and Master to guide and govern your hearts and thoughts and lives by his Laws and Statutes and is it your ordinary purpose desire and endeavour to obey him even when he commands the hardest duties and those which most cross the desire and interest of the flesh and 't is your sorrow when you break your resolutions herein then Christ is yours But if you are only content to be saved by him from Hell when you dye in the mean time he shall command you no further than will stand with your credit or pleasure or worldly estate and ends and did never heartily consent that he should rule over you nor resign up your souls and bodies to be governed and disposed by him nor took his Word for a Law and Rule of your thoughts and actions but if he would give you leave you had rather live after the world and flesh than after the Word and Spirit he is not yet yours though you may in words call him Lord and Master yet in your works you deny him He is his Friend and Disciple that keeps his commandments Iohn 15.7 14 but they that would not hearken to his voice would none of him he gave them up to their own hearts lusts Psal. 8.11 3. Have you received the Spirit of Christ The Apostle makes the former and this characters of such as have received Christ. 1 Joh. 3.24 He that keepeth his commandments dwells in him and Christ in him hereby we know that he abideth in us by the spirit which he hath given us Well then do ye obey the Laws of Christ and walk in his ways conform to his example and live the life of Jesus He that doth not thus may say he abides in Christ but he doth but say so 't is not so in truth and reallity 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abides in Christ ought to walk as he walked Further Let me ask you the question the Apostle asked the Disciples at Ephesus Acts. 19.2 Whether have you received the Holy Ghost If God have given Christ to you Christ hath given you his holy Spirit For if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 1 John 4.13 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his spirit The Spirit not as residing in Christ but as given to us is an evidence that we have received Christ. Well then let every one of you be now inquisitive and put such interrogatories as these to himself Have I the Spirit is he given to me doth he dwell in my soul have I the spirit of illumination and revelation Eph. 1.17 Do I see such things as I never saw before as the inexpressible vileness and loathsomness of sin the greatest beauty in holiness c. Have I the spirit of life in Christ Jesus to quicken me and raise me up from the dead Rom. 8.2 2 Cor. 3.6 Have I felt the spirit of conviction to convince me of sin righteousness and judgment Iohn 16.8 The spirit of grace and supplication stirring up to and assisting in that heavenly duty of Prayer Zech. 12.10 The spirit of holyness to sanctifie me 1 Pet. 1.2 to mortifie my sins and corruptions Rom. 8.13 and work up my heart to all holy obedience Ezek. 36.27 Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind is Gods Image repaired in me am I transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord Am I growing in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord Do I walk in all Gods Ways and Statutes freely regularly constantly Am I willing to sacrifice an Isaac a Benjamin an Absolom a Delilah Herodias and hew with Samuel delicate Agag in pieces or with David keep my self from mine own iniquity Is the old man dead the flesh with all its cursed retinue mortified do I detest and loath every sin in thought word and deed and that not so much for its effects as for its nature and hate it rather as Hell than for Hell Enquire what do you find of these high and gracious operations oâ— the spirit in your selves he is always an active working Spirit is he so in you Doth he raise your hearts to heavenly things and draw forth your souls to Christ O deal faithfully with your own souls let the search be deep and thorow go to the bottom of your deceitful hâ—arts bring things to an issue be sure that you be not mistaken 4. If Christ be received there will be a more earnest intent desire and breathing of soul after him he that hath once tasted the sweetness of his grace and seen the splendor of his beauty will be so far from being satisfied that he will still more and more thirst after him the more excellency the soul apprehends in him the more vehement and restless are his desires towards him Thus it was with the Spouse Cant. 2.3 4 5 â—he had a glance of him and cries out As the Apple-tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons Here the Spouse seems to be strongly moved with affection and before her beloved had well ended his speech breaks out into an affectionate Elogy of him which she is not able to express but conquered with her own passion she sits down and breathes for comfort I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste Here the soul receives and applys Christ with sweet rellish to her palate comfort to her heart He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love she still tasts more of the riches of his Grace and what was the effect of this did she surfeit with eating his fruit and banquetting no she is more ravisht with desire Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples for I am sick of love I am wounded nay slain as some Interpreters with love which by the sweet vehemency and insatiability of it makes the heart to burn and weep groan and sigh to forget all and drive away all but him on whom alone she fixeth and would rest but cannot center till she enjoy him in glory till then she is sick and weary and lives not in her self but in him in whom her life is hid As Plato defines love an ardour or flame of a soul dead in its own body and living in another One thus writes to his friend I have for the present a sick life much pain and love-sickness for Christ. O what would I give to have a bed made to my wearied soul in his bosom O when shall we meet O how long is it to the dawning of the marriage-day O sweet Lord Iesus take wide steps O my beloved come leaping over the mountains of separation O that he would fold the heavens together like an old cloak and shovel time and days out of the way and come away Well have you pain and sick-nights for Christ do your thoughts continually run on
he hath called to the profession of the Goâ—pel He gives authority to some for edification not to destruction 2 Cor. 20.8 13 10. Accordâ—ng to the power which the Lord hath given to edification and not to destruction Mark 13 34. as a man taking a far Journey gave authority to his servants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the charge of his domestical affairs he appoints officers sets every one in his place and furnishes him with gifts suitable to his place and cuts out every one his task or work Eph. 4.8 When he ascended or assumed this Lordship he gave gifts to men He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly teachers c. He appoints Ministers to be stewards to distribute to every one in his family their due proportion by way of feeding and governing and they are all accountable to this Lord. 4. Prescribing administrations for their food physick and all necessaries 1 Cor. 12.5 There are differences of adminstrations but the same Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversities or distinctions of ministries Ecclesiastical functions for the use and benefit of his house that none of his servants may want what is good and fit for them he appoints stewards and rulers over his houshold to give every one their meat in due season Mat. 24.45 and overseers to feed the Church of God and to take care of his Flock which he purchased with his own blood Act. 20.28 to preach the Word and dispense the Sacraments Mat. 18.17 Tell it unto the Church that is the governing and ruling Church which was invested with the power of binding and loosing saith Cameron ver 18 and the subject of the power of jurisdiction to whom belong the censures of excomunication absolution 1 Cor. 5.4 5. By the power of the Lord Iesus Christ c. 5. Conferring gifts and temporal mercies and deliverances upon them Eph. 4.7 To every one is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ gratia gratis data gifts for edifying the Church 6. Correcting them in this life for their miscarriages Judgment commonly begins at the house of God He judges them in this world that they may not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.32 Rev. 3.19 As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent Rev. 2.16 Repent or I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth Ver. 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds He suffers the world to do that which he will not endure in his own Family His servants will never be faithful to him nor find him faithful to them if he did not sometimes chastise them 7. Calling them to account in the end and rewarding and punishing according to their works Mat. 25.19 After a long-time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them and gives them their hire that had been labourers in the Vineyard Mat. 20.8 All must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad He hath sundry sorts of servants some that are only titular and complemental call him Lord and Master but are unprofitable wearing his badge but refusing his work profess him but in works deny him using the name of the Lord but transgressing the rule of their Lord the reward of these is to be cast into utter darkness Mat. 25.30 His faithful servants shall be rewarded with his presence who served him in his absence and shall enter into the joy of their Lord. 3. Christ hath yet a more special Lordship over true believers living members of his body that are justified and sanctified servants to him in their hearts Rom. 14.18 He that in these things that is righteousness peace and joy serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men that have the kingdom of Christ within them Luke 17.22 The weapons of this kingdom are not carnal but spiritual and mighty and so his conquest of them 2 Cor. 10.4 The former were members of the Church these are the members of Christ and this Lordship is exercised and put forth by his 1. Drawing them in by effectual calling making them willing in the day of his power Psal. 110.3 as he is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give them repentance and remission of sins Acts 5.31 putting his Laws into their minds and writing them upon their hearts Heb. 8.10 This calling by his word and effectual operation of his spirit doth bring them not only into the visible but into the invisible Church uniting them to Christ the head as well as tying them to the members and whereby grace is not only offered but conferred is a calling in a saving manner according to his purpose the immediate consequence of the election of his grace 2. Suppressing in them whatever is opposite to his rule and overcoming all enmity to his will manifesting and magnifying his grace and strength in their infirmities and making his power to rest upon them 2 Cor. 12.9 10.4 5. Pulling down of strong holds and casting down reasonings and imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ not only curbing but curing their nature and changing the whole man 3. Qualifying them for his service and enabling them to do his work making them ready to do his will Aâ— people prepared for the Lord Luke 1.17 making them vessels unto honour purged and sanctified meet for their masters use and prepared unto every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 If he find employment he will give endowments too if an errand a tongue if a word an hand if a burden a back I can do all things through Christ which strengthâ—neth me saith Paul Phil. 4.13 as the Apostle laboured according to his working which worketh in him mightily Col. 1.29 So carrying them on in his ways with renewed strength they walk and are not weary they run and faint not â—sa 40.28 29 30 31. 4. Giving them freedom to and in his work he makes them free Iohn 8.32 Free from sin that they become his servants Rom. 6.18 from the guilt power and bondage of sin 1. By releasing their debts pardoning their sins Acts 5.31 it 's an Act of Christs Lordship and Princedom to remit and forgive sins 2. By loosing their bonds and breaking the snares and fetters of them He proclaims liberty to captives and opening of prison to them that are bound Isa. 61.1 2. Rom 8.2 The Law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death
come near Him nor his Ordinances have nothing to do with him Now will any be so stupid as to gratifie his greatest adversary to his own unspeakable prejudice Is it not horrible indignity to Christ monstrous cruelty to the soul to refuse Christ who hath done and suffered so much for him and to be led by Satan captive and blindfold into misery to slight Christs sweet invitations and yield to Satans malicious temptations Satan is that strong man that hath power over all men in nature he keeps his goods in peace in the palace of our hearts and there sports himself in carrying on the design of the souls ruin sometimes by policy sometimes by force he keeps possession Luk. 11.21 22. And wherein can a man more designedly gratifie Satan further his wicked designs and establish his kingdom yea enlarge his dominion than by siding with him against Christ who besiegeth the soul with Ordinances and Providences for Satan knows well enough that Christs rise will be his fall Christs scepter will be his destruction that when Christ a stronger than he comes he will overcome him and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted pull down his strong holds divide the spoils and deliver poor captive man out of prison and slavery O then do not so much gratifie Satan 4. If you refuse Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel you are guilty of the greatest sin and folly that can be Though for most part men think not so of it and accordingly lay it not to heart yet it is the greatest sin the sin of sins and in some sort the only sin of the world Men commonly think murder adultery theft drunkenness to be very hainous sins and so indeed they be but unbelief far worse for it is the mother of these and all other evils Take all the sins that ever were committed against any of Gods just laws and none is like to this no greater sin can be laid to ones charge than to refuse wilfully and trample under foot the Son of God Christ promises to send his Spirit the Comforter into the world and he shall convince the world of sin because they believe not on him Joh. 16.9 he means this sin alone saith Austin as if not believing in the Son of God were the only sin Indeed it is the main and master-sin O beloved little do you think who daily sit under the Ministry unwrought on by the Word of God what a grievous and fearful sin you commit and dreadful guilt you carry home with you in neglecting from day to day so great Salvation in forsaking your own mercy and in judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life when Jesus Christ this most precious gift is offered to you by chusing rather to cleave to a lust than to Christ blessed for ever and rather to wallow in the mire and mud of earthly riches and swinish pleasures than to receive this most pleasant and excellent gift rather to cast away your time in idleness pride worldliness and sensuality than in seeking after this transcendent favour rather make choice of a life made up of drunkenness whoredoms railing at godliness The greatness of this sin appears in this that it is most directly and diametrically opposite to the most fundamental Doctrine and command of the Gospel the primary and principal command of Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3.23 When the Jaylor being sadly convinced cryed out to the Apostles Sirs what shall I do to be saved they answered him Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Not to believe is accounted by God notorious disobedience and horrid gain saying Rom. 10. ult In the Law God strictly requires obedience to his just precepts Do this and live by doing these things thou shalt save thy self from hell but no man living being able to purchase Heaven at this rate by Christ he takes off this yoke so that if they will but believe on his Son they shall not be condemned by the Law and thus he treats men Since thou canst not fully obey my Law nor satisfie my Justice I 'le give thee my Son who shall do all for thee through whose perfect obedience thy imperfections may be remitted and healed only thou must believe in him and if thou wilt do but this one thing for thy soul all thy sins shall be pardoned thou shalt be received into favour adopted for my Son and in thy obedience to the rest of my commands I 'le accept the will for the deed though thou canst not perform such perfect obedience as thou shouldest yet if thou labour to do what thou canst I 'le help thee with strength from Heaven bear with unallowed infirmities c. 'T is a sin against light and much knowledg a sin against love and special mercies it binds all a mans other sins upon him it puts and keeps him under the guilt of all his sins Infidelitate manente maneat peccatum omne he that lives in unbelief dies in his sins it makes a mans actions though moral and spiritual be sinful be a man never so holy and devout do or suffer never so much none of these nor all nor whatever can be named or imagined God will not be pleased with them for without faith 't is impossible to please God yea 't is a sin that defiles all a mans outward enjoyments and temporal good things To them that are unbelieving nothing is pure wife children house In a word 't is the height and perfection of madness to refuse Christ Quis nisi mentis inops c. Heaven and earth may be astonished Angels and all Creatures may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishness and monstrous madness 5. If you refuse Christ you utterly undo your own souls for ever if ye miss of this gift ye must expect nothing but misery here and eternal damnation hereafter For there is no name under heaven by which you can be saved Whatever your formalities be how fair soever ye carry in the eye of the world let your profession be never so plausible 't is Christ alone that can save you If you will accept of the Lord Jesus Christ you are in the suburbs of Heaven there is but a thin wall between you and the land of Praises ye are within an hours sailing of the shore of the new Canaan when death digs a little hole in the wall and takes down the sails you have no more to do but set your foot down in the fairest of created Paradises but if you will not accept of Christ let me tell you the truth you are in the suburbs of Hell there is but the cutting of a small thred and you have your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers 1. By refusing Christ you do no less than put and fix your selves in the state of condemnation Let not this be accounted as a harsh censure of my own head for 't is the Scipture Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth on him is
sundry Sermons preached at St. Iames Dukes-place by Zech. Crofton The life and death of Edmund Stanton D. D. To which is added a Treatise of Christian-conference and a Dialogue between a Minister and a Stranger Sin the Plague of plagues or sinful sin the worst of Evils by Ralph Venning M. A. Cases of Conscience practically resolved by I. Norman The faithfulness of God conâ—idered and cleared in the great Events of his Word or a second part of the fulfilling of the Scripture The immortality of the Soul explained and proved by Scripture and Reason to which is added Faiths-triumph over the fears of death by Tho. Wadsworth A Treatise of the incomparableness of God in his Being Attributes Works and Word by George Swinnock M. A. A discourse of the original c. of the Cossacks The generation of Seekers or the right manner of the Saints addresses to the throne of Grace with an Exposition on the Lords-Prayer The administration of Cardinal Ximones A discourse of Family-instruction by Owen Stockton with directions for those that have suffered by the Fire An Essay to facilltate the Education of Youth by bringing down the rudiments of Grammar to the sense of seeing which ought to be improved by Syncresis by M. Lewis of Totenham An Artificial Vestibulum wherein the sense of Ianua Linguarum is contained compiled into plain and short sentences in English for the great â—ase of Masters and Expeditious progress of Scholars by M. Lewis Speculum Sherlockianum oâ— a Looking glass in which the admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the man as to his Acuracy Judgment Orthodoxy A discourse of Sins of Omission wherein is discovered their Nature Causes and Cure by George Swinnock Mr. Baxter's Reformed Pastor His Majesties Propriety in the British Seas vindicated Quakerism no Christianity or a through-Quaker no Christian proved by their Principles and confirmed by Scripture by I. Faldo Differences about Water-baptism no bar to Communion by Io. Bunian The Dutch-dispensatory shewing the vertues qualities and properties of Simples the vertue and use of Compounds whereto is added the Compleat Herbalist Judg Dodaridge's laws of Nobility and Peerage Dinglys Spiritual Fast. Solitude improved by Divine Meditation by Matth. Ranew A Murderer punished and pardoned or Tho. Savage his life and death with his Funeral sermon Small 8 vo A defence against the fear of death by Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed by William Gearing The godly mans Ark or a City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrs. Moors evidences for Heaven by Edmund Calamy The Almost-Christian discovered or the false-Professor tried and cast by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian-freedom or a discourse shewing the extent and restraints of Christian-liberty by S. Bolton D. D. The sinfulness of Sin and fulness of Christ in two Sermons by Will. Bridg. A Plea for the godly or the Righteous mans Excellency The holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A Treatise of Self-denial All three by Tho. Watson The life and death of Tho. Wilson of Miâ—dstone in Kent The life and death of Doctor Samuel Winter A Covert from the Storm or the fearful encouraged in the day of Trouble Worthy-walking press'd upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel The Spirit of Prayer All three by Nath. Vincent The inseparable union between Christ and a Believer by Tho. Peck A discoâ—rse of Excuses setting forth the variety and vanity of them the sin and misery brought in by them by Iohn Sheffield Invisible reality demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. I. Ianeway The Saints encouragement to diligence in Christs service both by Mr. Iames Ianeway A discourse concerning the Education of Children Convivium Coeleâ—te a plain and familiar discourse concerning the Lords Supper both by R. Kidder The Saints perseverance asserted in its Positive-ground against Mr. Ives by Tho. Danson A Wedding ring fit for the Finger by Will. Secker The Young-mans Call and Duty by Nich. Lockyer An Explanation of the shorter-Catechism of the Assembly of Divines by Tho. Lye The Childs Delight with Pictures by Tho. Lye The life and death of Tho Hall A Plea for the Non-Conformists tending to vindicate them from Schism by a Doctor in Divinity The flat opposition of Popery to Scripture by I. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour The Weavers Pocket-book or Weaving spiritualiz'd by I. C. D. D Two disputations of Original-sin by Richard Baxter The History of Moderation The welcome Communicant The ready way to prevent sin by William Bagshaw The Little-peace-maker discovering foolish Pride the Make-baâ—e Philadelphia or a Treatise of Brotherly-love by Mr. Gearing Reformation or Ruine being certain Sermons on Levit. 26 2â— 24. by Tho. Hotchkis The Riches of Grace displayed to which is added the priviledg of Passive Obedience and 52 proposals in order to help on Heart-humiliation by Will. Bagshaw The parable of the great Supper opened in 17 Sermons by Io. Crump A present for Teeming-women by I. Oliver Non-conformity without Controversie by Benj. Baxter The Christians daily Monitor by Iosh. Church A Treatise of Closeâ—-prayer by Richard Mayo The Religious Family by Philip Lamb. A sober inquiry or Christs Reign with Saints a thousand years A discourse of the prodigious Abstinence of Martha Taylor A Memento to young and old by Iohn Maynard The priviledg of the Saints on Earth above those in Heaven by William Hook Index biblicus multijugus or a Table of the holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and particular matters are distinguished and Epitomized The day of Grace with the conversion of a Sinner by Nath. Vencent The Greek Testament in 8 vo An easie and useful Grammar for the learning of the French tongue by Mr. Gosthead Gentleman Mr. Raworths work and reward of a Christian. The Miners Monitor or advice to those that are employed about the Mines A Protestant Catechism for little Children A Scripture Catechism by Samuel Petto A Catechism according to the Church of England Grotius Catechism Brief of the Bibles-History The Fountain sealed by Dr. Sibbs Nero Tragidea Cottons None but Christ. Cornelianum dolium The Christians earnest longing for Christs appearing preached at the Funeral of Mr. Noah Webb by Dan. Burgess Wilsons Catechism Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia Cocains Poems Poor Robins Jesâ—s Croftons Foelix Sâ—elus or Prospering prophaneness provoking holy conference by Zech. Crofton Gramaticus Analyticus by the same Author Alexanders advice to his Son Artificial Embelishments H. Excellency of Christ set forth Gods Soveraignty displayed by Mr. William Gearing In small 12 s. The duty of Parents towards their Children A little Book for little Children A method and instruction for the Art of divinâ— Meditation All three by Tho. White The considerations of Drexelius on Eternity The shadow of the Tree of Life by M. M. The Psalms of David newly translated more plain smooth and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore The Prisoners Prayers Mr. Henry Lukin's Life of Faith Awakening Call to Sinners Câ—umbs of Comfort or the Lord Bacons Prayer FINIS
3.26 Who could repair the Image of God in us and restore the life of Grace when we were dead but Christ by his Spirit How could we ever put off the old man and put on the new die to sin and live unto God were it not for Christs death and resurrection Had not he sanctified himself for our sakes we had never been holy had he not born the punishment we deserved we had never been happy was not he given that whosoever believed on him might not perish but have everlasting life Tell me you that think Christ is a person that may be well spared c. who could ever have opened the eyes of the blind the ears of the deaf or healed a wounded spirit Who could have bound up a broken heart opened the Prison-dores broken off the chains of bondage and proclaimed liberty to the captives Who could have satisfied infinite justice born the weight of Gods Wrath removed the curse of the Law made reconciliation for iniquity and brought in everlasting righteousness certainly none but Christ. 8. Christ is a most gainful gift He is absolute and universal gain Christ is the most profitable gift to the soul that can be injoyed yea that can be imagined nothing more commodious nothing more enriching than Christ is to them that have him There is no man rich without Christ neither is there any poor that have him a man without Christ is a beggarly bankrupt but one that hath Christ is a wealthy King He that hath Christ hath all he that hath not him hath nothing Christ is not gain as worldly things are profitable in relation to their ends as wealth is good to supply want food to maintain life clothes to keep off cold air a bed to rest weary limbs but Christ is a rich and inestimable treasure to the soul without reference to any further end than himself he is to be desired even for himself his merchandise is better than silver and his gain than fine gold Prov. 3.14 Man knows not the price of wisdom of this wisdom Prov. 8.18 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx and Saphire there is no talking nor bidding in this Market so precious is this corner-stone No mention shall be made of corral or of pearls for the price of wisdom is above rubies The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it neither shall it be valued with pure gold c. Job 28.18 19. What the Apostle saith of godliness is very true of Christ he is profitable for all things and he is gainful at all times and to all persons both for soul and body for the life that now is and the life that is to come and for ever The salvation of the soul is better than the gaining of a whole world What is a man profited if he gain the world and lose his soul How much more gain then is he by whom a world of souls are saved 9. Christ is a most suitable gift He suits all persons and all conditions whether a man be poor or rich young or old noble or ignoble learned or unlearned bond or free high or low the richest have need of him as well as the poorest and the meanest may have him as well as the greatest be in what condition or relation soever he is suitable to all And O! how suitable is Christ to the lost condition of all men by nature man is an enemy to God Christ is the Peace-maker he is a Captive Christ is a Redeemer he is lost Christ a Saviour he is sick Christ a Physician he is dead Christ gives life he is poor Christ gives riches he is weak Christ is strength he is guilty Christ hath righteousness he is filthy Christ hath blood to wash him in he is naked Christ hath a Garment to cloath him he is hungry Christ is the Bread of Life he is thirsty Christ gives living waters O! how suitable how acceptable is Christ to poor sinners He that hath Christ may say here 's strength to support me Wisdom to direct me Power to protect me Gold to inrich me Cordial to comfort me and Fulness to supply all my wants He is made all things to all men eyes to the blind feet to the lame and a Father to the poor Christ is for every turn and fitted for every condition be it what it will or can he hath a sufficiency relative and suitable to it there 's no disease but this Physician can cure it no Case but this Counsellor can resolve it no Enemy but this Champion can conquer no difficulty but this mighty Saviour can overcome 10. Christ is a most seasonable gift Every thing is beautiful in its season all other things have their several seasons as food is good but 't is when a man is hungry so cloaths when a man is naked Physick when a man is not well Musick when a man is merry now Christ is never out of season A gift bestowed in the nick of time is most valued Bis dat qui cito dat 't is a double favour when done in time the right timing of things is a high point of practical wisdom and puts a beauty and value upon all things Now considering the state of man as lapsed Christ was the most seasonable gift that ever the world heard of This is set forth in the Parable Luk. 10.30 A certain man went down from Ierusalem to Iericho and fell among thieves which stripped him wounded him and left him half dead c. The man that travelled was our first Parent Adam the Thieves were the Divels who deprived him of all wounded him and left him not half but wholly dead the Priest and Levite came by and looked on but passed away neither would nor could help him but the good Samaritan so esteemed by the Iews Christ he comes had compassion on him went to him bound up his wounds with his own soft hands poured in Wine and Oyl and brought him to an Inn and took care for him that he should want nothing towards his recovery takes the whole charge of it to himself What can be imagined more seasonable than for such a compassionate Physitian to come by look on and undertake when a man lyes bleeding and dying in the high way Ezekiel 16 beginning doth excellently express the seasonableness of his coming to us Christ is sent to us when we are at an utter loss can neither help our selves nor all the world do us any good give the least relief When he comes into the world it is said Heb. 10.5 Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure all the world was at a loss to please God What shall man do and whither will he fly for help Then even then said I lo I come in the volume of thy book it is written of me to do thy will O God Christ comes in the very nick of time when all mankind was ready to perish
wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God whereby he being convinced of his sin and misery and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition not only assents to the truth of the promise of the Gospel but receives and rests upon Christ and his Righteousness therein held forth for pardon of sin and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation I 'm sure the Scripture makes this to be our accepting of Christ 1 Ioh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed on him might not perish c. 1 Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name We come to him and feed on him by faith Ioh. 6.35 And he dwells in our hearts by faith Ephes. 3.17 The Woman consenting to take the man for her Husband upon that the Matrimonial union follows he is hers and she his so the sinner consenting to the receiving and obeying of Christ which is one main act of faith upon which he is made his This is one of faiths royal excellencies nothing puts a greater worth and glory upon it than this great effect Well then see that you make sure of it put forth this hand of faith and take Christ are ye without it in the sad state of unbelief you have no share in nor can make no claim to this gift so long as it is thus with you you must be put into another state and become true believers then 't will be well But do not content your selves with a Dogmatical Historical faith an easie common presumptuous false faith which is in the generality of men Be sincere and sound believers flatter not your selves with an idle inoperative faith have such a faith as purifies the heart works by love overcomes the world you must heartily close with whole Christ according to the Gospel-offer let your trust relyance confidence for pardon life and salvation be grounded upon him and him only You must cast your selves upon his alone merits renouncing every thing in your selves holding forth the two hands of faith with the one to lay hold on Christ and with the other to resign up your selves to Christ. You must be throughly convinced of sin and misery that you have undone and destroyed your selves and in the sense of nakedness wretchedness and perishing see an absolute necessity of Christ that unless he justifie you you must â—e condemned unless he save you you must burn in hell for ever and so cry give me Christ or else I die and have restless importunate desires of the soul towards him as a condemned man for pardon a hungry man for meat O that Christ were mine Oh that I might enjoy him I cannot live without him I know not whether Christ will own me and smile on me or no I know not whether Christ will come to me and bestow himself on so mean and vile a creature But I 'le go out to him I 'le venture all if I perish I perish my desire is towards him and I 'le cast my self and all upon him and with tears and crys say Lord I believe help my unbelief 2. Pray go unto God for this gift for it is his you can never deserve therefore beg it and ask grace to receive and apply it No man cometh unto the Son except the Father which hath sent him draw him Iohn 6.44 All things are of God 2 Cor. 5 18. Creating is his work Eph. 2 10. Go then and lye and wait at the throne of Grace and earnestly intreat God to give Châ—â—st to thee and make him thine though thou have no promise to urge God with yet put him in remembrance how he hath said in â—cripture that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that he should turn aâ—â— live Tell him that thou art a sinner yet God commends his love in that Christ dyed for men while they were yet sinners He came to reconcile even ememies to give giâ—ts even to the rebellious His business was to seek and save lost Sheep of whom thou art one tell him you have no whither to go but unto him be earnest and importunate and then wait though he hide his face and answer not yet continue praying and knocking at the gate of mercy cry aloud Lord give me Christ O give me Christ or else I dye and perish Good Lord what ever thou deniest me deny me not Christ. Lord upon my bended knees I ask him of thee O shut not out my Prayer if I have not Christ I am undone Remember his carriage towards the woman of Canaan Matt. 15.26 he puts her off either no answer or that which was worse than none yet her importunity in crying still Lord help me at last prevailed and she got a gracious and comfortable answer obtained what she asked and more remember for your incouragement you are calling on him that 's calling on you and seeking him that first loves and seeks you Pray for faith even that also is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 Christ is the author and finisher of faith Heb. 12.2 Fall down before the throne of Grace before and after the hearing of the word and beg earnestly of God that as he hath given you hands to take your meat so he would also give you the hand of Faith wherewith to apprehend Jesus Christ pray and wait 3 That you may the better do thus and be inabled to believe and pray attend diligently the Word and Ordinances which are the ordinary means to convey this gift to the Children of men 'T is by these golden pipes that golden oyl is carryed to men Zech. 4.12 The Word must be read heard and meditated on Ioh. 6.44 45. 'T is by hearing the Father and learning of him that we come to Christ 't is not without his drawing but he draws by these means The Scriptures do testifie of him and by them we may come to the knowledg of him and if we know him we shall desire him and if so we shall have him as in the Text. The Word I say Read or Preached but especially the latter for he hath said Matt. 18.20 Where two or three are come together in my name there am I in the midst of them q. d. If you want me and would know where to find me study both the Law and Gospel that is the School-master to shew you the need of him to shake the Soul out of security and to humble you through convictions And this is that whereby he offers himself to you expresly calls and invites you to him Come to me poor weary sinners c. He is vailed in the Law revealed in the Gospel there held forth in Types here in Truth in all Christ is the substance to be found in every page frequent
thine eyes a crucified bleeding Saviour Hence that saying of Bernard Cui fons forte sicul es lanynam invocat Iesum non fluxit uberius What hardness of heart could ever stand before Jesus Christ or what Soul ever went to Christ and came away with a hard heart and was not melted as wax before the Sun If Christ do but strike upon the heart though it were a Rock he can make it gush out with a torrent of brinish tears 4. Barrenness Thou complainest of unfruitfulness thou receivest much and returnest little thou art dry and unprofitable make use of Christ in this case the water is not more effectual to make fruitful the barren ground than the dew of Christs Grace to fructifie a barren heart I the Lord can turn a barren wilderness into a fruitful garden Isa. 51.3 He hath promised to make the Wilderness like Eden and the Desert like the Garden of the Lord. He hath said Isa. 35.1 2 6 7 That the desert shall blossom as the rose yea it shall blossom abundantly for in the wilderness shall water break out and streams in the desert and the parched ground shall become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water Go to Christ for the fulfilling of those great and precious promises say Cant. 4. ult Lord send out thy spirit to breathe upon my Soul to blow upon my Garden that the Spices thereof may flow out c. Christ saith Except ye abide in me and I in you ye cannot bear fruit Under the term abiding is implyed making use of Christ drawing sap and nourishment from him Ioh. 15.4 5. 5. Despondency when thou art disquieted with melancholly Psal. 27.13 doubting and distrustful thoughts arising from the weakness of Grace power of Corruption and malice of Satan have recourse to Christ who hath an incomparable faculty of dispelling all these perplexed and pensive conceits that do torture thy mind He himself suffered and was tempted was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and therefore is able to succour us in all our temptations and troubles Heb. 2.18 and 4.15 16. Now if a man be in any trouble in outward estate or body what will he do in such a case He will go and consult with one that hath been in the like condition Do thus make use of Christ for help who hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 which words of his being spoken home to the heart of a distrustful perplexed person by his own Spirit must needs be of refreshing vertue and reviving power as that light will ever spring up out of darkness and scatter those mists that darken the mind and disturb our peace 't is he that forgiveth all thy sins and healeth all thy diseases Psal. 103.3 3. Improve this gift of God as a sweet and forcible attractive and help to draw your hearts to the performance of all those duties that are required of you and to assist in the exercise of those graces that are to be found in you As 1. Faith In the want or weakness of Faith make use of Christ who must needs be very helpful for he is the author and finisher of your faith Heb. 12.2 he is infinitely able to begin increase and perfect your faith so as that it can have no other vertue or power but such as is derived only from him 'T is he by whom we believe in God who raised him from the dead his own Disciples finding their faith infirm and weak did repair to him for more strength and for a larger measure of it acknowledging him to be able and themselves impotent and unable to do it saying Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith 2. Repentance Does any lye and groan under the guilt and burden of impenitency O let him address himself to Christ in this sad case who came into the world to call sinners to repentance not as we in the Ministry to call outwardly but to call with an effectual voice and to cause to repent Mat. 11.13 God not only gave him to the world to be a Saviour but hath exalted him to be a Prince to give repentance and remission of sins Act. 5.31 If thy heart be secure and senseless go to Christ who will freely give not sell and work in thee godly sorrow that leads to repentance unto salvation not to be repented of That repentance you frame in your selves will miserably deceive you so that Austin said that repentance doth drown more than sin when you think you can sufficiently do it your selves whereas Christ alone doth give true and acceptable repentance 3. Love Christ is the best teacher of Love that ever the world had who taught it not only by his words but by his blood by his life and by his death Wouldest thou learn to love Go to Christ if thou canst not learn it of him thou canst never learn it Love is the greatest commander of love and the most effectual argument that can insuperably constrain us to it and none ever loved at the rate and measure that Christ hath loved to stand by such a fire is the way for a congealed heart to melt and the coldest affections to grow warm A lively Faith still holding Christ the glass of infinite love and goodness before our faces is the greatest lesson in the art of love A believing view of the nature undertaking love obedience doctrine example sufferings intercession and Kingdom of Jesus Christ must needs inflame believers hearts with an answerable degree of love O steep that stiff and hardned heart in the blood of Christ and it will melt and it will change thy unkind unthankful heart in the very nature of love to come over with Thomas and by the passage of his wounds wind thy self into his heart 4. Obedience both active and passive to which Christ is both an incomparable motive and admirable pattern He fulfilled all righteousness and became obedient to the death of the Cross Lo I come to do thy will O God was his resolution when he came into the world and not my will but thine be done when he went out of it He hath said he will write his Laws in your hearts and cause you to walk in his statutes and give you one heart and one way that ye may serve him for ever Ezek. 36.27 Christs obedience is thine walking in Christ all the acts of it are exerted and performed in the strength of Christ. 5. Prayer would you know how to pray as to have your Prayer accepted and answered let Christ be made use of who is the alone Mediator that by the vail of his flesh hath made a new and living way into the holy place and sits at Gods right hand making request for you So that by him you may have free access with boldness to the throne of grace Heb. 10.19 20. Have you a friend in the Court that will plead your cause and speak a good word to the King and will you not make use of
is contrary to that which ye owe to Christ and as touching your Soul and Conscience subject and enslave your selves to no man living depend absolutely upon none but Christ and his word all our obedience to earthly Lords must be only such as this Lord allows and only in the Lord the greatest Lords in the world are but regula regulata Christ is the only regula regulans they the rule ruled he ruling 6. To inform us that Christians are Christs servants yet somewhat more or with some special exceptions Iohn 15.15 Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you They are not only servants but friends they call Christ Lord and Master he calls them not servants but friends not servants but free-men yea sons Iohn 8.36 The servant abideth not in the house for ever but the Son abideth ever Gal. 4 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant but a son and if a son then â—â— heir of God through Christ. Not a servant that is under the ceremonies and bondage of the Law but a Son having received the adoption by Christ the eternal Son of God who was sent to redeem us that he might purchase and graciously communicate the right of sonship which he hath by nature to every true believer And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father We are in such sort free and so set at liberty as that we must be governed by the Spirit of Christ which reigneth in our hearts and teacheth us the true service of the Father but this is not to serve but rather to enjoy true liberty as becometh Sons and Heirs 7. It teaches us that all doctrines and practices are to be abhorred which derogate from the dignity of this our Lord and Master 1. Doctrines especially the Popish which deprave our redemption purchased by this Lord by the doctrine of merits the worship due to this Lord with the doctrine of image and adoration and the Saints intercession The authority of this Lord by the doctrine of the Popes headship and pardoning of sins and many such doctrines not only of the Papists but of others nearer to us 2. The practices of vile and wicked men We should make it our business and only Plot to promote his honour and service in the world and endure nothing that would eclipse and impair his glory He who touches that should touch the apple of our eye look upon his reproach as cast upon our selves mourning for that dishonour offered to him which we cannot redress 't is against both Christianity and Humane ingenuity to suffer him to be abused whom we have undertaken to serve This neither agrees with honesty nor honour 't is indeed not only a sin but a shame Hardly is any Servant so low spirited as to think it consistent with his credit to serve a disgraced Master they that truly call Christ Lord will never endure that his glory should suffer from others much less from themselves 3. Our own unsuitable practices A servant of Christ must not be a son of Belial every one is under a yoke still Christ does not give his servants leave to sin but liberty to serve God Christ came not to free us from the Law but sin from the service of the Devil not from the service of God He came not to make the Law less strict or sin less odious or us less holy freedom from wrath and Hell is a priviledg but from duty and obedience is none because we are made free by Christ we are to be more apt and ready to discharge the duty we owe to God and man in maxima libertate minima licentia a great deal of liberty by Christ and yet the strongest ingagement to service that may be They whose lives are full of Epicurisme Atheisme worldliness 't is not a pin to chuse whether they be Pagans or Christians for acting thus heatheâ—ishly thus brutishly they do but pollute that sacred and worthy name the Apostle saith I am not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 9.21 Not without the law to God but under the law to Christ. This leads to Second use of reprehension It may serve to reprove three sorts 1. Those that endure not to hear of Christs Lordship and commands that will not acknowledg this dominion of Christ nor let him be Lord in his own house but do what in them lies to deprive him of that honour to which he hath so good a right But who deny Christs Lordship 1. They that will not hear his voice obey his call accept his inâ—itations in the Gospel he inviteth them to himself prays them to be reconciled to God through him intreats them to come and put themselves under his government and take his yoke on them and they will not hear but in effect say We are Lords we will not come at thee Jer. 2.31 We are well enough and shall do well enough without him and what needs such care and strictness He comes and waits and knocks at their doors but they slight him and will not open He prays them that they will look into their hearts mind their Souls consider their eternal condition but they quench the Spirit smother the light and resist all these motions they will not come to him nor suffer him to come into them that they may have life 2. Those that addict themselves to strong and inordinate desires of liberty which is the worst slavery that will not submit to his government quarrelling at duties rather than performing them thinking it a kind of happiness to be free and that there is no freedom but in sinning and following the bent and sway of their own hearts and being Lords of their own actions and dream of an exemption from all kind of Law but their own lusts they would he above all checks and controul and have scope and room for their own lusts Promise themselves liberty 2 Pet. 2.19 Men would have it at this to be at their own dispose and to be answerable to none that would call them to account and therefore that will not obey his laws and commands 3. Such as in a proud contempt and obstinacy against reproof and instruction do cast off all respect and obedience to Christ they cannot endure restraints are as bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 Are all for breaking bonds and dissolving cords Psal. 2.4 Bursting the yoke altogether Ier. 5.5 They cannot endure to hear of denying their fashions renouncing their lusts and pleasures forsaking their vain worldly wanton thoughts and ways what every thought every desire every word must be under a Law So much time spent in duties such gravity in conversation such awe in their speeches No vain licentious Spirits will not be clogged and yoked thus what a weariness is
3. Removing the spirit of bondage and restoring peace and joy to the soul He gives them peace with him Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and Iob. 16.33 He gives them a free spirit an inlarged heart a sound mind the spirit of power and love 2 Tim. 1.7 5. He shews his Lordship towards his peculiar people in maintaining them in his service and supplâ—ing them in all their wants From this Head wherein dwells all fullness all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred increases with the increase of God Col 2.19 The Lord is their shepherd they shall not want Psal. 23.1 and 84.11 Verily his houshold shall be fed they shall want no good thing He gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 Even of outward necessaries they shall have what they want if not what they would 6. In defending them against and upholding them in all temptations and troubles He tells them in all their dangers and straits my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 He will keep them in all their ways surely then in all his work safety evermore accompanies duty His Servants are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 They are preserved in Christ Jesus Iude 2. and are never unsafe but when they leave working or with Ionah run away from their Master Micah 5.4 He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide There is no security but in Christs family never are his servants in danger but when they go out of it and he takes care of the seed and posterity of his Servants Psal. 69.36 7. At last abundantly rewarding and dignifying them In doing his work there is great reward That happiness which Christ gives his Servants in this life is unspeakable their work seems to have more of wages than of work in it but in the next life their joy will be so great as that it cannot so well be said to enter into them as they to enter into it Mat. 25.51 Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of their Lord whose bosom is the hive and center of all goodness and that in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up Râ—v 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Their services are all Booked he who formerly gave them abilities for to work will now give them a recompence for working their work though never so great is but small to their wages nor is the weight of their labours comparable to that of their Crown and put in all their heavy sufferings too Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life 2. How is this threefold Lordship exercised 1. By what means 2. For what end 3. In what manner or order 1 st By what means doth he exercise this Lordship 1. By his hand of providence concourse and co-operation in the creature that Providence Christ speaks of in Iohn 5.17 19 22 My father worketh hitherto and I work For what things soever he doth these also doth the son likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Nazianzen well interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. nor for the similitude of those things they do but in respect of the same power and authority of both the Son doth not imitate but co operate he works not like but the same work that the Father doth Quod operatur filius opus patris est Hil. Whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth because they are one God have one will power and working for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son the Father judgeth not alone because he judgeth by the Son The word judging here signifies full power to rule in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 8.6 There is one God the father of whom are all things and we in him or for him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him By here notes not the instrumental but the principal cause the Prepositions of and by are not so to be taken that we make two Causes seeing they have but one Nature though they be distinct persons and the Father and Son work together but by these of and by the Apostâ—e differenceth their order and manner of working Col 1.17 He is before all things and by him all things consist 2. By his Word and Spirit in common works and gifts Psal. 110 2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord i. e. God the Father â—ho had said sit thou on my right hand i. e. receive chief power and authority from me and exercise jurisdiction over alâ— shall send forth the Rod of thy power i. e. thy powerful and mighty Rod or the Rod and Scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might â—he means specially the Preaching of the Word which is the Power of God to Salvation and is able to cast down strong holds and every high thing Be thou Ruler by thy word and spirit notwithstanding all the resistance of thine enemies 1 Pet. 3.19 By which aâ—so he went and preached to the spirits in prison by the power and manifestation of his spirit 3. By his Word and Spirit in saving works and effects His Word worketh effâ—ctually in all them that believe 1 Thes. 2.13 and the Spirit of Truth the Comforter which he promises to send Iohn 14.16 18 and 16.14 He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto on 2. The end or use of this threefold Lordship why or for which he exercises it 1. For his Fathers and his own glory John 13.31 Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him i e He shall be glorified in the admirable work of mans redempâ—ion for death to overcome death is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great glory and shews him to be the Lord of life Col. 1.16 all things were created and do consist as well for him as by him that he might have the preheminence and glory as the first-born of every creature or heir of all things 2â— For the salvation of his chosen that he may give unto them eternal life Iohn 17.2 Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son may also glorifie thee as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 3. For the overthrow of all adverse power to these ends whatever opposeth the glory of God and happiness of believers his Lordship is exercised for