that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you That is If God dwell in your hearts by faith all the current of your lives will be to dwell in him by love by hope and by obedience Thus Gal. 4. 6. God hath sent forth his Spirit into our hearts whereby we cry Abba Father Here is the Spirit of Donation and of Grace sent from the Spirit of Power and Glory God hath sent So Joel 2. 28 I will pour forth my Spirit on all flesh Here is the Spirits pouring forth the Spirit namely the fruits of the Spirit which are love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith c. which Spirit cooperateth in our hearts through which we have communion in our union I shall cast all that I have to speak at this time from these words into these three Considerations 1. How may a Believer and Christ be said to be one Spirit 2. What Evidences may I have that my soul and Christ are thus in union And then 3. What benefit and income have I by being united unto Christ For so the Text imports it by way of triumph benefit and blessing to that soul which is one Spirit with Christ And in all these three Considerations I am not to speak of the Maximum quod sic or the Minimum quod sic Not of the Degrees of believing knowing that the least grain of faith doth as truly unite to Christ as the Plerophoria faith of assurance though not so strongly First How may a believing soul and Christ be said to be one Spirit I shall demonstrate this in some few and brief particulars 1. This will appear in the life of Christ and the life of a Believer Take a Believer in his birth and progress in this world in his first and in his last and still you will find Christ and Believers walking hand in hand and heart in heart they do not only close together in the final close but through Christ their whole life is a harmony joying and joyning and rejoycing in one another True it is as Musitians may have in their Descant some sharp and flats some rests and pauses yet even they set out the harmony So a Believer may have some withdrawings of divine light Christ may seem to stand behind the wall and to be estranged but no sooner doth Christ call but straight saith the holy soul Draw me and I will run after thee Can. 1. 4. And if the Saint cries I am my Welbeloveds Christ saith presently She is his Can. 2. 16. Likewise as Christ and the soul have an union in life so have they also in death and suffering If they suffer he suffers if he suffers they suffer if Christ dies the Saints die yea count reckon your selves so saith Paul Rom. 6. 11. yet with this difference Christ dyeth for sin the Saints to sin Christus non filius fuit irae sub ira Christ was not a Son of wrath though under wrath But we were both and yet what we had done Christ counts himself had done and stands in our stead So that as Luther saith He was the greatest sinner in the world And he bids the Saints believe that all their sins were laid on him and that not only so but that his righteousness is made ours for so saith the Prophet He is the Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23. 6. And if we be afflicted Christ is afflicted he having the same Isa 63. 9 spirit of sympathizing must needs have the same spirit in suffering Out of this sense if Christ be bound and led to Mount Calvary to suffer for his Saints saith the holy Soul I am not only ready to be bound but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus Act. 21. 13. 2. We are one Spirit with Christ by having communion and interest in all the precious graces of Christ This is the Saints testimony 1 Joh. 4. 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit which Spirit is the sweet fruit of all the graces dwelling in our hearts and by which we cry Abba Father And if you would know what this Spirit of Grace is the Apostle tels you in opposing it to the worlds envyings Gal. 5. 21 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance Be not proud of this thy Spiritual income but be joyfull and be chearfull for against such there is no law Why no law against such Because Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 10. 4. So then if we rank up all these graces Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness c. these being one Spirit with Christ we by being in union with Christ have a communion with all the graces of Christ Thus Christ dwels in us by faith and we are in Christ by faith Christ dwels in us by love and we dwell in Christ by love only We love him because he loved us first So that though we be many members and have diversity of gifts and several operations yet but one spirit one body one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one baptism one God and father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Ephes 4. 4 5 6. Thirdly believers are one spirit with Christ in that they leave all other relations in coming to Christ If any thing oppose tribulation peril sword father mother friends a believer will through thick and thin cross or comforts good report or bad report through all to Christ How is man and wife one flesh by leaving all to be joyned to one another Matth. 19. 5. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh Thus is it in the spiritual union between Christ and the soul they leave all for Christ And this is but that which Christ hath done for us for he left Glory Father House and Home Phil 2. 5 6 7. Let this minde be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant yea he was made in the likeness of men and humbled himself and became obedient unto death And what was all this for but that his Saints might be joyned unto him in spirit in righteousness in life in grace in glory Christ left all for us that we might have a union with him so we must leave all other relations and cleave unto Christ alone And therefore let us put the question unto conscience How many of us can part and leave all for Christ if we finde not this resolution within us but we have a cleaving to father and mother to this worlds comforts and enjoyments profess what we will for Christ yet so far
none can say certainly what they expect but I hope the best as well as others would you have me to say certainly that is more then Paul doth or I think any Saint Nay but do not so reckon Mark the Apostle not onely in the behalf of himself but of others also 2 Cor. 5 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Mark Christians the Christians expectation not that every childe of God doth come up to this faith of certainty and assurance but we are all for to desire it as all strangers they desire home and know their home and travel after it though it be but by steps and strides yet a constant pace goes far so Christians must all keep journeying and going on though not coming to this attainment and thou poor weakling faith though thou canst not say so much yet think the more press hard and follow after though thou canst not go so fast as such whose evidence is sure Though thou canst not say I know and we know yet say I hope and it is best yea happy for that soul whose evidence is clear though we all cannot say We know yet let us not be sad but say We may know In this Pronoune We lies much divinity for the comfort of a Christian for we know we have tabernacles of clay poor bodies of dust and ashes And why should not we know we have a building of God with all such properties as not made with hands eternal in the heavens Methinks every Christian is like a stranger and a traveller that comes into his Inn and takes up his lodging for a night the people bring him meat and drink and gives him bed and board but they know not whence he comes nor whether he goes but now he knows himself where he goes and whether he would so Christians though the world knows not yet they do For we know c. I am a traveller and a stranger but I have a home a house a heaven a building I expect it saith Faith c. I am a stranger saith Patience but I have a building I wait for it saith Patience It is but to day and to morrow and the next day it shall be perfected so saith Patience I must have its perfect work a little to day more to morrow the third day I shall have possession I am a stranger in the earth saith Love but I have a building and O how I long for it Psal 42. 2. My soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appear before God! Now unto such souls that make out after home heaven and happiness with such a triplicity of We We expect it saith Faith wait for it saith Patience long for it saith Love to such gathering of a heart in Grace the Lord doth make a gracious answer Cant. 1. 11. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver Mark poor soul here is a We to answer thy We not a Wo but a We not to dismark thee but to make thee gracious and glorious Thou that hast an I of faith expecting and I of patience waiting and an I of love longing this is a Christians We Now the Lord unto thy soul hath his We We will make thee I will saith God the Father and I will saith Christ the Son and I will saith the blessed Spirit All this makes this We to make the soul graciously glorious and gloriously gracious Now be perswaded O soul upon this thy future expectation here thou art a stranger living in thy houses of clay bedecked onely with furniture of infirmity weakness and crosses and a few broken comforts and crackt enjoyments but in heaven there is brightness and purity there is blessedness and peace there is never broken joys and everlasting comforts there are houses richly furnished with furniture free from all infirmity bordered with gold and set forth with silver all variety interwoven for soul satisfaction Hasten O strangers O strangers hasten without lingring long for this thy expectation But may some say I know every childe of Obj. God shall be well provided for of their heavenly Father Eye hath not seen nor ear heard 1 Cor. 2. 9. neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what the Lord hath prepared for them that love him but there is that to be passed would make one fear the straits of death is not an easie passage it fills my heart with grief and my eyes with tears at the present sence of my deceased friend but what fears and pain and staggering may it be if I should be called to pass the straits of death the Lord knows In Answer unto this and so as pertinent to our present occasion I shall adde but a word of comfort and consolation and so conclude the time and Doctrine CHAP. VII Containing comfort for dejected souls in their loss of Christian friends and encouragements for estranged Saints in this world 3. IF it be so that the Saints are strangers on the earth then Saints be you freed from fear grieve not for the death or departure of the faithful nor being faithful be thou not afraid to dye To all Gods children death is but a messenger of life and a calling from the cross to the crown You know every one will hasten to a father or a friends house and what though there be a plash of water and a few bryers to go through if we do wet our feet or tear our garments so long as we are going home such things are nothing home and the father makes us through all Christians I will not say all your way is paved and smooth to heaven and happiness but some rubs fears sorrows may be in your way but know assuredly Christ hath sweetned the grave for every childe of God what though you do wet your feet by fears and pricks your hearts with sorrow let the hope of home and father and Christ make you be comforted and encouraged Captain Death hath taken away a friend now and he stands in the way to press thee too but may not we be comforted in this My friend was a stranger here and he is now gone home to his dwelling place where father and friends are yea where he shall want for nothing freed from fears and cares aches and pains but fed with favor love and life such dishes that the world never had at their tables The Saints indeed have meat in heart and hand I mean at present that the world knows not of but alas Saints though this be wine and milk yet this is but the first mess in this spiritual banquet Our Master Christ keeps the best wine and the best chear and best welcome until the last After death every thing to a faithful soul is disht out and disht up unto Eternity the longing soul through the straits of death is satisfied and
which Believers are to take notice of against their fears and troubles Our Father by these words Fear thou not for I am with thee engageth first his Word secondly his Power thirdly his Faithfulness and fourthly his Honour God hath laid all these and much more at stake as I may so express it for every Believer to the removing away fears 1. In his special presence his Word is engaged and this the Text holds forth being the Word of God though penned by this Gospel-Prophet Isaiah There is a twofold Word of God the internal and external but both are engaged against a Believers fears and dismayings The internal word is that voyce within us saying This is the way walk in it And this proceeds from the Eternal word of the Father even Jesus Christ himself for so he is called by that divine Evangelist Joh. 1. 1 2 3. And by this Word we have the Law of the Spirit of life freeing us from the Law of sin and death and this the Word of God engages and Jesus Christ by his Spirit makes good Rom. 8. 2. And then if freedom from sin and death who should once make doubt against fears and sorrowings And in the Scriptures how many gracious promises hath the Father given thee on purpose for thy consolation All the comforting promises all the upholding promises all the present promises all the prccious promises are for the support and comfort of every Child of God So that though no holy things must be cast to Dogs yet all the words of Consolation Comfort Joy and Peace they are all to be dealt forth unto a believing soul And therefore as our Saviours words do invite you so let them abide in you Joh. 14. 1. Let not your hearts be troubled Ye believe in God believe also in me For both agree in words of Consolation against all your fears and troubles 2. God by this special presence engageth not only his Word but his Power also and what will not a man of power do that will engage for a friend But what will not the powerful God accomplish for Jacob his friend In case of temptation he saith to Paul My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12. 9. And all power is in Grace though all Grace be not in power But both these are in this special presence of God engaging for a fearing Christian And I need go no further then the Text to make it appear that the Lord engageth his power to take off Believers fears Observe when God will set forth his power and greatness to the full he saith no more but thus I am that I am Exod. 3. 14. And thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I am hath sent me unto you And thus he engageth himself in the Text for the believing soul Fear not I am Be not dismayed I am And as those expressions with thee and thy God do set forth Gods gracious relations so I am his infinite power but both opposing fears and dismayings 3. God by this his special presence engageth his Faithfulness he will assuredly perform the overcoming all thy fears Had the Lord given us but his word of promise it were enough to master fears considering all the words of grace were written for the Saints comfort and the Scripture saith Not one jot or tittle shall fail till all be fulfilled And the reason is because he is faithful that hath promised And let us take heed by our giving way to fears we make not Gods word of none effect for He is faithful that hath promised yea and he is round about us to effect it saying I am with thee fear not I am thy God that is a God in covenant and I will nor suffer thee to be tempted feared affrighted but as I am with thee so I will strengthen yea I will help yea I will uphold It remains only doubting soul that thou shouldst witness with the Saints Heb. 10. 23. that He is faithful that hath promised and doth engage all for thee Hold fast therefore thy profession without wavering for the Lord thy God he is God the faithful God a God that keepeth Covenant and that with thee against distrust and fears Deut. 7 9. 4. And lastly God engageth not only his word his power and his faithfulness against a Believers fears but his Honour is at stake for them and know Believer he will not suffer himself to be foil'd in this for he is very jealous of it whatsoever suffer his Honour shall not Isa 42. 8. I am the Lord that is my name and my honour will I not give to another But a Believers fears and distrusts carry this in the very front even to ecclipse the honour and glory of God but saith the Lord Fear not for I know the drift of all your dismayings if distrusts did only seek your hurt I would not suffer it 1 Col. 10. 14. God is faithful saith the Apostle and will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able Ah saith the soul but what is my ability I am like a broken reed recling to and fro by every wind of temptation Well grant it what if thou art God saith he is thy God and he is with thee and he will deliver thee from all thy fears thou shalt escape and thou shalt glorifie him Nay he saith his own honour will suffer if slavish fears be suffered For though thou art a doubting Christian yet thou art my Child and so many distrusting fears may quickly make up slavish fears which is a dishonour unto my grace which I have given thee and of which I have said it should be sufficient And come what will come my honour shall not suffer nor my grace be clouded Therefore fear thou not for I am with thee and my honour is engaged in this my presence and Fears shall not be master My honour will not I give to any other much less to fears and dismayings which are so much against my honour And thus much for demonstration of these words I am with thee I am thy God To which I have chiefly spoken as they are directed against a Believers fears and dismayings Give me leave now to call forth some of those usual Doubts and Dismayings that are so incident unto Gods children that so the Express by Gods special presence may be made good even not to fear not to be dismayed I shall not speak any thing of the rise of fears knowing that every experienced Christian knoweth that sin was and is the cause of all servile fears Only thus much the Text implies that such there are in Gods own children and these are they that must be removed that so comfort and consolation may be administred CHAP. VI. Endeavoring the removal of spiritual fears and Objections answered as to the nature of fears THere are many sorts of fears yet they all may be comprehended to be Spiritual or Temporal and these again may be Personal Family and National fears And though
nations men and devils combine do not grumble nor fear the wil and work of your heavenly father must be done However beliver go forward with your occasions with a holy subjection unto thy fathers will but take this in that whether it be life or liberty prosperity or adversity for so did Christ it be with resignation of all to God Matth. 26. 39. Not my will but thine be done Believers in times of fears must do as the children of Israel did Exod. 14. they were incompassed with a huge host and the red sea yet they go forward till they could go no further and then comes in that Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord So must believers in the midst of all national fears still be a going forward and see the salvation of God in all their enterprizes But you will further object Though I fear national troubles it is not I alone but Obj. many godly and eminent Christians are at a stand about the present affairs and proceedings And can you blame me to have fears who am but in the lower form I shall not blame but argue what cause of fears since being a believer thou hast Ans such refreshments as Gods presence doth afford unto his in any straits and troubles And what cause of fears can there be when all for Gods people shall work for their advantage thus saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 28. All shall work together for good to them that love God and thou loving God let it be tribulation or persecution good will be brought out of thy troubles and afflictions God will overturn Kings and Kingdoms yet if it produce good for thee what cause of fears God hath thrown down Ahasuerus with his hundred and twenty Provinces and the more he throws down the nearer is the end of all things and this should be so far from grief to Gods people that they should rejoyce yea lift up you heads you redeemed of the Lord the more shakings of the worlds powers the nearer is your everlasting joy Be glad then and rejoyce for the day of your redemption draweth nigh And the Text gives you this comfort that though foraign invasions come never so strong and home-bred enemies plot never so secretly yet fear not overcoming for thou shalt overcome saith the Lord unto his Church and people at the 15 and 16 Verses Behold I will make thee speaking of the worm Jacob to thresh the mountains and beat them smal and shalt make the hills as chaff and fan them and carry them away Do but consider these expressions and here 's enough to answer all national fears and enough to draw forth thy spirit to rejoce in the Lord and to glory in the holy one of Israel Comfort for Believers From their Spiritual Incomes 1 Cor. 6. 17. But he that is joyned unto the Lord is one Spirit CHAP. I. Shewing the scope of the words and how Believers and Christ are one Spirit THe Apostle in the former part of this Chapter reproveth the Corinthians about their going to Law about things indifferent and in the verse before the Text about Fornication He brings in these words as lifting up his present Argument to a more high and spiritual Conclusion Know you not saith he v. 16. that is You do know what Moses saith that Two shall be one flesh this is matrimonial coupling The same effect hath Fornication and sin He that joyns himself to Drunkenness and Adultery is one with Drunkenness and Adultery But now the Lord to whom Believers are joyned hath a spirit above the world and such base carnal defilements For he that is joyned unto an Harlot is one body but he that is joyned to Jesus Christ is one Spirit The scope of these words holds forth that heavenly union and communion that is between Christ and every Believer And the Apostle brings them in as a royalty that every Child of God hath by being joyned to Christ as if he would have them boast in this their present Income above all such bitter sweets and pleasures of sin which are but for a moment Mark therefore how he opposeth it against â—he poor and beggerly Contracts of this World and Sin as being loth to speak so much of the worlds miscarriages and defilements and to hold so long from the spiritual souls enjoyment He doth as it were wind up another key delighting in that wherein his heart had found joy and experimental comfort for every Believer is in union with Christ and Christ is in union with every Believer Yea here 's my triumph here 's my glory Every Believer hath not only union but communion also for between a Believer and Christ there is union they are one and not only so but there is enjoyment of communion in this union They are one Spirit In the words two things are to be enquired into First what is meant by being one And secondly what is meant by being one Spirit 1. By Vnion we are not to understand Corporal or Personal union as if the Husband should be the Wife the Father the Son or the Head the Members or contrary but by being one with Christ is a Spiritual and Conjugal union an union of Relations as Head and Members Husband and Wife which though they be two in appearance yet are but one in compliance and acquaintance As Moses saith in Natures wedlock Two shall be one flesh that is man and wife shall live and move and act together for each other So Christ and every Believer though they be different persons as head and members husband and wife yet they both have but one Father one house one home they live and move and act together have one compliance one acquaintance one enjoyment one in love one in heart one all And the summ of this is eminently set forth in Eph. 5. from the 23. v. to the end of the Chapter 2. What is meant by being one Spirit for this is Spiritual conjunction In corporal conjunctions there is a union in flesh but this union of Christ with the soul is spiritual they are one Spirit By Spirit here we are not to understand the essential being of God or Christ for he is said to be a Spirit Joh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit He speaks it of his universal nature as he is Infinite and Omniscient thus neither Angels or men are in union with him onely Jesus Christ who is God equal with the Father blessed for ever comprehending all things by whom all things subsist But by Spirit here is meant the participation of the gifts and graces of God whereby he doth cooperate and work in our hearts a conformity to all those holy ends and purposes as he hath awarded in his Word to all the faithful in Christ Jesus So that by Spirit we are to understand the fruits of the Spirit And thus you may have a Cloud of witnesses Rom. 8. 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you He
as thy resolution fails thee of leaving all for Christ so far is my fear of thee that thou art not in union with Christ Fourthly To be one spirit with Christ doth denote the constancy and perpetual tye that is between Christ and the soul No knot will be lasting and holding but this between Christ and believers Couple our selves to flesh never so strongly yet all will be broken couple our selves to sin never so strongly This shall you have of Gods hand ye shall lie down in sorrow your vanity shall be bound up in vexation of spirit No conjunction can hold but that which is spiritual nor no spiritual conjunction but that which is between Christ and believers Sin will make a separation though God be thy Creator Preserver these knots between the Creature and God will all be broken But this union with Christ and our spirits it is a constant perpetual and an everlasting holding I have read of one that writing to his Consort would use this salutation Eternal thine This was an expression of excess that can never be made good to any but Christ and believers and therefore for thy comfort thou doubting believer Christ and thee being one spirit bear up the head against all temptations for thy head and husband salutes thee with Eternal thine Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared unto me saying I have loved thee with an everlasting love A love that is both boundless and endless with such a love hath Christ loved his Church and people And therefore though all fails as it will flesh and heart and all will fail yet this spiritual union between Christ and the soul shall never fail Rom. 8. 35 36 37 38 39. Summon all these into one Tribulation distress famine persecution peril sword life angels principalities powers things present things to come now follows your triumph Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. But may the soul say If there be such Obj. affinitie between Christ and his Church and every believer and that all believers are partakers of one and the same spirit as Love Joy Peace Meekness Patience c. What is the reason of all that variance discord and dissention that is amongst even believers and professors The difference and disagreement amongst believers themselves ariseth from themselves Ans because our own spirits are most predominate If Christ did but Lord it whose spirit is righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost wranglig and discord would not be found amongst brethren we would not so strive and contend the faithful should contend onely for the faith not against the faithful members should not strive against members None should hate his own flesh Believers are flesh of one flesh and bone of the same bone all one in Christ why not so one with another This is our fault and indeed our misery we keep the spirit of Christ under and we exalt our own passions Christians therefore consider what you do in all your wranglings and disputings keep to this rule So far as you have attained walk together with a spirit of forbearance and complyance and bow your passions and your principles to the scepter of Christ for that is not a wangling but a righteous scepter I would have all Christians to keep to this rule against sin even to hate the Garment spotted with the flesh not to touch any unclean thing for what concord hath Christ with Belial light with darkness sin with saints No saith the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 17. Be ye separated and I will be a father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters And Christians for your Saviours sake Let all bitterness and envyings and wranglings be put away from you as becometh Saints Ephes 5. 3. And thus much for the first thing considerable How Believers and Christ may be said to be one spirit CHAP. II. Touching Evidence whether we be one Spirit with Christ 2. THe next thing to be toucht upon is What Evidence may I have that Christ and my soul are one in this spiritual union For this is very considerable before we can draw any saving and solid comfort in the benefits and spiritual Incomes the soul hath by being one Spirit with Christ 1. As an Evidence for this union try your union with Christ by your communion with Christ Not that you should measure out your union by your communion for it is possible for the soul to be united unto Christ that as yet hath no acquaintance and familiarity with Christ As Mary did Ioh. 20. 15. talk with Christ as well as believe in Christ and yet she did not know him and why might not she have supposed him to be Christ as well as the Gardiner Therefore let us not measure our union with Christ by our communion but let us try our union by our communion and enjoyment Can thy soul say from experience as the Spouse Can. 2. 4. He brought me into the banqueting house and his Banner over me was love Without question so was house and table and all Hath thy sovl ever been fed with his dainties have you been at his table tasted of his wine It may be thou wilt say This I know that Christ hath stood Rev. 3. 20. at my door and knockt at my heart as he doth at many a Sinners in a Sermon But when was the time that Christ came in and supped with thee and when did you sup with him What inward feastings and familiarity hath there been between Christ and the soul We know the tie of Nature will constrain some exchanges and intercourses of love between man and wife but much more the band of Grace between the soul and Christ Try therefore thy union by thy communion 2. If you would know your Union try not only by your Communion but also by Convincement as Communion is an Evidence so Convincement We know that there can be no true marriage without convincement of love No more can there be between Christ and thy soul Now when was thy soul convinced of Christs alsufficiencie and thy self of thy own natural misery For this is the way Christ takes to wooe and win the soul unto himself Ioh. 16. 7 8. 3. They that have union with Christ flie the pollutions of the world None can be one with Christ and one with Swearing one with Drunkenness not one with Christ and one with Covetousness In such pollutions there is not communion with Christ and therefore no union For what communion hath light with darkness Christ with Belial The Spirit of Christ clears the heart of such guests as drive a trade with sin And would to God I might say of all you Professors as Paul saith of many of these Corinthians 1 Cor. 16. 11. Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God 4. They that are one with
Christ do mind the things of Christ Rom. 8. 5. They that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit that is All their thoughts words works projects and contrivances do habitually fix and center in Christ Try therefore which way thy thoughts thy projects run If they meet in Christ then from these and such like Evidences drink down thy spiritual comforts for from our union with Christ flow such spiritual incomes even benefits enough to hold up the heart in the worst of outward crosses losses persecution trial troubles whatsoever Mark therefore CHAP. III. Sheweth the precious Incomes by being one Spirit in Christ FIrst All the precious Promises are yours 1 Tim. 4 8. Godliness is profitable unto all things having the promise of this life that now is and of that which is to come True Godliness cannot be without union with Christ and poor Creatures it is very certain that this life will not make thee happy But now if another will if a Jesus and Eternal Glory will you have this riches promised in that life that is to come This life that now is is indeed to make you gracious and in it you have a rich promise of comfort Joh 4. 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will be with you to the end of the world A precious Jesus in a precious promise is enough to bear up the soul in all temptations What though thou art poor personally if Christ be one with thee spiritually thou hast a plenty in the midst of all thy poverty The Lord is a sun and a shield Ps 84. 11. yea he will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that are Believers What saith the Apostle for the chearing of thy spirit 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises What wilt thou desire more If promises that are precious if promises that are great if exceeding great and precious promises will do thee good they are all thine if thou hast union with Christ 2. All the richest Graces are ours from the least of Faith to the fulness of Assurance Gods graciousness is the richest and supereminentest grace And it may be for the present thou hast but a grain or a drop of that Ocean but know the whole Sea of love is all thine It may be thou goest weeping notwithstanding thou bearest Ps 126. 6. precious seed yet know thy spiritual comfort is sheafs of joy yea joy unspeakable and full of glory At present thou hast by union with Christ no less then Riches of grace and Gracious riches nay but Exceeding riches of Grace is all yours if you be Christs Ephes 2. 7. 3. All the sweetest Comforts are yours if you have union with Christ I cannot say all earthly Comforts but rather Crosses the sweetest and heavenly Comforts are yours and the very thought of this should swallow up ten thousand Crosses how much more the possession Yet this is the fault of Christians one little trouble or Affliction swallows up abundance of Enjoyment whereas one thought of Christ and one enjoyment from him should swallow up abundance of afflictions What will not peace of Conscience bring which is a continual feast unto the soul by Christ being thine And if Joy in the Holy Ghost may comfort thee that is thine If wine refined if wine and milk if water of life if the Spring of all comfort may comfort thee it is yours if you be married to Christ 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and God of all comfort And lest the soul should think to have him thus only in Heaven he adds that he is a God of comfort for you on Earth to comfort you in all your tribulation that we may be able to succour support and comfort others by the comforts wherewith he comforteth us And what a precious Income is this to have by Christ all heavenly sweet and precious comforts 4. By union with Christ all the highest Priviledges are yours If it was a priviledge to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter what a high priviledge is it to be sons and daughters of the most high God and thus thou art by being united unto Jesus Christ 1. What a priviledge is it to be born an Heir unto some Great man on earth What honour and homage will men give to Heirs upon this account But by this union with Christ thou art an Heir to God and Coheir with Christ 'T is true thou wast not born to it but every Believer was bought into this eminent high and noble priviledge And if we do but consider the price it may suffice to set forth this priviledge 1 Pet. 1. 19. Ye were not redeemed with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Iesus Christ 2. It may be thou art poor and therefore Great men upon Earth will scorn to cal thee Friend Brother Sister Son Daughter many are so proud that in thy poverty they wil be ashamed to own thee But thou hast this priviledge in being joyned to Christ that the Lord of all is not ashamed to call you Brethren Sons Daughters Friends nay you that are joyned to Christ are Gods jewels Joh. 1. 12. To as many as Mal. 3. 17. believed to them he gave power to become the sons of God And saith the Apostle Heb. 2. 11. For this cause he is not ashamed to call us Brethren For what cause The verse before tels you because of union thou hast this priviledge He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are both one for this cause he is not ashamed to call us brethren 3 What a priviledge is it counted to be free of some Corporations as to be a Freeman of London and such like Cities And Paul tels you it was his priviledge to be free-born But now the Saints of God by being united unto Christ are made free of that new Ierusalem which is Heaven it self Christ hath inroll'd his Saints in the book of life all your names are written and enrolled in Heaven and you are Citizens by vertue of your union Eph. 2. 19. 4. What a priviledge is it to be freed from all Arrests Mens persons count this a great priviledge But what is it to have the soul free and to have it so free that it shall be free indeed Such a priviledge have Saints by Christ he by marrying them unto himself hath made them free free indeed from all arrests No condemnation to them that are in Christ It would be well if wicked men that have no interest in Christ could bribe Satan Death and Hell and at the great day of Judgment come off from their arrests but that is impossible but if they could Conscience will rise in judgment against them and issue out a greater Writ then that of Belshazar upon the wall But now Believers are free by vertue of Christ having this priviledge that none shall lay
this will be very clear That common profession without spiritual operation will deceive and therefore James seems to be zealous against such that have a great deal of name but not the nature of true serving of God Saith he Verse 18. Shew me thy faith by thy works you all boast of believing from professing but the rule is Shew me faith by thy workings not from thy boastings or pofessings You profess and you boast of faith and your profession I must tell you who hath faith too them whom thou knowest are damn'd they whom thou thinkest scorn to be compared with yet know the devils and damned spirits do believe Thou believest there is one God the Devils also do believe and tremble So that we may plainly collect that the Text holds out a parity and disparity between the common faith of the world and the faith of devils what the wicked men of the world take in at large through custom birth or education the devils also may do as much Man believes there is a God so do the devils too the world believes that God is one the devils believe so also There is a faith that doth believe all to be true that God hath made or done and laid down in his word sed absque fiducia but without trusting and this sort of faith is not onely common to the world and man but also to the damned spirits And this in the sum of it is properly called Historical faith which sort of faith I fear is that which most of professos are fraught withal which sort of faith is the faith mentioned in the Text. Most men have faith of this kinde thus most believe so doth the devil nay the Apostle addes that the devil doth something more in a sort he outstrips man in that he knows he also is afraid the devil believes Gods soveraignty power wrath justice judgement and he akes and quakes at it Man also believes as much but he is hardened bold and impious Gods power word works fear not man whilst the devil shakes and trembles at it Therefore we may collect That man in some things hath an excess even of the devils for though the devil cannot be converted by the word yet without the word he is convinced Gods power and greatness in his works fear Satan and afright him whilst man is bold and incorrigible the devil stoops and fears whilst man is stubborn the devil trembles And thus much for the scope of the words I shall draw that which I intend from them into this Thesis or Point of Doctrine and I conceive it to be no more then what the Text affords That the common faith of wicked men is Doct. no better then the faith of devils and that many mens obedience is not so good Before I take the doctrine asunder let me say thus much in the general that many that own God by outward profession and many that own the devil in a devilish conversation must not think it strange to own him in this doctrine for it is a truth if we compare but this Scripture to the Pharisaical Profession In that of John 8. 41 43 44. the Pharisees were very zealous in outward profession and you may see their own confession in the 41 Verse We have one father even God notwithstanding this they wanted love to God and Christ So the verse following speaks If God were your father as you profess he is and that but one yet let me tell you notwithstanding this your seeming glory you are of your father the devil accursed children sons of a lye and his works you do and will and this is not so strange as true if the judgement of Christ may stand upon these seeming Saints And the judgement of the Apostle is the same in the Text they did profess for Jesus and yet he parallels their profession to the devils You believe there is one God so do the devils And let me say to Christians in name even in our times who can boast of promises and vows and renouncing of the devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked world know for all these outward priviledges your seeming sanctity and outward profession yet your practice falls so short that since nothing will make you serious and truly fearing and truly believing I will give you an instance which might make you all afraid however to be ashamed for it will be found that wicked man is more incorrigible then the very devils and notwithstanding all your profession yet take notice of this example for though there be some that deny the faith yet amongst them that do profess the faith they stand in their profession but in computation with the devil fot though thou believest there is one God the devils also do believe and tremble The wickedness and waywardness of men forces me to prove and persue the Doctrine in these four considerations First That there is a devil Secondly That the devils do believe Thirdly That most mens faith is not better then the faith of devils And Fourthly That many mens obedience is not so good For the Devils tremble CHAP. II. Shewing that there is a Devil 1. THat there is a devil Note such that are so curious and incorrigible that there is a principality and a power a prince of the ayr and you need not seek far for he rules in the hearts of wicked men Ephes 2. 2. The spirit that now works in the children of disobedience he wrought in the Apostles time but more now by such inquirings And know though he cannot compass the heavens yet he doth the earth Job 1. 6 7. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan came also among them And the Lord said unto Satan Whence comest thou Then Satan answered the Lord and said From going to and fro in the earth And if this answer and the Text answers thee not take heed thou art not possest for though Satan is not able to compass heaven yet he can the earth he may tempt in Paradise but not in heaven And Adam fell by such inquiries and they that question thus Gods works made want but one step higher to question God himself the maker What was he that tempted Christ Mat. 4. the first man Adam found him to his cost the second Adam found him to our comfort and conquest though to his own cross in both was fulfilled that promise Gen. 3. 15 It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel This did Christ accomplish over sin and Satan And shall any be so bold as now to question rather tremble then thus tempt taking that councel of rejoycing not inquiring Luke 10. 18 19 20. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven notwithstanding in this rejoyce not but know it is a truth and if your names be not written in heaven your terror too If Christ tell thee he beheld him thou needs not question further for
break And know assuredly that without spiritual hope thy soul will everlastingly perish 2. Though the devils do believe yet they can have no repentance But man in his false faith may be said to have some sort of repentance Faith sometimes as it is taken for knowledge may check the conscience A common professor may have flashings and sorrowings as Judas had who was a profest disciple of Christ But this sort of repentance profits no more then his faith which onely makes a gilded outside like the powder in the pan of the musket it often fires but will not go off So they that have common faith may often fire but never go off to mortification because all their faith is but the fruits of the flesh but not the fruits of the spirit But now this sort of repentance the devil cannot have but he is seared and hardened though James tells you he doth believe it is possible for man to finde repentance but the devil cannot 3. The difference between the common faith of professors and the faith of devils 2 Thes 2. 11. is in this man may believe a strong delusion in a lye that is in the devil the father of lyes How many are there in the world that hold the truth in unrighteousness makes no question to have happiness without holiness make no question to be saved but makes no conscience What a strong delusion is this that while the devil believes things certainly and man believes the devil tempts to make him miserable and yields unto all his corruptions and yet makes no doubt to be happy Thus for the disparity betwixt the common faith of men and the faith of devils Secondly take also a word wherein the belief of men and devils hath a kinde of likeness and agreement 1. The Devils beleive Gods soveraignty as well as most men God is powerful infinite able saith the common professor this will the devil acknowledge too man believes that God is unity so doth the Devil thus the text is express Thou believest that there is one God this harmony of faith have the Devils They believe this and tremble 2. Man believes the Scriptures to be the word of God that is thou art a common professor and thou assentest unto this that God is true and that the Scriptures are the written word of God and all those several passages therein contained as of the Creation Redemption from Adam to Noah from Noah to David from David to Christ from Christ to the several transactions of the Apostles yea thou believest this very text to be a truth Why all this and much more may it be said that the Devils do believe that they do believe the history of the word and something of the mystery of it may clearly be gathered from his tempting of Christ Matthew 4. 6. 3. Grant that thou doest believe that Jesus Christ dyed to save sinners the Devil believes this too because he seeks the destruction of souls And saith the Apostle 1 John 3. 8. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil It seems the Devil made close work with the hearts of men that none but Christ could save the devil believing mends his pace to destroy Grant therefore that thou hast not onely a historical faith but also a temporary faith thou followest the times wherein thou livest in believing according to the Doctrine and Custom may be thou risest high in thy notion and professest the highest and choicest things yet know thou stil mayest not be said to believe more then what the devil may be said to believe for without question he follows the fashion and suits himself to the faith of the times in all ages he tempts under the Law as under the Gospel and as the time grows shorter and his kingdom weaker so the Devil is more strong and more subtil this may be cleared from that of Rev. 12. 12. The Devil is come down unto you having great wrath that is in the days of the Gospel more especially at the end of the world the Devil bestirs himself having great wrath and what is the reason because he knows he hath but a short time the devil knows that happiness and a crown of glory is laid up for the Saints and that judgement and torment is for himself and for all his servants upon this knowledge he rages most in the last times Thus much for the third thing to be opened before I speak to the last suffer something by way of Use and Application CHAP. VI. Containing something by way of Application from the first branch in the Doctrine IF it be so that the belief of most men is no better then the belief of the damned then let us fall to serious examination of every one of our own hearts what our faith and profession is This is matter of great concerment and the most subject to self-cousenage Men will believe no further then most believe and most believe no otherwise then the Devils believe Search and examine what faith you have for this is a truth from Scripture That the Devils do profess as well as men and that most mens belief is not better then the Devils Say then to your own hearts as the Disciples to Christ Mat. 26. 23. when Christ told the Disciples that one of them should betray him they presently put the question saying Master Is it I So say of a truth most mens profession is no better then what the Devils have and what is mine amongst the multitude of Professors Give unto the Lord a ground of that hope that is in you for he cals for it by vertue of this truth Come in thou Creature for I have given you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons Come speak thou common Professor Thou makest thy boast of God saying thou dost believe but know so do the Devils thou fearest with a slavish fear so do the Devils thou boastest of historical and temporary faith but if thou findest no more thou wilt fall short of heaven and happiness Thou art as yet but as those foolish Virgins Mat. 25. that thought to be saved by profession for they went under the notion of Believers and it is very probable they had historical and common faith for they had lamps but they had not oyl they had not the fruits of the Spirit and therefore could have no entrance Examine therefore what thy faith is for most go for Virgins that have a name to live by common profession but an evil and an adulterous generation are such that have not the signs and seals of the righteousness of faith which is only by Christ Jesus our Lord. 2. You that content your selves with this common belief of men know your Companions What though thou hast gotten ten thousand Notions yet if thou wantest the fruits of the Spirit of Grace which is saving Faith within thy heart thou art yet but in thy unregenerate estate and thou sittest but in
the same form with the Devil he is the first in wrath because he is thy father but thou art as yet no better then a child of wrath because thou art not begotten again by a lively faith a faith that is active and full of love and longings after Jesus Christ who is alone within the soul the hope of glory It may be thou hast lived thirty forty or fifty years but what Faith hast thou It may be thou hast lived under the teachings of Christ and under the offers of grace and peace and reconciliation this is more then ever the Devil had and yet he hath as much faith and knowledge as thou hast if thou hast not saving sanctifying faith for the Devil hath a faith of Time and Ages and if thou hast not learned beyond him thou must not sit above him take heed thou art not thrown down to him or below him What the Papists say of their Church that men must believe as the Church believes so may it be said of the generality of professors only not by such a necessity but such is most mens practise That they believe but as the Devil believes and in a sense many must give place to the Devil even in believing at leastwise in obeying But know as you are Companions here to believe alike so take notice that without saving faith thou must live alike in torment It is very like but that Servant was within the pale of profession Luk. 12. 45 46. he had a tongue to say I am a Believer and make no question of heaven and happiness but in his heart he said My Lord delays his coming Here is a profession of one God as these in the text had yet the Lord of that servant may come in an hour and cut him asunder and give him his portion with unbelievers 3. If the common belief of men be no better then the belief of Devils only in the aforementioned differences as that the Devil is without hope without repentance and both these are annexed yet to the life of man from the Bowels of mercy while it is called to day beg earnestly at the gate of the bountiful God for mercy and true faith beg Heaven to cleanse thy leprous soul of lust and sin and to give thee saving faith that thou mayst outstrip the Devil before thou dyest For if thou hast all knowledge and all faith so that thou couldst remove mountains yet all this is nothing without Christ be in your hearts by faith Say therefore as he doth in the Gospel Mar. 9. 24. Lord I believe help my unbelief I have a common profession but what will this profit me The Devils do believe and yet are the first of unbelievers I believe Gods soveraignty that Christ dyed for sinners yet Lord I believe help mine unbelief And that this may be from thy heart consider these few particulars 1. Consider what will profession profit thee if thou attainest not the end of it They that run if they do not attain it is no prize but rather a trouble Men by professing and not attaining will come home by weeping-cross for as there will be nothing due so there will be a heavy loss the loss of Heaven the loss of God his glory thy own salvation Consider therefore so to run that you may obtain the end of saving faith which is the salvation of your souls 2. Thou hast sins of Commission that are enough to condemn thee the least of them being charg'd upon thee and without faith in Christ all must be charged But yet consider if thou couldst diminish sins of Io. 3. 19. Commission what wilt thou do for sins of Omission This will be the condemnation that light is come into the world but men love darkness more then light And because thou didst not believe thou didst not love thou didst not savour of the grace of God Consider thy want as well as thy wickedness If thou wantest a heart-love to Christ in the best of all thy professions and performances thou art but as a sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal 3. Consider what abundance do profess how few there be that shall be saved There is but a little flock that need not to fear the enjoyment of God and his kingdom Luk. 12. 32. but there is a multitude that do profess that think they shall attain but the Devil will as soon because they have not filial fear in their profession nor saving faith the fruit of the Spirit of grace within their hearts Compare but that of Isa 10. 22. to the practise of the world and certainly it may make thee look about For though the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea yet a remnant of them shall be saved This Paul quotes in Rom. 9. 27. and makes it applicable to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews This also let Professors now consider for though I dare not forbid any to hope yet I am afraid that through common and National profession most will miscarry 4. Consider the character of the last times There will be but a little Faith but abundance of Profession Every one takes it for granted that we are in the last times and in those times it 's remarkable to have but little faith and love but without question never more profession but it is most false and as cold as mens charity which is very significant to be now for in these dayes of ours never was there more profession of the Christ of mercy and the Christ of love but never more coldness and deadness to shew works of mercy and love to one another And this is no wonder for when men are wanting to their own souls in a lively and sound faith no marvel they are not wanting unto men in a cold and frozen charity Men love the world more then Christ and his members though they seem by profession to have a love to both Joh. 3. 19. yet they rather are in darkness then in the light because their hearts are evil 5. And lastly consider the deceitfulness that is in our own hearts For what is most mens security but even the name of Christianity and the heart loves to have it so All is well thinks the common Professor if he hath been baptized into such a faith or rather into such a formality brought up under such Parents lived under such a Ministry and accounted of the Parish-Church a member then they think as well as the best This is most mens security and this is Satans subtilty to deceive the hearts of men The Devil hath wrought a notable and cunning design in the world to make people believe that if they be accounted Christians and in common in such a Parish that all is well and that they are Christians indeed and members of the Church as well as the best But let us not deceive our selves nor our souls in being such outside Jacks in Religion and Gods service and worship for all are not Israel that are
makes the Devil tremble he trembles at Gods greatness but thou art hardned under all Soveraignty and power and wrath fears the Devil but nothing will make wicked men to fear at least to be filial And judge you Righteous what 's the difference And if any would know a reason why the Devil is more obedient then many incorrigible creatures it is nor wilt be so for God commands the contrary And what though thou wilt say the Devil tempts know also the Devil cannot constrain but mark the desperate wickedness of thy own base and corrupt spirit For this is the condemnation that light is come into the world but men love darkness rather or more then light because their deeds are evil John 3. 19. CHAP. IX A word of Aggravation and Application to Common Professors THus having the demonstration take a word or two of Aggravation and also of Application 1. By way of Aggravation Know thou that art an incorrigible prophane person thou art worse then the Devils are in regard thou art under dispensation of Providence Grace and Mercy Thou art taught by judgements and by mercies but cannot be wrought upon thou hast use of means the Devil hath not the word of God and the works of God knocks daily at the door of thy hard and frozen heart saying Sinner return return May not I say to desperate and impenitent sinners as Christ saith of Chorazin and Bethsaida Luke 10. 13. Wo unto thee Chorazin and wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you they had long ago repented in sackcloth and ashes So wo unto you searedhearted sinners and wo unto you that are professors but still prophaners had the means of grace been proclaimed to devils as unto you they might have improved more for under lesser means nay without any hopes they are obedient yet thou under all means yea all sorts of means remainest obdurate 2. The Devil lives not under daily mercies as wicked and prophane men do God giving them fruitful seasons and feeding them with food and gladness yet how doth the Devil own Gods call and keep to his Commission and trembles at his word and power but wicked men at neither 3. Thou livest in the sense of temporal mercies so that thou must needs confess thou hast in a measure tasted of Gods common bounty and providence the Devil hath not had the same relish of temporals nor any offers of spirituals But how will this aggravate thy condemnation when the Devil yields better obedience when not one drop of mercy is offered unto him thou art nothing more then disobedient and yet behold a fountain opened of grace and mercy unto thee 4. Although the Devil be without hope so that if he would repent yet he cannot yet the Devil goes when God commands yea he dreads and trembles at Gods Soveraignty So long as there is life we say there is hope O be ashamed or shame the Devil for he obeys that cannot repent repent thou and obey least thou be eternally hardened 5. Salvation by Jesus Christ is that which thou livest under in these days of the Gospel which is tydings of gladness and by the Apostle called great salvation Heb. 2. 3. How shall we escape if we neglect such great salvation that is more then the Ministry of Angels even Jesus Christ himself in his own dispensations is offered and tendred And if salvation be so great and the tender of it so large as to the worst of sinners calling upon thee but rejecting the Devil yet the Devil more yielding this must needs be a great aggravation for the Devil trembles under the sence of power and wrath thou as an unbeliever art obdurate under the tender of grace and love and therefore thou wilt he unexcusable whosoever thou art that living under the means of grace neglecting the means thou wilt be found a rejecter of mercy And how wilt thou escape thou bringest upon thy self swift destruction which the devil would not do Lastly There is this aggravation in every unbelievers misery that notwithstanding the Devil be first in torment yet wicked and incorrigible persons will be most in torment for though the Devil be a Prince of darkness yet is he a miserable slave yet if thou live and dye in unbelief thou wilt be a slave unto this slave yea all the Devils will tyrannize over thee And know to thy fear and trembling there is the aggravation of mercy and providence will burn thee in hell which will not scorch the Devil The Devil shall have the fire of wrath but the aggravation of mercy will be all cruelties on such that obey not the Gospel the mercy of God will be in wrath and judgement all will be to wicked men a consuming fire therefore fear and tremble and consider if mercy will not melt you wrath and fury will pierce you and consume you 1. As a word of use What terror is this to such that are implacably wicked Oh the fears and torments that will shortly be on such that are wanton and negligent under mercy now the day of vengeance is approaching and think never so slightly there is no escaping 2. Use by way of restraint Will all be against wicked men at last What a misery is it that love and mercy will not constrain you Now my delight is not in this to inlarge but would the love of God in Christ might constrain you if not let the fear of wrath restrain you or else for certain the Devil will take you And who would be a childe to such a father a slave to such a slave Do not let the Devil shame thee but let the wrath of God fear thee and his Love and Mercy melt thee Last of all Saints heighten up your spirits and your expectation though the wicked now laugh and you mourn yet when death comes their bands begin no end of the wickeds torment nor of your consolation for it is but a night of sorrow and to morrow your redemption shall be compleated Even the expectation of your faith the salvation of your souls Counsel unto Saints As they are Sojourners and Strangers in the Earth Psal 119. 19. I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy Commandments from me CHAP. I. Shewing the Division of the words ond the Doctrines therein A Strange Text may some say for this occasion Why grant it so yet it is no more strange then true and I doubt not to understanding Christians the Text will very well suit the time and this present solemnity In the former Sermon you had something of the Son now something from the Father The difference betwixt the Father and the Son is to be observed it lay not in their David and Solomon Offices they were both Kings David was a King so was Solomon his Son but the one knoweth much the other experienceth more Solomon had abundance of knowledge but David more spiritual experience