Brethren he that loveth not his Brother abideth in death Spiritual Love amongst Brethren is an evidence of Spiritual Life as soon as we begin to Love we then begin to Live Such a love as was between David and Jonathan which was a Love of Union Complacency and Benevolence must be between all true Christians So it was in the Primitive times notwithstanding their diversities of Judgments in smaller matters the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common in Charity neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were Possessors of Lands or Houses sold them and brought the Prises of the things that were sold and laid them down at the Apostles feet and distribution was made unto every Man according as he had need Were all our Doubtful Disputations laid aside and nothing but Faith and Faithfulness the Truth without Controversie Love without Dissimulation and Righteousness professed and practised amongst us nay were but this one grace and duty of Charity without which we are nothing truly Known Believed and fervently Exercised in the midst of us How soon might we all meet together in the Primitive Pattern and Practise if most of our Praying Preaching and Practising were of â—ods Charity towards the World and our Charity each to other the Love of God would be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that as touching Brotherly Love we our selves should be taught of God to love one another God who is love and the Love of God towards us well known would certainly beget Christian Love and Chaâ—ity These words of God deserve to be written in Characters of gold upon the posts of our Houses and on our Gates Oh that they were written upon the Tables of our hearts Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another No man hath seen God at any time if we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us Behold here the great Argument breeding and augmenting love in and among Christians by profession God is love known to be so in giving and sending his only begotten Son into the World This Charity of God to us is the Soul of our Souls Charity is the Soul of our Religion not Bodily only for though we bestow all our goods to feed the Poor and give our Bodies to be burned and have not Charity it profiteth nothing The true Charity the Chariâ—y that suffereth long and is kind that envieth not that vaunteth not it self or is not rash that is not puffed up that behaveth not it self unseemly that seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh not evil rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things that never faileth this Charity not in word and in tongue but in deed and in truth for the Kingdom of God is not in Word but in Power would make these Kingdoms holy and happy Every grace of God is good great lovely and precious of infinite necessity As Faith Hope Meekness Temperance Patience c. but the greatest of these is Charity in sincerity Above all things we should have fervent Charity among our selves for Charity covereth a multitude of Sins and Love covereth all Sins saith Solomon All dilâ—gence must be given to add to our Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly Kindness and to Brotherly Kindness Charity Charity is the Bond of Perfectness We are bid above all things by St. Paul and St. Peter to put on Charity to follow Charity to be found in Charity to have fervent Charity to be examples in Charity Charity is the fulfilling of the Law both Moral and Evangelical it is the end of the Commandment yea of the whole Word of God Threatning Promising and Commanding all is but to bring back our Hearts and Lives to the Love of God and one another Oh if the Charity of every one of us all towards each other abounded but exceedingly What cause of Thanksgivings to God would this occasion to the Godly or Charitable There could not possibly be any want in these Kingdoms if there were no want of Charity Charity is all for doing good both to all Souls and Bodies of what quality rank and degree soever to high and low rich and poor together Charity is full of Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks for all men for Kings and for all that are in Authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth By Charity God will every body should have food and raiment and every Soul its portion in due season Charity would have every Bishop and Minister as it were another Christ for going about doing good and Preaching this Kingdom of God and his Righteousness or another Paul who counted not his life dear unto himself so that he might finish his course with Joy and the Ministry which he received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God Preaching the Kingdom of God not shunning to declare unto them all the counsel of God that he might be pure from the blood of all men charging also other Gospel Ministers to take heed unto themselves and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost had made them Overseers to feed the Church of God which he purchased with his own Blood setting them in himself an Example of unwearied diligence in Watching Fasting Praying Preaching not ceasing to warn every one night and day with Tears Serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears and temptations not keeping back any thing that was profitable unto them but shewed and taught them publickly and from house to house besides ministring unto his own necessities with his own hands and to them that were with him If a Brother or Sister be naked and destitute of daily Food Charity saith not Depart in peace be you warmed and filled but giveth them those things which are needful to the Body What is Charity but a
live unto God in holiness to him in justice commutative and distributive to and with others Whatsoever we would that men should do to us do we even so to them In sobriety towards our â—elves in body soul and spirit Gird up the loins of your â—inds be sober Present your bodies a living sacrifice â—y acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service â—mperate in all things And all these things namely that concern the welfare of the â—ody which are temporal as Health Peace Honours Pleasures Riches Protection Provision Food Raiment c. Shall be added cast in upon the by without carking care in God's ordinary providence as in wisdom he thinks meet Casting our care upon him committing our selves and ways to him walking with him in our general and particular Callings painfully and faithfully Vnto you who in faith seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness This Verse is part of that famous Sermon that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preached to the Multitude in the Mount and therefore should command the greatest reverence The occasion of the words is first Christs observation of the worldliness of the World especially the Gentile world for after all these things namely the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life do the Gentiles seek 2. The fears and thereupon the cares which possessed the hearts of the weak in faith that if they became the hearers and followers of Christ indeed and in truth then what should they do for food and raiment Why Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you There is not one word in this Verse but is pregnant with matter of infinite unspâ—akable worth and weight and contains variety of Doctrines and Duties which for brevities sake I must pass over with bare naming them Oh that all the Kings and Kingdoms of the world did but know and well weigh the mind heart affections and bowels of Jesus Christ in this very Scripture the Kingdoms then of the world would certainly and suddenly become the Kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ which is the King of Kings desire Should not Kings and Kingdoms then desire it for each other Oh that the desires and endeavours of us all were as great as good as fervent and as faithful as here they should be in so momentous a matter as seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness But as it looks backward and forward contains these Doctrines 1. All men naturally are carnally minded 2. Weak Believers are even carnal too thoughtful and careful about temporal things 3. It is the will of Christ Jesus that they of little fâ—ith would not trouble their heads and hearts with fears and cares about things pertaining to the body 4. The best way to cure a carnal mind is first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Seek 1. Every one by sin hath lost his right to spiritual and heavenly things 2. It is the duty of every one especially Believers to seek after grace and glory Ye The weakest true Believers may and must above all other persons and before other things seek God's Kingdom and his Righteousness First principally or chiefly 1. God's Kingdom and his Righteousness are the most substantial and principal things 2. These things are practically to be preferred before all other First early The best time of seeking God's Kingdom and his Righteousness is betimes in our age and betimes in the morning First earnestly We are to stir up our selves and others to seek spiritual things with greatest fervency and faithfulness The Kingdom of God 1. God hath a Kingdom of his own 2. He is the onely Author and Founder of it 3. He gives it to whom he will 4. This Kingdom is both grace and glory 5. This Kingdom hath an everlasting foundation And his Righteousness And. 1 Grace and glory are inseparable His. 2. The righteousness of Christ is God's Righteousness 3 The Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness is the onely way to glory 4. Christs righteousness is our Justification and Sanctification And all these things shall be added unto you And. 1. Temporal and Spiritual things are also inseparable 2. Believers have a right to all things 3. Heavenly and earthly things differ exceedingly All these things shall be added 1. True Believers may for a time want temporal mercies Having nothing yet possessing all things 2. God will in his good time relieve all their wants 3 God will give Believers convenient mercies without carking thoughts fears or cares Vnto you Of little faith The least degree of true faith entitles Christians to things Temporal Spiritual and Eternal Doct. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory which is to be sought by all above and before all other things till it be obtained with all possible care and diâ—igence The God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory give unto me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the mysteries of his Kingdom the eyes of my understanding being enlightned I may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints that I may make it manifest as I ought That there is a Kingdom of grace and glory the whole Word of God the Twelve Articles in our Christian Apostolical Creed the Decalogue or Ten Commandments our Lords Prayer the Summaries of our Faith Desires and Practise the unanimous constant consent of the Universal Church the different state disposition and conversation of the Godly and Ungodly and God's various dispensations towards them do admirably abundantly and undeniably prove For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Giving all diligence add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity For if ye do these things an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ So run that ye may obtain There is a Kingdom of grace within us Luke 17.21 Behold the kingdom of God is within you There is a Kingdom of glory without us 1 Thess 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory Not differing in nature but degree for grace is glory begun and glory is grace perfected Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord we are changed into the same image from glory to glory that is from one degree of grace unto another until grace commence glory Every Kingdom presupposeth a King Laws and Subjects that are to be governed guided and protected Accordingly the Kingdom of God hath a King Laws and Subjects The Lord Jesus Christ is King himself the eternal Câ—uncels of God in his
Christ Jesus as also Moses faithful in all his house and Abraham they are Stewards of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful to God himself and others for as every Man hath received the Gift even so Minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God In seeking the Kingdom of God before it can be attained there is much doing and suffering-work to be performed which requires much faithfulness he only is the wise and faithful Servant whom his Lord when he cometh to take an account of his Stewardship is found so doing as the Servant of Christ doing the Will of God from the heart not following that which is evil but that which is good He that doth good is of God but he that doth evil hath not seen God Hypocrites say but do not but a doer of the Work this Man shall be blessed in his deed or doing What St. John said of his Gaius beloved thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers ought to be verifyed of every one who seeks the Kingdom of God Seek faithfully do all that is to be done for the obtaining it by patient continuance in well-doing and faithful also in suffering for righteousness sake we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of Heaven think it not strange therefore concerning the fiery Trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you but rejoyce yea count it all joy when ye fall into divers Temptations inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy for great is your reward in Heaven being heirs of God and joynt-heirs with Christ If so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God in seeking the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator since God Father Son and Holy Ghost are faithful his Word faithful Ministers faithful for so we are to account them being the Ministers of Christ Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful Since it is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that there is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory whatever we do or suffer in order to the enjoying of it let it be done in the fear of the Lord faithfully and with a perfect heart So also diligently those things which are excellent are difficult and hard to come by such are Spiritual and Heavenly things namely Grace and Glory which are most excellent and therefore not so easily attained The great and difficult Work that lies upon our hands is the making our calling and election sure for this end every one hath or should have a particular and general calling to work in both to keep him from Idleness and to put him upon duty and diligence Each calling requires much labor and diligence It is the will of God that none should stand idle This is his Command That if any would not work neither should he eat It is not only the Character of a good Huswife but of a good Christian that she eateth not the bread of idleness It is not for Men and Women who have Souls to save or lose a Heaven or Hell to live in for ever to live a moment idle Time which is for Eternity is too precious a thing to be Idled away to be spent in any thing but diligent seeking the Kingdom of God What is the Proclamation of Jesus Christ but Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good There is Meat for them to eat even hidden Manna Angels food which endureth unto everlasting life which the Son of Man shall give unto them who labor for it with this Meat the Soul of the diligent shall be made fat there is nothing to be had but poverty without diligence He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent with the blessing of the Lord maketh the godly so rich as he addeth no sorrow with it while the wicked who will be rich pierce themselves through with many sorrows The unsearchable riches of grace and Treasures of glory are gotten in a way of holy diligence they who have escaped the corruption that is in the World through lust and are made partakers of the Divine Nature besides this are to give all diligence to add to their Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly Kindness and to Brotherly kindness Charity till they abound in them for so an entrance shall be Ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ If so much diligence be required to grow in grace What diligence is requisite to the getting of it If Ministring to the Saints be a Work and labor of love which none can attain to the full assurance of hope without shewing diligence therein unto the end What Work and labor and diligence will every grace cost before it be attained and perfected This should by no means discourage but quicken us our labor will not be in vain in the Lord. Let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not If we are at the pains to sow holiness in the Seed-time of this life we shall reap happiness in the harvest of Eternity they who labor for rest shall rest from their Labor and their Works shall follow them a Man that is diligent in this Heavenly business of seeking the kingdom of God he shall not stand before mean Men he shall stand before the King of Kings in all his Glory This Kingdom is to be sought fervently both in Speech and Spirit open thy mouth wide saith God and I will fill it we must cry mightily to God in Prayer for it the effectual fervent Prayer of a Righteous man availeth much not slothful in business of the greatest concernment fervent in spirit seeking the Lord labouring or striving fervently in Prayers that we may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God It is good to be zealously affected alwayes in so good a thing as seeking the kingdom of God which must be sought also violently the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Violence in other cases is irregular and dangerous and especially in a way of sin when Men do evil with both hands earnestly the times are then evil with a witness but their mischief will return upon their own heads and their violent dealing will come down upon their own pates especially upon them that lie in wait for Blood that hunt every Man his brother with a Net and upon her that lieth in the Bosom to
his Goodness is another Grace to be desired and laboured after towards the attainment of the Kingdom of God Reverential filial fear of God is the first beginning of true Wisdom which is the principal thing to be looked after The fear of the Lord is the instruction of Wisdom What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose None are wise but fearers of God Behold the fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Understanding The fear of the Lord is to hate Evil and the evil way yea every false way which every prudent man is careful to do that he may walk in the way of Life which is above to the wise that he may depart from Hell beneath I know no greater or better wisdom than departing from Sin and Hell for fear of God to walk in wayes of holiness out of love to God for the obtaining a Kingdom of Glory whosoever would receive a Kingdom which cannot be moved let him have Grace whereby he may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear passing the time of his sojourning here in fear working out his own salvation with fear and trembling Above all put on Charity no Grace brings us more into favor with God and all good men yea even the worst of men sometimes than Charity A man that is truly charitable both to Body and Soul is a man almost by himself and that hath that Charity which suffereth long and is kind that envieth not that behaveth not it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh not evil with all the other properties is in a more excellent way to the Kingdom of Glory than any other and therefore my advice is that every one would strive to excel in this most excellent Gift Duty and Grace of Charity that he would follow after Charity till he be found in Charity an example in Charity fervent in Charity in that Charity that covereth a multitude of sins that the Charity of every one of us all towards each other abounding all our things may be done in Charity that so we may be in Charity one with another which is the end of the Commandments and the bond of our perfection O the unspeakable excellencies of Faith and Hope and other Graces but the greatest of them all is Charity Charity makes a man so good that when one will scarcely dye for a righteous or just man peradventure for a good or charitable man some would even dare to dye if not he dare dye for himself or for the Brethren which he ought to do when lawfully called thereunto None in so sure and safe a way to the Kingdom of Glory as a man of Charity Put on therefore as the Elect of God bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another as Christ forgave you but above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfâ—ction and besides being partakers of the Divine Nature and giving all diligence to add to faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness add Charity for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 5. To Charity add also Chastity which is a virtue not only necessary and preparatory but essential to the Kingdom of God for there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye Having therefore promises for this end let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God that we who according to promise look for new Heâ—vens wherein dwelleth righteousness may be dâ—lâ—gent to be found of him in peace without spot and blâ—meless that we may then be presented as a chaste Virgin to Christ 6. Get Self-denial Live in the daily practice of it if you would not have God deny you himself his Kingdom Grace and Glory if any man will come after Christ let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow him He must go the same way that Christ went that means to come to Heaven he hath led us the way for he is our way he himself went every step to Heaven in a way of Self-denial his wisdom will way and work was wholly subjected to the wisdom will and pleasure of his heavenly Father I seek not saith he mine own Will but the Will of the Father which hath sent me and I do alwayes those things that please him every one of us is to please his Neighbour for his good to edification and the reason is for even Christ pleased not himself leaving us an example that we should follow his steps Our own wisdom will and way standing either in competition with or opposition unto the wisdom of God which seems foolishness to us is to be denied the world by wisdom knows neither God nor his Son Jesus Christ The hidden wisdom which God ordained before the World unto our Glory is such a mystery that none of the Princes of this World knew and therefore they crucified the Lord of Glory Nor can any natural man receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Let no man therefore deceive himself if any man seem to be wise in this World let him deny himself become a Fool that he may be wise to deny his own Will as well as his own Wisdom that he may be willing in the day of Gods power to be what God would have him to be and to say not my Will but thine be done on Earth as it is in Heaven which is the highest Wisdom Self-love must also be denied Naturally men though they will not own it are Lovers of their own selves which makes them covetous and proud to be Lovers of Pleasure more than Lovers of God The love of God for himself and love to our Neighbours without dissimulation is the cure of Self-love which is false love and therefore true hatred Self-love is Self-hatred The Times are perilous when men are Lovers of their own selves covetous proud Lovers of Pleasures more than Lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof Hold fast the form of sound words with a sound mind by the Spirit of Faith and of Power and of Love that instead of denying the power of Godliness you may exercise your selves unto all Godliness in denying Ungodliness and worldly Lusts that you may live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil World Learn in what state soever you are in therewith to be content Learn both how to be abased and know how to abound Be content to be poor in this World which is the true meaning of
Word are his Laws Angels all Kings and Kingdoms are his Subjects All power is given unto this King in heaven and in earth he hath a Kingdom in every true Believer where he dwells and reigns as King The Sacred Scriptures are his Laws written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshly tables of their hearts their bâ—dies souls spirits every member faculty power quality and all that is within them mind memory will conscience affections thoughts intents desires c. words actions and all their enemies sin Satan and the world the honours pleasures treasures thereof are his Subjects This King of Saints is personally in heaven but dwells and reigns mystically in true Believers by his Spirit by his Word by his Grace Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Now the Office of the holy Spirit is by Regeneration to wash and cleanse our bodies souls and spirits from all filthiness that by his divine power we may be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth And by applying also the blood of Christ If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your consciences from dead works Ye know ye were not redeemed from your vain conversation with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ The holy Ghost is given to purifie our hearts by the grace of faith This King by his Spirit Word Bloud and Grace creates in us clean hearts and renews right spirits within us and thereby also prepares our bodies souls and spirits to be temples and habitations meet for his Majesty to inhabit and dwell in As our bodies are filled with our souls and spirits so would our gracious King have us filled in our bodies souls and spirits with all the fulness of God Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Such is the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man that according to his mercy he saves us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost which he sheds upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour He would have his word dwell in us richly in all wisdom for reaching and admonishing one another By his blood he dwelleth in us How free was he of it during the time of his pâ—ssive obedience in his estate of humiliation He poured out his soul unto death Being in an agony his sweat was as it were great drops of bloud falling down to the ground He offered his side to be broached that he might shed his hearts blood for our redemption the remission of our sins reconciliation our sanctification and salvation In whom we have redemption through his blood Without shedding of bloud there is no remission He hath made peace through the blood of his cross Reconciling all things unto himself whether they be things in earth or things in heaven The blood of Christ through the eternal Spirit purgeth our consciences from dead works to serve the living God Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him In his estate of Exaltation how free is he also of his blood by the virtue of it he makes continual intercession for us In the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper we have his blood given to drink which he tells us is drink indeed and calls upon us to drink yea to drink abundantly He dwelleth in us by his grace It pleâ—sed the Father that in him should all fulness dwell a fulness of grace and truth The fulness of him that fi leth all in all That of his fulness we all might receive grace for grace Through him great grace was upon all the Apostles and many of the Primitive Christians He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers with gifts and graces for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ That we henceforth be no more children tâ—ssed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love The Universal Church is the body of Christ his Spirit the virtue of his Bloud his Word Graces and Comforts are the life welfare and soul of it Christ our King dwells in this his body and every member of it which is his Kingdom by righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost He covers his body with the robe of his righteousness for their Justification which is their upper garment And to the Church the Lamb's Wife is granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen her under garment which is righteousness for Sanctification and purity both in body soul spirit and conversation The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus This Church or Body of Christ looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness is diligently to be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And knowing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for the sake of his Body which is the Church he became poor that through his poverty it might be made rich through him have an access by one Spirit unto the Father of lights from whom cometh every good gift and every perfect gift whether of Nature of Grace or of Glory For the Lord God is a sun and shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly The spirit of power of love and of a sound mind are his gift which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created the new man to be renewed in the spirit of his mind For that the soul be without knowledge is not good especially the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and him crucified all other knowledge shall vanish away but this is life eternal to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ
whom thou hast sent And though the ungodly like not to retain God in their knowledge and are so far besides themselves as to say unto God Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways Notwithstanding that he hath said to a people of no understanding that he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour while they walk in the vanity of their minds having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ which is the image of God should shine unto them And therefore this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil For every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be discerned or reproved Yet to them who were sometimes darkness but now are light in the Lord and walk as children of the light they determine to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified Yea doubtless they count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus for whom they suffer the loss of all things and do count them but dung that they may win Christ and be found in him not having their own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith that they may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means they may attain unto the resurrection of the dead not as though they had already attained either were already perfect but humbly taking God at his word that then shall they know If they follow on to know the Lord follow after if that they may apprehend that for which also they are apprehended of Christ Jesus For the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory hath given unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of their understanding being enlightned they know what is the hope of his calling and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to them who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places And though there be some that have onely the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law and Gospel and so have but a form of godliness such are they who profess that they know God yet glorifie him not as God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate or void of judgment who resist the truth Men of corrupt minds reprobate of no judgment concerning the doctrine or grace of faith Of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth because they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts they heap to themselves Teachers having itching ears and turn away their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables not consenting to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness being proud knowing nothing doting fools or sick about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy strife railings and surmising perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth supposing that gain of honour by their doubtful disputations is godliness From such let the humble and weak in faith turn away I say though there be some who for the time ought to be Teachers yet have need that one teach them again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat For every one that useth milk is unskilful and hath no experience in the word of righteousness for he is a babe Yet for those who are truly enlightned and have both tasted of and relished the heavenly gift and the good word of God and have been made partakers of the Spirit of the Lord the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of councel and the spirit of knowledge making them of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord even those that by reason of use or habit or perfection have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil They abhor the evil and cleave to that which is good being transformed by the renewing of their minds they prove and try what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for a good understanding have all they that do thereafter And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments Hereby know we also that we are in him and he in us For if a man keep my words saith Christ we will come unto him and make our abode with him But he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him Christ will profess to such a one Depart from me thou worker of iniquity I never knew thee But he who loves God not in word or in tongue but in deed and in truth is known of him and knoweth God and approves things that are excellent even whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report Growing also in grace abounding in love more and more and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and in all judgment or sense minding savouring favouring the things of the Spirit as they that are after the Spirit For as many as are led by the Spirit of God being spiritually minded serve him in newness of spirit mind not high things but content themselves with mean things Take not thought for their life what they shall eat or what they shall drink nor yet for the body what they shall put on knowing the life to be more worth than meat and the body than raiment and that meats are but for the belly and the belly for meats but God shall destroy both it and them And the body is for the Lord and the Lord for the body And though there are many whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame men of the world which have their portion in this life and whose belly God filleth with his hid treasures who say Who will shew us any good trusting in uncertain riches that will be rich and therefore minding
knowledge is to know we know nothing For if any Man think that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know Oh! How many wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked Sinners are there in these Kingdoms that think that they have need of nothing especially the Rich that increase in Goods and others zealous of and with Spiritual Gifts but not according to knowledge â—now ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Unapproved or Reprobates who think of themselves more highly than they ought to think and that they are sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves being ignorant of this that our sufficiency for good thoughts words and â—ctions is only from Gods allsufficiency who is the Author of every good gift and every perfect gâ—ft These are Sinners spiritually dead in St. Pauls Judgment Awake to Righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame and yet pretend and boast of the Spirit but not the true Spirit the Spirit of truth whom the World cannot receive Indeed they have the Spirit of the World visible by their love to the World and the things that are in the World but this Spirit of truth the World cannot receive All the Workers of Iniquity have no knowledge of God the World by wisdom knew not God nor Christ or Christians though they are the Sons of God therefore the World knoweth them not because it knew him not for if they had known him and them they would not have Crucified the Lord of Glory and persecuted and put to death so many Sons Saints and Christians 15 John 20.16 33. Nor the Spirit because it seeth him not neither knoweth him nor his word but err not knowing the Scriptures Err in their Judgments call evil good and good evil put darkness for light and light for darkness bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter yet are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight Nor his Wayes They are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one and the reason is there is none that understandeth The Holy Ghost saith they do alway err in their heart and they have not known my wayes nor works either of Creation or Providence They regard not the Work of the Lord neither consider the operation of his hands because they have no knowledge But they who have received the Spirit which is of God know him and the things that are freely given to them of God they know that the Son of God is come and hath given them an understanding that they may know him that is true This is Life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent By the Spirit of truth they know the Spirit of Truth and Error and therefore do not believe every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God they know the Truth and the Truth hath made them free They also know Christ the Truth if the Son shall make you free then shall you be free indeed which he doth by his Spirit When the Spirit of Truth is come he will guide you into all Truth by the Word of Truth Sanctify them through thy truth thy Word is truth the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the Law of sin free from committing of it for he that committeth sin is of the Devil and whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin Know ye not to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether â—f sin unto death or of obedience unto Righteousness whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God â—ollow not that then which is evil but that which is good he that doth good is of God but he that doth evil hath not seen â—od nor his Son Jesus for we know he was manifested to take away our sins whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him by his Word we come to the knowledge of God The entrance of thy Word giveth light it giveth understanding unto the simple by the Ministers of Christ for the Priests lips should keep Knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth Thy Teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk ye in it When ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left they are sent to open Mens eyes and to turn them from darkness unto light The Work of the Ministry is for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the Unity of Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ that we henceforth be no more children in understanding tossed to and fro and carryed about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of Men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but in understanding being Men speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ This knowledge of God which is the first and chief part of the Image of God is a principal part of the Kingdom of God by which we are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son Repentance towards God is also from Christ him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince for to give Repentaâ—ce to Israel which is not only our entrance into but part of this Kingdom of Grace even such a part as that without it the Kiâ—gâ—om of â—od cannot enter into us nor be carryed on to purpose with power to the Kingdom of Glory This Repentance is a turning from sin to God till we come to God it is a Confessing and forsaking of it till we sin no more that we may find mercy with God It is a Godly Sorrow for sin as sin for the evil that is in it against God as well as the evil that is by it against us it is a hating sin for it self especiâ—lly for that it is enmity to God and neither is nor can be subject to the Law of God for it is a transgressâ—on of the Law of God It is an abhorring of our selves for our sins through the knowledge of God and his mercy in Christ and a true sight of sin with full purpose of heart to sin no more but to live in obedience to all his Holy Just and Good Laws all our dayes I have heard of thee saith Job by the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in
The pain of sense will easilier be born than the pain of loss The Vision of God is the Heaven of the Godly O it is a blessed sight to see God and to be seen of him If a glympse here of his glorious Majesty be so joyous How glorious will a full and fixed sight of him be in Heavenly Glory May I be blind to all the glory in this World so I may live in a believing foresight and lively hope of beholding that inaccessible Light which is too glorious for Angels to behold without covering their faces This Light is Life it self the original of life to all whether of Nature Grace or Glory God in Scripture is said to be the true and Living God in opposition to false and dead Idols Life is his being he is because he Lives and our Life is hid with Christ in God even that of Nature of Grace and of Glory in him we Live and Move and have our Being Life in it self is a happiness O how precious a thing is Life Skin for skin and all that a Man hath will he give for his Life The Life of a Fly hath been thought to be more worth than the World The Life of a Man doubtless is more worth than many Worlds which are without Life but it is the Life of Grace which makes the Life of Man his comfort and the Life of sin to be a Living Death to him But the Life of Glory which is ever to be glorifying and enjoying God is the glory of Life To live with Life it self and for Life it self to live in us How infinitely satisfying will it be to them who are glorified That we shall be ever with this Lord of Life and Glory is the most comfortable word in all the Scriptures If any Man serve me saith Christ where I am there shall also my servant be Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me The presence of Christ makes Heaven It is our Life eternal to live with him who is Life eternal and to live to him for none of us in Heaven liveth to himself we live there wholly unto the Lord. His Glory there is as truly our end as it is here he will give to every one glory enough but he will not give his glory to another None must glorifie himsâ—lf there God All-sufficient will glorifie every one sufficiently I will glorifie the House of my glory saith the Lord. Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory will be the Heavenly Ditty and Duty Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created The main end of our Election or Predestination Redemption Justification Adoption Regeneration Sanctification Preservation and Glorification is to glorifie God in our Bodies and in our Spirits which are Gods Our vile Bodies are fashioned like unto Christs glorious Body so are our Souls transformed renewed sanctified and cleansed with the washing of Water by the Word that they might be presented to God himself glorious not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that they should be holy and without blame before him in love to the Praise of the glory of his Grace God is Love as well as Life the Life which he lives is a life also of Love What lovely living will it be in Heaven to live with love it self To love and be beloved by God who is Love will be the Saints everlasting happiness God will for ever be in love with all the Glorified Angels and Saints and they again will for ever be in love with him I Love them that Love me saith God not only God Essentially but God Personally is Love The Father is love the Son is love the Holy Ghost is love The knowledge we shall have of the Trinity loving each other with the love of Unity in an infinite manner and measure will very much contribute to our heavenly happiness If the Union Communion and Communication of Love between Husband and Wife be so great a Mystery How much greater a Mystery is that which is between Christ and the Church But O how mysterious a secret are the Transactions of mutuâ—l love between Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity If God so loved the World in this was manifested â—he Love of God because he sent his only begotten Son iâ—to the World that we might live through him herein is love that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins I say if God so loved the World What manner of Love hath he bestowed upon his only begotten Son The Father loveth the Son and the Son loveth the Father and the Holy Spirit loveth both the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost is loved of the Father and the Son and in their mutual loving and glorifying each other as they were happy infinitely from Everlasting so they would have been to everlasting though all persons and things had never been created Gods essential glory is neither capable of addition or diminution by reason of its infinite perfection God is not the happier for Angels or Men he needs neither their love or service but there is no being happy for any Creature save in the full enjoyment of God and his loving favour through all Eternity his loving kindness is life eternal We love him because he first loved us he loved us from all Eternity So God loved the World and by so doing hath engaged himself to love us to eternity whom he loves he loves to the end That which makes his love altogether lovely is That he set his love upon us because he loved us no Merit or Motive in us why he should love us there were Motives and Merits indeed why he should not love us when by wilful sin we had cast away the Mercies of our Creation he might have cast us off and cast us out to the loathing of our persons In the day we were born and lay polluted in our blood then he looked upon us and behold this time was the time of love he then said unto us when we were in our Blood Live His Love was our Life If God loved us so when we were sinful What manner of Love will he bestow upon us when sinless Our sin Original and Actual incapacitates us to receive the Mercies and enjoy the Love the Lord would willingly vouchsafe us But in Heaven we shall be able and perfectly capable and God infinitely willing to load us with all his Benefits God will never be weary of giving out his Loves nor we unwilling or weary in a Joyful and Thankful receiving of them and returning the same to our best Beloved It will be love of the nearest union the highest and holiest Communion and the freest and fullest
be and to do what God would have us to do upon which our endless state depends and therefore to be really Religious which is a living to God is no indifferent thing because the invisible things of eternity which Religion is concerned â—bout are the greatest realities and of the greatest moment to every Immortal Soul which is capable of being unspeakably happy or miserable in Heaven or Hell through all Eternity God and Christ and Grace and Glory must be had there is no living or dying in Peace without them Behold now is the accepted time to accept them and to be accepted Behold now is the day of Salvation which if it be neglected an eternal night of Damnation followeth There is also an excellency in Religion which appears in being conversant about matters of such transcendent worth and weight as namely the glorifying of God in wayes of Grace and Glory upon this account therefore it is the Righteous is more excellent then his Neighbor Religion is for Godliness which is profitable to all persons and things having promise of the Life that now is and of that which is to come Happy is the Man that in the way of Religion getteth Godliness for the Merchandise of it is better than the Merchandise of Silver and the Gain thereof than fine Gold she is more precious than Rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her Length of dayes is in her Right hand and in her Left hand Riches and Honor her wayes are wayes of pleasantness and all her paths are peace 2. This Doctrine of the Kingdom of Grace and Glory speaks doleful and dreadful Tidings to the wicked and ungodly The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God No Whoremonger nor Unclean Person nor Covetous Man who is an Idolater hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Let no Man therefore deceive himself with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of Disobedience the loss of this Kingdom will be more intollerable to the Wicked than the enduring of the eternal torments of Hell because the loss is infinite God is lost and the Eternal weight of Glory is lost The pains of Hell are after a sort finite though infinite in duration and between finite misery and infinite glory there is an infinite inequality 3. If there be a Kingdom of Grace and Glory Are not they then besides themselves that think and say That a holy diligence and strictness in Religion and the Duties thereof in order to its attainment is more ado then needs that practically say It is vain to serve God and What profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance and Behold What a weariness c. When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him and shall sit upon the Throne of his Glory and shall gather before him all Nations and shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the â—oats and shall set the Sheep on his Right hand but the Goats in the Left when the King shall say unto them on his Right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World When he shall say also unto them on his Left hand Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe when Christ shall reckon with his Servants about the improvement of their time and talents for we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad and shall say Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord and when he shall say to him that received one Talent and hid it in the earth Take the Talent from him and cast ye that wicked slothful and unprofitable Servant into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth then will the holy diligence of the Saints and Servants of the Lord be justified and the minds of them that judged diligent Godliness to be more ado than needed will be otherwise minded and wish too late they had been wise and faithful that by their Lord at his coming they might have been found so doing as those that were faithful unto death and receive the Crown of Life 4. That there is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory speaks the dignity and happiness of the Saints Let their condition in this World as to the things of the World be never so bad be they poor and persecuted having nothing they possess all things things Temporal Spiritual and Eternal are their right all things are yours saith the Apostle Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all are yours and the reason is because Christ is yours he that hath Christ hath all things He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all How shall he not with him also freely give us all things They who have a true interest in God and Christ and Grace and Glory cannot want for real Treasures Honors and Pleasures either in this or the better World 5. That there is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory speaks also the great love of God wherewith he hath loved us and the exceeding riches of his Grace That God of his free Mercy towards us in Christ Jesus should take any of us out of the state of Nature Sin and Misery to reinstate us into his Grace and Favour That from the presence of his Grace he might translate us into the presence and Kingdom of his Glory What manner of love hath God the Father bestowed upon us God so loved the World that he sent his only begotten Son into iâ— that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting Life this is love passing knowledge 2. The second Use is for trial and examination of our selves as to our right and title to glory The last Article in our Christian belief is the Life everlasting which every one will say he believes That there is a Kingdom of Glory is without controversie The great Question is To whom this Kingdom of Glory belongs I have before proved by Scripture That there is a purposed prepared purchased promised and preserved Kingdom of Glory and that there are certain persons
of God hath the witness in himself the witness of God for this is the witness of God that he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him because he believeth not the Record that God gave of his Son and this is the Record That God hath given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son and he that hath believeth or receiveth Christ hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life so that our Eternal Life depends upon our faith or faithfulness in believing that is in the truth of our assent to the truth of the whole Word of God only upon the authority of Gods speaking it especially in believing or assenting to this faithful saying which is worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners and consenting unfeignedly to have him for our Lord and Saviour trusting only upon the Merit of his death upon the Cross his Resurrection and Intercession for our acceptance with God our Justification an Glorification committing our selves and all our concernments wholly to his guidance and government cal ing all our care and burdens upon him as iudging him to be able and faithful to carry us through all the duties dangers and difficulties of this life unto life eternal all which is the nature and work of Faith which whosoever hath and liveth by it shall never perish but have everlasting life This is the â—aith that worketh love and worketh by love even to believe the love that God hath to us who is love God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him herein is love This love breeds love Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another much more ought we to love God and indeed if we do soundly believe this love of God towards us which passeth knowledge we shall answer this love with love again In loving God above all even with all the heart with all the Soul and with all the strength and with all the mind for he that loveth Father or Mother more than God is not worthy of him and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than God is not worthy of him and then love we him indeed when we love whom he loves and what he loves and hate what he hates Now God the Father loveth his only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ and he that loveth him loveth God and is loved of him And Oh What infinite reason have we to love both God and Christ when they have so loved us God the Father in sending his Son into the World to bless us and Christ in coming into it that he might give himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and purifie us unto himself a peculiar People zeâ—lâ—us of good works Therefore if any Man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha As God loves his only Son by Eternal generation so he loveth his Adopted Sons by Spiritual Regeneration and they again love him I love them saith God that love me herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us we love him because he first loved us his love is the ground and cause of our love to him and to one another Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God he that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World Herein is love beloved if God so loved us we ought to love one another with a love of Union Complacency and Benevolence being of one Mind Will Way about one Work God-glorifying Delighting in each others Persons Communion and Communication Like David the Saints were all his delight as we have opportunity doing good to all but especially to the Houshold of Faith for to do good and Communicate is a Sacrifice God is well pleased with but whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of Compassion from him How dwelleth the love of God in him the love of God dwelleth not in him at all nor doth he dwell in God for he that dwelleth in God dwelleth in love and he that dwelleth not in God shall never dwell with him But he who loves God and Christ truly loves all Saints as God loves them with a special love and as God loves all Saints so he loves them alwayes even to the end so do all true lovers of God and his Saints as they love them all so they love them alwayes even to the end If we thus love the Brethren we may know that we are passed from death unto life Our love must extend to enemies even the worst of our enemies though we cannot love them with a love of Union and Complacency we must love them with a love of Benevolence because it is a Gospel-Command and therefore a Gospel-Duty to love our enemies and do good to them that hate us If we only love them that love us What do we more than others but if we love them that hate us we do more than others then are we the children of our Heavenly Father and are merciful as he is merciful and perfect as he is perfect And if we love not our enemies we are enemies to our enemies Gods enemies and our own To love heartily a professed practical enemy is a greater duty and difficulty than most professors are aware of How far are they from loving their enemies that do not love their brethren and without loving of their brethren and our enemies also and doing good to them that hate us there is no going to Heaven as we must love whom God loves so what God loves his Word Works Wayes Righteousness his Ordinances and Sanctuary c. God loves the Gates of Sion O how I love thy Law and I have loved the habitation of thy House and the place where thine honor dwelleth saith every one that is godly As we must love what God loves so must we hate what God hates and as God hates now God hates sin with a perfect hatred so must every one that loves the Lord hate sin and wickedness with a perfect hatred Ye that love the Lord hate evil because he hates it we cannot but sin while sin dwelleth in us but when it is acted it must be hated and is hated by every one that is godly What I hate that do I saith St. Paul We must abâ—tain from all appearance of evil hating even the garment spotted with the flesh if we will approve our selves to be the faithful and fervent lovers of the Lord let us seriously try the truth
giving of Thanks be made by us all for the KING and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who will have all men first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and come unto the knowledge and the acknowledging of the Truth which is after godliness that they may be saved for which end the Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord that hath called us to glory and virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature and the divine life The last direction for getting and growing in grace is to get well acquainted with every promise of grace and every promise unto grace to mâ—ke a believing lively application of them to your selves Turn these Promises into Prayers and God will turn them into Performances He hath purposely made them known unto you that he might make them over to you for all the Promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God and your salvation if having these Promises we cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flâ—sh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God The promises of God are the breasts of Consolation from whence new born Babes desire or suck sincere milk that they may grow thereby in grace unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature or age of the fulness of Christ till they become such as have no need of milk for every one that useth milk is unsk lful hath no experience in the word of righteousness for he is a Babe but of strong meat which belongeth to them that are of full age of perfect even those who by reason of use habit or perfection have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil For Consolation to all the Sons and Saints and Servants of the Lord that hearken unto the counsel command and proclamation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that first seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness as you have heard that have this Kingdom and righteousness in you Look unto Jesus lift up your heads and hearts for your redemption draweth nigh when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Let us comfort one another with these words God and Christ and Grace and Glory are ours we are sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory all things are ours for we are Christs Paul Apollos Cephas the world life death things present things to come all are ours in possession and reversion This All should comfort us it is worth being a Son a Saint a Servant of God to be as rich as Heaven and Earth yea richer in having God for our portion Let not the Consolations of God seem small to us the promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come are all ours here are the unsearchable riches of Christ treasured up for the heirs of promise wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto them the immutability of his counsel confirmed them by an oath that by two immutable things in which it were impossible for God to lye we might have a strong Consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us which is Christ in us the hope of glory for we look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ to be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and they in him It s worth going through the Kingdom of grace all the way which many poor Christians are fain to do in a way of persecution and tribulation to the Kingdom of glory where they shall ever be with the Lord whose presence will make amends for all There God and Christ will be all and in all here Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith hope and love but when Christ who is our life shall appear we shall also appear with him in glory then shall we be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is then shall we be filled with all the fulness of God that will do for us exceeding abundantly above all that now we ask or think unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through grace comfort our hearts and establish us in every good Work to keep us from falling till we be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever AMEN FINIS