Invasions So is Christs Reâ—gniâ— as Head Law-giver and great Commandâ— in the Souls of his People by hâ—s Laws aâ—â— Statutes So is he said to Reign over the house 〈◊〉 Iacob Luk 1.33 with 1 Joh 4 4. 2. As the Master of a Family in his owâ— House where he dwells with Contentmenâ— Ease Satisfaction Pleasure and Delight 〈◊〉 beholding his House Even so Christ â—welâ— in the Hearts of his People Eph 3.17 Aâ—â— therefore called his own house Heb 3.6 And an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph â— 22. Christ standing before the door promiseth to such as will open to him to come it Revel 3.20 3. Christ is in the Believer as a Tradseman in his Shop doing the Work of his Calling I say so is Christ advancing the Work oâ— Grace in the Believer for beliveth in them Gal 2.20 And if Christ be in you the body iâ— dead because of sea but the Spirit is Life becausâ— of Righteousness Rom 8 10. As the GOD this World that is the Devil is and dwelâ— in them to whoâ— the Gospel is hid and whâ— are lost blinding the minds of them whicâ— believe not 2 Cor 4.3 4. And as the prince 〈◊〉 the power of the air that evil spirit doth worâ— in the Children of disobedience Ephes 2 2â— Even so Christ having cast out this strong man comes to the heart and takes possession â—hereof and worketh therein what is well pleasing in his eyes 4. Like into one in his obtained possession â—nd in his Garden delighâ—ing himself in the â—njoyment of what he hath gotten and purchased Even so is Christ in Believers havâ—ng purchased them unto himself and that with his own Blood pâ—ssâ—ssing them as his own and there delighâ—eâ—h he himself as in his Garden Song 6.2 My Beloved is gone down â—nto his Garden to the beds of Spices to feed in â—he Gardens and to gather Lillies So that this Expression Christ in you holds â—orth 1 Christ reco0ncilled with them by Faith He stands no more at the door knockâ—ng but he is let in and there is peace betwixt Him and â—hem he is come in 2. Christs â—nward Affection to them He cannot but love â—hem in whom he dwells and abides In whose bosome he layeth his head and in whose Heart he hath his Throne 3 â—hrists â—pecial acknowledging them â—o be his ransomâ—d Ones for his peculiar Treasure for his House and constant dwelling Place 4. Christs working in them the work of Holyâ—ess and drawing in them more and more â—vely Draughts and Lineaments of his new â—mage that the new Man of Grace may be â—tronger and stronger they made more and â—ore conformable to the Prince of their Salvtion in all the Graces of the Spirit 5. Christs reigning and sweying his Scepter in the Soul And that his Laws are obeyed his Statutes followed and that there is no willing subjection to any other Master That Christ having cast out the old tyrant usurper he is acknowledged as the Alone and Lawful Soveraign 6 Christs resting himself in his Love to them For where he loves there iâ— his resting place there he makes his abode 7. Christs being in them as their life the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Operations Gal 2.20 8. In a word It holds sorth â—hat Christ is in them to do in and for them to bring them up to Glory to lead them through difficulties to strengthen them against opposition to comfort them against discouragements and to support them under crosses and so in the end to bring them home Question But how is He in the Believer I Answer He is there not only as GOD For so is he over all neither is he there meerly as Man For he is so in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Father where he must abide until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the World began Acts. 3.21 Buâ— as Mediator not in Person but by his Viceroy and great Lord keeper of his Room the Holy Ghost For he is the Comforter that â—hall ever abide with us And for whom Christ prayed the Father and wâ—â—m he was â—o send Ioh 14.16 17.26 Ioâ— 15.26 and 16.7.13 Question But is it by the Spirit himself that Christ lives and abides in the Believer Or is â—t alone by the Graces Effects and Operations of the Spirit Answer By whatever of the two it be by this way of Christs in dwelling is every way strong ground of Consolation and affords solide Joy and a sure well grounded Hope of Glory Notwithstanding there are several Expressions in Scripture that seems to plead â—or the Spirit himself As 1. The Believer is said to be the Temple of God of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor 3.16 17. and 6.19 Which gives to know more than that they have his Graces as the design ground of the Apostles reasoning holds forth Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God as holy which Temple ye are Here three times they are called GODS Temple And not only so but as if the Apostle would further lay forth the business he adds And that the Spirit of GOD dwelleth in you All which may be said very properly of a Person and more properly than of any work wrought by the Spirit To the same purpose the Apostle speaketh 1 Cor 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God The Holy Ghost is said to be in them as a Temple 2. The Spirit is spoken of as a Gift with a dâ—fference from his Works and Effects oâ— Grace Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us Rom 5.5 Here is the Grace of Love wrought by the Holy Ghost And moreover the Apostle sayes that it is by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us So that the Holy Ghost himself is given as a special Gift besides that of his Fruit and Operations in the Soul Compared with Ezek 36.27 And I will put my Spiriâ— within you 3. Christ promises to send him in hâ—â— Room and mentions him alwayes as a Person that he will send to dwell and abide with them to work in them â—o saith he Iob. 14.16 17. And I will pray the Father and he shall givâ— you another comforter that he may abide with yoâ— for ever So that it is the Comforter himselâ— that he promiseth here and not simply hâ—â— Comforts And who is this Comforter Eveâ— the spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him bâ—â— ye know him And as if this were not sufficienâ— he adds further for he dwelleth with yoâ— and shall be in you And yet further v. 26. Buâ— the Comforter which is the Holy
pleasant and delectable â—o us here We only shall make mention of the most principal ones As 1 It is a Life of greaâ— Joy and Gladness They shall obtainjoy and gladness Isa. 35.10 and 51 8. Then thâ—s Gladness is great it shall be an unspeakably glorious Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 For then they shall see him seeing the joy which now they have when they love him whom they see not and believe on an unseen Christ is inexpressible and full of Glory How much more inexpressibly full of Glory shall they then be when they come to embrace him whom their Soul loveth whom now they enjoy alone by Faith Spiritual Joy and Gladness in the Holy Ghost is the very beginings of it in time Rom. 14.17 It is here a Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 It is an exceeding great joy 1 Pet. 4.13 That when his Glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy It is an everlasting joy â—sa 35.10 and 51.11 The very earnest thereof here enjoyed far surpâ—steth the laughing joy of the wicked Psal. 4 7 It is a peculiar joy a rejoycing in the gâ—adness of his Nation Psal. 106.5 Here is Fulness of joy Psal 16.11 2. It is a Life of clear Sight we shall know no more in part but know even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 And We shall see him as he â—s 1 Joh 3.2 Now we see darkly through a Glaâ—s But then face to face 1 Cor. 13.12 In the Light of Glory there is no Daâ—kness The Soul no sooner enters the threshold of Glory but it is delivered from all Damps Mists Clouds and Imperfections and capacitate more fully and distiâ—ctly to receive the Outtings of Light â—verlastingly flowing from that Fountain of Light who dwelleth In the Light which no man can approach unto 1 Tâ—m 6.16 Not that the Soul shall then be in case to behold Gods being whom no man hath seen or caâ— see He remains for ever God Invisible 1 Tim 1.17 And the Believer a finite Creature and sâ— incapable to behold the Being of God whicâ— is Infinite and Invisible But they shall be admitted to such nearness and enjoy such immediate Manifestations and Beams flowing froâ— the Fountain of Glory that it shall be as a seâ—ing of him face to face and a knowing of him as we are known in comparison of what here enjoyed Undoubtedly our Understandinâ— though never so deep shall be there compleaâ—ly satisfied and that is enough and may satisâ—â—â— us 3. That Glory hath a wonderful transforâ—ing vertue as appeareth from 1 Iohn 3.2 〈◊〉 shall be like Him that is like unto Christ 〈◊〉 whom the Apostle speaks there for we shaâ—â— see him as he is The discoveries of God in thâ— Land of Glory shall transform us and iâ— print in the Soul those Heavenly Accompliâ—â—ments which shall make us like unto him Tâ—â— Divine rayes proceeding from that Object 〈◊〉 received by the Soul shall make it so farâ—â— capable conformable to the Object caâ—â—â—ing alongst with them a transforming Poâ—â—â— and Vertue They shall imprint in the Souâ—â— lively Copy of the Glorious Communicaâ—â— Vertues after a more Clear full Heavenly 〈◊〉 visible way and in a far greater measure 〈◊〉 here Though even here the Glory of the Lord being seen as in a Glass changeth the Believer Into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3.18 This is a powerful operative Glory a continual refreshing Glory 4. That Glory filleth up the spacious desires and out-stretched uptakings of the Soul so that the Soul living in Glory can complain of no wants but is compleatly satisfied Ps. l7. 15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Then shall all the corners of the wide and vastly enlarged Soul be fully satisfied There shall be no Hunger and Thirst there after wants for all shall be enjoyed what the Soul can desire This teacheth us 1 st That all the good to be enjoyed there shall be real and not apparent only and imaginary 2 ly It shall be a most fit and suteable good other wayes it could never satisfy superfluity of Water is satisfying to a Fish because in its Element yet could not be so to man who lives in another Element 3 ly There shall be no scarcity of â—hat suteable and convenient good but a fulness that shall answer all the extended desires of the Soul 4 ly That the Soul shall possess and enjoy this â—ullness that it may be satisfied therewith and get all its wanâ—s filled up thereby 5. In â—hat Glory the Believer is admitted to more close Fellowship with God For there they are admitted to stand before the Throne of God Revel 7.15 There it is that they shall fully possess Him as their Portion and thaâ— familiarly For they â—tand there as Ministers oâ— State attending the Kings own person Then behold they Hâ—s Face and live and do rejoyce iâ— the Light of his Countenance day and nighâ— They are made Pillars in the Temple of God and they shall go no more out Rev. 3.12 Glorâ— is their House and Element They could noâ— live without thâ—t Glory They could noâ— breath without His Company He dwells among them even He that sitteth upon t thâ— Throne Revel 7.15 There the great Tabernacle of God is with men whereof this Tabernacle enjoyed by them in the Church Militanâ— is but a smâ—ll resemblance There it is when that word shaâ—l be made good and lively whicâ— we have Revel 21.3 And I heard a great voicâ— out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 God is with men and He will dwell with them anâ— they shall be his People and God himself shall bâ— with them and shall be their God The Believeâ— there lyeth in the Bosome of God there it 〈◊〉 that They shall see his Face and his Name shall bâ— in their Foreheads Revel 22 4. 6. In Glory they shall have near Communioâ— wiâ—h Jesus Christ their Head their Husbanâ— their Brother their Lord and King Then they are with Christ and enjoy Him Phil. 1 23. 2 Cor. 5.8 And â—hat for ever and ever 1 Thess 4.17 He lives with them and feed them The Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them Rev. 7 17. They shall sit with him there upon his Throne Revel 3.21 There got they the Morning Star Revel 2.28 There do they eat of the hidden Manna Rev. 2.17 Here the Soul is put to long for nearness with Christ and complain of clouds interrupting the Beams of His Love But there they shall see Him to their Contentment and Satisfaction For they shall be continually with the Lord and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth Revel 14.4 There shall the Iâ—habitanâ—s of Glory be partakers of the Marriage of the Lamb Revel 19 7 8. 7. In Glory their Work and Imployment shall be to serve God and the Lamb day and night in his Temple Revel 7 15. and 22.3 And to praise
being of him And can do no more without him than a body without a Head And therefore there must be a near Union betwixt us and him 4 Under the similitude of an Union betwixt the Foundation and the Building 1 Pet 2.4.6 The Believer is built on him as lively stones Christ is the chief corner stone of that Building and it is in him that all the building fiâ—ely framed together groweth up into an holy Temple in the Lord In whom they also are builded together for â—nhabittation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.21 22. Which manifests that the Believer cannot subsist wiâ—hout him more then a house can stand without a foundation And therefore â—hey must lean on him and be firmely united â—o him other wayes they can neither stand nor â—ubsist 5. Under the similitude that is betwixt the Body and the Cloathing or Armour The Believer is said to put on the LORD Jesus Christ Rom 13.14 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal 3. â—7 And he is put on as Cloath to defend from â—he cold and to cover their nakâ—dness and â—lso for addorning So also is he puâ— on as Arâ—our for defending us against all spiritual enemies 6. Under the similitude that is betwixt the Accused and his Advocat betwixâ—â—he principal Debtor and his Cautione who are as one person in Judgement Therefore it is that the Believer is blessed with all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Eph. 1.3 Being choosen in him v. 4. They are crucified with him in a legal sense Gal 2.20 They are dead with him Rom 6 8. Col 2.20 Buryed with him by Baptism unto death Rom 6.4 Quickened together and raised up together and made to sit together in Heavenly Places Ephes. 2.5.6 Planted together in the likeness of hiâ— Death and shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection Rom 6 5. Yea and their Life is bid with him in God Col 3 3. So are they said to be heirs and joynt heirs with him Rom â— 17 All which palpably hold forth a real and legal Union betwixt Christ and Belivers to their Joy Comfort and satisfaction Christ being their Cautioner stands oblidged for them and answers in Judgement for them as a Head and publick person appearing for them As Adam was in respect of his posterity so â—his second Adam this last Adam as he is called 1 Cor 15.45 47. Who is a quickening Spirit and Lord of Heaven he appears as a Head and publick person all his Spiritual posterity he binds and oblidges himself for them in a Covanant with GOD And having satisfiâ—d â—or them he is risen from the dead and became the first fruits of them that slâ—pâ— And in him shall all his Spiritual seed be made alive v. 22 3. This Vnion is held out to us in some other Expressions which are most pathetick and condescending As when Christ and they are called one seed Gal 3.16 One Body 1 Cor 12.13.27 1 Cor 6.16.17 And make up one Mystical Christ 1 Cor 12.12 4. This Vnion is inward It is a mutual in-being for as here he is said to be in us and Rom 8.10 Gal 2.20 2 Cor 13.5 Ephes 3.17 So we are said to be in him Rom 8.1 1 Cor 3 1. 2 Cor 1.21 and 5.17 and 12.2 Rom 16.7 Philip 3.9 and. 4. â—1 He in us and we in him Ioh 14.20 O how wonderful and inconceiveable is this Vnion 5. This Vnion hath some likness and resemâ—lance with that Union which is betwixt the â—ather and Christ Ioh 17.11.21.22 That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and in thee and again that they may be one even as we are one 6. This Vnion is not only between Christ â—nd the Souls of Believers but also between Christ and their Bodies For their Bodies are said to be Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor â— 19 And by the vertue of this Union their dead Bodies shall be again raised in the last â—ay For if we believe that Iesus died and rose â—gain even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thes. 4.14 7. This Vnion is not only near and inward but also durable lasting Therefore he is noâ— only in us but dwelleth in us Ephes 3.17 And we are said to abide in him Joh 15 6.7 And as we are dead in Christ 1 Thes 4.14 Rev 14.13 Even so in Christ shall we be made alive 1 Cor 15.22 And with him 1 Thes 4.14 So that death cannot loose that knot otherwayes the hope and comforâ— of the Believer which proceedeth from thiâ— Union were loose and unsure For if in thiâ— life only they had hope in Christ they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor 15.19 with Rom. 8.11 8. As it is excellent near and inward so greatly useful There being no life strength working moving growth or fruitfullness without it If any Man have not the Spirit oâ— Christ he is none of his Rom 8.9 Chrisâ— Jesus must be in us except we be Reprobateâ— 2 Cor 13.5 9. We must be careful not to have perverted uptakings of this Vnion betwixt Chrisâ— and a Believer or of Christs In being in a Believer That is we are not to have carnal uptakings thereof As it were such an Union as between the clay the thing formed thereof oâ— betwixt the vessel and the water that is in it 〈◊〉 betwixâ— things confounded and mixed togetheâ— in one Nor are we to take it up in a way anâ— wayes derogatory thereto As if it were a substantial Vnion such as there is among thâ— Persons of the Trinity or between Christs GOD-â—had and Manhood Nor should we think prophanlie of it as if it were a meer phansie or notion But we are so to apprehend it as a real tho Mystical Mysterious and Spiritual Union having Real and Spiritual Effects in Life and Death and after Death to wit Peace with God Reconciliation Redemption Remission of sins Justification Adoption Approaching to God with Confidence Santification Comfort Joy in the Holy Ghost a Joyful Resurrection and Eternal Glory 10. As this Union is Spiritual in it self so â—t is made up through a Spiritual Bond of Means For as it is through Faith on our part Eph 3.17 So through the Spirit on his part the which is promised in the New Covenant Ezek 36 27. Isa 59 21. Christ hath promised to send him Ioh. 15.26 And he must abide with us for ever Iâ—hn 14.16 Therefore Christ and they are called one Spirit 1 Cor 6.16 17. But to come more particularly to the purpose we shall now point out and demonstrate â—n what respect he is to be in the Beliâ—ver Christ in you We may apprehend Christ to be â—n the Believer in these respects 1. As a King in his Kingdom siâ—ting upon his Throne Ruling and Defending it by his Laws â—nd Statutes preserving it by his Wisdom from intestine Ruptures Divisions and Bâ—oylâ— and by his strength and mighty Powâ—r froâ— Outlandish
Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name He shall teach you all things So that the Comforter himself as distinguished from his teaching is promised here And Ioh 15.26 He is also promised as contradistinguished from his Operations and testifying oâ— Christ. 4. The Believer is said to have the Spirit So that they belong not to Christ who have not have the Spirit of Christ Rom 8.9 He is said to dwell in them Rom 8.11 1 Cor 3.16 2 Tim 1.14 To be with them Ioh 14.17 And to be in them Rom 8.11 By his Spirit that dwelleth in you 5. Not only doth the Spirit help our infirmities which is through Grace But the Spirit himself is said to make intercession for us with groaninos which cannot be uttered which aÌ„pears to be somewhat other that is given them then the meer Graces of the Spirit And that because there immediately follows And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit Rom 8.27 6. The Believer is said to be sealled with the holy Spirit oâ— promise And he is the earnest of our Inheritance Eph 1.13 14. And given as a seal and Pledge Eph 4.30 The earnest of the Spirit is given in their hearts 2 Cor 1.22 So also 2. Cor 5.5 which seems to hold out more than his Fruits 7. Therefore the Believer is commanded not only not to quench the Spirit Ephes 5. 19. which may have respect to his Operations and Indrawings of Grace in the Soul But also not to grieve the Spirit Ephes 4.30 Which seems to import the dwelling of the Spirit in them 8. It is by vertue of this Union betwixt the Spirit and the believer that their very dust is raised up in the last day so that God by the Spirit that dwelleth in them shall quicken their mortal bodies Rom 8.11 This Spirit then that dwelleth in them must be somewhat else then his Graces for by these the mortal bodies are not quickened And he is called the Spirit of Him that raised up Iesus from the dead 9. He is said to be sent forth into their Heaâ—ts crying Abba Father Gal 4.6 10. David prayeth expresly Psal 51.11 That the LORD would not take his Holy Spirit from him Vse 1. This is a noble point of Truth and full of many grounds oâ— Comfort And how could Believers other wayes then rejoyce providing this Union betwixt Christ and them were believed Did they know that Christ were in them keeping house in them dweling with them with joy and satisfaction would it not make them sing under all adversity And that upon a four fold account 1. Upon the account of the great Honour which iâ— brought to them thereby even to them who formerly were meer cages of unclean spirits and yet still have much coorruption abiding in them That the King of Zion who is King of kings LORD of Lords Heir of all the Brightness oâ— his Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb 1.3 Who is the Image of the invisible GOD the first borne of every Creature Col 1.15 That he I say should come and loege with them lodge in their Heart within their Soul That he whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain that is High and Lofty who dwells in Eternity should live with such a One and be united with such O what incomprehensible Honour is this Elizabeth cryed once with great admiration And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me Luke 1.43 And may not the Believer with much more admiration cry out And whence is this to me that my Lord himself should come to me And not only so but come to me and dwell and abide with me 2. Here is great comfort on the account of profit and advantage Have they the Heir of all things so near to them and with them living in them what can they then want For if Christ be theirs all things are theirs life death â—hings present and things to come 1 Cor 3.22 23. Hath GOD given Christ and shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom â— 32 And what can they lack that have all things what can they want who have Him in them in whom dwells all the fullness of the God head bodily Col 2.9 What want they who have Heaven And can they want Heaven within them who have Christ within them They are compleat in him Col 2.10 Which is â—he Head of all principality and power 3. Here is comfor upon the account of safety Who or what can harm them who have preservation or salvation wiâ—hin them Christ the Author of Eternal Salvation within them O what security for them in whom he is What can tribulation or distress or famine or nâ—kedness or peril or sword do to such can they separate him who is become a Habitation for Christ from the love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus No no can the ship drown wherein Christ is Can fire or water harm a Soul who is a Habitation for Christ What can satan do against Christs lodging Can he or dare he cast it down 4. Here is Comfort upon the account of security and tranquility For who can weaken and endamage their right to Glory that allready have begun Glory in the soul to wit Christ the hope of Glory can satan or the world make such an one miserable No surely greater is He that is in them then he that is in the world 1 Ioh 4.4 What surer pledge of Heaven and Salvation can the soul have then a begun possession What is Heaven other then a life of Communion with GOD in the nearest and strictest degreâ— And 〈◊〉 stricteâ— Union can any have with Christ than to have him in them Vse 2 Unbelievers and strangers â—o Christ may hence gather these princâ—pal Points for their better improvement oâ—â—he â—oresaid Truths 1. Have nâ— mean â—houghâ—s â—f â—he life and state of Bâ—lievâ—rs You sâ—e to what they are â—xâ—lâ—ed hâ—wever contempâ—able in the eyes of â—he World despise you such an incomprehensiâ—le â—â—ch advantage Iâ— is no such despicâ—ble and mean Life as you phansie Have then a higher esteem thereof if you would be truely Wise. 2. Again on the other hand ponder seriously what a fearful and mâ—serable condiâ—ion iâ— is wherâ—in ye are who are strangeâ—s to Christ And in place of Christ in you the Hâ—pe of Glory ye have satan â—n you working thâ— wâ—â—ks of darkness blinding the mind left the light of the glorious Gospel â—f Christ who is the Image of God shouuld shine unto you 2 Cor 4 4. Beâ—ng without Christ â—o ye have no hope strangers from the Covenants â—f promise and without God Ephes 2 21. Without a Leader and Commander Isa 55. Without Protectâ—on or â—oy and wâ—thout â—ll that â—s good 3 Do noâ— only think on it â—ut dwell on the thoughts of it until that your â—earts be wroughâ— up to a real sorrow and â—rief that ye have been so long in such a conâ—ition
that effect 5. Mark Where Christ is there He gets the Heart for there he lives Ephes. 3 17. So that what evâ—â— it bâ—â—hat presents its self to the Soul though never so taking yet He has still the precedency disposing and chief room unless it be for a time that the Soul may be over poured and carried away with some lâ—st or other These that have Christ in them they Confess that Iesus is the Son of God 1 Joh 4.15 And so altogether Matchless For all such dwell in Him and He in them So that He is unto them White and Ruddy the chiefest among ten thousands Song â— 10 And whatever is his is altogether lovely ver 16. For unto them which believes He is precious 1 Pet. â— 7 I acknowledge this love and esteem will not alwayes be the same nor appear in the like degree Nevertheless it is for the most part pâ—edomining and reigning and where these â—hings are not so it is a sad token that Christ hath not as yet taken up his abode 6 Mark Where Christ is there is a forsaking of all former Lovers for now they have changed Masters They shall say to their former Idoles get you hence as if they were so many menstruous cloaths Isa 30.22 Then they say with Ephraim What have we to do any more with Idoles Hos 14 8. For where he comes all these must give place to him as being worthy of all There old J liveth no more Gal 2.20 But where the old lovers keep their possâ—ssion where the old idoles the old sinns have the old esteem and the old service and not as yet cast out with loathing and shame it is not as yet â—ight there Christ when he comes binds the old man sets the old Tyrant that possessed the Soul out of doors 7. Mark Where Christ is there is a compleat change that word is realy felt 2. Cor 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Now is he as he were in another world drawing his breath in another element They are no more the folks they were They that are Christs have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5 24. They look on those lusts and affections as their enemies and declares themselves enemies against them wars against them in root and branch and against all their motions whether they be sinful aâ—fections and passions such as these whereby the mans Mind doth suffer and is troubled and affected with or whether they be sinful lusts such as these stirred up by fleshly carnal Baits and Pleasures as motions to Intemperance uncleanness c. Now those who are Christs are said to cruciâ—y and put to death all these because they have engaged themselves by profession and Covenant Sealed in Baptism so to do Rom. 6.3 4. And have actually begun thâ—s woâ—k so that though this Body of corrupâ— flesh be in them yet through the Spirit Rom. 8.13 And by imitating his Cross Rom. 6 5. They are upon the work of Morâ—ifying it suppressing the endeavours and smoothering the â—ffects of it Rom. 6.12 They resolve now to walk in newness of Life Rom. 6.4 From this time forth they have a new understanding renewed in the Spirit of their mind no more sâ—bject to the Dominion of fleshly Lusts whicâ— is enmity against God They â—ave a new will which is now flexible to Godâ— will and Command neither doth it now rebel as formerly They have new Desires new Inclinations new Work new Ends before â—â—em new Followship no more Fellowsâ—ip wiâ—h the unfruitâ—ul works of Darkness 8. Mark Where Christ is there is a resting on him for Liâ—e and leaniâ—g on him for Righteousness Adopâ—ion Justification and Sâ—â—vation wiâ—h â—aul Phil 3.9 Who desired to be found iâ— him not having his own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of GOD by Faith The Soul inâ—ends to live thâ—ough this way alone to râ—st in to hide himselâ— in Christ until â—o speak so a bitt oâ— the Man cannot be seen that when he is calleâ— for it may be answered LORD I am in Christ not having my own Righteousness If Christ be in you saith Paul the Spirit iâ— Life â—ecause of Râ—ghteousness Rom 8.30 The Soul resolves alone to live through this way through his Righteousness I◠〈◊〉 LORD â—ave we Righteousness and strenâ—â—â— say they Isa 54.24 In the LORD expâ—câ— they only to be Justifiâ—d and to Glory â— 2â— 9. Mark Where Christ is there is a grea◠〈◊〉 to eshâ—w sin Joh 3.6 Whosâ—eâ—er 〈◊〉 in him sinneâ—h not To wit with that 〈◊〉 as formerly They may be overtaken in a fault as Gal 6.1 But â—hey are not wâ—llingly intangled again with the yoke of bondage Gâ—l â— 1 Somâ—times they may be carried away with the stream of a temptation as David and Peter yet they give not themselves willingly deliberatly over to the will of their Lustâ— But even when corruption has the upper hand there is a party within them that protesteth against that course and usurpation Rom 7. That which they do they would not and that which they do not they would willingâ—y do The Spirit warreth against the flâ—sh Gal 5.17 Hereby it is that â—â—ey walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom 8.1 10. Mark Where Christ is there is a real fast resolute care endeavour to keep the Commandments of Christ 1 Joh 3.24 And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him And again 1 Joh 2.5 Hereby they know that they are in him because they keep his word They will cast at none of his Laws but have respect unto all his Commandments Psal 119.6 This is their work and design to be conformable in all things to his Law and their faillings are the cause of much sorrow unto them 11. Mark In whom Christ is they live in Love as in their Element 1 Joh 4.16 And we have known and believed the Love that GOD hath to us GOD is love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in GOD and GOD in him Also 1 Joh 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit A humble and condescending Spirit a tender and simpathizing Spirit a Spirit of Wisdom and counsel a Spirit oâ— Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD We may see what for a Spirit it is that is given unto Christ without measure Isa 11.2 Where it is called the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD So that these who have Christ living in them are more or less partakers of this Spirit For they are one Spirit with Christ their darkness is in part removed their pride killed and they made more conformable to Christ their Head and Husband 12. Mark Who have Christ in them they walk after the Spirit Rom 8.1 That is they have
a new counsellour a new leaâ—er to lead them in all their wayes they walk now in the strength of the LORD being strong in him and in the power of his might Ephes 6.10 They have new principles and new Motives to their work They go now to their Duties upon another ground and for other ends then formerly aâ—d this is not at some times at starts and siâ—s but in a more serious constant and resolute manner For they walk after the Spirit 13 Mark These who have this Spirit of Christ in them they live by Faith â—nd depend upon him for Grace Strength Iâ—fluences and Life that they may sâ—rve him in their naâ—ural ordinary and civil Conversations as well as in their Christian Life That they may be for him and forâ—his Glory in all their eating drinking sleeping walking wiâ—hin and without house in their ordinary calling work and Imployment as well as in the hearing of the Word and in Prayer The Life which they now live in the flâ—sh is by Faith Galâ— 2.20 14 Mark These that have Christ in them are of a broken and contriâ—e Spirit they dare not arrogantly look up to GOD they lyin the dâ—st and cry guilty glorifying GOD and taking shame unto themselves He dwells with him that is of a contrite humble Spirit Isa 57 15. Such a Heart is his second Throne whereas the proud he sees a far off 15. Mark Who have Christ in them they get something of a publick Spirit That mind is in part in them which also was in Christ Phil 2.5 So that they havâ— a heart to lay out themselves more effectually for Zion then formerly Christs cause and the Suffâ—rings of his people lyes nearer theiâ— heart then their own things From these Marks we may try and see iâ— we have ground to think that Christ is really in us or not Now we come in the Third place to speak of these words Christ in you the Hope of Glory n so farr as they are the riches of the Glory of this Mysterie which is now made manifest among the Gentiles which will lead us to speak of the first part of the verse wherein as we said in the beginning is a praise and high commendation of the Gospel on several accounts As 1. Being a Mysterie 2. A Mystery that hath Glory in it 3. A Mystery that hath the Riches of Glory in it 4. A Mysterie now made manifest among the Gentiles 5. Tho so nevertheless the Riches of the Glory of this Mysterie is not made manifâ—st to all the Gentiles nay not unto all that hear the Gosâ—â—l but to the Saints mentioned verse 26.6 And that according to the good pleasurâ— of GOD Tâ— whom GOD would make known 7. So thâ—â— it is aloâ—e GODâ— work to make known this Mysterie For the opening up of this Businesâ— we shall first speak a word concerning every one of these paâ—ticulars severally And then to all joyntly holding â—his forth To wit that Christ in the Believer is the Hope of Glory First then the Gospel is a Mysterie consider it the Doctrine of the Gospel is a Divine deâ—p Mysterious Truth therefore it is called the Mysterie of the Gospel Ephes 6.19 we may undeâ—stand that it is called a Mysterie in these respects 1. In respect of the first finding of it out â—he Gospel was not at first â—ound out by men 〈◊〉 Angels never could they have fallen upon 〈◊〉 It went far above the reach of their capaciâ—â—es to find out the way how the condemned â—â—nner should again be reconciled unto GOD â—â—is only is the invention of GOD therefore 〈◊〉 is called the Mysterie of his will Ephes 1.9 〈◊〉 Mystery unto which he gave a being out of â—â—s own good will and pleasure He willed it â—nd therefore it was â— The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the discoâ—ery and making known thereof As no flesh â—ould have found it out so no flesh could have â—allen on such a way until it pleased the LORD â—o make it known flesh and blood hath not â—evealed it Math 16.17 Yea the Angels â—ould not have revealled it for they were strangers thereunto and came to the knowledge â—hereof by the Church Eph 3.10 By the Churc was the manifold wisdom of GOD to wit in the mystery of the Gospel made known unto the Principalites and powers in Heavenly places therefore we hear that the Angels are present in the Assemblies of GODâ— people 1 Cor 11.10 and Peter â—els us 1. Pet 1.12 That â—he Angels are desirouâ— to look into these things Tim 3.16 Seen of Angels giving us to know so much They looked up with desire and satisfaction as seeing something new in Him which formerly they had not seen 3. The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the way and manner of its manifestation For it was not wholy at once revealed buâ— by degrees the more to hold forth the worth and excelency â—hereof for fiâ—st darkly revealed and maniâ—ested to Adam in this The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent Gen 3.14 15 Then 2ly It was a litle more clearly discovâ—red unto Abraham Isaac and Iacob These weâ—e the old stock of Belivers And this was also â—hrough promises when the LORD said unâ—o Abraham â—hat he should be the father of many Nations Gen 15.5 6. And that in hiâ— all families of â—he earth should be blessâ—d Gen 12.3 and 18.18 and 22.18 Such like prâ—mâ—ses we fiâ—d made unto Isaac Gen 26 4 And unto Iacob Gen 28 14. And thâ—â— was the verâ— Gospel as Paul declareth Gal 3.8 And Peter Act. 3.25 3ly It was yet more clearly discovered unto Moses and uâ—to the peoâ—le which Gâ—D then separated for himself in typs shadowes â—ffâ—rings â—â—d â—nd otheâ— figures and legal ceremonies all which held forth the way of Salvaâ—ion through a câ—ucâ—fiâ—d Mediator 4ly Then was â—his business more clearly discoveâ—ed unto David â—o that the good â—hâ—ngs of the Gospel are 〈◊〉 the sure mercies of David Act 13.32 â—3 â—4 compared with Psal. 2 6. Isa 55.3 Psâ—l 16.11.5 After that Christ is now come 〈◊〉 whole business is more fully and distinctly manifested then ever In respect of which clearness the Gospel is now said in a special way to be made manifest and revealed and formerly shut up kept secret Rom 16.25.26 Now to him that is of Power to stablish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Iesut Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the world began buâ— now is made manifest see also Ephes 3.3.5 See also the verse that goeth before my text as the subjâ—ct of this present Treatise Col 1.26 4. The Gospel is a Mystery in respâ—ct of the Instruments that reveal iâ— GOD himself first revealed it unto Adam Abraham Isaac and Iacob And men who had immediaâ—e Inspiraions were imployed in this work Now at last his own Son Jesus Christ is imployed in this Embassagâ— Heb 2 3 5. It is a Mystery in respect
Inability seated in him through misunderstanding and prejudice against the Mysteries of GOD For it is said of the natural Man 1 Cor. 2 14 That he receiveth not the thing of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him Therefore was the Preaching of Christ crucâ—fied unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23.4 Yea the carnal Understanding is enmity against GOD It submits not it self to the Law of GOD neither can it Rom. 8.7 8. so that there is also a pravity and impotency in their will Therefore saith Christ that a corrupt Tree cannot bring sorth good Fruit. Math. 7. The Ethiopiaâ— cannoâ— change his Skin Ier. 13 5. There is an acquired habitual aveâ—ssness through the praviâ—y of our Inclinations By Nature People are so wâ—dded and glewed to their Lusts and Idols which they will not â—orsâ—ks which augments their natural Antipathy against the Gospel so that they are Enemies in their Minds by wicked works Col. 1.21.6 Besides all this the Devil who is the god of this World iâ— working in thâ—m Ephes 2.2 who more especially so blinds the Minds of those who do not believe that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of GOD may not shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 This needs no â—uâ—ther evidence being more than manifest by daily experience no preaching will once pick on some yea Christ Himself preached unto many who goâ— no profit thereby The great things of GOD's Law are accounted buâ— a strange thing by some Hos. 8. Many have Eyes and see not Ears and hear not 1 Vse We are hereby called to be established in â—he Faith of this Truth That it is only a Divine Power which can makâ— known unto us and in us the Gospel Truths We by Industry and Education with some ordinary light of the Spirit may win to understand the letter of the Gospel But in respect of the saving Manifestation of this Mystery there is a necessity of a real discriminating special immediate inward and powerful Operation of the Spirit of GOD in the Soul driving away the natural Darkness and received prejudices creating Divine Light in the Mind and Understanding and so forming in the Soul a Spiriâ—ual Patern of the glorious Mysteries of the Gospel For until this enlightning Operation and Revelation of the Spirit come all will be to no purpose 2. Vse So should we have a loathing and aversion of that dreadful Doctrine which says That this Divine Spiritual Enlightning is not needful but alledge that moral perswasion with the outward Revelation is sufficient whereas none who hath any knowledge of his own Heart can be so stupid that he should not see so much of the Darkness of his own Understanding that no less than a Divine Power must be exercised and put forth in order to this his Enlightning And what doth this Opinion else but signally vilifie and palpably deny the Divine Mystery of this Revelation and lamentably blow up the empty Creature with Pride Ambition and a foolish conceit of himself to retain somewhat whereby he may as he â—ancies be the less obliged to GOD and may have ground to thank himself to sacrifice unto his own Net and burn incense unto his own Drag What a ruining and dreadful Enemy is this opinion against the exalting of the Power of GOD's Grace and against Folks carrying therein with subordination and dependency on GOD and against all Prayer unto GOD. 3 Vse However this be only GOD's work and His powerful work nevertheless none ought because of his Impotency and natural Ignorance to account himself therefore discharged exeemed or delivered from guilt For 1 Our natural Impotency is our Sin 2 Besides there is ever real opposing and rejecting of this Light in all such as are come to the years of discretion who hear this Gospel and a wilful contemning of this Light which will abundantly stop the Mouths of every one And this often appears either by their neglecting of the Means or by their negligent and sloathful improving of the same and their not using but misusing of the Light which they have c. 4 Vse Notwithstanding this be GOD's work yet we should not cast off the Means for hereby it pleases the Lord to convey Life and to come with that Light and enlighten when and where He will For it pleâ—sed God by the foolishness of preaching to save 1 Cor. 1.21 And Faith comeâ—h by hearing Rom. 10.17 And however the Means in themselves can do nothing yet being ordained by Him as it is our duty so we may have peace in waiting on the â—ree and glorious King where He Commands us to wait and our waiting will sharpen our desires and longings after that blessed Light yea when we are disappointed and cut off in our expectations even this must serve for the further humbling and abasing of our selves and to make us the more earnestly cry out unto Him who is the Fountain of Light that He who has caused the Light to shine out of Darkness would shine in our Hearts in giving us the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4 6. Our attendance on the Means should be constant because we know not when He may come It is good to sow by all Waters and to sow Morning and Evening and in our Duâ—â—es alone to eye Him knowing that all must come from Him And albeit there may many Discouâ—agements arise to cause us give it over partly from without Saâ—an crying It is in vain to wait any longer and partly from within our Hearts looking on it as a desperat work yet this consideration that this Enlightning is GOD 's working may encourage and set us foreward again For GOD is a Soveraign King free to come when He will so is He gracious and merciful and can and will pass over many Enormities and much opposition yea â—urther for quieting of our Hearts under all Objections whatsomever this may sufficâ— He is GOD Almighâ—y and unresistible in His workings He shall work and who shall hinder it 2 dly Moreover we should learn from hence that GOD maketh known this Glorious Mystery to whom He wiâ—l most freely without Hyre or Price it is an Act of His wonderful free Gâ—ace He would make known c. not by reason of any deserving or worth in us or by vertue of any pliabliness or readiness in those to whom â—his is made known or of any necessary connexion betwixt the preparation in them and His Work But meerly from His free Grace and good Pleasure for He is found of them that sought Him not Isa. 65.1 Therefore it is through Faith that we are saved and Faith is not from our selves It is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 And not by the works which we have done but accordâ—ng to His Mercy we are saved T it 3.5 1. Vse For Instruction and this should learn us 1. To admire this wonderâ—ul and