To be baptized Acts 8. 12 13. 36 37 38. 2. 38. 41. Mat. 3. 6. 13. 16. Joh. 3. 23. 26. Mark 1. 4 5. Acts 10. 44 47 48. Mat. 28. 19. with Gal. 3. 26. 29. Rom. 9. 8 9. Mark 16. 16. To doe nothing in Religion without a command from God see at what God complaines Jer. 19. 5. 7. 31. 32. 32 35. Levit. 10. 1. Deut. 17. 1. 18. 20. Mat. 28. 20. Mark 7 8 9. 2 Thes 1. 8. For breaking of bread Luk. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 24 21. To be prepared to duties Psal 10. 17. Job 11. 13 14 15. To obey Ezâ—k 36. 27. Psal 19. 11. Pro. 37. 23. Rev. 20. 6. 22. 14. To be fruitfull in season Jer. 17. 8. Psal 1. 2 3. Psal 92. 13 14. Isa 61. 9. 62. 12. Psal 84. 7. For abilitie to obey God Job 17. 9. Psal 84. 7. Isa 45. 24. 40. 29 30 31. Phil. 4. 13. Ps 68. 35. My God shall be my strength Isa 49. 5. That no temptation shall be above that we are able to beare and to have a good issue 1 Cor. 10. 13. James 1. 12. Rom. 6. 20. To know the truth Joh. 7. 17. 16. 13. 25. 9. 12. For direction in all our wayes Isa 43. 13. Psal 32. 8. 48. 14. To reprove others Levit. 16. 17. Pro. 28. 23. 29. 25. 24 25. To correct children Pro. 25. 15. 29. 15. 23. 13 14. For husbands to love their wives Eph. 5. 25 28 33. For wives to obey their husbands Eph. 5. 24. For children to obey their parents Eph. 6. 1 2. Servants to obey their Masters Eph. 6. 5 6 7. To leave false worship 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. To dwell in Sion c. Isa 35. 10. Jer. 3. 14. Psal 69. 36. Gods presence Rev. 2. 1. with 1. 10. 6. 2. 8. 13. For his blessing there Psal 132. 15. 37. 8. 84. 4. Deut. 12 5 6 7. Song 5. 1. For Saints to agree in the truth Jer. 32. 31. To have joy and gladnesse there Isa 51. 3. In reproaches for Christ Luk. 6. 22 23. 1 Pet. 1. 24. In persecution for Christ 2 Tim. 3. 12. 2. 12. Mat. 5. 10. Rom. 8. 18. In losses for Christ Marâ— 10. 29 30. Mat. 29. 28 29. In imprisonment for Christ Rev. 2. 10. In death for Christ Mat. 10. 29 Rev. 21. 7. Rev. 2. 10. Destruction of enemies Rev. 17. 16 18 8. 2â— For the calling of the Jewes Isa 60. The life of faith for protection and supply of wants For protection Psal 91. 11. 121. 8. 49. 8. Job 36. 7. Luk. 21. 18. Joh. 17. 15. To be delivered from the wicked 2 Thes 3 2 3. Psal 34. 40. A Harlot Eccle. 7. 26. For deliverance from unreasonable creatures Pro. 5. 23. If in famine and in warre Job 5. 20. If in captivitie Psal 106. 46. If in water Isa 43. 2. If in fire Psal 43. 2. In sicknesse Psal 41. 3. 103. 3. Exo. 25. 25. To be preserved from all evill Job 5. 19. 2 Thes 3. 2. Psal 121. 7. For clothing Mat. 6. 25. 28 30 32. Ps 37. 16. For food Psal 37. 3. Isa 33. 16. 37. 19. For dwelling Isa 33. 17. Psal 34. To be hid in danger Zeph. 3. 16 17. God will remember his Isa 44. 21. For successe in labour Psal 1. 3. 128. 2. Pro. 12 11. 14. Isa 65. 22. If falsly accused Psal 37. 6. For a good name Pro. 10. 17. Zeph. 3. 20. Isa 65 5. Psal 56. 5. For children Psal 121. 3. 6. For sleepe Psal 127. 2. Pro. 3. 24. Job 11. 19. Zeph. 3. 13. For a supply of all we need Phil. 4. 9. 6. If in prosperity Jer. 29. 5 6. till God see good we shall meet with no change it may change but God will never change Heb. 13. 5 6. If in adversitie to be content in a hard or low condition Heb. 13. 5. John 18. 11. Phil. 4. 11 12. it 's appointed 1 Thes 3. 3. Joh. 16. 33. Joh 7 30. We have need of them see 1 Pet. 1. 6. the time cannot be long till they shall be no more For the presence of God in trouble Psal 91. 15. 9. 9. 37. 39. That the trouble shall not be too great Jer. 30. 11. 2 Cor. 10. 13. To profit by them Heb. 12. 11. Joh. 13. 23. For deliverance John 5. 19. Psal 19. 17. 50. 15. For speedy deliverance out of them Isa 46. 13. The life of faith in glorification Which is by faith to behold the rest joy peace happinesse provided for us in heaven beleeving that God will give us after this life all those things with himselfe which he hath promised his Acts 20. 23. 26. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 4. For the resurrection of my body 1 Thes 4. 16. To have a spirituall body 1 Cor. 15. 43 44. To have a glorified body Phil. 3. 21. The Sun in the firmament is not so glorious as the bodies of the Saints shall be because the Sun is but a naturall body To have fulnesse of knowledge Eph. 3. 19. 1 Cor. 13. 12. To have fulnesse of joy and pleasure Psal 16. 11. Joy inward pure spirituall full eternall then no misery no hunger cold nakednesse nor paine griefe wearinesse but rest 2 Thes 1. 7. Without labour in rest tranquilitie in tranquilitie contentment in contentment joy in joy variety in variety security in security eternitie To have life 2 Tim. 2. 11 Col. 3. 3 4. Everlasting life Luk. 18. 30. then shall I never dye nor end being for duration eternall A fuller injoyment of God Saints and Angels John 17. 24. Col. 3 4. To see the Lord as he is 1 Joh. 3. 1 2. 1 Cor. 13. 12. To behold his glory John 17. 24. With him in glory Col. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 18. To have fulnesse of communion with God Eph. 3. 19. Sight is higher then presence union is higher then â—ight communion is higher then union as it flows from it full communion with God is more wee shall have as much as we can desire be filled with it and injoy the quintessence of all sweetnesse fullnesse goodnesse in God raised inflamed and ravished with him in admiration of him without intermission or wearinesse this is our greatest good and blessednesse and the end of our being To be for ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17. eternall communion is more 1 Cor. 2. 9. it transcends the expectation of the most inlarged heart faith beleeves the promises of glory so we live comfortably in the expectation of fruition when faith shall end in vision which will quickly be faith beleeves it hope expects it patience waits for it to make this life tolerable be patient indure all it will not be long ere glory come and be for ever for this cause we faint not 2 Cor. 4. Lastly to dye by Faith Which is to resigne up our soules to God beleeving death shall be a passage to glory the righteous
you judge not lawfull to be admit not to be thought to be and refuse to be called so Heb. 11. 24. Own that Church that owns the principles and doctrine of Christ unlesse there must be an agreement in the principles of faith wee cannot walke together Col. 2. 5. with Amos 3. 3. Follow not every one Luke 21. 8. Jer. 15. 19. Neglect not Christs discipline rest not in Ordinances slight not meane gifts Of your brethren judge and speake the best Mat. 7. 2. Rejoyce at their wellfare defend their credit expound doubtfull matters in the best part 1 Cor. 13. 7. give no offence Mat. 18. 7. Selfe-deniall Seeke not your selfe out of your selfe in the conceits of other men Admit of that which tends to selfe deniall deny selfe-opinion selfe reasoning selfe-counsell selfe excellency parts priviledges credit and all that is great in thy eyes or that which may make thee seeme so Selfe will selfe-comfort selfe ends deny all for the sake of God his truth and people Also you are like to see divisions and distractions use meanes to prevent them Isa 10. 26 27. see 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 2. 3. 1 2. The Sunne darkened Christ obscured heaven will shake and starres will fall from thence Mat. 13. 25. with Heb. 12. 27 28. When you see it be not you shaken Truth Contend earnestly for the truth and suffer for it Buy the truth and sell it not let not mercy and truth forsake thee betray not the cause of Christ Receive not any thing for truth unlesse iâ— appeare in the Scriptures If it be doubtfull what is truth consider which most opposeth the practice of the world which hath the least outward ingagements attending it which tends most to set forth the wisdome and love of God which are most for Scripture and whether their way be in the Scripture or alledge Scripture to prove their way which requires most selfe-deniall which most abaseâ—h man by these Rules yee may know which is the truth and way of God Temptation Trust neither your selfe nor Satan with any temptation Trouble Joy in trouble and persecution be content with any condition for a while it will not be long ere glory come Time Redeeme the time present to doe good in depend not on the time to come for it 's uncertain and not at thy disposing Of Usury It 's better to give usury then to take it but to doe neither is best avoyde both Word Regard nothing but the word of God in matters of Religion World Set aside the vanity of this world trust not in men Wrong Be more willing to receive wrong then to offer any to any Wisdome Be not wise in your own ' eyes Woman Many wise and strong men have fallen by women Fly young women admit no talke with them alone avoyde such persons places and occasions as may tend to insnare thee You cannot be too wary remember how David and Solomon were snared and fell greatly to the great dishonour of God and his truth and people and to their own great griefe and shame to the joy of their enemies and to the hardening of them in their sin Yeeld In things concerning your selfe be yeelding to others as much as you can but in the truth yeeld not in a little Remember Moses yeelded not a hoofe though it was but a small matter Zeale Take heed yee decay not in your love and zeale for God and so fall from your first love Counsell to the unmarried THinke not of marrying untill yee have 1. Sought God by prayer for strength and contentednesse to live a single life 2. Use such meanes as may best fit and inable thee to live a single life Observe a wary and temperate dyet and drinke Jacobs drink Joh. 4. 12. with 1 Cor. 9. 27. fit company fasting and prayer meditation on God diligence in thy calling c. It may please God to inable thee to live chastly a single life 3. Labour to know the conveniences and inconveniences which attend a married life Consider if yee be able and willing to drinke of the bitter cup of discontents which the married oft drinke off what cares and burdens attend that state 4. If upon the use of means for some space you finde your heart inclined to marry feare nothing cast thy care upon God be as wise as thou canst and venture upon a wife or husband in the way of the Gospel then 1. Pray to God to give thee a wise or husband that may be a meet helpe to thee a vertuous wife is the crown of her husband Crowns are rare and honourable every one hath not such a crowne her prise is far above Rubies Pro. 31. 10. No jewell is to be compared unto her shee is a gift of God worth asking 2. Doe nothing rashly snatch not the first that comes to hand prove she well or ill she may please for a moment and be a thorne in thy side for ever after 3. If thou art one of the Lords marry in the Lord love such as God loveth that which is desireable in a man is his goodnesse Pro. 19. 22. so 't is in a woman men seek wealth and beauty without Religion but these things cannot supply the want of Religion externall things will quickly blast and the most resolved loves vanish when the fuell of love faileth 4. Choose one sutable in Religion how can there be amity and love where divers Religions are no opposition is so strong as that which is for Religion contrariety causeth enmity Consider Deut. 22. 11. Job 1. 8 9. 2 Cor. 6. 15. and apply them Secondly Marry not as some doe one as old againe others as young againe such matches are unsutable and dishonourable Thirdly Choose one of a good disposition least yee smart for it a few odious qualities will in time weare off much doating delight Fourthly Sutable in respect of condition of life and ability of body to labour and fare as thy ability requires such as must fare and weare that which is costly and so weake not able to labour are fit for such as can beare it in respect of their states and minds 5. Take heed least yee wrong not any in not performing your promise also have a care of your carriage that yee expresse not your selfe in such a way as shall justly cause it to be interpreted love in that kinde a man may make such a profession of love and yet so expresse himselfe as he shall not be ingaged by promise when by his practice he is and so at pleasure depart to the great wrong and hazard of the other party without giving any sufficient reason of it It were well if the wrongs of this kinde were severely punished by the Magistrate to be an example to others 6. Marry with your Parents consent Deut. 7. 3. 1 Cor. 6. 36. unlesse they extend their authoritie to the hurt of soule and body in some cases the want of it is not sufficient to hinder as in case the party hath
love thy law and nothing shall offend them Psal 119. 169. 3. Seeing they are the inspirations of God it should cause us to cleave to the Scriptures heare nothing against it prove all things by the Scriptures it will be a speciall means against errors and heresies Christ made use of the Scriptures Luk. 4. 17. to 22. and directed others to doe so Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to have eternall life for they testifie of me Some deny that Jesus Christ is God The Scriptures prove that Christ is God 1. Because as the Father hath life in himselfe so hath the Sonne Joh. 5. 26. 2. Because the Angels ought to worship him Heb. 1. 6. 3. Because he laid the foundation of the earth Psal 102. Heb. 1. 3. He created all things Col. 1. 6. He made the worlds Heb. 1. 2. 4. He upholds all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. 5. He is the first and the last Rev. 1. 8. 6. He was before the world Joh. 17. 5. 7. He is the everlasting Father Isa 6. 9. 8. The Scripture saith expresly He is God Christ is God The mighty God Isa 6. 9. Very God Joh. 5. 20. The Word was God Joh. 1. 1. 14. Christ who is God over all Rom. 9. 5. Unto the Sonne he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever Heb. 1. 8. That the holy Spirit is God the Scriptures declare the Spirit is eternall Gen. 1. 2. 1. Because God is a Spirit therefore the Spirit is God Joh. 4. 24. 1 Cor. 12. 4. God is truth the Spirit is truth 1 Joh. 5. 6. The Lord is that Spirit 2. We are baptized in the Name of the Spirit Mat. 28. 19. We are equally baptized in the name of the three therefore they are one equall in authority 3. The Spirit creats Joâ— 35. 10. Ps 104. 30. God the Spirit are one inseparably God creats 4. To be the Temple of God and to be filled with the Spirit are all one 1 Cor. 13. 16. with 1 Cor. 9. 19. Luk. 1. 67. 1 Cor. 6. 19. 5. To lie to God and to lie to the Spirit is all one Acts 5. 1. To lie unto the holy Spirit 3. v. Thou hast lied unto God v. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. with Acts 16. 6. The Spirit anointed Christ and sent him to preach Isa 16. 1. Luk. 4. 18. see Isa 48. 17. 7. If the holy Spirit were not God whence is it that a sin against him shall not be forgiven Mat. 12. 32. Shall a sin against God be forgiven and not a sinne against a creature therefore the Spirit of God is God 1 Cor. 3. 6. So for those that deny the Resurrection of the body try it by the Scriptures of them there are two sorts some deny the Resurrection because they beleeve it is past already and there is no Resurrection but that which is in us Ans Christ saith in the Resurrection there is neither marriage nor giving in marriage but are as the Angels in Heaven Mat. 22. 30. If you be in this Resurrection why doe you marry c. or will you lay marriage waste make it needlesse to you and know who you please Gen. 4. 1. Heb. 13. 4. Are you like the Angels in Heaven Sort 2. Are those that deny the Resurrection of the body because they cannot see reason for it Ans The Scripture doth fully and clearly prove the Resurrection of our bodies after this life Marvell not at this all they in the gravâ— shall heare his voice Joh. 5. 28 29. At the 〈◊〉 of God the dead shall rise 1 Thes 4. 16. that sleep in the dust shall awake Dan. 12. 12 And the Sea gave up the dead that were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them Rev. 20. 13. Christ is risen from the dead 1 Cor. 15. 20. I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 6. 44. Thy dead men shall live Isa 26. 19. 2. The dead shall rise because he that hath said it is able to doe it There is nothing impossible with God Luk. 1. 37. 3. The Saints have beleeved the Resurrection of the body Job saith Though worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Job 19. 26. I know my brother shall rise againe at the last day Joh. 12. 24. Our vile body shall be like his glorious body Phil. 3. 21. 4. If the dead rise not then is not Christ raised and if Christ be not raised your faith is vaine then they also which are fallen asleepe are perished 1 Cor. 15. 16 17 18. But Christ is risen therefore the dead shall rise Acts 3. 15. 1 Cor. 6. 14. 5. If the dead rise not and in this life onely we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. It 's our comfort death cannot dissolve the union between Christ and a beleever Rom. 8. 38 39. If not any thing shall separate us from the love of God with then death shall not Whether we live or dye 1 Cor. 9. are the Lords Rom. 14. 8. 5. To Consider Acts 26. 8. 2 Tim. 2. 18. Mat. 22. is all one 31 32. Marâ— 12. 18. 26 27. Though it be incredible to reason yet we ought to beleeve it because God hath said it But some will say this is but the letter the mystery of it is no such thing I answer 1. The mystery was revealed to the Apostles Eph. 1. 9. Eph. 3. 4 5. Eph. 6. 19. 2. Christ is a mystery Col. 4. 3. Col. 1. 27. Christ in us by his Spirit Col. 2. 27. Col. 2. 2. Gal. 1. 16. 3. They speake the mystery of Christ Col. 4. 3. and made it knowne by the Scriptures Rom. 16. 25 26. Behold I tell you a mystery and 〈◊〉 written 1 Cor. 15. 51. c. Eph. 3. 7. Eph 〈◊〉 â—2 The mystery is made manifest to the 〈…〉 Rom. 1. 26 27. And seeing the myâ—◠〈…〉 â—clared in the Scriptures we are not 〈…〉 another mystery of the mystery 〈…〉 â—erstand the Scriptures They worâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—in the Spirit Phil. 3. 3. They were 〈…〉 of the mystery yea they knew 〈…〉 â—â—ese last times many would depart from the faith and bring in a mystery of iniquitie and call it the mystery of God and of Christ and the Spirit and so should deceive many Wee are forewarned and commanded to hold the forme of sound words and seeing the Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect and to furnish him for every good work 2 Tim. 3. We neither may nor need presume above what is written Rev. 22. 18. And so for other things bring them to the Scriptures to be tryed and beleeve nothing but what God faith in his Word and expect not to satisfie Reason in matters of Religion We beleeve God is without beginning and present in every place who knoweth and ordereth all things but what reason can be given that God is so is it not
what conscience can yee weare gold and silver costly apparell and by fine laces and the poore Saints want bread other necessaries Consider what the Christians did in the Apostles time Acts 2. 44 45. 4. 33 34 35. Yee say yee be followers of them is not the 2 Cor. 8. 14. a command how then dare yee neglect this dutie Full ill will they sell their lands much lesse dye for their brethren who will not spare their laces and superfluities to feed and cloath the naked body and hungry belly of Jesus Christ I was an hungred and naked and Lord when saw we thee an hungred and naked c. They knew no such thing nor did they inquire nor came where they might have seene it And he shall answer Verily in as much as yee did it not to one of these yee did it not to mee Mat. 25. 34. to 46. Whether Christ dyed for the sinnes of all Adams posteritie Some men say so but the Scripture doth not say so He tooke on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2. 16. But all Adams posterity are not Abrahams seed in no sense Secondly Christ saith He laid downe his lâ—fe for his sheepe John 10. 11. 15. All men are not his sheepe as yee beleeve not because yee are not my sheepe vers 26. Whether all those for whose sinnes Christ dyed shall be saved They shall all be saved as appeares Rom. 5. 9 10. John 6. 37. 39. John 17. 2. 19. 24. 29. Heb. 13. 20. Jer. 32. 40. 31. Mat. 25. 33. The salvation of Gods Elect is certain Some say Christ dyed for their sinnes who shall not be saved But to what end shall Christ die for their sinnes who are not appointed to life Doth not Christ loose the end of his death to die for their sinnes who shall perish Some are not ordained to eternall life as appeares Acts 13. 48. Doth it stand with the wisdome of God to send Christ to die for their finnes whom he before decreed to condemn The Lord hath made the wicked for the day of evill Pro. 16. 4. 2 Tâ—es 2. 11. Isa 43. 6 7. Q. Wâ—etâ—er Christ is offered to all or no The Gospel is to be declared to every creature Mark 16. 15. 16. But to declare a thing and to offer it is not one thing The Scripture doth not say that Christ is offered to any men say so but not truly nor safely The saying Christ is offered to all occasioneth many errors as to say if God offereth Christ to men and they have no power to receive him and God gives them none they are mocked and that God is unjust and unreasonable and that he doth not meane as he saith else say they all men have power and may be saved if they will and they may will c. The purpose of God Christs death salvation and the revealing it in the Scripture are one in the extent the one is not larger then the other neither is the ministery thereof to be larger in the declaration viz. in the application of salvation is not to be larger but rather straiter because he is bounded to beleeving and baptizednesse He that beleeves and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16. 16. He may not apply it to any person that doth not beleeve c. Whether sufficient grace is given to all for conversion That which is sufficient is effectuall if I put sufficient strength to move the whole earth will not motion follow if it be not effectuall it is not sufficient sufficient and effectuall goe together That the conversion of man doth not depend upon the will of man See 1 Cor. 2. 14. Deut 29. 3 4. Mat. 1â— 34. John 1. 5. Eph. 1. 17 18. 2 Cor. 3. 5. The will of God determines who shall bâ— saved Acts 13. 48. God worketh all things after the counsell of his own not mans will Eph. 1. 11. See and consider the word of the Lord Isa 46. 10. Psal 2. 13. Psal 135. 6. 115. 3. Pro. 29. 26. Psal 33. 15. Pro. 21. 1. Pro. 16. 33. Mat. 10. 29 30 31. Acts 2. 23. 4. 26 27 28. Pro. 16. 9. Jam. 4. 13. 15. Rom. 9. 19. 2 Sam. 17. 22. Rom. 1. 24. 1 Kings 22. 22. Psal 105. 25. Isa 63. 17. John 11. 20. 2 Thes 2. 11. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9. 16. He hath mercy on whom he will 18. To ascribe conversion to the freedome of mans will is to exempt the creature from being under the power of God for if he be able to convert himselfe or to refuse so as not to be converted then convesion is under his own power If it depend upon the will of the creature then the will of man is the cause why God willeth this or that this were to bring the will of God under the will of man as if God should say I will convert that man if he will I have willed nothing or my will is mutable my will shall waite on your will and change as oft as yours shall if the will of God should not determine all things the will of God should not be the first cause if there be two first causes then there are two beginnings or more and so more Gods then one If God gives power and leaves it to mans will then God hath not determined what shal be done or else his purpose is changeable If the cause why God chooseth me and not another is because I will then it is not according to his will Eph. 1. 11. If Gods will be not the cause you deny the freedom of Gods will and make the will of man the cause of his being saved If God by his omnipotent power inclines the wills of men whether he will as is above proved then he hath them more in his power then man hath if so his decreeing is the cause necessity followes the will of the creature is not the cause of the necessity of things because mans will is bounded by Gods decree and as the first waight or wheele moves the second so the first cause moves the second He whose salvation God willeth he must of necessity be saved because he wants no power nor wisdome to accomplish his will man cannot resist an almighty power Ephes 1. 20. 3. 20. Col. 1. last therefore God cannot be hindered of his will if he should will any thing he could not obtaine he were imperfect and so not God if he can obtaine it but wil not how doth he wil it Isa 46. 10. Ps 44. 2. To grant that man hath power to hinder Gods will is to grant that he hath power to hinder his working and so to frustrate Gods counsell and make him a lier yet nothing will satisfie some unlesse this be granted if there were any good of which God were not the cause how is the praise and glory of it to be ascribed to him To the praise and glory of his grace
before God All our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags Isa 64. 4. 6. Obs After what manner Christ became a sinner after the same manner wee are made just but Christ became a sinner not by any infusion of our corrupt qualities but by imputation onely therefore wee are just before God not by any infusion of any habituall grace into our corrupt natures but by imputation of his Righteousnesse without workes Rom. 4. 6. If this were well minded it might remove divers errors and answer many temptations which are occaâ—ioned in many by apprehending the contrary Obs So that justification is a Reciprocall translation of our sinnes unto Christ and his Righteousnesse to us both which are done by God for us Obs God reveals to the soule Christs Righteousnesse and the soules interest in it John 16. 14. To comfort the soule and cause us to love God he doth not comfort us with our own Righteousnesse but with Christs Righteousnesse that so we might fetch all our peace and comfort from Christs Righteousnesse and so rest satisfied in Christ alone Use Exhort Seeing Christs Righteousnesse is a perfect Righteousnesse yea the Righteousnesse of God this should teach us to prize highly Christs Righteousnesse and count his enough for us and rest satisfied in it and to slight and abhorre all our Righteousnesse in comparison of his esteeme Christ to be as he is our Righteousnesse This is his Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousnesse Jer. 23. 6. 2. This should teach all that beleeve to admire the greatnesse and sweetnesse of Gods love and free grace in making Christs Righteousnesse our own it s a mercy to heare of it how much more to have interest in it and to injoy it and be possessed of it Isa 61. 3. Is Christs Righteousnesse thine then claime interest in it take it and apply it against all sin and discouragements because it is thy own portion and treasure provided for thee therefore take it Col. 2. 3. and ever live upon it and the eternal love of God in Christ to thee this object is sweet full durable and sufficient to satisfie thee at all times 4. Dedicate thy selfe and all thou hast freely to him who gave himselfe fully and freely for thee he suffered yea dyed for thee to make his Righteousnesse thine c. Oh how should such love ingage our hearts to walke with God to be holy as he is holy to doe all and suffer for him for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walke in them Hos 14. 9. 5. Declare to others Gods goodnesse to thy soule use meanes that others may injoy the same mercy with thee be mercifull as he is mercifull give and forgive freely to the soules and bodies of others for so thou hast received 6. Be content with thy estate inward and outward though many crosses and miseries attend thee seeing Christs Righteousnesse and God himselfe is thine thou hast enough and therefore maist well be content let not many nor great troubles inward or outward dismay thee see 1 Cor. 10. 13. Though they seeme long they cannot last long The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. Christ saith Loe I come quickly Rev. 22. 20. 7. As Christ is all thy happinesse so let him be all thy comfort and the support of all thy wants expect from him all you need and can desire yea that God can give that is for thy good for thou shalt have all thou needest Psal 34. 10. Seeing he hath freely given us his Sonne how shall he not with him give us all things else Rom. 8. 32. 8. Watch and pray least yee fall into temptation and so abuse this favour and turne this grace into wantonnesse 9. Stand fast in Christs Righteousnesse and in that liberty in which he hath made you free Gal. 5. 1. 10. Rejoyce evermore let thy joy be in God who is thy portion They shall joy in their portion Isa 61. 7. It is no small joy to us that Christs Righteousnesse is ours it comforteth 〈◊〉 at the very heart Lastly Be exceeding thankfull to God for his exceeding great grace and mercy to thee in that he hath given thee beauty for ashes verlasting joy shall be to thâ—e Isa 61. 3. 7. Because Christ and his Righteousnesse is thine all other comforâ—s will soone vanish and come to nothing but this shall last for ever Righteousnesse in him Obs That righteousnesse which justifieth us before God as it is not ours so it is not in us but as the righteousnesse is Christs so it is in him therefore Christ saith In me you shall have righteousnesse and strength Surely shall one say in the Lord have I righteousnesse and strength Isa 45. 24. In him Obs The state of a beleever in Christ as considered in him is a state of perfection We are compleate in him Col. 2. 9 10. 13. As Christ is so am I as I am so is Christ as he is so are we in this world 1 Joh. 1. 17. What is Christs is mine and what is mine is his Christs righteousnesse is mine therefore I am all righteous I doe not need no more nor no other righteousnesse as I am in Christ I am as righteous as Christ and as acceptable as Christ God seeth no sin in me because there is none as God saith so I beleeve Thou art all faire my love there is no spot in thee Song 4. 7. Isa 38. 17. It is also as true that in the most perfect Saint if he be considered as he is in himselfe there is much sin in him and God doth see it Yet God cannot condemne them to wrath for it because Christ hath suffered for it Seeing that righteousnesse which causeth a soule to be accepted pardoned saved and that on which our eternall happinesse depends is in Christ in him we learne Obs That our eternall happinesse doth not lie in our selves in nothing that is in us or done by us therefore when we seek for our happinesse or righteousnesse in our selves we loose our labour for Righteousnesse is in him Obs Seeing this Righteousnesse is in Christ then it must needs follow that the Saints cannot possibly make it away or loose it because it is not in us and so not in our keeping but is in him Adam had his righteousnesse in him and he lost it but seeing it is in Christ in him it cannot be lost Obs If the Saints Righteousnesse be in Christ then all the Saints are alike righteous the meanest and weakest as the best he hath as much righteousnesse in Christ as any and is as much accepted by it as the best as Christ hath righteousnesse enough for them all so it is alike for them all as they are in Christ they are alike perfect righteous and glorious they that doe most for Christ doe best but they have no more righteousnesse then the rest all the Elect are alike cloathed with the garment of salvation and covered with
the robe of righteousnesse therefore they may all rejoyce alike in the Lord Isa 61. 10. Oh here is strong consolation for a fainting soule to refresh it selfe withall Use This should teach all that desire righteousnesse to goe for it to Christ where it is O soule look no longer to finde it in thy selfe for it is not there it is in Christ in him his righteousnesse is enough and good enough for thee yea best for thee therefore seek no further but rest satisfied in Christ in his righteousnesse drinke here abundantly in this sweet fountain that is bottomlesse add therefore can never be drawne dry Song 5. 1. Thy pardon is now by Justice as well as mercy therefore drinke freely Use Comfort Behold here is comfort and consolation to all that beleeve in that you have righteousnesse in Christ at all times however it be with you within or without be thy defects few or many this is a comfort to thee thou hast righteousnesse in Christ which makes thee happy for ever Now all is paid by my sweet Jesus I may goe boldly to the throne of grace I am happy now and so shall be for ever But saith the discouraged soule I cannot beleeve the Lord Jesus was made sin for me Why not for thee Because my sins are greater then others for my sins have all the aggravations upon them that can be 1. Mine are many So were those in the second and third Chapter of Jeremiah yet notwithstanding God pardoned them all as appeares Jer. 3. 21. to 25. 2. But my sinnes are great and hainous So were theirs and so were Mâ—nasses as appeares 2 Kings 21. 4. 11. 16. and so was hers in Luk. 7. 47. and so was Pauls 1 Tim. 1. 15. yet God pardoned them all as he hath done many others if thou art a wonderfull sinner Christ is a wonderfull Saviour Isa 9. 6. 3. But my sinnes are against the Gospel So was Pauls he persecuted them that professed he made havocke of the Church entring into every house haling men and women and committing them to prison Acts 8. 3. Christ dyed for them that slew him Acts 2. 23. 38. 4. But mine are after many mercies So was Solomons he sinned against God after the Lord appeared unto him twice 1 Kings 11. 9. 5. But I have sinned against Gods intreaties to returne So did they I said after shee had done all these things Turne thou unto me but shee returned not Jer. 3. 7. 6. But I have sinned against Gods Reproofes So did they Thou hast a whores forehead that refusest to be ashamed Jer. 3. 3. 8. 7. But I have sinned against Gods corrections in not being reformed by them So did they In vaine have I smitten your children they have received no correction Jer. 2. 30. 8. But I have committed one sin often So did they Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers Jer. 3. 1 6. 9. But I have continued â—â—ning for a long continuance of time So did they We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord from our youth unto this day Jer. 3. 25. 2. 22. 10. But my sins are against knowledge and conscience So was Davids concerning Bathsheba and putting to death Uriah and so did Peter sin when he said and swore He know not the man and that he was not with him Mat. 26. 69. to 75. 11. But I am fallen backe from what I have been So did they Returne thou backsliding Israel Jer. 3. 6. 12. 12. But I have willingly and resolvedly forsaken God So did they saying We are Lords wee will come no more at him Jer. 3. 31 32. 13. But I have willingly chosen sin So did they saying I have loved strangers and after them will I goe Jer. 2. 25. 14. But I have seduced others and caused them to sin So did they Thou hast also taught the wicked ones thy wayes Jer. 2. 23. And Manasseh seduced them to doe more evill then did the Natâ—ous whom the Lord destroyed and made Judah also to sinne 2 King 21. 9. 11. 16. And Paul compelled men to blaspheme Acts 26. 11. 16. Manasseh a greater sinner obtained mercy â— Chron. 33. 18 19. and a lesser sinner perisheth in his sin that men may know that the Lord will have mercy on whom he will Rom. 9. 15. 15. But I have sinned as much as I could So did they Behold thou hast spoken and done as evill things as thou couldst Jer. 3. 5. 16. But my sins are after vowes and covenants So were theirs Thou saidst I will not transgresse when upon every high hill and under every greene tree thou wanderest playing the harlot Jer. 2. 25. 17. But I have justified my selfe in all my sinnes So did they Because thou saidst I have not sinned I will plead with thee Jer. 3. 35. 18. But I despaire and have no hope of mercy This is worst of all yet so did they Thou saidst there is no hope Jer. 2. 25. And when I cry he shutteth out my prayer and I said My strength and my hope is perished with the Lord saith Jeremiah Lam. 3. 8. 18. And Job said My hope hath he removed like a tree Job 19. 10. My dayes are spent without hope Job 7. 6. 13 14 15 16. David in his hast said I am cut off before thine eyes Psal 31. 22. Abraham beleeved against hope Rom. 4. 18. Yee were sometimes without hope Ephes 2. 12. Consider these were once like thee and the Lord hath had mercy on them and it may be he hath mercy for thee although thou dost not know it be not out of hope I was brought â—â—w and he helped me Psal 116. 6. And so God may helpe thee also Oh the riches of his grace is unsearchable All that know his Name will trust in him Psal 9. 10. consider Exod. 34. 5 6 7. I am perswaded I have sinned the sin against the holy Spirit and that is unpardonable Heb. 6. 4. 1. Those who have committed that sinne tread under-foote the Sonne of God and câ—unt the bloud of the Covenant an unholy thing and doe hare God and Christ Joh. 15. 24. 2. In that thou art afraid thou hast committed this sinne it is certaine thou hast not committed it because those that have so sinned are past feare and feeling being given up to a reprobate sense Eph. 4. 19. I am afraid he doth not love me and so nothing can doe me good 〈…〉 give way to such a thought 〈…〉 but the Lord may returne as 〈…〉 2. Is this the way thinkest thou to injoy assurance to nourish jealousies against his love shouldst thou not rather say as David How precious are thy thoughts to me O God great is the sum of them if I should count them they are more then the sands Psal 139. 17 18. The number of the sands are many yet yee see Gods thoughts of love exceeds them therefore be not afraid onely beleeve Mark 5. 36. Christ received sinners Luk. 15. 1 2. 3. If thou thinkest so because
interpreted by them for the Scriptures are to be interpreted for Christ and not against him Also we are to consider if the word Faith were alwaies to be understood for beleeving by Levit. 17. 11. it appeares that was ascribed to the signe which is proper to the thing signified The word Justifie it signifieth to make just men are made just three wayes First By infusion so Adam Eccles 7. 29. Secondly By the justice of another Râ—m 5. 19. Eph. 1. 5. Rom. 3. 24. In this sense the Elect are justified by Christ for we are justified by another and in another Righteousnesse and Justification are one when he was made our Righteousnesse then he was made our Justification 1 Cor. 1. 30. We are made righteous by his satisfaction therefore we are justified by his satisfaction to deny this were to overthrow the foundation of Religion and mans salvation Thirdly Men are said to be justified by Sentence in this sense a man may justifie himselfe so Job 9. 20. or by witnesses Isa 43. 9. 26. In a large sense this is called Justification and sometimes this Justification is worth nothing and worse then nothing as wheâ— the wicked are justified Pro. 17. 15. 24. 24. Wee are justified by the Spirit 1 Cor. 6. 11. But this is not that Justification on which depends our eternall happinesse this is onely declared to us by the Spirit that we are justified by Christs death this knowledge of it is onely necessary to satisfie quiet the Conscience Christ having justified his upon the Crosse by his bloud it is not our beleeving but the Spirit that reveales the same to the soule The Spirit dwelleth in us 1 Cor. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 9. 19. Rom. 8. 11. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 24. The Spirit speaketh in us Mat. 10. 20. and sheweth us what Christ hath done for us 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. with 16. 13 14 15. Heb. 10. 15. 17. 1 Joh. 5. 6. The bloud of sprinkling is the Spirits speaking to the conscience that all is paid this satisfieth and clenseth the conscience Heb. 12. 24. The worke of faith is onely to assent to the testimony of the Spirit that it is truth and so receives its testimony to manifest and to receive the manifestation are not one thing Eph. 3. 5. When the declaration is beleeved the answer of a good Conscience is My sweet Jesus dyed for me he hath delivered me from all my enemies and from the wrath to come the debt of all my sinne is paid there is nothing now to be required of me What shall I render to the Lord for all his goodnesse unto me O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnesse c. Psal 107. 8. There is a Justification before men by good workes James 2. 24. which declareth to men we are justified visibly but not infallibly but this is not that Justification which saveth us that Justification I treat is of that Justification which freeth us from condemnation for Justification is opposed to condemnation Rom. 8. 1 2. For his death was our Justification from the punishment of sinne this is the Justification that I intend and contend for for in this is our salvation therefore in this is our greatest happinesse and glory And that the Elect from the beginning to the end of the world were justified at and by Christs death upon the Crosse Consider Justification is that which is our freedome from the punishment of sinne this I have proved was at and by Christs death and that I may more fully put this question out of question namely that we are not justified by beleeving but before we beleeve by Christ I prove by these Arguments or Reasons 1 Argu. If Justification is free then beleeving is not required for that which is free is without any condition or consideration of any thing in us or done bâ— us but we are justified freely Rom. 3. 24. Ergo. If it be Christ and his workes it is not I and my workes that can justifie me from the punishment of sinne if Christ saves us then beleeving doth not save us compare Joh. 12. 42 43. with Mat. 10. 37. Luk. 14. 26. If it be Christ and my beleeving together that saves me then Christ doth not save me if it be Christ and my workes then I share in saving my selfe To say we are justified by Christ and beleeving together as some say is to deny we are justified by either for that which is not alone doth not justifie alone he that is justified by two is justified by neither Christ and faith together say you Christ and workes together say the Papists wee are not justified without beleeving say you not without charity say the Papists that which they say is Popery so is what you say because what yon both say is in the nature of it one and though you differ in the letters that expresse it yet in substance it is one and the same thing 2 Argu. If Christ justified enemies sinners ungodly c. then they were not beleevers when they were justified but Christ justified enemies Kom 4. 5. 5. 10. Beleevers are not so called they are called friends Luk. 12. 4. Joh. 15. 15. Saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Holy and beloved Col. 3. 12. Holy brethren Heb. 3. 1. Holy women 1 Pet. 3. 5. If holy then not ungodly Babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3. 1. Therefore we were justified before we beleeved therefore beleeving comes too late to justifie us from the punishment of sinne if we were not justified till we beleeve he doth not justifie the ungodly it is evident 3 Argu In the same manner we are made sinners in the same manner we are made just and righteous but we were made sinners by the disoâ—edieâ—â— of one so we are made righteous by the obedience of one even Christ Rom. 5. 12. to 20. Eph. 1. 5. Therefore his obedience justified us from all sinne viz. from all the punishment of sinne therefore ever since his death we have been justified also if justified by his obedience then not justified by beleeving as our sinfulnes consists in that one disobedience of the first Adam so our righteousnesse consists in that one onely obedience of our sweet Lord Jesus Christ 4 Argu. Those God declares to be just and righteous they are just before therefore made so by Christ if they be not just they are wicked and to declare them to be just is to justifie the wicked which he saith is abomination to him Pro. 17. 15. 5 Argu. If Christ did dye for us truly really and actually then he did truly really and actually justifie us but Christ did dye for us truly really and actually Joh. 10. 15. it was not in a shadow Col. 2. 17. Therefore he truly and really took away sin viz. actually justifie us from all the punishment of sinne and in that the Apostle saith Without bloud there is no remission Heb. 9. 22. it doth follow that with bloud there is remission see 1 Pet. 1. 19 20.