Poor Men are badly clad Job 31. 19. Sometimes they go in rags as Soloman saies Pro. 23. 21. Drowsiness will cloath a man in rags It notes the Poverty that slothful Persons are brought into when James would discribe a poor man he sets him forth as cloath'd in vile rayment Jam. 2. 2. And there come in a poor man in vile rayment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dirty base cloaths The same word that is rendred filthly garments Zach. 3. 3. Is the dress of poor men So Christless Souls are very poor they go in mean rayment they are naked the Spirit of God tells the Church of Laodicea so Rev. 3. 17 18. Till Souls be cloathed with the white rayment of Christ's Righteousness they be naked and their shame appears they have nothing to cover their nakedness from the sight of God Angels and Saints They go in poor rayment their garments are webs of their own weaving and their works are their covering They are cloath'd with shame and cover'd with Confusion as with a Mantle Psa 109. 29. O what sad rayment do Sinners go in Saints are cloathed with white Rayment and beautiful through Christs comeliness adorn'dwith his Graces bespangled in his Jewels they go up and down in rich Attire But sinners lye in sordid attire cloath'd with vile Rayment Fifthly Poor men usually have but bad Lodging They commonly live in mean Houses little Cottages They sometimes dwell in the dust Psa 113. 7. He raiseth the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill So the Prophet Isaiah describes a poor man as one that is cast out Isa 58. 7. The poor that be cast out O their Loding is hard they do not spread themselves on Beds of lvory nor lye on Cloth of Tapestry The rich have their ceiled Houses fair dwellings The poor many times their Cottages are in a Wilderness and Houses that drop through So 't is with Christless Souls they have poor Lodgings when Saints Lodge in the bosom of Christ they lye in the Arms of Devils They lie upon Thorns yea Spears that will pierce them thorough They lye upon Stones the Earth is their Bed they are Earthy Souls and lodge in the very bosome of the world They dwell in habitations of cruelty they lye in Graves So the Prophet when he speaks of the Jews dead in sin before Coversion he describes them to be in their Graves Ezek. 37. 12. Dead sinners lye like Lazarus bound with a Napkin in their Graves Joh. 11. 44. O there 's your Bed Souls if out of Christ there you lye kept till the day of Judgment held Prisoners till a call comes to bring you to the Bar of Christ O your lodging is mean indeed Saints dwell in God Psa 91. 1 9. their habitation is in the City of God Eph. 2. 19. But all Christless sinners lye without amongst Devils they dwell on pinacles and live upon the borders of death every moment amongst Dogs amongst the unclean O see their habitation and the place where their honour dwelleth Rev. 22. 15. Without are dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murtherers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh alye These are the company Christless Souls lodge with they are turn'd out of doors O sad doleful state indeed Sixthly Another Character of a poor man is this Poor men are Friendless Pro. 19. 4 Wealth maketh many friends but the poor is separated from his Neighbour Every man seeketh the Rulers Favour every mans Cap and Hand and Knee and all is for them But the poor man his very Neighbour comes now to leave him who was his Friend whiles in prosperity When Rich men sit down in places of Honour poor men must stand at the Feet Jam. 2. 3. They are sure to find few Friends to own them to pity and help them So Christless Souls are friendless they have no true Friends in Heaven or Earth Those that seem to flatter them are not Friends but Foes they rather wound them and draw them into mischief whiles they lye in their blood there 's no eye to pity them to do any of these things for them Ezek. 16. 5 No hand to help them to wash salt and swaddle them ver 4. 5. If the Father of Bowels shut up his pity Creatures can extend but little whiles they reject the good Samaritane none that passeth by regards them If God will not withdraw his anger the proud helpers do stoop under him Job 9. 13. If God be angry who can befriend us O sinner If God frown what is the love of Creatures O thy case is doleful thou thou art a poor Soul indeed that art out of Christ if he wound none can heal Job 11. 10. If he cut off or shut up or gather together none can hinder him Christless Souls are like a Gangreen member in danger of being cut off if a sudden cure be not found and who then can befriend them where the Lord of hosts is a Friend Creatures are Friends And where he is an Enemy Creatures are Enemies too If God be in Covenant with a Soul the Creatures are in Covenant too And if God be against a Soul all his armies fight against that Soul too O sinners who can be friend you suppose you have Rich kindred great acquaintance what can they do at the Bar of God for you They will not go to the Judgment seat of Christ and speak for you there Seventhly A poor man is one that is lightly esteemed This David gives as a Testimony of a mean state when some were sent to treat with him about a match with Saul's daughter he modestly puts it off Who I says he I am a poor man and lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 18. 23. The word is contemptible of little little worth Rich men are sure of honour but the poor are little regarded Great persons are Courted when the poor are sleighted passed by little esteemed So 't is with Christless Souls They are lightly esteemed God hath a very low account of them The ungodly in Gods account are like the Chaff the Wind drives away Psa 1. 4. So are the wicked let them be what they will in greatest dignity here below they are glittering stars in the worlds Eye but falling Comets in God's account The mighty King of Babylon being a wicked man God accounts him but an abominable Branch Isa 14. 19. So Christ calls proud Herod a Fox Luk. 13. 32. God reckons them as broken Pitchers Wicked Coniah is as a broken Vessel in whom is no pleasure Jer. 22. 28. No more doth God reckon of wicked men though under all the grandure of the World Angels do not regard them They do not account them worth their company and attendance The Saints are guarded by Angels but wicked men are let alone Angels are Ministring Spirits to the Heirs of Salvation not to the Heirs of Hell they have no charge at all to watch over them but to fight against them They are set in battel array against
person Joh. 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us and we beheld his Glory The Word that is the divine Nature the God-head of Christ was made Flesh that is united to the humane Nature and this in a visible way and dwelt amongst us it was not a Fiction but really Christ God-man dwelt amongst us and we beheld his Glory it was obvious to our view 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the Flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels If this be not real what can be so He was manifest in the Flesh How By way of real Union Justified in the Spirit by the divine Nature here 's Flesh and here 's the divine Nature in one person Jesus Christ God-Man seen of Angels Rom. 1. 3. 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord which was made of the seed of David according to the Flesh and declared to be the Son of God with Power according to the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead Here 's a Person consisting of both these Natures real man born of the Seed of David then real God thus the Divine Nature was manifested to be in Christ by the Resurrection of the dead Rom. 9. 5. And of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Here both Natures are attributed to one Person Jesus Christ as concerning the Flesh descended from Abraham he came from David that is he received the humane Nature from the Virgin Mary and he is God over all blessed for ever The God-head is said to dwell in him bodily Col. 2. 9. Secondly It is a very near Union the nearest Union that possibly can be As the Soul and the Body make up one man so the divine and humane Nature of Christ make up one Person It is set forth by way of Inhabitation Col. 2. 9. In him dwells all the Fullness of the God-head bodily God manifest in the Flesh and justified in the Spirit makes up one entire Person As the Matter and the Form makes up one Being so this divine and humane Nature makes up one person Thirdly It is a mystical and unconceivable Union There 's a relative Union between Man and Wife making one Flesh a real Union between the Head and Members constituting one Body but this cannot reach this Union it is unconceivable above all Conception 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh We may admire it and adore it but we cannot fathom the depth of this Union between the divine and humane Nature of Christ Fourthly It is a pure and unmixed Union as to each Nature In regard of Essence the divine Nature cannot be converted into the humane nor the humane into the divine but each Nature remains distinct and it's Properties are distinct Rom. 1. 3. 4. So that there are in Jesus Christ two Natures two Wills a divine Will and a humane Will he hath the Will and Affections of a man though fully sanctified and glorified he wills whatever the God-head wills but still as to his humane Nature it is with a humane Will so that something of the workings of Christ are by the divine Power and something by the humane Nature This Union consists in the Communication of the divine Nature with the humane the God-head and the humane Nature agree so that the divine Nature of Christ communicates all its fullness as far as may further Redemption-ends for the Sanctification and Salvation of the whole body of Christ and for the fulfilling of all Redemption-Work 1 Pet. 3. 18. This is a glorious Union but it is worthy to be known Ah how little of Christ is known as to these two Natures how little a portion do we know of him Fifthly It is an inseparable Union it can never be parted more Therein lies the Happiness of Believers that Jesus Christ is God-man to all Eternity never can there be an end of this Relation Jesus Christ God-Man is the same Yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. He was the same while in his obediential Work on Earth he is the same in Glory and will be the same to all Eternity This Union of Christ's two Natures must be eternal or else he cannot be said ever to live to make Intercession But he ever lives to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. That which made Christ's Redemption infinite was that he was God as well as Man Christ the Interceder God-Man is now in Heaven and this must be for ever O what a glorious Truth is this that there can be no Cessation of this Union could this Union be separated as Nestorius holds then Redemption-work would cease He is over all God-Man blessed for evermore Rom. 9. 5. If the Saints Union with Christ be inseparable and their Interest in the Love of Christ inseparable then Christ is unalterable but because the Saints must have an eternal Union with him and he is an eternal Jesus he must be eternally God-Man Romans 8. 34 35 36 37 38 39. Joh. 17. 21. 23. 24. Secondly What are the Effects and Consequents that flow from and issue out of this Union between the divine and humane Nature â—â— Christ First from this Union of these two Natures in Christ there follows a Communication of Properties so that which is said to be done by each Nature is applied to the whole Person of Christ O this is a very glorious Mystery as this Christ's Sufferings in the humane Nature is applyed to the whole Person of Christ therefore the Blood of Christ which was but the Blood of the humane Nature is called the Blood of God Acts 20. 28. Feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood being of infinite Value and Worth So the Sufferings of the humane Nature are ascribed sometimes to the divine Nature and to the whole person of Christ so 1 Tim. 3. 16. God manifest in the Flesh and justified in the Spirit yet both these applyed to the person of Christ whatever the divine nature can do is applyed to the Person of Christ by a Communication of Properties â—â—owing from this Union Secondly From this Union flows this Consequence That there is Fullness of Grace plac'd in Jesus Christ to be given out to all his Seed The God-head fills the humane Nature of Christ Jo. 3. 34 God hath not given the Spirit by measure to him When we read of Christ's receiving any thing understand it of his humane Nature for the divine Nature cannot be capable of receiving any thing it is as full of Grace as ever it can hold And as the Breast is full of Milk for the Poor Babe so is Jesus Christ full of Grace in his Humane Nature to distribute to his Children His pity moves him to give out this and the other Grace to his People and it is in him to bestow it He wills the best good to all his People and what he wills
that thou should'st keep them from the Evil. This implies Christ's mind is his People should continue in the World till their Work be done that neither Sin nor Danger may cut them off till their full time be come but that they may be kept from Evil from the Evil of Temptation and the Evil of Persecution Secondly He intercedes for the Sanctification of his People and this is a glorious Priviledge indeed Jo. 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth By the word of thy Truth make them partakers of thy Holiness For their sakes I sanctifie my self ver 19. I set apart my self now on Earth as an High-Priest and Mediator And why so That they may be sanctified through the Truth It may be a poor tempted Soul hath beg'd for Grace but finds no answer as Paul prayed twice thrice many times without return but Jesus Christ intercedes who will prevail and because he prayes they shall obtain according to the measure of Christ and in his time Thirdly The Lord Jesus Christ pleads in Heaven for Believers Union with himself and with one another Jo. 17. 11 21 22 23. Holy Father keep through thy own Name those whom thou bast given me that they may be one as we are That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one This he died for to gather his People into one and this he will procure in due time Their Union with himself shall be inseparable their Communion may be interrupted but their Union can never be broken And it is a matter of Comfort to Believers that grieve for the sad Breaches amongst Saints how that Christ intercedes in Heaven for their Union who cannot be denied Fourthly The Lord Jesus Christ intercedes for his Peoples Succour and support under and deliverance from Temptation Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that tby Faith fail not Ah Soul Art thou followed with new Temptations every day Doth the Devil vex thee casting in wicked vile thoughts that do make thee tremble pulling and haling thee Fear not sayes Christ the Devil shall not prevail O sayes a Soul What shall I do for Faith I cannot take hold of this and the other Promise Why Christ in Heaven pleads for Believers that their Faith shall not fail shall not sink away nor faint in the day of Temptation He will not suffer you to be tempted above measure 1 Cor. 10. 13. He will make a way to escape As sure as Christ himself hath escaped from Satan and Dangers unto Glory so sure shall Believers pass thither also O Soul thou canst not tell how to pray this and the other wicked thought hurries thee Faith and Hope all seem to be gone but O what a blessed thing is this that there is a Mediator in Heaven to pray for thee Fifthly Jesus Christ intercedes in Heaven for the Pardon of all the Sins of his People and for the enjoyment of his Fathers favour If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father 1 Joh. 2. 1. That 's part of Christ's Work in Heaven to Advocate in regard of their Sins So Joh. 17. 26. That the Love with which thou lovest me may be in them I have purchased thy Favour for them and Peace with thee by my own Blood therefore Father O take not away thy loving kindness from them O do not be angry with them for ever O what a wonderful Priviledge is this Christ is not contented that his Father love them with an ordinary and a common Love but his Will is that the same Love with which the Father loved Christ as Mediator be bestowed upon them Sixthly The Lord Jesus Christ Advocates in Heaven for the supply of all the wants of his People Phil. 4. 19. My God shall supply all your need according to the Riches of his Glory by Jesus Christ Observe the ground and meritorious cause of all the Supplies of the Saints Needs is the Riches of Christ in Heaven the Riches of Christs Intercession O! when the poor Believer goes mourning under a sense of this and the other Want Christ in Heaven is interceding for them O sayes one I want a soft Heart a Heart to love God I want more power over Corruptions and Temptations More Humility sayes another O my proud heart I want more Patience I am fill'd with the Fire of Hell I want more Purity unclean Thoughts lodge in my Soul but Christ in Heaven is interceding for them thus Father There 's a Child of mine wants a soft Heart I will that thou give it to him there 's another goes complaining for want of more power over Corruptions I will that thou grant it to him Another wants Bodily supplies he is in straits in the World and knows not what to do Father thou hast made me Heir of all things and I will that thou give him some of mine Inheritance O that Believers did know this when they are pining away in their straits that they would look to Jesus and by Faith see him interceding for them Seventhly Another thing Christ pleads in Heaven for is the subduing of all the Enemies of his People Whatever is like to endanger their well-being in thelr work of glorifying God and in their way to Glory with God Christ pleads that it may be removed Are the Snares of the World like to carry away one the Snare of Prosperity or vain Company like to ruin another Doth the Flesh lust against the Spirit and ready to reduce it into Bondage Christ pleads in Heaven for the destruction of these Leviathans and will in his own time bring down all the Enemies of his People Yea Gog and Magog and all the implacable Adversaries of Sion must be subdued because Christ intercedes for it and Reigns till he hath put down all Enemies under his Feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. Eighthly He intercedes for his Peoples Consolation He seems to be much concern'd in this that his People be of good cheer in the World Joh. 16. 33. Be of good cheer Pluck up your Spirits walk comfortably I have overcome the World for you I will not leave you comfortless I will not leave you in danger of overwhelming Christ takes care that his People be not overladen with trouble but that they have comfort in due time Ninthly The Lord Jesus Christ pleads for their thorough and compleat Salvation for their preservation in Grace and their sure and certain enjoyment of Glory Wherefore he is able to save to the utmost because he ever lives to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. Whatever their dangers straits and hazards be Christ intercedes in Heaven for their utmost saving thorough all and from all The gracious Soul miscarries sadly this and the other time in this and the other matter he falls dangerously and bruises his Bones but Christ pleads in Heaven that this might not prove
in Glory when I see how Satan buffets and assaults you from day to day then I look upon the Palms of my hands and see your names engraven there and will not leave you comfortless I will come again to you He sends his Spirit to keep them Company here on Earth and he will come and fetch them home at last he will be faithful to them in all things that pertain to God and for the Salvation of their Souls Heb. 2. 17. and Believers may urge him with his Promise and Faithfulness and this obliges Christ to do all he can for them Seventhly Because of the great Necessity they have of his pleading for them He sees they would be undone if he did not stand up for them Satan would lay in his Accusations he is the Accuser and what ways he hath to accuse the Saints before God we know not he accused Job and doubtless he is ever and anon laying in fresh Charges against the people of God therefore Christ pleads for them he sees they want Grace and want Strength therefore he cannot be silent he saw Peter had need of Support Luke 22. 31 32. therefore he prayed for him Christ sees they stand in need of Promises Experiences Consolations and Priviledges therefore he pleads in Heaven for them Sixthly What are the Comforts and Advantages that flow from the Intercession of Jesus Christ to believing Souls There 's Cause of wonderful Joy and Consolation to Believers when they cast their believing Looks towards Heaven to see their Advocate there First In regard of the Excellency of this Intercessor O! what a glorious mighty and potent Friend have Believers to plead for them he is no mean person he is the Son of God the express Image of his Fathers Person Heb. 1. 3. He is one that made the World and upholdeth the World and after he had suffered for Sin he is gone to Glory and takes his Seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high he doth not stand by as a Begger but sits down on the Throne by the Fathers side and speak as a Friend for them O what a glorious and transcendent person is he it is not an Angel it is not a Saint but it is the Lord Jehovah Jehovah Christ O when the Believer by Meditation comes to reflect on his Glorious Agent in Heaven how he is honoured by Angels Saints and every Creature it will wonderfully consolate his Languishing Spirit Secondly Consider the Successfullness of this Intercession and it cannot but yield much Comfort the Father heareth him always Joh. 11. 42. The Father and he are one of one Nature one Glory one Will what the Son wills the Father wills and Jesus Christ is the Executor of his own Will and hath all Power in his hands to give out and perform what he pleads for What would'st thou have Soul Lord sayes the Soul I would have more Grace be more holy have strength against this and the other Temptation I am afraid I shall perish under these Blasphemous Thoughts Oh the horrible injections of Satan Lord support me Why sayes Christ Fear not Soul In me is Everlasting strength thou shalt have it in my time and according to my measure Thirdly Consider the extent of Christs Intercession and that will contribute wonderful Joy to Believers His Favour is not narrowed up to one or two Favourites but for all his Saints All that come to God by him Heb. 7. 25. All that believe in him Joh. 17. 20. Christ excepts none In this he out-goes the Affections of all Creatures It is rare for the largest Affections of Men not to run within some narrow limits but Jesus Christ hath an equal respect for all his Seed And then he intercedes for them in all their Matters Isa 63. 9. In all their Affiictions he is afflicted There is no part of their Trouble but he is concern'd in it As Christ is an Advocate in Heaven he is engag'd to attend the Concerns of his People though they should neglect him Isa 57. 18. He is privy to all their Matters How should this revive the Believing Soul It is the usual complaint of Souls O I fear Christ will not intercede for me I am so Carnal so full of Deceit Hypocrisie and Backslidings It is true He takes pleasure in the Prosperity of his People but I fear I am none of his They that pray and plead Spiritually may hope but I cannot pray nor look up But let me tell every poor trembling Believer There 's never a Soul that hath the Lord for his God that Jesus Christ can be unmindful of He intercedes for all his People and in all their Concernments Fourthly This may yield wonderful Comfort to Believers to consider That Jesus Christ doth not onely intercede in Heaven in their Names but in their very Natures He presents the Humane Nature in his own Person glorified and in this Nature he pleads to God for them He is set forth as the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. He cannot but be full of Pity and Compassion because he is of the same Nature with them They are Members of his Body of his Flesh and of his Bones Eph. 5. 30. O if that Scripture were but put into the Believing Meditation of Believers what Comfort will flow from it O trembling Saint thou mayest object thy Unworthiness and defiled Nature but Jesus Christ hath thy Nature glorified now in Heaven at the Father's right hand Fifthly The restlesness and unweariedness of Christs pursuing the Blessedness and Salvation of all his Seed is that which may yield wonderful comfort to the Believing Soul Consider his Temper and Disposition whiles he was on Earth His Spirit shall not fail till he hath set Judgment in the Earth Isa 42. 4. And if Christ was so earnest to undergo such work then and was so restless and active till it was done surely he must needs be restless to carry on this Work now in Heaven He lives ever to make Intercession Heb. 7. 25. There are some times when men on Earth cannot agitate the Cause of their Friends but Christ is alwayes taken up about this Work of Mediation Christ's Authority is capable to manage all the Affairs of his People were they millions of men therefore it must needs be matter of wonderful Comfort to Believers that they have such a Mediator in Heaven Sixthly Consider the Advantages that flow from this Intercession of Christ to Believers and it will yield matter of wonderful comfort Their Sins shall be surely pardoned O what wonderful comfort is this Blessed is the man whose Transgression is forgiven and whose Sins are pardoned Psal 32. 1. He is an Advocate for them to take away their Sins 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. No Bill shall be laid in against them at the Bar of God Who dares accuse that Soul that is covered over with the Blood of the Redeemer Rom. 8. 33 34. Their Persons and Performances shall surely find acceptance
There 's no cause for such to fear 1. That God is their Enemy being once reconciled to them in his Son he can hate them no more 2. Their sins shall never Condemn them Rom. 8. 1. 3. God will never totally leave them Heb. 13. 5. 4. They shall not wholly fall from God Jer. 32. 40. 5. They have no cause to fear the wrath to come Rom. 5. 9. Much more being justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him Thus you see all the grounds of tormenting fears are gone 'T is true a Cautelous fear and circumspection may be maintained but the workings of a Bondage-Spirit are removed Thirdly Then dejecting Conclusions from self-impotency to fulfil this Covenant and all seeming difficulties in the way are wholly Insignificant if this Covenant be confirmed by Christ to and for Believers then no insufficiency in them to make good these Covenant-Duties can render it void Because First the Certainty of this Covenant depends not on the Creatures ability but on Gods Faithfulness 't is true if this new Covenant as the first did wholly depend upon the Integrity and Faithfulness of the Soul in Covenant then indeed the enjoyment of those mercies and promises comprehended in it would be very dubious but 't is not so for God himself hath undertaken the accomplishment of it 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. Who shall also confirm you to the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ God is faithful by whom ye are called to the fellowship of his Son Christ Jesus our Lord. So 1 Thes 5. 23 24. So that the Saints Confirmation in holiness and preservation to glory depends on the faithfulness of God in Christ who having perswaded their hearts to embrace his call will finish Salvation-work in and for them Secondly Strength sufficient to finish their work and to obtain Salvation is ensured to them 2 Cor. 12. 9. My grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weakness Grace in thee may fail but grace in God cannot Christ hath a stock sufficient for thee to carry thee through Temptations and to lift thee above thy Corruptions So Ezek. 36. 27. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes The Spirit is a Fountain that will fill up your empty vessels supply all your wants and engage your hearts to keep the way of his Commandements Fourthly Then none of the well-grounded hopes of believers shall be lost Psal 119. 49. Remember thy word unto thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope God will never forget to fulfil those promises which he causeth us to confide in for he is faithful who hath promised Heb. 10. 23. Rom. 5. 6. And hopâ— maketh not ashamed That is by reason of a disappointment shame usually ariseth from some frustrations of expectation but this cannot befall well-grounded hopes because they have their dependence upon the firm word of God which cannot be disappointed Fifthly Then your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord if the Covenant be confirmed then you cannot run in vain or lose any part of that work you do for God 1 Cor. 15. 58. Gal. 6. 7 8. What a man soweth that shall he reap He that soweth to the Spirit shall reap life Everlasting O Souls all your sincere duties will appear again and bring their reward with them All your pains in serving God hardships in following him dangers in owning him and industrious labours to please him shall be fully and certainly recompenc'd with a far more and exceeding Massy Crown of Glory Sixthly Then all your warrantable desires shall be satisfied in due time For this is part of the Covenant-promise Psa 37. 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart Psalm 145. 16 19. All the breathings of your Souls after God and unfeigned longings for more spotless holiness more perfect victory over sin for humble submission to divine pleasure more sincerity of heart and raised capacities for service shall certainly be satisfied first or last Seventhly If the Covenant of grace be sure then nothing can make the believers state miserable indeed he may seem to be in a bad condition when under the power of temptation and corruption and pressed grievously with severe and bitter Providences and stroaks of seeming vengeance but yet his state is good who could have past a favourable interpretation on the afflictions of Job when on a dunghil and on the tryals of David when pursued by Absalom yet we find there was hony in these Rods and David could notwithstanding lye down and sleep in peace Psa 3. 5. So Josiah in an evil day when wars and frowning providences did surround him all about yet dyed in peace 2 Kings 22. 20. Lastly Then a gracious Soul is a blessed Soul both here and to all Eternity because this Covenant takes care for the good things of this â—ife and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godliness hath the promise of this life and that which is to come Hence the Scripture doth so often pronounce the Godly Man to be a blessed Man Psa 119. 1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way Psa 112. 2. Psa 141. 2. Thus we have now briefly toucht on some grounds of Comfort that Believers may derive from the certainty of this new Covenant we now come to consider Secondly The excellency of this Covenant which the blood of Christ so confirms to Believers this new Covenant is a choice and precious Covenant what David said of Goliah's Sword may be affirmed of this That there is none like it 1 Sam. 21. 9. This would abundantly apear could I with consistency to my design here run out at large in the demonstration of this great truth but to touch a little on some evidences of its excellency under these two general considerations 1. The things that are promised in this Covenant 2. The way appointed of God to attain them First The things stipulated in this Covenant are First Great and glorious things the products of infinite Grace and discoveries of unconceivable greatness such Promises as were never offered in any other Covenant In this Covenant God makes over himself to Believers to be their God their Sun and Shield their exceeding great reward all that he is and all that he hath to be theirs so far as they are capable to receive I will be to them a God that 's in the Covenant He whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain whom the Angels cannot define far above the searches of the most refined Spirits far beyond the knowledge of those that always dwell in his sight this invisible unknown God in this Covenant makes himself over to Believers He will be theirs for ever Heb. 8. 10. A God in the nearest Relations that Creatures are capable to approach to him in He will be a Father Husband Head to them and to every one of them in the Lord
very Doctrine are words of peace Eph. 2. 17. He came to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 1. 79. He came and Preached Peace O what a blessed Estate hath Christ what a lovely Lord is Christ He bequeaths peace to his people Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you Joh. 14. 27. They have peace with God who Espouse this Christ Rom. 5. 1. Peace with Saints and Angels Col. 1. 20. Peace with Conscience too Phil. 4. 7. Heb. 10. 22 The Fruits of the Spirit is Peace Gal. 5. 22. His Riches have no sorrow annexed with them 7thly It is a perpetual Estate An inheritance that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven 1 Pet. 1. 4. Christs Riches are durable Riches aged Riches strong solid Riches Opes densae that is â—ultae firmae says Mercer they are great stable Riches Pro. 8. 18. Riches and Honour are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness His Gold is not liable to rust 'T is said of the Cedar worms will not breed in it sure there 's no worm in Christ's Treasure O Souls 't is a lasting Estate That neither time nor changes can wast nor weaken All the Saints spending upon it to all Eternity never detracts from it Christs Treasures are like the deep waters or like the bottomless Ocean that cannot be exhausted his treasure will last as long as God the Soul and Eternity lasts which is for ever for ever for ever Some men have out-liv'd their Leases and their Estates and have seen an end of their Houses and Riches but the Spouse of Christ can never out-live her jointure it lasts to all Eternity Lastly 'T is a possest estate Some may have great estates but it is in reversion they may look long for it as some Heirs do all their days But Christs Estate is all in his own hand 't is actually made over to him by the Father and possession given him when he sate down at the Right hand of God Heb. 1 3. He hath actually obtained this Inheritance with the Fruits of it Heb. 1. 4. And is actually invested with this glory Heb. 2. 7. This sinners is the Estate of that Beloved that is tendered to you in the Gospel for your choice he is very wealthy he hath a fair free sure sutable pleasant peaceful perpetual possession an Estate you cannot spend or comprehend an Inheritance you cannot lose or out-â—ive riches that will not cloy nor clog yâ—u a portion that cannot be out-vy'd or match'd Come view the Rentals of his Lands the Inventory of his Goods and see what a rich match Christ is there 's none like him where can you mend your penny-worths all the world no nor the Heaven of Heavens can yield you such another bargain Job 28. ver 13. c. Man knoweth not the price thereof the gold and the Chrystal cannot equal it and the exchange of it shall not be for Jewels of fine gold c. Then Jesus Christ is worth a looking after if he be so rich as the Scripture reports him to be and I presume you question not the truth of this testimony O slight not this bargain which will make you happy to all Eternity if wealth will please you here 's enough what say you Have you any objection against his estate If not what stick you at Secondly Dost thou dislike his person Then it argues thou knowest him not for he is altogether Lovely the chiefest of ten thousands The fairest of the Children of Men O come behold the Lamb of God Look upon this glorious Jehovah Christ O see his Personal Excellency and it will allure you and invite you to come to him he is the brightness of his Fathers Glory and the express image of his Fathers Person Heb. 1. 3. Sinners look well upon him view him from top to toe there is no blemish in him O he is the most exquisite one his perfections are enough to please you his beauty sufficient to allure you See his excellent lineaments the sweet proportion of every part O how lovely is Christ to the believing eye in regard of his Person Consider his Natures God Man sweetly concentring in an intimate and Eternal Union perfect God perfect Man in one person O where can you espy such an object sure he is a Non-such none like him in Heaven none like him on Earth in regard of his Personal Glory as Mediatour God Man look over his Characters that his friends have given him See in that Book of Cant. Chap. 5. How the Spouse displays him and you will find him a beautiful Person ver 11. to the end His head is as the most fine gold His Wisdom and Government is most pure solid and excellent His locks are bushy and black as a Raven Which notes not only his love liness but his strength and vigour he hath his radical moysture his vital heat He is strong his vigour abides with him he hath strength sufficient for all his undertakings and he is able to go through what he sets his hand unto he is strong vigorous and spritely His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the Rivers of Waters washed with Milk and fitly set His sight is quick and perfect his understanding is infinite His Counsels are holy and consistent all well set his decrees his purposes all methodically ordered and fixed His looks are gracious his aspects lovely enamouring the eyes of them that behold him O such a lovely Christ is tendred to Sinners O I know not how to set him forth to your capacities he is a most taking object indeed His face is white and ruddy Emblems of Rich Beauty captivating the eyes and ravishing the hearts of beholders The purity of the divine nature with the passions of the humane and procurements of his Redemption sets him forth as infinitely amiable in the eyes of Believers His cheeks are as a bed of spices as sweet flowers His graces and choice discoveries of his Excellencies doth wonderfully feed and delight the Souls of those that have acquaintance and fellowship with him his sweet and lovely perfections discover'd to Believers are like a rich feast that stay with them His lips like Lillies dropping sweet smelling Myrrhe The impartings of his wisdom the droppings of his Doctrine his gracious words his Holy Communications are savoury and sound pure and incorruptible they strengthen the heart and heal the Soul of those that imbrace him His Doctrine carries wonderful strength to those that are in weakness how do the words of grace revive the fainting hearts of Believers his wayes are strength to the upright like Myrrhe they make the heart sound His hands are as gold rings set with the Beryl His works and administrations in the World are full of order beauty and excellency All that he doth in Sion and out of Sion is all holy every providence that seems to us sometimes to be unseasonable is in infinte wisdom display'd by Jesus Christ for the good of his people
His belly is as bright Ivory overlaid with Saphires His tender Bowels and boundless affections to his people are wonderfully lovely and delighting they are pure firm and fixed in their nature and they are chearing and enriching in their effects O Christs love is not fleeting 't is firm as Ivory set with gold overlaid with Saphires O how rich are his affections what a Treasure to those that have him His legs are as Pillars of Marble set upon sockets of fine gold The gracious motions and efficacious workings of his Spirit are exceeding mighty and glorious full of strength He hath power to bear up all those that follow him His legs are strong he can carry his Lambs that are committed to his arms there 's no burden too heavy for Christ his loins are strong he can bear what is laid upon him the weight of all the Saints on Earth is nothing to him He can carry on all his intendments and interest in the World his legs are as Marble able to bear his Body quick in motion O what a lovely Christ is this display'd in the Gospel His countenance is as Labanon excellent as the Cedars Those discoveries the Lord Jesus Christ makes of himself in his word and works are wonderful taking exceeding enriching Christ's word is fruit fullizing O when he speaks to the hearts of his Children what a deal of vertue goes through his lips Grace is poured out of his lips Milk and hony is under his tongue His appearances carries excellency riches and glory with them His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely His discourses the openings of his mind is wonderful pleasing The word of Christ never cloys the spiritual part Thus you see what a Person Jesus Christ is O Sinners consider his beauty O how lovely an object is he what can you object against his Person why you will not espouse him Thirdly Consider his lovely dispositions O Sinners will you accept of him He is of an excellent Spirit of a very sweet nature full of grace and goodness His sweet dispositions have been largely opened already he is full of mercy and compassions meekness gentleness patience long-suffering slow to anger ready to forgive great in kindness free and bountiful of a generous Spirit true and faithful Sinners you may trust him with your secrets you may venture your Souls upon him He is harmless and inoffensive he doth wrong to no man his company is lovely and desirable His converses are pleasant and profitable O what a person is Christ O Sinners never was such a one offer'd you as Christ is why will you not come unto him Fourthly Consider his quality and high dignity he is no mean Person but a mighty Potentate 1 Tim. 6. 15. The sole and only superintendent of the whole World the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19. 16. He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords He is not only a King but the King the only true Potentate from whom all ohters derive their glory a King not only of Men but of Saints not only of Saints but of Angels of Thrones Principalities and Powers Math. 26. 53. And can command them down now he is in Heaven for the service of his elect Heb 1. 14. Are they not all Ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation O Sinners shall this prevail with you to accept of him Fifthly Take notice of his potency He hath power as well as honour Math. 28. 18. All things are put under his feet Heb. 2. 8. All the Armies of Heaven and Earth are deliver'd over to him He is Lord of Hosts He hath the Keys of Heaven Death and Hell Rev. 1. 18. Who then can lock out Christ or exclude him from doing what he pleaseth seeing all things are at his beck He doth whatsoever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth in the Seas and in all deep places Psa 135. 6. He sitteth in the Heavens and laughs the Counsels of the Potentates to scorn he makes no reckoning of their combinations but derides their ambitious attempts against him Psa 2. 4. He shall pass thorow and over-flow and break all their consederacies in pieces Isa 8. 8 9 10. Let all the subtleties of Hell be woven together to make a web to catch the interest of Christ in it shall all be as a spiders web that can soon be swept away O admire the Kingdom of Christ the glorious power of Christ nothing is too hard for him He hath an absolute unlimited and uncontroulable power He is the supream over all persons and all things in all places Lands and Countries O what power hath he not only Authority but likewise Might 2 Chro. 20. 6. In his hand there is power and might and none is able to withstand him O Sinners come away to Christ he can protect you and defend you from dangers Sixthly Observe his wisdom too this is taking with some to have a head that hath intellectuals in him and marry one that hath exquisite parts and eminency of knowledge Now all Treasures of wisdom are in him Col. 3. 3. His judgments are unsearchable and past finding out Rom. 11. 33. His judgments his acts in the World his Righteous deeds and the way he takes to accomplish his designs O how wonderful deep are they The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of Counsel and might the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isa 11. 2. He is of quick understanding full of judgment called The wonderful Counsellour Isa 9. 6. The only wise God from whom all wisdom is fetch'd that fills Men and Angels all the World do light their Candles at his Torch He is the Sun that fills the whole Creation with beams There 's no searching of his understanding he can bring to light the hidden things of darkness 1 Cor. 4. 5. He hath eyes can reach where men cannot he can reveal the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. O Sinners what an excellent one is Christ O how worthy of your choice Seventhly Weigh the glorious and blessed effects of your closing with the Lord Jesus Christ Sinners the very day you marry Christ he will pay all your debts and they are many he will pardon all your sins blot out all your iniquities remember them no more He will free you from all your Bondages deliver you from all your fears secure you from all your dangers if you will but espouse him O the very day you marry Christ he will wipe off all your shame and remove your reproach He will heal all your wounds and sicknesses he will begin to heal them immediately and never leave till he hath perfectly cured your Souls He will strip off all your filthy garments and cloath you with broidered rayment he will advance you to highest dignity he will lift up your heads above
the Pool's side near the means of cure but never the better ver 6. 7. And so continued till Christs time came to cure him So Israel were barren and unfruitful till the Lord became a dew to them Hos 14. 5. Therefore this is no discouragement if thou believe and come to Christ God will be a dew to thee and thou shalt quickly find a change 8. Object But saith one I am not only never the better for all the means of grace but I am worse than I was before when I was under first awakenings my heart was more tender but now my heart seems to be more brawny and hard I find more unbelief than ever more indisposition to go to Christ I am worse than I was Answ So was Sarah too as to the receiving the promised mercy more and more indisposed she complaines of the deadness of her womb she was past age to be the Mother of Children till the time of life came then Sarah's growing indisposition becomes no impediment at all to the fulfilling of the promise So was Israel they began to say for their part their hope was cut off and God had forsaken them when mercy was nearest to them So the woman that had a bloody issue twelve years and had spent all that she had on Physitians yet was nothing bettered but rather grew worse till Christ came and healed her Mark 5. 25 26. Persons are usually worst in their own eyes when mercy is nearest their doors Again Thy not comming to Christ is the cause of thy decaies and hardnings 't is thy unbelief that deadens thy heart and withers thy Soul Christ doth withdraw his influence from such and refuseth to do any mighty works in them because of unbelief O then Soul come away to Christ and this is the way to cure thee 9. Object But saies the Soul Christ seems to take no notice of me I call but he heareth me not I come to Ordinances but I cannot see him nay he seems to be angry with me every thing goes against me his word speaks bitter things to me methinks there 's never a threatning but belongs to me I am the Hypocrite and unclean person that God strikes at in every Sermon and his rod lies heavy on me too and in the way of his providence he writes bitter things against me Answ Soul is this thy case doth Christ take no notice of thee It is because thou takest so little of him when he unveils his beauty thou dost not believe in him when he makes a promise to thy Soul When he sends words of Counsel thou dost not obey him He hath called and thou hast not answered and therefore when thou callest he doth not answer Zach. 7. 13. Yet at such a time what follows doth God make an end of such sinners No see Chap. 8. 2 3. O Soul if the Lord Jesus Christ seems to take no notice of thee but to frown upon thee it is to frown thee from thy unbelief it is but to make thee sensible of thy slighting him If thou wilt this day accept of the Lord Jesus Christ his frowns will soon pass away as a dark Cloud doth when the Sun shines he will remember thy Iniquities no more 10. Object But may some Soul say I would fain come to Christ but I cannot I like the terms well but O my unbelieving heart O my impenitent hard heart I cannot sense Salvation-kindness Answ O Soul The afflicting sense of thy unbelief is a hopeful sign of thy faith If thou dost see thy unbelieving heart so as to be burdened under it and be weary of it the Lord reckons it for the beginnings of faith Mark 9. 24. This is the method of Salvation-Grace in begetting faith to convince thee of its impotency to believe Joh. 16. 9. Soul is this thy weariness that thou canst not come to Christ Wouldst thou have a wider heart for him Thou art the Soul he waits for that mournest over thy unbelief Mark 9. 24. But there 's one thing more may be as a discouragement to some Souls 11. Object O saies the Soul I fear the time is past and that God will be gracious no more I have had a day of grace but that is gone The Angel came troubling the Waters but I would not step in I bave had the dawnings of mercy but I resisted I fear I have outstood my Market That I have outstrived the Spirit so long that he will strive no more And this bows me down that I am afraid to look up Answ Sinner if this be thy case know that thy fears of losing the day of grace is a sign it is not lost The greatest symptome of departing grace is security and false peace 1 Thes 5. 3. So it was with the people before the flood Noah threatned judgments but they dreamt of peace Math. 24. 37. c. Security usher'd in the departure of grace from them But while the Spirit of grace strives with thy Soul the day of grace is not past from thee Doth God call upon thee now and plead with thy heart And dost thou find some movings and turnings of thy Bowels in thee crying out O that there might be mercy for me that this day of grace may not be past If so then sure the Spirit strives yet with thy Soul Therefore Soul if now thou wilt close with Christ none of these pleas can debar thy closing with him Well Sinners consider the Lord Jesus Christ invites you to come to him once more he demands your answer what say you will you be his or no Do your hearts accept of him Do you like his proposals will you heartily consent to be his upon all his terms If so I shall lay down some Counsels to direct you in your right comming to Christ First Sinner if thou will come to Christ thou must come as a poor needy empty undone Sinner stript of all beauty as having nothing at all that may deserve his favour 'T is the poor have the Gospel Preached to them Math. 11. 5. It signifies such as are brought to great necessities and extremities So Beza renders it Such as are brought very low Therefore some derive it from a word that signifies falling down at the rich Mens feet As some beggers will Ferus interprets it the poor in Spirit that acknowledge themselves mean and are low in their own eyes So Calvin takes it for them that are oppressed with the sense of their own wants such as feel their pinching necessities that lye down overwhelm'd with the apprehension of their emptiness The Treasures of the Gospel are design'd to such Persons that are poor and afflicted in their own Spirits There 's no greater obstacle in this Match betwen Christ and sinners than a sense of self worthyness This keeps many from seeing the beauty of Christ their own Righteousness hangs in their eye they are too heavy laden with their own thick clay I mean the sense of their own worthyness to be
the Spirit too for Christ is not divided He that hath Christ hath the Father and the Spirit for these three are one Now a Soul that hath the Spirit of Christ may know it by the effects of it The Spirit of Christ is a quickening Spirit it begets a principle of Life The Soul that was dead to God and holiness now hath a new life a heart to move after God it works from other motives even from love to God Dost thou find thy heart always dead to every act of Grace No heart to pray hear c. and is this habitual O then here 's no fruit of Christs Spirit The Spirit of Christ is a sin-opposing spirit always quarrelling with Lust always convincing troubling humbling the Soul for sin Gal. 5. 17. Tit. 2. 11 12. It gives no peaceable possession to it but always opposes it as fire doth water Where the Spirit of Christ is 't is a leading guiding Spirit Rom. 8. 14. Christians what is it leads you Is it your own Spirits if you have received the Spirit of God you may know it by those Scripture ways it takes to put you upon duty such a one is coâ—vinced by the word and perswaded and help'd by the word to this and the other duty Again The Spirit of Christ is a praying Spirit A Soul that is in Christ cannot live without prayer though no eye see it and no good come by it yet he cannot omit secret prayer Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 15. 'T is not enlargement of affections parts abilities and expressions in prayer but the inditings of the Spirit inward breathings sighs and groans of the Spirit A man may pray like a Saint or an Angel and yet not have a jot of the Spirit of prayer but it is the encouragement of the Spirit to wrestle with God by Christ the inward suggestions of hope when a Soul can go to God as to a Father when the very heart goes out to God in prayer and when prayer is wing'd with Faith and Love These are the effects of a Spirit of prayer and the fruit of a Souls reception of Christ Thirdly They that have obtain'd an interest in Christ have crucified the flesh with the lusts there of Gal. 5. 24. They and only they that are in Christ have crucified the flesh that is the body of death original sin The general Nature of sin the universal extents of sin come under the workings of this Crucifixtion O try Souls â—ath the Axe been ever laid to the root of sin Have you ever found felling stroaks upon the bodie of your Corruptions are you baptiz'd into the death of Christ and as he died for sin so do you die to sin and by vertue of his death and wounds do you fetch power and strength from him to crucifie it There 's a difference between the curbing and the crucifying of sin sin may be chain'd up imprison'd and not crucified Hypocrites that are under a seeming change do restrain and confine sin yea they may punish sin but do not crucifie it The crucifying of sin is the giving it a deadly mortal wound fetch'd from the blood and death of Christ Faith fetches vertue from the Grave of Christ to destroy the power of sin nothing so mortally stabs this Leviathan as a believing reflection on our propriety in Christs Crucifixtion and a laying hold on promises by Faith in order to the application of the benefit of a crucified Christ Rom. 6. 4 6. Our old man is crucified with him The putting our lusts into the side wounds and grave of Christ A levelling the Ax to the body of sin doth strange work to the crucifying of it Trie then are your corruptions Pride Passions Earthliness as strong as ever deceive not your selves this will never assure your interest in Christ till sin be destroyed 't is true when the wound is given sin doth not immediately die but the bodie of sin is dying and the believing Soul finds his corruptions hath less strength every day as a man that loseth his blood weakens more and more so a Soul that crucifies Lust finds it to weaken day by day Fourthly Another effect of a Souls union with Christ is this There will be some resemblance of Christ 1 Joh. 4. 17. As he is so are we in this World As Christ was Crucified in the flesh so are his Crucified to the flesh And as Christ was risen and justified in the Spirit so are they sanctified by the Spirit and have the nature and Image of Christ Hence we are said to be made conformable to the Image of his Son Rom. 8. 29. They that are Christ's are in some measure of truth like him 1 Joh. 3. 3. They have something of Christ's Nature and Spirit Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus Phil. 2. 5. Christ's mind was off from and above the World and herein lies as great an evidence of interest in Christ as in any thing that Soul is dead to and wonderfully loose from the World Gal. 6. 14. Christ's mind was heavenly he favour'd the things above his meat and drink was to do his Fathers will If you are Christ's you will be of the same mind nothing in the World will so much delight you as to do something for God Christ's mind was heavenly to do his work and hasten home and if you are Christ's this will be your mind to dispatch your work and hasten home Christ was full of mercy humility meekness If you are interested in Christ so it will be with you Lastly They that are interested in Christ do interest Christ in themselves and in all that is theirs 2 Cor. 8. 5. They first gave themselves to the Lord Such do devote and make over themselves and all to Christ and glad they have any interest parts capacities that Christ will accept of they cannot keep back a part no were it a thousand times dearer Christ shall have all Can. 6. 3. I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine The keeping back of part lost Ananias and Saphira they were undone and damned for ever Act. 5. If Christ be yours you will entitle him to all you are and have And thus are we come to a Conclusion in this matter That Soul that can come to seal to those things is a happy Soul O blessed Soul indeed Then mayst thou boldly say The Lord is my helper God Christ the Spirit the Promises the Kingdom and glory is mine Thus much for the use of Examination CHAP. XXX Containing a Vse of Exhortion pressing Believers to several duties HAving already dispatch'd Motives Counsels and Directions to Sinners about their coming to this Christ I shall only apply this last use of Exhortation to those who are interested in this rich and glorious Jesus Christians you that are made happy in your Relation to Christ and invested with a Title to these glorious Treasures of all persons you are most obliged to duty Christians be you advis'd and exhorted to
them good men cannot regard wicked men let them be never so high and honourable Though they give every man his due yet they cannot weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary as any thing They had rather converse with a poor Saint than with the greatest persons in the world if wicked 2. Kings 3. 14. And Elisha said As the Lord of hosts liveth before whom I stand Surely were it not that I regarded the presence of Jehoshaphat King of Judah I would not look toward thee nor see thee So lightly esteemed are wicked men in the Eyes of God Saints and Angels Lastly A poor man is liable to dangers and sufferings he hath no might against the mighty but lies open to the injuries and oppressions of those that are above him Amos 4. 1. Hear ye this word ye kine of Bashan which oppress the poor which crush the needy Poor men lye under the feet of the potent and are subject to their Tiranny On the oppressors side is power and on the oppresseds side are tears Eccl. 4. 1. So Christless Souls are under the ruling power of Satan and taken Captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. They have no defence against the stroaks of Judgment 't is easie with God to crush them every moment they no have power to secure themselves from ruining vengeance wicked men are no more match for God than Bryars and Thorns Isa 27 4. Yea they can no more resist him than the stubble can the fire Mal. 4. 1. O sinner thou art a miserable Caitiff indeed O see thy poverty let this stain thy glory O sinner look about thee whiles thou hast a little time Art thou willing to die so poor O 't is not Houses nor Lands nor Money nor Friends can minister comfort to thee then O how wilt thou do to live for ever if thou hast none of Christs tryed Gold So much of the Third Inference CHAP. XXV Wherein Christ is set forth to sinners as a Match wortby of their choice in regard of the excellency of his Estate The amiableness of his Person His lovely Dispositions and other Considerations to win the hearts of sinners to be looking after this lovely Jesus IF there are such vast treasures in the Lord Jesus Christ then this will follow hence That the Lord Jesus Christ is worth the looking after by perishing sinners O what a match is Jesus Christ for undone sinners could â—hey but obtain him how happy would they be for ever this is a principal thing in a woers eye to get a rich match O Souls you cannot get a better match than Jesus Christ there 's none like him First In point of Riches O let me commend the Lord Jesus Christ to you upon the account of his wealth Sinners if you would have a rich Husband there 's none so rich as Christ He is wonderfully rich if you but consider the Nature and number of his riches If you observe the verity and variety of his treasures If you weigh the kind or degree of his substance you will say he is exceeding rich Take him positively or comparatively he is vastly rich he is really so and superlatively so The worlds treasures are but shadows But he hath substance true solid subsisting treasures Pro. 8. 21. That I may cause them that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures Christ's Gold is tryed Gold that which can bear the hardest touch and abide the fire And he is superlatively rich none like him Job was a rich man but his riches were limitted within the Confines of a Countrey He was the richest not in all the world but of all the men of the East Job 1. 3. But Christ is richest of all All the Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth put together cannot vye treasures with Christ What was said of the vertuous woman is true of Christ he excels them all Pro. 31. 29. O sinners would you have a rich match cast your eyes on Jesus Christ He hath a very taking Estate that will be wonderful attractive upon your hearts if rightly set I shall shew in a few particulars what an Estate Christ hath First It is a fair Estate exceeding large and full 't is incomprehensible and past finding out both as to his personal and purchased Treasure It is in heighth depth length breadth passing knowledge as hath been shewn at large Eph. 3. 18 19. Christs Estate is as large as himself is and he is past finding out Who can search out the Almighty to perfection Job 11. 7. All mens Estates lie here in the lower world within the measure of a spot of ground But Christ's treasure fills Heaven and Earth The Heavens yea the Heaven of Heavens are his Neh. 9. 6. The Lord Jesus Christ is rich every way considered He is rich in inheritance Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. He is rich in Jewels he hath abundance of choice Jewels he hath a day on purpose to make up his Jewels Mal. 3. 17. He is rich in mansions too Joh. 14. 2. In my Fathers House are many mansions A mansion for every Heir of Glorie O how many Houses hath this Heir of all things How many dwelling places in Glory He is rich in Crowns and Thrones We account that man rich that hath two or three Kingdoms But Jesus Christ hath a multitude of Crowns A Crown for every Subject Mat. 9. 28. Every saved Soul is a Crowned King or shall be so to all Eternitie Rev. 1. 6. Every overcoming Soul shall sit on Thrones and every one wearing a Crown of Glorie 1 Pet. 5. 4. O what a vast Potentate is Jesus Christ All the Angels in Heaven cannot draw an inventory of Christs Estate so numberless are his Treasures He that hath so many millions of Saints and can give every one of them a Kingdom O how rich must this Lord be O sinners think what a rich Jointure Christ can make you he can settle an Estate upon you indeed O will you Espouse Christ he hath a fair Estate indeed Secondly Christ hath a free Estate Some men may have large Estates but many Mortgages and debts upon them but Christ's Estate is all free no debts lies on Christ to lessen his Estate whatever he gives to the whole Creation doth no way lessen his Riches like the Sun whatever light it imparts to the World or Inferiour Luminaries doth not exhaust or diminish it's Original splendour all that the Rivers emptie from the Sea do not lessen it but repay its bounty by a retribution of all those receptions so whatever contributions come from Christ to men it doth not lessen his ability to give to his people The more Abraham gave to his Sons by Keturah the less he had for Isaac But Christ's liberality and Obligations do not diminish his treasure Christ's whole Estate comes to every Believer every saved Soul hath a whole Christ full of Grace and Glory Thirdly Christ hath a sure Estate exceeding safe there 's