living Waters but such as are insensible also such as are poor miserable wretched blind naked and know it not and this is generally true as with respect to Gods preventing men with his Grace that bringeth Salvation to all men when he first calleth to and counselleth men in and with his glorifying his Son unto them they are dead in trespasses and sins they are deaf and wretched and blind they know not the sadness of their condition hence he calleth to such Hear ye deaf and look ye blind that ye may see Isa 42. 18. They are at first dead to whom the Son of God sendeth forth his voice destitute of all Spiritual liâ—e and light they are ignorant and out of capacity by and wisdom or light of theirs to know what their condition is John 5. 25. And hence men generally have such a good esteem of themselves and of their condition and ways and think highly of themselves as the Jews who though they did search the Scriptures yet would not come to Christ that they might have life and therefore had not the love of God in them yet they thought themselves to be in a good Case and that Eternal life did appertain to them John 5. 39 40. And those that made mention of the God of Israel but not in truth nor in righteousness For they were obstinate and their neck as an Iron Sinew and their brow Brass yet they called themselves of the holy City and stayed themselves upon the God of Israel Isa 48. 1 4. Yet to such as these he calleth and giveth good Counsel to simple ones who know nothing yea who love and that for a long time their simplicity and to fools who hate knowledge Prov. 1. 20 23. He counselleth foolish ones who know not him and therefore know not themselves for he is the light of the world yea indeed all the Sons of Man are foolish and ignorant until or further then they are inlightned by him Hence that cry and call Unto you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of Man Oh ye simple understand wisdom and ye fools be ye of an understanding heart to signifie to us that the Children of men are simple and fools and yet are called upon and invited to come to Christ Prov. 8. 4 6. This may give us somewhat to answer those that abuse the Scriptures and pervert them to the hurt of themselves and others when the Holy-Ghost inviteth every thirster to come to the waters to buy and eat this is onely meant say they of such as are sensible of their sad condition and such as are gracious thirsters which hunger and thirst after righteousness when as indeed it appeareth most directly to be spoken to such as thirsted out of necessity only and who were seeking rest and satisfying in vain things that could not profit them and therefore were reproved for so doing and this I am sure is no gracious frame or qualification for it is added Why do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread and your labour or that which satisfieth not Isa 55. 1 2. So when our Saviour saith Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden this is spoken say they of such as laboured for Christ and were weary of and willing to part with their sins when as such are hereby invited who did seek rest where it was not to be had such as sought to know the father by the wisdom of this world and so failed of their expectation Hence our Saviour calleth them all of them to him who knoweth the father and none but he and him to whomsoever he will reveal him and in coming to him he would give them rest from their burdening and unprofitable labour Mat. 11. 25 29. And this is sutable to what we have noted in this place we see here such are called upon and incouraged to buy and purchase and good counsel is given to them whose case and condition was very bad and lamentable and yet they knew it not they were insensible 〈◊〉 of it and thought otherwise and better of themselves then was meet 4. In that he giveth such Councel to these that were ignorant of their state he signifieth to us that the way to make men sensible of their condition when their case is wretched and miserable and they know it not is to commend to them and lift up before them Christ and those treasures in him and to direct them thereunto and not at first to preach the Law or otherwise to use it then according to the glorious Gospel The Gospel of Christ is the Arm of the Lord in which his power is put forth and Spirit given to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death so Christ sath The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor and therewith to preach recovery of sight to the blind to preach their eyes open in preaching the Gospel Luke 4. 18. So our Savionr saith The Holy Ghost shall reprove and convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment in and with glorifying Christ this way he should shew unto them and open their eyes to behold the sinfulness of their sin in not believing on Christ and the vanity and unprofitableness of their Idols of their works of righteousness judgment c. John 16. 8 14. In like manner also the Apostle Paul was sent with this Gospel to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and so to shew them what a sad condition they were in how well thoughted soever they were of themselves Acts 26. 18 23. Prov. 8. 4 6. Hence also the Gospel is called The Word of Life Phil. 2. 16. The Words of Christ are Spirit and life to them that believe not John 6. 63. The Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple that know nothing Psal 19. 7. 119. 130. The Gospel is light the Medium for discovering all things in their right and proper Colours and for giving sight to us also 2 Cor. 4. 4. Surely the lifting up Christ is the way to make men run unto him that were formerly insensible of their sad condition without him because they were ignorant of and unacquainted with his excellency Isa 5â— 5. Cant. 5. 8 16. with Chap. 6. 1. In lifting him up thereby the Spirit of God sheweth unto us and convinceth us of our deadness as the Apostle hereby judged and reasoned and herein shewed all were dead condemned to dye and helpless in their misery and insensible of their condition in that One dyed for all and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 5. Particularly from the Counsel it self we may note these instructions 1. That there is a rich treasury and full and compleat provision answering to the needs of those that are poor c. and know it not 2. That this provision may be had by such as are poor c. 3. That to the end they
with this luke-warmness and let us come unto and follow him whithersoever he goeth induring hardness as good Souldiers of Jesus Christ who profess him to be our Captain the Captain of our Salvation he hath set us an example that we should follow his steps 2 Tim. 2. 1 3 8. The Apostle setteth before us his being a faithful Witness in both respects viz. as a Peace maker and Peace-preacher to provoke us to fervency of Spirit and demeanour Let us saith he not faintly or fearfully go but run and that not for a season only but with Patience the race set before us as for our lives and for a Crown an incorruptible Crown looking unto Jesus Who for the joy set before him indured the Cross despising the shame and is now set down on the right hand of the Throne of God For consider him that indured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds Heb 12. 1 3. And the true Witness in his Testimony in which he hath declared what he hath done and the fathers love in him and that he is the Amen he is the truth it self and his word is the word of truth Prov. 8. 6 8. Psal 119. 160. 1 John 5. 20. The true light now shineth 1 John 2. 8. His word was always true but the truth of it is now made more apparent in the preaching of the Gospel according to the revelation of the Mystery his record is true concerning all things there is no lye of it but he is a true witness in what he speaketh of God the Fatheir himself the work of the Spirit Mankind sin righteousness judgement life death and of what he is become and hath for us Gold tryed in the fire white raiment and of the lothsomness of this luke-warmness to him these things he saith Who is holy he who is true Rev. 3. 7. He is true and worthy to be listened unto and believed by us in all his declarations promises discoveries requirings instructions reproofs threats c. a faithful and true witness who will not lye one who is faithful to the interest of our Souls Prov. 14. 5. a true Witness who delivereth Souls from their transgressions wanderings luke-warmnesses who hath power to deliver from sin Satan fears evils dangers yea from the wrath to come and is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him Prov. 14. 25. 1 Thes 1. 10. Heb. 7. 25. Oh! hear the instruction and hearken to the Counsel of this true Witness that you may be delivered he that hearkeneth to Counsel is wise that you may be zealous and repent The beginning of the Creation of God He is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1. 17 18. the beginning both of the first and old Creation and that both 1. In giving a being to it when it fore-had none it was Gods Creation but made by him God Created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3. 9. By him were all things created visible and invisible All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. he is the creator of the ends of the Earth that sainteth not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding he knoweth how and hath understanding to help us when we are faint dead dry decaying He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he incrâ—aseth strength Isa 40. 27 29. Oh Lord God saith the Prophet Behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and stretched out Arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Jer. 32. 17. What cannot he do that created all things and All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1. 3. he can restore heat and health and heal us of our wounds and cure our loathsom distempers when our bruise is incurable and wound grievous and we have no healing Medicines nor is there any to plead our cause that we may be bound up Jer. 30. 12 17. 2. And He is the maker of the Creation of God when it was marred by mans seeking out foolish inventions The Earth and all the inhabitants thereof were dissolved he beareth up the Pillars thereof Psal 75. 3. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1. 3. the world was made by him preserved from perishing and upheld when it was marred spoiled and dissolved by the iniquity of Mankind John 1. 10. and therefore though you have destroyed your selves and deserved to be rejected and cast off and out from his presence and favour for ever yet in him is your help neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4. 12. Oh turn again unto him from whom you have revolted He hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Col. 1. 20. And he is the beginning of the new Creation through and by means of his personal abasement and sufferings the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through sufferings Heb. 2. 10. In him there is a compleat Creation he is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the Preeminence for it pleased the father that in him all the fulness should dwell Col. 1. 18 19. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat compleatly prepared for and furnished with all furniture who is the head of all Principality and Power Col. 2. 9 10. In him our Nature is restored again into the Image of God after a more glorious manner then ever it was made in the first publick man and so there is in him a compleat and perfect provision of all things that may tend to our being brought back to God in our own persons and so made new Creatures as every one is that is in him because he died for all and rose again Jam. 3. 9 Ephes 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 14 17. there is in him justification and acquittance from the guilt of our first sin and sinfulness So as all that have sinned and are come short of the Glory of God are justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 4 25. 3. 23 24. and he hath obtained forgiveness of our personal sins gifts for men yea for the rebellious also healing of our diseases decays deadnesses Gold to inrich poor wretched miserable ones White Raiment to cover our shameful nakedness eye-salve to cure our blindness and dimsightedness Spirit to quicken and inliven us and to put heat into and recover luke-warm ones The last Adam was made a quickening Spirit to quicken those that are dead in trespasses and sins 1 Cor. 15. 45. there is in him perfection for every man Col. 1. 28. he hath by his Blood obtained eternal redemption forgiveness of our sins for ever by that one offering of his body offered once for all and the recovery of our loss
bring in and become righteousness for us God laid on him the iniqâ—ities of us all and he was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him he was made under the Law for us that were under it and God went to Law with him and executed the judgement of the World upon him Joh. 12. 31. And put him to death in the flesh for us and he by the Grace of God tasted death for every man that is to say he died the death of all and tasted death for every man in the room and stead of every man he died that death which was the due desert of every man which they should have died and which was the Wages of their sinning against God and this he did for every man even for the good and behoof of every man So that we thus judge saith the Apostle that if one died for all then were all dead all have died that first death not in their own persons but in the last Adam who undertook for and was the representative of all Mankind 2. Cor. 5. 14. And his death is as acceptable with the father and as virtuous and satisfactory as if all had died in their own persons and infinitely more comfortable to us for had that death been died by us we had perished in it for ever But now by his stripes we are healed in whom mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other Isa 53. 5. Psal 85. 10. He hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree that the blessing of Abraham viz. righteousness and life might be in Christ Jesus for the Nations Gal. 3. 13 14. And there was a necessity for Christ's so humbling himself and becoming obedient to death even the death of the Cross that righteousness might come by him both because God is a God of truth and his word cannot be broken and he is infinite in holiness and purity a God of such pure eyes that he cannot behold iniquity nor clear the guilty unless he take vengeance on our sins and until his justice be satisfied and truth fulfilled which is all now done in Christ in whose flesh God condemned our sin Rom. 8. 3. As well as also Christ must needs have suffered because there is no other person or thing that could redeem us No man could redeem his Brother nor give to God a ransom for his Soul the redemption of the Soul is so precious No Offering appointed by the Law could purge away our sin God took no pleasure in them to any such end thousands of Rammes and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl would not have made our peace Lebanon was not sufficient to burn nor the Beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt Offering All Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity Yea the Heavens were not clean in his sight to this purpose nor any of the Heavenly Spirits but Christ must be abased and dye or us or else there could be no righteousness for us Acts. 17. 3. Heb. 10. 4-12 Psal 40. 6. 8. Isa 40. 15-17 And that it was needful Christ should suffer is signified to us in that when he was in his great agony and distress and cried out Father if it be possible let this Cup pass c. Yet still it was continued to him and not removed from him doubtless to instruct us that it was impossible the Cup should pass from him and yet righteousness be prepared for us and mercy shewn to us Mat. 26. 39. This way then he hath prepared righteousness for us and herein God appeareth to be just and his righteousness is herein declared and shewn forth Rom. 3. 25. Aswell as also we may hereinsee the vanity and unprofitableness of all our works of righteousness and of all we could do to prepare a clothing and covering for our selves and the solly and ignorance of those that think to make a garment for the clothing themselves or to make their peace with God by any of their works sacrifices gifts sufferings Alass they are insufficient to this purpose In the cross o Christ pride is hidden from us and from all that no flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1. 29 â—0 31. And yet here also is a lifting up for all in that in which they are cast down and good cause and reason though not to glory in our selves yet to rejoyce and glory in the Lord who died for us that righteousness might come by him and in the Father who raised up righteousness from the east Isa 41. 2. And herein we may see the infinite grace of God in the abasing his Son and of Christ in so greatly humoling himself for us and be moved with thankfulnesS to lay aside our pride and stouâ—-heartedness and submit and humble our selves to receive and accept of this righteousness of God without the law prepared and compleated by Jesus who died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and who also rose again the third day according to the Scriptures And this leadeth us to a further consideration 2. He who died for our sins is also raised again as the publick man and is in our nature and for us justified in the Spirit even in the Spirits raising him from the dead acquitted from all our sins imputed to him and so he is raised for our justification acquittance and discharge Rom. 4. 25. 1 Tim 3. 16. And in this God hath evidenced and declared his righteousness in releasing him and taking him from prison and judgment who had died our death and paid our debt it was not possible he should be holden of death because he had fully satisfied his justice and fulfilled his truth and God hath therefore in raising him evidenced and manifested his righteousness and testified to all men that he is welpleased in and satisfied with his personal abasement and sufferings in that he hath raised him from the dead He hath declared him to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1 4. And Christ not by the blood of bulls and goats but by his own blood in the virtue whereof he is raised and hath offered himself his raised body a spotless sacrifice through the eternal spirit unto God which is an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour unto him entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption Heb. 9. 12-14 Ephes 1. 2. That is to say He hath finished the transgression to wit the transgression of the first publick man in which we all sinned and from whence we are necessarily polluted and made an end of sins of the necessary branches thereof he hath purged away the guilt of this sin and sinfulness from before the presence of God so as now the wrath
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
might not overtake their lovers but might be awakened to consider their ways and turn from their evils unto him their former Husband that he may forgive them which he will not do while they abide and go on in crooked paths in which whoso walketh shall know no peace Hos 2. 5-7 Jer. 36. 3. Isa 59. 8. Nay though such have spoken and done evil things as they could and have been insatiable committing adultery with many lovers and have long continued therein even forgotten their glory and ornament days without number yet still while called to day there is forgiveness and healing with him for such and on their returning to him in the encouragement of his grace he will take away all iniquity and receive them graciously Jer. 3. 1-5-15 with chap. 2. 32. Because he is an infinite fountain of living waters and ready to pardon Jer. 2. 13. Neh. 9. 17. Nay though for their Adulteries and neighings he hath put them away yet still there is mercy with him for such as these and Christ Jesus hath power to redeem and deliver them from their sins and from the wrath thereby procured Isa 50. 1 2-4 Oh! What incouragement is this for us all not to continue in sin because grace hath abounded Psal 130. 4. But to return to him against whom we have sinned and from whom we have revolted that he may wash us heal our backslidings inrich cover cloth and adorn us with himself and that inriching treasure and comely garment which is with him for us 3. This excellent provision in Christ may be had by men because he is discovering it to all in due time and inviting and strengthening them to come and partake of it Christ is a Testimony and doth testifie to all in due season what he hath done for them and is become and hath obtained into himself according to the means vouchsafed he glorifieth himself by his Spirit to them that they might seek the Lord the Lord himself to be their Gold and Raiment their riches and righteousness he maketh proclamation that there is with him by means of his death waters wine and milk bread good farness all that men need and which may render them truly happy and is calling them that they might run unto him because of the Lord his God and for the holy one of Israel who hath glorified him Isa 55. 1-5 6 7. He the mighty God the Lord is calling from the rising of the Sun to the going down there â—f even the simple ones that love their simplicity and scorners that delight in scorning and fools that hate Knowledge and all thaâ— labour and are heavy laden that tire themselves with their Idols and seek rest where it is not to be found to turn at his reproofs and come unto him Psal 50. 1. Prov. 1. 20-23 24. 8. 1-11 Mat. 11. 27 28. And greater means and advantage for hearing and knowing his voice he affordeth us that have the Scriptures in the Records of them vouchsafed to and continued amongst us and more plainly he calleth and inviteth us and more powerfully stretcheth forth his hand to us and useth most forcible Motives and Arguments to us that he might perswade and prevail with us to come to himself this full and blessed Treasury Rom. 3. 1 2. Psal 19. 7. 147. 19 20. He that gave instruction to men that when they make a feast they should call and invite the poor the maimed the lame the blind hath himself gone before them herein and set them an example that they should follow his steps As he hath prepared a rich provision and satisfying feast for all people So in due time he calleth them also and inviteth them to it even such as are poor and maimed and halt and blind Luke 14. 12-21 Yea and he calleth to his Angels and Churches to remember from whence they are fallen and to do their first works again to return to him from whom they have wandered and departed with intimations that in so doing he will still continue them as his Churches and will blot out their transgressions and forgive them and cover their shameful nakedness Rev. 2. 5-16 3. 3. He proclaimeth his goodness and readiness to pardon to such as have backslidden from him as a backsliding Heifer and inviteth them therefore to return to him Jer. 3. 12 13 14-22 4. 1. As he preventeth men at first with the discovery of his goodness and manifesteth himself to them that asked not after him Isa 65. 1. So also when men after they have been brought nigh unto him and inriched by him have played the prodigal and run away from and forsaken him yet he still remembreth for them his mercy and remembreth the kindness of their youth and love of their espousals and seeketh out his flock when they are scattered and have scattered their ways to strangers He is such a gracious Shepherd that he seeketh that which was lost c. Jer. 2. 2-4 Ezek. 34. 12-16 He is graciously calling unto and inviting and alluring such to return unto him in returning unto whom he will give himself unto them and with himself all things He who is the God of mercy doth prevent them and remember them still when they have forgotten him and proclaimeth his goodness to them and therewith inviteth them to return He is the Lord he changeth not therefore the Sons of Jacob are not consumed but though they have gone away from his Ordinances and have not kept them yet he saith Return unto me and I will return unto you c Jer. 31. 18-20 Ezek. 18. 30-32 Mal. 3. 6. 7. And this sheweth unto us the infinite graciousness of Christ Jesus and of the father in him and his loathness that men should still continue in their wandrings from him Luk. 15. 1-11 And it is therefore powerful to purge out of us those evil and unbelieving thoughts that are in us We are apt and ready to say When we have sinned there is no hope he will be no more gracious to us Jer. 2. 25. The consideration hereof that he calleth us might purge them out and help us to be of good courage and come unto him seeing he inviteth us to partake of his fullness Even as when they said to the blind man be of good comfort rise he the Saviour calleth thee he presently casting away his garments rose and came to Jesus So also it might prevail with us that seeing this gracious one calleth us and standeth at the door and knocketh to open and come unto him and part withall for the excellency of him That we may win him and be made partakers of him Mark 10. 49 50. Jer. 3. 22 23 24. 1 Sam. 12. 20. 4. This provision in Christ may be had and enjoyed by us because we may have it freely without any real worth or worthiness and otherwise we could not have it Alass these to whom this most gracious counsellor here speaketh were wretched and miserable and poor and naked they
to see and behold as declared to us in his testimonies and especially in the testimony of his mouth The Father calleth upon us to behold his Servant and Son Behold saith he my Servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul is well pleased I have put my spirit upon him Isa 42. 1. Matt. 12. 18. And Behold the man whose name is the Branch Zech. 6. 12. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people c. Isa 55. 1-4 5. Jesus Christ calleth upon us also to behold himself Look unto me saith he all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved Isa 45. 22 23. with Rom. 14. 9-11 12. And saith Behold me Behold me unto a nation that was not called by his name Isa 65. 1. 55. 5. It is also the work of the holy Spirit to lift up the Son of Man as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness as a compleat object in whom is prepared all helpfulness and healing for every stung creature that men might look unto and believe in him Joh. 3. 5 9-9-14-16 It is his work and office to bear witness of his blood and the love of God as therein commended everlastingly and to glorify Christ and take of his things and shew unto us of his sufferings and the glory which there-through he hath received 1 Joh. 5. 6. Joh. 16. 13 14. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea as the father word and holy Ghost are one one in essence and being so one also in their testimony and this is the record that God hath given unto us mankind eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 7 11. Yea he is the sum and subject matter of the testimony of all those holy men by whom God hath spoken unto us from the beginning of the world to the end we might see and behold him To him give all the Prophets witness Act. 10. 43. Of this horn of salvation God spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets that have been since the world began Luk. 1. 69 70. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. Acts 3. 22-25 26. 23. Joh. 5. 39. The Baptist was a man sent from God to bear witness of him as the light the fountain in whom is all the fulness of grace and truth and he saith Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World Joh. 1. 6 7-15 16. 29 33-36 The Apostles also were witnesses of him Joh. 15. 27. Yea the fullest and clearest witnesses of him they saw and did testify that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 14. They preached not themselves but Jesus Christ and him crucified and therewith Jesus the Lord. 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. 2 Cor. 4. 5. To them was this grace given and Apostleship fo obedience to the faith among all nations Rom. 1. 5. 16. 25 26. To them was this grace given to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see c. Ephes 3. 8 9. It evidently appeareth therefore that it was needful they should anoint their eyes with this eye-salve that they might see this blessed object that hath been and is so constantly and unanimonsly witnessed of and directed unto by God and all those that have been taught and led of him All agree in one concerning him to the end we might see and believe in him who hath so testified his love towards us as to lay down his life for us that he might become our Saviour and who is through and by means of his blood exalted and glorified and become the habitation of all the fulness of the God head the fountain of life the fountain of living waters the Sun of righteousness the treasury of wisdom and knowledge Yea all that the Father hath is his Col. 2. 3. 9. Psal 36. 8 9. Mal 4. 2. Joh. 16. 14 15. And that this is the object which they are called upon and counselled to see and behold and to that end to anoint their eyes with this eye-salve appeareth from the scope of the place we are speaking unto For here the faithful counsellor had been commending unto them and counselling them to buy gold tried in the fire that they might be rich and white raiment that they might be clothed and that the shame of their nakedness might not appear And now he addeth anoint that thou maist see to wit this gold and how it hath been tried and the excellency of it and this white raiment c. And this is a glass which discovereth all things to us Here we may look upon those things which cannot be seen with the bodily eye 2 Cor. 4. 18. As Moses by faith saw him that is invisible Heb. 11. 27. And in some sense as Abraham saw the day of Christ and was glad Joh. 8. 56. So may we behold and see in this word of faith which is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. the preciousness of the blood of Jesus Christ and his excellency and fitness for us and for our helpfulness by means thereof 2. To the end we may buy this gold and white raiment and thereto sell all that we have needful it is to anoint our eyes with this eye-salve that we may see namely that we may see the vileness and odiousness of our sins which are to be abhorred by us And the emptiness and unprofitableness of our idols which we are to abstain from that we may have these excellent and durable commodities here commended to us for while we are ignorant hereof we shall be ready to think that we part with is better then that which is commended to and set before us While we remain in our blindness we are ready and apt to mistake and to call evil good and good evil and to set our hearts upon that which will not profit yea to cleave unto that which will destroy us in conclusion if it be not parted with and fled from While persons are in darkness they are under the power of Satan and led captive by him at his pleasure Acts 26. 18. Ephes 5. 5-8 So much the Apostle signifieth concerning the Gentiles that remained in darkness when he saith they have their understandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness as if nothing were pleasurable unto them but what is abominable Ephes 4. 17-19 So the Apostle speaking of the believing Gentiles saith that in times past namely when they were darkness they walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the spirit that now worketh rulingly and prevailingly in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 1 2. with chap. 5. 8. But to this we may add more afterwards Now therefore it is needful that we see our sins and vanities that we may be willing to part