our interest and trust in all other things it is that whereby we cleave unto him with full purpose of heart to be for him and for no other this is in the very nature of justifying Faith and hence we shall find it frequently exprest in the Scripture under such phrases as these are or others that are synonimical 2. This Faith is the true and proper product of the Spirit in our Regeneration that which iâ— begotten and brought forth in us is Faith all that is before it in the Soul is onlie preparatory unto it all that is concomitant with it is denominated from it all Grace in us is called Faith in Scripture because that is the principal Grace wrought in us Gods Elect are by nature dead but the Spirit quickens them Eph. 2. beginning and how doth he so why by causing them to believe for the life of Regeneration is properly a life of Faith Gal. 2. 20. I live by the Faith of the Son of God so that when by the operation of the Spirit in him a man is made to believe he is then and not till then born of God he is then also married to Christ Christ marries with none that are dead he finds them indeed spiritually dead when he comes to them but he first quickens them by his Grace causing them to believe and so to live and as such he takes them into this nearness of relation to himself and so they are together and at once born of God and espoused to Jesus Christ 3. What is the profit and advantage coming by this Relation A. The Apostle John using it as a present Argument to engage us to constancy in times of Antichristian Tyrany thereby intimates that it is a relation of infinite worth and would have us therefore to consider of it and take a large view of its worth and eminency and indeed there is so much in it as we may lose our selves in the contemplation all the good which is wrapt up in the promise is made oveâ— and becomes the propriety of the Believer in and by his Son-ship I cannot rehearse all but the choice advantages of Adoption are 〈◊〉 as these that follow 1. The Name and Title it self is a great benefit and advantage it is a dignity an honour to be called the Children of God the Apostle seems to place much weight upon the denomination it self ver 1. What manner of love that we should be called the Sons of God Jacob honoured Joseph's two eldest Sons when he willed that his name should be called upon them so doth the great God the Children of Men wâ—â—n he is pleased that his Name should come into their Title that those who were before by way of Disgrace called Adam's Sons and Children of Hell Children of Wrath Children of the Devil should rise and be henceforth called the Children of God this very Title declares these to be made noble by their new-birth who by their natural birth were ignoble It is among men accounted an high thing to be the Son of some King or Emperour 1 Sam. 18. 23. Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kingâ— Son in law what is it then for God to call us his Sons and Daughters and to give us leave to call him our Father as 2 Cor. 6. 18 I will be to you a Father and you shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty and Jer. 14. 9. we are called by thy Name 2. They are taken into Gods and that not as Servants but as Children there to abide for ever Joh. 8. 35. The Servant abideth not in the House for ever but the Son abideth for ever Believers therefore are all one Houshold called the Houshold of Faith Gal 6. 10. and they are of Gods Family after another manner then wicked Men and inferiour creatures God after a more common way and by a more general providence looks after the World and all the affairs of it all creatures come under his care and for that reason the whole Creation is his great Family but these Children are under his special inspection and care 1 Pet. 5. 7. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you In sum they being Children have him for a Father And hence 1. He will certainly provide for them and they need not to puzzle their minds or distract their thoughts about any such thing for he will consider all their wants and send them relief they shall have whatsoever they stand in need of and they shall have it as they need it Mat. 6. 31 32. take no thought c. for the Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these things if others in a Family suffer want and be pincht with difficulties yet the Children shall certainly be taken care for as long as there is any thing to be had they are hard times indeed when Children are denied that which is needful for them Hence that Psal 34. 10. Young Lions are brought to want and suffer hunger but they that fear the Lord shall want for no good thing 2. He will protect them from all harms and injuries and that both by defending of them from their Enemies and also by righting of their wronged cause and at all times and in all cases whatsoever they may with greatest safety and without any fear leave it with him and in it he will not leave him Heb. 13. 5 6. He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear It is hard for earthly Parents to deser their Children and when they see them wronged to hold their peace and neither say nor do any thing to right them it is certain God will not nay he cannot Psal 27. 10. When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up Jer. 2. 2. All that devour him shall offend evil shall come upon them saith the Lord Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye 3. He will uphold them from falling he will take them by their hand and stay their steps for them sustein them keep them from undoing themselves hence those promises 1 Pet. 1. 5. Ye are kept by the power of God Psal 91. 11 12. Gods Sons in this life are like little Children alwayes tripping and stumbling and falling and so weak that they could never get up again but for him but by reason of his hand that is upon them his everlasting Arm that is under them hence if they fall at any time through incogitancy or by stumbling at any thing that lies in their way or through that weakness that attends them or by Satans malice thrusting at them he will lift them up again 4. He will counsel and direct them they are tender and foolish in themselves they have not wisdom enough of their own to order and direct their way and are therefore easily se duced and cheated by the adversary
who is subtle and watcheth all advantages against but he is alwayes giving them his Fatherly advice warning them of their danger shewing them a way how to escape it they have the voice of his Spirit behind them telling them this is the way Isai 30. 21. they have the guidance of his most wise counsel to keep them in the right way unto glory Psal 7424. 5. He will assist and strengthen them he will lend them an helping hand to carry them through all their difficulties temptations straits that they are engaged or involved in in their Christian course and the discharge of their duty in all of them 2 Tim. 4. 17. The Lord was with me and strengthened me they have a great work to perform to serve God in their Generation but his Grace standing by them becomes their sufficiency a Fathers love draws forth his helping hand to assist his Son and carry him well through all that is before him 6. He will Correct and Chasten them for their Faults Heb. 12. 6. He chastneth every son whom He receiveth They like foolish Children may now reckon this for their damage but it is indeed none of the least of those benefits which the Children of God do enjoy God lets wicked men alone to go on in their pernicious wayes They have their wills in the world that they may be destroyed for ever But God here afflicts his Children that their souls may be saved in the day of the Lord 1 Cor. 11. 32. We are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the World 7. He will commend and encourage them when they do well see what an high commendation he gives Abraham for his love and what a precious promise he gives him upon it Gen. 22. 16 17. the poorest services which they do being done in sincerity to him if it be but a cup of cold water given to one of his Disciples in that Name shall not lose its acceptance and reward yea such is his Fathers respect that he owns and crowns the very good will and purposes as much as if they really performed them David doth but resolve to build an House to his Name and Glory and God takes it kindly and promiseth richly upon it 2 Sam. 7. these things belong unto them as they are Children in the Family and carry Consolation in the very mentioning of them 3. They receive the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 5 6. and here we are to observe that the Spirit of Adoption doth not decipher any distinct spirit but that it is one and the same spirit who doth illuminate convince humble engraft the soul into Christ c. but it deciphers to us a distinct and peculiar observation of the Spirit of God in us so that the dignity of this priviledge is to be discovered in the effects which are consequent upon it and they are such as these viz. 1. The obsignation or sealing up of Believers to the certain and infallible enjoyment of their inheritance Eph. 1. 13. 4. 30. when God hath once admitted a poor Soul into the number of his Children he now confirms and ratifies to him all the promises and makes them unto him surer than the foundation of the World yea so sure that neither outward Enemies nor inward Evils shall ever be able to deprive them of this Title Rom. 8. 39 39. I am perswaded that neither height nor depth c. shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ It is possible that they may not alwayes with alike clearness discern it some cloud or other interposing but it is ever with an equal certainty therein inasmuch as it is a gift of God that is without Repentance 2. The testimony which the spirit of God gives in to their state of Adoption witnessing in them that God hath numbred them to his Children and joyned them in the inheritance of all blessings with his own Son Rom. 8. 16 17. The spirit it self leaveth witness c. The effect consequent upon this testimony is assurance which assurance is in it self a piece of inchoate Glorification but the witness which the Spirit of God bears in us by vertue of which we are confirmed in this knowledge is a priviledge of Adoption and though Believers do not alwayes so distinctly hear him testifying and to be able to draw the comfort of it to their Souls yet they have alwayes this witness in them because the Spirit of God is ever with them 3. The enlivening of their Faith and thereby enabling of them to God to God as a Father and claim this Relation and upon the claim believingly to plead with him for the acceptance of their persons the audience of their Prayers the granting of their requests and supplying of all their wants Rom. 8. 15. Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father yea the spirit of God enables them thus to act Faith in consideration of this relation not only in times of outward favour when the candle of the Lord shineth upon their Tabernacle and all things go well with them but also in the most cloudy times of darkest dispensations when God hides his face from them and carries it towards them as if he were their Enemy hence that chalenge of Faith at such an hour Isai 63. 17. Doubtless thou art our Father 4. The powerful preservation of them in a state of Grace 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation Believers are weak in themselves and ly open to many strong temptations and if they were left to themselves those floods that assail them would easily and quickly drown them But the spirit of God is still blowing upon this spark and supplying of it with new fuel whereby he makes the faith of Believers to live and flourish in dispite of all those endeavours that are used to extinguish and ruin it 5. His constant assistance in spiritual duties enabling them to perform them acceptably and particularly in the great duty of Prayer to God Rom. 8. 26 27. We know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession c. they are weak to do duty and carry about in them a masse of corruption a body of Death which presseth them down evil is ever present when they would be doing of good so that without him they can do nothing and it would be a vain thing for them to set about any service to God in their own strength but he stands by them and is ready to put to his helping hand supplying them with the influences of spiritual Grace whence when they are weak in themselves they are strong in him 6. To communicate to them the discoveries of the love of God and thereby to fill them with spiritual rejoycing Rom. 5. 5. The Love of God is shed abroad into our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us he applies the precious promises to
Husband 2. There shall be an happy meeting in the air in the morning of that day between Christ and his thus adorned Spouse where they shall meet him as in the quality of a great judge so as their Friend their Husband their Saviour coming to finish and compleat their Salvation and take them home to himself they shall meet him who is the beloved of their Souls whom they have longed for whom they have often prayed to make hast and whose appearance they have loved And the state in which he shall come will add to their glorious manifestation all that pompous attendance of Angels those ten thousand times ten thousands and thousands of thousands of ministring Spirits waiting upon Christs coming to fetch home his Spouse shall reflect upon them to shew how blessed they are see 1 Pet. 4. 16 17. and that glorious coming of Christ Dan. 7. 9 10. 3. When the great judgement is set these shall be placed on the right hand of Christ Mat. 25. 23. He shall set the sheep on his right hand which is spoken after the manner of Men intimating the honour and dignity which shall be conferred upon them and this shall be most conspicuous Rev. 1. 7. Every eye shall see him and if him then them that are so placed they shall then appear to be his Favourites and Friends to be such in whom he takes delight to make them honourable and happy 4. In the process of the great judgement they shall be openly cleared and acquitted from all those false imputations of Hypocrisie and iniquities which here were cast upon them their sincerity shall be made manifest and now it shal be known that they were not such fools as the World judged them to have been that they were not the troublers of Israel as they were censured to be it shall by this appear that they had a God whom their Enemies thought to have had none they shal stand in the judgement and no accusation shall prevail against them nor any be to condemn them Rom 8. 33. 5. There shall be an happy Sentence past upon them adjudging of them to a Kingdome and Crown and Glory Mat. 25. 34. Come ye blessed inherit the Kingdome and when this comâ—s to pass it shal make amends for all their sufferings and sorâ—ows which here they underwent for Christ when he shal declare them blessed and bid them to come with him and be where he is in his Kingdome that prepared Kingdom that Kingdom which is filled with all Glories and all the World shall hear this Sentence pronounced then shall they appear to be happy men whiles those standing on the Left hand are tremblingly waiting to hear a contrary doom 6. They shall have that honour conferred upon them to be assessors with Christ and to judge the World 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the World after what manner this shall be is not for us to determine Christ is the great Judge their lives when they were upon Earth did condemn a sinful Generation Heb. 11. 7. and these may be alledged there and they shall certainly assent to and acquiess and rejoyce in the righteous Judgment which Christ shall pass upon his Enemies and shall in a royal equipage sit and attend as so many Judges until that great affair shall be finished 7. When the great work of the last Judgement is over they shall all return with Christ to Heaven when that great Court shall break up the Judge with his retinue shall go again to his own place where they shall appear happy indeed now shall the ungodly World see these Darlings of Christ and beloved of his Father to be carried away into everlasting joyes to be taken nearer to Christ than Angels themselves who shall no sooner be gone but they shall leave the other in endless Torments with Devils and damned Spirits where when they come home to their Kingdom and every child of God is placed upon his own Throne and the Man Christ himself having resigned up his Mediatorial Kingdom into the hands of his Father shall solace himself with theirs and them with his company for ever recreating and sporting themselves each in the other when Eternity shal be filled with fresh joyes and delights new and ravishing continually when they shal ever be with the Lord and there shal be no tediousness in those perfect pleasures but the Soul shall be alwayes satisfied in them now shall it appear what it is to be a Son of God But what are those happy entertainments of that place none but one that hath been in the third Heaven can know and did he know he could not utter or if he could utter we could not conceive noâ— credit but such things there shall be and then they shall be known fully to them that enjoy them and to the wicked they shall appear sufficiently foâ— their conviction and confusion 3. Why this discovery is reserved till then Ans The timing of all divine dispensations depends on the Soveraign good pleasure of God but yet there seem to be â—ivers good reasons why this making of them to appear should be allotted to that time 1. It is the time when Christ himself is to appear and it is fit that the redeemed should wait for the discovery of their glory till he that redeemed them cometh in his besides their appearing depends upon his till the World be made to know that he is both Lord and Christ they cannot acknowledge that Believers in him are the Children of God and Heirs of Glory and if Christ be willing to tarry till then for his manifestation his People then have no reason to murmure or to think the time of their clearing long 2. There are many Elect who are chosen to be Sons that must be brought in and suffer many things for Christ in fulfilling their testimony and there will be till that time a gathering in of such and it is the holy pleasure of God that they that are gone before should wait that there may be a full and universal discovery made of them all at once Rev. 6. 9 10 11. if they should appear sooner the World would be afraid to do to them as is appointed 3. The Day of Judgement is the fittest time for this it is a day appointed for the setting of things to rights to clear up all false Judgements and Mistakes which there were here it is a Day wherein the presence of all the Creation shall be to look on Heaven and Hell being for the while emptied of all their Inhabitants to come to this meeting and general Assembly so that it will be the greatest Glory and most pompous appearance when a Child of God on such a day and in such a presence shall be openly owned and rewarded when he shall be set to view in all his glorious state and the proclamation shall be audibly heard from one end of Heaven to another saying Behold a Son of God and so shall
Master nay will it not be the best time for us to appear with him he is the Lord of Glory and when he comes he brings his reward with him and withal remember it is but a short time yet a little while and he will come and he will not tarry and further satisfie your selves with this that your Brethren must appear with you even the whole number of the redeemed some whereof are yet unborn and you have reason to wait for them Finally ponder that great shews require great preparations Christ is now about the business he is not idle but making all ready for his coming and he that believeth maketh not hast 3. To love his appearing and to look for it It is true Christs appearing will be dreadful to the wicked who are his Enemies for he comes to judge the World in righteousness and give recompence unto every man according to his doings hence they may well cry to the rocks to fall on them and hills to cover them that they may not see his angry countenance nor feel the weight of his revenging hand but to the Saints it should be lovely It is indeed a solemn and serious thing for any to think I must stand before the dreadful Tribunal and be tried for my eternal estate before him who is a most righteous Judge who searcheth the heart and cannot be deceived where I must receive my final Sentence which will be inreversible and if I then be found to have put a cheat upon my own Soul I must perish for ever but to him that is a Child of God and hath received the spirit of Adoption there cannot be a more comforting thought than this Hence the Apostle propounds it to his Thessalonians as a great Topick from whence to comfort one another 1 Thess 4 ult That which would make a Felix tremble should make a Saint leap for joy to think ere long the last Trumpet will be sounded by the Arch-Angel Jesus Christ will come from Heaven attended with a royal Guard of Angels the dead small and great will arise the Thronâ—s will be set the Books opened this is the day which I have loved and longed for now shall I appear such as the love of God in Christ hath made me to be now shall mine Enemies see and be ashamed gnash their teeth and melt away now they shall know that I had a God and a Saviour and an hope that makes not ashamed this second coming of Christ shall be to my Salvation if he do not appear I shall never appear And hence when we hear him saying Behold I come quickly let not us be affrighted but ravished and utter that expression of Faith and Joy Amen even so come Lord Jesus We shall be like him It follows now that we consider the general nature of the happiness of the Sons of God or the discovery which we have of it in this life We shall be like him There is enough revealed about our future estate to relieve our Faith though not to satisfie our curiosity our Apostle would not have Believers to be discouraged because they have not a full discovery of what they shall be in another World but to rest content with this general discovery which is made and though they cannot measure it in all its dimensions yet to take up with this thought as having plentiful consolation in it The Words indeed are but few but they are full and though our glory be shadowed to us by another which is equally obscure and unknown to us as our own yet from this very darkness there reflects abundant Light of comfort and be it so that we know nothing at all distinctly of the Glory which Christ is now possessed of yet there is consolation enough to be pickt out of this very consideration that we shall be like him The Words set forth the after state of felicity which the Saints or Children of God shall attain unto by a similitude or pattern where we have 1. The pattern it self Him who this is is not particularly exprest there being as I formerly noted an Ellypsis in the Words some referr it to God mentioned in the beginning of the verse whose Sons we are said to be and it is proper for the Sons to be like the Father others and more appositely apply it to Christ for it is he that shall appear in glory and Paul applies it to him in the forementioned parallel place Col. 3. 4. and this is certain that the Glory to which the Man Christ is exalted is the proto type of that Glory to which the Saints are appointed Joh. 17. 22. The Glory which thou gavest me I have given them 2. The resemblance which the Children of God shall have to his Glory we shall be like him among such comparates between which there is a consentanety there is a double reference For some things agree in quantity others in quality between things agreeing in quantity there is a parity or equality one is neither bigger nor less than the other and this is not here to be understood out of doubt the Man Christ shall enjoy a degree of Glory above all his Saints this Head of the Church shall wear a Crown more weighty than any of his Members this Son of righteousness as he is called 〈◊〉 shine with more orient brightness thaâ— those fixed Stars this first born among many brethren shall have a double portion of Glory in that Glorious Inheritance but then between things agreeing in quality there is a similitude which is consistent with imparity things may be unequal and yet not unlike lesser things may agree with greater by way of similitude though they differ in proportion so the Poet Parvaque cum magnis componere saepe solebam For this consists in a near resemblance there is of qualities between one and another and this is it our Apostle here points at Hence Doct. It is a soul-satisfying thought to the Children of God in their present low and despised condition to consider that in the day of Christs glorious appearance they shall be like him This is the comfort which John applies to them now when the World hates them and they walk under a disguise and what their after estate shall be neither appears to themselves nor to the World yet he would have them take up with this and rest contented yea delighted in the meditation of it It is q. d. let not your thoughts trouble you be not over sollicitously inquisitive after the secrets of God and the particularities of your state and glory but take this for a repast and let it stay your stomachs till you come to sit down at the great Feast you shall be like him In the Explication of this Position we have to consider 1. Wherein this likeness unto Christ consists 2. How it appears that we shall then be like him 3. What ground of satisfaction ariseth from hence 1. Wherein this likeness consists Ans 1. There is an incommunicable Glory