Zion where ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing namely that matter wherewith they might refresh those to whom they spake in directing them to the vision of all even to Jesus Christ as he was witnessed in the Law and the Prophets Isa 28. 12 16. These are Pastors after God's own heart that feed with knowledge viz. with the doctrine of Christ and with understanding with skilfulness in the word of God's righteousness Jer. 3. 15. To this then he commits them as to that wherewith they might do all their work for the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth So the Apostle charges Timothy Preach the word namely the Word of truth the Gospel of our salvation be instant in season out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. And this he determined to know amongst the Corinthians even Jesus Christ and him crucified as the one thing for and unto all things 1 Cor. 2. 2. Yea this our Saviour commanded his Apostles to preach the Gospel as the one thing in and unto their whole work of discipling Mat. 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Luk. 24. 46 48. and so they did preach even Jesus Christ and not themselves or the Law Rom. 10. 8. Act. 10. 42. yea our Lord Jesus the great peace-maker and peace-preacher was anointed with the holy Ghost to preach the Gospel Isa 61. 1 3. Luk. 4. 18. And it 's the work and office of the holy Ghost to bear witness of Christ to glorifie Christ and therewith to convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and to guide the believers into all truth and to shew them things to come Joh. 16. 8 14. Surely this word of God's grace is a compleat doctrine both for opening the eyes of the blind and turning to the Lord and for perfecting them that do believe so as there is no need for preaching the Law either at first to prepare men for Christ or afterwards to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the Spirit In Christ as declared in the testimony ye are compleat c. Col. 2. 3 10. Nor is the Law in the use of it good unless it be lawfully used according to the glorious Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 7 8 11. This is that food then wherewith they might feed even with the Gospel of Christ in which is spiritually given to us his flesh which is meat indeed and his blood which is drink indeed and so here they might be instruments of causing the flock to lye down in green pastures this God even our God being alwayes with this word of his grace in the plain and faithful ministration of it to give himself to us to feed upon even his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world And so in green pastures Psal 23. 2. namely such as are delightful and pleasant to the eye and sweet to the taste sweeter than honey and the honey comb Psal 19. 7 10. 119. 103. And such as are fruitful and which cause growth and increase that from the head all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together may increase with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. For this bread of life cometh down and is given to us in this Gospel of grace so as that while Paul planteth and Apollo watereth God giveth the increases the feeding that is in this word of his grace is not dry like the heath in the wilderness but that which hath â—â—p in it and in which the Lord is the dew unto his Israel to cause them to revive as the corn and flourish like the Palm-tree and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon Psal 92. 13 15. Hos 14. 5 6. 2 Thes 1. 3. And green pastures such as are not â—ouled and sullied but this word is very pure it is a wholsom word Psal 12. 6. 119. 140. there is no lye of it 1 Joh. 2. 27. every word of God is pure Prov. 30 4 6. Though men may corrupt the word of God in their interpretations and glosses and meanings which they put upon it yet it is pure in it self and he hath kept it and will preserve it so in the records of it that we may safely â—eed thereon and therewith And green even tender and easie of digression for the weakest milk for babes as well as strong meat for those that are strong yea such an abundance of feeding here is that the flock may lye down as satisfied as with marrow and 〈◊〉 and lye down and still feed and such security in those pastures as they may lye down and none shall make thâ—â— afraid Jer. 23. 4. Herein also they might instrumentally dâ—rect them to the still waters to give refreshing to their thirty â—â—uls even to him who is the fountain of living waters in whom is forgiveness of sins and fulness of spirit who is filled with grace and truth in whom is and who gives water of life which causeth fatness and fruitfulness and gives satisfying so as he that drinketh hereof shall never thirst yea their soul shall be as a watered garden and as springs of water whose waters fail not Joh. 4. 10 14. Isa 58. 11. and these are still waters even the consolations of Christ as given in the Gospel like the waters of Shiloah that run softly and make no noise in the world This doctrine of the grace of God is not like the divers and strange doctrines of men which make a noise like the noise of many waters and who have the wisdom of this world excellency of speech strength of reason consent of fathers approbation of great ones and power on their sides which makes them appear so strong as if they would carry all before them but this is the weakness of God and foolishness of God and that which being declared in the words which the holy Ghost hath taught is every where spoken against Isa 8. 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 25. Act. 28. 22. And yet still waters in their effect that whereby God doth and will still and quiet the enemy and the avenger Psal 8. 2. confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to nought the understanding of the prudent and will make them quiet that they shall have nothing to say Act. 6. 10. the weapons of this warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds casting down imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. yea still waters waters of quietness in their efficacy to any and every one that takes and drinks of this water of life which any one may do freely Isa 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. they give quietness to the soul cause it to dwell at ease Psal 25. 13. cool its thirst quiet its fears still the clamours of sin deliver from the fears of God's wrath and make quiet from the fear of all evil adversity and tribulation so as in Christ they have peace while they have tribulation in the world Joh. 16. 33. yea
let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8 9. If any man consent not in his teachings to wholsom words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud c. from such turn away 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. Now then we may be assured that such consent to wholsom words who say Christ died not for all nor by the grace of God tasted death for every man contrary to 2 Cor. 5 14. Heb. 2. 9. and so such as deny him to be the standing propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. These teach men to deny the Lord that bought them yea they are led by the spirit of error who confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Saviour of the world they come not up to wholesom words for the true Christ is the Saviour of the world even of mankind and this began to be spoken by the Lord himself Joh. 3. 16 17. 4. 42. 6. 51. and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. and so the Son of God is the Saviour of the world and this was the sum of the Apostles testimony which they had received and saw in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 13 15. And the Apostle Paul saith that he was ordained a Preacher of this viz. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth c. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. and instructed Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which he heard of him that unto which he was ordained a Preacher as before and an Apostle viz. that God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time by which he proves and evidences that God will have all men to be saved c. I say to hold this last in faith in an hearty belief of the truth of it and in love to men so as declaring this to them and holding it fast in profession according to the constraining operations of the grace of God in Christ 2 Tim 1. 9 13. with 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 2 Cor. 5. 13 15 18 20. and exhorted Timothy to command others to teach and himself to teach that the living God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10 11. See also Tit. 2. 11 15. And in this direction given unto us for tryal of spirits that we may know so as to avoid false Prophets it is observable the Apostle doth not positively and particularly declare what the false spirits do hold and teach but in the general he saith If they confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ or give not to him the glory due to him in their confessions so as in all hearing the Apostles they are not of God and we are to beware of them if they Evangelize otherwise than what the Apostles have Evangelized we are to reject them for if it be not the voice of our Shepherd we may be sure it is the voice of a stranger and so we are to flee from them yea if any man come unto you saith the Apostle and bring not this doctrine the doctrine of Christ in which he is lifted up in the words of the Holy Ghost receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed He saith not if he take not up this doctrine which he may seem to do for advantage sake when he is with you that he may not be discovered but may deceive you but if he bring it not if this be not his message his errand when he comes the thing he is set to promote receive him not c. Prov. 14. 7. Joh. 10. 4 5. 2 Joh. 7 11. 2. And by their fruits may be meant also the effects of their doctrines which the Disciples of Christ may perceive and discern namely that they are such as tend to corrupt from that simplicity that is in Christ to draw away mens hearts and affections from him who is the only foundation of faith and hope the only fountain in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily the only bread of life and door of approach to God They tend to remove men from him that called them into the grace of Christ and cause men to err from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. Gal. 1. 6. and this appears plainly in those that imbrace and entertain those confessions in which Jesus Christ is not lifted up in the word of the Apostles Now then in applying our selves to God and the word of his grace we may be preserved from those grievous Wolves for they confess not our God or confess him not according to that discovery given of him in the word of his grace Oh let us then keep sound wisdom and discretion so shall they be life to our souls preserve our souls in life and grace to our necks then shall we walk in the way safely and our foot shall not stumble Prov. 3. 21 26. take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. 3. That I may not over-much inlarge I shall briefly say the Apostle directs and commends them to this person and thing that they might not arise speaking perverse things and that they might be preserved from those amongst themselves that would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them ver 30. What hath been spoken before may be useful here also only in that he now forewarns them of this danger among themselves and therefore thus commits them He signifies 1. That amongst those whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers over the flock some may possibly arise speaking perverse things crooked wreathed things such as in which they would pervert the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 7. and that either by desiring to be teachers of the Law as there were some inclined hereto amongst these believers 1 Tim. 1. 3 7. So some such among the Galatians that turned them aside to the Law to be justified or sanctified by the works thereof and to perfect by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 2 15 16 3. 1 5. 5. 1 4. and turning them again to weak and beggarly elementâ— Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 22 24. or by not consenting unto wholsom â—â—rds event the words of our Lord Jesus Christ but limiting the grace of God and teaching men to deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. or not consenting to the doctrine according to godliness but â—urning the grace of our God into wantonness as if it gave liberty to men to continue in sin or to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness or licentiousness 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Jude 4. 1 Pet. 2. 16 or corrupting the word of God with Philosophy and that Science
LIGHT IN DARKNESS OR A CONSIDERATION OF A Comfortable and Instructive Resignation OF THE Church of God By an Eminent and Faithful Watchman upon his Departure OCCASIONED By the sad loss of that Faithful and painful Labourer in the Lord Mr. Thomas Moor Junior By C. P. Look away from me I will weep bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoyling of the daughter of my people For it is a day of trouble and of treading down and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of Vision breaking down the Walls thereof c. Isa 22. 4 5. Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he plead my cause and execute judgment for me he shall bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousness Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God c Mica 7. 8 9 10. London Printed in the Year 1669. To the Reader Christian Reader WHAT the occasion of the following Discourse is thou mayest see before viz. the death of one that laboured abundantly in the Work of the Lord yet not he but the grace of God that was with him whom the Lord in testimony of high displeasure to the survivers took away to himself in the midst of his dayes and Work and thereby hath occasioned and increased mourning and lamentation in the daughter of his Judah Oh! that while he is thus lifting up his hand we may see wherefore he is thus contending with us that we may turn to him that smiteth and seek the Lord of hosts lest his wrath further break forth as fire and devour and there be none to quench it He was one that was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for he knew that it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth and therefore he determined to know nothing else in and unto all things save Jesus Christ and him crucified as he is evidently therein set before us and pourtrayed unto us and did not preach himself but Jesus Christ the Lord nor was his zeal exercised about indifferent things or lighter matters for he was well assured that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink and so not dayes and times and places and gestures and circumstances and such things as perish with the using but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost and therefore did in these great things of God's Law serve Christ and so was acceptable to God and profitable to men he was even set for the defence and confirmation of the Gospel and that was to him the joy and rejoycing of his heart and he had all his confidence begun and strengthned from the kindness and love of God our Saviour to mankind and his feeding upon the flesh of Christ that was given for the life of the World and the grace of God therein commended by which Jesus Christ tasted death for every man and in the vertue of his blood is raised again in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree this was the beginning of his confidence and not some secret thing with him or peculiar manner of love to him the reason of his hope the answer of his good conscience towards God the foundation of his faith and hope the argument by which he was reconciled to God and strengthned to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life and where-through his heart was purified and principled to the unfeigned love of the brethren and to the love of all men yea of his enemies from hence his hearts desire and prayer to God for them was that they might be saved The love of Christ did constrain him to perswade men and pray them to be reconciled to God and receive his grace to purpose whether he were looked upon as one besides himself or as a sober man because he thus judged that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again In preaching the word he was instant in season and out of season and was to that end that Christ might be magnified and therein mens good indeavoured and especially the profit of the houshold of faith pursued in journeying often in weariness and painfulness in watchings often c. Who was weak and he was not weak Who was offended and he burned not And in preaching Christ he did warn every man as he had opportunity and teach every man in all wisdom that he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Whereunto he did also labour striving according to his working which wrought in him mightily He hath fought the good fight he hath finished his course he hath kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give to him at that day and not to him only but also to all them that love his appearing Doubtless God in such strokes is signifying his great displeasedness with us in removing so untimely one so much framed to a like mindedness with himself in Christ whose heart was fixed to indeavour the good of all men especially of them that believe sutable to the mind of the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. As if he were hereby beginning to rise up out of his wonted place of mercy and to for sake us and wo will be to us when he depart eth from us Oh! that we may consider his work and the operation of his hands lest he destroy us and not build us up In this day suâ—ely the Lord God of hosts is calling to mourning and to weeping and to baldness and to girding with sackcloath Oh! that there may not be beheld among us joy and gladness slaying Oxen and killing sheep eating flesh and drinking wine But O daughter of Zion let tears run down like a River day and night give thy self no rest let not the apple of thine eyes cease Arise cry out in the night in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord lift up thine hands towards him He hath trodden under foot thy mighty men for this thou hast cause to weep that thou shouldst procure such testimonies of displeasure to thy self and that thine eye thine eye should run down with water because the Comforter that should relieve thy soul is far from thee Oh! that we may yet turn again to the Lord. We have still a Lord to turn to when the servants are removed the great shepherd to direct our eyes and hearts to when under-shepherds are taken away And to
whom should a people seek but to their God The Lord liveth though the Fathers are gone and Prophets do not live for ever with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning And we have yet incouragement to look to him for he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of the evil Joel 2. 13. There is no God like unto him that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy M c. 7. 18. Let us then lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the highest with whom is forgiveness that he may be feared plenteousness of redemption that he may be hoped in by us for the Lord will not cast off for ever But though he cause grief he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies for he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3. 31 32 33. But in our turning to him let us search and try our hearts and wayes and turn from the things reproved and which he is discovering us to be guilty of and polluted with otherwise we shall but turn to him feignedly and not with the whole heart Jer. 3. 10. If we will return let us return to him and put away our abomixations out of his sight Jer. 4. 1. To this end it is that the Lord's voice is crying to the City O that we may be men of wisdom to see his Name and hear his Rod and who hath appointed it Mica 6. 9 13. O that that also may not be verified concerning us which the Prophet confesseth with shame they were guilty of that though all this evil is come upon us yet though we assemble together and seek him and pray to him yea seek him daily and take delight in approaching to him we have not made this our prayer unto God that we might turn from our iniquities and understand his truth Dan. 9. 13. all his debatings with us are to this end that our iniquity may be purged and this is all the fruit to take away our sin Isa 27. 8 9. And if we receive not this end of his we shall still provoke him to watch upon a further evil and bring it upon us Shall one take up a sâ—are from the earth and have taken nothing Amos 3. 5. Will he remove his judgments and cease smiting and take away his snares as it were while he hath effected nothing by them no surely But if we be not reformed by these things but will walk contrary to him he will also walk contrary to us and punish us yet seven times for our sins Lev. 26. 23 24. it will even provoke him at last to send a famine of hearing the words of the Lord to remove all left that are in any measure faithful in seeking the good of others and to deliver the residue to the multitude And this was that which was much dreaded and deprecated by our Brother a little before his being removed from amongst us and hath been since threatned in some measure once and again but hitherto in great mercy and in a great measure he hath withdrawn his hand and wrought wonderfully that his name might not be polluted Oh! that because sentence against our evil work is not speedily executed our hearts may not be set in us to do evil but that we may by his goodness be led to repentance and run together unto the Lord and with one another and in the acknowledging and for saking our iniquities cry mightily unto him whom mercy pleaseth that he may forgive our sins and heal our breaches and be merciful unto and spare the remnant of his heritage and make them blessings in those several parts of the field where the wise and gracious sower hath sowed them and that the commandment may be kept without spot unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6. 12 14. The following Treatise hath been several moneths at the Press and met with manifold obstructions otherwise thou mightest sooner have seen it Possibly it hath stuck so long there that we who are so apt to forget the blow when the rod is taken off might be again awakened to some fresh remembrance and consideration of the sharpness and severity of it and the greater judgments threatned in it And very probably in some particular testimony of displeasure to him who undertook the work and was so altogether unmeet for it being of such an uncircumcised heart and lip I mean Thine unworthy servant in and for the Lord CHARLES PHELPES Lyn-Regis August 6. 1669. Turn us again Lord and to us return How long against us shall thine anger burn O pour not forth thy fury still like fire Mind not our sins for ever mark not in ire Against thy people their transgressions but Say 't is enough an end to such stroaks put Many indeed are our abominations Our close and our appearing provocations O we have sin'd and thou in all art just Righteous art thou O Lord yet since thou dost Excel in goodness there help us to trust In our sad banisht state when we were all Undone and lost none could recover our fall No man could help his brother thou didst then In love a Lamb provide for us poor men O now that grace remember and a seed Reserve to teach the world thy flock to feed C. P. Light in Darkness Acts 20. 32. And now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sancitified THe Apostle in the foregoing part of the Chapter having sent for the Elders of the Church of Ephesus puts them in mind of his faithfulness and constancy in service and sufferings and tells them that they all should see his face no more this he knew it being as it may seem so revealed to him ver 25. and now appeals to them and takes them to witness that he was pure from the bloud of all men ver 26. and to evidence this that he was not guilty of the bloud of the souls of men as Jer. 2. 24 he saith For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsell of God ver 27. The thing he had declared it was all the counsell of God namely the Gospell of the grace of God ver 24. the kingdom of God ver 25 even the testimony of Christ as now revealed in which is shewn unto us Gods purpose and grace his counsells of old which are faithfulness and truth as Isay 25. 1. And out of the bowels whereof all the Counsells of God concerning mankind as fallen do issue and that in which God is giving us good counsell good doctrine as Prov. 4. 2. 6. To the end we might have his testimony and testimonies therein as the men of our Counsels Psal 119. 24. this was the Apostles rejoycing now
care And now Brethren I commend you to God c. In which resignation we have 1. The time of it Now. 2. The persons whom he resigns Brethren 3. The resignation it self I commend you c. 1. The time when he thus solemnly resignes them Now namely 1. When they were full of heaviness and sorrow had filled their hearts because of his departure from them for ever as to any further personall visiting of them or being visited by them he did not cease or fail from among the children of men as our Brother the removall of whom was the occasion of this discourse doth but was so taken away from them that he should be no more of any personal usefulness to them as to his bodily presence amongst them for they should see his face no more Oh this is a time of wailing and heaviness when God is taking away faithful ones in the midst of their dayes or work a day of trouble and perplexity by the Lord God of Hosts in the valley of vision Where the vision of all even the vision of all visions and that in which all may see themselves concerned the testimony of Christ in which especially and fundamentally in the first branch of it there is declared tidings of great joy to all people hath run and flowed abundantly like a River in low places to the causing fatness and fruitfulness Isay there a day of perplexity breaking down the walls that his judgements may break in threatning to plaâ—t his vine in a dry and thirsty ground this is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation as Ezek 19. 13. 14. And the Lord God of Hosts in this day is calling to weeping and to mourning especially those that are devout persons fearers of him Isa 22 4 5. 12. Acts 8. 2. And thus were these exercised to whom the Apostle speaks as ver 37. 38. They all wept â—ore and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him sorrowing most of all for he words that he spake that they should see his face no more it might have occasioned heaviness though he had departed but for a season but they sorrowed most of all because they should see his face no more and because hereby a way was made not only for Gods anger to break forth more immediately but for evil men and seducers to come in amongst them as ver 29. 30 Isa 57 1. 4. 5. Psal 12. 1. 4. And now they might with sadness remember how they had failed in shewing forth Love to him so as his hands had ministred to his own necessity and those that were with him Yet now when they were thus full of grief he thus resigns and commends them to God c. To signifie That when faithful and eminent watchmen and instruments of help are taken away and sorrow is thereby greatly occasioned this is now proper to moderate our grief that we sorrow not as those that have no hope That he that keepeth Israel shall never slumber nor sleep the Lord liveth and is faithful to keep our souls supply all wants and perfect what concerns us when the good man is removed or perished out of the Earth This therefore he now speaks that they might not be swallowed up with overmuch grief he speaks it not to prevent all sorrow it is meet to be humbled under God's mighty hand and ashamed before him when our Father thus spits in our face who is the God of grace when he covers us with anger and persecute us when he slayes and pitties not when he covers himself with a cloud that our prayer should not pass thorow as Laâ— 3. 42. 44. And it is an evidence of great hardness and insensibleness when Gods hand is so highly lifted up not to see or take notice of what he is reproving Isa 26. 11. and 57. 1. Nor doth the Apostle here rebuke theâ—e for sorrowing as he doth those at esarea who wept because of some troubles that were to come upon him at Jerusalem for he was not so taken from them as from these but saw them again Acts 21. 13 with 25. 1 4 c. But this he may speak and it is proper to qualifie and moderate our sorrow that we exceed not herein that there is the God of grace still to commit our selves to and have our expectation From in this time of great affliction Indeed while I am thus speaking I am somewhat fearful lesâ— this conâ—olation on such an occasion be generally needless I mean that there is more fear of not sorrowing enough for such an heavy tellimony of displeasure as God hath been ordaining to us then grieving abundantly and out of meas râ—for it cut for the sakes of some and to restore comfort to them and to their mourners I speak it and what is noted may be a liâ—ting up when God is thus casting down in his Providences that the Spirit of such may not fail before him surely at such a time God and his grace is sufficient for them 2 Cor 12. 8. 9. 10. Thus our Saviour when because he tells his Disciples of his departure sorrow had filled their hearts he now to comfort them in bis prayer commits them to God so now saith he I am no more in the World but these are in the World and I come unto thee holy Father keep thorow thine own name those whom thou hast given me c. While I was with them in the World I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept c. of him it might be eminently said he was pure from the blood of all so now I come to thee and these things I speak in the World that they might have my joy fulfilled in them Joh. 16. 6. 17 11. 13. So Peter when ready to depart commends to the beleâ—verâ— and commends them to the word of Gods grace 2 Pet. 1. 12. 16. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. And so the Prophets and holy men have comforted and and incouraged themselves in the Lord on like occasions thus Isaiah doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham be iâ—norant of us one that was a Prophet and powerfully made intercession who was called the friend of God of whom God saith I know him that he will â—â—mmand his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord c. In whose steps our Brother walked Gen. 20. 7. and 18 18. 19. And Israel acknowledge us not one that behaved himself princâ—ly with God and by his strength had power with him yea he had power over the Angel and prevailed And an Israelite indeed was our Brother Gen. 32 28. Hos 12 3. 4. thou O Lord art our Father our redeemer from over lasting is thy Name Isay 63. 15 16 With this Israel comforted Joseph as with respect to himself and his Brethren and Children Israel said Behold I dye the Pâ—â—phets do they live for ever Zech. 1 5. But God who haâ—â— only immâ—rtality shall be with you Gen. 48
21. Thus Micah at such a time incourages himself Micah 7. 1 7 9. And David wâ—en shut out from the personal Society of God's people Yet saith he the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time in the proper season of it in the day of prosperity and in the night his Song shall be with me â—in the time of affliction while I sit in darkness his tryumphing Song over sin death hell c. That his own right hand and his holy Arm hath gotten himself the victory and my prayer unto the God of Life See Psal 42. 8. with Mica 7. 8. Psal 98. 1. and 84. 10. 11. And oh that we may not forget this consolation in Christ which still speaks to us to wit the Lord liveth but that we may trust and rejoyce in him and pour out our requests and complaints to him when we look on the right hand and behold but there is none that knows us refuge fails us no man cares for our soul as Psal 142. 2. Now namely when he was departing from them and had foretold them that grievous Wolves should enter in among them and that of themselves men should arise speaking perverse things c. Ver. 29 30. That they might be instruments of saving themselves and others so be signifies to us That now its high time for us to apply our selves to God and to the word of his grace when God is taking away faithful and eminent watchmen before the number of their days that are with him are determined or in the midst of some good work now we are called upon especially to awake to Gods righteousness that we be not driven away by Wolvish persecutors or carried about with divers and strange doctrines to stir up our selves to lay hoâ—d on his strength and have our hearts established with grace yea and to watch one over another lest any man fail of or fall from the grace of God fighting the good fight holding forth the Word of Life See how solemnly on this account the Apostle awakens and charges Timothy I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom and so thee also for we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine For the time will come when they need will indure sonnd Doctrine c. But watch thou in all things indure affliction c. For I am now ready to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought the good fight c. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 7. So Pâ—ter on like account stirs them up to a being mindful of the Commandments of the Apostles c. 2 Pet. 1. 13. with chap 3. 1. 3. 4. 16. 18. While such eminent and faithful labourers were living others might be too remiss and negligent and think they might be excused because these faithful ones were so forward and willing to supply their lack of service and so resolute to warre this good warfare but when God is depriving of such he is calling aloud upon others to watch and that those to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation and given fitness furniture for holding it forth should stir up the gift of God that is in them that they may be preserved from the errour of the wicked and be pure from the blood of all men even for preaching Christ and therewith warning every man and teaching every man in all Wisdom And indeed this resignation is particularly added to that remembrance the Apostle gives that he had not ceased to warn every one with tears and this to signifie that now especially it lies upon those that go before others in the word of the Lord to apply themselves to God and attend his word of grace that they may warn all doctrinally and as need is personally with the spirit of meckness to wâ—rn the unruly and deal faithfully and plainly one with another in reproving and rebuking as need requires and occasion is given and not to daub with untempered Mortar and cry peace peace for some may not indure this afterwards and though I think we cannot blame our Brother for unfaithfulness in this particular yet he bewailed it that he had not warned when he had opportunity and yet surely was a faithful reprover Oh take heed now especially of flattering or giving flattering titles to any and so of hating your Brother and suffering sin upon him Levit 19. 17. That you may preserve your selves and one another in the grace in Christ and warn while others will hear as need is lest they dye in their sins and their blood be required at your hands and let those that are faithful and upright hearted among the believers who are the glory of the Churches say to those over them when need requires Take heed to the ministry ye have received of the Lord that ye fulfill it as Col. 4. 17. to such purpose the Apostle now commends them to God c. â— The Persons whom he thus resigns and these he calls Brethren and speaks 1. Directly to the elders of the Church those appointed to be guides to the rest who had doubtless also some gift given for feeding the Church and so at least were Pastâ—rs and Teachers At that time none were chosen into office but such as were apt to teach and these he calls Brethren we might say in a manifold consideration but shall here only say they were Brethren in a pecuâ—iar sense holy Brethren and such as were put into the Ministry and so Brethren 1. To the Apostle 2. One to another 1. To the Apostle and so to denote That though he was preferred before them yet they were appointed to the same Service as he was in some measure fitted for the work of the Ministry and this is for instruction to other beleivers that they may not despise those that are oâ—er them in the Lord because they have not such knowledge and utterance as others who are taken away but to look upon such as are faithful in the Lord as Brethren of the Apostles and of those â—hat have more eminent gifts and fitness for holding forth the word of Life it was a great fault among the orinthians and they were reproved for it that they were puâ—t up so one against another one was of Paul another of Apoâ—lâ— c. Whereas all were theirs and they fellow labourers 1 Cor. 3. 4. 9. 2 Cor. 6 1. and by their thus overvaluing some they were apt to undervalue others and set light by them hence that instruction and admoniâ—ion if Timoth come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also dâ— let no man therefore despise him c. 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. So again if any require of â—itus he is my partner and fellow helper concerning
lying upon him Wherefore saith he have I not found favour in thy sight that thou layest the burden of all this pâ—ople unto me and the reason of his thus complaining is intimated when he saith have I conceived all this people have I begotten them that thou shouldst say unto me caâ—ry them in thy bosom c. Numb 11. 11. 12. As intimating he could have been more tender had he been the Father of them but this incouragement we have in our God Christ is faithful as a Son over his house they are his own house he hath conceived them all he hath begotten them and therefore can and will carry them in his bosome as a Nursing Father bears the sucking child to that rest that remains for the people of God they are his flock whom he hath purchased with his own blood And therefore he shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young Isa 40. 10 11. He who is a Son over his own house and who hath said if any man provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house be hath denyed the faith 1 Tim 5. 8. Is one that hateth the iniquity he warns others of one who loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity and therefore will provide for his own house his own Children which God hath given him who are in an especial consideration the travel of his soul he hath a fatherly affect on a motherly tender heartedness toward them can a mother forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb yea they may forget but he will not forget his family his house his flock the price of his blood in this double consideration 3. Yea he who hath purchased them with his own blood is and God in our nature and for us God ever all blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. One in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. Who is glorified with the Fathers own self with the glory which he had with him before the World was John 17. 5. All things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 15 He is full of grace and truth the fountain of life one who hath all power both in heaven and earth this is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5 10. He who is their Shepherd is Lord of all friends and enemies who is set down on the right hand of God in the heavenly places far above all principallity and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but in that also which is to come Eph. 1. 17. 22. This is the person to whom he commends them one to whom belongs power and with whom is mercy who is beautiful and glorious excellent and comely for our escape and so infinitely more worthy then any instrument and of whom we may say as Elihu doth to Job I will answer thee that God is greater then man Job 33. 12. It was to him whom the Apostle Thomas once and our Thomas often called my Lord and my God Jâ—â— 20 28. 2. The thing to which he commits them it was not 1. The wisdom of this World or of the Princes of this World which come to nought he commends them not to Logick Philosophy or to any such acts or Sciences to find out God by which are of high esteem with men and whereby men think they are fitted for better understanding and more proffitable holding forth the word of Life though if it had been needful at any time to have committed them to these it might have seemed to have been most seasonable now considering 1. He speaks to the Overseers and Bishops among them directly and 2. He forewarns them of Wolves coming in among them and they were subtile and powerful to deceive and our wisdom would tell us that we need these things for discovering and confuting them but the Apostle takes not this course but as he had avoided it and came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring the Testâ—mony of God for he was sent to preach it not with wisdom of words 1 Cor. 3. 1. and 1. 17. So he signifies the perniciousness of it not with wisdom of words least the cross of Christ should be made of none effect and the Believers faith stand therein 1 Cor. 1. 17. and 2. 4. and admonisheth Timothy the most eminent of the elders of â—â—â—â—sus of it 1 Tim. 6. 20 and particularly when he had been telling him evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse and so be more subtile and wily yet he instructs him not to seek after the wisdom of the Gentles but to continue in the things which he had learned c. And what these things were and where he had learned them he signifies when he saith and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation thorow saith which is in Christ Jesus to wit thorow that Word of faith beleived Acts 24. 24. And to shew him and us what Scriptures they are which are able to make wise thorow faith in Christ he adds as I conceive all Scripture given by inspiration of God and to evidence further the excellency of them he adds and not only abâ—e to make thee wise c. but profitabâ—e for Doctrine teaching all things reproof of evil ways and vices correction of errours instruction in righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 13. 16. Of this also head monisheth the Colâ—ssians on like account beware of Philosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. 3 4 8 9. And oh that we may consider it that we may cease from our own wisdom both natural and arâ—ificiall 2. Nor commits he them to the Law as a Law of works or to the works of the Law for perfecting thereby what was begun by the Spirit he directs them not to that which declares their duty simply but gives no strength to perform nay he blames the Galâ—â—â—ians for turning aside thereto Gal. 3. 1. 4. But to that which declares his grace the Gospel of Christ of which he was not ashamed Rom 1. 16. in attending whereto and walking wherein the Righteousness of the Law should be fulfilled in them Rom. 8. 4. and so to that which would exclude boasting every where and in every thing and not to their one works or to the Law of works or to follow them who have the word of the Lord to themselves precept upon precept such as desire to be Teachers of the Law and know not what they say nor whereof they affirm Isa 28. 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 9. 7. 3. Nor commits he them to the Scriptures simply or otherwise then in them to come especially to Christ as the great thing therein testified of and so to the word of his grace men may search the Scriptures and hear them read frequently and yet be
ignorant of and not come unto Christ and the word of his grace that they may have life and so miss of it John 5. 39. Acts 13. 27. The holy Scriptures are no otherwise able to make wise to Salvation then thorow faith which is in Christ Jesus as before 2 Tim. 3. 15. Oh this is the great thing in the Scriptures and that by which God teacheth all things and leads into all truth Joh. 16. 43. 14. and unto which he gives testimony Act. 14. 3 and that by which all the Scriptures may be opened for his testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy the quintessence of all writ and it is the wisdom of God hence our Saviour in and by the Light hereof opeâ—ed thâ— Scriptures to his Diâ—ciples and inflamed their hearts and opened their eyes to understand the Scriptures Luk. 24 25 27 32. 44. 45. Rev 19. 10. And it is the power of God this was that which Christ was anointed to preach and he spake as one having authority and not as the Scribes to whom the vision of all was as a sealed book for though they were zealous for and strict in the observing lighter matters yet they passed over the great things of Gods Law judgement and the love of God Isa 61. 2. Mat. 7. 20 1 Cor. 1. 22. 23. The thing then to which he commits them it is the word of his grace not of ours as he had directed them to the most excellent person so here to the most excellent means for the discovering of him to us and this to shew us further the praise worthiness of this excellenâ— one and this is added that it may be a light to uâ— in our darkness For some might saâ— how shall we know Gods name or his sons Nâ—me how shall we know he hath bought us or hath any love toward us whether he gâ—ve himself a ransome for us and is our Shepherd many there are who seem to speak high of God that bring an hard report of him and deny that â—â— cordially loves the greatest part of men and so render his grace and the ground of incouragement for our coming to him doubtfuâ— and even cut off the feet Now that we may not be misled by them or by our own thoughts which in times of such great correction especially are leading us to call into question his love and faithfulness he not only commends them to God but to the word of his grace in which we mâ—y so behold him as to be strengthned to hate thoughts our own and others for every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 4. 5. That in God we may praise his word in the Lord we may praise his word and so in God we may put our trust Psal 56. 4. 10. We need not that any man teach us but as that anointing teacheth of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught us we shall abide in him 1 Joh. 2. 27. Now for some usefulnesâ— to us in this thing to which he commends them we shall consider 1. What is this word of grace 2. Why it is so called 1. What is this word of grace Surely it is the same which he received of the Lord to testifie even the Gospel of the grace of God ver 24. And which he had preached even the Kingdom of God ver 25. All the counsel of God ver 27. Even the Gospel of Christ especiall as it is now revealed in the Revelation of the Mistery and that it is so appears by that Act. 14. 3. And compared with what goes before and follows There we have an account given us of Pauls exercise at Iconium and the success of it and how God stood by him for it is said he gave testimony to the word of his grace and when driven from Iconium he came to Lystra c. And there he preached the Gospel ver 6. 7. now ver 21. 22. It is said he returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch exhorting them to continue in the Faith namely in that word of faith which he had preached and they had received in which expression he sums up in one word what he had preached at those three places to signifie that it was but one thing and so that the word of his grace was the same he had preached at Auticâ—h Act. 13. 32. 39. and which he preacht at Lystra chap. 14. 7. to wit the Gospel Yea it there appears also that by the word of his grace is meant such a discovery of it as the Jews could not indure it was to the Jews who were seeking after a sign a stumbling block namely it is especially in the first things of it such a declaration of the grace of God as in which glad tidings is proclaimed to every poor sinful creature of mankind while it is called to day to the worst of men such as were the Gentiles and so to Idolaters Adulterers effeminate c see Act. 14. 2. 6 and 13 45. 47. with 1 Thes 2. 15. 16. Such as in which glad tidings of great joy is brought unto all people 2. Now this is called the word of his grace as in part is intimated and signified 1. Because it discovers the grace of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the Father in him 1. In what Christ was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us 2. In what he is now doing 3. In what he will do hereafter 2. Because in and with this word he gives Grace to Men. 3. Because he makes them partakers of grace thorow it that turn at his â—eproofs 1. It is called the word of his grace because herein he discovers his pitty and kindness to Man-ward and that 1. In what he was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us and is become his grace is herein greatly evidenced that we might behold it he hath manifested his word and grace thorow preaching and so 1. His grace was manifested in this that he hath undertook and was abased for us was so excellent an one it was God laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16 One who was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2 6. He was rich the Lord and heir of all things and yet was abased for us herein it appears it was grace there was nothing in us in that condition we were in to deserve such a favour and so to ingage him to it yea much that might have hindred as afterward may be seen Nor any thing for the future could be expected from us that might recompense his kindness yea his goodness extended not to himself for he could not be added unto for he was glorious with the Fathers own self before the World was this was therefore grace indeed and herein the
hearts desire and with-holds not from him the requests of his lips he did oft-times hear Moses but once when he request somewhat for himself the Lord said unto him let it suffice thee speak no more to me of this matter and would not grant him his desire but God never turns away the face of this his anointed one but hears him alwayes Joh. 11. 41 42. And as before is intimated his end in making intercession it is not only that mens lives might be a little longer continued much less is it that he may aggravate their condemnation though if men still refuse and rebel their condemnation will be hereby aggravated and God will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalpe of such as go on still in their trespasses Psal 68. 18 21. but that they which live and have their lives prolonged might live not to themselves but to him who dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and therefore while he intercedes for further sparing it is that he may dig about by his corrections and chastenings in which he hath a gracious end while it is called to day Job 7. 17 18. 33. 19 29. and dung them with his mercies and goodness to lead them to tepentance as Luk 1. 3. 6 8. So also the Apostle signifies in that motive and argument he layes down to move the Coriâ—â—hians not to receive the grace of God in vain for he to wir the Father saith to Christ I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee I say therein is signified that while God hears Christ and that is all the time he is mediating he is also using means and succouring him in his ministration that men might receive the grace of God to purpose and so all this while it is an accepted time and day of salvation in which men may seek the Lord and he will be found 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Isa 55. 1 6. And hence the Apostle Peter instructs to account the long-suffering of our Lord to be salvation that is not only an evidence and witness of that salvation wrought and compleated in the person of our Lord though it is so also Psal 68. 18 20. nor only that during that time of his exercising long-suffering he is saving them from destruction but also to signifie what the end of our Lord in procuring it for us and exercising it toward us is namely He is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish no not those scoffers that walked after their own lusts and said Where is the promise of his coming while it is called to day but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 4 9 15. Prov. 1. 22. for he hath no pleasure none at all neither secret nor revealed in the everlasting destruction of men while the day of his grace and patience continues and that is while Jesus Christ mediates and that is while God is calling men by any means and stretching forth his hand which he doth while he calls Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye saith the Lord God and not that he should return from his wayes and live Ezek. 18. 23. 33. 10 11. Isa 49 8. 50. 1 2. and therefore when men have so provoked God as that they have deserved to be presently cut off and he is threatning to bring upon them such judgments as in which many would have their lives taken away and so dying in their sins be sealed up to the wrath to come because he hath no pleasure concurring with their destruction while there may be hope he is through the Mediation of Jesus deferring his anger and waiting that he may be gracious and exâ—â—â—ting himself that he may have mercy upon such Isa 30. 8 18. such his grace to man-ward while it is called to day But now in his present work and office he is especially the Saviour of them that believe the Apostle and High-Priest of their profession to whom he is more abundantly gracious he giveâ—h grace to the humble He forgives them their iniquities that come unto God by him and retaineth them no longer in heaven against them but justifieth them freely by his grace and ever lives to make intercession for them to take away their manifold mixtures weaknesses and infirmities and is therefore able to save them to the uttermost yea they are justified in believing by him from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses even from rebellious iniquities and to them he imputes righteousness without works and they are made accepted in the beloved Heb. 7. 25. Act. 13. 39. Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 4. 5 7. yea God is daily and continually tâ—â— just fier of him that believeth in Jesus through him as the propitiatory Rom. 3. 22 25 26. and so To them he gives power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name and they are the subjects of peculiar grace and favour Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God even such as were sometimes the children of wrath even as others 1 Joh. 3. 1. Eph. 2. 3. Jesus Christ loves them with the same manner of love as wherewith the Father loves him and the Father loves them with such manner of love as wherewith he loves his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 9. 17. 23. even with a delightful and well pleased love yea therefore he loves them because they have loved Jesus Christ and have believed that he came forth from God Ioh. 14. 21 23. 16. 27. And because they are sons he sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts to them he pours forth his Spirit and makes known his words Gal. 4. 6. Prov. 1. 23. He gives unto them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revâ—lation in the knowledge of Christ opening and enlightning the eyes of their understandings that they may know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 17 20. And this he doth not because of any perfection of their coming to God by Christ but from his own goodness he is pleased to make and repute them as his people and to favour them with such favour Henâ—e the Psalmist ascribes it principally to the graciousness of the Lord that he still and further teacheth them and makes known his words Good and upright is the Lord therefore the meek he will guide in judgment and the meek he will teach his way and the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant his Son whom he hath given for a Covenant of the people and in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen Isa 42. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 20 Psal 25. 8 14. He gives them his good Spirit to guide them into all truth to teach them all things and bring all things to remembrance which Christ hath
said and so he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13. Dan. 2. 21. And by his thus giving the Spirit to them and opening the testimony of Jesus and therein glorifying Christ he is still and further baptizing them by this holy Spirit making them clean and washing them with the washing of water by the Word from the errors and pollutions of the world into Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 3. Mat. 3. 11. Eph 5. 25 26. 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. strengthening them there through to mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8. 13. giving this as a spirit of adoption into their hearts a spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12. 10. a spirit of boldness and confidence to come unto God as their Father and cry Abba to draw nigh to him by the blood of Jesus through that new and living way consecrated through the veil the flesh of Christ he being also the great High Priest over the house of God and so to come with boldness to the throne of grace that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 10. 19 22. Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 6. Heb. 4. 16. and to teach them what to pray for as they ought both what things to desire and so what to pray for first and especially namely the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and things more directly thereto appertaining and other things with submission to his will and upon what account and in what incouragement and to what end to seek them to wit in the name of Christ and that God in all things may be glorified Rom 8. 26 27. to fulfil in them the righteousness of the Law and fill them with the fruits of righteousness and so to conform them to Christ that their soul may be as a watered garden Rom. 8 4. Gal. 5. 16 22. Eph. 5. 9 10. Isa 58. 11. to teach them to answer adversaries and opposers and that they may contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints Luk. 12. 11 12. 21. 14 15. to anoint them and give grace to them even some gracious gift for the good of men and growth of the Church that they may grow up together by that which every joint supplieth Eph. 4. 7. 1 Cor. 12. 7. and so makes them a royal Priesthood to shew forth his praises 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. yea strengthens them through his Spirit to wait for the hope of his righteousness by faith in purging away their transgressions subduing their iniquities fighting their battels he being the Captain of their salvation perfecting all their works and even to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus to eternal life Gal. 5. 5. Psal 138. 7 8. Isa 26. 12. He is their Advocate with the Father to plead their cause to receive their suits to make their spiritual sacrifices acceptable taking away the iniquity of their holy things that they may come with acceptance upon his Altar and so to give answers of peace and gracious returns He is the High Priest of their profession and so he is not of others their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God Rock Mediator High-Priest their drink-offerings of blood will he not offer but he offers their sacrifices that come to God by him and perfumes them with the vertues and odours of his sacrifice Psal 16. 4. Joh. 14. 13. 1 Pet. 2 5. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rev. 8. 3 5. Heb. 13. 15 16. His eyes unto whom all things are naked and opened are alwayes upon them to preserve them from evil to preserve their souls 2 Thes 3. 3. they are always upon the righteous to order his providences as may be good and to deliver them from the will of their enemies and he is caring for them and will preserve them that none shall pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 27 28. Psal 33. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 5 6 7. Such is his grace to them that when need is he is chastening them for their profit that they may be more partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 9 11. The Lord tryeth the righteous out of love to them and faithfulness to Christ Jesus Psal 89. 28 33. But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth and therefore he is not so trying them Psal 11. 5. And oh that none of them whom he is so chastening may forget that consolation in Christ which speaks to them as to children that they may not despise his chastenings nor faint when rebuked of him Heb. 12. 5 8. Prov. 3 11 12. And in those chastenings they have a merciful and faithful High-Priest to consider who himself hath suffered being tempted and therefore is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 17 18. 3. 1. 4. 15 16. one who pities them as a father pities his children and therefore chastens them as a man chasteneth his Son Psal 103. 13. Deut. 8. 5. with great tenderness and in measure he debateth with them and with the temptation will make a way of escape that they may be able to bear Isa 27. 8 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and though he cause grief he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3. 31 32. and cause all things to work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8. 28. and all these tempâ—ations and trials of their faith shall appear to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 they shall see and acknowledge his grace and faithfulness in nurtuâ—ing them in this day to so gracious an end that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. Prov. 23. 14. yea now while walking in the light of the Lord they are acknowledging his faithfulness in correcting and giving thâ—nks to him because of his righteous judgments Psal 119. 62 68 75. Yea he will in their seeking first the kingdom of God and unto that add unto them all other things and so what they shall eat and what they shall drink and wherewith they shall be cloathed he will give unto them food and raiment such provision hath he made in his great and precious promises for their incauragement that their conversation may be without covetousness and carefulness and he is faithful who hath promised as is wonderfully manifested in the Cross of Christ Mat. 6. 33. Heb. 13. 5 6. Psal 34. 9 10. yea he is a Sun and a shield and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly and therefore O Lord of hosts blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Psal 84. 11 12. 3. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he will do and that 1. To those righteous ones whom he gathers to himself now by death and before he appears 2. And to all of them hereafter when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 1. To those righteous ones
Lord though their spirits are made perfect as before yet there is some fruit of sin upon them but then he will cast all their sins into the depth of the Sea their sins and their iniquities he will remember no more Act. 3. 19. Heb. 10. 16 17. Mic. 7. 19. Jer. 50. 19 20. And this further appears in that they shall be raised out of and delivered for ever From death and all its fruits this was the wages of sin Rom. 6. 23. By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin Rom. 5. 12 14. And now the body is dead because of sin Rom. 8. 10. And it is appointed to man the whole kind once to dye though all shall not sleep in death yea the bodies of those just men generally whose spirits are made perfect sleep in the dust they are prisoners though prisoners of hope and so they are in the graves But he will open their graves and cause them to come ouâ— of their graves and their bodies shall be fashioned into the likeness of Christ's glorious body Phil. 3. 20. Now they are corruptible have the seeds of corruption and principles of mortality they are perishing decaying bodies and we may with him say to corruption Thou art my father and to the worm thou art my mother and my sister Job 17. 14. We must needs all dye and those that sleep in death their bodies return to dust but they shall be raised incorruptible no more to return to corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mottal immortality That which is now dishonourable and of which we are ashamed for sin brought in shame and therefore need cloathing and covering that the shame of our nakedness appear not and which is sown in dishonour a vile loathsom carcass shall be raised in glory even with the glory of the Lord upon it Mat. 13. 43. They shall no more need this vile cloathing but they shall then be cloathed with the garments of salvation and covered with the robe of righteousness That which is now weak at best and subject to many infirmities weaknesses and sicknesses destitute of that health and strength at first created in and so sown in weakness no life no strength in it to move it self and even like the beasts for that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts even one thing befalleth them as the one dyeth so dyeth the other c. Eccl. 3. 19. shall be raised in power be strong and freed from all weakness and diseases That which is now a natural body which we received by natural propagation and was here nourished with natural meat and drink by the word of God and is sown a natural body shall be raised a spiritual body they shall be the sons of God then as to their bodies being the children of the resurrection and then they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more they shall be so spiritualized that they shall be like to and equal with the Angels not hindered by any obstacles they shall bear the image of the heavenly and so they will be more excellent than man in his first creation and now freed from all sickness pain and grief these inhabitants shall no more say they are sick for their sins shall be forgiven them 1 Cor. 15. 43 49. Luk. 20. 35 36. Isa 49. 10. 33. 24. Rev. 21. 3. Christ shall then present them to himself a glorious Church not having wrinkle no fruit or remembrance of affliction or grief upon them Eph. 5. 27. Job 16. 8. but the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon them then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15. 53 55. they shall be freed and delivered for ever from the first death and shall be freed and delivered for ever from the first death and shall not go into the second blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20. 6. they shall not be condemned with the world in that everlasting fire which was not at first prepared for mankind but for the Devil and his angels into which all that have been incensed against and continued disobedient to Jesus Christ shall be cast he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2. 11. Then they shall be delivered and saved from all their enemies and from all their deceits and troubles God shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence Psal 72. 14. From deceit God shall then bruise Satan under their feet as he is already bruised under the feet of the Captain of our salvation for during the thousand years reign of Christ and his Saints he shall be bound so as not to deceive the Nations all that time and when the thousand years are expired he shall be loosed a little season out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the Nations he shall not then have liberty given him to deceive the Camp of the Saints much less the beloved City and presently after he shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 20. 1 3 7 10. into the holy City new Jerusalem shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or a lye Rev. 21. 27. 22. 15. Now they have temptations from Satan and men though yet in hearing Christ's voice and following him none shall pluck them out of his hands neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers not things present nor things to come c. shall be able to separate them that love God from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus Joh. 10. 27 29. Rom. 8. 38 39. but yet Satan is trying and indeavouring all means to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus and by â—etting slip the things heard and listening to Satan it 's possible that a man may be intangled and overcome there being sin in believers also that is alwayes working deceitfully as appears by the many admonitions given to believers and jealeusies of the Apostles concerning them and some instances in Scripture recorded c. 1 Thess 3. 5. Gal. 1. 6 7. 5. 3 5. 6. 1. 2 Cor. 11. 1 3. Heb. 2. 1 3. 4. 1. 10. 23 29. but then as they have no sin within them so none without them that shall tempt them any more And herein their condition is more excellent than was Adam's and mankind's in him in the first Creation for though then God made man upright yet there was a tempter permitted to tempt him and through his subtilty did beguil him he not keeping in believing mindfulness the word of God but listening to the lye of the serpent And then they shall be delivered from violence also he will give to them then rest from all their troubles when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flâ—ming fire taking vengeance on them that
Act. 26. 17 18 22 yea any man in having and declaring it faithfully doth minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4. 28. with Col. 4. 6. It is true men have no knowledge of or will to any thing that is spiritually good yea they are naturally inclined to all evil lusting after vain things but he giveth more grace grace abounding and exceeding their natural corruption pulling down their strong holds casting down their imaginations and every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God it presents more excellent and glorious arguments and gives more strength where ore he saith God resisâ—â—th the proud such as still refuse to humble themselves and turn at his reproofs Jam. 4. 5 6. the grace of God saving to all men hath now appeared Tit. 2. 11. and therefore mens sin is rendred hereby to be exceeding sinful because they either receive not this grace or receive it in vain because they receive not the love of the truth so as to be saved thereby 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. But no more to this because it hath been in part spoken to already 3. This Gospel of Christ is called the word of his grace because it is that whereby he gives grace more abundantly to them that hear in hearing he rejecteth the proud that scorn to receive his grace but he giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4. 6. He so gives testimony to the Word of his grace as that in receiving this men receive the Spirit even through this hearing of faith and not by the works of the Law even that spirit of faith whereby they have the faith of the operation of God wrought in them and so they are said to have believed through grace Gal. 3. 2. Act. 14. 1 3. 18. 27. Hence this is called the Word of faith both because it testifies Christ to be the foundation and object of faith and because by it he is working faith in those that hear it yea and doth work it in all those that in hearing hear Rom. 10. 8 17. and so chuses them out of the world from the state and fellowship thereof saves them from their ignorance of God and enmity unto God Rom. 11. 5 6. Tit. 3. 3 5. it is that means whereby he makes them partakers of the forgiveness of their sins in their minds and consciences they are justified by grace justified by faith by this word of faith believed even from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 5. 1 Act. 13 39. he makes the opening of his name in his testimony the very declaration of that justification and forgiveness he hath received powerful to wash them from the guilt of their sins and so speaks peace to them Act. 26. 18. the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus doth make them free from the Law of sin and death and so from the a cusation of sin by the Law in opening this arâ—ument unto thâ—m that what the Law could no dâ— in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the â—â—eness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8. â— 3. It washes their heart from an evil conscience namely from a conscience that chargeth and condemns it self as held under wrath because our first Father hath sinned and we in him and come forth frâ—m him naturally and necessarily polluted for this is not now the condemnation and from an evil conscience that seeks by dead works to wash it self and speak peace to it self from some works of righteousness of ours This truâ—h known makes free and so the Son hereby Heb. 10. 22. Joh. 8. 31 32 36. yea and hereby they receive remission of those sins in which they sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins Act. 10. 43. And so being justified by faith they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ freedom from the fear of his wrath and that in believing this Word he fills with joy and peace in believing and multiplies grace and peace to them through the knowâ—dge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord even â—â—rough the doctrine of him known and received by them Rom. 5. 1. 15. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 2. and so begers them again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deaâ— as discovered in the Gospel for it is his word that quickens them 1 Pet. 1. 3. Psal 119. â—0 93. yea hereby he washes them â—rom the dominion and service of sin in their members that henceforth they should not serve sin and walking in the Spirit in minding the things of the Spirit and yielding up to its operations sin shall not have dâ—minion over them nor shall they fulfil the lusts of the flesh Joh. 15. 3. 8 32. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 5. 16. Psal 17. 4. 119. 9 11. through this knowledge of Christ and God's grace in him he gives unto them still and further the spirit of wisdom and revelation to glorifie Christ and enamour their hearts on him and so to redeem them from their vain conversation Eph. 1. 17 18. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Tit. 2. 14. And hereby he gives unto every one of this body grace even some gracious giâ—t whereby they may speak to God and pour out their hearts unto him and some useful gift to speak to men as this testimony of Christ is received by them and confirmed in them Rom. 8. 26. 1 Cor. 1. 5 6. Joh. 7. 38 39. yea in and with this he doth establish them and save them from the error of the wicked and from divers and strange doctrines that they may not be as children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13. 7 9. Eph. 4. 11 14. 1 Cor. 15 1 2. Psal 17. 4. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son to preserve and keep him from those deceivers that are entred into the world and to make him strong that the wicked one shall not touch him so as to corrupt him from that simplicity in Christ 2 Joh. 7 9. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14 4. 4. 5. 18. yea hereby he gives grace to them to strengthen them with might unto all long-suffering and patience with joyfulness in those afflictions and tribulations which he is ordering unto them this is their comfort in their affliction for his word quickens them and it is unto them the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Col. 1. 11. Psal 119. 49 50 78 82. Jer. 15. 15 16 17. he creates the fruit of his lips unto them in his testimoâ—y peace peace and so heals them that are broken in heart and binds up their griefs Psal 147. 2. with Psal 107. 20. Isa 57. 15 19. with Chap. 61. 1 3. and so causeth them to know and prove
do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think the Father hath committed all judgement to him and so infinitely loved him because he humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross that he hath not given the Spirit by measure unto him but hath filled him immeasurably therewith and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 5. 22. 3. 34 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. yea herein is imported his sufficiency and readiness to assist them and dispense unto them according to their needs and capacities whatsoever was good unto all their services and sufferings and unto the utmost saving of them that they might be preserved blameless unto his coming and so not fail of his grace 1 Thes 5. 23 24. Heb. 7. 25. 2. As with respect to himself who now commended them even the Apostle there is signified 1. That he had the care of these lying upon him and indeed upon him came daily the care of all the Churches he was a steward to whom a great trust was committed and it is probable was the first that planted the Gospel among them and so might be an instrumental father of them and now he shews his love to these who had first given themselves to the Lord and afterwards to him and his fellow-labourers by the will of God as 2 Cor. 8. 5. and his faithfulness to his Lord in returning the charge of them to him from whom he received it herein imitating our Saviour the great shepherd of the Sheep Thine they were saith he and thou gavest them me and now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come unto thee holy father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me Joh. 17. 6 11 13. And thus our Brother who was counted faithful and put into the Ministry and had a trust committed to him when departing to shew his faithfulness to the chief shepherd and love to the sheep returned his charge to him from whom he had received it 2. His assurance of his faithfulness and ability to whom he commends them it was to him whom he knew by experience to be gracious and had proved faithful in all things who had been exceeding abundantly gracious to him and had stood by him and strengthned him even as Israel blessed Jacob and intimately commends him and his to one whose faithfulness he had proved The God saith he which fed me all my life long unto this day the Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless c. Gen. 48. 15 16. He knew whom he had believed and he was perswaded that he was able to keep that which he committed to him against that day as 2 Tim. 1. 12. he was well assured of and satisfied in his infinite faithfulness and therefore safely trusts in him and commends these unto him 2 Tim. 4. 17 18. 3. As with respect to them whom he commends he may intimate unto us 1. That they were children such as had not attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12. and could not keep themselves they were all little children though there might be diversity among themselves some fathers experienced believers who might be instruments of begetting others through the Gospel and some young men who were strong having the word of God abiding in them and some weak and babes yet in this respect all little children they had not yet attained to perfection as 1 Joh. 2. 12 14 18. they yet needed a tutor but not such as they were under during the ministration of the Law in which though sons they differed nothing from servants but such an one as became sons even Câ—rist as a Son over his own house and the word of his grace and so the Law of faith and not of works they were not perfect as to attainment and therefore needed to be committed to one who would be careful of and faithful to them yea and that they had many enemies who would indeavour to corrupt them from the simplicity that is in Christ and if possible defraud them of their inheritance and so beguil them of their reward many evil men violent persons and many seducers that would indeavour to pervert them and subvert their souls by removing them from him who had called them into the grace of Christ they were weak in themselves and had strong enemies whose end was destruction and therefore they needed an helper 2. To instruct them to commit themselves to and leave themselves with him Psal 10. 14. to submit themselves to God and commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator and to be ordered and guided and taught by this Law of grace and to have all their expectation from him and it for their being kept by his power in this Gospel through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 4. 19. 1. 5. And indeed this is the most pâ—rfect means by which he doth now help them assist instruct and strengthen them and preserve them from evil the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. This is the way whereby he keeps the souls of those committed to him so much may be signified to us in this That when the congregation of God's poor cry out to him Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth c. God doth then create the â—â—uit of his â—ips peace and speaks good words and comfortable to them in first assuring them that in committing themselves to him he would care for them and prethem and then he or the Prophet in his name directs them where they might meet with his gracious keeping guidance and preservation he will set his poor and needy ones in safety but wherewith and where may they expect this so as to commit themselves and way thereto The words of the Lord of or concerning the Lord in which is shewed that he is the Lord and by what means he is so become and the grace of God in him and so the words that are spoken by the Lord in the words of the Holy Ghost and not which mans wisdom teacheth are pure words that is they are pure in themselves in what they testifie of the Lord and of all things faithful words there is no lye of them and worthy of all acceptation they give a true and right discovery of all things and a good and gracious report of the Lord and they are pure in their effect and efficacy inlightning the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. and purifying the heart Act. 15. 19. and so purifying from all filthiness of flesh and spirit Jam. 3. 17. Joh. 15. 3. by this means then God saves and helps even by his words and therefore he is commending them to us that we might in them and by them expect his performing all things for us Now then in that he saith I commend you to God and to the word of his grace therein is imported to us that his desire and counsel
was that they should betake themselves to God and this faithful word for and unto all things and not wander herefrom as a bird from her nest but even say with rejoycing as they Jer. 3. 22. Behold we come unto thee c. 3. In that he now commends them to God when he was to be taken from their head as it were as 2 King 2. 3 5. and when he had signified some jealousie concerning them or some of them as ver 30. he may signifie unto them that now it behoved them and they needed to commit themselves more immediately to God and the word of his grace then formerly and to take heed to themselves singly and jointly as ver 28. and not too much confide one in another lest both he that helpeth fall and they who are holpen fall and both fail together such an understanding may agree with other places of Scripture in which such causes of lamentation are presented so much I conceive is signified in that Psal 12. by that cry lifted up to God Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth for the faithful even such whose spirits were fixed and hearts united to proclaim God's goodness to the children of men Prov. 20. 6. these fail from among the children of men there were some of the congregation of God's poor and needy left who thus pour out their hearts but as persons sensible there were none of such usefulness and faithfulness left behind none in whom they could so safely trust or to whom they could so securely commit themselves as they could have done to those taken away they therefore more immediately apply themselves to the Lord and jointly intreat his mercy Arise O Lord for our helpfulness stand up for us for our faithful helpers are gone and we have none like them left behind And the Lord as moved with bowels toward them graciously answers and saith Now will I arise saith the Lord because of the sighing of the needy as intimating that while these faithful ones were preserved he had committed the care to them as it were and took his rest and even sate him down but now there were none like them he had taken away or like minded to them he would arise for their help and keep them in safety by his words from those that would insnare them as is before said ver 5. And the Prophet as it were filled with joy and resting saâ—isfied with God's gracious assurance replies ver 7. Thou shalt keep them O Lord thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever the poor commit themselves to thee and thou hast graciously said thou wilt arise and set them in safety and be thy self more immediately the helper of and guide to them and thou shalt have the keeping of them for they cannot so safely commit themselves to these surviving as they could have done to those taken away there is none to guide them that is of like usefulness and faithfulness like that bewailed and declared to be an heavy testimony of displeasure Isa 51. 17 18. There is none to guide Jerusalem among all the sons she hath brought forth she hath sous that are begotten of her of whom she is the mother but there is none that hath such skilfulness in the word of righteousness to guide her Psal 78. 72. nor any that taketh her by the hand to be a comfort to and leader of her in this day of her weakness languishing and darkness of all the sons she hath brought up To the same purpose also is the counsel of the Prophet Micah in such a day of calamity Wo is me saith he c. the good man is perished out of the earth c. Mic. 7. 1 2. Trust ye not in a friend who were friends to you and in whom in a sense you might trust while the good man was continued in the earth put no confidence in a guide there is none like the good man and faithful ones taken away and though they are guides and not to be despised in their prophecyings yet put no confidence in them namely such as you might have done in those removed they are not like the good man the merciful man they want mercies and kindness to pursue your good singly they are not so filled with bowels of mercies to pity you and strengthen you in your weaknesses and even to put their souls in your souls stead but may rather add grief to your sorrow you cannot so freely and safely pour out your hearts and complaints to them and acquaint them with your temptations and exercises as you might have done the merciful man Who was weak and he was not weak who was offended he burned not 2 Cor. 11. 29. Or they are not upright like those faithful ones who fail from among the children of men not so intirely loving Christ Caâ—t 1. 4. and cleaving to the Lord with full purpose not seeking the things of Christ with a neglect of their own things but either corrupting the word of God and mixing therewith the wisdom of this world either natural or artificial 1 Cor. 1. 17. 2 Cor. 2. 17. Or otherwise pursuing their own name and praise and esteem and instead of boasting in and of God boasting of themselves and their own mouths praising themselves proclaiming their own goodness kindness successfulness and what they have done for this and that person and how much they have exceeded others Prov. 20. 6. Or not faithful in their reprovings but have either omitted the rebuking of their brethren when need required and so hated them and suffered sin upon them Lev. 19. 17. Prov. 27. 6. Or else have done it in proud wrath and so the best of them like a bryar even scratching and breaking others to pieces with their words and even tearing them instead of healing them Job 19. 2. and so doing things out of strife Or not upright in their conversations outwardly that men seeing their good works might glorifie God in the day of visitation but rather causing the name of God and his doctrine to be evil spoken of and blasphemed by their receiving it in vain and so causing the Ministry to be blamed Or if they be more upright hearted than the generality yet you can put no such confidence in their openings and applyings of the testimony of Christ as you might have done in the good mans who is removed therefore saith the Prophet I will look to the Lord namely more immediately and incourageth himself with this assurance my God with hear me even now especially he will prepare his ear to hear me and be a light to me now the good man is perished like that before in Psal 12. and cryes feed thy flock especially now the good man is perished Mic. 7. 5 8 14. He hath promised and is faithful that hath promised that when the poor and needy seek water and there is none he the Lord will hear them he who is the God of Israel will not forsake them c. Isa
41. 17. And yet in committing themselves to God and the word of his grace they should be directed to give to every one their due and not to neglect though they could not put such confidence in thâ—sâ— left behind but to consider their word and the end of their conversation 3. Wherefore the Apostle now especially commends and resigns them to God and the word of his grace to the end they should commit themselves unto and leave themselves with him This hath been signified in part before and is also intimated afterward in the verse yet I shall add somewhat further and say in general he doth commit them to him with instruction to them to commit themselves to God and leave themselves with him and the word of his grace 1. For his help Psal 10. 14. 2. For his preservation of them Psal 12. 7. as referring to the scope of the Apostle in the former verses 1. For his help of them and assistance to be graciously vouchsafed to them and expected by them and that both 1. Upon the account of his being taken away and so for our instruction when God removes faithful and eminent watchmen 2. And that they might feed the flock of God and so for believers edifying one another more generally 1. As with respect to his being taken away and so for instruction to us when God removes faithful and eminent watchmen in the midst of their dayes what I shall speak under this head will be of more direct respect to our selves to whom God hath been ordering such an occasion of mourning and lamentation and so let us now commit our selves to God as with respect to them so taken away and as with respect to our selves that yet are preserved in the Land of the living 1. As with respect to them so taken away let us betake our selves to God and to the word of his grace that we sorrow not for them as those that have no hope it is far better with them as is before said they sleep in Jesus and are delivered from those sorrows troubles and disquietments that here they were exposed to Hence the Prophet when he had been saying The righteous perisheth and merciful men are taken away adds from the evil and He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds c. as that which was proper to comfort the contrite one and his mourners Isa 57. 1 2. And though the Apostle John had given him in charge at first to write the things which he had seen and the things which are c. Rev. 1. 11 19. yet also he had a voice from heaven particularly and expresly commanding him to write that it might be preserved for and considered in the time to come blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord c. Rev. 14. 13. And so the Apostle on like account saith If we believe that Jesus dyed and rose again then them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him c. Wherefore comfort one another with these words 1 Thes 4. 14 18. And oh that the consolations of God may not be small with us on this account 2. As with respect to our selves who are yet preserved in the Land of the living let us on such an occasion commit and betake our selves to him for his gracious teaching us out of his Law what we see not by any light that is in us as of us or what we have forgotten or let slip that we may know wherefore he is ordering such great and heavy testimonies of displeasure that we may be contrite and humble our selves before him and be broken off from what he hath been reproving us for doubtless in acquainting our selves with him and the word of his grace and its instructions we may know wherefore he is thus pleading with us thereby he is teaching us what we see not that we might not be unwise but unstand what the will of the Lord is Job 34. 31 32. Prov. 6 24. In general it appears the cause of his so lifting up his hand amongst us is because of our great provocations of him for he who is the God of all grace doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men and much less doth he till he be highly provoked smiâ—e with such heavy stroaks as these are such judgments are of such a nature as in which he shews his people very hard things and gives them the wine of astonishment to drink especially when he smoaks against the prayers of his people Such as in which he begins to give to his Jerusalem the cup of his fury to drink yea the dregs of the cup wâ—ung out as Isa 51. 17 18. hereby threatning to take away his Kingdom from them therefore surely we may in the light of the Lord see that when he so judges us there hath been lewdness found in our filthiness so much they acknowledge and bewail when God's hand was turned against them Lam. 3. 42 44. we have transgressed as a wife treacherously departs from her Husband we have gone a whoring from under our God and have rebelled viz. gone on and continued in our transgression against light and admonition rebelled against the light thou hast not pardoned thou hast covered with anger and persecuted us thou hast slain thou hast not pitied thou hast covered thy self with a cloud that our prayer should not pass thorow Not only did God shut out the Prophets prayer when he cryed and shouted even prayed very earnestly as ver 8. but he covered himself with a cloud that prayer should not pass thorow when they assembled together and there was some joint agreement of them in their praying as it may seem The reasons then of God's proceeding on in such judgments in removing such faithful instruments untimely and not withstanding his people have been crying and praying for sparing mercies yet he hath not given such gracious returns as they have begged for are as far as I am helped to understand 1. More generally because those that are hearers of the word are heaâ—â—râ— only receiving his grace in vain and not suffering it to have its efficacy upon them so as to redeem them from their iniquities and purifie them unto God a peculiar people zealous of good works this even provokes God to remove his servants from us when men are hearers of the word and not doers so much the Apostle signifies I know saith he that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith c. only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ implying that the want of this would be the only cause of their being deprived of such a mercy Phil. 1. 25 27. So the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel threatens that he would make them desolate of their glory and make them know that a Prophet had been among them by his removing him from them because they sate before him as his people and heard his words but they would not do
Chaâ— 13 1 15. 12. and threatens it as a judgment that when men hate him that rebuketh in the gate and abhor him that â—peaks uprightly that then the prudent shall keep silence in that time for it is an evil time Amos 5. 10 13. Surely the reproofs of instruction are the way of life and a wise and faithful reprover is to be obediently heard and highly prizâ—d open rebuke is better than secret love Prov. 6. 24. 25. 12. 27. 5. Psal 141. 5. Now therefore when men cannot indure reproof but hatâ— the light and come not thereto lest their deeds should be reproved this greatly incen eth God and will cause him to remove faithful reprovers To this agrees that of the Prophet Mic. 2. 6. with Isa 30. 10 11. Prophesie ye not say they to them that prophesie namely prophesie not unto us right things speak to us smooth things prophesie deceits get ye out of the way â— â—hey shall not prophesie that they shall not take shame that is God hereby threatens that either they shall not so prophesie as to cause thâ—se haters of reproof to take shame but they should while continued cease to be reprovers of them 〈◊〉 â—e would remove those Prophets in testimony o high displeasure because they to whom they prophesied despised â—â—roof that they shâ—uld have no more opportunity to prophesi unto thâ—m no not forâ—ever that they should not take shame Thiâ— provokes God to take away the speech of the trusty or lip of the faithful and to make men desolate of their glory This was also containâ—d in the iniquity of that people that heard the words of the Prophet delightfully and frequently they were still talking against him by the walls and in the doors of the houses viz. privately secretly and so as he knew not of it until the Lord gave him knowledge and so he knew and he shewed him their doings as Jer 11. 18 19 and therefore he would deprive them of such a faithful watchman and reprâ—ver Ezek. 33. 30 33. So much also may be signified in that Hos 4. 4 5. where after the Lord had been declaring the great iniquity of Israel and therefore threatning that the Land should mourn c. he adds yet let no man strive or reprove another for thy people are as they that strive with the Priest they cannot indure to be reproved therefore the Prophet shall fall in the night This hating reproof is an iniquity of such a nature as in which men do even declare some stiff purpose and resolvedness to continue in the things reproved not a wandring simply but a loving to wander it is a sure evidence that a man is out of and forsakes the way while correction is grievous unto him while he loves not one that reproveth him Prov. 15. 10 12. it keeps such an one from going unto or abiding amongst the wise the company of such as are wise reprovers is a burden to them Prov. 15. 12 31. 32. and therefore this persisted in will at last provoke God to say as he did concerning Ephraim Let them alone yea and because their heart is set on their iniquity and they will not be made clean give them such teachers as will sooth them up such as are Prophets of the deceit of their own heare that will cry peace peace unto them and flatter them telling them they are the temple of the Lord and no evil shall come unto them So he threatens that when his people were come to that bad condition that they would not be reproved but their heart was set on their iniquity he would so order it in his judgments that there should be like people like Priests and that he would herein punish them for their wayes and reward them their doings and even chose their delusions as they could not indure those that spake uprightly but rather desired and spoke well of those that daubed them up with untempered mortar so he would take away the faithful ones from amongst them or give them charge to let them alone and set such over them as would be like unto themselves and strengthen them in or not pull them out of their evil way Hos 4. 4 8 9 17. So also when the house of Jacob were come to that pass that they said to them that prophesie prophesie not unto us right things as before he then threatens this as a judgment to them If a man walking in the spirit and falshood do lye saying I will prophesie unto thee of wine and strong drink he shall even be the Prophet of this people Mic. 2. 6 11. Oh heavy judgment ordered for a great and heinous iniquity because men love to be well spoken of and to whatever crooked path they are walking in and what will this come to in the issue as Jer. 5. 30 31. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the Land the Prophets prophesie fasely and my people love to have it so and what will ye do in the end thereof Yea and this causeth God to shut out mens prayers because they hate his reproofs and his faithful reprovers and when they cry he will not hear them but will even hide his face from them at that time as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings Mic. 2. 6 11. with Chap. 3. 4. So the Lord threatens They shall call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me for that they hated knowledge and did not chuse the fear of the Lord they would none of my counsel they despised all my reproof therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way c. Prov. 1. 28 30. So much also may be contained in that Proverb Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction viz. that regards not reproof as appears by the latter part of the verse that is poverty in spiritual things shall be to such an one God will put an end to the Harvest and he shall beg in Winter and have nothing poverty shall come upon him as an armed man and want as one that travelleth And shame God will put such to shame to wit hide himself from them and cast them off and be as one that is asleep he will lightly esteem them and though they cry and shout yet he will shut out their prayers but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured God will honour such an one he will inrich him with durable riches and righteousness he shall get understanding and his ear shall be alwayes opened to his cry Prov. 13. 18. with Psal 44. 9 23 24. 89 45 46. Prov. 15. 32. 3. More particularly this provokes God to take away the righteous and faithful ones because their heart goeth after its covetousness who are hearers of the Word because such as these love the world and the things of this world and go on in pursuing this evil inclination in oppression or unmercifulness in not doing good to others with
what God hath been putting into their hands Ezek. 33. 31 33. The love of money is the root of all evil not only of the evil of sin but also of judgment and affliction and it appears that the Apostle doth include that also in the evil of which covetousness is the root for he saith which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith this is a great iniquity and that which leads to many other iniquities and pierced themselves with many sorrows caused much grief and procured many judgments to themselves 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. So when the Prophet had been saying The righteous perisheth c. and merciful men are taken away the Lord as I conceive shews that this was the cause of this judgment For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth c. Isa 57. 1 17. This iniquity followed after causeth men to hate faithful reprovers and so provokes God to take them away Mic. 2. 2 6. yea this being inclined unto and persisted in and suffered to bring forth its fruits will even procure that great judgment of depriving such of or of the usefulness of all faithful helpers or such as have the words of wisdom fitted in their lips for speaking profitably unto others so for this the Lord threatens Amos 8. 3 13. The songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day saith the Lord God c. Hear this ye that swallow up the needy even to make the poor of the Land to fail saying when will the new Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat when will those appointed days and meetings be over that we may follow and seek after our profit that we may buy aâ—d sell and get gain making the Ephah small namely the measure and so we may say the weight or any thing they sell and the shekel great getting as much money as they can though to the defrauding and over-reaching another and think this honesty too and falsifying the ballances by deceit that they may wrong others as follows the Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works shall not the Land tremble for this I will turn your feasts into mourning and your songs into lamentation And Behold the dayes come that I will send a famine in the Land not a famine of bread or a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the Lord and they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it Yea this and its direct fruits provokes God to shut out mens cryes even the oppressions of those upon whom God's name is called and their want of pity and mercy their with-holding more then is meet tendeth to poverty even to poverty in spiritual things it provokes God to take away or with-hold such faithful helps for their growth as they might have had and such betrusting with the true riches as might have been committed to them If therefore saith our Saviour to his Disciples ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans who shall give you that which is your own This is anothers given to them for the good of others and especially that they might communicate to those that teach them in all good things if they have reaped their spiritual things their duty is also to Minister unto them in carnal things Luk 16. 9 12. Gal. 6. 6. Rom. 15. 27. And as I was saying it causeth God to hide his face that he will not hear To this purpose is that of the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah The new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity or grief even the solemn Meetings c. And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood And what he means by blood he afterwards explicates and shews to be their oppression and not shewing mercy to the oppressed and helpless for he adds Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow c. Isa 1. 10 23. Like whereto is that Isa 58. 3. 12. Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not c. Behold in the day of your fast ye exact all your labours Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh then shall thy light break forth as the morning Then thou shalt call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say here I am c. Add hereto also that of the Lord by the Prophet Zechariah Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts saying execute true judgment and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother and oppress not the widow nor the fatherless the stranger nor the poor c. but they refused to hearken yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord Zech. 7. 9 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Jam. 2. 12 16. And truly there might be some intimate reproof of these to whom the Apostle speaks for being so much inclined to this evil in that he appeals to them and saith Your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities and those that were with me it had been a small thing for him or those with him to have reaped of their carnal things who sowed unto them spiritual things Act. 20. 33 34. with 1 Cor. 4. 11 12 14. 9. 11 12. Eph. 4. 28 32. 5. 1 2 3 5 6. 4. And to add no more when pride is not hidden from the people of God but they retain high thoughts of themselves by their wisdom knowledge gifts and attaiments c. and go on serving their pride and bringing forth the fruits thereof in envyings strifes contentions divisions for only by pride cometh contention Prov. 13. 10. 28. 25. and are not with all lowliness indeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace this deprives their souls of good it hinders them from partaking of one anothers grace and of that delightful and profitable fellowship in the Gospel of Christ they might have
injoyed while they are preserved together in the Land of the living and causeth them to live as strangers or separate one from another Act. 15. 39. and even provokes God to separate them one from another and in anger to divide them who could not agree one with another Lam. 4. 16. with Jer. 9. 4 8. All the Law saith the Apostle is fulfilled in one word even in this thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self but if ye bite and devour one another take heedâ—ye be not consumed one of or by another Gal. 5. 14 15. For this cause many were sick and weak amongst the Corinthians and many slept because they did not discern the Lord's body namely they did not highly and honourably esteem of his personal body that was broken so as therein to consider the infinite grace of God to sinners and to examine themselves in that perfect Law of liberty in which the infinite excellency of it is discovered so as to have pride hidden from them Or they did not discern his congregational body so as to esteem them to be of the body of Christ and every one members in particular how poor and mean soever but there were contentions divisions strifes and envyings amongst them and there were some that did shame those that were poor either in this world or poor in knowledge or utterance and that had not what they had listing up themselves by their knowledge and despising or dealing in proud wratâ— with oâ—hers 1 Cor. 1. 11. 3. 3. 8. 1. 11. 18 22 28 30. 2 Cor. 12. 20. To the same purpose the Apostle speaks to the Philippians I know I shall continue with you only let your conversation be as becomes the Gospel of Christ and what he means by this conversation he himself declares however as to a great and principal thing in it to wâ—t that ye stand fast in one spirit that into which ye have been made to drink with one mind design affection and love striving together not one against another c. Otherwise they might deprive themselves of the mercy of his being continued with them and hence also with powerful arguments beseâ—cheth them If therefore there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfil ye my joy that ye â—e like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind let nothing be done through strife or vain glory c. Phil. 1. 25 27. 2. 1 3. So it 's said They angred Moses at the waters of strife where they did things in strife and chod with him so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes Psal 106. 32. wiâ—h Numb 20. 3. And this root of pride and these fruits of it envy strife contention c. provoke God to hide his face that he will not hear So much I conceive the Apostle James signifies If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and â—ye not against the truth â—ay not this is zeal for God this wisdom descends not from above for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work from whence come wars and fightings or brawsing among you come they not hence even of your lusts that war in your members Ye lust â—reagerly desire and have not ye kill as those also do that despise the poor Jam. 2. 1 2 5 10 11. and desire to have and cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have noâ— because ye ask not ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy but he giveth more grace whereby we might be preserved from pride and thâ—se envyings and strifes wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud that receive not his grace to save them he puts them at a distance from him and shuts cut their prayes but giveth grace to the humble that receive his grace to hide pride from them and to strengthen them to cease from their own wisdom that descends not from above submit your selves therefore to God Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Jam. 3. 14 16. 4. 1 5 8 11. Isa 58. 3 4. Oh that we may judge our selves that we be not further judged and therefore let us examine our selves in the light of God's testimony and there with in the light of his judgments for his judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 5. and not in the light of our own heartâ— for the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked and â—e that trusteth in it is a fool Jer. 17. 9. Prov. 28. 26. All the wayes of a man are clean in his own eyes but the Lord weigheth the spirits Prov. 16. 2. 21. 2. with Chap. 12. 15. But now in the perfect Law of liberty as in a true glass we may see our hearts it gives light for discovering all things and it gives understanding to the simple or capacity to behold what is manifested so wonderful are God's testimonies and especially the entrance of God's word even the word of the beginning of Christ the first thing to be declared and which enters the heart and is the entrance for our understanding all things the key of knowledge for opening all things to us Psal 119. 129 130. The commandement is a lamp and the Law light and the reproof of instruction are the way of life Prov. 6. 24. His testimony doth so discern and discover all things as that he that is an hearer of the word and not a doer hath this great advantage put into his hand he beholdeth himself the secrets of his heart are made manifest as 1. Cor. 14. 24 25. but then this is his great evil and iniquity because he is not willing to take shame to himself and to continue beholding his spots which are discovered in the glass therefore he shuns the light and goeth his way and straightway forgets what manner of man he waâ— This was brought to his view by the word of truth and the discovery was made and advantage given him by that now therefore departing from that he immediately lets slip what an one he was there manifested to be and is now ready to think and say he is not polluted or hath not such spots as before in the glass he beheld himself to have Jam. 1. 23 24. In that word of truth then let us examine our selves and search and try our wayes even narrowly search them and consider them our wayes and not God's wayes so as to search for some unrighteousness or unevenness in them for his wayes are equal the Lord our God is righteous in all he hath brought upon us And our wayes as distinguished from other mens wayes so as to lay the blame on them for if we had been or were willing to judge our selves we should not have been or should not yet further be judged Yea
us in the word of the Lord had too much cause to say to some Now ye are full now ye are rich ye have reigned as Kings without us ye are honourable but we are despised we hunger and thirst and labour working with our own hands and too little cause to say of any their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality Oh that there were not cause generally to say from the least to the greatest Every one is given to covetousness How few are there that have been willing to promote the Gospel of Christ to their power and have been faithful in the least things Yea and how much have we been walking in pride and high thoughts of our selves and in those fruits of it such as anger wrath divisions contentions debates whisperings c. Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned Doubtless the thus examining our selves in the light of the Lord is a more meet exercise for us to be exercised unto than to cry out of the affliction simply Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sin it is the punishment of his sin that he suffers why doth he comcomplain for the punishment and mean time too much forget that which procures it Let us search and try our wayes this is a more meet exercise for us Lam. 3. 39 40. Why cryest thou for thine affliction thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity because thy sins were increased I have done these things to thee saith the Lord Jer. 30. 15. See what God saith to Joshua when he rent his cloaths fell to the earth upon his face and said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us What wilt thou do unto thy great name and the Lord said unto Joshua get thee up wherefore lyest thou thus upon thy face complaining of the affliction Israel hath sinned and they have transgressed up sanctifie the people c. As if he should say is there not a cause for what I have done am I not provoked hereto up and be doing in searching and diligently inquiring what that is that hath procured these things unto you and sanctifie your selves Josh 7. 7 10 15. So the Lord saith to his people when he was judging of them because his house lay waste and they run every man to his own house or as now â—inâ—â— grace and truth came by Jesus Christ all sough own and not the things which are Jesus Christ's Thus saith the Lord of hosts consider your wayes ye have sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough Thus saith the Lord of hosts consider your wayes Hag. 1. 5 7 9. Phil. 2. 21. And in and with our searching and trying our wayes let us turn again unto the Lord whom we have revolted Lam. 3. 40. Let us not listen unto the deceitfulness of sin in us which is the indeavouring to slay us so as to harden our hearts and say there is no hope the case is desperate we have loved strangers and after them we will go Jer. 2. 25. though we have done all this wickedness yet turn not aside from following the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart and turn ye not aside for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver for they are vain 1 Sam. 12. 20 25. even turn unto him from our iniquities acknowledging and confessing them as reproved and discovered and lay them apart in the light and strength of his grace And to move hereto Remember how great things he hath done for us when we were dead in sins and trespasses and justly banished from his presence in the righteous sentence of his Law he then remembred us in our low estate for his mercy indureth for ever and devised a blessed means that his banished might not be utterly and for ever expelled from him hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end Behold he hath given his Son for a witness to the people of the greatness and sincerity of his love to us let us then remember that Jesus Christ who was delivered for us all was raised from the dead according to the Gospel and let us â—eed upon that bread even his flesh that was given for the life of the world This will incourage us to search and try our wayes and to turn to him against whom he have sinned And herewith also consider that there is mercy with the Lord and with him is plenteous redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of God's grace Eph. 1. 7. there is forgiveness with him not that we should continue in sin that grace may abound but that he may be feared Psal 130. 3 4 7. even forgiveness of the sins reproved and washing and cleansing from them Oh let us then turn unto him and say take away all iniquity and receive us graciously heal our backslidings and love us freely he is merciful and will not keep anger for ever only let us acknowledge our iniquity that we have transgressed against him This is powerful to purge guile out of our spirits and preserve us from it which leads us to keep silence and to hide that we may hold fast the things reproved that he is a God ready to pardon and for this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto him in a time of finding Psal 32. 2. 6. Neh. 9. 17. In this incouragement let us yet look again toward his holy Temple Jonah 2. 2 7. Yea consider that the end of the Lord is gracious in ordering such great judgments while it is called to day and so much the Apostle particularly signifies when he had been saying For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep He adds But when we are judged namely with such judgments and that because we have not timely judged our selves we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 32. His end herein is good that he might awaken us to his righteousness and cause us to arise from the dead that Christ may give us light that he may keep back our souls from the pit and we may be inlightned with the light of the living And it is infinitely better to be now judged and to submit to him therein and bear patiently his indignation than to be condemned hereafter and sentenced to and punished in that lake where their worm dyeth not and their fire is not quenched Yea in thus searching and trying our wayes and turning unto him in the incouragement of the multitude of his mercies humbling our selves before him and confessing our vileness and sinfulness hereby we shall ascribe righteousness to our Maker and give glory to him My son said Joshua give I pray thee glory to the Lord God of Israel and make confession
unto him and tell what thou hast done hide it not Josh 7. 19. While men are pleading their innocency or hiding their sin and crying out only of the affliction they therein indeavour to disannul his judgment and condemn him that they may be righteous Job 40. 8. whereas in a right examining our selves in the light of the Loâ—d and taking shame to our selves as it appears thereby to belong to us and so humbling ourselves we shall herein rightly glorifie him and acknowledge that he is righteous in all he hath brought upon us and that he hath not done without a cause all he hath done in the midst of us yea that he hath not laid upon us more than is meet or was needful to seal home our instruction and make us partakers of his end in afflicting us 2 Chron. 12. 6. Neh. 9. 33. Job 34. 23. Dan. 9. 7 14. yea we shall have cause abundantly to confess and acknowledge to his praise that he hath not in thus afflicting us dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities but hath punished less than our iniquities deserve Psal 103. 9 10. Ezra 9. 13. It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Lam. 3. 18 22. This will strengthen us to say I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. Yea consider that there is mercy with him as to forgive our iniquities and heal our backslidings so also to make up our â—â—sses and repair our breaches yea though our breach be like the great Sea and none can heal it though our bruise be incurable and wound grievous and there are with us no healing Medicines yet he can and in returning to him will restore health unto us and heal us of our wounds Jer. 30. 12 13 17. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Because they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the most high therefore he brought down their heart with labour they fell down and there was none to help then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he saved them out of their distresses He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness for he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder And whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Psal 107. 10 16 43. Oh that we may not be tempting God and limiting the holy one of Israel and say can he help us can he repair our breaches but consider what he hath done already and in that incouragement and as that is working in us both to will and to do Come and let us return to the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. Isa 57. 1 15 18. Levit. 26. 40. 42. Yea and be we admonished to examine our selves and to return to him in confessing our sins lest we provoke him to make further breaches upon us lest his soul depart from us and he make us utterly desolate of our glory Jer. 6. 8. For if we be not reformed by these liftings up of his hand but still walk contrary to him he will proceed in walking contrary to us and will yet punish us Levit. 26. 21 24. such like strokes as these are not only great judgments in themselves but also fore-runners of greater so when the Prophet was declaring the greatness of such a judgment as in which there was none to guide Jerusalem among all the sons she had brought forth namely that it was an heavy testimony of God's displeasure such as in which she had drank at the Lord's hand the cup of his fury the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out he then signifies that this was also the forerunner and concomitant of greater judgments therefore he adds These two things are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and destruction and the famine viz. that also of hearing of the words of the Lord and the sword c. Isa 51. 17 19. See what our Brother hath spoken more largely to this purpose in lamentation over the dead in Christ Page 30 33 37 38. and in breach upon breach pag. 8 12. And so much the Apostle here signifies I know saith he that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in amongst you not sparing the flock c. ver 29. 30. Oh that the consideration of all might awaken us to gather our selves together before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon us before the day of the Lords anger come upon us that we may seek the Lord seek righteousness and meekness that either he may graciously turn away his anger and judgments further threatned or however we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger Zeph. 2. 1 3. Amos 4. 2. 12. 2. He now commits these to God and the word of his grace that they might take heed to themselves and to the flock to feed them as ver 28. And so for instruction to them and to them and to such as now go before others in the word of the Lord yea to all that are faithful in the Lord that to the end they may edifie themselves and one another they commit themselves to this person and thing quietly leave themselves with the great Shepherd and the Word of his grace expecting helpfulness herein even wisdom strength and direction to all their service for in Christ as declared in the Gospel they may be furnished unto every good word and work in this person and thing to which he commends them they might be every way furnished for feeding and edifying themselves and one another in Christ as manifested in the word and so in the word of Christ there is given matter wherewith to seed instruction to the manner how to feed and motive to move hereto 1. Matter wherewith to feed namely to nourish them up with the words of faith in which Christ is declared to be the Author and finisher of the faith and of good doctrine 1 Tim. 4. 6. that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. the thing wherewith they might feed them it was the Gospel of Christ as opened according to the revelation of the mystery in which is the sincere milk whereby men may grow and be nourished up 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so the Apostle in this his exercise in directing them on such an occasion to God the word of his grace was a follower of God gave such instruction to these as God gave to the leaders of the people in former â—imes to whom he said This is the rest even that foundation laid in
through grace in the hope set before them they have everlasting consolations which are as the waters of Noah of rest and quietness for as he hath sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth so he hath sworn that he will not be wroth with his flock nor rebuke them For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but his kindness shall not depart from them c. Isa 54. 9 11. yea and hereby they might be instruments of restoring the soul from its wandrings and goings astray and so from its diseases thereby contracted its death ignorance leanness and batrenness its witheredness c. Ezek. 34. 4. the Law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul Psal 19. 7. Gal. 6. 1. Jam. 5. 20. In and with this Gospel they might warn and admonish of all that is evil Col. 1. 28. reprove when need requires they are the reproofs of instruction which are the way of life Prov. 6. 24. rebuke sharply and openly when men are stubborn and unâ—uly while they will heat and when they sin openly and exhort to love and good works this being the word of exhortation in and with which they may exhort to all 1 Thes 4. 18. 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. 4. 2. 2. As to the manner of feeding the flock the Apostle Peter gives instruction thereabout in 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. Not by constraint as matter of necessity and duty only to do it because you must do it 1 Cor. 9. 17. but willingly and cheerfully as moved thereto by the grace of God 2 Cor. 5. 14. Not for filthy lucre or doing it out of covetousness to inrich your selves thereby though the labourer is worthy of his reward yet that should not be the end aimed at to feed themselves and cloath themselves Ezek. 34. 2 3. The Apostle herein approved himself as a Minister of Christ he coveted no mans silver or gold or apparel 1 Thes 2. 5. Act. 20. 33. but of a forward ready mind a willing forward mind though others should with-hold more than is meet Neither as being Lords over God's Heritage or Clergy exercising authority over them or as seeking to have dominion over their faith but as ensamples to the flock being examples of the believers in word in conversation in charity inspirit in faith in purity 1 Tim. 4. 12. in all things shewing themselves patterns of good works Tit. 2. 1 7. Yea to preach the Gospel and to feed the believers with the sincere milk of the word and not to corrupt the word of God by mixing therewith the excellency of speech or of wisdom for however pleasing to the flesh this is and whatever good thereby they may think to do that use it yet certainly though men do preach the Gospel while it is done with wisdom of words it makes the Cross of Christ of none effect 1 Cor. 1. 17. it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching even by that plain and faithful commending and proclaiming the Cross of Christ which is without the wisdom of this world to save them that believe and so to feed them and build them up 1 Cor. 1. 21. though this manner of preaching the Gospel be to them that perish wander out of the way of understanding foolishness yet to the saved it is the power of God ver 18. And hence the Apostle when he came to the Corinthians came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring the testimony of God for he determined to know nothing among them who were rich in knowledge and utterance but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 1 2 7. And oh that this were considered both by them that teach others and by them that are taught By them that teach others that they might deny themselves and lay aside the use of their wisdom in preaching the Gospel both in word and in their writings for it renders them in both very unfruitful and unsuccessful and this they reap as the fruit of their evil in leaning to the wisdom of this world for herein they indeavour to build what God hath resolved to destroy and to make something of that which he hath purposed to bring to nought 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. and while they walk contrary to God herein it provokes God to walk contrary to them and to with-hold his presence and blessing from them so as they bring forth little or no fruit Or if men do receive the testimony of Christ declared by them their faith stands in their wisdom and not in the power of God and so the word of God worketh not effectually in them 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. 1 Thes 2. 13. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and base things of the world and things that are despised hath God chosen and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence Those whom he chuses and makes partakers of this heavenly calling to minister unto him and serve him in his Temple and who do worthily in the Ministery they are babes and sucklings generally and not the wise and prudent yea all of them are such as he either finds or makes fools And therefore let no man deceive himself whether he be such an one as hath only natural parts or whether he be such an one as hath by study and industry acquired some skill in the wisdom of this world let him not think that by his wisdom he can find out the mind of God or be profitable to others but if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool not lean to his own understanding but cease from his own wisdom that he may be wise for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God Mat. 1. 1. 25. 1 Cor. 1. 26 29 Prov. 3. 5. 23. 4. 1 Cor. 3. 18 19. This way or manner of preaching the Gospel namely with excellency of speech or of wisdom it is very unprofitable and hurtful and men are making use of it partly from a jealousie of the Gospel of Christ as if it were not the power of God to salvation as declared in the words of the holy Ghost but needs somewhat else to be added to it to make it forcible But he that hath my word saith the Lord let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces Jer. 23. 28 29. and partly they are inticed hereto and strengthned herein by desires of vain glory and that they may be accounted wise and men of parts and have respect and applause and therefore unless the grace of God be so received as to purge out that jealousie and those desires we shall not cease from our own wisdom for vain man would be wise but by committing our selves
of the Spirit is given to every one of the chosen generation to profit withal and they ought to be teachers who are faithful in the Lord 1 Cor. 12. 7. Heb. 3. 1. â— 12. and it is required of them to look diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb 12. 15. 3. To move hereto also our God hath in the word of his grace set great incouragement befoâ—e them that when the great shepherd shall appear they that have fed the flock faithfully or who shall be reputed graciously so to have done shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1 4. he will then say to such Well done good and faithful servant c. Oh then blessed will that servant be whom the Lord when he comes shall find so doing viz. giving to his houshold their portion of meat in due season Of a truth saith our Saviour I say unto you that he will make him ruler over all that he hath Mat. 25. 21 23. Luke 19. 17. 12. 42 44. Dan. 12. 3. And on the other hand wo will be to them that have received the word of reconciliation if they hold not forth the woâ—d of life in word and conversation but abuse their talent or hide it in a napkin the Lord will be terrible to them Oh that therefore knowing the terror of the Lord they may labour that whether present or absent they may be accepted of him Luke 12. 45 48. Mat. 25. 24 30. 1 Cor. 9. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 9 11. Yea and to provoke these to whom he speaks to feed the flock and therefore to commit themselves to God and the word of his grace he adds ver 29. I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock and this leads us to the next general head proposed viz. That he doth commit them all to God and the word of his grace 2. For their preservation that they might not be destroyed or moved from the faith by such as would indeavour it but might trust in God before the sons of men By grievous Wolves is here meant as is before said 1. Violent persons who indeavour by force and cruelty to scatter the flock and cause them to flee as a Bird to their Mountain to cast in their lot among them for this is the end of their persecutions and secret speech of all their cruelty Psal 11. 1 2. these are called Wolves Mat. 10. 16 23. Luke 10. 3. And so the Psalmist speaking of the wicked that persecute the poor saith His wayes are alwayes grievous and in such grievous wayes they walk because of their evil thoughts as is there said God is not in all his thoughts Or all his thoughts are there is no God and hence his wayes are alwayes grievous and Gods judgments both of his mouth and hand are far above out of his sight Those wayes and persons walking therein are grievous to God they grieve him at the heart and they are grievous to the congregation of Gods poor ones Psal 10. 4 5 9. So it is said of those oppressive and cruel rulers even amongst those on whom God's name was called they decree unrighteous decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed Isa 10. 1. Psal 31. 18. yea and Princes and Judges in the professed Church were for their cruelty compared to Wolves Ezek. 22. 27. Zeph. 3. 3. 2. Hereby is also signified false Prophets that come to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ and the voice of whose instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge in sum is stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret places is pleasant Prov. 9. 17. who commend unto us somewhat which is not the bread which wisdom hath prepared for that is the flesh of Christ which he hath given for the life of the world Prov. 9. 5 17. Joh. 6. 51. such are called Wolves as Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves So those that come with a strange voice from that of Christs those thieves and robbers that come not in by the door these are compared to Wolves and do come to catch and scatter the sheep John 10. 1 5 10 12. And herein both violent and deceitful persons agree they are both enemies to and such as will not spare the flock Now then that they might be preserved from the fear and terror of the former and the deceit and subtilâ—y of the latter he commits them to God and the word of his grace thereby giving us to understand that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and those that run into it shall be set on high Prov. 18. 10. according to that Whoso hearkneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Prov. 1. 33. And so the Apostle when he foâ—â—waâ—ns Timothy That all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and that evil men persecuters and seducers â—alse Propheâ—s shall wax worse and worse He adds But continuâ—â—hou in the things thou hast learned of God in the word of his grace this will preserve thee from the evil of the violence of the one and cunning craftiness of the other 2 Tim. 3. 12 14. 1. Then the Apostle here commits them to God and the word of his grace with desire they should commit themselves to him and it and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and so rest in the Lord expecting his gracious preservation of them from the hurt of those grievous violent Wolves and waiting patiently for him induring hardness as good Soldiers of Christ Jesus not being afraid of the terror of persecuters neither being troubled or hindered from holding fast the profession of their faith 2. Tim. 2. 1 3. Psal 37. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 14. And in this he signifies to us that there is good cause and incouragement to commit our selves to God and the word of his grace when he is taking away eminent and faithful instruments and suffering grievous wolves to enter in At such a time in the Lord we may praise his word and be strong in him and the power of his might Now especially when the godly man ceaseth the wicked then insult and say Seeing the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do now they cry flee as a Bird to our Mountain your pillars the principal of the flock are removed those upon whom you leaned and who were supporters to you and upholders of you and what will you now do at such a time as this when they thus rejoyce the righteous have this still to incourage themselves in Though those you call foundations are removed yet the Lord is in his holy Temple the Lord's throne is in heaven Psal 11. 1 4. yea now especially as before is noted he hath promised that he will be nigh to them for the oppression of the poor
deal of cunning craftiness to deceive and beguile others withal her wayes are moveable thou canst not know them Prov. 5. 6. they would be thought many times to commend that which their soul loaths they can sometimes speak of Christ in their words and of Gods grace in him to sinners while yet they only consult to cast him down from his excellency they delight in lyes they bless with their mouth while they curse inwardly Selah Psal 62. 4. they privily deny the Lord that bought them and not openly and in plain words however not at first or until men begin to listen to them and imbrace their strange doctrines 2 Pet. 2. 1. inwardly they are ravening wolves while yet they come unto you in sheeps cloathing Mat. 7. 15. they hide their design so cunningly that they are not easily discovered therein and speak in secret and are like them that peep and mutter as those that are afraid of the light and if one know discern and take notice of them they are in the terrors of the shadow of death and therefore believers are more ready to be insnared with them and it is more difficult so to detect them as to preserve others from them So much the Apostle signifies when he saith Many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping as signifying that the believers were hardly perswaded to believe they were evil workers or as bad as indeed they were because they pretended one thing and intended another and yet notwithstanding their specâ—â—us pâ—etences they were the enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction a marring of the visage of the Son of man Phil. 3. 18 19. and therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the thâ—ngs we have heard that we may not be as children tâ—ssed to and frâ— and carried about with every wâ—nâ— of doctrine by the sleâ—ght of men and cunning craftness whereby they lye in wait to deceive Eph. 4. 14. For notwithstanding their appearing godliness and great boastings of themselves their alluring doctrines their diligent importunity and cunning craftiness in hiding their design we may by the words of God's lips keep us from the error of the wicked and from every path of the destrâ—yer When wisdom Jesus Christ entreth into thine heart by faith and knowledge the word of his grace is pleasant unto thy soul discretion shall preserve thee understanding shall keep thee to deliver thee from the way of the evil man Prov. 2. 10 12. 4. 10 16. On let us hear then the instruction of our fâ—ther which is lâ—t thine heart retain my words keep my commandments and live get wisdom get understandiâ—g to get it not neither decline from the words of my mouth forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee Prov. 4. 1 4 8. In committing our selves then to God and his Gospel we may be preserved from those whole end is destruction For 1. Here is compleatness prepared and discovered to give satisfying to our souls And 2. Direction given whereby we may know so as to beware of those grievous Wolves 1. Here is compleatness prepared and discovered to give satisfying to our souls this to which he commits them is the rest where the weary may find rest and this is the refreshing Isa 28. 12. Jesus Christ as declared in the Gospel is the bread of life and he that cometh to him shall never hunger after other food and he that believeth on him shall never thirst Joh. 6. 35. this God even our God hath done all things well for us and obtained all things into himself that may answer to all our needs supply all our wants and perfect whatsoever doth concern us he having been delivered for our offences and raised again from the dead hath made peace by the blood of his Cross slain the enmity that was between God and mankind broken down the middle wall of partition abolished death destroyed him that had the power of death wrought righteousness compleated salvation obtained eternal redemption received all fulness into himself for us yea he hath all things given unto him that may satisfie us All things are delivered to him of the father Luk. 10. 22. All things are here ready Mat. 22. 4. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. All things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 15. And surely he saith so often All things that we might be assured that all fulness dwelleth in him and we may well reason as the Apostle doth in that he put all things in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him Heb. 2. 8. So may we say in that all things are delivered to him and ready and prepared in him it is manifest that nothing is excepted yea and he gives all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of himself even through the word of knowledge the word of his grace 2 Pet. 1. 2 3. How powerful is this to preserve us from those who come unto us preaching another Jesus whom the Apostles have not preached or another Gospel which the believers have not accepted whosoever drinketh of the water which Christ in the Testimony gives shall never thirst This will preserve such as continue drinking from gadding about to change their way and from an itching ear to hear and heap up to themselves teachers that bring not this doctrine and even make them say with Peter when many of Christ's Disciples because of reproofs met with and not submitted to went back and walked no more with him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life Joh. 6 60 68. Prov. 8. 34 36. In him namely in Christ as declared in the Testimony are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge And this I say saith the Apostle lest any man should beguile you with inâ—icing words in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him ye are compleat who is the head of all principality and power let no man therefore beguile you c. Col. 2. 3 9 18. These things saith the Apostle John have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know ye have eternal life in having the Son and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God This was powerful to preserve them from those that did seduce them 1 Joh. 5. 10 13. with Chap. 2. 25 26. Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption that according as it is written he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 30 31. He is the living bread that came down from heaven Joh. 6. 51. The fountain of living waters for washing and cleansing us for cooling our thirst and satisfying us for watering and making us fruitful even like a watered garden
though those that speak perverse things pretend word as from the Apostles for what they say yet let us not for trial of them and preservation from them wave the Gospel or seek help any where else but still hold fast the things delivered which we have been taught by the Apostles by word or Epistle as the Apostle instructs the Thessalonians when he beseeches them not to be moved or troubled neither by Spirit Word or Letter as from them 2 Thes 2. 2 15. Let us not leave the Scripture because they perveâ—t it in their glosses but still hold that fast as our Saviour hath set us an example Mat. 4. 6 7. and in the light and instruction thereof that we may not be carried about with divers strange doctrines let us consider the end of their conversation that speak unto us in their word or by writing or personal conference if that be Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day for ever though weaknesses be found acknowledge them that are such and so walk Heb. 13. 7 9. And be we all followers together of the Apostles and of those that have spoken to us the Word of the Lord Phil. 3. 17 looking diligently unto our selves and one to another that none fail of the grace of God that no root of bitterness no evil spirit or doctrine springing up trouble us and thereby many be defiled c. Heb. 12. 15 16. and thereto warning one another in all wisdom according to capacity and let us observe that counsel and instruction given by the Apostle Jude ver 20. 21. Ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life Having thus spoken largely to the former part viz. the Apostles commendation of them to God and the word of his grace at this time of his departure we shall briefly add somewhat to the second thing at first proposed which is contained in the words in which we have 2. A â—urther Declaration of the excellency of the person and thing to which he commends them laid down by way of motive to ingage them to commit themselves to God and the word of his â—â—ce Which God and Word of his grace is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are saâ—ctified In which we have these two branches 1. This God and Word is able to build you up 2. And to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 1. This God and Word is able to build you up In which we shall speak to these two things 1. Shew what is meant by building up 2. What is imported in this branch of the motive 1. Then by building up is meant a making â—hem to increase or causing them to grow up and â—ise higher This expression of building refers to two things in Scripâ—ure sometimes to a place of habitation 2 Chron. 2. 1 12. and sometimes to a family or houshold Ruth 4. 11. and according to this double acceptation these two things are meant 1. An increasing of them who were already gâ—thered to Christ and making them as to themselves and the society to prosper and ascend higher and higher into Jâ—â—us Christ and those things that are excellent both with respect to themselves particularly and as with respect to the Church or society of which these to whom the speaks directly were members and overseers a growing up into Christ in all things which is the Head namely into the knowledge of him who is the Son of God in our nature accepted to all the ends of his undertaking and unity with him which is called edifying the Church Eph. 4. 12 13 15. a growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. and so it is an abounding in the knowledge of his will in all wisdom even in the whole of Christ and in all spiritual understanding namely such a discerning as is given by the Spirit in the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth Col. 1. 9. and growing more into union with Christ and conformity to him a more hearty imbracement of him and the word of his grace And so a being united more one to another in love and growing up together in the vertues of Christ adding to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity 2 Pet. 1. 5 7. setting their affections more on things above having their conversation in heaven and expectation from heaven and in all a going on to perfection and being more firmed setled and established by walking in Christ as they have received him Col. 2. 6 7. 2. An increasing of them as to number and so multiplying of them by an addition of others to them gathering others to Christ and the Church besides those that are gathered as Isa 56. 8. which is the issue of the former for while they are edified in knowledge faith and all vertues of Christ they come to be multiplyed according to that Act. 9. 31. then had the Churches rest and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplyed So the whole body growing up into Christ in all things is said to make an increase of the body to the edisying of it sell in love Eph. 4. 15 16. An adding to the Lord and to the Church continually till we all come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Act. 2. 41 46. 11. 24. Eph. 4. 12 13. even as an house or family is said to be built by the birth and addition of children to it Gen. 16. â— Deut 25. 9 2. Now then in that it is said which is able to build you up herein is imported and signified to us 1. That those to whom he speaks were in some measure come unto and built upon the foundation of God and so born of the incorruptible seed of the Word So much is signified in that he saith which is able to build you up that they were come to and built upon Jesus Christ according to that To him coming as unto a living stone Ye also as lively stones are built up c. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. Eph. 2. 20 21. and indeed the foundation on which they were built and seed of which they were begotten it was the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever and which by the Gospel is preached to us 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. namely Jesus Christ who was delivered to death for our offences and raised again for our justification And other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. he as witnessed of by the Prophets and manifested
who in all ages have disallowed the living stone who is the foundation and corner-stone lest your bands be made strong but incline your ear and come unto him who is the rock and whose work is perfect Isa 28. 12 16 22. Psal 118. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 7. Yea and he is the foundation as distinguished from the purposes and decrees of God and so from any purpose of his which he hath purposed in himself concerning his loving some with peculiar manner of love Indeed he was purposed from the beginning to be the foundation and this was his decree the sum of his decrees concerning sinful mankind and out of the bowels of which all his decrees issue concerning them that he would raise Christ in due time from the dead Psal 2. 7. and hath fulfilled the promise and purpose but not his purpose and decree simply but Jesus Christ is the foundation the one and only foundation For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ And this appears evidently from that place some men alledge to prove some purpose of God to be the foundation viz. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure c. Which saying is not only opposed unto the effect of the evil doctrines of the false teachers namely they overthrow the faith of some nevertheless notwithstanding they have corrupted some and removed them from Christ the foundation yet the foundation of God stands steddy but also it is opposed to the doctrine it self of those vain bablers they said the resurrection is past already meaning as appears by resurrection some metaphorical or allegorical resurrection they said not there was no resurrection but they said there was no resurrection of the dead like those 1 Cor. 15. 12. and so consequently that Christ was not raised in that body in which he bare our sins on the Tree and so indeavoured to raze the foundation for if Christ be not raised ye are yet in your sins saith the Apostle preaching faith and hope is in vain But notwithstanding what they say Christ is risen from the dead and is become the first fruiâ—s of them that sleep and so the foundation of God stands sure notwithstanding their babblings and batteries made against him Compare 2 Tim. 2. 18 19. with ver 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 12 20. Yea it further appears in that pâ—ace that Christ is the foundation and not some purpose in God concerning some peculiar manner of love to and owning of some persons for his knowing owning and loving with peculiar manner of love is not the foundation but the seal of the foundation the foundation hath this seal for the evidence and confirmaâ—ion of its steddyness and goodness the Lord knoweth owneth approveth them that are his or iâ—s that are built and abide upon the foundation and so no purpose simply but Câ—rist as declared in the tâ—stimony is the foundation And much less is that the foundation of God which men call a purpose or decree of his that is not so viz. such a purpose as in which he hath absolutely purposed in himself and decreed a certain number of persons to salvation before they were born for this is no purpose of his but a device of men who are ignorant of the truth as it is in Jesus See what my Brother and helper in the Lord Mr. Tho. Moor hath spoken more largely to this in his explicite declaration of the Testimony Page 389 410. And so in coming unto and being built upon this foundation they became living stones and were made a spiritual house and habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Pet. â— 4 5. their sins were forgiven them for Christ's name sake on which they believed which is even the sum of all blessedness Rom. 4. 5 7. and that where-through he gives all knowledge and injoyment of further salvation Luk. 1. 77. and therefore it seems the receiving the forgiveness of sins answers unto and is put for the being built up Compare this Act. 20. 32. with Chap. 26. 18. or he quickned them together with Christ and made them lively stones and a spiritual house having forgiven them all trespasses Col. 2. 13. with 1 Pet. 2. 5. And so in being bottomed on Christ as preached in the word of his grace and united to him who is originally and compleatly the temple of God in whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily in whom God dwells and will dwell for ever they also became the temple of God in whom he dwells and walks in and through whom he manifests himself and so they were made of the houshold of God 1 Cor. 3. 16. 6. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Eph. 2. 19 22. And as this instruction is for admonition to them that are built on this foundation of God and made of this temple of the living God that they should be clean and not defile the habitation of God which is holy devoted and dedicated for peculiar use and service to him with any filthiness of flesh or spirit lest they provoke God to destroy them and suffer the Boar out of the wood and the wild beast of the field to devour them even those grievous wolves before spoken of for he cannot indure that his habitation should be polluted but holiness becomes his house for ever 1 Cor. 3. 17 18. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. 7. 1. Psal 93. 5. So the consideration hereof that in coming to Christ and being built on him they were made a spiritual house is of great usefulness to them to incourage them in well-doing to commit themselves to God and the word of his grace for his receiving them and being a father to them when he deprives of faithful instruments for he hath a favour for such they are his building his family the sanctuaâ—y and true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched and not man no servant hath such right in them or love to or care for them as he This man is counted worthy of more honour than Moses though Moses was faithful in all hâ—s house inasmuch as hâ— who hath builded the house haâ—h more honour than the house Moses was of the house and faithful as a servant in the house bâ—t he that built all things is God the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant c. but Christ as a Son over his own house they are his own house pitched by him his own family the children God hath given to him members of his body of his flesh and of his bones even begotten by the resurrection of Christ from the dead and holding â—ast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end he doth and will nourish and cherish them when in the wilderness and guide them therein like a flock Heb. 3. 1 6. Eph. 5. 29 30. with Luk. 24. 39 Rev. 12. 14. Psal 78. 52 53. he is
the Minister of them the High-Priest over the house of God who is passed into the heavens and entred within the veil for them â—specially to appear as their Advocate who is also the propitiation for their sins to forgive their iniquities to plead their cause manage their matters fight their battels subduâ— their iniquities sanctifie and cleanse them with the washing of water by the Word teach them and lead them into all truth send from above and save them from the reproach of those who would swallow them up and cause all things to work together for good to them Happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people because there is none like unto thy God the God of Jesurun who rideth upon the heaven for thy help and in his excellency on the skie the eternal God is thy refuge c. Deut. 33. 26 29. Oh therefore cry unto him and say Thâ—u art my refuge from mine oppressors those grievous wolves that come to devour and my portion in the Land of the living when refuge failes and no man cares for thy soul commit thy self thy way and works unto him trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass and though thou now walkest in darkness he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noon-day Psal 142 4 5. 37. 4 7. Though now the Lord calls thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit and hath ordered to thee cause of lamentation in taking away the pleasant teats at which thou hast sucked and through which he hath conveyed the sincere milk of the word yet thy maker is thy huâ—band the Lord is thy Shepherd thou shalt not want He will make thee to lye down in green pastures and lead thee besides the still waters c. Oh trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is the rock of ages everlasting strength Isa 54. 5 7. 26. 4. Yea and in that they were come unto Jesus Christ the foundation and head of the corner and so made a spiritual house and from the head fitly joyned together and compacted it was for instruction to them and is for instruction to those of the same body to love one another with a pure heart servently as those whose hearts are purified and principled in obeyed the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren Jesus Christ is the corner stone that câ—uples the building together and in coming unto him they are baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. that they should indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and that they may do so the way is to indeavour it with all lowliness and meekness c. All lowliness is the first thing instructed to unto this indeavour namely lowliness of mind suffering our pride and high thoughts of our selves by occasion of our learning knowledge gifts utterance attainments riches c. to be purged out and hidden from us and lowliness in our words demeanours and looks having low eyes for only by pride cometh contention that so brotherly love may be continued and preserved amongst us This is the use the Apostle makes of this instruction to this Church for after he had been saying ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles c. and are builded together even those that are taught and those that teach the teachers not being the Church alone nor made of the true tabernacle at all because chosen by men but both together in coming to Christ are made an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 20 22. He having begun to come to the usefulness hereof in Chap. 3. 1. digresses all that Chapter and Chap. 4. 1 6. he shews them what ingagement this put upon them to love as brethren and as a prisoner of the Lord beseeches them not first to relieve him in his bonds but to indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and directs them to that firstly asa main thing in which they might walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called they were called to the foundation and corner stone and made members one of another aâ—d what more sutable hereto than to cleave to the Lord with full purpose and one to another in the fear of the Lord. And so â—rom the like ground and motive the Apostle Peter instructs the believers to love one another with a pure heart servently and to that end to lay apart all evil and bitter roots Sec 1 Pet. 1. 22 25. 2. 1 5. And oh how good and pleasant a thing is it for brethren to dwell together in unity and especially then when he is removing those that have been useâ—ul helpers of them in the Lord. Hence the Apostle when he takes his leave of the Corinthians powerfully presses this exhortation on them Finally brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 2. In that he saith which is able to build you up he doth therin intimate that though they were built upon the foundation of God and so made framed into an habitation of God through the spirit yet they needed still to be further built up and to grow up more into Jesus Christ in all things into the knowledge of him union and fellowship with him and conformity unto him even those amongst them who might have attained most those who were overseers over the rest to whom he directly speaks needed still and further to be built up and to go on unto perfection they were not yet perfect as to attainment Though they might be perfect sincere and undefiled in the way and fixed herein to walk and to seek all wisdom righteousness and strength all washing and cleansing by an exercise of faith in Christ and so were blessed yet they were not come to their journeys end but were yet to run with patience the race set before them laying aside every weight and that sin that so easily besets Psal 119. 1 2. Heb. 12. 1. So the Apostle Paul saith concerning himself that he had not already attained neither was already perfect though he had suffered the loss of all things for Christ and did count them as dung that he might win him and be found in him but did follow after if that he might apprehend that for which also he was apprehended of Christ Jesus and instructs others who were perfect to be like minded with him namely to count that they had not attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12 15. yea indeed he signifies that he should not attain or be perfect as to attainment till the resurrection of the dead for though the spirits of just men that dye in the Lord are perfect yet they wait for the adoption the redemption of the body and so it
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord we may be changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. And this leads us unto another instruction contained in this branch of the declaration of the excellency of this person and word to which he commits them Namely 3. That God and the word of his grace is able to build up believers this is the work of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and the means by which he doth it is the Gospel of himselâ— according as it is vouchsafed he gives all things that pertain to â—ife and godliness but he gives it through the knowledge of himself 2 Pet. 1. 3. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the faith Heb. 12. 2. the Alpha and the Omega he who hath begun the good work and who also will perform it Phil. 1. 6 7. he is the foundation and he shall bring forth the head stone with shoutings crying grace grace unto it Zâ—ch 4. 6 7. Jesus Christ is â—â—â—â—oundation of God and yet he is so laid in the word of his grace and those that come unto him are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets as before It is his work and office to open mens eyes and to turn men from idols to himself but he doth it in preaching the Gospel Isa 42. 6 7. with Chap. 61. 1. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple giving wisdom to them that have none and revealing him in beholding whom they may be made wise and the Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect converting the soul both at first and continually Ps 19. 7 8. Hence the Apostle was sent with this to open the eys of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. 18 23. He gives unto makes them partakers of the forgiveness of sins that turn unto him but he doth give it they receive it through his name even through the word of faith Act. 5. 31. with Chap. 10. 43. 26. 18. He gives wisdom to the wise but he gives it through this word of wisdom The Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth his doctrine cometh understanding the spirit of wisdom and understanding is still and further given in the knowledge of him Prov. 2. 1 6. Eph. 1. 17. Joh. 7. 37 39. He quickens them to a lively hope but he doth it by his resurrection from the dead as declared in the Scriptures 1 Pet. 1. 3. his words are spirit and life his word quickens them Joh. 6. 63. Psal 119. 50 93. He it is that increaseth the faith of believers but he doth it in and by his testimony he hath written it that those that believe may believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God that they may go on believing be more strong in faith that their trust may be in the Lord he hath written to them excellent things in counsels and knowledge Prov. 22. 17 20. 1 Joh. 5. 10 13. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. but he doth it according to the Gospel they are stablished in the faith Rom. 16. 25. Col. 2. 7. He doth and will sanctifie them throughout but he doth it through his truth and his word is truth 1 Thes 5. 23. Joh. 17. 17 19. he sanctifies and cleanses them with the washing of water by the word Eph. 5. 26. He fills them with the fruits of righteousness and makes their souls like a watered garden but it is by his Gospel this brings forth fruit in them and they that delight themselves in his Law and meditate there in day and night shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season Col. 1. 6. Psal 1. 2 3. he doth build them up but it is by the word of his grace and they are therefore instructed to be building up themselves on their most holy faith Jude 20. In short they are kept by the power of God the Gospel of Christ through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. with Rom. 1. 16 17. they live by faith and therein they may go on to perfection as far as here they are capable Heb. 6. 1. it is able to make wise unto salvation and profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished and perfected unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 17. and those gifts which Christ having ascended up on high hath given and which continue with us in the Gospel are for perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ c. Eph. 4. 12 13. And this is of usefulness to those that go before others in the word of the Lord yea and to all unfeigned believers to beware of Philosophy and vain deceit for in Christ as preached in the Gospel are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and in him believers are compleat Col. 2. 3 10. And that they turn not to the Law or any other doctrine or tradition of the Elders to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the spirit for this Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect in it self and in its effect for convincing the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and turning and conveiting the soul and for teaching believers and guiding them into all truth and shewing them things to come and in walking after the Spirit in the testimony the righteousness of the Law shall be fulfilled in men he will put his Laws in their hearts and write them in their minds Joh. 16. 7 15. Psal 19. 7 8. Rom. 8. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. Heb. 10. 16. And this shews unto us wherein their great strength lies and how they may be preserved from all that would corrupt them and whereby they may be strong in the Lord this Gospel is the power of God it is able to build them up whoever would pull them down they cannot build up themselves by any wisdom or strength that is in them as of them but this is a powerful wâ—rd whereby they may overcome the wicked one and overcome the world be inabled to withstand in the evil day and having done all things to stand Eph. 6. 10 17. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. 4. 4. 5. 4 5 18. to the end they may cleave to the Lord wiâ—h full purpose and love his Law the perfect Law of liberty and it might be their mediâ—ation night and day 2. He further shews the excellency of God and the word of his graâ—e in saying And which is able to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Which is still powerful to move us to 〈◊〉 ourselves thereto We shall here brâ—â—fly consider 1. What is this inheritance
cleanse the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20. 30. and be dedicated to him and filled with the fruits of righteousness and this fruit we reap of it in being exercised to the consideration of the grace of God in Christ that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly and having access by faith thereinto Heb. 12. 2 11. Rom. 5. 2 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. Hence afflictions are compared to water because God is hereby washing and cleansing us Psal 66. 12. Isa 27. 3. and to fire because God is hereby proving and purifying and making white that the trial of the faith of believers being much more precious than that of gold which perisheth though it be tryed with fire might be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Isa 31. 9. 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. and so the means by which Jesus Christ doth wash baptize and sanctifie are the holy Ghost in the testimony and fire Mat. 3. 11. Luk. 3. 16. 3. How God and the word of his grace doth give and is able to give them the inheritance To this we say as before is noted that he doth not now fully and gloriously give it to them in this day yea Abraham to whom the promises were made and the rest of the Pâ—triarchs they received not the promises Heb. 11. 13 39. God gave Abraham none inheritance in the actual and glorious injoyment of it and he and Isaac and Jacob heirs together with him of the same promise all died in faith not receiving the promises Act. 7. 5. Heb. 11. 13. and though Peter saith he was a partaker of glory yet he saith of the the glory that shall be revealed it is not so yet 1 Pet. 5. 1. But now 1. Jesus Christ doth give it them in giving himself to them in the word of his grace to whom the promises were originally made Gal. 3. 16. who is the heir of all things now actually in our nature Heb. 1. 2. and whos 's the inheritance is and who is entred to take possession for us Heb. 6. 20. and so in receiving him they are made sons of God by faith in Christ Christ is theirs and they are Christs And if sons then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things unto him and he that believeth on the son hath everlasting life all things are theirs as Christ is theirs even by faith whether things present or things to come and they are Christ's and if Christ's then are they Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Joh. 3. 35 36. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Gal. 3. 26 29. and so God in giving Christ as raised from the dead in the wâ—rd of his grace makes an everlasting Covenant with believers Isa 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. And so 2. God doth in and through Christ give it in the word of his grace by promise which was confirmed of God in Christ before the Law and now actually ratified and sealed by the death of the Testator whose blood is the blood of the new Testament and everlasting Covenant and so God gave the inheritance to Abraham by promise and they who are Christ's are heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 18 29. that they might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them Heb. 6. 17. 20. and so as Abraham is said to have received the promise even in the word of it and through faith and patience to inherit the promises even so he gives and they are receiving it and are saved by hope and so by faith and in hope they are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be moved Heb. 12. 28. for he is faithful that promised having confirmed the Covenant by his blood and is alive to see it performed and is the Mediator of it that the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance Heb. 9. 14. Jam. 1. 12. 2. 5. 3. He is giving unto them an earnest now even the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of the inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession Eph. 1. 13 14. 2. Cor. 1. 22. 5. 5. An earnest is a part of the whole a first fruits and so they receive a first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8. 23. and an earnest is also an assurance and confirmation that they shall have all in due time this spirit he is now giving unto them to make them partakers of the forgiveness of their sins to be a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ and so to indue them with a new spirit judgment and disposition to write his Laws in their hearts and put them in their minds and to fill them with his fruit love joy peace long suffering c. Heb. 10. 14 17. Eph. 1. 17 18. Gal. 5. 16 22 23. and this spirit which is the earnest of the inheritance he is giving unto them and they receive through the word of his grace according to that Received ye the spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith Gal. 3. 1 5. 4. Yea when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven he will give unto them the inheritance gloriously which here they have been receiving by faith and hope and in the earnest and first fruits of it they shall then inherit all things and God himself will be with them their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes c. and this he will give unto them not according to their works of righteousness but of grace yea and according to the rule of the word of his grace for God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel the word of his grace and so according to that rule he will give eternal life to them that by patient continuance in well-doing have been seeking glory honour and immortality Rom. 2. 7 16. they shall then be judged according to the Law of liberty Jam. 2. 12. and according thereto he that believeth the Gospel and is baptized sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God shall be saved viz. shall obtain that salvatâ—on in Christ Jesus with eternal glory Mark 16. 16. 2 Tim. 2. 10. they shall not then be judged according to the Law of works which is do and live and Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the Law to do them for according thereto no flesh living can be justified in his sight but by the Law of faith the word of his grace in which is declared to us that this is the will of him that sent Jesus Christ that every one that now seeth the Son and believeth in him should have everlastinglife and he will raise him up at the 〈◊〉 day to the glorious injoyment of it and so of that inheritance which
is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed Joh. 6. 40. Rom. 4. 16. and this alwayes excludes boasting and shâ—ws that this inheritance will be given to them of grace and that in Christ and not in themselves shall all the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory Isa 45 25. What hath been said to this second branch of the further declaration of the excellency of the person and thing to which he commits them viz. which is able to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified may be useful to us 1. To shew unto us among whom this inheritance is to be injoyed and shall be possessed it is among all them that are sanctified even by saith in Christ and so 1. It is not to be inherited by such who are contentious against the truth and enemies to the testimony of God concerning Christ such as these shall inherit folly Prov. 14. 18. and shame shall be their promotion Prov. 3. 25. all that are incensed against Christ shall be ashamed Isa 45. 24. to such God will render indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish Rom. 2. 8 9. Whatever inheritances they may have here and how rich soever they are here yet then God will in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord When he comes to be glorified in his Saints and sanctified ones 2 Thes 1. 8 10. 2. This inheritance shall not be injoyed by such as though they prosess to know God and believe his Gospel yet obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 8 10. Who though they receive the love of the truth yet receive it not in such manner and to such end as to be saved thereby but still hold fast deceit and refuse to return 2 Thes 2. 10 12. This is the will of God our sanctification that we should abstain from fornication from all filthiness of flesh and spirit He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God 1 Thes 4. 3 8. Oh let us not deceive our selves nor be deceived by others as if we should inherit though we receive his grace in vain and suffer it not to save us from our sins and idols or though we did run well yet are hindred from obeying the truth This ye knew that no whoremonger nor unclean person nor covetous man which is an idolater hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God Eph. 5. 5 6. they that do the works of the flesh shall not inherit the Kingdom of God â—al 5. 19 21. 6. 7. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. 3. Nor shall this inheritance be possessed by the children of the bondwoman who are born to the hope of and challenge the inheritance from some wisdom and strength of the flesh such as have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge who being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish a righteousness of their own submit not unto the righteousness of God Gal. 3. 16 18. 4. 22 30. such shall not inherit with the children of the promise who trust in themselves that they are righteous Joh. 1. 12 13. 2. Seeing there is such an inheritance prepared for the sanctified ones it may be of usefulness to those that are in Christ Jesus to walk after the Spirit and yield up to the saving efficacy of the grace of God and having such promises to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord And as he who hath called them is holy so to be holy separated from uncleanness and devoted to God in all manner of conversation 2 Cor. 7. 1. Col. 3. 1 5. Heb. 11. 13 15. 1 Pet. 1. 13 18. 1 Joh. 3. 2 3. And to chuse rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to injoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world having respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 10. 32 34. 11. 24 26. 13. 13 14. 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. 3. It shews the blessedness of the sanctified ones though they are generally the poor of this world and for Christ's sake killed all the day long and appointed as sheep for the slaughter yet they are rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which God hath prepared for them that love him Jam. 2. 5. 1. 12. 5. 11. Isa 54. 6 17. 4. In that the inheritance is among all them that are sanctified it may instruct them to live together according to knowledge and as heirs together of the grace of life that their prayers be not hindered 1 Pet. 3. 7. Eph. 4. 3 4. 5. Yea and it may strengthen them with strength in their souls not to fear for it is their fathers good pleasure to give them the Kingdom Luk. 12. 29 32. and therefore though now they walk in the midst of trouble he will revive them he will stretch forth his hand against the wrath of their enemies those grievous Wolves c. that spare not the flock and his right hand shall save them and though he hath removed eminent and faithful instruments yet the Lord will perfect by the word of his grace what concerns them his mercy indureth for ever he will not forsake the works of his own hands Psal 138. 7 8. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen THE END