Whose house ye are if ye hold fast your confidence and hope of your reioycing c. 1. Cor. 1.30 31. Col. 2.6 As ye haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him And by his life vertue and strength to doe all things and not by the strength of nature and of your naturall spirit as Paul Philip. 4.13 I can doe all things by the helpe of Christ strengthning me Rom. 8.10 If Christ be in you the bodie is dead in regard of sinne but the Spirit is life in regard of righteousnesse that is the bodie lies dead from sinfull actions and motions from which a mans naturall spirit wit and pollicy cannot restraine him and his bodily members to make them lye dead but rather quicken and powerfully sway them Rom. 3.15 and 7.5 The passions of sinnes which are by the Law haue force vigour in our members to bring forth fruit vnto death and Romanes 6.12 but if Christ be in vs he deads these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the passions of sinnes or sinfull passions that they cannot worke in our bodily and earthly members For they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts Gal. 5.24 Reason As Satan shewes his habitation in man as his house possessing as a strong man the pallace of the minde Luk. 11.21 and heart in peace by the vigour hee exerciseth in swaying their minds wils and lusts as Eph. 2.2 Iohn 8.44 2. Corinth 4.4 So Christ 2. Reason We are the children of the first Resurrection begotten of Christ risen from the dead 2. Pet. 1.3 by the greatest vertue and power of Christ quickning the dead 1. Peter 3.21 Wee are not only begotten of Christ by vertue of his Propheticall office as he is light as Hypocrites only inlightned are but we are begotten of Christ by vertue of his Priestly office as crucified for vs vnto Adoption and Iustification of life and by vertue of his Kingly office as risen from the dead to Sanctification and participation of his Diuine nature 2. Pet. 1.4 As Christ was discerned and differenced from all the sons of men to be knowne to be the Sonne of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.4 by his resurrection from the dead as the first begotten from the dead Col. 1.18 So are all we his yonger brethren by the same Spirit of power raising vs to a new nature and life with him Rom. 6.4 5. Col. 3.1 and 2.12 Eph. 2.6 we are discerned and differenced from all the naturall sonnes of men Vse That we may know whether we haue Christ in vs or no we must examine tempt and trie our minds hearts wils affections what vertues of Christ worke in them and sway them such as are propper to Christ and which no creature else can exercise in vs 2 Cor. 13.5 2. Cor. 4.10 As we beare in our bodies the dying of the Lord Iesus that is the greatest miseries and afflictions So the life of Iesus is manifested in our mortall flesh that is his greatest quickning comforting vertue when no creature can doe our mortall bodies any good in sicknesse or in death or other infirmities Christ is not only our light but our light of life that is in whom we haue not only light of knowledge but the same a quickning knowledge putting life into our wils and affections bodily members to practise what we know The Hypocrites light of knowledge is like the candle light which quickens nothing the Saints light of sauing Knowledge is like the Sun-light which quickens hearbs trees plants our light of naturall reason Philosophy Pollicy cannot so quicken vs and make vs so liuely and vigorous to good duties as this light of the sauing Knowledge of Christ Eph. 4.20 21 22. Let vs shew forth the vertues of Christ our light in vs Eph. 5.8 1. Pet. 2.9 A man may haue a wonderfull light of Knowledge in the lanthorne of his braine and yet his heart will and affections lye as dead as stones from desire or endeauour to embrace or practise the good hee knowes and haue no vertue from Christ to liue walke and fructifie This is for comfort to such as though they cannot feele Christ in them nor faith possessing Christ as long as Christ shewes himselfe to be within by such vertues exercised in them they may know themselues to bee in the faith and that Christ by faith is in them 2. Cor. 13.5 For as many haue Satan in them that doe not know or feele or beleeue Satan to be in them So many haue Christ c. and as many intertaine Satan in them by receiuing his lying Gospel and promises of wealth peace comfort by sinning and his temptations and perswasions to sinne So we receiue Christ when we beleeue and receiue his perswasions and temptations to good duties and suffer the words of exhortation and beleeue his promises and gladly embrace his word Therefore such as so did were baptized into Christ for seale and assurance that Christ was in them Acts 2.41 2. Iohn verse 9. See Iohn 14.23 If any man loue mee hee will keepe my words and my Father will loue him and we will come vnto him and make our abode with him Adam and Eue and Iudas receiued Satan into them when they receiued his counsels and temptations and suffered themselues to bee swayed thereby So coÌ„trarily we receiue Christ If when wee giue place to wrath Eph. 4.26 27. we giue place to the Diuell counselling and exciting vs thereto then contrarily wee giue place to Christ and receiue him into our hearts when we receiue his Gospel of peace counselling and commanding vs peace and loue by reasons from the Gospel that is from his loue and peace towards vs. Euery one that harbours willingly in his heart any knowne sinne and sinfull suggestion of Satan he intertaines Satan the malicious man hath a furious Diuell the wanton a voluptuous Diuell So he that regards no sinne in his heart but casts it out Christ perswading him thereto by his Gospel and not the Law alone inforcing him by terrors He that turnes from sinne vpon such suggestions promises perswasions as Christ makes to him he receiues Christ by faith first Vse And Faith beleeuing and receiuing Christ for Prophet and only Rabbi to be his Disciple and as the only Way and Truth it goeth before Repentance which is nothing else but a walking in Christ as we first receiued him by faith shewing forth the vertues of Christ and the life of Christ to walke as he hath walked For Repentance is the life and vertue of Christ receiued as our way Truth and Life and made all our Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption and our light of life What is Repentance but liuing and walking in Christ For out of Christ euery motion is to death â—nd hell and can a man walke in Christ before hee haue Christ by faith in his heart Coloss 2.6 As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him
and not locked and shut vp in time of danger Psal 42 Hee is my present helpe and my God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In whom that is in Christ wee haue this accesse and entrance to God and Faith giues it and workes it for vs not in our selues our workes merites righteousnesse oâ— by the mediation of any Saint or Angel No creature can make way for vs to God but Christ his Sonne Rom. 5.2 1. Pet. 3.18 Who died for sinners the iust for the vniust that hee might bring vs to God Iohn 14.6 I am the Way the Trueth and the Life no man commeth to the Father but by me No way to God but Christ no entrance to him but by his Sonne By Satan and Adam wee were led out of the way banished and separated from God the deuill teaching and leading vs a false way how wee should come to bee Gods knowing good and euill and so lead vs in the way of perdition from God this hee did by lies and falsehood deceiuing vs and so killing vs and euery sin like Satan its parent doeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 draw vs out of the way from God and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intise vs with promises of false comforts profits glorie and so kill vs. Iam. 1.13 14. Rom. 7 11. Now Christ contrary to Satan and to all sinne as a Prophet hee teacheth vs the right way and as a great high Priest of good things to come Heb. 9.11 and such as are truely good and not onely hauing the shadowes of good things hee giues vs true good things by the word of trueth which is the Gospel Heb. 9.11 with 10. 1. Iohn 1.17 This Law of shadowes was giuen by Moses but Grace and Trueth comes by Iesus Christ and whereas Satan and sinne kill by deceit and raigne ouer vs by death Christ as King and Lord of life quickens vs. No man in sinne and Satan could so much as see God and liue but now Christ is both our way to God aâ— our Prophet the Trueth of all shadowes and ceremonies of the Lawe as true Priest by whom wee goe to God and as King and Lord of life wee liue by him Hee is our light as Prophet to shew vs the way hee is our Priest to make the way to God hee is our King to make vs liue in Gods sight that we may not crie as Hos 14. Hee shall reuiue vs and wee shall liue in his sight This is our confident accesse to God without feare that the sight and presence of God shall not kill vs. All the workes righteousnesse and mediation of men and Angels cannot make way for vs to God but onely Christ his Sonne Hee is the only way and entrance to God Reason For Gods loue mercie face presence are shut vp from vs and infinitly remooued from sinners yea such is the contrarietie of mans corrupt nature to Gods infinite pure and holy nature that it infinitly separates and remooues him from God Luk. 16.26 by such a â—hasma or gulfe that onely by such a person and high Priest as is infinitely holy separate from sinners Heb. 7.22 and higher then the Heauens can this gulfe bee filled vp to make way to God Therefore Christ first descended into the bottome of our hell Eph. 4.9.10 and miserie and from thence ascended Heb. 2.9.10 farre aboue all things that hee might bee our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bring many children vnto Glory Heb. 2. For be we neuer so neere God in place Church ordinances yea and haue God in our mouthes and could eate his reall flesh yet our hearts and natures are infinitly remooued and separated from God without Christ the Sonne of his bosome bring vs to him and hee is Emanuel God with vs so that now Rom. 8.39 neither height nor depth can separate vs the Sonne of God the second person hauing brought vs so neere to God For no euill is so great a meanes of separating vs from God as Christ is good and a meanes to bring vs to God the chiefe good No euill of sinne or punishment so contrary or remote from God as Christ is neere to God equall with God and one with God and pleaseth God more then all sinnes can displease him Matth. 3. vlt. My beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3.17 Iohn 1.18 Iohn 1. The onely begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the Father hee vnfolds God to vs and makes vs neerer and deerer to God then sinne which comes out of the bosome of the deuill can make vs hatefull and detestable to God and this onely Christ can doe To bring two such contrary natures together as light and darkenesse Gods infinite pure nature and our fleshly corrupt nature must needes bee by an infinite meanes of infinite merit and vertue God and sinne are so contrary Therefore count all as doung for Christ to bring thee to God Our wit wealth beauty learning righteousnesse goodnesse may make way for vs to men and Kings priuie-chambers and to mens Thrones and Courts Rom. 4.1 But considered with our sinnes they are doung to God and hee casts vs and all ours as dung out of doores see Phil. 3.7.8 Hereby wee see the difference betweene Philosophy the glasse of the creatures the Law of God and the glasse of the Gospel 2. Cor. 3.18 In the Law and in Philosophy this question is much moued and intreated of what the chiefe good and happinesse of man is and how it may bee attained but onely Faith in the glasse of the Gospel resolues it fully To see the face of God which is our life and happinesse to behold the Father of glory and to attaine to this chiefe good and by what way and meanes to compasse him Rom. 16.25 Ephes 3.5 is the mystery hid from the foundation of the world The creatures all crie and professe they are not the chiefe good but point at God their Creator and direct vs to him The Law more cleerely shewes God to bee the chiefe good but how we should attaine vnto him it shewes not but but by a way impossible for flesh to goe Rom. 8.2 But the Gospel doeth more fully reueale God as mans chiefe good and shewes Christ to bee the onely way and meanes of comming to him Nature and Philosophy and all wit of man is dimme and weake in seeing and apprehending God the chiefe good but it s starke blind to discerne the way and meanes whereby man especially a sinner may come vnto God This is that hid wisedome 1. Cor. 2.7.9 which God determined before the worlds to our glory which neither eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor euer entred into the heart of man or Angel to conceiue how once falling from God by sinne they should euer bee able to recouer God againe and come into fauour and fellowship with him For there is no way in nature as by creation to God all way is hedged and stopped vp by sinne All
naturall good things haue a naturall way prepared by creation wherby to be attained but there is no way to attaine to that supernaturall chiefe good it s a light which cannot bee attained vnto 1. Tim. 6.16 The way is now prepared by grace that is Christ the Sonne sent from Heauen Ioh. 17.3 not borne by nature as a naturall way but sent from aboue as a Ladder reached vp to Heauen Gen. 28.12 Gods saluation which hee prepared before the face of all people Luk. 2.31 Luke 2.31 Question How is it then that wee are said to prepare the way Matth. 3.3 Answere Our preparation is for Christ who is the way It s not a way made by vs to God but a fitting of our selues for Christ who is the way and that is as much as in vs lyeth remoouing the things that hinder vs that is our sinnes by repentance and by faith receiuing Christ Not that repentance and Faith are our way or any meanes to attaine God our chiefe good but as preparations qualifications for Christ who is the only way and meanes of obtaining God For faith of it selfe and Repentance doe not iustifie vs or commend vs to God but dispose vs for Christ to inioy vse and improoue him in whom we walke as in the way to God and eternall life and happinesse Faith and Repentance and al◠good works are not worth a rush nor haue any vertue to bring vs to God but as they are from Christ and doe vse improoue Christ By faith we receiue and choose Christ as the only way to God forsaking all other waies and meanes and by repentance wee walke in Christ as in the way to God Col. 2.6 As yee haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him so that neither Faith nor repentance are the way but Christ Therefore as yee haue receiued Christ by faith as the way so walke in this way by Repentance that is forsaking all sinne and all meanes of safetie and lying vanities make vse of Christ Iesus only for all sauing good Who is made vnto vs of the Father Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification Redemption 1. Cor. 1.30 For Faith Repentance and all the works in the world without Christ cannot bring vs to God and are of no worth with God but as they make vse and improouement of Christ Vse Let vs therefore care for nothing but to get Christ and let Christ be the End of our Faith and Workes All our gaine and aduantage in life and death Phil. 1.21 and then let Christ alone for bringing vs to life heauen and happinesse Let vs by Faith make way for Christ to come into our hearts to be our Prophet Priest King Sheepheard that we may receiue him offering himself and then hee will make way for vs to God to heauen and eternall happinesse Let vs as sheepe that goe astray daily by Repentance Conuert and returne to Christ the Sheepheard of our soules 1. Pet. 3. vlt. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accesse with confidence or a confident accesse not such as was vnder the Law with feare and trembling where the sight was so terrible that Moses said I feare and quake See Heb. 12.12 13. with verse 18 19 20. Wee come not before God as Diuels and Malefactors drawne into Gods presence as before the Iudge with feare and trembling to be arraigned vnwillingly inforced by conscience nor yet as vncertaine beggers that roue and wander vp and downe for helpe and knocke at euery doore and so goe to Gods doore but know not what intertainement they shall haue there But wee haue good assurance and good securitie and go confidently in exspectation of finding good entertainment with God Heb. 12.12 13. Lift vp your weake hands and strengthen your feeble knees and make streight steps to your feete least that which is halting be turned out of the way c. As if he had said There is great danger and feare we bee turned cleane out of the way if we goe not confidently in the way Prou. 18.10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth to it and is exalted Running implies confidence Psal 33.6 They shall runne to him and their faces shall not be ashamed c. Vse This the property and vertue of this true Faith in Christ the Sonne of God our Mediatour whereby we must prooue and trie it and difference it from all faith in all creatures and all meanes out of Christ and all that affiance that man can haue in any naturall worldly helpes that this Faith in Christ steeles the heart and strengthens it with inuincible confidence more then any faith in any religion or any creature in the world It breeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a confident glorying and boasting Heb. 3. 2. Chron. 20.20 Trust in the Lord and ye shall be assured Rom. 5.2 that is your hearts shall be confident and free from those feares scruples auxieties whereby carnall men that trust in earthly things Luk. 12.29 hang in suspence like Meteors in the aire wasting themselues and their liues with continual cares feares and griefes and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Iam. 1.6 7 8. running from one helpe to another and are neuer secure Psal 27.14 Be strong and he shall strengthen your heart that is seeke all your strength and safetie by faith in God and not in earthly things and God shall strengthen your hearts with confidence No faith breeds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but this Luke 1.4 that is full certainty and Act. 2.36 Phil. 3.1 All other refuges that men flye vnto are with doubting anxiety and some distrust whether our workes or mediation of Saints or Angels or any creature because both the refuges themselues are not sure nor cannot promise certaine infallible helpe and therefore can giue no full securitie to the minde but God is a most sure inuincible and impregnable defence and strong tower and therefore the righteous runne to it with full confidence or secondly the meanes that men vse to attaine thereto may faile them and therefore they vse them not without care feare anxiety but Christ is a most sure and infallible meanes to bring vs to God and cannot faile and therefore this Faith in him breeds that confidence That as God is a sure strong and vndoubted defence that no man can make question So is Christ his Son like him as sure a Meane and Mediatour to come to him and to obtaine him But of this vertue of Faith and how it s increased and confirmed in Christ the obiect shall appeare more in the next Sermon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is boldnesse of face and freedome of speech Of all the vertues of Christ which he dwelling in our hearts exerciseth in vs Psal 3.3 this is one of the chiefe that he is the lifter vp of our heads and exalts our faces before God and giues vs free liberty of speech to plead with God that wee poore sinners dust and ashes
Now this Hand of God is also the Hand of Christ the second Person as made Flesh It s the Hand of Flesh especially as risen from the dead and glorified the holy Ghost is his Breath Shadow Wings Arme Hands and whatsoeuer proceedeth from him towards his Church both Ministers and people is nothing but that eternall Spirit the third Person who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Iohn 14.26 By which as High Priest Heb. 9. hee offered himselfe without spot to God as with his owne Hands So now much more the same Spirit proceedth from him in more abundance from his Flesh glorified For before Ioh. 7.39 the Spirit was not giuen in that abundance because that Iesus was not yet glorified But now this Flesh of Christ being glorified this eternall Spirit is all the Breath Armes Hands Strength Shadow Light and Glory of Christ He now breathes nothing but the holy Ghost and Spirit He breathed vpon his Disciples Ioh. 20.21 and said Receiue ye the holy Ghost He hath it now at command as his Breath and as naturall to him and can as easily and plentifully giue it He holds the 7. Starres his Apostles and Ministers in his right hand not of Flesh but of the holy Ghost and being risen he gaue commandements to his Apostles not by a humane breath and voice as before but more specially by the holy Ghost Acts 1.2 See Iohn 5. The time shall come and now is but shall be much more that the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God that is shall shall haue his quickning spirit 1. Cor. 15. The first Adam was made a liuing soule and all that he could communicate to his posteritie and children if he had continued in innocency had bin only a liuing soule qualified with Gods holy Image but the second Adam is made a quickning spirit which hee communicates to his members and posteritie and which proceedes from him This Spirit is Christs light by which he shines to vs Eph. 5. Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead and Christ shall shine vnto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whatsoeuer proceeds from Christs Flesh now in heauen is nothing but Spirit He is ascended farre aboue all things Eph. 4.7 8. to fill all things with his Spirit Whereas therefore he is said to feed vs from heauen with his Bodie as Manna and to wash vs from our sinnes in his blood to guide vs with his light all this is nothing but his Spirit which being purchased by his death comes as it were through his body and blood giuen to vs as our own flesh and blood This Spirit is obtained and giuen by his death and sufferings and comes to vs by his humane flesh and nature into our flesh and nature Ioh. 6.63 Therefore his Flesh is called meate indeed and his blood drinke indeede For the flesh of it selfe profiteth nothing but because for the merit of his sufferings in his flesh and by it as by a cundit the third Person the holy Ghost proceeding naturally from the Father and the Sonne is hereby procured to flow issue and come forth to vs and into our hearts by grace Galat. 4.4 Because yee are sonnes reconciled to God by the death of his Sonne God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father The Spirit doth and would euer naturally issue and proceed from God into vs as Iam. 1.17 did not our sinnes stop the currant and keepe him out of our hearts by our indisposition and vnworthinesse and vncapablenesse of receiuing him as Ioh. 14. Which the world cannot receiue because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but our sins remooued and abolished by the death sacrifice of Christ and by his flesh and body broken through it as by a conduite the spirit againe hath its issue and vent to flow into our sinfull flesh and hearts and God becomes againe that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That liuing God Iam. 1.3 that giues to all men simply without exception whatsoeuer his sinnes he and reproacheth no man that by faith comes to him but poures of his Spirit vpon all flesh Act. 2.17 This Spirit as its God the Fathers hand so it s Christs our Sauiours hand the hand of flesh which Christ reacheth from heauen to vs as to his brethren and takes vs by the hand Now that Christ is glorified in our flesh and nature that Spirit which from eternitie proceeded from the Father and the Sonne and was as their breath and hand by which they made the worlds and breathed into mans face the breath of life and made him a liuing soule the same spirit and third person doth now proceed from the Father of Christ as man and from Christ the second Person Incarnate and is now both the breath of Christ and the arme of Christ which breath of eternall spirit Christ now breathes into man dead in sinne to make him a new creature created in Christ Iesus vnto good works creating anew all the powers and faculties of soule and body as it were new hands and feete quickned with a new life for new motions towards God and seruices and workes it s the hand and arme of Christ which he now reueales and makes bare from heauen and thrusts into our hearts quickning and creating in vs new hands that is new faculties of our soules to lay hold on and fasten on spirituall good purchased by his death and offered vs by his Gospel Christ by his Priestly Office hath performed all things needfull for our saluation and prepared all sauing matter And by his Propheticall Office in the Ministery of his Word offers vs himselfe the second Person incarnate to be our Sauiour and all his sauing benefits and spirit if we will reach forth our hands that is the faculties of our soules to receiue and apprehend him but our hands lye dead in sinnes that is our minds and hearts from vnderstanding choosing willing and affecting any such Person and his Spirit and benefits offered Therefore Christ as King risen from the dead and as Lord of life reacheth forth his arme hand from heauen and creates in vs new hand◠that is new mindes and hearts Hee breathes into vs the breath of life that is his quickning spirit that quickens our dead hands to apprehend spirituall things For the naturall man by his naturall soule and spirit 1. Cor. 2. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore the Spirit creates in vs. First a right hand of Faith to know and apprehend the Person of the Son of God and to choose and take him for our Sauiour as he is reuealed and offered in the Word reiecting all other Persons Angels or Saints or any creature or our selues and our workes betaking our selues to Christ alone and to this second Person in Trinitie made flesh fastning vpon him and receiuing him as offered and commended to vs in the Gospel euen as crucified and made our King
finde strength and nourishment of confidence by it so it also giues it and makes vs bold with God and fearelesse of sinne and death as Christ incourageth Ioh. 16. vlt. Vse Therefore renouncing all other meanes of courage and confidence and seeking not to make our selues safe and bould in our selues our workes righteousnesse wealth friends let vs goe onely by Faith to Christ to giue all true confidence securitie and comfort of minde and heart by his death and blood as the onely bread of life and strength to the soule and of cordiall vertues For all carnall men feele feare and griefe and anxietie of minde and in this sense they go to the world and wealth to the Lawe and workes and seeke to secure and strengthen and free themselues from these feares and griefes and to heale themselues by wealth and trusting here to and say If I could doe and liue thus and thus and had so much wealth or performe this or that righteousnesse then my minde would be quiet and at rest and fearelesse But these things can neuer giue securitie and rest to the minde and heart but vexation Goe to Christ by Faith and hee will giue thee rest Matth. 11. verse the last Vse Therefore confidence is as well a fruit of Faith as the forme of Faith For Faith goes to Christ for increase of it selfe its life and strength of confidence It could not goe at all to Christ if it had not some strength and life of confidence but because it feeles weakenesse of feare and doubting it goes to Christ to bee incouraged and strengthened and quickned more crying Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith and giue vs mor◠courage and strength of Faith in heart by feeding vs with thy body and blood Mar. 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeleefe Therefore he saith here by Faith of him that is by going to Christ by Faith and betaking our selues to him and laying hold on him wee haue a confident accesse to God with more confidence then we can haue by laying hold on and choosing any other to lead vs. Therefore eate his Body and drinke his Blood that is take and choose his Death blood for your onely meate to nourish strengthen your hearts with comfort and peace as onely cordiall to giue you courage and confidence against sinne Satan and boldnesse with God and it will doe so For as meate requires some life and strength to take eate and digest it and so it giues and increaseth more life and strength to the heart So Christ the bread of life requires some strength of Faith to receiue him and digest him and so he giues more strength and courage with God and against sinne Therefore we must goe to the Sacrament as well to increase faith as to bring Faith with vs. In going we must by Faith renounce all comfort and confidence in our selues and all creatures and goe out of them to Christ onely and imbrace him that hee may giue vs all true boldnesse and confidence towardes God that nothing may incourage vs but Christ and that hee may giue vs better courage then any other creature can giue vs. Choose and take Christ for thy onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy guide and Captaine to lead thee to God and hee will incourage thee with inuincible strength and confidence and giue thee a heart of steele but trust to any thing else and it will faile thy heart and not be a sure Rocke to it but leaue it in feare doubting anxietie Goe to Christ onely and hee will giue the legges to goe better and strengthen thy feeble knees and make straight steps to thy feete and incourage thy heart to come more to him and to God by him but goe to any other and they will increase thy feares doubts and scruples Take heart to goe to God by Christ incourage thy heart and hee will giue thee more courage Bee strong and he shall strengthen your hearts Psal 26.14 All true Ministers and Christians boldnesse and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to preach or goe to Gods house to appeare before him to worship him is by faith in Christ and towards God as seeing him and in sinceritie approouing the heart to him as beholding him in Christ 1. Thess 2.1 2. The hypocrites boldnesse is only towards men in blindnesse and darknesse not seeing God but only men whose eyes and eares they can please and only satisfie their exspectation If Ministers could manifest Gods face and presence and God would shew himselfe in them as in the Primitiue Church only beleeuers durst ioyne themselues to the Church and to the Lord hypocrites would either abhorre or tremble or bee ashamed to appeare Act. 5.13 14. 1. Cor. 14.24 25. The best and greatest boldnesse and confidence is towards God Diuels and wicked men by sinne pride malice or by wealth learning authoritie power may be bold towards sin full men weake and impotent and base like the earth as themselues but they haue no courage or boldnesse towards God but quake and tremble at his Maiestie and especially when they are ouermatched by death or any other euill They that are bold in mans day only beholding man shall tremble in the Lords day when God shall exalt himselfe Such as put their strength and confidence in their wealth pride malice are most feareful and cowardly with God and death Let vs draw neere with a true heart in assurance of Faith Heb. 10.22 without all doubt and scruple seeing we haue such an all sufficient High Priest ouer the House of God Heb. 7.25 that can perfectly saue them that come to God by him Heb. 7.26 holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and higher then the heauens that hath all-sufficiencie of all-sauing good as King Priest and Prophet to vanquish and remooue all sinnes and deuils and to conferre all good Receiue Christ into thee by faith lay hold on him to lead thee renouncing reason sense that thou mayest be strong and confident without all feare For therefore we feare and are in doubt because we looke to our selues and to our owne strength and righteousnesse and rest thereon and goe not wholly out of our selues to Christ to rest our hearts on him and to receiue him onely into vs to comfort and incourage vs but wee receiue the World or our workes into our hearts and feede on them which will neuer strengthen our hearts This bread wants that staffe and strength and vertue to vphold our hearts against sinne Satan and so many crosses that they cannot be strong but full of feare and doubting because they are not built on Christ the Rocke and are not fedde with his body broken and blood shed which only is that bread which strengthens the heart of man to goe to God without feare and fainting For therefore was Christs soule and heart and body broken with feare fainting horrors that ours might bee bound vp and healed If we haue no boldnesse with men but
feare their earthen faces tremble at their wrath whose breath is in their nostrils If the conscience of sinne make vs tremble before men how much more before God the Iudge 1. Pet. 3.15 with Isa 8.12 13. Seeke boldnesse with God It s nothing what boldnesse we haue with men that our hearts and consciences warrant vs to stand vpon Interrogatories with men and challenge Who dare lay any thing to our charg and we can shew our faces in any court stand vpon our righteousnesse But dare we doe so with God and stand vpon interrogatories with him either in Iustification as 1. Pet. 3.21 or Sanctification Psal 138.23 as Dauid Lord Prooue mee and try mee if there be any way of wickednesse in me In whom wee haue accesse with confidence as we haue our accesse to God out of our selues only in by Christ so we haue our confidence only in Christ and not in our selues First in regard of the matter all matter of confidence is only in Christ viz. his Death Resurrection Merits Righteousnesse Intercession as 1. Pet. 1 21. and 3.21 22. Luk. 18.9 with verse 8. and 13 14. 2. Cor. 1.9 Phil. 3.3.9 Secondly as the Rocke and efficient cause of our actuall confidence dispensing it to vs arbitrarily as he sees fit and we need as enemies troubles and dangers increase There is nothing in vs naturally but feare and a spirit of infirmitie and weaknes wherewith we are bound and goe faintly but Christ suggesteth and breatheth into vs a spirit of courage and confidence aboue that we haue by faith whereof faith is an instrument and meanes to draw it forth Our hearts naturally meditate feare and we weaken and discourage our selues and Christ incourageth vs and giues vs strength and confidence We must vnderstand that there is a double confidence 1. Seminall which is in faith a kinde of naturall child-like confidence seeded in vs whereby we are well perswaded of Gods fatherly heart and good will as little children naturally are of their parents affection and yet vpon all dangers and miscarriages or other accidents they feare and tremble through weakenesse of iudgement and apprehension and imbecillitie of nature in which infirmities its the parents wisedome and indulgency to incourage and comfort Eph. 6.4 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be furiously angry least they be discouraged and all together put out of heart So is it with God and his children they haue some child-like perswasion of God the Father his Loue by which they goe to him which perswasion is seminall in their hearts the first habite of Faith but which is not of strength to carry them to God with confidence when conscience of sinnes Satan and Enemies and dangers assault but by weakenesse of iudgement and apprehension and frailtie of the flesh they are ready desperatly to cry out for feare as the Disciples did at the sight of Christ comming like a ghost vpon the waters till Christ incouraged them strengthned them saying It is I be not afraid Christ is not furiously angry against our infirmities feares doubts but spareth vs as a Father spareth his childe that serueth him as well as he can Psal 103. though with neuer such weakenesse and frailtie and he supports vs in our feares and doubts as Psal 93.18 When I said my foote slippeth thy mercy O Lord held mee vp Psa 93.19 In the multitude of the thoughts of my heart that is full of feares doubtings distractions thy comforts reioyce my soule So Christ giues all beleeuers confidence dispensing it as we need against our many sins temptatious dangers enemies For as our life is hid with Christ in God so is our confidence which is our life and strength increased and dispensed as Christ pleaseth as 2. Chro. 20.20 Trust in the Lord and yee shall be assured that is confident If yee by faith goe only to God beleeuing that he is able and willing according to his promise to helpe and choose him only for your Sauiour and protector and reiecting all other betake your selues to him alone he will not only saue you but giue assurance and securitie of saluation before-hand which is indeede the greatest part of saluation the healing of the soule of sinfull feares doubts and scruples and stablishing the heart and minde in peace passing all vnderstanding as I haue before touched Obiect I feare my faith is not true because I cannot be confidently assured that God will helpe me not rest therein without feare Answ Our Faith may be true though weake and ioyned with feare Let vs striue therefore against the feare and weaknesse of our nature and flesh and vse our weake faith to go vnto Christ and he will giue vs strong confidence That is his gift and not of our selues It s that fruit or rather growth and increase of the first faith sowen in our hearts rightly improoued as Psal 26.14 Be strong and he shall strengthen your hearts and trust in the Lord that is doe you improoue your weake faith to goe to Christ seeking to him for strength and courage and increase of your faith and goe not to any creatures to make your selues strong confident and secure in them and Christ will giue you confidence and securitie as Psal 73.26 My flesh faileth me and my heart also but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer Vse This makes greatly for the comfort of the weake in faith And let vs not exspect a faith without feare infirmitie anxietie but striue against this weakenesse and lament it and vse this weake faith in going to Christ to strengthen it with confidence The chiefe treasure of confidence and of this life of faith Christ keepes in his owne hand and will haue vs in the sense of our weaknesse of faith in his promise to goe to him for it and depend on him to keepe strengthen and support our weake faith as he hath promised Matth. 12. That hee will not quench the smoaking flaxe nor breake the bruised reede We haue a small roote of faith in our selues but the body and truncke is in Christ by this small roote we liue and goe to Christ and cleaue to him and sigh to him in our weakenesse and being thus humbled we depend on him daily to support our faith increase our confidence which we must not looke to haue alwaies in our selues but in and from Christ as his free grace shall arbitrarily dispense the same Therfore he suffers some of his Saints and members to be more weake then others and fearefull and into some he infuseth a greater spirit of confidence Some goe weakely and faintly all their daies and can hardly lift vp their weake hands Heb. 12. and feeble knees to make streight steps to their feete And this Christ doth partly for exercise of his owne grace and mercy in supporting such weake ones and for exercise of our mercy and loue Rom. 15.1 2. 1. Thess 5.7 As the soule infuseth
can quicken and strengthen his heart with courage comfort and confidence inuincible and therefore chooseth no other foode but this and layes foorth his money Isa 55.2 and labour chiefely for this Iohn 6.27 being perswaded that all nourishing comforting and strengthning vertue to the heart is in Christes death blood and sufferings and that all other bread is but ashes Isa 44.20 and that a seduced heart deceiueth men that they cannot deliuer their soules from feeding on these vanities If wee beleeue that all comfort and confidence is in Christ crucified and goe to him for it we shall find him indeed that bread of life that will giue life comfort strength courage as he promiseth by his word and Sacraments In which Faith and sense of his feares deadnesse Dauid so often repaires to God praying Quicken mee O Lord Psal 119. according to thy promise Let vs likewise goe to Christ and say Lord Iesus thou hast promised that if wee come to thee thou wilt giue vs life if wearied with our pride infidelitie feares and doubtings wee lament the same and come to thee thou wilt ease and refresh vs with strength in our soules and not breake the bruised reed Lord Iesus renouncing all other meanes of easing resting and refreshing my soule and heart and of giuing mee comfort and confidence and to free me from my feares and cares sinfull troubles of minde I come onely to thee the Shepheard of my soule See Hos 14.3 who callest mee vnto thee as Matth. 11.28 and Psal When I am afraid I will trust in thee Therefore Lord ease and refresh my minde with confident rest and repose in thee from all feare doubting anxietie Thou hast promised to giue to the thirstie soule that faints with feare griefe and trouble of minde like the parched ground that gapes the water of life Lord Iesus thou wast weary and thirstie in body and soule askedst drinke both Spirituall See Heb. 4 15. 2.17 18. and bodily whereby thou perfitly knowest what it is to haue a wearie faint and thirstie soule full of feare griefe doubting and didst promise the water of life which I beleeue thou onely hast to giue and wilt giue and therefore I come to thee I know and beleeue that thou promisest no more then thou canst performe and that thy Spirit and righteousnesse can doe it and therefore I renounce all other meanes of refreshing and come to thee as thou callest mee crying in the last Ioh 7.37 and great day of the Feast promising to make a better Feast then that was or all the Feastes of the yeere euen a continuall Feast to all that are thirstie and come to thee to drinke to refresh and satisfie their hearts desires in thee onely as our Passeouer sacrificed for vs. 1. Cor. 5.7 8. Obiect But my feares and griefes and despaires are so great that I feele no faith at all but all faith and hope is swallowed vp Answere It is so to sense but not so indeed as with Ieremie Lament 3. My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord. Secondly it s not a wilfull willing and obstinate despaire reiecting all counsell and meanes of confidence as in Ahaz Isa 7.12 but a desperation lamented and striuen against with subiection to any counsell and meanes for the cure desiring and prizing Faith aboue all things and therefore is not damnable Thirdly especially if thou canst thus doe which is my counsell to thee to labour to doe that is to goe to Christ though quaking and trembling and full of feare flie not from Christ to any creature for refuge and confidence 1 Sam. 12.20 for that is to goe after vaine things that cannot profit Though by feares and doubts wee sinne and offend Christ yet flie not from Christ the only medicine of sinne cure of doubts infidelitie especially he calling commanding thee to come vnto him Therefore obey his cōmandement hope aboue hope and beleeue aboue thy faith that his grace mercy wil pardon and heale thy infidelitie say I will not vtterly feare despaire but in despight of my feares distrustfull heart and Satans temptations I will goe to him because he commands me If I cannot goe by faith yet I will goe by obedience because he commands mee to come to him and not suffer my feares to keepe mee backe I will resolutely cast my selfe on him if I cannot doe it faithfully yet with a wilfull resolution to obey his cōmandement though I cannot doe it with heart and affection delight as I would and should doe it Euen despairing of all hope from him of any good yet wilfully and resolutely cast thy selfe on him saying if hee will let mee perish so let it bee I will goe to him though without all hope and commend my selfe to him and if I perish I perish Obiect Oh but I can doe nothing but feare Answere Yet goe and cast thy feare and infidelitie and all thy sinnes on him who hath satisfied for them all and must heale them all chiding thy selfe for thy feares and doubts Why art thou so cast downe my soule Psal 42. and disquieted within me waite on God Christ and in despight of despaire with a contrary desperate resolution aboue all reason sense or hope say as Ionas Ionas 2. yet will I looke towardes thy holy Temple though to all reason and sense I am vtterly cast out from thy presence for euer I will not yet giue ouer prayer I will yet fight the good fight of Faith I will cast my selfe on him As there is in some wicked men a desperate wilfulnesse of rushing into euill against all meanes of restraint both of promises threats mercies and blessings from God and examples prouocations from men and a desperate will in men to aduenture vpon desperate meanes as if they were mad vpon no ground of reason or hope but only their owne foolish credulitie beleeuing their owne conceit and following the hardnesse of their owne hearts and desperate wils so much will they attribute and sacrifice such honour to the Godhead of their conceit and will That honour doe thou giue to Christ by a desperate resolution of a holy will converted to God aboue all hope and against all feares of apparent euils and discouragements to all reason vpon a credence of Gods word and promise against all arguments of despaire cast thy selfe vpon Christ because hee bids thee As Peter at Christs commandement goes vpon the waters and at his commandement casts forth his net to make a draught against all doubts and arguments of despaire Such authority giues Faith to Christs commaundement and word and such is the obedience of Faith Obey not therefore thy owne feares and doubts to beleeue follow them but obey Christs commandement to beleeue against all reason and sense feares doubts and despaires This is the obedience of Faith simple and absolute without any reason why but onely because Christ commands