faithful and true Witness This also is to be understood in a spiritual consideration and hereby is not meant the Wisdom of this world or of the Princes of this world for this will not open the eyes of the blind into the knowledge of the Cross of Christ and the ends and virtues thereof nor into the preaching thereof But these things are foolishness to them that seek after this wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 18-23 The natural and animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. And hence the Holy Ghost hath instructed those that are wise with this seeming wisdom to become fools that they might be wise as before 1 Cor. 3. 18-20 and admonished the believers to beware of Philsophy Col. 2. 8 9. And the Apostle avoided 〈◊〉 use of it in declaring the testimony of God 1 Cor. 1. 17. and Chapter 2. 1-5 But by this Eye-salve is meant the Word of Truth the Gospel of our Salvation especially the first branch of it in which is declared to us the sufferings of Christ and what he hath thereby effected for us in himself and obtained into himself and is become And that this is meant by the Eye-salve here commended to us may appear 1. By the name put upon it and that by this same Apostle to whom this book of the Revelation was sent and signified it is by him called an action and the anointing So the Apostle saith to the believers Ye have received an unction from the Holy one and ye know all things That is they had received the truth the word of truth which appeareth to be the thing meant by that expression That which they had heard from the beginning to wit that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 John 2. 20-24 with 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. And so it is called the anointing which is the very same thing when he saith The anointing ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye c. 1 John 2. 27. And in this testimony of Jesus the Holy Spirit which is the Oyl wherewith Christ was anointed above his fellows is always present in the faithful declaration of it Isa 61. 1. Heb. 1. 9. Acts 10. 38. Yea because this Gospel was given forth by the Spirit and because the Spirit is always present with it therefore it is especially as now revealed both called the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. John 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. John 7. 38 39. 3. 6. Acts 7. 11. 2. It appeareth also that by this Eye-salve is meant the Gospel of Christ or testimony of the Lord because this is that which openeth the eyes of the understanding that men may see for which purpose and to which end this Angel and Church is counselled to use this Eye-salve So it is said The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple to wit opening their eyes and revealing to them that object in knowing which they may be made wise And the commandment of the Lord the old and new Commandment the Gospel of Christ is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. So much the Prophet elsewhere also signifieth when he saith The entrance of thy words namely the word of the beginning of Christ giveth light to discover all things and it giveth understanding to wit capacity for seeing unto the simple It giveth both light and sight without both which a man cannot see though a mans eyes be never so good yet he cannot see in the dark But this testimony of the Lord is the medium for discovering all things and this giveth capacity for discerning the things discovered also So wonderful are the testimonies of the Lord especially in the first and fundamental things of them Psal 119. 129 130. So also the Apostle signifieth that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is given in the knowledge or doctrine of Christ both for opening the eyes of the understanding and for discovering and revealing Christ and all things in him Ephes 1. 17 18. Certainly as the power of the Lord was present with Christ to heal bodily diseases and infirmities to cure the deaf and blind while he was here in his personal Ministration Luke 5. 17. So also the hand and power of the Lord yea his arm is put forth in and with this word so as the preaching of the Cross is the power of God for healing the diseases of the Soul for giving sight to the blind minds of men Psal 107. 20. 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23 24. Hence it is said That the Spirit of the Lord was upon Christ because the Lord anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor and therewith to preach recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. He is become a good Physician and he giveth sight to the blind by anointing them with that oyl that is in the name of the Lord. And the Apostle when he was sent to the people and to the Gentiles to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. was sent with this Eye-salve to preach the first and great things of Gods Law to them and so much he giveth us to understand I continue saith he to this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other thing then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light unto the people and to the Gentiles Acts 26 17 18-23 To the same purpose also he speaketh to the Ephesians Chapter 3. 8 9. Unto me is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see to wit in thus preaching Thereby he made them see that they might see This was the Eye-salve which is here commended unto us Ignorant are they of the wonderfulness of the testimony of the Lord and of its excellent usefulness for converting and restoring the Soul That call it the letter and a dead letter as if it were meet for nothing When as indeed it is the power of God for saving men from their blindness and ignorance and from all their iniquities and idols and they prove and experiment it so to be that with the heart believe it Hence it is called not onely the Gospel of our salvation but the salvation of God also Ephes 1. 13. Acts 28. 28. And as Christ is called the Light both because he discovereth all things to us faithfully and openeth the eyes of the blind So also the commandment is said to be a lamp and the law light because hereby all things are manifested and
NEEDFUL COUNSEL FOR Lukewarm Christians BEING A CONSIDERATION OF Some part of the Message sent to the ANGEL OF THE CHURCH in LAODICEA By CHARLES PHELPES a Servant of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of the Grace of God to Mankind PROV 19. 20 21. Hear counsel and receive instruction that thou maiest be wise in thy latter end There are many devices in a mans heart nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand LONDON Printed for Benjamin Southwood at the Starr next to Sergeants-Inn in Chancery Lane 1672. TO THE READER THough this Epistle a part whereof is spoken to in the ensuing Treatise was directly and expresly sent to the Angel and Church in Laodicea yet it also as well as the rest of the Messages or Epistles was spoken by the holy Spirit unto the Churches in general and therefore every one that hath an ear is exhorted and called upon to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 3. 22. And it is therefore of concernment for others for all that have received the Word of the beginning of Christ to mind and consider what is reproved and faulted in this Angel and Church what is threatned to them and the counsel given by the Amen to cure their distemper and prevent the judgement It is possible that other Angels and Churches and particular persons who have formerly been called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and who have received the word of God as it is in truth the word of God may also suffer a decay of those things that have been wrought in them by the glorious Gospel and grow remiss heartless and indifferent as it fared with this Angel and Church and as our Saviour hath premonished that because iniquity should abound the love of many would wax cold Matt. 24. 12. And especially toward the time of the end he hath foretold us there would be a generall security in such as are of his Churches and people in such as profess to wait for and attend his coming as he signifieth in that parable of his mentioned Matt. 25. 1-5 In which he saith not as in many other Parables The kingdom of Heaven is like c. But Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened by those therein unto Ten Virgins which went forth to meet the Bridegroom And while the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbred and slept They did not with zeal and fervency hear Christ watching daily at at his Gates waiting at the posts of his doors that they might find him as his grace instructeth and is operating in those that have it and yield up themselves to it Prov. 8. 34. 35. But in too great a measure were grown slothful heartless and secure And surely this is written and recorded for our admonition and warning upon whom the ends of the world are come to the intent we might give such earnest and diligent heed to the things we have heard the word of Christ which is as a fire that our hearts might burn within us and be inflamed with love to him and filled with such an high prizing of him and the unsearchable riches of him as to sell and forgo all we have for the excellency of him and them that we may gain him and be found in him Luk. 24. 26 27 32. Jer. 23. 29. Seeing then that it is possible and may so come to pass that others yea any who have received the grace of God may become Lukewarm and neither hot nor cold and may go backward and not forward Jer. 7. 24. If they abid not in Christ Jesus as they have received him it is good and needful for us all to examine our selves in the light of the Lord and search our hearts and ways that we may see and discern what manner of persons we are and what discovery the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ maketh of us Let us not rest contented in any good thoughts we may have of our selves For not he that commendeth himself is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10. 18. Nor let us conclude that we are in a good condition because others may think well and speak highly of us that are our brethren and companions for a man may have a name among the Churches that he liveth and yet be dead Rev. â— â— But let every man prove and approve his own work and then shall he have his rejoycing in himself alone and not in another not in another's good thought or opinion of him Gal. 6. 4. We may have run well in former times we may have run from all our own things unto Christ and followed him through good report and bad report and yet now be letted and hindered from that fervent demeanour and exercise our selves Gal. 5. 7 8. We may have been called unto Christ and called according to purpose and yet again be removed from him that called us into the grace of Christ Gal. 1. 6. We may have gone after him in the Wilderness as it were and yet now go far from him and walk after vanity and become vain and so grieve him and his good spirit by whom we have been called to the knowledge of the truth Jer. 2. 2-5 Let us not then be high minded but fear Let us noâ— say inâ—â—ur hearts our mountain is so setled that we can never be moved our hearts have been and are so upright with him and close cleaving to him that we cannot depart from him But let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. And come we to the light that our selves and deeds may be made manifest and discovered Joh. 3. 20 21. That if this loathsome iniquity of Lukewarmness be with us we may cleanse our selves there-from lest we provoke him who is slow to anger to abhor us and to sp 〈…〉 out of his mouth And be we well assured of this that if once we entertain and retain such high and unsober thoughts of our selves and of our attainments and injoyments as to say We are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and so shut the door upon and against Christ Jesus and suffer him to stand and knock thereas we shall but deceive our selves if we imagine we are free from this nauseous distemper we may then be confident that blindness hath happened to us in some yea in a great measure and may upon sure grounds judge and conclude our selves to be like to this Angel and Church and fear he will deal with us as he threatneth to do to these if we continue and persist in our high thoughts of our selves For Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty Spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. He will save the afflicted humbled people those who are poor in spirit who have nothing to glory in before God but the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified But his eyes are upon the haughty that he may bring them down 2 Som. 22. 28. 1 Cor. 1. 29-31 Oh! Let
say it is such Raiment as is only to be had and bought of this Wonderful Counsellor the Amen the Faithful and True Witness and not such White raiment as is to be bought here below by which some persons distinguish themselves from others and in which they glory as if they were because of this better then others and what this white raiment here commended to us is we may be helped to know and understand by the Holy Spirit in the Scripture of Truth namely that it is righteousness even the righteousnesses of the Saints according to what we find spoken Rev. 19. 8. It was granted unto her the Lambs Wise that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white For the fine linnen is the righteousness of Saints viz. that wherewith they are cloathed and adorned And so frequently in the Holy Scriptures righteousness is compared to a Garment cloathing or covering as where Job saith I put on righteousness and it cloathed me Job 29. 14. And again let thy Priests be cloathed with righteousness Psal 132. 9. So it is said The Lord hath covered me with the robe of righteousness Isa 61. 10. And the joyning here Gold and Raiment together aptly answereth to that motive and inducement given by the Holy Ghost to perswade us to receive Wisdoms instruction viz. That with her are durable riches Gold tried in the fire and righteousness white raiment Prov. 8. 18-20 So that the White raiment here commended to us appeareth to be righteousness But this righteousness which is the White raiment is not as after may be shewn our own righteousness according to the law or any works of righteousness of ours For by the deeds of the Law can no flesh living be justified in the sight of God Rom. 3. 20. But the White raiment here spoken of is 1. The righteousness of God without the Law even that righteousness which Christ hath wrought by and compleated in himself for us and is become there-through for this is his name Jehovah our righteousness Jer 23. 6. And so Jesus Christ himself through and by means of that righteousness he hath wrought and compleated for us in himself is likened and compared to a Garment and believers are instructed to put him on as Rom. 13. 14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ And as many as are baptized into Christ are said to have put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. And it is both taken for granted they have put on the new man Christ and they are instructed still and further to put him on Col. 3. 10. Ephes 4. 23 24. And they that follow after righteousness are such as seek the Lord for it even the Lord of whom the righteousness of the Servants of the Lord is Isa 54. 17. And in whom it is Isa 45. 24. And who is made of God to them righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. Yea that righteousness which is come by him it is unto all that have sinned and upon all that believe as their Ornament and Raiment Rom. 3. 21-23 And in the Prophet he is oftentimes prophesied of under this Title or expression of righteousness As I bring near my righteousness it shall not be far off Isa 46. 13. And my righteousness is near and near to be revealed Isa 51. 5. 56. 1. with Rom. 3. 21 22. And Christ is and in him appeareth the righteousness of God and he is become righteousness for us 1. In taking our Nature upon him and therein being made sin and a curse for us and so by cying our death even tasting death by the Grace of God for every man and so this righteousness is without the Law without the works or Sacrifices thereof though Christ did no sin in the days of his flesh but always did those things that pleased the father and observed the Law yet that could not be righteousness for us but to the end he might prepare and become righteousness for us he must have our sins laid upon him and therefore God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us by imputing the trespasses of the World to him that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 19-21 As well as also he must dye our death according to that If righteousness come by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2. 21. In which is implied that to the end he might bring in everlasting righteousness he must dye and be cut off from the Land of the living Dan. 9. 24-26 righteousness could not come by the Law namely by our keeping the Law of ten words or by any works of ours according thereto for by the Law is the knowledge of sin in all we do in our best as well as in our worst works nay righteousness could not come by Christ's keeping and observing of it though he did always keep it and never transgress it in thought word or deed for then he died without any just or sufficient cause he died in vain And again righteousness could not come by the Law of the former Priesthood or by any gifts Offerings or Sacrifices appointed by it for then Christ died in vain It was not possible the bâ—ood of Bulls and Goats could take away-sin Where ore when he cometh into the World he saith Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt-offerings and Sacâ—ifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure then said I Lo I come to do thy will O God namely to do that which the Law could not do to take away sin and bring in righteousness Heb. 10. 4-10 To this end he was the Lamb of God who was slain for us he was delivered for our offences And it was needful that Christ should suffer for our sins being put to death in the flâ—sh that this raiment of righteousness might be prepared for us for we had sinned against God in our fiâ—st father Adam and were thereby become liable unto the judgment of God and had deserved death in an utter separation from the presence of God and God who is a God of truth and without iniquity and to whom it is impossible to lye and therefore he cannot by any means in clearing clear the guilty had said and threatned In the day thou eatest thereof in dying thou shalt dye Gen. 2. 17. And cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them namely as is explicated by the Apostle that continueth not in all things written in the Book of the Law to do them Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. And therefore man having sinned and thereby fallen under curse and death unless the justice of God be satisfied and his truth fulfilled there can be no righteousness for us no accepting of us no forgiveness of our sins nor mercy to be shewn to us For Heaven and Earth shall pass away but not one jot or tittle of the Law shall pass till all be fulfilled Mat. 5. 17 18. Therefore to the end that Christ might
with and relinquish them and with this eye-salve in the testimony of Christ we may see Therein all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light the light doth faithfully discover them in their right and proper colours to the end we might stand up from them and might flee from our iniquities and idols Ephes 5. 11-14 And indeed the holy Spirit that breatheth in this testimony doth in and with glorifying Christ and discovering the transcendent excellency of him shew unto us also the sinfulness of sin and the emptiness of all those objects in which naturally we are seeking rest and on which we are placing our affections that we might turn from our vanities unto him who is worthy to be cleaved unto by us So when the Lord by the Prophet saith Behold they are all vanity their works are nothing their molten images are wind and confusion He then addeth Behold my Servant whom I uphold c. Isa 41. 27-29 42. 1. The holy Spirit in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us doth therein and therewith convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and teacheth the believers all things and leadeth them into all truth Joh. 16. 8-14 In bearing witness of Christ and in his testimony the holy Spirit sheweth unto us the odiousness of our sins that we might see and behold it that we might abhort and abominate them in that God hath taken such vengeance on them in the person of his son who knew no sin Though God testified of him that he was his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased yet when but the guilt of our sin was imputed to him he spared him not but condemned our sin in his flesh It pleased the Lord to bruife him He did put him to grief Isa 61. 2. Rom. 8. 3-32 Isa 53. 10. This seen and beheld by us would help us to abhorr it and say How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 1-3 And here may we also see the necessity of our being washed here-from in that he is become such a fountain through his blood for cleansing us Zech. 3. 1. And it was his very end in being manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Joh. 3. 5. He bare our sins in his own body on the tree not that we might live any longer thereto but that we being dead to sin might live to righteousness 1 Pet. 4. 1 2. and chap. 2. 24. And in his cross and testimony we may also see the vanity of our idols and our vileness in serving them that we might turn there-from to God to serve the living and true God 1 Thes 1. 9 10. Here we may see the brutishness of our wisdome Now is the Judgment of this world saith our Saviour Here you may take a view and have a discovery of it in that those that were Princes of the World for wisdom crucified the Lord of glory and were also before his hour was come the greatest enemies to him and thought that their taking him out of the way and killing him would much have tended to their security when as on the contrary it brought and hastened destruction upon them Joh. 12. 31. 1 Cor. 2. 8. Joh. 11. 47 48. With Matt. 21. 39-41 Joh. 7. 45-49 Here may we see the unprofitableness of our works of righteousness in that he only could and hath brought in by his death and resurrection everlasting righteousness and there was no other way for the compleating it for us for if righteousness could have come by the law or by any other way whatsoever then Christ hath died in vain Gal. 2. 21. The Holy Ghost saith our Saviour shall convince the world of righteousness namely he shall shew and evidence the unprofitableness of all our works of righteousness and of all righteousness according to the law and that righteousness could not come by the works or sacrifices thereof in that he is gone to the Father and we see him no more He cometh no more down to suffer or offer sacrifice but his sacrifice is accepted of God so as he hath set him down on his own right hand Iohn 16. 10. with Hebr. 10. 1. 2. 11. 12. and he hath prepared righteousness for all men without the law as hath been said Rom. 3. 20-22 here we may also see the vanity and helplesness of the riches of this world in that we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold They that trust in their riches and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth none of them can by any means redeem his Brother nor give to God a ransome for his own soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. Psal 49. 6 7. Here also we may see the emptiness and worthlesness of all the glory and honour of this world in that our Lord Jesus neither had nor would accept of it But he was rejected and despised of men a worm and no man a reproch of men and despised of the people All they that saw him laught him to scorn they did shoot out the lip they did shake the head Joh. 6. 15. Isa 53. 2-4 Psal 22. 6 7 8. Nor had he nor did he seek for the favour and friendship of this world but the world hated him because he testified of it that the works thereof were evil Joh. 7. 7. 15. 18-20 Yea in and by this one thing by this unction we may know all things that are needful to be known by us and see them in their right colours Hence the Apostle determined to know nothing in and unto all things but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. And it is needful we should know the vileness of our sins and the vanity and unprofitableness of all those objects on which naturally we are placeing our affections and in which we have been seeking rest and satisfaction to our spirits 3. It was needful for them to see themselves and to see what manner of condition they were in and what manner of persons they were And to this end that they might see this needful it was they should anoint their eyes with this Eye-salve that they might behold themselves and know what state they were in They were at present very much mistaken they thought their condition was very good and that they were so happy that they needed nothing but this was the fruit of their blindness and ignorance for had they viewed themselves in the Testimony of Jesus they might have perceived it was far otherwise with them And indeed this is generally the fruit of mens blindness they are many times pure in their own eyes who are not washed from their filthiness Prov. 30. 12 13. Such fools are men that all their own ways are clean in their own eyes Prov. 16. 2. And they who have not the love of God in them yet think that eternal life appertaineth to them Joh. 5. 39-42 It is therefore a very ignorant and false saying
their idols and were washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus c. 1 Thes 1. 5-9 and 2 13. 1 Cor. 6. 9-11 and 12. 2. with Chap. 15. 1 2 3 4. The seeing our sins and idols in this testimony will make us willing to sell them and part with them that we may have and enjoy this Gold and White Raiment In like manner the beholding and seeing in and with this Eye-salve what a sad condition we are in without Christ and without this durable riches and righteousness here presented to us this is a powerful argument to engage and move us to seek the Lord while he may be found that we may win him and be found in him and be made partakers of him in whom there is blessing prepared for all the kindreds of the earth Acts 3. 25. The seeing and considering that without him we are wretched and miserable and poor and naked and undone creatures and that abig ding such we shall be spued out of his mouth and become miserable for ever for nothing besides him will secure from evil and satisfie us with good This is a forcible motive and argument to move us to be hot and fervent in Spirit that we may buy of him those inestimable Treasures here counselled unto which only will render us blessed and happy in the enjoyment of them As it appeareth here in this place the scope of it being considered by us Rev. 3. 15-19 20. Acts 2. 37. 2. It is also needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may see because not onely are there such powerful arguments proposed to and set before us in this testimony of Christ to move us and make us willing to buy But also there is a mighty and supernatural power put forth in and with these arguments in this Gospel to convert us and to turn us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God and so from our sins and idols unto the living and true God Acts 26. 18-23 The Gospel of Christ is the power of God his arm and power is put forth therein to effect in us what he requireth of us Rom. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 18-23 24. His hand and mighty power is stretched forth herein all the day long to enable us to turn to him in and at his reproofs and to cast away our sins and abominations out of his sight Prov. 1. 20-24 Isa 65. 1-3 Rom. 10. 21. God hereby worketh in us both to will and to do of good pleasure Phil. 2. 12-15 Not onely is the Gospel the instrument he maketh use of to glorâ—â—â—e his Son in and by and to shew us the vileness and vanity of all other things but it is that also which he accompanieth with the power and presence of his Spirit So that he that rejecteth rejecteth not man simply but God who giveth of his Spirit in and with his word 1 Thes 4. 3 -8. And hence these weapons the arguments of the Gospel are mighty mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds c. For God is in them of a truth 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. In looking unto Christ beholding and minding what he hath done for us and is become and what is treasured up for us in him and therein seeing our sins and idols and in how sad a condition we are without him God is saving us from our iniquities and vanities and enabling us to run from them to Christ To this end his grace bringeth salvation in due time to all men saving strength and power Tit. 2. 11. Hence he saith Look unto me all the ends of the earth and be ye saved Not Save your selves But Be ye saved As intimating in our looking unto him to enable us whereto also he is preventing us with power God is saving us that we might be saved Isa 45. 22. To the same purpose also the Apostle saith We all not some of us onely but we all with openâ—face as in a glass beholding the glory of the Lord are changed not change our selves but we are transformed changed out of one form into another from the love and service of our sins and vanities and out of our miserable condition into his image even as by the Spirit of the Lord who is in and with this object as declared and discovered to us in this Glass 2 Cor. 3. 18. God in and by his Spirit is so present in and with this Gospel of Christ that he that receiveth that receiveth Christ and him who sent him Matth. 10. 40. And he that despiseth and resisteth that despiseth and resisteth God Christ and his Holy Spirit Luke 10. 16. Acts. 7. 51. The hand of the Lord is put forth in and present with the arguments of the glorious Gospel to convert and turn us from our evils and vanities unto Christ and to make us willing who naturally are without an heart and unwilling to gain and buy Christ and the unsearchable riches of him Acts 11. 20 21. 3. 13-19 It therefore evidently appeareth that it is very needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may see 3. And on the other hand it is needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may in seeing see the excellency of Christ and vileness and unprofitableness of all other things to the end we may part with them for him or otherwise we shall be and abide under the power of Satan as hath been also before said He hath his power in darkness and while men remain blind he can deceive them and lead them captive at his pleasure Col. 1. 13. Acts 26. 18. Hence it is said those evil principalities and powers are the rulers of the darkness of this world he ruleth and prevaileth over them who remain in blindness and darkness and serveth himself of them making them do his lusts and requirings Ephes 6. 12. He so blindeth the minds of them that believe not that anoint not their eyes with this Eye-salve that the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God may not shine unto them that they may not perceive his excellency and comeliness And together herewith also he commendeth and rendreth excellent needful and pleasurable the things which indeed are vile evil and abominable For he is the God of this world of such as are and remain in ignorance 2 Cor. 4. 4. 1 John 5. 19. He prevailingly perswadeth them that the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are most desireable and worthy to be earnestly sought after and affectionately embraced by us and that no fruit is so good and pleasant and worthy to be sed on by us as that which is forbidden us of God For as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty at first so he is also endeavouring to deceive us and to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 11. 1-3
Christ for they were lifted up with high thoughts and conceits of themselves They said They were rich and increased with goods and had need of nothing they needed therefore to buy and to be clothed with this Garment that their shame might not appear namely to put on and be clothed especially and firstly with all humility of mind Acts. 20. 19. To put on humbleness of mind Col. 3. 12. And needful it is for us all to be inwardly apparalled herewith to have a low esteem of our selves of our knowledge parts gifts attainments or otherwise we shall sit loose from Christ as they We are Lords we will come no more unto thee Jer. 2. 31. Those that are puft up with their fleshly mind notwithstanding their voluntary humility do not hold the head Jesus Christ but treacherously depart from him Col. 2. 18 19. Good therefore it is for us all and especially for the Angels 1 Pet. 5. 1-5 To put on this to judge our selves unworthy Creatures less then the least of God's mercies and favours Gen. 32 10. The chief of sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. The least of Saints Ephes 3. 8. To count that we have not yet attained neither are already perfect Philip. 3. 12 13. To say when we have done all that is commanded us we are unprofitable servants Luke 17. 9 10. To be nothing 2 Cor. 12. 11. And therefore to come to Christ as the only foundation of our faith as he died for sinners ungodly ones and enemies yea as by the Grace of God he tasted death for every man and is raised again as the reason of our hope as the beginning of our confidence To come unto and abide in him as the fountain of our light and teaching as our only Rabbi and to learn the truth as it is taught in Jesus To put on him as our righteousness to appear before God in whose righteousness is prepared for all that have sinned To feed upon him as our bread even on his flesh as given for the life of the world To have our approch to God by and through him as our only way and to come in through that low door opened for every poor sinful Creature of Mankind to be comforted in all our tribulations and sadnesses with Gods consolations even with the consolations of and in Christ and not to have some secret thing with us to comfort us Job 15. 11. with 2 Cor 1. 3-5 To have our rejoycing in Christ where all may rejoyce with us and to have no confidence in the flesh in any priviledges thereof or in any works of righteousness of our own Philip. 3. 3-8 And to think soberly of our selves yea and this humility is also to be exercised in all our words and demeanour Ephes 4. 2. And this humility is the Spirit effecting and bringing unto us that it might be put on by us in glorifying Christ and commending unto us the freeness of Gods love in him shewing that he hath prepared righteousness for us and imputeth it to every one that believeth freely without any works of ours Where is boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of works Nay but by the Law of faith Rom 3. 21-28 And that he saved us from our ignorance of him and enmity unto him according to the rule of his mercy and so not by any works of righteousness of ours By Grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast It is by Grace as the motive whereby he was moved to bring salvation to us as opposed to debt he was not indebted to us for any goodness of ours or by any purpose or promise on his part necessitating him thereto but it was freely by his Grace he saved us and by Grace as the Argument and motive wherewith he prevailed with us even through the discovery of the freeness and greatness of his love as commended to us continually in this that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Ephes 2. 1-8 with Rom. 4. 4. Tit. 3. 3-5 And so what ever the believers have received it is by Grace for who maketh thee to differ and what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it 1 Cor. 4. 7. And so his forgiving the sins of those that come to God by him and cleansing them from their filthiness and giving unto them a new heart and new Spirit it is not for their sakes but for his own name sake and were this known and taken notice of by them it would cause them to be ashamed and confounded and powerfully hide pride from them and cloth them with humility Ezek. 36. 21-32 And indeed nothing doth so powerfully work and tend to the humbling of us as his Grace and to this end he giveth more Grace Grace abounding our natural pollution and corruption wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but giveth Grace to the humble Jam. 4. 5 6. yea and to the effecting this humility in us he proposeth to us and setteth before us the humility of Christ That we might learn of him who was lowly not in his outward carriage only but also in heart and in so doing we shall find rest to our Souls Mat. 11. 29. Philip. 2. 4-6 7. Zeal for God to be clad therewith as with a Cloak Isa 49. 7. This was that which this Angel and Church were much wanting in and destitute of they were Luke-warm and neither Cold nor Hot as we have seen before This was needful therefore to be bought by them in and with humility and unless that be put on this cannot be had by us for while men have high thoughts of themselves and their attainments this disposeth them to lukewarmness and hindreth them from being zealous Now that zeal that is to be bought of Christ it is principally Fervency of Spirit in selling all that we have for Christ that we may win him and be found in him as before is shewn And fervency of Spirit in seeking after the knowledg of him and promoting the things of his Kingdom contending earnestly and fervently for the faith of the common salvation and not giving place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel may continue with us and so highly valuing and prizing Christ and his Gospel and fervently loving him and it as not to love our lives unto the death for his sake and his Gospels but willingly to lay them down and lose them when called thereunto The zeal of Gods house did even eat up Christ and such zeal is to be bought of him as whereby we may not please our selves but deny our own wisdoms wills designs affections enterprizes yea and forsake all that we have that we may be his Disciples and follow him in the regeneration Rom. 12. 11. Luke 14. 26 27-33 And this zeal he is effecting in us especially and principally by
lifting up himself by his Spirit and rendring himself more precious then all the things of this world then all our injoyments relations attainments lives c. that so we might run with the feet of our Souls even with hot and fervent affections unto him from all other things Because of the Lord his God and for the holy one of Israel who hath glorified him Isa 55. 5. And that we might follow him whithersoever he goeth And laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us run with patience in induring afflictions and in a patient continuance in well-doing and patiently waiting for the Lord the race set before us looking off from all other things unto Jesus Heb. 12. 1 2 3. This is a needfull and usefull garment to be put on by us in and with Humility in putting on the new man and in being clad wherewith we shall be Instruments of good to others and provoke very many to seek and follow the Lord with us 2 Cor. 9. 2. and especially needfull for the Angels of the Churches that they may be ensamples to the flock and fervently seek their good Colos 4. 12 13. And abundant need and great cause have we now to buy this of Christ in these last and lukewarme times in which iniquity doth abound and the love of many wax Cold As was also soretold by our Saviour Math. 24. 12. And to that end that this Angel and Church might be zealous and repent change and forsake their evil and high thoughts of themselves therefore out of love and faithfulness the faithful and true witness did rebuke and chasten them Rev. 3. 19. Bowels of mercy kindness c. Are also to be put on by his Angels and Churches not only outward acts of mercy but bowels of mercy having an inward affection to men pitying and compassionating the ignorant and those that are out of the way and being kind also in heartily desiring the good of them that they may be saved Col. 3. 12. And these garments aptly follow and are joyned with zeal for when the love and loveliness of Christ is so known believed and considered by us as to inflame our hearts with love to him together herewith also his love is so infused and diffused into the heart by the holy Spirit as to fill us with love to all and so with bowels of mercy pity and compassion and with an hearty kindness to them and earnest desire and indeavour of their good This filleth with bowels towards all yearning toward them and breathing for their good that their eyes might be opened and that they might be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God the love of Christ known and believed frameth and constraineth hereto And so it frameth us to be like-minded unto Christ and God in him to be merciful as our father which is in Heaven is merciful Luk. 6. 36. And especially his grace teacheth and strengthneth the believers in putting on the new man to put on as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindness c. one to another exercised in a desire and indeavour of their good especially avoiding what is contrary to bowels of mercy and kindness as judging one another condemning one another and in doing what springeth therefrom as forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any have a complaint against any even as Christ freely forgave them that they should do likewise Col. 3. 12 13. with Luk. 6. 36 37. And as we have opportunity doing good to all men especially to those that are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. 1 Joh. 3. 16 17 18. Meekness is also to be put on by them as a garment Col. 3. 12. To this the believing women are instructed whose adorning saith the Apostle Peter Let it not be that outward But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which though it be despised and laught at by men yea by many that profess godliness yet is in the sight of God of great price for after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves c. 1 Pet. 3. 1-5 And this is joyned with and put as the consequent of lowliness Ephes 4. 2. And of humbleness of mind Col. 3. 12. And meekness and lowliness of heart were conjoyned in our Saviour Matt. 11. 29. And unless we so receive the grace of Christ as to be clothed with humbleness of mind we cannot adorne our selves with this garment of a meek and quiet spirit for pride and high thoughts of our selves will cause us to be soon angry and fill us with contention strife envying confusion and every evil work Prov. 13. 10. Isa 16. 6. And this is to be exercised in subjection unto those that God hath set over us 1 Pet. 3. 3-5 And in quiet bearing injuries afflictions reproches and persecutions for the Gospel's sake and not indeavouring to resist the evil or leave our place of subjection Psal 37 7-11 In seeking the restoring of those that are overtaken with a fault Gal. 6. 1. In instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 23 24. In giving a reason of the hope to him that asketh us 1 Pet. 3. 15. And in all our receiving the ingrafted word with the instructions thereof and the reproofes of its instruction which are the way of life Jam. 1. 21. And this is also a fruit of the spirit which he is effecting in those that believe in glorifying Christ and discovering his excellency and that excellent example he hath lest us that we should follow his steps It is the fruit of that wisdom that is from above even of Christ and is therefore called meekness of Wisdom Jam. 3. 13-17 Gal. 5. 22. And is with the former to be put on by us especially in those last days in which evil men and seducers are grown worse and worse deceiving and being deceived and especially the Angels are to be clothed herewith The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 2. 23 24. Charity also is to be put on Above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 14. Above all things have fervent charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. Let all your things be done with charity 1 Cor. 16. 14. Charity is distinguished from brotherly kindness 2 Pet. 1. 7. Brotherly kindness hath for its motive and object somewhat lovely and amiable in the party loved but Charity is a free manner of love fastening on and flowing forth toward the party loved not because of any worth or worthiness in him yea notwithstanding great unworthiness and manisold evils be found in him Thus it is in God God so infinitely loved pityed and compassionated the world that he
they confess not their proper iniquity for which God is rebuking them or they extenuate and excuse it Job 20. 12 13. Sometimes they seek to cover one sin with another and add sin to sin that they may cover their shame As sometimes men seek to cover their adultery or uncleanness with murder or with some other sin 2 Sam. 11. 4-8-13-15 12. 12. Or to hide their theft by lying or by swearing and forswearing thinking this way to clear themselves Lev. 6. 2 3. 19. 11 12. Prov. 30. 9. Yea this way of lying is a general covering men have wherewith they think to cover their other evils not from men onely but from God also to which Satan is tempting men powerfully and in and walking in which they are very like to Satan for he useth lying in all his sinning at first and always from the beginning When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a liar and the father of it Jer. 2. 23 35. Joh. 8. 44. And great need have we every one of us to pray with David remove from me the way of lying and grant me thy law graciously Psal 119. 29. Sometimes men think to cover their evils by committing them in secret and in the dark The murderer in the night is as a Thief The eye also of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight saying none eye shall see me and disguiseth his face In the dark they dig through houses they know not the light for the morning is to them even as the shadow of death if one know them they are in the terrours of the shadow of death Job 24. 14-17 22. 12-17 Isa 29. 15 16. So those that persecute and murder the innocent many times do it in the dark or in secret pretending that they are enemies to them not because they worship God but because they are deceivers and malefactours Ezek. 9. 9. Joh. 18. 30. 19. 12. So those that walk in abominable idolatry act it in the dark many times Ezek. 8. 7-12 And generally those gross lusts and evils are therefore called works of darkness because men commit and serve them in the dark Rom. 13. 12 13. 1 Thes 5. 7. And hereby the workers of iniquity think to hide themselves though they are greatly mistaken and deceived For there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Job 34. 21 22. Sometimes men think to cover their other evils with hypocrisie feigning and pretending themselves to be worshippers of God and religious persons that they may continue in their sins unsuspected Mal. 2. 13. Matt. 23. 14 15. So those that came to intangle our Saviour in his talk that they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governour feigned themselves just men Luk. 20. 20-23 And of Israel generally it is said every one is an hypocrite and an evil deer they thought to cover their evil doings with their hypocrifie Isa 9. 17. Sometimes and too frequently men think to hide their sin and shame by charging God foolishly therewith Thus Adam sought to hide his iniquity by laying it secretly upon God himself as if he were the cause of it Gen. 3. 12. And men bely the holy one and think this way to cover their transgressions either 1. By saying he is the author of their sin and moveth them to what is evil as too too many do who say all is of God and therefore there is no sin or that God perswadeth and inclineth them to evil Nay the holy Ghost seeth it needful to give this warning to the believers themselves Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13. Oh what wickedness is in our hearts Rather then we will take shame to our selves and acknowledge our evils we are naturally ready to condemn him who is most just and to impute evil to him who is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness yea who is of purer eyes then to behold evil Psal 5. 5 6. Hab. 1. 13. Rather then cry guilty we would make him who is holy and none is holy as he like the Devil himself who is called and is the tempter and wicked one emphatically Or 2. Men would excuse themselves and lay the fault upon God by saying God doth not seasonably give them grace and if God would have given them grace they would have done better like that wicked and slothful servant who said he was an austere master reaping where he had not sown and gathering where he had not strown Matt. 25. 24-26 So men would wipe their own mouthes and secretly signify they could not abstain from such or such evils they had no power in themselves and God withheld from them his grace Whereas indeed the grace of God in due time bringeth salvation to all men in the receiving whereof they might be kept from their iniquities See what the holy Ghost saith to such an intimately evil charge Mica 2. 7. O thou who art named the house of Jacob is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these thy evils and iniquities his doings as intimating they are none of his doings because his spirit is not straitned but he is graciously and seasonably calling unto them O do not this abominable thing which I hate And while he calleth he stretcheth forth his hand that men might lay hold on his strength and be preserved from that which causeth shame The spirit indeed which dwelleth in us lusteth to envy and to all that is evil but he giveth more grace grace abounding our natural corruption while he calleth to us wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud that receive not or receive not to purpose his grace but giveth grace continually and more abundantly to the humble that turn at his reproofs and in the light and strength of his grace Jam. 4. 5 6. Many such like coverings our wisdom leadeth us to make use of to hide the shame of our nakedness withall in which we do but add sin to sin and think to hide our shame with what is shameful but alass none of these will avail us for Hell is naked before him and destruction hath no covering Hell and destruction are before the Lord how much more then the hearts and ways of the children of men Job 26. 6. Prov. 15. 11. Job 34. 21. 28. 11. Dan. 2. 22. Jer. 16. 17. And he will hereafter bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart 1 Cor. 4. 5. Job 20. 12 13. Yea now while it is called to day and for our good while we make it our work thus to cover our shame and sin he will make it his work to discover and reveal it Psal 32. 2-5 2 Sam. 12. 12. Nor can any cover the shame of their nakedness or wash away their filth by any washings sanctifyings and purifyings of their own But
and those that deny and contend against it they have a soul and a soul two souls one inclined toward them that preach the Gospel of Christ and another towards those that bring another doctrine and preach another Gospel though these doctrines are as farr different from one another as Heaven and Earth as some that are enemies to the grace of God in Christ to every man have said and acknowledged yet these can love both and commend both and receive good from both as they pretend Their heart is divided now shall they be found faulty Hos 10. 2. Yea this is that they call charity to have a good opinion and esteem of all that make a fair face in the flesh though many of them preach another Jesus or Spirit or Gospel besides him whom the Apostles have preached or that the believers have received and accepted when as indeed it is not charity For charity rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth but it is the fruit of their instability and want of fervent love to Christ and his Gospel which were it in them would cause them not to indure evil doctrines nor those that bring them Rev. 2. 2-6 These persons are like the waves of the sea driven with the winds and tossed and unstable in all their ways and walkings ever learning and never able to come to the knowledg of the truth Let not such persons think they shall receive any thing of the Lord though he giveth liberally to all men and upbraideth not for former or present unworthiness yet this will deprive the soul of good and hinder such manner of men from receiving what God is giving liberally unto them Jam. 1. 6-8 O that we may all cleanse our hearts herefrom in that fountain prepared and opened in and through the blood of Christ Christ being ascended up on high hath in these last days especially given such excellent gifts to men that thereby we might know which are sound and wholesom words and which are evil and pernicious that we might abhor the evil and cleave to the good with full purpose of heart and might not henceforth be Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive that our hearts might not be so simple as to be beguiled and deceived by the good words and fair speeches of them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the Apostles doctrine but might be established with grace and receive and abide in the doctrine of Christ in which whosoever abideth he hath both the Father and the Son And that if any man how appearingly holy or learned soever he be bring not this doctrine whatever doctrine else he bring if this be not the sum of his message we should not receive him into our house give no entertainment to him as a bringer of another doctrine nor bid him God speed say not the blessing of the Lord be upon you the Lord prosper you for he that biddeth such an one God speed is partaker of his evil deeds He is a sharer with him in all the mischif he doth to others Be not therefore carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing the heart be established with grace Ephes 4 8-11 14. Rom â—6 17 18. Heb. 13. 7 8 9. 2 Joh. 9 10 11. 1 Joh. 2. 24-26 Gal. 1. 6-9 2 Cor. 11. 1-3 4. The wisdom of this world also our own and others must be ceased from and parted with otherwise this will pervert us and hinder us from coming unto and following after Jesus Christ Isa 47. 10. 1 Cor. 3. 19 20. Hence that instruction and admonition Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding be not wise in thâ—â—e own eyes fear the Lord and depart from evil As intimating to us that our own wisdom and understanding will hinder us from trusting in him heartily and fearing and worshipping him Prov. 3. 5-7 The preaching of Christ and him crucified the commending and proclaiming the excellency and excellent ends and vertues of his personal abasement and sufferings and of what he hath done and obtained into himself and is become This is a sapless unsavoury thing to our wisdom and to them that seek it and follow after it and our wisdom causeth such to depart from or wander out of the way of understanding Hence whereas the Apostle in one verse saith The preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness he saith in another The preaching of Christ crucified is to the Greeks who seek after wisdom foolishness to signify to us That those that seek after the wisdom of this world they are such as perish as their sin go astray from the right way and while they are so doing the Cross of Christ and the preaching thereof is a foolish thing to them they perceive no form or comeliness no beauty or excellency no desirableness in his sufferings or in him who by means thereof is become the habitation of the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in our nature Compare 1 Cor. 1 17 18. with vers 22. 23. Col. 2. 9 10. It is an unsavouâ—â— thing to our wisdom to be directed always unto Christ and to come unto him continually as the only foundation of faith reason of hope fountain of light and teaching answer of the conscience towards God matter of seeding robe of righteousness Our wisdom leadeth us rather to do somewhat that we may have our life in and acceptation by and dependence upon And therefore that we may be wise in eâ—â—â—n the flesh of the Son of Man which was given for the 〈…〉 e of the world and drinking his blood in the discoveries consolations operations teachings requirings and admonitions thereof needful it is for us to become fools and to cease from our own wisdom that we may thus be made wise 1 Cor. 3. 18. with Prov. 9. 4-6 12. Matt. 11. 25 28. Rom. 1. 20-22 or our wisdom will lead us to have our fear toward God taught by the precepts of men or to have our faith standing in their wisdom Isa 29. 13 14. 1 Cor. 2. 1-5 This is a great Idol in the World and too much set up in the Temple of God to the polluting and defiling it and that which God is staining the pride of and famishing now in glorifying and exalting Christ Jesus as the Wisdom of God and that which he will make lean and wholly famish in due season Oh! that it may now be so considered by us that we may cease there-from and so flee from idolatry 1 Cor. 1. 19-30 31. 3. 17 18. Zeph. 2. 11. Prov. 23. 4. We must also cease from and sell our own righteousness that of our own working in our own wisdom and strength even all confidence in and dependance upon that for life and acceptation otherwise this will hinder us from heartily imbracing and putting on
the shame of their nakedness may not appear And here is signified to us that there is Eye-salve also to be had to cure and heal the blindness of the eyes In Christ as declared in the testimony there is all compleatness prepared for us for supplying all our wants and healing all our diseases Psal 103. 1-3 Colos 2. 3. 9 10. In that feast which is prepared by means of the marraige of our Nature to the Divine Nature in the person of the word the Son of God there is a compleat provision for us poor empty miserable diseased creatures And hitherto are invited not only the poor and the maimed and the halt but the blind also For therein there is cure and healing for them Matt. 22. 1-4-8 Luk. 14. 16-21 The father hath so loved the Son that he hath given all things into his hand into his possession and dispose Joh. 3. 35. And though it be marvellous in our eyes and hath been wondred at that the blind should receive their sight yet it is easy with him unto whom all power is given both in Heaven and on earth Matt. 15. 30 31. 28. 18. Though there be no healing medicine among men yet he can heal this disease also no word is impossible unto him Jer. 30. 12-17 But before we come to speak to this Instruction particularly it may be useful to consider and give Answer unto this Question which may reasonably be propounded viz. Quest Why doth the Amen the faithful and true witness counsel this Angel and Church to buy of him Gold and White raiment and not also this Eye-salve Wherefore is the Phrase here altered He had said I counsel thee to buy as with respect to the two former particulars and now the Phrase is changed and here he saith anoint thine eyes c. What may the Reason hereof be Answ 1. In general we may say doubtless there is good reason for it though it be hidden from me who am such a babe and so unskilful in these things For there is not the least word variation or change made use of in the Scripture by the Spirit of God but it is so used and done in much wisdom and upon weighty accounts all the words of whose mouth are in righteousness and given forth in judgment And therefore oftentimes called judgment and judgments Isa 51. 4. Psal 105. 5. And hence I believe though I may not see wherefore that there is good cause for the altering the manner of expression here in this part of the counsel And had I more anointed mine eyes with this eye-salve I might have better seen the cause so as to have been helpful to others in giving a satisfactory Answer hereto But 2. More particularly I conceive as hath been intimated before that though this part of the counsel be placed last in the order of words yet it is first to be received and observed in order of nature for how can we so highly value this gold and white raiment as to buy in selling all that we have unless we first in some measure see the worth and value thereof Now therefore this Eye-salve is brought unto us preventingly and we are instructed to anoint our eyes herewith before it be required of us to buy The eye must first be opened before we can turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26. 18. It cannot reasonably be expected from us that we should forsake all we have or be saved from our sins and idols until our eyes be opened and we see and have found this treasure Hence that call Look unto me and be ye saved to wit from your iniquities and vanities but first look unto me saith Isa 45. 22. The kingdome of Heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field But first before he buyeth in selling all that he hath he findeth it and discerneth and perceiveth the excellency of it so as it causeth joy unto him Matt. 13. 44-46 Prov. 31. 16. So here this Angel and Church is instructed without and before buying to anoint their eyes and then and to that end that they buy those unsearchable riches and invaluable treasures of Christ Jesus which are here set before them and the excellency whereof is propounded to them Now then in speaking unto this Instruction we shall inquire into and shew 1. What are these eyes of theirs here spoken of and which they are called upon to anoint 2. What is this Eye-salve here commended to them wherewith they should anoint their eyes 3. What is this anointing the eyes which is here called for and counselled unto 4. Shew That this is prepared for them and brought unto them that they may anoint their eyes herewith 1. What are these eyes of theirs here spoken of and which they are called upon to anoint To this we may say Not their outward or bodily eyes For here the holy Spirit speaketh of spiritual things as hath in some measure been shewn And it appeareth their blindness was not upon the bodily eye because they would then have known it But of these he saith thou knowest not that thou art blind They were insensible of their misery which very rarely if ever persons are of their outward blindness unless such as are wholly bereaved of judgment But there are other eyes to wit those of the soul the mind or understanding of a man that faculty of the soul whereby a man may see when it is opened such things as the bodily eye cannot discerne And of these inward eyes our Saviour here speaketh Their understandings were darkened Ephes 4. 18. Their minds were blinded 2 Cor. 4. 4. 3. 14. These eyes are called the eyes of the understanding Ephes 1. 18. Of these eyes our Saviour speaketh when he saith to his Disciples perceive ye not yet neither understand Have ye your hearts yet hardened Having eyes see ye not How is it that you do not understand Mark 8. 17-21 And of these eyes the Apostle meaneth when he saith to the Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you Gal. 3. 1. He was never crucified in the view of their bodily eyes for he was crucified at Jerusalem but he was set forth crucified before the eyes of their understanding in the glorious Gospel These eyes may be sufficiently blind and dark as with respect to spiritual things though the bodily eye be never so quick-sighted and though a man may be rich in the knowledg and sight of natural or moral things So it was with this Angel and Church and therefore this gracious and faithful Counseller instructeth and counselleth them to anoint their eyes to wit of the understanding with this Eye-salve 2. What is this Eye salve here spoken of and commended to them by this
to see and behold as declared to us in his testimonies and especially in the testimony of his mouth The Father calleth upon us to behold his Servant and Son Behold saith he my Servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul is well pleased I have put my spirit upon him Isa 42. 1. Matt. 12. 18. And Behold the man whose name is the Branch Zech. 6. 12. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people c. Isa 55. 1-4 5. Jesus Christ calleth upon us also to behold himself Look unto me saith he all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved Isa 45. 22 23. with Rom. 14. 9-11 12. And saith Behold me Behold me unto a nation that was not called by his name Isa 65. 1. 55. 5. It is also the work of the holy Spirit to lift up the Son of Man as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness as a compleat object in whom is prepared all helpfulness and healing for every stung creature that men might look unto and believe in him Joh. 3. 5 9-9-14-16 It is his work and office to bear witness of his blood and the love of God as therein commended everlastingly and to glorify Christ and take of his things and shew unto us of his sufferings and the glory which there-through he hath received 1 Joh. 5. 6. Joh. 16. 13 14. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea as the father word and holy Ghost are one one in essence and being so one also in their testimony and this is the record that God hath given unto us mankind eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 7 11. Yea he is the sum and subject matter of the testimony of all those holy men by whom God hath spoken unto us from the beginning of the world to the end we might see and behold him To him give all the Prophets witness Act. 10. 43. Of this horn of salvation God spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets that have been since the world began Luk. 1. 69 70. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. Acts 3. 22-25 26. 23. Joh. 5. 39. The Baptist was a man sent from God to bear witness of him as the light the fountain in whom is all the fulness of grace and truth and he saith Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World Joh. 1. 6 7-15 16. 29 33-36 The Apostles also were witnesses of him Joh. 15. 27. Yea the fullest and clearest witnesses of him they saw and did testify that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 14. They preached not themselves but Jesus Christ and him crucified and therewith Jesus the Lord. 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. 2 Cor. 4. 5. To them was this grace given and Apostleship fo obedience to the faith among all nations Rom. 1. 5. 16. 25 26. To them was this grace given to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see c. Ephes 3. 8 9. It evidently appeareth therefore that it was needful they should anoint their eyes with this eye-salve that they might see this blessed object that hath been and is so constantly and unanimonsly witnessed of and directed unto by God and all those that have been taught and led of him All agree in one concerning him to the end we might see and believe in him who hath so testified his love towards us as to lay down his life for us that he might become our Saviour and who is through and by means of his blood exalted and glorified and become the habitation of all the fulness of the God head the fountain of life the fountain of living waters the Sun of righteousness the treasury of wisdom and knowledge Yea all that the Father hath is his Col. 2. 3. 9. Psal 36. 8 9. Mal 4. 2. Joh. 16. 14 15. And that this is the object which they are called upon and counselled to see and behold and to that end to anoint their eyes with this eye-salve appeareth from the scope of the place we are speaking unto For here the faithful counsellor had been commending unto them and counselling them to buy gold tried in the fire that they might be rich and white raiment that they might be clothed and that the shame of their nakedness might not appear And now he addeth anoint that thou maist see to wit this gold and how it hath been tried and the excellency of it and this white raiment c. And this is a glass which discovereth all things to us Here we may look upon those things which cannot be seen with the bodily eye 2 Cor. 4. 18. As Moses by faith saw him that is invisible Heb. 11. 27. And in some sense as Abraham saw the day of Christ and was glad Joh. 8. 56. So may we behold and see in this word of faith which is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. the preciousness of the blood of Jesus Christ and his excellency and fitness for us and for our helpfulness by means thereof 2. To the end we may buy this gold and white raiment and thereto sell all that we have needful it is to anoint our eyes with this eye-salve that we may see namely that we may see the vileness and odiousness of our sins which are to be abhorred by us And the emptiness and unprofitableness of our idols which we are to abstain from that we may have these excellent and durable commodities here commended to us for while we are ignorant hereof we shall be ready to think that we part with is better then that which is commended to and set before us While we remain in our blindness we are ready and apt to mistake and to call evil good and good evil and to set our hearts upon that which will not profit yea to cleave unto that which will destroy us in conclusion if it be not parted with and fled from While persons are in darkness they are under the power of Satan and led captive by him at his pleasure Acts 26. 18. Ephes 5. 5-8 So much the Apostle signifieth concerning the Gentiles that remained in darkness when he saith they have their understandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness as if nothing were pleasurable unto them but what is abominable Ephes 4. 17-19 So the Apostle speaking of the believing Gentiles saith that in times past namely when they were darkness they walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the spirit that now worketh rulingly and prevailingly in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 1 2. with chap. 5. 8. But to this we may add more afterwards Now therefore it is needful that we see our sins and vanities that we may be willing to part