the Holy Ghost Our Saviour was anointed with the Holy Ghost Esay 61. 1. This Peter mentions in his Sermon Act. 10. 38. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power Now this ointment was shed upon the Lord Jesus in such great plenty that he may well be called by the name of ointment Psal 45. 7. he had more of this spirituall ointment poured upon his humane nature then all the Saints put them altogether The Spirit was not given him by measure but above measure Joh. 3. 34. He was from his conception filled with the holy Ghost He was full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. He had not only drops but whole rivers of Oyle poured upon his head He may be denominated ointment from that abundance of spiritual ointment wherewith he was filled his God-head anointed the manhood with an unspeakable fulnesse Col. 1. 19. And 2. Christ is ointment in regard of the excellent vertues which are in him He hath all the good properties of ointment I name five As 1. Oyntment is very fragrant and odoriferous Precious oyntment yeilds a very sweet small When the woman in the Gospel had poured her box of oyntment upon the head of Christ the text saith the whole house was filled with the odour of it John 12. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is very odoriferous he is sweet in himself and he is exceeding sweet in the nostrils of his Saints the perfume in the Law was type of him Exod. 30 34. He doth perfume all persons and places where ever he comes If there be but one drop of Christ poured upon the soul the whole soul is perfumed with the smell of it When Christ had but put his finger into the hole of the door how was the hand of the Spouse perfumed as with sweet smelling myrrh Cant. 5. 5. That soul wants its spiritual smelling which doth not finde a sweetnesse in Jesus Christ Every thing in Jesus Christ is very fragrant 1 There is a fragrancy in his person He is a bundle of precious myrrh Cant. 1. 13. His life and holy conversation yeilded a sweet smell in the world Psal 45. 8. All thy garments smell of myrrh aloes and cassia The graces of the Spirit of which his life was full His righteousnesse meeknesse piety patience what a sweet smell do they cast abroad in the Gospel to this very day 2. There is fragrancy in his death His death was a sweet favour unto God Eph. 5. 2. His dead body was enbalmed with sweet spices John 19. 39. not that he had need of any such His body did never see corruption Psal 16. 10. So fragrant was the death of Christ that he hath perfumed the grave and made it as a bed of roses to all the Saints 3 There is a sweet fragrancy in his intercession The intercession of Christ is so sweet that it perfumes heaven it self See how it was typified under the Law Lev. 16. 12 13. The odours of the sweetest incense are not so fragrant to the nostrils of men as the odours of Christs intercession are to God So fragrant is his intercession that the services of his people which are unsavory in themselves come up as a cloud of incense before the Lord. See this Cant. 3. 6. It 's spoken of the Church because it 's the feminine gender Quae ista All this sweetnesse which is upon the Church and in her services is because they are perfumed with the incense of Christs mediation 4 There is a fragrancy in the word of Christ The breath of Christs mouth is sweeter then any perfume in the world this is that which the Church mentions Cant. 5. 16. His mouth or palate is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sweetnesses so it is in the original all his promises all his precepts are very favoury 5. There is a fragrancy in all his Ordinances Prayer Sacraments Preaching singing of Psalmes are in themselves and to a gracious heart like sweet smelling oyntment The Church mentions this Cant. 2. 3. No such sweet aire bloweth under heaven as doth in the Church of God where the Ordinances of Christ are dispensed in power and purity In one word there is nothing of Christ but is more sweet then the best oyntment that ever was compounded by man This is the first property of oyntment it 's very sweet 2. Oyntment hath an exhilarating vertue It cheeres the spirits and makes the heart glad This is observed by Solomon Prov. 27. 9. Oyntment and perfume rejoyce the heart When Solomon exhorts men to a cheerful life he makes mention of oyntment let thy head want no ointment alluding to the custome of the ancients who in their banquettings and feastings used such signes of joy And the Prophet expressing the jovialty of those Epicures Amos 6. 6. saith they anoint themselves with the chief oyntments The Lord Jesus Christ hath a cheering vertue The heart of a sinner is never truly merry till it be anointed with the graces of Christ and the comforts of Christ Christ is the onely remover of spiritual heavinesse The oyntment is the onely cure for spiritual melancholy Mat. 11. 28. All spiritual refreshing is from Jesus Christ He was anointed with the oyle of gladnesse that he might work gladnesse in the hearts of others This work is committed to him by God the Father Esay 61. 3. There 's not one drop of the oyle of joy but what comes out of this great olive tree the Lord Jesus that gladnesse which doth not proceed from Christ and which is not bottom'd on Christ is worldly madnesse not true joy He is called the consolation of Israel Luke 2. 25. He hath laid the foundation of Israels comfort and he it is that doth convey to them all their comfort 3 Oyntment hath a mollifying and suppling vertue If there be any hard tumour or swelling upon the body we use oyntment to soften it The holy Ghost alludes to this Esay 1 6. Where speaking of the state diseases he saith they have not been mollified with oyntments Jesus Christ hath a mollifying vertue let a heart of Adamant be but once anointed with this oyntment and it becomes an heart of flesh It was by this oyntment that the hard heart of Manasseh was softned God by his Spirit chafed this oyntment into it and it became tender And it is by the Application of this unction through the warm hands of the Spirit of God that the stony hearts of sinners are softened from day to day Thou that hast now a tender heart wouldest have carried thy stony heart with thee to thy grave if this precious oyntment had not been spread upon it 4. Oyntment is of a shining nature It hath a brightning and beautifying vertue Those Virgins that were prepared for the Persian King did use divers oyntments to make themselves beautiful Est 2. 12. they used six moneths sweet odours and six moneths oyle of myrrh This oyle as those that write of it say had
hopes that our eyes shall still according to Gods promise see Isa 30. 20 our Teachers and that we shall not be left 2 Chr. 15. 3 without God through the want of a true Gospel Ministery 1. Both because of his abiding compassions notwithstanding our ill deservings from whence in former ages his Church hath been supplyed with a succession of faithful painful Embassadors 2 Chr. 36. 15 though there have been therein many people of very high provocations 2. And also because there is a considerable accession of young men rich in gifts and graces who from time to time seek entrance into the Ministery through the right dore of Ordination though it be an Ordinance wofully sleighted by multitudes yea by some who pretend much love unto the Gospel And therefore seeing Christ who holdeth the stars in his right hand is obliged Rev. 1. 16. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. to maintain his own Officers in the Church till his Saints arrive at perfection we his Ministers in reference to our calling may boldly say We shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Reader Ps 118 15 believe it Nothing more endangereth the loss of the Gospel then contempt and none proficiency Therefore once and againe we most heartily entreat thee to prize and to improve a Gospel Ministery and all other means of grace which the God of thy mercies doth yet vouchsafe To him that hath and fruitfully tradeth what he is trusted with shall be given and he shall have abundance Mat. 23. 29 Let not this book be received in vain which the good hand of providence doth now tender unto thee This field is full of Gospel treasures digged out of Scripture mines for thine enriching in the knowledge of Christ and what knowledge is so necessary excellent or profitable For from hence do issue all things which pertaine unto life and godlinesse Hereby our love to Christ is 2 Pet. 1. 3. enflamed our longings after him enlarged our faith in him confirmed our joyes in him raised yea by the knowledge of him he is possessed and improved both for growth in all graces augmenting of all spiritual comforts and preparation for everlasting glory Therefore commending this book which hath by one of us been diligently and carefully compared with the Authors own notes together with all thy other helps for heaven unto thy faithful improvement we commend thee to the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospel Rom. 15. 29 through Jesus Christ in whom we desire alwayes to approve our selves May 28. 1656. The real friends and servants of thy soul Simeon Ashe Edm. Calamy William Tayler A TABLE Of the several DOCTRINES handled in this TREATISE 1. A Prelimunary Sermon to the whole discourse that Christ is All and in All. pag. 1 2. Christ a Christians life 11 3. Christ a Christians food 39 4. Christs righteousnesse the Christians robe 67 5. Christ the Protector 87 6. Jesus Christ the Physician 119 7. Christ the true light 225 8. Jesus Christ the great Shepherd 249 9. Jesus Christ the true Vine 282 10. Christ the horn of salvation 324 11. Christ the dew of heaven 351 12. Christ the chief corner stone 385 13. Christ to the wicked a stone of stumbling 432 14. Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse 455 15. Christs Name a precious oyntment 487 16. Jesus Christ the consolation of Israel 509 17. Christ the fountaine opened for penitent sinners 555 Second Part of the Table 18. CHrist the Lamb of God 1 19. Christ a bundle of myrrh 3 20. Christ the way 16 21. Christ the truth 40 22 Christ the glory of his people 80 23. Christ the gift of God 81 24. Jesus the Authour and finisher of our faith 101 25. Christ the rock 121 26. The Word of Christ the sword of the spirit 153 27. Jesus Christ the desire of all Nations 1â—4 28. The Covenant of grace established in Christ 206 29. Christ the hope of salvation 235 30. Jesus Christ as rivers of water in a dry land 258 31. Christ the power of God 288 32. Christ the wisdom of God 306 33. Christ the true brazen Serpent 329 34. Christ the end of the Law 365 35. Christ the holy one of God 379 36. Christ the Christians spiritual Altar 400 37. Christ the Christians Passeover 408 COL 3. last part of ver 11. I. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. May 18. 1651. Christ is all and in all THe Apostle in the two former Chapters perswadeth these Colossians to constancy in the Faith of the Gospel in which they had been instructed against the practice of those false apostles who laboured to draw them away to judaical ceremonies He doth in this Chapter as his manner is give them sundry Exhortations to holinesse of life And first he stirs them up to the more diligent study of heavenly things by many Arguments verse 1 2 3 4. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things that are above Secondly he perswades them to mortifie their earthly members those vitious motions and affections of corrupt nature which were still too strong in them he doth not only urge this in general but instances in many particulars all which are pressed by several Arguments verse 5 6 7 8 9 10. Amongst other Arguments this is one They have put off the old man and put on the new man ver 9 10. This new man he describes three wayes First it is the renuing of the holinesse of our nature which we lost in Adam Secondly it consists in the knowledge of the mystery of the Gospel Thirdly the example or Archetype according to which this new man is fashioned is the image of God our Creator This Argument the Apostle follows verse 11. he sets it on two wayes 1. By removing the false opinion of some who neglecting this new man did confide in their external priviledges and contemned all such as wanted them this in the former part of the verse where there is neither Greek nor Jew c. that is in this new man it matters not what Nation a person be of whether he be Jew or Gentile nor doth it matter what outward prerogatives a person have whether he be circumcised or uncircumcised nor doth it matter what his outward state be whether he be bond or free c. none of all these differences are looked at or considered No man is more accepted of God for the having of any of these things nor is any less esteemed of him for the want of them There is neither Jew nor Greek c. 2. By opposing the true opinion But Christ is all and in all Qâ—d All those external things which are accounted so honourable without this new man do not availe to salvation nor will the want of all these hinder a person of salvation and acceptance with God if the great work of regeneration be wrought for Christ is all and in all We have such another expression Gal. 3. 27 28. Ye are all
communion with Christ that is the life the glory of the other world Vid. Rev. 7. 17. the lamb which is in the middest of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountaines of waters The whole felicity of glorified Saints is held out in those expressions The Uses of this Point Use 1. Away then with the Doctrine of eternal life by the merit of good works If Iesus Christ be our life then cannot the merit of our works be our life or the cause of it either in part or in whole Christ and works are opposites as to this businesse of salvation The affirming of Christ is the denial of works and the affirming of works is the denial of Christ Act. 4. 11 12. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders c. neither is salvation in any other for there is no other name given under heaven c. And the truth is all the things required to make a work meritorious are wanting in the best of our good works A meritorious work must be 1. Nostrum So are none of our good works Eph. 2. 10. 2. Perfectum So are not our works Our wine is mixed with water We halt upon our best legs Isa 64 6. Remember Lord my good deeds and spare me was Nehemiahs prayer ch 13. 22. we never did any thing we should do perfectly not any one thing Our most sublimated thoughts are full of the dregges of earthly mindednesse our best words are too scanty and light c. 3. It must be indebitum A man cannot purchase your land by paying an old debt All our obedience to God is an old debt which we owe upon another score Remember that Parable Luk. 17. 9. Doth he thank that servant because he did that which was commended I tell you no. That which will not deserve thanks cannot merit heaven We are fallen into an erroneous age mans will is cried up much High Arminianisme is within a few dayes journey of this piece of Popery 'T is time to give antidotes when such deadly poyson is scattered and drunk in by many injudicious Christians Let Papists make works their life let Arminians make free-will their life but let us make Christ our life He that will not live by Christ solely shall die for ever without Christ I shall conclude this with that of the Apostle Gal. 5. 4. Christ is become of none effect to you whosoever of you are justified by the Law ye are fallen from grace Use 2. The cerâ—ainty of the salvation of beleevers They shall so certainly be saved that Scripture speaks of their salvation as of a thing already done 1 Cor. 1. 18. the Preaching of the crosse is unto us that are saved the power of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 'T is reported as a thing in facto and not in fierâ— Eph. 2. 5. By grace ye are saved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them he also glorified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He writes as if they were already in glory All this to shew the certainty of their salvation This depends on many things upon this in the text for one If Christ be their life they shall live He that will keep them out of heaven must first pluck Iesus Christ out of heaven because I live ye shall live also John 14. 19. if the Sonne make you free ye shall be free indeed if the Sonne be your life ye shall live and that for ever in despight of devil in despight of corruption he is able to save 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 7. 25. Use 3. Let this provoke all men to get an interest in Christ There 's nothing but eternal death without him He that hath the Sonne hath life he that hath not the Sonne hath not life but the wrath of God abideth on him 1 Iohn 5. 12. There 's no way to glory but by him Deceive not your selves cling to him lay fast hold on him and on him alone Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid already even Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. We hope we have an interest in Christ Well He that hath a good assurance that Christ is his for life must have these three things else he deceives himself 1. He must be a true beleever in Christ vid. Ioh. 3. 36. He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath everlasting life he that beleeveth not the Son shall not see life c. 2. He must be an obedient subject to Christ Though we exclude obedience from the cause of salvation yet we do make it a qualification of the person that shall be saved Christ is the Author of eternal life unto them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. Christ will be King where-ever he is Saviour 3. He must live the life of grace Christ is the Author of spiritual life before he be the Author of life eternal We must live in Christ before we live with Christ Christ must live in us before we live with him Christ in you the hope of glory Col. 1. 27. if Christ be not in you a fountain of grace he will never be yours for glory 4. You that have Christ for life eternal carry your selves as those that beleeve this truth 1. Despaire not No sinne disparageth Christ so much as despair there is more ground of hope and confidence in Christ then there can be of distrust in our selves The sacrifice is sufficient for the guilt Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 2. 6. a ransome a full ransome 2. Let salvation be so much the more precious to you for his sake who is the Author of it 3. Attribute your salvation to Christ onely 4. Live to Christ 5. The greatnesse of Gods love to the Elect. He gave Christ to be their life to die for them Rom. 5. 8. 6. Live with Christ here as much as you can 7. The greatnesse of mans misery he could not be saved without Christ COL 3. 4. When Christ our life shall appear then IV. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. June 8. 1651. shall we also appeare with him in glory I Have handled the first Proposition that Jesus Christ is a beleevers life both in regard of the life of grace and of the life of glory I proceed to the second viz. Doct. Jesus Christ who is a beleevers life shall certainly appear There will be a manifest appearance of Jesus Christ The Scripture makes mention of a threefold appearance of Christ 1. A bodily appearance in the flesh Thus Iesus Christ appeared in his Nativity when in the fulnesse of time he took our nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary Of this the Apostle speaks 1 Tim. 3. 16. God manifested in the flesh Old Simeon in his song rejoyceth for this Luk. 2. 30. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy Venit ad homines salvation Venit ad homines 2. A spiritual appearance of Christ in
shall appear so the Angels tell the Disciples at his Ascension Act. 1. 11. This same Jesus which is taken into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven As he did really and bodily ascend so shall he really and corporally descend God will honour the humane nature of Christ in the world They shall look upon him whom they have pierced The same flesh of Christ which was pierced shall be manifested in his second coming 2. It shall be a sudden appearing His coming is compared to a sudden flash of lightning Mat. 24. 27. The appearance of Christ is compared to the lightning in two respects 1. For the evidence of it It shall be as clear to the eyes of men as the lightning is 2. For the suddennesse of it A flash of lightning doth suddenly break forth and in an instant shines from one end of the heaven to another so shall the appearance of Christ be And for this very cause is it compared to the coming of a thiefe in the night Luk. 12. 39 40. As it was in the dayes of Noah so shall it be when the Son of man cometh They ate they drank c. Mat. 24. 37. when men say peace c. 3. It shall be a very glorious appearance He shall come with power and great glory Mat. 24. 30. He was not so mean and despicable in his first coming as he shall be majestical and renowned in this his second coming His first appearance was in the form of a servant He came not to be ministred unto but to minister A low kinde of appearance was most fit for such work but when he appeares again he shall come as a Judge as King of kings and Lord of lords therefore Majesty is fit for him The Scripture doth set out the glory of his coming sundry wayes 1. He shall come in the clouds of heaven The bright cloud shall be his chariot Mat. 24. 30. 2. He shall come attended with an innumerable company of glorious Angels Those glorious spirits shall come in full regiments attending upon his person to do him service and to execute his will Mat. 25. 31. He had the beasts to attend on him at his first coming but he shall have Angels to wait upon him at this coming 3. He shall come with the voice of the Archangel with a mighty shout and with the trumpet of God 1 Thes 4. 16. All these expressions are used to set out the glory of it All outward glory which ever man beheld is but darknesse in this respect 4. It shall be a very dreadful and terrible appearance Full of Majesty and therefore full of terror His first coming was dreadful Mat. 4. 5. The Scripture sets out the dreadfulnesse of it by the Antecedents Concomitants Consequents of it The Antecedents are in Matthew 24. 29. such an alteration shall be made upon the creatures being that Sunne Moon and Starres being obscured by the glory of Christ shall cease from their service and not be able to shew their glory as before The Concomitants the firing of the world The Apostle speaks of this 2 Pet. 3. 10. what a dreadful sight will this be to the wicked The consequents of it are the raising of the dead the setting up of the Thrones the summoning of all the world to judgement Well doth the Scripture call it the terrible day of the Lord. IV. When shall this appearing be you cannot imagine that I should be so bold as to say any thing of the particular day moneth or yeare of Christs coming Our Saviour hath for ever silenced all curious enquirers about it Mar. 13. 32. The Scripture tells us thus much about the time of it that it shall be when the time of the Churches tribulation is ended Matth. 24. 29. When the number of Gods elect is converted In the end oft dayes Dan. 12. 13. It is one of those Novissima or last things which is to be expected in the world V. Why is it deferred 1. Because the Elect of God are not yet called All the Vessels of glory are not borne into the world Christ stayes till these flowers be sprung up The fetching of these to heaven is one end of his coming And he will not come till these are brought forth As the world was made at first so doth it stand and continue for their sakes 2. That space and time for repentance may be afforded unto sinful men This reason the Apostle renders of it 2 Pet. 3. 9. The Lord is not slack c. but is long suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance He defers his coming that sinners may have more tenders of salvation made to them that so they may be inexcusable if they do not returne 3. That the faith hope patience of his own children may be exercised The delaying of Christs coming is a very great help both to exercise faith watchfulnesse and patience We may say of this as the Prophet doth of the delaying of another day of the Lord Hab. 2. 4. Though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry And the just shall live by his faith 4. That all other of Gods decrees for and about the things which must come to passe before this day may be accomplished Many things God hath decreed shall be done before his appearance which are not yet done in the world The preaching of the Gospel to all Nations Mat. 24. 14. The overthrowing of Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 3 8. The making of the Jewes and Gentiles into one Church c. Christ stayes because these decrees must be accomplished The Uses of this Point Use 1. Away with those Atheists and Epicures who deny this Doctrine In the very dayes of the Apostles there were some scoffers that did mock at this doctrine of Christs appearing 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. where is the promise of his coming we have many such scoffers in our dayes that deride the Doctrine of the resurrection of eternal life of Christs second coming The Apostle tells us the reason of this scoffing in the same place 1. The impurity of their hearts They walk after their own lusts That 's one great ground of Atheistical and wicked opinions Such Doctrines curb and check their lusts and because they cannot have their lusts by retaining such doctrines they therefore reject and scoffe at such doctrines 2. They walk more by sense then by the testimony of the Word of God Since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation because they cannot apprehend with their sense any such doctrine or any ground of it therefore they reject it Such as these who will not be convinced by Scripture we shall leave to feel the severity of that coming which they will not beleeve They that now scoffe will have time enough sadly to bewaile their scoffing they shall then feele what they will not now
condition was discovered when anguish and horrour was upon their spirits then they were contented to do any thing Acts 2. 37. What shall we do to be saved Thus also it was with Saul Acts 9. 6. When Christ had created those tremblings and astonishments in his spirit then he comes off fully to Christ Lord what wilt thou have me to do So it was with the Jaylor when he had a true representation of his estate then he cries out Acts 16. 30. Sirs what must I do to be saved A man that is in extremity will do any thing to save his life When he sees that he must perish if he do not presently consent to what is proposed then he lingers not if he must throw all his goods overboard he is contented to cast them out presently because death is before him 4. That the mercy of the cure may be more highly valued Salvation from hell is a very great work which should be valued by all on whom it is bestowed The Prophet David calls upon his soule and all that is within his soule to praise God for such a mercy Psalme 103. init He that considers the worth of salvation the unworthinesse of the persons enjoying it the costlinesse of it the multitudes that shall never partake of it must needs acknowledge it a thing worthy to be esteemed But so unthankful a piece is the heart of man that he doth not value it at any considerable rate Jesus Christ therefore before he bring any into such a state will discover their misery to themselves that so he may provoke them to extraordinary thankfulnesse for it And the truth is nothing doth so much enhance the price of salvation in our hearts as a cleer manifestation of our wretched condition See how the Apostles heart is enlarged upon this very consideration 1 Tim. 1. 15. Had he not seen himself to be the chief of sinners he would never have thought salvation by Christ worthy of all acceptation as now he did 5. That the skill of the Physician may be more cleerly discovered Jesus Christ seeks to advance his own glory in all the works he does for the sonnes of men As in other his works so especially in this great work of conversion Therefore it is that he will not heale any till he have shewed them their sad estat◠〈…〉 may see his wisdome power goodnesse in their healing Men that think little or nothing ayles them do not halfe so much value the Physicians paines or skill as those that see themselves at the very brink of the grave when the Physician takes them in hand Jesus Christ therefore will shew them every sort that so they may publish his glory that wrought it for them I was brought low and he helped me saith David Ps 116. 6. See how the poor blind man proclaims the honour of Christ Joh. 9. 32. 4. Whether Jesus Christ observe the same method in this work of discovering the sinners estate to himselfe Whether all sinners have the same measure of humbling and terror and whether they continue for the same time under apprehensions of wrath Answ Jesus Christ is a free Agent He is not tyed to any certaine method nor doth he alwayes walk in the same way His dispensations in the work of convincing men of sinne are various and different The work is wrought on all so far as to make the soule sensible of sinnes bitternesse above all other bitternesse and to make it sensible of Christs excellency above all other excellent things But that it is done in the same violent manner in all or that it is of the same continuance cannot be affirmed Conviction and conversion may be wrought at the same Sermon as we see it was with those three thousand Acts 2. 37. 41. They were no sooner pricked in their hearts but they gladly received the word There was great difference between this work in Lydia and in the Jaylor Acts 16. 14. God shewed her hersicknesse in â— more milde way The Lord opined her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul But the Jaylor he had an earthquake and great horrours in his conscience v. 27 29. 1. Some sinners have been more scandalous then others These are brought to Christ with greater troubles so it was with the Jaylor he had been a cruel bloody man God layes him under deep sorrow 2. God hath a greater work to do by some sinners then by others These he uses to deal with in a more rough way that he may prepare them for service the better This seems to be the reason of his so sharp dealing with Saul Act. 9. 15 16. 3. Some sinners are of a more rough turbulent nature then others These must be handled more severely Some men must be bound before they will be ruled So it is with some kinde of sinners Thus with Manasseh 2 Chr. 33. 11. 4. Some have been sinners of a longer standing then others These Christ useth to be more sharp withal in his way of curing 5. Some sinners have been more confident in their civil righteousnesse then others As Paul was in his Pharisaisme Phil. 3. These Christ uses to handle more sharply Jesus Christ is a wise Physician he observes the nature of all his Patients and accordingly prescribes medicines for them He that hath the least measure of this conviction hath so much as that he sees himself lost undone helplesse hopelesse in himself He sees the evil of sinne he sees Christ an excellent sutable al sufficient good for his soule This one thing 〈…〉 Where there is the least sorrow before 〈…〉 conâ—â—â—sion there is many times greater sorrow and morâ— troubles of Spirit after conversion The Uses of this Point 1. How sad is the condition of those that never yet were truly made sensible of their sick estate They never yet had a true lively sensible apprehension of their sick condition They were never so much as pricked in their hearts for sinne so as to make them loath it They were never taken from all their high conceits of their own natural estate c. These men have cause to suspect that sinne is not yet cured A person may have some conviction of his misery and not be healed but a man cannot be healed without some conviction The heart cannot be broken for sinne without the sight of sinne Ezek. 36. 31. There can be no self-loathing till there be a remembring of our wayes and doings that have not been good 2. How necessary the preaching of the Law is to true conversion A man will never be taken off from the opinion of his own healthfulnesse but by the preaching of the Law The Law shews men what they are what they may expect c. The fallow ground of the heart will never be broken up without the plough of the Law Jer. 4. 3. The plough of the Law must go and make deep furrows too before the seed of comfort be cast in Though the preaching of the
work is wrought By this Word is the soule first cut off from the wilde stock of corrupt nature and planted into the true Olive-tree or Vine Jesus Christ Hence the work of planting is in Scripture attributed to the Ministers of the Gospel 1 Cor. 3. 6 7. I have planted saith the Apostle Apollo watered God indeed is the great Planter So v. 1. of this Chapter I am the true Vine and my Father iâ— the 〈◊〉 He is the Master-Planter the Ministers are subordinate-planters We are labourers together with God 1 Cor. 3. 9. They are so called because by the Word preached this great work is done This the Prophet clearly affirmes Esay 61. 1 2 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach Christ that they might be called trees of righteousnesse the planting of the Lord. These mystical trees are Gods planting but the instrument wherby they are made such trees is the Word preached Hence the Word is called the incorruptible seed of regeneration 1 Pet. 1. 23. As all the Trees and Plants in the first Creation were set and sprung up by the Word of God Gen. 1. 11 12. So are all these mystical Branches ingraffed by the Ministerial Word 2. The Spirit of God The Holy Ghost is the immediate Instrument whereby the soule is ingraffed It is the Spirit which gives efficacy to the Word both to cut off the soule from the stock of nature and to implant it into the Stock of grace The Word would never be able to tear off any person from his first root if it were not edged and strengâ—hred by the Spirit of God The Scripture calleâ—h the Holy Ghost the finger of God Luke 11. 20. compared with Mat. 1â— 28. He is so câ—â—â—ed as for other reasons so for this because he is the immediate instrument whereby God works in the hearts of his creatures Particularly for this work of ingraffing the soule into Christ the Holy Ghost is affirmed to be the immediate instrument 1 Cor. 12. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body c. and have been all made to drink into one spirit And againe Eph. 2. 21 22. where the Apostle speaking of this great mystery under another resemblance saith that in Christ we are builded an habitation of God thorough the Spirit The same Spirit which builds us upon Christ into one Temple doth ingraffe us into Christ as one Vine 3. Faith This is the immediate instrumental cause on mans part Faith is an uniting grace it knits the soule to Christ and Christ to the soul Faith is an incorporating grace it doth as it were embody the soule into Christ making it one with Christ and Christ with it This is that which the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. To whom coming as to a living stone c. Ye also are built up as lively stones c. Two things are observable in that Text. First that the Saints are built together upon Christ the foundation-stone an holy house to God Secondly how Christ and they are cemented together into one building this is by beleeving set out by the expression of coming which is used ordinarily for beleeving as Mat. 11. 28. The Spirit of God first works saith in the heart of a person through the Word and then the soul is by the Spirit through faith ingraffed into Christ and made a lively Branch For the second particular What advantage the soul hath by being a Branch of Christ I shall here follow the Metaphor The same advantage the Branch hath by being ingraffed into the Stock hath a Beleever in a spiritual sense by being ingraffed into Christ I name these five 1. Spiritual supportation The Branch hath this benefit from the Stock into which it is ingraffed that it is born up and supported by it The Branch doth not bear the Vine nor doth it beare it self but is born of the Vine A beleever hath supportation from Jesus Christ We stand on Christs legs not on our own I can do all things saith the Apostle through Christ that strengthneth me Phil. 4. 13. The strength of the Branch is in the Vine so is the strength of a Beleever in Christ Who is this that cometh out of the Wildernesse leaning on her beloved Cant. 8. 5. I laid me down and slept saith David I awaked for the Lord susteined me Many blasts passe over a beleever many violent concussions and shakings is he exposed unto partly by reason of sinne partly by temptations from the Devil from men in all these shakings he hath sustentation from Christ into whom he is implanted My grace saith Christ to Paul shall be sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse in 2 Cor. 12. 9. A beleever may with confidence go to Christ and pray for support in all his weaknesses A beleever may go to Christ and chalenge support Christ would never have made thee a Branch if he had not intended to support and strengthen thee Esay 41. 10. there are repeated promises of sustentation I will strengthen thee I will help thee I will uphold thee In doing in suffering in dying is a beleever supported by Christ A beleever never wants support but when either through pride he will not have it or through slothfulnesse he will not 〈…〉 Jesus Christ 2. Spiritual nourishment The Branâ—â— doth not give nourishment to the Stock nor doth it nourish it selfe but it receives nourishment from the Stock A beleever hath nourishment from Jesus Christ The Root feeds the Branch it conveys its sap to each Branch whether it be great or little whether it be nearer the Root or at a farther distance from it Christ conveys proper nourishment to every beleever The Apostle speaks of this Col. 2. 19. The whole body from Christ by joynts and bands hath nourishment ministred the Ordinances are the joynts and bands by which nourishment is carried but Christ is the great treasury from whence it is carried He nourishes Faith he feeds Hope he nourisheth love c. Of his fulnesse have we all received and grace for grace John 1. 16. Every grace a beleever hath would die and wither if it did not receive daily nourishment from Jesus Christ 3. Spiritual increase The branch receives its Augmentation from the Vine The graffe when it's first implanted is very small a childe may break it with one of his fingers but by abiding in the Stock it grows till it come to perfection All a Beleevers increase is from Jesus Christ 'T is by and through him that we grow from infancy to a perfect man Two Texts of Scripture do fully set out this benefit of our implantation The one is Col. 2. 19. In him the whole body having nourishment ministred increaseth with the increase of God The other is Eph. 4. 16. Where the Apostle tells us that by and from Christ the whole body being fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every part supplieth maketh increase
prayers They must beg of him what they want and he will bestow what he hath promised Jesus Christ cannot deny importunate prayer 2. They must clasp about him by faith Faith is the soule 〈…〉 Jesus Christ A hand 〈…〉 from Jesus Christ And 〈◊〉 4. Surely Christ will 〈…〉 in glory Christ is a Root of glory as 〈…〉 grace We are implanted into Christ in gâ—â—ce in order to our implantation into glory 〈◊〉 we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light Col. 1. 12. He that is in Christ by grace shall be with Christ in glory Col. 3. 4. Luk. 1. 69. Hath raised up an horn of salvation XVI SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. Aug. 29. 1652. THese words are a part of that holy Song or Prophecie which was uttered by Zacharias the father of John Baptist after the use of his speech was restored to him God was pleased to deprive him of the use of his speech for a time that he might correct him for his unbelief as you reade v. 20. of this chapter The occasion was this An Angel of the Lord is sent to him as he was burning incense in the Temple to inform him that his wife Elizabeth should conceive and beare him a sonne v. 13. Zacharias knowing that both himself and his wife were now so old that according to the ordinary course of nature they could not expect seed doth in an unbeleeving manner desire a signe from the Angel ver 18. the Angel gives him a signe which was not onely a signe but inflicted upon him as a punishment Thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak ver 20. The childe being born and circumcised on the eighth day according to the Law God remembers his servant and opens his mouth 〈…〉 so long shut 〈…〉 God fills his hear◠〈…〉 by vertue of which 〈…〉 which begins v. 68. and 〈…〉 80. This prophecy hath two parts 〈…〉 Preface or Introduction 1. That that concernes Christ v. 68. to v. 76. 2. That that concernes John v. 76. to v. 80. 1 Concerning Christ there are two things uttered 1. He blessed God for the Mission of Christ v. 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited his people 2. He shews the benefit the Elect have by this sending of Christ This is two fold First Redemption This is amplified by many words which signifie one and the same thing He hath redeemed his people he hath raised up a horn of salvation c. Secondly Sanctification This is set down v. 74 75. That he would grant us that being delivered c. We might serve him without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse c. 2. Concerning John there are likewise two things Prophecied 1. The nature of his office He should be an extraordinary Prophet v. 76. 2. The work of this Prophet with the successe he should have in his work v. 76 77 c. Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way c. God that had raised him in an extraordinary manner would blesse him with more them ordinary successe Many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord his God as the Angel had told him 〈◊〉 The words which I have read are a part of that Prophecy which is uttered concerning Christ They are a glorious title which Zachary gives him before he was borne A horne of salvation From which title we gather this Note Doct. That Jesus Christ is a horne of salvation to the Elect. God hath raised him up for this very purpose to be unto his Elect an horne of salvation God hath raised up saith he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was not yet raised but the time now drew neere God had promised it Faith looks on what God hath promised as a thing already done And then this phrase In the house of his servant David is added to shew the accomplishment of the promise of Christ made to David God had often promised David that he would raise up one out of his loynes to sit upon his Throne and that his Kingdome in Christ should be a perpetual Kingdome Jer. 23. 5. Jer. 30. 9. Now at this time the Kingdome of David was even cast down the Scepter was even departed from Judah the promises of God made to David seemed now to faile his Kingdome was even broken therefore is Christ said here to be raised in the house of David because in Christ the Tabernacle of David was raised up which was even fallen according to that Prophecie Amos 9. 11. And therefore Christ is called also the horn of David Psalm 132. 17. because he was raised up to fulfil the promise made to David for the perpetuation of his Kingdome And he is called the horne of the house of Israel Ezek. 29. 21. 'T is a 〈…〉 interpreters generally 〈…〉 his Elect an horne of salvatiâ—â— In the opening of this three 〈…〉 be explained 1. What salvation is here meant 2. Why Christ is called a horne of â—â—â—vation 3. How he comes to be a horne of salvation to the Eect to deliver them Christ is salvation 1. Privatively Christ is salvation 2. Positively 1. He is a horne of salvation Privatively in three respects 1. In respect of sinne 2. In respect of Satan 3. In respect of men 1. In respect of sinne Sinne is a thing which doth much endanger the soules of the Elect. 'T is indeed the onely great endangerer Neither the devil nor men could endanger them if it were not for sinnes which betray them into the hands of both There are three things in sinne from which the Elect need to be saved 1 The guilt of sinne Guilt is the obligation of the sinner to deserved punishment This doth every sinne expose the sinner unto Lev. 5. 1 2 3 4. Now Jesus Christ is salvation to them in respect of this He hath taken all their guilt upon himself and so freed them from it so that though there be upon them simple guilt yet none that shall for ever redound upon the person The Apostle speaks of this salvation Tâ—â— â— 14. He gave himself for us that he might redâ—â—me us from all iniquity This is that which the Angel tells Joseph from the interpretation of his name Mat. 1. 21. He saves them from then sinne by being made sinne for them as the Apostle speake 2 Cor. 5. 21. From hence is the justification of our persons in Gods sight 2 The Dominion of sinne The Dominion of sinne is the sovereignty and command which sinne exerciseth over all men by nature Hence it is that they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apostle useth this expression Rom. 6. 16 17. To whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey c. Now Christ is a horn of salvation to them in this respect for he doth by the communication of his Spirit undermine and abolish the Lordly dominion of sinne and by the infusion of grace and the
communication of the Divine nature to them cause them to become the servants of righteousnesse Of this the Apostle speaks Rom. 6. 18. Being made free from sinne ye became the servants of righteousnesse This is the work of Sanctification Of this the Apostle speaks Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himselfe for us that he might purifie us unto himselfe c. Christ takes off the yoke of sinne and puts on the neck the yoke of grace This the Apostle fully expresses Rom. 8. 2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death 3 The condemnation of sinne The wages of sinne is damnation Rom. 6. ult Jesus Christ is a horne of salvation to his 〈…〉 for he hath 〈◊〉 the wine 〈…〉 anger and suffered the 〈…〉 their sinnes for them Of 〈…〉 speaks in 1 Pet. â— 2â— Who his 〈…〉 sinnes in his body c. And the 〈…〉 affirms Rom. 8. 1. That there i◠〈…〉 to them that are in Christ Jesus Thus in respect of sinne Christ is a horne of salvation 2. In respect of Satan Satan is a sworne adversary to the Elect. He goeth about continually like a roaring lion seeking how he may devoure them 1 Pet. 5. 8. There are three things in respect whereof Christ is salvation to them from Satan 1. The Dominion of Satan The Elect are by nature as well as others the bondslaves of Satan Eph. 2. 2. they are his servants by nature and by their own voluntary sinfulnesse they have enslaved themselves to his bondage more Of this the Apostle speaks 2 Tim. 2. 26. Now Jesus Christ is salvation to the Elect from this estate He doth at the conversion of the Elect cut the cords and unloose the chaines by which the devil holds them fast in bondage Of this our Saviour speaks Luke 11. 21. By his death he did triumph over him Col. 2. 15. and at the moment of our conversion he doth actually put us into the possession of this victory Acts 26. 18. He doth then turn us from the power of Satan unto God 2. The temptations of Satan Satan as he tempted Christ the Head of which we reade Mat. 4. 1 2 3. so doth he not cease to assault and tempt all his members The more visible Christs image is in any person the more violently doth the devil assault him The Apostle speaks of this as in many other places so fully in Eph. 6. 12. Now in this respect Christ is salvation to them He stands by them that these temptations may not prevaile over them He interposeth himself between them and the teeth of this roaring lion that he may not have his will on them Of this our Saviour speaks Luk. 22. 31 32. 3. The accusations of Satan The devil is called in Scripture The accuser of the brethren Rev. 12. 10. and he is a diligent creature at this work for he accuseth them day and night before the Lord. There are many imperfections and weaknesses in the children of God they do too often step aside out of Gods way we have too many sad instances of the truth of this in Scripture which I need not name The Devil takes occasion from these to accuse us not onely to men but to God He that turnes every stone to hurry us into sinne doth when he hath overcome us represent all to God against us in the ugliest shape he can that he may hinder mercy from us Yes he is so malicious that when he can have nothing visibly to lay to our charge he will pretend something as we see in the case of Job Chap. 1. 9 c. Ch. 2. 4 c. Christ now is a horne of salvation to us in this respect He stands continually pleading for us at Gods right hand as soone as Satan puts in a Bill Christ puts in an answer and so doth cast out and nullifie all his Accusations Thus is he salvation to them in respect of Satan 3. In respect of â—â—n 〈…〉 by men both in theâ—◠〈…〉 spiritual estate 1. In their outward 〈◊〉 Men 〈…〉 against them they 〈…〉 because they 〈…〉 image they have so much of the 〈…〉 Because I have chosen you out of the 〈◊〉 therefore doth the world hate you John 15. 19. The great ones of the world they rise up often against them and vex them c. Now Christ is salvation to them in this regard Sometimes breaking the hornes that devoure them Sometimes melting the hearts of their devourers making their enemies their friends Sometimes removing them from them that would break them alwayes delivering them from the evil and hurt of the attempts made against them turning them for their greater and best good He makes their vinegar better then their wine Of this the Apostle was confident in his own case Phil. 1. 19. This shall turne to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Christ is a horne even of temporal salvation to the Elect in this regard He makes your troubles as good friends to you as your comforts He makes your worst conditions work together for your best good 2. In your spiritual estate Christ is salvation to you from men in two respects First In regard of the corruptions of the world Wicked men give wicked examples and by the example of one wicked man others are corrupted Now albeit the Godly are sometimes infected in regard of some particular acts yet are they saved from the general corruptions of wicked men amongst whom they live Jesus Christ keeps them from soyling themselves as others do This is that which is recorded of the Angel of the Church of Pergamus Rev. 2. 1â— and of those few in Sardis chap. 3. 4. Thâ—s was Noah saved in that corrupt age in which he lived Gen. 7. 1. Secondly â—n regard of the evil counsels of men Wicked men are of the same minde with the devil their father They are daily tempting inticing alluring and perswading the godly to walk with them in their wayes Joseph was tempted by his Mistresse Gen. 39. 7. This is put in amongst the Catalogue of the sufferings of the old Martyrs that they were tempted Heb. 11. 37. Christ the great Counsellor of his Church saved all these from yielding to such temptations Though they are sometimes ensnared yet they are againe brought off by Christ from those ensnarements and Christ gives them power afterward the more to resist them and to abhor them II. Positively Christ is salvation 1. In respect of grace 2. In respect of glory Jesus Christ is eternal salvation unto the Elect. All that salvation which hath been mentioned before is in reference to this which is the upshot of all He therefore saves them from sinne from the devil from men that he may bring them to this eternal happinesse He is called in Scripture eternal life 1 John 5. 20. The Authour of eternal salvation Heb. 5. 9. The salvation of Israel Psal 53. 6. The Captaine of our salvation Heb.
people When God committed our salvation to Christ he committed it to one that was mighty Christ is not a reed of salvation but a rock of salvation A strong Redeemer as the Scripture calls him Ierem 50. 34. Consider four things 1. What strong enemies Christ was to vanquish that he might save us 1 He was to save us from sinne Now sin was very strong it grew fast and deep in the heart Sinne is interwoven in the very constitution of every man Christ could not save the Elect if he did not pluck up the very roots of sinne He was to save them from the guilt from the power from the filthinesse yea from the very being of sinne Had he not been very strong he could not have subdued such a potent enemy as sinne was 2 He was to save them from the devil The devil is called in Scripture The strong man yea the strong man armed Luke 11. 21. One devil hath more strength then all the men in the world and there are many Legions of devils which are in the possession of the Elect by nature The devils are called principalities and powers for the greatnesse of their strength Eph. 6. 12. Jesus Christ if he had not been very strong could never have routed these mighty spirits Consider 2. The manner how he was to save us He was to beare and undergo the wrath of his Father for his Elect a heavy burthen which they were notable to bear The grappling with sinne and Satan was but easie in respect of this to beare the wrath of God without sinking The Prophet speaks of this Esay 53. 5 6. all the punishment of the sinnes of men was laid on Christ He treadeth the wine-presse of the fiercenesse and wrath of Almighty God Rev. 19. 15. There it 's spoken of him as the Executioner of his Fahters wrath but he did first tread it as a sufferer And he did beare all this alone And he was to undergo it without sinking and fainting Had he not been a strong salvation he had perished under this burden To beare the wrath of God is a greater work then the subduing of all the devils strength He could have done this by a word but to satisfie the justice of his Father could not be done without his personal suffering Consider 3. The multitude of the persons he was to save Thousands and millions an innumerable multitude the Scripture affirmes them to be Rev. 7. 9. All the Elect of God which did then live yea all that had been all that should be to the end of the world Had he not been a strong Saviour he could not have saved so many And which doth shew his strength more All these were at first unwilling to be saved by him The Elect when Jesus Christ 〈…〉 them and to apply the salvation 〈…〉 which he hath merited for them are 〈◊〉 unwilling to be saved they runne away from him they like their condition so well that they desire not to be removed out of it They â—â—ject Christ yea they fight against Christ and the salvation that he brings until he have subdued their hearts and of unwilling made them willing by the power of his irresistible grace And then they willingly and freely adhere to him Draw us and we will runne after thee Consider 4. The perfection and fulnesse of his salvation His salvation is a compleat salvation This is that which the Apostle saith Heb. 7. 25. He is able to save 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the uttermost oâ— to perfection What is it to save to the uttermost or to perfection 1. 'T is to save the whole man 2. 'T is to save from all evil to all good 3. 'T is to save to eternity Jesus Christ doth perfectly save in all these respects He will never leave off his Elect till he hath brought them to glory Christ is called a Horne of salvation because he saves both Offensively and Defensively he saves his people and wounds his enemies It 's a Metaphor from horned creatures which do save themselves and offend their assailant Thus much for the second particular Why he is called an Horn of salvation 3. How Christ comes to be an Horn of salvation This is expressed in this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God hath raised him up This phrase notes these three things 1. Gods decree whereby Jesus Christ was from eternity designed to this work The Scripture â—â—lls that by a solemne Decree of all the three Persons Jesus Christ the second person was designed for this work of salvation He was set apart by the determinate Counsel of God to be the Authour of salvation unto the Church The Psalmist speaks of this Psal 2. 6 7. Yet have I set my King c. I will declare the Decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Sonne this day have I begotten thee 2. Gods Mission of Christ. As he was before all time appointed for this work so he was in the fulnesse of time sent to accomplish it In the fulnesse of time God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeeme them that were under the Law Gal. 4. 4 5. Of this Mission the Prophet speaks largely Esay 61. 1 2 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me c. He hath sent me to binde up the broken hearted c. To this belongs that solemne publick promulgation of the Father whereby he proclaimed Christ as his salvation to the world Mat. 3. 17. by an immediate voice from heaven This is my well beloved Sonne 3. The Act of God in furnishing Christ with such qualifications as might render him fit for such a work As he established him by his Decree and by his publick Mission sealed him for this work so he did furnish him with all those qualifications which were necessary for the carrying of it on for the good of his Elect This furnishing of Christ relates to two things 1. The preparing of a body for him A humane nature was necessary for him that was to be the salvation 〈…〉 must be made to Justice by the 〈…〉 that committed the trespasse And 〈◊〉 besides the Divine Nature was not capable of saving that way that salvation must be wrought namely by suffering God therefore fitted Christ with a body in which body by the grace of personal union the God-head was caused to dwell Of this the Apostle speaks Heb. 10. 5. Sacrifice and meat-offering thou wouldest not have but a body hast thou fitted me 2. By conferring upon the humane nature fulnesse of all those spiritual qualifications and endowments which were necessary for him to the carrying on of his work Strength wisdome judgement mercy love patience and many other graces were needful for this work of salvation God therefore furnished Jesus Christ with all these Esay 11. 1 2 3. And as he had variety of all these graces so did God bestow upon him a fulnesse of all these not a limited stinted fulnesse as he bestowed upon
if he had not elected him for the work he undertook And then 3. For the comforting of Christ in undergoing that which he was to suffer for the carrying on of this work He must endure the wrath of God the contradiction of sinners before he could be the corner stone Divine appointment comforts a man in the hardest sorrows Gen. 31. 9. Thou saidst return to thy country The consideration of this strengthned and comforted Christ in all he suffered John 18. 11. The Uses of this 1. The Father and holy Ghost have a hand in the work of mans salvation as well as Christ we scarce take notice of the Father in the work of redemption as if he only did look on and approve what Christ did he acts in it as well as Christ he chose Christ he sent out Christ he fitted Christ for this great work Though the second person was he that was incarnate yet both the first and third person concurre and contribute to the work The divine election is the first wheele that moves in this work 2. That the work of our salvation by Christ is not a rash work 'T is not a work of inconsideration or precipitancy but a serious work There was much deliberation and consultation about it Here is mention of electing Christ It 's a work of infinite and unsearchable wisdom The mystery of godlinesse the Apostle calls it 1 Tim. 3. 16. The manifold wisdom of God Ephes 3. 10. here is depth of wisdome in this work 3. That the Elects salvation by Christ is a work well pleasing to God It 's called the pleasure of the Lord Esay 53. 10. It is a great contentment to God to see it carried on it cannot be otherwise when he himself hath elected Christ to it That which a man chuseth and contrives he is pleased when it is carried on God that hath chosen Christ for the foundation will carry on the work in his hand 4. Why Christ is called Gods Elect and Gods Servant Esay 42. 1 2. not as if he were inferior to God in regard of his divine nature Zech. 13. 13. Phil. 2. 6. but because he is chosen of God to be the foundation He is chosen to be the head of the Election all the Elect are chosen 5. Let us with confidence cast our selves on Christ Can we chuse better then God hath chosen 'T is an undervaluing not onely of Gods love but of his wisdom to chuse another foundation God will take it ill if we reject his choice Adventure on him you may Believe and trust in him without doubting He that hath elected Christ will not reject those that accept and relie on Christ The Election of God will mightily aggravate the refusal of Christ Encourage faith by this He that beleeveth in him shall not be ashamed 6. Very great comfort to them that have built on Christ God doth not chuse mouldring stones but firme stones If God have any wisdome to chuse Christ is sufficient to beare all their weight He hath laid help on one that is mighty Psalme 89. 19. Let what blasts will come this Elect stone will hold 1 PET. 2. 6. XXI SERM. at Mary Wolnoth Lon. Febr. 13. 1652. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Precious I Go on to the second property of this corner stone as it is laid down in this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precious The word here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that which is of great worth or value in it selfe and that which is much prized and esteemed by another A thing and a person may be valuable in it self and not valued by others And then a thing may be highly in it self esteemed which is of no great worth but this word signifies both That it denotes the worth of things or persons you may see Luke 14. 8. When thou art bidden to a wedding sit not down in the highest room lest a more honourable man then then be bidden of him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That it signifies the valuation or high esteeme of things or persons appears from Phil. 2. 29. The Apostle writes to the Church about Epaphroditus that they would receive him and saith he hold such in reputation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 make much of such let them be deer to you 'T is opposed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies one of no esteeme or account amongst men The Observation is this Doct. That Jesus Christ the chief corner stone of the Church is exceeding precious As he is a stone of Gods chusing so he is a choice stone He is therefore precious because he is of Gods choice Christ is a corner stone precious in himself and it is our great sinne if he be not precious unto us Christ is not onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precious but he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of very great price Matth. 13. 46. What is that pearle of great price but Jesus Christ himself for the obteining of whom a wise Merchant will readily part with all that he hath Nothing is worth a mans All but Jesus Christ But in comparison of him all things even the best are nothing worth Jesus Christ is a precious stone as well as an elect stone In the handling of this Doctrine I shall open two things for Explication 1. In what respects Christ is precious 2. Why he is so meanly esteemed by the greatest part of men 1. For the first Christ is precious in foure respects 1. He is precious in the account of God Jesus Christ is the delight both of the Father and of the holy Ghost God values him as a pearl of great price 1 He is in Scripture called the Son of his bosome The onely begotten Sonne who is in the bosome of his Father John 1. 18. As men and women shew their esteeme of jewels and pearls by wearing them at their bosome so doth God testifie his high esteem of Christ by laying him in his bosome The Sonne of God never was never will be out of the bosome of the Father 2 The publick testimony which God gave from heaven to Jesus Christ at his baptisme is an evidence of the high esteeme he hath of him Mat. 3. 17. This is my well beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 3 He is so precious in Gods account that the Father will accept of none but through him nor will he reject any whom he recommends to him 4 The great designe of God in the Gospel is to put honour upon Christ He commands all men to honour the Sonne as they honour the Father All the good he bestows upon men is in Christ and through Christ alone 5 The Father would never have put such a trust into his hands as the redeeming and saving of the Elect if he had not been of precious account in his sight 6 His present session at Gods right hand in heaven is a full and manifest proof how dear he is to him God hath set him there as a testimony of the highest account
now shining at the right hand of God we should say the Sun were but like sackcloth in comparison of it how much more bright is he in his Godhead this is so glorious that no man can see it and live The face of Jesus Christ is that which makes and constitutes the very glory of heaven And then 2. His omniscience The Sunne in the firmament travels up and down and beholds every part of the world David saith there is nothing hid from the heat of it Psalm 19. 6. Jesus Christ as he is the Sonne of God is perfectly omniscient The Apostle speaks of his omniscience Heb. 4. 13. There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight c. Yea he sees every thing not by moving up and down as the Sunne doth but by one fixed and constant view There can be no fence made to keep out the sight of his eye he doth simul semel together and at once behold all creatures with all their motions thoughts and imaginations This is the first II. In respect of his effects and workings upon his people There is a great resemblance between the Suns effects upon the creatures and Christs effects upon his people I shall instance in eight particulars 1. The Sunne hath an enlightning vertue The Sunne is the great luminary which God hath appointed and made to carry the light abroad to the inhabitants of the earth The presence of the Sunne makes day The Sunne is the great torch of heaven by which men and other creatures see what to do and where to go Gen. 1. 14 16. By his light we see it and all other things Jesus Christ hath an enlightning power and doth actually enlighten the hearts of men The soul is by nature in darknesse and never sees till Christ beame down his light upon it All men by nature in regard of spiritual light are as that blinde man was John 9. 1. without any spiritual sight They see neither sinnes blacknesse nor their own misery by reason of sinne They see not Christs beauty not graces excellency till their eyes are opened They have thick skales upon their eyes as Paul had before his conversion Act. 9. 18. Therefore they are called darknesse and their state a state of darknesse Eph. 5. 8. Now Christ gives them light When he riseth upon them savingly then and not till then do they see their condition and the way out of it Eph. 5. 14 As the Sun is speculum munds the worlds looking glasse so is Christ speculum Animae the souls looking glasse All spiritual light which is given to the soul is in and thorough Jesus Christ So the Apostle tells us 2 Cor. 4. 6. The Gospel is the vehiculum lucis the great chariot that carries this light abroad but the fountaine of it is this bright Sunne of righteousnesse Jesus Christ Spiritual illumination is Christs work This is that which the Evangelist saith John 1. 9. John Baptist carried the â—orch but Christ himself was the light Till this Sun be up the soul lies in grosse darknesse but when it appeares then light comes Presently Esay 60. 1. When the glory of the Lord is risen upon the soule then is darknesse expell'd and the soul shines forth The heart that is as dark as any dungeon when the beames of this Sunne are darted down into it is as light as a Paradise Christ turnes Egypt into Goshen And then 2. The Sunne hath a warming vertue Though it be not formally hot yet it is hot in its effect Psal 19. 6. The beames of the Sunne warme the earth and the ayre the bodies of the rational and irrational creatures Experience teacheth that the Sunne hath a heating power the light and motion of it causes heat The Lord Jesus Christ hath a warning vertue in him The heart that is as cold as yee is heated and warmed by the influences of his Spirit into a good temper The luke-warme heart when Christ shines upon it is set into a burning heat The beames which are cast from Christ in his Ordinances put the cold soul into a spiritual sweat We have an instance of this in the two Disciples Luke 24. 32. They were in a freezing temper till Christ overtook them but when they had continued a while in that spiritual sun-shine their hearts were put into a violent flame Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way The forerunner of Christ tells the Jews that he that came after him did baptize men with the holy Ghost and with fire Matth. 3. 11. Christ can kindle the sparks of grace which seeme to be as dead and put them into a burning flame Many a Saint hath come to the Ordinances with his heart like the cold earth and before he hath departed Christ hath sent him away like a burning lamp the cold water hath been put into a vehement boyling that the heart hath runne over again eructâ—vit cor meum Psal 45. 1. Peter grew cold at the high Priests fire when the beames of Christ were withdrawn but when Christ shone upon him his cold heart was heated when Elisha had lien a while upon the Shunamites dead childe his flesh waxed warme 2 King 4. 24. Though a soule be as cold as death if Jesus Christ do but once stretch himself upon it it waxes warme And then 3. The Sunne hath a comforting vertue The Sunne is in Scripture put for comfort Job 30. 28. To walk without the Sunne is to walk without comfort and Solomon tells us that it 's a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the Sun Eccles 11. 7. Weak and sickly persons when they are brought into the Sunshine finde their spirits cheered by it The Lord Jesus Christ hath a heart-comforting vertue He is the first inlet of comfort into the soul He is the preserver of joy in the soule and he it is that restores joy unto the soul after dejections and droopings of heart Noah was herein a figure of Christ see what his father Prophecies of him Gen. 5. â—9 Jesus Christ is the true Noah the great comforter of his people in all the griefs and sorrows of this world Christ is the foundation of all true comfort to thy soule Tolle Christum tolle solâ—â—â—um that reconciâ—iation which he hath made between God and man is the very basis of all consolation Whatsoever in God in the Scriptures yeilds any comfort to the soul is so onâ—y in and through Christ that comfort which is not built upon Christ is bastard comfort which will end in terrour The Spirit of God is called the comforter John 15. 20. his office is immediately to cheer the soul How doth he comfort but even by making application to the soul of a sinner of that which is merited for him All the arguments whereby the spirit comforts the heart are drawn from Christ he seales up to the soul that Christ is his and so fills it with comfort And then 4. The Sune hath a