may well be spared If Christ who as to his Divine Nature was equal with God surely we should often come and prostrate our selves before him in this act of Holy Adoration Christ had right and title to all all was his due yet he was much in prayer how dare we go about any business without his Leave Counsel and Blessing and usurp any of his Blessings without begging them by Prayer 2. While he prayed he was Transfigured Luke 9. 29. which teacheth us two things 1. That we have the highest Communications from God in Prayer for then Christs shape was altered By Prayer the Soul hath the most familiar converse with God that possibly it can have and also by the means of this duty God hath most familiar converse with us In our Prayers to God we have experience of the Operations of the Spirit Rom. 8. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self helpeth us with groanings which cannot be uttered Iude 20. But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost and in Gods answering our prayer we have Experience of the comforts of the Spirit and those spiritual solaces which he secretly giveth to his People Hannah when she had prayed went away and her countenance was no more sad 1 Sam. 1. 18. In praying we put forth the groans of the Spirit in the answer God gives the joys of the Spirit Psalm 34. 5. They looked unto him and were lightned and their faces were not ashamed 2. That we should pray so as that the Heart may be raised and lifted up unto God and in some sort made like God when Christ prayed to God he is made partaker of the Divine Glory as Moses also by conversing with God his face shined Exod. 34. 29 30. This was extraordinary but sure the oftner we converse with God the more Holy and Heavenly should we grow more like him in Spirit be changed into the glory of the Lord spiritually and so we are if we be instant and earnest in Prayer if we have Communion with God there will be some Assimilation to God USE It reproveth our remiss feeble benummed souls there is no Life in Prayer no working up the Heart to God and Heaven either our Prayers are formal and cursory Iames 5. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or our Prayers are doctrinal instructive rather then warning we get lightly over duties but we should get life by Prayer this duty is not to inform the judgment but to raise the Affections that they be all in a flame or else we content our selves with a dull narrative without getting up the heart to a sight of God and Heaven or are seldom in Praises or Adoration of the Excellencies of God SERMON II. MATTH 17. 2. And he was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the Sun and his Rayment was white as the light With LUKE 9. 29. And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered and his Raiment was white and glistring IN both these Texts compared together you may observe two things 1. The Circumstance of Time during Prayer 2. The Transfiguration it self 1. More Generally propounded he was Transfigured before them 2. More Particularly explained by the change of his face and Rayment The form of any man is most seen in his Face there was a glorious shining brightness Luke saith the fashion of his countenance was altered Matthew that his Face did shine as the Sun And in the glorious description of God in the Prophet Habakkuk it is said chap. 3. 2. And his brightness was as the light For his Garments Luke saith his Raiment was white and glistering Mark chap. 9. 3. White as the Snow so as no Fuller on Earth could whiten them but Matthew white as the light which carryeth it higher the works of Nature exceed those of Art The Transfiguration that was plainly to be seen in his Face was accomplished also in other parts of his body all his body was cloathed with Majesty so as it could not be obscured and hidden by his Garments Now First I shall speak of the circumstance of Time and then of the Transfiguration it self I. Of the Time and as he prayed Now what Christ prayed for is not specified If he asked common blessings and prayed only in order to his usual solace and converse with God it shewed the success of vehemency in prayer Christ prayed at such a rate as that he was Transfigured and changed into the likeness of God in prayer 2. If he asked to be Transfigured for the confirmation of his Disciples it sheweth Gods readyness to answer fervent and earnest Prayers 1. Of the First consideration if Christs prayer were of ordinary import it teacheth us that we should pray so that the Heart may be raised and lifted unto God in prayer and in some sort made like unto God let us state this matter aright 1. It must be granted that this shining of Christs countenance as the Sun while he prayed was extraordinary and a dispensation peculiar to the Son of God so also was the shining of Moses his face while he conversed with God in the Mount Exod. 34. 29 30. and for ordinary Christians to expect the like is to put a snare upon themselves for these things are proper only to the end for which God appointed them 2. This must be also considered that the eminent and extraordinary passions and affections in the soul do discover themselves in the body especially in the Face for it is said of Stephen that when he was heightned into a great zeal for Christ Acts 6. 15. That all that sate in the Council looking stedfastly upon him saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel Angels have not Bodies or Faces but they often assume Bodies and then they appear with a glorious and bright countenance as the Angel of the Lord that appeared at the Sepulchre Mark 28. 3. His countenance was like lightning and his Raiment white as Snow Now such a glory and gladness did God put upon the countenance of his servant Stephen that he looked like an Angel something extraordinary there might be in the case but yet there was an ordinary reason for it Stephens mind was filled with such an incredible solace in the sence of Gods love that he shewed no troubledness but a mind so unconcerned and freed from all Fear and sorrow as if he had been among the Angels of God in full Glory and not among his Enemies who sought his blood and so may God raise the Hearts of his people sometimes as if they had put their heads above the Clouds and were in the midst of the Glory of the World to come among his blessed ones If that were extraordinary Solomon tells us Eccles. 8. 1. That a mans wisdom maketh his Face to shine as it gives him readiness and tranquility of mind and
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were those that were inspired and possessed by a Spirit therefore it must be a prayer that not only hath Understanding and Will in it but Spirit and Life in it However we are to put forth our utmost endeavour and raise the natural Spirit as far as we can 2. The second Agent is the new Nature which inclineth us to God as our chief Good and last end This also must be taken in for the Holy Ghost doth not blow as to a dead Coal the New Nature is made up of Faith Hope and Love and all these must be acted in Prayer Faith or the firm belief of Gods Being and Providence and Covenant for how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed Rom. 10. 14. Then Love to God or desire of the fruition of him in Heavenly Glory praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God Iude 20 21. If I do not love God and desire to enjoy him and delight in as much of God as I can get here certainly there will be no life in Prayer or no Ravishment and Transport of Soul no spirit of Desire animating our Requests and no spiritual Solace and Delight in our converse with God Hope is also necessary to fervent praying for a man coldly asketh for what he doth not hope for Hope respecteth both Means and End supplies of Grace by the way and our final Fruition of God in Glory this is called Trust in Scripture and is the great ground and encouragement of Prayer Psal. 62. 8. Trust in the Lord at all times pour out your souls before him Prayer is the act of a Trusting soul. Now these Graces quicken our Natural Faculties as they elevate and raise our Hearts and Minds to God and Heaven 3. The third Agent in Prayer is the Holy Spirit He is sometimes said to pray in us Rom. 8. 26. sometimes we are said to pray in him Iude 20. The Divine spirit exciteth those Graces in us which incline us to God he raiseth our Minds in the Vision and sight of God in thy Light shall we see Light Psal. 36. 9. and he raiseth our Hearts to a Desire after and Delight in God for all that spiritual solace and Joy is called Ioy in the Holy Ghost for both unutterable Groans and unspeakable Joyes are of his working Rom 8. 26. The Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered compared with 1 Pet. 1. 8. In whom though we see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory Well then these work a kind of an Extasie if you would pray so as to be transported transformed in Prayer something you must do as Reasonable Creatures somthing as New Creatures and the Spirit influenceth all and causeth the Soul to follow hard after God we must put forth our utmost endeavour stir up the Gift of God in us and though we cannot command the influences of the Spirit yet he is never wanting to a serious soul as to necessary Help Pray thus and you will find as the Help of the Spirit in Prayer so the Comforts of the Spirit as the Success of Prayer 5. As there is daily and constant Prayer in which we must ever bewray a seriousness and sincerity for these daily supplies of Grace so there are extraordinary occasions because of some great Business Conflict or Temptation in those the Heart and Mind must be more then ordinarily raised and stirred In every Prayer of Christ there was not a Transfiguration and we read of our Lord Jesus that in his Agonies he prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more earnestly then at other times Luk. 22. 44. and upon eminent occasions as the necessities of the Saints are greater so their Acts of Prayer are more earnest On these weighty occasions many Christians are wholly swallowed up with the thoughts of God and carried beyond themselves by their High Love to God and earnest Desires of the Spiritual Blessings they stand in need of so that they seem to be rapt into Heaven in their Admiration of God and Delight in him Application Use To Reprove our feeble remiss and benummed Requests There is no Life in our Prayers no working up of the Heart to God and Heaven no flames of Love no Transports of Soul by the Vision and sight of Faith no holy and ardent desires after God or spiritual Solace and Delight in him Reasons 1. We pray Cursorily and go about Prayer as a Customary Task for Fashions sake we come with a few cold Devotions Morning and Evening and so God is near in our Mouthes and far from our Reins Ier. 12. 2. Oh take heed of this nothing breeds slightness and hardness of Heart so much as Perfunctory Praying The Rule is continue instant in Prayer Rom. 12. 12. and it is said of the Saints that they served God instantly day and night 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 26. 7. that they might come to the Blessed Hope with the united Service of all their Powers and Faculties 2. Our Prayers are Doctrinal and Instructive rather than Affectionate and Warming We get Light by other Duties but we should get Life by Prayer this Duty is not to inform the Judgment but to raise the Affections that they may be all Flame other duties are feeding duties but this is a spending duty an egression of the Soul after God Psal. 63. 8. My soul followeth hard after thee A Man may better spend two hours in Hearing than half an hour in Praying if the Heart be employed in it as it ought to be in the fight of God and an earnest desire after him The Prayers in scripture are all supplications or doxologies there is no excursion into Doctrines and Instructions 3. Else we are lamenting sin and spend the time in confessing sin which also hath its use in the seasons thereof but are seldom in Praises or Adorations of the Excellencies of God and the wonderful Mysteries of his Love in our Redemption by Jesus Christ yet it is said Psal. 22. 3. Oh Lord that inhabitest the praises of Israel These are the things that do most ravish the heart and raise it in the Contemplation of that glorious God to whom we speak and fill us with the Extasies of Love that we may be more like him Holy Wise and Good as he is Holy Wise and Good 4. We think a dry Narrative to be enough that is the fruit of a humane spirit or a meer product of Memory and Invention is a sufficient Prayer without acting Faith Hope or Love in it or those spiritual and heavenly desires which are the Life of Prayer Psal. 10. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear The Ardency of Humble Addresses is Gods own Gift and he will never reject and despise those requests that by his own spirit and appointment are direct and brought to him But what
because that God sent his onely begotten Son into the world that we might live by him That God should bestow his Son upon us to procure our salvation God tried Abraham's love in sacrificing his son but manifested his Love to us in sending his own Son he spared him not but delivered him up for us all Now that such a Remedy and Ransome is found out for us it should leave an Impression of Gods love on our Hearts that we may love him again who first loved us 1 Ioh. 4. 19. Think nothing too dear for God who thought no rate too dear to purchase our Life and Peace As our salvation was precious to him let his Glory be dear to us onely let me tell you this Love must not be confined to a bare act of our Reason but you must pray to God to shed abroad this love in your hearts by the Holy Spirit Rom. 5. 5. that so you may study to love and please God prize Christ and his precious Benefits above all things in the World and live to him who died for you that you may feel the constraining Efficacy and Force of Love SERMON VI. MATTH 17. 5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased Hear ye him 1. THe Design and Intent of this Scripture is to set forth the Lord Jesus as the great Mediator as appeareth 1. From the occasions upon which this Voice came from Heaven at his Baptisme which was Christs dedication of himself to the work of a Redeemer and Saviour and now at his Transfiguration to distinguish him from Moses and the other Prophets and publickly to instal him in the Mediatory Office 2. The matter of the words shew his fitness for this Office for here you have 1. His Dignity not a servant but a Son Heb. 3. 5 6. Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant but Christ as a son over his own house Now the old Prophesies foretold the Union of the two Natures in his Person and necessary it was that our Mediator should be God-Man There is a Congruity between his Person and Office one fit to be familiar with Man and naturally interessed in his Concerns and yet so high and near the Father as may put a sufficient value upon his Actions and so meet to Mediate with God for us 2. The Dearness between God and him my beloved son Christ is the Object of his Fathers love both as the second Person in the Trinity and Mediator The one is the ground of the other for because he loved him he intrusted him with souls Ioh. 3. 35. The father hath loved him and put all things into his hands the Elect and all things else all power that conduceth to their salvation Afterwards loved him as Mediator Ioh. 10. 17. Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again Now such a beloved Son is fittest to Mediate for us and to come upon a design of Love to demonstrate Gods great Love to wretched sinners and to be a pledge of that love which God will bestow upon us who are altogether so unworthy of it 3. His Acceptableness to God who is well-pleased with the Design the Terms the Management of it II. This work of Mediator Christ executeth by three Offices of King Priest Prophet For he is Head and Lord of the renewed state a Priest to offer a sacrifice for sin which having once offered he for ever represents in Heaven he was also to be Teacher of Mankind to acquaint us with the way of salvation These Offices are often alluded unto in Scripture Rev. 1. 5. The faithful witness the first begotten from the dead the prince of the kings of the earth So Heb. 1. 2 3. God hath spoken to us by his son he having by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high The effect of them is more briefly described Ioh. 4. 6. I am the way the truth and the life The way was opened by his Passion and is kept open by his Intercession Truth as a Prophet Life we have from him as Prince of Life or Head of the renewed Estate So the effects 1 Cor. 1. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness sanctification and redemption Wisdom as a Prophet to cure our Ignorance and Folly Righteousness and Sanctification as a Priest Redemption as the King and Captain of our Salvation The same Benefits which he purchaseth as a King he bestoweth as a Priest revealeth as a Prophet These three Offices were typed out by the First-born who were Heads of Families and also Prophets and Priests 3. That though all the three Offices be imployed yet the Prophetical Office is more explicitely mentioned partly as suiting with the present occasion which is to demonstrate that Christ hath sufficient authority to repeal the Law of Moses which the Prophets were to explain confirm and maintain till his coming But now Moses and Elias appear in Person to certifie their consent and God his Approbation from Heaven to that new Law of Grace which Christ should set up Partly because it is not necessary that in every place all the Offices should be mentioned sometimes but one as where Christ is called either King Priest or Prophet sometimes two together Heb. 3. 1. Prophetical Sacerdotal Consider the apostle and high priest of our profession Christ Iesus sometimes his Prophetical and Kingly Isa. 55. 4. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people and for a leader and commander to the people Partly because if Christ be received in this one Office he will be received in all the rest for as a Prophet he hath revealed that Doctrine which establisheth his Kingly and Priestly Office for he hath revealed all things necessary to salvation and therefore his own sacrifice and Regal Power Lastly some think all expresly mentioned here thus Christ is Gods beloved Son and therefore the Heir of all things and Lord and King in whom he is well pleased that is pacified and satisfied with his offering as a Priest or appeased by his compleat sacrifice Hear him as the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church This premised I come now to observe Doct. That Christ is appointed by God the Father to be the great Prophet and Teacher whose voice alone must be heard in the Church I. That Christ is the great Prophet and Teacher of the Church appeareth 1. By the Titles given to him he is compared with Moses the great Law-giver among the Iews The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of you like unto me unto him shall ye hearken Deut. 18. 15. He was to be like a Moses but greater than Moses a Lawgiver as he a man as he one that saw God Face to Face as he a Mediator as he but far other in all respects a better Law a more glorious Person a more
had a peculiar Angel to guard him and look after him then when he was in great trouble and detained in prison it doth not follow that every person and every where should have an Angel-Guardian Besides an assertion in Scripture must be distinguished from men introduced speaking in Scripture it sheweth indeed that it was the Opinion of the Iews at that time which these holy men had imbibed and drunk in Or it may be the word Angel is onely taken for a Messenger sent from Peter why should an Angel stand knocking at the door who could easily make his entrance And is it credible that the Guardian Angels do take their shape and habit whose Angels they are It is enough for us to believe that all the Angels are our Guardians who are sent to keep us and preserve us as it pleaseth God But what is their Ministry and Custody It is not cura animarum care and charge of Souls that Christ taketh upon himself and performeth it by his Spirit but ministerium externi auxilii to afford us outward help and relief It is custodia corporis they guard the bodily life chiefly Thus we find them often employed An Angel brought Elijah his food under the Juniper Tree 1 King 19. 5. An Angel stirred the waters at the Pool of Siloam Ioh. 5. 4. An Angel was the guide of the way to Abraham's servant Gen. 24. 7. He will send his angel before thee and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence Angels defend us against Enemies Psal. 34. 7. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them 2 King 19. 35. The Angel of the Lord went out and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand An Angel opened the Prison doors to the Apostles Acts 5. 19. and 12. 7. But were not all these services extraordinary and Miraculous which we may not now expect Answ. The visible Ministry was extraordinary proper to those times but the invisible is perpetual and ordinary as Abraham's servant did not see the Angel in the journey The devil worketh in and about wicked men invisibly so do the good Angels Secondly Reasons Why it is so 1. To manifest the great Love and Care which God hath over his people therefore he giveth those blessed Spirits which behold his face charge concerning his people on Earth as if a Nobleman were charged to look to a Beggar by the Prince of both 2. We understand the operation of finite Agents better than infinite God is so far out of the reach of our commerce that we cannot understand the particularity of his Providence 3. To counterwork the devil evil Angels are ready to hurt us and therefore good Angels are ready to preserve us Well might the devil be so well versed in this place he hath often felt the effects of it he knew it by experience being so often encounter'd by the good Angels in his endeavors against the people of God 4. To begin our acquaintance which in Heaven shall be perfected Heb. 12. 22. Ye are come to an innumerable company of Angels USES 1. To shew the happy state of Gods people No Heirs of a Crown have such Guards as they have Christ dwelleth in their hearts as in a Throne Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith The Holy Spirit guardeth them against all cares and fears Phil. 4. 7. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Iesus Christ. And the good Angels are as a Wall and Camp about them Psal. 34. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Mat. 18. 10. Despise not one of these little ones for verily I say unto you that in heaven their angels do alwaies behold the face of my father which is in heaven If the Angels make an account of them surely men should not despise them Yea rather God esteemeth so much of the meanest of these little ones that the good Angels who daily enjoy Gods glorious presence are ministring spirits appointed to attend them If the Lord and his Holy Angels set such a price on the meanest Christians we should be loath to despise and offend them 2. It should breed some confidence and comfort in Christians in their sore straits and difficulties when all visible help seemeth to be cut off This invisible Ministry of the Angels is matter of Faith 2 Kings 6. 16 17. And he answered Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them And Elisha prayed and said Lord I pray thee open the young mans eyes that he may see And the Lord opened the young mans eyes and he saw and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha These were no other but the Angels of God which were as an host to defend them Open the eye of Faith you may see God and his holy Angels to secure you 3. Take we heed how we carry our selves because of this Honourable presence In Congregations there should be no indecency because of the Angels 1 Cor. II. IC In all our wayes let us take heed that we do not step out of Gods way Do nothing that is unseemly and dishonest they are spies upon us And it is profitable for us that they may give an account of us to God with joy and not with grief SERMON IV. MATTH 4. 7. Iesus said unto him It is written again Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God HEre is Christs Answer to the second Temptation where two things are Observable First That Christ Answered Secondly What he Answered First That Christ Answered Christ answered the more to convince and confound this old Deceiver that he might not think that he was ignorant of his sleights or that he fainted in the conflict as also to instruct us what to do in the renewed Assaults of the Devil to keep up our resistance still not letting go our sure hold which are the Scriptures Secondly What he Answered It is written c. But would it not have been more satisfactory to have said It is sufficiently manifest to me that I am the Son of God and cared for by him and that it is not for the children of God to run upon Precipices I Answer It is not for Humane Wisdom to interpose and prescribe to Christ who was the Wisdom and Power of God His Answer is most satisfactory for two Reasons 1. It striketh at the Throat of the Cause 2. It doth with advantage give us other instructions 1. Christ cutteth the throat of the Temptation by quoting a passage of Scripture out of Deut. 6. 16. Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God as ye tempted him in Massah If we must not tempt God then it doth not become Christ to tempt his Fathers Providence for a new proof of his Filiation and care over him Therefore the devils temptation was
such a case it is time to correct our selves and say yea happy is the people whose God is the Lord Psal. 144. 15. Take heed the devil doth not gain this advantage over you to make you follow the world with the greatest earnestness and spiritual and heavenly things in a slight and overly manner Esteem desires resolutions of worldly Greatness though not upon base conditions begin the Temptation You think it is a fine thing to live in Pomp and at ease to swim in pleasures and begin to resolve to make it your business The devil hath you upon the hip it is a hour of Temptation 2. His next course is to make large offers and promises by his instruments or your own thoughts that though you neglect God and Heaven and do engage in some sinful course you shall do well in the world and enjoy full satisfaction There is a double evil in Satans Offers and Promises 1. They are false and fallacious All these things will I give thee Satan maketh fair offers of what he cannot perform He promiseth many things but doth only promise them he offereth the Kingdomes of the world to Christ but cannot make good his word he sheweth them to Christ but cannot give them And this is the devils wont to be liberal in promises to fill the minds of those that hearken to him with vain hopes as if he could transfer the Riches and Honours of the world to whom he pleaseth whereas they are shamefully disappointed and find their ruine in the very things in which they sought their Exaltation and their projects are crossed for the earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof 1 Cor. 11. 26. 2. All the devils offers and promises have a spightful condition annexed He pretendeth to give but yet selleth at the dearest rates It is but a barter and exchange a flat bargain but no gift He must have our souls God is dishonoured his Laws broken his Spirit grieved The devil staineth his grant with unjust covenants and exacteth more than the thing is worth Two wayes then must we defeat the Temptation 1. Not believing his Promises that I must be beholding to sin to make me happy Those that by unlawful means get up to honour and wealth seem to have accepted the devils offer they think he is Lord of the world and all the Kingdoms and the Glory thereof Do not look upon wealth as the devils gift as a thing to be gotten by fraud flattery corruption bribery alas it is put into bags with holes Haggai 1. 6. It is called the deceitfulness of riches Matth. 13. 22. They promise that contentment and happiness which they cannot give There is sure dependance on the Lord's but none on Satans promises Young men that are to begin the world take up this resolution take what God sendeth but resolve never to take wealth out of Satans hands what God sendeth in the fair way of his Providence by his blessing on your lawful endeavors Prov. 10. 4. The hand of the diligent maketh rich And Ver. 22. The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it When you deal righteously and do not barely heap up treasure to your selves but seek to grow rich towards God to subordinate all to heaven and a better pursuit otherwise God can find a moth and a thief for your Estates 2. The other way is to consider what a sad bargain you make by gratifying the devil and hearkning to his Counsel Matth. 16. 26. What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul A man never gets any thing with Satan but he shall lose that which is more precious he never maketh a proffer to our advantage but to our loss and hurt Follow the world as hard as you can lie cosen cheat and you shall be rich put the case it is so but I must lose my soul not in a natural but legal sense Iob 27. 8. What is the hope of the hypocrite though he hath gained when God taketh away his soul He hath far better things from us then we have from him a Birth-right for a mess of Pottage the hopes of Heaven for an opulent condition here below The Bird buys the Fowlers bait at a dear rate when his life must go for it Thy soul must be lost which all the Gold and Silver in the world cannot redeem and recover 4. I observe again that Christ by his refusal hath taught us to tread the world under our feet and all the glory of it should be an uneffectual and cold motive to a sanctified soul. If we have the same Spirit that was in Christ it will be so All the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them was far too little to make up a Temptation to him A mortified heart will contemn all this in comparison of our duty to God and the comfort of a good Conscience and the Hopes of Glory Surely they have not the Spirit of Christ who are taken with small things with a Babylonish Garment or some petty Temptation USES The Use is to teach us how to counter-work Satan 1. Since he worketh upon the fleshly mind we are to be mortified and grow dead to the world We profess Faith in a Crucified Lord we must be like him Crucified as he was Crucified then shall we glory in the Cross of Christ when we feel the vertue of it and are planted into the likeness of it Gal. 6. 14. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Iesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world Grow more dead to the Riches Honour Pomp Pleasure the Favour Fear Love Wrath Praise and Dispraise of Men that we may readily deny these things so far as opposite to the Kingdom of Christ or our duty to God or as they lessen our Affections to him We die as our esteem of those things doth decay till the mans temper be altered there is no hope to prevail by Argument onely they that are made partakers of a divine Nature do escape the corruption that is in the world through Lust. 2. Since he worketh by Representation and Promise you must be prepared against both 1. As he worketh by Representation or the fair shew and splendid Appearance of worldly things you must check it 1. By considering the little subsistance and reality that is in this fair appearance 1 Cor. 7. 31. The fashion of this world passeth away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is but a draft an empty Pageantry so it is called Psal. 39. 6. Avain shew an Image shadow or dream that vanisheth in a trice So Prov. 23. 5. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not It was not a-while ago and within a little while it will not be again at least to us it will not be we must shortly bid good night to all the World 1 Pet.
O full of subtilty and all mischief thou child of the devil thou enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord Open Blasphemy must be abhorred and needeth not onely a Confutation but a Rebuke Besides it was an impudent demand of Satan to require Adoration from him to whom Adoration is due from every Creature to ask him to bow down before him to whom every knee must bow and therefore a bold temptation must have a peremptory Answer There is no mincing in such cases It is no way contrary to that Lenity that was in Christ and it teacheth us in such open cases of Blasphemy and downright sin not to parley with the Devil but to defie him 2. By way of Confutation for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Where observe 1. Christ answereth to the main point not to by matters He doth not dispute the devils title nor debate the reality of his promises to do this would tacitly imply a likeing of the temptation No but he disproveth the evil of the suggestion from this unclean and proud spirit A better answer could not be given unto the tempter So that herein we see the Wisdom of Christ which teacheth us to pass by impertinent matters and to speak expresly to the cause in hand in all our debates with Satan and his instruments 2. He citeth Scripture and thereby teacheth that the Word of God laid up in the heart and used pertinently will ward off the blows of every temptation This weapon Christ used all along with success and therefore it is well called the Sword of the spirit Eph. 6. 17. It is a sword and so a weapon both offensive and defensive Heb. 4. 12. The Word of God is quick and powerful sharper then any two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart And a sword of the spirit because the spirit is the Author of it 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost he formed and fashioned this weapon for us and because its efficacy dependeth on the spirit who timously bringeth it to our remembrance and doth enliven the word and maketh it effectual Therefore it teacheth us to be much acquainted with the Lords written Word The timely calling to mind of a word in Scripture is better than all other Arguments a word forbidding or threatning such an evil Psal. 119. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee pressing the practice of such a duty when we are slow of heart Psal. 119. 50. Thy word hath quickned me or a word speaking encouragement to the soul exercised with such a Cross Heb. 12. 5. Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto Children my son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked of him Psal. 119. 92. Unless thy Law had been my delight I should then have perished in mine affliction still it breaketh the strength of the temptation whatsoever it be 3. The words are cited out of the book of Deuteronomy Indeed out of that book all Christs answers are taken which sheweth us the excellency of that book It was of great esteem among the Jews and it should be so among all Christians and it will be so of all that read it attentively The Church could not have wanted it 4. The places out of which it is cited are two Deut. 6. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and swear by his name And again Deut. 10. 20. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and to him shalt thou cleave Christ according to the Septuagint thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only which is emphatical seemeth to be added to the Text but it is necessarily implyed in the words of Moses for his Scope was to bind the people to the fear and worship of one God None was so wicked and prophane as to deny that God was to be feared and worshipped but many might think that either the Creatures or the gods of the Gentiles might be taken into fellowship of this Reverence and Adoration him is only him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is exclusive if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were left out See the place Deut. 6. 13 14. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name ye shall not go after other gods of the gods of the people which are round about you And in other places it is exprest as 1 Sam. 7. 3. If you prepare your hearts unto the Lord and serve him only The devil excepts not against this Interpretation as being fully convinced and silenced by it And it is a known story that this was the cause why the Pagans would not admit the God of the Jews as revealed in the Old Testament or Christ as revealed in the New to be an object of Adoration because he would be worshipped alone all other Deities excluded The gods of the Heathens were good-fellow-gods would admit partnership as common Whores are less jealous then the marryed Wife though their Lovers went to never so many besides themselves yet to them it was all one whensoever they returned to them and brought their Gifts and Offerings 5. In this place quoted by our Saviour there is imployed a distinction of inward and outward Worship Fear is for inward Worship serve is for outward Worship and the Profession of the same Fear in Moses is expounded Worship by Christ so Mat. 15. 9. compared with Isa. 29. 13. In vain do they Worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men but in the Prophet it is their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men He that worshippeth feareth and reverenceth what he worshippeth or else all his worship is but a complement and empty formality So that the Fear of God is that reverence and estimation that we have of God the serving of God is the necessary effect and fruit of it for service is an open Testimony of our reverence and worship In this place you have worship and service both which are due to God onely But that you may perceive the force of our Saviours Argument and also of this precept I shall a little dilate on the word service what the Scripture intendeth thereby Satan saith bow down and worship me Christ saith Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Under service Prayer and Thanksgiving is comprehended Isa. 44. 17. And the residue thereof he maketh a God even his graven Image and he falleth down unto it and worshippeth it and prayeth unto it and saith deliver me for thou art my God This is one of the external acts whereby the Idolater
that God is and that he ought to be worshipped It appeareth by our Saviours reasoning Iohn 4. 24. God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in Truth He giveth directions about the manner of worship but supposeth it that he will be worshipped When God had proclaimed his name and manifested himself to Moses Exod. 34. 8. Moses made hast and bowed himself and worshipped It is the crime charged upon the Gentiles that when they knew God they glorified him not as God Rom. 1. 21. They knew a divine power but did not give him a worship at lest competent to his nature God pleadeth his right Mal. 1. 6. If I be a Father where is mine honour If I be a master where is my fear And God who is the common Parent and absolute Master of all must have both a Worship and Honour in which Reverence and Fear is mixed with Love and Joy So that if God be worship is certainly due to him They that have no worship are as if they had no God The Psalmist proveth Atheism by that Psal. 14. 1. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God and ver 4. They call not upon God The acknowledgement of a King doth imply subjection to his Laws so doth the acknowledgment of his God imply a necessity of worshipping him III. That both Worship and Service is due to God him shalt thou worship and him shalt thou serve The worship of God is both Internal and External The Internal consisteth in that Love and Reverence which we owe to him the External in those offices and duties by which our honour and respect to God is signified and expressed Both are necessary both believing with the heart and confession with the Mouth Rom. 10. 9 10. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved For with the heart man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation The soul and life of our Worship and Godliness lyeth in our Faith Love Reverence and Delight in God above all other things the visible expression of it is in Invocation Thanksgiving Prayers and Sacraments and other Acts of outward Worship Now it is not enough that we own God with the Heart but we must own him with the Body also In the Heart serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Psal. 2. 11. Such as will become the Greatness and Goodness of God with outward and bodily worship you must now own him in all those prescribed duties in which these Affections are acted The spirit must be in it and the body also There are two extreams some confine all their respect to God to bodily worship and external Forms Mat. 16. 8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips but their hearts are far from me They use the external Rites of worship but their Affections are no way suited to the God whom they Worship It is the Heart must be the principal and chief Agent in the business without which it is but the carcass of a duty without the life and the soul. The other Extream is that we are not called to an external bodily worship under the Gospel why did he then appoint the Ordinances of Preaching Prayer Singing of Psalmes Baptisme and the Lords Supper God that made the whole man body and soul must be worshipped of the whole man Therefore besides the inward Affections there must be external Actions whereby we express our Respect and Reverence to God IV. That both these Religious Worship and Service are due to God alone I prove it by these Arguments 1. Those things which are due to God as God are due to him alone and no Creature without Sacriledge can claim any part and fellowship in that Worship and Adoration neither can it be given to any Creature without Idolatry but now Religious worship and service is due to God as God he is thy Lord and worship thou him Psal. 45. 11. Our worship and service is due to him not onely for his supereminent Excellency but because of our Creation Preservation and Redemption Therefore we must worship and serve him and him onely Isa. 42. 8. I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not give to another nor my praise to graven Images God challengeth it as Jehovah the great self-being from whom we have received Life and Breath and all things This Glory God will not suffer to be given to another And therefore the Apostle sheweth the wretched estate of the Galatians Chap. 4. 8. When ye knew not God ye did service to them that by nature are no Gods that is they worshipped for Gods those things which really were no Gods There is no kind of Religious worship or service under any name whatsoever to be given to any Creature but to God only for what is due to the Creator as Creator cannot be given to the Creature 2. The nature of Religious worship is such that it cannot be terminated on any Object but God for it is a profession of our Dependance and Subjection Now whatever invisible Power this worship is tendered unto must be Omniscient Omnipresent Omnipotent Omniscient who knowes the Thoughts Cogitations secret purposes of our heart which God alone doth 1 King 8. 39. Give unto every one according to his ways whose heart thou knowest for thou even thou onely knowest the hearts of all the children of Men. It is Gods Prerogative to know the inward motions and thoughts of the heart whether they be sincere or no in their professions of dependance and subjection So Omnipresent that he may be ready at hand to help us and relieve us Ier. 23. 23 24. Am I a God at hand and not a God afar of can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord. The Palace of Heaven doth not so confine him and inclose him but that he is present every where by his essential presence and powerful and efficacious Providence Besides Omnipotent Psal. 57. 2. I will cry unto God most high unto God who performeth all things for me Alass what a cold formality were prayer if we should speak to those that know us not and who are not near to help us or have no sufficiency of power to help us Therefore these professions of dependance and subjection must be made to God alone 3. To give Religious Worship to the Creatures it is without command without promise and without Examples and therefore without any Faith in the Worshipper or acceptance of God Where is there any command or direction or approved example of this in Scripture God will accept onely what he commanded and without a promise it will be unprofitable to us and it is a superstitious Innovation of our own to devise any
is Trust This is another Foundation of worship Psal. 62. 8. Trust in the Lord at all times pour out your hearts before him Well then inward Worship lyeth in these two things delightful Adhaesion to God and an intire dependance upon him Without this Worship of God we cannot keep up our service to him Not without delight witness these Scriptures Iob 27. 10. Will he delight himself in the almighty will he alwayes call upon God Isa. 43. 22. But thou hast not called upon me O Iacob but thou hast been weary of me O Israel They that love God and delight in him cannot be long out of his Company they will seek all occasions to meet with God as Ionathan and David whose souls were knit to each other So for dependance and Trust it keepeth up service for they that will not trust God cannot be long true to him Heb. 3. 12. Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God They that distrust Gods Promises will not long hold out in Gods way for dependance begets observance when we look for all from him we will often come to him and take all out of his hands and be careful how we offend him and displease him What maketh the Christian to be so sedulous and diligent in duties of worship so awful and observant of God his All cometh from God both in life natural and spiritual In life natural Psal. 145. 15 16 17 18. The eyes of all things wait on thee and thou givest them their food in due season Thou openest thy hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing c. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him he will hear their cry and will save them The Lord preserveth all them that love him Implying That because their eyes are to him the Author of all their blessings therefore they call upon him and cry to him 2. Serve him That implyeth external Reverence and Worship Now we are said to serve him either with respect unto the duties which are more directly to be performed unto God or with respect to our whole Conversation 1. With respect unto the duties which are more directly to be performed unto God such as the Word Prayer Praise Thanksgiving Sacraments Surely these must be attended upon because they are Acts of love to God and Trust in God and these holy Duties are the ways of God wherein he hath promised to meet with his people and hath appointed us to expect his Grace and therefore they must not be neglected by us Therefore serve him in these things for Mar. 4. 24. With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you It is a rule of commerce between us and God 2. In your whole Conversation Luk. 1. 74 75. That we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life A Christians conversation is a continual Act of Worship he ever behaveth himself as before God doing all things whether they be directed to God or Men out of love to God and fear of God and so turneth second Table duties into first Table duties Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world Iam. 1. 27. Eph. 5. 21. 22. Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God And next verse Wives submit your selves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. So Alms are a Sacrifice Heb. 13. 16. But to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased 3. Worship and serve God so as it may look like Worship and service performed to God and due to God onely because of his Nature and Attributes His Nature Iohn 4. 24. God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth When Hearts wander and Affections do not answer Expressions is this like worship and service done to an All seeing Spirit His Attributes Greatness Goodness Holiness 1. His Greatness and glorious Majesty Heb. 12. 28. Let us serve him acceptably with Reverence and godly Fear Then is there a stamp of Gods Majesty on the duty 2. His Goodness and Fatherly Love Psal. 100. 2. Serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with singing 3. His Holiness 2 Tim. 1. 3. I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience 2 Tim. 2. 22. With them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart SERMON VII MATTH 4. 11. Then the Devil leaveth him and behold angels came and ministred unto him IN these words you have the Issue and close of Christ's Temptations The Issue is double I. In respect of the Adversary II. In respect of Christ himself I. In respect of the Adversary then the devil leaveth him II. In respect of Christ himself Behold angels came and ministred unto him I shall consider in both the History and the Observations First The History of it as it properly belongeth to Christ And there 1. Of the first Branch the Recess of Satan then the devil leaveth him 1. It was necessary to be known that Christ had power to chase away the devil at his pleasure that as he was an instance of Temptations so he might be to us a pattern of Victory and Conquest If Satan had continued Tempting this would have been obscured which would have been an infringement of Comfort to us The devil being overcome by Christ he may be also overcome by us Christians 1 Ioh. 5. 18. He that is begotten of God keepeth himself and the wicked one toucheth him not That is he useth all care and diligence to keep himself pure that the devil draw him not into the sin unto death and those deliberate scandalous sins which lead to it Christ having overcome Satan in our name and nature sheweth us the way how to fight against him and overcome him 2. Christ had a work to do in the Valley and therefore was not alwayes to be detained by Temptations in the Wilderness The Spirit that led him thither to be tempted led him back again into Galilee to preach the Gospel Luk. 4. 14. Iesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee All things are timed and ordered by God and he limiteth Satan how far and how long he shall tempt 3. In Luke it is said chap. 4. 13. He departed from him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a season He never tempted him again in this solemn way hand to hand but either abusing the simplicity of his own Disciple Mat. 16. 22 23. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying Be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee But he turned and said unto Peter Get thee behind me Satan thou art an offence unto me Or else
chearfulness of countenance guilt and shame cast down the countenance but Righteousness and Wisdom embolden it more particularly in prayer as our confidence and joy in God is increased it bewrayeth it self in the countenance Psal. 34. 15. They looked unto him and were lightned and their faces were not ashamed they are revived and incouraged and come away from the Throne of Grace other manner of Persons then they came to it 3. That some kind of Transformation is wrought by prayer appeareth by these Considerations 1. That as God is glorious in himself so he maketh him that cometh to him partaker of his Glory For certainly all communion with God breedeth some Assimilation and likeness unto God it is clear in heavenly glory when we see him as he is we shall be like him 1 Iohn 3. 2. and it is clear also in our Communion with him in the Spirit for the Apostle telleth us that by beholding the Glory of the Lord as in a glass we are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. not onely doth vision or immediate intuition produce this effect but also spiritual specular vision or a sight of God in the Ordinances produces a divine and God-like Nature inclining us to hate sin and love Righteousness the more we are above with God the more we are like him we see it in ordinary converse a man is as the company that he keepeth he that walketh with wise men shall be wise saith Solomon but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Prov. 13. 20. now it is not imaginable that a man should converse often with God fervently seriously and not be more like him He that liveth in a Mill the dust will stick upon his clothes Man receiveth an insensible taint from his company he that liveth in a shop of Perfumes often handleth them is conversant among them carryeth away somewhat of the fragrancy of these good Ointments so by conversing with God we are made like him 2. Nearer we cannot come to God while we dwell in Flesh then by lifting up the heart to him in fervent prayer this is the intimate converse and familiarity of a loving soul with God therefore it is called a lifting up the heart to God he will not come down to us therefore we lift up the heart to him Lament 3. 41. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the Heavens so Psal. 25. 1. Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul and Psalm 86. 4. Rejoyce the soul of thy servant for unto thee do I lift up my soul so Psalm 143. 8. cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soul unto thee All these places shew that there can be no sincerity and seriousness in this Duty unless there be this Ascension of the soul to God it is an act of spiritual Friendship therefore called an acquainting our selves with God Iob 22. 21. now as acquaintance is kept up by frequent visits so prayer is called a giving God a visit Isa. 26. 16. In their trouble they have visited thee Well then here is the greatest intimacy we have with God In the word God speaks to us by a proxy and Ambassador another speaketh for him in the Lords Supper we are feasted at his cost and remember him but we are not admitted into his immediate presence as those that are feasted by the King in another room then he dineth in but prayer goeth up to God and speaketh to himself immediately and therefore this way of commerce must needs bring in much of God to the soul. 3. In fervent prayer we have a double advantage we get a sight of God and exercise strong love to God and both conduce to make us like God 1. We get a sight of God for in it if it be seriously performed we turn our back upon all other things that we may look to God as sitting upon the Throne governing all things by his power for his Glory By Faith we see the invisible one Heb. 11. 27. surely if we do not see God before the eye of our Faith when we pray to him we Worship an Idol not the true and living God who is and is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Our hearts should be shut up against the thoughts of any other thing and confined only to the object to whom we direct our Worship I reason thus if a Christian foreseeth the Lord before him in all his wayes and keepeth alwayes as in his eye and presence surely he should set the Lord before him in his Worship and in his prayers Psalm 16. 8. a good Christian doth always keep as in Gods eye and presence much more when he calleth upon his Name now every sight of God doth more affect and change the heart as none but the pure in heart see God so none see God but are most pure in heart there is a self-purifying in moral things purity of heart maketh way for the sight of God Mark 5. 8. so the sight of God maketh way for the purity of Heart Iohn Epist. 3. 11. He that doth evil hath not seen God a serious sight of God certainly worketh some change in us 2. In prayer a strong love to God is acted for it is the expression of our delight in him Iob 27. 10. Will he delight himself in the Almighty Will he alwayes call upon God Now we are changed into the likeness of him in whom we delight in Love transformeth and changeth us into the nature of what is loved there is the difference between the Mind and the Will the Mind draweth things to its-self but the Will followeth the things it chooseth and is drawn by them as the wax receiveth the impression of the Seal Carnal objects make us carnal and earthly things earthly and Heavenly things Heavenly and the love of God Godly Psal. 115. 8. They that make them are like unto them so are all they that put their trust in them stupid and senseless as Idols it secretly stamps the heart with what we like and esteem and admire 4. There are Agents in Prayer to help us to improve this advantage 1. The Humane Spirit 2. The New Nature And 3. The Spirit of God 1. The Humane Spirit or our Natural Faculty so that by our understandings we may work upon our Wills and Affections surely God maketh use of this for the Holy Ghost doth not work upon a man as upon a block and we are to rouze up our selves and to attend upon this work with the greatest seriousness imaginable The Prophet complains Isa. 64. 7. There is none that calleth upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee without this it is but dead and cold work and if there be no more than this it is but dry litteral work not that fervent effectual prayer which will change the heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iam. 5. 16. the
the Mount he went down to suffer at Ierusalem 2. This was an offence to the Apostles that their Master should dye Matth. 16. 22 23. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying be it far from thee Lord this shall not be unto thee 3. This was the Jews stumbling block 1 Cor. 1. 23. We Preach Christ Crucified to the Iews a stumbling block 4. This was prefigured in the Rites of the Law foretold in the Writings of the Prophets In the figures of the Law it was represented Heb. 9. 22. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no Remission especially the Apostle urgeth the entring of the High Priest with Blood to the Mercy-seat verse 23 24. All the legal Sacrifices were slain their blood brought before the Lord. So the predictions of the Prophets Isa. 53. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make thy soul an offering for sin c. And Dan. 9. 26. The Messias shall be cut off but not for himself In short that Christ should dye for the sins of the World was the great thing represented in the Law and Prophets Rabbi Simeon and Rabbi Hadersim out of Daniel that after Messias had Preached half seven years he shall be slain 5. It was necessary that by death he should come to his Glory of which now some glympse and foretast was given to him Luke 24. 46. Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and rise from the dead the third day that is with respect to the predictions verse 44. All those things which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Book of Psalms concerning me may be fulfilled and again Luke 24. 21 26. Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to have entered into his Glory 6. The Redemption of the Church by Christ is the talk and discourse we shall have in Heaven the Angels and Glorified Spirits are blessing and praising him for this Rev. 5. 9. Thou art worthy for thou wert slain and hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood The Angels verse 12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and streneth and glory and honour and blessing The Redeemed Church and glorified Saints and Angels have all one song and one praise the honour of the Lamb that was slain 7. It is an instructive pattern to us that Christ in the midst of his Transfiguration and the Glory which was then put upon him forgat not his Death In the greatest advancements we should think of our desolution if Christ in all his Glory discoursed of his death surely it more becommeth us as necessary for us to prevent the surfeit of Worldly pleasures we should think of the change that is comming For surely every man at his best estate is vanity Psalm 39. 5. In some places they were wont to present a deaths head at their solemn Feasts merry dayes will not alwayes last death will soon put an end to the vain pleasures we enjoy here and the most shining glory will be burnt out to a snuff 2. The notion by which his Death is expressed his decease 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the going out of this Life into another which is to be noted 1. In respect unto Christ his death was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he went out of this mortal Life into Glory and so it implyeth both his suffering Death and also his Resurrection Act. 2. 24. God hath raised him up having loosed the pains of Death because it was impossible he should be holden of it The Grave was like a Woman ready to be delivered it suffered Throws till this blessed burden was egested 2. With respect to us Peter calls his death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 1. 15. I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease the death of the Godly is a going out but from sin and sorrow to glory and immortality as Israels going out of Egypt whence the second Book of Moses is called Exodus was no destruction and cessation of their being but a going out of the House of Bondage into Liberty Paul saith I desire to be dissolved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 1. 23. a setting sail for the other World In Scripture language the body is the House the soul is the Inhabitant 2 Cor. 5. 1. We know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were disslolved we have a building of God an House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens The soul dwelleth in the body as a Man in a House and death is but a departure out of one House into another not an extinction but a going from House to House 3. The necessity of undergoing it in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this word accomplish noteth three things 1. His Mediatorial duty with a respect to Gods Ordination and Decree declared in the Prophesies of the old Testament which when they are fulfilled are said to be accomplished Whatsoever Christ did in the work of Redemption was with respect to Gods Will and Eternal Decree Acts 4. 28. To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel determined before to be done Now this was the more binding being it was a declared counsel in the Prophesies and Figures of the Old Testament therefore Christ cryed out at his death Iohn 19. 30. It is finished or accomplished Meaning principally that the Prophesies and Figures and Types which prefigured his death were all now accomplished 2. His voluntary submission which he should accomplish noteth his Active and voluntary concurrence it is an active word not passive not to be fulfilled upon him but by him for though his death in regard of his Enemies was violent and enforced yet he voluntarily underwent it for our sakes no man could have taken his Life from him unless he had laid it down Iohn 10. 18. it was not forced upon him but he yielded to it by a voluntary dispensation as to men it was an act of violence but as to his Father it was an act of obedience as to us an act of Love on Christs part his Enemies could not have touched him against his Will as indeed they cannot also one hair of our heads but as God permitteth 3. That it was the eminent Act of his Humiliation for this cause he assumed humane Nature his Humiliation begun at his Birth continued in his Life and was accomplished in dying all was nothing without this for less could not serve the turn then the death of the Son of God then all sufferings were undergone which were necessary to take away sin therefore there is a consummation or perfection attributed to the death of Christ Heb. 10. 14. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified there is done enough to expiate sin
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past 2. No farther price for what they need 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Ye are not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without spot and blemish The repentance of a sinner is pleasing to him there is Joy in Heaven Luke 15. 7. Ioy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that is converted A Feast was made at the return of the Prodigal As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner Our Conversion is more pleasing to God than our Destruction 3. He is pleased with the Execution and Management of it by Christ he carried himself in the office of the Mediator according to what was injoyned him Ioh. 8. 29. I do alwayes the things that please him Ioh. 5. 30. I can of my self do nothing as I hear I judge and my Iudgment is just because I seek not my will but the will of the father which sent me And did finish all that was necessary for the Redemption of the Elect before he died Ioh. 19. 30. When Iesus had received the vinegar he said It is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost Evidences of this are his Resurrection from the dead Act. 5. 30 31. The God of our fathers raised up Iesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins Heb. 13. 20. The God of peace brought again the Lord Iesus from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant As pacified in Christ received into glory 1 Tim. 3. 16. Certainly God is well pleased since he hath given not onely a Discharge but a Reward The gift of the Spirit for renewing the heart of man which is the great pledge of Gods being satisfied Ioh. 7. 39. This he spake of the spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Iesus was not yet glorified a sure evidence that our ransom is paid Acts 5. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things and so is the holy Ghost which he hath given to them that obey him A Sacrifice of infinite value and esteem 2. That he is well-pleased with us who have an Interest in him In our natural Estate we are all displeasing unto God whatever we are in the purpose of his decree we must look upon our selves as we are in the Sentence of his Law so children of wrath Eph. 2. 3. Enemies by our minds in evil works Col. 1. 21. Estranged from the womb Psal. 58. 3. so that all of us were cut off from the Favour of God obnoxious to his wrath this is our miserable Condition by Nature that we were no way pleasing to him for without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. A sinner as a sinner can do nothing acceptable indeed God having found a Ransom is placabilis but not placatus not actually reconciled to us till we are in Christ and he is placandus antequam placendus to be appeased before he can be pleased he is not actually reconciled till we are in Christ. 2. Awakened sinners are not easily satisfied so as to look upon themselves as pleasing unto God for the Conscience of Sin is not easily laid aside nor is the stain soon got out And though the grant be passed in Heaven yet we have not the sense of it in our own hearts for it is the Blood of Christ can onely do it Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the living God The Carnal offer thousands of Rams and Rivers of Oyl and the fruit of the body for the sin of their soul Mic. 6. 6 7. They would give any thing for a sufficient sin-offering yea the renewed and pardoned have not so firm a peace as to be able always to look upon themselves in a state of well-pleasing therefore often beg that God would dissipate the Cloudes and cause the Light of his Countenance to break forth upon them Psal. 80. 19. Turn us Oh Lord God of Hosts cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved So that when there is a grant of Pardon and Peace and Access to God we have not alwayes the sense 3. Yet the Ground is laid assoon as we have an Interest in Christ God is well pleased with us if you consent to his Mediation and take him in his three Offices as a Prophet Priest and King As a Prophet hear him the business is put out of all Question that God will love you because he loved Christ. When you depend on him as a Priest you have Reconciliation and Access to God Rom. 5. 1 2. Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand When you subject your selves to him as a King Col. 1. 13. He hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son Christ is dear to God and to him all the Subjects of his Kingdom are dear also So that if you will be more explicite in your Duty you may be more explicite in your Comforts if you will receive his Doctrine so as it may have Authority over your Hearts if in the Anguish of your Souls you will depend on the Merit of his Sacrifice and give up your selves to live in a constant Obedience to his Laws You will find him to be a dear Son indeed one very acceptable with God for you also will be accepted with him for his sake II. Concerning the weight and importance of this Truth 1. It is propounded as the Foundation upon which God will build his Church Mat. 16. 16 17 18. And Simon Peter answered and said thou art Christ the Son of the living God And Iesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Barjona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my father which is in heaven And I say unto thee That thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it 2. It is the question put to those that would enter upon Christianity Acts 8. 37. If thou believest with all thy heart thou maist and he answered and said I believe that Iesus is the son of God When they were serious in the Profession that was enough 1 Ioh. 5. 1. Whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Christ is born of God 3. This engaged the hearts of the Disciples to tarry with him when others murmured at his Doctrine He that cleaveth to this Profession carrieth himself accordingly whatever Temptations he hath to the contrary we believe and are sure that thou art
that Christ the Son of the living God 4. For this End the Scriptures were written These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ the son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Ioh. 20. 31. By obedience to his Laws dependance on his Promises 5. This is the ground of Submission to Christ in all his Offices why we should hear him as a Prophet in this place which I shall more fully make manifest in the next Sermon why we should depend on him as a Priest for the vertue of his Oblation and Intercession if God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom. 8. 32. 1 Ioh. 4. 10. Herein is love not that we loved God but he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins 1 Ioh. 2. 1. If any man sin we have an advocate with the father Iesus Christ the righteous The blood of Christ is of high Esteem and infinite Value both as to Merit and satisfaction to purchase all manner of blessings for us and to satisfie Gods provoked Justice for our sins And if the Father be so well-pleased with him what can he not obtain at his hands which is an encouragement in our Prayers and Supplications So for our Improvement of his Kingly Office which respects Duties and Priviledges our duty with respect to the Kingly Office is Subjection Psal. 2. 12. Kiss the Son left he be angry and you perish in the mid-way Because Christ Jesus is the Son of God he should be submitted unto and embraced with the heartiest Love and Subjection for to Kiss is a sign of Religious Adoration Hos. 13. 2. as they kissed the Calves and offer Homage and hearty subjection as Samuel kissed Saul because God had anointed him to be King over his People 1 Sam. 10. 1. So for Priviledges he is God co-equal co eternal with his Father able to protect all those that apply themselves to him till he bring them to Eternal Glory and Happiness and therefore it is said 1 Ioh. 5. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Iesus is the Son of God That is the fortifying Truth this both cautioneth us against all the delights and snares and supports us against all the terrors and fears of the World If we have the Son of God for our Prophet Priest and King we ought to carry our selves with greater Reverence Trust and Subjection USES 1. Believe it lay up this Truth in your Hearts by a firm and sound Belief There are in Faith three things Assent Acceptance Dependance The Matter in hand calleth for all these 1. A firm Assent For here we have the Testimony of God concerning his Son the Apostle tells us that he that believeth not hath made God a liar because he believeth not the Testimony of God concerning his Son 1 Ioh. 5. 10. The great Testimony is this that we have in hand that Jesus is his beloved Son with whom he is well pleased that he will give Pardon and Life to all that hearken to him embrace his Person receive his Doctrine believe his Promises fear his Threats obey his Precepts the strictest of them Oh labour to work it into your Hearts that indeed it is so In matters of Fact we receive the Testimony of men two or three credible men why not in matters of Faith the Testimony of God evidenced to us by this solemn action an account of which we have from Ear-witnesses and Eye-witnesses who were men that hazarded their all for the delivery of this Truth and yet referred us to the surer word of Prophesie 1 Pet. 1. 19. He was owned as a Son Psal. 2. 7. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee As a beloved Son in whom God is well-pleased Isa. 42. 1. Behold my servant whom I uphold my elect in whom my soul delighteth If you be not wanting to your selves you may have this witness in your hearts 1 Ioh. 5. 10. He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself Oh let us not give the flat lye to God Rouze up this languid Faith is this true or is it a cunning devised Fable 2. Faith is an Acceptance of Christ or an entring into a Covenant with God by him You must have the Son 1 Ioh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life Ioh. 1. 12. As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them which believe on his name Receiving respects Gods offer God gives Christ and we receive what God giveth to what End why he giveth him as King Priest and Prophet to dwell in our hearts by Faith to rule us and guide us by his Word and Spirit and maintain Gods Interest in us against the Devil the World and the Flesh till we come to everlasting Glory 3. Dependance He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him therefore on him alone should we depend for all things necessary to Salvation Two things perswade this dependance 1. That nothing can be done without Christ Acts 4. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Nothing can be done without Christ that may be effectual to our recovery either for the paying of our Ransom or for the changing of our Hearts Alas what could we do to please God or profit our own Souls The work would cease for ever if it should lye upon our hands 2. That he can do what he pleaseth for the good of his redeemed ones Ioh. 17. 2. As thou hast given power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him All that Christ did for our salvation did highly content and please the Father he is satisfied with him he can make us lovely in his sight Eph. 1. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved And will now joy in his People Isa. 65. 19. and rest in his Love Zeph. 3. 17. Well then let us believe Faith is a ratifying Gods Testimony concerning his Son we believe what God hath said that Christ is his Son we receive him as he is freely offered and subscribe to this declaration The Father saith from Heaven This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him so penitent Believers must answer back again This is our beloved Redeemer in whom we are well-pleased let the Father hear him He hath somewhat to say to the Father as well as to us his Doctrine concerneth us but his Intercession is made to God II. Entertain it with Thankfulness that such a Remedy should be provided for us argueth the unspeakable Love of God 1 Ioh. 4. 9. In this was manifested the love of God to us
Partly also from the near connexion that is between Faith and Obedience The Matter which we believe is of a practical concernment and doth not require onely a simple Faith or bare belief which were enough in points merely speculative but a ready Obedience It is said Rom. 16. 26. The mysteries of the gospel are made manifest to all nations for the obedience of faith They are not matters of speculation and talk but practice and Blessedness is pronounced on such as hear them and keep them Luk. 11. 28. Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it Many hear and talk hear and stuff their Minds with Notions but they do not frame themselves to the practice of what they hear Many question not Christs Authority but yet they do not regard his Doctrine Now Faith doth not onely silence our doubts but quicken our Affections and enliven our Practice Secondly How can we now hear Christ since he is removed into the Heaven of Heavens and doth not speak to us in Person Answ. Surely it doth not onely concern the Believers of that Age who conversed with Christ in the dayes of his Flesh but it is the general duty of all Christians to hear Christ for during the whole Gospel dispensation God speaketh to us by his Son Heb. 1. 2. The Revelation is settled and not delivered by parcels as it was to the ordinary prophets Now we hear Christ in the Scriptures Heb. 2. 3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation Which was first spoken by the Lord and afterwards confirmed to us by them that heard him He began to speak and to declare the Gospel both before and after his Resurrection and they that heard him were especially the Apostles who being indued by the Holy Ghost declared it first to the Iewes and then to the Gentiles to whom it was continued by divers signs and wonders as to the Apostles and to extraordinary Messengers Christ saith Luk. 10. 16. He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me The despising of the Messenger is the despising him that sendeth the Message A mans Apostle is himself is a Iewish Proverb As to ordinary Ministers he saith lo I am with you to the end of the world Mar. 28. 20. they are taken into part of the Apostolical Commission and Blessings they preach in Christs Name and we as in his stead pray you to be reconciled 2 Cor. 5. 20. so that it is his Voice and his Message he affordeth his Presence and Assistance unto the Worlds end If you receive it with Faith and Obedience you are in a Course and way which will bring you to Everlasting Blessedness but if you stand out obstinately against his Message you are in the way to Everlasting Misery for refusing Gods methods for your Redemption Thirdly The Properties of this Hearing or Submission to our Great Prophet 1. There must be a resolute Consent or Resignation of our selves to his Teaching and Instruction All particular duties are included in the general First we own Christ in his Offices before we perform the duties which each of those offices calleth for at our hands and from us before we depend on him as a Priest or obey him as a King As we receive him with thankfulness and love as our dearest Saviour and with Reverence and a consent of subjection as a soveraign Lord so also with a consent of Resolution to follow his directions as our Prophet and Teacher being convinced that he is sent from God to shew us the way of Life and Happiness Ioh. 6. 63. Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of Eternal Life His Doctrine sheweth that there is such a thing how it was purchased which way it may be had by Gods offer and the terms prescribed Before we take any particular direction from Christ about this or that duty we must first consent in the general that he shall be our Teacher and Prophet A particular consent to Christ in this Relation is as necessary as to any of the rest 2. This Resignation of our Souls to Christ as a Teacher as it must be resolute so it must be unbounded and without reserves We must submit absolutely to all that he propoundeth though some Mysteries be above our Reason some Precepts against the Interest and Inclination of the Flesh some Promises seem to be against Hope or contrary to natural probabilities There are some Misteries in the Christian Religion though not against Reason yet above Natural Reason Now we must believe them upon Christs word Captivantes omnem intellectum in obsequium Christi 2 Cor. 10. 5. Bringing into Captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ. All our disputings and reasonings against the Christian Doctrine must be captivated by a submission to the Authority of our Teacher and Prophet A Disciple is to be a Learner not a Caviller and some Principles are not to be chewed but swallowed as Pills on the credit of the Physitian when it appeareth on other Grounds that Christ is the great Teacher sent from God And as there are Mysteries above our Reason so there be duties against the Interest and Inclination of the Flesh. Many of Christs Precepts are displeasing to Corrupt Nature to deny our selves to take up the Cross to mortifie our Appetites and Passions to cut off right hands and to pluck out right Eyes that none shall be saved that are not Regenerate and Holy that non-condemnation is the priviledge of those that walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit that if we live after the Flesh we shall dye that we must not seek great things for our selves that we must hate Father and Mother and our own life if we will be Christs Disciples Flesh and Blood can hardly down with these things that there shall be such an exact day of account such eternal torments in the other World yet if this be revealed by our great Prophet as reason must not be heard against Christ so the flesh must not be heard against Christ nor the World heard against Christ so if some of our Hopes exceed the probability of natural causes Rom. 4. 18. he against hope believed in hope as the Resurrection of the Body we must believe and obey him in what he offereth and commandeth notwithstanding the contradiction of our carnal minds and hearts in what is hard to be believed and practised as well as in what is easie 3. It must be speedy as to the great solemn acts of submission do not delay to hear him Heb. 3. 7. To day if you will hear his voice harden not your hearts Christ must not be put off with dilatory shifts if we refuse to hear to day Christ may refuse to speak to morrow The Father hath his time of waiting the Son of his Gospel-offers the Spirit of his earnest motions it is dangerous to slip our day therefore if you will
Creatures and the infinite Majesty of God the brightness of his Glory soon burdeneth and over-burdeneth the infirmity of the best Creatures 2. Because of our Weakness 1. Natural We faint when we meet with any thing extraordinary and therefore no wonder if we are astonished with the near approach of the Excellent Majesty of God and made unfit for any action of Body or Mind If we cannot look on the Sun how can we see God our Felicity in Heaven would be our Misery on Earth This Wine is too strong for old Bottles 2. Sinful Infirmity consciousness of guilt is in it also and our disconformity to God through sin Isa. 6. 5 6. Wo is me I am for undone I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips and mine eyes have seen the king the Lord of hosts So Peter Luk. 5. 8. Depart from me for I am a sinful man this raiseth a fear in us upon every eminent approach or discovery of Gods Glory Before the Fall God and Adam were Friends he would have endured God to speak to him yet after the fall the appearance of God became terrible When he heareth his voice he is afraid and hideth himself and something of this fear sticketh to the best of his People and when God is eminently near it is discovered For persons that have sin in them to be near to so Holy and Glorious a Majesty that is a part of the reason of this Fear and Trouble Well then both these causes go together the Representation of the Majesty of God and the sense of our own frailty and weakness USE Is to press us to two things I. To press us to an holy Awe and Reverence when we come near to God II. To take heed that our fear of God do not degenerate into a slavish fear First To press us to an holy Awe and Reverence of God when we draw nigh unto him Surely we should in all our Worship have such thoughts of God as may leave a stamp of Humility and some Impressions of the Majesty and Excellency of God upon us and we should fall upon our faces though not in a way of Consternation yet in a way of Adoration And because usually we bewray much slightness and Irreverence in our converses with God and Approaches to him I shall press it a little 1. I will shew how the Scriptures in the general do call for this Holy Awe of the Majesty of God in all our Worship Psal. 111. 9. Holy and reverend is his name and therefore never to be used by us but in an awful and serious manner Psal. 96. 4. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised he is to be feared above all Gods Whether we pray or whether we praise God still the heart must be deeply possessed with a sense of his Excellency and we must admire him above all created or imaginable greatness whatsoever and so mingle reverence with our most delightful Addresses to him Again Psal. 89. 17. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his Saints and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him Holy Angels and sanctified Men who of all Creatures have nearest Access to God should most adore and reverence him because they are best acquainted with him and have the clearest sight of him that mortal creatures are capable of The Angels are an assembly of holy Ones that alwayes behold his Face therefore alwayes Lauding and Glorifying God So God is said to be terrible in his holy places Psal. 68. 35. whether Heaven or the Church indeed the awful carriage of his people in his Worship should be one means to convince of the Excellency and Majesty of God 1 Cor. 14. 25. The Apostle sheweth there that an Unbeliever coming into the Christian Assemblies when they are managed with Gravity and Awe is convinced and judged and will fall down on his face and worship God and say God is in you of a truth That is seeing their Humility brokenness of Heart hearing their praises and admirations of God and seeing their orderliness and composedness of Spirit whereas rudeness slightness and irreverence doth pollute and stain the glory of God in their Minds 2. Other Addresses will not become Faith and Love 1. Faith for whosoever cometh to God must fix this principle in his Mind that God is Heb. 1. 6. We do not worship God aright if we do not Worship him as Believers and if we worship him as Believers we will worship him with reverence and godly fear Faith giveth us not only a thought of God but some kind of sight of God and sight will leave an impression upon the heart of reverence and seriousness surely a sight or believing thought of God should be able to do any thing upon the soul. It is the great work of Faith to see him that is invisible Heb. 11. 27. We should in our whole conversation live as in his sight and live as those that remember God standeth by and seeth all that we are about but especially in our worship we then set our selves as before the Lord. Pray as to our Father that seeth what we do Mat. 6. 6. Pray to thy father which is in secret and thy father which seeth in secret will reward thee openly Hear as before the Lord Acts 10. 33. We are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Then the Soul should turn the back upon all other things that the mind may be taken up with nothing but God 2. No other worship will become Love Worship is an act of love and delight Now love is seen in admiring the Excellencies of that glorious Being whom we love and ascribing all to him as being deeply affected with his Goodness Rev. 4. 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created They fell down not out of astonishment but reverence and cast their Crowns before the Throne Whatever Honour they have they had it from God and are content to lay it at his feet from whom they have life and being and all things They have such an high esteem of God that before him they cannot be too vile They are unworthy to wear any Crown in Gods presence and are content that their Honour be a footstool to advance and extol his Glory Certainly those that are heartily affected to God will go about his Worship as with Chearfulness so with Humility and Reverence Secondly To take heed that our Humility and Reverence do not degenerate into servile Fear and Discouragement It is apt to do so even in the best of Gods People We can hardly keep the middle between the extreams our Faith is
if I have not those strong and earnest desires I answer yet keep not off from Prayer for 1. Good desires must be asked of God for it is said he prepareth the Heart 2. Such desires as we have must be expressed and that is the way to encrease them and to quicken us more A sincere Heart that would serve God with his best findeth more in a duty than he could expect and by Praying gets more of the fervency and Ardours of praying as a Bell may be long a raising but when it is up it jangleth not as it did at first 3. Those cold Affections which we have are killed by disuse and turning away from God therefore go to him to get thy heart warmed II. Of the second Consideration If he prayed for this Transfiguration Observe That God often answereth his People in the very time while they are praying Isa. 58. 9. When they call I will answer and when they cry he shall say Hear I am This hath been the course of Gods dealing with the Prayer makers all along Abel Gen. 4. 4. God had respect to it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set his offering on fire Daniel prayeth and saith he Dan. 9. 21. While I was speaking in Prayer the Angel Gabriel was sent unto me And he said at the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth While many of the Disciples were gathered together praying God sent Peter to them Acts 12. 12 13. While Cornelius was in the Act of Prayer at the ninth hour of the day which was the Hour of Prayer he saw in a Vision the Angel of God Acts 10. 3. to 9th ver while Peter went up to the house top to pray then he had the Heavenly Vision so when Paul was in Prayer Ananias was sent to him Acts 9. 11. Behold he Prayeth and then God taketh care of him so Acts 4. 31. When they had prayed the house was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Thus God delighteth to Honour his own Ordinance and to reward the waiting soul that is frequent and constant in this way of waiting upon God which should encourage us to be more frequent and serious in this work You shall see how in the very Act of Prayer God hath 1. Averted Iudgments 2. Bestowed Mercies and Favours 1. He hath put a stop to Judgments Psal. 99. 6 7 8. Moses and Aaron among the priests and Samuel among them that call upon his Name They called upon the Lord and he answered them he spake unto them in the cloudy pillar they kept his testimonies and the ordinance that he gave them Thou answerest them Oh Lord our God thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest Vengeance of their Inventions The drift of the Psalmist in this place is to shew by eminent Instances of Holy Men that were most notable for Prayer how they have stopped Judgments when they begun to be executed Moses at his Prayer God was propitiated after the provocation of the Golden Calf for it is said Exod. 32. 11. Moses besought the Lord his God Verse 14. The Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do The second Aarons making an Atonement for the People whereby the Plague was staid Numb 16. 46. Take a Censer quickly for wrath is begun And Verse 48. presently the Plague was staid upon Samuels prayer the Philistines were discomfited when they were over-running Israel 1 Sam. 7. 5. with 9 10. ver With every one of these God was pleased to talk and commune as a Friend such Honour was God pleased to put on these his Faithful Servants and when the people had provoked God and Gods wrath was already gone out against them for their crying sins their prayers were so effectual as to divert the plagues and obtain Remission 2. So powerful also are they for obtaining Blessings Elijah Iam. 5. 17 18. though a man of like passions with us yet he could lock Heaven and open it at his pleasure 1 King 18. 42 45. The Rain came as soon as Elijah put himself into a zealous posture to obtain it Often success hath overtaken the prayer and the Blessing has been gotten before the supplication hath been ended Isaac went out to meet with God to meditate or pray and he espied Rebecca afar off Isa. 65. 24. Before they call I will answer and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear Oh therefore let us not entertain hard thoughts of God as if he did not regard our suites and requests and prayer were a lost Labour II. I come now to the Transfiguration it self as it is here propounded and explained Doct. That one necessary and solemn Act of Christs Mediation and Manifestation to the World was his Transfiguration before competent Witnesses This was one solemn Act and part of Christs Manifestation to the World for we have the Record of it here and it was necessary for Christ doth nothing in vain and here are competent Witnesses three persons of eminent Holiness before whom all this was done and they were Eye-witnesses of his Majesty and Ear-witnesses of the Oracle which they heard from Heaven or the Voice from the excellent Glory I shall open First The Nature of this Transfiguration Secondly The Ends of it First The Nature of this Transfiguration It was a Glorious Alteration in the Appearance and Qualities of his Body not a substantial Alteration in the Substance of it It was not a change wrought in the Essential form and substance of Christ's Body but onely the outward form was changed being more full of Glory and Majesty then it used to be or appeared to be Two things are to be handled 1. How it differed from his Body at another time whilst he Conversed here on Earth 2. How this change differed from the State of his Body as it is now in Glory 1. How his Body now Transfigured differed from his Body at other times during his Conversing with Men. Though the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him always yet the state of his Body was disposed so as might best serve for the decency of Humane Conversation as the Sun in a Rainy Cloudy day is not seen but now as it might cover his Divine Nature it would break out in Vigor and Strength 1. It was not a Change or Alteration of the substance of the Body as if it were turned into a Spiritual Substance no it remained still a true Humane Mortal Body with the same Nature and Properties it had before onely it became bright and glorious 2. As the substance of the Body was not changed so the Natural Shape and Features were not changed otherwise how could it be known to be Christ the shape and Features were the same onely a new and wonderful splendor put upon them 3. This new and wonderful splendor was not in Imagination and Appearance onely but real and sensible If it had been in Imagination shew and Appearance it would make Christ like those Deceivers who would dazle