humane learning even amongst the rich-gifted Corinthians determined not to know 1 Cor. 2. 2. any thing but Jesus Christ and him crucified And himself elsewhere giveth a rationall a satisfying account of this his resolution viz. because of the superlative both excellency and utility of this knowledge Doubtlesse I count all things Phil. 3. 8 10. but losse for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord That I may know him and the power of his resurrection c. Who can tell how many rarities lie hid in Christ or how great gain may be got by the knowledge of him 1. This is the way to procure justification by him By his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justifie many 2. Hereby Isa 53. the growth of all graces both in kindes and degrees is much promoted We all with open face beholding as in a glasse the Joh. 4. 10. 2 Cor. 4. 18. glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 3. And hence issueth glory The Text tells you that in him is the hope of glory This is life eternall that they may know thee the only true God Joh. 17. 3. and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent If all this be not sufficient to quicken diligence in seeking out after the knowledge of Christ let me adde a double consideration from the practice of the holy Angels though they be not so much concerned in and advantaged by Christ as our selves 1. They did desire to pry and peep into those Typical and Prophetical 1 Pet. 1. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 discoveries of him which were obscure before his Incarnation 2. And now they are content to come as it were to our Schools where we are taught unto our Congregations for clearer instruction in this mystery according to Gods minde Vnto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be Eph. 3. 10. Sacro-sanctum vivificum mysterium Aug Est quidem fructuosum honorificum gloriosum hoc Evangelij mysterium Dav. in Text. known by the Church the manifold wisedom of God These things speak cogent arguments to them who are Christianly ingenuous to move more and more industrious endeavours to dive further and further into these rich divine mysteries whereof Gods Worthies have given many high commendations calling it an holy glorious fruitfull quickning happy-making mystery What commendation can be higher then that of our Apostle 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without controversie great is the mystery of godlinesse God manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into glory Herein is contained the marrow of Christianity And doubtlesse every Christian who mindeth the power of godlinesse either in reference unto Gods honour or self-welfare will by these Meditations be prevailed with to seek acquaintance with this rich mystery I shall speak no more unto this first Point viz. That Christ is the riches of Gospel-glorious Mysteries but I proceed unto the second That reall Saints beleeving Christians have even while Doct. 2 here on earth hope of glory Such were these Colossians to whom these words were spoken The Saints and faithful brethren in Christ Not only Saints ver 2. titularly but in reality whose Saintship and faith was witnessed by their brotherly disposition towards one another and their faithful walking in the world these these were they who had hope of future glory The like expression hath the same Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Rom. 5. 1 2. Christ and we rejoyce in hope of the glory of God This Doctrine I shall not much dilate upon but only give one touch or two by way of application Hence we are informed that the gain of godlinesse and Vse 1 the profitablenesse of a religious life is not to be judged of alone by the outward visible fruit reaped here for the rich Revenues of holinesse are rather in hope then in hand The world knoweth us not and it doth not yet appear what we shall 1 Ioh. 3. 1 2. Eccl. 9. 1. be No man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before them And therefore in the estimation of those who judge according to the sight of the eye If in this life only we have hope 1 Cor. 15. 19. in Christ we are of all men most miserable Though in very truth Christians who live by faith and walk holily with the Lord have cordials in secret which the world knoweth not of viz. peace which passeth all understanding and joys most unspeakable Phil. 4. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 8. 2 Cor. 1. 5. and full of glory which do wonderfully exceed and admirably sweeten all their sufferings yet the best is behinde these are only the tastes of that full glory reserved for them in heaven Thus the Prophet Malachy confuteth the carnall crew in his daies who said it was a vain thing to serve God He first telleth them of a book of Remembrance written before the Lord recording all the serviceablenesse of Saints in evil times and then referreth them to the last day when God shall make up his jewels adding these words Then Mal. 3. 17 18. shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Would you give a right estimate of the precious incoms by godlinesse do not so much view their present outward wants and pressures but rather hearken to the language of their hopes When Christ who is our life shall appear then we also Col. 3. 4. 1 Ioh. 3. 2. shall appear with him in glory And we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Vse 2 Therefore let us all try whether we can from good holding Ezek. 3. 6. Heb. 6. 11. grounds make out our hopes of glory As Ministers must beware of flattering people with vain hopes so the Apostle Paul perswadeth every one of us to shew diligence for the attaining the full assurance of hope yea the same diligence 1 Pet. 3. 15. which we use in reference to any act of obedience And Saint Peter would have all Christians ready to give a reason of the hope which is in them The necessity of this triall may be manifested by these following considerations 1. The worth of the thing hoped for viz. glory which is in value transcendently better then all things under the Sunne Herein consists everlasting heavenly happiness The phrase whereby the holy Scripture doth expresse it is very full a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory The 2 Cor. 4. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 value of any commodity causeth cautiousnesse to prevent cheating Wisedom therefore will make wary that hopes hereof may not be built upon sandy bottoms 2. The usefulnesse of hope being as an Helmet to secure
sight of some Christian Act. 28. 15. brethren cheared him after a sad shipwrack whom when Paul saw he took courage And Caesar cheared the drooping Mariners in a storm by minding them of his presence How much more should the in-being of Christ solace the beleeving soul 1. Because of his authority and power to order all casualties and concernments according to his pleasure whereas many times the best of creature-friends can do no more then pity and pray Thus our Lord cheared his Apostles All power is given unto me and lo I am with Mat. 28. 18 20 you alway even unto the end of the world And it was a cordiall to the Disciples in a storm that Christ was with them whom the windes and waves must obey 2. Because this a Mat. 8. 26 27 Psa 132. 14. bode of Christ speaketh his complacency This is Mr Bayns his Note upon the Text. A man cannot properly be said to dwell in a prison in which he taketh no delight And this answereth a Scripture-expression elsewhere Here I will dwell for I have desired it saith God of Sion Though many times drooping Christians viewing their own beggarlinesse and vilenesse judge themselves worthy to be detested and deserted and would relinquish themselves if they could yet Christ looketh to the poor and contrite soul as a meet habitation Isa 66. 1 2â— for himself 3. Because he doth graciously communicate himself unto the soul where he resideth according to the necessities thereof I dwell with him that is of a contrite Isa 57. 15. and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the contrite ones When you reade this promise remember his ability and fidelity in these and all other kindes to accommodate those whom he inhabits to their compleating in the accomplishment of his Mediatorship Therefore doubtlesse there cannot possibly be either any creature-want or danger wherein the improvement of this in-dwelling of Christ may not refresh the beleeving Christian 4. Because Nunquam minus solus quam cum solus maximè Gen. 39. Psal 63. Act. 23. 10 11 this will be constantly and abundantly relieving in times of the greatest solitarinesse though in banishment or the closest imprisonment and at the greatest distance from the dearest friends Joseph in Egypt David in the wildernesse and Paul prisoner in the Castle were admirably cheared by this company And Christ is now and will be evermore the self-same in his servants for their consolation The third Use is for Exhortation to perswade Beleevers Vse 3 unto a double duty 1. To purge all discovered pollution out of themselves because of Christs speciall residence in them This Use the Apostle Paul maketh of this doctrine for having said to the 2 Cor. 6. 16. 7. 1. Corinthians Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them he addeth Having therefore these Promises Dearly Beloved let us clense our selves from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit This was one charge which God gave unto old Israel in a military condition that all bodily filth should be buried under ground and this is rendred as the reason For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst Deu. 23. 13 14 of thee therefore shall thy Camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee Oh that Christians would in this respect oppose inward defilements and not outward pollutions only How carefull are we to sweep and wash away whatsoever might be offensive unto our Friends in the rooms where we lodge them And what guest can so well deserve welcome as Jesus Christ unto whom all sinne is abominable he being Prov. 8. 7. the holy One of God Be not satisfied therefore with fair faces and white hands but labour to make and to keep the in-side clean also 2. To prepare for Christs contentfull entertainment in their bosomes Who is not willing to be at cost in providing Luk. 5. 29. both food and furniture fitting for the welcoming of worthy friends It 's said Levi made Christ a great Feast in his own house yea Solomon brings in the whorish woman reporting Prov. 7. 16 17. her provisions made for the young man whom she sollicited to lewdnesse I have deck'd my bed with coverings of Tapestry with carved works and fine linen of Egypt I have perfumed my bed with Myrrh Aloes and Cinamon And should not a principle of pure love to Christ prevail with Christians to do more then sordid lusts do with the bruitish children of men If you demand what is the provision to be laid in for Christ his welcome The Apostle telleth you it is perfecting holinesse in the fear of God which practice also 2 Cor. 7. 1. he moveth by the argument under-hand as was hinted in the former branch of the Exhortation By the encreasing and acting of all the graces of the holy Ghost Christ will be abundantly contented This is intended by these metaphoricall expressions of the Spouse unto Christ At our Cant. 7. 13. gates are all manner of pleasant fruits new and old which I have laid up for thee O my Beloved I would cause thee to drink Cant. 8. 2. of spiced wine of the juyce of my Pomegranate And take this encouragement all you drooping souls who are low and little in your own eyes judging nothing of your graces worthy Christs acceptance or meet for his entertainment that his Loves will take in good part that which with sincere good-will you shall provide and make tender of with respect unto his content I will sup with you saith he to the Rev. 3. â—0 Church And upon the invitation of the Spouse thus expressed Let my Beloved come into his garden and eat his pleafant Cant. 4. 16. fruit This answer speaking good acceptance is returned I am come into my garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered Cont. 5. 1. my Myrrh with my Spice I have eaten my honey-comb with my honey I have drunk my wine with my milk Oh how ready with chearfulnesse is the Lord Jesus to own and accept all graces notwithstanding their defects and mixtures in the bosomes of them whom he doth inhabite This therefore should both quicken and embolden poor beleeving souls to lay in and lay out for his satisfaction who is pleased to abide in them I proceed to the second branch of the Doctrine which is 2. Branch of Doctrine the truth openly expressed viz. That the existency of Christ in Beleevers giveth existence unto their hopes of glory If the reasons hereof be demanded I answer Because Christ his spirituall presence in us is Gods earnest of glory The Apostle is expresse for this Having In arrahbone ut pignus Dickson on the Text. 2 Cor. 5. 5. mentioned the longings of Saints to be swallowed up of life he addeth Now he that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God who also hath given unto us
the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of reward But 〈◊〉 you eye in Christ what is equitable and imitable then consider in Moses what is attainable by the industrious actings of faith and meditation And yet to prevail further upon your spirits in promoting your magnanimity and patience by minding your hope of glory in Christ I wish you to compare your present sufferings on earth with your future glory hoped for in heaven both in regard of their quality and continuance for the one are both light and short whereas the other is both weighty and eternall The experience of Gods servants hath often put a Probatum est unto this direction 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. For this cause we faint not for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporall but the things which are not seen are eternall Secondly Those who have not as yet received Christ to dwell in them are to be moved as they desire heavens glory hereafter and the comfortable hopes of it here upon earth to give entertainment unto Jesus Chaist Zacheus upon an hint given of Christs willingnesse to come into his house comes down out of the Sycamore-Tree quickly and receiveth him joyfully Now do you with seriousnesse consider Luk. 19. 4. with what 1. importunity 2. patience 3. and promises the Lord Jesus calleth upon you for entertainment Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and Rom. 3. 20. open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 1. There is the use both of a voice and knocking therefore importunity He speaketh by his word and knocketh by his Spirit with some recoylings of an awakned conscience 2. This importunity is not only once it is not a knock or a word and away but he standeth he staieth and waiteth for admission This speaketh much patience 3. This patient importunity is backed with promises of communion upon willingnesse to take him in I will sup with him and he with me as if he had said I will feast his soul and I will accept of his provisions for my welcome Now if by these motives to which many more might be added you be disposed to enquire what you should do that may come into you and be in you the hope of glory I would refer you to the counsell given by the Psalmist which is doubled because weighty and necessary Lift up your heads O ye gates and be lift up ye everlasting doors and the Psa 24. 7. 9. King of glory shall come in Hence two directions may be gathered 1. That our souls which in regard of their immortality are called everlasting doors must willingly receive him He is a great King and will not take up with an out-house for his lodging for the place of his gracious abode Eph. 3. 17. He dwelleth in the heart Either there or not at all Therefore by meditating upon the fore-mentioned particulars suggesting Christ his deservings and the incomparable benefits to be received by him seek to prevail with your selves that your warmest loves strongest longings and highest joys may be laid forth upon him 2. That he must be received as Lord and King with free contentment to submit unto his Scepter and Regall Authority In houses where Kings were wont to be entertained Rex was usually written upon the door all the rooms were to be disposed of for his use In like manner must they commit the Keys of government into the hands of Christ with willingnesse to be ruled by him in all things who would receive him and through him the hope of glory 3. Hereto may be added heart-humiliation For whereas high stately Palaces are esteemed the fittest houses for the entertainment of earthly Princes Jesus Christ the King of glory maketh choice of lowly hearts for his habitation For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell Isa 55. 15. in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit Therefore levell your mountains of self-conceit lay your selves in the dust upon the serious review of the evil both of your lives and natures together with the deserved misery which you be neither able to resist nor undergo and make an unfeigned self-resignation unto the Lord to be alwaies in all things governed by him so may you expect the coming of Christ into your souls and the comfort of good hope of glory through him This one thing I earnestly move as a matter necessary to salvation by Jesus Christ viz. self-deniall with submission to Christ as tendred in the Gospel upon terms of free-grace The Apostle Paul looketh upon the Jews as not in the state of salvation Because they going about to establish Rom 10. 1 3. their own righteousnesse submitted not themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Their priviledges were high and their costly Sacrifices many and therefore they hoping without Christ then preached to work out their own welfare fell short of blessednesse The same Spirit of pride and self-dependance is in all our natures which is extreamly mischievous obstructing the way unto Christs welcome into the soul therefore I entreat and beseech Christians again and again herein to be exceeding carefull Neither let those who are most rich in parts duties enjoyments rely thereupon with disrespect of Christ Nor yet let Poor souls burthened with guilt beggarly in abilities most vile and unworthy in their own account keep off from Christ through distrustfull discouragements For as all good hope of glory is raised from Christ heartily entertained so no one who humbly obedientially stoopeth under his government Joh. 6. 37. shall be rejected In the last place The Doctrine administreth much comfort Vse 4 unto mourners bewailing the death of such who as they have just cause to beleeve had received Christ into their souls before they left this world because from this ground ariseth good hope that they are admitted into heavens glory Upon this account the Apostle disswadeth drooping and perswadeth chearfulnesse in Christians upon such occasions I would not have you ignorant Brethren concerning 1 Thes 4. 13 14 18. them who are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope For we beleeve that those who sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and so shall we ever be with the Lord Wherefore comfort one another with these words In this regard regular love to our deceased Christian Friends would turn our water into wine our tears into joys If ye loved me said Christ to his dejected Apostles ye would rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father And this was ethe rason as some