said and so he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13. Dan. 2. 21. And by his thus giving the Spirit to them and opening the testimony of Jesus and therein glorifying Christ he is still and further baptizing them by this holy Spirit making them clean and washing them with the washing of water by the Word from the errors and pollutions of the world into Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 3. Mat. 3. 11. Eph 5. 25 26. 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. strengthening them there through to mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8. 13. giving this as a spirit of adoption into their hearts a spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12. 10. a spirit of boldness and confidence to come unto God as their Father and cry Abba to draw nigh to him by the blood of Jesus through that new and living way consecrated through the veil the flesh of Christ he being also the great High Priest over the house of God and so to come with boldness to the throne of grace that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 10. 19 22. Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 6. Heb. 4. 16. and to teach them what to pray for as they ought both what things to desire and so what to pray for first and especially namely the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and things more directly thereto appertaining and other things with submission to his will and upon what account and in what incouragement and to what end to seek them to wit in the name of Christ and that God in all things may be glorified Rom 8. 26 27. to fulfil in them the righteousness of the Law and fill them with the fruits of righteousness and so to conform them to Christ that their soul may be as a watered garden Rom. 8 4. Gal. 5. 16 22. Eph. 5. 9 10. Isa 58. 11. to teach them to answer adversaries and opposers and that they may contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints Luk. 12. 11 12. 21. 14 15. to anoint them and give grace to them even some gracious gift for the good of men and growth of the Church that they may grow up together by that which every joint supplieth Eph. 4. 7. 1 Cor. 12. 7. and so makes them a royal Priesthood to shew forth his praises 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. yea strengthens them through his Spirit to wait for the hope of his righteousness by faith in purging away their transgressions subduing their iniquities fighting their battels he being the Captain of their salvation perfecting all their works and even to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus to eternal life Gal. 5. 5. Psal 138. 7 8. Isa 26. 12. He is their Advocate with the Father to plead their cause to receive their suits to make their spiritual sacrifices acceptable taking away the iniquity of their holy things that they may come with acceptance upon his Altar and so to give answers of peace and gracious returns He is the High Priest of their profession and so he is not of others their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God Rock Mediator High-Priest their drink-offerings of blood will he not offer but he offers their sacrifices that come to God by him and perfumes them with the vertues and odours of his sacrifice Psal 16. 4. Joh. 14. 13. 1 Pet. 2 5. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rev. 8. 3 5. Heb. 13. 15 16. His eyes unto whom all things are naked and opened are alwayes upon them to preserve them from evil to preserve their souls 2 Thes 3. 3. they are always upon the righteous to order his providences as may be good and to deliver them from the will of their enemies and he is caring for them and will preserve them that none shall pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 27 28. Psal 33. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 5 6 7. Such is his grace to them that when need is he is chastening them for their profit that they may be more partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 9 11. The Lord tryeth the righteous out of love to them and faithfulness to Christ Jesus Psal 89. 28 33. But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth and therefore he is not so trying them Psal 11. 5. And oh that none of them whom he is so chastening may forget that consolation in Christ which speaks to them as to children that they may not despise his chastenings nor faint when rebuked of him Heb. 12. 5 8. Prov. 3 11 12. And in those chastenings they have a merciful and faithful High-Priest to consider who himself hath suffered being tempted and therefore is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 17 18. 3. 1. 4. 15 16. one who pities them as a father pities his children and therefore chastens them as a man chasteneth his Son Psal 103. 13. Deut. 8. 5. with great tenderness and in measure he debateth with them and with the temptation will make a way of escape that they may be able to bear Isa 27. 8 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and though he cause grief he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3. 31 32. and cause all things to work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8. 28. and all these tempâ—ations and trials of their faith shall appear to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 they shall see and acknowledge his grace and faithfulness in nurtuâ—ing them in this day to so gracious an end that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. Prov. 23. 14. yea now while walking in the light of the Lord they are acknowledging his faithfulness in correcting and giving thâ—nks to him because of his righteous judgments Psal 119. 62 68 75. Yea he will in their seeking first the kingdom of God and unto that add unto them all other things and so what they shall eat and what they shall drink and wherewith they shall be cloathed he will give unto them food and raiment such provision hath he made in his great and precious promises for their incauragement that their conversation may be without covetousness and carefulness and he is faithful who hath promised as is wonderfully manifested in the Cross of Christ Mat. 6. 33. Heb. 13. 5 6. Psal 34. 9 10. yea he is a Sun and a shield and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly and therefore O Lord of hosts blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Psal 84. 11 12. 3. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he will do and that 1. To those righteous ones whom he gathers to himself now by death and before he appears 2. And to all of them hereafter when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 1. To those righteous ones
God because he laid down his life for us it was God that was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit and the Father in him 1 Tim. 3. 16. And so it was one that was infinitely worthy one that had bought them there was no reason for any to take offence at this resignation was Paul crucified for you did any among them redeem them no surely but worthy hereof is the Lamb for he was slain and had redeemed them Rev. 5. 9. It was God their shepherd to whom he commits them whose flock thâ—y were v. 28. 29. And whom he had bought with one price after a double consideration according to the will of God and our Father 1. He was such an one as had bought them with his own blood or with himself in the vertues thereof and that in common with all men for he gave himself a ransâ—me for all as 1 Tim. 2 6. Namely for all men as is evident in that it is part of the proof he gives to evidence that God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth ver 4. And the Apostle there speaks of his giving himself a price of redemption not to but for all it was to God he gave himself a ransome as is also evident that he speaks of it as done in order of Nature before he was Mediator and by vertue whereof he is the Mediator making intercession for transgressoâ—s and to that end he might be a testimony and testified in due time ver 5. 6. And so he gave himself a price of redemption to God for all that he might redeem them unto himself that they might be his and he be their Lord Rom. 14. 9. That the sentence of banishment that was against them might be released to him and that they might be under his dispose that the world thorow him might be saved Joh. 3. 17. He is raised again for our Justification who was delivered for our offences and hath received an acquittance from all our sins imputed to him he was justified in the Spirit 's raising him and hath by himself without any knowledge motion compliance on our parts or any thing required of us purged our sins and this he hath done before he sat down on the right hand of the Maiesty in high Heb. 1. 3 And so made peace slain the enmity drawn all men to himself so as that the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son Joh. 5. 22. He hath purchased and bought all men and hence all Lands all the earth are instructed to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and to know the Lord is God it is he that hath made us when we had marr'd our selves and his we are we are his people and the sheep of his pasture Psal 100. 1. 3. 4. He hath bought them who had corrupted themselves and whose blot it was that they were not his Children but were a perverse and erooked generation Deut. 32. 5. 6. He hath redeemed them that speak lies against him Hos 7. 13. Yea such as deny him and bring uâ—on themselves swift destruction thereby 2 Pet. 2. 1. in short he is Lord of all men because he dyed rose and revived fâ—r them and this to a gratious end while called to day that all men should honour him as they should honour the Father Rom. 14. 9. Joh. 5. 22. 23. And hath so redeemed them unto himself that no man shall perish for ever in that first death but be raised by the man Christ Jesus and then they shall not be judged by the Law as they fell under it in â—â—â—m but by the Law of liberty in which liberty is proclaimed from the curse of the Law Jam. 2. 12. O what a faithful resignation was this and what incouragement to leave our selves with him and commit our selves to him who hath thus manifested his grace and to moderate our sorrow â—â— that he lives who was dead and is alive for evermore and hath the keys of hell and death Rev. 1. 18. 2. More directly the person to whom he commends them it was God who had purchased them with his own blood namely redeemed them out of the World and from amongst men and that thorow the presenting his blood to them and commending it before them in the pretious and excellent ends and vertues thereof in which he was raised from the dead peace made righteousness compleated spirit received a new testament and everlasting covenant confirmed eternal redemption obtained in glorifying of which by his spirit and rendring it thus pretious in his testimony he had redeemed them and bought them of themselves and from their vain conversation 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. Redeemed them unto God out of the kindreds and tongues and so from the earth and from amongst men Rev. 5. 9. with chap. 14. 3. 4. Made them willing for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ to suffer the loss of all things and to go on to count them as dung Phil. 3 8. 9. He gave himself to them for them that they receiving him might give themselves to hâ—m Eph. 5. 25. 26. Indeed he is thus buying all men that come to years of capacity in due time reconciling the VVorld to himself calling upon all the ends of the earth to look to him and be saved 2 Cor. 5. 19. 20. Isa 45. 22. But many refuse and when the price is put into their hands they have no heart to accept and imbrace it but when light is vouchsafed they love darkness rather then â—ight and this is their great iniquity and cause of their everlasting perdition that when they are called they are not chosen that they will not be elected Joh. 3. 18. 19. Mat. 22. 11. 14. But these to whom the Apostle speaks he had purchased with his own blood he was their Shepherd and they were his flock in a peculiar consideration his Church his Spouse and such as were therefore the subjects of his peculiar love and most special care Oh excellent one to whom he thus resigns them Oh blessed incouragement to trust in him and not be afraid and to look for his mercy unto eternal life who in his love and pitty had redeemed them of God in common with all from the curse of the Law and thorow the commendation of his pretious blood had bought them of themselves Oh what ground to conclude seeing the Lord was their shepherd they should not want and from his grace in laying down his life for them when sinners and enemies to be confident from his love therein commended that much more being reconciled they should be saved by his life Rom. 5. 6. 10. and 8. 32. Gal. 2. 20. Had the Apostle committed them to any mean man how faithful soever he might have complained of it as a burden Even Moses of whom the Holy Ghost gives this testimony that he verily was faithful in all his house as a servant Heb. 3. 5. Yet complains of that charge
vvas that vvhich they favv in the light and evidence of the Spirit and accordingly did testifie even as the sum of their testimony that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the world 1 John 4. 14. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 4. In this Word is discovered to us his grace in what he hath through and by means of his death effected and obtained into himself for us and is become And so 1. That which he hath effected thereby is that he hath saved us mankind in himself from that so great a death in which otherwise we must have perished for ever for in Jesus Christ mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed he hath satisfied God's justice fulfilled his truth appeased his wrath paid that our debt answered the Law and this is manifested in that God hath raised him from the dead in that same body in which he was crucified and in which he bare our sins on the Tree and he hath brought him again from the dead through his blood so precious was it in the sight of the Lord Heb. 13. 20. That same Jesus whom the Jews crucified in that same personal body in which he dyed for our sins is raised again and this was of absolute necessity for if he be not taken from prison we must dye and abide in our sins for ever preaching is vain and faith vain c. But he is raised from the dead in that body which was pierced with a spear and with those hands and feet which were nailed to the Tree John 19. 34. with Chap. 20. 20 25 27. And unto his Apostles he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty dayes Acts 1. 3. And as he is raised in that very body in which he suffered so also in that publick consideration being acquitted from all our sins that were imputed to him and having over come all our death and enemies that had led us captive He was declared and determined to be the Son of God in whom he is well pleased with power according to the spirit of holiness in the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. He is taken from prison and from judgment and as in him as in the publick man all have dyed and suffered the whole of the curse due to them for our first departure from God 2 Cor. 5. 14. So in him who is the last Adam they are acquitted For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God being justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Rom. 3. 23 24. 5. 18. He hath so purged away our sins from before the presence of God the guilt whereof was imputed to him as that now the Father judgeth no man according to the Law as they fell under it in the first publick man Heb. 1. 3. with Iohn 5. 22. that is to say no man is condemned or held out from God either because our first Father hath sinned and we in him or because as we come to receive our beings we come forth and are born in sin and so naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled for he hath made peace slain the enmity that was between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in the way contrary to us broken down the middle wall of partition and is become the way to the Father and God hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son Eph. 2. 13 15. Col. 2. 13 14. Ioh. 5. 22 23. Gal. 3. 13. And he hath spoiled principalities and powers led captivity captive and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Col. 2. 15. Psal 68. 18. See how this began to be spoken by the Lord himself as to both these branches Iohn 12. 31 32. Now saith he is the judgment of this world to wit it was now executing upon him when his soul was troubled the guilt of the trespasses of the world which made it liable to the judgment of God being imputed to him he was called to the judgment-seat and made a curse for us and God in him took vengeance of our iniquities he judged and condemned sin in the flesh of Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 3. Isa 61. 1 2. He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Now shall the Prince of this world be castâ—out namely out of his principality and from being the Prince of this world as he was according to that judgment for we were fallen under his dominion necessarily and must have so remained for ever had not God devised this blessed means And I if I be lifted up from the earth namely crucified and hung on the Tree will draw all men unto me That is by means of his death who in the vertue thereof is discharged and acquitted he would draw all men unto him and now in the first sense hath drawn them unto himself from under the judgment of this world which was executed upon him from under that sentence of banishment according to which they were shut out from God and must have perished in their sins and from being under the necessary dominion of Satan who was become the Prince of this world from under both he hath drawn them unto himself to be under his judgment his gracious Government and Lordship for to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Lord of all Rom. 14. 9. Acts 10. 36. And to a gracious end did he dye for all and is raised again and hath the sentence of banishment remitted to him and brought us under his kingdom viz. that he might bring us back to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 15. And of both these it appears the Psalmist prophetically speaks in Psal 136. where he provokes to give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and that first because of his creating all things ver 5. 9. and then for his great goodness towards the house of Israel which he bestowed on them ver 10 22. to which he adds he remembred us in our low estate when we were brought low for our iniquities and were justly banished from his presence in the sentence of his Law for his mercy endureth for ever and redeemed us from our enemies for his mercy indureth for ever ver 23 24. I say it appears he speaks of this redemption of mankind in Christ generally and of his mercy to the Gentiles particularly in that it is distinguished from his work of creation his goodness to Israel and his providing for and giving food to all flesh And the like is also said Col. 2. 14 15. yea he hath so saved all mankind in himself as that no man shall perish for ever in that first death of which our Jesus tasted and which he overcame and hath abolished but be raised out of it for since by man death by man also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam
all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And when they are raised they shall not be judged according to that first rule of judgment buâ— God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ he is appointed the judge of quick and dead anâ— God will judge the world in righteousness by tâ—â—â— man â—ct 10. 42. 17. 31. and the rule by which he will judge â—â—â—â— will be according to Pauls Gospel in which is declared â—hâ—â— Christ dyed for all and by the grace of God â—asted 〈◊〉 for every man 2 Cor 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. Rom. 2. 16. And he â—â—at believeth this Gospel as declared â—â— the means 〈◊〉 and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth â—ot shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. Joh. 16. 8 9. Rom. 2. 6 11. Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 2 4. Psal 68. 18 21. 2. He hath not only delivered us from so great a death and curse and from the hand of our deadly enemy who hated us but hath obtained and recovered all things into himself for us and is made perfect through sufferings that he might bring us back to God namely he hath obtained forgiveness spirit and grace and all power and authority in the name of the Father Forgiveness he is exalted with God's right hand a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins Act. 5. 31. This man when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down c. namely from this work of offering any more his sacrifice being so acceptable as that he hath taken away the guilt of his sins which were imputed to him and hâ—th obtained power to forgive the sins of the people Heb. 7. 27. 10. 11 12. He is ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and hath received gifts of justification forgiveness and spirit in the man for men as they come forth from Adam yea for the rebellious also which add rebellion unto their sin Job 34. 37. Psal 68. 18. Herein the free gift this grace in Christ exceeds the offence of the first man the judgment was by one offence to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences unto justification Rom. 5. 16. even of many offences that are distinct from that offence and unto which men are not thereby necessitated meerly of many offences in which men sin after the similitude of Adams transgression ver 14. through this man whom God raised again and who saw no corruption is preached the forgiveness of sins even of such sins as they that believe this preaching are justified from namely from such sins as they could not be justified from by the Law of Moses for which it afforded or directed to no sacrifice for a typical justification to wit rebellious presumptuous sins Act. 13. 38 39. with Numb 15. 30 31. The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins Mat. 9. 6. and in him God is become a God gracious and merciful pardoning iniquity and transgression and sin Rom. 3. 25. Heb. 10. 14 18. In him the Apostles had in the testimony to declare redemption through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Gods grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. Oh great consolation for us that have transgressed and have rebelled and have thereby procured such testimonies of displeasure as in which he hath been taking away faithful and eminent helpers in the Lord Oh excellent object and medium to be commended to that we may in the incouragement of his grace in what he hath done and is become and hath received come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy forgiveness of our sin and grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. And he hath received the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost the spirit of grace Isa 11. 1 3. 42. 1. Joh. 3. 34. he is full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2. 3. This is the record that God hath given us eternal life even the knowledge and favour of God and fellowship with him and this life is in his Son 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11. all things are here ready Mat. 22. 4. durable riches and righteousness a feast of fat things for all people of fat things full of marrow Prov. 3. 13 18. 8. 18 19. Isa 25. 6. he is become a fountain of life and living waters to cool and refresh our thirsty souls and to wash us from all our pollutions and defilements Zech. 13. 1. Psal 36. 9. Ier. 2. 13. Yea it discovers the great power and authority and dominion which he hath recovered into and received in our nature and for us God hath given him power over all flesh over all mankind he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth and hath power over all creatures all power is given to him both in heaven and in earth Mat. 28. 18. God hath given him dominion over the works of his hands in this lower part of his Creation the which he gave to man in the first Adam but by their seeking out inventions they came short of this glory of God which he had conferred upon them Gen 1. 26 28. Eccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23. but our Jesus hath redeemed this which was part of our possession and which we had sold and aliened and not only so but he hath power over Angels he hath obâ—â—iâ—â—d a more excellent name than they even than the holy and elect Angels they are now his and are instructed to worship him even all the Angels of God Heb. 1. 4 6. they are the Angels of the Son of man sent forth and ordered by him Mat. 24. 30 31. Heb. 1. 10 14. and his own right hand and his holy arm hath gouen himself the victory over the evil Angels he hath bound the strong man spoiled principalities and powers and God hath put all things under his feet Eph. 1. 20 21. Psal 98. 1. This was that which was more darkly prophefied of by the Prophet Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet all sheep and oxen yea and the beasts of the field even the great and wild beasts the fear of him is upon them the fowl of the Air and the fish of the Sea and whatsoever passeth thorow the paths of the Sea Psal 8. 5 8. He hath the dominion over these that he may give food to all flesh during his pleasure and that he may preserve from the â—ury and rage of the wildest and strongest of them that mens lives may be preserved while it is the day of his grace and for the peculiar good of those that believe Job 5. 22 23. Yea the Apostle citing that place in the Psalmist and shewing it was spoken concerning our Jesus doth also explicate it unto us and shews that he hath obtained a more excellent
will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness And Isa 43. 2 5. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee fear not for I am wiâ—h thee So Hag. 2 4 5. Hence the Psalmist saith Though I walk in the valley â—f the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me namely I will fear no evil of or concerning thee I will not be jealous of my Shepherd and so I will fear no evil no adversity whatsoever for thou art with me to uphold and strengthen me with strength in my soul Psal 23. 4. 138. 3. This comforted the Prophet when in great affliction and inderision daily I heard the defaming of many fear on every side report say they and we will report all my familiars watched for my halting peradventure he will be inticed and we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge on him By the way they signifie that unless they could intice him or turn him aside they could not take their revenge on him but saith he the Lord is with me therefore my persecuters shall stumble and they shall not prevail Jer. 20. 10 11. And so He will preserve their souls from the design of Satan and his instruments that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ that love him and keep his word Rom. 8. 35 39. he will not deliver them unto the will of their enemies Psal 41. 2. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. He will not suffer the feet of those that trust in him to be moved he that keepeth them will not slâ—mber behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep the Lord is their keeper the Sun shall not smite them by day the Lord shall preserve them from all evil he shall preserve their souls c. Psal 121. 97. 10. 1 Sam. 2. 9. My sheep saith our Saviour hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. Oh! what incouragement is given us herein to trust in him and not be afraid not to fear any of those things we may suffer but though bryars and thorns be with us and we dwell among Scorpions and our souls are among Lions and Wolves even amongst them that are set on fire whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword yet to walk in the strength of the Lord God and to make mention of his righteousness even of his only Yea He will cause all things to work together for good to them that love God who are the called according to purpose so as that in all the tribulations he is ordering they shall be mâ—râ— than conquerours through him that hath loved them and given himself for them Rom. 8. 28 37. and they shall be gainers by their losses and have occasion with thankfulness to acknowledge that it was good for them that they were afflicted Psal 119. 62 71. for his end in ordering the afflictions of the Gospel is for their profit that they might be partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 10 11. he is refining them but not with silver he is chusing them in the furnace of affliction Isa 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. Every branch in the true vine the Husbandman purgeth continually that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. and by all tribulations he is preparing them for glory and more glory for them Our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen saith the Apostle for which cause they fainted not 2 Cor. 4. 16. 18. yea death is theirs and to die gain and the Lord knoweth how even by this means to deliver the godly out of temptation 1 Cor. 3. 22. Phil. 1. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 9. and their manifold temptations the tryal of their faith through which now for a season when need is they are in heaviness shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And now in the multitude of their troubles and thoughts within them his comforts shall delight their souls Psal 94. 19. He is the God of all comfort who comforteth them in all their tribulations and as the sufferings of Christ abound in them so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ He is one who comforts them that are cast down and restoreth comfort to the conâ—â—ite one and his mourners by creating the fruit of his lips in his Gospel peace peace unto them 2 Cor. 1. 3 5 7 7. 5. Isa 57. 18 19. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Christ because the Lord hath anointed him to preach good tydiâ—gâ— to the meek To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to gâ—ve unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning c. Isa 61. 1 3. He will then especially and abundantly cause them to prove the sufficiency of his gracâ— 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. that having access by faith into that groce wherein they stand even that grace that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly they may rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. He will give unto them his good Spirit to bring to remembrance the sayings of Christ to glorifie him and enamour their hearts on him and to teach them all things and so to be a spirit of grace and supplication unto them to teach them how to pour out their hearts unto him in what manner and for what things and in what incouragement Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13 14. Likewise the Spirit also heâ—peth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we oâ—ght but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be â—ttered Rom. 8. 26 27. and so to teach them how to answer adversaries and opposers This is the promise which our Saviour promised his Disciples when he sent them forth as Lambs in the midst of Wolves to preserve them from carefulness and thoughtfulness what to answer But when saith he they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak either as to the manner or matter for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak for it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your father which speaketh in you Maâ— 10. 16 20. And hence our â—aviour admonisheth them to settle it in their â—eaâ—ts not to mediâ—are before what they shall answer for he assuâ—es them in so doing he will
is said of those that died in the faith that these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promises God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Phil. 3. 11 12. Heb. 12. 39 40. Though believers are complâ—at in Christ who by the one offering of his personal body once for all hath perfected for ever in himself and that provision he hath made and Covenant he hath sealed them that are sanctified so as there needs no more offering for sin yet in themselves they are not compleat nor compleatly in him and are therefore instructed to walk in Christ as they have received him rooted and built up in him and to have their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water Col. 2 10. with ver 2 7. Heb. 10. 14 22 their being built up is by degrees they go from strength to strength Psal 84 7. and are changed from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. And hence they are said to grow like a Cedar Psal 92. 12. to grow up Eph. 4. 15. to increase 1 Thes 4. 10. Col. 2. 19. to abound more and more 1 Thes 4. 1. to press toward the mark Phil. 3. 14. to run the race Heb. 12. 1. All which expressions signifie that the believers while here in mortal bodies have not yet attained to compleatness in themselves or to a compleat iâ—joyment of what is to be possessed and which while here they seek and wait for Here though he that is perfect in knowledge is with them abiding in Christ yet they are not perfect in knowledge but are instructed to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savâ—our Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. And the Apâ—stle prayes for these Ephesians who were sealed with the holy spirit of promise that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of glory would give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation c. The eyes of their understandings being inlightnâ—d that they might further know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 13 20. and that they might know the love of Christ Chap. 3. 14 19. And hence that holy man so oftentimes prayes that God would open his eyes make him understand teach him the way of his statutes give him understanding teach him knowledge c. Psal 119. 18 19 27 33 34 64 66. yea the Apostle Paul who as a wise Master-builder laid the foundation and preached the Gospel according to the revelation of the mystery affirms of himself and other believers that now they knew in part and not perfectly 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. And so they are not perfect in their faith in their hearty perswasion and imbracement of what God hath testified of his Son and dependance on him according thereto so as to live the life they now live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us and to walk by faith but many weaknesses and mixtures are found with them and much shortness according to what the Apostle signifies concerning the Thessalâ—nians where he saith night and day praying exceedingly that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith 〈◊〉 â—â—â— 3. 10. and thanks God because thâ—â—â—â—iâ—â—â—iâ— grow c. 2. Thes 1. 3. and tells the Corinthians thaâ— he had hope that when thâ—ir â—aith was increased they should be iâ—arged â—y them 2 Cor. 10. 15. and surely this appears when God is ordering â—â—ptâ—â—ions and tryals of the faith to them by their weakâ—ess and readiness to faint â—â—d be wâ—aâ—y that they baâ—e nâ—t yet attained unto a most â—ull assurance of â—â—iâ—h what douâ—â—ings and aptness to be calling into question God's love and â—aithfulness what jealousies and â—ears concerning him as if he would leave and forsake them what readiness to be looking or vain hâ—lp and turning the eyes this way and that way is found with such the Scriptures testifie and the experiences of such confirm Psal 31. 22. 77. 7 10. 116. 11. How oft our Saviour reprehends his Disciples on this account may be seen mat 6. 30. 8. 26. 14. 31. 16. 8. Mark 4. 4â— Luk. 8. 25. yea when they said We believe that thou camest forth from God Jesus answered them Do ye now believe Behold the hour cometh yea is now come that ye shall be scattered every one to his own c. Joh. 16. 30 32. That hour that came upon him made discovery of them that there was yet somewhat lacking in their faith how confident soever they were of themselves yea it may seem there was sometime some shortness found with Abraham the father of the faithful though not imputed of whom it was said he staggered not at the promise through unbelief but was strong in faith for when God promised that Sarah should be a Mother of Nations c. Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said unto God O that Ishmael may live before thee Gen. 17. 17 19. and surely believers have need to pray Lord help our unbelief as he Mark 9. 24. or however as the Disciples Lord increase our faith Luâ— 17. 7. Nor are they yet perfectly conformed to Christ and filled with the fruits of righteousness there is yet sin dwelling in them and in many â—â—iâ—gs they offend all and need therefore to be still sanctified and washed with the washing of water by the word to which end Christ gives himself to them for them Eph. 5. 25 26. 1 Thes 5. 23. their love to Christ and God in him may yet abound in all knowledge and judgment and though they love one another and all men yet they may increase and abound therein Hence they are instructed to add to their faith vertue c. Phil. 1. 9 11. 1 Thes 3. 12 13. 4. 1 9 10. 2 Pet. 1. 4 8. And as this instruction is useful to preserve us from the error of those wicked and Antichristian spirits who boast that they are sinless and perfect and injoy the fulness of all blessing and that they have need of nothing while yet they are poor and miserable and blind who though they are pure in their own eyes yet are not washed from their filthiness Wo unto them for they have received their consolation And also from their swelling words of vanity who being pufâ— up with their fleshly mind and not holding the head boast of their merits and works of superâ—rrogation c. seeing it shews our shortness and incompleatness in our selves while here that pride may be hidden from us and no flesh may glory in his presence but that even unfeigned believers may confess that when they have done all that is commanded them they are unprofitable servants So also it is proper as viewed in the glorious Gospel to move us continually to come unto Jesus Christ and to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard that with open face