can be no true Calling unless you see God in it as well as Men. And the Lord taketh it to be his Prerogative to bestow Officers upon the Church Dabo Evangelistum I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good Tidings Isa. 41.27 He did not only appoint the Office but doth design the Persons Now what is this Inward Call I Answer God calleth us when he maketh us able and willing the Inclination and the Ability is from God The Inclination He thrusts out Labourers into his Harvest Mat. 9.38 And the Ability He makes us able Ministers of the New Testament 2 Cor. 3.6 and both these are required of us Ability there must be Look as Princes count it a point of Honour when they send out Ambassadors to Foreign Nations to employ those that are fit so it is for the Honour of God that all his Messengers should be gifted and fitted Gifts and Abilities are our Letters of Credence that we bring to the World that we are called of God and authorized to this Work Certainly if the Spirit of God fitted Bezaleel and Aholiab for the material Work of the Tabernacle much more doth Spiritual Work require proportionate Abilities It is true there is a Latitude and Difference in the degree of Abilities but all that can look upon themselves as called of God must be able and apt to teach The Apostle took this for a Call 1 Tim. 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me for that he counted me faithful putting me into the Ministry If ever God put us into the Ministry he first enableth us and bestows suitable Gifts and Graces But that is not all a Man must be willing too 1 Tim. 3.1 If a Man desire the Office of a Bishop he desireth a good Work There must be a strong Inclination that carries us out to such a course of Life if the Lord shall give us a Call Yea in some Cases in the Conscience of the Inward Call a Man may offer himself his Gifts to Trial and his Person to Acceptance so it be done modestly and not in a vain-glorious Confidence As Antisthenes said in the Case of Magistracy that a Man should deal with Magistracy as with Fire a Man would not come too near the Fire lest he burn himself nor stand at too great a distance lest he grow stiff with Cold So of the Ministry a Man must not be too forward nor too backward In some Cases it is good to expect the fair Invitation of Providence an Inclination there must be if the Lord vouchsafe a Call In some Cases we may offer our selves to the Acceptation of the Church if the Lord see fit that we be chosen But to return he hath the inward Call who is able and willing I mean upon Spiritual Grounds having first counted the Charges Difficulties Duties Dangers of this Calling Well then if Men be willing but not fit they are not called of God or if fit yet not willing they have not Warrant enough to undergo the Difficulty much more they that are neither fit nor willing but only thrust themselves upon the Office by the carnal Importunity of Friends or corrupt Aims at Honour and secular Advantage Thus you see what the Inward Call is 2. There is an Outward Call The Inward Call is not enough to preserve Order in the Church an Outward Call is necessary As Peter Acts 10. was called of God to go to Cornelius and then besides that he had a Call from Cornelius himself So must we having an Inward Call from the Spirit expect an Outward Calling from the Church otherwise we cannot lawfully be admitted to the Exercise of such an Office and Function As in the Old Testament the Tribe of Levi and House of Aaron were by God appointed to the Service of the Altar yet none could exercise the Calling of a Levite or serve as an High Priest till he was anointed and purified by the Church Exod. 28.3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted whom I have filled with the Spirit of Wisdom that they may make Aaron 's Garments to consecrate him that he may minister to me in the Priest's Office The like is repeated Numb 3.3 So the Ministers of the Gospel tho called by God must have their External Separation and setting apart to that Work by the Church as the Holy Ghost saith Acts 13.2 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them Mark the Spirit of God had chosen them and yet calls upon the Church the Elders of Antioch to separate them for the Work of the Ministry But now in what Order this is to be done and by whom this Separation is to be made is the great Controversy Politicians and with them Erastians make it to be the Magistrates Right the Anabaptists with some others make it the Peoples Right Papists and others give it to the Bishops others to Presbyters and Elders of the Church To examine every Claim at large would take up a great deal of time let us compound the Difference as well as we can In short there are three Pretenders to the Power of the External Call the People the Elders the Magistrate and we may divide it among them and give every one their share and then the Call will be compleat I say there are but three Pretenders for we need not to speak of the Bishops Plea for Bishops and Presbyters or Elders in the Scripture are all one The Apostle writes to the Bishops and Deacons at Philippi Phil. 1.1 The Apostle taketh notice of no other Officer in that Church And Chrysostom's Gloss is of weight What is the Reason the Apostle saith to Bishops were there more than one of one City The Reason is saith he because Bishops and Elders or Presbyters are the same So when the Apostle bids Titus Tit. 1.5 6. Ordain Elders in every City if any be blameless c. He adds Vers. 7. For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God To lay aside this then we shall speak to the Claim of the People the Elders and the Magistrate and give every one its due For in the External Call there are three parts Election Ordination and Confirmation Election that belongeth to the People Ordination which standeth in Examination of Life and Doctrine together with Authoritative Mission that is the Right of the Presbytery and Confirmation that belongs to the Magistrate 1. Election is the Peoples Right This appeareth because their Consent and Suffrage is required in all Offices even in the choice of an Apostle Acts 1.15 26. the 120 nominate Matthias in the room of Judas and God decided it by Lot and in the choice of a Deacon Acts 6.3 Look ye out among you seven Men of honest Report full of the Holy Ghost c. and of an Elder Acts 14.23 And when they had ordained them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders in every Church and had prayed with Fasting they commended them to the
with the Spirit of Christ assisting but not reforming as an Angel sometimes appears in an assumed Body But 't is dangerous to rest in this it maketh our sin and Judgement the greater if after a taste we rest in a common work Historical Faith if not growing into a saving sound Faith 't is a kind of mocking of God and an Hypocrites portion As for instance We profess to believe him Omniscient yet fear not to sin in his presence Omnipotent yet cannot depend upon his Alsufficiency to believe a day of Judgement yet make no preparation for our Account Tit. 1.16 Mens sins and Judgements are aggravated according to the sense they have had of Religion and so their latter end may be worse than their beginning 2 Pet. 2.20 And sad it will be for those that from hopefull beginnings fall off from God I will tell you a man may live and die with a temporary Faith and Affections to God and Holiness without making any visible Apostasie and yet have no sound Faith of the right Constitution Yea if you regard what little rooting Grace hath in mens hearts how weak their Pulse beateth this way how strong their Affections are to the World and the things thereof how little they can vanquish the cares and fears of this world and the temptations that arise from voluptuous living 't is to be feared the far greatest part of Christians are but Temporaries 3. Oh then be sure to get this truth of Grace into your Hearts let your Hearts be effectually subdued to God let there be a Principle of Life set up in them Religion respects our Principles as well as our Performances 2 Tim. 1.5 The end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned There must be a renewed Heart as the fountain a well informed Conscience as our guide and Faith unfeigned as our great encouragement And so all acts of Charity to God and men are accepted with God as a piece of Obedience done to him If we will not regard the Manner God will not regard the Matter Oh then get this renewed Heart and a lively Faith and an awakened Conscience This is to get Oyl into your Vessels and if once you get this it will never fail but increase exceedingly like the Sareptan's Oyl But how shall we get it I answer 1. You have this Oyl from Christ. The Unction is from the Holy One 2 Joh. 2.20 As the Precious Oyl was first poured on Aaron's Head and then came down to the Skirts of his Garment so Christ is first possessed of the Spirit and then we have it by our Union with him Joh. 1 16. Of his fulness we receive Grace for Grace We must go to the Fountain every day to seek new supplies Christ was anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows Zech 4. Christ is represented by the Bowl and the two Olive Trees that alwayes poured forth Golden Oyl Christ as Mediator is the Store-house of the Church who is intrusted with all Gifts and Graces for our benefit Oh bring your empty Vessels to this golden Olive-tree The Widdow only brought Casks the Oyl failed not till the Vessels failed 2. If you would have it from Christ you must use the Means of Grace the Word Prayer Sacraments Meditation We need continual supplies must use continual Prayers seek the Grace of the Spirit to keep in our Lamps Luk. 11.13 So the Word God droppeth in something to the Soul that waiteth on him Mark 4.24 Take heed how you hear for with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again If we be earnest and diligent in waiting upon God God will abound to us in blessing his Word to us So for Meditation Mat. 13.19 The High-way Ground did not bring the Word to their minds again doth not revolve it mindeth it not heedeth it not So for the Lords Supper 't is a means to root us in the Love of God when we so often renew our Oath of Allegiance to him to excite our Faith in Christ. All these are a price put into our hands to get Oyl in our Lamps and prepare for his Coming 3. Keep your Vessels clean The Spirit dwelleth not but in a clean Heart Doves build not their Habitations on Dung-hills He cometh as an efficient Cause as a Spirit assisting before he comes as a Spirit inhabiting and purifieth our Hearts by Faith 4. After you have gotten this Oyl cherish it that it may not decay Of its own nature it would do so witness that stock of Original Righteousness which Adam had Gods Promise by which it is secured supposeth our endeavours to waste it Luk. 8.18 Whosoever hath to him shall be given but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have 5. Do not only cherish and keep it from decay but see that you encrease it 2 Pet. 1.5 Add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge 1 Thes. 3.10 Perfect what is lacking 1 Thes. 4.1 That as you have received of us how you ought to walk and please God so you should abound therein A little Faith will be as no Faith not honourable to God nor comfortable to you nor useful to others All our doubts perplexities uncertainties come from the smallness of our Graces 'T will not make an Evidence therefore give diligence No endeavour labour pursuit after God but hath its recompense not an earnest thought an earnest Prayer or time spent What shall I say They whose Hearts are upon the wayes thereof go on from strength to strength You are almost at home nearer than when you first believed Then you thought all your pains too much now all too little Let me apply all to the Sacrament 1. There we come to meet the Bridegroom in a way of Grace The Marriage Covenant between God Incarnate and his espoused Ones is here celebrated and solemnized The Sacrament is a Transfiguration of the last Marriage Supper to ascertain us what entertainment we shall have at the Day of Judgment when the Bride the Lamb's Wife shall be made ready and cloathed with fine Linnen Rev. 19.23 and then be received in to the Nuptial Feast Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. All is now prepared in this Duty 2. In some respect there should be a Serious Preparation for the one as for the other as we would prepare to dye or prepare to meet Christ the Judge Christ did not wash his Disciples feet when he took them with him to Tabor to his Transfiguration but when he took them with him at his last Supper Joh. 13.7 Surely to rush upon the presence of the Bridegroom with a perfunctory careless common frame of spirit is a dangerous thing When a People come hand over head prepare themselves slightly pray slightly before they come and live carelesly and negligently they slight the Bridegroom and wrong themselves strengthen themselves in sin rather than
which is forced is not sincere Many own Christ in their sickness and distress that never care for him when they are well at ease then they forget all live as they did before when their turn is served There is a difference between a Womans coming to a Physician for cure and her coming to a Husband to dwell with him True Conversion doth begin in fear but it doth not end there it endeth in a change of Heart and a settled love to God and Holiness and an hatred of Sin This is not only seen in men when the fear of Death affrights them but in their whole lives Others under some Conviction they would have Christ for their Consciences and the World for their Hearts Secondly It must be a full and unbounded Consent to all the terms and demands of the Gospel to be what he would have you to be and to do what he would have you to do Mat. 13.44 The man sold all to buy the Pearl of great price You must not stick at any thing Though you are unwilling to let the match go yet it is no full consent Christ will be taken for better for worse you must renounce your dearest Lusts devote and resign your choicest Interests or else you are unworthy of him The bargain is not made till all your Interests be laid at his feet Luk. 14.26.33 So for Lusts Mat. 5.29.30 Here men usually stick and had rather undergo any cost and pains than undergo the mortification of Sin as you may see in Mica 6.6 7. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow my self before the most high God shall I come before him with Burnt Offerings and Calves of a year old Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of Rams or with ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl Shall I give my First-born for my Transgression and the Fruit of my Body for the Sin of my Soul Now before it comes to this man hath many debates of Soul They are convinced that Sin is evil contrary to God and hurtful to themselves and have some mind to let it go But in fine their Hearts are more for it than against it and so do not come up to a saving consent to take Christ for their Lord and Husband The pleasures of sin are so bewitching that they cannot come up roundly to Christs terms or to the whole business of Christianity Thirdly It must be a firm and habitual Consent and such as is not retracted in our after Conversation Weak and wavering purposes soon come to nothing but when this is your ordinary frame and the new Nature and the inclination of your Souls is this way when there is a new bent put upon your Spirits then it will hold out Psal. 119.112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy Statutes alwayes to the end The Second thing remarkable in the Text is the Entrance of those that were ready in to the Nuptial Feast And 1. Who are the Persons They that are inwardly renewed and endowed with the saving Graces of the Spirit 2. What 's their Priviledge They went in to the Marriage to the Festivities of the Marriage Chamber or place of Nuptial Entertainment Marriage Feasts are often spoken of in Scripture Judg. 14.10 And Sampson made a feast for so used the young men to do And Gen. 29.22 And Laban gathered all the young men of the place and made a feast This figureth the joys of Eternal Life and that full and sweet Communion we shall have with Christ in Heaven Doct. Those only who are ready and prepared for Christ shall enter into eternal joys when others are excluded Luk. 12.37 Blessed are those Servants whom when the Lord cometh he shall find watching So Mat. 24.44 Therefore be ye also ready 1. I shall enquire What it is to be ready 2. Shew you why they only shall have eternal and immediate Communion with Christ. 1. What it is to be ready There is a Twofold Readiness 1. An Habitual and Constant Readiness 2. An Actual Readiness when you specially compose your selves to meet with Christ. 1. Of the Habitual and Constant Readiness that concerneth the state of the Person the frame of the Heart and the course of our Conversations as represented by Oyl in the Vessel and the Lamps kept burning 1. The State of the Person He must be one reconciled and one at peace with God There are two Expressions in Scripture that speak of the state that we must be found in when Christ cometh 2 Pet. 3.14 That we may be found of him in peace The other is 2 Cor. 5.3 That we may not be found naked And both do principally relate to Justification Our Peace depends upon our Reconciliation with God Rom. 5.1 And till your Pardon be sued out in an humble and broken-hearted manner how will you be able to stand before the Lord till you be rectus in Curia and have a discharge of Sin and the Curse and be not found in a natural and unconverted Estate The other Expression is That we may not be found naked 'T is sad to appear before God with no other covering but our own Skins No there is no getting the Blessing but in the Garment of our Elder Brother Therefore we are so often bidden to put on the Lord Jesus Rom. 13.14 and Gal. 3.27 and that you buy of Him white Raiment to cover your nakedness Rev. 3.17 18. These places are principally to be interpreted of Justification though it will not exclude Sanctification For that is a Garment of Salvation to cover our loathsome nakedness from the sight of the Lord. 2. As to the frame of the Heart that it be renewed and Sanctified Habitual Grace is Oyl in the Vessel that there may be a Spring or Fountain of Grace in the Heart Joh. 7.38 but that I spake of before The Graces of the Spirit are the Brides Jewels and Ornaments are the things which the Bridegroom delights in Isa. 61.10 I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God For he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered me with the Robes of his Righteousness As a Bridegroom decketh himself with Garments and as a Bride adorneth herself with Jewels c. The more these things are in us and abound in us the more lovely in Christs eyes 3. Something as to the course of our Conversation 'T is not enough to have Oyl in the Vessel but the Lamp must be kept burning our Graces in actual and continual exercise and we must alwayes make it our study to please the Lord. This is part of our Preparation For men are judged according to their works therefore what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3.10 The life of Grace is seen in the fruits of it for that end was it given us not to lie idle in the Heart but to discover its influence and efficacy in every part of our Conversation 2 Pet. 1.8
unacquainted with Pain or Pleasure it had been much but we have not only a Ransom but an Inheritance instead of Horrors and Howlings everlasting Joys Again many are called Saviours either because of their subordinate subserviency to Christ Instruments in inward and outward Salvation but these Saviours needed a Saviour Christ is the True Jesus who saveth as an Author of Grace not as an Instrument and Means of Conveyance Now Christ is a Saviour partly by Merit partly by Efficacy and Power he doth something for us and something in us for us he prevaileth by the Merit of his Death in us by the efficacy of his Spirit all his Work is not done on the Cross. Both are necessary partly in regard of the difference of the Enemies God and the Law are in a distinct Rank from Sin and Death Satan and the World God was an Enemy he cannot be overcome but must be reconciled the Law an Enemy that could not be disannulled but must be satisfied Sin the World and Satan assault us out of Malice they make themselves our Enemies the Law and God are made Enemies out of our Rebellion therefore Christ must satisfy as well as overcome To reconcile God he shed his Blood on the Cross Justice must have a Sacrifice and the Law Satisfaction the Curses of the Law are not to fall to the ground some Body must be made a Curse to keep up the Authority of the Law the Law was an Innocent Enemy and therefore not to be relaxed or repealed Partly in regard of the different Fight of the other Enemies that are Enemies out of Malice Satan is not only a Tempter but an Accuser as a Tempter so Christ was to overcome him by his Power as an Accuser by his Merit when Satan condemneth Christ is to intercede and represent his own Merit the Plaister must be as broad as the Sore so far as Satan is an Enemy so far must Christ be a Saviour and Redeemer by his Power against the Temptations by his Merit against the Accusations of Satan as the Devil is an Accuser Christ is an Advocate Partly because Satan hath a double Power over a Sinner Legal and Usurped Legal as God's Executioner by the ordination of God's Justice Heb. 2.14 That through Death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil Christ is to die to put Satan out of Office Usurped as the God of this World God made him an Executioner we a Prince John 12.31 Now shall the Prince of this World be cast out Christ rescueth Prisoners Isa. 49.9 That thou mayest say to the Prisoners Go forth He will rescue and recover the Elect when by their own default they put themselves in Satan's hands Partly for our Comfort by his own Obedience and Merit Christ giveth us a Right and Title but by his Efficacy and Power he giveth us Possession He is to buy our Peace Grace Comfort and then to see that we are possessed of it Well then own him as Jesus as the only Saviour Acts 4.17 The Apostles were charged not to preach any more in the Name of Jesus Rest upon his Merit and wait for his Power 1. Rest upon his Merit Troubled Consciences that think to help themselves by their own Care and Resolution are like Men that are like to perish in the Waters and when a Boat is sent out to help them think to swim to shore by their own strength You would be a Saviour to your selves your own Jesus and your own Christ. God is very jealous of the Creature 's Trust and Christ saith Isa. 45.5 I am the Lord and there is none else there is no Saviour besides me You would purchase your Peace conquer your own Enemies and then come to Christ. No Mony of yours is currant in Heaven the Jewels of the Covenant are not sold for any price but Christ's Blood and Christ's Obedience God saith Isa. 55.1 He that hath no Mony let him come and buy Wine and Milk without Mony and without Price He sold to Christ but he giveth to you he asketh nothing of you but Acceptance Will you take it They that refuse Christ and refuse Comfort till they be holy in themselves they have a shew of Humility they would wear their own Garments spend their own Mony but the Spirit is never more proud than when under a legal Dejection we scorn to put on Christ's Robes and are better contented with our own spotted Garments as in outward things we prefer a Russet Coat of our own before a Velvet Coat of another's This is peevish Pride 2. Wait for his Power and Efficacy in the use of Means It is bestowed on us by virtue of his Intercession We are saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 If when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his Life We are reconciled by his Merit but saved by his Life He liveth in Heaven and procureth Influences of his Grace Therefore he is said to be able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God through him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us Heb. 7.25 In Heaven he accomplisheth the other part of his Priesthood He doth not work out a part of Man's Salvation and leave the rest to our free Will the sacrificing part is ended and by his Intercession we get the Merit applied to us But we must not be idle we must come with Supplications and present the Case to Christ that Christ may present it to God Our Groans must answer to the earnestness of his Intercession and then we shall receive Supplies The Word is called The Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1.16 Those that conscionably use Prayer and wait for Christ in the Word will find him to be a Saviour indeed The Word is the effectual Means to save Men how foolish and despicable soever it seem in the World God would work with us rationally We cannot expect a brutish bent c. Thirdly The next thing is That he is Christ an anointed Saviour This fitly followeth the former Jesus signifies his Divinity and Christ his Humanity We are not only to know his Person but his Office John 1.41 We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ or Anointed This is often expressed in Scripture Psal. 45.8 He is anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Isa. 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek So Acts 4.27 Against thy Holy Child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the People of Israel were gathered together So Acts 10.38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power Out of all which places we see that Christ's anointing is not to be understood properly but by a Trope the Sign is put for the Thing signified 1. Who was anointed Among
good Work it is not of your selves but of God Every Act every Degree of Holiness is from God III. For whom he prayeth the Apostles I. That were already holy John 13.10 Ye are clean and in the Verse immediately preceding They are not of the World yet now Sanctify them let their Hearts be more heavenly and their Lives more pure every day Observe Those that are sanctified need to be sanctified more and more Rev. 22 1â— He that is righteous let him be righteous still he that is holy let him be holy still 1. Our inward Sanctification must increase because of the weakness of present Grace and the relicts of Corruption 2 Cor. 4.16 Tho our outward Man perish yet the inward Man is renewed day by day It is not a Work to be done at once 1 Thess. 5.23 And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is perfect in parts at first the New Creature doth not come out maimed but not in degrees there is need of more Sanctification in Spirit in Soul in Body the Kingdom of Heaven increaseth by degrees 2. Our outward Man must be cleansed day by day because of new defilements John 13.10 He that is washed needeth not but to wash his Feet but is clean every whit It is an Allusion to a Man coming from the Bath his Feet contract Soil in the Passage Your Persons are sanctified by the Spirit but when you are never so holy there are new Defilements Vse 1. Be not satisfied with any present degrees of Grace There is an holy Covetousness I count not my self to have attained Phil. 3.14 Christ is so full that we cannot receive all at once 2. It is a strange Conceit in any to think they may be too good When we begin to be unwilling to grow better we begin to wax worse it is a good degree of Grace to know our Defects 3. Therefore let us use Means to persist in Holiness to increase in Holiness especially Prayer which is the Breath which God hath appointed to keep in the Flame II. For the Persons once more They were to preach the Word as a Preparative he prayeth for Sanctification Observe Holiness is a good Preparative to the Ministry and they are inwardly consecrated by the Spirit sanctifying them 1. That they may have experience of the Truth of the Doctrine upon their own Hearts The Apostles were to preach the Truth to others now saith he Sanctify them through thy Truth I believed and therefore have I spoken Psal. 116.10 We speak best when we speak by experience This is the right way of getting Sermons by Heart We are God's Witnesses now we should have sound Experience 1 John 1.1 That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our Eyes which we have looked upon and our Hands have handled of the Word of Life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you Ezekiel was first to eat the Roll Ezek. 3. 1 2 3. not only to see it and to hear it but to eat it Ministers must first eat themselves then feed others We are not to speak by hear-say to deliver God's Message as a meer Narration but out of a deep Impression on the Heart What cometh from the Heart and from Experience is quick and lively 2. For the Honour of God Carnal Ministers bring a Reproach upon the Ordinances 1 Sam. 2.17 The Sin of the young Men was very great before the Lord for Men abhorred the Offering of the Lord. Who will take Meat out of a Leprous Hand 3. To answer the Types of the Law Aaron and his Sons were sanctified for the Levitical Priesthood Exod. 29.4 To be washed with Blood and Oil to be washed in the great Laver sprinkled with Blood anointed with Oil which denotes Remission of Sins Regeneration the Gifts of the Spirit 1 John 5.8 There are three that bear Witness in Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood Every Office should have a solemn Consecration Vse 1. Ministers should look to their inward Call They that are designed to serve God in a special manner must look after special Purity It breedeth Atheism when we do not live up to our Doctrine People will say they must say something for their Living 2. Let People look to their choice of Ministers There is a great deal of difference between an Eloquent and an Experienced Pastor Secondly We now come to the Means or Manner how Christ's Request is to be accomplished by thy Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may be rendred in thy Truth or by thy Truth oâ— through thy Truth as Vers. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without an Article that they may be sanctified through the Truth or as in the Margeâ—t truly sanctified but we better render it by the Truth there is an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not in Truth but in the Truth and it is presently added thy Word is Truth So that it noteth not the kind of their Sanctification but the Instrument and Means Now these words by thy Truth may be understood either of God's Faithfulness or his revealed Will both which are called his Truth Of God's Faithfulness as Vers. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as keep them by thy Power so sanctify them by or according to thy Truth and Faithfulness But this Exposition tho plausible yet is not so proper because it is presently added thy Word is Truth By Truth then is meant not his Faithfulness but his revealed Will. Now God hath revealed his Will by the Light of Nature or by the Light of his Word That Will of God which is revealed by the Light of Nature is called Truth so the Gentiles are charged Rom. 1.8 With-holding the Truth in Vnrighteousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which may be known of God Vers. 19. is called Truth How came the Gentiles by the Truth who are strangers to the Covenant of Promise The Apostle answereth much of God was known to them But this Truth that is here spoken of is the Will of God made known in his Word or the Knowledg of things necessary to Salvation concerning God and his Worship first delivered by the Prophets afterwards explained by Christ himself to the Apostles and by them consigned to the Church Now the Truths delivered in the Word may be referred to two Heads Law and Gospel The distinction in Christ's Time was Law and Prophets In this place Christ chiefly intendeth the Gospel the Truth which they were sent to preach to others Christ would have them to have an experience of it themselves And it is notable that in many places of Scripture the Gospel is called Truth not only in opposition to humane Writings but also with respect to the Law and other parts of Scripture because it is the Truth by way of eminency as we call the Plague
precious Ointment upon the Head that ran down upon the Beard even Aaron 's Beard that went down to the Skirts of his Garment So our Head is anointed with the Oil of Gladness for our sakes Christ received the Spirit without measure in our Nature as Holiness Pity and the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg Look as when an Ambassador is sent forth there is not only a designation of his Person but he is furnished for his Emploiment and Work So is Jesus Christ sent forth that is his Person not only designed and chosen in Grace and yet in Wisdom but also furnished with all manner of Endowments in our Nature Grace and Strength for his Work as our Head 3. This Sending implies Authority and noteth a Commission sealed to him so that he was an Authorized Mediator or an Ambassador with Letters Patents from Heaven This is the principal thing intended in this Sending the Call and Authority Christ had to do his Office Heb. 5.4 5. No Man taketh this honour to himself but he that was called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee He was designed in the Council of the Trinity And as every Ambassador hath Letters of Credence under the Hand and Seal of him from whom he is sent that he may be acknowledged as his Deputy to act for him So Christ is sent as God's Deputy into the World to act and deal for him and the Apostles they are thus sent from Christ to act and deal for Christ. Here the Comparison chiefly holds As thou hast sent me into the World that is given me Authority to execute the Office of a Mediator So have I sent them I have given them Authority to preach in my Name and to deliver the Gospel to others This sending of Christ it maketh all that Christ doth in the Father's Name to be valid which is much for the comfort of our Faith Christ is not a Mediator by the right or meerly by the desire of the Creature or by his own Interposition but he is sent and authorized you may plead it with God he hath sent him to save Sinners You know Moses when he interposed on his own accord Exod. 32.32 Forgive their Sin and if not blot me I pray thee out of thy Book which thou hast written Tho it was an high Act of Zeal in Moses yet God refused it Vers. 33. And the Lord said to Moses Whosoever hath sinned against me him will make I blot out of my Book So if Christ had been set up as Mediator by the Right and Desire of the Creature only he might have been refused but he was authorised by God he did not glorify himself by invasion of the Mediatory Office but had a Patent from the Council of the Trinity indited by the Father accepted by himself sealed by the Holy Ghost evidenced to the World by his Personal Endowments and by his Miracles Thus you see what this Sending is it implies the Designation of the Father the Qualification of his Person for the Work and his Authority to execute it in his Name III. To what purpose was he sent into the World I Answer To perform the whole Duty of the Mediator but principally to redeem and instruct the World those two Offices of Prophet and Priest Christ performed upon Earth The Apostle toucheth upon them Heb. 3.1 Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ. Mark the Apostle mentioneth but two Offices but they were the highest in both the Churches the High Priest was the highest Officer in the Jewish Church therefore he saith he was the High Priest of our Profession And an Apostle was the highest Officer in the Christian Church therefore he saith he was the Apostle of our Profession And he mentions but these two because these were the two Offices Christ chiefly performed upon Earth he came to preach the Gospel which we profess so he is the Apostle of our Profession and he came to ratify it with his Blood so he is the High Priest of our Profession In short he came to deal with God and with Men To deal with God and so is an High Priest to pacify God to offer such a Sacrifice as might satisfy God and he came to deal with Men and so be is an Apostle to open the everlasting Gospel to bring it out of the Bosom of God to our Hearts His Kingly Office was but little exercised upon Earth We have a glimpse of his Kingly Office or rather of his Divine Nature in turning the Mony-Changers out of the Temple but it was little exercised upon Earth Why because this was the time of Christ's Humiliation Now the Kingly Office suits more with the Exaltation of Christ when he comes the second time then he comes to exercise his Kingly Office to reign and scatter his Enemies and shew his Kingly Power but now he came to teach and to suffer That is the Reason why his Kingly Office is made the Consequent of his Resurrection Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right Hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give Repentance to Israel and Forgiveness of Sins Was not Christ King of the Church and King before his Resurrection I Answer As God so he was a King from all Eternity and in the days of his Flesh he was our Mediator therefore certainly King Priest and Prophet but in the World he did not come to possess his Kingdom but only to preach it and divulge it Therefore he saith to Pilate John 18.36 My Kingdom is not of this World if my Kingdom were of this World then would my Servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my Kingdom not from hence Christ came to bear witness that he was King but did not come to possess his Kingdom and act as a King As soon as ever he was consecrated to be a Mediator he was King Priest and Prophet of the Church Look as David was King before God as soon as he was Anointed long before he possessed the Throne and was crowned at Hebron 1 Sam. 16.13 for he was King when he wandred up and down and was hunted like a Flea or like a Partridg upon the Mountains So Christ in the time of his Humiliation was a King but did not exercise his Kingdom Chiefly then he was sent into the World the first time to redeem and instruct the World To redeem the World 1 John 4.10 God loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins This was Christ's first Errand to make Satisfaction for Sins afterwards he will come to destroy his Enemies at his second coming And to instruct the World that is of special consideration in this place As thou hast sent me into the World so have I sent them into the World Christ sent Disciples as a Prophet and in
2. They that begin their Happiness here nâ—â—e it their study to know Christ. John 17.3 This is Life Eternal to know thee the only â—â—ue God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent there is the Foundation and the beginning of it Study Christ in his Natures Person Offices this is fit Work for Saints Saith Moses Exod. 33.18 Shew me thy Glory 1. It is an Increasing Light but to the Wicked it is a growing Darkness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 outer Darkness Mat. 25.30 there they are held in Chains of Darkness you love Darkness better than Light and you shall have Darkness enough one Day Now there is a thick Curtain and Vail drawn between you and Christ and hereafter there will be a deep Gulph but our work in Heaven is to behold Christ's Glory Can a Man look for it and not follow on to know the Lord None shall have a fight of Christ hereafter that do not know him now 2. It must be such a Light as carries proportion with the Light of Glory that is an Affective transforming Light 1. An Affective Light Many may study to warm the Brain but not the Heart Rom. 2.20 Which hast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Form of Knowledg and of the Truth in the Law They may discourse more exactly than a good Christian have a Map and Model of Truth in the Brain they dig in the Mines of Knowledg that Christians may have the Gold Do you see him with any Affection Do you strive above all things to see his Face Psal. 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my Life to behold the Beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple It is David's Vnicum Moses Ravishment when he saw God's back Parts Exod. 34.9 If now I have found Grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us That is one effect of the sight of God a Man would not be without his Company I pray thee go amongst us As Absolom said 2 Sam. 14.32 Come hither that I may send thee to the King to say Wherefore am I come from Geshur It had been good for me to have been there still now therefore let me see the King's Face and if there be any iniquity in me let him kill me as if he should say let him kill me rather than deny me the King's Face Prize this above all the World Psal. 4.6 7. Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us Thou hast put Gladness in my Heart more than in the time that their Corn and their Wine increased Psal. 80.3 Cause thy Face to shine and we shall be saved 2. It is Transforming 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Light and Grace do always go together It is such a looking upon Christ as Laban's Sheep looked upon the peeled Rods in the Gutter it maketh us more like Christ. Sight worketh upon the Imagination in Brute Beasts Shall not the Eye of Faith be more strong to change than Natural Imagination A bare empty Contemplation will do you no good those that find themselves to be the Old Man still let them have never so much Knowledg it is no sign of Grace nor of an Interest in Glory Vse 3. Let the foresight of this glorious Estate wean thee from all inordinate Affections to Humane and Earthly Glory There is the Lust of the Eyes 1 John 2.16 By the Eyes we fire our Hearts Doth a stately glorious House allure thee What is this to Heaven the Palace of God and the Mansion of Blessed Spirits Do glorious Garments and Apparel bewitch thee What is this to our Robes of Righteousness and those Garments of Salvation wherewith the Saints shall be cloathed in the Day of the Manifestation of the Sons of God Doth the Face of Earthly Majesty astonish thee What will it be to behold the Lord Jesus in all his Majesty and Glory As the Sun puts out the Candle so should the fore-thought of these Excellencies extinguish in us carnal Desire and dissolve the Inchantment that would otherwise bewitch our Souls and make us impatient under the Cross. Beware of the Vanity of the Eye if it be consecrated to behold Christ's Glory Fifthly The next thing is the Reason of all this the Father's Eternal Love to Christ and in Christ to us For thou hast loved me before the Foundation of the World that is from all Eternity as the Phrase is often used in this sense in Scripture But how was Christ loved from all Eternity I Answer Partly as 〈◊〉 Eternal Son of God Prov. 8. from 21 to verse 30. before the Mountains were setled before the Hills were brought forth Partly as Mediator designed from all Eternity and so loved before the Foundation of the World as he was slain before the Foundation of the World Rev. 13.8 Christ was our Mediator from all Eternâ—â—â—y not only before we were born but before ever he came in the Flesh. To the Eyâ— of God all things are present nothing is past nothing is to come But why is this made a Reason I Answer It is a Reason 1. Of the last Clause the Glory given to Christ is a Fruit and Evidence of God's Eternal Love to him as Mediator for so he is considered here for what-ever was given to Christ was given to him as Mediator for to the Divine Nature nothing can be given tho the Father be the Fountain of the Godhead yet he is not so properly said to give Glory to Christ as God because he loved him 2. Of the whole Verse and so you may conceive it either thus that he improved his whole Interest in the Father conjuring him by his Infinite and Eternal Love or rather from Love to himself inferreth Love to us thou hast loved me and them in me for we also are loved before the Foundation of the World Mat. 25.34 Come ye blessed of my Father inherit a Kingdom prepared for you before the Foundation of the World The Point to be discussed is The Eternity of God's Love to Christ and in Christ to us 1. The Eternity of God's Love to Christ as God as his Son the Love of Parents to Children is but a shadow of it We are Finite so are our Affections As his Image Heb. 1.3 Who is the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person Likeness is the Ground of Love God loves Christ not only as like him but as being of the same Essence with himself 1 John 5.7 For there are Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One. There is no created Instance to answer it all that we love are without us but Christ is of the same Essence with God Then
there is such a thing as Eternal good for natural desires are not frustrate nature doth nothing in vain 2dly Now as these are increased and are more earnest directed to a more certain scope to Holy Men it doth more confirm it For holiness was never designed for our Torment The more Holy any are the more they long These desires are of Gods own planting raised up in them by his Spirit and therefore will not be disappointed 2dly It informs us how far they are from the Spirit of sincere Christians who are content to live here always Will not part with their earthly portion Their Hearts are set upon satisfying the vile lusts of the Body They are not as yet weaned Children but hang upon the worlds dug have no desire of that great happiness and Glory which God hath provided in the other world Such as mens natures are such will their desires be Most men are at home in this world pitch their Tents here desire no other portion than they have in hand there is a suitableness between the world and them As Fishes desire to be in the water and Fowls in the Air so they are the Children of this world and their Hearts cleave to present things Psal. 17.14 2. Use. To exhort us to rowse up our languid and cold affections That they may be more earnestly carryed out after Heavenly things and with greater fervency seek after them 1. Consider how clear these things are to the eye of faith In the promise you may see enough to awaken the most dead Heart The hope is set before thee Heb. 6.18 If we had eyes to see it So 't is said of Christ Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy set before him The promise sets it in our view that we may eye it much and often look upon it and press earnestly towards it sense cannot discover it but in the Scripture there is a clear representation and firm promise if we had more lively apprehensions and certain expectations we would more long after it 2dly The miseries and troubles of the present world are matters of sense Sense cannot discover what should draw our desires yet sense can discover what should drive them from the world enough to set us a groaning in a way of sorrow if not a groaning and desiring in a way of hope The misery of the present state is no matter of faith we need not Scripture to tell us that we are burthened and pained and conflict with sundry Tryals Oh draw off thy Heart more and more 3dly Rowse up you your Love Can you Love Christ and not long to be with him Col. 3.2 3. Set your affections on things above not on things on the Earth for you are deed and your Life is hid with Christ in God If Christ be in Heaven and your Life there should not your Love be there SERMON V. 2 Cor. 5.3 If so be that being Clothed we shall not be found naked THe Apostle here limiteth the Priviledge of the certainty of putting on Heavenly Glory which is not Common to all men but only belongeth to the faithful He limiteth also the desire of that happy estate which he had produced as an evidence of the certainty of it to the same faithful ones who departing out of this Life to an immortal Eternal estate are not found naked that is destitute of that true covering wherewith our filthy nakedness is Covered We groan and desire earnestly If so be c. There are several senses given of these words I shall only take notice of Two that seem to offer themselves with equal probability the First is built upon the special notion of that word to be Clothed upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in the former verse I Know not or I am ignorant of the mind of God in this thing whether we shall be found Clothed with our Bodies or naked that is stripped of our Bodies at the Lords coming As if it had respect to that mystery spoken of 1 Thes. 4.17 That we that are alive or remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air And to be for ever with the Lord. And 1 Cor. 15.51 Behold I shew you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed 2dly The other sense giveth us the reason why he and all the saints groaned or longed to be Clothed upon because they were prepared or made ready because they were found Clothed with the Righteousness and Holiness of Christ in the day of their transmigration whereas others who are naked and destitute of this Righteousness of Christ cannot and are not to expect this Glory I shall give my reasons why though both be probable I prefer this latter sense 1. 'T is not every probable to imagine that the Apostle should conceive that possibly they might survive till the coming of Christ or that his Gospel Kingdom should be of so short Continuance as that they should see the end of it especially when he had so zealously cautioned them against that mistake that the Day of Christ was at hand 2 Thes. 3.2 2dly In the first verse he supposeth a dissolution of the Earthly House of this Tabernacle where he compareth the weak and mortal estate of the bodily Life to a Tabernacle or Tent which men in their Travel easily set up and at their departure take down again or let fall of its own accord And that the Glorious estate which he expected should ensue after this Tabernacle was taken down or dissolved and he proveth his certain Knowledge of this because he and all the Saints groaned Even all those were Clothed and not Naked 3dly What he expected and groaned for he sheweth in the 8 th verse We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the Body and present with the Lord. Therefore Paul doth not suppose that he should live in the Body till Christ should come to change his Body without having need to put it off 4thly The commodiousness of the other sense and suitableness of it to other Scriptures where nakedness and clothing is used Metaphorically and with respect to our final estate of Glory or being found of Christ in the day of our transmigration That holiness is the true wedding Garment Matth. 22. That the graces of the Spirit are Garments of Salvation and Christs Righteousness represented by a robe is evident by Isa. 61.10 And many other Scriptures That we put on Christ that the Church is Clothed with the Sun Rev. 12.1 is a thing so evident that it needeth not to be insisted on And that in this estate we must be found of Christ at his coming to the general Judgement or to us in particular is evident by many Scriptures Rev. 16.15 Behold I come as a Thief Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame A Christian is Clothed with Christ and his Righteousness which is a covering which is not too