〈◊〉 GREAT DUTY OF Christians TO Go forth without the Camp TO JESUS Set forth in several SERMONS On Hebr. XIII 13. By S. T. M. of A. of Trinity College in Cambridge LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Bibles and Crown in Cheapside MDCLXXXII To the Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord RVSSEL Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ My Lord IT is one of the wonderful Riddles and deep Mysteries of Providence That the Church that hath the least of Sin should yet endure the most of Sufferings That the Metal that is best refined should be most often cast into the Furnace and That they that are most white in their Souls with the Beauty of Holiness should be so black'd in their Outward Man and State by the scorching Sun of Persecution How hard is it for those that live by Sense to believe That they shall wear glittering Crowns and sit on glorious Thrones for ever that now are crushed as Worms under the Feet of Sinners and are bruised as Grapes in the Wine-press of the Worlds Rage and Fury But as the First-born of God's New Family veiled his Majesty emptied himself and hid his Glory Phil. 2.6 His visage was marred more than any man and his form than the sons of men Isa 52.14 so his younger Brethren are arraied in dark Parables of Shame Reproach and Sufferings The blessed Life of Saints is now hidden and a base and course Covering is spread over all their intrinsick Glory they are as it were disguised and incognitol in the World 1 John 3.1 Pignorius observes Quicquid Taetrum Saevum Horribile in Christianos olim excogitatum exercitum est illud omne ut ego Censeo a servis ad illos transivit De Servis p. 9. That is Whatsoever Grievous Horrible and Cruel Torments were of old practised against the Christians in the Primitive Times were just the same that cruel Masters used to inflict on their bought Slaves O what a dark Veil was cast over the Adopted Sons of God when they were treated just as imperious and tyrannical Masters used to handle their poor and vile Slaves Those that the World hath not been worthy of have been driven Into Wildernesses as if they were not worthy to converse with and live among Men The precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold have been reputed as the vile potsheards of the earth Lam. 4.2 and the heirs of Glory been accounted but as Sheep for the Slaughter Psal 44.22 Peter Martyr in Rom. 8.36 thus glosses the Words That they are not preserved as some Sheep for their Wooll and Lambs but are like other Sheep fed and fatted that their Bodies may be for Meat Scultetus thus understands the Words in Psal 44.22 That the Wicked of the World do make no more to kill the Saints of God than a Butcher doth to kill Sheep The Bodies of the Saints have been laid as the mire of the Streets and their Blood poured out as Water on the Ground and Wicked Men have been permitted to do to some of them even as they would Read Isa 51. last Psal 79.3 Matth. 17.12 My Lord This being the State of the Church of God for the most part in the World how necessary is it that every Christian should be armed with Faith and Patience that the Truths of God should be deeply rooted in our Souls that they may serve as an Helmet to guard our Heads in a great Fight of Afflictions and as an Anchor to establish our Hearts in a grievous Storm of Persecutions These following Considerations may somewhat conduce to this great End 1. Christians should consider That Jesus Christ was not of this World neither is his Kingdom of this World John 18.36 and he represents and commends his Disciples to his Father as conformed to him in this John 17.14 16. They are not of the World even as I am not of the World Christ did but Tabernacle John 1.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in our frail Flesh and passed through the World as a Pilgrim and Stranger And all the Gospel-Worship of Christians is set out by keeping the Feast of Tabernacles Zech. 14.16 And what doth this Expression import Surely this among other things may be hinted to us by this Text That as we are most gratefully to acknowledge this great Mercy of the Son of God's Tabernacling in our Flesh so that it ought to have this Effect upon us to make us to sojourn in the World as Pilgrims and Strangers in expectation of a glorious Life and Inheritance in Heaven We should account that this Natural Life is not our Life but that our Life is hid with God in Christ Col. 3.3 That this Earth is not our Country and that Worldly Enjoyments are not our Portion and Treasure Christ hath crucified our Old Man and abolished the Natural Life by his Death Rom. 6.6 Christ hath put an end to the old Stateâ— Week and World and by Rising again the First Day of the Week he hath begun a new Week and World The Eternal Day doth dawn Immortality is brought to light Everlasting Life is begun and exemplified in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ And he is ascended to Heaven to chuse the Inheritance of and prepare a place for all the Family and Houshold of Faith Psal 47.3 To this Jesus we are called to go forth on this Magnetick and Glorious Object are we to fix our Eyes and Hearts If the Wise Men acknowledged him as King when he lay in a contemptible Cradle and the Thief addressed to him as such when he hung on an ignominious Cross shall not we much more confess and adore him now crowned with Honour and Glory and sitting on the Right hand of the Majesty on High Shall we dote on a World that is a sink of Sin and a Scene of Vanity Shall be we fond of the vile and base Life of the First dislike and disparage the glorious Life of the Second Adam Shall we be charmed by or chained to poor beggarly Objects below and despise the glorious Portion and rich Inheritance of Christ above Shall a short Life clogged with Sin clouded with Sorrows â—â—â—â—â—â—tered with continual Temptations and Warfare be preferred before a Life of Immortality ennobled with glorious Holiness perfect Peace and triumphant Joy 2. Christians should consider what this World is and the Men of it are That they are called out from the World it self is devoted to the Fire this Earth must be burnt up 2 Pet. 3.10 And shall we feed on that which must be reduced to Ashes Shall we lay up our Treasure and Portion where the Flames will devour and consume all And what are the unregenerate Men of this World but Spiritual Carcases dead in Sins and Trespasses Strabo in his Geography lib. 17. tells us of a City in Egypt calle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The City of Dead Men because of the multitude of Dead Bodies that were Embalmed there And he
dark hours of Temptation that have passed through Fiery Tryals and have endured great Fights of Affliction have taken joyfully the Spoiling of their Goods that have rejoyced they were accounted worthy to suffer for my Namessake that have not loved their Lives to the Death How will such a Confession of their Names by Christ put Eternal Honour on the Saints O! look beyond this gloomy Valley of the Shadow of Death to an Inheritance in Light Col. 1.12 Look beyond this short Night of Sorrows and Sufferings to the bright and glorious Morning of the Resurrection Ps 49.14 Though Saints now bow down and are laid as the Mire of the Streets Is 51. last Yet the upright shall have Dominion in the Morning they shall tread down the Wicked they shall be as Ashes under the soles of their Feet Ps 45.14 Mal. 2.3 Abigal went forth to David in his Afflicted State 1 Sam. 25.4 14 40 42. Married and followed him in a Wilderness and afterwards did partake of his Honour and Prosperity We read that after Sauls Death he led her out of this Wilderness-state into the Royal City of Hebron 2 Sam. 2.2 Even so if you now go out to Christ while his People are in a Wilderness Afflicted and Persecuted in the world Jesus Christ will make you partakers of his Honour Felicity and Glory The time will come when this Spiritual King David will lead his Afflicted Spouse to his Royal City above will place her at his Right Hand and delight in her as his Hephzibah for ever 8. Direct We must be filled with the Spirit Eph. 5.18 As there is such a strong and swift Current that always runs in at the Straits Mouth into the Mediterranean Sea that a Ship cannot come out at the Straits Mouth if it hath not a good stiff Gale of Wind So truly there is such a strong Torrent of Self-love and Carnal Affections that runs into the Camp of this World that a Soul can never come out to Jesus through the Streights of Afflictions and Sufferings and cross this violent Stream of sinful self-love and worldly lusts if the Sails of our Souls be not mightily filled with the Gales of the Spirit The Hebrews after they were enlightned endured a great fight of Afflictions Heb. 10.32 And who is it that doth enlighten but the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation Eph. 1.17.18 Our sight is cleared and recovered by the Spirits Eye-Salve Rev. 3.18 so that we can see more and further than the rest of the World Hence Saints are called Children of Light Luke 16.8 because they look into and take hold of another world As Stephens Eye was extraordinarily fortified and improved that he could see up into Heaven and behold Jesus at the Right Hand of God Acts 7.55 56. So the Spirit doth so renew and enlighten the Eyes of Saints Minds that they can see Invisible Heavenly and Eternal things And it is this sight that establishes the Heart against the threatnings and terrors of the World That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit John 3.6 that is Such are Spiritual Creatures and are also called Heavenly 1 Cor. 15.48 If you are Spirit you will not lust after and be captivated by Carnal things If you are heavenly Creatures you will not stoop and bow down to this Earth for your Happiness It is by the Spirit that we must mortifie the Deeds of the Body and Members upon Earth Rom. 8.13 Col. 3.5 These lusts that are fixed on fed and filled by Objects on Earth are tempting and drawing down Souls to a Center and Portion here below and it is by the Power of the Spirit only that we can repress and subdue them The Apostle bids Timothy to partake of the Afflictions of the Gospel according to the Power of God 2. Tim. 1.8 If we are to bear them our selves and were left to the frailty of Nature how soon should we be foiled and overcome But Saints by the Spirit and its power are enabled to deny themselves to conquer the Flesh and tread the world under their Feet Christ hath promised not to leave his People comfortless John 14.16 18. but that he would send them the Comforter What the Spirit shews John 16.13.8 Rom. 16.17 Eph. 1.13 testifies seals to the Souls of Believers is sufficient to buoy up the Hearts of Christians against all Temporal Evils If the Spirit could make supply instead of Christs Bodily Presence with his people if it could chear them in the absence and withdrawing of Christs Humane Nature can it not much more comfort us in the absence or loss of outward Enjoyments As a Tree that hath a River at its Root can retain its Verdure and Flourishing Sate though there be a great Drought and no Showers come upon it Jer. 17.8 Ps 5.2 So if we have the Comforter within if we are watered by the Rivers of its Consolations may we not be satisfied from our selves Prov. 14.14 though we have no Showers of worldly comforts or enjoyments If men would stir and labour and thereby excite their Natural Heat they would not absolutely need Fire in the coldest Weather to warm them So if Christians did more stir up Faith and walk in the Comfort of the Holy Ghost Acts 9.31 they would little need or regard the worlds consolations If you be led by the Spirit of Christ it will in some measure work in you as in him it will raise in you such apprehensions and kindle in you such Affections as were found in Jesus He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 That is He is of the same Spirit of the same Temper of the same Disposition and Inclinations with Jesus Christ As if the same Soul did animate many Bodies these several Persons would be of the same Will and have the same Affections So the Spirit of Christ dwelling in his People the same will be in them as was found in Jesus Rom. 8.9 Phil. 2.5 O! how freely did Jesus Christ yield himself to sufferings and death Ps 40.7 8. Lo I come I delight to do thy will O God yea thy Law is within my Heart And what was the Will of God that Jesus Christ did delight to do We are told what this Will was in Heb. 10.10 viz. that Jesus Christ should offer his Body once for all How difficult and hard was this Service yet such a Law of Love to the Father and perishing sinners was written in the Heart of Christ that he was straitned till this Bloody Baptism was fulfilled Luke 12.50 Though his Cup of Sufferings was so deep so large tempered with so many bitter Ingredients yet he resigned himself and said Father if this Cup may not pass except I drink of it thy Will be done Matt. 26.42 When Peter tempted him to favour spare and indulge himself he sharply rebuked him and said Get thou behind me Satan thou art an offence to me Matt. 16.22 23. How did Christ deny himself and subject his Will to the Will of God And when Christ was raised from the Dead how did he despise and disdain to be tempted to stay here below by the best things of this World Would the Riches Honours Pleasures of this world then have allured the Eye captivated or chained the Heart of Christ here below Could such things stay or stop detain or six him here below Was he not exceedingly raised in his Mind and Affections above the best things of this world This was his Request and Prayer to the Father Now glorifie me with thy own self with the glory that I had with thee before the Foundations of the World John 17.5 His Mind did soar upwards his Heart did aspire to a heavenly Kingdom and Glory Now if this Spirit of the Lord Jesus do dwell in our Hearts will it not fix our hearts and fortifie our resolutions to go through Fire and Water Floods and Storms for the Honour of God and for the Glory of Christ Shall we be of timerous base dastardly Spirits if the blessed Spirit of Jesus do dwell in us And shall we not slight also and contemn turn our Eyes from and our Backs upon all the Beauty and Excellency of this world if the Spirit hath given us a sight of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Shall we not cry out to God as the Psalmist Ps 73.25 26. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee How will such a Soul rate away and rebuke tempting Objects and say Get you gone I have fatness and sweetness I have fulness and satisfaction in my Lord Jesus my Eyes are closed against your Beauty my Ears are stopt against your Charms Christ I have chosen and I see no cause to repent of my choice to him therefore will I cleave and stick for ever And that you may obtain this blessed Spirit and all Spiritual good things as flowing from him Bow your Knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ And if Parents that are evil do yet know how to give good gifts to their Children much more shall our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11.13 FINIS
speaks of the City of Caunus lib. 13. That the Inhabitants were so pale that Stratonicus said of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That Dead Men walked about And is it not so here Men that are dead in Sin walk about and perform onely the Acts of the Natural Life The World is said to lye in Wickedness 1 John 5.19 as dead Lazarus is said to lye in the Grave John 11.41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Verb is used in the first place and the Participle of the same Verb in the other This corrupt World is set out by the Dead Sea Ezek. 47.10 in which no Fish did live Engedi and Eneglaim there mentioned were Places that did lye one at the beginning the other at the end of the Dead Sea where Sodom and Gomorra stood of old and on the Banks of it Spiritual Fishermen are said to stand to draw Men out of this Dead Sea into Communion with Christ the Prince of Life The Cities of the blind Gentiles are said to be desolate Isa 54.3 because there were none in them that did live the Life of God And the Psalmist speaks of Wicked Men as dead Carcases when he saith The Pit is digged for them Psal 94.13 And shall we not come forth from such a World to Jesus Christ As God said of besieged Jerusalem of old Jer. 38.2 That he that staid in the City should die by the Famine or Pestilence but he that did go forth and yield to the King of Babylon should live So those that stay in this City of the World must be condemned and perish 1 Cor. 11.32 but those that go forth and submit to Jesus Christ shall be saved and live for ever Heb. 5.9 3. We should consider what Jesus Christ endured for us Heb. 12.3 How great a Person was he What provoking Contradictions did he suffer and that from base Worms and for vile Sinners He sanctified himself for our sakes to be a Priest and Sacrifice John 17.19 He was wholly for us he was born died rose again ascended to Heaven intercedes there and will come again for the good of his People Isa 9.6 Rom. 4. last Heb. 6. last Heb. 7.25 John 14.2 3. This precious Foundation was laid low in the Earth for us to build on this Noble Grain of Corn was sowed in the Dust that we might spring up from him to Everlasting Life This excellent Bunch of Grapes was cast into the Wine-press of the Wrath of God that we might drink new Wine with him in the Kingdom of his Father This generous Stock was wounded and cut that we as Grafts might be joyned to him and live in him for ever Do we believe Or can we think on these things and yet stick at any Service or recoil from any Sufferings for the sake of Jesus Christ 4. Let us consider how Honourable the Sufferings of Saints for Christ are Gal. 6.17 I bear about in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus the print of the Stripes and Wounds he had suffered for Christ's sake Saints may much more glory in these than Soldiers do in the Scars of their Wounds Was it not more Honourable for some of the clean Creatures preserved in the Ark afterwards to be offered in Sacrifice to God by Noah than for the unclean Creatures to survive them or for other Creatures to perish in the Deluge Gen. 8.20 Sufferings for Christ are part of our conformity to him in bearing the Cross and Testimonies of our Adoption that being chosen out of the World and called into the Kingdom of Christ therefore Earthly Men hate and abhor us John 15.19 The Sufferings of Saints are short their Evil things are measured by days Psal 94.12 13. but their Good and Happiness is commensurate to Eternity 2 Cor. 4.17 They drink of a Cup of Afflictions but it is a Cup like Christ's in this that it passes away by our drinking of it Matth. 26.4 Wicked Men shall drink of the Cup of Wrath and yet it shall always abide at their Lips but Saints shall drink of Christs Cup of Sufferings and the Cup shall pass away their Tears shall be dried up their Warfare shall be finished sorrow and sighing shall fly away Weeping shall endure but for a Night Joy shall come in the Morning Psal 30.5 After the smoaking Furnace of Bondage and Sufferings shall come the burning Lamp of Deliverance and Liberty Gen. 15.16 6. God sees and will reward the Sufferings of his Saints Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 Though God doth set forth some of his People as men appointed to death 1 Cor. 4.9 yet he hath not appointed them to Wrath but to obtain Salvation by Jesus Christ 1 Thess 5.9 The Plowers indeed make long Furrows on them but God sowes them with the Promise of Everlasting Life while Men think to destroy their Gold of Grace God is refining them from their Dross of Corruption while Enemies would blow away the good Wheat that is in them God is winnowing them from their Chaff As Xerxes stood on the Shore and beheld the Sea-fight of his Men with the Grecians and when any of his Captains fought valiantly he had his Scribes by him to write down his Name and the Name of his City and Ship that he might reward him See Herod Hist 1.8 So Christ is on the calm Shore of a blessed Eternity he beholds all the Courage and Conflicts of his Servants he registers all in his Book and takes it on account in order to an eternal Reward 7. Consider the Benefit that hath accrued to the Church and the Advantage that hath redounded to the Kingdom of Christ by suffering Saints When Saints have suffered Death for Christ their Carcases have enriched and fatted the Ridges of Zion's Field their Blood hath watered the Furrows of Immanuel's Land and made it more fruitful When these Grains of Corn have fallen to the Earth and died many more have sprung up in their room Peter Martyr in Rom. 8.36 excellently observes That the Gospel hath been propagated in the World by Miracles and Torments by Works done above the Power of Nature and by cruel Sufferings patiently and joyfully endured beyond the strain or strength of Flesh and Blood These were wonderful Attestations to and Confirmations of the Truth of the Christian Religion 8. Let us consider That Christ's Interest shall at last be prevalent victorious and triumphant Crafty Worldlings desire to be of the strongest side The Decree of Heaven Psal 2.7 and the Zeal of the Lord of Hosts is for the Establishing of the Kingdom of Christ Isa 9.7 The Nations indeed have their time and are angry with Christ and his People but the time of his Wrath will also come Rev. 11.18 when he will tread them under his Feet punish and destroy them for ever Psal 110.1 Psal 21.8 9. Luke 19.27 God the Father hath promised to make all Christ's Foes to be his Foot-stooll Though Jacob be but a Worm yet shall he thresh the Mountains Isa 41.14 15. And
of the Heavenly Paradise but yet Christ suffers and is Persecuted in his Members Acts 9.4 Saul Saul why Persecutest thou me His Gospel his Interest his People are discountenanced and frowned upon by the World they are not entertained but are rejected of the Men of this Earth and in this respect Christ may still be said to stand without the Gate and to be put without the Camp his Truth his Worship his People are disgraced and disdained by the World Luke 19.14 His Citizens hated him after he was gone into a far Country even into Heaven and sent a Message after him to express they held the same fixed resolution that he should not Reign over them Mark this Expression they sent a Message after him they did not only declare their contempt and enmity to his Face when he was yet present as to his Humane Nature in the World but they continue their disloyalty they persist in their Rebellion against him They do not repent of their former rejection of him and Cruelty practised on him they are no better Natured towards him now he is in his Exaltation then they were in his state of Humiliation they are as sierce against and injurious to his People as they were to him in his own Person so many Saints as they slay so many Martyrs as they cut off so many Messengers they send to Heaven to relate to Jesus Christ their obstinate Malice and Rebellion against him As Stephen soon after Christ so many thousands of Saints that have suffered since have been sent on this Message to Heaven to declare that the World will not have Jesus Christ to Reign over them And in this respect we may be said still in our Sufferings to go forth to Jesus without the Gate This I take to be the Sense principal scope and intendment of this Divine Writer in this Verse and therefore I shall suit my subsequent Discourse to this as the main design of the words and shall proceed to give Reasons why Christians must go forth to Jesus enduring contempt and Reproachful Sufferings for his sake 1. Reason Christians must go forth without the Camp to Jesus because they are not of this World Christ twice in that Excellent Prayer in the 17th of John mentions and insists upon this John 17. v. 14.16 they are not of the World as I am not of the World and the same words are repeated in the 16th Verse his People much needing the Care Protection and Comforts of the Father on this account Believers are said to be Redeemed from the Earth from among Men and out of every Kindred Tongue People and Nation Rev. 14.3 4. Rev. 5.9 Christ gave himself for their sins to deliver them from this present Evil World Gal. 1.4 And he hath chosen them out of the World John 15.19 that they may not continue be condemned and perish for ever with the World and shall not Saints by an Overt-act own and avow this Truth that they are not of the World and be ready and willing to go without the Camp and by this declare they are not of the same Piece are not of the same Spirit with the World that though they have lived and conversed among the Men of the World yet they are not of their Body and Fraternity but being Redeemed from their vain Conversation and translated into the Kingdom of Gods Dear Son they are Related to him as Members to a Head as Subjects to a King When Saints leave their Habitations Estates and all converse with the Men of the World for Christs sake they manifest they are not of the World and that their Hearts Hopes and Treasure is not here below 2. Reas All the Happiness of Christians is laid up in Christ He is their life Col. 3.4 The Lord their Righteousness Jer. 23.6 He is their Peace Eph. 2.14 He is their hope 1 Tim. 1.1 He dwells in them as the hope of Glory Col. 1.27 Yea he is said to be all Col 3.11 Christ is all and Christians are said to be compleat in him Col. 2.10 they have all that is necessary excellent and truly desirable in him and therefore well may they be required to forget their People and their Fathers House to leave and forsake all for him Psalm 45.10 O! shall we not go forth to him that is our Life Righteousness Peace and hope of Glory 3. Reas Christ for our sakes was led without the Gate of the Earthly Jerusalem Jesus that he might Sanctisie the People Suffered without the Gate If he had not carried our sins and exposed himself to endure our Curse he could not have faln into the Hands of his Enemies and been Nailed to the Cross it was our Iniquities and his own love that made him so weak otherwise all the Power of the World could not have imposed Sufferings on the Son of God or have bound this Lamb of God to the Horns of the Altar But he put in his own Name into our Bond he became our Surety and thereby cast a Vail on his own Holiness and Righteousness and was not dealt withal by God as he was in himself Holy 2 Cor. 5. last Is 53.6 harmless undefiled but as made sin for us our guilt being transferr'd our Iniquities being laid on him Thus he that knew no sin in himself became a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief Is 53.3 he was as a Worm for the World to tread on Ps 22.6 a mark for Men to shoot at Gen. 7.11 12. the true Ark of Salvation not only assaulted with Waves below but beat on with Storms from above the Windows of Heaven were opened as well as the Fountains of the great Deep below were broken up For it pleased the Lord to bruise him he did put him to grief Is 53.10 he had not only a Baptism in a Sea of Sufferings without but he drank in a Cup of unexpressible Sorrows The Waters came into his Soul Ps 69.1 2. He complained in his Agony in the Garden that his Soul was sorrowful to the Death Mat. 26.38 his Soul was troubled John 12.27 And his Holiness was thus Vailed by our sins that our sins might be Vailed by his Obedience and covered by his Righteousness he was the slain Goat as he was delivered for our sins and he was the scape Goat as he carried them quite away and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4. last The Sacrifices that were slain and burnt on the Day of Atonement Figured Christs as I have already intimated These Sacrifices were so charged and loaded with the sins of the People of Israel in a Type that he that carried them forth and burnt them without the Camp was to wash his Cloaths and bathe his Flesh in Water and then be admitted into the Camp so he that led forth the scape Goat on whom the Iniquities of Israel were laid was to wash his Cloaths and bathe his Flesh in Water before he could be received into the Camp they seemed so to