whore But what saith the holy Ghost Rejoyce over her thou heaven thou Church of Christ and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven saying Alleluia salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God For true and righteous are his judgements for he hath judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand They that belong to the kingdom of Christ rejoyce and give thanks in this case who are they that lament but those that belong to the prince of darknesse Fourthly This should stir up all who are loyall-hearted subjects of Christ to labour more fully to subject themselves unto him And first endeavour to take deeper rooting in Christ by faith that ye may partake more of the power and Spirit of Christ for He according to his working is able to subdue all things to Himself The more ye have of Christ the more shall your spirits be subjected unto Christ Dilate your hearts by faith in sweet and free meditations on the promises that ye may let in more of Christ into your souls His entrance into the soul is the ruine of Satans strong holds when He is exalted in the heart lust will sink corruption will be weakned Meditations on the Law and on the wrath of God may be of great use to prepare the way of Christ but it is the presence and power of Christ possessing the heart which doth the work For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil that is spoken of his manifestation to the world in generall It holdeth true in this case the more Christ is manifested to any beleever in particular the more are the works of the devil destroyed in him and the more is that soul subjected unto Christ The cause why Satans bulwarks are not more fully demolished and our spirits so little subdued unto Christ is because we have but obscure discoveries of Christ Secondly Labour to be more and more humble and sencible of your own vilenesse Self-abasing is the lifting up of Christ The spirit that stoopeth lowest is best prepared to become a throne for Christ For thus saith the High and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit This may seem strange that the highest place in heaven and the lowest hearts on earth should be the fittest thrones for Christ And why the heart that is lowest in humility is highest in excellency in his esteeme the spirit that is lifted up to the greatest height of pride is lowest for vilenesse and basenes in his account God resiâ—teth the proud because they lift up themselves against His royall Majesty and giveth grace to the humble because they yeeld him subjection Humility maketh way for more grace and so for more full subjection unto Christ They that delight to lie at the footstool of Christ in humility shall see Christ sitting in the throne of their hearts shall be exalted to sit with Christ in his throne of glory Thirdly Keep a continuall watch A Commander who knoweth many of his Souldiers to be ill affected to the cause wherein he is engaged and ready to raise a mutiny or that hath many sturdy prisoners in his Camp that wait an opportunity to act mischief had need set a strong guard upon them and keep a watchfull eye over them So a Christian finding many treacherous lusts in his heart ready upon occasion to break into actuall rebellion against Christ had need be very watchfull if he be slumbering they will soon be acting mischief Watch therfore and if they begin to stir execute martiall Law upon them presently Let them dye without mercy that thy soul may live and Christ may reign Fourthly Keep peace with God and let the peace of God rule in thine heart that so thy soul may rest in a sweet subjection under the government of Christ the Prince of peace whilest the hearts of others are hurried up and down with divers and contrary lusts being like the raging sea casting up mire and dirt As the point is of universal concernment to all degrees of persons so I have carried it on in the Application I yet desire liberty for one word to this Honourable Audience whom it especially concerneth Much honoured in the Lord I beseech You take home to your selves what hath been spoken to you and others in the Name of Christ labour to make it your own This is that which would make your memories precious to posterity and cause future generations to call you blessed yea this will enable you to give up your last account with joy if first your own spirits shall be truly subdued to the Lord Jesus Christ and then if your Parliamentary counsels and proceedings shal be such as savour of the loyalty of your hearts toward this King of Saints The Apostle seemeth to have been wonderfully affected with a work of mercy performed by private Christians in relieving the necessities of their poore Brethren For saith he the administration of this service not onely supplyeth the want of the Saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God whilest by the experiment of this ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ How much more shall the right administration of this publick Service wherein ye are engaged and the faithful discharge of this great trust committed to You not only supply the wants and make up the breaches of Church and State but also be abundant by many thanksgivings unto God enlarging the hearts and opening the mouthes of thousands of the godly whilest by the experiment of this publick ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ And if the Apostle in that case did break out so affectionately how much more shall the faithfull have cause to lift up the praises of their God and to say Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift Blessed be God for a Parliament that subjected themselves and all their power and authority to Him whom God hath set at His own right hand far above principalities and powers and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in the world to come for a Parliament who in all their legislative Acts hold respect to their subordination to that supream Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy who were tender of the glory of the Lord Jesus of the purity of his truth and worship and would not for a world infringe any of His royal prerogatives Ye have mighty engagements hereunto And therefore for conclusion let me set before you Davids case and his example It is God that avengeth me and subdueth the people under me Hath not God avenged you and wonderfully subdued the people under you far beyond the hopes of those that were most confident among you He delivereth me from mine enemies yea thou hast lifted me up above those that rise up against me thou hast delivered me from the violent man Cannot ye say after him verbatim and apply all to your selves word for word What cause have you to conclude with him Therefore will I give thanks unto the Lord among the heathen and will sing praises unto thy Name Labour in thankfulnesse to make the Name of the Lord glorious among the heathen heathenish Christians that are strangers to him in divers parts of the Land by propagating the Gospel and giving necessary encouragement to those that publish it And remember that Christs highest end in al his works and therefore certainly in such admirable works is Himself not the greatnâ—sse of the creature who enjoyeth the comfort of them but the honour of His own great Name Oh learn therefore to seek not your own things but the things of Jesus Christ For consider how great things He hath done for you FINIS Iosh. 5. 13 14 Theod. â— 4. cap. 6. Ver. 17. Ver. 18 19. V. 20. 21. Isa. 9. 6. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Doct. Rev. 1. 5. 7. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 24 25 Col. 1. 16 17. Heb. 1. 3. 1 Col. 2. 10 2 â— Pet 2. 4. Iude 6. Iob 2. 6 1 Cor. 6. 5 3 1 King â—9 11. 12. 2 Cor. 7. 5. Phil. 4. 22. 4 5 Dan. 2. 35. 6. Rev. 18. 24. â— Pet. 3. 6 7. V. 10 11. V. 13. 1 Cor. 15. 26. 54. Vse 1. Cant. â— 4. Rev. 16. 16. 2 Thes. 2. 8. Revel. 11. 15 16 17. Vse 2. Gâ—n 41. 43. 1. 1 Tim. 6. 15. Rev. 19. 16. 2 1 Cant. 2. 4. Heb 12. 10. Rom. 8. Rom 6. 14. 3. 4. 5. Psal. 58. 11. Prov. 11. 18. 2 Tim. 4. Rom. 6. 22. Exod. 33. 19 20. 3. Psal. 90. 11. Luk. 19. 27. Psal. 2. 3 4 c. V. 9. 10. Vse 3. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 8 9. Ioh. 4. 14. Matth 7. 13 14 Luk. 13 24. 2. Act 11 22 â—3 3. Psal. 2. Rom. 7. Psal. 40. 8. 4. Rev. 18. 4 5. Ver 20. Cap. 19. 1. c. Vse 4. 1 â— Ioh. 3 8. 2 Isa. 57. 15 3 4 2 Cor. 9. 12 13. Ver. 15. Psal. 18. 47 48 Ver. 49. 1 Sam. 12. 24.
power in heaven and earth and is able to subdue all things to himself and not only the power but the efficacy the working acting exerting of his Almighty arm As if he had said let the materials be never so untoward and seemingly uncapable of that form which is to be put upon them if they fall into the haâ—ds of Christ he is able to work them into any shape he can of stones raise up children unto Abraham and of carkasses mouldred into dust raise up bodies like to his own glorious body And in asmuch as the Apostle doth not confine his speech to this particular of changing the bodies of the Saints but enlargeth himself in an universal expression of the efficacy or working of Christs Almighty power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself I purpose to follow him herein presenting you with this observation from the text that Jesus Christ can and will effectually subdue all things to himself The Spirit of God hath expressed the Majesty and Almighty power of Christ in a lofty style Jesus Christ who is the faithfull witnes and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the earth Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him and all the Kinreds of the Earth shall wâ—y'e because of him even so Amen I am Alpha and Omega The Beginning and the Ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} The Almighty The Alpha and beginning who gave being and beginning to all things the Omega and the ending who giveth ending unto all or putteth them into their last condition bringeth all things to their uttermost period and finall issue He shall put down all rule and all authority and power For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet By him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth c. all things were created by him and for him The most mighty and excellent among all the creatures were created by him and therefore must be subordinate to him they were created for him and therefore must be subservient to him either by a voluntary submission or a compulsive subjection {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and by him all things consist Their beings have no consistency but would dissolve the frame of their nature would be disjoynted and fall asunder did not he hold them together and therefore how easie is it for him to subdue them to himself He that by the word of his power upholdeth all things from sinking into nothing can without the least difficulty subdue all things to himself A man that holdeth a lump of dust in his hand which hath no consistency but onely by the hand that holdeth it together but would fall asunder and scatter assoone as he leteth it go can easily cast it at his feet and trample on it at his pleasure Much more may Christ who gave being to all the creatures and now supporteth their beings bring them under as he pleaseth For the farther cleering and strengthening of this truth let us consider the various workings and different wayes of exercising this power of his for the subduing of all things to himself First In regard of different objects Secondly In respect of different ends and uses Thirdly In regard of difference of times Fourthly when there seemeth no difference in respect of objects ends or times he may according to the counsell of his own will work diversly for the more glorious manifestatioÌ„ of his wisdom and power as a curious artizan may vary his workmanship upon the same kind of materials intended for the same use to give farther proof of his skill and abilities But because these are so complicated and interwoven that the three last will fall in with the first and it would require much time to pursue every one of them distinctly I purpose to insist onely upon the first taking the rest in collaterally These objects which Christ hath to work upon are either rationall creatures or such as are void of the principles of reason The former are Angels or men The Angels which are holy He preserveth in that state of subjection to Himself wherein they continued when the rest left their habitation upholding them not onely in their beings but in the integrity and perfection of their beings whose perfection is their voluntary subordination to the Son of God Christ Jesus who is the Head of all principality and power and so they are ministring Spirits unto Him imployed as a Convoy to his people in the wildernesse of the world untill they arrive at that eternall rest which he hath purchased for them As for the apostate angels by an act of justice and power He cast them down into everlasting chains under darknesse where he holdeth them prisoners untill the great Assize the judgement of the last day And though for the present He is not pleased to keep them close prisoners but seemeth to give them the liberty of the prison and sometime to lengthen their chains suffering them to range abroad for the executing of his judgements in divers kinds upon the wicked and for the exercise and trial of the godly out of all which He getteth glory to His great Name yet still He keepeth them chained that is under the restraint of His Almighty Arm not permitting them to stir an inch beyond the bounds which He hath set them as themselves intimated when they begged leave of Him to enter into the herd of swine and when Satan petitioned the Lord for a Commission to plunder holy Job and then to have it enlarged for afflicting of his person when the Lord gave him greatest liberty it was with limitation But save his life So that the devils now are Christ His prisoners and should not be suffered to walk up and down the world had He not use of them for such ends as those formerly hinted However they stir not one foot without their keeper viz. the over-ruling power of Christ But at the last day they shall be fully and for ever subdued by the almighty power of Christ never to stir more against any of His Yea these apostate angels shall be so absolutely brought under by Christ that His very servants shall sit in judgement upon them I am perswaded it will be a wonderfull torment to these proud spirits who have affected a principality yea a godhead in the world to be convented before men as their judges who were their inferiours by Creation and are of the seed of that woman who was long since vanquished by the devill But as these Angels good and evill are invisible spirits so the workings of Christ in subduing them seem more invisible and secret than those which He exerciseth upon those rationall creatures which are visible viz. men and women which are to be
considered in the next place These we may look upon either 1. as single persons or 2. as associated and combined in Societies Kingdoms Common-wealths c. As single persons they are either vessels of mercy and honour or vessels of wrath and dishonour The former He subdueth by the Scepter of His Gospel and power of His grace secretly but effectually and infallibly bowing and subjecting their souls and whole man to the government of His Spirit constraining them by His love shed abroad in their hearts and bringing them under a regiment of love sweetning His commands with discoveries of His love and as it were oyling His yoke with love so making it easie to them and teaching them to obey in love and to walk in love as He hath loved them and given Himself for them giving His own Spirit possession of their hearts and making them one with Himself and so subjecting them to Himself as members to their Head And this He doth by degrees leaving something in them unsubdued while they are absent from Him in the body which as it is displeasing to Him so it is grievous to them but in the end He will not leave any thing in them either of soul or body unsuitable to Himself but will bring them into a full subjection and conformity transforming their bodies into the likenesse of His own glorious body and their souls into the likenesse of His own perfect holinesse fulnesse of joy and blessednesse But although He useth this sweet way of working with them for this blessed end as that which is most direct and proper yet sometimes He prepareth them by terrours putting on the countenance of an enemy and handling them roughly as Joseph did his Brethren dealing with them in his approaches toward them as with the Prophet Elâ—jâ—h sending before him a great and strong wind renting the mountains and breaking in peeces the rocks and after the winde an earthquake and after the earthquake a fire dreadfull representations of His wrath and convictions of their guilt but after cometh the still soft voice the Word of promise and reconciliation a word of peace and pardon Yea when they are in some degree subdued to Him He doth sometime suffer them to be exercised with renewed terrours on their spirits and outward afflictions to be troubled on every side with fightings without and fears within to prepare them for farther subjection and conformity to Himself The workings of Christ in this kinde have been more glorious and conspicuous in some ages than in others as in the times of the Apostles and the ages next after when thousands were subdued at once Cities and Nations were brought in subjection to Christ the devill raged and stirred up his instruments to oppose the growth of Christ His kingdom with fire and sword Nec eò minùs ad Apostolorum vocem gentes commoventur principum aulae legionesque adeo ipsae in Christi partes propendent nutant as one saith the world is stirred notwithstanding at the summons of Christ His Ambassadours and the Courts of Princes and the legions of military men are ready to yeeld and bow their ensignes to the Majesty of the Lord Jesus What a cordiall was that which the Apostle sent to these beleevers at Philippi All the Saints salute you chiefly those of Cesars houshold A glorious spectacle to see the banner of Christ advanced upon the turrets of Nero his palace So when Luther was raised up to restore the light there was another age wherein Christ was pleased in a more than ordinary manner to shew himself victorious The States of the Empire meeting at Noremberg thought to moderate things according to principles of policie But what saith Luther to this Longè aliter conclusum est in coelo quam Norembergae The conclusion made in Heaven differed much from that at Noremberg as the event demonstrated Certatim enim Principes Civitates Imperii doctrinam repurgatam introduxerunt For the Princes and Imperiall Cities did as it were out-vye each other in a speedie entertainment of the reformed Religion Christ would not wait the leisure of the State But as for the vessels of wrath although he dealeth diversly with them in regard of his intermediate dispensations raising some of them to great dignity arming them with power that so He may make his power known upon them leaving others in a lowe condition and thereby disarming their malice giving some of them Esau his portion the dew of heaven and the fatnesse of the earth suffering them to fat themselves to the day of slaughter and to aggravate their condemnation by unthankfulnesse denying others this worldly abundance and laying upon them many temporall judgements as the beginnings of sorrows whereby their stubbornesse becometh more unexcusable suffering some of them to break forth into more outragious wickednesse circumscribing others within the circle of morality and civility enduring some of them with much long-suffering and patience surprizing others in their sins not suffering them to live out half their dayes bringing some of them under powerfull means of salvation giving them precious opportunities which they despise or neglect shutting others out of the confines of his Church c. yet in the issue he subdueth them all by strong hand breaking them by his power because they stoup not to his authority and as he doth execute exemplary vengeance upon many of them in this life so at the last day He will bring them all under his feet and cast them into utter darknesse where they shall never be able to lift up their heads or hands against Him or his But there is yet another consideration of men and women as they are united or combined in Societies Common-wealths c. Some of these He so far subdueth as to cause them to promote His Cause propagate His Gospel protect His Church as the Kingdom of Israel in the dayes of David and Solomon the Kingdom of Judah in the reign of Jehoshaphat Hezekiah c. the Romane Empire under Constantine Valentinian Theodosius c. Others He so ordereth as to make them suffer his Church to sojourn among them as Aegypt in the dayes of that Pharaoh who knew Joseph the Empire of Rome in the times of Vespasian Titus Nerva Antoninus Pius Proâ—us Some of them He hath reduced to more moderation after they began to stretch out their hands to vex certain of the Church as it is said of Trajane Adrian Antoninus Verus and others But as for those whose rage was implacable hath not the Lord Christ set His face against them for evill rebuking Kings and Rulers for His peoples sake saying Touch not mine anointed and do my Prophets no harm destroying Noble and Royall Families subverting Common-wealths and Empires that he might avenge the bloud of his Saints cutting off Nero Domitian and others degrading Dioclesian and his Colleague In such cases somtimes he destroieth some of his enemies by others expelling one poyson by an other
were to Cesars Souldiers he slighteth them all in all these {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} we do more than conquer through him that loved us it may seem more proper to have said through the Almighty power of Christ our Captain But he chuseth the sweet attribute of love shewing that it is a speciall act of his love that he leadeth on his followers to such conflicts intending to make them happy gainers more than conquerours I beleeve so many would turn Souldiers that we should want hands for other imployments if they could be assured of two things First to be entirely beloved of their Commander as his own right arm Secondly that they should return with safety and victory This is the happinesse of all the servants and souldiers of Christ He loveth them tenderly as the members of his own body as the apple of his own eye He will bring them off more than conquerours Secondly He delivereth all his faithfull servants from all those cruell task-masters to which they were enslaved Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are under grace Oh what an happinesse is it to be freed from so many tyrannicall monsters to have the strength of pride covetousnesse lust sensuality broken This should wonderfully provoke us fully to yeeld up our spirits in subjection to Christ Blessed is the Soul that maketh such a change that is freed from the slavery of sin and Satan carrying it on to destruction and is now governed and led by Christ in the way of salvation 3. He pitieth them in regard of the infirmities accompanying them in his services for which themselves mourn against which they strive and graciously spareth them as a Father spareth his son that serveth him 4. Yea He helpeth their infirmities cometh in upon them by his Spirit when the work is too heavy for them is a co-worker with them easeth their yoke and delighteth to manifest his power in their weaknesse 5. The happinesse of his subjects and servants appeareth in their reward that is 1. Sure 2. Incomparable 1. Sure Verily there is a reward for the righteous The wicked worketh a deceitfull work that is a self-deceiving work as the opposite member sheweth he that hath to do with sin dealeth with a cheater which promiseth gain pleasure satisfaction but meerly deceiveth him payeth him with shame sorrow miserie but to him that loveth righteousnesse shall be a sure reward righteousnesse and true holinesse is such a kinde of seed as never miscarrieth he that soweth it is sure of a good harvest it is a seed taken out of the granary of heaven it will grow and prosper in any ground Christ saith Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me His reward is ready Those that serve Princes or States most faithfully must wait long for their reward many times though they whom they serve be very desirous to satisfie them because their reward is not alwayes with them not alwayes ready I have fought a good fight saith the Apostle henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousnesse c. his Crown was ready for him before he was ready to wear it it was laid up and kept in store for him Secondly the reward is incomparable 1. In the service 2. After it 1. In the service In scelere sceleris supplicium sceleri paena coaetanea Sin carrieth vengeance in it own bowels sin and punishment are contemporary fin it self is a misery holinesse it self is a reward Now being made free from sin and become the servants of God ye have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life This is a certain truth and the people of God find it by experience that the present reward that goeth along with the work of Christ the sweet refreshings which Christians meet with in the way of holinesse are far above all the pleasures of sin and the best things which the world can bestow upon it lovers That sweet peace of conscience those tastes of heaven those glimpses of glory those beginnings of eternall life are far above all earthly comforts But secondly the reward that is prepared for them after their work is done is more than they are able to desire or conceive Saith Moses I beseech thee shew me thy glory The Lord telleth him Thou canst not see my face for there shall no man see me and live As if he had said Moses thou askest thou knowest not what the weight of glory which would result from my face is more than thou art able to stand under in this mortall condition That exceeding weight of glory which Christ hath provided for his people is so great so incomparable that they are not capable of it untill they be transformed into the likenesse of Christ it is more happinesse than their hearts can hold in that estate wherein now they are Oh that the Lord would give us hearts to beleeve these things really as they are most sure and reall truths Doth not many a man think if I could get into such a mans service I were a man made This is onely true of the service of Christ thou art more happy if thou hast him for thy Master than if thou hadst all the men on earth for thy servants His service is a greater preferment than the richest Crown under heaven If our hearts were not wretchedly muddy earthly unbeleeving how could we sleep quietly untill we were entertained by Christ in his service Thirdly consider the misery of those that do not yeeld subjection to Him No enemie so dreadfull as Christ to them that stand out against Him Who knoweth the power of thine anger Little do poore souls know the weight of his Almighty arm Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me let me see them executed Kings Rulers people conspire in rebellion against the Lord and against His Christ Let us break their hands asunder and cast away their cords from us Alas poore worms He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure That wrath which springeth out of the earth which men of the world can shew seemeth terrible but who is able to endure that wrath which is powred down from Him that sitteth in heaven Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in peices like a potters vessell Then followeth the Use that now we are upon Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth It is the wisdom of Kings and Rulers yea and of all degrees of people to stoop to Him who can and most certainly will subdue all to Himself Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Kisse the Son rest he be angry and ye perish in the way when his wrath is kindâ—ed but a little A little of
His wrath is more dreadfull than all the rage of man Let us beg this wisdom from above that we may be taught of God in all humility to yeeld and submit to Christ If a people rising up in rebellion against the Authority of the State could be fully assured of two things first that if upon summons they lay down their Arms and submit they shall not onely be pardoned but much advantaged in their estates and secondly that if they remain obstinate it will be the ruine of themselves their families and posterities were it not meer madnesse to shew themselves wilfull We are all from our birth enemies and rebels against Christ The silver trumpet of the Gospel proclaimeth pardon mercy adoption salvation the promises of this life and that which is to come to those that have been deepest in this rebellion if they come in On the contrary it is most certain all that stand out against Christ in their naturall estate and impenitency shall be subdued to their everlasting ruine and destruction For He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Thirdly how carefull should we be throughly to examine our selves whether we be truly subjected to Christ or not whether His grace have bowed us that so we may be sure his power shall not break us whether we are over-powred by his love that so we may not be overwhelmed with his wrath Beloved this is one of the principall enquiries which we are to make throughout our whole lives We are fallen upon times which are full of questions and controversies I beleeve there have not been many ages since Christs ascension wherein more queries have been stirring more doubts and disputes agitated than in these dayes Now I suppose a man of ordinary observation may take notice of two sorts of people among us Galliâ—es meer spectators that look on and care for none of these things who mind the things of the world the main question that seemeth to stick with them is how they may compasse their worldly ends or how they may satisfie their lusts and make provision for the flesh these as they trouble not themselves to finde out the truth of things in controversie so they are securely negligent about this great enquiry whether they are subjected unto Christ or not Others are very busie in various disputs about things pertaining to religion some of whom I feare take little or no care to be resolved in this great busines whether their spirits are effectually subdued to the Government of Christ I beseech you let us in the fear of God set our selves to study this point If once we can by good evidence of Scripture rightly infer this conclusion that our souls are brought into a willing subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ that we are loyall Subjects to the King of Israel we may assure our selves that The Spirit of Christ will lead us by the light of His word into all necessary truth And though we be not able to answer every cavill and frivolous objection made against some particular truth yet if we can confute those arguments bent against the saving work of Christ upon our souls in reducing us under the Scepter of His Gospel we shall find more solid comfort and sweet satisfaction then those that tosse the word of God in restlesse and doubtfull disputes and shall be sure to have so much knowledge as may serve to light us the way to heaven 1 Then are our minds understandings and judgments subdued to the wisdom of Christ revealed in His word In reference to this head let us put our selves to these three interrogatories 1. Do we verily account all that wisdom to be meer foolishnes which lifteth up it self against any truth of Christ Do we sincerely desire and endeavour to have every thought within us captivated under the power of His truth Doe we abhorre it as no lesse than a degree of rebellion against Christ when we find any imaginations any carnall reasonings in our minds crossing the Gospel of Christ in any part For instance it is one of the great truths of Christ which the Apostle hath taught us by the Spirit of Christ Godlines is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come And first he confirmeth it as a most certaine truth This is a faithfull saying Secondly he valueth it as a most precious truth and worthy of all acceptation Thirdly he justifieth it as an approved experimented truth For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of those that beleeve Beloved if every one here present were examined upon this interrogatory and conscience were to make the answer how few would be able to approve themselves in the sight of God as true and loyall subjects unto Christ Do not many of you entertain such thoughts as these in your hearts If I should observe the Lord His day according to the strict rule of godlines if in the course of my life I shall make godlinesse my rule in performing duties in secret in my family in publick in buying selling in all the businesse of my calling in conversing with others if I should regulate all my votes in Parliament according to the principles of godlinesse I might lose my friends my repute many advantages for my estate much prejudice if not ruin my self and my posterity What answer the tongue would give I know not but I am perswaded many an ones conscience within would plead guilty This argueth non-subjection to the Scepter of Christ and rebellion against His Soveraignty Saith Christ Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life Here is a point of divine wisdom uttered by the mouth of Christ Himself Are not many that read and hear this so far from subjecting their reason to it that they are ready to scorn or slight it Let them have wine and strong drink their pleasures let their cisterns be filled with worldly abundance and they do not much trouble themselves about this living water they can live without it Their minds are not subdued to the wisdom of Christ But he that looketh upon Christ as a fountain of living water beleeving verily that if once he hath him dwelling in him he shall never be exhausted and drawn dry but that this spring of grace and spirituall consolation shall stream forth into the ocean and full sea of everlasting glory He whose thirsty soul cannot be satisfied without the saving graces and comforts of Christs Spirit fully submitting himself to this wisdom of Christ and renouncing sence and reason which seemeth to contradict it he may say I am a subject of Christs Scepter the Lord Jesus is my Christ and King Again saith Christ Enter ye in at the strait