he will worship God and report that God is in you of a Truth In converting Sinners to God James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth In building up them that are sanctified Acts 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among them that are sanctified This is no sluggish idle Power that may be hid and obscured but manifests it self by sensible Effects it is lively and operative not only to change Men's Lives but Hearts Psal. 19.7 8. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the Simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the Heart the Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the Eyes This the Apostle makes to be a sensible proof of Christ speaking in him 2 Cor. 13.3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me which to you-ward is not weak but is mighty in you Object But this is an Argument to those that have felt it How will it perswade others Answ. 1. It is an Argument to others also for this mighty Operation is sensible to others they may see the change wrought in them and wonder at it 1 Pet. 4.4 Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to all excess of Riot 2. There are publick Effects of the Power of the Word besides private Instances Wherever the Word hath been Satan vanished where formerly he tyrannized and his Deceits are of no more force Oracles ceased at Delphos the Devils howled Where the Gospel is preached there are less Witchcrafts and Diabolical Delusions they are not so frequent where the Gospel has had a free passage 3. Those that have felt no experience of this Power have a secret fear of it John 3.20 Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light left his Deeds should be reproved Conscience is afraid of the Majesty of God shining forth in the Scriptures Men dare not pause upon and consider the Doctrine therein contained Atheism lieth in the Heart the Seat of Desire Psal. 14.1 The Fool hath said in his Heart There is no God Men question the Word because they would not have it true When Men give leave to Lusts they are afraid the Word should prove true and therefore would rather accuse the Word of Falsity than their own Hearts as Ahab was loth to hear Micaiah because he prophesied Evil. Strong Lusts make the Soul incredulous they fear the Scriptures and then question them They know there is Power in them to astonish them and therefore as Malefactors desire to destroy the Records and Evidences that are against them so do wicked Men they are Antiscripturists in Affection rather than Opinion Fifthly By the Spirit 's Testimony That it is so is clear 1 John 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth witness because the Spirit is Truth The Doctrine of the Gospel is there called Spirit because he is the Author of it 2 Pet. 1.21 For the Prophecy came not in old Time by the Will of Men but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Or because the Spirit is Truth therefore he is the Supreme Witness He is of God's Privy Council 1 Cor. 2.11 For what Man knoweth the Things of a Man save the Spirit of Man that is in him Even so the Things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God Now the Spirit witnesseth from Heaven or on Earth 1 John 5.7 8. For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. And there are three that bear witness in Earth the Spirit and the Water and Blood and these three agree in One. From Heaven in Miracles and so Christ as God might be a Witness in his own Cause On Earth so in an Association and Conjunction with Water and Blood when we feel the Effects of it in ease of Conscience or Sanctification of Heart And over and above the Spirit 's Testimony there is an inward Testimony 1 John 5.10 He that believeth in the Son of God hath the Testimony in himself But what is this inward Testimony a Witness to the Truth of Scripture by the certainty of our own Thoughts it is not that which every one's Mind and Fancy suggests to him but the Light of the Holy Ghost leading us into the acknowledgment of the Truth the same Holy Ghost which inspired the Penmen of the Scriptures inclines our Hearts to believe them 1 John 2.27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you all things and is Truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Faith cannot be wrought by Humane Authority or more rational Inducements it is the Work of the Spirit We may plead and urge but the Heart closeth not with what is represented till the Spirit worketh Isa. 53.1 Who hath believed our Report and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed There is an outward Report and an inward Revelation This Testimony of the Spirit may be thus discerned 1. It is affective Truth represented in the Light of Reason leaveth a weak Impression but Truth represented in the Evidence and Demonstration of the Spirit 2. Cor. 2.4 worketh after another manner sees another manner of excellency and beauty in Christ another manner of vanity in the Creatures 2. It draweth to Admiration Psal. 119.18 Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law A Man never wondreth so at the dreadfulness of God's Wrath at the sweetness of God's Mercy in Christ at the Evil of Sin the strictness of Duty till the Spirit opens his Eyes Acts 13.12 Then the Deputy when he saw what was done believed being astonished at the Doctrine of the Lord. 3. It begets more certainty Till we have the Spirit 's Light we have but a trembling wavering Opinion but then we have that which the Apostle calleth The Fulness of the Assurance of Vnderstanding Col. 2.2 Tho we have no other Arguments yet we see by another Light As Gerson reporteth of a devout Man that doubted of an Article of Faith and came to be setled not by any new Demonstration but by the humiliation and captivation of the Understanding to see more by former Arguments As Hagar's Eyes were opened to see the Fountain by her Gen. 21.19 The Spirit taketh away the Vail of Ignorance the Pride of Reason and by an over-powering Force maketh the Soul stoop to the simplicity of the Gospel 4. It is a transforming Light 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 our God A Man
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
is not so tender of his Works as of his Word It is more firm and stable than the Frame of Heaven and Earth that shall be dissolved but not the least Point of Truth shall fail Heaven and Earth do only continue till all that is prophesied of 〈◊〉 the Word be fulfilled His Word endureth for ever We shall have the Comfort of it in Heaven when all these things are melted 2. Nay which is more the Treason plotted against Christ taketh place that 〈◊〉 Word may be fulfilled and one main Reason why Christ came into the World was to accomplish the Word tho it cost him his Life yet saith he Heb. 10.7 Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God Promises shall be fulfilled tho most difficult for God to grant or us to believe Rather than God baulk from his Word God would send his Son to die for a sinful World Vse 1. Wait for the Accomplishment of Prophecies fear the Truth of Threatnings Hos. 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard Isa. 34.16 Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read No one of these shall fail none shall want her Mate For my Mouth it hath commanded and his Spirit it hath gathered them Look into the Book of the Law where these Curses are recorded When the Day of Execution cometh take this Prophecy into your hands see if any of these be found wanting not one thing shall fail This is the Unhappiness of Ministers all other Professions are believed when they discover Danger But who hath believed our Report It is our Duty to observe all Occurrences and compare the Rule and Event together and observe what Truth God makes good by what is fallen out and come to pass And so wait for the Accomplishment of Promises whatever Inconveniences fall out they shall be fulfilled When a Promise is thrown into the Fire it shall come out again and be fulfilled in its due time Vse 2. Here is Comfort to the Godly against the Wrath of their Enemies God hath a hand not only in Sickness and Famine but the Treasons of Men against Christ. If the Rod smites it is in the Father's hand Let Men live how they will yet God will have his Will if not his Will of Command his Will of Decree His Glory shall prevail at last You cannot hurt God whether you will or no he will be glorified SERMON XXI JOHN XVII 13 And now come I to Thee and these things I speak in the World that they might have my Ioy fulfilled in themselves OUR Lord is still amplifying that Argument of his own Departure and the Disciples danger in the World and so justifieth his earnestness in Prayer for them I come to thee and must leave their Company and therefore I have need to make some provision for them In the Argument of this Text Christ sheweth what was his special Aim in the whole Prayer He is so earnest not to blemish the Father as if he were backward and wanted Mercy but for their Comfort that they might know what Prayers were laid up in store for them and to give them a taste of his own Care He prayeth with them that they might know how he prayed for them Christ would have something left upon Record as a Pledg of his Affections to the Church These things I speak in the World c. In the words not to speak of the Occasion I come to thee which signifieth not his Address in Prayer but his Ascension to God as was cleared before Vers. 11. In the rest of the words we have Christ's Action and Christ's Aim The Comfort of the Disciples where we have the Author My Joy the Manner how received for quantity fulfilled the Quality in themselves And these things I speak in the World That is make this Prayer in their hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speak it signifieth Prayer with an audible Voice elsewhere he useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And here a Record and Patern is left for the use of the Church in all Ages That they may have my Joy What is the meaning of that 1. Because he rejoiceth in our Good My Joy and your Joy are distinguished John 15.11 These things have I spoken to you that my Joy should be fulfilled in you and that your Joy might be full There is nothing maketh the Heart of Christ so glad as to see his Members thrive in Peace and Grace So the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.2 Fulfil ye my Joy Nothing could be more comfortable to Paul than to see the Philippians thrive in Grace Thus some interpret it actively of the Joy which Christ hath in the good of his Members But I suppose it is rather to be taken passively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in themselves 2. Others think that by my Joy is meant a Joy like mine when they feel the same Desires kindled in their Hearts they may be comforted with the workings of the same Spirit of Prayer in them that is feel such a Joy as I feel in uttering these Requests But this doth not run so smoothly 3. My Joy because he is the Author of it Gaudium ex me Joy which I work as Mediator and Redeemer Of our selves we have nothing but Despair and Trouble Isa. 57.19 I create the Fruit of the Lips Peace Peace to him that is afar of and to him that is near and I will heal him We possess it but it is Christ's Joy he worketh it and causeth it by his Spirit elsewhere it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.6 4. My Joy because he is the Object of it Gaudium de me that that Joy which they have conceived from my Presence with them or care of them may not be lessened but increased that this Spiritual Joy may be fulfilled These two latter are of chief regard May be fulfilled not only accomplished but be abundant as Chap. 15.11 That your Joy may be full The filling up of Joy is a Phrase proper to S. John Ch. 3.29 This my Joy therefore is fulfilled saith John the Baptist because he heard the Bridegroom's Voice So 1 John 1.4 These things we write unto you that your Joy may be full And 2 Epist. 12. vers I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our Joy may be full Possibly this Joy is called a Full Joy not with respect to it self but with respect to other Joys In it self it is always a growing and receiveth a daily increase till it be perfected in Heaven Here we have but some fore-running Beams of the Noon of Glory the first Fruits of the Harvest The Joy of the World is a lank empty Joy In themselves that is in their Hearts by their own feeling and experience they have need of something within for they have nothing without John 16.33 In the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good comfort I
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
of Adoption no less Agent or Witness will serve the turn Rom. 8.16 The spirit its self beareth witness to our spirits that we are the children of God When that is done yet the glory intended to be revealed in us is not sufficiently known we have not now an heart to conceive of it 1 Cor. 2.9 And Prophesie is but in-part 1 Cor. 12.9 And the Apostle when wrapt up in Paradise heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 12.4 Heavenly joys cannot be told us in an earthly dialect the Scripture is fain to lisp to us and to speak something of it as we can understand and conceive of things to come by things present therefore our glory is in a great measure unknown and will be till the day of manifestation and then there shall be a Crown of Glory prepared for us 3. Why this Glory is hidden 1. Because now is the time of tryal hereafter of recompence Therefore now is the hiding time hereafter is the day of the manifestation of the sons of God if the glory were too sensible there were no trial neither of the world nor of the people of God Christ himself might be discerned by those who had a mind to see him yet there was obscurity enough in his Person to harden those that were resolved to continue in their prejudices therefore 't is said Luke 2.39 This child was set for the rise and fall of many in Israel So if the whole excellency of a Christians estate were laid open to the view of fense there would be no trial Christ had his bright side and dark side a glory to be seen by those whose eyes were anointed with spiritual eye-salve John 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the father And affliction and meaness enough to harden those who had no mind to see So God hath his chosen ones in the world who keep up his honour and interest and he hath his ways to to express his love to them but not openly they are called his hidden ones Psal. 80.3 They are under his secret blessing and protection but not visibly owned but in such a way as may be best for their trial and the trial of the world The Lord Jesus came not with external appearance his Divine Nature was hidden under the vail of his flesh and his Dignity and Excellency under a base and mean outside in the outward estate there was nothing lovely to be seen by a carnal eye Isa. 53.2 He hath no form and comliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him Yet in himself he was the brightness of the Divine Glory and the express image of his person Heb. 1.3 2. God hath chosen this way to advance his glory that he may perfect his power in our weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 By wants and weaknesses his fatherly love appeareth to us more than in an absolute and total exemption from them God would not so often hear from us nor would we have such renewed experiences to revive the sense of his fatherly love and grace which would otherwise be dead and cold in our hearts were it not for these wants and afflictions during our minority and nonage 3. To wean and draw us off from things present to things to come That we may be contented to be hidden from and hated by the world if the course of our service expose us to it for we must not look upon things as they are or seem to be now but what they will be hereafter Now is the trouble then the reward present time is quickly past and therefore we should be dead to present profits and present pleasures and present honours and look to eternity that is to come 2 Cor. 4.18 While we look not to the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Oh how glorious will the derided vilified Believer be then It should be our Ambition to look after this honour 't is the day of the manifestation of the Sons of Cod tho the wicked have a larger allowance by the bounty of Gods common Providence yet you have his special love We think God doth not place his hands aright no! God doth not misplace his hands as Joseph thought of his Father Gen. 48. when he preferred Ephraim befor Manasseh What a poor condition was the only Begotten Son of God in when he lived in the world When you are poorer than Christ then complain tho you do not enjoy Pleasures Honours Riches Esteem yet if you enjoy the Favour of God 't is enough tho mean yet if heirs of glory Jam. 2.5 God doth not esteem persons according to their outward lustre 1 Sam. 16.7 Look not on his countenance or the height of his stature for the Lord seeth not as man seeth for man looketh upon the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart 2. How manifested Their persons shall be known and owned Rev. 3.5 But I will confess his name before my Father and before his Angels 'T is no litigious debate then no more doubt when owned not by Charracter but by Name they shall be manifested to themselves and their glory also revealed to the world by the visible marks of favour Christ will put upon them when others are rejected Isa. 66.5 But he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Yea the world shall stand wondring 2 Thes. 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe 2. Doct. That the state of the creatures shall he renewed when Gods children come to be manifested in their glory For he saith the whole Creation groaneth and waiteth 1. This is clear that heaven and earth that is the lower Heavens and the Elementary Bodies as well as the earth shall suffer some kind of change at the last day for 't is said Psal. 102.26 As a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed He will change them quite from the condition wherein they now are 2. That this change of the world and the heavenly and elementary bodies shall be by fire 2 Pet. 3.7 The heavens and the earth which are now reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and the perdition of ungodly men 3. That notwithstanding this fire and universal destruction rational creatures shall subsist to all eternity in their proper place assigned to each of them the Godly in Heaven the wicked in Hell Matth. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into eternal life 4. 'T is probable that the bruits and plants and all such corruptible bodies as are necessary to the animal life but superfluous to life everlasting shall be utterly destroyed 5. That the world and elementaty bodies shall be refined and purged by this fire and
upon the Son but through the Blessed Spirit and so we come aright to God 2. That prayer may carry proportion with other duties All the Children of God are led by the spirit of God Rom. 8.14 as in their whole conversation so especially in this act of prayer Look as in common providence no creature is exempted from the influence of it for in him they all live move and have their being exempt any creature from the dominion of providence and then that creature would live of its self So as to gracious and special providence you cannot exempt one action from the spirits influence for we live in the spirit and walk in the spirit Gal. 5.25 We sing with the spirit and hear in the spirit and serve God in the spirit so we pray in the spirit only there is a special regard to this duty because here we have experience of the motions of the renewed Soul directly towards God and so of the comforts and graces of the spirit more than in other duties 3. Because of our impotency We cannot speak of God without the Spirit much less to God 1 Cor. 12.3 No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost That is on him as the Messiah and Redeemer of the World 'T was a deadly state the Redeemer found us in to lessen mans misery was to lessen the grace of Christ so we must not extenuate the Honour of our Sanctifier we can neither live nor work nor walk nor pray without the Spirit The help is not needless if we consider what we are and what prayer is what we are who are enemies to our own happiness and holiness and Prayer which requireth such serious work surely the setting of our hearts and all our hopes upon an invisible Glory and measuring all things thereunto is a work too hard for a carnal sensual creature that is wedded to present satisfactions and without this there is no praying in a spiritual manner they that love sin will never heartily pray against it and they that hate an Holy Spiritual Heavenly life can never seek the advancement of it Now this is our case we may babble and speak things by rote or we may have a natural fervency when we pray for Corn Wine and Oyl and Justification and Sanctification in order thereunto we may have a Wish but not a serious Volition of spiritual and heavenly things which is the Life and Soul of Prayer 4. With respect to acceptance Psal. 10.17 When thou preparest the heart thou bendest the ear Rom. 8.27 He knoweth the mind of the spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God God knoweth what is a belch of the flesh and what is a groan of the Spirit every voice but that of his Spirit is strange and barbarous to him he puts us upon holy and just requests he hath stirred them up in us as a Father teacheth a Child to ask what he hath a mind to give him 3. Cautious against some abuses and mistakes in prayer 1. This is not so to be understood as if the matter and words of prayer were immediately to be inspired by the Holy Ghost as he inspiried the holy men of God in their prophecying and penning the Holy Scripture We read 2 Pet. 1.21 That holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost And we may say Holy Men pray as they are moved by the Holy Ghost but yet there is a great deal of difference between both these partly because they were immediately moved and infallibly assisted by the Spirit so moved and extraordinarily born through that they could not err and miscarry they were free from any fault failing or corruption in the matter form or words wherein this was expressed all was purely Divine But in our Prayers we find the contrary by sad experience Partly because it had been a sin in the Prophets not to have delivered the same message which they received of the Lord both for matter manner and method but it is no sin in a Child of God against the guidance and governance of Gods Spirit to use anoâ—her method than he used To contract and shorten or to lengthen and inlage his Prayers as opportunity serveth and yet the Prayer is the Prayer of the Spirit that that is directed ordered and quickned by the Spirit 2. This is not to be understood as if we should never pray till the spirit moveth us The Prophets were not to Prophesy till moved by an extraordinary impulse for they were not bound by the common law of Gods servants or children to see visions or to prophecy but we are not to stay from our duty till we see the spirit moving but to make use of the power we have as reasonable creatures Eccles. 9.10 Whatever thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might and to stir up the gifts and graces that we have as believers Isa. 64.7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee and in the way of duty to wait and cry for the necessary influences of the Lords Spirit Cant. 4.16 A wâ—ke O north-wind and come thou south wind blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow forth let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits And to obey his sanctifying motions Psal. 27.8 When thou saidst Seek ye my face my heart said unto thee Thy face Lord will I seek 3. We cannot say we have not the Spirit of Prayer because we have not such freedom of words as may give vent to spiritual affections If there be a sense of such things as we mainly want that is Christ and his graces and an affectionate desire after them and we address our selves to God with these desires in the best fashion we can that we may have help and relief from him and you are resolved not to give him over till you have it you have the Spirit of Grace and supplications tho it may be you cannot inlarge upon these things with such copiousness of expression as others do Therefore let us consider what is the Spirit of Prayer and how far doth he make use of our natural faculties I conceive it thus A man is convinced that his happiness lyeth in the injoyment of God that there is no injoynment of God but by Christ till he be justified and sanctified and walk in Holy obedience to him The Spirit of God upon this changeth his heart and 't is set within him to seek after God in this way 1 Chron. 22.19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God And Psal. 119.36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies Now because the will without the affections doth not work strongly but is like a ship without sails affections are the vigorous and forcible motions of the