profession yet in the kingdom of Heaven the fire of Strife shall cease there shall be no vilifying or censuring one another or raking into one anothers sores but all shall be tied together with the Heart-strings of Love there Luther and Suinglius are agreed Satan cannot put in his Cloven Foot there to make Divisions there shall be perfect Harmony and Concord and not one jarring String in the Saints Musick It were worth dying to be in that kingdom 8. This kingdom exceeds all Earthly in Joy and Pleasure therefore it is called Paradise 2 Cor. 12 4. for delight There are all things to cause Pleasure there is the Water of Life pure as Christal there 's the Honey-comb of Gods Love dropping 'T is called entring into the Ioy of our Lord Mat. 25.23 There are two things cause Joy 1. Separation from Sin Sin creates Sorrow but when this Viper of Sin shall be shaken off then Joy follows there can be no more sorrow in Heaven then there is Joy in Hell 2. Perfect Union with Christ Joy as Aristotle saith flows from Union with the Object When our Union with Christ shall be perfect then our Joy shall be full If the Joy of Faith be so great 1 Pet 1.8 then what will the Joy of Sight be Ioseph gave his Brethren Provision for the way but the full Sacks of Corn were kept till they came at their Fathers House God gives the Saints a Tast of Joy here but the full Sacks are kept till they come to Heaven not only the Organical Parts the outward Sences the Eye Ear Tast shall be filled with Joy But the Heart of a Glorified Saint shall be filled with Joy the Understanding Will and Affections are such a Triangle as none can fill but the Trinity There must needs be infinite Joy where nothing is seen but Beauty nothing is tasted but Love 9. This kingdom of Heaven excels all Earthly in self-perfection Other kingdoms are defective they have not all Provision within themselves but are fain to trafick abroad to supply their wants at home King Solomon did send to Ophir for Gold 2 Chron. 8.18 But there is no defect in the kingdom of Heaven it hath all Commodities of its own growth Rev 21.7 there is the Pearl of Price the Morning Star the Mountains of Spices the Bed of Love there are those sacred Rarities wherewith God and Angels are delighted 10. This kingdom of Heaven excels all other in Honour and Nobility it doth not only equal them in the Ensigns of Royalty the Throne and white Robes but it doth far transcend them Other Kings are of the Blood-Royal but they in this Heavenly kingdom are born of God Other Kings converse with Nobles the Saints Glorified are Fellow Commoners with Angels they have a more Noble Crown 't is made of the Flowers of Paradise and is a Crown that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 they sit on a better Throne King Solomon 1 Kings 10.18 sat on a Throne of Ivory overlaid with Gold but the Saints are in Heaven higher advanced they sit with Christ upon his Throne Rev. 3.21 they shall judge the Princes and great Ones of the Earth 1 Cor. 6.2 This honour have all the Saints Glorified 11. This kingdom of Heaven excels all others in healthfulness Death is a Worm that is ever feeding at the Root of our Gourd kingdoms are oft Hospitals of sick persons But the kingdom of Heaven is a most healthful Climate Phisicians there are out of date no Distemper there no passing Bell or Bill of Mortality Luke 20.36 neither can they dye any more in the Heavenly Climate are no ill Vapours to breed Diseases but a sweet aromatical Smell coming from Christ all his Garments smell of Myrrh Aloes and Cassia 12. This kingdom of Heaven excels in Duration it abides for ever Suppose Earthly kingdoms to be more glorious then they are their Foundations of Gold their Walls of Pearl their Windows of Saphyre yet they are corruptible and fading Hos. 1.4 I will cause the Kingdom to cease Troy and Athens now lie buried in their Ruines jam Seges est ubi Troja fuit Mortality is the Disgrace of all Earthly kingdoms but the kingdom of Heaven hath Eternity written upon it it is an everlasting kingdom 2 Pet. 1 1â— 't is founded upon a strong Basis Goâ—s Omnipotency this kingdom the Saints shall never be turned out of or be deposed from their Throne as some Kings have been viz. Hen. VI. c. But shall reign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 How should all this affect our Hearts What should we mind but this kingdom of Heaven which doth more out-shine all the kingdoms of the Earth then the Sun out-shines the Light of a Taper 4. Quest. When this Kingdom shall be bestowed Resp. This Glory in the kingdom of Heaven shall be begun at death but not perfected till the Resurrection 1. The Saints shall enter upon the kingdom of Glory immediately after death before their Bodies are buried their Souls shall be Crowned Phil. 1.23 having a desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Member of his body then he is not perfect and if Christ may lose one Member of his Body why not as well all by the same reason and so he shall be an head without a Body but be assured a Believers Union with Christ cannot be broken and so long he cannot be hindred of the kingdom Iohn 17.12 what was said of Christs natural Body is as true of his Mistical Iohn 10.39 A bone of him shall not be broken Look how every Bone and Limb of Christs natural Body was raised up out of the Grave and carried into Heaven So shall every Member of his Mistical Body be carried up into Glory 7. We read of some who have been translated into this Kingdom Paul had a sight of it for he was caught up into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. and the converted Thief on the Cross was translated into Glory Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise By all that hath been said it is most evident That Believers have a glorious Kingdom laid up for them in reversion and that they shall go to this Kingdom when they dye There are none doubt of the certainty of the Heavenly Kingdom but such as doubt of the Verity of Scripture 6. Quest. Why we should so earnestly pray for this Heavenly Kingdom Thy Kingdom come Resp. 1. Because it is a kingdom worth praying for it exceeds the glory of all earthly kingdoms it hath Gates of Pearl Rev. 21.21 We have heard of a Cabinet of Pearl but when did we hear of Gates of Pearl In that Kingdom is the Bed of Love the Mountains of Spices there are the â—herubims not to keep us out but to welcome us into the Kingdom Heaven is a Kingdom worth praying for there 's nothing wanting in that Kingdom which may compleat the Saints happiness for wherein doth Happiness consist Is it in knowledge We shall know as we are known Is it in Dainty Fare We shall be at the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb Is it in rich Apparel We shall be clothed in long White Robes Is it in delicious Musick We shall hear the Quire of Angels singing Is it in Dominion We shall reign as Kings and judge Angels Is it in Pleasure We shall enter into the Ioy of our Lord. Sure then this Kingdom is worth praying for Thy Kingdom come Would God give us a Vision of Heaven a while as he did Stephen who saw Heaven opened Act. 7.56 We should fall into a Trance and being a little recovered out of it how importunately would we put up this Petition Thy Kingdom come 2. We must pray for this kingdom of Glory because God will not bestow this kingdom on any without Prayer Rom. 2.7 They who seek for Glory and Immortality and how do we seek but by Prayer God hath promised a kingdom and we must by Prayer put the Bond in suit God is not so lavish as to throw away a Kingdom on them who do not ask it and certainly if Christ himself who had merited Glory did yet pray for it Iohn 17.5 Now O Father Glorify me with thy own self How much more ought we to pray for the Excellent Glory who have this Kingdom granted as a Charter of Gods meer Grace and Favour 3. We must pray that the kingdom of Glory may come that by going into it we may make an end of sinning I think sometimes what a blessed time it will be never to have a sinful thought more though we must not pray Thy Kingdom come out of discontent because we would be rid of the troubles and crosses of this Life This was Ionahs fault he would dye in a pet because God took away his gourd Lord saith he take away my life too Ionah 4.8 But we must pray Thy Kingdom come out of an holy design that the fetters of corruption may be pulled off and we may be as the Angels those Virgin Spirits who never sin This made the Church pray Rev. 22.20 Veni Domine Iesu. 4. Because that all Christs enemies shall be put under his feet the Devil shall have no more power to tempt nor wicked Men to persecute the Antichristian-Hierarchy shall be pulled down and Sions Glory shall shine as a lamp and the Turkish strength shall be broken 5. We must pray earnestly that the kingdom of Glory may come that we may see God face to face and have an interrupted and eternal communion with him in the Empyrean Heaven Moses desired but a glimpse of Gods Glory Exod. 33.18 how then should we pray to see him in all his embroidered Robes of Glory when he shall shine ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its Meridian splendour Here in this Life we do rather desire God than enjoy him how earnestly therefore should we pray Thy Kingdom of Glory come The beholding and enjoying God will be the Diamond in the Ring the very Quintessence of Glory And must we pray Thy Kingdom come how then are they ever like to come to Heaven who never pray for it Though God gives some prophane persons Daily Bread who never pray for it yet he will not give them a kingdom who never pray for it God may feed them but he will never crown them VSE I. Of Information 1. Branch From all this you see then that there is nothing within the whole sphere of Religion imposed upon unreasonable terms when God bids us serve him it is no unreasonable request he will out of Free-Grace inthrone us in a kingdom When we hear of Repentance steeping our Souls in brinish tears for sin or of Mortification beheading our king sin we are ready to grumble and think this is hard and unreasonable But do we serve God for nought Is it not infinite bounty to reward us with a Kingdom This Kingdom is as far above our thoughts as it is beyond our deserts No man can say without wrong to God that he is an hard Master though he sets us about hard work yet he is no hard Master God gives double pay he gives great vails in his service sweet Joy and Peace and a great reward after an eternal weight of Glory God gives the Spring flowers and a Crop he settles upon us such a Kingdom as exceeds our Faith Praemium quod Fide non attingitur Aug. Such as mortal eye hath not seen nor can it enter into the heart of man to conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 Alas what an infinite difference is there between Duty enjoyned and the Kingdom prepared What is the shedding of a Tear to a Crown So that Gods commands are not grievous 1 Ioh. 5.3 our service cannot be so hard as a Kingdom is sweet 2. Br. See hence the Royal Bounty of God to his Children that he hath prepared a Kingdom for them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys A Kingdom bespangled with Glory It is infinitely above the Model we can draw of it in our Thoughts The Painter going to draw the Picture of Helena as not being able to draw her Beauty
to the Life drew her Face covered with a Vail So when we speak of the Kingdom of Heaven we must draw a Vail we cannot set it forth in all its Orient Beauty and Magnificence Gold and Pearl do but faintly shadow it out Rev. 21. the Glory of this Kingdom is better felt than expressed 1. They who inherit this Kingdom are amicti stolis alhis cloathed with white robes Rev. 7.9 White Robes denote three things 1. Their Dignity the Persians were arayed in white in token of honour 2. Their Purity the Magistrates among the Romans were clothed in white ergo called candidati to show their integrity Thus the Queen the Lambs Wife is arayed in fine linnen pure and white which is the righteousness of the Saints Rev. 19.8 3. Their Joy White is an emblem of Joy Eccl. 9.7 Eat thy bread with joy let thy garments be alwayes white 2. The dwellers in this Kingdom have Palms in their hands Rev. 7.9 in token of Victory They are Conquerours over the World and being Victors they now have Palm-branches 3. They sit upon the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 When Caesar returned from conquering his Enemies there was set for him a Chair of State in the Senate and a Throne in the Theatre Thus the Saints in Glory after their Heroick Victories shall sit upon a Throne with Christ. Here is Royal Bounty in God to bestow such an illustrious Kingdom upon the Saints 'T is a Mercy to be Pardoned but what is it to be Crowned 'T is a Mercy to be delivered from Wrath to come but what is it to be invested into a Kingdom Behold what manner of love is this Earthly Princes may bestow great gifts and donatives upon their Subjects but they keep the Kingdom to themselves Though King Pharaoh advanced Ioseph to Honour and took the Ring off his Finger and gave him yet he would keep the Kingdom to himself Gen. 41.40 but God inthrones the Saints in a Kingdom God thinks nothing too good for his Children We are ready to think much of a Tear a Prayer or to sacrifice a Sin for him but he doth not think much to bestow a Kingdom upon us 3. Br. See hence that Religion is no ignominious disgraceful thing Satan labours to cast all the odium and reproach upon it that he can that it is a devout Frenzy Folly in grain Acts 28.22 As for this sect we know that it is every where spoken against but wise Men measure things by the end What is the end of a Religious Life It ends in a Kingdom Would a Prince regard the slightings of a few franticks when he is going to be Crowned You who are beginners bind their reproaches as a Crown about your Head despise their Censures as much as their Praise a Kingdom is a coming 4. Br. See what contrary wayes the Godly and the Wicked go at Death the Godly go to a Kingdom the Wicked to a Prison The Devil is the Jaylor and they are bound with the chains of darkness Iude 6. but what are these Chains Not Iron Chains but worse the Chain of Gods Decree decreeing them to torment and the Chain of Gods Power whereby he binds them fast under Wrath This is the deplorable condition of impenitent Sinners they do not go to a Kingdom when they dye but to a Prison O think what horrour and despair will possess the Wicked when they see themselves ingulphed in misery and their condition hopeless helpless endless they are in a fiery Prison and no possibility of getting out A Servant under the Law who had an hard Master yet every seventh year was a year of release when he might go free but in Hell there is no year of release when the damned shall go free the Fire the Worm the Prison are eternal If the whole World from Earth to Heaven were filled with grains of Sand and once in a Thousand Years an Angel should come and fetch away one grain of Sand how many Millions of Ages would pass before that vast heap of Sand would be quite spent yet if after all this time the Sinner might come out of Hell there were some hope but this word ever breaks the Heart with despair 5. Br. See then that which may make us in love with holy Duties Every Duty Spiritually performed brings us a step nearer to the Kingdom Finis dat amabilitatem mediis He whose Heart is set on Riches counts Trading pleasant because it brings in Riches if our Hearts are set upon Heaven we shall love Duty because it brings us by degrees to the Kingdom we are going to Heaven in the way of Duty Holy Duties increase Grace and as Grace ripens so Glory hastens the Duties of Religion are irksome to Flesh and Blood but we should look upon them as Spiritual Chariots to carry us apace to the Heavenly Kingdom The Protestants in France called their Church Paradise and well they might because the Ordinances did lead them to the Paradise of God As every Flower hath its sweetness so would every Duty if we could look upon it as giving us a lift nearer Heaven 6. Br. It shows us what little cause the Children of God have to envy the prosperity of the wicked Quis aerario quis plenis loculis indiget Sen. the wicked have the waters of a full cup wrung out to them Psal. 73.10 as if they had a monopoly of happiness they have all they can desire nay they have more than heart can wish Psal. 73.7 They steep themselves in pleasure Iob 21.12 They take the timbrel and harp and rejoyce at the sound of the organ The wicked are high when Gods People are low in the World the Goats clamber up the Mountains of Preferment when Christs Sheep are below in the Valley of Tears the Wicked are clothed in Purple while the Godly are in Sackcloth the prosperity of the wicked is a great stumbling block This made Averroes deny a Providence and made Asaph say Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain Psal. 73.12 but there is no cause of envy at their prosperity if we consider two things 1. This is all they must have Luke 16.25 Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things thou hadst all thy Heaven here Luther calls the Turkish Empire a bone which God casts to dogs 2. That God hath laid up better things for his Children he hath prepared a Kingdom of Glory for them they shall have the Beatifical Vision they shall hear the Angels sing in Consort they shall be Crowned with the Pleasures of Paradise for ever O then envy not the flourishing prosperity of the Wicked they go through fair way to Execution and the Godly go through foul way to Coronation 7. Br. Is there a Kingdom of Glory a coming Then see how happy all the Saints are at Death they go to a Kingdom they shall see Gods Face which shines ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its Meridian Glory The Godly at Death
may give his Soldier Armour but not strength Faith partakes of Christs strength and Faith gets strength from the promise as the Child by sucking the Breast gets strength so doth Faith by sucking the Breast of the Promise hence Faith is such a wonder working Grace and enables a Christian to persevere 3. If you would hold out to the Kingdom set before your Eyes the Examples of those Noble Heroick Saints who have persevered to the Kingdom Vivitur Exemplis Examples have more influence upon us then Precepts Iob 23.11 12. My Foot hath held his steps Though the way of Religion hath Flints and Thorns in it yet my Foot hath held his steps I have not fainted in the way nor turn'd out of the way Daniel held on his Religion and would not intermit Prayer though he knew the writing was signed against him and a Prayer might cost him his life Dan. 6.10 The blessed Martyrs persevered to the Kingdom through Sufferings Saunders that holy Man said Welcome the Cross of Christ my Saviour began to me in a bitter Cup and shall I not pledge him Another Martyr kissing the Stake said I shall not lose my Life but change it for a better instead of Coals I shall have Pearls What a spirit of gallantry was in these Saints let us learn Constancy from their Courage A Souldier seeing his General fight valiantly is animated by his Example and hath new Spirits put into him 4. Let us add fervent Prayer to God that he would inable us to hold out to the Heavenly Kingdom Psal. 119.117 Hold thou me up and I shall be safe Let us not presume on our own strength When Peter cryed to Christ on the water Lord save me then Christ took him by the hand Matth. 14.30 but when he grew confident of his own strength then Christ let him fall O pray to God for auxiliary Grace The Child is safe when held in the Nurses armes so are we in Christs armes Let us pray that God will put his fear in our hearts that we do not depart from him and that Prayer of Cyprian Domine quod caepisti perfice ne in portu naufragium accidat Lord perfect that which thou hast begun in me that I may not suffer shipwrack when I am almost at the haven 3. Branch Let us press forward with the greatest diligence to this Kingdom And here let me lay down some powerful Perswasives or Divine Arguments to make you put to all your strength for the obtaining this blessed Kingdom 1. This is the great errand for which God hath sent us into the World to prepare for this Heavenly Kingdom Matth. 6.33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God First in time before all things and first in affection above all things Great care is taken for the atchieving Worldly things Matth. 6.25 To see people labouring for the earth as Ants about a Molehill would make one think this were the only errand they came about But alas what is all this to the Kingdom of Heaven I have read of a devout Pilgrim travelling to Ierusalem who passing through several Cities where he saw many stately Edifices Ware and Monuments he would say I must not stay here this is not Jerusalem So when we enjoy Worldly things Peace and Plenty and have our presses burst out with new Wine we should say to our selves this is not the Kingdom we are to look after this is not Heaven 'T is Wisdom to remember our errand It will be but sad upon a Death-bed for a Man to think he was busying himself only about trifles playing with a feather and neglected the main thing he came into the World about 2. The seeking after the Heavenly Kingdom will be judged most prudent by all Men at last Those who are regardless of their Souls now will before they dye wish they had minded Eternity more when Conscience is awakened and Men begin to come to themselves Now what would they give for the Kingdom of Heaven How happy were it if Men were of the same mind now as they will be at Death Death will alter Mens opinions then those who did most slight and disparage the wayes of Religion will wish their time and thoughts had been taken up about the excellent Glory At Death Mens eyes will be opened and they will see their folly when it is too late If all Men even the worst will wish at last they had minded the Kingdom of Heaven why should not we do that now which all will wish they had done when they come to dye 3. This Kingdom of Heaven deserves our utmost pains and diligence it is Glorious beyond Hyperbole Suppose Earthly Kingdoms more magnificent than they are their Foundations of Gold their Walls of Pearl their Windows of Sapphire yet they are not comparable to the Heavenly Kingdom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. If the Pavement of it be bespangled with so many bright shining Lights glorious Stars what is the Kingdom it self 1 Iohn 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be This Kingdom exceeds our Faith How sublime and wonderful is that place where the blessed Deity shines forth in his immense Glory infinitely beyond the comprehension of Angels 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is a place of Honour there are the glorious Triumphs and sparkling Crowns In other Kingdoms there is but one King but in Heaven all are Kings Rev. 1.6 Every Saint glorified partaker of the same Glory as Christ doth Iohn 17.22 The glory thou hast given me I have given them 2. This Kingdom is a place of Joy Matth. 25.21 Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. To have a continual aspect of Love from Gods face to be crowned with Immortality to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Angels of God to drink of the Rivers of Pleasure for ever this will cause Raptures of Joy Sure it deserves our utmost pains in pursuing and securing this Kingdom Iulius Caesar coming towards Rome with his Army and hearing the Senate and People fled from it said They that will not fight for this City what City will they fight for If we will not take pains for the Kingdom of Heaven what Kingdom will we take pains for It was the speech of the Spies to their Brethren Iudg. 18.9 We have seen the land and behold it is very good and are ye still be not slothful to go and to enter to possess the land We have had a lively description of the Glory of Heaven we find the Kingdom is very good why then do we sit still Why do we not operam navare put forth our utmost zeal and industry for this Kingdom The diligence of others in seeking after Earthly Kingdoms shames our coldness and indifferency in pursuing after the Kingdom of Heaven 4. The time we have to make sure of the Heavenly Kingdom is very short and uncertain take heed it doth not slip away before you have prepared for the Kingdom Time passeth on apace Cito pede praeterita vita
It will not be long before the silver cord be loosed and the golden bowl broken Eccles. 12. The skin wherein the Brains are inclosed as in a bowl this golden bowl will soon be broken Our Soul is in our Body as the Bird is in the Shell which soon breaks and the Bird flyes out the Shell of the Body breaking the Soul flyes into Eternity We know not whether we shall live to another Sabbath Before we hear another Sermon-bell go our Passing-bell may go Our Life runs as a swift stream into the ocean of Eternity Brethren if our Time be so minute and transient if the taper of Life be so soon wasted or perhaps blown out by violent death how should we put to all our strength and call in help from Heaven that we may obtain the Kingdom of Glory If time be so short why do we wast it about things of less moment and neglect the one thing needful which is the Kingdom of Heaven A Man that hath a great work to be done and but one day for the doing of it had need work hard We have a great work to do we are striving for a Kingdom and alas we are not certain of one day to work in therefore what need have we to bestir our selves and what we do for Heaven to do it with all our might 5. To excite our diligence let us consider how inexcusable we shall be if we miss of the Kingdom of Heaven who have had such helps for Heaven as we have had Indians who have Mines of Gold have not such advantages for Glory as we they have the light of the Sun Moon and Stars and the light of Râ—ason but this is not enough to light them to Heaven But we have had the light of the Gospel shining in our Horizon we have been lifted up to Heaven with Ordinances we have had the Word in season and out of season The Ordinances are the pipes of the Sanctuary which empty the golden Oyl of Grace into the Soul they are scala ParAdisi the Ladder by which we ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven Deut. 4 7. What nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for We have had Heaven and Hell set before us we have had Counsels of Friends Warnings Examples the Motions and Inspirations of the Holy Ghost how should all these spurs quicken us in our pace to Heaven Should not that Ship sail apace to the Haven which hath Wind and Tide to carry it The Tide of Ordinances and the Wind of the Spirit Surely if we through negligence miss of the Kingdom of Heaven we shall have nothing to say for our selves we shall be as far from excuse as from happiness 6. You cannot do too much for the Kingdom of Heaven you cannot pray too much sanctifie the Sabbath too much love God too much you cannot over-do In secular things a Man may labour too hard he may kill himself with working but there is no fear of working too hard for Heaven In virtute non est verendum ne quid nimium sit Seneca The World is apt to censure the Godly as if they were too zealous and did over-strain themselves in Religion Indeed a Man may follow the World too much he may make too much hast to be rich The Ferry-man may take in too many Passengers into his Boat to the sinking of his Boat so a Man may heap up so much Gold and Silver as to sink himself in Perdition 1 Tim. 6.9 but one cannot be too earnest and zealous for the Kingdom of Heaven there is no fear of excess here when we do all we can for Heaven we come short of the Golden Rule set us and of Christs Golden Pattern when our Faith is highest like the Sun in the Meridian yet still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is something lacking in our Faith 1 Thess. 3.1 so that all our labour for the Kingdom is little enough When a Christian hath done his best yet still he hath sins and wants to bewail 7 By this you may judge of the state of your Souls whether you have Grace or no by your earnest pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom Grace infuseth a Spirit of activity into a person Grace doth not lye dormant in the Soul 't is not a sleepy habit but it makes a Christian like a Seraphim swift and winged in his Heavenly motion Grace is like fire it makes one burn in love to God and the more he loves him the more he presseth forward to Heaven where he may fully enjoy him Hope is an active Grace 't is called a lively hope 1 Pet. 1.3 hope is like the spring in the Watch it sets all the wheels of the Soul a running Hope of a Crop makes the Husbandman sow his seed hope of Victory makes the Souldier fight and a true hope of Glory makes a Christian vigorously pursue Glory Here is a Spiritual Touchstone to try our Grace by If we have the anointing of the Spirit it will oyl the wheels of our endeavour and make us lively in our pursuit after the Heavenly Kingdom No sooner had Paul Grace infused but presently Behold he prayes Acts 9.11 The Affections are by Divines called the Feet of the Soul if these Feet move not towards Heaven it is because there is no Life 8. Your labour for Heaven is not lost Perhaps you may think it is in vain that you have served God but know that your pains is not lost The Seed is cast into the Earth and it dyes yet at last it brings forth a plentiful Crop so your labours seem to be fruitless but at last they bring you to a Kingdom Who would not work hard for one hour when for that hours work he shâ—uld be a King as long as he lived And let me tell you the more labour you have put forth for the Kingdom of Heaven the more degrees of Glory you shall have As there are degrees of Torment in Hell Matth. 23.14 so of Glory in Heaven As one Star differs from another in Glory so shall one Saint 1 Cor. 15.41 Though every Vessel of Mercy shall be full yet one Vessel may hold morâ— than another Such as have done more work for God shall have more Glory in the Heavenly Kingdom Could we hear thâ— Saints departed speaking to us from Heaven sure they would speak after this manner Were we to leave Heaven a while and live on the Earth again we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we did we would pray with more Life act with more Zeal for now we see the more hath been our labour the greater is our reward in Heaven 9. While we are labouring for the Kingdom God will help us Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes The Promise encourageth us and Gods Spirit inableth us A Master gives his Servant work to
attended the doing of our own Will and Happiness the doing of Gods Will 1. Misery hath alwayes attended the doing of our own Will Our first Parents left Gods Will to fulfil their own in eating the forbidden fruit and what came of it The Apple had a bitter Core in it they purchased a Curse for themselves and all their Posterity King Saul left Gods Will to do his own he spares Agag and the best of the Sheep and what was the issue but the loss of his Kingdom 2. Happiness hath alwayes attended the doing of Gods Will. Ioseph obeyed Gods Will in refusing the embraces of his Mistress and was not this his Preferment God raised him to be the second Man in the Kingdom Daniel did Gods Will contrary to the Kings Decree he bowed his Knee in Prayer to God and did not God make all Persia bow their Knees to Daniel 3. The way to have our Will is to do Gods Will. Would not we have a Blessing in our Estate then let us do Gods Will Deut. 28.1 3. If thou shalt hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God to do all his commandments the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth Blessed shalt thou be in the city and blessed shalt thou be in the field This is the way to have a good Harvest Would we not have a Blessing in our Souls then let us do Gods Will Ier. 7.23 Obey my voice and I will be your God I will entail my self upon you as an everlasting Portion my Grace shall be yours to sanctifie you my Mercy shall be yours to save you You see you lose nothing by doing Gods Will this is the way to have your Will Let God have his will in being obeyed and you shall have your will in being saved Quest. How shall we come to do Gods will aright Answ. 1. Get sound knowledge we must know Gods Will before we can do it Knowledge is the eye to direct the foot of Obedience The Papists make Ignorance the Mother of Devotion but Christ makes Ignorance the Mother of Errour Matth. 22.29 Ye err not knowing the Scripture We must know Gods Will before we can do it aright Affection without knowledge is like an Horse full of metal but his eyes are out 2. If we would do Gods Will aright let us labour for self-denyal unless we deny our own Will we shall never do Gods Will. Gods Will and ours are like the Wind and Tide when they are contrary God wills one thing we will another God calls us to be Crucified to the World by Nature we love the World God calls us to forgive our Enemies by Nature we bear malice in our Heart Gods Will and ours are contrary like the VVind and Tide and till we can cross our own will we shall never fulfil Gods 3. Let us get humble Hearts Pride is the spring of disobedience Exod. 5.2 Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice A proud Man thinks it below him to stoop to Gods Will. Be humble the humble Soul saith Lord what wilt thou have me do He puts as it were a blank paper into Gods hands and bids him write what he will he will subscribe to it 4. Beg Grace and Strength of God to do his Will Psal. 143.10 Teach me to do thy will As if David had said Lord I need not be taught to do my own Will I can do that fast enough but teach me to do thy Will and that which may add wings to Prayer is Gods gracious Promise I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes Ezek. 36.27 If the Loadstone draw the Iron it is not hard for the Iron to move if Gods Spirit inable it will not be hard but rather delightful to do Gods Will. II. In this Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven we pray that we may have Grace to submit to Gods Will patiently in what he inflicts The Text is to be understood as well of suffering Gods Will as of doing it so Maldonat and the most Judicious Interpreters I shall speak now of patient submission to Gods Will in whatever he inflicts Thy Will be done This should be the temper of a good Christian when he is under any disastrous Providence to lye quietly at Gods Feet and say Thy Will be done Quest. 1. What this patient submission to Gods will is not Answ. There is something looks like Patience which is not namely when a Man bears a thing because he cannot help it he takes Affliction as his Fate and Destiny therefore he endures that quietly which he cannot avoid this is rather Necessity than Patience Quest. 2. What it is may stand with patient submission to Gods Will Answ. 1. A Christian may be sensible of Affliction yet patiently submit to Gods Will We ought not to be Stoicks insensible and unconcerned with Gods dealings like the Sons of Deucalion who as the Poets say were begotten of a Stone Christ was sensible when he sweat great drops of Blood but there was submission to Gods Will Matth. 26.39 Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt We are bid to humble our selves under Gods hand 1 Pet. 5.6 which we cannot do unless we are sensible of it 2. A Christian may weep under an Affliction yet patiently submit to Gods Will. God allowes tears 't is a sin to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without natural affection Rom. 1.31 Grace makes the Heart tender strangulat inclusus dolor weeping gives vent to sorrow expletur lachrymis dolor Ioseph wept over his dead Father Iob when he had so much ill news brought him at once rent his Mantle an expression of grief but did not tear his Hair in anger only Worldly grief must not be immoderate a Vein may bleed too much the Water riseth too high when it overflowes the banks 3. A Christian may complain in his Affliction yet be submissive to Gods Will Psal. 142.2 I cryed to the Lord with my voice I poured out my complaint before him We may being under oppression tell God how it is with us and desire him to write down our injuries Shall not the Child complain to his Father when he is wronged An holy complaint may stand with patient submission to Gods Will but though we may complain to God we must not complain of God Quest. 3. What it is cannot stand with patient submission to Gods Will Answ. 1. Discontentedness with Providence Discontent hath a mixture of grief and anger in it and both these must needs raise a storm of Passion in the Soul God having touched the apple of our Eye and smitten us in that we loved we are touchy and sullen and God shall not have a good look from us Gen. 4.6 Why art thou wroth Like a sullen Bird that is angry and beats her self against the Cage 3. Murmuring cannot stand with submission to Gods Will Murmuring is the height of impatience it
hearts to submission Lord if thou usest so much gentleness and correctest in measure Thy Will be done 12. There is kindness in Affliction in that God often sweetens it with divine Consolation 2 Cor. 1.4 Who comforteth us in all our Tribulation After a bitter Potion a lump of Sugar God comforts in Affliction 1. Partly by his Word Psal. 119.50 This is my Comfort in my Affliction for thy Word hath quickened me The Promises of the word are a shop of Cordials 2. God comforts by his Spirit Philip Landtgrave of Hesse said that in his troubles se divinas Martyrum consolationes sensisse he felt the divine Consolations of the Martyrs David had his Pilgrimage-Songs Psal. 119.54 and St. Paul his Prison-Songs Act. 16.25 Thus God candies our Wormwood with Sugar and makes us gather Grapes of Thorns Some of the Saints have had such ravishing Joys in Affliction that they had rather endure their Sufferings then want their Comforts O how much kindness is in the Cross In the Belly of this Lyon is an Honey-Comb may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods Will when God lines the Yoak with Comfort and gives us honey at the end of the Rod 13. There is kindness in Affliction in that God doth curtail and shorten it he will not let it lye on too long Isa. 57.16 I will not contend for ever least the Spirit should fail before me God will give his People a Writ of Ease and proclaim a Year of Jubilee the wicked may plow upon the backs of the Saints but God will cut their Traces Psal. 129.4 The Goldsmith will not let his gold lye any longer in the Furnace then till it is purified The Wicked must drink a Sea of Wrath but the Godly have only a Cup of Affliction Isa. 51.17 and God will say Let this Cup pass away Affliction may be compared to Frost it will break and Spring Flowers will come on Isa. 35. Sorrow and sighing shall fly away Affliction hath a Sting but withal a Wing sorrow shall fly away this Land Flood shall be dryed up if then there be so much kindness in the Cross God will cause a Cessation of trouble say then Fiat Voluntas tua Thy Will be done 14. Vlt. There is kindness in Affliction in that it is a means to make us happy Iob 5.17 Behold happy is the Man whom God correcteth This seems strange to flesh and blood that Affliction should make one happy when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed I will sâ—ith he turn aside and see this strange sight Exod. 3.3 So here is a strange sight a Man afflicted yet happy The World counts them happy who can escape Affliction but happy is the Man whom God correcteth Quest. But how do Afflictions contribute to our happiness Resp. 1. As they are a means to bring us nearer to God the Loadstone of Prosperity doth not draw us so near to God as the Cords of Affliction VVhen the Prodigal was pinch'd with want then saith he I will arise and go to my Father Luke 15.18 The Deluge brought the Dove to the Ark The Floods of Sorrow make us hasten to Christ. 2. Afflictions make us happy as they are Manuductions to Glory The Storm drives the Ship into the harbour Happy is that Storm which drives the Soul into the Heavenly harbour is it not better to go through affliction to glory then through pleasure to misery not that afflictions merit glory no cross ever merited but that which Christ endured but they do disponere fit and prepare us for glory Think O Christian what Affliction leads to it leads to Paradise where are Rivers of Pleasure always running may not this make us chearfully submit to Gods VVill and say Lord if there be so much kindness in Affliction if all thou dost is to make us happy Thy Will be done 7. Consideration It is Gods ordinary course to keep his People to a bitter Diet-Drink and exercise them with great Trials Affliction is the beaten Road all the Saints have gone in The lively Stones in the Spiritual building have been all hewn and polished Christs Lilly hath grown among the Thorns 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live Godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution 'T is too much for a Christian to have two Heavens that is more than Christ had It hath been ever the lot of the Saints to encounter with sore tryals Both of the Prophets Iam. 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction And of the Apostles Peter was Crucified with his Head downward Iames beheaded by Herod Iohn banished into the Isle of Patmos the Apostle Thomas thrust thorow with a spear who was chosen Apostle in Iudas room Matthias stoned to death Luke the Evangelist hanged on an Olive-tree Those Saints of whom the World was not worthy did pass under the Rod Hebr. 11.36 Christs Kingdom is Regnum Crucis this is the way God hath alwayes gone in such as God intends to save from Hell yet he doth not save from the Cross the consideration of this should quiet our Minds in Affliction and make us say Thy Will be done Do we think God will alter his course of Providence for us Why should we look for exemption from trouble more than others Why should we think to tread only upon Roses and Violets when Prophets and Apostles have marched through the Bryars to Heaven 8. Consideration God hath done that for thee Christian which may make thee content to suffer any thing at his hand and say Thy Will be done 1. He hath adopted thee for his Child David thought it no small Honour to be the Kings Son in Law 1 Sam. 18.18 what an Honour is it to derive thy pedigree from Heaven to be born of God why then art thou troubled and murmurest at every slight cross As Ionadab said to Amnon 2 Sam. 13.4 Why art thou being the Kings Son lean So why art thou who art Son or Daughter to the King of Heaven troubled at these petty things What the Kings Son and look lean This may quiet thy Spirit and bring thy Will to Gods he hath dignified thee with Honour he made thee his Son and Heir and will entail a Kingdom on thee 2. God hath given thee Christ. Christ is communis thesaurus a Magazine and Storehouse of all Heavenly Treasure a Pearl of Price to enrich a Tree of Life to quicken He is the quintessence of all Blessings why then art thou discontented at thy Worldly Crosses They cannot be so bitter as Christ is sweet as Seneca said once to Polybius Why dost thou complain of hard Fortune salvo Caesare is not Caesar thy Friend So is not Christ thy Friend He can never be poor who hath a Mine of Gold in his Field nor he who hath the unsearchable Riches of Christ Say then Lord Thy Will be done though I have my Cross yet I have Christ with it The Cross may make me weep but Christ wipes off all
when he was to dye he said O that I had never been King O that I had lived a private solitary Life here is all the fruit of my Kingdom it hath made my accounts heavier So then may not this quiet our Hearts in a low adverse condition and make us say Lord Thy Will be done as thou hast given me a less portion of Worldly things so I have a less burden of Care and a less burden of Account 2. A prosperous condition hath plus periculi more danger in it Such as are on the top of the pinacle of Honour are in more danger of falling they are subject to many temptations their Table is oft a snare Heliogabalus made Ponds of sweet Water to bathe in Millions are drowned in the sweet Waters of Pleasure A great Sail over-turns the Vessel how many by having too great Sails of Prosperity have had their Souls over-turn'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophil It must be a strong Head that bears heady Wine he had need have much Wisdom and Grace that knows how to bear an high condition It is hard to carry a full Cup without spilling and a full Estate without sinning Agar feared if he were full he should deny God and say Who is the Lord Prov. 30.9 Prosperity breeds 1. Pride The Children of Kohath were in an higher Estate than the rest of the Levites they were imployed in the Tabernacle about the most holy things of all Numb 4.4 they had the first lot Iosh. 21.10 but as they were lifted up above others of the Levites in Honour so in Pride Numb 16.3 In the Thames when the Tyde riseth higher the Boat riseth higher so when the Tyde of an Estate riseth higher many Mens Hearts rise higher in Pride 2. Prosperity breeds security Sampson fell asleep in Delilahs lap so do Men in the lap of Ease and Plenty The Worlds golden sands are quick-sands How hard is it for a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Luke 18.24 the consideration of this should make us submit to God in adversity and say Thy Will be done God sees what is best for us if we have less Estate we are in less danger if we want the Honours of others so we want their Temptations 12. Consideration The having of our Wills melted into Gods is a good sign that the present Affliction is sanctified Then an Affliction is sanctified when it attains the end for which it was sent The end why God sends Affliction is to calm the Spirit to subdue the Will and bring it to Gods Will when this is done Affliction hath attained the end for which it came it is sanctified and it will not be long ere it be removed When the sore is healed the smarting Plaister is taken off 13. Consideration How unworthy it is of a Christian to be froward and unsubmissive and not bring his Will to God 1. It is below the Spirit of a Christian. The Spirit of a Christian is Dove-like 't is meek and sedate willing to be at Gods dispose Not my will but thy will be done Luke 22.42 A Christian Spirit is not fretful but humble not craving but contented See the picture of a Christian Spirit in St Paul Phil. 4.12 I know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how to be abased and how to abound Paul could be either higher or lower as God saw good he could sail with any Wind of Providence either a prosperous or a boisterous gale his Will was melted into Gods Will now to be of a cross Spirit that cannot submit to God is unworthy of the Spirit of a Christian 't is like the Bird that because 't is pent up in the Cage and cannot fly in the open Air beats it self against the Cage 2. A froward unsubmissive frame that cannot submit to Gods Will is unworthy of a Christians Profession He professeth to live by Faith yet repines at his condition Faith lives not by bread alone it feeds on Promises it makes future Glory present Faith sees all in God When the fig-tree doth not blossom Faith can joy in the God of its salvation Hab. 3.17 Now to be troubled at the present Estate because low and mean where is Faith Sure that is a weak Faith or no Faith which must have crutches to support it O be ashamed to call thy self Believer if thou canst not trust God and acquiesce in his Will in the deficiency of outward Comforts 3. To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit that cannot surrender its Will to God is unworthy of the high Dignities God hath put upon a Christian. 1. He is a rich Heir he is exalted above all Creatures that ever God made except the Angels yea in some sense as his Nature is joyned in an Hypostatical Union to the Divine Nature so he is above the Angels O then how is it below his dignity for want of a few earthly Comforts to be froward and ready to quarrel with the Deity Is it not unworthy for a Kings Son because he may not pluck such a Flower to be discontented and rebel against his Royal Father 2. A Christian is espoused to Jesus Christ what to be married to Christ yet froward and unsubmissive Hast not thou enough in him As Elkanah said to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.8 Am not I better than ten Sons Is not Christ better than a thousand Worldly Comforts Omnia bona in summo bono 'T is a disparagement to Christ that his Spouse should be froward when she is matched into the Crown of Heaven 4. To be of a froward unsubmissive Spirit is unsuitable to the Prayers of a Christian he prayes Thy Will be done it is the Will of God he should meet with such troubles whether Sickness loss of Estate crosses in Children God hath decreed and ordered it why then is there not submission Why are we discontented at that which we pray for It is a saying of Latimer speaking of Peter who denyed his Master Peter saith he forgot his Prayer for that was Hallowed be thy Name So oft we forget our Prayers nay contradict them for we pray Thy Will be done Now if unsubmissiveness to God be so unworthy of a Christian should not we labour to bring our Wills to Gods and say Lord let me not disparage Religion let me do nothing unworthy of a Christian. 14. Consideration Frowardness and unsubmissiveness of Will to God is very sinful 1. It is sinful in its Nature to murmur when God crosseth us in our Will showes much ungodliness The Apostle Iude speaks of ungodly ones ver 15. and that we may better know who these are he sets a mark upon them ver 16. These are murmurers Some think they are not so ungodly as others because they do not swear or are drunk but you may be ungodly in murmuring there are not only ungodly Drunkards but ungodly Murmurers nay this is the height of ungodliness namely Rebellion Korah and his Company murmured against God and see how the Lord interprets this Numb 17.10 Bring
Person of the Trinity 63 What Sorrow goes before Forgiveness 806 Soul-Murther who are guilty of it 365 Soul the Excellency of it 801 Soul-dress for receiving the Sacrament wherein it consists 416 Souls deserted that want assurance how they may be comforted 205 Spiritual what it is to be so 25 Spirit how it can be said to be grieved 77 State of Nature is a Kingdom of Darkness Submission to God's Will what it is not 520 Submission to God's Will what may stand with it and what not 521 Submission to God's Will what it is ibid. When we do not submit to God's Will in Afflictions 523. Subtilty of Satan to make Men miscarry in the use of Meat 838 T Temptations whence they come 832 Tempted two cases of them spoke to 852 Temptations of Satan means to defeat them 855 Temptation what good may come out of it 858 Theft whence it doth arise 377 How many sorts of it there are ibid. What are the aggravations of it ibid. Vain Thoughts how they come in in hearing the Word 340 The Evil of them 341 Vain Thoughts how we may get help against them 342 Vain Thoughts in Prayer how we may cure them 422 Tongue how it is Evil. 986 Evil Tongue the several sorts of 986 987. Tongue rules for governing it 991 Tongue Sins Motives to beware of them 993 Torments of Hell what they are 473 Trinity of Persons proved 62 63 Truth of God 57 U Visiting Iniquity what is meant by it 282 Unchangeableness of God 36 Unchangeable God how to get a part in him 38 Unpardoned Soul how miserable it is 816 Vorstius Objection against God's Vbiquity answered 27 W Several Ways of Satan to tempt Men. 853 Weariness in well-doing what occasions it 994 The Evil of it 996 Means to keep us from being weary in Well-doing 997 Will of God what is meant by it 512 Will of God how we are to do it that we may find acceptance 515 Will of God how we may Evangelically do it 516 Will of God how we may come to do it aright Wisdom of God wherein it appears 40 Wisdom and Innocence necessary Qualifications of a Christian. 966 Wisdom wherein it chiefly consists ibid. The Word 's effectually Working what is meant by it 404 Word how it may be read effectually 405 How it may be heard effectually 406 World why God made it 66 World in what sence it is Evil. 877 What Worship is most suitable to God 25 To Worship God in the Spirit what it is 26 Wrath to come what we shall do to escape it 397 A Catalogue of BOOKS sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns near Mercers Chapel in Cheapside In Folio THE Christian Directory or Case of Conscience Catholick Theology Methodus Theologica all three by Mr. Richard Baxter A Sacred Poem on the Glory of Heaven Rushworth's first Vol. Crook's Hypocrite Keach's Metaphors Strong on the Covenant Burgess on the Corinthians Taylor on Christ's Temptation Horton on the Psalms Gell's Remains A Dialogue between Timothy and Titus about the Articles of the Church of England Isaac Ambrose's Works Pool's Annotations on the Bible Pembroke's Arcadia Manton's Third Vol. of Sermons Dr. Lightfoot's Works Gurnall's Christian Armour Dr. Horton's 100 Sermons Nostradamus's Prophecies Melvill's Memoirs Marvell's Poems Daillé on the Colossians Cook 's Mirabilia Clark's Martyrology The Acts Decisions Decrees and Canons of the Reformed Churches in France being a most Faithful and Impartial History of the Rise Growth and Decay of the Reformation in that Kingdom their Confession of Faith Speeches Letters Cases of Conscience c. By Iohn Quick Minister in London Dr. Owen's Discourse of the Holy Spirit on the Hebrews Second Vol. on the Hebrews Third Vol. In Quarto Baxter's Saints Everlasting rest Church History and Councils History of Counsels inlarged and defended Apology for Nonconformists Second Defence of Nonconformists Apology against Eight Men. Treatise of Episcopacy Disputations of Church-Government Life of Faith First of the Sermons Preach'd before King Charles the Second English Nonconformity Naked Popery against Dodwell and Shirlock Which is the True Church Catholick Communion against both Extreams in six several Controversies Moral Prognostication Search for English Schismaticks Farewel Sermon Published by himself Alderman Ashurst's Funeral Sermon Mr. Iohn Corbet's Funeral Sermon Glorious Kingdom of Christ. Reply to Mr. Tho. Beverly's Answer National Churches Church Concord Penitent Confession and necessary Vindication Power of a Christian Magistrate Disputations of right to Sacraments Disputation of Justification Church Told against Bagshaw Ark on the Covenant Brown's Gospel-Churches Brightman on the Revelations Bulkley on the Covenant Critical Enquiries Boyse's Sermon Charlton's Enquiries into Humane Nature Child's Pilot's Sea-Mirrour Clarkson's Poetical Divinity of Papists No Evidence for Diocesan Churches Corbet's Nonconformist's Plea Clark against Postlewait A Dialogue between a Protestant and a Jew and a Papist and a Jew Doolittle's Protestant's Answer to where was your Church before Luther Caryl on Iob. Elton on the Commandments Greenhill on Ezekiel First Vol. Second Vol. Humphrys's Nonconformist's Third Step. Frysell's Sermons of Grace and Temptation Bishop Hopkins on the Commandments Humphrys's Middle Way Peaceable Disquisition Q. I Ovid. 2 Chr. 11.15 Q. II. * Id verum quod primum †Veritas opprimi patest non supprimi * Que regit Syder a sagit ubera Q. III. Q. IV. * Iovis omnia plâ—na * Not the posse but velle * Bene esse Removenda Promovenda * Vox faucibus haeret 3. Casus Non mirum Tristis Miosis * Brugensis * Bern. * Hierom. * Macrobius * Die Dominico nihil aliud vacandum nisi ad pietatiâ— munia 1. A Promise of Joy Psal. 37.4 2. Of Honour 3. Of Earth and Heaven Eccles. 12.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Son as well as Servant * Bern. 1 Cor. 9.7 * Arist. * Davenant Reason * The Eye is the first part Ravens pick out * Plutarch †Validiora sunt Exempla quam verba Isa. 1.21 Acts 9.4 1. Excellency of the Soul 2. Excellency Plutarch Sen. Surius of Luther Ainsworth Ambrose Epiphan Luke 3.20 * Ex uguue Leonem Luther August * Cyprian * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 1 Chron. 15.13 * Rev. 3.2 Mat. 7.6 Exod. 19.12 * Aug. * Crede manducasti Aug. Luther Calvin Aug. Tertull. Aug. Calvin Aristot. Rom. 1.30 2 Sam. 12.11 * Bern. 2 Sam. 18.2 Gal. 5.17
did not beseech but knock as if they did not doubt to be let into Heaven yet to these Christ saith I know you not whence you are Depart from me ye workers of iniquity Therefore fear and tremble least any of us miss of this Kingdom of Heaven Secondly This fear is necessary if we consider what a loss it is to lose the Heavenly Kingdom All the tears of Hell are not sufficient to lament the loss of Heaven They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose Gods sweet Presence the ravishing viewes and smiles of Gods Glorious Face Gods Presence is the Diamond in the Ring of Glory Psal. 16.11 In his presence is fulness of joy If God be the Fountain of all Bliss then to be separated from him is the Fountain of all Misery They who lose the Heavenly Kingdom lose the Society of Angels and what sweeter Musick than to hear them praise God in Consort they lose all their Treasure their white Robes their sparkling Crowns they lose their hopes Iob 8.14 Whose hope shall be cut off Their hope is not an Anchor but a Spiders Web If hope deferred makes the heart sick Prov. 13.12 what then is hope disappointed They lose the end of their being Why were they Created but to be enthronâ—d in Glory Now to lose this is to lose the end of their being As if an Angel should be turned to a worm There are many aggravations of the loss of this Heavenly Kingdom 1. The eyes of the Wicked shall be opened to see their loss now they care not for the loss of Gods Favour because they know not the worth of it A Man that loseth a rich Diamond and took it but for an ordinary Stone is not much troubled at the loss of it but when he comes to know what a Jewel he lost then he laments He whose Heart would never break at the sight of his sins shall now break at the sight of his loss Phinehas his Daughter when she heard the Ark was lost cryed out The Glory is departed 1 Sam. 4.21 When the Sinner sees what he hath lost he hath lost the Beatifical Vision he hath lost the Kingdom of Heaven now he will cry out in horrour and despair The Glory the everlasting Glory is departed 2. A second aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be that Sinners shall be upbraided by their own Conscience This is the worm that never dyes Mark 9.44 viz. a self-accusing Mind When Sinners shall consider they were in a fair way to the Kingdom they had a possibility of Salvation though the door of Heaven were strait yet it was open they had the means of Grace the jubilee of the Gospel was proclaimed in their ears God called but they refused Jesus Christ offered them a plaister of his own Blood to heal them but they trampled it under foot the Holy Spirit stood at the door of their heart knocking and crying to them to receive Christ and Heaven but they repulsed the Spirit and sent away this Dove and now they have through their own folly and wilfulness lost the Kingdom of Heaven This self-accusing Conscience will be terrible like a venomous Worm gnawing at the Heart 3. A third aggravation of the loss of Heaven will be to look upon others that have gained the Kingdom the happiness of the Blessed will be an eye-sore Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out When the Wicked shall see those whom they hated and scorned to be exalted to a Kingdom and shine with Robes of Glory and they themselves miss of the Kingdom this will be a dagger at the heart and make them gnash their teeth for envy 4. A fourth aggravation is this loss of the Kingdom of Heaven is accompanied with the punishment of Sense He who leaps short of the Bank falls into the River such as come short of Heaven fall into the River of Fire and Brimstone Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into hell And how dreadful is that If when but a spark of Gods Anger lights into the Conscience here it is so torturing what will it be to have mountains of Gods Wrath thrown upon the Soul Psal. 90.11 Who knoweth the power of thy anger The Angel never poured out his Vial but some woe followed Rev. 16.3 when the bitter Vials of Gods Wrath are poured out Damnation follows Dives cryes out O I am tormented in this flame Luke 16.24 In Hell there 's not a drop of Mercy There was no Oyl or Frankincense used in the Sacrifice of Jealousie Numb 5.15 in Hell no Oyl of Mercy to lenifie the Sufferings of the Damned nor Incense of Prayer to appease Gods Wrath. 5. A fifth aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom will be to consider on what easie and reasonable terms Men might have had this Kingdom If indeed God had commanded impossibles to have satisfied his Justice in their own Persons it had been another matter but what God did demand was reasonable only to do that which was for their good to accept of Christ for their Lord and Husband only to part with that which would damn them if they kept their Sins these were the fair terms on which they might have enjoyed the Heavenly Kingdom Now to lose Heaven which might have been had upon such easie terms will be a cutting aggravation it will rend a Sinners Heart with rage and grief to think how easily he might have prevented the loss of the Heavenly Kingdom 6. It will be an aggravation of the loss of Heaven for Sinners to think how active they were in doing that which lost them the Kingdom they were felo de se. What pains did they take to resist the Spirit to stifle Conscience they sinned while they were out of breath Ier. 9.5 They weary themselves to commit iniquity What difficulties did Men go through what did they endure for their Sins how much shame and pain how sick was the Drunkard with his cups how sore in his Body was the Adulterer and what marks of his sin did he carry about him What dangers did Men adventure upon for their Lusts they adventured Gods Wrath and adventured the Laws of the Land O how will this aggravate the loss of Heaven how will this make Men curse themselves to think how much pains they were at to lose happiness How will this sting Mens Consciences to think had they taken but as much pains for Heaven as they did for Hell they had not lost it 7. Aggravation of the loss of this Kingdom it will be an eternal irreparable loss Heaven once lost can never be recovered Worldly losses may be made up again if a Man lose his Health he may have it repaired by Physick if a Man be driven out of his Kingdom he may be restored to it again as King Nebuchadnezzar was Dan. 4.36 My honour returned to me and I
was established in my Kingdom King Henry VI. was deposed from his Throne yet restored again to it but they who once lose Heaven can never be restored to it again After millions of years they are as far from obtaining Glory as at first Thus you see how needful this Exhortation is that we should fear least we fall short of this Kingdom of Heaven Quest What shall we do that we may not miss of this Kingdom of Glory Resp. 1. Take heed of those things which will make you miss of Heaven 1. Take heed of Spiritual Sloath. Many Christians are settled upon their lees they are loath to put themselves to too much pains It is said of Israel They despised the pleasant land Psal. 106.24 Canaan was a Paradise of Delight a Type of Heaven I but some of the Iews thought it would cost them a great deal of trouble and hazard in the getting and they would rather go without it They despised the pleasant land I have read of certain Spaniards that live where there is great store of Fish yet are so lazy that they will not be at the pains to catch them but buy of their Neighbours such a sinful sloath is upon the most that though the Kingdom of Heaven be offered to them yet they will not put themselves to any labour for it They have some faint velleities and desires O that I had this Kingdom like a Man that wisheth for Venison but will not hunt for it Prov. 13.4 The soul of the sluggard wisheth and hath nothing Men could be content to have the Kingdom of Heaven if it would drop as a ripe Fig into their mouth but they are loath to fight for it O take heed of Spiritual Sloath God never made Heaven to be an hive for drones We cannot have the World without labour and do we think to have the Kingdom of Heaven Heathens will rise up in Judgment against many Christians what pains did they take in their Olympick Races when they ran but for a Crown of Olive or Myrtle intermixed with Gold and do we stand still when we are running for a Kingdom Prov. 19.15 Sloathfulness casts into a deep sleep Sloath is the Souls sleep Adam lost his Rib when he was asleep Many a Man loseth the Kingdom of Heaven when he is in this deep sleep of sloath 2. Take heed of Unbelief Unbelief kept Israel out of Canaan Heb. 3.19 So we see they could not enter in because of unbelief and it keeps many out of Heaven Unbelief is an enemy to Salvation 't is a damning sin it whispers thus to what purpose is all this pains for the Heavenly Kingdom I had as good sit still I may come near to Heaven yet come short of Heaven Ier. 18.12 And they said there is no hope Unbelief destroyes hope and if you once cut this sinew a Christian goes but lamely in Religion if he goes at all Unbelief raiseth jealous thoughts of God it represents him as a severe Judge this discourageth many a Soul and takes it off from Duty Beware of unbelief believe the Promises Lam. 3.25 God is good to the Soul that seeks him seek him earnestly and he will open both his Heart and Heaven to you Deus volentibus non deest do what you are able and God will help you While you spread the sails of your endeavour Gods Spirit will blow upon these sails and carry you swiftly to the Kingdom of Glory 3. If you would not miss of the Heavenly Kingdom take heed of mistake imagining the way to the Kingdom of Heaven to be easier than it is 't is but a sigh or Lord have Mercy There 's no going to Heaven per saltum one cannot leap out of Dalilahs lap into Abrahams bosom The Sinner is dead in trespasses Eph. 2.1 is it easie for a dead Man to restore himself to life Is Regeneration easie Are there no pangs in the new birth Doth not the Scripture call Christianity a warfare and a race And do you fancy this easie The way to the Kingdom is not easie but the mistake about the way is easie 4. If you would not miss of the Heavenly Kingdom take heed of delayes and procrastinations Mora trahit periculum It is an usual delusion I will mind the Kingdom of Heaven but not yet when I have gotten an Estate and am grown old then I will look after Heaven and on a sudden Death surprizeth Men and they fall short of Heaven Delay strengthens sin hardens the heart and gives the Devil fuller possession of a Man Take heed of adjourning and putting off seeking the Kingdom of Heaven till it be too late Caesar deferring to read a Letter put into his hand was killed in the Senate-house Consider how short your Life is 't is a Taper soon blown out Animantis cujusque vita in fuga est The Body is like a Vessel tun'd with breath Sickness broacheth it Death draws it out delay not the business of Salvation a day longer sometimes Death strikes and gives no warning 5. If you would not come short of the Kingdom of Heaven take heed of prejudice Many take a prejudice at Religion and on this Rock dash their Souls they are prejudiced at Christs Person his Truths his Followers his Wayes 1. They are prejudiced at his Person Matth. 13.57 And they were offended in him what is there in Christ that Men should be offended at him He is the pearl of price Matth. 13.46 are Men offended at Pearls and Diamonds Christ is the wonder of Beauty Psal. 45.2 Fairer than the children of men is there any thing in Beauty to offend Christ is a mirrour of Mercy Heb. 2.17 why should Mercy offend any Christ is a Redeemer why should a captive slave be offended at him who comes with a summe of Money to ransom him The prejudice Men take at Christ is from the inbred pravity of their hearts The eye that is sore cannot endure the light of the Sun the fault is not in the Sun but in the sore eye There are two things in Christ Men are prejudiced at 1. His Means The Iewes expected a Monarch for their Messiah but Christ came not with outward Pomp and Splendor His Kingdom was not of this World The Stars which are seated in the lightest Orbs are least seen Christ who was the bright Morning Star was not much seen his Divinity was hid in the dark Lanthorne of his humanity all who saw the Man did not see the Messiah this the Jews stumbled at the Means of his Person 2. Men are prejudiced at Christs strictness they look upon Christ as austere and his Lawes too severe Psal. 2.3 Let us break their bands and cast away their cords from us Though to a Saint Christs Laws are no more burdensome than Wings are to a Bird yet to the Wicked Christs Laws are a yoke and they love not to come under restraint hence it is they hate Christ. Though they pretend to love him as a Saviour yet they
tears Rev. 7.17 3. God hath given thee Grace Grace is the rich embroidery and workmanship of the Holy Ghost it is the sacred Unction 1 Iohn 2.27 The Graces are a Chain of Pearl to adorn and Beds of Spices which make us a sweet odour to God Grace is a distinguishing Blessing Christ gave Iudas his Purse but not his Spirit may not this quiet the Heart in Affliction and make it say Thy Will be done Lord thou hast given that Jewel which thou bestowest only on the Elect. Grace is a seal of thy Love it is both Food and Cordial it is an earnest of Glory 9. Consideration When God intends the greatest Mercy to any of his People he brings them low in Affliction God seems to go quite cross to Sense and Reason when he intends to raise us highest he brings us lowest As Moses Hand before it wrought Miracles was Leprous and Sarahs Womb before it brought forth the Son of the Promise was Barren God brings us low before he raiseth us as Water is at the lowest ebb before there is a Spring tyde 1. It is true in a Temporal Sense When God would bring Israel to Canaan a Land flowing with Milk and Honey he first leads them through a Sea and a Wilderness when God intended to advance Ioseph to be the second Man in the Kingdom he casts him first into Prison and the Irons entred into his Soul Psal. 105.18 God usually lets it be darkest before the Morning-Star of deliverance appears 2. It is true in a Spiritual Sense When God intends to raise a Soul to Spiritual Comfort he first layes it low in desertion Isa. 12.1 as the Limner layes his dark colour first and then layes his gold colour on it so God first layes the Soul in the dark of desertion and then he layes his golden colour of Joy and Consolation May not this make us chearfully submit and say Thy Will be done Perhaps now God afflicts me he is about to raise me he intends me a greater Mercy than I am aware of 10. Consideration The excellency of this frame of Soul to lye at Gods feet and say Thy Will be done 1. A Soul that is melted into Gods Will shows variety of Grace As the holy Oyntment was made up of several Aromatick Spices Myrrh Cinnamon Cassia Exod. 30.23 so this sweet temper of Soul submission to Gods Will in Affliction hath in it a mixture of several Graces In particular it is compounded of three Graces Faith Love Humility 1. Faith Faith believes God doth all in Mercy that Affliction is to mortifie some Sin or exercise some Grace that God corrects in Love and Faithfulness Psalm 119.75 the belief of this causeth submission of Will to God 2. Love Love thinks no evil 1 Cor. 13.5 Love takes all God doth in the best sense it hath good thoughts of God this causeth submission Thy Will be done Let the Righteous God smite me saith Love it shall be a kindness yea it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head 3. Humility The humble Soul looks on its Sins and how it hath provoked God he saith not his Afflictions are great but his Sins are great this makes him lye at Gods feet and say I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Micah 7.9 Thus a submissive frame of Heart is full of grace it is compounded of several graces it pleaseth God to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised he saith of such a Christian as David of Goliahs Sword 1 Sam. 21.9 None like that give it me 2. He who puts his fiat placet to Gods Will and saith Thy Will be done shows not only variety of grace but strength of grace It argues much strength in the Body to be able to endure hard weather yet not be altered by it so to endure hard tryals yet not faint or fret shows more than ordinary strength of grace You that can say you have brought your Wills to Gods Gods VVill and yours agree as the Copy and the Original let me assure you you have out-strip'd many Christians who perhaps shine in an higher orb of knowledge than you To be content to be at Gods dispose to be any thing that God will have us shows a noble heroick Soul It is reported of the Eagle it is not like other Fowls they when they are hungry make a noise the Ravens cry for food but the Eagle is never heard to make a noise though it wants meat and it is from the nobleness and greatness of its Spirit The Eagle is above other Fowls and hath a Spirit suitable to its Nature so it is an argument of an holy gallantry and magnitude of Spirit that whatever cross Providences befal a Christian he doth not cry and whine as others but is silent and lyes quietly at Gods feet Here 's much strength of Grace in such a Soul nay the height of Grace VVhen Grace is crowning it is not so much to say Lord Thy Will be done but when Grace is conflicting and meets with crosses and tryals now to say Thy Will be done is a glorious thing indeed and prepares for the garland of honour 11. Consideration Persons are usually better in Adversity than Prosperity therefore stoop to Gods VVill. A prosperous condition is not alwayes so safe 't is true it is more pleasing to the Palate and every one desires to get on the warm side of the hedge where the Sun of Prosperity shines but it is not alwayes best In a prosperous Estate there is more burden many look at the shining and glittering of Prosperity but not at the burden Plus oneris 1. The burden of care therefore Christ calls Riches Cares Luke 8.14 A Rose hath its prickles so have Riches we think them happy that flourish in their Silks and Cloath of Gold but we see not the Troubles and Cares that attend them A Shooe may have Silver Lace on it yet pinch the Foot Many a Man that goes to his day-labour lives a more contented life than he that hath his Thousands per Annum Disquieting Care is the malus genius the evil Spirit that haunts the Rich Man When his Chests are full of Gold his Heart is full of Care how to encrease or how to secure what he hath gotten he is sometimes full of Care who he shall leave it to A large Estate like a long trailing garment is oft more troublesome than useful 2. In a prosperous Estate there is the burden of Account Such as are in high places have a far greater account to give to God than others Luke 12.48 Vnto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required The more golden Talents any are intrusted with the more they have to answer for the more their Revenues the more their Reckonings God will say I gave you a great Estate what have you done with it how have you employed it for my Glory I have read of Philip King of Spain