affections to him and hope and conâ—dence in him and so a growth in fitness for his service and for the injoyment of the promised inheritance and so for his inhabiting and dwelling in us and with us by his Holy Spirit and filling us with his Glory and glorious vertues 3. Yea and as the believers are a society amongst themselves in union with Christ and with one another by vertue of the common faith and salvation so this building up themselves or their being built up hath in it a joynt growth in the knowledge and faith of Christ and of the Grace of God in Christ and firmness in their adherence to Christ and dependance on him and in love one to another and so a growth in union and affection one with another and by that which every joint supplies from the head and every stone from the foundation or Holy Faith a growth up into God into the knowledge and love of him confidence in him conformity to him fitness for fellowship with him and the inhabitation of him by his Spirit in them and the injoyment of his Glory with and amongst them And all through and by vertue of the foundation and corner stone Jesus Christ in whom all the building fitly compacted and framed together groweth up into an holy Temple in the Lord for an habitation of God by or in his Spirit Ephes 2.21 22. To which we may add also 4. The multiplying themselves by the dâ—yly addition of others from the world into unity of faith and confession with them for as there is an â—ward increase and growth of every particular believer in faith love holiness c. in this building up and a joynt inward encrease of the whole Society by that which is imparted amongst themselves to each other in the same heavenly virtues and attainments so there is also an external and outward growth as to number and greatness of the society while others are dayly added to them which makes the House of God grow larger in its latitude it hath in the world a way of growth that believers have heartily desired after and rejoyced in when they have obtained it a blessing included in the blessing of Abraham wherein God promised to multiply and increase him and his seed Heb. 6.14 not only as his natural but also as to his spiritual seed the great thing that the Apostle Paul endeavored not pleasing himself but becoming all things to all men and pleasing them in all things not seeking his own profit but the profit of many that might be saved 1 Cor. 10.13 And it was the thing that David was better pleas'd with more rejoyc'd in to hear many say who will shew us good Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us than if he had seen them prosper in the world in their wealth and riches for thereupon he adds Thou hast put more joy and gladness into my heart namely for or concerning those that said as above than when their corn and their wine increased Psal 4.6 7. and therefore it may well be included in this edifying themselves here exhorted to viz. the endeavouring to adde and increase the number of believers by new conversions of others to the faith to partake with them in the Grace of God as well as to increase and further themselves and one another in their inward growth upon the faith especially too seeing that the exercise of our selves in charity to seek the conversion and salvation of others is a way in which God will add his blessing to and inlarge our selves as it is said The liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself Pro. 11.25 which as well respects the helpfulness of others spiritual instruction as by distribution of worldly goods for the relief of mens outward necessities 6. Now in that it is said Build ye up your selves on your most holy faith and not only passively being built up upon it it is further signified both 1. That as the believers are not yet perfect or most holy as the foundation or faith is so their growth up to perfection is gradual not all at once attained or in a moment but by degrees in which they may be daily and always growing more and more for this counsel or exhortation is for a continued usefulness a business that they are always to look upon as their business till they be brought to the actual possession of eternal life or so long as they live here amongst men in the world There is in this growth up into an holy Temple for the Lord a going on from strength to strength Psal 84.7 8. a being changed into the image of the Lord from Glory to Glory as by his Spirit 2 Cor. 3.18 so that believers may not at any time say we are edified built up so fully already that we can build up our selves or be built up no further though they are to be at a stay in respect of their foundation the holy faith they are not to straggle from that yet as to their knowledge of it and faith in it and attainments from it they may say as the Apostle Paul of himself that they have not yet attained while here neither are already perfect but this thing they do forgetting the things that are behinde the things they have let go for Christ they press on forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and to press forward still every day more and more that they may apprehend that for which they are also apprehended of Christ Jesus Philip. 3.12 13 14. and so as the Apostle says to the Thessalonians edifie themselves still even as they do 1 Thess 5.11 they did edifie one another and yet he exhorts them still to do so there is ground for it there is need of it for as our Saviour says So is the Kingdome of God the Grace of God in mens Souls in respect of the efficacie of it there as when a man casts seed upon the earth and he sleeps and wakes night and day and the seed grows up and is increased no man knows how for the Earth of its own accord brings forth fruit first the blade and than the eare and than the full Corn in the eare c. Mark 4.26 27 that is the growth of the Grace of God in a man or of a man in that Grace is secretly indiscernably and leasurely not altogether and at once but by divers steps and degrees so that neither is any man to be discouraged if he do not sensibly feel or perceive his growth in Grace or that others so grow but to go on edifying and furthering himself and others therein in time their profiting will appear to all men Nor are they to put a stop to their standing in the earth the Holy faith or to their growth therein but still go on and abide riping and building and building up themselves till the Husbandman when he sees
people to keep them and bless them yea he hath confirm'd his promise too with his oath as we might have added I have sworn by my self saith God Surely in blessing I will thee Heb. 6.14.15 with Gen. 22.16 17. as also in Psal 89.3 4 35 36. And he is faithful that hath promised cannot will not lye nor alter the word that is gone out of his mouth He is the faithful God that keepeth Covenant and Mercy Deut. 7.9 His Word and Oath are two things in which it is impossible for him to lye Heb. 6.17 18. faithful is he that hath called you who also will do it namely will sanctifie the believer throughout and see that his whole Spirit Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ says 1 Thess 5.23 24. To which purpose also 6. He hath appointed his only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ in the vertues of his most precious blood and sacrifice and invested with the Authority Power and Glory of God to be as the Saviour of all men so especially and after a special sort of them that believe his Church his Body his Sheep to be their Shepheard husband and head to take care of them feed them guide protect and lead them and to keep them in the fat and fruitful pastures of Israel unto everlasting life This is the will saith he of him that sent me that he that seeth beholdeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day John 6.40 And again I am the good Shepheard and know that is take care of my sheep and am known approved of mine My Sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me c. John 10.14 27. the Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls 1 Pet. 2.25 To which purpose that he might preserve those that follow him he is both furnished 1. As a Prophet with Authority power and Spirit to teach them and lead them safely in the way that they should go to make known to them his mind and the will of his Father and so to Guide the meek in judgment and to teach the meek his way yea and to reveal by his Spirit the mysteries of his Kingdom the secrets of the Lord and feed them with the choice comforts and consolations the fresh and fat pastures of Israel to make them like love and delight in the way he leads them in and to shew them their wandrings reprove them for them and recover them from them 2. As a Priest to mediate with God for them by way of intercession in the vertues of his perfect propitiatory Sacrifice thereby to obtain of God mercy to pass by and pardon their defects weaknesses and wandrings or in mercy and measure to judge and correct them for them and so pass over them and still bestow his grace and favour upon them and continue it to them in blessing them and giving such further dispensations to them of his Spirit and spiritual blessings as may be good for them and further their salvation And in respect of the perfection of his Sacrifice to God and Priesthood before God he is able to prevail with God for whatsoever he maketh request for to him and being an everlasting and ever-living Priest after the order of Melchisedeck he is able to save to the utmost from wrath and judgment and in the grace and favour of God them that come to God by him because He He so high and holy and undefiled an one ever liveth to make intercession for them Rom. 8.26 27 34. Heb. 7 24 25 26 27. And then also 3. As King and Lord over all he is able to protect and hide them and safely keep them from the power and malice of their enemies controuling their enterprises defeating their plots and overthrowing their power and confederacies and turning them about as he pleases sustaining and upholding all his Servants and followers under all their tryals and sufferings and giving issues and deliverances to them out of them as he sees good for them so as that no man can pluck them or take them by force out of his hands nor any sin of weakness and infirmity cause him to disown them And also as Christ who is thus appointed and furnished to save them So 7. He is faithful and merciful can pity and sympathize with them in their ignorances tryals sufferings and temptations and knows how to succour them having himself had experience of sufferings and temptations and will faithfully discharge the trust committed to him of his Father and the oversight he hath taken of them He is faithful in all things as Moses was yea and more because Moses was but faithful as a Servant but Christ as a Son over his own house or houshold Heb. 2.17 18. and 3.1 2 5 6. He will not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment truth and righteousness in the earth till he have accomplished the whole will of God committed to him He is the Author and Finisher of the Faith his hands have laid the foundation and his hands too shall finish the building Isai 42.1 3 4. and Zech. 4 7 9. So that all these put together make it appear that the love and grace of God or God and Christ in his favour and love to his people is a strong and sure refuge for them and defence to them so that they may in betaking themselves to him and abiding in their faith in him be surely kept in his love there is not only a possibility of it but an assured certainty also they may trust boldly in him at all times and contentedly sit down and solace themselves in his shadow and rejoyce in his love and sing with chearfulness The Lord is our refuge and defence a present help in time of trouble therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Seas The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge Psal 46.1 2 6. Whence they be blessed that trust in him at all times or exercise faith in and relyance on him their dwelling is on high so as no enemy can overtop or storm them so as to get to them to harm or pull them out except they were greater then God and could overtop him and be above him in strength and power their defence is the munition of rocks so that no undermining them or digging through their defence by policy or industry unless they could outvye God in wisdom and strength and pluck away his everlasting armes from about them and strike through his sides as it were to pierce them bread shall be given them and their waters shall not fail so as there can be no starving of them out Other strong Holds may be either storm'd or undermined or batterd down or else they that be in them may for want of provision of bread and drink be forced to yield themselves to
are his in him by vertue of him known and owned by him as also in this that he allows not any in iniquity that name his Name though by vertue of Christ held forth in the Apostles Doctrine that also may secondarily be called the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles as in Ephes 2.20 Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone That Doctrine then or Christ himself as therein preached as the Son of God and Saviour of the World delivered up to death and crucified for our offences and raised again from the dead for our justification and glorified at ' Gods right hand for our salvation and that our faith and hope might be in God and so as appointed to be Lord and Christ the Judge of all who shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead is the faith here meant whereon Believers are to edifie and build up themselves and not their act acts or habit of believing which may be added to and builded up being imperfect upon this foundation so as this foundation cannot upon any thing else yea that Christ as so laid and held forth in the Cospel is the foundation to be built on is plain For 1. Christ was the first thing appointed or laid of God for fallen mankind as to his purpose and promise of him and he was the first thing preached to him in order to his return to God This was the Doctrine first preached in Paradise after our first Parents had sinned and were convicted thereof I will put enmity between thee the Serpent and the Woman and between thy seed and her seed He her Seed shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Though Christ was not as then actually manifested in the flesh crucified dead buried and raised again yet all that was intimately preached from the beginning as a thing to be accomplished in its time and season 2. And as this was the first thing or Doctrine preached so it was the foundation and ground of all other dispensations of God after to fallen man It is upon that account of Christs having interposed between God and us as the bruiser of the Serpents head the destroyer of his work the taker away and abolisher of Death that God now deals mercifully and graciously with men is inviting and leading them to repentance by â—is goodness and forbearance and lades them with his benefits and sends forth his light and truth to men to call them back to himself and to his Kingdom to be under his government and protection from which they were banished for their iniquity and so it is the ground and foundation of his Ordinances witnessing of Christ and of himself in Christ unto men and appointed as mediums for mens approaching to him and seeking of him and of Gods raising up and judging all men according to their works hereafter for there would have been no resurrection from the first death to any new judgment much less to life if Christ had not come and dyed for all men and risen again 1 Cor. 15.12 17 18. Acts 10.42 and 17.30 31. The final rewards and recompencings of men then as also his present chastisements in mercy and measure now and accepting and justifying saving and honouring those that believe in him and serve him stand upon Christ and his death and sufferings for all men and rising again and being appointed Lord of all and Mediator of God and men the propitiation for our sins even for the sins of the whole world as their proper ground and foundation Yea 3. He as so set forth is the ground and foundation of all right repenting and turning to God from our our sins and of all right believing hoping and trusting in God for his mercy and blessing of all prayers and praises to be made to God and so of all true piety and religion in fallen men for had there not been such a Ransome found out and Sacrifice offered for us there could have been no approach for us to God or acquaintance with God God sent him that the world through him might be saved and raised him from the dead and gave him glory that our faith and hope might be in God John 3.17 1 Pet. 2.21 So that he and the Word of the Gospel as setting him forth is meant by the faith here on which Believers are built and to build up themselves and each other 2. Now this is called their faith not because it is of them of their invention broaching or preparing as a foundation for themselves or others but because it is owned received and confessed by them it is that that they have and believe in their hearts unto righteousness and with their mouths confess to the salvation of themselves and others as Paul sometimes calls the Gospel he preached his Gospel as in 2 Tim. 2.8 According to my Gospel And so Rom. 2.16 Not because it was of him found out or invented or set on foot by him as if he had preached any thing for Gospel that he had not received from God and Christ but because it was ministred and preached by him even so this faith after the same manner is called the Believers faith as elsewhere The faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1.2 because made known and delivered to his elected and chosen Servants such as he chose to be his Servants the holy Apostles and Prophets to be declared and published by them as accordingly it was published by them and as it is called The faith once delivered to the Saints in this Epistle of Jude ver 3. because it was delivered to them and preached by them it might be called their faith though otherwise it is the faith of God and Christ Yea and in calling it the faith of these believers the Apostle intimately distinguisheth it from the false saiths or false doctrines of the false Teachers and Seducers of whom he had been warning them as if he should say it is not their faith they have corrupted themselves and fallen away from it and have received or devised and broached another faith doctrine or foundation different from and repugnant to yours with which I would have you have nothing to do much less build your selves thereon for that would not render you an house or habitation for God and so objects of his favour but Synagogues of Satan and objects of Gods wrath and anger but build ye up your selves on your faith which he also the better to induce them thereto calls their most holy faith Which leads us to the third particular 3. Why it is called the most holy faith 1. It is holy that is it is pure faultless no falshood or corruption in it for so holiness is sometimes opposed to uncleanness or filthiness as We are not called to uncleanness but unto holiness 1 Thes 4.7 Cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord 2 Cor. 7.1 So this Doctrine delivered
to the Saints preached by the holy Apostles and Prophets and witnessed to by the holy Spirit and so by the holy God who bare witness to the Preachers of it both with Signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 24. is a holy pure clean Word The Word of the Lord as the Gospel of Jesus Ghrist as preached by the Apostles is often called as in Acts 6 2 7. and 8.25 and 12.24 and 13.5 7 12 44 46 49. is pure as Silver seven times tryed in the fire Psal 12.6 No dross or mixture in it it is not yea and nay but yea yea or yea and Amen as in 2 Cor. 1.18 19. As God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay for the Son of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us was not yea and nay but in him was yea for all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us The Apostles did speak in simplicity and sincerity what they had heard and received from God and Christ and did not as the false Apostles sophisticate and corrupt the Word of God as the Apostle also saith 2 Cor. 2.17 But as in sincerity and as of God they spake in Christ in the sight of God Even as Jesus Christ himself the matter and subject of their word the faith or foundation of faith the object to be closed with and rested or built upon is the holy One the holy One of Israel and so is frequently stiled as Acts 3.14 Ye denyed the holy One and the just So 1 John 2.20 Ye have an Vnction from the holy One and ye know all things And Heb. 7.26 He is holy harmless undefiled c. a spotless one a Lamb without blemish his nature and life and death and sacrifice and person altogether blameless sinless and undefiled even so the Doctrine of the Apostles concerning him was pure and clean too like to pure water No soil or mud in it Yea and 2. It was and is set apart separated and devoted to God and for his glory to be the foundation ground and way of our believing and so becoming an holy habitation and people for God Jesus Christ the main matter and subject treated of in the Gospel is in that sense holy to God chosen by him separated and set apart for him to be his salvation to the ends of the earth the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world his righteous Servant in whose hand his pleasure shall prosper his Elect in whom his Soul delighteth who hath sanctified himself and given up himself to him to do his will in all things to be his Prophet to declare his mind and bring forth judgment to the Gentiles and light to the people to be his High-Priest as it is said The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest to me for ever after the order of Melchisedeck Psal 110 3 4. to make atonement for the sins of the people offer up their gifts and sacrifices and make intercession for all that come to God by him Heb. 2.17 and 5.1 and 7.25 and bless them in his Name Heb. 7.6 7. His King whom he hath set upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2.6 7. being wholly holy unto God to do his pleasure in his presence for men and from him to and with men Rom. 6.10 his Foundation namely that he hath lay in Sion to be the foundation and corner-stone of his holy building an habitation for his Holiness and glory by vertue of whom it is that the whole building becomes an holy House to God and an habitation separated unto him to dwell in by his Spirit as Ephes 2.20 21. And so the Doctrine or Faith concerning him is holy separated and set apart for Gods use for drawing men into the knowledg and faith of Christ and so to himself by and through him and therefore it is called The power of God to salvation to every one that believes Rom. 1.16 The Medium that he made choice of for saving those that believe it and so through it believe in him 1 Cor. 1.21 so that in this respect too it is holy As also 3. In respect of the effect and fruit of it it makes holy those that receive it and are united with it and built upon it So Jesus Christ the main matter and subject of it the foundation properly laid in it and by it for men to believe in and be built on is not only holy in himself sinless and set apart for God but also is made of God holiness to us the cause of holiness to us He in and by vertue of whom we are holy to God 1 Cor. 1.30 He being the holy Temple and habitation of God makes us so too in being united with him He being the holy foundation makes all the building holy And so the Doctrine of the Apostles preached and published concerning him and received and held fast by these Believers was holy in respect of the effect and fruit of it in Believers who are said to be sanctified by the faith in Christ Jesus Acts 26.28 Sanctified or made holy through Gods Word which is the Truth John 17.17 and to be made clean through the Word spoken to them John 15.3 Sanctified and washed by the washing of water the Love Grace and Knowledge of God held forth in the Word that they might be presented a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it might be holy and without blame or blemish Ephes 5.26 27. as also the holiness of the new man is therefore in Ephes 4.22 called according to the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The holiness of truth because the effect or product of the Truth believed by men To this purpose are those sayings of David in Psal 119.9 11. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his wayes By taking heed thereto according to thy Word And again I have hid thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee c. Yea 4. It is called the holy Faith to signifie the great care that God hath of it its acceptableness to him and his respect to and care of it as in that sense in Jer. 2.3 Israel was said to be holiness to the Lord being his people his peculiar portion he had an especial care over them to defend them so as that all that devoured them offended evil came or shall come upon them So is Christ holiness to the Lord very dear and delightful to him and therefore especially cared for and defended by him as in Psal 89.21 With him his right hand is established and his arm strengthens him so as the enemy shall not exact upon him nor the son of wickedness afflict him he will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him Yea therefore they that believe not in him shall be condemned and perish and they shall be destroyed that will
render them acceptable to him making intercession for those that come unto God by him Heb. 7.25 and 10.19 20 21 22 and 1â— 15. whence our prayers are to be in Christs Name as in John 14 13 14. and 16.23 26. though this may be more properly referred to the manner of praying here required the praying in the Holy Ghost Lastly I added the needs of or its desires for others to signifie that this praying required is not to be limited or confined to our selves and our own needs and wants and desires for our selves but extended to the praying for others also here being no limitation of the subject to our selves in the Text but it is only said praying in the Holy Ghost and it is praying as well when we pray for others as when we pray for our selves whether it be for all men as 1 Tim. 2.1 or for some sorts of men onely as for Kings and all in Authority ver 2. or for some particular Cities and people as Abraham prayed for the Sodomites or as Samuel prayed for Israel as Moses also and David and Solomon and others did Gen. 18.23 Exod. 32.11 12 13 14. 1 Sam. 12.23 2 Sam. 24.10 17. or for some particular persons as Moses prayed for Pharaoh Exod. 8.8 9 12 29 30. Elias for the widow of Sarephath and her child 1 King 17.20 21. the Church for Peter Act. 12.5 and the Churches for Paul Rom. 15.30 Eph. 6.19 Col. 4.3 or for enemies as Moses for Pharaoh and as Christ commands us in Mat. 5.44 or for brethren the Saints and Churches as Ephes 6.17 supplication for all Saints Such is prayer as more strictly taken for Petition and request unto God and so as it is distinguished from thanksgiving as oft they are distinctly mentiond as pray without ceasing in every thing give thanks 1 Thes 5.17 18. So by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Philip. 4.6 And so distinctly taken it includes supplications prayers or petitions and intercessions in 1 Tim. 2.1 Supplications humble confessions of our sins and earnest deprecations of wrath and judgments prayers or petitions requests for favours blessings and good things intercessions interposings of our prayers for others standing between them and judgement and pleading humbly with God for them as Moses for Israel Abraham for the Sodomites c. but when thanksgiving is not distinctly mentioned the word prayer may include thanksgiving too and so sure the word praying here may include thanksgiving also and in such a large sense of the word to pray may take in somewhat more than in the description above given namely an exercise of the heart or of the man speaking unto God by way of request and supplication and by way of confession or thanksgiving in behalf of himself or others but this consideration of thanksgiving in prayer may also be taken in under the manner of praying here expressed viz. praying in the Holy Ghost of which next And so 2. To pray in the Holy Ghost or in the Holy Spirit the Spirit of God and Christ which is a Spirit of Holiness dwelling and resting fully on Christ and from him and God in him breathed forth in and with the most holy faith unto the heart of the believer or breathing forth witnessing and speaking of and glorifying Christ to the Soul taking the things of him and shewing them thereto and therewith guiding it into Christ and the truth of Christ sanctifying it to God and framing it to his minde in all things doth signifie 1. To pray or utter our desires and needs or the needs of others in the light direction or guidance of the Holy Spirit Not as our own natural hearts imaginations or affections would lead or as men by their wisdom and will might suggest unto us but as he the Holy Ghost instructs us and that both 1. As to the things to be prayed for not such as the flesh and the wisdom and affections of it affâ—ct and move after or the Spirit of this world such as be riches honours pleasures of the flesh fewel for our corruptions evil to our enemies c. as the Gentiles seek after and the carnal uncircumcised hearts of men delight in such as Solomon requested not 1 King 3. But 1. Such things as Gods Name and Glory are concerned in or that conduce to are necessary for the manifesting and magnifying thereof that the Gospel may have a free passage the word of God run and be glorified 2 Thes 3.1 that his way may be known upon the earth and his saving health amongst the Nations Psal 67.1 2 3. and to that purpose that God would send forth labourers into his harvest Matth. 9.38 and bless and prosper those he sends giving them utterance so to speak the word and mystery of Christ as they ought and deliverance from the hands of unreasonable and wicked men a Col. 4.3 4. Eph. 6.18 2 Thess 3.1 2. that he would bless and help his people and make them blessings in the world Joh. 17. Psa 67. and 28.10 and 132.8 9. giving them boldness and courage c. Act. 4.29 2. Such as the coming and Kingdom of Christ is and includes as Come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22.20 Thy Kingdom come Matth. 6.10 Oh that the salvation of Israel was come out of Sion Psal 14.8 Remember the Children of Edom O Lord c. Psal 137.7 and so for Babylons fall and ruine c. the hastening of the day of God performance of his promises that the earth may be filled with the knowledge of the Lord and his will be done in earth as it is in Heaven Matth 6.10 11. 3. Such as the Kingdom of God and his righteousness â— now consists in to be granted to us or others as wisdom and understanding in the knowledge of God and Christ Prov. 2 1 2 3 4. If thou cryest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding Jam. 1.3 If any man want wisdom let him ask it of God c. So the forgiveness of sins Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Matth. 6.12 Cleanse me from my secret sins Psal 19.12 Deliver me from all my transgressions and make me not a reproaâ—h to the foolish Psal 39.8 9. The Spirit of God as a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ the guide into all truth the Comforter strengthner and sanctifier of the Soul as Luc. 11.13 Ephes 1.17 18. John 14 15 16 17. Ephes 3.16 c. Mercy Grace and peace from God and our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 1.2 1 Tim. 1.2 and 2 Tim. 1.2 Psal 85 7 victory over and deliverance from corruption and from Sathan and his temptations Psal 19.13 Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins c. order my footsteps in thy word and let no iniquity have dominion over me Psal 119.133 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Matth. 6.13 4. Such supplies for the necessities of
so long as I live 8. The experience of Gods goodness and mercy to other in former or present ages the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us and found God gracious to them in their crying to him as in Psal 22.4 5. Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted in thee and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded To that puâ—â—se also the examples of Gods goodness to others are propounded by him to move men to taste and see by their trusting in and calling upon God how gracious God is Psal 34.4 5 6. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears they looked unto him and were inlightned and their faces were not ashamed This poor man cried and the Lord heard him c. Whatsoever things were written before-hand being written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 God being one and so the same for us in through his Son as he was for and to any others before us and there is no respect of persons with him He is rich to all that call upon him Rom. 10.12.13 Such the incouragements which the holy Ghost gives for praying he that prays in the holy Ghost prays not in the incouragement of his own parts wisdom works or the like but in such incouragements as these above-mentioned as to such purpose that fore-quoted from Dan. 9.18 is pertinent We doe not present our Supplications before for our righteousness but for thy great mercies So that in Psal 5.7 and 143.1 2. 4. To pray in the holy Ghost is to pray in the operation of the holy Ghost and so in such a frame and temper of Spirit as the holy Ghost being minded and yielded up to in his testimony frames the heart unto And so 1. Not in pride as the Pharisee despising his neighbour and lifâ—ing up himself in Gods presence 2. Nor in self-confidence and reliance on a mans own righteousness as he also did Luk. 18.10 11. 3. Nor in wrath and anger as the Disciples that would have called for fire from Heaven upon the Samaritanâ— that would not receive Christ pretending Elias for a warrant to them therein Luk. 9 54. for that was not in the holy Spirit of Christ for all that pretence for our Saviour tellâ— them They knew not what manner of Spirit they were of ver 55. 4. Nor in vain-glory as the Pharisees that prayed to be seen of men that they might have glory of them Matth 6.5 6. 5. Nor in ambition seeking great things to themselves and to be lifted up above their Brethren as the two Sons of Zebedee and their Mother did not knowing what they asked when they requested that they might sit the one at Christs right hand and the other at his left in his Kingdom Matth. 20 20 21 22. 6. Nor in strife and contention as those in Isa 58 2 3. who fasted and prayed for strife and debate ver 4. 7. Nor to establish to themselves a righteousness in their praying and so not submitting to the righteousness of God in Christ as the Jews that had a zeal of God and instantly served God day and night hoping by their works of that nature to attain the righteousness of the Law Act. 26 7. with Rom. 9.30 31. and 10.2 3. 8. Nor in Covetousness as they that howled upon their beds for corn and wine Hos 7.14 9. Nor in a doubtful distrustful frame of Spirit that is not fixed in Gods goodness and perswaded of his truth for such a man is like the wave of the Sea tossed to and fro double-minded and inconstant in all his ways and let not such an one think to receive any thing at Gods hands Jam. 1.6 7. 1 Tim. 2.8 10. Nor in an impatient unsubmmitted frame of Spirit to Gods Government frowardly hasting out of affliction such as Jonah was in when he having prophesied the destruction of Niniveh and God seeing their repentance spared it he was exceedingly displeased and very angry and prayed God to take away his life from him Jonas 4.1 2 3. 11. Nor in a flat cold formal temper of Spirit as they that draw nigh to God with their mouth and honor him with the lips but the heart is far away Isa 29 17. or the like but 1. In a believing frame of heart minding and giving credit to Gods word and testimony the Gospel of Christ and from the belief of that calling upon God and in that sense prayer in the Holy Ghost is the prayer of Faith Jam. 5.15 and prayer proceeding out of the belief of Gods sayings believing and not doubting about them as Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in faith nothing doubting speaking to God because they believe his word as in Psal 116.10 I believed therefore have I spoken which may have reference to speaking by prayer aswel as to speaking by preaching or confession thus David from a belief of Gods word to him by Nathan found it in his heart to pray unto him that prayer in 2 Sam. 7.18 27. for the holy Ghost is a Spirit of Faith as 2 Cor. 4.13 and therefore breaths faith into the heart where he hath the rule and makes it breath in faith yea in a full assurance of faith as believing verily the truth of God concerning Christ yea and Gods hearing and granting its petitions that he helps the Soul to breath forth Heb. 10.22 Mark 11.24 1 John 5. â—4 15. and a cleaving adhering frame of Spirit cleaving to and trusting in God for his hearing and helping it according to his will and the Souls needs as resolved and fixed to depend upon trust in and wait for God as Mic. 7.7 I will look to the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will hear me as Jacob of old wrestling with God and resolved not to leave him till he had blessed him Gen. 32.26 So our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted in thee and were delivered they cried to thee and were delivered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Psal 22.4 5. such a frame of Spirit the holy Ghost leads to pray in a believing trusting frame And 2. With a fervent desire and frame of heart the Holy Ghost is compared to fire He sat on the Apostles like cloven tongues of fire Thence Quench not the Spirit and therefore when men pray in it it puts heat and life into them an earnest desire after those things which it directs absolutely to seek of God Thence it is said The effectual or operative fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 They that onely say over prayers or pray luke-warmly coldly and formally pray not in the Holy Ghost though this fervour of Spirit in prayer stands not in the loud speaking and straining the voice or in much repetitions but in the earnestness of the Souls desires and ardencie of affection to the
his being power goodness c. 5. To incite us to a more love and thankfulness to him as we have more acquaintance and familiarity with him and experience of his kindness to us and so also to forgive and doe good to one another as knowing that we do often need and receive forgiveness from him and manifold benefits and favours upon our asking yea oft-times above what we either ask or think 6. To provoke us to more humble and lowly demeanour of our selves before him and towards one another while we are always as beggars acknowledging our own wants and weaknesses and insufficiencie of our selves and our dependance for all good things upon him and have often experience of the distempers of our own hearts occasion of confessing and bewailing them that we might not bear up our selves as Lords that need to be beholding to God in nothing 7. That we might have more proof and experience of the vertuousness of Christs Sacrifice and Mediation for us in making our prayers acceptable and procuring Grace and blessing for us and gracious answers to us for these and the like reasons God will be sought unto by us which was the third thing implied in that phrase 4. Here is also further implied and signified to us that of and by our selves though we have need to pray to God continually yet we know not how to pray as we ought but are apt to offend and goe wrong therein to vent forth our passions or our corrupt and carnal desires and affections ambition pride revenge covetousness distrustfulness murmurings or the like and therefore need the directions and helpfulness of another wiser and holier than our selves even the Holy Ghost the breath and Spirit of God to infuse light and truth into us and direct and guide us thereby and frame our hearts aright therein that we may pray acceptably to God by Jesus Christ our Lord and noâ— loose our labour in praying or procure a curse to our selves in stead of a blessing 5. That God hath not left us nor doth leave us unto our own wisdom parts and abilities to guide us in our prayers and frame our prayers and desires for us nor yet leave us to prescribed formes and external directions and impositions of others to supply our weaknesses and inabilities to pray but gives his holy Spirit to those that believe in him and obey him to help them in their prayers to him that they may offer up spiritual Sacrifices in him acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Act. 5.31 32. Joh. 7.37 38. Rom. 8.26 27. 1 Pet. 2.5 which Holy Spirit being in and with God in Christ and proceeding thence is acquainted with the minde of God Rom. 8 26 27. 1 Cor. 2.10 and discovers to the believer what the minde and will of God is in those things that concern him to pray for so far at least as to direct to pray acceptably thereabout to him he being a Spirit of wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Christ Ephes 1.17 18. and frames the heart according to the minde and will of God in praying and begets longing desires and groans that cannot be uttered in them So that he that hath blessings to bestow on us and hath revealed it to be his mind that we should seek them of him and hath opened a way for us in and by his Son for approaching to him and pouring out our hearts before him pitying our ignorances and inabilities hath provided promised and faithfully affords his own holy Spirit in the teachings operations and efficacie of it to inable us to pray to him in that way and for those things that he hath prepared for us and set before us and for such spiritual Sacrifices or prayers Christ is appointed also the High-Priest to take away the iniquities that cleave to them as there is in them any thing of our ignorance error and mistake and to make them acceptable to him 1 Pet. 2.5 6. That God having done all this for us and affording such help to us as is suitable to his holiness and our needs requires of us not to neglect this his Grace not to worship in the oldness of the Letter in form and fashion and outside onely or in our own wit parts and wills c. but in Spirit and truth in all things watching unto and in prayer that we pray in and according to the light and direction that he gives us in the Gospel asking onely such things and in such way and manner as the Gospel instructs us and in such a frame of Spirit as the Holy Ghost therein begets and nourishes in us in attending to the Grace of Christ as therein set before us and keeping that which is the ministration of the holy Spirit the very air as it were in which it breaths in our hearts and mindes to direct and lead us They therefore do evilly that neglect the Gospel and the holy Ghost as breathing therethrough in us and take up other ways and helps in stead thereof and especially such as would tie up men to other helps as forms and impositions of words frames as if God gave not his holy Spirit now to help his servants And it may be observed that since the giving of the holy Spirit to those that believe in Christ we finde no formes of prayer invented proposed or imposed by Christ or his Apostles upon men as there were before he was given so to them and received by them Though in case of the ignorance and insufficiencie of the Ministry which yet the Bishops ought not to suffer but provide and put in such as are sufficient and well qualified according to those rules in 1 Tim. 3. and Tit. 1 or to prevent mens disorderly prayings that some good and unexceptionable forms may be prescribed for publike Assemblies I do not utterly deny that in Matth. 6. â— upon some such accounts it may seem that Christ prescribed 7. That possibly men may yea believers also and too often doe neglect the help of the Holy Spirit yea and may too often neglect prayer it self restraining prayer before God and not pouring out their hearts therein to him but seek by other means to defend and keep themselves against the assaults of enemies and that if they do pray yet they may not pray in the holy Ghost in what light and instruction he gives them in and by the Doctrine of Christ and in his operations therethrough in their hearts and so in such faith love charity humility resignation of themselves to the will of God earnestness and for vencie as becomes them and as the Grace of God and his Gospel instructs to and his holy Spirit therethrough believed and minded uses to work in men and frame their hearts to but may possibly as too often they doe rest in some forms or if not so yet pray in their own selfish ignorant carnal spirit asking those things that suite their wills and humours and lusts their own advancement glory ease c
in Christ and that mercy of Christ that is needful to bring us thereunto and so that we be not slothful nor take up content and satisfaction in what 's already attained as if we had enough and needed no more Laodicea-like but with our Souls be desiring after God and with our very spirits longing for him till he satisfie our souls with his goodness as was Davids posture of waiting for God expressed Psal 130.5 6. I wait for the Lord yea my Soul doth wait and in his word doe I hope My Soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning a waiting in which is also a watching for what is waited for yea a most diligent and desirous watching such as that is of those that being benighted and bewildred for want of light do long for the morning light And indeed such a waiting for Gods mercy becomes those that are building up themselves on their most holy faith and praying in the holy Ghost for men may pray formally or put their life and Religion in saying over prayers and yet have their hearts dead and void of any living desires of Gods presence and favour but the praying in the Holy Ghost cannot stand without it as may appear in what we have said thereabout yea this waiting may have in it further 4. A waiting upon God in Christ as well as a waiting for him or for something from him a patient attending to him and following after him whithersoever he goes and to be ordered and directed by him in what ever he requires as Psal 123.1 2. Vnto thee lift I up my eyes O thou that dwellest in the Heavens Behold as the eyes of servants are upon the hands of their Masters and the eye of the maiden unto the hand of her Mistress namely to be at their appointment and see and mind which way they direct them to run as well as to minde what they will give them so our eyes wait or are upon the Lord our God till he have mercy upon us in such a sense as that phrase in Prov. 27.18 He that waiteth upon his Master shall be honoured He that attends upon him to know his pleasure and to doe him service and this may be included also in this waiting for his mercy and in that seeking is therein implied though the other things seem to be more properly and directly signified 2. Now the Object to be waited for is expressed to be the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal life Eternal life is the end but necessary thereto as the way to bring us to it is the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ Mercy But not any or every kind of mercy There are the tender mercies of the wicked that are cruel Prov. 12.10 and there is the mercy or kindness of men that are not wicked but the best of men are but servants to this Lord whose mercy is to be expected It is the mercy of the Lord whose mercy will reach to more profit than those of a servant but yet it s not the mercy of every Lord neither but of him who is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings the Lord Jesus Christ the anointed Saviour the only begotten Son of God whom he sent into the world for us made of a woman made under the Law that he might redeem us who were under the Law that we by the faith of him might receive the adoption of Sons who being anointed with the Holy Ghost and power went about doing good and obeyed his Father to the death the death of the Cross and therefore is again highly exalted and hath a Name an Authority and power given him far above every Name or power that at his Name every knee should bow both of things in Heaven and things in Earth c. and that every tongue should confess that he is Lord to the Glory of God the Father Philip 2.10 11. The Lord of all Act. 10 36. The Lord of men even of the dead and of the living by vertue of his Death Resurrection and living again Rom. 14.9 and the Lord of Angels for Angels and Principallities are made subject to him 1 Pet. 3.22 the Lord of Life and Glory Act. 3.15 1 Cor. 2.8 as having the Soveraign Power in and with his Father to quicken and give life to whom and as he pleases John 5.20 21 22. being upon the right hand of Majesty in the Highest filled with all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 the fulness the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost being resting and dwelling upon him and so anointing him and furnishing him with power and sufficiencie of wisdom understanding counsel strength c. for the managing the Government and Kingdom of God over men and over all Creatures so as in a way of saving mankinde from sin death devil and destruction being the Saviour of all men able willing and ready to save all of them upon submission to him yea and actually so saving them from manifold evils both within and without so that they are ingaged to and might submit to him but especially the Saviour of them that believe It is the mercy of this great Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ who being one with the Father and glorified with the Fathers own self upon the account of his obedience to his Father and love to and sufferings for us men is often joyned with the Father in the Object of the Apostles prayers foâ— and so in the dispensations of Grace and Mercy unto men as may be seen in the Salutations of the Churches in their Epistles to them Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.3 2 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.3 Ephes 1.2 Philip. 1.2 Coll. 1.2 1 Thes 1.1 2 Thes 1.2 Philem. 1.3 or Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Tim. 1.2 or Christ Iesus our Lord 2 Tim. 1.2 or the Lord Iesus Christ our Saviour Tit. 1.4 and surely his mercy must needs be of exceeding great concernement unto us above all things for it is the mercy of God so as that where he hath and exerciseth mercy God also even the Father exercises mercy in and by him And where he shews not mercy neither doth God the Father shew mercy nor can the pity and mercy of men be they never so great or mighty or many advantage a man any thing in comparison hereof the Sovereign power of life and death yea of everlasting life or death being in and with him So that whom he saves and blesses they are and shall be saved and blessed and whom he destroys or rejects from his mercy they shall perish everlastingly for his judgment is true and righteous and takes place and stands fast for ever His Mercy therefore is worthy the waiting for and most earnestly to be sought after as without which there is no salvation or happiness
and guidance of the Holy Spirit given as a pledge or earnest of the full injoyment of the eternal inheritance and as the Guide Governour Leader Conductor and Keeper of his Servants that listen to him and harden not their hearts obstinately against him to the possession of it So Eph. 1.13 14. and 4.30 Believing in Christ saith the Apostle to those Believers ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance to the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of his Glory and the like in 2 Cor. 1.21 22. He that establisheth us with you in Christ and anointeth us â—â— God who also hath sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts c. And he is a good holy powerful Spirit and will guide the Believer into all truth as he sees it good for him and will lead him into the land of uprightness Iohn 16.13 Psal 143.10 So that as the Believer in Christ hath great incouragement to wait for the Mercy of the Lord Iesus his Lord and Saviour as is fore-noted so also hath he good ground to expect and shall assuredly in waiting receive his mercy to everlasting life so as to the possession and actual injoyments thereof Unto which it is necessary and that also is here implied that he be raised up again from Death and all the consequents of it seeing those things also are allotted to believers and they die as certainly and oft more grievously in respect of their outward sufferings than other men and this Resurection of them Christ often asserts saying I will â—ise him up again at the last day Iohn 6.40 44 c. yea they shall be raised first and unto life 1 Thes 4.15 16. Iohn 5.29 even unto life eternal Matth. 25.46 In which they shall injoy 1. A total full and everlasting release of and discharge from all their sins both as to the guilt of them they shall be fully and for ever then blotted out of Gods remembrance Acts 3.19 so as they shall be remembred no more Hebr. 8.12 10.17 and therefore also as to all punishments chastisements or sufferings for them The inhabitant of Zion shall not then say I am sick for their sins shall be forgiven them Isa 33.24 2. A full and perfect deliverance from the inherency and defilement of sin in a full perfect and everlasting conformity unto Christ When we see him we shall be like him saith 1 John 3.2 for we shall see him as he is Then shall it be given to the Bride the Lambs wife to be cloathed in fine linnen white and clean Rev. 19.8 and to be presented by Christ to himself altogether glorious and holy not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing Ephes 5.26 27. 3. A full perfect and everlasting peace and freedom from all trouble sorrow crying pain temptations death either natural or violent For the bodies of the just being raised shall be raised incorruptible and immortal made like unto the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Death and Grave and all things pertaining or tending thereto being swallowed up into an everlasting victory 1 Cor. 15 53 54 55 56. Phil. 3.20 and all Enemies and Oppressors whether men or Devils being wholly subdued and thrust out so as they never more have power to molest or trouble There shall be no more any Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts nor any wicked ones to pass through their land nor any to waste or destroy in all Gods mountain Zech. 14.21 Nah. 1.13 Isa 11.9 65.25 The Devil shall be shut up for ever in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone and all his Angels and followers the Instruments of his malice and mischief with him and shall be there in everlasting torments utterly and everlastingly deprived of all power to hurt or injury any of those that here have followed the Lamb. So that all inward causes as sin mortality and diseases and all outward causes of trouble as Satan and his Angels and all evil men and all curse and wrath from God being for ever removed there must of necessity be a perfect freedom therefrom No more death nor sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things shall be then wholly passed away Rev. 21.4.5 22.3 4. A full perfect and everlasting enjoyment of Christ and God in Christ evermore present with them as 1 Thess 4 16. We shall be all caught up together to meet the Lord in the ayr and then we shall be ever with the Lord Rev. 21.3 then shall the Tabernacle of God be with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them their God yea the throne of God and the Lamb shall be amongst them and his servants shall serve him and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads openly and manifestly upon them and held forth by them Rev. 22 3 4. 5. Full perfect and everlasting sight and knowledge of God and of the whole mysterie of God They shall see as they are seen and know as they are known 1 Cor. 13.12 no night of ignorance and alienation from God no candle light no dim imperfect fading knowledge there no nor any mediate light or knowledge but an immediate clear and constant light and knowledge shall they have of and from God Rev. 22.5 6. Full perfect and everlasting joy and gladness in the presence knowledge and enjoyment of God and Christ for in his presence is fulness of joy and pleasures at his right hand for evermore Psal 16.11 then they shall enter into their Lords or Masters joy and that shall be perfectly fulfilled spoken of in Isa 35.10 51 11. They shall have everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away for they shall be then everlastingly and abundantly satisfied with the presence of God and Christ so as there shall be no want defect or mixture in their joys and rejoycings nor any thing to be added to them the want whereof should at any time abate them for ever 7. Full perfect and everlasting glory being Kings and Priests unto God and filled full with the glory of Christ and of God and reigning with him for ever and ever Rev. 22.5 their bodies all glorious like the glorious body of Christ and their spirits all glorious like the Soul or Spirit of Christ for they shall be like him enjoying even that eternal glory to which they are now called in and by the Gospel glory unutterable and beyond all conception 2 Thess 2.13 14. 1 Pet. 5.10 This is the portion and inheritance of those that are built up on the most holy faith and praying in the Holy Ghost keep themselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ thereunto a portion not merited by them as a due reward of their