inexpugnable Am I not thy Rocke thy shield thy Buckler defender Am I not thy Sun thy shaddow thy horne of Salvation deliverer Am I not he that carries thee above one Eagles wings that breakes the bow the speare and sheild and vanquisheth overcommeth and concultateth under my feete all the enemies of thy salvation my strength is above powers my might above dominions my glory above principalities and my Puissancie above all the opposers of thy life and addoption Hence there is no condemnation to thee for thou art kept by my power to salvation not walking after the flesh but after the spirit Thirdly the glory of Christ is the cause why there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Christ speakes after this manner to his Saints Beloved I have written your name upon my breast I have in graven them in the booke of life I have presented your cause in the presence of my Father by my blood most pure by my death most victorious by my righteousnesse most acceptable therefore for the glory of my grace I will not leave you I that am the Lord of life the welspring of living waters that eternall and everlasting life given of my Father I have layd up your lives in the throne of my grace I have treasured them up in the throne of my mercy and for the glory of my mercy I will not desert you have I bestowed so great cost as to adventure my life bloud my death my righteousnesse and my glory for thee did I leave my height of glory to fetch thy Soule from the lowermost hell from the gates and barres of eternall death from the black clawes clutches and swadle bands of Sathan have I given thee communion with my Father and with my selfe in all the treasures of heavenly righteousnesse and made thee one of my members one of my branches one of my espoused and dearest friends and shall I now forsake thee I am that faithfull Yea and Amen and will keepe my promise I will bee with mine to the end of the world Mat. 28. verse last There is therefore no condemnation to mine they walke not after the flesh but after the spirit Wee proceede to the second part of the text which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit The blessed Apostle argues by evedent arguments that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus The first Argument is If that to the Saints victorie over sinne and death is given to them by Jesus Christ then is there no condemnation to them that are in Christ But to the Saints victorie over sin and death is given to them by Jesus Christ therfore there is no condemnation to them Rom. 7. the last I thanke God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the minde I my selfe serve the law of God but with the flesh the law of sinne If the law of the Spirit of life hath freed us from the law of sin and death then is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus But the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath freed us from the Law of sinne and death therefore there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death If God hath sent his Son to redeeme his owne from sinne and that sinne was condemned in the flesh of Christ for there sakes then is their no condemnation to them But God sent his owne sonne to Redeeme them and that sinne might be condemned in his flesh therefore there is no condemnation to them Rom. 8.3 For what the Law could not doe in that it was weake through the flesh God sending his owne Sonne in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh If they who are in Christ Jesus walke not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit then there is no condemnation to them But they that are in Christ Jesus walke not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit therefore there is no condemnation to them Rom. 8 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Those that are in Christ Jesus walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit They live the life of faith of love of hope of peace of grace of mercy consolation through their union they live the life of freedome liberty in the state of grace the life of praise and prayer to the thron of glory through their Redemption they live the life of assurance of Mercy grace and peace through there Adoption they live the life of purity boldnesse and joy through their justification they live the life of holinesse of chastitie and sobriety through their Sanctification My branches walk through the strength of sweetnesse my members walke in the power of my wisedome my spouses walke in the joyfulnesse of the light of my Countenance Since the day that I washed them in my blood most pure they will not polute their bodies since the time that I gave them assurance that they were the sonnes of God they doe walke as deare and loveing Children since the moment that they have beene fild with my joyes my comforts my consolations my influences of divine grace and solace they are filled with praises honorings and praisings of my holy name My Spirit leades them into all truth when the Spirit of truth shall come he shall teach you all truth Iohn 14.26 He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you My Spirit leades them into all obedience For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God are the sonnes of God Rom. 8.14 My spirit leades them not to contentions to backbitings to slanderings to railings to whisperings to lyings to reproachings to Envie Malice hatred cōtempt Disdain Revenge But to mildnesse gentlenes curtisie Meeknes lenity to joy to peace to love to gratiousnes of spirit sobrietie Gal. 5.18 19.20 21 22 23. But if ye are led by the spirit ye are not under the law Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornicatiō uncleannes laciviousnes c But the fruits of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meekenesse temperance against these there is no law There is not a prayer from my grace to the throne of grace but my spirit hath beene the cause thereof there is not a praise from the praise of my glory but my spirit is the instrūent therof If they call my Father their Father it is by the spirit of Adoption Rom. 8 15. For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to feare but ye have received the spirit of Adoption wherby we cry Abba Father
them saith the Lord. But this shal be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord. For they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will forgive their iniquities and I will remember their sin no more Fiftly Sometimes the everlasting Covenant sith God doth not only become our God and Father But our God and Father to eternity Not only forgiving and pardoning sinne but forgiving and pardoning sinne and iniquitie for ever and evermore Not only writing the law of life and love in the hearts of his people but he Characters it in their hearts by a Character that cannot be deleted or extinguished Isay 55.3 Incline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live And I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Isaiah 54.10 For the Mountains shall depart and the Hills shall be removed But my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Sixtly And in the text it is called the law of the Spirit of life 1. Not only because it gives eternall life to the sonnes of Adoption 2. Because that it frees the sonnes by Adoption from the Law of sinne and death But also because it is established in the hand and breast of the Lord of life Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death 2 Why is it termed the Law 1. To answer The truth of prophecie which hath beene delivered by the Holy Ghost Isaiah 2.3 And the people shall say come yee and let us goe up to the Mountaine of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his waies and wee will walke in his pathes For out of Sion shall goe forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem 2. To distinguish it from the Law of Nature The Law Ceremoniall and the Law Morrall Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those daies saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my People 3. Metaphorically or Respectively as the Lawes in France are not the Lawes of Spaine nor the Lawes of Spaine the Lawes of England So the Law of the spirit of life is not the Law of Sinne and Death 4. To denote that although the Saints are not under the Law of accusation arraignment execution and condemnation Neverthelesse they are un-the Law of grace Faith Peace Mercy and Reconciliation Rom. 6.14 For sinne shall not have dominion over you for yee are not under the Law but under grace Thirdly Why the Law of the Spirit First Because the Spirit reveales it John 15.14 He shall glorifie me because he shall receive of mine and declare it to you Secondly Because the Spirit of God ingraves it in the hearts of all those that are in Covenant with the Father and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Thirdly Because the promise of the Law or Covenant is consonant to the fruits and workings of the Spirit of life and glory Gal. 5.22 But the Fruits of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse Faith Meeknesse Temperance against such there is no Law Fourthly Why in Christ Jesus Not without grave consideration First If all heavenly divine and excellent blessings are in Christ Jesus then the Covenant or Law of life is in Christ Jesus but all heavenly divine and excellent blessings are in Christ Jesus therefore the Covenant or Law of life is in Christ Jesus Ephes 1.3 Blessed be the God and Fatther of our Lord Jesus who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1. â—0 But of him are yee in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisedome and Rightâ—eousnesse and Sanctification and Redemption Is wisedome without him that is the treasure of wisedome No Is Righteousnesse without the Lord of Righteousnesse No Is Redemption without our blessed and most gratious Redeemer No Is Sanctification without him that Sanctifieth his by his blood most deare No Or is the Covenant of Grace and life without the Lord of life No In man there is not only the excellency of memory the rarenesse of affection but also the highnesse of understanding in the Sunne there is not only beauty splendor but rarenesse of efficacie So there is not only Redemption Justice Sanctification and Wisedome But also the Covenant and Law of life and mercy Secondly This Covenant or Law is established by the death of Christ Mediator Therefore it is meet and expedient that it should be in Christ Mediator Heh 9.15 And for this cause hee is Mediatour of the New Covenant or Testament that by meanes of death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the the promise of eternall inheritance Heb. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then that of Abell Thirdly Because that he hath performed all that the Morrall Law requireth the Morrall Law required of thee absolute compleat and intire Righteousnesse it demands of thee exact perfect and strickt obedience it binds thee over that thou shalt not speake one word before the barre of Justice that thou shoote no arrow below the glory of God that thou answers eternall infinite equall commands of the Father but thou art come too short of his glory thy obedience is not answerable to his requires and thy arrowes are on this side the throne of grace and mercy but the Lord Christ became the surety he hath payed all thy debts though more in number then the sand upon the Sea shore he hath borne the sence of anger of wrath of heate and justice when thou stoodest quivering before the barre of justice then he answered for thee When Angels stood wist and silent sith they could not beare the heate of everlasting burning nor answer the severity and and purity of infinite and eternall Justice when men were whist and silent sith they were involved in their blood clothed in old rotten raggs of Righteousnesse and could not answer the puritie and Righteousnesse of the God of Righteousnesse when all Creatures might give in their voice we have Gold Silver Brasse Tinne Lead and Iron We have Pearles Jewels and rare Treasures the beautifull Diamonds the costly Rubies and the richest Saphirs Yet all these cannot redeeme one from
admiration of the times because of his wisedome and discretion Christ the wonder and admiration of his Churches because of his speeches and declaration My soule he that is thy peace thy rest thy love thy mercy he shall be thy cōmander he that is thy prince of glory thy Lord of life he is thy gratious protector hee that is thy vine thy head c thy bridegroome he shall be thy leader rule for grace and peace came by him when the Law came by Moses Ioh. 1.17 Redemptiō Justification and Reconciliation came by him when Condemnation adjudication came by Moses Consolations comforts joyes and springs of solace came by him when terrors horrors feares and servitude came by Moses Therefore thou shalt glory and expresse the praise of glory concerning the words of freedome and liberty Rom. 8.2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and death 2. The Law of the Spirit of life It hath beene said of Paradise that it was the rarest place in the habitable world in respect of Altitude in respect of Amaenetie in respect of Profunditude and in respect of Jucunditie the same may be spoken concerning the Spirit of life and glory it is extolled in respect of Altitude sith it is in Christ who was placed in the high and heavenly places of Amaenetie sith it is the delight of the beloved Saints and peculiar of Profunditude sith it soundeth the lowest and deepest misery of Jucunditie sith it makes the drooping soule most joyous and chearefull Therefore the same that was the joy and glory of the blessed Apostle is the joy and glory of the drooping soule joying and glorying in the words of the Apostle Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sinne and death The Law of the Spirit of life Pretious are the gifts and graces which come from the Father of everlasting light rare are the treasures which come from the Lord of life and peace rare and pretious is the Law of life which is from and of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus What is so jucundious what is so amaenious or what is so joyous as the spirit of Adoption which sealeth the soule up to the day of eternall Redemption or what can be so pleasant so delightsome or joyfull as the spirit that consolates the soule in the midst of all distresses or what can be so rare so wonderfull and admirable as the law of of the spirit of life that frees us from the law of sinne and death the seale of the spirit doth rejoyce thee in the day of thy Adoption the disconsolated are consolated in the day of Consolation the wanting vacuous are filled with joys in the day of impletion and the soule is filled with all fulnesse and sweetnesse in the day of liberation hence comes in our joyfullnesse and fullnesse that as we receive our peace from the Prince of peace our righteousnesse from the Lord of righteousnesse so we receive the law of life from the spirit of life in Christ Jesus If thou hast the revelation of the mistery of the Kingdome it is by the spirit Mat. 16.11 He answered and said unto them because it is given unto you to know the misteries of the Kingdome of Heaven but to them it is not given If to thee is given to know the deep and profound things of God it is by the spirit 1 Cor. 2.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God If to thee is given to know the mind of God before the world was it is by the spirit Ephes 4.7 But to every one of us is given grace according to the gifts of Christ Ephes 3.5 That to other Generations hath not been known to the sonnes of men is now revealed to the Apostles and prophets by the spirit So if there is a revelation of the mistery of glory to Babes and Sucklings and denied to the learned Doctors and Rabbies of the world it is by the spirit Mat. 11. 25.26.27 At that time Jesus answered and said I thanke thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hide these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes even so Father for so seemed good to thy sight All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the sonne but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the sonne and he to whom soever the sonne will reveale him None can write the law of God in the hearts of the Saints but the spirit of Christ as none can seale to the Conscience the everlasting love of God the Father and the precious treasures of Jesus Christ but the spirit of glory as none can give the spirit of oration to them that cannot pray the spirit of consolation to them that sit in mourning weeds but the spirit of Comfort so none can write the mind of God in the conscience or the will of Christ in the spirit of the Saints but the spirit of assurance or obsignation Hence it is recorded by the Apostle 2 Cor. 3.3 Yee are our Epistles written in our hearts which is known and read of all men manifest to be the epistle of Christ c. The same spirit that reveales unto the Saints the unsearchable riches of Christ that engraves the heavenly and gracious mind of the Father in the consciences of the Redeemed the same quickens the soule by the mighty power of life and vivification when we lay dead in sinnes and trespasses when wee were troden in our bloods by the Horsmen of Hell and Death when we were involved in the depth of the gulfe of miseries then by the same spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead we were quickned therefore not without cause is he called the spirit of life First In the respect of Christ Secondly In respect of the life that the Saints receive through uniō by the spirit Thirdly In respect of that life the Saints receive through Faith Love and hope by the spirit in the act of communion When our Lord was in the grave neither hell nor death nor law nor justice nor all the force of the creature could retaine him for he shewed himselfe the Lord of life by rising from the dead Apoc. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead I am alive forever more Amen and have the keyes of Hell and death Lord over sin by the blood of his crosse Col. 2.14.15 Blotting out the hand writing of ordinances which was against us which was contrary to us and tooke it out of the way nailing it to his crosse and having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them all Conquerer over the Divill by the power of his death Heb. 2.24 For as much then as the children are partakers of
CHRISTS Gratious Message from the Throne of GRACE To all the Prisoners of HOPE ZACH. 9.11 As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners out of the pit where there is no water By TIMOTHIE BATT Physitian Printed in the yeere 1644. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland c. AND TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT Grace and Peace bee multiplyed from God the Father and from Jesus Christ whom he hath sent SIRS THough it might seeme Ingravity that the Sprouts in Libanus might attinge or touch the tops of the Cedars in Libanus Notwithstanding it is the most princely dignity and the highest honour to the highest Cedars of Libanus to overshadow defend the lowest sprouts Was it honorable in King Agrippa Felix and Festus to lend audience to Paul a chayned Prisoner And will it not bee counted an honorable thing to your Highnesse and to Your Honorable Lords to countenance the Contemplation of your Prisoner concerning the Prisoners of Hope Were the gleanings of Ephraim better then vintage of Abiezer and is not our Contemplation concerning Christs Prisoners more fruitfull then the Vine with its fullest clusters the Starres which are obscured in the presence of the brightest Sunne are profitable in his absence giving their light to the sublunarie travilers Howsoever the light of these our Contemplations for the present may seeme as darkenesse yet if through your Princely favour and your Honours protections these may be allowed they will give a glimmering light to the poorest soule and most distressed spirit It will bee to them as the flowing springs of Solace and as the pleasant influence from the highest starres How will they sing of love because of the Fathers dearest love how will they speake of glory in Christ the prince of glory when they shal understand that they are set free by the blood of his Covenant out of the pit where in there is no water Zach. 9.11 As for thee also by the bloud of my Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water When they shall finde that their Lord was anoynted to set thē loose out of the Dungeon of death and darkenesse and that hee was the chosen Redeemer to breake the barres of death throw upon the gates of hell and knap in sunder the chaines of the Devill Isa 61.1 2 3. The high and honorable are not ignorant that the greatest prince under heaven and the mightiest Monarch in the sublunarie world are poore prisoners of hope unto Christ mediatour of the covenant King of his bought Redeemed Is the Earth beholding to the watery clouds and the lowest plants to the highest planers are not all Terren earthly Princes beholding to Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords for ever The Prisoners of hope in this state and Kingdom are almost infinite in number How many thousands lye sicke at the poole of Bethesda how many thousands of mourning and drooping hearts waits for Christs springs of love more then David did for the waters of Bethlehem I might say how many Millions wounded in their consciences bleeding in their bloods lies waiting at this houre before the throne of grace for the sweete and cleare countenance of God the Father therefore they sigh and groane for his assurance through his Adoption of children for his liberty through the Redemption from Eternall bonds for his righteousnes through his presentation glorious and for his joyes and consolation through the law of the Spirit of life and obsignation as they have found under your Highest Noblest and worthiest fauours a gratious defence and loving protection so they doubt not but that two wings and two shadowes will be one wing and one shadow for their prosperity protection Considering that there is such a neerenesse of union between the Princely Head and the Honorable shoulders of this Royall state and Kingdome I with the Prisoners of Hope had neither gold nor silver riches nor treasures pearles nor jewells to present unto His Highnesse or to the Honorable Assembly save these lines of love for acceptation Not doubting but our present will bee as rich as the Queene of Shebaes was in Ierusalem and as Benjamins and Judahs was in the sight of Joseph sith the presenter with the Prisoners of Hope presents nothing else but a present concerning the Love of God the Father the rich treasures and the righteousnesse of Christ Mediator of the joyes love and peace concerning the Spirit of glory our comforter knowing that is not convenient for the meanest to be offensive to the highest and the weakest troublesome unto the Honorable We by generall petition desire and request that His Majesty with your Honours might honour the poorest with your shadow and vindication and we in generall shall bee bound by an everlasting obligation to wish all peace all unity and concord betweene His Majesty and your Honours for ever Oh that the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah would not only crowne the Lyon with strength and fortitude but also honor his poorest Prisoners with peace and sweet tranquility Oh that the King of Kings might shine gloriously upon the head of His Majesty and the Prince of Princes might shine favorably upon the Nobles of this Kingdome Oh that the gratious favour of him that was in the Bush and the deare love of him that was upon the Crosse might compose these differences put an end to these great distractions and make two one in this our Native Country Whilst we thus desire and wish the welfare prosperity and dignity of this State and Kingdome we shall waite for His Highest and Princely acceptation and your noblest and worthiest approbation of this Treatise concerning the Prisoners of Hope sith it is no lesse then the message of the King of Kings unto a King an Ambassage from the Prince of glory unto Princes and a Contemplation of the Throne of grace to all that waits for grace in Israel Therefore silence shall constraine us whilest we wish for the highest glory the richest mercy for the dearest bounty and for the greatest love that flowes from the Thron of grace to fall upō you that your dewes may be more soft then the dewes upon the tender herbs that your light may bee more splenderous then the sun in the Meridian and that the stability firmenesse and glory of this State and Commonwealth may be faster fixed then the celestiall Orbe Amen Amen Amen Then shall the sonnes of Sion sing a song of Melodious the daughters of Jerusalem make a harmony victorious and the poorest Prisoners of Hope shall sit under your shadows most joyous each giving glory praise honour truth and thankesgiving to him that sitts upon the Throne now and for evermore Recording that sentence memorable throughout all ages and generations Apoc. 4. last Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour
hence hath he left the Legacie of dearest and pretious love My peace I give unto you my peace I leave unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your hearts be troubled nor feare Therefore there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 The second voice of Christ is the voice of Adoption As our Justification our Redemption our Vnion our Reconciliation our vocation and Glorification are in Christ So our sonneship or Adoption is in Christ If the Father of glorious mercy account thee a branch it is because thou art in Christ the vine if hee account thee a member it is because thou art in Christ the head If hee account thee one of the espoused it is because thou art in Christ the Bridegroomed If he account thee a son it is because thou art in his deare and welbeloved Sonne hence I come to draw thy soule to me I make to thee thy priviledge According as I have related by my servant Iohn 1 Ioh. 3.1 Behold how great love the Father hath given to us that we should bee called the Sonnes of God That though thou wast a slave of hell a vessell of wrath a child of perdition a bondslave to the law and under the ridged and severe tyranny of the devill notwithstanding I have chosen thee to be one of mine by the covenant of my freest grace and bounty I have redeemed thee for my selfe and called thee by my name I have adopted thee to be one of my sonnes and children by adoption when I tooke up my rest in my beloved I preached peace to the peacelesse liberty to the bondmen grace to the gracelesse riches to the poore and assurance of sonship to them who are and have not beene my sonnes by adoption hence though no creature pitty thee though Angels shut their eyes against thee and all the sublunarie Creatures should bid thee adew and farwell notwithstanding I come to imbrace thee and to love and delight in thee for ever since the day that I adopted thee have I not filled the soule with the joyes comforts and solaces of my spirit have not I sealed thee to the day of Eternall redemption by the seale of Adoption have not I given thee the spirit of prayer and supplication have not I given thee the assurance of life and salvation Now then there is no condemnation to thy soule which art in Christ Jesus for thou walkest not after the flesh but after the Spirit Thirdly the voice of God in JustificatioÌ„ how in justificatioÌ„ yea beloved this is the Admirable worke of the spirit of glory that we are assured that we are redeemed by the blood of Christ imcomparable that wee are reconciled by the death of Christ unspeakable that wee are assured that wee are justified by the righteousnesse of Christ undeclarable I being justified in Christ how should I injoy any thing but salvation Am I not made compleate in him that is the head of all principalities and powers Am I not cloathed with the righteousnesse of the Sonne of righteousnesse more bright then ten thousand Sunnes Am I not washed purified and clensed in the purest rarest and most pretious fountaine which is in the Kingdome of the deare Sonne of God hence I shall enjoy the horne of salvation the great free and eternall salvation in Christ Now then there is no condemnation to me that am in Christ Jesus who walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Moreover these three things preserves the Saints from death and condemnation 1. The love of Christ 2. The power of Christ 3. The glory of Christ What said I the Love of Christ yea search the hights above sound the depths beneath extend thy thoughts abroad to all the parts of the sublunarie Orbe and thou shalt finde no love like the love of Christ is the love of a mother so deare to her child is the love of a husband so deare to the wife of his bosome as Christs love is to his Church no with the same love wherewith the Father hath loved Christ with the same love hee hath loved the Church and chosen the Father loved Christ from eternity Christ hath loved the Church from eternity the Father through his tender love did not leave his beloved in the day of his Crosse when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Thou wilt not leave my soule in grave neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption Psal 16.10 Loe the Lord Christ will not leave his poore servants his dearest jewels his pretious Saints in the dayes of greatest miserie and calamity Psal 9 10. The Lord is a refuge to the poore a refuge in due time in the day of trouble The Fathers love to the Lord Christ was so great that he set him above principalities above might above power and above all things that all things in heaven earth might bow bend before him Wherefore God hath exalted him and given him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow both of things in heaven of things on earth and of things under the earth Phil. 2.9.10 The love of the Lord Christ is so deare to his that hee hath exalted them above all to him that overcommeth I will give to sit with me in my throne as I have overcome and sit with my Father in his throne Revel 3.21 The Father loved Christ so intirely that hee filled him with the riches of righteousnesse the treasures of wisedome and the plenitude of all heavenly excellencies Christ loves his Church so affectionately that hee fills her with heavenly joyes he enriches her with all spirituall and heavenly gifts blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ Eph. 1.3 therefore through my love there is no condemnation to mine they not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 Secondly Because of the power of Christ there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ His power is not onely the cause of our vivification from the dead of our Collocation in the heavenly places of our faith in his name But also of our conservation to eternall life and salvation John 17.2 He defends thee by an internall and efficatious power when thy spirit says that thou art overcome the spirit saith thou art more then a conquerer through him that loved thee every day thou art a conquerer through his blood a victoret through his death a tryumpher through his righteousnes neither the darts of hell the fire bales of the Devill the strength of the law the warres of the flesh nor the puissant strength of the world can vanquish thee for thou art defended by a strength invincible thou art protected by a power unconquerable thou art inviâ—oned by a might insuperable and thou art garded with a force
If mine groanes with sighes and groanes with unspeakable and unutterable it is by my Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 8.26 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self make intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered and hee that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God If mine are consolated through consolation it is by Spirit of consolation 2 Cor. 1.4 5. who comforteth us in at our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ Doe my people incounter with hell sinne the law death the Devill and all evills without my presence no doe my people Navigate upon the mighty seas of miserie doe they saile over the vast Ocean of calamity without my assistance no I am not onely their Lord victorer to triumph over hell by heaven over death by my life over sin by my blood over the law by the law of the Spirit of life over the flesh by my spirit over the Devill by my death over the world by my glorious and triumphous victorie I am not onely their Lord acquirer of glory by relinquishing of my glory of righteousnesse by fulfilling all righteousnesse of peace by the peace of my crosse of love by the losse of the sence of love but I am there Lord conducter and leader to my heavenly glory What morning starre conducts them to rest but I the morning starre what sonne of beauty leades them to the light of felicity but I the sonne of righteousnesse I am the sunne by day and the cloud by night I am the only captaine of my redeemed and purchased I am the day starre that alwais appeares in the hearts of mine Therefore there is no condemnation to them which walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 A sweet Contemplation Oh the depth of the sweet love and mercy of my Lord that bought Mee what no condemnation to me No I am washed in the blood of the lambe immaculate I am presented spotlesse in spotlesse robes I am Redeemed from amongst the prisoners of no hope I am united to the sonne of God and injoy communion with him My soule who shall condemne thee shall death shall hell shall the law shall the Devill shall the world shall the flesh no for they are not in thy beloved what though London England and the whole world band themselves against thee what though Legallists the Angells of light the world and all the rable of hell shall beset thee on every side what though the nearest and them which should be dearest to thee raise lies slanders reproches rebukes ignominies and all evills against thee yet be not dismayed for there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Now thy thoughts shall be continually upon thy free redemption thy rich justification thy sollid sanctification thy glorious Adoption thy wonderfull union and thy eternall glorification now thy spirit is full of love of praise of glory saying with the Apostle Rom. 8.1 2. Now then there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the law of sinne and death The Philosopher saith there is a hidden and secret vertue in the starres and planets not in consonant to Scripture canst thou restraine the sweet influences of Pleiades And that there is a hidden vertue in gemms and pretious jewells that none can understand but those that are skilfull lapidaries So there is a hidden and inclosed excellency in Christ the Lord of life and Prince of glory and who can restraine the influences of his goodnesse or who can understand the richnes of his love but those who have knowne him by experience who can speake of the glorious robes of righteousnesse but those that are cloathed with the glorious robes of righteousnesse who can make mention of the rarenesse of Adoption but those who have obtained inheritance immortall and immarcessable or who can declare concerning the liberty of grace and glory but those that have accesse to the throne of grace by the spirit of glory hence came the rare experience the blessed Apostle found in and through the hand of the Mediator who delivered him from the law of sinne and death by the glorious and indissoluble Law of life according to the Text. Rom. 8. 2. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and death The law in Scripture is taken severall waies First Sometimes for the rule of mercy and peace because from it the Saints injoy Mercy from the bowels of mercy in God the Father from Jesus Christ Mediatour of the Law or Covenant Gal. 6.16 As many as walke according to this rule peace be unto them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Secondly sometimes it is taken for the law of faith sith in and by that wee doe not onely beleeve the pardon of sins through the blood of Christ the non Recordation of iniquity through the mercy of the Father and the free injoyment of God to be our God and heavenly Father in that Covenant of life peace and Adoption but also because that we by that Covenant are under the command of the Father the mind and will of the Lord Christ the gratious mediatour of the law of life reconciliation Rom. 3.27 Where is boasting excluded by the law of workes nay but by the law of faith Thirdly Sometimes it is called the New Testament not onely in opposition to the old but because the Father of dearest mercies hath beene pleased to reveale and testifie a more full fruition and Communion of his love in the remission or condonation of iniquity in the blood of his deare Sonne Luke 22.20 Likewise also he tooke the Cup after Supper saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood which is shed for you Fourthly Sometimes it is tearmed the new Covenant to denote that high dignity great Prerogative and wonderfull priviledge that is given to them under this Covenant sith in this he becomes their God and bountifull Father Remembreth their iniquities no more Writes his law in their hearts And teacheth them the high and deepe truths of the Gospel Jeremiah 31.31 32 33 34. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah Not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt which my Covenant they breake although I was an husband unto
flesh and blood he also himselfe tooke part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devill Victorer over the law and over all accusations by his intercession Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that justifieth who is it that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Triumpher over Captives and leading captivitie captive by the power of his assention It was impossible our Lord should be retained by the bonds of death the barts of hell and the power of the Devill not only because it hath beene the determinate counsell of the Father not to leave his soule in grave nor suffer his holy one to see corruption Acts 2.27 Because thou wilt not leave my soule in hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption Because of that pittie he had to his beloved Spouse his dearest members his tender branches Ephes 2.6 And hath raised us up together made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus because of the dignity of himselfe being King of his Church Lord of life Mediatur of the Covenant Acts 2.24 Whom God hath raised up having gloosed the paines of death because it was not possible he should be houlden of it But also because of the mighty and infinite power of the spirit of glory which rais'd up our Lord of life Prince of glory O my soule consider consider what the spirit of life hath done for thy foule Had not our Lord been raised from the dead by the spirit of life sinne would have crusht thy conscience to the lowest gulfe of misery the Devill like a roaring Lion would have devoured thee the law of terrors would have bound thee to the barre of eternal justice to eternitie death would have delivered thee to the second death forevermore and all evills would have ceased upon thy spirit for ever and ever Thē mightest thou have said with the Psalmist The sorrowes of death had compassed thee and the evills of hell had found thee thou foundest woe and sorrow then mightest thou have spoken with Hezekiah That thou wast forsaken as a Shepards Tent that justice would have beene as a Lion to breake all thy bones thou mightest have mourned as a Dove chattered as a Crain to the dayes of eternity Saying That thou should'st behold his gracious face no more behold his gracious countenance no more but remaine in everlasting chaines under darkenesse for evermore Shouldest thou have beene so happie as Jonah no he was but in the bellie of the Whale but thou shouldest have beene in the bellie of hell he was in the depth of the sea but thou shouldest have beē in the depth of the bottomlesse pit the waves of the sea and the bellowes thereof incompassed him but the waves of greatest sorrowes and bellowes of exceeding wrath should have incompassed thee he was heard out of the bellie of the Whale and his prayer came into his holy temple but thy prayer should have beene shut out from his glorious presence and should not have appeared before the throne of grace a Goard was provided for him to hide his head from the heate of the Sunne but no shelter nor shadow had beē provided for thee to hide thy soule frō everlasting burnings Where had beene the glorying of the Saints had our Lord not beene raised from the dead we should have had no cause to glory in the blood and death of his crosse no cause of triumphing in a glorious presentation in a hapy reconciliation in an absolute abolition of the hand writings which were written against us Where had been our redemption from death and the feare thereof from the grave and the sting thereof from out of the hands of the Devill and and the slavery thereof from the law and the execration thereof where had been our royall Robes of Righteousnesse our garments of glorious salvation justificatiō in his glorious presencs if the holy one had seen corruption the branches of the rarest vine should have withered the members to the head of purest gold would have perished and the spouses to our blessed and dearest Bridegroome would have been clothed with shame reproah for ever But blessed thrice blessed be that name is blessed forevermore sith he hath raised the head and the members the branches the vine the bridegroome the spouses together He that left not our Lord in the grave hath not left the Redeemed of the Lord in the pitt of distruction he that suffered not the sonne of the bosome to see corruption will not suffer the sonnes by adoption to be swallowed up by everlasting perdition Therefore you sonnes daughters of men we will not only glory in Christs incarnation in Christs crucifixtion in his grave buriall glorious assention but also in his victorious triumphous Resurrection The risse of the son of righteousnesse is more to us then the sun of morning light that delights the eye sence of sublunaries this the soules of distressed consciences that causeth the hearbs plants trees to rise out of the earth this causeth the branches spouses members of Christ to rise out of the lowest pitt that removeth darknesse bringeth in a light Diurnal this removeth darkenesse bringeth in a light eternall That is the plenitude above and the riches of the earth beneath this is the riches of the Church Militant and the plenitude of the Church Triumphant Therfore will we glory in the spirit of life according to the Text Rom. 8.2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sinne and death The spirit of life Sweet and pleasant is the expression of Job Will the wilde Asse roare when he hath grasse or will the Oxe low when he hath fother or will the dead soule mourne for life when it hath the spirit of life Noe it will joy it selfe in the spirit of joy and consolate it selfe in the spirit of consolation triumphing with the Apostle because the spirit of life hath freed it from the law of sinne and death according to the Text. Rom. 8.2 For he law of the spirit of Life◠in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death Secondly It is called the spirit of life sith that the spirit is the cause of union with the Lord Jesus by which the Saints receive both life spiritual and life eternall My prisoners of Hope and Bond men to the throne of mercy know and consider that it is not in your powers to injoy union with me and Jesus Christ whom I have sent the spot of your sin the blott of your transgressions and the impurity of your iniquities hath prevented the exactnesse rigidnesse and perfection of my law most pure hath hindered the eternitie
my grace as there is no end of the death of the Covenant of my peace so there is no end of my loving kindnesse in the covenant of grace peace Though I have made a covenant it is not l ke the first covenant I made in mount Sinai Ier. 31.31 Behold the day is come saith the Lord that I will make a new covenant with the house of Jsrael and with the house of Judah Not according to that I made with their Fathers c. Hence my people may glory in my Covenant had I made a Covenant with them to be their God to day and their enemy to morrow to blot out their sinnes to day and to remember them to morrow to write my law in their hearts to day and blot it out to morrow to give righteousnesse peace rest grace truth hope joy peace love reconciliation redemption and Adoption to day and to take these away to morrow my people should not had cause of glorying in the eternity of my favor but now have they great cause of glorying in my covenant sith it is as fast as the day and the night though all things fade and waxe old as a garment though the heavens should depart as a scroule though the hills should flee and the mountaines be removed notwithstanding this covenant must needs stand for ever Jsay 54.10 For the mountaines shall depart and the hils shall be removed but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my peace bee removed saith the Lord that hath mâ—rcy on thee Had I made the Sunne the Moone the Starres the planets like the fading herb grasse or trees where had beene their rarenesse If I had made the gold the gemms the pretious Jewels like the drosse of yron where had beene their richnesse If I had made my second covenant of peace of grace of love and mercy like the first of terrors of dreads of horrors and decaying where had beene the pretiousnesse But my people glory not only because I have made a Covenant but because I have made a covenant everlasting they glory not onely in righteousnesse but in everlasting righteousnesse not only in treasures but in eternall treasures not onely in life but in eternall life not only in peace but in perpetuall peace and attonement So they glory not only in the covenant of life and peace but also that it is the etarnal covenant of life peace Hence they glory with the Apostle Rom. 8.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sinne and of death Thirdly Because it is placed in Christ. The Sunne is placed in the midst of the planets from whence all the planets receive their purest lights the heart is placed in the midst of man that all the parts from thence might receive their vitall motion the law of life and grace is placed in Christ Jesus that from thence the Churches might receive their happinesse Happie O thrice happie are the Churches tha they have such a Lord and such a law not of sin and death but of grace and life Rom. 8.2 For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made them free from the law of sinne and death The earth was undecked and undorned till I adorned the earth with beauty the heavenly orbs were not beautified till I beautified them with the Splendor of the Sun of Moone and Planets The old law was inglorious by curse execration and condemnation but I have made a new glorious through life hope and benediction In whose hand is it blessed if not in the hand of the blessed mediatour in whose breast is it happiâ—â— if not in the breast of him that is a gratious Redeemer and in whom can that be glorious except in him that is King of Kings and Prince of glory It would not have stood with the glory of my wisedome If I should have made my covenant of life with the slaves of the devill bondslaves to hell and children of death it would not have stood with the honour of my wise disposement should I have placed my second covenant in them that brake my first and have shott their arrowes as farre distant from the throne of my grace as the highest place is from the lowest hell I should have lost the dignity of my grace had I made it with Angels who pittied not the prisoners of my hope neither could they answer the require and severity of my Justice As I have placed the purest light in the lightest Sunne and the rarest vertue in the purest gemmes so I have placed my law of absolute and intire purity in the Sonne of my rarest excellencie I have made my Covenant to Christ Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham and his seede were the promises made he saith not and to seedes as of many but as of one and to thy seede which is Christ I have made my Covenant with Christ sith none could satisfie my justice or fulfill my righteousnesse but him alone I made my Covenant in Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises are in him yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us I made him the Covenant of life and Salvation Isay 42.6 7. I the Lord have called thee in righteousnesse and will hold thine hand and will keepe thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentils to open the blinde eyes to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darkenesse out of the prison house He was the Character of my person and the effulgencie of my glory hee was the appointed King and the Lord commander of my purchased and acquired the Mediatour to and for my Redeemerd and Reconciled the prince of the kings of the earth the first begotten from the dead and the only one and beloved of the bosom therefore my covenant is to him with him and in him I tooke up my habitation in him from eternity to eternity my dwelling and delectation is in him from the beginning to the ending hence my Covenant of eternity rests in the bosome of eternity from whence should the espoused have their Commands but from their bridegroome I have not married them to the law but to Christ Rom 7.4 Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God From whence should the subjects have their ordinance but from their King I have not made Mosâ—s their king but Christ King of his Church Psal 45.11 So shall thy King greatly desire thy beauty for hee is thy Lord and worship thou him From whence should the redeemed of the Lord have their rules precepts but from Christ I have not made Moses their Prophet but Christ their Prophet Deut. 18.18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like
father so we also may walke in the newnes of life Rom. 6.4 O that I might feele the mighty operatiō of Christs mediatiō then should I behold God most propitious and clementious then should my faith cleave fast to the mercy seate for mercy and to the throne of grace for grace thereby should I rejoyce abundantly the singing birds would not so rejoyce when winter is gone and summer doth approach as I shall rejoyce in receiving delectation from Christs mediation then should I not runne from God with Adam but have accesse to God as Ester had to Ahashuerosh By whom also through faith we have accesse unto his grace by which wee stand and rejoyce under the hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 O my soule give glory to God thy heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ thy gratious Redeemer and to the holy Spirit who sealeth unto thee sure mercies which will never faile thee in the greatest extreamities Gods eternall favour in Christ established the efficatiousnesse of Christs merits and value the sealing thereof is not in thine owne power but in the power of the holy Spirit Hee that lookes upon the Creature he concludes that the Creature made not it selfe but it was made by the hand of the Creator he that minds how great a matter it is to have the eternall love of God and the merit of Christ to his conscience sealed will conclude it is not of himself but through the work of the Spirit who is our sealer And ye are scaled by the holy spirit of promise who is the earnest of our inheritance to the obtaining of Redemption unto the praise of his glory Ephes 13.14 but to draw unto a conclusion least many lines may be offensive unto thy patience Christian Reader only chuse thou Christ O my soule that when thy heart failes thee hee may be thy strength and thy portion for ever is not thy Saviour better then tenne thousands all things are valued but his value is invaluable all things are esteemed yet his worth is inestimable many things are uttered yet his excellency is unutterable Am I not ravished when he is my contemplation Am I not overjoyed when hee is my Meditation doth not my valley abound with pleasure when the vertue of his grace takes in me possession is the morning sunne so joyous to a traviller as Christ is to me when I thinke of him in the morning hee is more to thee O my soule then riches then honours then gold thē silver yea then pretious stones if thou hadst a kingdom and wast not assured of his kingdome what would that profit thee if thou hadst a world if thou hadst no interest in that blood which purchased the world to come what would that availe thee if thou hadst all the joyes and pleasures under heaven if thou hadst not the joy of his spirit what would that benefit thee if thou hadst al the gay apparrell in the world if thou hadst not Christs righteousnesse to defend thee from the wrath of God what fruit would that bring ūto thee if thou hadst all to plead for thee if thou hadst not Christ to excuse thee in the day of the Lord what joy could possesse thee it is good for thee to rest where Christ is so shall he be to thee a resting place it is good for thee to dwell where hee is for there are joyes for evermore O my soule feare not what man can doe unto thee if they take away thy name remember thy name is ingraved upon his breast he bare thy name upon the crosse he beareth thy name now in the sight of thy gratious Father Though thy name is extinguished yet not extinguished though not remembred yet remembred evermore Let Justiciaries cast their Arrowes by day and their fierie dars by night yet know that through thy saviour thou art able to repulse the fiery darts of Satan much more theirs Let them take away thy life thy life is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Let them conclude that thou art vaine glorious thy glorying expression shall be of Christ thy Lord of life and righteousnes sith if any in heavē or earth are bought to God by our Lord of life glory then thou art one of that company whilst thou as a poore pilgrim wanderest towards heavens City make thou a heavenly dimention of his glory Worthy is the Lambe who was slaine to receive power riches and strength wisedome and honour and glory and blessing and to him that sits upon the throne and unto the Lambe be ascribed blessing and honour and glory and strength for ever and ever Amen Revel 5.13.13 From the law of sinne and death O my people what have I done for you as Reconciliation to God my Father through my blood and death is the greatest mercy as my Adoption by my Spirit of glory is the highest love so my Redemption from the law of sinne and death by the Law of the Spirit of life is the freest bountie Have you not come short of my glory and the glory of my Father Rom. 3 23. For all have sinned are come short of the glory of God Have you not been under the curse and execration of the morrall law Gal. 3.10 For as many as are of the the workes of the law are under the curse for it is written cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to do them Have not your Spirit been silenced and your mouthes stopt before my Fathers presence Rom. 3 .19 Now wee know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them that are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God Hath not Moses accused you before the barre of justice John 5.45 Doe not thinke that I will accuse you to the Father there is one that accuseth you even Moses in whom ye trust Was not the same Law that was made for ungodly wicked and incorrigable siners made for you 1 Tim. 1.10 For whoremongers for them that defile themselves with mankind for men-stealers for lyers for perjured persons and if there bee any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine But I have delivered you from the law of Condemnation by the law of Salvation from the law of execration by the Law of benediction from the Law of accusation by the law of life and reconciliation and from the law of adjudication by the law of hope and Redemption When that I saw that ye were come short of all righteousnes fulfilled al righteousness Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness sake to every one that beleeveth Whē I saw that you were accursed I became a curse for you having undertaken to die the cursed death of the Crosse Gal. 3.13 Christ 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 upon a tree I saw that you could not stand just in the sight of my Father I gave you another righteousnesse by faith which is in me Phil. 3.9 And being found in him not having mine own righteousnesse which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnes which is of God by faith Now as you are not the sonnes of death but children of life so you are under the law of life Now as you are not the children of servitude and bondage but the children of liberty and Adoption are under my law of liberty and Adoption Gal. 4.1.2 Now I say that the heire as long as hee is a child differeth nothing from a servant though he is Lord of all but is under Tutours and Governours untill the time appointed of the Father Gal. 5.1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and bee not intangled againe in the yoake of bondage Now are you not children of unbeleefe and diffidence sith I dwell in your hearts by faith which is by me Ephes 3.16.17 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to bee strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith being rooted and grounded in love Now you are not slaves of hell and wrath but the dearest and choysest ones through my grace and tender compassion therefore you are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6.14 For sinne shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace Therefore you shall walke as my dearest my choisest and my redeemed as my peculiar my jewels and reconciled Doe I make my branches stately through my union do I make mine fruitfull through my blessed Communion and doe I not make mine subjective through the law of life and benedicton Now they will live the life of faith in me the life of love through me the life of obedience by me I have not given them the rule of mercy and peace to walke contrary to the rule of mercy and peace I have not given them the law of faith to call in question the faithfulnesse of my Fathers love and the pretiousnesse of my dearest blood So I have not given to them the fruits of the Law of life that they should walke as a dead people but that they should live by my fountaines of living waters by my nearest union and richness of communion through spirit of life and Adoption ever triumphing rejoycing and glorying in my law of life by which they are freed from the law of sinne and death according to the text Rom. 8.2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath freed them from the law of sinne and death JOHN 16. verse 22. And ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you againe and your hearts shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you THe sad complaint of Israel was mine eyes runneth down with water because the Comforter is farre from me he that should releeve my soule will not looke upon me my bowels are troubled the enemy hath prevailed over me this is the relation of the Israel of God mine eye powreth downe with waters my comforter is not farre from me hee that will releeve my soule will looke upon me my bowels are refreshed the chariots of hell hath not prevailed against me therefore though I am possest with sorrow because I possesse not what I shall possesse neverthelesse I shall see his face my heart shall rejoyce and my joy shall no man take from mee And ye now therefore have sorrow What the Saints beloved are they not delivered from the power of darkenesse and translated into the kingdome of my deare sonne have they not the spirit of joy and delightfull solace are they not crowned in Sion with everlasting joy upon their heads doe they not rejoyce in the garments of Salvation and perfect robes of righteousnesse Have they not the oyle of joy and gladnesse in stead of the garments of heavinesse and shall they not sing praise for ever and ever more unto mee which am blessed for evermore notwithstanding they are invirond with great sorrow and heavinesse Who lives amongst Tygers Wolves Lyons and Beares if not they who are counted the basest of the creature the vilest of the earth the terror to the sonnes of men and the scumme of the world if not they who encounters with the Devill makes war with the flesh fights against sinne and all evills if not they if the roaring Lyon the devill seeke to devoure them doe they not seeke to me the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah if the flesh doth burthen them say they not with Paul who shall deliver them from the power of death if sin doth defile them do they not desire to be washed in my pretious blood and if the law of terror affright them doe they not fly to the law of life in Christ Jesus mine would sinne no more offend no more but praise me evermore Sith I have made them new creatures formed them according to my Image and made them conformable to my mind and pleasure True it is I imbrace them I love them and I delight in them to dayes everlasting yet my divine pleasure hath been to hide my face for a moment to obscure my selfe for the twinckling of an eye as though I would take my leave or farwel of them notwithstanding I have done it for their consolation to shew my might and power in conservation and my superemenent bounty and love in their beatitude and glorification I that hid my glory I that gave them not a footstep for habitation have given to them my heavenly mantion and though I deprived them of my personall presence yet my blessed presence shall shine upon them in my heavenly Citie What though for a moment they doe not possesse me in the fulnesse of communion in the blessednesse of my beatification in the plenitude of hope and benediction Yet I will see them againe their heart shall rejoyce and their joy shall no man take from them But I will see you againe If I come to mine who am my Churches King of glory I will bring her to the habitation of my heavenly glory if I the loving bridegroome come to my beloved Church and choysest Spouse I will make her glad with my heavenly and gratious countenance I will remove away her teares though thousands her forrowes though infinite and her Lamentations though as the sands upon the sea shore then shee that was wrapt in the dust below shall sing glory and praise to me on high for I that take away all teares will wipe away teares from her face For I will see her againe her heart shall rejoyce and her joy shall no man take from her I will What I will it was my pleasure to excercise mine under tribulations tentations
your hearts be troubled yee beleeve in God beleeve also in me Have not I wished them to rejoyce through exhortation Phil. 4.4 Reioyce in the Lord alway and againe I say reioyce What is my bloody crosse my victorious death my comfortable resurrection and my powerfull mediation But joy to the drooping what is the covenant of my freest grace my highest love my richest mercy and tender compassions but comfort to the mourning What is the spirit of adoption whereby mine call my father Father the spirit of obsignatiō wherby mine injoy an inheritance among them which are sanctified the spirit of sanctification whereby mine are sanctified in the day of their Communion with mee their vine and royall bridegroome but consolation to the lamenting as my springs of grace are in the throne of my grace so I have filled them with the fruits of my grace as the fountaine of my love is in the throne of love so have I filled mine with my dearest love when I dwell in their hearts by faith which is in mee when I rule in their consciences by peace which is from mee when I shall lodge in their soules through my spirit of glory I shall change their garments of lamentation into garments of salvation their mourning weeds into glorying expression and their sighes and groanes unutterable into the sweetest oration For I will see them againe and their hearts shall rejoyce and their joy shall no man take from them The rivers that flowed from paradice are not comparable to the streames that makes glad the city of our God those were water these welsprings of living water those flowed from the earthly paradice these from the heavenly and celestiall paradice by some of them was Bdelium and the Onix stone in these are eternall glory nearenesse of union and the fruition of eternall life and felicitie those were appointed to water the Garden of Eden these are ordained to water and refresh the Church of Christ beloved those were placed in paradice by the wisedome and love of God the Father these were placed and appointed in the Church of Christ redeemer therefore they admire at the love of God the Father and the superemenent grace of Christ Mediator Saying they shall heare the thing they never heard they shall see the things they never saw and they shall understand the things they never understood Their joy in that day shall not be from the influence of the starrs my influence excelleth the influence of all starrs they shall not injoy the comfort of the Moone but the comfort of mee whose glory is above Sunne and Moone What shall mine injoy in that day they shall fully see the throne of grace fully behold all the hidden unutterable and unsearchable excellencies that are in me What shall they possesse when they shall possesse me that filleth all in all things what shall they comprehend when they shall be comprehended and invironed with my glorious presence and the light of my countenance therefore though the heavens and the earth should bee silent the moutaines and the vallies should be still yet mine will glory in me their loving prince and effectionate bridegroome Sith I will see them againe their hearts shall rejoyce and their joy shall no man take from them And your joy no man taketh from you O the love of our loving and glorious father O the kindnesse of our Lord our deare and gratious Redeemer if mine admire at my love my love is admirable love if mine contemplate of my grace my grace is superemenent grace when they were in the vast and roaring wildernesse I allured them and brought them into a wildernesse and there I spake comfortably unto them Hosea 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wildernesse and spake comfortably unto her When mine were tossed like a ship with the roaring waves reeling like a drunken man were welneigh dashed in peeces by the craggie rockes and shelves I laid a foundation for them of pretious Stones and Saphires Isa 54.11 O thou afflicted tossed with tempest and not comforted I will lay thy stones with faire colours and lay thy foundation with Saphirs When they wanted joyes I gave them joyes firmer then the earth upon its center more fixed then the fixed starres more stable then the sublunarie creatures Is my righteousnes everlasting righteousness is not my comfort everlasting is my deare hearts blood of an eternall value is not my consolations eternall is my communion and blessednesse for ever and ever and are not my joyes for ever and ever If mine have life their life is hid in me if mine have peace then their peace is treasured in me if mine have joy their joy is joy in me Hath the mists taken away the light of the Sunne No Hath the mortality of the body taken away the immortality of the soule No Or can any take away the consolation of my Redeemed No Had I not given to my Redeemed everlasting righteousnesse eternall life an inheritance immutable then their joy had beene momentanie and transitorie but because I have given them an everlasting righteousnesse Dan. 9.24 Seaventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy citie to finish the transgressions and to make an end of sinnes and to make reconciliation for iniquity to bring in everlasting righteousnesse and to seale up the vision and prophesie and to annoynt the most holy Eternall life John 10.28 And I give unto them eternall life they shall never perish neither shall any man plucke them out of mine hands An inheritance immortall and immutable 1 Pet. 1.4 Therefore their joy is not transitory and momentanie After once I bring my redeemed to the inheritance immortall and incontaminate they shall sing nothing but praise honour glory power might truth mercy strength and thanksgiving to my Father blessed for ever and to me blessed for ever more They shall know of no sinne in the flesh they shall not heare the accusations of the law before the tribunall seate of justice they shall not hearken to the temptations of the devill they shall not feele the burden of sinne nor be affrighted at the feares of death and hell but they shall injoy an immediate communion and fruition of my glory to everlasting For I wil take away their heavines their heart shall rejoyce and their joy no man taketh from them JOHN 15.12 This is my Commandement that ye love one another as I have loved you RAre is the Sunne in respect of beauty light and operation rare are the pretious jewells in respect of richnesse vertue and estimation so rare is the love of Christ to us through gifts graces and communication as the myrrh and the drops thereof as the sweet raine and the showers thereof as the bedewing dew and the overspreading thereof so is the influence of Christs freest grace and the expression of his dearest love according to the text John 15.12 This is my Commandement that ye love one another