desirest no more good name repute or honour than Christ will afford thee or in case of death dost thou like Stephen resign up thy soul to Christ dost thou see death conquered in the resurrection of Christ dost thou look beyond death dost thou over-eye all things betwixt thee and glory O the sweet of this life of faith on the Son of God! if thou knowest what this means then mayst thou assure thy self of thy vivification 3. True vivification is a new life acting upon a new principle of hope of glory Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.3 4. which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you By Christs resurrection we have a lively hope for our resurrection unto glory is not Christ our head and if he be risen to glory John 18.22 shall not his members follow after him certainly there is but one life one Spirit one glory of Christ and his members The glory which thou gavest me I have given unto them said Christ The soul that is vivified hath a lively hope of glory on several grounds As 1. Because of the promises of glory set down in the word now on these promises hope fastens her anchor if Christ hath promised how should I but maintain lively hope 2. Because of the first-fruits of the Spirit there are sometimes fore tasts of the glory drops of heaven poured into a soul whence it comfortably concludes if I have the earnest and first-fruits surely in his time Jesus Christ will give the harvest 3. Because of Christs resurrection unto glory now he rose as a common Person and he went up into heaven as a common Person whence hope is lively saying why should I doubt or despair seeing I am quickened together with Christ Eph. 2.5 6. and raised up together with Christ and am made to sit together with Christ in heavenly places Try O my soul by this sign Art thou lively in the hope of glory doth thy heart leap and rejoyce within at a thought of thy inheritance in heaven in a lively fountain the waters thereof will leap and sparkle so if thy hope be lively thou wilt have living joys living speeches living delights amidst all thy afflictions thou wilt say these will not endure for ever I my self shall away ere long Glory will come at last O the sweet of this life of hope if thou feelest these stirrings it is an argument of thy vivification 4. True vivification acts all its dutyes upon a new principle of love to Christ men not enlivened by Jesus Christ may do much and go far in outward service yea they may come to sufferings and yet without love to Christ all is lost all comes to nothing 1 Cor. 13.1 Though I speak with tongues of men and Angels though I have the gift of Prophesie and understand all mysteries and all knowledg though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor Ver. 2.3 and though I give my body to be burnt and have not love it profiteth me nothing All the rest may be from the flesh and for the flesh and fleshly ends but a true Gospel-love is from Christ and tends to the Glory of Christ For Love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God 1 John 4.7 But how may we know that all our actings are out of love to Jesus Christ I answer 1. If we act by the rule of Christ If ye love me keep my commandements He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them 1 John 14.15 21.23 24. he it is that loveth me If any man love me he will keep my commandements He that loves Christ he will look upon every act every service every performance whether it be according to the rule of Christ and then on he goes with it 2. If we act to the honour of Christ We may pray and hear and preach and act self more then the honour of Jesus Christ whiles Christ shewed miracles and fed his followers to the full they cryed up Jesus and none like Jesus but when Christ was plain with them ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves John 6.26 Ver. 66. and were filled when he pressed sincerity upon them and preparation for sufferings from that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him It s no news for men to fall off when their ends fail only they that love Christ look not at these outward things in respect of the honour of Jesus Christ and hence it is that in all their actings they will carry on the design of the Father in advancing the honour of the Son whatever it cost them O my soul apply this to thy self if thou livest the life of love if in all thy actings duties services thou art carried on with a principle of love to Jesus Christ it is a sure sign of thy vivification For the second question whether we increase and grow in our vivification we may discover it thus 1. We grow when we are led on to the exercise of new Graces this the Apostle calls adding of one Grace unto another 1 Pet. 1.5 6 7. add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledg and to knowledg temperance and to temperance patience and to patience Godliness and to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity At first a Christian doth not exercise all Graces though habitually all Graces may be planted in him yet the exercise of them is not all at once but by degrees Thus the Church tells Christ at our Gates are all manner of pleasant fruits new and old which I have laid up for thee O my beloved Cant. 7.13 she had all manner of fruits which she had reserved for Christ new and old she had young converts and more seetled professors or she had new and old Graces as others she added Grace to Grace she was led on from the exercise of one Grace unto another new Grace As wicked men are led on from one sin to another and so grow worse and worse so godly men are led from one Grace to another Rom. 5.3 4. and so they increase knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope 2. We grow when we find new degrees of the same Grace added as when love grows more fervent when knowledg abounds and hath a larger apprehension of spiritual things when faith goes on from mans casting himself on Christ to find sweetness in Christ and so to plerophory or full assurance of faith when Godly sorrow proceeds from mourning for sin as contrary to Gods holiness to mourn for it is as contrary to him who loves us which usually follows after assurance when obedience enlargeth its bounds Rev.
in holiness and righteousness all the dayes of our life surely this is the end for which we are delivered out of the hands of our enemies sin death and hell Eph. 5.8 Ye were sometimes da â—nâ—ss during your abode in the grave of sin but now being risen ye are light in the Lord walk therefore as children of light Walk i.e. bestir your selves in the works of God Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee When God doth let the Sun of Righteousness arise Isa 60.1 it is fit we should be about the business of our souls We see that the night is dedicated to rest and therefore God that doth order all things sweetly he draws a curtain of darkness about us as which is friendly to rest like a Nurse that when she will have her little one sleep she casts a cloath over the face and hides the light every way but when this natural Sun ariseth then men go out to their work so must we though in the darkness of the night we shorted in sin yet now we must bestir our selves seeing the Sun of the spiritual world is risen over us And yet when all is done let us not think that our vivification in this life will be wholly perfect as it is with our mortification in the best it is but an imperfect work so it is with our vivification it is only gradual and never perfected till grace be swallowed up of glory Only let us ever be in the use of the means and let us endeavour a further renovation of the new man adding one grace to another To faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance to temperance patience 2 Pet. 1 5 6. Rom. 7.1 to patience godliness c. till we perfect holiness in the fear of God till we shine with those Saints in glory at perfect day Thus far we have Looked on Jesus as our Jesus in his resurrection and during the time of his abode on earth Our next work is to Look on Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his ascension into Heaven and in his session at God's right hand and in his mission of the holy Spirit LOOKING UNTO JESUS In his Ascension Session and Mission of his Spirit The Eight Book PART VIII CHAP. I. Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus who is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God SECT I. Of Christ's Ascension and of the manner how THUS far we have traced Jesus in his actings for us untill the day in which he was taken up Acts 1.2 That which immediately follows is his Ascension Session at God's right hand and Mission of his holy Spirit in prosecution of which as in the former I shall first lay down the object and secondly direct you how to look upon it The object is threefold 1. He ascended into Heaven 2. He sate down at Gods right hand 3. He sent down the holy Ghost 1. For the Ascension of Christ this was a glorious design and contains in it a great part of the salvation of our souls In prosecution of this I shall shew first that he ascended 2. How he ascended 3. Whither he ascended 4. Why he ascended 1. That he ascended 1. The types prefigure it Then said the Lord to me Ezek. 44.2 3. this gate shall be shut it shall not be opened it is for the Prince the Prince he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate and shall go out by the way of the same As the gate of the Holy of Holies was shut against every man but the High Priest so was that gate of Heaven shut against all so that none could enter in by their own vertue and efficacy but only our Prince and great high Priest the Lord Jesus Christ indeed he hath opened it for us and entred into it in our place and stead Whither the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus made an high Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech 2. The Prophets forsaw it Heb. 6.20 Dan. 7.13 14. I saw in the night visions and behold one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the ancient of dayes Mark 16.19 Luke 24.31 and they brought him near before him and there was given him dominion and glory and a Kingdom 3. The Evangelists relate it He was received up into heaven He was carried up into heaven 4. The eleven witness it For while they beheld he was taken up Acts 1.9 Acts 1.10 11. and a cloud received him out of their sight 5. The holy Angels speak it For while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparel which also said ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven Eph. 4.8 10. 1 Pet. 3.22 6. The blessed Apostles in their several Epistles ratifie and confirm it When he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men he that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 2. How he ascended The manner of his Ascension is discovered in these particulars 1. Luke 24.51 He ascended blessing his Apostles While he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into heaven It is some comfort to Christ's Ministers that though the world hate them Christ doth bless them yea he parted with them in a way of blessing as Jacob leaving the world blessed his Sons so Christ leaving the world blessed his Apostles and all the faithful Ministers of Christ unto the end of the world Some add that in these Apostles not only Ministers but all the elect to the end of the world are blessed The Apostles were then considered as common persons receiving this blessing for all us and so those words uttered at the same time are usually interpreted Mat. 28.20 Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world This was the last thing that Christ did on earth to shew that by his death he had redâ—emed us from the curse of the Law Eph. 1.3 and that now going to heaven he is able to bless us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places Acts 1.19 2. He ascended visibly in the view of the Apostles while they beheld he was taken up he was not suddenly snatched from them as Elija was nor secretly and privily taken away as Enoch was but in the presence of them all both his Apostles and Disciples he ascended up into Heaven but why not in the view of all the Jews that so they might know that he was risen again and
sunt quia nomen Jesu non est in illis Aug. Si scribas non sapit mihi nisi legero ibi Jesum Si disputes aut conferas non sapit mihi nisi sonuerit ibi Jesum Ber. 1 Cor. 2.2 commended them for their eloquence but he passed this sentence upon them They are not sweet because the name of Jesus is not in them And Bernards saying is near the same if thou writest it doth not relish with me unless I read Jesus there if thou disputest or conferrest it doth not relish well with me unless Jesus sound there Indeed all we say is but unsavory if it be not seasoned with this salt I determined not to know any thing among you saith Paul save Jesus Christ and him Crucified he resolved with himself before he Preached among the Corinthians that this should be the only point of knowledge that he would profess himself to have skill in and that in the course of his Ministry he would labour to bring them to this he made the bredth length depth height of his knowledge yea doubtless saith he and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord Ephes 3.18 Phil. 3.8 In this knowledge of Christ there is an excellency above all other knowledge in the VVorld there is nothing more pleasing comfortable more animating enlivening more ravishing soul-contenting only Christ is the sum center of all divine revealed truths we can preach nothing else as the object of our faith as the necessary element of our souls salvation which doth not some way or other either meet in Christ or refer to Christ only Christ is the whole of mans happiness the Sun to enlighten him the Physician to heal him the VVall of Fire to defend him the Friend to comfort him the Pearl to enrich him the Ark to support him the Rock to sustain him under the heaviest pressures As an hiding place from the Wind and a covert from the Tempest Isa 32.2 as Rivers of Waters in a dry place and as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land Only Christ is that Ladder betwixt Earth and Heaven the Mediator betwixt God and Man a Mystery which the Angels of Heaven desire to pry and peep and look into 1 Pet. 1.12 Here 's a blessed subject indeed who would not be glad to pry into it to be acquainted with it This is life eternal to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Come then let us look on this Sun of righteousness we cannot receive harm but good by such a look Joh. 17.3 indeed by looking long on the natural Sun we may have our eyes dazled and our faces blackned but by looking unto Jesus Christ we shall have our eyes clearer and our faces fairer Prov 15.30 if the light of the eye rejoyce the heart how much more when we have such a blessed object to look upon As Christ is more excellent than all the world so this sight transcends all other sights it is the Epitome of a Christians happiness the quintessence of evangelical Duties Looking unto Jesus In the Text we have the act and Object the act in the Original is very emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the English doth not fully express it it signifies an averting or drawing off the eye from one object to another there are two expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the one signifies a turning of the eye from all other objects the other a fast fixing of the eye upon such an object and only upon such So it is both a looking off and a looking on On what That is the object a looking unto Jesus a Title that denotes his mercy and bounty as Christ denotes his office and function I shall not be so curious as to enquire why Jesus and not Christ is nominated I suppose the person is aimed at which implies them both only this may be observed that Jesus is the purest Gospel Name of all other names Jesus was not the dialect of the Old Testament the first place that ever we read of this title as given to Christ it is in Matth. 1.21 Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins Some observe that this Name Jesus was given him twice once till death Matth. 1.21 and afterwards for ever Phil. 2.10 the first was a note of his entering into Covenant with God to fulfill the Law for us to die for our sins the second was a note of so meritorious a person who for his humility was more exalted than any person ever hath been or shall be First Jesus was the humble name of his deserving grace now Jesus is the exalted name of his transcendent glory at first the Jewes did Crucifie Jesus and his name the Apostle did then distrust whether Jesus was the true Jesus but now God hath raised him from the dead Luk. 24.21 Phil. 2.9.10 hath highly exalted him given him a name above every name that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth My meaning is not to insist on this Name in contradistinction to any other names of Christ he is often called Christ and Lord and Mediatour and Son of God and Emmanuel Why Jesus is all these Jesus is Christ as he is the annointed of God and Jesus is Lord as he hath dominion over all the world and Jesus is Mediatour as he is the reconciler of God man and Jesus is the Son of God as he was eternally begotten before all worlds and Jesus is Emmanuel as he was incarnate and so God with us Only because Jesus signifie Saviour and this name was given him upon that very account For he shall save his people from their sins I shall make this my designe to look at Jesus more especially as carrying on the great work of our salvation from first to the last This indeed is the glad-tidings the Gospel the Gospel-priviledge and our Gospel-Duty Looking unto Jesus CHAP. II. SECT I. The Duty of looking off all other things confirmed and cleared Doctrine 1 BUT first we must look off all other things the note is this We must take off our mind from every thing which might divert us in our Christian Race from looking unto Jesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first word or first piece of a word in my Text speaks to us thus hands off or eyes off from any thing that stands in the way of Jesus Christ I remember 't was writ over Plato's door 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there 's none may come hither that is not a Geometer but on the door of my Text is written clean contrary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No earthly minded man must enter here not any thing in the world be it never so excellent if it stand in the way of
Jesus Christ is to be named the same day we must not give a look or squint at any thing that may hinder this faire and lovely sight of Jesus Gen. 10.7 Thus was the Lords charge to Lot look not behind thee he was so far to renounce and detest the lewdness of Sodom as that he must not vouchsafe a look towards it Isai 17.7 8. At that day shall a man look towards his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy one of Israel and he shall not look to the Altars the work of his hands This was the fruit of Gods chastisement on the Elect Israel that he should not give a look to the Altars lest they diverted or drew his eyes from off his Maker 2 Cor. 4.18 We look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen saith Paul A Christians aim is beyond visible things O when a soul comes to know what an eternal God is and what an eternal Jesus is and what an eternal Crown is when it knows that great design of Christ to save poor souls and to communicate himself eternally to such poor creatures this takes off the edge of its desires as to visible temporal things what are they in comparison But what things are they we must look off in this respect I answer 1. Good things 2. Evil things Question 1 1. Good things The Apostle tells us of a cloud of witnesses in the former verse which no question in their season we are to Look unto But when this second object comes in sight he scatters the cloud quite and sets up Jesus himself now the Apostle willeth us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to turn our eyes from them and to turn them hither to Jesus Christ q. d. If you will indeed see a sight once for all look to him the Saints though they be guides to us yet are they but followers to him he is the arch guide the leader of them of us all look on him There is a time when James may say James 5 10. â—ohn 13.15 Zach. 2 13. take my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the Name of the Lord for an example but when Jesus comes forth that said I have given you an example an example above all examples then be silent O all flesh before the Lord. Let all Saints and Seraphims then cover their faces with their wings that we may look on Jesus and let all other sights go 2. Evil things 1. In general 2. In special 1. In general we must look off all things that are on this side Jesus Christ and so so much the rather if they be evil things in a word we must look off all self whether it be sinfull self or natural self or religious self in this case we must draw our eyes off all these things 2. In special we must look off all that is in the world 1 John 2.16 and that the Apostle comprizeth under three heads the lusts of the eyes the lusts of the flesh the pride of life 1. Pleasures Profits and Honours 1. we must look off this world in respect of its sinfull pleasures Jude tells us such as are sensual have not the spirit we cannot fixedly look on pleasures Jude 18.19 Job 21.12 13 14 15. and look on Jesus at once Job tells us that they that take up the Timbril and Harp and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ that spend their dayes in mirth are the same that say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes what is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit should we have if we pray unto him We have a lively example of this in Augustines conversion he would indeed have had Christ and his pleasures too but when he saw it would not be Oh what conflicts were within him In his Orchard as he stories it in his book of confessions all his pleasures past represented themselves before his eyes saying What wilt thou depart from us for ever Dimittesne nos a momento isto non crimus tecum ultra in aeternum Aug. in lib confess Et tu Domine usque quo quam diu quam diu cras cras quare non modo quare non hoc hora sinis est turpitudinis meae Aug. ibid Tolle lege â— tolle lege Idem ibid. Rom. 13.13 14. and shall we be no more with thee for ever O Lord saith Augustin writing this confession turn away my minde from thinking that which they objected to my soul What filth What shameful pleasures did they lay before my eyes At length after this combate a showr of tears came from him and casting himself on the ground under a Fig-tree he cries it out O Lord how long how long shall I say to morrow to morrow Why not to day Lord why not to day why should there not be an end of my filthy life even at this hour Immediately after this he heard a voice as if it had been a boy or a girle singing by take up and read take up and read and thereupon opening his Bible that lay by him at hand he read in silence the first Chapter that offered it self wherein was written Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering or wantonness not in strife and envying but put ye on the Lord Jesus and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Further then this sentence I would not read saith Augustine neither indeed was it needful for presently as if light had been poured into my heart all the darkness of my doubtfulness fled away His eye was now taken off his pleasures and for ever after it was set on Jesus 2. We must look off this world in respect of its sinful profits a look on this keeps off our looking unto Jesus Whosoever loveth the world the love of the Father is not in him just so much as the world prevails in us so much is Gods love abated both in us 1 John 2 15. Jam. 4.4 and towards us ye adulterers and adulteresses saith James know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God Covetousness in Christians is spiritual adultery when we have enough in God and Christ and yet we desire to make up our happiness in the creature this is plain whoreing Now there are degrees in this spiritual whoredome as 1. The minding of this world ye know there may be adultery in affection when the body is not defiled unclean glances are a degree of lust so the children of God may have some worldly glances stragling thoughts when the temptation is strong the world may be greatned in their esteem and imagination 2. The setting of the heart upon the world this is an higher degree of this spiritual adultery our hearts are due and proper to Christ now to set them on the world which should be chaste
must explain the act you must look Secondly the object you must look on Jesus CHAP. III. SECT I. An Explanation of the Act and Object 1. FOr the act you must look Looking is either ocular or mental First for ocular vision there may be some use of that in heaven for there we shall look on Jesus with these eyes shall I behold him saith Job Job 19 27. 1 John 3 2. 1 Cor. 13.12 2 Cor. 5.7 we shall see him as he is saith the Apostle now we see him as in a glass but then we shall see him face to face But till then we must walk by faith and not by sight Secondly for mental vision or the inward eye that is it that will take up our discourse and that is it which the Apostle speaks of in his prayers for the Ephesians Ephes 1.18 that the eyes of their understanding may be opened that they may know c. * Simâ—â—ds sight and saith Now the excellency of this mental sight is far above the ocular sight for there are more excellent things to be seen by the eye of the mind than by the eye of the body we only see a peece of the creation by the eye of the body but the mind reacheth every thing that is in it yea the mind reacheth to him that made it God is invisible yet this eye sees God Heb. 11.27 it is said of Moses that he saw him that is invisible 2. It is the sight of the mind that gives light and vigour to the sight of the eye take away the inward light and the light of the external sense is but as darkness and death 3. It is the sight of the mind that looks into the worth use c. propriety of any thing presented the eye can see a thing but not the worth of it a beast looks on gold as well as a man but the sight and knowledge of the worth of it is by the internal light of the mind so the eye can see a thing but not the use of it a child looks on a tool in the hand of a workman but the sight and knowledge of the use of it is only by a man of reason that hath internal light to judge of it and so the eye can see a thing but not the propriety of it a beast looks on his pasture but he likes it not because it is his but because it is a pasture and well furnished Now we know that the worth and use and propriety of a thing are the very cream of the things themselves and this the eye of the mind conveys Gen. 42.7 8. and not the eyes of the body It is said of Joseph that he saw hiâ— brethren and knew them but they knew not him this was the reason why Joseph was so exceedingly taken at the sight of his Brethren that his bowels wrought with joy and a kind of compassion towards them but they were before him as common strangers though they saw Joseph their brother a Prince yet they were taken no more with the sight of him than of any other man because they knew him not Again this mental looking is either notional and theoretical or practical and experimental the first we call barely the look of our minds it is an enlightning of our understandings with some measure of speculative sight in spiritual and heavenly mysteries the second we call the look of our minds and hearts whereby we not only see spiritual things but we are * Sub oculorum nomine-omnes affectus notari non rarum est Calv. in Ps 25.17 Phil. 3.10 affected with them we desire love believe joy and embrace them To this purpose is that rule that words of knowledge do sometimes signifie the affections in the heart and the effects thereof in our lives And this was the look which Paul longed for that I may know him and the power of his resurrection i.e. that he might have experience of that power In legendu libâ—is non quaeramus scientiam sed sapoâ—em Dei Phil 1.9 that it might so communicate it self unto him as to work upon him to all the ends of it And this was the look that Bernard preferred above all looks In reading of books saith he let us not so much look for science as savoriness of truth upon our hearts This I pray said the Apostle that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement i.e. in knowledge and feeling And certainly this feeling this experimental Looking on Jesus is that my Text aims at it is not a swimming knowledge of Christ but an hearty feeling of Christs inward workings it is not heady notions of Christ but hearty motions towards Christ that are implied in this inward looking 2. For the Object you must look on Jesus It is the blessed'st Object that the eye of the mind can possibly fix upon of all Objects under Heaven Jesus hath the preheminence in perfection and he should have the preheminence in our Meditation It is he that will make us most happy when we possess him and we cannot but be joyfull to look upon him especially when looking is a degree of possessing Jesus for the name signifies Saviour it is an Hebrew name the Greeks borrowed it from the Hebrews the Latines fom the Greeks and all other Languages from the Latines It is used five hundred times in Pauls Epistles saith Genebrard it comes from the Hebrew word Jehoshua or Joshua which in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah Ezra 5.2 Nehem. 8.17 written after the Babylonian captivity is Jeshua and so is our Saviours Name always written in the Syriack translation of the new Testament This name Jesus was given to Christ the Son of God by his Father and brought from Heaven by an Angel first to Mary and then to Joseph and on the day when he was circumcised as the manner was this Name was given him by his Parents as it was commanded from the Lord by the Angel Gabriel Luke 1.26.31 Not to stand on the Name for the matter it includes both his office and his natures he is the alone Saviour of man Act. 4.12 for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved and he is a perfect and an absolute Saviour Heb. 7.25 he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them I will not deny but that the work of salvation is common to all the three persons of the Trinity it is a known rule Opera trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa all outward actions are equally common to the three persons for as they are all one in Nature and Will so must they be also one in Operation the Father saveth the Son saveth and the holy Ghost saveth yet we must distinguish them in the manner of saving the Father saveth by the Son the Son saveth
stands in competition with Jesus we have discussed before Many other Motives might be given but let this suffice I have done with the exhortation In the next place I shall lay open to you the particular way of this Duty which all this while I have been perswading to SECT VIII Vse of Direction Vse 3 IS inward experimental looking unto Jesus a choice or an high Gospel Ordinance why then some directions how we are to perform this Duty Practice is the end of all sound doctrin and duty is the end of all right faith now that you may do what you have heard in some good measure I shall prescribe the directions in the next part prescribed But first in the work observe those two parts of the Text the act and object the act is looking unto and the Object is Jesus 1. By looking unto we mean as you have heard an inward experimental knowing desiring hoping believing loving calling on Jesus and conforming to Jesus it is not a bare swiming knowledge of Christ it is not a bare thinking of Christ as Christ hath various excellencies in himself so hath he formed the soul with a power of diverse wayes apprehending that so we might be capable of enjoying those divers excellencies that are in Christ even as the creatures having their several uses God hath accordingly given us several senses that so we might enjoy the delights of them all what the better had we been for pleasant odoriferous Flowers or sweet perfumes if we had not possest the sense of smelling or what good would language or musick have done us if God had not given us the sense of hearing or what delight should we have found in meats or drinks or sweetest things if we had been deprived of the sense of tasting so what pleasure should we have had even in the goodness and perfection of God and Christ if we had been without the faculty and power of knowing desiring hoping believing loving joying and enjoying as the senses are to the body so are these spiritual senses powers affections to the soul the very way by which we must receive sweetness and strength from the Lord Jesus 2. By Jesus who is the Object of this Act we mean a Saviour carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last hence we shall follow this method to look on this Jesus as our Jesus in these several periods 1. In that Eternity before all time until the Creation 2. In the Creation the beginning of time until his coming 3. In his first coming the fulness of time until his coming again 4. In his coming again the very end of time to all Eternity In every of these Periods Oh what a blessed Object is before us Oh what wonders of love have we to look upon Before I direct you how to look on him in these respects I must in the first place propound the Object still we must lay the colours of this admirable beauty before your eyes and then tell you the art how you are to look upon them You may object the Apostle in this Text refers this look only to the passion and session of Christ Bp. Arde. But a worthy Interpreter tells you out of these words That Christ our blessed Saviour is to be looked on at all times and in all acts though indeed then in those Acts more especially Besides we are to look unto Jesus as the Author and finisher of our Faith and why as the Author and finisher of our Faith but to hint out to us that we are to stand still and to behold as with a stedfast eye what he is from first to last You have called us hither say they in Canticles to see your Shulamite What shall we sâ—e in him What saith the Spouse but as the company of two Armies that is many legions of good sights an Ocean of bottomless depths of manifold high perfections Or if these words be understood of the Spouse and not of Christ yet how many words do we find in Canticles expressing in him many goodly sights Myrrhe Aloes Cinamon all the Trees of Frankincense all the Powders of the Merchants are in him he is altogether lovely he is all every whit of him desirable he is not one single Star but a constellation there is in him a confluence a bundle an army of glorious sights all in one cluster meeting and growing upon one stalk There 's many glorious sights in Jesus I I shall not therefore limit my self to those two especial ones but take all those before me I have now propounded And now if ever stir up your hearts Say to all worldly business and thoughts as Christ to the Disciples Matth 2â— 36 Sit you here while I go pray yonder Or as Abraham when he went to sacrifice Isaac left his Servants and Asse below the Mount saying Stay you here and I and the Lad will go yonder and Worship and come again to you so say to all worldly thoughts Abide you below while I go up to Christ and then I will return to you again Christians your selves may be welcom but such followers may not LOOKING UNTO JESUS The Second Book Revel 1.8 11. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last and what thou seest write in a book and send it to the seven Churches CHAP. I. SECT I. Of the eternal Generation of our Jesus WE must Look unto Jesus the beginner and finisher of our faith we must behold Jesus as with a stedfast eye from first to last As he is Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending the first and the last so accordingly we must Look unto him 1. He is Alpha the beginner so it is in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginner the inceptor the first wheel of our faith Heb. 12.2 and of the end of our faith the salvation of our souls 2 Thes 2.13 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.2 Now Christ may be called a beginner in respect of the Decree or execution I shall begin with the Decree wherein he begun before the beginning of time to design our happiness for the praise of the glory of his Grace Ephes 1.6 Many depths are in this passage To this purpose we told you that Jesus is Gods Son and our Jesus eternally begotten before all worlds In this first period we shall look on him 1. In relation to God 2. In relation to us 1. In his relation to God who shall declare his generation Isa 53.8 He is Gods Son having his subsistence from the Father alone of which Father by communication of his essence he is begotten from all eternity For the opening of this eternal generation of our Jesus we shall consider 1. The thing begotten 2. The time 3. The manner of begetting 4. The mutual kindness and love of him that begets and of him
his if God in Christ hath of his own free love set thee apart to life and salvation then know it for thy self Jâ—b 5 27. it is inward experimental knowledge we speak of 4. Study the purpose of God concerning thy salvation this purpose of God speaks the stability and certainty of they salvation in Christ his purpose is in and from himself who is God and not man and therefore cannot repent Numb 23.19 hath he said and shall he not do it hath he spoken and shall he not make it good 5. Study the decrees of God they are all one with Predestination the book of life the seal of God what hath the Lord decreed predestinated booked sealed thee for salvation Psal 89 15. O how blessed is the people that know this joyful sound they shall walk in the light of they countenance O Lord. 6. Study the Covenant of grace remember how the business of eternity lay thus here is every man lost said God to his Son but thou shalt in fulness of time go and be born of flesh and blood and die for some of them and satisfie my Justice and they shall be thine for a portion and they shall be called the holy people the redeemed of the Lord. To whom the Son answered be it so Lord I will go and fulfil thy pleasure and they shall be mine for ever Observe and be acquainted with this Covenant in that very Dialogue first God demands of his Son that he lay down his life and for his labour he promiseth that he shall be his seed and God shall give him many children Isa 53.10 Heb. 10.5 9. And secondly the Son consents to lay down his life and saith here I am to do thy will O God thou hast given me a body What O my soul that the Father and Christ should transact a bargain from eternity concerning thee that there should be any communing betwixt the Father and the Son concerning thy happiness and salvation Surely this is worthy thy paines Job 3.7 and study O hear it and know thou it for thy good SECT II. Of considering Jesus in that respect 2. VVE must consider Jesus carrying on this work of salvation in that eternity It is not enough to study and know him but according to the measure of Knowledg we have attained we must ponder and muse and meditate and consider of him now consideration is an expatiating and enlarging of the mind and heart on this or that subject consideration is a fixing of our thoughts a stedfast bending of our minds to some spiritual matter till it work on the affections and conversation We may know and yet be inconsiderate of that we do know but when the intention of our mind and heart is taken up about some one known object and other things are not for the present taken notice of this is consideration O that if it were possible we could so consider Jesus in this first period of eternity as that for a while at least we could forget all other things Christians I beseech you be dead to the world be insensible of all other things and look onely on Jesus it is said that men in a phrenzy are insensible of what you do to them because their minds are taken up about that which they apprehend so strongly and if ever there was any object made known to take up the mind of a spiritual man it is this even this not but that other objects may be deeply and seriously minded of men it is reported of Archimedes who was a great Mathematician that when the City was taken wherein he was and the warlike instruments of death clattering about his ears and all was in a tumult yet he was so busie about drawing his lines that he heard no noise nor did he know there was any danger but if such objects as those could take up the intention of his mind so as not to regard other things how much more should this consideration of Christ If a carnal heart a man that minds earthly things be so taken up about them because they are an object suitable to him how much more should a gracious heart that can see into the reality of these things of God Christ from everlasting be so taken up with them as to mind nothing else come then O my soul and set thy consideration on work as thus 1. Consider Jesus in his relation to God how he was the eternal Son of the Father I know in some respects we have little reason thus to look on Jesus as we are sinners and fallen from God there is no looking on an absolute Deity alas that Majesty because perfectly and essentially good is no other then an enemy to sinners as sinners so as we are sinners and fallen from God there is no looking on the Son of God I mean on the Son of God considered in the notion of his own eternal being as coequal and coessential to God the Father Alas our sin hath offended his justice which is himself and what have we to do with that dreadful power which we have provoked But considering Jesus as Jesus which sounds a Saviour to all sinners believing on him and that this Jesus containes the two natures of Christ both the God-head man-hood now we that have our interest in him may draw neer Heb 1.3 and as we are capable behold the brightness of his glory To this purpose the Scriptures have discovered to us God the Son how he is the second person in the Trinity having the foundation of personal subsistence from the Father alone of whom by communication of his essence he is begotten from all eternity when there were no depths I was brought forth before the mountains were setled and before the hills I was brought forth Ante colles genita eram Prov. 8.24 25 before the mountains I was begotten as some or ante colles filiata eram before the mountains I was sonned his son as others translate it why thus O my soul consider Jesus the Son of God but in this consideration be not too curious thou hearest of the generation of the Son and of the procession of the Holy Ghost but for the manner how the Father begets the Son or how the Father and Son do spire and send forth the Holy spirit be not too busie to enquire thou mayest know a little and consider a little but for the depth and main of this great mystery of grace let the generation of the Son of God be honoured with silence I remember one being too curious and too inquisitive Aug. lib 1 confess c. 12. what God was doing on that long Evum of eternity before he made the world it was answered he decreed to make hell for such curious inquisitors Be not therefore too nice in this consideration keep within bounds of sobriety and humility and then as thou art able to comprehend the Scriptures will discover that before God made the world in that long-long
his youth because in Scripture there is so deep a silence I shall therefore pass it by Thus far have I propounded the Object we are to look unto it is Jesus in his first coming or incarnation whiles yet a Child of twelve years old Our next Work is to direct you in the Art or Mystery how we are to look unto him in this respect CHAP. II. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great Work of our Salvation in his Birth WHat Looking comprehends you have heard before And that we may have an inward experimental look on him whom our souls pant after let us practise all these Particulars As 1. Let us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Coming or Incarnation Come let us learn what he did for us when he came amongst us There is not one Passage in his first appearing but it is of mighty concernment unto us Is it possible that the great God of Heaven and Earth should so infinitely condescend as we have heard but on some great Design And what Design could there be but only his Glory and the Creatures good O my Soul If thou hast any interest in Christ all this concerns thee the Lord Jesus in these very transactions had an eye to thee he was Incarnate for thee he was conceived and born for thee look not on these things as Notionals or Generals look not on the bare history of things for that is but unprofitable the main duty is in eying the end the meaning and intent of Christ and especially as it relates to thee not to others but to thy self Alas what comfort were it to a poor prisoner if he should hear that the King or Prince of his meer grace and love visited all the Prisoners in this and that Dungeon and that he made a Goal-delivery and set all free but he never came near the Place where he poor wretch lies bound in Fetters and cold Irons or suppose he gives a visit to that very man and offers him the tenders of Grace and Freedom if he will but accept of it and because of his waywardness Perswades Intreats Commands him to come out and take his liberty and yet he will not regard or apply it to himself what comfort can he have what fruit what benefit shall he receive Dear soul this is thy case if thou art not in Christ if thou hadst not heard the Offer and embraced and closed with it then what is Christ's Incarnation Conception Nativity unto thee Come learn not meerly as a Scholar to gain some notional-knowledge but as a Christian as one that feels virtue coming out of Christ in every of these respects Study close this great transaction in reference to thy self I know not how it happâ—ns whether out of the generality of some Preachers handling this Subject or whether out of the Superstition of the time wherein it usually hath been handled it either savours not with some Christans or it is seldom thought of by the most O God forbid we throw out of the doors such a blessed necessary truth If rightly applied it is a Christians joy Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy that shall be to all People for unto you is born in the City of David Luk. 2.10 11. a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Sure the Birth of Christ is of mighty concernment unto thee Isa 9.6 unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given there is not any piece of this transaction but it is of special use and worth thy pains How many break their brains and waste their Spirits in studying Arts and Sciences things in comparison of no value whereas Paul otherwise determined not to know any thing among you but Jesus Christ To know Jesus Christ in every piece and point 1 Cor. 2.2 whether in Birth or Life or Death it is saving knowledge O stand not upon Cost whether Pains or Study Tears or Prayers Peace or Wealth Goods or Name Life or Liberty sell all for this Pearl Christ is of that worth and use that thou canst never over-buy him though thou gavest thy self and all the World for him the study of Christ is the study of studies the knowledge of Christ is the knowledge of every thing that is necessary either for this World or for the World to come O study Christ in every of the foresaid respects SECT II. Considering Jesus in that respect 2. LEt us consider Jesus carrying on this great work of our Salvation at his first Coming or Incarnation It is not enough to study and know these great Mysteries but according to the Measure of Knowledge we have we must Muse Meditate Ponder and Consider of them Now this Consideration brings Christ nearer and closer to the soul Consideration gathers up all the long fore-passed Acts and Monuments of Christ and finds a deal of sweetness and power to come flowing from them Consideration fastens Christ more strongly to the Soul and as it were rivets the Soul to Jesus Christ and fastens him in the heart A soul that truly considers and meditates of Christ thinks and talkes of nothing else but Christ Prov. 4.13 it takes hold and will not let him go I will keep to thee saith the soul in meditation for thou art my life Why thus O my Soul consider thou of Christ and of what he did for thee when he was incarnate and that thou maist not confound thy self in thy meditations consider a part of these particulars As 1. Consider Jesus in his Fore-runner and the blessed tidings of his coming in the flesh now the long-looked for time drew near a glorious Angel is sent from Heaven and he comes with an Olive-branch of peace first he presents himself to Zachary and then to Mary to her he imparts the Message on which God sent him into this neather World Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus Luke 1.31 Till now Humane Nature was less than that of Angels but by the Incarnation of the Word it was to be exalted above the Cherubims What sweet News What blessed Tidings was this Message The Decree of old must now be accomplished and an Angel proclaims it upon Earth hear O ye Sons of Adam this concerns you as much as the Virgin Were ye not all undone in the Loins of your first Father Was not my Soul and thy Soul in danger of Hell-fire was not this our case and condition that after a little life upon Earth we should have been thrown into eternal torments where had been nothing but Weeping Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth And now that God and Christ should bid an Angel tell the News Ye shall not die lo here a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and he shall be your Jesus he shall save you from this Hell and Death and Sin he shall deliver your Souls he shall save you to the utmost his Name is
enjoyments for never was Christ so enjoyed in this life but thou hast cause to desire yet more of Christ It is worth thy observation that Spiritual desires after Christ do neither load nor cloy the heart but rather open and enlarge it for more and more Who was better acquainted with God than Moses Exod. 33.18 Phil. 1.23 and yet Who was more importunate to know him better I beseech thee shew me thy glory And Who was more acquainted with Christ than Paul and yet who was more importunate to be with him nearer I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Further and further union with Christ and communion with Christ are most desirable things and are not these the fruits of his incarnation the effects of his hypostatical personal union more and more peace and love and reconciliation betwixt God and us are desirable things and are not these the fruits of Christs birth the effects of his budding out of the earth was it not then That Righteousness looked down from Heaven That Mercy and Truth met together and Righteousness and Peace kissed each other an higher degree of holiness sanctification likeness to God and Christ are desirable things and are not these the fruits of his circumcision and presentation to the Lord the effects of all those consequents that follow after his birth Come Soul and stir up thy desires true desires are not wavering and dull but resolute and full of quickness observe how the nature of true desires in Scripture is set forth by the most pathetical and strong similitudes of Hunger and Thirst and those not common neither but by The panting of a tyred Hart after the rivers of waters and by the gaping of dry ground after some seasonable showers O then How is it that the passages of thy desires are so narrow and almost shut up Nay How is it that thy vessels are so full of contrary qualities that there is scarce any room in thy Soul for Christ and all his Train Will not the desires of the Patriarchs witness against thee How cryed they after Christs coming in the Flesh Bow the Heavens O Lord and come down Psal 144.5 Psal 144.5 Oh that Thou wouldest rent the Heavens that Thou wouldest come down Isa 64.1 Isa 64.1 Drop down ye Heavens from above and let the Skies pour down Righteousness let the Earth open and bring forth Salvation Isa 45.8 Isa 45.8 Is it possible that their desires should be more vehement after Christ than ours They lived on the dark-side of the cloud but we on the bright-side the vail was upon their hearts which vail is done away in Christ they saw Christ afar off and their sight was very dim and dark But we all with open face as in a glass behold the glory of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3.18 One would think the less any thing is known the less it should be desired O my soul either thou art more ignorant of Christ than the Patriarchs of old or thy heart is more out of frame than theirs suspect the latter and blame thy heart it may be thy turpid and sluggish nature hath layed thy desires asleep if an hungry man will sleep his hunger will sleep with him But O stir up and awake thy desires Present before them that glorious object the incarnation of Jesus Christ it is an object which the very Angels desire to look into and Art not thou more concern'd in it than the Angels is not the fruit of the incarnation thine more especially thine Come then stir up those motions of thy appetite by which the soul darts it self towards the absent good draw nearer and nearer till thou comest to union and enjoyment cry after Christ Judg. 5.28 Why is his Chariot so long in coming Why tarry the Wheeles of his Chariots SECT IV. Of Hoping in Jesus in that Respect 4. LEt us Hope in Jesus carrying on the great Work of our Salvation at his first coming or incarnation Only here remember I speak not of every hope but only of such an hope as is grounded on some certainty and knowledge This is the main question whether Christs incarnation belongs unto me the Prophet tells us that Vnto us a Child is born and unto us a Son is given Isa 9.6 But how may I Hope that this Child is born to me and that this Son is given to me what ground for that Out of these words of the Prophet I shall draw a double Evidence which may be instead of all our first Evidence from the former words Vnto us a Child is born our second Evidence from the latter words unto us a Son is given 1. From the former words I lay down this position unto us a Child is born if we are new born the surest way to know our interest in the birth of Christ it is to know Christ born in us or formed in us Gal. 4.19 as the Apostle speaks The new birth is the effect of Christs birth and a sure sign that Christ is born to us Say then O my soul Art thou born anew is there in thee a new nature a new principle is the Image of God and of Christ in thy soul so the Apostle stiles it 1 Cor. 15.59 the bearing of the Image of the heavenly why then was Christ incarnate for thee if thy new birth be not clear enough thou may'st try it further by these following rules 1. Where this new birth is there is new desires new comforts new contentments Sometimes with the prodigal thou wast content with husks but now nothing will satisfie thee but thy Fathers mansion and thy Fathers feasts sometimes thou mindest only earthly things but now the favour of God the light of his countenance society with him and enjoying of him are thy chief desires This is a good sign David's heart and flesh Psal 84.2 and all breathed after God My soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God Men truly regenerate do not judge it so happy to be wealthy great and honoured in the world as to have the light of Gods favour shine upon them O my soul dost thou see the glory of the world and thou fallest down to worship it dost thou say in the increase of worldly comfort it is good to be here Then fear thy self but if these things compared with Christ are vain and light and of poor and mean esteem then hope well and be assured that thou art born again and that Christ is formed in thee 2. Where this new birth is there is new words new works new affections a new conversation 2 Cor. 5.17 Acts 9.11 1 Cor. 6.11 Old things are passed away behold all things are become new Paul once a persecutor but Behold now he prayeth And Such were some of you but now ye are washed now ye are sanctified now ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by
but that to Christ's habitual and actual righteousness is sometimes attributed freedom from Sin and Hell as in Rom. 8.2 Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death and on the contrary side to Chrst's passive obedience is sometimes attributed a right unto Heaven as in Heb. 9.15 Heb. 9.15 That by means of his death they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance but such places as these are to be understood by a Synechdoche which puts only one part of Christ's obedience for the whole obedience of Christ But I must recal my self my design in this work was not for controversies I leave that to others See Downham Burges Norton c. for my part I am sure I have before me a more edifying work which is to take a view of this Jesus not only for intellection but for devotion and for the stirring up of our affections Thus far I have held forth Jesus in his life or during the time of his Ministry till the last Passover John 13.1 and now was it that Jesus knew his hour was come and that he should depart out of this World unto the Father but of that hereafter our next business is to direct you in the Art or Mystery how we are to look unto Jesus in respect of his Life CHAP. V. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Life FRom the Object considered that we may pass to the Act. 1. Let us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation during his life We have many Books of the lives of men of the lives of heathens of the lives of Christians and by this we come to know the Generations of old Oh but above all read over the Life of Jesus for that is worth thy knowing To this purpose we have four Evangelists who in Blessed harmony set forth his life and to this purpose we have the Book of the generation of Jesus Christ Now these should be read over and over Mat. 1.1 Hos 6.3 Then shall we know saith the Prophet if we follow on to know the Lord. Ah my soul that which thou knowest of Christ already it is but the least part of what thou art ignorant of We know but in part saith Paul of himself and others the highest knowledg 1 Cor 13 9. which the most illuminate Saints have of Jesus Christ is but defective and imperfect Come then and follow on to know the Lord still inquire after him imitate the Angels who ever desire to stoop down and to pry into the actings of Christ for us men 1 Pet. 1.12 and for our Salvation it is their study yea it is their delight and recreation Paul seemed to imitate them when he said I determine not to know any thing among you but Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 2.2 if there be any thing in the world worth the knowing this it is And for thy better knowledg that it may not be confused but distinct 1. Study over those passages in the first year of Christs ministry as the preaching of John the Baptisme of Christ his fasting and temptation in the Wilderness his first manifestation by his several Witnessâ—s his whipping of the buyers and sellers out of the Temple 2. Study over those passages in the second year of Christ's Ministry as those several Sermons that he Preached and because his Miracles were as signals of his Sermons study the several Miracles that he wrought thou hast but a few Instances in comparison of all his Miracles and yet how fruit-are they of spiritual instructions 3. Study over those passages in the third year of Christs Ministry as his commissionating his Apostles to call sinners in his readiness to receive them that would but come in and his sweetning the wayes of Christianity to them that are come in For his yoak is easie and his burthen is light 4. Study over those passages in the last year of his Ministry as the holiness of his nature and the holiness of his Life which appeared especially in the exercises of his Graces of Charity and self-denial and mercy and bounty and meekness and pity and humility and obedience O what rare matter is here for a Christians study Some have took such pains in the study of these things that they have writ large volumes men have been writing and preaching a thousand six hundreth years of the Life of Christ and they are writing and preaching still O my soul if thou dost not write yet study what is written come with fixed thoughts and beat thy brains on that blessed subject that will make thee wise unto Salvation Paul accounted all things but dung or dogs meat Phil. 3.8 for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus our Lord if thou didst truly understand the excellency of this knowledg thou couldst not but account all things loss in comparison of this one necessary thing SECT II. Of Considering Jesus in that Respect 2. LEt us consider Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation during his Life It is not enough to study and know but we must muse and meditate and consider of it till we bring it to some profitable issue By meditating on Christ we may feel or find a kind of insensible change we know not how as those that stand in the sun for other purposes they find themselves lightned and heated so in holy meditation our souls may be altered and changed in a secret insencible way there is a vertue goes along with a serious meditation a changing transforming vertue and therefore look further O my soul have strong apprehensions of all those several passages of the Life of Christ 1. Consider the Preaching of John Baptist we talk of strictness but shew me among all the Ministers or Saints of this Age such a pattern of sanctity and singular austerity the sum of his sermons was repentance and dereliction of Sin and bringeth forth fruits worthy of amendment of life In the promoting of which Doctrine he was a severe reprehender of the Pharisees and Saduces and Publicans and Souldiers and indeed of all men but especially of those that remained in their impenitency for against them he denounced judgment and fire unquenchable Oh he had an excellent zeal and a vehement Spirit in Preaching and the Commentary upon all his Sermons was his own life he was cloathed in Camels hair his meat was locusts and wild honey he contemned the world resisted temptations despised to assume false honours to himself and in all passages was a rare example of self-denial and mortification and by this means he made an excellent and apt preparation for the Lord 's coming O my Soul that thou wouldst but sit a while under this Preacher or that thou wouldst but ruminate and chew the cud think over his Sermons of repentance and righteousness and temperance and of the
feet and to kiss them another woman breaths out these desires after Christ If I may but touch the hem of his garment I shall be whole Mat. 9.21 Mary Magdalen sought only to have her Arms filled with his dead body Joseph of Arimathea was of the same mind O the bloody winding-sheet together with the dead and torn Body of Christ in his arms are most precious and sweet Christ's Clay is Silver and his Brass Gold John the Baptist thinks it an honour to unloose the Latchets of his shoes David John 1.27 though he was a great Prophet and appointed to be King over Israel yet his soul pants thus O that I might be so near the Lord as to be a door-keeper in the house of my God Yea Psal 84.10 Ver. 3. he puts an happiness on the Sparrow and the Swallow that may build their Nest besides the Lords Altar 2. The more considerable actions of Christ are especially desireable Oh my soul wouldst thou but run through his Life and consider some of his more eminent actions in relation to his Friends or in relation to his Enemies what desires would these kindle in thine heart after Christ 1. To his Friends he was sweet and indulgent where there was any beginnings of Grace he did encourage it so was the Prophesie A bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shall he not quench Nay Mat. 12.20 where was but a representation of Grace he seemed to accept of it Thus when the young man came and said What good thing shall I do to inherit eternal life he embraced him Mar. 10.17 21 and made much of him then Jesus beholding him he loved him And so the Scribe which asked him which is the first Commandment of all in the conclusion Christ told him Mar. 12.28 34 Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God He laboured to pull him further in telling him he was not far from Heaven and Glory Mat. 9.36 And so the people that fainted for bread of Life that were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd he was moved with compassion on them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was bowelled in heart his very bowels were moved within him 2. To his enemies he was kind and merciful many a time he discovers himself most of all unto sinners he was never more familiar with any at first acquaintance than with the woman of Samaria that was an Adultress and Mary that had been a sinner how sweetly did he appear to her at the very first view how ready was he to receive sinners how ready to pardon and forgive sinners how gracious to sinners after the pardon and forgiveness of sin See it in Peter he never cast him in the teeth with his Apostasie he never upbraided him with it he never so much as tells him of it only he looks upon him and afterwards Lovest thou me O Peter lovest thou me why Peter lovest thou me Often he was wronged and injured by men but what then was he all on a heat did he call for fire down from heaven to destroy them Indeed his Disciples being more flesh than spirit would fain have had it so but he sweetly replies O you know not what spirits you are of Luke 9.55 56. the Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them Sometimes we find him shedding tears for those very persons that shed his precious blood Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem c. if thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things belonging to thy peace c. Why O my soul Isa 26.1 8. if thou wouldst but run through such passages as these how desireable are they well might they sing in that day in the Land of Judah In the way of thy judgments O Lord have we waited for thee the desire of our soul is to thy name and to the remembrance of thee Cant. 5.10 16. 3. The ever blessed and holy person of Christ is desireable above all My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest of ten thousands yea he is altogether lovely or desireable so Vatablus renders it Christus est totus desideria Christ is all desirâ—s If the actions of Christ be desirable what must himself be If the parings of his bread be so sweet what must the great Loaf Christ himself be Christ is admirable in action and person but above all his person is most admirable no creature in the world yields the like representation of God as the person of Jesus Christ he is the express Image of the person of his Father Heb. 1.3 as the print of the Seal on the Wax is the express image of the Seal it self so is Christ the highest representation of God he makes similitude to him who otherwise is without all similitude And hence it is that Christ is called the Standard-bearer of ten thousands Cant. 5.10 all excellencies are gathered up in Christ as Beams in the Sun Come poor Soul thy eyes run to and fro in the world to find Comfort and happiness thou desirest after worldly Honour worldly Pleasure worldly Profits cast thy eyes back and see Heaven and Earth in one look if thou wilt at what thy vast thoughts can fancy not only in this world but in the world to come or if thou canst imagine more variety see that and infinitely more shining forth from the person of the Lord Jesus Christ no wonder if the Saints adore him no wonder if the Angels stand amazed at him no wonder if all Cteatures vail all their glory to him Oh what are all things in the world to Jesus Christ Paul compares them together Phil. 3.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all things with this one thing And I account all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ And I count all things surely all things is the greatest count that can be cast up for it includeth all prices all sums it takes in Earth and Heaven and all therein that are but as created things q. d. Nations and all Nations Gold and all Gold Jewels and all Jewels Angels and all Angels all these and every all besides all these what are they in comparison of Christ but as feathers dung shadows nothing If there be any thing worthy a wish it is eminently transcendently originally in the Lord Jesus Christ there is no honour no felicity like that which Christ hath some are sons Christ is an only Son some are Kings but Christ is King of Kings some are honourable none above Angels Christ is above Angels and Arch-angels To which of the Angels said he at any time thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Heb. 1.5 Some are wealthy Christ hath all the sheep on a thousand hills the very utmost parts of the earth are his some are beautiful Christ is the fairest of all the children of men he is spiritually fair he is all glorious within if the beauty of the Angels
life his way on earth was a continual lecture of humility a little before his death he gave such an example of humility as never was the like He poured water into a bason John 13.5 and began to wash the disciples feet O ye Apostles why tremble ye not at the wonderful sight of this so great humility Peter what dost thou wilt thou ever yield that this Lord of Majesty should wash thy feet methinks I hear Peter saying What Lord wilt thou wash my feet art not thou the Son of the living God the Creator of the world the beauty of the heavens the Paradise of Angels the Redeemer of men the brightness of the Fathers glory and I what am I but a worm a clod of earth a miserable sinner and wilt thou notwithstanding all this wash my feet leave Lord O leave this base office for thy servants lay down thy towel and put on thy apparel again beware that the heaven or the Angels of heaven be not ashamed of it when they shall see that by this ceremony thou set'st them beneath the earth take heed least the daughter of King Saul despise thee not when she shall see thee girded about with this towel after the manner of a servant and shall say that she will not take thee for her beloved and much less for her God whom she seeth to attend upon so base an office Thus may I imagine Peter to bespeak his Master but he little knew what glory lay hid in this humility of Christ it was for us and our example an humble Christ to make humble Christians 3. In him was patience O when I think of Christ's labours in preaching weariness in travelling watchfulness in praying tears in compassionating and then I add to all these his submission of Spirit notwithstanding all the affronts injuries and exprobrations of men how should I but cry out O the patience of Christ 1 Pet. 2.23 the Apostle tells us that when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously I have already given a touch of these graces in Christ which now I may set before me In him was wisdom and knowledge and justice and mercy and temperance and fortitude and every vertue or every grace that possibly I can think of A bundle of Myrrh is my Beloved unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi 3. I look at the conversation of Christ in word and deed for his words they were gracious Not an idle word ever came out of the lips of Christ himself tells us that of every idle word we must give an account O then how free was Christ of every idle word Mat. 12.36 he knew the times and seasons when to speak and when to be silent he weighed every word with every Circumstance time and place and manner and matter Eccles 3.7 There 's a time to keep silence and a time to speak said Solomon when he returned again to his wisdom and hence we read that sometimes Jesus being accused he held his peace Mat. 26.63.27 12. and when he was accused of the chief Priests and Elders he answered nothing but other whiles he pours out whole Cataracts of holy instructions he takes occasion of vines of stones of water and sheep to speak a word in season he is still discoursing of the matters of the Kingdom of Heaven and he speaks such words as give grace unto all the hearers round about him so for his deeds and actions they were full of grace and goodness the Apostle Peter gives him this character which I look upon as a little description of Christ's life who went about doing good Acts 10.38 it was his meat and drink to do all the good he could it was as natural to him to do good as it is for a fountain to stream out he was holy and heavenly unspotted every way O the sweet conversation of Christ how humbly carries he it amongst men how benignly towards his Disciples how pitiful was he towards the poor to whom as we read he made himself most like 2 Cor. 8.9 He became poor that we might be made rich he despised or abhorred none no not the very Leapers that were eschewed of all he flattered not the rich and honourable he was most free from the cares of the world his prescriptions were Care not for the things of the morrow and in himself he was never anxious of bodily needs above all he was most solicitous of saving souls Much more I might add if I should go over the particulars in the Gospel but by these few expressions of Jesus Christ we may conceive of all the rest 2. Let us be humbled for our great inconformity to this copy what an excellent pattern is here before us and how far how infinitely do we come short of this blessed pattern O alas if Christ will not own me unless he see his Image written upon me what will become of my poor soul why Christ was meek and humble and lowly in spirit Christ was holy and heavenly Christ ever went about doing good and now when I come to examine my own heart according to this original I find naturally a meet antipathy a contrariety I am as opposite to Christ as Hell and Heaven 1. For my thoughts within I am full of pride and malice I am full of the spirit of the world what is there in my heart but a world of passions rebellions darkness and deadness of spirit to good and 2. If the fountain be so muddy can I expect clear streams what words are these that come many a time from me Christ would not speak an idle word but how many idle evil sinful words come daily flowing from my lips Out of the abundance of the mouth the heart speaketh and if I may guess at my heart by my words where was my heart this Sabbath and the other Sabbath when my discourse was all on my calling or on the world or it may be on my lusts or on my Dalilah's on my right-hand-sins or on my right-eye-sins and 3. What actions are these so frequently performed by me if I must read my state by my conversation Whose image and superscription is this the last oath I sware the last blasphemy I belched out the last act of drunkenness idolatry adultery I committed or if these sins are not fit to be named the last piece of wrong I did my neighbour the last prank of pride I played on this stage of the world the last expence of time when I did no good in the world neither to my self nor others the last omission of good as well as commission of evil O my soul whose Image is this is it the Image of Christ or of Sathan If the worst Scholar in the School should write thus untowardly after his copy would he not be ashamed if in my heart and life I observe so many blots and stains so
by his very silence 3. Because Herod had the year before put John the Baptist to death who was that Voice crying in the Wilderness now that Voice being gone Christ the Word will be silent he will not give a Word 4. Because Herod had been sottishly careless of Jesus Christ he lived in the place where Jesus more especially had conversed yet never had seen his Person or heard his Sermons It gives us to learn thus much that if we neglect the opportunities of Grace and refuse to hear the voice of Christ in the time of Mercy Christ may refuse to speak one word of comfort to us in our time of need if we during our time stop our ears God will in his time stop his mouth and shut up the springs of Grace that we shall receive no refreshment no instruction no pardon no salvation 5. Because Christ was resolved to be Obedient to his Father's Ordinance he was resolved to submit to the doom of death with patience and silence for this purpose he came into the world that he might suffer in our stead and for our sins and therefore he would not plead his own cause nor defend his own innocency in any kind he knew that we were guilty though himself was not 3. This silence they interpret for simplicity and so 1. They despised him And 2. Luke 23.11 they dismist him And Herod with his men of war set him at nought and mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate They arrayed him with a white glittering gorgeous rayment the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies gorgeous bright resplendent such as Nobles and Kings used to wear The Latines sometimes render it splendidam vestem and sometimes candidam or albam vestem we translate it a gorgeous robe and the Ancients call it a white robe in imatation whereof the Baptised were wont to put on a white rayment which they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but whether it were white or no I shall not controvert The Original yields thus far that it was a bright and resplendent garment such as came newly from the fulling many mysteries if it be white are found out here some say this held forth the excellency or dignity of Christ White colour is most agreeable to the highest God he many times appeared in white but never in any other colour and the Saints in heaven are said to be cloathed in long white Robes Rev. 4.4 and Peers Kings and Coesars were usually cloathed in white saith Jansenius Others say this held forth the innocency of Christ and that they were directed herein by Divine providence declaring plainly against themselves that Christ should rather have been absolved as an innocent than condemned as a malefactor But to leave these mysteries the meaning of Herod was not so much to declare his excellency or innocency as his folly or simplicity certainly he accounted him for no other than a very fool and ideot a passing simple man The Philosophers sayes Tertullian drew him in their Pictures attired by Herod like a fool with long Asses ears his nailes plucked off and a book in his hand c. O marvellous madness Oh the strange mistakes of men Mat. 12.19 Mark 2.7 Mat. 12.24 John 8.48 in his life time they account Jesus a glutton a drinker of Wine a Companion of Sinners a Blasphemer a Sorcerer and one that cast out Devils through Belzebub Prince of Devils yea and one that himself was possessed with a Devil And now towards his death he is bound as a thief he is struck in the house of Caiaphas as an arrogant and saucy fellow he is accused before the Sanhedrim of Blasphemy he is brought before Pilate as a malefactor a mover of sedition a Seducer a Rebel and as one that aspired to the Kingdom he is transmitted unto Herod as a jugler to shew tricks and now in the close of all he is accounted of Herod and his men of War as a fool an ideot a bruit not having the understanding of a man But soft Herod is Christ therefore a fool because he is silent and art thou wise because of thy many words and many questions Solomon a wiser man than Herod is of another mind In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin Prov. 10.19 Prov. 17.27 28. but he that refraineth his lips is wise Again he that hath knowledg spareth his words and a man of understanding is of a cool Spirit even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding Ah poor Herod consult these texts and then tell me who is the fool what thou that speakest many words and questionest about many things which in time will turn to thy greater condemnation or Christ Jesus that was deeply silent to the worlds eternal Salvation Paul was of another Spirit and of another judgment concerning Christ in him was knowledg nor is that all in whom was wisdom and knowledg nor is that all in him were treasures and all treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2.3 In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg and yet that is not all neither not only is wisdom in him but he is wisdom it self for that is his name and title in the book of Proverbs and yet by Herod and his Courtiers he is reckoned arrayed and derided as a meer simple man 2. They dismist him in this posture they sent him away again to Pilate to all their former derision they added this that now he was exposed in scorn to the boys of the streets Herod would not be content that he and his men of war only should set him at naught but he sends him away through the more publick and eminent streets of Jerusalem in his white garment to be scorned by the people to be hooted at by idle persons And now was fulfilled the Prophesie of Christ I was a derision to all my people Lam. 3.14 and their song all the day Of this let us make some use Was the eternal Word of God Vse and the uncreated wisdom of the Father reputed a fool no wonder if we suffer thousands of reproaches We are made a spectakle unto the World and to Angels and to men we are fools for Christ's sake saith the Apostle We are made as the filth of the world 1 Cor. 4.2.10 13. and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day Christians must wear the bage and livery of Jesus Christ we cannot expect to fare better than our Master why then should we despond I never knew Christians in better heart than when they were stiled by the Name of Puritans Precisians Hypocrites Formalists or the like 2. Let us not judg of men and their worth by their out-side garments wisdom may be and often is clad in the Coat of a fool As beggarly bottles oft-times hold Rich Wines so poor robes contain sometimes many precious Souls
that he is both our justification and sanctification Physitians tell us that about the heart there is a film or skin like unto a purse wherein is contained clear water to cool the heat of the heart and therefore very probable it is that that very skin or pericardium was pierced through with the heart and thence came out those streams of blood and water O gates of Heaven O windows of Paradise O Palace of refuge O Tower of strength O Sanctuary of the Just O flourishing bed of the Spouse of Solomon methinks I see water and blood running out of his side more freshly than those golden streams which ran out of the garden of Eden and watered the whole world Here if I could stay I might lengthen my Doctrine during my life oh it were good to be here it were a large field and a blessed subject 4. About five which the Jews call the eleventh and the last hour of the day Christ was taken down and buried by Joseph and Nicodemus But enough I must not wear out your patience altogether Thus far we have propounded the blessed object of Christ's suffering and dying for us our next work is to direct you as formerly in the art or mystery how you are to look unto him in this respect CHAP. III. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our salvation in his death 1. LEt us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our Salvation during his sufferings and death This is the high point which Paul was ever studying on and preaching on and pondering on For I determined not to know any thing among you 1 Cor. 2.2 save Jesus Christ and him crucified Christ crucified is the rarest piece of knowledge in the world the person of Christ is a matter of high speculation but Christ further considered as cloathed with his garments of blood is that knowledge which especially Paul pursues he esteems not reckons not determines not to make any profession of any other science or doctrine than the most necessary and only saving knowledge of Christ crucified O my soul how many dayes and months and years hast thou spent to attain some little measure of knowledge in the Arts and Tongues and Sciences and yet what a poor skill hast thou attained in respect of the many thousands of them that knew nothing at all of Jesus Christ and what if thou hadst reached out to a greater proficiency couldst thou have dived into the secrets of Nature couldst thou have excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt 1 Kings 4.33 and the wisdom of Solomon who spake of beasts of fowls of fishes of all trees from the Cedar tree that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall yet without the saving knowledge of Christ crucified Christ suffering bleeding and dying all this had been nothing see Eccles 1.18 only that knowledge is worth the having which refers to Christ and above all that is the rarest piece of Christ's humiliation which holds him forth suffering for us and so freeing us from hell sufferings Come then and spend thy time for the future more fruitfully in reading learning knowing this one necessary thing Study Christ crucified in every piece and part O the precious truths and precious discoveries that a studying head and heart would hammer out here much hath been said but a thousand-thousand times more might yet be said we have given but a little scantling of that which Christ endured Volumes might be written till they were piled as high as heaven and yet all would not serve to make out the full discoveries of Jesus's sufferings Study therefore and study more but be sure thy study and thy knowledge be rather practical than speculative do not meerly beat thy brains to learn the history of Christ's death but the efficacy vertue and merit of it know what thou knowest in reference to thy self as if Jesus had been all the while carrying on the business of thy souls salvation as if thou hadst stood by and Christ had spoke to thee as sometimes to the women Weep not for me but for thy self thy sins caused my sufferings and my sufferings were for the abolition of thy sins SECT II. Of considering Jesus in that respect 2. LEt us consider Jesus carrying on this great work of our salvation during his sufferings and death Zach. 12.10 Heb. 12.2 They shall look upon me whom they have pierced saith the Prophet i.e. they shall consider me and accordingly is the Apostle looking unto Jesus or considering of Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith who for the joy of our salvation set before him endured the cross and despised the shame Then indeed and in that act is the duty brought in it is good in all respects and under all considerations to look unto Jesus from first to last but above all this Text relates firstly to the time of his sufferings and hence it is that Luke calls Christ's passion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a theory or sight And all the people that came together to that sight Luke 23.48 smote their breasts and returned Not but that every passage of Christ is a theory or sight worthy our looking on or considering of Christ in his Fathers purpose and Christ in the promise and Christ in performance Christ in his birth and Christ in his life O how sweet what blessed objects are these to look upon but above all consider him saith the Apostle that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself Heb. 12.3 Ver. 2. Consider him who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and despised the shame of all other parts acts or passages of Christ the holy Ghost hath only honoured Christ's passion his sufferings and his death with this name of theory and sight Why surely this is the theory ever most commended to our view and consideration O then let us look on this consider of this As in this manner 1. Consider him passing over the Brook Cedron it signifies the wrath of God and rage of men the first step of his passion is sharp and sore he cannot enter the door but first he must wade through cold waters on bare feet nor must he only wade through them but drink of them through many tribulations must he go that will purchase souls and through many tribulations must they go that will follow after him to the Kingdom of Glory Consider him entring into the Garden of Gethsemane in a garden Adam sinned and in this garden Christ must suffer that the same place which was the nest where sin was hatched might now be the child-bed of grace and mercy into this garden no sooner was he entred but he began to be agonized all his powers and passions within him were in conflict Consider O my soul how suddenly he is struck into a strange fear never was man so afraid of the torments of
any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his but if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you then he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodyes and I may add your mortal souls by his spirit that dwelleth in you Christs Spirit if Christs resurrection be ours will have the same operation and effect in our souls that it had in his body as it raised up the one so it will raise up the other as it quickened the one so it will quicken the other But the question here will run on how shall we know whether we have received this quickning Spirit many pretend to the Spirit never more than at this day but how may we be assured that the Spirit is ours I answer 1. The Spirit is a Spirit of illumination here is the beginning of his work he begins in light as in the first creation the first-born of God's works was light Gen. 1.3 God said let there be light and there was light so in this new creation the first work is light God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined into our hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Hence the state of nature is called darkness and the state of grace is called light Ye were sometimes darkness but now ye have light in the Lord. Eph. 5.8 1 Pet. 2.9 And he hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light There is a light in the mind and a light in the heart of those who have the Spirit of Christ there is a speculative and an affective knowledg not only to know the truth but to love it believe it embrace it O my soul wouldst thou know whether Christs Spirit be thine consider and see then whether any of this new light of Jesus Christ hath shined into thy heart take heed deceive not thy self thou mayest have a great deal of wit and knowledg and understanding and yet go to hell this light is a light shining into thy heart this light is a Christ-discovering light this light is a sin-discoverings light this light will cause thee to find out thy hypocrisy deadness dulness in spiritual duties if thou hast not this light thou art near to eternal burnings darkness is one of the properties of hell and without this light inward darkness will to utter darkness where is nothing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth 2. This quickening spirit is a spirit of faith as it reveals Christ so it inclines mens hearts to close with Christ upon those Gospel-terms as he is offered I know there are degrees and measures of faith but the least measure of faith is a desiring panting breathing after the Lord Jesus and no sooner hath the soul received that new light from the spirit of Christ but it is presently at the same instant exceedingly affected with Jesus Christ O it desires Christ above all desires I know not a more undeceiving sign than this read over the whole Bible and where ever there was any soul-saving discoveries there ever followed inward desires soul-longings after Jesus Christ when Paul preached of the resurrection of Christ some there were that mocked jeered and slighted that doctrine but others whose heart the Lord stirred they were exceedingly taken with it saying we will hear thee again of this matter yea this very Sermon so wrought on some that they believed among whom was Dyonysius the Areopagite a woman named Damaris and others with them Acts 17.32 34. and when he preaced another Sermon on the same subject at Antioch the Jews were much offended but the Gentiles were so exceedingly taken with it that they besought Paul that these words the very same resurrection Sermon might be preached to them the next Sabbath day Their very hearts did so long after Christ whom Paul had preached that when the congregation was broken up Acts 13.42 many of the Jews and religious Procelites followed Paul and Barnabas and the next Sabbath day came almost the whole City together to hear the same Sermon O my soul 43. dost thou hear these Sermons of Christs resurrection dost thou hear sweet-Gospel-preaching 44. dost thou hear the free tenders and offers of Christ with all his glory and excellency to poor sinners to vile lost undone souls and art thou no whit taken with them canst thou sleep away such Sermons as these hast thou no heart-risings no stirrings workings longings desires in thy soul O take heed this is a dangerous case but on the contrary if thou sayest in thy heart Oh that I could hear this Sermon again O the sweet vertues of Christs resurrection I had not thought such honey could have dropped out of this rock O the blessed beginnings and springings of grace which I felt in my soul on such a meditation Oh the desire the delight O the longings O the comforts of Christs resurrection O the drawings of the Spirit inclining my heart to receive Jesus Christ to close with him and to rest on him and to give up my self to him why this Spirit of faith doth argue thy title and interest to the quickening spirit of Christ 3. Thy quickening Spirit is a Spirit of sanctification such was the Spirit whereby Christ was raised he was declared mightily to be the Son of God Rom. 1.4 according to the Spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead That same Spirit which raised up Jesus Christ was that same divine Spirit which sanctified his humane nature wherein it dwelt and such is that quickening Spirit to all in whom it dwelleth it is a Spirit of holiness and it works holiness changing the heart and turning the bent of it from sin to holiness 2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new q. d. When once the believer is by an act of faith passed over unto Christ there goes immediately from the Spirit of Christ into his soul an effectual power which alters and changes the frame of the whole man now he is not the same that he was he is changed in his company in his discourse in his practise he is changed in his nature judgment will affections he is sanctified throughout in soul body and Spirit O my soul try thy self by this sign dost thou find such an inward change wrought in the soul dost thou find the law of God a law of holiness written on thy hearr dost thou find a law within thee contrary to the law of sin commanding with authority that which is holy and good so that thou canst say with the Apostle I delight in the law of God after the inward man Rom. 7.23 25. Rom. 8.1 and with my mind I my self serve the law of God if so surely this is no other but the
the High-Priests that ever were before him he doth fully sympathize with us not in some but in all conditions In all our afflictions he is afflicted Isa 63.9 I believe Christ hath carried a man's heart up with him to Heaven and though there be no passions in him as he is God yet the flower the blossom the excellency of all these passions which we call compassions are infinitely in him as he is God he striketh and tryeth and yet he pittieth when Ephraim bemoaneth himself God replies Is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant child for since I spake against him Jer. 31.21 I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him Surely there 's a violence of heavenly passion in Christ's heart as God-man which makes him to break out into prayer to God and into compassions towards Men O that tempted souls would consider this it may be Christ is giving you a cup of tears and blood to drink but who knows what bowels what turnings of heart what motions of compassion are in Jesus Christ all the while those who feel the fruit of Christ's intercession know this and cannot but subscribe to this truth O ye of little faith why do ye doubt of Christ's bowels is he not our compassionate High-Priest hath not the tenderest meekest mildest heart of a man that God possibly can form met with the eternal and infinite mercy of God himself in Jesus Christ you have heard that Christ in both natures is our High-Priest Mediator Intercessor and if either God or Man know how to compassionate Heb. 4.15 Christ must do it O the bowels of Christ He is touched saith the Apostle with the feeling of our infirmities it is an allusion to the rolled and moved bowels of God in Jer. 31.20 Christ in Heaven is burning and flaming in a passion of compassion towards his weak ones and therefore he pleads intercedes and prays to God for them Thus far we have propounded the object which is Christ's intercession our next work is to direct you how to look upon Jesus in this respect CHAP. II. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Intercession LET us know Jesus carrying on this great work of our salvation in his Intercession Is it not a rare piece of knowledge to know what Christ is now doing in Heaven for us on Earth If I had a weighty suite at Court on which lay my estate and life if I knew that I had a friend there that could prevail and that he were just now moving in my behalf were not this worth the knowledge I dare say in the behalf of all believers in the World Christ is now interceding for us at the right hand of God ever since his ascension into Heaven he hath been doing this work it is a work already of above sixteen hundred years and Summer and Winter Night and day without any tiredness of Spirit Christ hath been still praying still interceding Christ's love hath no vacation no cessation at all yea even now whiles you read this Christ is acting as an Advorate for you Christ hath your names ingraven as a seal on his heart and standing right opposite to the eye of his Father the first opening of the eye-lids of God is terminated upon the breast of Jesus Christ Is not this worth the knowledge O my soul leave off thy vain studies of natural things if they do not conduce some way or other to the right understanding of this they are not worth the while What is it for an Aristotle to be praised where he is not and to be damned where he is O the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ such a knowledge if true is no less than saving Come study his intercession in all the former particulars I have run them over for the work is swoln under my hands and I would now abbreviate only remember this that in Christ's intercession are many secrets which we must never know on this side Heaven oh take heed of entring into this labarinth without the clew of the Word above all desire the guidance of the Spirit to enlighten thy darkness and what ever thou knowest know it still for thy self SECT II. Of considering Jesus in that respect 2. LET us consider Jesus carrying on this work of our salvation in his intercession many of God's people have found the benefit and for my part I cannot but approve of it as an excellent quickning and enlivening duty to be much in a way of meditation or consideration especially when we meet with such a blessed subject as this is Psal 104.34 My meditation of him shall be sweet saith David I will be glad in the Lord it is enough to make a meditation sweet and refreshing when it is conversant about such a subject as Christ's intercession Is it not as incense a sweet odour and perfume with God himself and shall not each thought of it be sweet to us come let us be serious in this duty and that we may do it throughly let us consider it in these several particulars As 1. Consider of the nature of Christ's intercession what is it but the gracious Will of Christ fervently desiring that for the vertue of his death and sacrifice thy person and performances might be accepted of God As Christ on earth gave himself to the death even to the death of the Cross for the abolition sin so now in Heaven he prayes the Father by his agony and bloody sweat by his his cross and passion by his death and sacrifice that thy sins may be pardoned thy service accepted and thy soul saved This is the Will of Christ even thy justification sanctification and salvation accordingly he presents his Will Father I will that all those priviledges flowing from my death may be conferred on such a person by name such a soul is now meditating and considering of my intercession and my will is that his very meditation may find acceptance with God O what workings would be in thy heart and spirit if thou didst but consider that Christ even now were speaking his Will that thy person and duty might both find acceptance and be well-pleasing with God 2. Consider of the person that intercedes for thee it is Christ in both Natures it is thy Mediator the middle one betwixt God and man in this respect thou mayst consider him as one indifferent and equally inclining to either party like a pair of scales that hang even neither side lift up or depressed more than the other Gal. 3.20 A Mediator is not of one saith the Apostle Christ indifferently partook of both Natures God-head and Manhood that so he might be fit to stand in the gap between his Father and us he is a Priest according to both Natures he is a Dayes-man wholly for God and a Dayes-man wholly for us and on our side 3. Consider of the person to whom Christ intercedes is it