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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91897	Christ the perfect pattern, of a Christian's practice, being the substance of severall sermons, about the Imitation of Christ. / Preached by the reverend and faithfull minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Ralph Robinson, late minister of Mary Wolnoth London. Published by Sim. Ash, Wil. Taylor, Sam. Clarke.	Robinson, Ralph, 1614-1655.	1658 (1658)	Wing R1709; Thomason E1818_1; ESTC R209810	135,574	295

1 The conclusion of this is agreeable to the conclusion of his other writings Cap. 13. 25. This salutation is Paul's marke to all his Epistles 2 Thes 2. 17. vid. Davenant Col. 4. 18. 2 And that which is most strong is the Authority of the Apostle Peter who writing his second Epistle to these very Hebrews makes mention of an Epistle written to them by Paul which was then received by the Church as Canonicall 2 Pet. 3. 15. 16. Scripture This Epistle was now in their hands and by them acknowledged to be Pauls Now we do not find any Epistle written by the Apostle Paul to them besides this And it is not likely that through negligence they would lose such a rich Jewell recommended to their study by two such Apostles or that they should lose that of Paul and reserve and keep this of Peter's which makes mention of that The matter of this Epistle is threefold 1. He labours to take off these beleeving Hebrewes from the observation of the Leviticall ceremonies whereunto they were too much inclined and to perswade with them to entertaine the Gospell in the simplicity thereof This he endeavours to do by setting before their eyes the excellency of Jesus Christ in his person and in his Propheticall and Priestly office This he doth from the beginning of the Epistle to the 23. v. of Chapter 10. 2. To encourage them to stand fast in the profession of the Christian Religion That albeit persecution should arise for the Truth yet they should not prove Apostates and Renegado's but as that Cloud of witnesses which he sets before them had done so they should be constant to the death This is from cap. 10. 23. v. to the end of the twelfth Chapter 3. To exhort them to the practise of many necessary Christian Duties Chapter 13. v. 1. ad finem In this third Chapter he exhorts them that from all that discovery he had made of Christ's Person and propheticall office in the two former Chapters they would be perswaded to embrace him and to take heed that they did not fall through unbeliefe and hardnesse of heart from the profession of the faith they had received ver 1. Wherefore c. He useth many arguments in this Chapter amongst others this is one in the Text drawen from the fidelity of Christ which that he may ensorce the better he makes a deliberate comparison of Christ and Moses They had high opinions of Moses's fidelity in appointing the Legall services but for Christ they had not such high thoughts of him as it was meet they should have had The Apostle therefore compares Christ and Moses together and p●oves that as Moses was faithfull in the appointment of the Typicall worship under the law so Christ was faithfull in the abolishing of that and appointing Evangelicall worship in the place of it yea he tells them there was great difference between Moses and Christ Moses was faithfull as a Servant Christ as a Son over his own house ver 3. 5 6. Thus you have the Text. T is a glorious commendation of Jesus Christ and his Apostleship In which we have two things 1. The thing commended He was faithfull 2. The specification of the person to whom this fidelity was shewed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 namely to the Father for he made him both Priest and Prophet to his Church Or if you please you may observe rather 1 Christs call to his Apostleship he was constituted made by his Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 His carefull execution of that work to which he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two things are necessary as Reverend Calvin upon this Text ad comparandam doctrinae authoritatem A Divine Call from God A faithfull Execution of the trust committed Both these meet in Christ Therefore is he to be observed This is the Apostles Argument in this place Faithfull is taken 1. For one who beleeveth the Gospell of Christ Eph. 1. 11. 2. For one who keeps his promises 1 Joh. 1. 9. 3. For one who performes a trust faithfully Col. 4. 9. Rev. 2. 10. Thus it s taken here To him that made him viz To God who ordained and consecrated him Priest Here are two Doctrines 1. Doct. That Jesus Christ was appointed and made by the Father the Apostle and High Priest of the Churches profession Here is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text. He had a Divine call to the execution of all those offices which he susteined as our mediator He did not run before he was sent he did not act without a due Commission and Warrant He was lawfully conssituted by him who had power to undertake that great charge which he hath over the Church 2. Things 1. That Christ is made 2. How he is made 1 That he is appointed He hath both mission and commission for this great service 1 This is that which the Scripture holds out clearly in generall He is made to us of God saith the Apostle Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30. there is his constitution God hath given him to be the head of all things to his Church Eph. 1. 22. He did not unduely usurpe this jurisdiction and dominion and headship over the Church God gave it him All power is given unto me both in Heaven and in Earth Matth. 28. 18. God hath put all judgment into the hand of his Son Joh. 5. 22. and God hath given him Authority to execute judgement because he is the Son of God ver 27. when the fulnes of time was come God sent his Son made of a woman Gal. 4. 4. And our Saviour in the Gospell doth many times make mention of his Fathers sending My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me Joh. 7. 16. The Father that sent me beareth witnesse of me Joh. 8. 18. As my Father hath sent me so send I you Joh. 20. 21. We read in Scripture of his anointing Esa 61. 1 2. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospell to the meek c. Therefore he is called the Servant of the Lord and his elect Esa 42. 1. 2 This we shall find asserted of every particular branch of his office 1 For his Priestly office He was made a Priest by an immediate call and ordination from God vid. Psal 110. 4. and Heb. 5. 4 5 6. The scope of the Apostle in that Chapter is to set out the excellency of Christs Priesthood by comparing it with the Leviticall his Priesthood had a concurrence of all things necessary to the Leviticall and it had many excellencies about that amongst other things required in the Priesthood of Aaron this was one there must be a Divine regualr Call This was in the Priesthood of Christ He was called of God an high Priest after the order of Melchisedech 2 For his Kingly office Hee is lawfully created The Scepter is given into his hand the Crown is put upon his head by

God himselfe God hath his Throne and God hath set him in his Throne I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion Psal 2. 6 7. I will declare the Decree c. The Government is put upon his Shoulders vid. Esa 22. 20 21 22 23. Eliakim was a figure of the Kingdome of Christ and if you look into Dan. 7. 13. 14. after that abolishing of the four Monarchies we have the establishment of Christs Monarchy and we see the Ancient of dayes gave his dominion c. Christ did not thrust himself into the Throne as many do though they leape over the heads of the right heyres no he stayed till Authority was given him vid. Heb. 1. 8. 9. Psal 110. 2. 3 For his Propheticall office He hath his thority from God for this also Moses preached this long agoe Deut. 18. 18. he did not raise himself God raised him to this great office He was anointed of God to preach glad tidings Esa 61. 1. In a word whatsoever work belongs to Christ as mediator t is put into his hands by a power Divine The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 3. 35. He hath ordained him to be Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. 2 How hee is made and appointed Here are three things 1 There is a Divine Decree by which Jesus Christ is from all eternity appointed for this service Psal 2. 7. Yea there is the oath of God Psal 110. 4. vid. Heb. 6 20. 22. 2 By Covenant There is a firme Covenant and stipulation passed between God and Christ vid. Esa 53. 10. Christ was to undertake an office of service and obedience for the good of men To take mans nature to offer himself up a Sacrifice c. and for this God was to prolong his dayes to give him a seed the uttermost part of the earth for his inheritance c. to divide him a spoil with the great c. to set a glory for him Heb. 12. 2. vid. Heb. 10. 9. 10. 4 There is a very solemn and publike Promulgation of the eternall Decree by God himself first to Adam Gen. 3. 15. Then at the Baptisme of Christ by vertue of which Christ is declared to be appointed for this work We read of it Math. 3. 17. and repeated againe at his transfiguration Math. 17. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 17. And afterwards by his Apostles who were commanded to testifie that he was ordained of God c. 3 By Divine unction which was the work of the holy Ghost Heb. 1. 9. The holy Ghost formed him in the womb anointed his humane nature c. 1. Use Information 1 That the work of our salvation is a work which God doth exceedingly approve and delight in as well as Jesus Christ T is the Father's work as well as the work of Christ My Meate saith Christ is to do the work of him that sent me Joh. 4. 34. He that appoints another for a work is as well the Author of it as he that doth the work appointed T is called the pleasure of the Lord Esa 53. 10. though it be put into the hands of Christ We only look at Jesus Christ in the work of our salvation c. seldome or but little at the Father c. we are to look at the Father's appointment as well as at the Son's accomplishment 2 That those who reject Jesus Christ they reject God himself by whose Authority and power Christ is made Lord King Priest Saviour Our Saviour oftentimes in the Gospell hints this My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me c. T is a great aggravation of the rejecting of Christ because he is Authoriz'd by a Commission from the Father vid. Exod. 23. 21. 3 That the Salvation of the Church of God by Iesus Christ is bottom'd and builded upon a sure and stable foundation It s builded upon Christ and Christ is appointed to that work by the supreme Authority of all All those who have layed hold on Christ are fled to a sure refuge and Sanctuary He is verily that Messiah in whom all the Patriarchs and Prophets beleeved vid. Heb. 6. 18. Gods call is mans comfort 4 That all the Lawes Ordinances and Administrations appointed by Iesus Christ are of Divine Authority Baptisme Ministry Government Censures and every thing he hath appointed in the Church are of God Thus are all according to the instructions given him by God All power is given to me in Heaven and Earth Goe ye therefore c. Matth. 28. 18. 5 That God will most certainly uphold maintaine and defend all the dominion power administrations of Iesus Christ against all who oppose them or incroach upon them All his Kingly dignities all his Priestly and Propheticall dignities Ministry Ordinances Government c. God who hath called him to the work will uphold him and all he doth by vertue of his offices Though Satan and men storme c. Behold my servant whom I uphold Esa 42. 1. he doth all by Gods appointment ergo God will maintaine what he doth vid. Psal 110. 1 2. There is Gods appointment see what followes ver 5 6. God will stand by him vid. Esa 45. 13. he will maintaine Christs right in thy soul 2 Use What can those say for themselves who intrude themselves into offices in the Church without any due and regular appointment Those who are not afraid to do ministeriall acts Preach baptize c. and yet were never made by God or by them whom he hath Authorized for that purpose There is a double call to the work of the ministry Neither of man nor by man 1 Immediate such as were the calls of the Prophets Apostles Evangelists c. of this Paul speaks 1 Tim. 1. 2. and Gal. 1. 1. This call was accompanied in them who had it with extraordinary gifts c. This is not to be pretended to by any now when the Church is setled and the Scripture compleat 2. Mediate by men whom Jesus Christ hath put apart and Authorized for that work Of God by man and employment viz. Those who are Pastors and Teachers in the Church who are by prayer fasting imposition of hands to set apart those who are fit and called to these employments Now what an act of boldnesse and usurpation is it in any to undertake such a work as this of their own accord though they have gifts c. when Jesus Christ would not without Gods appointment I would have such to consider 1. What became of Uzziah who usurped the Priests office vid. 2 Chr. 26. 18. 19. 20. 2. What God pronounceth against those Prophets who run without being sent Ier. 14. 14 15. The people are threatned for hearing them vid. Ioh. 10. 5. 8. T is an act of high Treason against Jesus Christ his Crown and dignity to take such imployments uncalled of him T is as if a man should make himself an Ambassador

men in distress with taunts scorns as Nabal answered Davids Messengers Vid. 1 Sam. 25. 10 11. Be of good cheere Weep not that was our Saviours word often II. Compassion must not rest and determine in words but the condition of the afflicted must be also recommended to God by hearty prayer words are but dry charity Our Saviour he puts up requests to God for the distresses of men He is praying for the Disciples when they are tossed Matth. 14. 23 24. And he taught this act of compassion to his Disciples vid. Mat. 9. 36 37 38. And Zech. 1. 12 we have his prayer for the Myrtle Trees in the bottom Thus Daniel shewed his compassion to the afflicted Jewes Dan. 9. per totum And thus did Nehemiah testifie his pittifulness Neh. 1. 4 5 6 7 8. And this must be not only in the publick but in secret also Nehemiah's and Daniel's were private prayers III. We must actually administer supply to their wants Good words and prayers are not sufficient without this St. James tells us how we must shew compassion Vid. Jam. 2. 15 16. So did our Saviour he doth not only look upon the wounded man but binds up his wounds and layes him upon his own beast c. takes care of him makes provision for him Luk. 10. 34 35. Thus Iob shewed his compassion Iob 31. 17 18 19. He fed the hungry and cloathed the naked and relieved the oppressed and set at liberty the Captives c. Drawing out of the soul to the hungry and satisfying the afflicted soul are joyned together Isa 58. 10. As Dorcas made Coats for the Widdows which were naked Acts 9. 39. Bread must be broken to the hungry and drink given to the thirsty in soul c. Playsters must be spread upon the sore c. And all this out of a fellow-feeling of others wants Motives to this are very many viz. 1 Consider the compassion that we have received from Christ and from God The bowels of Heaven have melted over us in our mi●ery Christ yearned over us when we were in our blood Ezech. 16. init we have lived upon Gods compassion ever since we were This is our Saviours Motive Vid. Mat. 18. 27. 33. Explication The Apostle makes this a strong Motive for brotherly love 1 John 4. 9. 10. see the inference vers 11. and our Saviour makes this very Application of that Act of compassion of his in washing his Disciples feet John 13 14. Consider it Incompassionate men forget Gods compassions to them 2 Consider what Relation there is between thy self and every reasonable Creature There is a fraternity between man and man a double fraternity betwixt Christian and Christian believers and believers are fellow-members of one mystical body therefore there should be compassion amongst them This the Apostle presseth 1 Cor. 12. 26. And man and man are related There is Vinculum Naturae We are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 17. 26. By this Argument the Holy Ghost enforceth this duty Isa 58. 7. I know the hand must be stretched out first to the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. because there is Duplex Vinculum They are not only one flesh but one spirit also 1 Cor. 12 13. yet the relation betwixt man and man is strong enough to unlock the bowels of compassion All men are Consanguinei Every man in misery is our Neighbour c. So our Saviour teacheth Luk. 10. 29 30. 3 We are lyable and obnoxious to the same sufferings and infirmities which others are under Our lot may be to indure the same miseries of every kind Quod cuidam cuivis The Apostle speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 10. 13. Thou mayst be as poor as diseased as dejected as any object thou beholdest Iob in one day fell from the Throne to the Dunghill Ergo upon this consideration this grace is enforced in the Scripture vid. Gal. 6. 1. and Heb. 13. 3. and Eccles 11. 2. And if trouble befall any of us that compassion which we have extended to others will be an Argument of singular comfort to us in the evil day Iob in his misery drawes exceeding consolation from this Iob 31. 17 18 19. Now when he had scarce Clothes for his own back his comfort was that he had with his fleece cloathed many And as it will be our comfort in an evil day so it will be a ground of comfort that the bowels of others shall be turned towards us at such a time vid. Psal 41. 1 2. Iob sound the return of all that compassion he had extended to others The Lord made others to shew mercy to him Judgement without mercy is threatned to him who will shew no mercy Jam. 2. 13. Vid. Psal 109. 12. 16. That 's a very serious Text in Amos 6. 6 7. 4 Incompassionateness argues want of love to God Love to our Neighbour is the fruit and testimony of our love to God where the love of God dwells there tenderness of heart to men dwelleth also The Apostle is clear for this 1 Iohn 3. 17. i. e. the love of God doth not dwell under that roof Men may boast what they please of high affections to Christ but he is a lyer who saith he loves God who hates his Brother 1 Iohn 4. 20. Nay he that hath not brotherly compassion is a stranger to Religion vid. Iam. 1. ult Jesus Christ tells Peter how he should expresse his love to him Iohn 21. feed my sheep feed my Lambs Acts of compassion 'T is a sign of a converted man vid. Acts 16. 33. 5 Incompassion is a worse condition then any sufferings better far to be under the sorest trouble then not to pitty others in trouble Hos 9. 14. dry breasts in this sense is a sore judgement unmercifulness is reckoned amongst the worst of sins vid. Rom. 1. 31. Better to be in the sick mans condition then to look upon him in his sickness without bowels 6 Compassionate persons are most fit for Church-employment 1 Tim. 5. 10. 7 Denying compassion to men in trouble is a very great heightning of their trouble I may say it is the sting which pricks them to the heart Iob bewailes as much the want of compassion in men from whom he expected relief as he did all his troubles To him who is in trouble pitty should be shewed from his friends vid. Job 19. 13 14 15 16 17 21. Incompassionateness is as stripes to the naked body 8 Consider what sentence will be pronounced at the last day against incompassion vid. Mat. 25. ult the mentioning of that sin is enough to shew the haynousness of it Cruelty towards the afflicted will send men into eternall fire Paul prayes for One siphorus that He may finde mercy at the day of judgement 2 Tim. 1. 18. 2 As to mens bodies compassion must be shewed so especially to the souls of men Jesus Christ as hath been said was very tender towards mens souls so should we This should be manifested by every Christian

establishing their unwritten Traditions and humane Inventions they do derogate from the faithfulness of Christ in his prophetical Office Jesus Christ was not faithful in revealing the will of God necessary to mans salvation if there be need of their unwritten Traditions if Christ was a faithful Prophet then they are unfaithful Impostors to obtrude their unwarrantable Traditions upon men instead of Scripture vid. Rev. 22. 18 19. 2. That opinion of the Enthusiasts who not contented with the written word depend upon immediate Revelations from Heaven above the written word These no lesse then the Papists by their Traditions do enervate and overthrow the fidelity of Christ in his prophetical Office They think the teachings of Christ are not sufficient These are no better then the younger brethren of Papists 3. The Papists in their daily offering up of sacrifice for the quick and the dead they overthrow his faithfulness in his Priestly Office vid. Heb. 10. 14. 4. The Papists by joyning other Mediators with Christ thy overthrow the fidelity and sufficiency of Christ in his Priestly Office of Intercession If Christ was faithful and sufficient we need no other Intercessor 5. They who are of opinion that there is no setled Government in the Church c. They deny the fidelity of Christ in his Kingly Office His work as a King was to appoint Lawes c. He had not been so faithful as Moses was else for Moses gave Lawes for the governing of the Jewish Church According to all that which God shewed Moses in the Mount so did he 2d Use Consolation to the Servants of God and that 1. in general 2. in particular 1 In general it layes down this comfort That all the work of your Salvation and Redemption which Christ undertook is fully and really accomplished Consummatum est Against all despaires doubtings against all their own unfaithfulness distrust You may live upon the joy and comfort of this Truth in all your feares When Conscience accuseth when Satan tempts you to despair you may cling to this Doctrine as a sure refuge And the rather because thy salvation is builded and bottomed upon the fidelity of Christ not upon thy faithfulness but upon Christs Now as God laid help upon one that was mighty to save So he laid help upon one who was faithful in saving Thy Salvation is most certain 2 That God will give thee all thy good which Christ hath purchased See the Covenant Ezech. 36. 25 26 27. 2. Particularly Here ariseth comfort from every Office of Christ to all his members 1. From his Prophetical Office these four comforts 1 That Jesus Christ will open thy heart to understand and believe and apply those truths which are held out in and by the Ministry of the Word Thou hast a blind mind darkness clouds thy understanding c. Thou wantest memory c. well Christ hath undertaken this as thy Prophet to teach thy heart c. to annoint thy eyes He is able to remove all the blindness rudeness intractableness indocibleness of thy soul c. Vid. Esa 54. 13. He can teach irresistibly infallibly 2 That Jesus Christ will teach thee to put a difference between truth and error We live in erroneous times c. many false lights c. are risen up many seducers gone out c. well Christ is a faithful Prophet And by vertue of that Office he hath undertaken to lead his Children into all truth John 16. 13. Ye have an unction c. 1 John 2. 20. Esa 30. 21. To deceive if it were possible the very Elect that is impossible Mark 13. 22. For a time they may go astray but Christ their Prophet will reduce them They went out from us because they were not of us c. 1 John 2. 19. 3 Jesus Christ will at last root out of his Church error Heresies and false Doctrines c. This belongs to his Prophetical Office He hath in all Ages done so He overthrew Arrianisme c. All those old errors which over-spread the face of the Church in the beginning of the Gospel they are all routed and scattered Vid. Rev. 12. 15 16. They are not the Anabaptists in Germany They are not c. We may live in hopes now Toleration is endeavoured 4 That Jesus Christ will endue his Ministers with gifts of teaching governing and that he will preserve continue them in his Church notwithstanding all the malice of men and Devils against them vid. Rev. 2. 1. 2. The Devil hath laboured in all Ages to rout the Ministry Chariots and Horsemen 2 Reg. 13. 14. Antesignani all shoot at the Colours I will smite the Shepheard and the Sheep shall be scattered Antichrist could never yet put out these Lamps Stars vid. Jer. 33. 18 19 20. A Gospel-promise 2. For his Kingly Office comfort ariseth in these five particulars 1 That Jesus Christ will settle the Government of his Church He will not suffer the Lawes he hath made the hedge he hath set up to be alwayes demolished vid. Esa 54. 11 12 13 14. A Gospel-promise He will fit men with gifts and hearts to be Rulers in his Church Though some should fall off after they have put their hands to the Plough Luk. 9. 62. 2 That he will vanquish all the enemies of thy soul Corruptions passions c. These invisible enemies vid. 2. Cor. 10. 4 5. vid. 1 John 3. 8. 3 That He will destroy all the visible enemies of his Church Antichrist c. the last great enemy vid. Psal 2. 9. Psal 110. 5. Rev. 8. init vid. Zech. 1. 19. 21. vid. Mich. 4. per totum especially vers 9. 13. Gospel-promise 4 That He will communicate and convey into thee those gifts graces which are necessary for thee for all thy Relations Of his fulness we have all received Iohn 1. 16. Col. 1. 19. Jesus Christ is a Feoffee or Guardian intrusted with thy Patrimony of grace He hath no need of thy grace he hath enough of his own he will not pocket up any of that which belongs to thee 5 That he will effectually gather all his sheep together vid. John 10. 16. 3 For his Priestly-Office much comfort ariseth 1 In reference to the satisfactory part thy comfort is 1 That Jesus Christ hath left nothing upon the score which God can exact from thee All that thou didst owe to Divine Justice is faithfully discharged The Law Satan Conscience can lay nothing to thy charge vid. Rom. 8. 33 34. Heb. 10. 14. vid. Col. 2. 14. 2 That thy person is accepted through him 2 In reference to the Intercessory part of it thy comfort is 1 That he will faithfully present thy Prayers and procure acceptance with God for them through Rev. 8. 34. the sweetness of his incense though they be rough harsh smoky in themselves 2 That He will appear and suffer no plea to fasten against thee in Heaven Satan is continually preferring Inditements and Accusations against thee He is the accuser of the

our sins are both to Christ and Psal 55. 18. to God and to the Spirit c. Therefore we are forbidden to grieve the holy Spirit of God c. Eph. 4. 10. Methinks we should not finde in our hearts to take any pleasure in doing that which made our Saviour grieve Thou that takest pleasure in sin art as unlike Christ as light is to darkness Who would grieve his friend 3d Use Consolation 1 That he will if thou desire give thee power and strength against thy sin he will subdue thy sin for thee and help thee to overcome it He that grieves to see another fall into misery will not deny him his assistance to get out of his misery vid. Esa 63. 9. because their afflictions were his trouble therefore he redeemed assisted and helped them out of their afflictions if Christ be grieved to see Mary and Martha mourn he will be perswaded to remove the cause of their mourning John 11. 33. 38. We may be more confident of his assistance against our sinful evils because those are absolutely and directly against us Therefore go to him for power to mortifie sin and make this thy Argument Say to him in prayer after this manner Lord sin is a cause of grief to thy soul and it is likewise a trouble to the poor Creature why then Lord is it not put to death Arise dear Redeemer and rid thy self and thy servants of that which puts us to grief c. 2 That Iesus Christ will be avenged of Satan and of all such as tempt men to sin And as I would intreat you to sorrow for all sins so particularly for this which Christ bewailed The hardness of mens hearts in standing out against the Gospel In that so many maliciously oppo●e and reject Jesus Christ with so much obstinacy Hath the Ministry any better entertainment now then Christs Ministry had Many only watch them that they may accuse them They lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate Esa 29. 21. Many rage and even gnash their Teeth at them are filled with Indignation If they preach the Duty of men in Authority then the great Statists of the times are up in a hurrey Ministers must not meddle with State-matters If against Toleration of errors then they are Incendiaries c. If they preach Repentance then they are legall Preachers If they preach zeal then they are too fiery Neither John Baptists severity nor Christs Comity could please the Iewes Matth. 11. 17 18. If they preach up the Kingdom of Christ then they preach up their own Power Well you who are godly even you make up all in grieving c. Mary Wolnoth May the 20. 1649. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 15. 3. For Christ also pleased not himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THe Apostle having spent the former Chapter in giving exhortations to stronger Christians how they should carry themselves towards their weaker brethren about the use of Christian liberty in things indifferent viz. that they should neither be censorious in judging one another nor should put a stumbling block in the way of one another to occasion their falling doth go on with the same subject in this Chapter ver 13. In which he layes down the Doctrine and confirmes it with some more arguments The Doctrine is laid down in the 1. ver we then that are strong ought to beare the infirmities of the weake and not to pelase our selves The arguments to presse this Doctrine are reduced to two heads 1 From the command and injunction of God laid upon every Christian vor 2. Let every one please his Neighbour for his good to his edification God hath given to every Christian a charge over his brother as well as over himself therefore he must not onely look after himself and his own concernments 2 From the example of Christ ver 3. he did not please himself Therefore such as professe faith in him must study to be as he was Now that Jesus Christ did not please himself is proved farther ver 8 and 9. ad 13. he sought the benefit both of the Jews and of the Gentiles Therefore both Jews and Gentiles converted to the faith should by his example learne to please and to seek the edification one of another This the Apostle urgeth from the generall end of the Scripture ver 4. And concludes with a prayer and exhortation ver 5 6 7. for them That they might be of the same mind towards one another In the words I have read we have two things 1. The glorious commendation given to Christ he pleased not himself 2. The Inforcement of this Example upon these Christians For Christ c. 1. What self-pleasing is There is a good self-pleasing viz. when a man takes pleasure in good Pro. 21. 15. And a sinfull self-pleasing 1. When a man takes pleasure in sin Esa 2. 6. 2. When a man looks no farther then himself so in the Text it s opposed to the pleasing of our Neighhour ver 2. and what he doth I shall first handle the grace it self by way of Doctrine And then enforce the imitation of it in the application The doctrine is this That Jesus Christ did not please himself Nothing was more remote from Jesus Christ while he was upon the earth then self-seeking and self-pleasing This we shall find made good two wayes 1 By his professions He doth many times publikely professe against self-pleasing self-seeking And we are sure that his Testimony is true Mens bare expressions especially concerning themselves are not valuable Their tongues and hearts many times are contrary But Jesus Christ neither did any sin nor had any guile found in his lips 1 Pet. 2. 22. he was not acquainted with fraudulency nothing but truth lay in his heart and nothing but truth came out of his lips therefore we may subscribe yea we must subscribe to his Testimony Now we have this Testimony Joh. 5. 30. Joh. 8. 50. 2 If we look upon his practise we shall find it yet more clearely his actions answered his words Men they often professe against self-pleasing that they my please themselves more securely self-denying votes make but more way for self-seeking practises but Christ did not onely professe self-denyall but practise it we shall find self-denyall written upon all his actions Self-detriment and self-losse and self-shame was all which Jesus Christ gained 1 In taking our nature upon him he lost his glory the beauty and brightnesse of the Divine nature was shadowed and hid under the rags of our flesh the ashes of the humane flesh did obscure the shining beames of the Divine Nature therefore the Apostle saith he emptied himselfe Phil. 2. 7 8. he made himself of no reputation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He fell from the height of glory to the depth of shame from the Throne to the Dunghill 2 When he had taken our flesh what advantage of his own did he look after 1 He denyed his own ease his life was full