of God from him abideth not on any man on that account nor is any man held out from God because of his natural and necessary pollution simply The father henceforth judgeth no man otherwise then by Christ but hath committed all judgement to his Son Heb. 1. 3. Dan. 9. 24. Joh. 5. 22. And all that have sinned are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 23 24. He once appeared in the end of the World to put away and abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself He was manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin he hath not failed therein Heb. 9. 26. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Ezek. 18 2 3 4. He hath obtain'd also the forgiveness of our personal sins in which we sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression he hath obtained power to make reconciliation for the people Heb. 2. 17. Dan. 9. 24. he hath received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also Psal 68. 18. in him there is forgiveness and in his name it is preached unto all nations beginning at Jerusalem which was even the slaughter house of the Prophets and where our Lord was Crucified Luk. 24. 47. with chap. 13. 34. in him the Apostles had in their ministration to declare redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God's grace Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. This man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God from ever offering up any new sacrifice or repeating or reiterating the former Heb. 10 10-12 7. 27. He hath also obtained a recovery of our loss all have sinned and come short of the glory of God in which and unto which they were created God made man in his image in a righteous and happy condition but man in seeking out many inventions thereby lost that image of God and Adam begat children in his own image Gen. 1. 26 27. Eccles 7. 29. Gen. 5. 3. But now Jesus Christ the second man hath restored that which he took not away he is the last Adam in whom mankind is again created in the image of God after a more glorious manner then in the first Adam He hath restored our nature in his person into the image of God into perfect innocency 1 Joh. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 19. integrity righteousness immortality and eternal life Jam. 3. 9. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 1 Job 5. 10 11. Isa 45. 24. in him it hath pleased the father that all fulness should dwell and there is in him perfection for every man Col. 1. 18 19-28 2. 9 10. And he is become a quickening spirit and herein preferred before the first man Adam who was made a living Soul and abiding in that condition in which he was created might have conveighed life to his posterity but being fallen could not quicken dead ones neither himself nor any of his posterity But Christ is a quickening Spirit to quicken those that are dead in sins and trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. The living quickening bread that giveth life unto the dead world and they that eat him even they shall live by him John 6. 33-35-51-57 All things are here ready and prepared for all men in him he is made of God wisdom and righteousness c. And this righteousness he hath now openly shewed in the sight of the Heathen and hence all the Earth is called upon and exhorted to make a joyful noise unto the Lord to make a loud noise and rejoyce and sing Praise Psal 98. 1-5 Jesus Christ hath recovered all our loss into himself and is glorified in our nature with the Glory he had with the father before the World was John 17. 5. And he hath obtained the Inheritance of new Heavens and a new Earth of a better and more glorious Inheritance then the first man had in the first Creation and an excellent Dominion over the works of God's hand and so as with respect to these two last branches the Apostle sheweth to us that Christ who by the Grace of God tasted death for every man hath obtained that which the first Adam had and lost Compare Psal 8. 4-8 with Heb. 2. 6-9 And there shall be in due time a restitution of all things when God shall send us Jesus who now is preached to us Acts 3. 20 21. The whole Creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption iâ—to the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom 8. 19-21 And all this is that righteousness which Christ hath prepared for us and which they shall partake of that believe on him as the Scripture hath said In him there is the forgiveness of all our sins yea he is made of God to the believer redemption which non imputation or forgiveness of sins is righteousness without works whereby our sins are covered Rom. 4. 5 6 7. with Psal 32. 1 2. And a robe of righteousness in being cloathed upon wherewith they are made accepted in the beloâ—ed Ephes 1. 6. Those that buy this are righteous even as he is righteous 1 John 3. 7. And Christ doth present them in the body of his flesh in which he was raised again from the dead Holy and unblameable and unrebukeable in his sight Col. 1. 22. And as found in him they are all faiâ— and there is no spot in them Cant. 4. 7. Christ is become theirs and they are cloathed upon with him and reckoned after him being buried with him in baptism wherein also thâ—y are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the dead Col 2. 12. Ephess 2. 5 6. And they are begotten to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undesiled and that fadeth not aâ—ay reserved in the Heavens 1 Pet. 1. 3. Christ is made of God to them righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. And this the righteousness they have to appear before God in the best and first robe even Christ himself and the righteousness he hath wrought and obtained this the VVedding Garment Luke 15. 22. Mat. 22. 11. 2. By this VVhite raiment or those VVhite Garments are meant the fruits of this righteousness believed and believed in Jam. 3. 18. For this the Apostle prayeth for the Phllippians That their love might abound yet more and more in all knowledg That they might be sincere and without offence being filled with the fruits of righteousness which fruits are by Jesus Christ received and believed in unto the Glory and praise of God Philip. 1. 9-11 And of these fruits there are some more inward and some more outward 1. Those more inward and wrought in the Spirit of the mind by the Spirit in the Testimony in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us are Humility This is compared to a Garment Be ye all clothed with Humility 1 Pet. 5. 4. And this Garment these needed to buy of
whom shine ye as lights c. Philip. 2. 13 14 15 16. To the same purpose the Apostle Peter beseecheth the believers as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the Soul and to have their conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against them as evil doers they may by the good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. Mat. 5. 15 16. 4. This Raiment is said to be white to signifie unto us that it is raiment of praise and beauty of rejoycing and gladness it betokeneth and occasioneth joy and rejoycing as opposed to that clothing and those garments werewith persons usually cover themselves when they are in heaviness affliction and sadness and when they have cause of sorrow and mourning This appeareth to be the meaning of the expression in Eccles 9. 7 8 9. Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy Wine with a merry heart for God hath already accepted thy work even those works wrought in God in Immanuel Joh. 3. 21 let thy Garments be always white as a token of joy and mirth and let thine head want no Oyntment live joyfully c. And so on the contrary when men are mournful they walk in black as Mal. 3. 14. What profit is it that we have walked mournfully or in black And indeed this raiment is beautiful and joyous and that which may cause putter on and wearer of it to rejoyce at all times especially in that plenteousness of redemption in Christ through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins and in that everlasting righteousness which he hath brought in and compleated and which he giveth to the buyer Yea when they are in heaviness through manifold temptations yet believing what Christ hath done and is become they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 6-8 Rom. 15. 14. 14. 17. This the Garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness which Christ is appointed to give to them that mourn in Zion Isa 61. 1-3-10 The beautiful Garments which Zion is called upon to put on and therefore to awake awake instead of those dirty dusty dejected ones wherewith they were clothed in times of affliction and sadness and in this they may rejoyce continually in that righteousness of Christ which shall never be abolished but shall remain for ever and ever and most fully shall they do so when they are made compleatly partakers of it Isa 52. 1 2-7 with Chap. 51. 4-9 So much is imported in that vote and desire Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousness with white ralment and let thy Saints shout for joy that only joy inwardly but outwardly also express and testifie it Psal 132. 9-10 So when in our types the Levites were arayed in white linen their work was with joyfulness to praise and thank the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever 2. Chron. 5. 12 13. And surely they have not oâ— by faith and in usefulness this white and and rejoycing raâ—ment that lye under discouraging and disquâ—ering sadness and heaviness as if there were no forgiveness in Christ for them no robe of righteousness prepared to cover the shame of their nakedness and who are complaining and judging and speaking hardly of the God of our righteousness instead or praising him and making mention of his righteousness even or his onely 5. VVhite raiment signifieth that raiment where with those that overcome are clothed and which God giveth to them that run with patience the race set before them as a token of his approbation of them and Testimony of his well-pleasedness with them So he that hath the seven Spirits of God saith He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment Rev 3. 4 5. And it is said VVhite robes were given unto every one of them that were slaâ—n for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 6. 9-11 And they also who came one of great tâ—â—butation who shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heaâ— Chap. 7. 9-7 And this is the raiment which the Lambs Wile hath on for the consummation of the Marriage with the Lamb and with which his victorious Army shall be arayed Chap. 19. 7 8-11-14 And this is that White raiment this Church and Angel is instructed to buy And to seek glory honour and immortality by a patient continuance in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. To them who forsake all for Christs sake that they may win him and follow him in the regeneration God now giveth the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and the raiment of victorers by faith 1 Cor. 15. 57. 1 John 5. 4 5. And will give it compleatly in Spirit to them who are faithful unto the death and in the first resurrection they shall have it gloriously in Soul and body re-united On such like accounts this raiment is said to be white and such manner of instructions are contained in the expression 2. We have in the next place to inquire into and consider the end why this Angel and Church is counselled to buy this white raiment which is also a Motive and Argument used to stir up to fervency in buying viz. that thou mayst be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear in which end is signified unto us 1. That those that have not this excellent and durable clothing here commended and counselled to even the righteousness of God by saith and the fruits thereof those that part not with and suffer not the loss of all things for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that they may win him and be found in him they have a shameful nakedness upon them This is true generally as with respect to all mankind as they are and while they reman in their natural estate and condition God did indeed at first make man in his Image after his likeness and gave him dominion over the works of his hands in this lower part of his Creation Gen. 1. 26 27. God made man viz. Adam and all mankind in him upright Eccles 7. 29. He Created them in righteousness and holiness Ephes 4. 23 24. Col. 3. 10. He made him a little lower then the Angels and Crowned him with glory and honour the Glory of God was upon him in that righteousness holiness purity innocency and integrity that was upon him and in that dominion given to him Psal 8. 5. Rom. 3. 23. 1 Cor. 11. 7. The Law of God was in his heart and there was in him a natural bent and inclination to love and live to the Lord his God with all his Heart Soul mind and strength and to love his neighbour as himself And then while they were in honour and in this upright and honourable condition though they were naked as with respect to any clothing or covering from without there was no shame upon them and they
be waited for till the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven but even now those that with the heart believe in him They are made by faith the righteousness of God in Christ Christ is made of God to them righteousness their sins are forgiven them for his name sake he loveth them and washeth them therefrom in his own Blood and they are made accepted in the beloved And he in the body of his flesh through death doth and will present them holy unblameable and unrebukeable in his sight they continuing in the faith grounded and setled and not being moved from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 23. Oh infinite Grace of God in Christ to sinners Oh blessed and everlasting righteousness How might this move his Angels and Churches to buy this White raiment this blessed covering here commended to us and set before us Isa 61. 10. And the fruits of this righteousness believed do cover the shame of our nakedness from men Hence that Behold I come as a Thief blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame Rev. 16. 15. 2. This White raiment is that also wherewith we may be clothed that is to say covered from the Rain and Storm of Gods wrath and from the evil of all adversities and afflictions This is one use of raiment as to cover our nakedness so also to be a covering from the Storms and Cold that otherwise would annoy and hurt us so it is here Jesus Christ who of God is made to the believers righteousness and who is become White raiment doth hide and secure them from the evil of all judgments wrath and afflictions c. So when the Psalmist had been saying Thou hast covered all the sins of thy people he addeth Thou hast taken away all thy wrath Psal 85. 2 3. Riches profit not in a day of wrath but righteousness delivereth from death The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness Prov. 10. 2. 11. 4-6-8 The Branch of the Lord and the fruit of the Earth is a place of refuge and a Covert from Storm and from Rain Isa 4. 2-5 This man is an hiding place from the wind and a Covert from the Storm a shadow from the heat when the blast of the terrible ones is as a Storm against the Wall and shall appear gloriously so to be when he shall reign in righteousness Isa 25. 1-4 32. 1 2. Being justified by Faith we have by faith Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ even deliverance from his wrath and from the fears and terrours thereof Rom. 5. 2. 15. 13. Oh blessed priviledge the wrath of God abideth not on him who with the heart believeth unto righteousness so as to harm or hurt him but this White raiment covereth and clotheth him so that when Gods judgments are poured forth and they occasion trembling to the outward man Yet he can by Faith and in Spirit rejoyce in the Lord and joy in the God of his Salvation Habak 3. 16-18 And whatever fatherly chastisements God be ordering to such an one yet it is in love and faithfulness and to a gracious end even for his profit that he may be made more a partaker of his holiness Heb. 12. 6-11 And such also shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of all evil Prov. 1. 33. Psal 91. So as when in the World they have tribulation yet in Christ who hath overcome the World they shall have peace Joh. 16. 33. Philip. 4. 7. On this account Salvation and Righteousness may be so often put together as Psal 98. 2. Isa 45. 8. 46. 13. 51. 5-8 56. 1. 62. 1 c. Yea and Salvation and righteousness are put one for another as whereas in 2 Chron. 6. 41. It is thus voted and desired Let thy Priests be clothed with Salvation it is thus rendred Psal 132. 8 9. Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousness And again in answer to that Prayer and desire it is said I will cloth her Priests with Salvation Ver. 16. I say on this account Righteousness and Salvation may be so oft put together and one put for another to signifie that this Raiment will save and secure us as from our sins so from all storms tempests rain judgments afflictions c. I mean from the evil of them now and hereafter fully and gloriously from them all Upon the wicked God shall rain snares fire and brimstane and an horrible tempest this the portion of their Cup but it shall not be the portion of them that are clothed with this Raiment of righteousness For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness Psal 11. 6 7. This is armour on the right hand and on the left to defend them from evil that put it on 2 Cor. 6. 7. And such are instructed and strengthened not to fear the reproch of men nor be afraid of their revilings because they shall perish But this righteousness shall be for ever and this Salvation from generation to generation And the work of this righteousess â—â—all be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever Isa â—1 6 7 8. 32 17. Yea and this White raiment is not only proper and effectual to save and secure from Storms and Cold but also to warm and make not lukewarm ones to make them fervent in Spirit in seeking and serving the Lord and to cause them forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forth to the things that are before to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ Philip. 3. 6-9 14 15. 3. With this White raiment also his Angels and Churches may be clothed that is to say Adorned So Garments are used amongst men for Ornament and it is fully true of this White raiment it is an excellent Ornament and it doth greatly adorn and beautify those that put it on those Garments are wonderfully beautiful in themselves and give an Ornament of Grace to the head of those that buy them Prov. 1. 9. 4. 9. Isa 52. 1. This is that which doth beautify them in the eyes of God so as they are accepted of him and delighted in by him So the Church acknowledgeth That the Lord God had covered her with righteousness as a Bridegroom deâ—â—â—eth himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Isa 61. 10. As intimating this is an excellent Ornament and Jewel So the Prophet saith The Lord himself shall be to them that come to Christ as the rest and foundation a Diadem of beauty and as a comely Ornament and adorning attire Isa 28. 5-12-16 Jer. 2. 31 32. This is that which maketh his Church all glorious within Psal 45. 13. This inward adorning is in the sight of God of great price 1 Pet. 3. 3. Yea this is a Kingly and Priestly Ornament and therefore it is called a Robe 't
faithful and true Witness This also is to be understood in a spiritual consideration and hereby is not meant the Wisdom of this world or of the Princes of this world for this will not open the eyes of the blind into the knowledge of the Cross of Christ and the ends and virtues thereof nor into the preaching thereof But these things are foolishness to them that seek after this wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 18-23 The natural and animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. And hence the Holy Ghost hath instructed those that are wise with this seeming wisdom to become fools that they might be wise as before 1 Cor. 3. 18-20 and admonished the believers to beware of Philsophy Col. 2. 8 9. And the Apostle avoided 〈◊〉 use of it in declaring the testimony of God 1 Cor. 1. 17. and Chapter 2. 1-5 But by this Eye-salve is meant the Word of Truth the Gospel of our Salvation especially the first branch of it in which is declared to us the sufferings of Christ and what he hath thereby effected for us in himself and obtained into himself and is become And that this is meant by the Eye-salve here commended to us may appear 1. By the name put upon it and that by this same Apostle to whom this book of the Revelation was sent and signified it is by him called an action and the anointing So the Apostle saith to the believers Ye have received an unction from the Holy one and ye know all things That is they had received the truth the word of truth which appeareth to be the thing meant by that expression That which they had heard from the beginning to wit that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 John 2. 20-24 with 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. And so it is called the anointing which is the very same thing when he saith The anointing ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye c. 1 John 2. 27. And in this testimony of Jesus the Holy Spirit which is the Oyl wherewith Christ was anointed above his fellows is always present in the faithful declaration of it Isa 61. 1. Heb. 1. 9. Acts 10. 38. Yea because this Gospel was given forth by the Spirit and because the Spirit is always present with it therefore it is especially as now revealed both called the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. John 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. John 7. 38 39. 3. 6. Acts 7. 11. 2. It appeareth also that by this Eye-salve is meant the Gospel of Christ or testimony of the Lord because this is that which openeth the eyes of the understanding that men may see for which purpose and to which end this Angel and Church is counselled to use this Eye-salve So it is said The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple to wit opening their eyes and revealing to them that object in knowing which they may be made wise And the commandment of the Lord the old and new Commandment the Gospel of Christ is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. So much the Prophet elsewhere also signifieth when he saith The entrance of thy words namely the word of the beginning of Christ giveth light to discover all things and it giveth understanding to wit capacity for seeing unto the simple It giveth both light and sight without both which a man cannot see though a mans eyes be never so good yet he cannot see in the dark But this testimony of the Lord is the medium for discovering all things and this giveth capacity for discerning the things discovered also So wonderful are the testimonies of the Lord especially in the first and fundamental things of them Psal 119. 129 130. So also the Apostle signifieth that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is given in the knowledge or doctrine of Christ both for opening the eyes of the understanding and for discovering and revealing Christ and all things in him Ephes 1. 17 18. Certainly as the power of the Lord was present with Christ to heal bodily diseases and infirmities to cure the deaf and blind while he was here in his personal Ministration Luke 5. 17. So also the hand and power of the Lord yea his arm is put forth in and with this word so as the preaching of the Cross is the power of God for healing the diseases of the Soul for giving sight to the blind minds of men Psal 107. 20. 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23 24. Hence it is said That the Spirit of the Lord was upon Christ because the Lord anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor and therewith to preach recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. He is become a good Physician and he giveth sight to the blind by anointing them with that oyl that is in the name of the Lord. And the Apostle when he was sent to the people and to the Gentiles to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. was sent with this Eye-salve to preach the first and great things of Gods Law to them and so much he giveth us to understand I continue saith he to this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other thing then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light unto the people and to the Gentiles Acts 26 17 18-23 To the same purpose also he speaketh to the Ephesians Chapter 3. 8 9. Unto me is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see to wit in thus preaching Thereby he made them see that they might see This was the Eye-salve which is here commended unto us Ignorant are they of the wonderfulness of the testimony of the Lord and of its excellent usefulness for converting and restoring the Soul That call it the letter and a dead letter as if it were meet for nothing When as indeed it is the power of God for saving men from their blindness and ignorance and from all their iniquities and idols and they prove and experiment it so to be that with the heart believe it Hence it is called not onely the Gospel of our salvation but the salvation of God also Ephes 1. 13. Acts 28. 28. And as Christ is called the Light both because he discovereth all things to us faithfully and openeth the eyes of the blind So also the commandment is said to be a lamp and the law light because hereby all things are manifested and