of our Iustification look upon the Righteousness of Christ or know the glory God intends us Many things that concern our salvation have yet no other subsisting in us but what saith giveth them which yet are actually accomplisht in Christ they are in us yet imperfect which are compleated in Christ Fifthly it informs first of the infinite loveliness 1. Of Christ who had all the pourings out of divine love on him all the love of God that was due to himself and to all the Saints besides Secondly the infinite capacity of Christs Person who can contain in himself all the love and all the Priviledges of the love of God to all his Elect both in grace and glory Thirdly the infinite love of Christ to us in being willing to impart to us a share of that love of God that grace and glory of God that was only due to him in the right of the first and only begotten 2. Use For instruction 1. When we go to God for any manifestation of his love or any dispensation of love in any spiritual or heavenly blessings go out of your selves get into Christ in him alone we can know his love and receive the blessings of iâ— Eph 1.3 Nothing comes to us immediately from God but mediately in and through Christ who is Mediatour between God and us in all things divine have hath decreed for us Secondly how much doth it concern us a mong the highest and chiefell concernments of salvation to have our union with Christ our interest in Christ cleared up There only we can know what divine love purposed for us from everlasting what it hath done for us what it hath further to bestow upon us how it is forming and fashioning us by degrees into a blessed Conformity with the Son of God in grace and glory Thirdly let this teach us how to manifest our love to God how to return our love to God in faith and all the duties of our worship and obedience after the manner of all the dispensations of Gods love to us that is do all to God in and through Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Col. 3.17 3. Use In point of Consolation 1. Admirable comfort to be loved of God with any kind of love is sweet but to be loved of God in Christ to be loved as Christ this excelleth To have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings afflictions reproaches is great honour but to have fellowship with Christ in the love of God and all the wonderful effects of it This is to Admiration Secondly therefore the love of God hust needs abide and the state of Saints â—ternal immurable unchangeable in Gods love because â—t is in Christ Iesus â—nd they maâ—e of God to be not in â—hemselves but in Christ ROM 8.38 For I am Perswaded WE are come to the fourth ground of this great Persuasion of the Apostle â—rist Jesus our Lord. Mark the order First here is a marvellous and mysteâ—ns yet real Communion between God â—â—d believers Secondly the Bond of this Commuâ—â—on is the love of God in himself Thirdly the great manifestation and â—ensation of this love of God to us â—n Christ Iesus Now follows the â—â—th This Christ Iesus is our Lord. Doct. We are to consider that Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 great Lord Christ is to be considered in a twofold capacity as the eternal Son of God and as God-Man or Mediator In both respects he is a Lord. 1. As he is the only begotten Son of God by eternal generation So he is Lord of the whole Creation of God all things have their being and sustentation of him Col. 16.17 Heb. 1.3 He is called the Image the first-born Col. 1.15 The first-born in Scripture notes Principality Lordship and Dominion the first-born is Heir of all and the Heir is called Lord of all Gal. 4.1 From this his Primogeniture the Apostle inferreth his Lordship or Dominion over the Angels Heb. 1.6 Secondly as he is Mediatour God-man so he is Lord. 1. By Ordination or Constitution Heb. 1. 2. Him hath God appointed See that John 3.35 The Man Christ is made Lord of all Acts 2.26 He hath this Lordship by Patent from the Father he hath it by Commission John 5.22 He hath committed all Judgment to him by Judgement here we are to understand an absolute dominion and sovereignty over all things and all persons in heaven earth and hell Phil. 2.9 10 11. Hence we have the four beasts with twenty four Elders with the Angels Rev. 5 11 12 13. Thus the Man Christ is said to be made higher then the Kings of the earth Psa 89.27 Rev. 19.16 Secondly by Unction he is anointed with the power of a Lord Acts 10.38 and this power is universal Mat. 28.18 And he is anointed with the spirit of Wisdom and that Wisdom is proportionable to his Power that all Power and this all Wisdom Col. 2.3 By both these he is throughly furnisht for the administration of that dominion which belongs to him as Lord Power to protect Wisdom to govern all his subjects and servants Power to crush Wisdom to defeat all the counsels of his enemies Power able by weakness to confound things that are mighty and Wisdome able by foolishness to bring to nought the understanding of the Prudent and both these anointed with Righteousness the stability of every Kingdom and the Perpetuity of Christs Heb. 1.8 Thirdly by Conquest and Victory he hath overcome all his enemies he hath overcome the strong man Satan taken away his Armour divided the spoils of that Kingdom of darkness Luke 11.21 he hath overcome the wrath of God the severity of his Justice the Malediction of the Law Gal. 3 13. He hath blâ—tted out spoiled Principalities Col. 2.14.15 Jer. 12.31 He hath overcom sin Dan. 9. 24. He hath overcome the world Iohn 16.24 He hath abolisht death 2 Tim. 1.10 Rev. 1.18 Secondly we are to consider Jesus Christ as the Lord of his Church Lord of all believers Col. 1.18 that he might have the Preeminence or Lordship All believers acknowledge him to be their Lord 1 Cor. 8.6 when they first receive him by saith they receive him as a Lord Col. 2.6 Thus the Angels preach'd him to the faith of men when he was first-born into the world Luke 2.11 Thus the Apostles preach'd him when they exhibited him to the saith of the world by the Gospel Acts 10. 30. Every particular believer may say of Christ as David My Lord Psal 110. 1. and as Thomas John 10.28 Let us consider what the nature and quality of Christs Dominion or Lordship over believers is and then how it is exercised 1. The quality of Christs dominion of Lordship over believers and his whole Church is a dominion of grace Rom. 6.14 a Kingdom of righteousness and grace Rom. 5.21 Grace hath reigned through Righteousness by Iesus Christ our Lord. Secondly it is exercised in a way of grace he is called a gracious Lord 1 Pot. 2.3 First by converting their souls by pulling down the
strong holds of sin and Satan in their Consciences by casting down the imaginations and bringing them into subjection 2 Cor. 10.4 5. This he doth Ministerially by the Word of Reconciliation effectually by his Spirit Thus being delivered from the power of darkness they are translated into the Kingdom of Gods dear Son and Christ is become their Lord. Secondly he is the only Lord of their saith as he is Authour of it Heb. 12.2 To him only we can say as that poor man Lord I believe help my unbelief as the disciples Lord increase our saith And he only is the object or matter of our faith the Apostle preach'd him the only Lord our faith 2 Cor. 4. 5. It is highest sacriledge horrible usurpation to impose any thing to be believed for salvation which Christ hath not commanded Thirdly he is Lord by justifying their persons and forgiving their sins he is called the Lord our Righteousness Ier. 23.6 He is to us a Melchizedech a King of Righteousness Heb. 7.2 To forgive sin is Royalty the Prerogative of such a Person who hath dominion over us as a Prince and Lord Acts 5.31 Fourthly by ruling leading governing them whom he hath justified and pardoned Isa 55.6 This he doth by writing his Laws in their hearts by giving a spiritual understanding in the knowledge of his Will by forming and fashioning their affections and conversations into holy obedience to the heavenly and spiritual nature of his Kingdom Fifthly by affording all needful supplies to all their wants by affording mercy and grace to help Joseph was made Lord of Egypt and he had all the Granaries and Store-houses at his Command to dispence So Christ is Lord of all his Fathers Treasures and he giveth all things 2 Pet. 1.3 Sixthly in protecting upholding succouring them in all their dangers amidst all their temptations infirmities discouragements 2 Cor. 12.9 by his compassions pltying them Heb. 4.15 by his power and grace helping them by his care and wisdom proportioning their strength to their trials to him every believer may say Lord save me or I perish Seventhly in overcoming all the enemies of their salvation the two Heads or Generals whereof are Satan Rom. 16.20 and Antichrist Rev. 17.14 Eighthly he hath manifested himself to be our Lord when he died for us and rose for us and sate down at the right hand of God for us and hath quickned us together and raised us together and set us together with himself in heavenly places Eph. 25 6. Thirdly consider how much this consideration that Christ lesus is our Lord doth afford to this triumph or ful persuasion of faith that nothing can separate us from the love of God He is our Lord and Lord over all creatures in Heaven Earth and Hell Lord over Angels Men Devils Lord over Life and Death Lord over all Prineipalities and Powers Lord in the heighths and Lord in the depths Lord over things present and Lord over things to come such as have a Lord so full of Love Power Wisdom Compassions Grace can never fall from the Love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. 1. Use Is Christ Iesus a Lord over all creatures here is encouragement for any poor creature that lies under the sense of sin and wrath to come to Christ and say Lord save me or I must perish Doth the wrath of God threaten thee run to Christ and say be mâ—rciful to me O Lord under the shadow of thy wings I come for shelter Dost thou feel a dominion of sin a tyranny of prevalling lusts leading the captive come and say Lord many lores have dominion over me O let me be under the Dominion and Government of thy grace Doth Satan pursue Conscieâ—ce accuse Law condemn Death threaten Hell open upon thee Come to Christ who hath spoiled Satan pacified Conscience satisfied Law abolisht death triumph'd over Hell he is Lord over all hath swallowed up all in victory Dost thou want a Righteousness to lustifie thee Christ is Lord of Righteousness Dost thou want Pardon of sin Christ is Lord and hath power to forgive sin Dost thou want any grace within the whole compass of the Promises Ordinances Treasures of God Christ is Lord of all Dost thou want a good title to Heaven Christ is Prince of life and Lord of Glory 2. Use Is Christ Iesus in a special manner the Lord of his Church the Lord of believers I. Let us own Iesus Christ to be our Lord for this end two things are necessary First Faith when the Apostle represents this Lord absent to us he saith We walk by faith 2 Cor. 5 6 7. Other lords are present with us to command encourage oversee over rule and to reward us Christ is absent therefore to stand in awe of him to be diligent in his Work to do to suffer for him to fear to offend him to endeavor that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him this requires much faith Secondly the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12.3 It is not every one that saith Lord Lord Many that live under the Education and external Profession of the Gospel in words call Christ Lord yet they will never yield up themselves in obedience to him as their Lord without the over-ruling grace and power of the Holy Ghost II. As ye have received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk in him Col. 6.2 Give up your selves consciences thoughts desires the secrets of your souls and the conversations of your lives to be guided ordered governed by his Word and Will Thirdly honour Christ Iesus your Lord both in life and death Rom. 14 7.8 9. Fourthly let us be faithful sincere constant and abundant in his service we have a Lord that can and will reward us 1 Cor. 15. ult Fifthly if Christ Iesus be our Lord let us trust him and live in dependance upon him for our present subsistence and future expectations the Lord never failed them that waited on him ROM 8 38 39. I am Perswaded THE Apostle having taken himself and all believers to their strong holds which is Communion with God and having strengthned this Communion with God by love and fortified this love of God in Christ Iesus and having engaged Christ Iesus his Lord his Leader the Captain of our salvation Now he prepares for the encounter 1. He takes a view of all his adversaries and then encourageth his faith against them all I am Perswaded Expects an assault from all kind of enemies Satan mustering his Aemies from the four quarters of Heaven Earth and Hell compassing the Camp of the Saints endeavoring to overthrew the beloved City the strong hold of Gods beloved ones he musters death and life Doct. Such as are beloved of God in Christ Iesus may yea must expect to encounter all kinds of enemies or evils possible or imaginable in this world I. In these enemies the Apostle reckons up in the Text which befal Saints on the Account of Gods love to them First consider the reality of them they are
THE Inseparable Communion OF A Believer WITH GOD IN HIS LOVE Being the Substance of Several SERMONS Preached on ROM VIII 38.39 By that Reverend Minister Mr. THOMAS MALLERY late Pastor of a Church in London LONDON Printed for R. D. near the Royal Exchange MDCLXXIV AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE Christian-READER THE Author of this short Treatise was so well known to the Churches of Christ in and about this City that neither himself nor any of his holy Labours do need an Epistle of Commendation to them For though he be dead he yet speaketh by his past Example to Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And by his Ministry which he Managed as the Steward of God holding fast the faithful Word with uncorruptness and dispensed with gravity sincerity sound speech as cannot be condemned rightly dividing the Word of Truth whereby as he did approve himself to God a Workman that needed not to be ashamed so also to every Mans Conscience that knew him and more especially to the Flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him Overseer to whom in Christ Jesus both his Personal Grace and Ministerial Abilities are acknowledged as the Auther and Finisher of them The design therefore of these few lines is not so much to bespeak an Acceptance with the Reader as to Advertise him That these Sermons were not prepared or for ought is known ever intended by himself for the Presse but are made publick by some of his Friends in whose Memory his Name and Labour yet live as those that God made useful and savoury to them when he Preached them and which they hope may be Profitable to all the Saints Yet the Reader may be assured That they are the true Copy of his own Notes the Errors of the Transcriber excepted which he Prepared to methodize what of the Word he Ministred in his daily course which were enlarged and further emproved in the lively Delivery of them which latter if we could present thee with as truly as the substance of them is here emitted especially if it had pleased the only wise God to have spared him to a Review of them by that spiritual Judgment which he was singularly blest with to deliver the things of God not only solidly but in many things very sublimely there would need no Apology to the World whose course is to censure rather then to study profit by the Labours of Gods Servants for the seeming abruptnesse of some of his notions and the brevity of the whole which last inconvenience yet is attended with this advantage That the godly Reader may with less expence of time peruse them and with greater facility retain them and the worth and weight he finds in them will recompence his labour through the blessing of the Holy One who teacheth us to profit as he hath Promised to all that are interessed in this inseparable union to and communion with him in Jesus Christ who will through him make us Conquerours over the unprofitablenesse of our own hearts as well as all other our spiritual enemies The Substance of several Sermons ROM 8.38 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come Nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. IN the 33. and 34. verses we have Paul with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration he sets one foot on Mount Calvary where Christ died the other on Mount Olivet where Christ ascended and by faith takes in a full view of the infinite dimensions of the Grace of Justification and triumphs over the Law and Satan the grand Accuser of the Brethren In 35 36 37 verses he triumphs over the world and the worst the world can do by power or malice by faith in the love of Christ In the Text is a higher Rapture of faith it takes a view of all things in Heaven Earth and Hell and triumphs over all Enemies real or imaginary that can be supposed to endeavor to separate believers from the love of God in Christ ver 38 39. 1. Here we have one thing implied a Mystery that lies hid in the bosom of the Text viz. Communion with God Secondly the Bond of that Communion the Love of God Thirdly the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or first subject of that love Christ Jesus Fourthly the Propriety Believers have to Christ for this end viz. Communion with God in his love Christ Jesus our Lord. Fifthly the triumph of faith in this love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord over all things in Heaven Earth or Hell that can be supposed to separate from the love of God 1. All Believers have a most intimate spiritual Communion with God though in a mystical and wonderful way This truth is couched in the Text and lies hid like a spring in a Watch which yet moves all the Wheels in the Work it is implied in the word Separate for separation is the disjoyâ—ting or disuniting of things conjoyned together in common union and therefore somthing and in the first place is to be spoken to it In which we must consider three things Union Communion Communication between God and Believers 1. We must consider the Union that is between God and Believers which is the foundation of all Communion There are several sorts of Union First A natural union an union of persons in the same common nature such an union there is between Christ and believers Heb. 2.11 and through Christ between them and God for hereby God became Emanuel God with us one with us and we one with him Secondly there is an union by Covenant thus all the sons of men were one with the first Adam the Apostle speaks of this one man as including all men Rom. 5.18 Such an union there is between Christ and believers Eph. 1.10 and through Christ with God Zach. 13.9 I will say it is my people and they c. Thirdly there is an union of Amity or Affection as between Jonathan and David 1 Sam. 18.11 and 20.17 as between those Acts 4.32 such an union is between believers and Christ Eph. 5.25 Christ loved his Church and gave himself Such also between God and believers now reconciled by Christ Eph. 2.14 Fourthly there is a Conjugal union of persons by Marriage Eph. 5.28 31. such an union there is between Christ and believers 2 Cor. 11.2 and such between God and believers Isa 54.5 Isa 62.5 Hos 2.16 19.20 Fifthly there is a spiritual union between all believers 1 Cor. 12.13 such an union hath believers with Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 and through Christ with God 1 Cor. 2.13 with Eph. 2. ult But there is an union of believers with God beyond all these most spiritual most mystical and as yet incomprehensible such an union as is made to resemble the union between the Father and his Son John 14.20 and John 17.21
could see this Numb 23.19 This fenced and fortified them there in Gods love against all the sorceries and inchantments of their enemies This also fenced and fortified them in Gods love against the greatest provocations by their own sins Hos 11.8 9. God loved Jacob in the Womb and continued to love him through Old and New Testament Mal. 1.2 Rom. 9.13 Thirdly the faithfulness of God confirmed by Oath by which they are fenced and fortified in the love of God against all their own backslidings and the severest dispensations of Gods displeasure Psal 89.30 33. Nevertheless my loving kindness confirmed by Covenant and Oath v. 34 35. Fourthly the All-sufficiency of God He is God of all grace and hath called them he will settle them 1 Pet. 5.10 Thus they are fenced and fortified in Gods love against all their own wants doubts weaknesses and imperfections 3. Dem. Is taken from the nature and quality of the love of God to believers as it is said to be in Christ Jesus First hence it will appear to be an everlasting love from eternity to eternity the love of God was from everlasting to everlasting Jer. 31 3. and the love of Christ is to everlasting John 13.1 Believers have full security for their continuance in Gods love because it is the love of God in Christ who is to carry it on through all its passages oppositions seeming interruptions to Eternity Secondly the Lord Iesus his love is a victorious love it brings off believers more then Conquerours over all things that can attempt or endanger a separation Rom. 8.35 37. More then Conquerors because whenever they fight with any enemies for the prize the love of Christ they always come off Conquerors not wounded nor wearied nor discouraged nor with any loss but they come off sounder stronger holier fuller of all grace and more confirmed in the love of Christ Thirdly the love of God in Christ is indelible the persons are engraven on his heart it is invincible they are engraven as a Seal on is Arm Cant. 8.6 you may as easily pluck out Christs heart as pluck away believers from his love she is seal'd on his Arm to shew that mighty Power Christ still engageth to keep them in his love to support her infirmities and to subdue all the enemies that rise up against her 4. Dem. Is taken from this love of God as it is scituated in Christ Iesus our Lord. First he is Son and Heir of all Gods love and the Heir is Lord of all Jesus Christ is Lord of all his Fathers love and the love of God the Father is primarily his portion and inheritance Now this Jesus Christ is our Lord so that what he possesseth of Gods love is ours and upon what terms he possesseth it It is for us Iohn 17 23 26. Now who can dispossess Christ Jesus of Gods love or separate him from the love of God No more Secondly the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord is Protection to itself and all that are under it against the violence of all its enemies Cant. 2.4 his Banner over me was love Where the colours is there is the Captain where the Standard or Banner is there is the King The love of God in Christ Iesus our Lord is as a banner displayed in the heart and a believer may say of all the enemies reckoned in the Tex as the Prophet Isa 8.9 10 for Emanuel God is with us Christ Iesus our Lord. Thirdly Christ Iesus our Lord will make believers invincible in the love of God what is the power of all these enemies in the Text to the power of Christ Jesus our Lord he will bring them under believers feet and make them know he hath loved them and they shall never separate them from his love Rev 3.9 5. Dem. Is taken from the nature and quality of that love of God which is in the hearts of believers which is produced by the love of God to us in Christ Jesus First there is more sweetness in the love of Christ then bitterness in all the sorrows troubles afflictions that be fal them for the love of Christ Jacobs seven years servitude seemed nothing to him for his love to Rachel Gen. 29.20 The love of Christ is said to be better then wine Cant. 1.2 4. Wine makes glad the heart Zach. 9.7 it makes a man neither to feel nor remember his sorrows the love of Christ in the foul makes every bitter thing sweet nothing can kill the love of Christ in the heart Secondly this love of Christ in believers hath a mighty potency in it 2 Cor. 5.14 stronger to keep us to Christ then all adverse power to separate us from him It conquers death that conquers all other things it swallows up the grave that swallows up all things consumes coals of fire which consumes all things and many waters Cant. 8.6 7. Thirdly that love by which believers love God as first loved of him dwell in God who then can separate 1 John 4.6 6. Dem. Is taken from the impotencie of all things that encounter a believer fortified in Gods love how mighty soever in themselves and in other Cases yet in this attempt they are impotent They are not able saith the Text to sepâ—rate So that if we shall consider the nature and quality of Saints Communion with God and of that God in whom this love is as in its original and the nature of it as in Christ Iesus as in Christ Iesus our Lord and the nature and quality of it as it is in believers then we may conclude the Point in hand Obj. But some say this Persuasion is not common to other believers Paul had it by revelation Answ First nay Paul had it by the lively exercise of faith on the doctrine of Justification by free grace as the context shews Secondly the Apostle in this Persuasion of faith includes all believers with himself shall not be able to separate us he is much perswaded for others as himself Thirdly though all believers have the same Communion with God and Christ Iesus in love as hath been declared all have not yet the same measure and degree of confidence assurance and full Persuasion of faith in this Fourthly no believers security is founded on the Persuasion of his faith but the Persuasion of his faith is founded on the love of God which is in Christ Iesus his Lord. A believer sins this weakens his faith he griâ—vs the Spirit this weakens his Persuasion he neglects the means this weakens his confidence it may be God for his trial voluntarily withdraws this weakens his assurance yet this stands firm nothing can separate him from Communion with God in love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1. Use For Instruction Let Christians who design and aim at the comfort of Christianity cast their thoughts defires endeavors into this Mould viz. how to compass an assurance of Gods love in Christ While some Christians are endeavoring desiring longing O that I knew
I had this grace that grace the other grace in truth Do thou endeavor to get thy state cleared up to thee in the love of God in Christ Jesus thy Lord. Hath Christ prayed that the World may know John 17 23. to their Conviction Conversion or Condemnation that God hath loved his And shall not they endeavor to know for this end First live much in Communion with Christ It is the love of God in Christ Jesus See John 17. ult Secondly dearly entertain the sweet Spirit of God Rom. 5.5 2. Use To such as have clear'd up to them their Communion with God in love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Bring up your faith to this Persuasion that nothing shall be able to separate you from Put on the breast-Plate of faith and love Fear no enemy for God hath not 1 Thes 5.8 9. I say to you as Gideon to his men Judg. 7.15 Arise for God hath delivered the whole Host of your enemies into your Hand Nor Death nor Life nor shall be able ROM 8.38 39. Nor Death nor Life shall THE Apostle having raised his Fortress built his Towers fenced and fortified his faith in its Communion with God in love through the Lord Iesus and having taken a distinct view of all his enemies now hangs out a Flag of defrance throws the Gauntlet triumphs in the Conflict over all The first rank of enemies he encounters with is death and life which he overcomes by faith Doct. A Christian fortified in the love of God through Christ or his Communion with God in love hath full security against all the attempts whereby death or life may endanger a separation I. We shall consider how far a believer may be in danger by death and life as to a separation from God and his love First as to death it is a dangerous e 〈◊〉 considered in its abstract nature First death is the punishment Gods Iustice every way fitted and proportioned to sin In the day thou eatest thou 〈◊〉 As sin contains in it all the evâ—l the creature 〈◊〉 do against God so death includes in it all the evils mischiefs miseries the wrath of God can bring upon the creature Secondly the Power of Death was committed to the Devil hence the generality of believers under the Old Testament were all their life kept in bondage through slavish fears Heb. 2.14.15 Thirdly death is a thing can no more have Communion with God then sin can sin is absolute opposition to Gods 〈◊〉 and purity Death is absolute opposition to Gods life and being he is called the living God who is eternal unchangeable immortal Fourthly death is attended with Hell in its first institution Rev. 6.8 which is everlasting separation from God By sin the creature separated it self from Go and its punishment was to be everlastingly separated from God Fifthly the Saints of God have mightily cried out to God when they have been in danger to be separated from God by death Heman Psal 88.3 4 5 10 11 12. David Psal 116.3.4 But death can never separate a believer from his Communion with God in love through Christ lesus First the love of God and the love of Christ never dies Death could not abolish Christs love to believers Iohn 13.1 nor can it abolish the love of believers to Christ Rev. 12 11. The love of Christ to believers and their love to him is strong as death Cant. 8.6 they never encountred death but overcame Secondly Saints have walked in the â—alley of the shadows of death and have â—ept their Communion with God and have not heard nor felt any evil Psal 3.4 Thirdly Christ hath taken the Power of Death out of Satans hand and taken it into his own hands and commanded his people to fear not Rev. 17 18. Fourthly Christ hath executed that revenge threatned Hos 13.14 against Death and the Grave for all the sorrows fears temptations cruelties it hath executed against him and his holy Saints Fifthly Christ hath abolisht death 2 Tim. 1.10 the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifiâ—s to make weak and useless to take away all the power and strength of a thing death is not now as it was its sting is gone Boys play with a Bee when the sting is out Nor only so but Christ â—ath brought in the room of it Life and Immortality hence that Iohn 11.26 Mat. 22.32 Sixthly Saints now die like Christ though in the Grave his soul was separate from his body yet neither was separated from the Godhead Though death may separate between soul and body in a Saint it cannot separate either from Communion with God Rom. 8.11 Seventhly death to Saints strengthens their Communion with God it separates an holy Saint from a filthy world a precious soul from a 〈◊〉 body precious graces from filthy corruptions 〈◊〉 precious Spirit from vile flesh Death to Saints separates only the precious from the vile whereby they come into more intimate Communion with God 2 Cor. 6.17 Eighthly it is not to believers Death and Hell follows it but Death and Heaven follows it Death is so far from separating it carries the soul into the full enjoyment of God Secondly let us consider how far a Christian may be endangered by life Here consider four things First the many errors slips falls backslidings believers are subject to in this life Psal 19.12 James 5.19 20. if any of you erre in judgement or practice How much by these things a believer is endangered to a separation from the love of God and his Communion with God appears Heb. 3.12 Hebr. 10.38 2 Pat. 3.17 Secondly they are endangered in this life by the corrupt customes and conversations of the ungodly with whom they converse in the world how apt Gods people are to this appears by that exhortation Rom. 12.2 How much they are endangered thereby See Psal 106.36 what great Apostacies false Professâ—â—â— have made thereby See 2 Pet. 2.20 Thirdly they are endangered by the profits pleasures promises and allurements of the world By these Demas was brought off from his fellowship in the Gospel 2 Tim. 4.10 Hence that 1 Tim 6.10.11 How much hereby they are endangered to fall from the love of God 1 John 2.15 Fourthly they are endangered by those many afflictions temptations reproaches persecutions that befal them in this life when many afflictions followed the believing Hebrews their 〈◊〉 began to saint their handâ— hang downs their knees grow seeble and their 〈◊〉 were in danger of turning 〈◊〉 from the ways of God Heb. 12. â—â— 1â— When Christ spake bus of his own sufferings to 〈◊〉 he startled and said Master 〈…〉 self when Christ call'd him to be an eye witness of his sufferings Peter 〈◊〉 to sleep he that promised never to forsake Christ to die with him comes to deny him had not Christ prayed aâ—prehand for him his faith bad utterly â—â—â—ed Yet none of these things that 〈◊〉 a believer in life shall 〈◊〉 him First not the first the Office of Christ is to
compassionate their 〈◊〉 Heb. 4.15 to present the sacrifice of himself for the errors of his people Heb. 9.7 See Eâ—â—k 24.10 he will succour their temptations and heal their backslidings he wil keep them from falling from the love of God and Communion with God and present Jude 24. Secondly not the second for Christ hath prayed John 17.15 16. Gal. 1. â— God hath promised to sanctifie them wholly and he will do it Thes 5.23 24. and Christ will do it 2 Tim. 4.18 Thirdly not the third God out-bids the Promises of the world 1 Tim. 4.8 when David in a temptation was ready to quit the ways of God by reason of the many hardships and difficulties and to fall in with the pleasures profits and prosperity of the world God kept him in close Communion Psal 73.23 24. Fourthly not the last because all these afflictions aâ—e made ordered and design'd to work up a believer unto a fitness for everlasting Communion with God in glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Heb. 12.10 Holiness sits for Communion with God 〈◊〉 The reasons of the point Reas 1. Because that God who hath taken believers into Communion with himself in love hath a Sovereignty and Authority over death and life and 〈◊〉 things that concern the state of both Deut. 32.29 Reas 2. All believers have Communion with Christ in his life and death Rom. 5.10 by which death and life and all things that befal them in life and death are sweetned and sanctified to them Thirdly Iesus Christ is to be magnified in believers whether it be by life or death Phil. 1 20. Fourthly Life and Death are reconciled to them who are reconciled to God they are ours as Christ is ours 1 Cor. 3.12.23 Fifthly Life and Death to believers are great advantages in Christ Phil. 1.21 Sixthly a Christians state in life and death is wholly consecrated to God â—om 14.7 8. 1. Use Let this caution believers concerning Life and Death both of them naturally afford many advantages to the enemies of your salvation continually against you In life walk circumâ—â—â—â—â—â— you walk among snares be thou in the sear of the Lord all the day be in the faith of the Lord all the day be faithful unto death Wonder not if you meet with strong Conflicts to the last Attempts will be made to separate you if possible from Use 2. Christians be diligent above all things like the Apostle to fortifie your faith in the love of God which is in c. Here is your comfort and security against all the troubles and temptation in life and all the fears and â—errours of death Life and death are at the Command of God for good and not for evil to his beloved ones with him is the fountain of life to him belongs the issues from death Use 3. This should teach us patience under all the afflictions or suffâ—rings that befal us in life or death Many evils sorrows temptations may sorely afflict the godly in life and death but here is the consolation none shall separate him The Apostle makes no reckoning of all other troubles when a Christian remains inviolable in his Communion with God in love ROM 8.38 39. Nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers WE have seen the Apâ—stle as the mighty Champion of believers encountring conquering and triumphing over the first Rank or Regiment of enemies that appear in this cause viz. that either attempt or endanger a separation The second Rank or Regimeat follow Angels Principalities Powers Life and Death are but certain states and conditions wherin Saints may be endanger'd abstractly considered are unactiver hangs in themselves but Angels Principalities and Powers are living Agents that have a mighty activity in them to hurt and endanger the welfare of such an they oppos Interpreters agree not in stating the quality of these three Agents First some by Angels Principalities and Powers understand the whole Host of good Angels distinguisht by their orders degrees and dignities as Cor. 1.16 The good Angels are called Principalities and Powers Secondly by Angels Principalities and Powers some understand the whole Host of Angels good an bad those in Heaven are called Principalitie and Powers Eph. 3.10 so are those in Hell Eph. 6.12 Thirdly but I rather judge the Apostle here intends three particular and distinct Agents all the creatures in Heaven Earth and Hâ—ll for by his last expression And no other Creature it appears he intended to take in all creatures By Angels I understand the good Angell in Heaven by Principalities the Rulers Magistrates Governours of this world Tit. 3.1 Luke 12.11 by Powers the Angels of darkness Eph. 6.12 Dect The Point is That neither Angels who are the Powers and Principalitie of Heaven nor men who are the Powers and Principalities of this world nor Devils whâ— are the Powers and Principalities of Hell shall ever be able to separate I shall consider the first particular touching Angels First why the Apostle ranketh good Angels among them who attempt or endanger to separate seeing there is no cause of fear or real danger from them in such a cause Answ 1. Because I answer first the good Angels stand not by their own strength if lest to themselves and the fraiâ—ty of their own nature they might fall from their present station become Apostates and turn as bad enemies to believers as Devils are Their stability and unchangeableness is not from any natural power of inherent grace in themselves The Apostle here speaks by suprosition not as if the good Angels would really attempt to do it but if they should they could not It is like that speech Gal. 1.8 If an Angel Saints in the height of their saith and confidence of security in God have supposed such dangers as never were like to be and triumphed over them as if they had really been Psal 46.1 4. This wonderfully magnifies the security of Saints in Gods love that it is above all real or imaginary possible or â—upposed dangers Thirdly the Apostle holds forth the greatest Hyperbole of faith the Elevation of a soul wrapt up in Gods love above and beyond every creature of the highest Perfection Therefore he takes in the latitude of the whole creature that is below God himself not only men and devils but even the Angels and triumphs over them in this Cause Fourthly the Apostle here speaks as a man going into the field to meet his enemie who in the height of his resolution in the confidence of his strength and skill in his weapon bids his enemy chuse his Weapon chuse his Ground chuse his Second to his best advantage So the Apostle arm'd with Gods love enclosed in Gods bosom and confident nothing shall separate him bids his enemy in this cause chuse his Weapon Life or death Chuse his Ground Earth Hell or Heaven chuse his Second Men or Devils or the whole Host of Angels if these shall appear against him he fears not to encounter them be doubts not of victory over them By this the