Maranatha Oh let it not for shame be said that we love not the Lord Jesus Christ Oh cursed is that man that loves not Jesus Christ who comes to bring blessedness to him we should love Jesus Christ because he is altogether lovely white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 none can save us but he Then again the conexion of the words is very remarkable the Apostle doth not say our Lord Christ himself nor our Jesus himself but our Lord Jesus he joyns Lord and Jesus both together and what the Scripture joyns together we must not put asunder from whence we may raise this Doctrine Doct. They whose Jesus is he is their Lord or if you please thus They to whom Christ is a Jesus he is a Lord or Whom Christ saves them he rules To whom Christ is a Saviour to them he is a Governour Christ 〈…〉 be our Jesus he is our Lord if we mistake here we are undone for ever Act. 5.31 The Apostle speaking of Jesus Christ he faith thus Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour c. he hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel not only a Saviour but a Prince they go both together where Christ is a Saviour there he is a Prince where Christ gives remission of sins he giveth power over sin Rom. 6.14 saith the Apostle Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under grace you that are under the saving grace of the Gospel of Iesus Christ you are set free from sin not but that you may fall into sin but it doth not bear sway in your soul it cannot have it's full command you cannot be led captive to sin Vse Now this may be for a use of trial to try whether Christ be our Saviour yea or no examine your selves be faithful to your own souls would you know whether Christ be your Iesus or no ask your selves this question is he your Lord or no is he your Governour he is the King of Saints as well as the Saviour of his people if you follow your lusts and live in sin knowingly and willingly walk after the sinful desires of your own hearts Christ will profit you nothing you shall find what I say to be true one day I wish you find it not by sad experience if you will not be subject to the holy commands of Christ do not so much as expect mercy from Iesus Christ for Iesus Christ tells you himself if you will not be rulâ—d by him he will not save you if you will not obey his Gospel he will be a destroyer and not a Saviour to you remember what he hath said Luk. 19.27 if you refuse obedience to him look not for any favour from him As for those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me That man that would have his lusts reign and not me rule over him bring that soul before me I will throw him into Hell Many shall flatter themselves as in that 13. of Luk. 25. and come with confidence saying Lord Lord open unto us c. let us go into Heaven but he shall answer Lord why call you me Lord I know you not whence ye are but then they shall begin to make apology and say we have heard thou art a Jesus we have eaten and drunk in thy presence we have been at thy Ordinances at thy Word and Sacraments thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say ver 27. I tell you I know you not you are strangers to me I never remember you kept my commands I tell you I will not take notice of you depart from me all ye workers of iniquity if you will not take one answer there 's a second depart from me all ye workers of iniquity Oh how sad will it be then therefore now take the advise of our Saviour ver 24. Strive to enter in at the straight gate for many shall seek to enter but shall not be able Christ will save only those that obey him therefore I beseech you let me put this question to you for I would fain not have you go to Hell pray ask your own hearts alone in secret is there no known sin committed is there no known sin I delight in if thy heart make known to thee that there is if thou wilt not leave this sin it is a sign that Christ is none of thine Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin c. those that Christ saves he hath said Sin shall not have dominion over them Paul that great admirer of Iesus Christ he tells the people plainly that they may not flatter themselves Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ and least they should mistake he saith that walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit c. who though they have their sins and their failings yet their desire is to walk not after the lusts of their Hearts but after the Spirit for for all Christ died for sinners yet if they live and dye in their sins Christ will not save them if we live after the flesh we shall dye Rom. 8.13 and though it be true and this be a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners yet know this on the other hand Jesus Christ did never intend to save those that remain impenitent hard-hearted and stubborn sinners that live and dye in wickedness they shall find no mercy Job professeth his Faith in the Redeemer yet if he were not his Lord and Governour woe to him the Prophet Isa 3.11 saith Woe to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands it shall be given him remember this We shall as surely go to Hell for all Christ dyed as if he had never dyed if we live and dye in sin therefore if thou wouldest have Christ a Saviour make conscience of obeying Christ Blessed are the undefiled in the way saith the Psalmist Psal 119.1 who walk in the Law of the Lord. ver 8. I will keep thy statutes oh forsake me not utterly If thou wil't keep Gods statutes thou mayest expect to be kept safe and vers 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee I then may we hope to do well ver 30. I have chosen the way of truth thy judgments have I laid before me ver 31. I have stuck unto thy testimonies Oh Lord put me not to shame and again ver 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I might keep thy word 102. I have not departed from thy judgments for thou hast taught me ver 162. I rejoyce in thy word as one that findeth great spoyles ver 163. I hate und abhor lying but thy law do I love ver
thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee God will be with his People underneath shall be his everlasting arms God was with his People of Old in Egypt in the Wilderness in Captivity he was with Daniel in the Den with Paul and Silas in the Stocks with Peter in Prison with John in Pathmos Secondly God will do us good by our trouble Rom. 8. vers 28. All things shall work together for good to those that love God c. and in very faithfullness thou hast afflicted me saith David and it is good for me that I have been afflicted c. and who can harme you if you do well saith Paul God will draw us off from sin by it make us meet to be pertakers of Heaven our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Thirdly God will in due time bring you out of trouble God will not alwaies leave his People in trouble the Rod of the wicked shall not alwaies rest upon the back of the righteous and Psal 34.4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me and vers 17. The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles Oh let 's labour to have an humble Spirit to be affected with and humbled for our sins and a praying Spirit and God will deliver us waite but for a time c. It is good for a man to waite and quietly to hope for the Salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3.26 For God will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able but will make away to escape But to go on And stablish you c. Doct. Christians should labour to be Established First in every good word let your speech be alwaies seasoned with grace our discourses should never be frothy but Savory Eph. 5.3.4 Foolishnes and filthy talking let it no be once named saith the Apostle and by the way take heed of deriding Scripture of jesting with Scripture Phrases but the meaning of the words is that you may be stablished in the Truth of the Gospel that is in all Doctrinal and Practical truths the meaning is I pray saith the Apostle that you be not led a side by the errour of the wicked either in regard of unsound Opinions or unholy conversation hold fast the form of sound words walk in the truth with well doing buy the truth and sell it not labour to be sound in God's statutes in regard of your judgment and sincere in your practices I should have given you many Motives to press you to this duty of stablishing Motive I. This will be to the honour of God and make the world believe that God is in this People of a truth certainely ther 's a God in Heaven that makes his People on Earth to be steadfast in their service of God that they will not turn aside from the commands of God Motive II. Again this will be the joy of Ministers here and hereafter 3. Epistle of Job ver 4. I have no greater joy then to hear that my Children walk in truth and Paul tells us of these Thessalonians that their steadfastness did comfort him in all his afflictions 1. Thes 3.7.8.9 Therefore my Brethren we were comforted over you in all our afflictions and distress by your faith for now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord for what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God I this will rejoyce our hearts indeed if you hold fast stand fast and we cannot tell how to be thankfull enough to God for it oh what a joy is this that God hath honoured us so far that the word of God in our mouths was not in vaine but that People continue in the truth and so it will be the Ministers joy hereafter 1 Thes 2.19.20 For what is our hope or joy or Crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming for ye are our glory and joy There will be the glory of Ministers when they come before the judgment seat of Christ when they can say Lord here am I and the Children thou hast given me and then to conclude with that Phil. 4.1 Therefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and Crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved Motive III. And lastly this will be for your comfort in this World and in another world by this you will make your calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.11 And so an entrance shall be Ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom c. and that you may be so Means I. First labour to converse much in the Scriptures do but as they direct you and you will not do a miss this was the commendation of the Bareans they were called Noble because they searched the Scriptures most People erre from the truth not knowing the Scriptures Psal 1. Therefore if you would not walk in the Counsel of the ungodly not stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornfull let your delight be to meditate in the Law of the Lord. 1. Joh. 4.1 Beloved believe not every spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God trie them how Trie all Doctrines bring them to the Touchstone to the word take no Opinion upon trust weigh Opinions in the balance of the Sanctuary Isa 8.20 To the law and to the Testimony c. and 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto you do well to take heed c. Means II. Secondly if we would be established let us be very watchfull and that the rather because unsound Doctrines and ungodly Practices are very suitable to our corrupt Natures be watchfull that you may be strengthened in the waies of the Lord take heed that you fall not from your own steadfastness Means III. Thirdly be earnest with God in prayer that he would stablish you and that Reason I. First because none can stablish you but God Joh. 15.5 Without me you can do nothing there is so much unbelief remains in the heart of the best men in the World that we shall soon depart from God unless he keep us therefore we must watch our hearts Now he that stablisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God 2 Cor. 1.21 Reason II. Secondly let 's pray to him for stablishing because he hath promised to stablish his People in every good â—ord and work though God's people my backslide for a time yet if they belong to God he will humble them for their sins it shall cost them dear and as Paul prays for it 1 Thes 3.13 That they might be stablished so he tells them of God's promise Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it untill the day
Gospel of them that profess and believe it and indeavour to live according to it wicked men do what they can that hate godliness themselves to discourage others from it and discover their malice not only in bad Language but in the base usage of them that fear God I might shew as to malicious reprocahful Language how common a condition this hath been for all the Saints in all times let them be never so good they shall be ill spoken of and they that are the greatest blessings to the places where they live shall be looked upon as the greate stroublers of it as they said thou art he that troublest Israel whereas wicked Ahab and his Idolatries brought their misery upon them And so Jeremy he must be ill spoken of he was the man that did all the mischeif in his days whereas poor man what did he do he did only pray for them and Preach to them and tell them of those sins that brought those evils upon them and yet he must be accounted 〈◊〉 man that was the Author of all their miseâ—… no place is fit for him but the Prison or the Dungeon and so Paul and Silas Acts. 17.5.6 when they came to preach the Gospel they raised up against them the worst and the baser sort of the people and they must revile them these are they that turn the World upside down alas what had they turned upside down but men's lusts and the Devils Kingdom the Devil knew that well enough and therefore he so much opposed them alas they are so far form being the disturbers that they are the quieters of a Land they do not overthrow but uphold kingdoms the holy Prophets and the holy People of God are the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof and when once they are removed then ruine may be expected they are the only means that God makes use of sometimes to keep of misery from a people let but Lot go out of Sodom and then Fire and Brimstone comes down from Heaven upon them while Jeremy continues praying the Lord forbeares punishing but when God would bring his judgments then there comes pray not for this people This is the common Portion of God's people they must be thought the troublers of the place they are the men that do all the mischief that bring all the calamities as if nothing but holiness was the ruine of the world c. But that is not all the bad Language they give them but the bad usage they meet with is the great temptation and trouble that the people of God are annoyed by they do not only open their mouthes against them but they stretch forth their hands to vex them God's people they are the Butt for them to shoot the Arrowes of their fury against Lord saith David Psal 3 1. How are they increased that trouble me Many are they which rise up against me Gal. 4.29 and it was not their case alone but saith the Apostle as then he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the spirit even so it is now and so it will be to the end of the World these two seedes will never agree wicked men hate the godly at their hearts and when they have power and opportunity they will manifest the hatred of their spirits by the incivilities they will do them they will vent their malice the fury and rage of their hearts in their bud dealings with them 2 Cor. 11.24.25 Not only the persons that knew not God but the Jewes that pretended aquaintance with God they were Paul's great adversaries This is the condition of God's people they shall be exercised with great temptations with Persecutions in the world David tells us 1 Sam. 26.20 He was hunted as a Partridge in the Mountains Psal 102.6.7 I am like a Pellicane saith the Psalmist of the Wilderness I am like an Owle of the Desart I watch and am as a Sparrow alone upon the House top and Paul tells us of those brave men those choise Saints even those the World was not worthy of Heb. 11.36 They had trials of cruel mockings and Scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment they were stoned they were Sawen asunder were tempted were slain with the Sword c. The land was not able to beaâ—e their words and their lives and Paul saith this was his case 2 Cor 11.23 He was in stripes above measure in Prisons more frequent in deaths oft of the Jewes five times received I forty stripes save one thrice was I beaten with Rods once was I stoned c. And it was not his case alone but of other Saints not only in his time but all others must in one kind or other suffer and in this sense All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution either the Persecution of the hand or the Persecution of the Tongue be reproached and vilified if not abused and imprisoned if not in reference to their liberties and estates yet in one kind or other they shall be annoyed Nay the godly many times are molested and wronged by those from whom they may in most reason expect the most civility Psal 41.9 My own familiar friend in whom I trusted which did eat of my bread hath lift up his heel against me See how many loved Christ and see how many of his servants as Christ saith among the Twelve there was a Judas Mat. 26.21 Verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me and they were exceeding sorrowfull and began every one of them to say to him Lord is it I and he answered and said he that dippeth his hand with me in the Dish the same shall betray me Nay we read the first man that ever was born in the world that was a good man was a persecuted man he was persecuted to the death and that by his own brother Joh. 1 3.12 Cain was of that wicked one and who slew his Brother and wherefore slew he him because his own works were evil and his Brothers good One would think he should rather have preserved him no such was the wickedness of his spirit that that was the cause that he could not be quiet until he was destroyed his own works were evil and his Brothers good and the Apostle makes the Application in the 13 vers marvel not my brethren if the World hate you If you fear God and are willing to serve him be sure the World will hate you those that are nearely related to you you may expect they will be injurious to you Saith Christ to his Disciples think not that I am come to send peace on the Earth but the fruit of the Gospel is peace but the Sword that is trouble will follow that I am come to set a man at variance against his Father and the Daughter against her Mother and the Daughter in Law against her Mother in Law and a mans foes shall be they of his own house The Preaching of the Gospel is not
by the hand of Saul and yet Saul died and he lived Gods people I say manytimes they are delivered in this World out of eminent dangers though great though long troubles though soar and though lasting yet they are not everlasting they do not continue as long as their days continue Many have been under great temptations soar persecution and yet have outlived their persecutors David did Saul and Paul did even when they were past hopes 2 Cor. 1.9 10. vers We were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life but we had the sentence of death in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God which raiseth the dead Who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us and he tells Timothy 2 Tim. 3.10 11. vers of the great troubles and persecutions that came to him but out of them all the Lord delivered him and so in the same Epistle 2 Tim. 4.16 17. ver when he was brought before Nero all men forsook me yet God did not forsake me the Lord stood with me and strengthened me and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lyon though he was very near unto death yet his life was preserved God did make with that soar temptation a way to escape The troubles of Gods people shall be but for a season sometimes they are but for a season in this life Secondly At the most they shall be but for the season of this life they shall last no longer so one Paraphrases upon the words they are but for a season as long as this short life lasts so long you may be afflicted if there be occasion for it but then there is an end of all 2 Cor. 4.17 vers Our light affliction which is but for a season but for a moment it shall not be hereafter it shall be but here while the moment of this life lasts then it vanishes away when our lives go if we fear God all our troubles will go away with them there is a time for every thing this present time is the time of the Saints afflictions the time that Gods people suffer this is the time of temptation of all that fear God when this life is at an end afflictions will be out of season there will be none of them when this life ends the suffering of the godly will then be at an end death puts a period to all their troubles they continue but while they have their abode in this earthly tabernacle no longer shall any cross or affliction be their portion Revel 14.13 vers Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Blessed are they though they seem the most cursed of any people in some respects while they live yet blessed are they when they dye for they rest from their labours that is though not from their labour of service and love to God and his people yet from their labour of sorrow they shall then have no burden of persecution or affliction to bear as no evil shall be done by them so no evil then shall be suffered by them as they shall not know what sin means in another World so neither shall they understand what sorrow means weeping and wailing all tears then shall be wiped from their faces and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads no disturbance of Spirit shall be the Saints lot in another World no evil work nor work of iniquity shall ever follow them mens Pesecutors may follow them to the grave but then they must leave them then your bodies shall go into your graves in peace and your souls shall go to God that gave them to the Spirits of just men made perfect that are without sin and without suffering that are for ever serving God and continually injoying God In Gods presence where Gods people shall be after this World there is no part of their lives that is imbittered to them there is fulness of joy and their is pleasure for evermore at Gods right hand it is not only some little comfort is given them aâ—… this World to bear up their Spirits but there the joy shall be everlasting pleasure for evermore O well may believers say as God by the Prophet Say you to the righteous it shall be well with him though it be very ill with him whiles he lives yet it shall be well with him when he dyes his troubles he shall see they were but for a season though he may have many inconveniences in his earthly tabernacle yet he shall find nothing of dislike when he comes to Gods everlasting habitation Secondly Why is it so Why shall the temptations of the Godly be but for a season Why shall their affliction not last allways I will give you a two fold account of it I. Because of the mercifulness of God he is a God of tender mercy he compassionates all his creatures in all respects but much more them who are not only the work of his hands but the delight of his heart as all that fear and love him are he hath great kindness for them and this account is given why the Lord will not always chide his people he is a merciful God Psal 103.8 9. vers The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and then it follows he will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever angry he may be with his children when they are faulty and disobedient But he will not keep his anger forever Why the verses following declare Like as a Father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him for he knows our frame he remembers we are but dust God knows what frail creatures his people are and though some chiding they may bear yet his frowns they are not able to undergo that is the reason God gives why he would not shew himself always displeased with his people he should break their hearts with such thoughts Isa 57.16 17. vers I will not contend for ever neither will I be always wroth why for the Spirit should fail before me and the Soul which I have made the very heart of Gods people would be broken with a long continuance of their troubles and therefore he will in wrath remember mercy as it follows For the iniquity of his covetuousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart I have seen his ways and will heal him I will lead him also and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners I know that he is not able always to bear my afflicting hand I will take it of it shall be but a little while the rod is upon his back but it shall not rest there I will manifest my love again to him Isa 54.7 8. vers For a