hearts desire and with-holds not from him the requests of his lips he did oft-times hear Moses but once when he request somewhat for himself the Lord said unto him let it suffice thee speak no more to me of this matter and would not grant him his desire but God never turns away the face of this his anointed one but hears him alwayes Joh. 11. 41 42. And as before is intimated his end in making intercession it is not only that mens lives might be a little longer continued much less is it that he may aggravate their condemnation though if men still refuse and rebel their condemnation will be hereby aggravated and God will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalpe of such as go on still in their trespasses Psal 68. 18 21. but that they which live and have their lives prolonged might live not to themselves but to him who dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and therefore while he intercedes for further sparing it is that he may dig about by his corrections and chastenings in which he hath a gracious end while it is called to day Job 7. 17 18. 33. 19 29. and dung them with his mercies and goodness to lead them to tepentance as Luk 1. 3. 6 8. So also the Apostle signifies in that motive and argument he layes down to move the Coriâ—â—hians not to receive the grace of God in vain for he to wir the Father saith to Christ I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee I say therein is signified that while God hears Christ and that is all the time he is mediating he is also using means and succouring him in his ministration that men might receive the grace of God to purpose and so all this while it is an accepted time and day of salvation in which men may seek the Lord and he will be found 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Isa 55. 1 6. And hence the Apostle Peter instructs to account the long-suffering of our Lord to be salvation that is not only an evidence and witness of that salvation wrought and compleated in the person of our Lord though it is so also Psal 68. 18 20. nor only that during that time of his exercising long-suffering he is saving them from destruction but also to signifie what the end of our Lord in procuring it for us and exercising it toward us is namely He is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish no not those scoffers that walked after their own lusts and said Where is the promise of his coming while it is called to day but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 4 9 15. Prov. 1. 22. for he hath no pleasure none at all neither secret nor revealed in the everlasting destruction of men while the day of his grace and patience continues and that is while Jesus Christ mediates and that is while God is calling men by any means and stretching forth his hand which he doth while he calls Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye saith the Lord God and not that he should return from his wayes and live Ezek. 18. 23. 33. 10 11. Isa 49 8. 50. 1 2. and therefore when men have so provoked God as that they have deserved to be presently cut off and he is threatning to bring upon them such judgments as in which many would have their lives taken away and so dying in their sins be sealed up to the wrath to come because he hath no pleasure concurring with their destruction while there may be hope he is through the Mediation of Jesus deferring his anger and waiting that he may be gracious and exâ—â—â—ting himself that he may have mercy upon such Isa 30. 8 18. such his grace to man-ward while it is called to day But now in his present work and office he is especially the Saviour of them that believe the Apostle and High-Priest of their profession to whom he is more abundantly gracious he giveâ—h grace to the humble He forgives them their iniquities that come unto God by him and retaineth them no longer in heaven against them but justifieth them freely by his grace and ever lives to make intercession for them to take away their manifold mixtures weaknesses and infirmities and is therefore able to save them to the uttermost yea they are justified in believing by him from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses even from rebellious iniquities and to them he imputes righteousness without works and they are made accepted in the beloved Heb. 7. 25. Act. 13. 39. Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 4. 5 7. yea God is daily and continually tâ—â— just fier of him that believeth in Jesus through him as the propitiatory Rom. 3. 22 25 26. and so To them he gives power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name and they are the subjects of peculiar grace and favour Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God even such as were sometimes the children of wrath even as others 1 Joh. 3. 1. Eph. 2. 3. Jesus Christ loves them with the same manner of love as wherewith the Father loves him and the Father loves them with such manner of love as wherewith he loves his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 9. 17. 23. even with a delightful and well pleased love yea therefore he loves them because they have loved Jesus Christ and have believed that he came forth from God Ioh. 14. 21 23. 16. 27. And because they are sons he sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts to them he pours forth his Spirit and makes known his words Gal. 4. 6. Prov. 1. 23. He gives unto them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revâ—lation in the knowledge of Christ opening and enlightning the eyes of their understandings that they may know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 17 20. And this he doth not because of any perfection of their coming to God by Christ but from his own goodness he is pleased to make and repute them as his people and to favour them with such favour Henâ—e the Psalmist ascribes it principally to the graciousness of the Lord that he still and further teacheth them and makes known his words Good and upright is the Lord therefore the meek he will guide in judgment and the meek he will teach his way and the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant his Son whom he hath given for a Covenant of the people and in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen Isa 42. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 20 Psal 25. 8 14. He gives them his good Spirit to guide them into all truth to teach them all things and bring all things to remembrance which Christ hath
let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8 9. If any man consent not in his teachings to wholsom words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud c. from such turn away 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. Now then we may be assured that such consent to wholsom words who say Christ died not for all nor by the grace of God tasted death for every man contrary to 2 Cor. 5 14. Heb. 2. 9. and so such as deny him to be the standing propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. These teach men to deny the Lord that bought them yea they are led by the spirit of error who confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Saviour of the world they come not up to wholesom words for the true Christ is the Saviour of the world even of mankind and this began to be spoken by the Lord himself Joh. 3. 16 17. 4. 42. 6. 51. and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. and so the Son of God is the Saviour of the world and this was the sum of the Apostles testimony which they had received and saw in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 13 15. And the Apostle Paul saith that he was ordained a Preacher of this viz. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth c. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. and instructed Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which he heard of him that unto which he was ordained a Preacher as before and an Apostle viz. that God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time by which he proves and evidences that God will have all men to be saved c. I say to hold this last in faith in an hearty belief of the truth of it and in love to men so as declaring this to them and holding it fast in profession according to the constraining operations of the grace of God in Christ 2 Tim 1. 9 13. with 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 2 Cor. 5. 13 15 18 20. and exhorted Timothy to command others to teach and himself to teach that the living God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10 11. See also Tit. 2. 11 15. And in this direction given unto us for tryal of spirits that we may know so as to avoid false Prophets it is observable the Apostle doth not positively and particularly declare what the false spirits do hold and teach but in the general he saith If they confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ or give not to him the glory due to him in their confessions so as in all hearing the Apostles they are not of God and we are to beware of them if they Evangelize otherwise than what the Apostles have Evangelized we are to reject them for if it be not the voice of our Shepherd we may be sure it is the voice of a stranger and so we are to flee from them yea if any man come unto you saith the Apostle and bring not this doctrine the doctrine of Christ in which he is lifted up in the words of the Holy Ghost receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed He saith not if he take not up this doctrine which he may seem to do for advantage sake when he is with you that he may not be discovered but may deceive you but if he bring it not if this be not his message his errand when he comes the thing he is set to promote receive him not c. Prov. 14. 7. Joh. 10. 4 5. 2 Joh. 7 11. 2. And by their fruits may be meant also the effects of their doctrines which the Disciples of Christ may perceive and discern namely that they are such as tend to corrupt from that simplicity that is in Christ to draw away mens hearts and affections from him who is the only foundation of faith and hope the only fountain in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily the only bread of life and door of approach to God They tend to remove men from him that called them into the grace of Christ and cause men to err from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. Gal. 1. 6. and this appears plainly in those that imbrace and entertain those confessions in which Jesus Christ is not lifted up in the word of the Apostles Now then in applying our selves to God and the word of his grace we may be preserved from those grievous Wolves for they confess not our God or confess him not according to that discovery given of him in the word of his grace Oh let us then keep sound wisdom and discretion so shall they be life to our souls preserve our souls in life and grace to our necks then shall we walk in the way safely and our foot shall not stumble Prov. 3. 21 26. take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. 3. That I may not over-much inlarge I shall briefly say the Apostle directs and commends them to this person and thing that they might not arise speaking perverse things and that they might be preserved from those amongst themselves that would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them ver 30. What hath been spoken before may be useful here also only in that he now forewarns them of this danger among themselves and therefore thus commits them He signifies 1. That amongst those whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers over the flock some may possibly arise speaking perverse things crooked wreathed things such as in which they would pervert the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 7. and that either by desiring to be teachers of the Law as there were some inclined hereto amongst these believers 1 Tim. 1. 3 7. So some such among the Galatians that turned them aside to the Law to be justified or sanctified by the works thereof and to perfect by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 2 15 16 3. 1 5. 5. 1 4. and turning them again to weak and beggarly elementâ— Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 22 24. or by not consenting unto wholsom â—â—rds event the words of our Lord Jesus Christ but limiting the grace of God and teaching men to deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. or not consenting to the doctrine according to godliness but â—urning the grace of our God into wantonness as if it gave liberty to men to continue in sin or to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness or licentiousness 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Jude 4. 1 Pet. 2. 16 or corrupting the word of God with Philosophy and that Science
sanctified and made meet for the inheritance 1. What it is to sanctifie and who they are that are sanctified To sanctifie and to be sanctified in Scripture signifies these two things 1. To separate a person or thing from common and profane use and so from uncleanness and filthiness as it usually signifies in our types of old So Hezekiah commanded the Levites to sanctifie themselves and to sanctifie the house of the Lord and to carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place and accordingly they sanctified it by carrying out the uncleanness out of it as is signified 2 Chron. 29. 5 15 18. and so the sanctifying the people it was a separating them from those things that we e provâ—king in the eyes of God or forbidden by him Lev. 20. 2 8 a severing them from the pollutions and manners of the Nations whom the Lord cast out Levit. 20. 23 26. 2. To set aparâ— forthâ— Lord and for his pâ—culiar use and service any thing or person a devoting or dedicating it to the Lord that it may be his aâ—d unto him as were the Priests and Levites and â—emple c. So setting apart unto the Lord answers to and is the same with sanctifying unto him Exod. 13. 2 12. So here They are said to be sanctified who are cleansed from the errors and polluâ—ions of this world and devoted to the Lord separated from uncleanness and set apart for the Lord such as come out from among men and are separated and touch no unclean thing Such as in the light and strength of God's promises do cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. 7. 1. and so the sanctified are such as are daily turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 21. such as so receive the grace of God as to redeem them from all iniquity and to purifie them unto him a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2. 11 12 14. 2. The means whereby God in Christ by his Spirit doth sanctifie as to persons I mean that are come to years of capacity are 1. The chief and principal medium is the word of his grace in which is declared and commended to us the free grace of God in the blood of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ is said to sanctifie with the washing of water by the word even with the kindness and love of God our Saviour Eph. 5. 26. and so he is said to wash in his blood in which the love of God is commended and men are said to be sanctified with the blood of the Covenant Rev. 1. 5. Heb. 10. â—9 that is the blood of sprinkling whereby the heart is sprinkled from an evil conscience and the conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 10. 22. 9. 14. and so they are said to be sanctified by the Spirit in the testimony and so by the Word 2 Thes 2. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Joh. 17. 17 19. Act. 26 18. and these three agree in one 1 Joh. 5. 6 8. And indeed the principal means whereby men may be sanctified born again and saved now it is by discovering and commending the love of God to mankind in lifting up the Son of man by the Spirit in the testimony So our Saviour signifies in answer to Nicodemâ—s when he asks How can these things be namely that a man can be born again in answer thereto he tells him As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up c. For God so loved the world of mankind that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 3 5 9 14 17. So that which the Apostle preached in order to the sanctifying of the Corinthians who were unholy and prophane the first thing he delivered to them was that Christ died for their sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and tells them they were washed sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus even in and by that good report of him in which the Father's love was manifested and by the Spirit of our God Compare 1. Cor. 15. 1 4. with Chap. 6. 10 11. So the Apostle signifies that the means whereby he and other believers were saved from their ignorance disobedience and serving divers lusts it was by the appearance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour to man-ward which is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Tit. 3. 3 6. It is not the Law as a Law of works or any observance thereof by men or indeavouring to frame their hearts thereby to love God and men and to avoid the evils forbidden that is the way or means whereby God doth sanctifie nor is the Law first to be preached to the effecting this sanctification though men may seek to sanctifie themselves and purifie themselves thereby and in so doing account themselves Saints and be so accounted by others yet these are none of God's Saints or sanctified ones but these shall be consumed together Isa 66. 17 nor is it any peculiar manner of love to mens persons in a personal consideration first discovered to or working in men before they believe that is the means for effecting this sanctification but it is done by the Spirit in glorifying Christ and therein commending God's love to the world sinners and ungodly ones Act. 26. 18 23. this is the supream means 2. And in subsâ—rviency and â—ubordination to the former he doth also cleanse and wâ—sh with afflictions even with the manifold trials and temptations which he is ordering to men while it is called to day in which he is also purging and causing the scum to swim aloft that by this men might be purged and that the iniquity of his Jacob might be purged Isa 27. 9. that he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from him Job 33. 17 19. then he sheweth men their work and their transgressions that they have exceeded he openeth also their ears to discipline and commandeth them to depart from iniquity Job 36. 8 10. and sheweth unto men the vanity of their idols in which they have been trusting and by which they have been lifting up themselves according to that When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surelâ— every man is vanity Psal 39. 11. He then sheweth that all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the field even all their wisdom strength goodness c. and so is cleansing and purging them from their sins and idols that they may live to him and bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. So the Apostle saith he chastens us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 10. that we may be delivered from our filthiness for stripes
cleanse the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20. 30. and be dedicated to him and filled with the fruits of righteousness and this fruit we reap of it in being exercised to the consideration of the grace of God in Christ that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly and having access by faith thereinto Heb. 12. 2 11. Rom. 5. 2 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. Hence afflictions are compared to water because God is hereby washing and cleansing us Psal 66. 12. Isa 27. 3. and to fire because God is hereby proving and purifying and making white that the trial of the faith of believers being much more precious than that of gold which perisheth though it be tryed with fire might be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Isa 31. 9. 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. and so the means by which Jesus Christ doth wash baptize and sanctifie are the holy Ghost in the testimony and fire Mat. 3. 11. Luk. 3. 16. 3. How God and the word of his grace doth give and is able to give them the inheritance To this we say as before is noted that he doth not now fully and gloriously give it to them in this day yea Abraham to whom the promises were made and the rest of the Pâ—triarchs they received not the promises Heb. 11. 13 39. God gave Abraham none inheritance in the actual and glorious injoyment of it and he and Isaac and Jacob heirs together with him of the same promise all died in faith not receiving the promises Act. 7. 5. Heb. 11. 13. and though Peter saith he was a partaker of glory yet he saith of the the glory that shall be revealed it is not so yet 1 Pet. 5. 1. But now 1. Jesus Christ doth give it them in giving himself to them in the word of his grace to whom the promises were originally made Gal. 3. 16. who is the heir of all things now actually in our nature Heb. 1. 2. and whos 's the inheritance is and who is entred to take possession for us Heb. 6. 20. and so in receiving him they are made sons of God by faith in Christ Christ is theirs and they are Christs And if sons then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things unto him and he that believeth on the son hath everlasting life all things are theirs as Christ is theirs even by faith whether things present or things to come and they are Christ's and if Christ's then are they Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Joh. 3. 35 36. 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Gal. 3. 26 29. and so God in giving Christ as raised from the dead in the wâ—rd of his grace makes an everlasting Covenant with believers Isa 55. 3. with Act. 13. 34. And so 2. God doth in and through Christ give it in the word of his grace by promise which was confirmed of God in Christ before the Law and now actually ratified and sealed by the death of the Testator whose blood is the blood of the new Testament and everlasting Covenant and so God gave the inheritance to Abraham by promise and they who are Christ's are heirs according to promise Gal. 3. 18 29. that they might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them Heb. 6. 17. 20. and so as Abraham is said to have received the promise even in the word of it and through faith and patience to inherit the promises even so he gives and they are receiving it and are saved by hope and so by faith and in hope they are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be moved Heb. 12. 28. for he is faithful that promised having confirmed the Covenant by his blood and is alive to see it performed and is the Mediator of it that the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance Heb. 9. 14. Jam. 1. 12. 2. 5. 3. He is giving unto them an earnest now even the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of the inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession Eph. 1. 13 14. 2. Cor. 1. 22. 5. 5. An earnest is a part of the whole a first fruits and so they receive a first fruits of the spirit Rom. 8. 23. and an earnest is also an assurance and confirmation that they shall have all in due time this spirit he is now giving unto them to make them partakers of the forgiveness of their sins to be a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ and so to indue them with a new spirit judgment and disposition to write his Laws in their hearts and put them in their minds and to fill them with his fruit love joy peace long suffering c. Heb. 10. 14 17. Eph. 1. 17 18. Gal. 5. 16 22 23. and this spirit which is the earnest of the inheritance he is giving unto them and they receive through the word of his grace according to that Received ye the spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of faith Gal. 3. 1 5. 4. Yea when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven he will give unto them the inheritance gloriously which here they have been receiving by faith and hope and in the earnest and first fruits of it they shall then inherit all things and God himself will be with them their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes c. and this he will give unto them not according to their works of righteousness but of grace yea and according to the rule of the word of his grace for God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel the word of his grace and so according to that rule he will give eternal life to them that by patient continuance in well-doing have been seeking glory honour and immortality Rom. 2. 7 16. they shall then be judged according to the Law of liberty Jam. 2. 12. and according thereto he that believeth the Gospel and is baptized sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God shall be saved viz. shall obtain that salvatâ—on in Christ Jesus with eternal glory Mark 16. 16. 2 Tim. 2. 10. they shall not then be judged according to the Law of works which is do and live and Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the Law to do them for according thereto no flesh living can be justified in his sight but by the Law of faith the word of his grace in which is declared to us that this is the will of him that sent Jesus Christ that every one that now seeth the Son and believeth in him should have everlastinglife and he will raise him up at the 〈◊〉 day to the glorious injoyment of it and so of that inheritance which
you or our Brethren they are the Messengers of the Churches c. Wherefore shew ye to them and before the Churches the proof of your love c. 2 Cor. 8. 23. 24. These though they were not Apostles nor might have an Apostolical gift yet were their Brethen 2. Brethren one to another and so to instruct them 1. That they should not lift up themselves one above another or love to have and seek after preheminence as did Diotâ—ephes 3 John 9. That they should not seek to Lord it one over another when he was removed he himself acknowledges that he had not dominion over the faith of others but was an helper of their joy 2 Cor. 1. 24. And it was good to follow him herein and not to seek dominion one over another though yet it is good for others to take notice of their different gifts and of the faithfulness and diligence of such as exceed others therin he may use this expression to seal home such an admonition As our Saviour doth Be ye not called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8. the Disciples of Christ are incident to this evil and too apt to strive who shall be and be accounted the greatest and now the Apostle that faithful watchman was taken away some might be ready to follow such an inclination and therefore he may give this title to them to instruct humility and to demean themselves one to another as Brethren who had all one Master or otherwise they might fall into that great evil and speak perverse things to draw away Disciples after them of which the Apostle doth premonish ver 30. 2. To intimate that they should love one another and take heed of falling out one with another that as their hearts were purified in obeying the truth thorow the Spirit to the unfeigned love of the Brethren so now especially they should love one another with a pure heart fervently as 1 Pet. 1. 22. It was now high time when this peace maker was taken a way and God making a way for his judgements as ver 20 30. To love as Brethren and to indeavour to seek and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace that so they might if possible stop that breach God had been making and by their being perfectly joyned together Gods blessing might be with them Psal 133. Otherwise they might cause divisions and fit themselves for drawing disciples after them vâ—â— 30. I he way to be kept from evil even from the evil one and evil spirits and their designs yea from all evil is to be one as in judgement and design so in affection so much may be signified in that order in our Saviour's prayer for his Apostles the first thing or the end of the first thing he prayes for them is that they may be one and the next thing that they may be kept from the evil Jâ—h 17. 11. 15. thus our Saviour even when his hour was come within six dayes before his departure oftentimes instructs and commands his disciplâ—s to love one another that so they might be strengthened against persecutors and false Christs and false Prophets see Joh. 12. 1. and 13. 34. 35. and 15. 12. 17. 20. So the Apostle 〈◊〉 1. Joh. 4. 1. 7. 2. And yet the Apostle directs his speech to them as elders for the good of the Church and so as including the Church also and for instruction to them not as if the Apostle only commended the elders to the Lord but it was of concernment to all as Act. 14. 22. And so what our Saviour sends to the Angels of the Churches it was for the good of the Churches Rev. 1. 11. and therefore at the close of every particular Message it is said he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches And so it was them all he commended to God c. 3. The Resignation it self I commend you to God and the word of his Grace In which we shall inquire and shew 1. Who the person is and what the thing to which he commends them 2. What is here meant by commending and what is imported therein 3. Wherefore he now commends them to this person and thing 1. Who the person is and what the thing to which he commends them 1. The person is not such or such an elder or brother among them who might be esteem'd more faithful and able then the rest no he here commends them not to Timothy who was now with him ver 4. though he was appointed to some oversight over them to charge some that they taught no other Doctrine then that according to Godliness and to ordain elders and deacons and it is evident that to this end he was left at Ephesus before this time in that the Apostle saith these things I write unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly 1 Tim. 1. 3. and 3 14. 15. But now he saith he knew they should see his face no more Yea though the Apostle gave that high account of him that he had no man like minded Phil. 2. 20 22. Yet he commits them not to him nor to any Brother no it was possible there might be infirmity or unfaithfulness found with them And yet this I say not to lead â—hy to neglect the fellowship and helpfulness of Brethren it is good to be companions of them that fear him and to know them that are over us in the Lord and admonish us But the Apostle here shews his great faithfulness and abundant care for these in committing them to him whose they were and to whom none is to be compared or likened yea to him who would in committing themselves to him order the hearts of brethren as might be most for mutual good for all are his servants and he puts earnest care into the hearts of instruments 2 Cor. 8. 16. and so this resignation is like that Act. 14. 22. When they had ordained them elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them no to the elders but to the Lord on whom they believed The person then to whom he commends them is God not Man simply and yet not to God as absolutely and immediately considered but to God in Christ in whom he is propitious toward us and thorow whom he takes care of us poor sinful ones 't is the God of grace he resignes them to as is imported in saying the Word of his grace Who the person here spoken of is the Apostle helps us to understand viz. That it is Jesus Christ who is said to be the great God and our Saviour Tit. 2. 14. Immanuel God with us who is God in our Nature and for us Isa 9. 6. I say the Apostle helps us so to understand it by the immediately foregoing use of it in v. 28 feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood like that 1 Joh. 3. 16 Herein perceive we the love of
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
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
Lord is good sing praises to his name for it is pleasant for the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure they shall then gloriously triumph in the works of his hands which he is now working in leading forth his people which he hath redeemed out of the world Exod. 15. 13. Psal 92. 4 5. and the Lord himself shall rejoyce in his works Psal 104. 31. And that he shall then destroy all enemies and save his people with an everlasting salvation and they shall then reign on the earth These are now his thoughts which are very deep his enemies and theirs shall then perish and all the workers of iniquity be destroyed for ever but his horn shall be exalted with honour gloriously and visibly and the righteous shall flourish Psal 92. he shall then bring in his people and plant them in the mountain of his inheritance in the place which he hath made for them to dwell in in the sanctuary which his hands have established and the Lord shall reign for ever and ever Psal 149. Exod. 15. 17. 18. 7. And now they shall have a glorious inheritance to which I shall not here speak because it more properly refers to the latter end of the verse And thus according to my great weakness I have shewed the first Reason why the Gospel is called the Word of his Grace 2. This is called the Word of his grace because hereby he gives grace unto men even as it is called the Word of Life because as it discovers that eternal life in Christ so it gives life unto others The words that I speak unto you saith Christ they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. so it is called the word of salvation because it not only shews where salvation is wrought and compleated but therein and therewith also it brings salvation to men c. So here answerably the Gospel of Christ is called the word of his grace because as it is the most excellent means whereby God manifests and reveals his grace in Christ as before so hereby he gives grace unto men he doth manifest his goodness and graciousness unto men and gives them some discovery and discerning of it by all means The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work he left not himself without witness to the Gentiles Psal 19. 1 6. 147. 7 9. with Act. 14. 17. Rom. 1. 19 28. but he was more especially good to Israel therefore they especially were to praise him and had peculiar ingagement so to do He shewed his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Iâ—â—ael he had not dealt so with any Nation and as for his judgments they had not known them Psal 147. 12 19 20. What advantage hath the Jew c. much every way chiefly because unâ—o them was committed the Oracles of God though hereby simply they were not better as to their gracious state with God yet they had greater advantage so to be Rom. 3. 1 2 9 and still greater advantage is given to us now the Gospel is prâ—acâ—â—ed according to the revelation of the mystery And hence it is said That grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Joâ— 1. 17. and that the Prophets in former times prophesied of the grace that should be brought and vouchsafed to us 1 Pet. 1. 10. namely the more clear and abundant revelation of it and therewith a more free dispensiâ—g of it whereby he gives and prevents men with capacity to behold his grace in Christ and is turning them from idols unto God to serve the living true God The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul whether men be converted by it or no it is converting restoring and bringing it 〈◊〉 Gâ—d and in order hereto the testimony of the Lord in which God hath testified unto us what Jesus Christ hath done for us and is become and his grace in him this is sure making wise the simple even those that are without mixture of wisdom it fails not in this efficacy of it it discovers Jesus Christ who is the fountain and object of wisdom in knowing whom we may be made wise and it gives wisdom and subtilty to the simple Jam. 1. 5. Prov. 1. 4. The commandement the old and new commandement declared from the beginning in which was prophesied and promised that the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head and which is now more revealed because the darkness is past 1 Joh. 2. 7 8. this is pure namely in its effect also inlightning the eyes and therewith converting Psal 19. 7. 8. Hereby he gives grace of repentance unto men and is operating faith in them his spirit being alwayes vouchsafed and present in and with this testimony of Christ in the faithful ministration of it even unto the end of the world so that he that rejecteth rejecteth not man but God Mat. 28. 20. 1 Thes 4. 8. Surely he doth accompany all means which he affordeth while it is called to day with some presence of his Spirit and doth in due time give some supernatural light unto men because he is willing all should come to repentance There is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding Job 32. 8. He saith not it must give it them if they have it but it doth give it unto them So he is said to give breath unto the people upon the earth and spirit to them that walk therein Isa 42. 5. and that his Spirit is sent forth into all the earth even that Spirit which the Lamb that was slain hath received Rev. 5. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. and in and with his Prophets he spake by his Spirit and gave his good Spirit even unto them that rebelled against him to instruct them and this aggravated their iniquity that they alwayes rejected the Holy Ghost for God did not only call them with an outward call but he sent his words in his Spirit in the light and power thereof and so stretched out his hand unto them Neh. 9. 20 26 30. Zech. 7. 12. Isa 65. 2. but now in and with the Gospel of Christ as now preached according to the revelation of the mystery he doth pour forth of his Spirit upon all flesh namely to glorifie Christ and shew his excellency and comeliness for our escape and therein and therewith to wither all flesh to shew that all flesh is grass and all the glory of man the goodliness of the flesh is as the flower of the field that men might cease therefrom and turn in his reproofs and so he will further pour forth his Spirit unto them Act. 2. 17. with Isa 40. 3 8. Hence it is called the ministration of spirit even of this spirit of grace 2 Cor. 3. 6 8 With this Gospel the Apostle was sent to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God
Act. 26. 17 18 22 yea any man in having and declaring it faithfully doth minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4. 28. with Col. 4. 6. It is true men have no knowledge of or will to any thing that is spiritually good yea they are naturally inclined to all evil lusting after vain things but he giveth more grace grace abounding and exceeding their natural corruption pulling down their strong holds casting down their imaginations and every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God it presents more excellent and glorious arguments and gives more strength where ore he saith God resisâ—â—th the proud such as still refuse to humble themselves and turn at his reproofs Jam. 4. 5 6. the grace of God saving to all men hath now appeared Tit. 2. 11. and therefore mens sin is rendred hereby to be exceeding sinful because they either receive not this grace or receive it in vain because they receive not the love of the truth so as to be saved thereby 2 Thes 2. 10 11 12. But no more to this because it hath been in part spoken to already 3. This Gospel of Christ is called the word of his grace because it is that whereby he gives grace more abundantly to them that hear in hearing he rejecteth the proud that scorn to receive his grace but he giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4. 6. He so gives testimony to the Word of his grace as that in receiving this men receive the Spirit even through this hearing of faith and not by the works of the Law even that spirit of faith whereby they have the faith of the operation of God wrought in them and so they are said to have believed through grace Gal. 3. 2. Act. 14. 1 3. 18. 27. Hence this is called the Word of faith both because it testifies Christ to be the foundation and object of faith and because by it he is working faith in those that hear it yea and doth work it in all those that in hearing hear Rom. 10. 8 17. and so chuses them out of the world from the state and fellowship thereof saves them from their ignorance of God and enmity unto God Rom. 11. 5 6. Tit. 3. 3 5. it is that means whereby he makes them partakers of the forgiveness of their sins in their minds and consciences they are justified by grace justified by faith by this word of faith believed even from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 5. 1 Act. 13 39. he makes the opening of his name in his testimony the very declaration of that justification and forgiveness he hath received powerful to wash them from the guilt of their sins and so speaks peace to them Act. 26. 18. the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus doth make them free from the Law of sin and death and so from the a cusation of sin by the Law in opening this arâ—ument unto thâ—m that what the Law could no dâ— in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the â—â—eness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Rom. 8. â— 3. It washes their heart from an evil conscience namely from a conscience that chargeth and condemns it self as held under wrath because our first Father hath sinned and we in him and come forth frâ—m him naturally and necessarily polluted for this is not now the condemnation and from an evil conscience that seeks by dead works to wash it self and speak peace to it self from some works of righteousness of ours This truâ—h known makes free and so the Son hereby Heb. 10. 22. Joh. 8. 31 32 36. yea and hereby they receive remission of those sins in which they sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression To him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins Act. 10. 43. And so being justified by faith they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ freedom from the fear of his wrath and that in believing this Word he fills with joy and peace in believing and multiplies grace and peace to them through the knowâ—dge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord even â—â—rough the doctrine of him known and received by them Rom. 5. 1. 15. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 2. and so begers them again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deaâ— as discovered in the Gospel for it is his word that quickens them 1 Pet. 1. 3. Psal 119. â—0 93. yea hereby he washes them â—rom the dominion and service of sin in their members that henceforth they should not serve sin and walking in the Spirit in minding the things of the Spirit and yielding up to its operations sin shall not have dâ—minion over them nor shall they fulfil the lusts of the flesh Joh. 15. 3. 8 32. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 5. 16. Psal 17. 4. 119. 9 11. through this knowledge of Christ and God's grace in him he gives unto them still and further the spirit of wisdom and revelation to glorifie Christ and enamour their hearts on him and so to redeem them from their vain conversation Eph. 1. 17 18. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Tit. 2. 14. And hereby he gives unto every one of this body grace even some gracious giâ—t whereby they may speak to God and pour out their hearts unto him and some useful gift to speak to men as this testimony of Christ is received by them and confirmed in them Rom. 8. 26. 1 Cor. 1. 5 6. Joh. 7. 38 39. yea in and with this he doth establish them and save them from the error of the wicked and from divers and strange doctrines that they may not be as children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine Heb. 13. 7 9. Eph. 4. 11 14. 1 Cor. 15 1 2. Psal 17. 4. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son to preserve and keep him from those deceivers that are entred into the world and to make him strong that the wicked one shall not touch him so as to corrupt him from that simplicity in Christ 2 Joh. 7 9. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14 4. 4. 5. 18. yea hereby he gives grace to them to strengthen them with might unto all long-suffering and patience with joyfulness in those afflictions and tribulations which he is ordering unto them this is their comfort in their affliction for his word quickens them and it is unto them the joy and rejoycing of their hearts Col. 1. 11. Psal 119. 49 50 78 82. Jer. 15. 15 16 17. he creates the fruit of his lips unto them in his testimoâ—y peace peace and so heals them that are broken in heart and binds up their griefs Psal 147. 2. with Psal 107. 20. Isa 57. 15 19. with Chap. 61. 1 3. and so causeth them to know and prove
do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think the Father hath committed all judgement to him and so infinitely loved him because he humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross that he hath not given the Spirit by measure unto him but hath filled him immeasurably therewith and hath given all things into his hand Joh. 5. 22. 3. 34 35. with Chap. 10. 17 18. yea herein is imported his sufficiency and readiness to assist them and dispense unto them according to their needs and capacities whatsoever was good unto all their services and sufferings and unto the utmost saving of them that they might be preserved blameless unto his coming and so not fail of his grace 1 Thes 5. 23 24. Heb. 7. 25. 2. As with respect to himself who now commended them even the Apostle there is signified 1. That he had the care of these lying upon him and indeed upon him came daily the care of all the Churches he was a steward to whom a great trust was committed and it is probable was the first that planted the Gospel among them and so might be an instrumental father of them and now he shews his love to these who had first given themselves to the Lord and afterwards to him and his fellow-labourers by the will of God as 2 Cor. 8. 5. and his faithfulness to his Lord in returning the charge of them to him from whom he received it herein imitating our Saviour the great shepherd of the Sheep Thine they were saith he and thou gavest them me and now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come unto thee holy father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me Joh. 17. 6 11 13. And thus our Brother who was counted faithful and put into the Ministry and had a trust committed to him when departing to shew his faithfulness to the chief shepherd and love to the sheep returned his charge to him from whom he had received it 2. His assurance of his faithfulness and ability to whom he commends them it was to him whom he knew by experience to be gracious and had proved faithful in all things who had been exceeding abundantly gracious to him and had stood by him and strengthned him even as Israel blessed Jacob and intimately commends him and his to one whose faithfulness he had proved The God saith he which fed me all my life long unto this day the Angel which redeemed me from all evil bless c. Gen. 48. 15 16. He knew whom he had believed and he was perswaded that he was able to keep that which he committed to him against that day as 2 Tim. 1. 12. he was well assured of and satisfied in his infinite faithfulness and therefore safely trusts in him and commends these unto him 2 Tim. 4. 17 18. 3. As with respect to them whom he commends he may intimate unto us 1. That they were children such as had not attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12. and could not keep themselves they were all little children though there might be diversity among themselves some fathers experienced believers who might be instruments of begetting others through the Gospel and some young men who were strong having the word of God abiding in them and some weak and babes yet in this respect all little children they had not yet attained to perfection as 1 Joh. 2. 12 14 18. they yet needed a tutor but not such as they were under during the ministration of the Law in which though sons they differed nothing from servants but such an one as became sons even Câ—rist as a Son over his own house and the word of his grace and so the Law of faith and not of works they were not perfect as to attainment and therefore needed to be committed to one who would be careful of and faithful to them yea and that they had many enemies who would indeavour to corrupt them from the simplicity that is in Christ and if possible defraud them of their inheritance and so beguil them of their reward many evil men violent persons and many seducers that would indeavour to pervert them and subvert their souls by removing them from him who had called them into the grace of Christ they were weak in themselves and had strong enemies whose end was destruction and therefore they needed an helper 2. To instruct them to commit themselves to and leave themselves with him Psal 10. 14. to submit themselves to God and commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator and to be ordered and guided and taught by this Law of grace and to have all their expectation from him and it for their being kept by his power in this Gospel through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 4. 19. 1. 5. And indeed this is the most pâ—rfect means by which he doth now help them assist instruct and strengthen them and preserve them from evil the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1. 16. This is the way whereby he keeps the souls of those committed to him so much may be signified to us in this That when the congregation of God's poor cry out to him Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth c. God doth then create the â—â—uit of his â—ips peace and speaks good words and comfortable to them in first assuring them that in committing themselves to him he would care for them and prethem and then he or the Prophet in his name directs them where they might meet with his gracious keeping guidance and preservation he will set his poor and needy ones in safety but wherewith and where may they expect this so as to commit themselves and way thereto The words of the Lord of or concerning the Lord in which is shewed that he is the Lord and by what means he is so become and the grace of God in him and so the words that are spoken by the Lord in the words of the Holy Ghost and not which mans wisdom teacheth are pure words that is they are pure in themselves in what they testifie of the Lord and of all things faithful words there is no lye of them and worthy of all acceptation they give a true and right discovery of all things and a good and gracious report of the Lord and they are pure in their effect and efficacy inlightning the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. and purifying the heart Act. 15. 19. and so purifying from all filthiness of flesh and spirit Jam. 3. 17. Joh. 15. 3. by this means then God saves and helps even by his words and therefore he is commending them to us that we might in them and by them expect his performing all things for us Now then in that he saith I commend you to God and to the word of his grace therein is imported to us that his desire and counsel
Zion where ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing namely that matter wherewith they might refresh those to whom they spake in directing them to the vision of all even to Jesus Christ as he was witnessed in the Law and the Prophets Isa 28. 12 16. These are Pastors after God's own heart that feed with knowledge viz. with the doctrine of Christ and with understanding with skilfulness in the word of God's righteousness Jer. 3. 15. To this then he commits them as to that wherewith they might do all their work for the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth So the Apostle charges Timothy Preach the word namely the Word of truth the Gospel of our salvation be instant in season out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. And this he determined to know amongst the Corinthians even Jesus Christ and him crucified as the one thing for and unto all things 1 Cor. 2. 2. Yea this our Saviour commanded his Apostles to preach the Gospel as the one thing in and unto their whole work of discipling Mat. 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Luk. 24. 46 48. and so they did preach even Jesus Christ and not themselves or the Law Rom. 10. 8. Act. 10. 42. yea our Lord Jesus the great peace-maker and peace-preacher was anointed with the holy Ghost to preach the Gospel Isa 61. 1 3. Luk. 4. 18. And it 's the work and office of the holy Ghost to bear witness of Christ to glorifie Christ and therewith to convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and to guide the believers into all truth and to shew them things to come Joh. 16. 8 14. Surely this word of God's grace is a compleat doctrine both for opening the eyes of the blind and turning to the Lord and for perfecting them that do believe so as there is no need for preaching the Law either at first to prepare men for Christ or afterwards to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the Spirit In Christ as declared in the testimony ye are compleat c. Col. 2. 3 10. Nor is the Law in the use of it good unless it be lawfully used according to the glorious Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 7 8 11. This is that food then wherewith they might feed even with the Gospel of Christ in which is spiritually given to us his flesh which is meat indeed and his blood which is drink indeed and so here they might be instruments of causing the flock to lye down in green pastures this God even our God being alwayes with this word of his grace in the plain and faithful ministration of it to give himself to us to feed upon even his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world And so in green pastures Psal 23. 2. namely such as are delightful and pleasant to the eye and sweet to the taste sweeter than honey and the honey comb Psal 19. 7 10. 119. 103. And such as are fruitful and which cause growth and increase that from the head all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together may increase with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. For this bread of life cometh down and is given to us in this Gospel of grace so as that while Paul planteth and Apollo watereth God giveth the increases the feeding that is in this word of his grace is not dry like the heath in the wilderness but that which hath â—â—p in it and in which the Lord is the dew unto his Israel to cause them to revive as the corn and flourish like the Palm-tree and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon Psal 92. 13 15. Hos 14. 5 6. 2 Thes 1. 3. And green pastures such as are not â—ouled and sullied but this word is very pure it is a wholsom word Psal 12. 6. 119. 140. there is no lye of it 1 Joh. 2. 27. every word of God is pure Prov. 30 4 6. Though men may corrupt the word of God in their interpretations and glosses and meanings which they put upon it yet it is pure in it self and he hath kept it and will preserve it so in the records of it that we may safely â—eed thereon and therewith And green even tender and easie of digression for the weakest milk for babes as well as strong meat for those that are strong yea such an abundance of feeding here is that the flock may lye down as satisfied as with marrow and 〈◊〉 and lye down and still feed and such security in those pastures as they may lye down and none shall make thâ—â— afraid Jer. 23. 4. Herein also they might instrumentally dâ—rect them to the still waters to give refreshing to their thirty â—â—uls even to him who is the fountain of living waters in whom is forgiveness of sins and fulness of spirit who is filled with grace and truth in whom is and who gives water of life which causeth fatness and fruitfulness and gives satisfying so as he that drinketh hereof shall never thirst yea their soul shall be as a watered garden and as springs of water whose waters fail not Joh. 4. 10 14. Isa 58. 11. and these are still waters even the consolations of Christ as given in the Gospel like the waters of Shiloah that run softly and make no noise in the world This doctrine of the grace of God is not like the divers and strange doctrines of men which make a noise like the noise of many waters and who have the wisdom of this world excellency of speech strength of reason consent of fathers approbation of great ones and power on their sides which makes them appear so strong as if they would carry all before them but this is the weakness of God and foolishness of God and that which being declared in the words which the holy Ghost hath taught is every where spoken against Isa 8. 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 25. Act. 28. 22. And yet still waters in their effect that whereby God doth and will still and quiet the enemy and the avenger Psal 8. 2. confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to nought the understanding of the prudent and will make them quiet that they shall have nothing to say Act. 6. 10. the weapons of this warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds casting down imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. yea still waters waters of quietness in their efficacy to any and every one that takes and drinks of this water of life which any one may do freely Isa 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. they give quietness to the soul cause it to dwell at ease Psal 25. 13. cool its thirst quiet its fears still the clamours of sin deliver from the fears of God's wrath and make quiet from the fear of all evil adversity and tribulation so as in Christ they have peace while they have tribulation in the world Joh. 16. 33. yea
to God and the word of his grace we may be helped to become fools and so to be crucified to the world and not matter though we be accounted unlearned ignorant men and such as have never learned which is part of the Cross of Christ that is to be taken up and born by us Joh. 7. 15. Act. 4. 13. This wisdom is part of the goodliness of the flesh the glory of man which the spirit in the testimony is withering Oh! that he might be suffered to have his perfect work in us And oh that this were considered by them that are taught that that manner of preaching the Gospâ—l which is with wisdom of words makes the Cross of Christ of none â—ffect when men receive the word of God as the word of men and their faith stands in the wisdom of man that is they hear it with delight and credit it because such as bring it to them are furnished and come with excellency of speech or of wisdom though it is the word of God that is received yet it works not effectually in them 1 Thess 2. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 5. And truly we all need to be admonished of this evil for men naturally love and admire the wisdom of this world and oh that there were not too much cause to say that many of God's people are too much polluted with this iniquity If a man be made willing to become a fool for Christ's sake in declaring the testimony how ready is he to be despised and lightly esteemed Whereas if another be wise in Christ and exalt himself this they can suffer gladly and love to have it so and stâ—engthen those that so teach thâ—m in this evil way while they weaken the hands of others 1 Cor. 4. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Oh let us all beware of the inâ—icing words of mans wisdom and so of Philosophy c. for in Christ dwelâ—s all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 2. 2 4 8 10. 3. And in this to which the Apostle commits them there is contained motive for feeding that which is powerful to strengthen to seek the good of men generally and especially the good of the flock of Christ As to say 1. Herein they may behold the infinite grace of Jesus Christ and God in him toward every sinful soul of mankind and that he is not willing any man should perish but that all should come to repentance as is wonderfully evidenced in this that Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man Oh how will this constrain to indeavour the good of men and especial good of believers The love of Christ constrains us saith the Apostle because we thus jâ—dge that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again This judgment received by them did powerfully move them to perswade men and they could not but speak the things they had seen and heard 2 Cor. 5. 11 15. Act. 4. 19 20. This love of God known and believed with the heart effects in them that so receive it an hearty desire and prayer to God that they may be saved who are ignorant of and enemâ—es to the righteousness of God it framâ—s them to some like mindedness with their heavenly fatâ—er and causeth their hearts to burn within them in an ardent affection to and desire of the good of those that are ignorant and out of the way 1 Joh. 4. 14 16. Luke 24. 26 27 32. Jer. 20. 9. Whereas others that have not received thâ—s judgment that one died for all and rose again what appearance of zeal and devotion soever they have yet the love of Christ doth not constrain hereto but either they do what they do that they may have praise of men or out of a desire of filthy lucre or to establish a righteousness to themselves yea and this judgment received and believed is the bottom ground and motive to move them that have it to feed the flock of Christ to pray them to be further reconciled to God and not to receive his grace in vain 2 Cor. 5. 14 19 21. 6. 1. their hearts are purified in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the brethren 1 Pet. 1. 22. And so 2. They have this further motive to move them to feed the Church that they are Christ's flock the Church of God which he hath purchaâ—ed with hâ—s own blood not only hath he given himself a ransom to God for them as he hath done for all but he so evidenced the preciousness of his blood to them in the peace and atonement which he thereby made in the victory thereby obtained in the righteousness thereby compleated in the fulness of grace and truth thereby received in the New Testament and everlasting Covenant thereby confirmed as that they not being disobedient to the heavenly call were hereby redeemed unto God and what things were formerly gain to them these they counted loss for Christ and so were made of the chosen generation and of his flock in a peculiar consideration being all baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. such as Christ loves with peculiar manner of love and frames those that receive his grace to the same mind even to do good to all but especially to the houshold of faith Gal. 6. 10. to love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. and so to be followers of God as dear children and walk in love as Christ hath loved them Eph. 5. 1 2. This is a great moâ—ive for a servant to love and seek the good oâ— such as are his Lord's children and such as he delights in So Peter from this motive exhorts the Elders Feed the flock of God that is among you 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. yea and in that they are his flock there is contained in it this further incouragement that he will bless and assist their helpers and be with them in the faithful declaration of the Gospel unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 18 20. For who goeth a warfare at any timâ— at his own charges yea these had some oversight of the flock committed to them and it is required of Stewards that a man be found faithful and the shepherd will require the flock at their hands Ezek. 34. 10. Oh let such take heed therefore to themselves and to all the flock that they may be pure from the blood of all men Nay surely in their places and according to their capacity all the holy brethren are partakers of the heavenly calling though not all chosen into office and the grace of God doth instruct them and God their Shepherd doth furnish them that they may edifie one another on their most holy faith Jude 20 21. 1 Thes 5. 11. Rom. 15. 14. The manifestation
he is the great Apostle and High-Priest of the believers profession and able to save to the utâ—ermost all that come to God by him and they that forsake him shall be ashamed of all other confidences consolations bread of secresies and stollen waters while in him all the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory 2. We have also direction given us to know so as to beware of those grievous wolves Our Saviour gives a general one to his Disciples By their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. 15 16. where by their fruits is not meant their outward cloathing or outward appearance Such may seem unto men to have a good life and conversation and be therein blameless among men Phil. 3. 6. appear outwardly righteous unto men Mat. 23. 28 desire to make a fair shew in the flesh Gal. 6. 16. have a form of godliness upon them 2 Tim. 3. 5. abstain from many gross evils Luk. 18. 11. be transformed as the Ministers of righteousness 2 Cor. 11. 15. boast of their sufferings and preaching freely 2 Cor. 11. 7 13 23. zealously affect the believers Gal. 4. 17. commend themselves and justifie themselves before men 2 Cor. 10. 7 12 18 Luk. 16. 15. promise others liberty and fulness of contentment and satisfaction in listening to them Prov. 7. 14 18. 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. and yet be inwardly ravening wolves and therefore the way to know them is not by their outward appearance for that may be so specious in evil workers that the believers themselves while judging and walking as men may have such a good opinion of them as to fall too much in love with them and to count them their enemies who give a true discovery of them Gal. 4. 16 and occasion grief to those that are over them in the Lord and admonish them because they are so hardly perswaded to beware of them Phil. 3. 18. judge not according to appearance saith our Saviour but judge righteous judgment Joh. 7. 24. as signifying the judging according to appearance is not righteous judgment for such as are the enemies of the Cross of Christ may have a beautiful outside do ye look on things after the outward appearance saith the Apostle when he is warning of deceitful workers 2 Cor. 10. 7. This is the way to be mistaken and deceived But by their fruits is meant 1. The fruits of their lâ—ps even those divers and strange doctrines which they bring in which they cause to err from the words of knowledge And this appears to be the meaning of it and not their outward appearance because such have sheeps cloathing as is said before as well as also it is a direction for knowing not evil persons in general but false Prophets in particular Now how should they be known so well as by their strange voice and a strange voice it is indeed to hear persons that appear to be and are by many taken for sheep and have sheeps cloathing upon them to bark like wolves against the Shepherd and the Testimony of Christ to appear like a Lamb and speak as a Dragon as is said of the man of sin Rev. 13. 11. and this understanding of it suits well with what our Saviour gives as the reason why the sheep will not follow a stranger which also he calls a wolf namely because of their voice and not their outside appearance A stranger saith he they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers Joh. 10. 4 5 12. by their words then they may be discovered and condemned And that this is meant â—y fruits will further appear by those rules of direction given to know false Prophets by by the Apostles I shall particularly pitch upon those two given by the Apostle John 1 Joh. 4. 1 6. where he warns the believers not to believe eye y spirit but to try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world And that we may try them he gives two rules for tryal by which we may know them 1. Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist ver 3. So again 2 Joh. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not Jesus Christ come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist The person they confess not is Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh and hath finished the work which the Father gave him to do in his own body even Jesus of Nazareth who was born in the dayes of Cesar Augustus when Cyrenius was Governour of Syria who was delivered for our offences and raised again in the same body in which he was crucified the third day according to the Scriptures as distinguished from all other persons and things And by confessing is meant an open and plain acknowledgment that he hath come with a praising commending and speaking honourably of him according to the Scriptures giving thanks unto him or giving him the praise which is due unto him and so thankfully acknowledging in their doctrines that he hath done such things is become and is such an one as the Father hath testified of him So where it is said Psal 18. 49. I will give thanks unto thee or praise thee it is thus rendred Rom. 15. 9. I will confess to thee among the Gentiles So where we read in Psal 107. 8 15 21 31. Oh that men would praise the Lord. In every of these verses in the former translation it is rendred confess So Mat. 11. 25. At that time Jesus said I thank or praise thee it is in the Margin I confess c. See also Heb. 13. 15. So here Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh that is that praiseth not magnifieth nâ—t lifteth not up celebrateth not him is not of God We may instance a little particularly 1. Those persons confess not praise not Jesus Christ come in the flesh who tell us That the bread and wine in the Supper when consâ—crated is transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ They hereby praise not that Jesus of Nazareth that was born of the Vâ—rgin Mary and dyed for our sins at Jerusalem and is raised again but somewhat else in the room and stead of him that was not then nor many hundred years since in being which was never crucified for us never buried never raised again as he was yea blasphemously they lift up and magnifie themselves who think they can make their Saviour and so are greater than he besides they cast him down from his excellency for he is but one 2 Cor. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 8. 6. but of these it may be said according to the number of their Cities are their Christs as Jer. 2. 28. 2. So also they confess not Jesus Christ who say the body of our Lord Jesus lyes where they laid it and is turned to dust and rottenness
and that he is not raised from the dead in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree but call some light spirit or seed in every man the Christ in somedying in others rising c. These deny Jesus to be the Christ and so are Antichrists 1 Joh. 2. 22. and even call him accursed one who hath failed in the work appointed him to do and hath not redeemed us from the curse of the Law for if Christ be not raised from the dead in that same body in which he died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried then is our preaching vain saith the Apostle and your faith is also vain ye are yet in your sins 1 Cor. 15. 3 4 12 20. They speak indeed many times of a Christ but they deny or confess not him who is so indeed for he is one who shewed himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs and rose in that same body in which he was crucified though not in the weakness it was sometime in in that body which hath flesh and bones 1 Pet. 2. 24. Joh. 2. 21. Act. 1. 3. Luke 24. 39. and evidenced that it was he himself that was alive after his resurrection by shewing to his Disciples his hands and his feet Luk. 24. 39 40. and his hands and his side namely his hands that were nailed to the Tree and his side that was pierced with a spear and saith to Thâ—mas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side c. And these things are written that we might believe thaâ— Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary that had that name given unto him on the eighth day when he was ciâ—cumcised and was known by the name of Jesus of Nazareth by friends and enemies is the Christ the â—nointed one of God Joh. 20. 20 25 27 31. with Chap. 19. 34. and in that very body he ascended and offered it up to God according the will of God by the which will of God we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus once for all even of that body which the Father prepared for him when he came into the world Heb. 10. 5 10. and hath in heaven a glorious body distinct from his body the Church which while here is vile Phil. 3. 20 21. and is there and from thence namâ—d himself unto Paul Jesus of Nazareth â—ct 2â— 8 and in that body of his flesh as distinct from his body the Church he doth and will present holy unblameable and unreproveble in his â—ight his body the Church even such as continue in the faith grounded and setled and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 24. and so he in that same body even the man Christ Jesus is the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2. 5. and by this man God shall judge the world in righteousness whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Act. 17. 31. Mat. 16. 27. 19. 28 25. 31. 3. And so they are not of God who deny Jesus Christ to be or confess him not to be the only foundation of our faith and hope but call some purpose or decree of election respecting mens persons in a personal consideration the foundation There is no purpose of God which is the foundation and much less that which many plead for which is no purpose of his and which renders the Cross of Christ and the preaching of it a foolish and undesirable thing As wâ—ll as also they confess nâ—t Christ in their doctrines who direct men to look into themselves originally for some sign and witness of God's lovâ— before they can assure them Christ hath died for them and God loves them and if upon examination they find as they conceit some love to God before they know whether he hath loved them thâ—n they â—â—ll them they are in a good condition Christ hath died for them and God loves them and righteousness is prepared for them and so they have according to such doctrines the beginning of their confidence bottom matter of their faiâ—h in themselves in some frame change alteration love to God before they know God hath loved them which is not love herein not confessing Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh to be the foundation which he only is 1 Cor. 3. 11. 1 Joh. 4 9 10. And so such praise not Jesus Christ who confess him not to be the only High-Priest and Head of the Church but give that honour to another besides him or together with him and confess not the infinite excellency and abiding vertue of his one sacrifice of his own body offered by himself once for all but offer up a propitiatory sacrifice besides for the quick and the dead hereby counting the blood of the Covenant a common thing and like the blood â—f Bulls and Goats and his sacrifice like those offered by the Law which because they could not purge away sin were therefore continually offered Heb. 9. 12 14 25. 7. 27. 10. 1 14. or that confess him nor to be â—he only door of approach to God Joh. 10. 4 5 7 9 12. or the only bread of life Joh. 6. 35 51. or the only Mediator but multiply Mediators to themselves as Saints departed c. 1 Tim. 2. 5. to which we shall add no more now but that which the Apostle saith If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maâ—anatha 1 Cor. 16. 22. 2. But because many say Lord Lord and do make some right acknowledgment of Christ viz. that he was delivered to death and rose again and ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God c. which is true and yet give not to him the praise due to his name nor lift him up and praise him as he worthily deserves therefore we have another rule of trial given us in 1 Joh. 4. 6. We are of God namely the Apostles in their word and doctrine he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us that is he is not determined by ouâ— word in all his confessions he alwayes heareth not adhereth not to the words which the Apostles have spoken viz those which the Holy Ghost teacheth but rather speaks in the words which mans wisdom teacheth hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error By this word of God's grace we may mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which the believers have learned of Christ by his Apostles so as to avoid them Rom. 16. 17. to this râ—le we are often directed To the Law and to the testimonâ— if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. If we saith the Apostle or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than what we have preached
though those that speak perverse things pretend word as from the Apostles for what they say yet let us not for trial of them and preservation from them wave the Gospel or seek help any where else but still hold fast the things delivered which we have been taught by the Apostles by word or Epistle as the Apostle instructs the Thessalonians when he beseeches them not to be moved or troubled neither by Spirit Word or Letter as from them 2 Thes 2. 2 15. Let us not leave the Scripture because they perveâ—t it in their glosses but still hold that fast as our Saviour hath set us an example Mat. 4. 6 7. and in the light and instruction thereof that we may not be carried about with divers strange doctrines let us consider the end of their conversation that speak unto us in their word or by writing or personal conference if that be Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day for ever though weaknesses be found acknowledge them that are such and so walk Heb. 13. 7 9. And be we all followers together of the Apostles and of those that have spoken to us the Word of the Lord Phil. 3. 17 looking diligently unto our selves and one to another that none fail of the grace of God that no root of bitterness no evil spirit or doctrine springing up trouble us and thereby many be defiled c. Heb. 12. 15 16. and thereto warning one another in all wisdom according to capacity and let us observe that counsel and instruction given by the Apostle Jude ver 20. 21. Ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life Having thus spoken largely to the former part viz. the Apostles commendation of them to God and the word of his grace at this time of his departure we shall briefly add somewhat to the second thing at first proposed which is contained in the words in which we have 2. A â—urther Declaration of the excellency of the person and thing to which he commends them laid down by way of motive to ingage them to commit themselves to God and the word of his â—â—ce Which God and Word of his grace is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are saâ—ctified In which we have these two branches 1. This God and Word is able to build you up 2. And to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 1. This God and Word is able to build you up In which we shall speak to these two things 1. Shew what is meant by building up 2. What is imported in this branch of the motive 1. Then by building up is meant a making â—hem to increase or causing them to grow up and â—ise higher This expression of building refers to two things in Scripâ—ure sometimes to a place of habitation 2 Chron. 2. 1 12. and sometimes to a family or houshold Ruth 4. 11. and according to this double acceptation these two things are meant 1. An increasing of them who were already gâ—thered to Christ and making them as to themselves and the society to prosper and ascend higher and higher into Jâ—â—us Christ and those things that are excellent both with respect to themselves particularly and as with respect to the Church or society of which these to whom the speaks directly were members and overseers a growing up into Christ in all things which is the Head namely into the knowledge of him who is the Son of God in our nature accepted to all the ends of his undertaking and unity with him which is called edifying the Church Eph. 4. 12 13 15. a growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. and so it is an abounding in the knowledge of his will in all wisdom even in the whole of Christ and in all spiritual understanding namely such a discerning as is given by the Spirit in the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth Col. 1. 9. and growing more into union with Christ and conformity to him a more hearty imbracement of him and the word of his grace And so a being united more one to another in love and growing up together in the vertues of Christ adding to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity 2 Pet. 1. 5 7. setting their affections more on things above having their conversation in heaven and expectation from heaven and in all a going on to perfection and being more firmed setled and established by walking in Christ as they have received him Col. 2. 6 7. 2. An increasing of them as to number and so multiplying of them by an addition of others to them gathering others to Christ and the Church besides those that are gathered as Isa 56. 8. which is the issue of the former for while they are edified in knowledge faith and all vertues of Christ they come to be multiplyed according to that Act. 9. 31. then had the Churches rest and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the holy Ghost were multiplyed So the whole body growing up into Christ in all things is said to make an increase of the body to the edisying of it sell in love Eph. 4. 15 16. An adding to the Lord and to the Church continually till we all come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Act. 2. 41 46. 11. 24. Eph. 4. 12 13. even as an house or family is said to be built by the birth and addition of children to it Gen. 16. â— Deut 25. 9 2. Now then in that it is said which is able to build you up herein is imported and signified to us 1. That those to whom he speaks were in some measure come unto and built upon the foundation of God and so born of the incorruptible seed of the Word So much is signified in that he saith which is able to build you up that they were come to and built upon Jesus Christ according to that To him coming as unto a living stone Ye also as lively stones are built up c. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. Eph. 2. 20 21. and indeed the foundation on which they were built and seed of which they were begotten it was the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever and which by the Gospel is preached to us 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. namely Jesus Christ who was delivered to death for our offences and raised again for our justification And other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. he as witnessed of by the Prophets and manifested
the Minister of them the High-Priest over the house of God who is passed into the heavens and entred within the veil for them â—specially to appear as their Advocate who is also the propitiation for their sins to forgive their iniquities to plead their cause manage their matters fight their battels subduâ— their iniquities sanctifie and cleanse them with the washing of water by the Word teach them and lead them into all truth send from above and save them from the reproach of those who would swallow them up and cause all things to work together for good to them Happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people because there is none like unto thy God the God of Jesurun who rideth upon the heaven for thy help and in his excellency on the skie the eternal God is thy refuge c. Deut. 33. 26 29. Oh therefore cry unto him and say Thâ—u art my refuge from mine oppressors those grievous wolves that come to devour and my portion in the Land of the living when refuge failes and no man cares for thy soul commit thy self thy way and works unto him trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass and though thou now walkest in darkness he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noon-day Psal 142 4 5. 37. 4 7. Though now the Lord calls thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit and hath ordered to thee cause of lamentation in taking away the pleasant teats at which thou hast sucked and through which he hath conveyed the sincere milk of the word yet thy maker is thy huâ—band the Lord is thy Shepherd thou shalt not want He will make thee to lye down in green pastures and lead thee besides the still waters c. Oh trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is the rock of ages everlasting strength Isa 54. 5 7. 26. 4. Yea and in that they were come unto Jesus Christ the foundation and head of the corner and so made a spiritual house and from the head fitly joyned together and compacted it was for instruction to them and is for instruction to those of the same body to love one another with a pure heart servently as those whose hearts are purified and principled in obeyed the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren Jesus Christ is the corner stone that câ—uples the building together and in coming unto him they are baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. that they should indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and that they may do so the way is to indeavour it with all lowliness and meekness c. All lowliness is the first thing instructed to unto this indeavour namely lowliness of mind suffering our pride and high thoughts of our selves by occasion of our learning knowledge gifts utterance attainments riches c. to be purged out and hidden from us and lowliness in our words demeanours and looks having low eyes for only by pride cometh contention that so brotherly love may be continued and preserved amongst us This is the use the Apostle makes of this instruction to this Church for after he had been saying ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles c. and are builded together even those that are taught and those that teach the teachers not being the Church alone nor made of the true tabernacle at all because chosen by men but both together in coming to Christ are made an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 20 22. He having begun to come to the usefulness hereof in Chap. 3. 1. digresses all that Chapter and Chap. 4. 1 6. he shews them what ingagement this put upon them to love as brethren and as a prisoner of the Lord beseeches them not first to relieve him in his bonds but to indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and directs them to that firstly asa main thing in which they might walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called they were called to the foundation and corner stone and made members one of another aâ—d what more sutable hereto than to cleave to the Lord with full purpose and one to another in the fear of the Lord. And so â—rom the like ground and motive the Apostle Peter instructs the believers to love one another with a pure heart servently and to that end to lay apart all evil and bitter roots Sec 1 Pet. 1. 22 25. 2. 1 5. And oh how good and pleasant a thing is it for brethren to dwell together in unity and especially then when he is removing those that have been useâ—ul helpers of them in the Lord. Hence the Apostle when he takes his leave of the Corinthians powerfully presses this exhortation on them Finally brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 2. In that he saith which is able to build you up he doth therin intimate that though they were built upon the foundation of God and so made framed into an habitation of God through the spirit yet they needed still to be further built up and to grow up more into Jesus Christ in all things into the knowledge of him union and fellowship with him and conformity unto him even those amongst them who might have attained most those who were overseers over the rest to whom he directly speaks needed still and further to be built up and to go on unto perfection they were not yet perfect as to attainment Though they might be perfect sincere and undefiled in the way and fixed herein to walk and to seek all wisdom righteousness and strength all washing and cleansing by an exercise of faith in Christ and so were blessed yet they were not come to their journeys end but were yet to run with patience the race set before them laying aside every weight and that sin that so easily besets Psal 119. 1 2. Heb. 12. 1. So the Apostle Paul saith concerning himself that he had not already attained neither was already perfect though he had suffered the loss of all things for Christ and did count them as dung that he might win him and be found in him but did follow after if that he might apprehend that for which also he was apprehended of Christ Jesus and instructs others who were perfect to be like minded with him namely to count that they had not attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12 15. yea indeed he signifies that he should not attain or be perfect as to attainment till the resurrection of the dead for though the spirits of just men that dye in the Lord are perfect yet they wait for the adoption the redemption of the body and so it
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord we may be changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. And this leads us unto another instruction contained in this branch of the declaration of the excellency of this person and word to which he commits them Namely 3. That God and the word of his grace is able to build up believers this is the work of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and the means by which he doth it is the Gospel of himselâ— according as it is vouchsafed he gives all things that pertain to â—ife and godliness but he gives it through the knowledge of himself 2 Pet. 1. 3. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the faith Heb. 12. 2. the Alpha and the Omega he who hath begun the good work and who also will perform it Phil. 1. 6 7. he is the foundation and he shall bring forth the head stone with shoutings crying grace grace unto it Zâ—ch 4. 6 7. Jesus Christ is â—â—â—â—oundation of God and yet he is so laid in the word of his grace and those that come unto him are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets as before It is his work and office to open mens eyes and to turn men from idols to himself but he doth it in preaching the Gospel Isa 42. 6 7. with Chap. 61. 1. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple giving wisdom to them that have none and revealing him in beholding whom they may be made wise and the Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect converting the soul both at first and continually Ps 19. 7 8. Hence the Apostle was sent with this to open the eys of Jews and Gentiles and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. 18 23. He gives unto makes them partakers of the forgiveness of sins that turn unto him but he doth give it they receive it through his name even through the word of faith Act. 5. 31. with Chap. 10. 43. 26. 18. He gives wisdom to the wise but he gives it through this word of wisdom The Lord giveth wisdom and out of his mouth his doctrine cometh understanding the spirit of wisdom and understanding is still and further given in the knowledge of him Prov. 2. 1 6. Eph. 1. 17. Joh. 7. 37 39. He quickens them to a lively hope but he doth it by his resurrection from the dead as declared in the Scriptures 1 Pet. 1. 3. his words are spirit and life his word quickens them Joh. 6. 63. Psal 119. 50 93. He it is that increaseth the faith of believers but he doth it in and by his testimony he hath written it that those that believe may believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God that they may go on believing be more strong in faith that their trust may be in the Lord he hath written to them excellent things in counsels and knowledge Prov. 22. 17 20. 1 Joh. 5. 10 13. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. but he doth it according to the Gospel they are stablished in the faith Rom. 16. 25. Col. 2. 7. He doth and will sanctifie them throughout but he doth it through his truth and his word is truth 1 Thes 5. 23. Joh. 17. 17 19. he sanctifies and cleanses them with the washing of water by the word Eph. 5. 26. He fills them with the fruits of righteousness and makes their souls like a watered garden but it is by his Gospel this brings forth fruit in them and they that delight themselves in his Law and meditate there in day and night shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season Col. 1. 6. Psal 1. 2 3. he doth build them up but it is by the word of his grace and they are therefore instructed to be building up themselves on their most holy faith Jude 20. In short they are kept by the power of God the Gospel of Christ through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. with Rom. 1. 16 17. they live by faith and therein they may go on to perfection as far as here they are capable Heb. 6. 1. it is able to make wise unto salvation and profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished and perfected unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 17. and those gifts which Christ having ascended up on high hath given and which continue with us in the Gospel are for perfecting the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ c. Eph. 4. 12 13. And this is of usefulness to those that go before others in the word of the Lord yea and to all unfeigned believers to beware of Philosophy and vain deceit for in Christ as preached in the Gospel are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and in him believers are compleat Col. 2. 3 10. And that they turn not to the Law or any other doctrine or tradition of the Elders to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the spirit for this Law and doctrine of the Lord is perfect in it self and in its effect for convincing the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and turning and conveiting the soul and for teaching believers and guiding them into all truth and shewing them things to come and in walking after the Spirit in the testimony the righteousness of the Law shall be fulfilled in men he will put his Laws in their hearts and write them in their minds Joh. 16. 7 15. Psal 19. 7 8. Rom. 8. 4. 2 Cor. 3. 2 3. Heb. 10. 16. And this shews unto us wherein their great strength lies and how they may be preserved from all that would corrupt them and whereby they may be strong in the Lord this Gospel is the power of God it is able to build them up whoever would pull them down they cannot build up themselves by any wisdom or strength that is in them as of them but this is a powerful wâ—rd whereby they may overcome the wicked one and overcome the world be inabled to withstand in the evil day and having done all things to stand Eph. 6. 10 17. 1 Joh. 2. 13 14. 4. 4. 5. 4 5 18. to the end they may cleave to the Lord wiâ—h full purpose and love his Law the perfect Law of liberty and it might be their mediâ—ation night and day 2. He further shews the excellency of God and the word of his graâ—e in saying And which is able to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified Which is still powerful to move us to 〈◊〉 ourselves thereto We shall here brâ—â—fly consider 1. What is this inheritance