gives power against this cursed fruit of the flesh in some measure there is a disposition of nature even in the Saints to be exalted and that above measure not onely in their own personall excellencie but in those graces received from Christ The Apostle Paul was sensible of both in 1 Cor. 9.27 where the Apostle sayth he beats down his body c. There was a lifting up the Apostle was sensible of it he found that in him that which was enough had not God let him see it helped him in it as he apprehended notwithstanding his preaching to others to make him a cast away so also a Cor. 12.7 Least I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations the Lord sent me a prick in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me that was to pull him down that he might not be exalted in himselfe there is in every childe of God a naturall disposition to spirituall pride he that knows any thing knows it The Lord teach you and I to search our own hearts in this particular and give us power against it see 2 Cor. 6.1 Having such promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit c. This is the filthinesse of spirit that the Saints are lyable unto truly we have little cause to glory in any thing except in Christ Jesus What hast thou sayth the Apostle that thou hast not received and if thou hast received it why dost thou yet boast 1 Cor. 4.7 therefore the Prophet sayth Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome nor the strong man in his strength but let him that gloryeth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth the Lord. It is the exhortation of Christ to his Disciples Luk. 10.20 Rejoyce not that the Devils are made subject to you but rejoyce rather that your nanaes are written in heaven and this lesson the Apostle Paul learned and every Christian in some measure must learn Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world 5 There is selfe profit which every man naturally is apt to looke after O how hard is it for a poore creature to deny himselfe How hard is it for a rich man sayth Christ to enter into the Kingdom of heaven The world is a common baite wherewith the Devill inticeth man to sin as Iudas Ananias and Saphyra Act. 5. Nay Christ lumselfe is set upon with this temptation Mat. 4. O this profit the love of money is the root of all evill But where Christ comes teaching effectually he teacheth the soule to deny it selfe to look upon the world as a very empty thing he gives power to overcome the world Whosoever is borne of God over commeth the world and this is the victory that over commeth the world even our faith 1 Ioh. 5.4 Now the soule sees that it is his duty not to looke onely on his own things but every one on the things of another Phil. 2.4 Now hee hath learned to sympathize with the body every member he looks not upon himselfe at a distance from the meanest member making himselfe equall to them of the lower sort 6 There is self pleasure also and this of two sorts 1 In delighting in pleasures of these the Apostle speaks of 2 Tim. 3.4 They shall be lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God Beloved it is much unbeseeming Christians to be lovers of pleasure see 1 Tim. 5.6 But shee that liveth in pleasure or shee that liveth delicately is dead while shee liveth Now beloved Christ takes off his people from these pleasures by presenting better pleasures to them he makes them drinke of the river of his pleasures Psalme 36.8 so that the Saints are not without pleasures spirituall and that abundantly and eternally Psal 16.11 At his right hand are pleasures for ever more But God takes off his from those earthly carnall pleasnres which is indeed dangerous and destructive Prov. 21.17 Hee that loveth pleasure shall be a poore man it is true spiritually as well as temporally carnall carthly pleasures and profits are two great enemies to the power and being of god linesse Luk. 8.14 cares and riches and pleasures is that which choaketh the Word that men bring forth no fruite to perfection A second sort of Self-pleasure is when men resolve to please themselves O sad word that men should have such a disposition to please themselves but where Christ teacheth hee teacheth men in this case to deny themselves Now this may be considered under a twofold relation eyther to God or our brethren 1 To God where Christ teacheth effectually there the soule will rather deny it selfe then God It will rather please God then it selfe Christ who is the Saints pattern did always so walk as to please God John 8.29 For I do always those things that please him to wit the Father Now Christ as hee was man in our flesh pleasing the Father alwayes in all things and so was our pattern so he teacheth his the same lesson This is a Maxime in Religion That whosoever chuseth to please himself rather then God Christ hath not taught him 1 Thes 4.1 We beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Iesus that as ye have received of us how yeought to walk and please God so ye would abound more and more As if the Apostle had sayd that which ye have received of us is that ye ought to walke according to the example of Christ to please God This is the doctrine that wee have taught you we beseech and exhort you by the Lord Jesus That ye abound more and more in this grace This is an excellent choice grace to please the Lord ever to have that in thine eye to please God though thou displease thy selfe that is thy fleshly carnall selfe Col. 1.10 O this is a soule taught indeed by the spirit of God when he prefers the pleasing of the Lord before himself or carnall friends or any thing see Prov. 16.7 When a man ways please the Lord hee maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him when a man seeks to please God in walking answerable to the rule of God though hee displease his enemies God will make those enemies to be at peace with him 1 This being rightly learned is that which would carry you along through all oppositions in a way of truth perhaps somethings yea some truths may seeme hard to a poore creature to be submitted unto perhaps the poore creature resolving with flesh and bloud which will have its bouts even in the Saints Rom. 7.21 may be ready to conclude sometimes if I submit to this way to this truth I must expect reproach persecution perhaps losse of liberty estate yea life and all now it would wonderfully please carnall reason to deny such a truth to hide and conceal such a truth in unrighteousness but
for their good the end wherefore he hath saved them That he might have a people to serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse Luke 1.74.75 So that the Saints are not their own They are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Therefore glorifie God in your bodies and in your spirits which are Gods They are Gods own by purchase and he purchased them That they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 10.11 Thus you see there is good reason that Christ should be King of Saints He was borne to it He is thereunto appointed He hath purchased them for that end and purpose Use A word of information if it be so that Christ be the King of his people and he alone ought to rule in all spirituall things then 1 Those that get in to the throne of Christ beare rule where Christ should are no friends to him He who ever he be That exalts himselfe above all that is called God and sits in the seat of God is the Antichrist 2 Thess 2.4 8. Whom Christ will take as his enemy and destroy him with the breath of his mouth and the brightnesse of his comming 2 Those are enemies who will not have Christ to reign over them who resolve to submit to the power of man in the things of God they are no friends to Christ but enemies and so he will take them and so he will deal with them Luke 19 27. But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring them hither and slay them before mee c. Acts 3.23 And he that will not he are this Prophet shall be cut off from amongst his people 3 If the kingdom of Christ be spirituall not of this World then those are no friends to Christ that turn the World into Church I mean by a humane Law and Ordinance Let men turn the World into Church by preaching as fast as they can or as Christ will but to compell all to bring in earthly ignorant carnall men into the Church of Christ is not as according to the mind of Christ Ezek. 44.7 to the 14. and this is none of Christs Church but the Synagogue of Satan the World and not the Church And truly I am apt to conceive from that fore-mentioned Scripture that those that have been chiefe in this businesse who are godly amongst them shall never be honoured with doing much in the work of God but they shal come in last they shall be the meanest and the lowest I mean with relation to gifts in the house of God This may seeme strange to some but a truth for God will have none to glory in their own present gifts or excellency but that hee that gloryeth may glory in the Lord. Use 2. If the Kingdome of Christ be spirituall then here is a word of exhortation to stirre up spirituall people spirituall men and women to submit to Christ to come under the government of Christ to walk with to have fellowship with the spirituall people of Christ Beloved it is a sad thing to see spirituall people to walk with the World to joyn in the Worlds fellowship in the Worlds worship What communion hath light with darknesse What fellowship hath Christ with Beliall What part hath the believer with the unbeliever ô that the exhortation might take place in your souls Come out from amongst them and be yee separate and I will receive you 2 Cor. 6.17 The Lords people are a holy people and the Lords ways are holy ways Holinesse becomes thy house ô Lord for ever Use 3. A word of consolation and joy for the Saints the Church the kingdome of Christ you have cause of joy and cause of rejoycing First that you have such a king a great king above all gods hee that is the Lord of Lords and the king of kings hee is our king he is the king of Saints the Saints have such a king who is able to defend them able to save them from all their enemies and he will save them he is able to dash all his and his Saints enemies in peeces like a potters vessell and he will he shall do it Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron and dash them in peeces like a potters vessel Be wise now therefore ô ye Kings and be instructed yee judges of the earth serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling kisse the Son least he be angry c. But let the Saints rejoyce in the Lord let Israel rejoyce in him that made him let the children of Sion be joyfull in their King Psal 149.2 2 The Saints have cause to rejoyce and to be comforted they are all made Kings to the Lord. They are Kings and they shall reign they reign already over sin and lust over Satan Rom. 6.12 Sin shall not have dominion over you others are slaves to sin and Satan sin reigns in and over them but the Saints reign over sin they have a Kingdom already within them without them the Church which is both Christs and the Saints Kingdom where Christ and the Christian solace themselves together and they shall have a Kingdom although they are now rejected and reproached of men Servants ride on horseback and Princes walke as servants on the ground Ecles 10.7 but they shall rule and have dominion they shall reign for they are made Kings Rev. 1.6 chap. 5.10 They shall rule their enemies those that perhaps formerly have ruled them Rev. 2.26 27. To him that overcommeth and keepeth my words to the end to him will I give power over the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my Father Thus Christ shall judge thus the Saints shall judge Psal 149.5 6. A wonderfull comfort for the Saints but a sad word for the enemies both of Christ and Christians Let the Saints be joyfull in glory let them sing aloud upon their beds let the high praises of God be in their mouthes and a two edged sword in their hand to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishment upon the people to binde their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron to execute upon them the judgement written this honour have all the Saints praise the Lord Thus the Saints are made Kings you see and shall have dominion and rule and a Kingdom although they are rejected and slighted and counted the off-scouring of all things here by the men of the world yet they are Kings and shall have a kingdom A great joy for Christians Dan. 7.27 Luke 12.32 Lastly this should stir up the Saints to walk humbly to walk holily as becommeth the subjects of the spirituall kingdome of Iesus Christ that as Christ hath called them out of this world so they should no longer fashion themselves like unto this world but walk as becomes Christians professing godlines
the sins of his people also upon his shoulders 1 Pet. 2.24 He hath born our sins on his own body on the crosse Hee which knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him believe it beloved those sins and corruptions that so much trouble the soules of Saints he hath borne them all himselfe hee himselfe bare our iniquities upon his own body 4 The High-priest bare the names of the children of Israel on a brest-plate of judgment for a memoriall before the Lord continually Exod. 28.29 He beares their names and judgments before the Lord c. So doth Christ our High-priest beare the names of his people yea their nature and judgments upon his heart before the Lord continually he presents them before his Father continually Now Christ may be said to beare the names of the Saints upon his heart First In his continuall presenting them to himself and Father without spot righteous in his own righteousnesse Ephes 5.25 26 27. Secondly In respect of their neernesse unto him Beloved that that comes to a mans heart comes neere him the Saints of God are as neere unto him as his own heart hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye he that persecutes them persecutes Christ Acts 9.4 O therefore let men take heed how they persecute Christians It were better a milstone were hanged about their necks and they cast inco the Sea then offend or persecute the Saints But the Saints whom the Lord hath or shall call are upon his heart in respect of his love unto them Beloved the elect were upon the heart of Christ from all eternity Ephes 1.4 That was the reason why he comes into the world to take your nature your sins become sin and a curse for sinners It was his love The elect of God was so upon the heart of Christ from eternity and hee will give his heart bloud before hee will lose one of them O what do your hearts say to this deer brethren and sisters is not heere comfort for your souls ô thou art perhaps affraid whether Christ loves thee this is the complaint many times of the gracious soule but know this you to whom God hath given faith in his Son thou art upon the heart of the Son in respect of means in respect of love hee loves thee more then thou canst love him for God is love John 4.26 He bears thee upon his heart poore soule and what canst thou desire more see Cant. 8.6 see what Christ sayth of his Church Chap. 4.9 6.5 Thirdly The Saints are upon the heart of Christ in respect of his remembring of them The righteous shall be had in continuall remembrance Psal 112.6 O here is comfort for the poor afflicted souls of the Saints it may be you are under affliction either externall or internal and art ready to complain as once David did as if the Lord had forgotten to be mercisull Ps 13.1 2. what ever thy condition be God hath not forgotten thee no no thou art upon his heart thou art neer and deer unto him thou art very precious unto him he hath set thee as a seale upon his heart and hee cannot forget thee Object But you will say perhaps will not God forget me when I forget him I I have a wicked deceitfull heart that gives me the slip when I come to pray and the name of the Lord is not so precious upon my heart as I wish it were many times Ans But God will not forget thee Esay 49.15 16. Can a woman forget her sucking childe from having compassion on the Sonne of her womb yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee Behold I have ingraven thee upon the palmes of my hands thy walls are continually before me c. O blessed word the Lord will not forget thou art not onely upon his heart but upon his hands also ever in his sight his eye is ever over thee for good Fourthly The Saints are upon the heart of Christ and there he will keep them Those which thou hast given me have I kept and none of them is lost c. Joh. 17.12 Ah blessed word able to bear up the spirits of the Saints to whom God hath given faith ô you poor doubting Christians who are somtimes affraid that your hearts will deceive you and perhaps are ready somtimes to complain with David I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul So thou art ready to say ô this wicked heart of mine ô this proud this stubborn heart of mine I am afraid least all is nothing and that I shall one day fall by it O beloved you to whom God hath given faith are upon the heart of Christ and if thou canst but once see thy selfe there it is enough thou needest not fear thy falling Dost think man woman that Christ hath set thee there for nothing no no he will keep thee there it is true were the power of standing or falling left to thy selfe then thou mightest well doubt but thou art kept by the power of God through faith 2 Pet. 1.5 thou art preserved at and in the heart of Christ his love is so to thee that hee will not lose thee none shall pluck thee out of his hands he loving thee once will love thee to the end however some pretend a falling away from grace after the soule comes truly to believe in the Lord Jesus but it is but a vain fancie and an imaginary conceit for it is a part of the Covenant of grace on gods part to keep thee from falling Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts and they shall not depart away from me Fifthly The High-Priest was to beare the iniquity of the holy things in a plate of pure gold on their fore-heads before the Lord always that they might be accepted before the Lord Exod. 28.37 38. So Christ bears the iniquity of the holy things of the Saints the best Saints I mean the most holy is not able to performe any duty to God but there is a great deal of sin in it iniquity cleaves to it now beloved as Christ hath borne all the rest of the sins of the Saints so he bears all the sin all the iniquity of the holy things of the Saints O comfort for the Saints thou caust not hear noe pray without sin why Christ bears all the iniquity of thy holy things he presents thy person and prayers to God without spot Ephes 5.27 There is never a prayer put up unto God in the name of Christ in faith but Christ presents it John 16 23. Whatsoever ye shall aske the Father in my name it shall be given you see Rev 8.3 The Angel Christ Jesus stands at the Altar and having a golded censer with much insence that he might offer it or add it to the prayers of the Saints ô beloved here is a blessed word for the soules of the Saints whether particular Saints or Churches Christ adds to your
and gather his lambs in his armes c. sayth ver 13. Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord and who was his Counsellor with whom took he counsell and who instructed him c. certainly none beloved there was none to do it for he determined his whole work both of creation and redemption before all things if there had bin any being then for any of the sons of men who could have invēted such a way such a means of recovering of reconciling fallen man truly none but the God of wisdome and therefore Christ is called in Scripture the wisdom of God Luk. 11.49 therfore also he is called the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1 21. we preach Christ the wisdom of God c. Chap. 2.7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world began Note beloved the Lord Jesus Christ the wisdome of the Father him in whom the Father manifests his wisdome was ordained before the world began Ephes 3.10 11. it is called the manifold wisdom of God Well may it be called manifold for it is infinite there is no numbering of it Ps 47.5 Great is the Lord and of great power of his understanding there is no number How should this take off from the Saints all cares and feares concerning the things of this world he who is infinite in wisdom wisdom it selfe hath taken care for thy soul for thine eternity Doubt not but rest upon him his wisdome shall be for thee hee will so order and dispose of all thy actions as shall be most advantagious for his owne honour and thy good And know this that nothing comes to passe but by his wise disposing hand of grace nay he is made unto thee that believest wisdome 1 Cor. 1.30 ô admirable mercy that the God of wisdom should not only wisely contrive a way for the reconciling of sinners to himself but should become their wisdome he is made to us wisdome admire at this all the sons and daughters of God what God himself become your wisdome then truly thy solly shall not harm thee ô thou art ready to say I am so foolish so ignorant c. ô poore soul it matters not it is mercy thou seest thy solly for the truth is thou must be a foole that thou mayst be wise 1 Cor. 3.18 4.10 that is thou must renounce all thine own wisdom as folly for it is self-wisdome that is the greatest enemy to Christ Therefore let no man deceive himself If any man amongst you seem to be wise in this world let him be a fool that he may be wise 2 What cause have the Saints to admire God in Christ for his love ô admirable love what God to give his Son to become a propitiation for the sin of sinners Is not this rich grace and mercy for God to take upon him the nature of man and the sins of men to make peace and reconciliation for men what soule can behold this love this mercy and not stand admiring in the enjoyment of it Beloved this love of God manifested unto men it is Free Full Everlasting Love it is free without desert there was nothing in man for to procure it hee hath loved thee freely poore soule Hos 14.4 I will heal their back-sliding I will love them Freely for mine anger is turned away Beloved God loved freely for he loved his before they were Ephes 1.4 he loved them freely for he loved them when they were sinners Rom. 5.8 the manifestation of it is free for it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercie Rom. 9.16 1 Cor. 1.27 he manifests it unto them when they would none of it when men had rather keep their sins then receive Christ as a Priest and an atonement so Paul Act. 9. the Lord meets him and over powers him when he was going in a way of persecution as it is in Esay 65.1 I am sought of them that asked not for mee and found of them that sought me not c. God first seeking and finding causes the creature to seek after God 2 It is full grace and love great love John 3.16 God so loved the world that hee gave his Son c. O unspeakable love that nothing lesse then the Son of God can serve for a gift and truly beloved nothing lesse could have done the deed and therefore nothing lesse could be given from a God of love who intended in his gift to doe good to man John 4.9 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but that hee loved us and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins and herein is the love of Christ manifested to become a Priest a Sacrifice to lay down his life for sinners Iohn 5.13 Greater love then this hath no man that a man lay down his life for his friends Here is great love love to be admired of al the Saints 3 This love of God manifested in the Son is everlasting love Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore in loving kindnesse have I drawn thee Harke you beloved friends God hath loved his people from everlasting and he will love them to everlasting Iohn 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world hee loved them to the end that is for ever Hence it is that the kindnesse of God is called everlasting kindnesse Esay 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face frone thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercie on thee c. his mercie is everlasting mercie Psal 100.5 For the Lord is good and his mercie is everlasting and his truth endureth to generation and generation His Covenant made with thee who art a believer is an everlasting covenant Esay 61.8 I will make an everlasting covenant with them saith the Lord a Covenant that shall not bee removed Esay 54.10 neither shalt thou depart out of it Jer. 32.40 and hence it is that the joy of the Saints shall be everlasting for indeed were not Gods mercies Gods Covenants c. everlasting There could he no true joy but this is that which occasions both true and everlasting joy and consolation 2 Thes 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe and God even our father which hath loved and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace c. Note beloved here is everlasting consolation flowing from the love of God and truly the consolation could not be everlasting were not that love communicated through grace everlasting Here is admirable mercie admirable grace free full everlasting 3 The Saints have cause to admire God in his Justice for beloved those two attributes of God are admirably exalted in this one particular giving Christ a reconciliation between God and man his love and his mercie is exalted in that he to accomplish his own end in a way of grace gives his own Son to become an offering for sin to this very end and purpose
to reconcile and save sinners Iohn 3.16 2 Cor. 5.19 such was the love of God from all eternity that nothing could hinder their design of grace The Jews that had a hand in putting Christ to death shall have a part in that mercy and grace purchased by his death Acts 2.37 38. For they did nothing but what God in his counsell had determined Acts 4.28 Now as the mercy of God was herein admirably exalted to men so is his justice his severity also Rom. 11.12 Behold therefore the goodnesse and severity of God c. Behold here is goodnesse and severity mercy and justice to be admired First the mercy of God is here admirably manifested In freely chusing some and secondly his justice in leaving others First His mercy in chusing some in his Son to life and glory Rom. 9.23 24. That he might make knowne the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory even us whom he hath called c. here is the mercy of God wonderfully made known unto the sons of men and note that this mercy was never manifested but in a way of justice justice must be sarisfied for mans transgression now that God may shew mercy without any wrong to his justice hee gives his Son to take upon him mans sin and to suffer for the sins of his people that so mercy and justice might meet together An admirable worke of grace where God shews mercy and his justice is satisfied Never any mercy to be expected but where justice is satisfied it is in vain for thee ô man to expect mercy out of Christ there justice is satisfied if ever thou hast mercy it must be there therefore Christ calls Matth. 11.28 Come unto me c. Now beloved the Saints may admire of and rejoyce in the justice of God for the justice of God is for every believer and is as ready to plead for them as the mercy of God A creditour that is honest hee will be ready to acquit and cleer the principall when the surety hath paid the debt and made full satrsfaction and to declare that he hath nothing against him it is true the surety may pay the debt and the principall not know it and hee may be affraid and troubled but when the surety shall come and tell him that the debt is paid and the creditour satisfied and when the creditor shall send his bond and discharge under his hand and seal now this satisfies the man and now he is cleer and comforted now he walks boldly So it may be with the poore soule Christ hath paid thy debt he hath satisfied the justice of his Father but perhaps thou wantest the assurance of it beloved to whomsoever the Lord hath or shall give faith there it is sure the Lord hath sent his Ministers to proclaime it to your souls That whosoever believeth shall be saved and here hee hath sent his word to confirme it unto you and if that will not satisfie thou shalt have his seal too Ephes 1.13 And justice is now ready to plead for such a soule to acquit him I am satis fied I have nothing against him and so justice is thine and for thee who indeed believest 2 The Instice of God is manifested in leaving others in a lost condition herein is the severity of God admirably manifested especially of the Saints see Rom. 9.22 What if God willing to shew his wrath and make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath made up to destruction see Chap. 11. the elect obtained mercie the rest were hardened ô how should the Saints admire at this justice what God to leave so many in a hardened-blinde-perishing-condition and shew mercie to me O wonderfull what should God see in me more then in such and such hardened ones what God shew mercie perhaps to one and leave twenty a hundred in a hardened lost condition and shall I bee one of the small number O beloved how will the due consideration of this mercie and justice this goodnesse and severity of God set your selves work to admire God and to praise him this is the new song of the Saints Rev. 5.9 And they sung a new song saying thou art worthie to take the booke and to open the seale thereof for thou hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation O this is that which will set thy soule a praysing God indeed when thou shalt see people tongues nations left and thou taken out of them some taken perhaps one or two out of a family others left one or two out of a generation others left some few out of a City a Nation and others left O beloved the due consideration of this one thing will occasion your fouls to sing that song that none else could ever learn Rev. 14.3 They sung a new song and no man could learn that song but they which were redeemed from the earth called out from earthly men from Nations peoples tongues c. 4 The Saints have cause also to admire the power the almighty power of God working salvation for them he doth declare himselfe to be the Al-mighty God able to doe whatsoever he pleaseth he is able to save he is able to work salvation for his people which way he pleaseth and the power of God is manifested in Christ working salvation for his people see Esay 63.1 I that speak in righteousnesse mighty to save behold the Lord Jesus is called the mighty God Esay 9.6 and a mighty redeemer Prov. 23.11 and their redeemer is mighty he shall plead their cause c. and truly beloved hee had need bee mighty for he hath undertaken a mighty work the redemption and salvation of sinners and this appears to be a mighty work 1 Because none else could do it beloved God hath done such a work for his people that no creature nor created power in heaven or earth could doe it Esay 45.21 There is no God besides me a just God and a Saviour there is none beside me none can save beside God Hos 13.4 There is no Saviour besides me therefore in vain is salvation hoped for from the mount ains truly in the Lordour God is the salvation of Israel Jer. 3.23 Beloved it is in vain to look for salvation from the hills and mountains from creatures or any thing beneath the Lord Jesus There is none other name given under heaven whereby wee may be saved but by the name of Jesus Act 4.12 O beloved how should the Saints praise God and admire him for that great and glorious salvation he hath wrought for his people this is the song the Saints sing unto his praise Rev. 7.10 11 12. And they cryed with a loud voyce salvation to our God c. blessing and glory and wisdome and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be unto our God for ever and ever c. They sing forth Gods saving power Who is
Being of corruption So 1 John 1.18 If wee say we have no sin we deceive our selves and there is no truth in us now consider beloved is not the power of fin destroyed in thee Dost thou not looke upon it as thine enemy wouldst thou not be rid of it O that is thy desire why then be not dismayed it is the condition of all the Saints to have sin raging in them Christ hath destroyed the power of sin it shall not reigne over you Rom. 6.14 3 Christ thy High-priest will have thee to live in and upon him out of and above thy self therefore he is pleased to let alone in the Saints A prick in the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet them he will have thee to fetch all from himself Col. 3.3 For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God dead to sin and dead in your selves not able to act or do any thing but as you are carried on by the power of God John 15.5 Without me you can do nothing Christ is and will be all and in all to your souls Col. 3.11 If all sin in the Saints were subdued and they made perfect in this life I mean pesonally perfect otherwise they could not live by faith upon another so should not be in a dependencie upon Christ this was Adams condition and he quickly lost it but it is the wisdom of God and it is much for our good to keep as always in a dependencie upon himselfe where our stock remains for our life our consolation our salvation it is all hid with Christ in God and therefore it is sure although we have not the full enjoyment of it in this world God keeps his people always in a way of believing and so causes them to live by faith and when they are made meet for such a way namely perfection perfect freedome from all sin that is when Christ shall change their vile bodies and give them glorious bodies then they shall be made like unto Christ but not before Phil. 3.22 Iohn 3.2 O consider of it I beseech you brethren you would fain be glorified in a state of mortality what need of faith then this is one end why God gives faith unto his people that they might live comfortably in their patient expectation of what God hath promised Heb. 10.35 36. Chap. 11.1 Faith is the evidence of things not seen not seen with a carnall eye not enjoyed-after a carnall manner but eyed by faith and expected by hope and so comfortably waited for Esay 28.16 He that believeth maketh not hast therefore that which you and I have to look to is this whether Christ be ours whatif there be lust and corruptions if thou hast Christ he is thy life 1 Iohn 5.12 He that hath the Son hath life if thou hast the Son thou hast life he is thy life and in him it is thou art to live he it is that is thy fulnesse thy all and in all The second thing that troubles the Saints is their inabilities to performe duties O thou canst not pray without sin thou canst not performe any duty as thou wouldest and shouldest thou canst say as the Apostle When I would doe good evill is present and for to remedy this consider and bee sure of these two things 1 That Christ hath done all for thee so that thou art not to look to thine own righteousnesse that righteousnesse that is of the Law but the righteousnesse that is of God through faith Phil. 3.9 What doth trouble thee poor soule ô thou canst not pray that troubles thee Why considerfirst Christ hath trayed for thee Iohn 17.9 and certainly he was heardin all things that he prayed for his Prayer stands effectuall for every believer to the end of the world 2 He by his spirit makes intercession in thee Rom. 8.26 with sighes and groans which cannot be expressed 3 He makes thy prayer acceptable presented in his name Ioh. 16.23 Whatsoever yee shall aske the Father in my name he will give it you look upon Christ thou shalt see him performing all righteousnesse for thee that art in thy self unrighteous doing all for thee that canst do nothing for thy selfe he hath prayed for thee that canst not pray nay he doth still breath in by his spirit into thy soule sight desirings groanings and somtimes expressions and then accepts of his own work is thee 3 What ever thy weaknesse is he passes it by and pardons it see Micah 7.18 19 20. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth the iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his people thou maist think God hideth his face from thee when thou seest thy Iusts to be strong and prevailing but he will turn again he will have compassion on thee he will subdue thine iniquities c. see the Covenant of grace that Covenant which Christ hath purchased with his blouse Heb. 10.29 see Heb. 8.12 For I will be mercifull to their unrighteousnesse and their sins and their unrighteousnesse will I remember no more thou art afraid thou art so dead so unprofitable so unlike Christ that he will not own thee but be assured it is a part of the Covenant of grace in the administration of it to pardon all thy sins 1 Iohn 2.2 If we sin we have an advocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous who is a propitiation for our sins Christ is thine advocate to plead thy case look to Christ who is thy propitiation thy peace Object O but I have a cursed wicked nature there is nothing in it that is good I cannot pray nor performe duties certainly now Christ hath shewn mercie to me and made a difference between me and the world he expects somthing at my hands answerable to his mercie Ans 1 It was the condition of the Apostle Paul Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing thou hast nothing that is good in thee it is true no more had the Apostle Paul When I would doe good evill is present c. thou canst not pray nor performe that good thou wouldest no more could the Apostle v. 19. for the good that I would doe I doe not that is I doe it not as I would doe free from sin from corruption evill is present O this is thy case I know it is and this was the case of the Apostle Paul it is my case and shall be thine while thou and I live in this world 2 I answer Christ Jesus knew very well before ever he gave his life and bloud for thee a Sacrifice for sin that thou wouldest have a cursed nature a disposition in thee to that which is evill even after he had manifested his love unto thee he knew that thou wouldest not be able to pray or performe any duty without sin nay he never intended it should be otherwise with thee or me while we are in this world and that is the reason he gives us such
when a soule comes to this it is my duty to please God therefore hath Christ required it will it please the Lord Jesus O then I dare not but doe it come what will I cannot but doe it truly you who indeed love the Lord Jesus that Love will constrain you to please him although you displease your selves But secondly those who are taught of God will rather displease themselves then displease their brethren the Saints This is a necessary lesson a gracious soule will displease himself rather then the Saints this is a lesson that both you and I have need to learn and I doubt wee come shott in our practice of it I speak not eyther to blame or shame any of you I have more against my selfe in this particular then against you all but I speake to informe to forewarn both my self and you in this particular but to prevent any mistake or misunderstanding of what I shall speake concerning this thing I desire before I proceed to let you to know that I do not intend that you should be men-pleasers that is that ye should so please one the other as to suffer any sin in each other without reproofe or admonition in love therein you come to hate one the other Neyther be ye externally in shew only such for the Apostle reproves such speaking of the duty of servants Ephes 6.6 Not with eye service as men-pleasers but so pleasing the Saints as in that you please God 2 Thes 2.4 So speake we as not pleasing men but God See Gal. 1.10 But to proceed it is the duty of the Saints so far to please their brethren as to deny themselves as the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 10.33 Even as I please all men in all things not seeking mine own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved the Apostle seeks to please all men that hee might winne some to the Gospell which is every Saints duty much more then to please the Saints in love rather then in every thing to seek to please our selves It is this Self pleasure that is the cause of so much division amongst the Saints How hard a thing is it for one Saint to stoop to the weaknesse of another love would cause us to stoop to each other and to performe every service of love each to other Rom. 15.2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification And why vers 3. For Christ pleased not himself c. If your hearts and my heart was not so moulded into this forme of doctrine as that you could count it your joy to please you brethren that you could choose rather to please a Saint then to please your selves and so every one to have this heart of love toward each other what comfortable life of love in the Lord might the Saints live Whereas one the contrary when every one stands off to please himself men run an end to have their own minds what whisperings what bitternesse will arise even in the Saints nay how doe they come sometimes even to byte and devoure one the other as the Apostle speaks But my beloved I hope better things of you I speake not to condemne but to forewarne both my selfe and you of this great evill which too much creeps in among the Saints and to let you see a glimpse of the amiablenesse of that grace of love which is so usefull amongst the Saints 7 There is Self love naturally in every man so the Apostle fore-tels 2 Tim. 3.2 Men shall be lovers of their own selves and that Professours too and that in the last dayes See Verse 1. Now Christ who is the Saints Prophet and Teacher hee teacheth them to deny this selfe love not that a man may not love himselfe love his soule love to enjoy good Prov. 19.8 He that getteth wisdome loveth his own soule So likewise 1 Pet. 3.10 but that he should not love himselfe and himselfe onely this is sinfull love Christ Jesus never taught this love but a man may to love himselfe as that he love his brethren also nay he may so love himselfe as that he love his brethren as himselfe Rom. 13.9 Thou shalt love thy neighbour to wit thy brother as thy selfe This is the love Christ teacheth where he comes and he doth not onely teach it in word but in example also be may be said so far to deny himselfe as not to love himselfe in comparison of that love manifested to us he loved us better then he loved himselfe our life better then his own life for he gave his own life freely to purchase life for our souls here was great love John 15.13 Greater love then this hath no man that he lay down his life for his friends and we ought to be followers of Christ in this grace of love Ephes 5.1 2. Be yee followers of God as dear children and walke in love even as Christ hath loved you and given himselfe for you 8 There is selfe will also and this Christ teacheth the Saints to deny and to submit unto the will of God this Christ our pattern hath given us an example who came not to doe his own will but the will of him that sent him It is my meat and drinke to doe the will of my Father Iohn 4.34 In his prayer before his suffering Mat. 26.39 Not as I will but as thou wilt O blessed example to be imitated of all the Saints What Jesus Christ deny himselfe his own will and shall not the Saints doe it his Disciples and followers But Christ hath not onely given us his example as our pattern but he hath exhorted us thereunto also Mat. 7.21 Not he that sayth Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven but he that doth the will of my Father c. Ephes 6.6 the Apostle exhorting servants to be obedient to their masters sayes not with eye service as men pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God This selfe will is a cause of much stirre and division in the world I had almost sayd amongst the Saints What is the cause of this warre and bloud but self will I mean next under God one will establish one Religion another will establish another Religion one will establish Episcopall another will establish Presbyterian Government or else the Kingdome must rue it being stirred up thereunto on both sides by the Clergie and is likely to bring ruine upon the Kingdome if God prevent it not in teaching those whom it concerns that they have nothing to doe in either side to compell men to any Religion that it is the will of men and never the will of Christ to give his Kingdome and Dominion minion to the will of men to the will of the Magistrate This self will is that causeth stirs and troubles in families the husband will have his mind and the wife will have her minde this causeth stirs in Churches amongst the Saints when every one will have his own mind
spirits are ever carryed forth against sin 2 The Saints cannot but deny sin as they stand related to Christ in relation to his glory Christ is holy and he will have a holy people that may be for his praise and honour 1 Pet. 2.9 But yee are a chosen generation a royall priesthood a holy Nation a peculiar people why That yee should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvelous light Christ hath made you and I holy that so we might shew forth his praise that is that so we might give occasion to praise God Are not the eyes of the world upon the Saints expecting much from them although it is true they doe not nay they cannot love holinesse yet they expect the Saints to be holy and to deny sin are they not ready to watch opportunities to scandall Saints and truth withall and would it not be a very sad and grievous thing if those that professe themselves to be for Christ should give just cause of offence would it not be very dishonourable to the name of the Gospel and profession of Christ therefore Christ teaches men and women where he comes to deny ungodlinesse and sin and to live soberly righteously and godly in this world It is his exhortation Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Let your light shine before the men of the world that they may have no cause to speak evill but rather cause to glorisie God Let your light so shine before the Saints that they may rejoyce and glorifie God A close walking with God is that which gives great cause of joy and rejoycing in each other and an occasion of praysing God one for another so the Apostle Rom. 1.8 I thank God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is spoken of through all the world How was their faith spoken of it was the fruit of their faith their obedience in walking up with God answerable to that faith they professed for by our works we manifest our faith so likewise Phil. 1.3 5. the Apostle thanks God for their constant fellowship in the Gospel from their first submitting to it This is a cause of joy But on the contrary for such as beare the name of Christians to live in and delight in sin to be vain and carnall and earthly this is a cause of sorrow and weeping amongst Saints Phil. 3.18 For many walke of whom I told you before and now tell you weeping they are enemies to the crosse of Christ they cause the crosse of Christ and the way of Christ to bee evill spoken of a cause of sadnesse indeed to the Saints 3 Reason Why Christ teacheth his to deny self wisdome self love self will and all of self is because they are to take up their crosse and to follow Christ that is they must expect reproaches afflictions tribulations for the name and sake of Christ John 16.33 In the world you shall have tribulations Now what wise man in the world can or will suffer reproch the losse of the world and the worlds reputation the losse of friends liberty ease it may be of life it selfe in a word all that is neer and deer to the carnall man what man but a foole thinks the wise men of the world is there that will lose all on such light terms as the gaining of a crucified Christ A man not taught of Jesus as the truth is in Jesus can never suffer with comfort and joy these things the Saints are like to suffer for the name of Iesus Self wisdom and self love will come in O sayth wise selse when it eyes that persecution those hardships that are like to follow those that follow Christ May I not passe by such atruth and such a practice and it be a Christian and get to heaven what need I to adventure my selfe upon such hardships when perhaps for the neglecting of such or such an opinion or practice I may attain my liberty my good reputation Is it not a sad thing that men professing Christ should thus consult with flesh and bloud the Apostle Paul did not so when hee was converted to the faith of Iesus hee consulted not with flesh and bloud Gal. 1.16 It is self wisdom and self love that sets men to consulting with flesh and bloud but flesh and bloud cannot inherit the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15.50 That is a man not taught of Christ not made partaker of his divine nature and grace bearing only the image of the earthly Adam cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven When a man shall come to submit to Gospell Ordinances which are contemptible in the eyes of the world for which hee is like to suffer shame and disgrace here is need of self deniall O sayth the self denying Christian Let mee submit to Christ to every truth to every ordinance although I suffer losse in the world reproch and shame from my friends and acquaintance though I loose the love of my best friends whether father mother husband wife c. yet sayth the self denying Christian Christ hath sayd that who so loveth father mother wife or children more then me is not worthy of me and the love that CHRIST hath shed abroad in my heart by his Spirit Rom. 5.5 constraineth me to deny my selfe and follow Christ in all conditions 2 Cor. 5.14 Thus you see the self denying soul and none else is meet to be a Diseiple a follower of Christ hee is ready to take up the crosse daily and to follow him 4 Christ teacheth his to deny self sufficiency and self strength that so they may be able to hold out in the evill day when a day of adversity comes when a man is put to it eyther by his spiritual or temporal enemy Blessed are they then that trust in the Lord Psal 2.12 Men standing upon their own strength are gone Esay 40.30 The youth shall faint and be we ary the young men shall utterly fail that is those that apprehend a power in themselves to stand but Verse 31. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint If men stand upon their own strength they are like to fall Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall But they that see an insufficiency in themselves and trust upon the name of the Lord shall be as mount Sion that shall never be moved Psal 125.1 but abideth for ever Christ would have his work to be a perfect and fair work his covenant a sure covenant Esay 55.3 Therefore hee undertakes not only to bring men and women intocovenant but to keep them there Ier. 32.40 I will not turn from them they shall not depart from me sayth the Lord. But if Christ had left the power of standing to man hee might
must be the same so that now under the Gospel the believer may lawfully keepe the unbeliever whether husband or wife and their children whereas under the Law if a Iew marryed with an idolatrous Gentile he was to put away both wife and children Ezra 10.3 but under the Gospel there is no such thing unlesse the unbeliever will depart 2 After faith and baptisme the will and command of Christ is that his people should yield obedience to all his comands indeed he doth not onely command it but gives power there is a power goes with the commands of Christ he is the King of his people he gives laws and statutes and withall gives in abilities to doe what he commands Christ knows that without him you can doe nothing John 15.5 the will and commands of Christ is that his people should be holy is all manner of holy conversation the will of God is their sanctification 1 Thes 4.2.3 For yee know what commandements we gave you by the Lord Iesus for this is the will of God your sanctification to abstain from sin to ver 7. and the reason is rendred ver 7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanuesse but unto holinesse God hath not given his Son to redeeme men that so they might live in unclean unholy ways he doth not call them to fellowship with himselfe and one with another that so they might take their pleasures in the world in sin no no God calls his to holinesse and therefore the Apostle Peter sayth It is written be yee holy or yee shall be holy as I the Lord your God am holy 1 Pet. 1.16 And he that hath this hope purifieth himselfe even as Christ is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 And the Apostle Pauls exhortation answers this command Rom. 12.1 I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that yee present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformable to this world but be yee transformed by the renewing of your mindes c. that is seeing God hath renewed your mindes let your bodies your externall walkings be made conformable to Iesus Christ and not to the world O beloved holinesse becomes the Saints especially holinesse becomes the houshold of Saints the Churches of Saints the Church of Saints is Gods house 1 Tim. 3.10 his dwelling place Psal 132.13 14. and holinesse becomes the Lords house for ever and it is the love of Christ that constrains the Saints thus to walk Quest But is it not the Saints duty thus to walke Ans Yea without question it is their duty Gal. 6 16. He that walketh according to this rule peace shall be upon him but they are to performe this duty of holy walking out of love therefore Christ sayth If yee love me keepe my commandemenst Iohn 14.15 none hath to doe with the commands of Christ but those that love him which love flows from faith for faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 A second command of Christ is love the Saints which was the second thing I propounded in the manifestation of love It is first to Christ Hee that loveth not the Lord. Iesus let him be accursed ver 17. These things I command you that yee love one another And a new commandement give I unto you that you love one another as I have loved you Quest Why is it called a New commandement seeing it is not new but the same that was from the beginning Ans 1 It is New because given a new by Christ and so are all the commands of Christ given a new and are new commands given to a new people to wit believers Mose's commands were given to all the whole body of naturall Israel Christs to the whole body of spirituall Israel the Saints None else hath to doe with any law as it comes from Christ but are still under the Law as it came from Mount Sinay 2 It is new in respect of the nature of it which is double 1 as it flows from Christs love to us 2 It must be the same as Christs love was to us ever as I have loved you and as this is the speciall comand of Christ so it is the property of the Saints that the grace they receive from Christ causeth them to doe it the love of Christ constrains them Therefore the Apostle thanks God for the Colossians Col. 1.3 4. For the increase of their faith and love to all the Saints Where faith increaseth love increaseth for faith increaseth love to Christ and love to Christ increaseth love to the Saints For my more cleer proceeding in this particular I shall endevour from light and truth to discover unto you first what love is 2 the excellent properties and effects of this love 3 the manifestation of this love 1 What love is Love is an affection of the soule carried forth after and setled upon something from an apprehended worth and excellency in the thing this I conceive to be love whether it be spirituall or naturall whether set upon a good or bad object for it is not possible there should be true love but where the soul apprehends something worthy to be beloved First the understanding goes forth and takes a view of the object presented if the understanding so apprehend any worth or excellency in the object presented then the affection of love is let forth upon it and is not satisfied without the enjoyment of it Hence it comes to passe that when the understanding is truly enlightned and the judgement rightly informed the affection is carried forth and setled upon a right object but if the understanding be corrupted and blinded and the judgement misinformed the affection of love is carried forth after and set upon wrong objects When the understanding is so blinded it apprehends an excellency in the world in pleasures in sin c. for believe it it is the blindnesse of mens understanding usually that causeth men to love sinfully So on the contrary when Christ is presented to the view of the soule the understanding by the power of God is enlightned and comes to apprehend in some measure that excellent worth that is in him the affection of love goes forth after him and desire is not satisfied untill it enjoy him Thus it was with the Spouse in the Canticles chap. 5.10 My beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand and hence it is her love is so drawn forth after him that shee seeks him and is never satisfied till she find him vers 6. she is sick of love after him chap. 2.5 and this love unto Christ carries forth the soule in love to the Saints for the sake of Christ where it sees the Image of Christ the same love where with the soule loves Christ it loves the Saints 1 Iohn 4.20 21. That it is the command of Christ and the property of the love of God where it is shed abroad in the heart to carry forth the soul in love not only to
tast of the excellencie it shall one day enjoy in Christ Quest Now what is it that bears up the soule in this condition how doth the soule live in the want of this full enjoyment of God Answer 1 By faith he can look upon God as having a relation to him God in Christ is my God sayth the soule and I shall one day enjoy him I shall one day see him and for ever be satisfied in the beholding of him this quiets this satisfies the believing soule it is content to wait upon God hee that believeth maketh not haste It is in this case with the believing Christian as with a loving and tender wife her desire is always to live in the enjoyment of her husband but when her husband is absent far away from her it may be shee receives now and then a comfortable letter from him wherein shee sees a glimpse of his love and reads his letter and wil have as much fellowship with him in his letter as shee can shee will look to every word every sentence and note what expressions of love shee can finde there and then shee is cheer'd and comforted I have a letter from my husband sayth the loving wife wherein he lets sorth a caste of his kindnesse and love unto me O here are sweet words of love of a tender affection But sayth the wise this is not all hee will come home unto me at the time appointed and I shall enjoy him and this is that which most of all cheeres up the heart of the wife my husband will returne at the time appointed Thus it is with the beleeving Christian nothing lesse then the enjoyment of God can give satisfaction to the soule that hath once rasted of him but beloved the Lord Jesus the souls beloved is gone as far as any hee hath only espoused betrothed the soule to himself he hath reserved the full enjoyment that the beleeving soule shall have in him till another world only hee discovers this his love le ts forth a glimpse of his glory into the souls of the Saints and then the soule having once tasted of God how good how gracious the Lord is then nothing but the full enjoyment of Christ can satisfie Now the Lord Christ hath left his word here for his beloved to have recourse unto and there he hath made known his love and his heart to his poore people and now the soule that longs after Christ hath recourse to the Scripture and there searches what Christ hath said when the soule meets Christ in the Scripture then it is cheer'd then it is comforted here is a blessed word sayth the soule Christ is my all and in all though I cannot come to the full enjoyment of him and then the believing soule will to ordinances preaching and the Supper of the Lord fellowship and communion of Saints get what it can of Christ meet with her beloved every way God hath appointed for that purpose but still this is the great support my beloved will come at the time appointed he is gone to receive for himselfe a Kingdome and he will return and I shall enjoy him in his fulnesse in his perfection and here the soule lives and waits patiently here the anchor of hope is cast and holds the soule close to the Lord Jesus living by believing what it shall one day enjoy Heb. 11.1 2 That which the gracious soule longs after is a full and perfect freedome from corruption it is that body of sin that burthens the Saints that is it makes them cry with the Apostle Paul O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from this body of death and the gracious soule could well be contented somtimes to embrace death that it might be freed from this body of death under which God is pleased for ends best known to himselfe to exercise his children under Now what is it bears up the Spirits of the Saints in this condition it is this the believing of this that they shall one day be rid of this base proud deceitful heart a day is comming when I shall change this vile body of sin and I shall be made like unto the glorious body of Jesus Christ Phil. 3.21 I am already justified and so made a Son a daughter of God and this I know I shall one day be made like unto him 1 John 3.2 This is that which cheers the heart of a Christian many times when it is in a low condition when put to a stand in the beholding of those base haunts of heart that it findes within it selfe when perhaps it is put to a stand in the beholding of it O sayth the soule what I after so much experience of Gods love so much faith in the name of Jesus and have such a base heart such a thought for wickednesse the Christian is somtimes put almost to a stand here but then he comes to consider God is wise and he is pleased to exercise me under this body of sin to keepe me in a continuall dependancie upon himselfe and this is my comfort I shall one day be rid of all these enemies of mine and I shall one day enjoy the Lord Jesus in his holinesse and in his glory When Christ which is my life shall appear then shall I appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 and in this case the believing soule lives in believing what it shall one day enjoy namely freedome from sin glorious liberty even the glorious liberty of the Sons of God 3 The Saints of God are subject to afflictions and reproaches while they are in this world so Christ sayth Iohn 16.3 In the world yee shall have tribulation It is true Christ hath prepared a Kingdome for them but they are not like to enjoy it in this world I mean that Kingdom of glory although it is true they enjoy much of God here in this Kingdom of grace The Kingdom of God is within you But the Saints here are liable to persecutions and afflictions now the beleeving Christian lives in beleeving it shall one day bee freed from those hard things it suffered here free'd from evill men and I shall one day have a Kingdom sayth the soule Thus Paul comforts himselfe 2 Cor. 5.1 2 Tim. 4.5 6 7. and this was it with which Peter comforts the scattered Jews 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. They were begotten to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled reserved in heaven for them and this was the ground of that exhortation to constancy to the end in time of affliction Rev. 2.10 Be faithfull to the death and you shall have a crown of life Thus Christians have I indeavoured both from the light of Scripture add the light of experience to hint out briefly unto you a taste of the Christians living by faith and this Christ teacheth all those whom he effectually teacheth Heb. 10.38 I might proceede to other particulars namely that Christ teacheth us to own him as our Priest as our King it is Christ our Prophet indeed that
this World yet they are in Scripture called Saints that is Sanctus holy see 1 Cor. 1. called to be Saints called to be holy so Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling so that the kingdome of Christ is or should be Saints holy ones not the world for all the world are not Saints but the Kingdome of Christ are Saints called out of the World John 15.19 Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world The Church of Christ are Saints chosen out of the World they are not of the World they are a people separated or severed out of the World so was the Church of the Iews Levit. 20.26 Ye shall be holy to me for I the Lord am holy and have severed you from other people that you should be mine And thus it is with the spirituall Israel of Christ under the Gospel of which the naturall was a type they are not of this World they are called out of this World and severed or separated from the World 2 Cor. 6.14 to the end they are to be separated from the world although the world hath gotten a forme of godlinesse See 2 Tim. 3.1 5. The Apostle speaking of the last times reckons up what courses men should take what sins they should be addicted to and yet concludes they shall have a forme of godlines but from such turne away or be ye separated So that you see the Church which is Christs Kingdome are a people called out of the world they are not of this world as he is not of this world Then certainly those are no friends to Christ that would turn the World in to a Church and so make the kingdome of Christ not a spirituall but a carnall kingdom and so make the Lord Jesus a lyer for he hath said His Kingdome is not of this world but let Christ be true and every man a lyer The Church of Christ his kingdom they are such as are in the order and fellowship of the Gospel compacted together according to the Gospel rule in order and fellowship it is in the spirituall kingdome of Christ in this case as in the body politick the whole kingdome under one governmēt is but one body politick or state so the Kingdom of Christ his church although gathered in many bodies yet it is but one body and every body hath the same power the same priviledges so that it ought to be a body compacted together under the reign and rule of one Lord lesus Ephes 4.16 and the externall way by which the Saints enter into this fellow ship it is by baptisme as you may see Acts 2.41 Then they with the godly received the word and were baptized and so added but I have spoken of this formerly and therefore I passe it here 2 As Christ hath a Kingdom and that is spirituall in relation to the matter so he sets up Laws and they are spirituall the Laws of Christ in his Kingdom is 1 The law of love 2 The law of edification 1 The law of love Gal. 5.13 14. By love serve one another for all the Law is fulfilled in one word even this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe and Jam. 2.8 It is called the royall Law of God Thou shalt love thy neighbonr as thyselfe this is the Law of the Gospel love to Christ and love to the Saints A new commandement give I unto you that yee love one another Joh. 13.34 Now this love breaks forth in causing the Saints to walke up according to every rule of the Gospel it constrains them to submit to every word to every comand of Christ it causeth the Saints to watch over each other to build up each other in the most holy faith to restore a weak brother with the spirit of meeknesse being falne Gal. 6.1 to beare one anothers burthens and so to fulfill the Law of CHRIST Thus CHRIST rules in and over his Kingdom by this law of love It is the end of the command of the Gospel love out of a pure heart and faith unfained 1 Tim. 1.5 He gives rules unto his people out of love he causeth them to obey out of love there is no condemnation in his law to his people but if they sin they have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 who is a propitiation for their sins Here is love in the King love in the subjects love in Christ commanding love in Christians obeying a Kingdom upheld and maintained by the law of love O that the God of love would increase this love more abundaritly both in your and my soul 1 Thes 3.12 The Lord make you to abound in love one towards another and to wards all men O this love is sweet amiable pleasant Psal 133.1 love to the Saints love to all men it is the way to win them to the Lord Jesus 2 Tim. 2.25 This is the main law by which Christ rules in and over his Saints his Churches his Kingdom and this is spirirituall 2 There is the law of edification 1 Cor. 14.26 Let all things be done to edifying It is the law of Christ in his Church that all things should be done to edification for the building up of the Saints in their most holy faith therefore the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.23 makes light of that which tends not to edification All things are lawfull for me but all things edifie not that is it which a Christian should looke most unto that is it that will edifie most it is the end of their compacting and building together in faith and fellowship that they might edifie each other in love Ephes 4.16 All done in the Church is for the edification of the body or should be every Ordinance that Christ hath set up in his Kingdom is for Edification Watching over each other Exhortation Admonition it is all for edification Baptisme Preaching the Supper of the Lord Communion and fellowship it is all for edification and consolation as Christ hath appointed it Act. 2.41 to 46. 1 Cor. 14.3 Church censure excommunication it is an Ordinance appointed of God for edification to bring the sinner into the sight of his sinne and that should bee the Churches end in the use of it Give him up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the soule might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 5.5 that is the end of this ordinance and should be the Churches end in the execution of it 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus let him be Anathema Maranatha let him be accursed till the Lord come so the word Maranatha implies it consists of two Syrian words Maran out Lord Atha come till our Lord come That is as I understand it till the Lord come either in a way of love convincing him by this ordinance or to judge and condemne him so that other Scripture seems to imply 1 Cor. 5.5 That his soule may be saved in the
aske any Petition of God or man for thirty dayes should be cast into the den of lyons so men set up themselves their own decrees and compell unto it this is not agreeable to the Kingly dominion of Christ Christ hath not been exalted King it is true there hath been a name of Christ but that is all the power of Christ in all his offices hath been rejected and the truth is that the generality have been wholy legall fetching rules from the Law from Moses and so denying Christ to be come in the flesh Legall churches Nationall as the Jews legall Covenant of works made with the Jews taken away to us that believe Heb. 10.9 legall preaching setting up of works with Christ when the Apostle sayth Hee that worketh not but believeth c. Rom. 4. 4 5. Legall Priests the very title and legall maintenance tythes but they that preach the Gospel live of the Gospel Legall administrations I mean after legall rules circumcision and the like legall prayers and duties to make peace and atone ment legall laws and institutions compelling all to one worship persecuting the contrary minded because the Iews did so thus beloved hath the men of this and former Generations both in this and other Nations raised up Moses from the dead and put his laws in execution under the name of Christ and so in deed and practice deny Christ to be come in the flesh although in word they acknowledge him the Lord open their eyes that they may see farther into the mystery of the Gospel In a word Christ hath not been exalted as the brazen serpent upon a pole above every thing all duties prayers ordinances in the hearts of men and that hath caused so many as I cannot but judge gracious soules to goe with sorrow to their graves ever kept in a way of working under a legall bondage no longer pray and be spirituall in duty no longer comfort as if a Christian lived by prayer preaching and ordinances no no beloved they live above these upon the Lord Jesus by faith not that the Saints should not make use of these but not live upon them Christ is the Christians life and so far as he communicates himselfe in these to the Christian he hath cause of joy but if he deny himselfe there for the tryall of the soule it is to let him see the emptinesse of all things without himselfe and to cause the Christian to live by faith for we live by faith and not by sense 2 Cor. 5.7 But enough of this here onely let the Saints who are delivered out of this bondage this spirituall Babylonish confused captivity give God the Glory Use 2 A word of Exhortation to the servants of Jesus in all things to exalt and lift him up to lift him up in preaching in their hearts in their obedience to him that Christ may be all and in all to your soules that you give up your selves a holy living acceptable sacrifice to God that you who have taken his name and truth upon you exalt him as your alone Priest Prophet King in your conversations that yee may be such as become the Gospel of Christ holy humble full of love to all as much as in you lyeth do good unto all but especially to the houshold of faith that so your light shining before men they may have cause to glorifie your father which is in heaven and that gain-sayers may be convinced by your godly converstion Beloved if you seeke the lifting up of Christ above all then certainly your care will be to live a Christ-like life while you are in this world 3 And lastly a word of Consolation for poor sinners Christ is to be lifted up in the dayes of the Gospel that men by beleeving in him might have life by him what doe you say to this is there ever a soule present that wants faith and is sensible of it that wants life Christ came to give life he is lifted up now in the days of the Gospel for that very end and purpose that dead men might have life by him O is not here mercy here is a way made whereby sinners may become Saints slayes may become sons Here is a fountaine opened for sin and for uncleannesse if the Lord help your soules to wash there What say your souls to this is there ever a poore creature bit with the fiery serpēt with the sense of the evill of sin O here is a Christ lifted up for that very end and purpose that poore self-destroying sinners may come to him and live Esay 45.22 looke to me and be yee saved all the ends of the earth O here is blessed newes a blessed word for sinners if the Lord give you hearts to make use of it Christ excludes none to whome he gives a heart to receive him is it not a mercy that God hath provided an object for dead soules to looke upon and live Truly beloved it is the richest mercy in the world where God gives a heart to accept it Here is discovered the blessed condition of the poore despised Saints O they are in a saved condition those to whom Christ hath given faith O they have cause to rejoyce overmore they have cause to be filled with Joy and peace Joy unspeakable and full of glory What if they are reproached and persecuted for the name and sake of CHRIST their Saviour their Husband their All in the delight of their soules yet they are happy and they shall never perish but they shall one day be freed from all these enemies and when Christ who is their life shall appeare they shall appeare with him in glory that Christ who is lifted up high in their hearts in their souls here will lift them up one day as high as himselfe in glory above devill above men above sin and set them with himself where they shall enjoy pleasure without sorrow felowship without mixture and sing prayses and Halelujahs without end FINIS