all nations shall come anâ— worship before thee for thy Iudgements are manifest n Reu. 15.3.4.5 Here is a Tasâ— of the inward Comforts of Gods redeemed ones yea a beginning of that Fulnesse which they haue abiding for them in the Heauens whereas such as are out of Christ albeit Their way seeme right vnto them yet the ends therof are the waies of death yea in laughter their hearts are sorrowfull and the end of that mirth is heauinesse o Prou. 14.12.13 For as the â—rackling of thornes vnder a Pot 〈◊〉 is the laughter of a Foole p Eccl. 7.6 And â—he Prophet Isaiah telles vs that â—uch as take their owne courses â—o comfort themselues and do not â—rust in the name of the Lord and â—tay vpon their God that the end of such solace shall bee sorrow in â—hese words Behold all ye that kindle a Fire that compasse about with sparkes walke in the light of your fire and the sparkes that yee haue kindled This ye shall haue of mine hand ye shall lie downe in sorrow q Is 50.11 And so you haue these two sweet and comfortable fruites of the Spirit Peace and Ioy with which the children of God are maruellously cheared in this Life To these may bee added Loue this Loue is not the Loue of the world nor of men or Angels but the Loue of Christ or of God thâ— Father by Christ through the assistance of the holy Ghost This Loue wee reade of where it is written That the Loue of God is shed abroade in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is giuen vnto vs r Rom. 5.5 Also wee loue him because he loued vs first Å¿ 1. Io. 4.19 This Loue of Christ doth rauish the soule and makes it to mount on high yea to be aboue in heauenly Meditations As it appeareth by the Song which for the excellency is termed the Song of Songs where there shineth out the vnspeakeable Loue of Christ and the Church and of the louing speeches the Church vseth we find these amongst many Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth for thy Loue is better then wine Also Drawe me and wee will runne after thee the King hath brought me into his Chambers wee will be glad and â—eioyce in thee we will remember thy Loue more then wine the vpright Loue thee a Cant. 1.2.4 Also as the Apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloued amongst the sonnes I sate downe vnder his shadowe with great delight and his fruite was sweete vnto my Tast Hee brought me vnto the banquetting house and his banner ouer me was Loue. Stay mee with Flagons comfort me with Apples for I am sicke of Loueh. b Can. 2.3.4.5 Also by night vpon my Bed I sought him whom my soule loueth I sought him but I found him not I will rise now and goe about the Citie in the Streetes and in the broad wayes I will seeke him whom my soule loueth I sought him but I found him not The watchmen that goe about the Citie found mee to whom I saide sawe yee him whom my solue loueth It was but a litle that I passed from them buâ— I found him whom my soule loueth held him and would not let him goe vntill I had brought him into my Mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceiued me c Can. 3.1.2.3.4 Herâ— is the wonderfull Loue of the Spousâ— to Christ yea wee see her soule loueth him yea she is sicke of Loue And this is a notable representation of the Loue of euery childe oâ— God to God they are euen sicke oâ— Loue. As is euident in the example of Paul where hee writeth thus I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart to be with Christ which is farre better Neuertheles to abide in the flesh is more needefull for you d Phil. 1.23.24 Also where hee speaketh in the behalfe of all the Saints hee saith We knowe that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolued we haue a building with God an house not made with handes eternall â—n the heauens For in this we grone â—arnestly desiring te be clothed vpon with our house which is from heauen If so be that being clothed wee shall not be found naked For wee that are in this Tabernacle doe groane being burdened Not for that we would be vnclothed but clothed vpon that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life Now hee that hath wrought vs for the selfe same thing is God who also hath giuen vnto vs the earnest of the Spirit Therefore wee are alwayes confident knowing that whilest wee are at home in the Body we are absent from the Lord. For we walke by Faith and not by sight Wee are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord e 2. Cor. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 This also appeareth euidently where the same Apostle writeth thus Our selues which haue the first fruites of the Spirit euen we our selues groanâ— within our selues waiting for thâ— Adoption that is the Redemptioâ— of the Body f Rom. 8.23 Here is the Loue wherewith the soules of the children of God are rauished with a desire to see God face to face aâ— it is written g 1. Cor. 13 12. Now we see througâ— a Glasse darkely but then face to face And this none conceiue of buâ— such as feele it And this is not alâ— that may be saide of this Loue buâ— as it maketh vs desire to bee euer with the Lord so it doeth also exceedingly helpe vs to performe the will of God vpon Earth For such as doe thus Loue God they are content to doe his will yea his Lawe is within their Hearts And howsoeuer formerly they haue beene much grieued with the burden of the Lawe now it is the Ioy and Reioycing of their hearts to doe the will of God as it is plaine where it is written This is the Loue of God that we keepe his Commaundements and his Commaundements are not grieuous h 1 Io. 5.3 Also Dauid could say That the Lawe of the Lord was more to bee desired then Gold yea then much fine Gold sweeter also then the hony and the hony combe i Psa 19.7.10 Also The Lawe of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of Gold and Siluer k Ps 119.72 Also How sweete are thy wordes to my tast yea sweeter then hony vnto my mouth l Vers 103. Also I loue thy Commaundements aboue Gold yea aboue fine Gold m psa 119.127 This we see cleerely to appeare in the example of Abraham who being once Iustified by Faith in Christ deferred not to doe the will of God but speedily euen the same day hee performed what God commaunded as it is written And Abraham tooke Ismaell his sonne and all that were borne in his house and all that were bought with his money euery male among the men
their Ioy kindle their Loue strengthen their Hope and aâ—de vnto their Boldnesse This this may be rightly termed a Glorious Libertie t Rom. 8.2.21 and a Freedome indeede u 2. Cor. 3.17.18 Io. 8.36 This is that for which Paul gaue thankes euen when a litle before he hath spoken of his wretched Body yet proceedeth thus I thanke God thorugh Iesus Christ our Lord So then with the minde I my selfe serue the Lawe of God but with the flesh the Lawe of Sinne u Rom. 7.24.25 This Freedome shineth out clearely where it is written Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Libertie x 2. Cor. 3.17 Also where the Spirit of Christ is it doeth free such from the dominion of Sinne as appeareth by these words of Paul The Lawe of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the Lawe of Sinne and Death y Rom 8.2 That is the power of the Spirit of Christ hath freed me from the power of sinne and death Againe the same Apostle affirmeth That where Sinne abounded Grace did much more abound That as sinne had reigned vnto Death euen so might grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord z Rom. 5.20 21. Also in the very next Chapter the same blessed Apostle answereth an obiection that might hence arise amongst such as peruert the truth thus If Grace doeth the more abound where sinne hath most abounded then let vs continue in sinne and multiply Transgression that Grace may the more abound a Rom. 6.1 To this diuellish obiection the Apostle answereth in that whole Chapter very plainly largely and addeth Reason to Reason yea very strong and inuincible Reasons are brought in place First he doeth shewe his detestation of such conclusions and how farre it is from the Saints so to conclude in these wordes Far be it from vs to admit of this b Rom. 8.8 And he draweth a Reason from the impossibilitie of any such thing How shall we that are dead to Sinne liue any longer therein a Rom. 6.2 As if he would say as it is impossible for dead men to performe any thing so impossible is it for vs to bring any sinne foorth to perfection b Iam. 1.15 Then hee drawes vs to consider of Gods proceeding in bringing vs to Christ that is As many of vs as are now in Christ were first baptized into his death That is were slaine or kild by the Power of Repentance For here is a twofold baptisme spoken of one A Baptisme into the death of Christ Another a Baptisme into Christ c Rom. 6 3. Heb. 6.2 Mat. 3.11 Io. 1.33 The first giuing Sinne his deadly wound or killing vs to Sinne the other quickning vs or making vs aliue to Righteousnesse After this it is added that we are not onely dead but buried by the first Baptisme into death that is by Repentance all the glory and beauty of our flesh is taken away d Is 40 6 7 1. Pet. 1.24 that being raised by Faith in Christs blood wee should walke in newnesse of life e Rom. 6.4 Now this Newnes of Life notes to vs this Freedome from our olde course of sinning As it is a little after He that is dead is freed from Sinne f vers 7. That is from the seruice of Sinne g vers 6. Now that it may yet more plainely appeare there is added the continuance of this glorious Libertie or blessed Freedome from Sinnes-seruice thus Now if we be dead with Christ we beleeue that wee shall also liue with him Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dyeth no more death hath no more dominion ouer him For in that he dyed he dyed vnto Sinne once but in that he liueth he liueth vnto God Likewise reckon yee also your selues dead indeede vnto Sinne or truely dead but aliue indeed or truly aliue to God through Iesus Christ i vers 8.9.20.11 Heere doeth manifestly appeare this Freedome from Sinne and so also from death euen in the same manner in respect of continuance trueth as Christ is freed as it is euident by that it is saide Likewise as also it is clearely made manifest that when once the spirit of life beginnes our Libertie wee are neuer after that inthralled or brought into Bondage Besides these that Scripture is exceeding full stuffed with forcible and strong Reasons euen to the ende of that Chapter as onely to touch them k vers 12. Let not Sinne reigne For Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you l vers 14. yee were the seruants of Sinne m vers 17. Being made Free from Sinne yee became seruants of Righteousnesse n vers 18. When yee were the seruants of Sinne yee were Free from Righteousnesse o vers 20. But now being made Free from Sinne and become seruants to God yee haue your fruite vnto holinesse and the ende euerlasting life p vers 22. And that this Freedome from Sinnes-seruitude or Bondage may yet more clearely appeare consider that where it is written If Christ bee in you the body is dead for Sinne but the Spirit is Life for Righteousnesse q Rom. 8.10 Also walke in the spirit and ye shlal not fulfill the lustes of the flesh r Gal. 5.16 And they that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections and lustes Å¿ Gal. 5.24 Also if any man be in Christ he is a New Creature And such an one can truely say and with comfort yea great boldnesse and confidence I liue no more but Christ Iesus liueth in me t 2. Cor. 5.7 Of this Freedome Paul gloried where it is written I am the least of all the Apostles that am not meete to be called an Apostle because I persecuted the Church of God But by the Grace of God I am what I am and his Grace which was bestowed vpon mee was not in vaine But I laboured more aboundantly then they all yet not I but the Grace of God which was with me u 1. Cor. 15.9.10 Also hee writeth thus of himselfe I thanke Christ Iesus who hath inabled me for that he counted me faithfull putting mee into the Ministery who was before a Blasphemer and a Persecuter and Iniurious x 1. Tim. 1.12.13.14 But I obtained Mercy because I did it ignorantly in vnbeliefe And the Grace of God was exceeding aboundant with Faith and Loue which is in Christ Iesus Here you see Paul proposing or setting foorth himselfe as an example of one that had obtained this Freedome which euery Iustified one hath also obtained as it is euident in Dauids example who could say of himselfe when once hee had gotten this Freedome or Libertie Thou hast deliuered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my feete from falling y ps 116.8 Also ô Lord thou hast loosed my Bonds z vers 16. But some will here obiect O B. Doe
of Abrahams house and circumcised the flesh of their foreskinne the selfe same day as God had saide vnto him a Gen. 17.23 This is twise repeated to stirre vs to take the more speciall notice of Abrahams willing obedience and ready performance of Gods Commaundement Thus in the selfe same day was Abraham circumcised and Ismaell his sonne and all the men of his house b Vers 26.27 And a little after that when God appeared vnto him hee ranne to meete him and vouchsafed to be feasted of him it is written that he hastened into the Tent and willed Sarah quickely to make ready c Cha. 18.2 And he ranne to the herd and fetcht a calfe tender and good and gaue it â—o a young man that hasted to dresse it d Vers 5.6.7 And a little after that when Sarah desired that he should â—ast out the bondwoman and her sonne it was grieuous to him yea very grieuous because of his sonne Ismael But as soone as the Lord bid him it is written that hee rose vp earely in the morning to performe it e Chap. 21.10.11.13.14 And a little after we read that this Father of the Faithfull when he was tried by a wonderfull strange Commaundement that is to offer vp his sonne Isaac for a burnt offering yea his onely sonne whom he loued so tenderly it is written That hee rose vp earely in the morning and performed chearefully what the Lord commaunded f Chap. 22.1.2.3 10.11 So Dauid will run the wayes of Gods commaundements when his heart is once inlarged g ps 119.32 For the Loue of Christ constrayneth them h 2. Cor. 5.14 And this is not the least part of the Saints happinesse vpon Earth that they are no longer vnder a Schoolemaster i Gal. 3.25 or a Law commaunding k 1. Tim. 1.9 but they hauing the Spirit of Christ haue libertie yea a glorious Libertie which is not the least tast of Heauen vpon Earth l 2. Cor. 3.17 18. Rom. 8.21 To this Peace Ioy and Loue of Christ may be added Hope of the Glory of God Hope This is not the least priuiledge that wee haue that this is that which continueth our Peace encreaseth our Ioy and holdeth vs fast to this Loue of Cod and this delight to doe his will By this wee are preserued and kept from wauering or being tossed vp and downe with euery winde of Temptation This beares vs vp that we are not destroyed and that wee sinke not vnder the hard stripes of grieuous assaults of the Diuell and â—he world that lay on loade vpon vs. This keepeth vs from the â—hame of reproches which are ordinarily cast vpon Gods children This Hope of the Glory of God wee finde where we reade it thus written we that haue accesse or entrance by Faith in Christ into this Grace wherein we stand doe reioyce in the Hope of the Glory of God m Rom. 5.2 Hereby we are preserued and kept euen all our life time while we waite for our adoption euen the redemption of our bodies That as God is the Father onely of Spirits here So he may become the Father of Bodies and Spirits for this time these wayting are kept by Hope as it is written We our selues groane within our selues wayting for the adoption that is the Redemption of our Body for we are saued by Hope n Rom. 8.23.24 By this we are staied from being beaten vp and downe and being driuen hither and thither by euery Winde and Tide and therefore it is called the Anker of the soule where it is written Wee haue a strong consolation who haue fled for refuge to lay holde vpon the Hope set before vs which Hope we haue as an Anker of the Soule both sure and stedfast o Heb. 6.18.19 By this also we are defended and are holpen to wrestle with Principalities and Powers and with the rulers of the darkenesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse or rather wicked spirits which are in heauenly or high places And for this purpose together with the Girdle of Trueth the Brestplate of Righteousnesse the shoes of the Preparation of the Gospell of Peace the shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit togither with these we are also commaunded to take the Helmet of Saluation p Eph. 6.17 And that his Helmet which is not the least â—art of the spirituall armour is Hope as euident where it is writâ—en Let vs who are of the Day bee sober putting on the Brestplate of Faith and Loue and for an Helmet the Hope of Saluation q 1. Thes 5.8 By this we haue the shame of reproches and disgraces of afflictions and persecutions taken away And therfore the Apostle saith Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope and Hope maketh not ashamed r Rom. 5.3.4.5 And this is one of our inward priuiledges euen this Hope whereby we are preserued and staied from fleeting hither and thither Defended against the violence of those with whom we combate in Christs behalfe and hereby the shame of all our afflictions and reproches is cleane taken away To this Peace and Ioy this perfect Loue and blessed Hope may be added Boldnesse which doth much cheare the children of God and that they are bold is euident By these Scriptures and Examples As it is written The Righteous are bold as a Lion a prou 28.1 Here you see is a wonderfull boldnesse expressed by that it is compared to the Boldnesse of a Lion as it is also written of the righteous That fiue of them shall chase an hundred and an hundred of them shall put ten thousand to flight b Leu. 26.8 Also such as are wise One of them shall chase a thousand and two of them shall put ten thousand to flight c Deut. 32.29.30 And therefore when the Lord would fit Iosuah for the performance of that great worke he bids him to be strong of a good â—ourage three seuerall times d Iosuah 1.6.7.8 And Dauid could say that he would not â—e afraide of ten thousands of people â—hat haue set themselues against him round abaut when the Lord was â—nce become his shield e ps 3.3.6 Also he saith The Lord is on my side I will not feare what man can doe vnto me All nations compassed me about but in the name of the Lord I wil destroy them f psa 118.6.10 It was Ieremies complaint that there were none valiant for the Truth vpon the earth g Ier. 9.3 The Apostles did manifest this Boldnesse when they were called before the Councell and commanded not to speake at all nor teach in the name of Iesus But Peter and Iohn answered and said vnto them Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more then to God iudge ye For we cannot but speak the things which we haue seene and heard And when they came to their owne coÌ„pany and
thou hast rauished my heart with one of thine eyes with one chaine of thy necke e Cant. 4.9 And if Christ himselfe bee rauished with Comfort much more are the Saints who haue beene sometimes oppressed with sorow horror because that they sawe themselues vnworthy of being present at such glorious and beautifull assemblies by reason of their sinnes when these doe see and knowe themselues so blessed as that they are now by Grace become the Sonnes and Daughters of God then they reioyce and say with Iohn Behold what manner of Loue the Father hath shewed vnto vs that we should be called the Sons of God f 1. Io. 3.1 That he should seperate vs to be the Sonnes and Daughters of the Lord Almighty g 2. Cor. 6.18 That wee should haue Fellowship not onely with the Father and the Sonne but such vnspeakable comfort amongst the Saints in Light h 1. Io. 1.3.7 Col. 1.12.13 And surely the comfort of such Communion is set foorth plainly where it is written The Ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with Songs and euerlasting Ioy vpon their heads they shall obtaine Ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away i 1. Is 35.10 Yea this is that feast spoken of where it is written And on this mountaine shall the Lord of hostes make vnto all people a feast of fatte things a feast of Wine on the Lees of fatte things full of Marrow of wine on the Lees well refined And he will destroy in this Mountaine the face of the couering cast ouer all people and the vaile that is spread ouer all Nations k Is 25.6.7 Also to this purpose is that where it is written of the Church Lift vp thine eyes round about and behold all these gather themselues together and come to thee as I liue saith the Lord thou shalt surely cloath thee with them all as with an ornament and binde them on thee as a Bride doth Thus saith the Lord God behold I will lift vp mine hand to the Gentiles and set vp my standerd to the people and they shall bring thy sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shall be carried vpon their shoulders And Kings l Is 49.18.22.23 shall be thy noursing Fathers Queenes thy noursing Mothers Also Thy watchmen shall lift vppe the voyce with the voyce togither shall they sing for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring againe Sion Breake foorth into Ioy sing togither yee wast places of Ierusalem for the Lord hath comforted his people he hath redeemed Ierusalem a Is 52.8.9 Also Thou shalt see and flow togither and thine heart shall feare and be inlardged because the abundance of the Sea shall bee conuerted vnto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come vnto thee b Is 60.5 Also Reioyce yee with Ierusalem and bee glad with her all yee that loue her reioyce for Ioy with her all yee that mourne for her That yee may sucke and be satisfied with the breastes of her consolations that yee may milke out and be delighted with the aboundance of her Glory For thus saith the Lord Beholde I will extend Peace to her like a Riuer and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame then shall yee sucke and be borne vpon her sides and be dandled vpon her knees As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem And when yee see this your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flourish like an hearbe c Heb. 66.10.11.12.13.14 And how can they but reioyce in such assemblies who doe loue one another not in word and in tongue but in deed and trueth d 1. Io. 3.18 Yea their loue is feruent Loue out of pure hearts e 1. Pet. 1.22 yea such is the feruency of their loue as that they cannot onely bee content to part with goods but they can willingly lay downe their liues one for another f 1. Io. 3.16 This we see plainly in that example of Aquila and Priscilla g Rom. 16.3.4 who laide downe their owne neckes for Pauls life These are one anothers Keepers h Gen. 4.9 They doe watch ouer one another i Heb. 13.17 exhorting one another k Heh 3.13 and prouoking to loue and to good workes l Heb. 10.24 And to this ende they doe not only reioyce in great assemblies in times of Peace as before but euen in the hotest times of the most bloody persecution they cannot bee withholden but will come togither thogh it cost them their Liues m Act. 20.24 witnesse their often meetings in the time of the Apostles n Act. 4.12.17 Yea though they were drawen and haled out by violence before Magistrates o Iam. 2.6 yea they reioyce at the very sight one of another and receiue one another with feare and trembling p 2. Cor. 7.15.16 they are ready to performe the basest offices one for another as to wash one anothers feete q Io. 13.14.15 And the rather because of the high esteeme they haue one of another when they consider one another not as the sonnes and daughters of an earthly King which would procure an high esteeme if it were but so but they consider one another as the sonnes and daughters of the Lord Almightie r 1. Cor. 6.18 Io. 1.12.13 yea when they vnderstand themselues to bee no lesse then heires with God and coheires with Christ this is that which doeth knit them together and makes them to thinke that all they doe one for another to be too too little Å¿ Rom. 8.17 What should bee more spoken great is the comfort that Gods children haue one from another and the sweet Communion amongst the Saints is not to be expressed And how can it be but such as are Subiects of one Kingdome Å¿ Reuel 15.3 Citizens of one Citie t Eph. 3.14 Seruants of one Family u Eph. 3.14.15 Sonnes and Daughters of one Father â—nd Mother w Gal. 4.26 Lâ— 15.1.2.5 Branches of one vine â—iuely stones of one building x 1. Pet. 2. â— members of one body y 1. Cor. 12.27 yea one body one Spirit z Rom. 12.5 Eph 4.4 How is it possible but such should be neerely lincked togither â—n Loue haue so especiall familiaritie amongst themselues and be maruellous comfortable one to another And therefore these may bee iustly called A chosen generaâ—ion a Royall Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar people a 1. Pet. 2.9 seeing by his Loue they do shew forth the praises of him who hath called them out of Darkenesse Guard of Angels into his maruellous Light And this is not the least beginning of Heauen vpon Earth nor the least tast of that vnspeakeable comfort the Saints shall enâ—oy at the right hand of God in the Heauens for euermore Adde to â—â—is the comforts wee haue by