forc'd from his Heritage and not fed with it and 2 When there was a Famine in the Land of Canaan then his Heritage failed him and he went down into Egypt to be fed there But there shall be a time when the true Israel of God shall not only have but be fed with their Heritage their Heritage shall not fail them There is no Famine of Bread in the true Canaan Bread shall be given them and their Waters sure There shall be no prophane persecuting Person as Esau to make them fly from it 6. A Sabbath rightly kept is as the Gates of Heaven as Jacob said of Bethel this is the Gates of Heaven The Rest of the Sabbath is a figure of the Rest of Heaven and of Christ's Kingdom The work of the Sabbath is a figure of the work of Heaven the Joy in communion with God tasting in his Ordinances that the Lord is gracious is the first Fruits of the Joys of Heaven Heb. 4.4 5. He speaks of the Seventh day God did rest then from all his works and in this place if they shall enter into my rest Observe Those that keep a Sabbath aright to the Lord do enter into the rest of the Lord they rest from their own work and refresh themselves in the Lord. v. 9. There remaineth a rest or Sabbatism to the People of God that is a day to rest in and rejoyce in the Lord and honour him and this is the figure of the Eternal rest the Saints have in Heaven Directions for a Gospel keeping of a Sabbath To what was spoken before from the Text let the 92 Psalm be added where we have a pattern and directory for it The Title of it being A Psalm for the Sabbath-day 1. God is to be praised for making us glad through his work v. 4. It 's a good thing to give thanks c. to shew forth his loving kindness and faithfulness his loving kindness in giving Christ to be made Flesh and Sin a Curse c. Thou Lord hast made me glad through thy works through the work of Redemption Justification Sanctification Our own works make us sad when we think of them 't is with grief and Godly sorrow but thy works c. The works of the Redeemer fulfilling Righteousness making his Soul an offering for Sin and making Intercession changing me into thine Image these make me glad I will triumph in thy works I am ashamed of mine own works but I will glory in thine I am ashamed of mine own Righteousness which is as filthy Rags but I will triumph in Christ's which is most perfect and glorious I trust not to my own works but I trust in thine and not only trust but triumph in them over Sin Satan Death and Hell How great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep We should not only take a slâ—ght view but have very serious thoughts of them and be much in meditating on them As the Angels desire to look into them and with a holy admiration of them Such Knowledge is too wonderful for me c. When Christ took not on him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham and took Sin upon him and so loved us as to give himself to suffer Death and passing by many so loved me as to give his Spirit to quicken me when I was dead in Sins and to prepare me unto Glory what a great work is this Now it is proper for the Sabbath to cease from our own works which weary us c. To contemplate on and make our selves glad with the work of the Redeemer There are also the works of his gracious Providence in which God gives great experience of his Love Mercy c. to his People Object When we consider how much the Saints are afflicted in the World the are chastened every morning and in the mean time the Wicked spring as the Grass and the workers of Iniquity do flourish How can we be glad thro' God's works of Providence Answ Here God's thoughts lye deep but enter into the Sanctuary of God draw nigh and search into them and so you shall understand that which shall make you glad As for the wicked they spring as the Grass but 't is that they may be destroyed the wicked in their Prosperity are but as Grass and the best of them but as Grass on the House-top Grass soon withers and that on the House-top the soonest of all Thou Lord art most high if they be more high in Worldly Prosperity c. As for the Godly if they now suffer and are afflicted in their outward Man in worldly things 't is that they may be saved for ever The Wicked now prosper that they may perish for ever This he further sets forth Lo thine Enemies shall perish my Horn shalt thou exalt c. The World being high in worldly Prosperity are in the way to be thrown down Saints being low are in the way to be exalted the wicked exalting themselves glorying in their wickedness in their worldly enjoyments having exalted thoughts of themselves shall be abased but the Godly humbling themselves under the mighty Hand of God shall be exalted 2. On this day a Spirit of Prophesy should be exercised as to praise God for and make our selves glad in the works that are done so by the Spirit of Prophecy to consider from the word what God will do and make our selves glad in the works that are to be done ver 10. I shall be anointed with fresh Oyl I have some Light I shall have more somewhat I know of the Mystery of Godliness and I shall know more Some Grace I have received I shall have more I have a little strength I shall have more the little Faith and Love I have shall be increased thou wert a a Spring to me heretofore I had Grace in Conversion and all my fresh Springs are in thee and thence I shall have fresh Oyl 'T is good to exercise a Spirit of Prophecy it will make us glad amidst all our weaknesses and wants c. ver 11. Mine Eyes shall see and mine Ears shall hear my desire of the Wicked the Church's Eyes shall see her desire on Anti-christ the Man of Sin on Babylon the great ver 12.13 The Righteous shall flourish as the Palm trees the Righteous are oppressed but they shall flourish in and under their oppressions and shall grow under their burdens and take root downward and bear fruit upwards so doth the Palm-tree bear more fruit when 't is burthened He shall grow like the Cedar in Lebanon the wicked grow but as the Grass the Saints grow like the Cedar That is lasting and a Tree that continues long and the wood is very durable and lasting Those that be planted in the House of God shall flourish even when old And then are most green and flourishing in Grace When the outward Man perisheth the inner Man is renewed Lastly All this must be that God may shew himself upright he will put a
find out a way wherein Sinners should be saved by the Satisfaction of Justice and yet by Free Grace they could not have found any therefore the Angels desire to look into these things 1 Pet. 1.12 Christ died for our Offences the Son of God that was made Man so made compleat satisfaction we have a Righteousness by which we are Justified yet Justified freely by his Grace see this Eph. 1.7 and Rom. 3.24 and Psa 85.10 where is a Prophecy begun ver 9. of a Spiritual Restoration from the miserable condition a Man is in by reason of Sin unto a glorious Estate of Happiness of which the delivery from the Tyranny of Antiochus was a Type which the Prophet hath respect to as Interpreteâ—s conceive which is spoken of Dan. 8. â—4 Now in what way is it that Redemption is wrought out that the Psalmist shews ver 10. Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 3. See the Party offended upon the Cross satisfying for those Offences which were committed against himself the great God that was wronged Righting himself him that was dishonoured repairing his own Honour This is a great Mystery behold him made Sin against whom Sin was commited see him that was the Just God to punish Sin and will not clear the guilty bearing the Griefs and carrying the Sorrows of Sinners him making his Soul an Offering for Sin whose Heart was vext and grieved by Sin As God equal with the Father he was the Party Offended As God and Man he was Mediator so he satisfies for the Offence 4. In that Men are Justified Redeemed and Saved by Christ's being Crucified on the Cross to which Crucifixion they set a helping hand this is a Mystery that Men should be saved by the Death of Christ which they were the cause of A Man could not have conceived this that those might be Eternally saved by Christ's Death that did help to put him to death and that that blood should take away all guilt the guilt whereof lies on Men. His Blood be on us said the Jews that is in the guilt of it which surely was a most horrible Crime yet by that Blood they may be saved there was a Vertue in that Blood to take away the guilt of that Blood and all other Sins from them Is not this an admirable Mystery See it Zach. 12.10 Revelat. 1.7 Act. 2.38 39. 5. In that all the Elect suffered punishment of their Sins and satisfied the Justice of God in Christ's being fastned to the Cross and so by Christ's once offering of himself are for ever perfected Christ was a common Person As in Adam all die all sinned so in Christ the second Adam all suffered the Sins of all the Elect were laid on him were imputed to him and he satisfied for them all And so the Elect may reckon themselves to have suffered and satisfied according to that of the Apostle Rom. 6.10.11 In that he dyed he dyed unto Sin once c. likewise reckon you your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord that place is meant concerning mortification of Sin and is to comfort Believers in that the work of Mortification is yet imperfect This is true as if the Apostle had said if you look on your selves for the present in reality you are but imperfectly mortified but you may reckon your Selves to be perfectly mortified by being in Christ your head who was a common Person on the Cross and you all were reckoned to be in him and you may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reason or reckon your selves wholly dead in and through Christ Now as for Justification that you may truly reckon to be perfect and compleat your guilt is wholly taken off and you acquitted and discharged in Christ's dying 2. Here is a mystery of Love in the Crucifying of Christ Infinite Love appears 1. Of the Father as under the Cross of Christ is contained a Mystery of Infinite Wisdom of the Father which the Apostle speaks of Eph. 1.8 In Redemption by Christ he hath abounded towards us in all Wisdom and Prudence as you have heard so likewise under it is contained a Mystery of Infinite Love which in the next verse is called the Mystery of his Will according to his good Pleasure which he purposed in himself now this Mystery of his Will was the Infinite and Eternal Love of the Father which was the only ground of the gracious Purpose and Decree of his to give his Son to suffer Death to make satisfaction to pay the price of Redemption that so as it follows verse 10. In the dispensation of the sulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ c. that is that by Christ he might destroy the Enmity which was betwixt God and the Elect betwixt Good Angels and Sinful Men betwixt Innocent Creatures and Corrupt Man that so a perfect Reconciliation and Union might be made of Men Elect and of Holy Angels under one head Christ This Love of the Father we have mentioned Joh. 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life that is to suffer Death for the World of the Elect 1 Joh. 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live by him that by his Death we might live Rom. 5.8 Herein God commended his Love as if he had said here is a Mystery indeed a glorious Mystery a most high commendation of Love in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us This is a most sweet thing to contemplate on in the Cross of Christ God gave him to die for Sinners yea for Enemies this is a Mystery worth the searching into and in considering Christ Crucified this you must labour to know 2. Here 's the Mystery of the Love of Christ 2 Cor. 5.14 the Apostle mentions the Love of Christ was a constraining Love to him which made him besides himself in the opinion of Men that is so zealous to magnify and set forth the Honour of Christ that he was accounted for this as a Mad-man But in what doth the love of Christ manifest it self In this that Christ died for those that were dead to raise them to life What death were they under A death of Sin Eph. 2.1 2. in which Estate they lived to themselves contrary to the will of God yet Christ died that they might live Eph. 2.6 raised with Christ and made to set together in Heavenly Places Well might this be a constraining love to the Apostle This see farther set forth Eph. 5.25 26. Husbands love your Wives as Christ loved his Church How did he love He gave himself for it that he might sanstify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the word by washing of Water that is in Baptism a Sign and Seal of washing
but Christ is inwardly revealed and the Soul is convinced this is Christ. 2. By forming Christ in a Man Gal. 4.19 I travel in birth till Christ be formed in you that is that he be imbraced by your Faith and held fast in your Soul and your Souls are made to live by Christ and to Christ so as that it may appear in your Conversation that Christ is in your Hearts from both gather that where Christ is truly known he is revealed in a Man the Soul comes to see and to be acquainted with Christ yea Christ is known not only Speculatively but Experimentally Christ is formed the power of Christ's acts and works in the whole Soul and when Christ is thus known then is there that Excellency of Knowledge see Phil. 3.8 9. where Observe three things wherein the Excellency and Experimentalness of this Knowledge appears to be in a Man 1. There is an accounting all things but dung that a Man suffers the loss of for Jesus Christ many Men may suffer the loss of Goods for Christ's saâ—e that yet it may be have not attained to this Excellency of Knowledge but such an Excellency of Knowledge such a high degree of Prizing Christ as to look on Honour on Riches the best of Worldly Accommodations as Dung that can part with them yea utterly contemn them and cast them away as Dung and Filth so I may enjoy Christ and have Communion with him this is Excellency of Knowledge 2. A Man will be found trusting in Christ alone for his Justification he knows no Righteousness no Merit of his own no Duties that he will be found in and plead for his Acceptance with God he sees abominableness in his best Performances Iniquity in his most holy things so that cannot render him beloved but the more abhored but he sees perfect Righteousness in Christ no stain no defect in it and that his Beauty and Renown may be perfect through his Comeliness that Christ's Righteousness is a perfect covering for all his Spots and Deformities which if cast on him that then he is so perfectly Justified that God shall not see Iniquity in him and that if it be sought it shall not be found and that Christ's Righteousness is not like that Covering Isa 28.20 that 's narrower than a Man can wrap himself â—n it If the greatest Sinner can wrap himself in this Covering it will be enough to hide all his Iniquities 3. There is a knowledge of the Power of Christ's Death and Resurrection that is 〈◊〉 knows and feels a Power of Christ 's death which makeâ— him conformable unto his death whereby his old man is Crucified as Christ was Sin ceases to reign in him the strength of corruption is abated in him and a Power of his Resurrection whereby you have been quickned and made to live a life of Grace such a life as Christ lived that is to glorify God on Earth by doing his will 6. Your Knowledge must be an affectionate knowledge A knowledge of the Excellency of Christ in such a manner as that your hearts be enflamed with love to him Knowledge is sometime put for Love 1 Cor. 8.3 or else it is to be interpreted as taking love to it as John 10.15 As the Father knoweth me so I know the Father that is because the Knowledge of God must infer love As the Father loves the Son as Beza And certainly there is that in Christ which will beget love if it be rightly known John 10.17 So the Father loveth me because I lay down my life So if we come to know the love of Christ in laying down his life and the unspeakable good that comes thereby we shall love him Cant. 1.3 therefore the Virgins love thee and Chap. 2.3.4 Let me ask that question of you as Christ of Peter John 21. Lovest thou me Do you love Christ So will you if you know him Yea as he said Lovest thou me more then these If you do you love him above all other Excellencies more than these Bodies than these Estates than these Friends c. 7. Your Knowledge must be Operative Excellency of Knowledge will beget an excellent practise a good conversation 2 Pet. 1.8 They shall not be barren in the Knowledge of Christ Rev. 22.4 They shall see his Face and his Name shall be in their foreheads that is shall know him and outwardly profess him where Christ is seen his Name his Honour and Dignity is born forth in a Christian practise held out in a holy Conversation Rev 21.24 in the description of the New Jerusalem i. e. the Church 't is said The Lamb is the Light of it whence follow two things 1. The Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it They that have light saving knowledge and are in the way to be saved they shall walk in the light of it having this Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ they shall walk by it they shall walk according to the Lamb's precepts 2. The Kings of the Earth do 〈◊〉 their Glory and Honour to it that is to the â—â—mb that is light c. 1. They shall subject thâ—â— Glory and Honour to the Honour and Excellency of Christ reigning in his Church They shall acknowledge all to be inferior to his their Glory shall stoop and bow to Christ as the Moon and Stars made obeisance to Joseph in his Dreâ—m 2. If 〈◊〉 Glory Honour Power may add any Glory to Christ or may help to make this Jerusalem a praise and afford any benefit to the Saints they shall bring it in and freely give it up So where there is the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ all Glory and Honour will be made to stoop to Christ and all given up and laid forth in the cause of Christ you will rejoyce to spend your selves and Estates and be spent in that way wherein Christ may be magnified the Gospel advanced the Church profited the Saints comforted and refreshed 3. Means to get this Knowledge 1. See a necessity of attaining this knowledge without which you shall never obtain Life and Salvation This is Life Eternal c. If you want this knowledge you must be destroyed Vengeance is to be rendred on all that know not God To whom should we go said Peter thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Every one that will not labour to get the knowledge of Christ must needs perish Hos 4.6 Isa 33.6 Wisdom and Righteousness shall be the stability of thy times and strength of Salvation Do as the Wise Man exhorts Prov. 2.2 so that thou incline thine Eear unto Wisdom and apply thine Heart to Vnderstanding Yea if thou eryest after Knowledge and liftest up thy voice for Understanding 2. Look not on Christ after the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 Henceforth know we no Man after the Flesh no not Christ What is it not to know a Man after the Flesh This is not to regard those Outward and Carnal Excellencies by which a Man gets esteem above
by the blood of Christ and by the word that is of promise of free Justification by Christ and Sanctification to be received by Faith This is more plainly exprest Heb. 13.12 Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate Here is Love indeed Christ passing by and seeing us weltring in Blood cast out to the loathing our Persons having no loveliness nothing but Spots from the Crown of the Head c. and our defeâ—t being to be cast into Hell then Christ gave himself to redeem us by his own Blood to sanctify us by his Blood Thus you see here is a Mystery of Infinite Love of Divine Grace God herein appears to be rich in Mercy and that great Love wherewith he loved us Eph. 2.4 is made manifest 3. Herein is a Mystery of Vertue There is an Infinite Vertue in the Blood of Christ which in general is set forth by the Apostle 1 John 1.7 The Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin particularly there is a Vertue going upward expiating guilt and a Vertue going downwards taking away the guilt with the Power and Pollution of Sin out of our Nature 1. There is a Vertue going upward to the Father taking away the Guilt of Sin Quest. How could there be such an Infinite Power in the Blood of Christ Answ Because it was the Blood of him that was God the infiniteness and worth of the Person did derive an infinite worth and value to the Blood of Christ thereby his Blood became an infinite price proportionable to the guilt of Sin which was Infinite As Sin becomes of Infinite guilt from the infiniteness of the Object against whom it is committed so Sin is an Infinite Evil because committed against God an Infinite Good on the otherside satisfaction for an Offence hath its efficacy and worth from the dignity of the Person satisfying so satisfaction made by Christ the price of his Blood becomes of infinite value adequate to the guilt of Sin because the Person whose Blood was shed was Infinite You see how the Blood of Christ hath such an Infinite Vertue For the proof of it that there is such a Vertue see it Zach. 9.11 By the Blood of the Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners that is by the Blood of Christ who is called the Covenant Isa 42.6 that is as the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 as the following words a Light to the People seems to confirm from the Pit wherein is no water that is I have redeemed from under the Babylonish Captivity which was a Type of Spiritual Redemption and deliverance from that cursed estate a man is in by Sin Now how is this but by satisfying the Justice of God paying the price of Redemption unto God by whom a Sinner was cast into Prison Luk. 22.20 This Cup that is the Wine in this Cup is the New Testament or New Covenant that is a Seal of the Covenant in my Blood that is which is established in my Blood because thereby is the Remission of Sins and so a Person comes to have part in that Covenant In this see the Vertue of the Blood of Christ. In the Covenant lies all a Christians Happiness therein God is engaged to be his God not to remember Sin any more but to be his God All sufficient Now this is a Covenant in Blood that is that is established and confirmed in the Blood of Christ the Blood of Christ that satisfied Justice therein was a repairing of all that Injury which was done to God by the Sins of the Faithful so Justice hath nothing to plead against them and the Riches of Grace which are contained in the New Covenant are revealed to them and of right do belong to them So they come to lay claim to the Love of God and to that Eternal Inheritance prepared by Christ The Vertue of Christ's Blood as looking upwards is double 1. Satisfying Justice 2. Purchasing and Meriting Everlasting Life There is Redemption from Misery and the Purchasing an Inheritance both these are called Redemption Eph. 1.1 In whom we have Redemption that is the forgiveness of Sins ver 14. until the Redemption that is buying again and putting into actual Possession of that Inheritance The Blood of Christ redeems out of Misery inflicted by reason of Sin and redeems the Inheritance of Eternal Life which was lost by Sin Heb. 10.19 We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus that is by the Blood of Jesus the way to Heaven is opened for us 2. There is a Vertue going downwards taking away the Power and Pollution of Sin out of the Nature and the Guilt out of the Conscience 1. The Guilt of Sin out of the Conscience God Condemns a Sinner the Law condemns and so his own Conscience when convinced of Sin condemns also Now by the Blood of Christ God and the Law are satisfied and so a Sinner is acquitted in his own Conscience he is freed from a eondemning Heart 1 Joh. 3.21 If our Heart condemns us not c. 'T is the Application of the Blood of Christ that frees from this condemning Heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true Heart c. having our Hearts sprinkled from an Evil Conscience that is with the blood of Christ an Evil Conscience is an Accusing Conscience The sprinkling of the Blood of Christ that is a fiducial Application of it to a Convicted Conscience acquits it from all Accusations Horrors Fears c. 2. The Power and Pollution of Sin Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God Which as it notes the purging of the Conscience in regard of the guilt of dead works that is dead Services dead Duties performed by Men dead in Sin so also it implies a purging of the Heart from the power of Sin as appears by that which follows to serve the Living God From the Blood of Christ applied to the Conscience a Vertue goes forth to the abating of the strength of Corruption and enabling it to serve the living God This see farther Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein That is by Vertue of Christ's Death having therein a Fellowship with him the strength of Corruption comes to be abated ver 6. Our old Man is crucified with Christ c. Quest How is it that there is such a Vertue in Christ's Death and comes to be conveyed to us Answ 1. The proper and principal cause to which this work of mortification of Sin is attributed is the Spirit Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit c. and ver 2. The Law of the Spirit of Life hath made me free c. That is the power and efficatious operation of the Spirit in me c. 2. The formal cause is our union with Christ and planting into him For hereby the Spirit of Christ the Righteousness Grace Merit Life of Christ
Sin and taken great pleasure in it and when they hear what the word says that such must be damned banish'd from the presence of God and be everlastingly tormented with Devils and that this that the word speaks should strike such unspeakable terror to the Heart of Man what doth this argue but that the word is powerful Joh 18.6 as Christ spake but a word and his Enemies that came to take him fell back so that Mens proud and stubborn hearts should fall down before the word and are made to say as the Devils why art thou come to torment us this shews that there is an Almighty God speaking in the word and this fâ—â—ther That some Men yet in a natural condition who love Sin as their own Souls should not dare to commit some Sins because the word pronounceth Judgment and that Men that hate holiness as 't is evident that many do yet out of fear of Judgments denounced in the word should be brought to make some Profession of Holiness that as the unclean Spirit fell down and confessed Christ to be the Son of God so Men of unclean Hearts not renewed are forced to confess the word is of God 2. In the Conversion of Sinners I may say concerning the Word as Christ in his Message to John The Dead are raised the Deaf hear the Dumb speak and tâ— the Poor the Gâ—spel is Preached that a word preached should do this shews it to be the word of God so Men that are dead in Trespasses and Sins are raised by it the word doth bore some Mens Ears and make them hearken and obey it Consider that Men that take such great delight in Sin as we all do by Nature working uncleaness with greediness going to it as an hungry Man to his Meals ready to pine away for the pleasures of Sin and be discontent when we cannot satisfy our Lusts as it was with Ammnon Now that any of us because the word says cease to do Evil Sin no more should loath what we so dearly loved and that our hatred of Sin should be greater than our love was to it and it may be some can tell the time and remember the word that wrought such a mighty change what is to be concluded hence but that this is none other but the word of God Again we know how we love our selves by nature even so as that self-love is the supreme Law with corrupt Nature now that such an one should because the word says if any Man will be my Disciple let him deny himself cast off self-love and self-respects and sacrifice or give himself up to Christ and be his only and prize the Glory of God more than his own good yea choose to undergo the greatest Evils rather than dishonour God this shews the invincible power of the word Again if you have any knowledge of your selves you know what bitter enmity there is in our natures against holiness now that because the word commends holiness any of us should come to delight in it this likewise adds a Seal for the confirmation of this Truth that the word is in truth Gods word Again you know how we naturally love the World even so much that some can even in these plundering times think it better to loose our Lives than our Goods now that any should despise the world for Christ's sake and esteem his Reproaches better Riches only because the word doth commend Christ above the World and propose him as the best Good What doth this argue but a divine efficacy of the word and the power of a God making use of his word as an instrument of his own to bring to pass such mighty works 3. In confounding Christ 's Enemies Psa 8.2 Out of the mouths of Babes hast thou ordained strength to stâ—ll the Enemy this strength of mouth â— Prayer which is grounded on the word and preaching when men come with revengeful Spirits and think to swallow up the People of God the word shall stop and still them the word doth gather Men together and stir them up to fight against Anti-christ Rev. 16 16. and Rev. 17.16 The ten hornes shall hate the Whore c. why the word shall discover her and hence 't is said 2 Thess 2.8 That Man of Sin shall be revealed c. he shall destroy him with the Sword of his Mâ—uth and brightness of his coming Dan. 2.34 A stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands breaks the Feet of the Image and that shall overcome the great Roman Monarchy What is this stone c. a poor weak dispised People of God called by the word believing the same and walking by it these shall overcome all Antichristian powers and as the worm Jacob thresh the Mountains Use To make some application of this by the way Is there such a power in the word and may that be truly said of the word which is falsly of Simon Magus it is the great Power of God 1. Then take heed of despising it Heb. 12.25 see that ye dispise not look well to it if you despise the word you dispise the Power and Authority of God which is in it and which shall be manifested by it either in Conversion or Confusion either in unspeakable Terror or Consolation either it shall be the power of God to save you and then you must believe it and receive it with all readiness or to condemn you if you despise it if it do not now work effectually in you to turn you from Sin into the obedience thereof then it shall Judge you in the last day now you may hear it speaking comfortably to you bringing the glad Tydings to your Souls of good things of a Saviour that is offered to you a Pardon proclaimed Heaven opened to Men that are shut up under Sin and Wrath that is if you will now suffer your Consciences to be awakned to see what condition you are in but if it be not hearkned to it shall speak terribly to you and then you shall not sleep when 't is spoken you shall not sit carelesly under it as you do now but then you shall know the Terrors of the Lord you shall know the power of Divine Wrath to prevent which you should desire to feel the exceeding greatness of his Power in creating Faith in you and the length and breadth of his Love which is revealed therein so when the word is spoken to you let me exhort you as the Prophet Jer. 13.15 Learn be not proud the Lord hath spoken Act. 13.41 Behold ye Despisers and wonder I 'll work that you will not believe If you will not believe what I have said in the Word Precepts and Promises such Judgments shall be brought on you which you would not before believe 2. Believe the Word rest on it be strong in Faith your Faith shall not be in vain you rest not then on a broken reed but on the word of the great God on the great Power of that God The Power of God
S raphins had six Wings with twain they covered their Faces and with twain their Feet Shewing that beholding the Infinite Glory of God they were as it were ashamed of themselves of their own emptiness and the great disproportion betwixt God and themselves that they were far from high mindedness and boasting in any perfection they saw that what they had they had from God and that perfection they had came Infinitely short of God and so rejoyce in him and not in themselves And so many Saints Isaiah cried Woe is me I am unclean for mine Eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host c. And Peter said when the Glory of Christ's Godhead appeared in that Miracle Depart from me for I am a sinful Man O Lord. An Expression of Humility and of an opinion of his own unworthiness even so the Infinite Grace and Love of God in Christ's appearing this begets Humility this puls Pride out of the Throne and high mindedness Pride falls before the discoveries of God in the Soul This is that especially which is to be understood in this place by Fear and Trembling The Scripture uses this Expression sometimes and still it signifies Humility as Psa 2.11 Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Be humble in your Service trust not to your own Strength be humble in your Rejoycings take not the Glory to your selves say that you are nothing rejoyce in God and give Glory to him Again 1 Cor. 2.3 I was with you in weakness and fear and much trembling that is I did not boast my self to be some body I was not with you in a proud and stately deportment I did not seek Glory with ostentation of Eloquence but I carried my self with humility amongst you Eph. 6.5 Servants be Obedient to your Masters with fear and trembling that is be humble and submissive not proud and stout against them so work out your Salvation with fear and trembling and be cloathed still with Humility both in Heart and Life be far from high mindedness and carnal Confidence think not to travel towards Heaven in your own strength Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear So see the love of God let your Eye be fixed on Christ who died to reconcile and lives to save you Behold the Trinity carrying on the work the Father loving from all Eternity Christ mediating and rejoyce in the first fruits of the Spirit believe that the Spirit of Christ that 's dwelling in you shall renew and Sanctify you till Sin be wholy abolished and shall quicken your Mortal Bodies and make them like to Christ's glorious Body and know that you can do nothing of your selves and so you shall work out your Salvation with fear and trembling So that Fear and Trembling is to be taken here 1. As opposed to Hardness Stupidity and Insensibleness That when God manifests forth the Glory of his Infinite Goodness in Christ unto Sinners the Heart is no way affected or moved herewith a fearing and a trembling Heart that 's here meant is a Heart affected with the shining forth of God's Glory in Christ. God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts giving of the light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ Now when the Heart is affected herewith and raised in admiration then it fears and trembles 2. As opposed to high mindedness to high thoughts of a Man's self of his worth and goodness A fearing and trembling heart is a heart sensible of its weakness and nothingness 3. As opposed to Carnal Confidence to trusting in a Man 's own Righteousness and Power as if a Man could merit Heaven by his Righteousness or travel thither in his own strength Section 13. Use 1. Is of Information By this it appears that many there are to whom the way of Life and Salvation is not discovered All that think they are travelling to Heaven are not indeed going thither Many there be that think they are working out their Salvation but there be but few that work it with fear and trembling This is the temper of those that God hath brought into the way of Life their hearts are fearing and trembling hearts hearts admiring at the Riches of Divine Grace hearts that are humble and broken off from Carnal Confidence But how few among the multitude that would be thought to be travelling towards Heaven have these fearing and trembling Hearts Rom. 3.17 18. The way of Peace have they not known there 's no fear of God before their Eyes Christ is the way of Peace Life and Salvation is the woâ—k of the whole Trinity If the way of Peace be known and the Trinity be look'd on as engag'd in this work it will work fear but the fear of God is not before the Eyes of many and so the way of Peace have they not known As many as are without fear and Holy trembling I do not mean slavish fear but reverenâ—ial fear are yet ignorant of the way of Life 1. As many as have not their Hearts deeply affected with and sâ—nsible of the Glory of Divine Grace and Goodness in Christ to Sinners As many as do not fear the Lord and his Goodness as many as heaâ—ing yet do not taste that the Lord is gracious The Apostle speaks of some that counted the Blood of the Covenant as a common thing they not apprehending the price and value of it So many there are that look on the glad Tidings of the Gospel the discoveries of Divine Grace and of the Infinite Love of the Lord Jesus but as common things and are no way taken with the Glory of the Gospel and the Riches of Divine Grace therein discovered This insensibleness of Heart towards the precious things of the Gospel this unaffected Spirit bewrays their Ignorance of the way of Life and what a common thing it is for Persons to make light of the Gospel and to neglect their Salvation that is spoken therein nay to despise the Gospel and to discover enmity against it There 's nothing more contrary to fearing Goodness than the making light of and despising Goodness and there 's nothing more common than that And what greater Evidence can there be than this that Men are not in the way of Salvation Hos 8.12 I have written unto them the great things of my Law but they were counted a strange thing c. 2. As many as are full of high thoughts of themselves As the discovery of this that Salvation is the work of the Trinity the beholding of God in Christ will bring down high thoughts so where high Thoughts are in the Throne and an opinion of Righteousness in Men's selves this bewrays an Ignorance of the way of Life They do not fear and tremble c. 3. As many as work uncleaness with greediness as freely yield up themselves Servants to Lusts fearing and trembling doth not consist with such freedom in Sinning the fear of goodness will restrain
his Spirit in the Heart he is the Well of Water that is springing up to everlasting Life For Explication of this point before I come to the proof I shall distinguish first of Good which is two fold 1. Carnal Outward Worldly good good that pertains to the Body and outward Man As the enjoyment of the things of the World in a sufficiency for Food and Raiment to preserve the Natural Life This good Men can embrace and they can be diligent in their several Callings to get this Worlds good 2. There 's a spiritual good that appertains to the Soul which is the life perfection and peace of the Soul Eternal Everlasting good Meat that endures to everlasting life That is an All-sufficient God There 's none good but one that is God a God reconciled believed and enjoyed in Christ This good a natural Man cannot will or desire because 't is not possible for him to apprehend it There 's no suitableness in Man for it 2. I shall distinguish of God's working which is two fold I In the old Creation So 1. God gives to Creatures a being some of one kind and some of another kind and puts several faculties and dispositions into them to work in several ways and to bring forth Fruits of several kinds He Created the Sun and filled it with Light and put into it a faculty and disposition to run a race in the Heavens and to be the Light of the whole World He Created the living Creatures and gave them a power to propagate after their kind 2. God doth by the same power by which he created preserve and continue them in their beings So 't is said they are created by God That is confirmed Rev. 4.10 Conservation being a continued Creation 3. God doth stir up the â—aculties and Powers put into several Creatures determining to several operations This or that every Creature shall do God concurring with them in their operations so they all act and move by the power of God in them So it 's said In 〈◊〉 we live move and have our being Acts 17.25.28 The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the Waters Gen. 1.2 Which imports the effectual quickning power of the Holy Ghost which upholds and sustains and gives vertue to all Creatures whereby they live move and have their beings So that of all Creatures this is true whatsoever they do 't is God works them to do What a Rational Creature wills God works it to will iâ— a way suitable to the faculty of Rational Creatures that is in presenting of objects to the understanding thereby moving and inclining the wi l. Now in this old Creation there 's no willing or dâ—ing that which is good wiâ—hout special grace There s no disposition or faculty towards it there 's no willing of God to take him as the Supreme Good and the will of God as the Supreme Rule the glory of God as the Supreme End There 's no Piety no Holiness left in the Old Creation Men are Corrupt the Creature is subject to Vanity and in Bondage to Corruption II. Thâ—re is God's working in the new Creation this begins in the Souls of Men c. Herein God works i. e. of Carnal makes Spiritual from Spiritual Death raises to a Spiritual Life and stirs up to Spiritual Operations and brings into Holy ways Now as in the Old Creation it 's said all live move and have their being so in this New Creation all live move and have their being in God God makes New and places Holy dispositions and God preserves and upholds them once made God determines and stirs up by an actual influence of his Spirit So God works to will and do of his good pleasure For the proof of this Three things are to be clear'd 1. Consider In the Natural man there 's no free will to Spiritual good no embracing or doing of it There is free will to Sin in the Men of the Old Creation Free will to natural actions in as much as herein they act by Knowledge and Election chusing to do this and not that There 's no free will to Spiritual good 1. Because they are under such darkness that covers it that they can't know and apprehend Spiritual objects Spiritual things can't be apprehended but by a Spiritual Eye Now the Soul of every Man is Carnal 't is imprison'd in Flesh it dwels in thick darkness As God is said to dwell in thick darkness because his glory is vailed and hid 1 Kings 8.12 He is hid by the thick covering of Carnal things that he doth not shine forth in Spiritual glory in the World so the Soul of man dwells in thick darkness God is above it and full of Glory Splendor and Majesty in himself Men are under it they are darkness so that they cannot look beyond things Carnal they see no good but in things Carnal The Carnal Man perceives not the things of the Spirit of God neither can he know 1 Cor. 2.14 So can't chuse and embrace them What the mind can't know as good the will can't embrace as good Now this mind cannot judge and apprehend God in Christ to be the chief good When Peter confessed Christ who he was he replies Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this to thee but my Father which is Heaven Math. 16.17 There 's no more of saving Spiritual Light in the Carnal Man before the New Creation then there was of Natural Light before the Old Creation The Men of the Old Creation have Light whereby they know the Creatures and have Souls terminated in them but not Light whereby they know God Whence the Apostle sais Ye were darkness Eph. 5.8 Men naturally dwell in the darkness and not in the Light of the Lord. They walk in the darkness of Creature-comforts and not in the Light of Divine glory And that which strenghtens this argument is that Men love darkness that covers them They had rather dwell in darkness than in the Knowledge of the glory of God Men do turn from Light and would turn the Light from them A Man hath free will towards darkness that he chuses but not free will towards Light that he refuses Light is come into the World into the Old Creation but Men as Men in a natâ—ral temper as sinners do evermoâ—e loâ—e darkness There must be a New Câ—eaâ—ion before Light will be received with Joy 2. They are under a state of deadness to all Spiritual good there 's no free will in a Dead Man to Spiritual Actions and there is no mâ—râ—â—n a Natural Man to Spiritual Actions Ye are Dead in Trespasses and Sins As Dead to Spiritual Life as the Bodies that lye in the grave to Natural Life As dead to a Life of God as Dead Bodies are to a Life of Man God lives in himself he lives to his own glory to this whatever he doth tends A Natural Man is alienated from this Life of God 3 Under a state of â—nmity against Spiritual good The Carnal