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
will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness And Isa 43. 2 5. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee fear not for I am wiâ—h thee So Hag. 2 4 5. Hence the Psalmist saith Though I walk in the valley â—f the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me namely I will fear no evil of or concerning thee I will not be jealous of my Shepherd and so I will fear no evil no adversity whatsoever for thou art with me to uphold and strengthen me with strength in my soul Psal 23. 4. 138. 3. This comforted the Prophet when in great affliction and inderision daily I heard the defaming of many fear on every side report say they and we will report all my familiars watched for my halting peradventure he will be inticed and we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge on him By the way they signifie that unless they could intice him or turn him aside they could not take their revenge on him but saith he the Lord is with me therefore my persecuters shall stumble and they shall not prevail Jer. 20. 10 11. And so He will preserve their souls from the design of Satan and his instruments that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ that love him and keep his word Rom. 8. 35 39. he will not deliver them unto the will of their enemies Psal 41. 2. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. He will not suffer the feet of those that trust in him to be moved he that keepeth them will not slâ—mber behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep the Lord is their keeper the Sun shall not smite them by day the Lord shall preserve them from all evil he shall preserve their souls c. Psal 121. 97. 10. 1 Sam. 2. 9. My sheep saith our Saviour hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. Oh! what incouragement is given us herein to trust in him and not be afraid not to fear any of those things we may suffer but though bryars and thorns be with us and we dwell among Scorpions and our souls are among Lions and Wolves even amongst them that are set on fire whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword yet to walk in the strength of the Lord God and to make mention of his righteousness even of his only Yea He will cause all things to work together for good to them that love God who are the called according to purpose so as that in all the tribulations he is ordering they shall be mâ—râ— than conquerours through him that hath loved them and given himself for them Rom. 8. 28 37. and they shall be gainers by their losses and have occasion with thankfulness to acknowledge that it was good for them that they were afflicted Psal 119. 62 71. for his end in ordering the afflictions of the Gospel is for their profit that they might be partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 10 11. he is refining them but not with silver he is chusing them in the furnace of affliction Isa 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. Every branch in the true vine the Husbandman purgeth continually that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. and by all tribulations he is preparing them for glory and more glory for them Our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen saith the Apostle for which cause they fainted not 2 Cor. 4. 16. 18. yea death is theirs and to die gain and the Lord knoweth how even by this means to deliver the godly out of temptation 1 Cor. 3. 22. Phil. 1. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 9. and their manifold temptations the tryal of their faith through which now for a season when need is they are in heaviness shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And now in the multitude of their troubles and thoughts within them his comforts shall delight their souls Psal 94. 19. He is the God of all comfort who comforteth them in all their tribulations and as the sufferings of Christ abound in them so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ He is one who comforts them that are cast down and restoreth comfort to the conâ—â—ite one and his mourners by creating the fruit of his lips in his Gospel peace peace unto them 2 Cor. 1. 3 5 7 7. 5. Isa 57. 18 19. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Christ because the Lord hath anointed him to preach good tydiâ—gâ— to the meek To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to gâ—ve unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning c. Isa 61. 1 3. He will then especially and abundantly cause them to prove the sufficiency of his gracâ— 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. that having access by faith into that groce wherein they stand even that grace that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly they may rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. He will give unto them his good Spirit to bring to remembrance the sayings of Christ to glorifie him and enamour their hearts on him and to teach them all things and so to be a spirit of grace and supplication unto them to teach them how to pour out their hearts unto him in what manner and for what things and in what incouragement Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13 14. Likewise the Spirit also heâ—peth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we oâ—ght but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be â—ttered Rom. 8. 26 27. and so to teach them how to answer adversaries and opposers This is the promise which our Saviour promised his Disciples when he sent them forth as Lambs in the midst of Wolves to preserve them from carefulness and thoughtfulness what to answer But when saith he they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak either as to the manner or matter for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak for it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your father which speaketh in you Maâ— 10. 16 20. And hence our â—aviour admonisheth them to settle it in their â—eaâ—ts not to mediâ—are before what they shall answer for he assuâ—es them in so doing he will
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