as to couple his first and seâ—…d appearance and the things of each toâ—…er or so as following presently one â—…n another as in Isa 9.4 5 6 7. Jer. 23.5 â—…d elsewhere and so here though the standing up of Michael may take in aâ—… time of his appearing in the flesh standing up to reign in his glory at theâ—… hand of God as all that time he is saâ—… stand for an Ensign to the Gentiles or risen to rule over the Gentiles or Nations ah 11.10 Rom. 15.12 yet here he mâ—… on s the things that shall accompany glorious appearance and Kingdome when He shall descend with a shout and sound of a Trumpet and voice of the 〈◊〉 angel of God the dead in Christ shall rise 〈◊〉 which shall be many of them that sleâ—… the dust of the earth 1 Thes 4.15 16. not only shall they arise but also all the shall be raised by him for so our Saâ—… himself assures us saying Joh. 5.28 29 hour is coming in which all that are in graves shall hear the voice of the Son of and shall come forth they that have doneâ—… to the resurrection of life and they that 〈◊〉 done evil to the resurrection of damnâ—… And indeed Christ having dyed and theâ—… given himself a ransome for all hath 〈◊〉 lished death thereby for all even that dâ—… that by one mans offence came in upon the first death so as none shall perish ever therein but be raised up therefroâ—… for as by Man came death so by Man the surrection of the dead for as in Adam all Christ shall all be made alive 1 Tim. 2.6 â—…r 5.14 15. 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Cor. 15.21 and so the word sany is somtimes for All * Ponit aliquando Scriptura pro omnibus multos Sicut Abraae dictum est Patrem muliarum gentiâ—… posui te cui tamen aliâ—… locâ—… In semine inquit tuâ—… benedicentur omnes gentes August de â—…ivitat Dei l. 20. c. 23. and uâ—…o signifie the nuâ—…ousness of the â—…le sum of what â—…efers to so the â—…y thousands of â—…el contains all â—…ir thousands Numb 10.30 and the â—…ny that were dead through the offence of one 〈◊〉 All men and so the many made Sinners â—…ough one mans disobedience Rom. 5 15-19 â—…d the Many Christ gave himself a ransome 〈◊〉 are All men Matt. 20.28 with 1 Tim. â—…4-6 though all men not acting alike toâ—…ard him who did so great an Act of grace Heb. 2.9 towards and for them and haâ—…ng thereby obtained the soveraign Lordâ—…ip over all as Mediator and Immanuel God â—…ith us is also the light of the world the true â—…ght lighting every man coming into the world The Saviour of all men especially of them that â—…elieve and that looking down upon all the â—…nhabitants of the earth fashioneth their hearts â—…like or together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but doing some well and what is right in his sight and others that which is evil and wicked before him they shall not have the same state after the surrection but some they that have 〈◊〉 good shall awake and rise to everlasting 〈◊〉 and some they that have done evil in rejecâ—… and refusing obedience to God and 〈◊〉 Saviour to shame and everlasting conteâ—… or to the resurrection of damnation 〈◊〉 then saith the Text they that be wise 〈◊〉 shine as the brightness of the Firmament 〈◊〉 they that turn many to righteousness aâ—… Stars for ever and ever Wherein we 〈◊〉 a particular and special account given way of divine prediction or promise the future happiness of some kind of perâ—… in a double Proposition viz. 1. They that be wise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 instruct and make wise shall shine as 〈◊〉 brightness of the Firmament 2. They that turn many to righteousâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that justify or make righteâ—… many shall shine as the Stars for ever aâ—… ever In either of them we have the Subject and the Praedicate the persons of or concerning whom something is asserted prophetically and the thing asserted of theâ—… The subject in the former is the wise or theâ—… that being wise themselves do also instrucâ—… others and make them wise Therefore in the Margin it is read the Teachers Thaâ—… â—…ch is asserted of them is that they shall â—…e as the brightness of the Firmament The â—…ect in the second is they that turn many â—…ghteousness or make many just and that â—…ch is asserted of them is that they shall 〈◊〉 as the Stars for ever and ever for the â—…d shall shine is common to them both 〈◊〉 that is 1. the matter promised or preâ—…ed the other expressions shew 〈◊〉 The manner of their shining and so 〈◊〉 Proposition hath its distinct expression way of Metaphorical illustration 〈◊〉 They that be wise as the brightness the Firmament 2. They that turn many â—…ighteousness as the Stars 〈◊〉 The duration of either for ever and â—…r which belongs to both though exâ—…sly joyned to the latter to these things 〈◊〉 by way of Explication and so I said â—…e is a promise or prediction of the excelâ—…t future state of some for those sayings 〈◊〉 that be wise and they that turn many to â—…teousness have a certain partitive force 〈◊〉 intimate that all are not wise all turn 〈◊〉 many to righteousness All as in the first â—…am as made of God were wise and â—…teous in him I say as in their root and â—…ginal and all in him and from him as â—…en are alike miserable and void of wisâ—…n and righteousness There is no difference for all have sinned and come short the glory of God and therefore also Thâ—… is none righteous no not one there is none thâ—… understandeth none that seeketh after Gâ—… Rom. 3.10 11 19 23. and therefore aâ—… all shall dye and must have died with wisdome too Job 4.21 had not Christ dâ—… for all and having abolished death obtaâ—…ed life and immortality and the fulness power and spirit to bring forth light a judgment unto men but now he havâ—… done so men may be and some are mâ—… wise to Salvation yea and being 〈◊〉 themselves may be and some are inâ—…ments of bringing others to be wise aâ—… and the like we may say of mens beâ—… righteous or attaining to righteousneâ—… and being instruments of making othâ—… righteous And we are to mind here thâ—… the wisdome here spoken of is not natuâ—… or political wisdome the wisdome of tâ—… world that men are apt to boast of aâ—… lift up themselves by for there is no 〈◊〉 thing promised of God or predicted aâ—… foretold to be the portion of such as a indued with that wisdome and are wâ—… according thereunto No the holy Ghâ—… testifies otherwise of such when he saitâ—… I will destroy the wisdome of the wise and briâ—… to naught the understanding of the prudeâ—… â—…here is the wife Where is the Scribe Where 〈◊〉 the disputer of this world Hath not God â—…ade foolish the wisdome of the world 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 19 20. and
ye die O house of Israel zech 33.11 But now to his Discipleâ—… addes But blessed are your eyes for they and your ears for they hear As the reaâ—… still why it was given to them to know mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven 〈◊〉 they winked not with or closed their 〈◊〉 nor stopped their ears as the obstinate 〈◊〉 rebellious ones Zech. 7.11 12. But 〈◊〉 trariwise they see and heard they leâ—… and received the light vouchsafed and discoveries it made and the voice truth brought to them and what it sâ—… fied and therefore they were blessed dued with greater capacity of seeing 〈◊〉 hearing more understanding and inlaâ—… ment in spirit Matt. 13.11 12 13 14 16. like to which also was that answer ven by Christ to Judas when he asked hâ—… Why he would manifest himself to them 〈◊〉 not to the world the refusers and rejecâ—… of him Joh. 14.22 23 24 If any manâ—… me saith he he will keep my words and â—…ther will love him and we will come unto 〈◊〉 and make our abode with him He that â—…eth me not keepeth not my sayings c. To â—…em that turn at his reproofs He powres out 〈◊〉 Spirit and makes known his words but 〈◊〉 them that set at naught his counsels and â—…ll none of his reproofs he doth not so nor â—…e they in a fit posture for it yea such a carriage provokes him to give them up to their 〈◊〉 lusts and let them walk after their own â—…eâ—…sels Prov. 1.23 24 25. Psa 81.10 11 12. 〈◊〉 that both mens first complying with or â—…t complying with the light and truth â—…herewith God by Christ prevents them is â—…e exercise of their voluntary choise not â—…e necessity or excellency of their natures â—…th are mercifully prevented by Grace â—…r God fashions their hearts alike before he â—…nsiders their works to approve the one or â—…ndemn or be angry with the other â—…sal 33.15 He that chuseth to comply 〈◊〉 the grace that prevents him chuseâ—…â—…t of himself nor hath any liberty thereto â—…t as Grace prevents strengthens and inâ—…ines him thereto but yet Grace works â—…t so as not to leave him a capacity of â—…hoise or refusal but gives him the capacity 〈◊〉 chuse excites him thereto and directs â—…d strengthens him therein and he volunâ—…rily obeying it is approved commended followed with more grace and made wisâ—… to Salvation and useful for the good 〈◊〉 others though this last according to God free pleasure more absolutely who distributes his gifts for usefulness differently 〈◊〉 those that are made spiritual ones as he see good as is plainly asserted 1 Cor. 12.7 8. To one is given by the Spirit the word of wâ—…dome to another the word of knowledg by 〈◊〉 same Spirit to another the working of Mirâ—…cles c. But all these worketh one and the sâ—… same Spirit dividing to every man severally 〈◊〉 He will The others rejection is not 〈◊〉 want of or from any defect in preventing grace for wisdome calls and stretches out â—…hand that is puts forth her power for helpfulness and in the day of Salvation is succoâ—…ing them also that they might hear and obeâ—… and chuse the fear of the Lord Prov. 1.22 23 24 25. 2 Cor. 6.1 2. and would gather thâ—… also Matt. 23.37 but it proceeds from thâ—… mere voluntary choice of the Will or Soâ—… in them chusing to retain its Idol lust 〈◊〉 way of iniquity It s true before the graâ—… of God prevents and works men naturalâ—… and necessarily do evil and follow afâ—… vanity But that 's not the thing for which God is angry and provoked to deny 〈◊〉 withold his grace for notwithstanding thâ—… He prevents them Yea that is matter 〈◊〉 pity and commiseration to Him to see men naturally under such a power and necessity of evil but mens rejections are condemned â—…s they are their voluntary and unnecessiated choises of evil after grace preventing â—…hem counsels and excite them to do better â—…hence This is the condemnation that Light 〈◊〉 come into the world and men love darkness â—…ather than light because their deeds are evil â—…oh 3.19 And Because I called and ye reâ—…used I stretched out my hand saith wisdome â—…nd no man regarded Ye have set at nought all â—…y counsels and would none of my reproofs I also will laugh at your calamity and mock when â—…our fear cometh Then they shall call upon â—…e but I will not answer they shall seek me â—…arly but shall not find me For that they hated knowledg and did not chuse the fear of the Lord therefore shall they eat the fruit of their â—…wn way and be filled with their own devices Prov. 1.24 25 26 28 29 31. What our â—…aviour saith to the Jews refusing him â—…nd his words being in a sense and measure more generally true viz. If I had â—…ot come and spoken to them they had not had â—…in but now they have no cloke for their sin He that hateth me hateth my Father also and so generally he that hateth the way and means of Gods conveighing his divine light and power as such hates him that so conveighs it If I had not done among them thâ—… works that no other man did they had not haâ—… sin but now they have both seen and hated bâ—… me and my Father John 15.22 23 24. Yeâ—… though we say that some men attain to wiâ—…dome through their voluntary complying with the grace of God preventing them and others fail thereof through their wilful râ—…fusings of that grace which prevents them which had it been complyed with would also have made them wise yet we alwayâ—… reserve to God as is meet his own Soveraign liberty and freedome of preventing the one or other with more or less afforâ—…ing more or less clear means or discoveries of his truth in and by those means exeâ—…cising longer or less patience towards theâ—… or taking more ordinary or extraordinaâ—… courses with them For as sometimes 〈◊〉 makes some Sinners examples of his Seâ—â—rity for admonishing others and exciting them to Repâ—â—tance who were not leâ—… Sinners than those whom He makes examples Luke â—…3 1 2 3 4 5. So He may aâ—… sometimes doth make some as bad as 〈◊〉 thers examples or special instances of hâ—… mercy for the moving others to seek meâ—…cy of Him and incouraging them to hoâ—… for it from Him in their seeking it 1 Tim. 13.15 16. Now of those that are made wise it is said They shall shine c. Where we may further inquire 1. What these wise men are and where 〈◊〉 their wisdome stands or is evidenced 2. What is imported in its being said They shall shine as the brightnefs of the firmament 1. These wise men we have seen are such â—…s are made so through the Grace of God â—…ringing Salvation to them closed and complyed with by them with a wisdome â—…hat no man hath by and of himself or by â—…is own mere strength and industry but by â—…he Grace of God in Christ Jesus by which as
too short whereupon he cannot stretch himself a covering too scaâ—… wherein he cannot wrap himself Isa 28.20 Thus the Jews sought after righteousness bâ—… obtained it not because they sought not bâ—… faith in believing Gods testimony but 〈◊〉 it were by the works of the Law and submitteâ—… not to the righteousness of God even to Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes Rom. 9.31 32. and 10.3 4. with 3.20 Gal. 3.10 Psa 143.2 and so some not believing Jesus Christ the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world and to have died and given himself a ransome for all and to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world though fully and plainly attested of God in the testimony of the holy Scriptures but through their ignorance how to make those sayings according to their plain import agree with other sayings of Scripture which they rightly understand not or having an high esteem some of them of such holy and precious men as they believe them to be and possibly in the main some such may be or have been God not imputing their ignorances and mistakes that have found out some uncouth ways of interpreting those plain sayings to elude the evident voice of them as that by All is meant only some of all sorts by Every one every one that believes and by the world and whole world only all the Elect whereas the Scriptures speak of the Elect as a party taken and chosen out of the world and so no part of it but distinct from it as in Joh. 15.16.19 they hinder themselves and others from the right and clear understanding and perception of that love and pity of God to man that as reacâ—…ing and including them would be powerful to reconcile them to God and save them being believed and perceived by them Titus 2.11 12 13. and 3.4 5. 1 Joh. 4.14.19 and put themselves and others upon other by-courses to find out that Christ dieâ—… for them and that they have good ground to believe on and hope in him and so theâ—… run to the Law or Works or endeavour to lay a row of frames and good qualitieâ—… below him to lay him upon not having him for the bottome foundation for while they think Christ died only for the Elect they also necessarily think they must know their Election before they can know that He died for them and so that they have any right to come to or believe on him and so oftentimes it happens that some conceiting themselves to be better framed that others think with the Pharisees they are more beholden to God than they despiâ—…sing them and trusting in themselves that they be righteous and his Elect ones and others not able to find any such goodness or betterness in themselves as may persuade them that God loves them better oâ—… hath elected them are ready to distract themselves or run to desperation and indeed how should any works or frames not proceeding from and begotten by the first appearance of Gods love in Christ to men but preceding the perception thereof be good evidences of their Election which is in Christ Jesus and not before or out of him Surely whereas the Apostles say they were after the appearance of the love and pity of God to mankind saved by his mercy those may rather say they were so far saved before as to know their Election or else for their believing on Christ as a Saviour appointed of God for them they have no foundation and what a pudder they put themselves and others into about knowing the rightness of their frames too is wonderful so that as the Wise man saith * Though I do not judge so rashly as to conclude either all of the one apprehension wise nor all of the other in these points to be fools or wicked The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them because be knoweth not how to go to the City Eccl. 10.15 While he who is the way to it and the gate for admission and the openness of it for all men as sinners and enemies and lost ones in themselves though in respect of the parting with all in entring it and the persecutions or trials thereupon attending it is strait and that Grace of God towards all mankind displayed in him which being believed and minded engages moves and strengthens to enter it is rejected of them But they that are truly in Christ and wisâ—… in Him so far as in Him understand all things in a measure though not all as yet to perfection But from this right judgment proceeds also and is found in these wisâ—… men 2. A renewing of the mind Ephes 4.23 Rom. 12.2 Naturally and according to the course of this world while mens understandings are dark and void of judgment and discretion the mind is full of vanity air and emptiness exercised about things that cannot profit save or do good because vain Loving vanity and following after leasings Psal 4.2 Ephes 4.17 18. Yea noâ—… only Vanity but wicked works possess it Col. 1.21 The minding of the flesh Rom. 8.7 and of earthly things Phil. 3.19 setting the mind on things below savouring and nursing on them are mentioned as things that men ignorant of the truth are guilty of Coâ—… los 3.2 Men of corrupt minds are they that are destitute of the truth 1 Tim. 6.5 even as Children Fools mind Bables Toys Butterflies Trifles and the like while understanding men are exercised in considering weightieâ—… and more useful matters even so the foolish unrenewed mind being destitute of the â—…rinciples of truth for want of understanding and credit given to them is taken up with sensual earthy and worldly vanities â—…eglecting and not taking good heed to â—…hat is of greatest worth and concernment â—…o the Souls happiness like to that foolish â—…mperour that busied himself with catching â—…lies while others were busie to catch away is Empire so fares it with fools or evil â—…ersons which are all one in Scripture language they are busie in minding the riches â—…onours or pleasures of this life Sciences falsly so called or notions of truths crotâ—…hets and conceits elegancy of phrase and â—…peech and such things while remaining â—…gnorant of the truth and not setting their minds to the things of eternal life Sathan â—…atches away their Souls and eternal life from them even while they set not their â—…earts to seek and get the knowledg of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ to obey his heavenly calls and counsels and walk in the exercise and practise of these things that are well-pleasing in his sight But they that are truly wise persons are renewed in some measure in the spirit of their minds so as their hearts and affections are taken with and their minds are exercised about the things which they see in the light of the Gospel of God to be excellent and glorious they are minding the Spirit and thâ—… things thereof which is life and peace
foresight of dangers with a prudent provident care to prevent them and this also because his Eyes are in his Head and he makes use of them to look before him even to what is yet to come And he hath so good a fight through the spirit of wisedome given him in and through the faith of Christ and shewing him things to come as that he sees things afar off and what others see not even the end of ways and events and issues of courses good or evil before they be come upon men He sees the effects in the causes and the fruit in the root and in the nature of the stock and juice it springs from whereas the fooâ—… and evil man seeth not things till they bâ—… come or just upon them for he wants thâ—… eye of Faith or which the Faith or Gospeâ—… of Christ received gives and he hath noâ—… or uses not that heavenly prospective-glasâ—… which makes evident things not otherwise seen and shews the things that are far of in their true magnitude as if they werâ—… near hand thus it s said The prudent maâ—… foreseeth the evil and hideth himself the spirâ—… tually wise and good man seeth it before 〈◊〉 be come into other mens sight or view oâ—… before it be upon him and he seeth thâ—… place of refuge where he may be safe from it and escape its dint and thither betake himself and there hides himself that 〈◊〉 find him not out He knows that in Chriâ—… Jesus there is salvation and deliveranâ—… from all that is evil and may hurt him froâ—… the World or Devil and that in repentinâ—… if gone astray from him returning to anâ—… believing on him and obeying his Worâ—… and Doctrine and abiding therein hâ—… shall not perish under whatever may happen to or in the world but he shall havâ—… everlasting life and therefore he betake himself to him his counsels and instructâ—…ons and follows them trusting to hâ—… Promises and so he is safe and hidden but the simple pass on and are punished they transgress and go beyond the bounds God hath set them they abide not in the Doctrine of Christ to believe and obey that and seeing no evil come upon them nor any appearance of it they go on on on in their deceitful ways till the sad issue of them come upon them they cry peace peace hoping for and promising themselves safety and security till punishment befals them till sudden destruction comes upon them as Travail upon a Woman with Child and they shall not escape it Prov. 22.3 27.12 1 Thes 5.2 3. But the Wise with the prudent and provident Ant they foresee a Winter before â—…t be arrived while yet the Summer and Harvest last and the Sun shines warm upon them and they provide against it come provide their meat in the Summer and gather their food in the Harvest Prov. 6.7 8. 30.25 They know that though no Wild-Beast be yet upon them yet many such there are many evil spirits and evil men full of Craft Power and Cruelty and that they are not 〈◊〉 themselves able to encounter with them and make their party good against them they being a feeble folk in themselves and therefore preparing against the worst they with the Conies make their houses and habitatiâ—…ns in the rock they make the Lord their refuge the most High their habitation Pro. 30.26 Ps 91.9 They know that though the light be sweet its a pleasant thing for the eye to see the Sun yet the time of darkness will come too and that though a man may live many days rejoice in them all yet the days of darkness will or may be many because all that cometh is vanity and therefore they remember God their Creator in the days of their youth or choise before the evil days come and those years draw neer in which they shall say they have no pleaâ—…ure in them Eccles 11.7 8. 12.1 knowing and minding that in the world the followers of Christ must have tribulation and are lyable to many tryals and temptations and that they are often and may be so to themselves deep and heavy and of long continuance They with the wise Virgins are careful to furnish their Vessels with Oyle before they give rest to their Souls that so if long tryals come upon them and Christ defer his coming to help and deliver them figured out in the Parable by the Bridegrooms staying till midnight yet their Lamps may burn and shine and not go out that is they mind the word of God and knowledge of Christ and treasure it up within them laying up in store a good foundation therein against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life They meditate the Law and Doctrine of the Lord day and night and walk therein that they may have such hope and trust in the Lord as to be made like the tree planted by the waters side and that spreads out her roots by the Rivers that is not careful in the year of drought sees not or is not hurt by any evil nor ceases from bearing fruit c. Mat. 25.1 4 7 10. Jer. 17.7 8. and so they lay up knowledge and keep it within them Prov. 10.14 14.33 22.18 and yet so as they make use of it too to shine as Lamps by it and give light to others and so there is in them also 7. A right use making of their knowledg as it is said the lips of the righteous feed many Pro. 10.21 the tongue of the righteous useth knowledge aright Prov. 15.2 for as they keep knowledge Prov. 5.2 so they disperse it too Prov. 15.7 and so they use it not for pride and ostentation to puff up themselves with it or do hurt by it to others as fools sinners do increasing therethrough their own guilt punishment but to do good to instruct others so they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teachers as the Margin reads it or such as make others wise that is are Instruments of it in the hand of God As it is also said The wise in heart they thai with the hart believe the Gospel unto righteousness shall be â—…alled prudent and the sweetness of the lips â—…ncreaseth learning with the mouth confession is made to salvation For understanding is a well spring of life both to himself and others to him that hath it Whereas the instruction of fools is folly The heart of the wise teacheth or maketh wise his mouth and addeth learning to his lips Pleasant words are as honey comb sweet to the soul and health to the bones of them namely that hear and duly receive them Prov. 16.21 22 23 24. Rom. 10.10 and so we may take in here that other reading The Teachers or Instructers shall shine c. but then we must couple in the former reading with it and understand it of such Teachers as are also themselves wise in the points spoken to and explicated such as do first hear and obey
a righteous demeanour conversation and walking proposed to us in the Scriptures of truth in the word and doctrine of the Gospel to be followed after by us in the receiving of and walking in Christ Jesus which the grace of God that brings Salvation or is saving to all men teacheth Tit. 2.11 12. 1 Tim. 6.11 and All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable to instruct and direct us in and promote in us 2 Tim. 3.15 16. 3. That men may be turned to this righteousness from their unrighteous state and practices or they may be made partakers and practicers thereof It is true no man can of himself turn himself thereto or make himself righteous therewith This also is of God who as he made his Son who knew no sin sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him so also sent his Son to bless us in turning every one of us from our iniquities Acts 3.26 and hath put his spirit upon him that he might bring forth judgement to us By whom he hath also given forth his Law and Doctrine which is a ministration of the spirit and so is perfect converting the soul Psal 19.7 and of righteousness 2 Cor. 3.8 9. The Gospel or preaching of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth yea and the word of faith by which seriously heard and minded the heart is perswaded to believe Rom. 1.16 10.8.17 Isa 55.3 With this our Lord Jesus sent his Servants to open the eyes of the blind and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 True it is that all have not this Law and Doctrine of God alike clearly nor some at all declared to them but even there the goodness or kindness of God as otherwise evidenced is leading them to repentance to which also his chastisments provokes them And though they cannot by those less clear means attain to that understanding and abundance of consolation as men may by the clearer means the Law and Doctrine of God as audibly and distinctly made known at least ordinarily and without miracle yet they that by such means fear God and work righteousness or keep the righteousness of the Law their uncircumcision is counted circumcision and God through and by means of Christ accepts them Acts 10.34 Rom. 2.4 5 26 27. But the choice way and means that God useth for conversion and turning of men to himself is the preaching of the Gospel That being a preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ Luke 24.46 47. and therein Christ is set forth a Prince and a Saviour giving repentance and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 though so as yet men are therefore required to listen to him and in hearing to receive the grace he gives for turning them so as to repent and be converted that God may blot out their sins and forgive them Acts 3.19 Yea he now by and with the Gospel preached to all Nations commands all men every where to repent Acts 17.30 whereunto his Spirit is not straitned or shortned but so administred that his words do good to him that walks uprightly that doth not willingly and stubbornly decline the force of them winking with the eye that he might not see and hardning the heart that he might not understand and be converted but singly yields up to the power working therewith Mic. 2.7 Matt. 13 12-15 Acts 28.26 27. 4. That he makes use of Men and their Ministry or Service even such as he hath indued with wisedome and capacity thereto by holding forth that word law and doctrine and walking therein blamelesly to be means or instruments for converting men and bringing them to righteousness by bringing them to Christ Jesus to know believe on and obey him And such as are made wise and gracious themselves by that blessed word He commissionates and commands them to call others to Christ that they might be made wise and righteous also in and by him So He gave the word and great was the company of publishers of it Psal 68.11 and Christ being ascended on high gave gifts to men And He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists or Gospel-preachers some Pastors and Teachers furnishing them with gifts and appointing them in the exercise of those gifts to instruct others that are ignorant in the knowledg of Christ and thereby endeavour their conversion unto God Eph. 4 8-11 and so to make them Disciples to Christ and so wise and righteous persons Matt. 28.18 19 20. Mark 16.15 16. He hath set them as the salt of the earth and light of the world to be useful and profitable to others to draw them in also to glorifie God Mat. 5.13 14 15 16. Yea The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 and No man lights any candle to put it under a bushel or under a bed but to set it on a Candlestick that it may give light to all that come into the house Matt. 5.15 Every one that hears that in any measure udderstands and is obedient to the truth of the Gospel hath commission and command from Christ to call others to him endeavouring their coming to him that they may be made righteous Let him that heareth say Come Rev. 22.17 Christ commissionates neither all nor only University Scholars and those that are learned in the Arts and Sciences to be his Ministers Preachers of his Gospel and inviters of men to Him and so instruments of turning them to righteousness and makers of them righteous If they hear not his Call themselves and be not subject and obedient to Him He commissionates them not to be his Preachers nor accepts their service how learned soever otherwise they be For to the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee Psal 50.16 17. But whoso hears yea whither man or woman learned or unlearned in worldly Sciences they are bid to say Come and they may do it so they keep as all must within their bounds and go not beyond the proportion of Faith that they have received or behave not themselves disorderly A Woman indeed is not permitted to speak in the Church or Congregation nor to usurp authority over the man but otherwise if they have the gift they may pray or prophecy 1 Cor. 14.24 and 11.5 1 Tim. 2.11 12 and be Teachers of good things Tit. 2.3 and by their good conversaion may endeavour to win in their husbands that believe not the word 1 Pet. 3.1 the woman of Samaria was a good instrument by calling her neighbours to bring them to know Christ Joh. 4. and not only Aquila but Priscilla too instructed Apollos and helped to bring him to a perfecter understanding in the way of the Lord Acts 18.24 25 26. and we read in
rest at noon Cant. 1.7 Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples Chap. 2.5 and Thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause me to hear it Chap. 8.13 and Solomon or the wisdome of God by him joyns together the minding and receiving Gods word and praying or crying to God in Prov. 2 1-3.5 My Son if thoâ—… wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee so that thou encline thinâ—… car unto wisdome and apply thine heart to understanding yea if thou criest after knowledgâ—… and liftest up thy voice namely to God foâ—… understanding Then shalt thou understanâ—… the fear of the Lord the beginning or principal point of wisdome Cha. 1.7 and 9.10 and find the knowledg of God for the Lord giveth wisdome it is the Lords to give therefore needful to look and repair to him for it and He doth give it therefore there is good encouragement to seek and ask it of him Out of his mouth cometh knowledg and understanding But yet in and with this going to God and Christ for it both in taking heed to his Word and calling on his Name for it We must also 2. Buy it Go and buy of them that sell So the Holy Ghost counsels us to Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not wisdome and instruction and understanding Buy it however whatever it may cost thee but sell it not upon any terms whatsoever for the greatest gain or advantage that may be tendered to thee And again Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and ye that have no money come buy and eat buy wine and milk without money and without price Isaiah 55.1 and again saith our Lord Jesus I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou maist be rich and white raiment that thou maist be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear Revel 3.18 which are but the same with this heavenly Wisdome with its fruits and benefits Quest. But seeing those are invited to buy that have no money and to buy without money or price that is money-worth what must we pay or give for it or how can we be said to buy it Answ It is called a buying because as in buying there is a parting with something that we may acquire a right to or interest in or possession of another thing even of the thing that we buy So here there must be a letting go something though it be not truly money or any thing truly desireable much less any thing that may for its real worth be valuable with this heavenly Wisdome the price whereof is above Rubies so as it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir the precious Onyx or the Saphir yet it is what we are apt to prize at a high rate yea many do so highly prize it as that they will rather go without wisdome than part with it and that ihat is in general whatsoever is by wisdome reproved and whatsoever the heart cannot attend to wisdome to receive and walk thereafter except neglected and parted with by it as it is said Turn at my reproofs namely from all your Sins and Idols from every false way that I discover to be so as I discover it and from loving or cleaving to any thing so as to cause a neglect of me and of obedience to sayings And 〈◊〉 will poure out my spirit to you I will make known my words Pro. 23. as particularly to instance in some things or Heads of things 1. We must part with and let go our love of honour and applause with men and the leaning and relying on them their learning wisdome power multitude and be willing to suffer the loss of that esteem that we have or might have with them yea and to incurr their hatred reproaches or injuries as they may be occasioned by our cleaving to and walking in the truth this was one thing the not parting with which hindered the Jews from closing with Christ and so having the wisdome of God they received honour one of another and contented not themselves with or looked not after that honour that came from God only How can ye believe that so do saith our Saviour Joh. 5.44 yea this hindered many who in their hearts were convinced of the truth of Christ from attaining the wisdome that is by it that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God Joh. 12.43 they minded what the Rulers and Pharisees did and hung upon them that mislead them for direction Joh. 7.47 48 49. And so now if we love the praise and honour of men that are great and learned and make 〈◊〉 great noise and shew of their zeal and strictness as the Pharisees did and would as they be reputed the only wise religious and orthodox persons we shall mistake and do amiss If we prefer any mans seeming yea or real zeal and devotion or fame for piety or learning and value their approvement so as that we will be waved from Gods testimony thereby and them that cleave thereto though but a few and despised as our Saviours Disciples were we shall deprive our selves of wisdome Yea our Saviour tells us if we Come to him and hate not comparatively as in competition with him our Fathers Mothers Brethren Sisters Wives Children yea and our own lives also we cannot be his Disciples that is we cannot be good Scholars and proficients in his School so as to attain to be made wise and truly understanding persons Luke 14.26 He that loves Father or Mother more than him is not worthy of him and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than him is not worthy of him Matt. 10.37 2. We must part with all high thoughts and conceits of our own knowing understanding or sufficiency in our selves for that will cut off our legs as it were and take us off from travailing after and seeking for this heavenly wisdome for that wilâ—… make us lukewarm in our desires and endeavours after it and take us off from buying it as it did the Angel of the Church of Laodicea who saying in his heart that He was rich and increased with goods and wanted nothing not knowing his own wretchedness and misery poverty blindness and nakedness grew therethrough so luke warm that Christ threatned to spue him out of his mouth as some nauseous humour Rev. 3.16 17. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit there is more hope of a fool even of a mere fool's being made wise than of such an one Prov. 26.12 thence Wo to the wise in their own eyes and the prudent in their own sight Isai 5 21. for they think they know when they know not any thing as they ought to know 1 Cor. 8.2 and so grow scornful of such counsel and instructions as are needful for them to bring them to know and to be wise indeed so as they are ready with the Pharisees to say Are we blind also John 9.40 for the
their hearts being through the force anâ—… power of the light shining into their heart turned from darkness to light and from tâ—… power of Sathan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of their Sins and inheritanâ—… among the sanctified by the faith of Jesus Romans 8.7 Acts 26.18 thus it is said Tâ—… heart of him that hath understanding that hath received and retaines a right judgment and so is truly wise seeketh knowledg Prov. 15.14 Wise men see such an excellency in wisdome as they mind how 〈◊〉 obtain it such an excellency in the knowledâ—… of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and 〈◊〉 in the enjoyment of God and his favour through him as all other things are far below them in their esteemes and so in thâ—… exercise of their minds and thoughts aboâ—… them Yea they are loss and dross with theâ—… in comparison of those rich Jewels and thaâ—… Pearl of great price discerned by them Phâ—… lip 3.9 perceiving their own want of thoâ—… heavenly things as well as the worth anâ—… advantage of them it draws their mind from all other matters to think of and defire after them and indeed as we inâ—…mated above this is one part of a righâ—… judgment to understand our selves thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that is wise in his own eyes there is more hope of a fool a meer ignorant person than of him Prov. 26.12 The Angel of the Church of Laodicea that thought himself rich and encreased with goods and that he wanted nothing and knew not â—…hat he was wretched miserable poor blind â—…nd naked little minded the getting the â—…rue riches the Gold tried in the fire and the â—…rue covering for our nakedness the white â—…ayment of the righteousness that is of God by â—…he faith of Jesus Rev. 3.16 17 18. The full soul loaths the honey comb but to the empty soul that seeth its own emptiness and feels its â—…ants every bitter thing is sweet Prov. 27.7 This is the right judgment in the truly wise 〈◊〉 judg of God that He is infinitly full and â—…l-sufficient of Christ that He is infinitly excellent and precious and God in Him â—…finitly good loving and gracious but 〈◊〉 our selves and of all other things that â—…e and they are empty vain and unsatifâ—…ing creatures and therefore their mind 〈◊〉 on these things how they may be partakâ—…s of the fulness in God in Christ and as â—…ey receive thereof how to live to and â—…lorifie him and shew forth his vertues â—…nd praises to others also for their Salvatiâ—…n being lowly minded of and concerning themselves and their own things but admiring and thinking highly of the things of Christ yea and both these are joyned with 3. A right choise The wise man doth not only see the good and discern between it and the evil but he also chuseth the good and refuseth the evil He not only seeht and thinks that the instruction of wisdome iâ—… better than Silver and that knowledg iâ—… better than choise gold but he also receiveâ—… instruction and not silver and knowledg rather than choise gold Prov. 8.10 He not only seeth that the knowledg of Christ Jesus is Pearl of great price to be preferred far above all things else but with the wise merchant he lais hold of it and makes it his or with the Apostle Panl couuts all things 〈◊〉 loss and dung that he may win Christ Philip 3.8 9. Matt. 13.45 A fool or simpâ—… person not discerning between things thâ—… worth of the one and worthlesness in thâ—… other chuses by some outward shew 〈◊〉 appearance fancy or affection pleasaâ—… taste or delightfulness to the senses He receives Silver and not instruction and Goâ—… rather than the heavenly knowledg bâ—… cause he knows not the worth thereof Hâ—… is for the Barley corn with the dung-hâ—… Cock in the Fable or for the mire and diâ—… with the Swine rather than for the Pea and Jewel Heavenly things suit not his â—…alate they are far above out of his sight 〈◊〉 as he discerns not either their true beauty or real magnitude they seem to him as â—…e Stars do to our sight of far lesser quanâ—…ty and magnitude than the Hills and fountains of the earth Wisedome is too high 〈◊〉 a fool Prov. 24.7 The natural man reâ—…ives not the things of the Spirit He makes â—…t them the matters of his choice For â—…y are foolishness unto him neither can he â—…ow them because they are spiritually discern 〈◊〉 But he that is spiritual the truly wise â—…an discerneth all things 1 Cor. 2.14 15. â—…d therefore he also chuseth judiciously â—…th as to the end and means He makes â—…d and Christ his ultimate and highest â—…d his chief desire and good He halts 〈◊〉 between God and Baal but saith of the â—…rd He is my Rock my Fortress my God him will I trust Psal 91.2 And he chuses â—…d his hold on the direct ways and means the enjoyment of God He saith One â—…g have I desired of the Lord that I will 〈◊〉 after that I may dwell in the house of the â—…rd all the days of my life to behold the â—…uty or delight of the Lord and to inquire his holy Temple He knows God is to be â—…nd in his own house in Christ Je 〈◊〉 and in or among them that are united in heart and spirit with him his true and truly holy Church and therefore he chuse acquaintance with them and resolves therâ—… to seek after and wait for him He knowâ—… his dwelling place is in Sion and therefore he sets his face thitherward and chuses thâ—… way thereto to walk therein thus Davâ—… saith also I have chosen the way of truth thâ—… judgments have I set before me I have stuâ—… unto thy testimonies c. and thy testimoniâ—… have I taken as an heritage for ever for thâ—… are the joy and the rejoicing of my heart Psaâ—… 119.30 31 111. A simple man or sinâ—… fool may somtimes see and be convincâ—… in his judgment that there is a betterneâ—… in the love and favour of God and in tâ—… knowledg of Christ Jesus than in othâ—… things a betterness in wisdome than in 〈◊〉 the riches and pleasures of this world bâ—… yet because there is an easiness in the acqâ—…ring these or a present sensual delight be found in them whereas in the way the other there is something of difficuâ—… and appearing danger and a remoteness the good in them from the present seâ—… sight or feeling The way narrow and gate streight that leads to life whereas ways of flesh and world are broad and gates to those enjoyments wide and eaâ—… therefore he chuseth the worse part â—…her to gratifie his sense and sensual lust â—…nd appetite than to take pains to obtain â—…hose far better spiritual enjoyments like â—…at wicked Queen that cried out Video meliora proboque deteriorâ—… sequor I see and do approve the better things Follow the worser if it pleasure brings Thus it is with men in whom judgment â—…th not