Holiness of God and his love of Holiness to make man holy He tells us that without Holiness none shall see God and therefore fiâ—st he will make us holy and then he will bring us to himself O here 's a blessed Conformity as Christ was Born let us be New Born 7. Christ after his Birth did and suffered many things in his Childhood I should be too large to speaâ— to every particular so should we learn to bear Gods Yoak even in our Youth It is good to imitate Christ even betimes Lam. 3.27 Eccles 12.1 Remembâ—r now thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth while the evil dayes come not nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them Do ye not see by experience what a blessed thing a gracious and an holy education is Train up a Child in the way he should go Prov. 22.6 and when he is old he will not depart from it O ye Parents that ye should do your duties and in that respect imitate Joseph and Mary in their care and nature of the Holy Child Jesus and O ye Children that you would do your duties and imitate Jesus the Blessedst pattern that ever was that as you grow in Stature Luke 2.52 you also might grow in favour with God and Man Observe him in the Temple when he was but twelve years Old see Him in the midst of the Doctors both hearing them and asking them Questions Children whiles little if but capable of instruction should with their Parents wait on God in the midst of our assemblies Exod. 10.9 Mosâ—s told Pharoah they must have their young ones with them to the solemn Worship and when Joshua read the Law of God to the Congregation of Israel Josh 8.35 they had their little ones with them in that solemn assembly Observe Christ also in Nazareth where during his minority he was ever subject to his Parents so Children obey your Parents in the Lord Eph. 6.1 2. for this is right not only the Law of God but the Gospel of Christ makes mention of this Honour thy father and Mother which is the first Commandment with Promise I know the subjection of Christs extends to his particular calling and this also is for your imitaion in obedience to his supposed Father the Holy Child would have a particular employment something must be done for the support of that holy Family wherein Jesus lived and to that purpose he puts to his own hands and works in the trade of a Carpenter such as will live idle and without a calling that serve for no other use but to devour Gods Creatures and to make a dearth O how unlike are they to Jesus Christ It is noted for a grievous sin and a chief part of the corruption of our nature to be unprofitable to the Generation with whom we live They are altogether become unprofitable Rom. 3.12 there is none that doth good Religion and Grace where ever it prevaileth makes Men profitable and in this respect the poorest Servant and drudge may have more comfort in his estate than the greatest Gentleman that hath nothing to do but to Eat and Drink and Play Thus far we have looked on Jesus as our Jesus in his Incarnation or his first coming in the Flesh Our next work is to look on Jesus carrying on the great work of Mans Salvation during his life from John's Baptism until his suffering and dying on the Cross LOOKING UNTO JESUS In His Life The Fifth Book PART II. CHAP. I. 1 John 1.2 For the Life was manifested and we have seen it SECT I. Of the Beginning of the Gospel IN this piece as in the former we must first lay down the Object and then direct you how to look to it The Object is Jesus carrying on the work of Mans Salvation during the time of his Life Now in all the transactions of this time we shall observe them as they were carried on successively in those three years and an half of his ministerial Office or if you will in those four compleat Years before his Passion and Death For the first Year and his actings therein the Evangelist Mark begins thus Mark 1.1 The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God q. d. the beginning of that age of the World which the Prophets pointed out for the time of good things to come or the beginning of the exhibition and completion of that Gospel which in respect of the promise figures and signification was from the beginning of the World This beginning of the Gospel the Prophets sometimes expressed by the term of the last dayes Isa 2.2 and it shall come to pass in the last dayes sometimes by the term of the acceptable year of the Lord the Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord Mica 4.1 sometimes by the term of the Kingdom of God And in the dayes of these Kings Isa 61.1 2. Dan. 2.44 Isa 65.17 shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed Sometimes by the term of a New Heaven and a New Earth behold I create New Heavens and a New Earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come in mind Howsoever it is called this is concluded that the beginning of the Gospel is not to be reckoned from the birth of Christ but from the beginning of the Ministry and Preaching of John the Baptist Mat. 11.12 15. from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now said Christ the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence for all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John and when the Apostles were ready in the Room of Judas to choose a new Apostle it is said Act. 11.21 22. that of those men which companied with them all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out amongst them beginning from the baptism of John unto the day that he was taken up must one be ordained to be a witness And Peter Preaching to Cornelius and his friends Acts 10.37 he tells them that the Word or Gospel was published throughout all Judea and began from Galilee after the Baptism which John preached Mark 1.1 2. and see but how immediately these words follow The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God as it is written in the Prophets behold I send my Messenger before thy face which shall prepare the way before thee I know that Johns Ministry was six months before Christ's and yet that now was the beginning of the Gospel it appears 1. In that Baptism which was only used amongst the Jews for the admission of Proselites or Heathens to their Church is now published and proposed to the Jews themselves shewing 1. That now they were to be entred and transplanted into a new Profession and 2. That the Gentiles and they were now to be knit into one Church and Body And 2. It appears in that the Doctrine
beyond the external part of it or from their own insensibleness of the working of corruption when yet it doth act only a gracious heart findeth that if it be not strengthened by a Power beyond its own it cannot act any grace or perform any duty as acceptable to God and hence the Apostle prayes That they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man Eph. 3.16 4. It is an enabling of the soul to act in Gospel-duties for Gospel-ends when the spirit leads the soul never aims at a self-advancement it never looks at its own name and glory as they did in Mat. 6.1 5. but it eyes in all its actings the mortification of corruption and the attainment of communion with God and Christ and the increase of all Grace Faith Love Patience Meekness self-denial c. or if it seek for outward mercies it seeks them in a subordination to these and in a way of subserviency to the interest and designs of Christ in all things whether outwarâ— or inward it seeks the glory of God as the ultimate end And in these particulars consists the leadings of the spirit of Christ Rom. 8.16 1 John 5.10 7. The spirit of Christ is a witnessing spirit The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and every one that believeth hath the witness within himself But of this two questions 1. What is this witnessing work of the spirit 2. How doth the spirit thus witness for the first I answer 1. In general witnessing is a giving in some evidence upon our knowledge how the matter in question standeth that thereby others may be ascertained of the truth of the thing Deut. 19.15 John 8.17 At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall the matter be established these words Christ cited and said It is written in your Law that the testimony of two men is true not but that it was certain in it self before but that now by the testim ny of two it is rendred certain unto those that question the same this is witnessing 2. In special The witnessing of the spirit is an Office of the spirit whereby it works the soul into a knowledge perswasion or conclusion of its acceptation into favour with God in Christ Now the spirit witnesseth either objectively or efficiently 1. Objectively When it only affords such special operations as have an aptitude to ascertain the soul but do not ascertain thus many a time the Spirit comes and brings in such and such ascertions or affirmations of our adoption as if they were but duly observed might manifest the same but we over-look these evidences we will not hear what the spirit speaks to us John 3.11 We speak that we know saith Christ and testifie that we have seen but ye receive not our witness so may the spirit complain I have testified to you that which I know I have said that ye were children of God but ye have not received my witness doubtless it is a sinful neglect not to yield attention unto the voyce of the spirit and yet the spirit in this way may be resisted 2. Efficiently and if the spirit witness thus it cannot be resisted in this way the spirit causeth the soul to conclude of its adoption by its speakings to it this is not onely the assertions or affirmations of our adoption but the assurances of our souls that we are adopted Rom. 8.38 Job 19.25 1 John 3.24 I am perswaded saith the Apostle and I know that my Redeemer liveth saith Job And hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us But 2. How doth the Spirit thus witness I answer 1. Immediately 2. Mediately 1. Concerning the immediate testimony of the Spirit there is some controversie Antinomians would have no other testimony but this all other evidences say they are deceiving evidences or if not deceiving yet to make use of them it were but to light a candle to the Sun for what are the graces of the Spirit in comparison of the Spirits own testimony and it may be the running into this extream hath caused others absolutely to deny any such testimony or at least to say for these enthusiasms or inspirations let them boast of them that have them wâ— know no such thing Methinks a middle betwixt both these as it is proved by others is most consonant to truth for neither can I reject the graces of sanctification from being grounds of our assurance neither dare I deny but there is something of the work of the Spirits testimony which is an immediate work Let us hâ—ar what others say of it Certainly there is a work wherein the spirit acts as in illumination and infusion of good motions into us Ford of the Spirit wherein by a secret influence upon the heart he quiets and calms the troubled soul concerning its condition by his own immediate power without any grounds from Scripture without or graces within There is a threefold work of the spirit first to conveigh and plant grace in the soul 2. To act and help us to exercise the graces which are planted there 3. To shine upon and enlighten those graces Caryl on Job chap. 10. this last work the spirit fulfills two wayes first by arguments and inferences which is a mediate work 2. By presence and influence which is an immediate work this the Apostle calls witness-bearing There are three that bear witness in Earth The spirit and water and blood the spirit brings in the witness of Water and Blood which is his mediate work but besides and above these he gives a distinct witness of his own which is his immediate work is in a way of peculiarity and transcendency called the witness of the Spirit As it is with the motions of the spirit many a time the spirit excites a man to such or such duties by laying his hand immediately upon the heart and thereby inclining it to obey those motions so in this case when a poor soul sits in darkness and sees no light Boltons direct for a comfortable walking with God sometimes upon a sudden it is as it were taken up into the third Heaven and this is in such away that though the spirit of a man really believe it and is immediately calmed by it yet it cannot tell how it came to pass There is a Testimony of the spirit which sometimes the spirit may suggest and testifie to the sanctified Conscience with a secret still heart-ravishing voice thus or in the like manner Thou art the child of God thou art in the number of those that shall be savid thou shalt inherit everlasting life and that as certainly and comfortably as if that Angel from Heaven should say to thee as he did to Daniel greatly beloved Mighty and remarkable was the work of the spirit this way upon the heart of that noble Martyr Robert Glover upon the first sight and representation of the stake
I need not doubt of my acceptance at the Throne of Grace when Jesus Christ is accepted for me and that I stand in such a relation to Jesus Christ Oh what joy is in this 2. How should it heighten my joyes and enlarge my comforts when I do but consider that Christ is set down at God's right hand Why now he hath the keys of Heaven delivered into his hands Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth and now he can do what he will God the Father hath given away as it were all his Prerogatives unto Jesus Christ John 5.22 All judgment is committed to the Son for the Father judgeth no man Now he is in a Capacity of acting out all his love and the Father's desire to me in the most glorious way he is highly advanced and thereby he hath the advantage to advance me and to glorifie me God hath given into his hands all the treasures and riches of Heaven in bidding him sit down at his right hand he told him that he would have no more to do with the world but that Christ should have all and that Christ should bestow all he had amongst his Saints and that this should be the reward of his death and when once his Saints were come about him and sate with him in his glory 1 Cor. 15.24 why then Christ should resign up again his place And deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father Oh what joy may enter into this poor dark dungeon disconsolate soul of mine whiles I but think over these glorious passages of my Christ in glory 3. How should it heighten my joyes and fill me with joy unspeakable and full of glory when I do consider that Christ hath sent down his holy Spirit into my heart when sorrow had filled the Apostles hearts John 16.7 because he had told them I must go away he comforts them with this If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you The spirit is the Comforter and where he comes he fills souls with comforts O what comfort is this to know that the spirit of Christ is my Inmate that my soul is the Temple the Receptacle the House and dwelling of the spirit of God that Christ is in me of a truth and that not only by the infusion of his grace but by the in-dwelling of his spirit surely it is some comfort to a sickly man that he hath a Physitian alwayes in the house with him and to a woman that is near her travail that the Midwife is in the house with her but what comfort is it to a poor soul that the spirit of Christ is alwayes in him John 14.16 I will send you another Comforter said Christ that he may abide with you for ever Christ in his bodily presence went away Mat. 28.20 but Christ in his spirit continues still Lo I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world he is with us and which is more he is in us for our comfort Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory Not Christ in Sermons which we hear nor Christ in Chapters which we read nor Christ in Sacraments which we receive nor Christ in our heads by high notions nor Christ in our mouths by frequent glorious expressions but Christ in our hearts by his spirit is unto us the hope of Glory The grounds of our comforts in this respect is 1. Christ's Presence it is said of Paul that after a sad shipwrack the sight of some Christian brethren so cheated him Act. 28.15 that upon the sight of them he thankâ—d God and took courage it is said of Caesar that he cheared the drooping Mariners in a storm by minding them of his presence You carry Caesar how much more should the in-being of Christ solace Saints Lo I am with you O my soul was it not a cordial to the Disciples in a storm that Christ was with them whom the winds and waves obeyed chear up now for if the Spirit be in thee Christ is with thee 2. Christ's Complacency if his Spirit dwell in us how should he but be well pleased with us a man cannot properly be said to dwell in a prison in which he taketh no delight Psal 132.14 the Spirits in-dwelling imports a delight of Christ in such a soul Here will I dwell for I have desired it or delighted in it saith God of Zion though many times drooping Christians viewing their own beggarliness and vileness judge themselves worthy to be detested and deserted and would relinquish themselves if they possibly could yet Christ looketh to the poor and contrite soul as a meet habitation for himself to dwell in Isa 57.15 I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit 3. Christ's Communications union is the ground of our communion with Christ and the nearer our union the greater is our communion if Christ were only in a believer by the habit of grace the union would not be so great but if Christ be in us by his spirit the union is nearer and therefore the communion will be greater O my soul remember this in all thy straits there can be no creature-want or danger whatsoever wherein the improvement of this in-dwelling of the Spirit may not refresh thee art thou sick the Physitian both of soul and body is within thee art thou sad the Comforter himself that supplies the stead and room of Christ inhabits in thee art thou in exile in banishment imprisonment at greatest distance from thy dearest Friends see Paul's refreshment when they were ready to pull him in pieces and threw him into the Castle even the night following the Lord stood by him and said be of good chear Paul Acts 23.11 Christ will stand by thee nay Christ by his Spirit dwelleth in thee and will speak to thee comfortable words in thy greatest pressures 4. Christ's Witnessings if his Spirit dwell in us we may then be assured of future glory Christ in you the Hope of Glory 'T is a sweet note of a Divine upon it Col. 1 27. Mr. Ash in his Sermon of Christ the riches of the Gospel Acts 8.13 Mat. 27.3 Heb. 12.17 Heb. 6.5 6. Heb. 10.29 The existency of Christ's Spirit in Believers giveth existence to their hopes of Glory The Spirit in us is God's earnest of Glory the Spirit in us doth prepare us for participation in that Glory I look upon this in-dwelling of the Spirit as that which no Hypocrite in the World can lay any claim unto as for gifts or graces an Hypocrite may attain them or somthing like them it is said of Simon Magus that he believed it is said of Judas that he repented and of Esau that he sought his birth-right with tears it is said of some that they partook of the Heavenly Gift and of the Powers of the