these Ahab did by his humbling himself in that manner 1 Kin. 21. last Because he humbleth himself before me saith the Lord to Elijah I will not bring this evil in his dayes By his external and temporary humiliation he obtained the deferring of a temporal judgment and that so as himself felt not of it The latter Jehu got whom the Lord telleth 2 Kin. 10.30 Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart thy children of the fourth generation shall sit upon the throne of Israel Shewing himself zealous for God in destroying of Idolatry he obtained a temporal reward for that his service the intailing of the Crown upon his Posterity to the fourth generation which was accordingly performed and made good to him Thus God will not be indebted to any man for what ever service he doth to him Unbelievers they may obtain a temporal reward for such services as they do unto God to his Church or People by their acts of outward Piety Charity Mercy But as for that Eternal recompence of reward that they will fall short of This belonging onely to those that are in Christ to those that are Redeemed Purified Justified Sanctified by him And therefore to press what was propounded let this be the first work that you set about Seek you out for your interest in the Lord Iesus First seek after an in interest in Jesus Christ that you may be made partakers of these benefits by him and so become his Peculiar people Being such thus made trees of Righteousness now are you in a capacity of bringing forth such good fruit of being fruitful in every good work This I take up by the way from the Order of the words The words divided Which come we now to look upon in themselves Therein taking notice of two particulars Res Modus the Action and Affection The Action Affection The Action or service wherein this people is to be imployed and occupied viz. the doing of good works The Affeâ—tion or Disposition wherewith they are to do them viz. a holy fervor and zeal Zealous of good works Begin with the former The service of Christs people the service and imployment which is expected from and performed by this peculiar people whom the Lord Christ hath thus Redeemed and Purified They are a people devoted and addicted to good works to works to good works Obs Christs people addicted to good works So we may subdivide the words 1. To works 1. To works They are an active stirring working people Such a one was Christ himself when he was here upon earth My Father worketh hitherto and I work saith he Iohn 5.17 And eswhere he tells his Disciples that he must work I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day John 9.4 whilest I live here and whilest I have opportunity Such was he And such in measure are those that are his Not such as spend their time in doing of nothing idle persons Why stand ye all the day idle saith the Husbandman in the Parable to those whom he found in the Market-place Mat. 20.6 So is it with the men of this world many of which are as St. Luke calls them Acts 17.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loose dissolute persons spending their time in doing of nothing or of that which is as bad or worse than nothing But so is it not with those whom Christ calleth to be his servants Those who are called into the Vineyard are called to work there Go work to day in my Vineyard saith the Father to his Son in that other Parable Mat. 21.28 Those whom Christ calleth effectually into his Church they are such as are not loyterers but labourers Workers all 2. And that of good works 2. To good works That was a Title which the Heathens gave unto some of their Kings Princes they called them as our Saviour tells the Iewes Luke 22.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Benefactors Well-doers And such are all those whom Christ calleth to be Kings true believers they are all benefactors doers of good works Not Evil-workers So Paul calleth the false Teachers of his time Phil. 3.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beware of evil workers being such as were very active took great pains and toyl in preaching but it was to the end that they might sow the Devils tares vent and spread their dangerous and damnable Doctrines Such workers there are ynow and too many amongst us at this day And such in some kind or other are all wicked and ungodly men they are all workers of iniquity Luke 13.27 doing the works of their father the Devil as our Saviour tells the Iewes John 8.44 Being therein active and stirring But such are not they whom Christ taketh to be his people True it is they are not altogether free from these works sinful works There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Eccles 7.20 In many things we offend all Jam. 3.2 But this is not their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which they make their work that which they purpose and design This is to work the works of God This was that which Christ made his work whilest he was here upon earth to work the works of him that sent him as we had it Iohn 9.4 This was his Meat as elswhere he telleth us My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work John 4.34 And herein those who are his are in measure conformable to him They are such also as work the works of God workers of good works Being created in Christ Jesus thereunto To this end it is that they are regenerated begotten and born anew made new creatures We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them saith Paul of himself and other believers Eph. 2.10 Like as a man putteth grafts into a stock that they may bring forth fruit and good fruit Thus doth God ingraff his elect people into Christ creating them as it were anew in him regenerating them by his Spirit that so they may bring forth fruits in him Which also in measure they all do He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit Joh. 15.5 Beleevers having union and communion with Jesus Christ they are now made fruitfull and that in good works Quest And what works are these which we call good work Good Works what Ans In Answer hereunto it is not my purpose to dilate upon the Common place of good works Take it briefly Good works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a Theological sense they are all and only such works as are required and commanded by God in his word Such things as God commandeth Mark it such things as God commandeth requireth He hath shewed thee O
their design so to be Lukewarm in their Religion Lukewarmness in some a politick design As for zeal it is a temper which their policy approves not of No a middle temper is the best neither hot nor cold But herein how are they mistaken Of all tempers Christ liketh it worst So he tells the Laodicean Church there Rev. 3.15 16. I would thou wert either cold or hot So then because thou art lukewarm c. I will spew thee out of my mouth Meats and drinks which are luke-warm are most offensive and displeasing to the stomach apt to provoke vomit And such are all Newters and Politick Time-servers unto Jesus Christ loathsome and detestable such as sooner or later he will cast out with loathing and detestation Here is a second sort Lukewarm Christians Besides these a third sort there are who are zealous I but of what Not of good works 3. Some zealous but not of good works What then Why either 1. Of things Indifferent which they superstitiously doting upon make necessary 1. Of things indifferent shewing more zeal for humane inventions than for any part of the instituted worship and service of God Such was the zeal of the Pharisees who found fault with the Disciples of Christ and quarrel with him their Master about it because they did not observe their Traditions Why do thy Disciples transgresse the Tradition of the Elders say they For they wash not their hands when they eat bread Matth. 1.2 Thus were they very zealous for those ceremonious observances which being in themselves indifferent they putting a Religion in them made necessary preferring them before divine Institutions and Commands So our Saviour there chargeth it upon the v. 6. Thus have ye made the Commandements of God of none effect by your Traditions And such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Gal. 1.14 I was then saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of my Fathers And such a zeal may we see at this day among those great Zelots of the Roman Church who are transcendently more exceedingly zealous than others But whereof is it Why of the Traditions of their Fathers humane Inventions Rites Ceremonies such as have no warrant from the Word And would to God there were not too much of this zeal to be found amongst some Protestants at this day even amongst our selves who are still so much addicted to old Customes and Rites and Ceremonies as that their zeal to them maketh them overlook the substance of Religion and to neglect as I said some of the Ordinances of God Being zealous for Humane they neglect Divine Institutions 2. Of evil works 2. Others there are worse than these who are zealous about things in themselves evil Such are persons openly wicked who are zealous Actors of sin committing it with greediness Such were some of the Gentiles whom the Apostle describeth Eph. 4.19 Being past feeling they have given themselves over unto lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse with greedinesse Would to God there were not some such to be found among Christians amongst us Riotous Intemperate Luxurious persons such as Run to all excess of Riot as St. Peter hath it 1. Pet. 4.4 And such zeal shall we find amongst Idolaters Those of old whom we read of among whom some thought nothing too dear for their Idols not sparing some of them to sacrifice their Children unto them So did the worshippers of Molech or Baal of whom the Prophet Jeremie speaketh Jer. 19.5 They have built also the high-places of Baal to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal And such are the prime Zelots of the Church of Rome at this day such as are zealous for their Idolatry and Superstition as Invocating of Saints Worshipping of Images Adoring the Sacrament c. 3. Another sort there are who are zealous against good works 3. Against good works speaking evill of them and persecuting those that do them Such was Pauls zeal before his Conversion as himself acknowledgeth it Phil. 3.6 Concerning zeal persecuting the Church Such zeal our Saviour tels his Disciples they should make account to meet with from those who liked not their way John 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues Yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service And such zeal may we find among Papists at this day who care not what cruelties they exercise upon the true Professors of Gods Religion And would to God there were not some of this zeal to be found among our selves in such as are zealous against the wayes of God and those that walk in them not sparing to revile the Ministers of God for doing their duty and to rail upon his servants for being so forward so zealous as they are of good works Thus their zeal is against zeal which they look upon as no better than folly and madness in those who express it in the course of their lives and conversations by being more forward and zealous than others Now to close up this Branch of the Application as for all these let them here take notice that being such we cannot reckon them in the number of this peculiar people whom Christ hath Redeemed and Purified to this end that they should be zealous and zealous of good works Vse 2. Exh. Be zealous Which let all of us in the second place be exhorted and excited to That we may approve and evidence our selves to be of this blessed number such as belong unto Jesus Christ be we zealous zealous for God in doing his will Be zealous saith the Spirit to the Laodicean Church And such let us be 1. Motives and means for the kindling of this fire For the kindling of which fire in our hearts do but consider in the first place how zealous God hath been and is for us for his people Thus saith the Lord of hosts I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousie Zach. 1.14 1. Consider Gods zeal for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kinnethi saith the Original zelatus sum I have been zealous for them with a great zeal Such is Gods affection towards his Church and people like that of a most affectionate husband towards his beloved wife whom he cannot endure to see wronged Such is Gods zeal for his people Which as it induceth him to make so to perform and make good his promises unto them This it was that moved him to give his Son Christ for them to send him into the world to do what he hath done and shall do for them To us a child is born to us a son is given saith the Prophet Esay speaking of Christ Isa 9.6 And what moved God to do this Why The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this so the Reason is rendred in the verse following Thus hath God been zealous for us great reason then that we should be zealous for him
of Promise the earthly Canaan but the eternal reward And the like may Christians in their good works which they do they may have an eye to their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Recompence of Reward which God hath promised to such workers And that both Temporal and Eternal reward Therefore is it that our Saviour propoundeth this as a motive unto them to put them upon the practice of good works setting their reward before them Love your Enemies saith he and do good and lend looking for nothing again and your reward shall be great Luke 6.35 And elsewhere he tells us that whosoever shall do the least office of love Disciple in the name of a Disciple but give a cup of cold water unto him he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10. ult This Christians may yea and for their incouragement ought to have an eye at as in their sufferings so in their doings for Christ By patient eontinuance in well-doing seeking for Glory and Honour and Immortalitie as the Apostle describeth the true believer Rom. 2.7 Gods glory to be eyed in the first place not vain-glory But the chief and main end which they are to aym at is the Glory of God seeking that in the first place Not their own glory This was the Leaven which sowred whatever duties or services the Pharisees performed What they did they did it in an ambitious way out of vain-glory that they might be seen of men◠and have glory from them So our Saviour chargeth it upon them Mat. 6. v. 2. where also he tells his Auditors what they must expect for such services Verily saith he they have their reward v. 2 5 16. All the reward they must look for They must look for none from God Now this let us abandon Take heed that ye do not your Alms to be seen of men that is our Saviours caveat in the first v. there Not seeking our selves our own Glorie This we may hear our blessed Saviour disclaiming I seek not mine own glorie saith he Iohn 8.50 But the glory of his Father he did the glorie of him that sent him as he intimates there in the Chapter fore-going Iohn 7.18 And this let us in imitation of this our heavenly pattern seek after In whatever we do making this our Alpha and Omega our first and last the chief of all our ayms that God may be glorified in us and by us This was Pauls main design in whatever he did or suffered that God might be glorified in him whether by life or death as he telleth his Philippians c. 1. v. 20. And this let us make the main end of all our good works that God as I say may be glorified in us and by us Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven saith our Saviour to his Disciples Mat. 5.16 Let your light shine Manifest your inward graces by your outward actions which are as beams from the Sun Shine before men who cannot judge of your hearts but by your deeds That they may see your good works not onely hear your words but behold your works And so glorifie your Father which is in heaven And let this be the main design of every of us in whatever works we doe that God may be glorified in us as Paul saith he was in him Gal. 1. last So doing now doubt not but our works shal be acceptable to God and profitable to our selves of which more hereafter in the last particular to which I now come 2. Partic. The inward Affection in doing good works The Modus the inward Affection or Disposition of this peculiar people in performing of this service doing of these works and that is a holy fervour Zeal Zealous of good works Obs Christs people Zelots Such the Redeemed of the Lord Christs people are or ought to be Zelots Mark it this is the last Conclusion which the Text holdeth forth unto us Christs people must be zelots So was one of his Apostles sirnamed Quod Zelo ferveret Hieron Epl. 53. ad Riparium Simon called Zelotes Luke 6.15 Acts 1.13 Simon the zealous And such ought all his Disciples to be zelots all Such were the Iewes generally under the Law they were zealous of the Law So Iames tells Paul concerning them Acts 21.20 Thou seest brother saith he how many thousand of Iewes there are which believe and they are all zealous of the Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in the Chapter following Paul speaking to the Iewes concerning himself he tells them how that being a Iew born and bred and taught according to the manner of the Fathers I was saith he zealous towards God as ye all are this day Such were they under the Law And such Christians ought to be under the Gospel though not in the same way yet zelots still Not key-cold nor yet tepid and lukewarm in their Religion but zealous That is the Charge which the Son of man giveth to lukewarm Laodicea Rev. 3.19 Be zealous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which if she were not he threatens to spew her out of his mouth Thus Christ will own none for his people but such as are zealous Quest And wherein zealous Quest Wherein to be zealous Ans Why generally in somwhat that is good It is good saith the Apostle to be zealously affected alwaies in a good thing Ans Generally in a good matter Gal. 4.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeal in it self as it is with Affections and Passions whereof zeal is onely the Intension the heightning of them it is vox media indifferent so as it may be taken either in good or bad part according to the nature of the Object or matter whereabout it is exercised So much we may take notice of from that Apostle who as he there minds us of a good zeal so in the Chapter following he tells us of an evil one Gal. 5.20 where speaking of the works of the flesh among other he reckons this for one Emulations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeals inordinate heats and contentions about matters not fit for Christians to contend about Thus then there is a double zeal Spiritus Carnis the one a fruit of the Spirit the other of the Flesh a spiritual a carnal zeal It is the former of these we have to deal with a spiritual zeal Which as it is proper so it ought to be common to those that are Christs They must be zealous in a good way in a good matter This in the General In Particular In Particular the good things whereabout they are to be zealous may be reduced to two heads either Gifts or Works that they may receive the one that they may act the other 1. For Gifts 1. For Gifts This the Apostle calleth for 1 Cor. 14.1 Desire spiritual Gifts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Original be zealous of them earnestly coveting them So we find the same word
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is good to be zealously affected saith the Apostle there Gal. 4.18 To be zealous in good works is a good thing Good 1. In as much as it is acceptable to God 1. Acceptable to God That is Pauls Argument which he maketh use of to bring Christians upon their knees to pray for Magistrates supreme and subordinate For Kings and all that are in authoritie For saith he this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour 1 Tim. 2.3 And so is such a zealous performance of duties it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good acceptable in the sight of God So was Phinehas's zeal whereby he made an atonement for the people and procured to himself and his the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood as the Lord tells Moses Numb 25.11 12 13. Phinehas hath turned my wrath away from the Children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them Wherefore say Behold I give unto him my Covenant of peace And he shall have it and his seed after him even the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God c. Nothing more acceptable unto God than zeal for him Which he hath such a regard unto that for the sake thereof he oft times overlooks many infirmities in his people So was it in that act of Moses of which we read Exod. 32.19 When being transported with a holy zeal for God and his glorie he cast the Tables of the Law which God had newly written with his own finger out of his hands and brake them An Act however by some excused and defended as being done by a divine Instinct and so rather out of deliberation than Passion to signifie the Breach of Covenant betwixt God and his people whom they had so highly provoked by their Idolatrie yet it is more probably looked upon as unadvisedly done His spirit being exasperated by what he saw tending so highly to the dishonour of his God as thereupon he spakes unadvisedlie with his lips which the Psalmist saith he did Psal 106.33 so he also did unadvisedly with his hands But in as much as it was a holy zeal for the glory of God that thus transported him we do not any where find that God was angry with him for it So well pleased is God with such a Zeal in his people a holy zeal a religious zeal zeal for his glory that where that is he overlooketh any imperfections and faylings in their performances And secondly as it is acceptable to God so profitable to a mans self being very advantagious to a Christian in the course of his obedience 1. Fitting him for good works 1. Fitting him for it preparing him to every good work Of such use is Natural heat in the Body it maketh fit for motion and Action which otherwise being cold it is indisposed to and unfit for And of like use is this Spiritual heat a holy fervour in the Soul it fitteth and prepareth it for well doing the doing of what ever service to God or Man 2. And secondly preparing a man for it it putteth him upon it 2. Putting him upon them causeth him not to delay but to make haste to take every opportunity that is offered for the doing of good Even as fire being in a flame now it layeth hold of whatever combustible matter commeth near it So doth Zeal which is nothing but Love in a flame it readily taketh hold of all opportunities of doing good works making men not sloathfull but diligent in the work and service which they have to do Thus it is said of Apollos Act. 18.25 that being fervent in spirit he spake taught diligently the things of the Lord. Tuhs where there is this zeal in the heart it will set the head and hands on work making men as I said not sloathfull but diligent in the service of their God So much the Apostle insinuates in the Text Rom. 12.11 where he conjoines those Precepts Not sloathfull in businesses fervent in spirit serving the Lord. 3. Carrying him through them 3. And thirdly thus putting a man upon good works it will carrie him thorow them not withstanding what ever difficulties he may meet with in his way So is it with the Traveller having as we say a good will in his way now he goeth through thick and thin through all wayes and weathers And even so is it with a Christian that is zealous in the service of God this carrieth him through whatever opposition or discouragements he may meet with Such effect it had in and upon the blessed Apostle S. Paul who notwithstanding he took notice what rubs lay in his way how that Bonds and Affliction did abide him wait for him as the Holy Ghost witnessed in every City as himself telleth the Elders at Miletum Acts 20.23 Yet saith he none of these things move me neither count I my life dear to my self that I might finish my course with joy and the Ministerie which I have received of the Lord v. 24. Being zealous for his Lord and Master Christ that carrieth him through the service which he had to do for him maugre all opposition And so will it do the Christian in whose heart it lodgeth Thus is this zeal a good thing acceptable to God and profitable to a mans self preparing him to good works putting him upon them and carrying him through them And not only good but Necessary Reas 2. Zeal necessary without which good works cannot be done well so done as that they may be acceptable to God As it was before and under the Law the Sacrifices could not be offered without fire And therefore Abraham being to offer his son he carrieth fire with him He took the fire in his hand and went Gen. 22.6 And to this end was it that the sacred fire which first came down from heaven was continually kept in upon the Altar that they might alwayes have it at hand to offer their sacrifices with upon all occasions Even of such use is zeal to the Christian who must himself be salted with fire So our Saviour expresseth it Mar. 9.49 Every one shall be salted with fire have his heart seasoned with the fire of divine love and zeal without which he cannot offer up a sacrifice unto God It was the fire which made the smoke of the Incense-offering to asscend up unto heaven And so it is the zeal of the person in doing good works that maketh them come up before God As the Angel telleth Cornelius Acts 10.4 Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God How so why he was zealous of those good works A devout man and one that feared God with all his house giving much alms to the people and praying to God alwaies as the second verse there describeth him He was a true Zelot And being so his services were accepted To proceed no further in the Doctrinal part You see that it is so and why
2. And again consider how zealous Iesus Christ hath been for us 2. The zeal of Jesus Christ in giving himself What affection he hath shewn to us in doing what the Text mindeth us of giving himself for us and that to the Death even that accursed death treading the winepresse of his Fathers wrath for our sakes What zeal did he herein shew for us How earnest was his desire of effecting the work of our Redemption This is that which he telleth his Disciples Luke 12.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptized with saith he and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Baptism meaning his Death and Passion whereby he was consecrated to be the Saviour of the world And concerning this he saith he was straitned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earnestly desiring the accomplishment thereof that so the work of mans Redemption which he made his grand design might be effected A work which he was very zealous of And hereupon it was that he was so far from declining of that bitter Cup as Peter would have had him to do that he even maketh haste as it were to drink it going into the Garden where he knew the High Priests officers would come to apprehend him and there going forth to meet them offering himself unto them not accepting of any attempt for his rescue as I shewed you in opening the first Branch of the Text how Christ gave himself for us Such was his zeal for us that he thought not his dearest blood too dear for us And oh how zealous then should we be for him Was he so zealous in suffering for us how zealous should we be in doing for him Let these Considerations serve as well they may for the kindling of this fire 2. Considerations useful for the blowing up of this fire Which being in this way kindled let our next work be to inflame and blow it up In which way among other make use of these Considerations 1. The zeal of Angels in serving their God 1. Look upon the blessed Angels considering how zealous they are in serving their God and us So much we are put in mind of by that name which is given to some of them who are called Seraphim So we find them Isa 6.2 where the Prophet describing the Majesty of God represented to him in a Vision as sitting upon his Throne with a guard of Angels about him he saith About it stood the Seraphims or rather Seraphim as the plural termination in the Hebrew requires it should be Seraphim a word coming from Saraph which signifieth to burn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ussit form whence they were so called as to import their singular splendor so also their fervency of love to God and zeal in his service Who maketh his Angels Spirits his Ministers a flaming fire Psa 146. Such are those glorious Spirits Whence it is that in the verse there following they are said to have each of them six wings two whereof were to fly withall as also the Cherubins in the Temple had 1 King 6.27 intimating their promptness to and swiftness in executing the will of their God doing whatsoever he putteth them upon Doing his commandements hearkning to the voice of his word as the Psalmist describeth those heavenly Spirits Psalm 103.20 And as they are zealous in doing service to their God so to his people In serving his people Being Ministring Spirits unto them sent forth to Minister unto them who shall be heirs of Salvation as the Apostle sets forth their office Heb. 1. last how intent are they about this work Take heed saith our Saviour that ye despise not one of these little ones the meanest of Gods servants For I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Mat. 18.10 waiting for Gods command to be imployed for the meanest of his servants And are they so zealous in his service Why then should not they who hope to be like unto them another day which our Saviour tells us all true believers in the Resurrection shall be Matth. 22.30 strive to be herein like unto them 2. And as Angels so the Saints of God 2. The zeal of Gods Saints upon earth how zealous do we find many of them to have been How zealous for their God So was Moses and Phineas and Elias and David of whom I spake before And such was Iohn the Baptist A burning and a shining light John 5.35 burning in his zeal for God and shining in his doctrine and life before men And of the like spirit was Paul who when the Disciples understanding what troubles he was like to meet with at Ierusalem disswaded him from going up thither tells them I am ready not to be bound only but to die at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus Acts 21.13 And how zealous for their Brethren So was Moses who rather than Israels sin should not be forgiven them wisheth that God would blot his name out of his book of life Exod. 32.32 In like manner St. Paul being transported with the like affectionate zeal for his Countreymen the Iewes I could wish saith he that my self were accursed from Christ for my brethrens sake my kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9.3 And like zeal we find in other of the servants of God As in Mart. Luther who being disswaded by his friends from adventuring his person at the Council at Wormes took up that Heroick resolution that though there were as many Devils there as tiles to cover the houses yet would he in the name of the Lord Iesus present himself there And the like we read of Mr. Calvin how that bewailing the sad differences amongst the Churches in his time he professed Ne decem quidem maria that it was not the sailing over of ten Seas that would grieve him so he might but obtain an uniform draught of Religion Now setting these and the like Presidents and Examples before us let them be as so many provocatives unto us Such effect had the forwardness and liberality of the Corinthians in their charitable Contributions this their zeal provoked very many as the Apostle tells them 2 Cor. 9.2 And of such use let the zeal of Gods servants be unto us serving to blow up this heavenly zeal in our hearts 3. And such use make we of that zeal which we see betwixt Men upon Civil interests 3. Zeal betwixt men upon civil interests Thus when railing Shimei reviled and cursed the Lords Anointed King David in that base and unworthy manner that he did Abishai hearing it he could not endure it but presently he tenders his service to his Master for the revenging of his quarrel by taking off the head of the dead dog as he calls him as we have the story 2 Sam. 16.9 And like instances we meet with many of such as having espoused the interest of some other have been so zealous in the
worketh in him sutable indeavours setting him on work for the purging and purifying of himself And this let all of us in the fear of God seriously set about The washing of our hands This David resolves upon I will wash mine hands in innocencie Ps 26.6 And this the Lord calleth for from his people Wash ye make ye clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ceas to do evil Isai 1.16 And washing our hands wash our hearts also wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved Jer. 4.14 wash hands and hearts cleanse your hands ye sinners and purifie your hearts ye double minded Jam. 4.3 Thus put away not only sinfull words and Actions out of the life but sinfull lusts out of the heart Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 if a man purge himself from these things he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use 2 Tim. 2.21 2. The positive part of it 2. But rest not in the Negative that we are not so and so as some others are but seek after a positive Purification He that hath this hope in him or on him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is on Christ purifyeth himself as he is pure saith John 1 Ioh. 3.3 All those who look for salvation by Christ besides his righteousness imputed they must be made partakers of his holiness Heb. 12.10 And this do we all of us seek after Cleanse our selves from all filthiness in of the flesh and Spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God as it there followeth 2 Cor. 7.1 that we may be adorned with all those graces which may render us such as becometh the Redeemed of the Lord to be a holy people Those Virgins which I speak of which were to be brought into the King they were not only to be washen from Bodily defilements but they were to be purifyed by Myrrh and other fragrant spices Thus think we it not enough to free our selves from sinfull lusts which are the pollutions of the soul but seek after such a Positive purification that our souls may be indued with all such graces as may render us acceptable to our heavenly Husband the Lord Iesus and fit us for Communion with him In such a way Saint Peter speaking of beleevers to whom he writeth saith that they had purified themselves 1 Pet. 1.21 Seeing ye have purified your selves in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren Thus it is not enough to free the heart from rancour and malice but it must be purified to unfeigned love love to God and Jesus Christ and love to his Saints for his sake And so for other graces of the Spirit see we that our souls be adorned with every of them so as what the Apostle saith of his Corinthians 1 Cor. 1.7 it may be made good in us That we come behind in no gift no grace Christians to express purity in their lives in word and deed And being thus laid in with this inward purity of soul being as it is said of the Kings daughter the Church Psal 45.13 glorious within now let us expresse it outwardly in the course of our lives and conversations endeavouring to approve our selves as to God so to the world true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pure and holy in word and deed In word having a pure language which the Lord promiseth to his people Zeph. 3.9 In deed This Paul presseth upon Timothy as a Minister 1 Tim. 4.12 Be thou an example of the Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And so again in the Chapter following Cap. 5. v. 2. he bids him that having to deal in the instructing of young women he should do it with all puritie so as his carriage might not give ground for the least suspition of levity And thus let all as Publick persons in special who are herein to be exemplary to others so all private Christians carry themselves towards others in all their dealings with them with all purity thereby shewing themselves to be in the number of those for whom Christ hath given himself which he did to this end that having Redeemed them he might purifie them Thus let all of us seek after Purity and Holinesse Negative and Positive Inward and Outward purity of hâ—art and purity of life learning and practising this lesson which our Apostle here teacheth us v. 12. to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world Which if we shall not do what do we but therein cross the design of Jesus Christ in giving himself which was that Redeeming his people from all Iniquity he might Purifie them And Wherefore purifie them That is the last Particular in the Text which holdeth forth to us the End or the Design wherefore it was that Christ was and is at this Cost and Paines as in Redeeming so in Purifying of this people Branch 3. Christs design in Redeeming and purifying his people This he hath done and doth as with an eye to them so to himself So it followeth Purfie to himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sibiipsi This was the design of Jesus Christ in what he hath done and doth for the sons of men in Redeeming Purifying Iustifying Sanctifying of them that so he might acquire unto himself a people Obs That he might acquire unto himself a people a people who being serviceable to him here might reign with him hereafter So our Apostle elswhere setteth forth the End of his giving himself for the Church sanctifying and cleansing it which speaketh the very same thing with this in the Text. This he did saith he That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle c. Eph. 5.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Present it to himself Which he doth first in his Kingdom of Grace then of Glory In his Kingdom of Grace as serviceable tâ— him in his Kingdom of Glory to have an everlasting Communion with him Even as King Ahashuerus in causing those Virgins to be separated and Purified as they were he did it that so they might in due time be presented unto himself and so Purified them unto himself Hest 2.12 Even thus doth the Lord Christ purifie those whom he hath Redeemed purifie them unto himself that they may be presented to him in his Kingdom of Grace and Glory It is the former of these which our Apostle here speaketh of in the Text And Purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Obs Christ purifieth his Redeemed ones that they may be set to be his people Therefore it is that Christ purifieth those whom he hath Redeemed Sanctifieth those whom he Iustifieth that so they may be a people fit for himself fit for him to own and fit for him to use To own as his People to make use of in his service
elswhere more fully and fitly rendered Cap. 12. v. last of the same Epistle where we meet again with the same Injunction Covet earnestly the best gifts With such earnestness of affection are Christians to seek after spiritual Graces and Gifts Graces which may be beneficial to themselves Gifts whereby they may edifie others desire them with zeal and holy emulation 2. Works 2. And as Gifts so Works As to Receive so to Doe This the Text points at A people zealous of good works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sectatorem bonorum operum so the Vulgar Latin renders it A people that are followers of good works A truth Such Christs people must be Followers of that which is good as St. Peter hath it 1 Pet. 3.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitators as that word properly signifieth Imitating and following of God Be ye followers of God Eph. 5.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitating him in doing good unto all Zeal imports an intense Affection Thus ought Christians to be followers of good works Followers after Charity 1 Cor. 14.1 But the word in the Text imports more Vides inquit Chrysost ut non simpliciter opera virtutis a nobis exigantur Ait enim aemumulatorem h.e. magna cum alacritate ingenti studio animo vtrtutis opera crpessentem Esti ad loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to Boyl per Onomatopaeiam because when liquor boyles it maketh an hissing noise Vnde fortasse Anglicum Seeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous of good works Giving us to take notice as Chrysostom well observes upon it that it is not sufficient for Christians to do good works but they must do them with an intense affection They must be Emulatores bonorum operum as Jerome and Ambrose here render the Word or as Beza Studiosi bearing a fervent affection to them and earnestly striving to go before others in them This is the proper signification of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous zeal the same in all thre Languages which coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a verb which signifieth to boyl or seeth a word answering it both in sound and sense and so may be conjectured to be taken from it or to make a hissing noise as water doth when hot Iron or burning Coals are cast into it it imports a fervent heat in the Soul an earnest and vehement Affection And with such an affection are Christians to go about good works to be zealous of them and in them zealously to Affect them Thus are they to be affected towards their God loving him with an intense Affection Christians to be zealous towards their God So the Law requireth it Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Saint Mark and Luke have it Mark 12.30 Luk. 10.27 And being thus affected towards him they are in like manner to be thus affected for him This is Phineas's commendation He was zealous for his God Numb 25.13 zealous for his sake as the 11th verse there hath it He could not indure to see such dishonour done to his God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelando Zâ—latus sum Montan and therefore steppeth forth to execute Justice upon the offenders And the like saith Elijah of himself I have been very jealous or zealous for the word is the same for the Lord God of Hosts 1 King 19.10.14 And the like we read of David Psal 69.9 who was therein a type of Christ of whom it written the Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up Joh. 2.17 Such was his Zeal for the worship and service of God that it was as a fire within him burning in his breast and breaking forth as occasion was offered as at that time it did when he whipped the buyers and sellers out of the Temple And thus ought those who profess themselves to be his people to be affected towards their God Being zealous for his honour and glory in and about his worship and service Zealous towards their Brethren And in like manner are they to be affected towards their brethren being Zealous of them So Paul telleth his Corinthians that he was for them 2 Cor. 11.2 I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am zealous of you ardently affecting you earnestly desiring your wellfare So ought the Ministers of Christ to be affected towards the people committed to their charge desiring their good That is the Testimony which Paul giveth to his Colossians concerning Epaphras or Epaphroditus for they are conceived to be both one a faithfull minister of Christ as he calls him Col. 1.7 Epaphras idem qui Epaphroditus contractione pronunciationis sic Demas est Demetrius Grot. Annot. in loc I bear him record saith he that he hath a great zeal for you Col. 4.13 And thus ought all Christians to be affected towards their brethren earnestly desiring their good being readie to express their Affection to them by being forward to all good offices readie to every good work as we haue it in the verse next but one after the Text Tit. 3.1 With such Zeal are Christians to perform all duties All duties to be performed with Zeal to do all kind of good works of Piety and Charity works of Holinesse and Righteousnesse Being good works and proper for them they are be zealous in performing of them So was our blessed Pattern the Lord Jesus in doing the will of his father of which he saith that it was his Meat Joh. 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work This he desired more than his bodily food which a hungry man maketh haste to feeding upon it with an eager appetite and with great complacency and contentment And thus are Christians to go about Gods work the doing of his will making haste to it I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandements saith David Psal 119.60 making it their delight I delight to do thy will O my God saith he Psal 40.8 Thy Testimonies are my delight Psal 119.16.24 and often in that Psalm And so is it with every truly godly man he is one whose delight is in the Law of the Lord as David describeth him Psal 1.4 as in Meditating of it so in Practising it doing it with alacrity and chearfulness and some spiritual vigor desiring to run Gods waies I will run the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart saith that holy man v. 32. of that Psalm A Runner in a race is zealous in his way putting himself forward what he can putting all his strength to the work that he is about And so ought Christians to be in Gods waies being zealous of and in good works R. This is R. And great reason they should be so this being a thing both Good and Necessarie 1. Good 1. Good 〈◊〉
it is so Christians ought to be Zelots zealous of good works This is Good Acceptable to God and Profitable to themselves yea Necessary without which no acceptation of their services That which now remaines for the finishing of this Point and this Text is Application Applic. Which let it be directed in the first place by way of Conviction Vse 1. Divers not such as becometh the Redeemed of the Lord. If this be the Qualification of Christs peculiar people that they are Zelots zealous of good works then what shall we say to many who account themselves to be of this number professing themselves the disciples of Christ having his name called upon them they are Christians but where is this Affection where is this holy Zeal Alas not a spark of that heavenly fire to be found upon their hearths in their hearts Instance in three sorts of them Three sorts 1. Some there are who are Key-cold 1. Such as are key-cold Not any the least warmth to be felt or found in them As for the world and the matters thereof they are fire-hot zealous and forward enough and a great deal too much none shall go before them They are such as the Wiseman speaketh of Prov. 28.20 They make haste to be rich And for Honours and Promotions they are ambitious enough following them with an eager pursuit but as for the matters of God there is not the least warmth to be found in them They are cold at the Heart cold in the Mouth cold in the Hand 1. Cold at the Heart Cold at the Heart bearing no true affection to God to his worship and service Alas so far are they from affecting of God that they seldom or never think of him God is not in all their thoughts as David saith of the wicked man Psal 10.4 2. And being thus cold at the Heart no wonder if they be what also they are cold in the Mouth Cold in the Mouth not speaking either to God or for him Not speaking to him by prayer They are such as call not upon his name as the Prophet describeth Heathens Jer. 10. last Unless it be in the time of their affliction and distress Then it may be as the Lord speaketh of the Jewes Hos 5. last they will seek him early diligently then they will cry unto him but at other times he heareth not of them A plain indication that what therein they do is not out of any love to God but self-love And as they have no desire to acquaint them selves with God by speaking to him so they-have not a word to speak for him Let his Religion his truth his name his cause his servants suffer as they will this moveth not them They are herein of Gallio's mind not caring for any of these things as it is said of him Act. 18.17 3. And being thus cold in the Mouth they are as cold in the Hand Cold in the Hand Not having a good word for God they have not a good work for others Works of Charitie and Mercy are things which they neither have nor desire to have any acquaintance with What they do in this way it is extorted from them Being herein like Wells not Fountains What cometh from them must be drawn letting nothing go but what they cannot hold Now as for such let them not dishonour Jesus Christ so much as to call him their Master Which if they do he will not own them for his people A second sort there are who though they be not thus Key-cold yet they are at the best but lukewarm 2. Such as are Lukewarm This was Laodicea's temper Rev. 3.16 she was neither hot nor cold but luke-warm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a tepid lukewarm temper as to matter of Religion indifferent shewing no zeal for God for his truth for his worship and service And is not this the very temper of too many among us at this day who would be thought to be such as that name imports Laodiceans that is just and righteous persons and it may be as to dealings in the world such they are I but what are they as to Religion here at the best they are but lukewarm indifferent Indifferent as to their Profession whether Protestants or Papists That Religion which the State holdeth forth is their Religion Thus do they in stead of serving the Lord which the Apostle requires them to do Rom. 12.11 serve the time which that Text having been as it is conceived corrupted or mistaken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tempori servientes Erasmus in some Copies is made to speak and that in an ill sense too As for any true love to one Religion more than another they are not guilty of it And so is it in their Practice They perform publick duties come to Church joyn in prayer in hearing of the word and it may be also in receiving of the Sacrament but this they do meerly for custome and fashions sake not out of any zeal that they have to the worship and service of God So much they plainly declare as by their neglect of preparation before they come which is no other than if they were to go to an ordinary meeting a feast which for civilities sake they will grace with their best apparel and other preparation they make none when they are to come to the house of their God so also by their demeanor being come where they give themselves to sleeping or gazing or talking or eying of the clock or glass to see how the time passeth in the mean time little intending the businesse they come about Plain evidences that they bring no fire with them for the offering up of their Sacrifices Making the best of it they are but lukewarm in their Religion Some duties they do it may be and that not only in publick but in private I but they do them as if they cared not whether they did them or no. And thereupon it is that upon every trivial occasion they are taken off from them Such luke-warm Christians there are too many among us Lukewarm Temporizers Among whom it may be some of them are Professors such as would seem to be Religious I but it is not out of any true love which they bear to Religion but only as it may be some ways advantagious to themselves in point of honour or profit A disease which I fear many are sick of in these unsetled times which whilest they favour Religion they will seem to imbrace it But if that wind should turn so would they Which some misdeeming their policy is to stand Newters not to appear for any way In the mean time contenting themselves with the neglect of some Ordinances of God rs in particular that of the Lords Supper Too plain an evidence that they have not such a zeal to God and to his worship and service as the Redeemed of the Lord Christs peculiar people ought to have Thus many are yea and some make it
maintaining of it as that they have not spared to expose themselves to the greatest of hazards Sir Henry Slingsby Dr. Hewet beheaded on Tower-Hill June 8. 1658. even to the losing of their lives in the service Of which kind this week last past furnisheth us with two sad examples in this Nation Now shall men be so zealous for men and shall not Christians be as zealous for their God Who as he is able to protect and bear them out in whatever they do for him so he will not be wanting in recompencing of them Neither of which men are sure of from whomsoever else they engage and undertake for 4. And like use make we of the zeal which we see or hear of in evil workers as viz. 1. In Satan who ceaseth not to compass the earth as himself declares it Iob 1.7 The Question being put to him by God Satan whence comest thou he presently returns Answer which he doth once and again Cap. 2.2 From compassing the earth to and fro or as our new Translation hath it from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it Such is his zeal to do mischief that he is continually ranging to and fro seeking opportunities and advantages Like a roaring Lion walking about seeking whom he may devour as St. Peter expresseth it 1 Pet. 5.8 So greedy is he of his prey zealous to do mischief 2. And the like zeal we may see in his Instruments 2. His Instruments Seducers With what zeal do they serve this their Lord and Master False Teachers subtle seducers how zealous are they in propagating and spreading of their pernicious errors They compass sea and land to make proselytes as our Saviour sayes of the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23.15 And thus Saint Paul speaking of false Teachers which opposed him and his Doctrine he tells his Galathians that they zealously affected them Gal. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were very zealous in seeking to gain them and bring them over to their way And as Seducers so Persecutors Persecutor◠How zealous shall we find them in persecuting the truth and the sincere professors of it Concerning zeal persecuting the Church saith Paul of himself before his conversion in that Text forecited Phil. 3.6 A Persecutor he then was and that a zealous one Breathing out threatnings and slaughters against the Disciples of the Lord as it is said of him Acts 9 1. So vehement was the heat of his inraged heart against Christ and his followers that he discovered it both in his words by his menacing and threatning language and also in his actions taking upon him the office of an Apparitor and procuring a Commission from the High Priests that if he found any of that way professed Christians whether they were Men or Women he might bring thē bound to Ierusalem as it there followeth in the next verse v. 2. So zealous then was he against Christ and against all that professed the name of Christ And what he was then against them the like were others afterwards against him some combining and banding themselves against him So we read of those Iewes Act. 23.12 They banded together and bound themselves under a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul Such was their zeal against the way which he then held forth And may we not see the like among those of the Romish Religion who spare not to prosecute whoever they are that dissent from them with fire and faggot Witnesse the Marian Persecution in this Nation in the last Age which spared neither Sex nor Age. So zealous are the Devils Instruments in serving of him in doing of his work 3. His servants false worshippers 3. And like Zeal shall we find in his Servants Idolaters and false worshippers how zealous shall we find them in their way So were the Ephesians for their Diana whom we may hear crying out for two houres together Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19.34 And so are the Papists at this day for their Superstitious and Idolatrous worship And so are profane persons Profane Persons who willingly make themselves slaves to their lusts serving divers lusts and pleasures as the Apostle hath it in the Chapter after the Text Tit. 3.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Addicti Mancipati Addicted Mancipated inslaved to them which they are in a spontaneous and voluntary way selling themselves to work evil as it is said of Ahab 1 King 21.20 giving over themselves to the committing of sin and that with greedinesse as the Apostle speaketh of the Gentiles Eph. 4.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an unsatiable desire or as it were striving how they may do most evil Thus are wicked men in doing of wicked works they are zealous resolved in their way so bent upon their will in it that nothing shall take them off or turn them aside Ye are of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do saith our Saviour to those malicious Iewes Iohn 8.44 Being of the like temper and disposition with the Devil and resembling him as the Child doth the Father his lusts they would do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quicquid collibitum est as Grotius explaines it whatever he pleased So forward are wicked and ungodly men in serving of sin and Satan in doing of wicked works which they do in a zealous way Their feet run to evil as the Wiseman saith of them Prov. 1.16 And are all these so zealous in evil works O then how zealous should we be in good works What shall the servants of Satan be more zealous in serving their Master than we in serving ours Let all these serve as Incentives to our zeal to stir and blow up this heavenly fire in our souls 4. And whilest we make this use of their zeal 4. The zeal of wicked men against zeal in for evil works make we the like also of their zeal against good works and against the Actors of them Wicked men they cannot endure those that are zealous of good works they are a mote in their eye they are ready to speak evil of them to revile them and upbraid them with this their zeal But let this be so far from quenching or yet cooling hereof that let it rather be an Incentive to it Like as the wind is to the fire or water to the Smiths forge which make it burn and flame so much the more such use make we of the scornes and obloquies which men of the world cast upon the zealous profession and practice of Godliness Let this make us so much the more zealous Such use did David make of that jeer which scoffing Michal put upon him for his zeal which he shewed in bringing the Ark of God into its place when she saw him dancing before the Lord with all his might which the Text tells us he did 2 Sam. 6.14 This she maketh a jeer of upon her next
like course take we for the keeping in of this holy fire in our hearts By the Fewel of divine Meditation Three useful Considerations Feed it every morning every day and that by the fewel of Divine Meditation frequently meditating as upon what hath been already propounded so also upon these two or three other Considerations 1. Whose work it is that we do Even the work of the Great God Such are all good works 1. Good works are Gods work 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The works of God Joh. 6.28 His works because commanded by him and done for him Which being duely considered it cannot but quicken the soul up to this service wherein we serve so great so good a Master This we do in whatever the work be if a good work Servants in serving their Masters they serve the Lord as I shewed you And so do Christians in whatever duties as of Pietie which immediately respect God so of Charitie He that hath pitie upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord Prov. 19.17 So God taketh what is done for his sake as done unto himself In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me Math. 25.40 2. And being thus his work consider how acceptable it is to him Acceptable to him So Paul tells his Philippians concerning their charitable contribution which he had received from them Phil. 4.18 where he calleth it an odour of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God And so is it with all other good works being good they are acceptable Thence is it that the Apostle puts these two together 1 Tim. 2.3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour speaking of praying for Governors Now this is a thing which Christians in their whole course should still have an eye at Proving what is acceptable to the Lord Eph. 5.10 And knowing it so to be this should make them forward and zealous in doing it To do good communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased saith the Apostle Heb. 13.16 3. And being so acceptable to him he will not forget it Shall be rewarded by him God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed unto his Name in what ye have ministred to the Saints and do Minister saith the Apostle to the Hebrews Heb. 6.10 So unrighteous are men oft-times what service is done unto them they forget it But so is not God Whatever service is done unto him or to others in his name and for his sake it shall not be lost The assurance whereof should make Christians more forward in his work Finally my brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord so Paul closeth up that Chapter 1 Cor. 15. last Oft-times as to men men labour in vain I have laboured in vain and spent my strength for nought saith Isai Isa 49.4 But not so as to God who hath promised that if it be but a cup of cold water yet being given in his name it shall not lose its reward Mat. 10. last A consideration which cannot but be of special force to make men zealous of good works This is that which men generally have in their eye in going about any work What they shall get by it what profit there is in it Now of all things there is nothing so profitable as Godlinesse Of which the Apostle tells us it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profitable for all things 1 Tim. 4.8 So false groundlesse is that imputation which those Hypocrites cast upon the service of God of whom the Prophet Malachy speaketh Mal. 3.14 Ye have said it is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance What profit in this service Nay what profit is there in all other things besides it As for the service which men do unto this world how unprofitable What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the Sun saith the Preacher Eccl. 1.3 3.9 Whatever he thereby gets at the grave it leaveth him But so do not good works they follow the doers of them Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 follow them to Heaven where they shall receive the reward of them Thus do men by doing of good works lay up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come so as they may lay hold on eternal life as the Apostle hath it 1 Tim. 6.19 Not that Christians may so build upon their good works as Papists do expecting to receive eternal life by way of merit for them this is a rotten foundation but yet they may make these a ground or argument of their hope which they have of eternal life in regard of the gracious promise which God hath made to those that practice them who thus sowing to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting as the Apostle hath it Gal. 6.8 This is their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Recompence of reward which they may assuredly expect after they have done their work And this let all the Lords people continually have in their eye as Moses is said to have had Heb. 11.26 setting it before them This will be as fewel to this fire useful for the continuing and keeping in of this holy fervour in the soul Which being thus kept in now in the next place as occasion is let us make use of it So did the Priests of their holy fire which when ever they were to sacrifice or offer Incense they took from the Altar The like do we in all the services which we do to or for God in every good work that we do make use of this fire make use of our zeal Cold services yield but cold comfort and shall find but cold acceptance Cold prayers bespeak their own denial Qui frigidè rogat And cold Charity must expect but a cold reward And therefore whatever service we do do it in a zealous way with inward fervour of soul Being fervent in Spirit serving the Lord as the Apostle puts them together Rom. 12.11 In Duties of Piety Thus perform we duties of Piety Thus Pray bringing fire in our Censers without which the smoke of our Incense will never ascend up to Heaven The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much saith St. James Jam. 5.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not a faint languid prayer made in a formal and perfunctory way which is no other but lip-labour but a devout a zealous prayer Such let our prayers be Remember still to put fire under the Incense And so in our hearing and receiving of the Sacrament see that we perform not these duties in a formal and
the Phrase we may take notice of a two-fold coming unto Christ even as there is a two-fold Calling the one outward and formal A two-fold coming to Christ the other inward and real 1. There is an outward and formal coming 1. Outward and formal unto Christ which is common to all that make a profession of his name Thus do Hypocrites and formal Professors come unto him who being led and drawn by some sinister respects hold forth this profession Thus did these Capernaites here come unto Christ they flocked to him and followed after him But wherefore was it Not out of any true respect they had to his Person or Doctrine but for some outward advantage which they expected from him viz. that they might be fed by him So he himself who knew their thoughts and intentions chargeth it upon them v. 26. of this Chapter Ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves It was not his Doctrine or works that they regarded but their own bellies And in such a way there are many that come unto Christ who were never given to him by his Father even all Carnal Gospellers who profest themselves the followers of Jesus Christ take upon them the profession of his name but it is not out of any true inward respects which they have unto him but out of some by and sinister ends for their own Credit or Profit or for fashion-sake Such followers Christ had many in the dayes of his flesh And many such he hath wherever he cometh wherever his Gospel is preached But let we these go as they come not owned by God before they come nor any more owned for this their coming 2. In the second place there is a coming to Christ which is Inward and Real 2. Inward and Real When men come to him non tantùm pedibus sed affectibus not only with the outward but inward man come to him with their hearts and soules out of an inward respect and entire affection which they bear unto him Thus did some of his followers his Disciples at this time come unto him looking upon him as the bread of life And thus do all true Believers come unto him who come to him as a Saviour and a Lord receiving him believing on him This is the coming of which our Saviour here speaketh in the Text. All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me that is Believe on me So the 35th verse explaines it Coming to Christ believing on him He that cometh unto me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst where the latter word is Exegetical and Expository to the former To come unto Christ is to believe on him Such is Faith as it is the Eye and Hand and Mouth so also the Foot of the Soul As the Eye whereby the soul beholdeth Christ looketh up unto him as they did to their Brazen Serpent and the Hand whereby it taketh hold of him and the Mouth whereby it feedeth on him eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood so the Foot whereby it cometh unto him cometh to him as to a Saviour and Redeemer expecting salvation only by and through him desiring to have Union and Communion with him This it is to believe on Christ and this it is to come unto him A Metaphorical expression fitly setting forth the nature of Faith saving justifying Faith Faith the coming of the soul unto Christ Which is as I said A coming of the soul unto Christ Even as those Patients of his of whom we read in the Gospel feeling their own infirmities and hearing of his fame and expecting to partake of the like benefit from him that others had done they come unto him casting themselves down at his feet imploring his aid some of them touching him as that Haemorrhoisse that woman with the bloody issue is said to have done who coming behind him touched the hem of his garment which she did as with her finger so with her faith by which meanes she drew from him that sanative vertue by which she was healed Mat. 9.20 Even thus doth the soul come unto Christ by faith being made sensible of its own wretched condition by reason of sin and apprehending the fulnesse that is in Christ fulness of Merit and fulness of Spirit whereby he is able to work a perfect cure for it by taking away both the guilt and power of sin and procuring eternal salvation for it now renouncing all other confidences it betaketh it self unto him as to an alone all-sufficient Saviour laying hold upon him resting upon him that so it may be made partaker of his Merits his Benefits This it is to come unto Christ thus to believe on him And thus do they come unto him who are given to him by his Father They All they and Only they both comprehended in this word All All that my Father giveth me shall come unto me Thus all Gods Elect shall come unto Christ Omne in Neutro genere exactius Vniversitatem significat quà m in Masculino Tolet Vt majorem significet Vniversitatem Maldon Omne ut ostendat ex variis gentibus venturos ad eum Ferus in loc Cyrill lib. 3. cap. 39. Insinuat etiam his verbis multos credituros in Christum Tolet Com. ad loc All that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A word of the Neuter Gender Omne or Quicquid All or whatever Which some look upon as Emphatical importing more exactly an Vniversality than the Masculine Gender would All whatever that is not only Jewes but Gentiles whose Conversion Cyril conceives to be hereby insinuated and that not a few of them but many But we shall not need to stand upon this Criticism Look we upon the word as the generality of Expositors do the Neuter Gender here put for the Masculine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neutrum pro Masculino aut Communi Grot ad Text. which we shal find to be an usual Enallagie in Scripture Grotius here giveth us two instances for it The one 1 Cor. 1.27 Where the Apostle speaking of weak and unwise persons such as the world accounts so he calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the foolish things and weak things of the world The other Rev. 21. last where speaking of the New Jerusalem it is said There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No common or unclean thing i. e. no impure and unsanctified persons So here All that or every thing that is every person of what Nation Sex Quality and Condition soever whether Jew or Gentile male or female bond or free rich or poor Of such extent is the Decree of Gods Election as also of Christs Redemption though neither of them Vniversal as to singula generum all particular persons yet both of them so as to genera singulorum All sorts of persons There is neither Jew nor Greek that is
number was this guest who here crowded in for companies sake a hypocrite joyning himself to the visible Church not being that in truth which he made profession of So much we may learn from the 11th verse which informs us that he had not on the wedding garment he was one that was not regenerated one that had not put on Christ by faith And therefore no wonder that he was cast out So shall all Hypocrites be sooner or later But so shall not they who come unto Christ in sincerity So coming to him he will receive them 2. Christ receiving those that come to him retaines them with him 2. And receiving them in the second place he will retain them So much also is conceived to be implied in this phrase I will not cast him out he shall be with me dwelling with me having an everlasting communion with me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him saith the 56. v. of this Chapter whereof the Text is part Those that receive Christ by faith for that is meant by eating his flesh and drinking his blood he will not only come and sup with them but dwell in them having a constant and continued communion with them Non solum amanter ad se venientes suscipit sed susceptos ità constanter ac perseveranter complectitur tuetur conservat ut nunquam illos abjiciat Aliud est Principum hujus seculi ingenium c. Musc Com. in Text. Having once received them into grace and favour with himself which he doth upon their believing on him he will never cast them out of it Herein saith Musculus doth this our King differ from other Kings and Princes who are often inconstant in their affections loving to day loathing to morrow What more common with them than â—o cast their favourites out of favour But so will not the Lord Christ do by his favourites Those whom he once affecteth he never rejecteth Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end saith our Eavngelist Joh. 13.1 Not only his Disciples but all his Elect who are there called his own in as much as they were given to him by his Father having set a peculiar affection upon them he continued it to them unto the end the end of his life expressing it as by taking care of them keeping them Whilest I was with them in the world I kept them in thy Name Those that thou gavest me I have kept John 17.12 so by dying for them And like affection doth he still bear to all those who being given to him come to him believe on him Loving them once he loveth to the end to the end of their lives and to eternity once affecting them he will never cast them out of his affection Thus you see that it is so Those that come unto Jesus Christ he will not cast them out he will both receive and retain them as his Quest And why will he do so Ans For this take two or three Reasons or Grounds 1. This is his Fathers will that he should thus receive those whom he giveth unto him Reas 1. This is the Fathers will This is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing v. 39. of this Chapter Now with this will doth Christ perfectly and exactly comply I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me v. 38. And hereupon it is that he so readily and constantly embraceth all those who being thus given to him by his Father come unto him 2. As this is his Fathers will so his own disposition inclineth him to it Reas 2. Christs clemency inclining him hereunto He being a gracious a merciful a tender-hearted Saviour he pitieth the condition of poor perishing sinners When he was here upon earth the story tells us how when he beheld the City of Jerusalem he wept over it Luke 19.41 Taking notice of the sad condition of it what a dreadful judgment hung over the head of that people his heart melted into tears And with such an eye of tender pity and compassion doth he look upon poor sinners lying in their natural estate and therupon he readily receiveth those that come to him accepting the least beginnings of faith This is that which the Prophet Isai fore told of him Isa 42.3 A bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shal he not quench Such is the clemency of Jesus Christ in dealing with poor sinners that where he seeth any good desires any beginnigs of grace though never so weak and slender he is ready to accept them Being herein like that Roman Emperour of whom it is reported that whoever came to him he never sent them away discontented Thus whoever they are that come unto Jesus Christ come unto him in sincerity such is his Clemency his Gentlenesse he will in no wise cast them out 3. Which if he should do in the third place it would be cross to the end of his coming into the world Reas 3. To reject those that come were cross to the end of his coming his taking upon him the office of a Mediator which was to seek and to save that which was lost as he tells Zacheus Luke 19.10 Now coming to seek after those that seek not after him I was found of those that sought me not saith the Prophet Isay setting forth Gods preuenting mercy in calling of the Gentiles Isa 65.1 he will not reject those that come unto him This being his work to bring in lost soules into his Kingdom of Grace which it is Other sheep have I which are not of this fold them also must I bring John 10.16 He will not refuse them when they come unto him But to dwell no longer upon Doctrinal Confirmation or Illustration Come we now to Application Where in the first place let me again take up that former Motion Vse 1. The grand duty pressed of coming to Christ pressing what before I propounded exhorting and perswading all to come unto Jesus Christ This is the great and principal errand about which the Ministers of Christ are or ought to be imployed They are the servants sent forth to call the guests unto that great Supper their Master putting this word into their mouthes Say unto them that were bidden Come Luke 14.17 their chief work being to perswade men to come unto Jesus Christ to have communion with him And this let me press upon all you this day For which what greater encouragement can you have than that which Christ himself here holdeth forth to you even the assurance of a gracious Reception Were subjects assured of the like from their Princes that coming to them they should not be rejected but graciously received who is there but would have recourse to them as occasion were offered Now this assurance have all poor sinners from Jesus Christ that coming
Peculiar people unto Iesus Christ in regard of that esteem which he hath of them they are his Segullah his Iewels so called Mal. 3.17 They shall be mine saith the Lord in that day when I make up my jewels Such account doth Christ make of his Saints however others may esteem meanly and basely of them looking upon them as the drosse and dung of the world trampling them under foot by a base undervaluing of them yet Christ esteemeth highly of them looking upon them as his Iewels as his Crown Thou shalt be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal Diadem in the hand of our God saith the Prophet of the Church Isa 62.3 4. Again a Peculiar people in themselves 4. A precious people being through the Grace of God bestowed upon them the preciousest people in the world If thou take forth the precious from the vile thou shalt be as my mouth saith the Lord to his Prophet Ieremie Jer. 15.19 That is in thy teaching put a difference betwixt the godly and the wicked The one of which are vile In whose eyes a vile person is contemned Psal 15.4 That is a wicked man who how great soever he may be in the worlds estimation and account yet in the eyes of God and in truth he is vile nothing worth The other Precious However the world which judgeth of things onely by the outside accounts meanly of them yet they are the precious ones The precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers So the Church complaineth Lam. 4.2 Such are the true sons of Zion the true sons and daughters of God all true believers though the world look upon them as earthen pitchers as things of no repute or worth yet being refined and purified from their sinful corruptions and endued with the graces of the Spirit every of which is a precious stone they are precious comparable to fine Gold 5. Differing from all orher People 5. A peculiar people differing from all other people in the World So said Balaam concerning Israel Numb 23.9 Lo the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations they should be severed from them as Gods peculiar people I am the Lord your God which have separated you from other people Lev. 20.24 And so may it be said of the Church and people of God all true beleevers they differ from all other people Which they do in many particulars 1. in their Laws Ordinances So Haman told King Ahasuerus concerning the Jews There is saith he a certain people scattered abroad 1. In their Laws and Ordinances and dispersed among the people in all the Provinces of the Kingdom and their Laws are diverse from all people Hest 3.8 And such they were more righteous Laws than any other Nation had as we have it Deut. 4.8 And so may it be said of all true beleevers They have such Laws as no other people have even the Laws of God written in their hearts So runs the tenor of the New Covenant Jer. 31.33 I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts Other people they have their Laws Civil Laws written in Tables or Books which serve for the regulating of the outward man the binding of the hand and Tongue to the good behavour but Gods people they have their spiritual Laws which being written by the finger of Gods Spirit upon the Tables of their hearts they serve for regulating of the inward man the Conscience 2. As they have peculiar Laws so also peculiar promises which belong only unto them 2. Having prculiar Promises even great and precious promises as Saint Peter calleth them 2 Pet. 1.4 There are given to us exceeding great and precious promises 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 promises of very great matters of things of highest concernment Promises not only of the life that now is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the present life but also of that which is to come Temporal Eternal promises both which are made unto Godlinesse as the Apostle telleth us 1 Tim. 4.8 the former conditionally if expedient for the persons the other Absolutely In which respect it is that they are called the Children of the promise Gal. 4.28 Now we Breehreen we beleevers as Isaac was are Children of the Promise having peculiar promises belonging unto them which others have nothing to do with 3. As they have peculiar Laws and Promises so they have a peculiar language 3. A peeuliar language Being a purified people they have a pure language This is that which the Lord promiseth to his Church under the Gospel Zeph. 3.9 Then will I turn to the people a pure language So is it with all that are Christs people Qui in Christum credunt linguis loquuntur novis True beleevers having new hearts they have also new Tongues speaking a new language the language of Canaan So it was foretold concerning those five Cities Isai 19.18 In that day shall five Cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan A promise made good under the Gospel where Heathens being converted unto the faith they come to speak a Gospel language their Communication is no longer profane but pure and holy And so is it with all that are truly brought home unto Christ however before they were vain and loose in their language it may be swearers filthy speakers or the like yet now it is otherwise with them Now they are observant of the Apostles rules not suffering any Corrupt communication to proceed out of their mouth which he chargeth Eph. 4.29 But their speech is with grace seasoned with salt as that other text Text hath it Col. 4.6 gracious and savory 4. A peculiar cariage 4. As they have a peculiar language so a peculiar cariage and behaviour They are such as walk after an other manner by another Rule than others do They are such as walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit so the Apostle describeth them Rom. 8.1 4. No longer walking according to the course of this World so as to have their conversation in the lusts of the flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh Eph. 2.2 But their Conversation is Vpright Psal 37.14 Honest 1 Pet. 2.12 Chast cap. 3.2 Good v. 16. Such as becometh the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1.27 Thus have they in measure done what the Apostle requires from all Christians Eph. 4.22 24. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and being renewed in the spirit of their minds they have put on that new man which is created after God in righteousness true holinesse Thus is their Cariage Peculiar 5. And such is their Attire 5. Peculiar Garments they have peculiar Garments As the story tells us of Joseph that his father bearing a pecular affection unto him loving him more than all his Children he bestowed upon him a peculiar Garment
a Coat of many colours Gen. 27.3 Even thus the Lord Iesus loving his Church with a peculiar love he puts upon it a peculiar Garment even that spoken of Rev. 19.8 To her was graunted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints A twofold Righteousnesse the one of Justification the Righteousness of Christ imputed the other of Sanctification the graces of the Spirit imparted which render true beleevers beautifull in the eyes of God Angels and Saints Peculiar Garments 6. And so again a peculiar diet I have meat to eat that you know not of saith our Saviour to his Disciples Joh. 4.32 6. A peculiar Diet. viz. to do the will of him that sent him as the 34. vers explains it Even so may it be said of all the true Disciples of Christ they have meat which the world knoweth not of meat that perisheth not but endureth unto life everlasting which our Saviour exhorts his hearers to labour for Joh. 6.27 meat which the Son of Man giveth them as it there followeth viz. the true heavenly manna Christ himself his flesh The Bread that I will give is my flesh v. 51. This is the meat which true beleevers feed upon by faith applying the merits of Christ unto themselves whereby their souls are nourished up unto eternal life And as their meat so their Drink which is true Aqua vitae Water of life Living water which our Saviour tells the woman of Samaria if she had asked it of him he would have given it to her Ioh. 4.10 meaning thereby the Grace and Spirit of Regeneration Water not like other Waters which who so drinketh of shall thirst again But who so drinketh of this Water which Christ giveth he shall never thirst But this water shall be in him a Well of water springing up unto Eternal Life as it there followeth v. 14. such full satisfaction doth the Soul of the Beleever find in and from Iesus Christ Thus as the Israelites being Gods peculiar people they had in the wilderness peculiar meat and drink such as never any other peole were fed with their Bread coming from heaven as we have it Ioh. 6.31 He gave them bread from Heaven to eat and their Water fetched out of the Rock in a miraculous way so is it with all true Israelites true Beleevers being unto Christ a peculiar people they have peculiar meat and drink even the Bodie and Blood of Christ whereof as the Apostle tells us 1 Cor. 10.3 4. that Manna and that Rock were types 7. A peculiar Countrie 7. And Lastly to name no more they are peculiar as to their Country of which they are and for which they seek How ever they are Upon the Earth yet are they not of the earth but of a heavenly extraction being born from above as that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be rendred Ioh. 3.3 heaven born Thus are they Citizens of the heavenly Ierusalem as the Apostle hath it Heb. 12.22 That is properly their Countrie Here they are but strangers and Pilgrims so the Patriarchs confessed of themselves Heb. 11.13 And therefore they desired and sought for another Countrie a better Countrie that is an heavenly as it followeth v. 16. And so is it with those that are Christs they look at heaven as their home where their hearts are as also their Conversation Our Conversation is in heaven Phil. 3.20 As they mind heavenly things so their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their chief trading and commerce is there even in the new and heavenly Jerusalem where they converse and have communion with God and Jesus Christ with whom they hope to live and dwell to all eternitie To proceed no farther Thus may Beleevers upon a manifold account be fitly called what here they are a peculiar people to which end Christ having Redeemed purifieth them Which being thus explicated as to the Doctrinal part of it let it now be brought home by way of Application Applic 1. Comfort to beleevers And that 1. by way of Comfort and Incouragement to all those who can approve themselves to be of this number such as Christ hath purified sanctifyed Being such now are you Christs peculiars Which let it bear up your hearts and spirits 1. Against the contempt of the world 1. Against the sleight estimation and contempt which you may meet with in and from the World What matters it what account that hath of you so long as you are in esteem with Jesus Christ So long as he accounts you his peculiar Treasure his Iewels what matters it though the world look upon you as drosse and dung So were the Apostles esteemed of as Paul tells us in that known Text 1 Cor. 4.13 We are made as the filth of the World and are the of-scouring of all things unto this day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the verie offall and shreds of the World Such are the dearest and preciousest of Gods Saints oft times made Thou hast made us as the of-scouring and refuse in the midst of the people so we may hear the Church complaining Lam. 3.45 But let not this be any discouragement So long as Iesus Christ looks otherwise upon you which he doth if Saints let this be enough for you Paul writing to his Corinthians among whom as it seemeth there were some who thought and spake very meanly of him a lot which the Ministers of Christ often meet with he telleth them with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of mans judgment 1 Cor. 4.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the least thing a matter of no moment what they or any other judged of him And how so For he that judgeth me is the Lord so he giveth the Reason in the next verse v. 4. And so look you upon the Worlds Judgement Let others censure you as they please so long as your Lord and Master Christ to whom you must stand and fall as the Apostle saith Rom. 14.4 hath another esteem of you let this be enough to you So long as a favorite is near and dear to his Prince highly esteemed of him what careth he what opinion the ignobile vulgus the vulgar rout hath of him 2. And as against the opinion of the World so against what ever wrongs and injuries you are exposed to in it 2. Against wrongs and injuries from the world Being Christs peculiar he will have a peculiar eye upon you a peculiar care over you So will a man have of his peculiar Treasure his choice pieces of Gold or Silver his Iewels he will have a Cabinet for them where he will keep them under lock and key having a more special regard unto them than to the rest of his substance And so hath the Lord Christ over his Saints They being near and dear unto him his peculiar Treasure his Iewels he wil have a special care of them for the securing of them He hath a