Fountain of Life within them and the Bread of Life Therefore are they to present their bodies a living sacrifice unto GOD Rom 12.1 And shew forth themselves as lively stones built up a Spiritual House 1 Pet 2 â—5 6 They must also make this evident by their Zealous way of walking seeing Christ hath a loathing at lukewarmness Rev 3 15 16. That they are Zealous of good Works Tit. 2.14.7 Their Christian carriage should fill them with Joy and Gladness as delighting themselves in the Law of the LORD and rejoycing in serving and pleasing of him 8. They must walk in the fear of the LORD and be in his fear all the day long and carry themselves circumspectly and tenderly as in the sight of Jesus Christ who is in them and locketh upon them wherever they be and in whatever they are doing 9. Is Christ come into their Souls to work his work then theâ— should not suffer him to be idle buâ— gâ—ve him employment He accounts Employment the greatest Friendship and best Reception that we give him To wit 1. That he teach and lead them in the wayes of GOD Thus he getts Employment as a Prophet 2. That he command and lead them as a King Whâ—reas â— corruptions diverts from following the Dictaâ—es of his Spirit He is given for a leader and commander to the People Isa 55.4 And for that end he must be employed 3. Thaâ— he wâ—sh â—hem from their daâ—ly poluâ—ions seeing he iâ— a fountain opened to the House of David and to the â—nhabitants of Jâ—rusalem for sin and uncleanness Zach 13.1 His blood cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh 1.7 And he is faithful c â— 9.4 That he pray for them as an Advocate with the Father being a Propitiation or atâ—onement for their sins 1 Ioh 2.1 2. Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb 7.25 5. That he renew sanctity them wholly in Spirit Soul and Body that he renew them wholly in the inward Man So that the new Man of Grace may grow and corruption may be brought under 6. That he strengthen them with all might according to his Glorious power unto all patience and long sâ—ffering with Joyfullness Col 1.11 That he may grant them according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the Inner-man Ephes 3.16 That they may be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Ephes 6.18.7 That he may refresh and enliven theâ— when sicking and fainting under fears weakness outbreakings of corruption hidings of the Lords Face or such like 8. In a woâ—d that he may make them confident of this very thing that he who hath begun a good work in â—hem will peâ—form it until the day of Iesâ—s Christ Phil 1.6 That in him they may perfect their Holiness in the fear of Gâ—D 2 Cor 7.1 That so the work may be Câ—owned to his Glory That they may be presented to him A glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle but that they should be Holy and without blemish Ephes. 5.27 10. Seeing Christ is so near them that he himself is in them so they should have their retreat to him in all their difficulties for help and deliverance And that 1. when distempered wiâ—h doubtings and discouragements anâ—nt their State present frame or Duties For with him is the Fountain of Life and in his Light shall we see Light Psal. 36 9.2 When they are assaulted with sinking disâ—ouragements so that they cannot stand and subsist under their burdens For in him alone and in the strength of his power can they be strengthned He can make them renew their strength and mount up with Wings as Eagles to run and not be wearied Isa 40.31 3. Or when disordered with outward losses or crosses For he only can make up all their losses and fully satisfy being an incomparable portion Ier. 10.16.4 When they are confounded with fears whether from the breaking forth of Corruptions or from the deceitfulness of their own Heart the cuningness of Satan the weakness of Grace the accusations of Conscience c. Seeing he is a present help upon all occasions and easily with a blink of his Countenance can drive away all these clouds and grounds of fear Having now giâ—en some Observations of these words Christ in you We come now to speak of them in so far as they are the ground of the hope of Glory And so they teach us that Christ in the Soul is a most sure clear and certain ground of a lively hope of Glory which we shall manifest and confirm with these Scriptural Reasons 1. All such in whom Christ is and Lives He hath purchased and bought with his Blood Gal. 2.20 Christ liveth in me saith he and then addeth Who loved me and gave Himself for me Such are bought with a price both Soul and Body 1 Cor. 6.20 And seeing Christ hath bought them so Dear and taken possession of them as of his peculiar Treasure what is there that can afford ground once to call in question or doubt of their Salvation they are bought unto Glory and Glory is purchased unto them and Christ possesseth them as such and so they are certain of Glory 2. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 And who are in Christ the same hath Christ in them as is clear from what folâ—ows in that Text ver 9.10.3 That Christ is in the Soul sayes that however they were once without Christ yet now are they made â—igh by the Blood of Christ Who is our Peace â—nd hath reconciled us unto God Ephes 2.12 13 14 16. Reconciled Souls shall certainly possess Glory 4. Christ is called our Life And our Life is hide with him in God Col. 3.3 4. They then that have him in them may be â—ssured of Eternal Life 5. Such in whom Christ lives shall be Filled with all the fulness of God as we see Ephes. 3.17 19. That is until begun Grace here be perfected in Glory hereafter where we shall be filled fully and compleatly with the fulness of God enjoying his presâ—nce in immediate Communion with him so full as we shall be able to contain Ioh. 17.23 24.6 Christ is made for all such Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 How then can they be deprived of Salvation 7. Such are the Children of God as the Apostle saith Rom. 8. Who are led by the Spirit have the Spirit oâ— Christ in them ver 9 10 11. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God ver 14 And if Children then Heirs Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ ver 17. So that Christ in them must be a certain and sure hope of Glory 8. Providing Christ be in them then The Spirit is Life saith the Apostle Rom. 8.10 Because of Righteousness That is their Soul and Spirit is already living by vertue of Christs Righteousness and the Life of Glory
that effect 5. Mark Where Christ is there He gets the Heart for there he lives Ephes. 3 17. So that what evâ—â— it bâ—â—hat presents its self to the Soul though never so taking yet He has still the precedency disposing and chief room unless it be for a time that the Soul may be over poured and carried away with some lâ—st or other These that have Christ in them they Confess that Iesus is the Son of God 1 Joh 4.15 And so altogether Matchless For all such dwell in Him and He in them So that He is unto them White and Ruddy the chiefest among ten thousands Song â— 10 And whatever is his is altogether lovely ver 16. For unto them which believes He is precious 1 Pet. â— 7 I acknowledge this love and esteem will not alwayes be the same nor appear in the like degree Nevertheless it is for the most part pâ—edomining and reigning and where these â—hings are not so it is a sad token that Christ hath not as yet taken up his abode 6 Mark Where Christ is there is a forsaking of all former Lovers for now they have changed Masters They shall say to their former Idoles get you hence as if they were so many menstruous cloaths Isa 30.22 Then they say with Ephraim What have we to do any more with Idoles Hos 14 8. For where he comes all these must give place to him as being worthy of all There old J liveth no more Gal 2.20 But where the old lovers keep their possâ—ssion where the old idoles the old sinns have the old esteem and the old service and not as yet cast out with loathing and shame it is not as yet â—ight there Christ when he comes binds the old man sets the old Tyrant that possessed the Soul out of doors 7. Mark Where Christ is there is a compleat change that word is realy felt 2. Cor 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Now is he as he were in another world drawing his breath in another element They are no more the folks they were They that are Christs have Crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5 24. They look on those lusts and affections as their enemies and declares themselves enemies against them wars against them in root and branch and against all their motions whether they be sinful aâ—fections and passions such as these whereby the mans Mind doth suffer and is troubled and affected with or whether they be sinful lusts such as these stirred up by fleshly carnal Baits and Pleasures as motions to Intemperance uncleanness c. Now those who are Christs are said to cruciâ—y and put to death all these because they have engaged themselves by profession and Covenant Sealed in Baptism so to do Rom. 6.3 4. And have actually begun thâ—s woâ—k so that though this Body of corrupâ— flesh be in them yet through the Spirit Rom. 8.13 And by imitating his Cross Rom. 6 5. They are upon the work of Morâ—ifying it suppressing the endeavours and smoothering the â—ffects of it Rom. 6.12 They resolve now to walk in newness of Life Rom. 6.4 From this time forth they have a new understanding renewed in the Spirit of their mind no more sâ—bject to the Dominion of fleshly Lusts whicâ— is enmity against God They â—ave a new will which is now flexible to Godâ— will and Command neither doth it now rebel as formerly They have new Desires new Inclinations new Work new Ends before â—â—em new Followship no more Fellowsâ—ip wiâ—h the unfruitâ—ul works of Darkness 8. Mark Where Christ is there is a resting on him for Liâ—e and leaniâ—g on him for Righteousness Adopâ—ion Justification and Sâ—â—vation wiâ—h â—aul Phil 3.9 Who desired to be found iâ— him not having his own Righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of GOD by Faith The Soul inâ—ends to live thâ—ough this way alone to râ—st in to hide himselâ— in Christ until â—o speak so a bitt oâ— the Man cannot be seen that when he is calleâ— for it may be answered LORD I am in Christ not having my own Righteousness If Christ be in you saith Paul the Spirit iâ— Life â—ecause of Râ—ghteousness Rom 8.30 The Soul resolves alone to live through this way through his Righteousness I◠〈◊〉 LORD â—ave we Righteousness and strenâ—â—â— say they Isa 54.24 In the LORD expâ—câ— they only to be Justifiâ—d and to Glory â— 2â— 9. Mark Where Christ is there is a grea◠〈◊〉 to eshâ—w sin Joh 3.6 Whosâ—eâ—er 〈◊〉 in him sinneâ—h not To wit with that 〈◊〉 as formerly They may be overtaken in a fault as Gal 6.1 But â—hey are not wâ—llingly intangled again with the yoke of bondage Gâ—l â— 1 Somâ—times they may be carried away with the stream of a temptation as David and Peter yet they give not themselves willingly deliberatly over to the will of their Lustâ— But even when corruption has the upper hand there is a party within them that protesteth against that course and usurpation Rom 7. That which they do they would not and that which they do not they would willingâ—y do The Spirit warreth against the flâ—sh Gal 5.17 Hereby it is that â—â—ey walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom 8.1 10. Mark Where Christ is there is a real fast resolute care endeavour to keep the Commandments of Christ 1 Joh 3.24 And he that keepeth his Commandments dwelleth in him and he in him And again 1 Joh 2.5 Hereby they know that they are in him because they keep his word They will cast at none of his Laws but have respect unto all his Commandments Psal 119.6 This is their work and design to be conformable in all things to his Law and their faillings are the cause of much sorrow unto them 11. Mark In whom Christ is they live in Love as in their Element 1 Joh 4.16 And we have known and believed the Love that GOD hath to us GOD is love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in GOD and GOD in him Also 1 Joh 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit A humble and condescending Spirit a tender and simpathizing Spirit a Spirit of Wisdom and counsel a Spirit oâ— Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD We may see what for a Spirit it is that is given unto Christ without measure Isa 11.2 Where it is called the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the LORD So that these who have Christ living in them are more or less partakers of this Spirit For they are one Spirit with Christ their darkness is in part removed their pride killed and they made more conformable to Christ their Head and Husband 12. Mark Who have Christ in them they walk after the Spirit Rom 8.1 That is they have
pleasant and delectable â—o us here We only shall make mention of the most principal ones As 1 It is a Life of greaâ— Joy and Gladness They shall obtainjoy and gladness Isa. 35.10 and 51 8. Then thâ—s Gladness is great it shall be an unspeakably glorious Joy 1 Pet. 1.8 For then they shall see him seeing the joy which now they have when they love him whom they see not and believe on an unseen Christ is inexpressible and full of Glory How much more inexpressibly full of Glory shall they then be when they come to embrace him whom their Soul loveth whom now they enjoy alone by Faith Spiritual Joy and Gladness in the Holy Ghost is the very beginings of it in time Rom. 14.17 It is here a Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 It is an exceeding great joy 1 Pet. 4.13 That when his Glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy It is an everlasting joy â—sa 35.10 and 51.11 The very earnest thereof here enjoyed far surpâ—steth the laughing joy of the wicked Psal. 4 7 It is a peculiar joy a rejoycing in the gâ—adness of his Nation Psal. 106.5 Here is Fulness of joy Psal 16.11 2. It is a Life of clear Sight we shall know no more in part but know even as we are known 1 Cor. 13.12 And We shall see him as he â—s 1 Joh 3.2 Now we see darkly through a Glaâ—s But then face to face 1 Cor. 13.12 In the Light of Glory there is no Daâ—kness The Soul no sooner enters the threshold of Glory but it is delivered from all Damps Mists Clouds and Imperfections and capacitate more fully and distiâ—ctly to receive the Outtings of Light â—verlastingly flowing from that Fountain of Light who dwelleth In the Light which no man can approach unto 1 Tâ—m 6.16 Not that the Soul shall then be in case to behold Gods being whom no man hath seen or caâ— see He remains for ever God Invisible 1 Tim 1.17 And the Believer a finite Creature and sâ— incapable to behold the Being of God whicâ— is Infinite and Invisible But they shall be admitted to such nearness and enjoy such immediate Manifestations and Beams flowing froâ— the Fountain of Glory that it shall be as a seâ—ing of him face to face and a knowing of him as we are known in comparison of what here enjoyed Undoubtedly our Understandinâ— though never so deep shall be there compleaâ—ly satisfied and that is enough and may satisâ—â—â— us 3. That Glory hath a wonderful transforâ—ing vertue as appeareth from 1 Iohn 3.2 〈◊〉 shall be like Him that is like unto Christ 〈◊〉 whom the Apostle speaks there for we shaâ—â— see him as he is The discoveries of God in thâ— Land of Glory shall transform us and iâ— print in the Soul those Heavenly Accompliâ—â—ments which shall make us like unto him Tâ—â— Divine rayes proceeding from that Object 〈◊〉 received by the Soul shall make it so farâ—â— capable conformable to the Object caâ—â—â—ing alongst with them a transforming Poâ—â—â— and Vertue They shall imprint in the Souâ—â— lively Copy of the Glorious Communicaâ—â— Vertues after a more Clear full Heavenly 〈◊〉 visible way and in a far greater measure 〈◊〉 here Though even here the Glory of the Lord being seen as in a Glass changeth the Believer Into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3.18 This is a powerful operative Glory a continual refreshing Glory 4. That Glory filleth up the spacious desires and out-stretched uptakings of the Soul so that the Soul living in Glory can complain of no wants but is compleatly satisfied Ps. l7. 15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Then shall all the corners of the wide and vastly enlarged Soul be fully satisfied There shall be no Hunger and Thirst there after wants for all shall be enjoyed what the Soul can desire This teacheth us 1 st That all the good to be enjoyed there shall be real and not apparent only and imaginary 2 ly It shall be a most fit and suteable good other wayes it could never satisfy superfluity of Water is satisfying to a Fish because in its Element yet could not be so to man who lives in another Element 3 ly There shall be no scarcity of â—hat suteable and convenient good but a fulness that shall answer all the extended desires of the Soul 4 ly That the Soul shall possess and enjoy this â—ullness that it may be satisfied therewith and get all its wanâ—s filled up thereby 5. In â—hat Glory the Believer is admitted to more close Fellowship with God For there they are admitted to stand before the Throne of God Revel 7.15 There it is that they shall fully possess Him as their Portion and thaâ— familiarly For they â—tand there as Ministers oâ— State attending the Kings own person Then behold they Hâ—s Face and live and do rejoyce iâ— the Light of his Countenance day and nighâ— They are made Pillars in the Temple of God and they shall go no more out Rev. 3.12 Glorâ— is their House and Element They could noâ— live without thâ—t Glory They could noâ— breath without His Company He dwells among them even He that sitteth upon t thâ— Throne Revel 7.15 There the great Tabernacle of God is with men whereof this Tabernacle enjoyed by them in the Church Militanâ— is but a smâ—ll resemblance There it is when that word shaâ—l be made good and lively whicâ— we have Revel 21.3 And I heard a great voicâ— out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle 〈◊〉 God is with men and He will dwell with them anâ— they shall be his People and God himself shall bâ— with them and shall be their God The Believeâ— there lyeth in the Bosome of God there it 〈◊〉 that They shall see his Face and his Name shall bâ— in their Foreheads Revel 22 4. 6. In Glory they shall have near Communioâ— wiâ—h Jesus Christ their Head their Husbanâ— their Brother their Lord and King Then they are with Christ and enjoy Him Phil. 1 23. 2 Cor. 5.8 And â—hat for ever and ever 1 Thess 4.17 He lives with them and feed them The Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and shall lead them Rev. 7 17. They shall sit with him there upon his Throne Revel 3.21 There got they the Morning Star Revel 2.28 There do they eat of the hidden Manna Rev. 2.17 Here the Soul is put to long for nearness with Christ and complain of clouds interrupting the Beams of His Love But there they shall see Him to their Contentment and Satisfaction For they shall be continually with the Lord and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth Revel 14.4 There shall the Iâ—habitanâ—s of Glory be partakers of the Marriage of the Lamb Revel 19 7 8. 7. In Glory their Work and Imployment shall be to serve God and the Lamb day and night in his Temple Revel 7 15. and 22.3 And to praise
ungrounded hope that all will be well with them at last 2. For reproof to Believers who have this assured ground of hope nevertheless improves it not for their comfort and encouragement But holds themselves up with doubtings and scruples concerning their Right and Inheritance taking heed to the lying whisperings and temptations of Satan and so lives in Terrors sinful Fears and Unbelief whereby they wrong and grieve the noble Spirit who hath taken up quarters in their Soul even for that end among others that they might have a lively hope of Glory and thereby be supported under the pressure of Terrors and Feaâ—s strengthened against thâ— Soul troubling injections and heart-disturâ—ing temptations of Satan and comforted against all discouragements Vse 4. Thâ—s Doctrine â—olds out these following Duties to the Unbeliever As 1. They ought to Labour to have this Truth deeply rooted in their Hearts that before Christ be in them they can have no well grounded hope ever to see God in Glory 2. That herein they are to be convinced of the necessity of giving ear unto the Call of the Gospel and to give obedience thereunto which is as we shall after hear that we receive Christ the Prince of Life in our Souls 3. That therefore there should be nothing so desirable to them as to have Christ living and working in their Souls and to rest on nothing less for a satisfying ground of the hope of Glory Vse 5. This Truth holds out unto us the sure ground of the consolation of Believers in whom Christ is O! what cause of gladness and rejoycing have they go as it will with them in the World For though the World frown upon them neverthelesâ— they may rejoyce in the Hope of the Glory of God whatâ—ver ground of sorrow they may otherwayes have as they see how it fares with them in the World yet when they look within and beholds the footsteps of Christ walking within them and the Fruits of his living and abiding in them so may they raise up themselves with unspeakable and excellent joy Objection But it may be asked how comes it then that even such are more filled with fears and anxieties then others concerning their Eternal Happiness and lively hope and are continually in fears and doubting possessing their Life often in sorrow Ans. 1. It is one thing to have Christ in us and another thing to see him in us This is a new and different Gift And God may give the one when he thinks good to with-hold the other 2. The Lord may thus for wise and holy ends measure out his Favours As he is a Soveraign so he is also wise he doth what he will and yet doth all in deep Wisdom for wise and holy ends The Lord may have a high and Soveraign hand in this business and may find â—t necessar so to keep them humble tender waâ—chful and diligent in Duties For he sees that readily did they see how rich they were they would forget boâ—h God and themselves not being well ballâ—ssed to carry such a high Topsail and that thus they might come to boast and turn secure and give too much advantage to Satan to assault and overcome them 3. They may readâ—ly have a sinful hâ—nd therein themselves And that 1 When they give too much heed to the lying Injections and temptations of Satan It is not safe to entertain discourse with such an enemy who is a Lyar and a Murderer from the beginning He is too great a Sophist and Disputer for us 2. When they give too much way to corruption which darkens all and gives Satan advantage and occasion to accuse of Hypocrisy and to alledge and say providing Christ be in you how is it so and so 3 When by the false Injections of Satan they Nick-name the work of Christ in them consenting to the reproaches of the enemy and joyning with him in affording Objections against all the work of Grace in their Soul And thus having filled their mind with prejudices against themselves through the instigation of Satan they are not in case either to receive or accept of any right Information concerning their Souls 4. It may also fâ—ll out through their misunderstanding the true Nature and work of Grace and of Christs being in them imagining that nothing can be called or reckoned Christ in the Soul but an exceeding great out-letting of the Spirit carrying the Soul over all difficulties accompanied with great joy and gladness and with an eminent and great degree of Sanctification Vse 6. This Truth exceedingly calls for a narrow Tryal viz. If Christ be in us or not And because it is a material business we shall therefore speak the more to it 1. We shall lay forth some false Marks by which many deceive themselves both on the one hand and on the other 2. We will give you some true Marks where you may judge in this matter In speaking to the false Marks we must have our eye upon two sorts of Persons and so speak to the Marks whereupon each goes to work and deceives themselves Some have Christ really dwelling in their Soul and yet nevertheless imagine that it is not so upon â—uch and such grounds that they perceive in â—hemselves which they judge cannot consist â—ith Christs living in them Others again have â—ot Christ in them notwithstanding imagine â—hat he is in them by reason of such and such â—hings which they judge to be real Marks of â—hrists being in them And both the one and â—he other are deceived with false grounds As to the First viz. Such who have Christ â—eally in them and nevertheless will not be â—onvinced thereof They may mistake on these â—nd the like grounds 1. Because they are no wayes like to these â—aints whereof the Scriptures make mention 〈◊〉 whom was the Spirit of Christ Neither like â—ose who now live who have Christ in them â—s if forsooth all were Christians of the â—â—me Magnitude Age Strength and Liveliâ—ess As if there were not in Christs Family young Children as well as old young Centinels as well as Lively Strong and great Warriors 1 Cor. 3.1 1 Ioh. 2.13 14. A Child hath real Life and is a man though not a strong and able man yea the very Child in the Mothers Belly hath real Life and so many Children in Christ go to Heaven for he carries the Lambs iâ— his Bosome Isa 40 11. 2. Because they find not the Operations of the Spirit in them That is likewayes no true mark For he may be in the Soul and yet may be hide from the Soul the Lord judging it fittest it should be so that he may hide pride from their eyes and they as was said may be keep'd humble and sobbing all their dayes The Spirit bloweth where he listeth and after what manner he will 3. Because they are dayly full of Fears and Jealousies that all is not right with them Hence they conclude that providing Christ were really in them then all their Questionings would
a new counsellour a new leaâ—er to lead them in all their wayes they walk now in the strength of the LORD being strong in him and in the power of his might Ephes 6.10 They have new principles and new Motives to their work They go now to their Duties upon another ground and for other ends then formerly aâ—d this is not at some times at starts and siâ—s but in a more serious constant and resolute manner For they walk after the Spirit 13 Mark These who have this Spirit of Christ in them they live by Faith â—nd depend upon him for Grace Strength Iâ—fluences and Life that they may sâ—rve him in their naâ—ural ordinary and civil Conversations as well as in their Christian Life That they may be for him and forâ—his Glory in all their eating drinking sleeping walking wiâ—hin and without house in their ordinary calling work and Imployment as well as in the hearing of the Word and in Prayer The Life which they now live in the flâ—sh is by Faith Galâ— 2.20 14 Mark These that have Christ in them are of a broken and contriâ—e Spirit they dare not arrogantly look up to GOD they lyin the dâ—st and cry guilty glorifying GOD and taking shame unto themselves He dwells with him that is of a contrite humble Spirit Isa 57 15. Such a Heart is his second Throne whereas the proud he sees a far off 15. Mark Who have Christ in them they get something of a publick Spirit That mind is in part in them which also was in Christ Phil 2.5 So that they havâ— a heart to lay out themselves more effectually for Zion then formerly Christs cause and the Suffâ—rings of his people lyes nearer theiâ— heart then their own things From these Marks we may try and see iâ— we have ground to think that Christ is really in us or not Now we come in the Third place to speak of these words Christ in you the Hope of Glory n so farr as they are the riches of the Glory of this Mysterie which is now made manifest among the Gentiles which will lead us to speak of the first part of the verse wherein as we said in the beginning is a praise and high commendation of the Gospel on several accounts As 1. Being a Mysterie 2. A Mystery that hath Glory in it 3. A Mystery that hath the Riches of Glory in it 4. A Mysterie now made manifest among the Gentiles 5. Tho so nevertheless the Riches of the Glory of this Mysterie is not made manifâ—st to all the Gentiles nay not unto all that hear the Gosâ—â—l but to the Saints mentioned verse 26.6 And that according to the good pleasurâ— of GOD Tâ— whom GOD would make known 7. So thâ—â— it is aloâ—e GODâ— work to make known this Mysterie For the opening up of this Businesâ— we shall first speak a word concerning every one of these paâ—ticulars severally And then to all joyntly holding â—his forth To wit that Christ in the Believer is the Hope of Glory First then the Gospel is a Mysterie consider it the Doctrine of the Gospel is a Divine deâ—p Mysterious Truth therefore it is called the Mysterie of the Gospel Ephes 6.19 we may undeâ—stand that it is called a Mysterie in these respects 1. In respect of the first finding of it out â—he Gospel was not at first â—ound out by men 〈◊〉 Angels never could they have fallen upon 〈◊〉 It went far above the reach of their capaciâ—â—es to find out the way how the condemned â—â—nner should again be reconciled unto GOD â—â—is only is the invention of GOD therefore 〈◊〉 is called the Mysterie of his will Ephes 1.9 〈◊〉 Mystery unto which he gave a being out of â—â—s own good will and pleasure He willed it â—nd therefore it was â— The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the discoâ—ery and making known thereof As no flesh â—ould have found it out so no flesh could have â—allen on such a way until it pleased the LORD â—o make it known flesh and blood hath not â—evealed it Math 16.17 Yea the Angels â—ould not have revealled it for they were strangers thereunto and came to the knowledge â—hereof by the Church Eph 3.10 By the Churc was the manifold wisdom of GOD to wit in the mystery of the Gospel made known unto the Principalites and powers in Heavenly places therefore we hear that the Angels are present in the Assemblies of GODâ— people 1 Cor 11.10 and Peter â—els us 1. Pet 1.12 That â—he Angels are desirouâ— to look into these things Tim 3.16 Seen of Angels giving us to know so much They looked up with desire and satisfaction as seeing something new in Him which formerly they had not seen 3. The Gospel is a Mystery in respect of the way and manner of its manifestation For it was not wholy at once revealed buâ— by degrees the more to hold forth the worth and excelency â—hereof for fiâ—st darkly revealed and maniâ—ested to Adam in this The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent Gen 3.14 15 Then 2ly It was a litle more clearly discovâ—red unto Abraham Isaac and Iacob These weâ—e the old stock of Belivers And this was also â—hrough promises when the LORD said unâ—o Abraham â—hat he should be the father of many Nations Gen 15.5 6. And that in hiâ— all families of â—he earth should be blessâ—d Gen 12.3 and 18.18 and 22.18 Such like prâ—mâ—ses we fiâ—d made unto Isaac Gen 26 4 And unto Iacob Gen 28 14. And thâ—â— was the verâ— Gospel as Paul declareth Gal 3.8 And Peter Act. 3.25 3ly It was yet more clearly discovered unto Moses and uâ—to the peoâ—le which Gâ—D then separated for himself in typs shadowes â—ffâ—rings â—â—d â—nd otheâ— figures and legal ceremonies all which held forth the way of Salvaâ—ion through a câ—ucâ—fiâ—d Mediator 4ly Then was â—his business more clearly discoveâ—ed unto David â—o that the good â—hâ—ngs of the Gospel are 〈◊〉 the sure mercies of David Act 13.32 â—3 â—4 compared with Psal. 2 6. Isa 55.3 Psâ—l 16.11.5 After that Christ is now come 〈◊〉 whole business is more fully and distinctly manifested then ever In respect of which clearness the Gospel is now said in a special way to be made manifest and revealed and formerly shut up kept secret Rom 16.25.26 Now to him that is of Power to stablish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Iesut Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery which was kept secret since the world began buâ— now is made manifest see also Ephes 3.3.5 See also the verse that goeth before my text as the subjâ—ct of this present Treatise Col 1.26 4. The Gospel is a Mystery in respâ—ct of the Instruments that reveal iâ— GOD himself first revealed it unto Adam Abraham Isaac and Iacob And men who had immediaâ—e Inspiraions were imployed in this work Now at last his own Son Jesus Christ is imployed in this Embassagâ— Heb 2 3 5. It is a Mystery in respect
Eternal Glory 2 Tim 2.10 By the Gospel the Thessalonians were called to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Iesus Christ 2 Thess. 2.14 15. Who can tell what is the hope of this Calling and what is the Glory of this Inheritance of the Saints in light Such as can discern this must have the Eyes of their Understanding opened and enlightned of GOD Ephes. 1.17 18. It is a compleat rich glorious Kingdom whereunto Men are called by the Gospel 1 Thess. 2.12 He calleth unto His Kingdom and Glory 5 It appears herein that it is the means of discovering the most enriching glorious most latent â—nd concerning Secrets What is better and â—ore desireable than Life than true Life and â—mmortality and this is made manifest â—hrough the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 One that is â—ondemned to Die should esteem a Reprive of â—he Sentence a rich and glorious Business â—hô ignorant but that he might be taken away within few Hours or Days through some special stroke of GOD upon him How much more infinitly worthy and richly excellent is â—his Life which is Immortality And what Riches of Glory must there be in the Gospel which bringeth thiâ— into light 6. It appears â—erein that the Gospel bringâ— Heaven to the Door of the Soul with all the Glory that is herein And therefore called the Word of â—he Kingdom or the Gospel of the Kingdom Mat. 4.23 and 9 35. and 24.14 And the matter thereof is to preach the Kingdom of God Mark. 1.14 Act 20.25 and 28.31 Luk. 4.43.9.60 So it is also called The Kingdoms of God Luk. 10.9 11. Mark 1.15 and 4.25 And the Kingdom of Heaven in many of the â—arables Mat. 13. and 20.1 and 22.2 c. Thirdly That there are Riches in the Gospel appears from the special rich and glorious Efficacy of the same whereof take these few Proofs 1. The Gospel hath a powerful enlightning vertue so that these that sit in darkness come to see a great light Math. 4.15 16. Therefore Paul was sent to open the Eyes and turn Men from darkness to light Act. 26.11 Where it comes with power it discovers thâ— lamentable estate wherein poor Man is bâ— Nature and discovers the way of escape 2. It hath a propagating and begetting power where it is the savor oâ— Liâ—e unto Life I haâ—â— begotten you through the Gospel saith Paul to thâ— Corinthians 1 Cor. 4.15 Therefore it is calleâ— the Word of Life Phil. 2 16. It quickneth from the Dead through the powerful operation oâ— the Spirit we are born again by this Word 1 Pet 1 23. 3. It hath a nourishing vertue therefore it is called The sincere Milk of thâ— Word whereby we grow even as the Child groweth by the Milk on the Breast 1 Tim. 2 2. 4. Thereby is the Soul brought by Faith â—o lay hold on Christ and so thereby brought into a sure and safe state Therefore it is called The Word of Fâ—ith Rom. 10 8. And the Word of Salvaâ—ion Act 13 26. VVe believe through this word preached by the Apostles and their Successâ—rs Ioh 17.20 5. It hath a washing and cleansing vertue It is by the word that Christ sanctifieth and cleanseth His Church Ephes 5.26 6. It hath a cuâ—â—ing and piercing vertuâ— Paul speaking of the Gospel Heb 4.12 saith That the Word of God is quick and powerfuâ— and sharper than any two edged Sword piercing to the dividing asunder of both Soul and Spirit and of the Ioints and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts of the Heart â—n allusion to the Anatomy of Bodies or else â—o the cutting up of the Sacrifices whether â—hese of the Iews or as it was used among the Heathens especially by the Sooth-sayers who â—uriously searched into every inward part as Ezek. 21.21 Look what the Intrals are to a â—harp Sword or Sacrificers Kniâ—e or like Inâ—turments of Anatomâ—zing in a â—kilful Hand â—uch are all the most inward and secret parts of â—he Heart even those which are most difficult to be divided unto this Sword in GOD's Hand when pleased to use it to search the Heart and Reins and to discover and bring â—orth to judgement the secrets of them Not only is it to ungird and stripe off the outward Cloaths of outward and formal Actions and so present the Soul naked as Vers. 13. Nor only to flea off all the Skin and so to see what lyes under it as the next word Opened doth sometimes signifie but further to cut up and cleave to the Back bone as the word will bear that so all the Inwards may appear And this so curiously divided and laid asunder as to see and view a part what is in each In a word this Sword of the Gospel when rightly handled it not only hath a discerning piercing penetrating power with it to come in on the Heart discovering its Intents and striking at the root of Corrupâ—ions But it will humble the proudest Hearts and quicken the deadest Spirits and peirce through the Soul and Conscience of the most obdured Anatomize anâ— lay open their Thoughts their Security Pride Formality Hypocrisie c. And strike aâ— the root of the Body of Death to kill it and be its death Undoubtedly then their cannoâ— but be a singular Riches oâ— Glory in this Gospel 7. As it hath its arise from free Grace and is the open Proclamation of the Grace of GOD And therefore called The Word of His Grace Act. 20 32. so it builds up such as receive it and carries them on until it fairly land them in Glory for it is able to save Souls Iames 1.21 1 Vse Here we have ground and reason â—o bemoan the state and condition of not a few People and Persons to pity them and from compassion towards them to pray for them As 1. These who never as yet saw this Glory having never as yet heard of this glorious Gospel They may it's true go beyond others in worldly Riches fulness of all things carnal Prudence and Policy and have abundance of Gold Silver and costly Jewels and have much outward Pomp and Flourishes But alas nevertheless when they have never heard of Christ they are but continuing and sitting in darkness The Glory of the Lord hath never as yet shined upon them the Sun of Righteousness is never risen upon them with Healing under His Wings Miserable and lamentable is their Conditions notwithstanding of all their Supeâ—fluities O! let us pray that this glorious Light may once break up amonâ—st them that the Earth may be filled with the Glory of â—he Lord as the Waters cover the Sea 2. We should condole these Nations where the Name and outward Knowledge of the Gospel is and nothing else Nothing of the Power Beauty and Glory of the Gospel of Salvation But alas all is darkned with the fogg and mist of Idolatry and Superstition or of humane Inventions which vails and darkens the singular Beauty which is to be seen in the Ordinances of Jesus Christ according
foâ— the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our Body for we are saved by Hope But hope that is seen 〈◊〉 not hope for what a man seâ—th why doth he yeâ— hope for But if we hope for that we see not that do we with Patience wait fâ—r it Rom 8.23.24 25 Glory is purchased for them at a dear raâ—e to wit the Blood of Christ and promised to to them by the GOD of Truth who cannot lie Nevertheless while here in time though now and hâ—â— aâ— the LORD sees good they may geâ— some foretaste of that life of Glory and have bestâ—wed on them the Earnest of the Inheritance even the Holy Spirit of promise by whom they 〈◊〉 sealeâ— Yet they must waiâ— until the Redemâ—tion of the Purchased Possession Ephes 1.13.14 All that is goten here is but the earnest of what is to come and of what is folded up in the promise which they must follow after in Faith and hope Here they wait for that Glory and live in the Faith and expectation of what is to come And now abideth Faith Hope c. 1 Cor 13.13 The Lord sees it good it should bâ— so for wise and weighty reasons we shall offer some few which may satisfie us herein 1 Reason That he may attain the praise of his truth and faithfulness when it is seen that such who are no Fools dare nevertheless adventure their Souls and all their Concernments upon GODs naked word dâ—pend thereupon and Possess their Souls in patience and thus live in hope Yea not only so but Rejoyce in the hope of the Glory of GOD. Rom. 5.2 Though for the present they may have very little or nothing in hand 2. Reason That thereby the several Graces of GODs Spirit may be exercised in them as Faith Patience longing c. Whereof the beliver shall make no use when once in possession of Glory The hope that is seen is no hope that is hope has no more place when the thing hoped for is seen and poâ—sessed And where hope is in exercise there is also a patient waiting all which acknowledge Faith to be the foundation whereon â—hâ—y stand Now is the time and season â—or these Fruits to grow for aâ— soon as the hoped for Inheritance is attained these flowers shall no more bloâ—som in the Garden of the Soul Now must we live by Faiâ—â— and not by Sense 2 Cor. 5.7 Now is it thaâ— they groan earnestly desiring to be cloathâ—â— upon with their House which is from Heaveâ— to wit while they are in this Tabernacle 2 Cor 5.1 2 4. Now abideth Faith Hope 1 Cor. l3. 13 3. Reason That they may be prepared anâ— made meet for â—hat Glory and to be partakers 〈◊〉 the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Col. 1 1â— Glory is no ordinary Life neither shall Sinner find a breathing in that Element they must bâ— changed washed and prepared before theâ— come there The rough stones win out of Natures Womb must be plained and polished before they can be useâ—ull Materials for the higher House Here then must the Expectants of thaâ— Glory through the exercise of Faith Hope Patience c. Be adorned and fitted for thâ—â— glorious Habitation The Children that were 〈◊〉 stand before the King of Babylon were to bâ— taughâ— and â—â—â—â—ished wiâ—h the Kingâ— Meat aâ—â— Wine wâ—ich be Drank for the space of thâ—â—â— years Dan. 1 3 4 5. Far more then are 〈◊〉 Attenders oâ— Glory to be prepared wherebâ— they may be fiâ—ted to stand in the presence oâ— the greaâ— King of Glory and that everlastingly 4. Reason Thâ—â— thereby Glory may be the sweeter aâ—d welcomer unto them when thâ—â— get it a loâ—g expected Crown is the welcomer when oâ—â—â—ined 5. Reason That thereby He may have occasion to evidence the Glory of his Power Truth and Faithfulness in bringing them at last to the Possession of the promised Inheritance after some few years patient waiting and that notwithstanding of many difficulties in the way the deceitfulness of their own Hearts the many discouragements from within and from without wherewith they had to Fight 6. Reason That the ungodly among whom they live may be the more inexcusable who say in effect that there is no God and that he is not to be trusted That Glory and Blessedness is but a meer dream and fancy when they see that Believers among them rest on the Faithful word of God and comfort themselves in the Hope of Glory which shall be revealed and that in the midst of reproaches Persecutions Poverty Difficulties c. And that they will not let go the hope of that Inheritance for all the Profite and Pleasures of the World or condescend to any thing which in the least might prejudge that Hope no not for the greatest of worldly advantages Rom. 8.18 But here take some words of Vse alongst with you 1. For Caution to such who now â—nd then win at some Foretastings of this glorious Life of Glory and sometimes are admitted to the Kings Banqueting-house and filled with the Kisses of his Mouth and Eat of his Aples of Love and so are brought into the very Suburbs of Heaven I would say these things unto them 1. Think not that that life will alwayes continue you may now and then have more then ordinary Dainties and some dayes of Feasting yet remember that thy Life here is by Faith Hope c. And not by Sense But providing that it please thâ— Lord out of his overflowing Goodness foâ— his own Glory to daâ—dle you on his Kneeâ— and to treat you more then ordinary make iâ— welcome Be not puffed up therewith noâ— imagine that it will be your ordinary fare sâ— long as here in time But rather look that therâ— will be a low ebb after such a Spring-flood and that that Table shall yet again be drawn And so prepare your self for your ordinary portion remembring that thy Life here Is Life of Hope grounded upon Faith 2. Whâ—â— of this sort of extraordinary intertainmeâ—â— you also get look but on it as a Pledge or Aâ—les-penny and endeavour to carry your selvâ— as Expectants of Glory looking out into thaâ— which is to come and let your desires growâ— the more to compleat the Harvest since thâ— first Fruits are so sweet be not satisfied wiâ—â— what you receive of that nature as if it weâ—â— your Portion Glory is here not in Hand bâ— in Hope to such 2. Vse To such who are great Strange to the fore-tastings of Sense let them not 〈◊〉 discouraged But 1. Be satisfied though the Lord should with hold from you these more extraordinary Out-lettings of his Favour and deal with thee otherwise then with some Remember that your ordinary way of living is a Life of Hope 2. Make use of this Hope which is your Life to the best advantage Exercise thy Faith and comfort thy self in the Hope of the Glory of God Thus shall you Glorify Him who hath called you to this Hope of his Kingdom knowing
that ye are saved by Hope Rom. 8.24 And that there is an Hope â—aid up for you in Heaven Col. 1.5 Live as those that are begotten again into a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 3. Vse Hereby I do advise all the Godly who are called to this Hope that they so carry themselves before the World how little soever they have in possession as those that are rich in Hope Merchants can boast and hold out a Port as if they had much Money in Cash by reason of the great income of some rich Cargo which they are in expectation of notwithstanding of their being very empty handed â—or the present But as the Riches of Glory far exceed the riches of this World So the expectation and assurance thereof is infinitely far beyond that of worldly Riches O! then carry your selves in all things whatever Gods Dispensations may be towards you so as becometh those who are Expectants of Glory Let the Hope thereof support your Souls undeâ— all Discouragements Let no Dispensationâ— Loss Cross any wayes abate your Hope 〈◊〉 make you carry unbeseeming such a Gloriouâ— Hope whereunto you are called knowinâ— that none of these things can rob you of thâ—â— great expected Salvation or make you miserâ—able 4. Vse To suches are yâ—t Strangers to thiâ— Hope I have these few things to say 1. Thinâ— more then you do on the Life of the Godly so whatever may be their condition here in time yet they have a Crown and a sure Inheritancâ— and are Expectants of a Life of Glory anâ— have a well grounded Hope thereof So thâ—t their Life however accompanied with 〈◊〉 greatest of outward Calamities yet far preferable to yours 2. Covet long exceeding to be amongst the number of those Foâ— howeveâ— these dews dropings of Consolation which sometime even here they are enjoyinâ— besuch as the ungodly so long as they remain 〈◊〉 can never experimentally understand yet thâ— are infinitely below that which is abiding then in the Hope whereof they are called to livâ— Life Light Joy and all is sown for theâ— and they and they alone have the sure and wâ— grounded Hope thereof 3. Judge who aâ— wisest ye or the Believer ye loss for little rousted Gold worm-eaten Pleasure and vain imaginary Glory this rich Prize Aâ—â— ye live here without Hope whereas they through a most noble Majestick and generous Disposition dispise your silly Feckless Portion a Compound oâ— meer Vanity And look to an Incorruptible and Substantial Glory an incomparable Inheritance and a Crown of Glory Neither will quite their Hope of Glory for all the fancied Satisfaction the Art of man can squeeze out of these imaginary Pleasures Profiâ—s and Glory of this momentary time 4. Behold and be convinced of the reality of Religion For certainly it can be no Dream Fancy or groundless imagination that makes the Believer so cheerfully forsake that which you choose for your Portion and rest satisfied with and makes them resolutely and deliberately undergo Shame Discredit Poverty Persecution Death and Flames rather than Act any thing or cede in the least Punctiâ—ilio â—hat might cut off or maâ—r the Hope of what â—hey are expecting They are Men as well as others by nature as wise and careful of their â—ope and well being as well as others Nevertheless most willing for the Hope that is set before them to turn their back on all these things They are as little Fantastick or Crack-brain'd as others yet the very â—ope and expectation of that Glory which is â—romised will support and bear them up under â—urdens that would crush twenty ungodly bodies â—t will make them sing in the midst of the Fires as Crowned and sitting in their Chair of Statâ— having only in hand the Hope of Glory Now that which is clearly held forth bâ— these words The Hope of Glory is that theâ— really such a thing amongst the Godly as thâ— Hope of Glory It is true the unjust man haâ— a Hope which perisheth Prov. 11.7 Whâ—â— they die their Hope and Expectation perisheâ— with them because it was after the things below and these all pass away And providiâ—â— it be after the things which are above yet beiâ—â— the badly bottomed their Hope is but as the giâ—ing up of the Ghost or puffing out its breath aâ—â— perisheth Iob. 11.20 Even so hath the Hâ—pocrite a Hope but it shall perish Iob 8.13 Aâ— their Trust is as the Spiders Web soon brokâ— down I pray you What is the Hope of the Hâ—pocrite though he hath gained when God taketh â—way his Soul Job 27.8 But the hope of thâ— Believer is solid and real which appears thuâ— First It is bottomed on a sure and nobâ—â—â—oundation As 1. on the Promise and Oaâ—â— of God Heb 6 17 18. Wherein God williâ—â— more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Promâ—â— the immulability of his Counsel confirmed it by 〈◊〉 Oath That by two immutable things in which was impossible for God to lye we might have strong Consolation who have fled for refuge to 〈◊〉 â—old upon the Hope set before us c. 2. On thâ— Power of God who made Abraham to Hoâ—â— against Hope Rom 4 17 18 21. He believâ—â—ven God who quickneth â—he dead and calleâ— â—hose which be not as though they were and being â—ully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform So Heb. 11.18 19. He accounted that God was able to raise him up Isaac even from the dead 3. On the continually and really felt experience of the Goodness of God Rom. 5.3 4. Knowing that Tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope See also Lam 3.21 4. On the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as a publick person having to the uttermost satisfied Justice and procured a publick Absolviture or Discharge 1 Pet. 1 3. They are begotten again unto a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead 5. On Christs living in them As here in the Text which is no fancie as we shall afterward make appear Secondly The Hope of the Believer is a real work of God's Spirit in the Soul Therefore He is called the God of Hope Rom 15 13. They abound in Hope through the Power of the Holy Ghost It is God that begetteth us again into this Lively Hope 1 Pet 1 3. And it is He that giveth it 2 Thes 2.16 Thirdly It is a Hope carried on in the Soul through a real work oâ— Grace God giveth us good Hope through Grace 2 Thes 2 16. Fourthly This Hope hath a real Object For Heaven is the Object of their Hope Col 1 5 For the Hope which is laid up for you in Heaven This is the Hope of their calling Ephes 1 1â— and 4 4. Christ is their Hope the Lord Iesâ—â— Christ which is our Hope 1 Tim 1 1. They truâ—â— in the Lord and He is their Hope Ier 17. â— The Psalmist saith Psal 71.5 For Thou anâ— my Hope O Lord Thou art my Trust from my Youth The Lord
our selves be it never so specious or excellent as an honest heart as they phansie outward holiness blamelessness victory over corruptions singular devotion or whatever it be of that nature will be but aâ— the giving up of the Ghost and come far short of helping or relieving the poor Soul 3. Mark True and lively Hope as it is sounded upon Faith so they go hand in hand togeâ—her 1 Pet 1.21 Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gavâ— him Glory that your Hope and Faith might be iâ— God Hope without Paith laying hold upon â— crucified Saviour according to the tenor oâ— the Covenant is but a meer dream Hope cannot stand but upon the pillar of Faith Therefore the Church first embraceth GOD as her Portion then she wins to the solid exercise of Hope Lam 3 24. The Lord is my portion sayeth my soul therefore will I hope in him 4. Maâ—k Where there is a real Hope oâ— Glory there will be a leaning on GOD and committing of our Souls to him for through bearing through all the difficulties Wyndings and turnings in our way Ouâ— hope is coâ—tinually in GOD Psal. 39.7 Others trusteâ— in their Riches they gathered and heaped it uâ— But for David he sayes And now Lord whâ— wait I for My hope is in Thee compared wiâ—â— Psal 71.5 David on this foundation pressâ— to be delivered out of the hands of the wicked because he had alwayes been his hope For he sayeth Thou art my hope O Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Thus casts he all his cares and burdens on the LORD and this was his constant way and continual practise He had no other hope neither acknowledged any other knowing that he was happy that had the GOD of Jacob for his help and whose hope was in the LORD his GOD Psal 146.5 5. Mark Where there is a Reall and Lively Hope of Glory desires after bewitching pleasures will grow cold And now what wait I for saith David Psal 39.7 My hope is in Thee He saw nothing in the World worthy his attendance for his hope he had established it on a sure and sufficient Object he betook himself not to these who said who will shew us any Good Psal 4.6 O! When the heart through hope hath fastened it self on GOD how little values it all the vanity of a perishing world The sight of Glory which they have through hope darkens that lustre and beauty which others see in the perishing things of a world whose eyes being of the same substance with the world are earthly 6. Mark This true Hope is accompanied with a careful endeavour to keep all the Commandments of GOD LORD sayeth David Psal 119.166 I have hoped for thy Salvation and done thy Commandments True hope is an enemy to a careless life and is accompanied with tenderness and earnestness Hope sets the Soul a running Act. 26.7 Vnto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving GOD day and night hope to come 7. Mark Hope will sit down down well satisfied on GODS bare Word As Abraham who against hope believed in hope Rom 4.18 And how often sayeth David that he hoped in GODS Word Psal 119.49.114 Psal 130 5. Hope will keep the Soul in Life even when all things seems contradicting the very Promises and to say it is vain to wait any more 8. Mark Hope is a purifying Business 〈◊〉 Job 3.3 It sets the Soul a work to wash iâ—self in the Blood of Christ and makes the Souâ— to labour in the strength of Jesus to get sin kâ—lled the desires of the flesh and mind brought under and the Soul sanctified So that they will wrestle with GOD by Faith in Prayer to be made fit to have an Interest of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light 9. Mark Hope makes the Soul silent anâ— satisfied under great temptations David Psal 38. was under sore trialls the LORD chastned him his an wâ—sâ—stuck fast in him his hand pressed him sore both Soul and Body did bear thâ— marks that GOD was contending with him foâ— sin Yea his heart was oveâ—whelmed withiâ— him and his strengâ—h bâ—â—ailed him And eveâ— when it was thus with him inwardly enemieâ— without were seeking his Life laying snares â—or him and seeking his hurt What was â—t then that quieted and calmed him at this time and made him carry as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth there are no reprooffs but even that which immediately follows For in thee O Lord do I hope Having laid down these Marks wheâ—eby Men may try whither they have an Interest in this lively Hope or not So I would advise such who see ground of fears because without this lively Hope seriously to consider and lay these following things to heart As 1. It is required that the Soul through its dwelling on the thoughts of this so great a Bussiness be more sensible of and affected with the missings of this Grace of Hope Consider what a miserable condition the Soul is in which is without hope in the World and how lamentable their case is who have no other hope then a hope that will perish which will but prove to them as a spiders web and so faill them in their greatest need 2. Be convinced â—erein that through your self you shall never attain unto a lively Hope You must again be be gotten unto this Hope It is wholly and only the Work of GODS Spirit neither nature nor any natural advantages can help you thereto 3. Let the thoughts of your hopeless condition stir you up to self humiliation before the LORD which is the only way to be exalted in due time 4. Foresake all ground of hope iâ— your self So the poor hath hope Job 5.16 For whatever it is in your self you bottom oâ— ground your hope upon it will be sound to be but a â—lippery and â—inful â—oundation And the more you build thereon it shall be the worsâ— 5. Lay hold on Christ as he is offered in the Gospel and cleave to him by Faith For Hope is begotten in the womb of Faith All hope noâ— grounded on Faith and flowing from it is buâ— a meer phansie and chimera 6. Having laid hold on Christ as he is offered in the Gospel and so resting on him for Salvation wait for the breathings influences of the Spirit on the Soul in the careful and earnest undertaking and pursuit of the means that your head may be lifted up thereby in hope For encouradgement thereto observe these following things 1. This lively Hope in the Soul will calm many storms and keep the Soul in aâ— even and stayed posture under sharp and sad dispensations and the multitude of shakingâ— and changings It will deliver the Soul from many disquieting fears and make the Soul sleep sweetly under them all and lift up its head above difficulties so that it shall be freed from perplexities or be secure because there is hope Job 11.18.2 This will encourage to constancy in duty
notwithstanding of opposition in the way Hope will never suffer the heart to sink it will be a cork to the poor Soul which wiâ—l make it swime through the jaws and gulfs of the greatest opposition and most insupperable like difficulties When other â—hings as so many weights and heavy loads would bear down the Soul Hope will draw and hold it up that it go not to the ground Or in case the Soul is at any time over charged and brought under water as it were to the â—rink of hell Hope notwithstanding will recover again the Soul out of the very womb of â—ell and will it make it look out towards the Temple 3. Hope hardens a man and makes him prooff against the day of battel It encourageth and strengtheneth the Soul Thereâ—y he can run through a troop for he knows â—hat his head is secured well covered and guarded with the helmet of Hope the Helmet of Salvation 1 Theâ— 5.8 Eph 6.17.4 Hope â—s a strong guard against temptations What values a man the great offers of the World who has a Lively Hope of Heaven The fear of death worldly losses and the greatest of â—ufferings will not once shake him who hath the Hope of Eternal Life The hope of a betâ—er Resurrection will make them refuse to accept of a deliverance upon unworthy or base â—erms 5. Hope assures us of Heaven whereâ—ore we find that Heaven is often laid out to us by Hope Eph 1.18 4.4 Col 1.5 Tit 2.13 Heb 6.18 It is The Anchor of â—he Soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the vail whether the forerunner is for us entered Heb 6.19 20.6 Hereto should these words encourage us Psal 147 11. The LORD taketh pleasure in them thaâ— fear him in those that hope in his mercy 7. Aâ— hope is needful necessary and useful whilâ— passing through the valley of sorrow and tearâ—â— so also when drawing near the end of our journey and when pale death comes to look us iâ— the face For the Righteous hath hope in his death Pro 14.32 When the hope of the Hypocrite and unrighteous person giveth up the Ghost and foresaketh him in his greatest straiâ— even then will the Hope of the Righteous comfort and bear up his head Yea when death the king of terrors hath done its worst anâ— conveyed the Soul into Eternity Hope thoâ— may take its leave of the Soul as having no more service to do it 1 Cor 13.13 Yet wiâ—â— attend the corps of the Believer to the grave and be a bed unto his dust Psal 16.9 Uâ—til the morning of the Resurrection dawn Again as to those who really have thâ— Hope and yet cannot be convinced thereoâ— I would say these few things 1. It is not strange that such who are begotten again into a Lively Hope be now anâ— then brought to doubtings through these 〈◊〉 such like grounds As 1. Because sad noâ— strange like dispensations are measured out unto them by GOD this makes the Church 〈◊〉 out Lam 3.18 And I said my strength anâ— my hope is perished from the Lord See v. 1.2 This occasioned Iob also to say that his hope was removed like a tree or rooted out of the ground Iob 19 8.9 10.2 Because there is â—ant of growth in Grace and Mortificaâ—ion for â—hey hear that hope is a purifying Grace and â—hey can find no advancing in that work 3. Because they miss the other above mentioned Fruits of a Lively Hope But 2. Hope is like to other Graces not alwayes alike visible sometimes so clouded and â—id that it cannot be easily seen or discovered And in a very little it may appear again when the cloud and â—hick mist is over as we â—ee Lam 3.18 There the Church comâ—lains that her strength and hope was perishâ—d from the Lord yet she sayeth a little after This I recal to my mind therefore have I hope And again v. 26. It is good that a man should â—oth hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the â—ord The holy Man Iob cryâ—th out as one â—hat hath no hope He hath destroyed me on every â—â—de and I am gone and mine hope hath he reâ—oved like a tree And nevertheless before all is â—one and he end his reckonings he getâ—eth his head lifted up on high and hope brings â—im so above that he triumphs Chap 19. â— 25.26 27. For I know that my Reâ—eemer liveth and though after my skin worms â—estroy this body yet in my flâ—sh shall I see God c. 3. Hope as have other Graces hath its degrees There is a full assurance of hope Heb. 6.11 And there is a weak Hope that cannot see farr being accompanied with many doubtings discouragements fears c Nevertheless a weak hope may be a true hope being on an Evangelical ground Hope may be lively in respect of its root yet weak and sickly in respect of its present frame and operations 4. It is not therefore safe â—o conclude that there is no hope because there is no full assurance of Hope or Actual Lively Vigorouâ— or stronge Hope 5. It were better to make an impartial enquiry according to the forementioned Marks And search and see if ever you had any thing of a True and Lively Hope of Glory through CHRIST And providing you have ever had it you may then be confident that the root remains for the Gifts and Calling of GOD are without repentance Rom. 11 29. Question But what shall he do who is brought to suspect all what formerly has been wrought in his Soul looking on it all as false work How I say shall such win to any clearness concerning their Hope or what shall they do for strengthening of the same Answer Such would lay to heart and well improve these following Considerations As 1. As Hope it self is the Gift of GOD and not their own work So is also the clear discovery of this Hope in the Soul his Gift and a new Gift The observation whereof should make the Soul fix its eye on the Soveraignity and Freeness of God who may bestow His Gifts as He will and depend on God for Light to â—ee and discern things which are given him of GOD 2 As the first lively Acting of Hope is a fruit of the Spirit of Life and floweth from the Spirit of Life in them So all the after actings depend on continual influences from Heaven These considerations should humble them under the impression of an absolute and Soveraign Lord And should stir them up to search and see wherein they have provoked GOD â—o hold in his Influences in the continual out-goings of Hope and withdraw his Light whereby they might be in case to discern the being of Hope in the Soul even when but wâ—ak in its operations 3. Such are to humble themselves before â—he LORD in the sense of their naturall frailty and inability As likewayes of their unrighteousness and transgressions whereby they have provoked the LORD to leave them in the dark 4.
being of him And can do no more without him than a body without a Head And therefore there must be a near Union betwixt us and him 4 Under the similitude of an Union betwixt the Foundation and the Building 1 Pet 2.4.6 The Believer is built on him as lively stones Christ is the chief corner stone of that Building and it is in him that all the building fiâ—ely framed together groweth up into an holy Temple in the Lord In whom they also are builded together for â—nhabittation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.21 22. Which manifests that the Believer cannot subsist wiâ—hout him more then a house can stand without a foundation And therefore â—hey must lean on him and be firmely united â—o him other wayes they can neither stand nor â—ubsist 5. Under the similitude that is betwixt the Body and the Cloathing or Armour The Believer is said to put on the LORD Jesus Christ Rom 13.14 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal 3. â—7 And he is put on as Cloath to defend from â—he cold and to cover their nakâ—dness and â—lso for addorning So also is he puâ— on as Arâ—our for defending us against all spiritual enemies 6. Under the similitude that is betwixt the Accused and his Advocat betwixâ—â—he principal Debtor and his Cautione who are as one person in Judgement Therefore it is that the Believer is blessed with all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Eph. 1.3 Being choosen in him v. 4. They are crucified with him in a legal sense Gal 2.20 They are dead with him Rom 6 8. Col 2.20 Buryed with him by Baptism unto death Rom 6.4 Quickened together and raised up together and made to sit together in Heavenly Places Ephes. 2.5.6 Planted together in the likeness of hiâ— Death and shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection Rom 6 5. Yea and their Life is bid with him in God Col 3 3. So are they said to be heirs and joynt heirs with him Rom â— 17 All which palpably hold forth a real and legal Union betwixt Christ and Belivers to their Joy Comfort and satisfaction Christ being their Cautioner stands oblidged for them and answers in Judgement for them as a Head and publick person appearing for them As Adam was in respect of his posterity so â—his second Adam this last Adam as he is called 1 Cor 15.45 47. Who is a quickening Spirit and Lord of Heaven he appears as a Head and publick person all his Spiritual posterity he binds and oblidges himself for them in a Covanant with GOD And having satisfiâ—d â—or them he is risen from the dead and became the first fruits of them that slâ—pâ— And in him shall all his Spiritual seed be made alive v. 22 3. This Vnion is held out to us in some other Expressions which are most pathetick and condescending As when Christ and they are called one seed Gal 3.16 One Body 1 Cor 12.13.27 1 Cor 6.16.17 And make up one Mystical Christ 1 Cor 12.12 4. This Vnion is inward It is a mutual in-being for as here he is said to be in us and Rom 8.10 Gal 2.20 2 Cor 13.5 Ephes 3.17 So we are said to be in him Rom 8.1 1 Cor 3 1. 2 Cor 1.21 and 5.17 and 12.2 Rom 16.7 Philip 3.9 and. 4. â—1 He in us and we in him Ioh 14.20 O how wonderful and inconceiveable is this Vnion 5. This Vnion hath some likness and resemâ—lance with that Union which is betwixt the â—ather and Christ Ioh 17.11.21.22 That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and in thee and again that they may be one even as we are one 6. This Vnion is not only between Christ â—nd the Souls of Believers but also between Christ and their Bodies For their Bodies are said to be Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor â— 19 And by the vertue of this Union their dead Bodies shall be again raised in the last â—ay For if we believe that Iesus died and rose â—gain even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thes. 4.14 7. This Vnion is not only near and inward but also durable lasting Therefore he is noâ— only in us but dwelleth in us Ephes 3.17 And we are said to abide in him Joh 15 6.7 And as we are dead in Christ 1 Thes 4.14 Rev 14.13 Even so in Christ shall we be made alive 1 Cor 15.22 And with him 1 Thes 4.14 So that death cannot loose that knot otherwayes the hope and comforâ— of the Believer which proceedeth from thiâ— Union were loose and unsure For if in thiâ— life only they had hope in Christ they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor 15.19 with Rom. 8.11 8. As it is excellent near and inward so greatly useful There being no life strength working moving growth or fruitfullness without it If any Man have not the Spirit oâ— Christ he is none of his Rom 8.9 Chrisâ— Jesus must be in us except we be Reprobateâ— 2 Cor 13.5 9. We must be careful not to have perverted uptakings of this Vnion betwixt Chrisâ— and a Believer or of Christs In being in a Believer That is we are not to have carnal uptakings thereof As it were such an Union as between the clay the thing formed thereof oâ— betwixt the vessel and the water that is in it 〈◊〉 betwixâ— things confounded and mixed togetheâ— in one Nor are we to take it up in a way anâ— wayes derogatory thereto As if it were a substantial Vnion such as there is among thâ— Persons of the Trinity or between Christs GOD-â—had and Manhood Nor should we think prophanlie of it as if it were a meer phansie or notion But we are so to apprehend it as a real tho Mystical Mysterious and Spiritual Union having Real and Spiritual Effects in Life and Death and after Death to wit Peace with God Reconciliation Redemption Remission of sins Justification Adoption Approaching to God with Confidence Santification Comfort Joy in the Holy Ghost a Joyful Resurrection and Eternal Glory 10. As this Union is Spiritual in it self so â—t is made up through a Spiritual Bond of Means For as it is through Faith on our part Eph 3.17 So through the Spirit on his part the which is promised in the New Covenant Ezek 36 27. Isa 59 21. Christ hath promised to send him Ioh. 15.26 And he must abide with us for ever Iâ—hn 14.16 Therefore Christ and they are called one Spirit 1 Cor 6.16 17. But to come more particularly to the purpose we shall now point out and demonstrate â—n what respect he is to be in the Beliâ—ver Christ in you We may apprehend Christ to be â—n the Believer in these respects 1. As a King in his Kingdom siâ—ting upon his Throne Ruling and Defending it by his Laws â—nd Statutes preserving it by his Wisdom from intestine Ruptures Divisions and Bâ—oylâ— and by his strength and mighty Powâ—r froâ— Outlandish
Invasions So is Christs Reâ—gniâ— as Head Law-giver and great Commandâ— in the Souls of his People by hâ—s Laws aâ—â— Statutes So is he said to Reign over the house 〈◊〉 Iacob Luk 1.33 with 1 Joh 4 4. 2. As the Master of a Family in his owâ— House where he dwells with Contentmenâ— Ease Satisfaction Pleasure and Delight 〈◊〉 beholding his House Even so Christ â—welâ— in the Hearts of his People Eph 3.17 Aâ—â— therefore called his own house Heb 3.6 And an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph â— 22. Christ standing before the door promiseth to such as will open to him to come it Revel 3.20 3. Christ is in the Believer as a Tradseman in his Shop doing the Work of his Calling I say so is Christ advancing the Work oâ— Grace in the Believer for beliveth in them Gal 2.20 And if Christ be in you the body iâ— dead because of sea but the Spirit is Life becausâ— of Righteousness Rom 8 10. As the GOD this World that is the Devil is and dwelâ— in them to whoâ— the Gospel is hid and whâ— are lost blinding the minds of them whicâ— believe not 2 Cor 4.3 4. And as the prince 〈◊〉 the power of the air that evil spirit doth worâ— in the Children of disobedience Ephes 2 2â— Even so Christ having cast out this strong man comes to the heart and takes possession â—hereof and worketh therein what is well pleasing in his eyes 4. Like into one in his obtained possession â—nd in his Garden delighâ—ing himself in the â—njoyment of what he hath gotten and purchased Even so is Christ in Believers havâ—ng purchased them unto himself and that with his own Blood pâ—ssâ—ssing them as his own and there delighâ—eâ—h he himself as in his Garden Song 6.2 My Beloved is gone down â—nto his Garden to the beds of Spices to feed in â—he Gardens and to gather Lillies So that this Expression Christ in you holds â—orth 1 Christ reco0ncilled with them by Faith He stands no more at the door knockâ—ng but he is let in and there is peace betwixt Him and â—hem he is come in 2. Christs â—nward Affection to them He cannot but love â—hem in whom he dwells and abides In whose bosome he layeth his head and in whose Heart he hath his Throne 3 â—hrists â—pecial acknowledging them â—o be his ransomâ—d Ones for his peculiar Treasure for his House and constant dwelling Place 4. Christs working in them the work of Holyâ—ess and drawing in them more and more â—vely Draughts and Lineaments of his new â—mage that the new Man of Grace may be â—tronger and stronger they made more and â—ore conformable to the Prince of their Salvtion in all the Graces of the Spirit 5. Christs reigning and sweying his Scepter in the Soul And that his Laws are obeyed his Statutes followed and that there is no willing subjection to any other Master That Christ having cast out the old tyrant usurper he is acknowledged as the Alone and Lawful Soveraign 6 Christs resting himself in his Love to them For where he loves there iâ— his resting place there he makes his abode 7. Christs being in them as their life the Fountain and Well spring of all Life and Operations Gal 2.20 8. In a word It holds sorth â—hat Christ is in them to do in and for them to bring them up to Glory to lead them through difficulties to strengthen them against opposition to comfort them against discouragements and to support them under crosses and so in the end to bring them home Question But how is He in the Believer I Answer He is there not only as GOD For so is he over all neither is he there meerly as Man For he is so in Heaven at the Right Hand of the Father where he must abide until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Holy Prophets since the World began Acts. 3.21 Buâ— as Mediator not in Person but by his Viceroy and great Lord keeper of his Room the Holy Ghost For he is the Comforter that â—hall ever abide with us And for whom Christ prayed the Father and wâ—â—m he was â—o send Ioh 14.16 17.26 Ioâ— 15.26 and 16.7.13 Question But is it by the Spirit himself that Christ lives and abides in the Believer Or is â—t alone by the Graces Effects and Operations of the Spirit Answer By whatever of the two it be by this way of Christs in dwelling is every way strong ground of Consolation and affords solide Joy and a sure well grounded Hope of Glory Notwithstanding there are several Expressions in Scripture that seems to plead â—or the Spirit himself As 1. The Believer is said to be the Temple of God of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor 3.16 17. and 6.19 Which gives to know more than that they have his Graces as the design ground of the Apostles reasoning holds forth Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God And that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy For the Temple of God as holy which Temple ye are Here three times they are called GODS Temple And not only so but as if the Apostle would further lay forth the business he adds And that the Spirit of GOD dwelleth in you All which may be said very properly of a Person and more properly than of any work wrought by the Spirit To the same purpose the Apostle speaketh 1 Cor 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God The Holy Ghost is said to be in them as a Temple 2. The Spirit is spoken of as a Gift with a dâ—fference from his Works and Effects oâ— Grace Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us Rom 5.5 Here is the Grace of Love wrought by the Holy Ghost And moreover the Apostle sayes that it is by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us So that the Holy Ghost himself is given as a special Gift besides that of his Fruit and Operations in the Soul Compared with Ezek 36.27 And I will put my Spiriâ— within you 3. Christ promises to send him in hâ—â— Room and mentions him alwayes as a Person that he will send to dwell and abide with them to work in them â—o saith he Iob. 14.16 17. And I will pray the Father and he shall givâ— you another comforter that he may abide with yoâ— for ever So that it is the Comforter himselâ— that he promiseth here and not simply hâ—â— Comforts And who is this Comforter Eveâ— the spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him bâ—â— ye know him And as if this were not sufficienâ— he adds further for he dwelleth with yoâ— and shall be in you And yet further v. 26. Buâ— the Comforter which is the Holy
Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name He shall teach you all things So that the Comforter himself as distinguished from his teaching is promised here And Ioh 15.26 He is also promised as contradistinguished from his Operations and testifying oâ— Christ. 4. The Believer is said to have the Spirit So that they belong not to Christ who have not have the Spirit of Christ Rom 8.9 He is said to dwell in them Rom 8.11 1 Cor 3.16 2 Tim 1.14 To be with them Ioh 14.17 And to be in them Rom 8.11 By his Spirit that dwelleth in you 5. Not only doth the Spirit help our infirmities which is through Grace But the Spirit himself is said to make intercession for us with groaninos which cannot be uttered which aÌ„pears to be somewhat other that is given them then the meer Graces of the Spirit And that because there immediately follows And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit Rom 8.27 6. The Believer is said to be sealled with the holy Spirit oâ— promise And he is the earnest of our Inheritance Eph 1.13 14. And given as a seal and Pledge Eph 4.30 The earnest of the Spirit is given in their hearts 2 Cor 1.22 So also 2. Cor 5.5 which seems to hold out more than his Fruits 7. Therefore the Believer is commanded not only not to quench the Spirit Ephes 5. 19. which may have respect to his Operations and Indrawings of Grace in the Soul But also not to grieve the Spirit Ephes 4.30 Which seems to import the dwelling of the Spirit in them 8. It is by vertue of this Union betwixt the Spirit and the believer that their very dust is raised up in the last day so that God by the Spirit that dwelleth in them shall quicken their mortal bodies Rom 8.11 This Spirit then that dwelleth in them must be somewhat else then his Graces for by these the mortal bodies are not quickened And he is called the Spirit of Him that raised up Iesus from the dead 9. He is said to be sent forth into their Heaâ—ts crying Abba Father Gal 4.6 10. David prayeth expresly Psal 51.11 That the LORD would not take his Holy Spirit from him Vse 1. This is a noble point of Truth and full of many grounds oâ— Comfort And how could Believers other wayes then rejoyce providing this Union betwixt Christ and them were believed Did they know that Christ were in them keeping house in them dweling with them with joy and satisfaction would it not make them sing under all adversity And that upon a four fold account 1. Upon the account of the great Honour which iâ— brought to them thereby even to them who formerly were meer cages of unclean spirits and yet still have much coorruption abiding in them That the King of Zion who is King of kings LORD of Lords Heir of all the Brightness oâ— his Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb 1.3 Who is the Image of the invisible GOD the first borne of every Creature Col 1.15 That he I say should come and loege with them lodge in their Heart within their Soul That he whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain that is High and Lofty who dwells in Eternity should live with such a One and be united with such O what incomprehensible Honour is this Elizabeth cryed once with great admiration And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me Luke 1.43 And may not the Believer with much more admiration cry out And whence is this to me that my Lord himself should come to me And not only so but come to me and dwell and abide with me 2. Here is great comfort on the account of profit and advantage Have they the Heir of all things so near to them and with them living in them what can they then want For if Christ be theirs all things are theirs life death â—hings present and things to come 1 Cor 3.22 23. Hath GOD given Christ and shall he not with him also freely give us all things Rom â— 32 And what can they lack that have all things what can they want who have Him in them in whom dwells all the fullness of the God head bodily Col 2.9 What want they who have Heaven And can they want Heaven within them who have Christ within them They are compleat in him Col 2.10 Which is â—he Head of all principality and power 3. Here is comfor upon the account of safety Who or what can harm them who have preservation or salvation wiâ—hin them Christ the Author of Eternal Salvation within them O what security for them in whom he is What can tribulation or distress or famine or nâ—kedness or peril or sword do to such can they separate him who is become a Habitation for Christ from the love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus No no can the ship drown wherein Christ is Can fire or water harm a Soul who is a Habitation for Christ What can satan do against Christs lodging Can he or dare he cast it down 4. Here is Comfort upon the account of security and tranquility For who can weaken and endamage their right to Glory that allready have begun Glory in the soul to wit Christ the hope of Glory can satan or the world make such an one miserable No surely greater is He that is in them then he that is in the world 1 Ioh 4.4 What surer pledge of Heaven and Salvation can the soul have then a begun possession What is Heaven other then a life of Communion with GOD in the nearest and strictest degreâ— And 〈◊〉 stricteâ— Union can any have with Christ than to have him in them Vse 2 Unbelievers and strangers â—o Christ may hence gather these princâ—pal Points for their better improvement oâ—â—he â—oresaid Truths 1. Have nâ— mean â—houghâ—s â—f â—he life and state of Bâ—lievâ—rs You sâ—e to what they are â—xâ—lâ—ed hâ—wever contempâ—able in the eyes of â—he World despise you such an incomprehensiâ—le â—â—ch advantage Iâ— is no such despicâ—ble and mean Life as you phansie Have then a higher esteem thereof if you would be truely Wise. 2. Again on the other hand ponder seriously what a fearful and mâ—serable condiâ—ion iâ— is wherâ—in ye are who are strangeâ—s to Christ And in place of Christ in you the Hâ—pe of Glory ye have satan â—n you working thâ— wâ—â—ks of darkness blinding the mind left the light of the glorious Gospel â—f Christ who is the Image of God shouuld shine unto you 2 Cor 4 4. Beâ—ng without Christ â—o ye have no hope strangers from the Covenants â—f promise and without God Ephes 2 21. Without a Leader and Commander Isa 55. Without Protectâ—on or â—oy and wâ—thout â—ll that â—s good 3 Do noâ— only think on it â—ut dwell on the thoughts of it until that your â—earts be wroughâ— up to a real sorrow and â—rief that ye have been so long in such a conâ—ition
and have keeped Christ so long at the door and so have foresaken your own Mercies and have loved death rather then life Ionah 2.8 Prov 8 36.4 Endeavouâ— earnestly to win free of this estate and to bâ— Partakers of this singular and unspeakable advantage to have Christ in you Seek unto to him who hath the Kings keys and the kâ—ys of of David and that openeth and no maâ— shutteh That he may put his hand into the holâ— of the lock and cast open the leaves and unbolt the dear of your heart and come in 5 Whatever ye do Be carefull that ye wâ—onâ— none of them Ye see who is near hanâ— them and whose House and Habitation â—hey are Do â—hem no hurt left ye bring on youâ— selves the wrath of him that dwelleth iâ— them Vse 3 For Application of these comfortable Truths aright there are several Dutieâ— required of Believers themselves 1. They must make use of Christ for Light Counsel and Direction in all their wayes Seeing â—e is so near unto you that he is even within you then make all your difficulties knowâ— unto him Undertake nothing without his Advice Believers are to trust in the Lord witâ— all â—heir heart and in nothing to lean untâ— their own understanding acknowledging him in all thâ—ir wayes and he shall direct theiâ— pathâ— Prâ— 3 5.6 Thus therefore as theâ— received Christ Jesus the Lord so should theâ— walk in him Col. 2.6 Setting him up for their Patern and Example and so walking as be walked in the World in all Humility Patiâ—nce Love Zeal Holiness and Uprightness â—hat thereby it may appear that Christ is in â—hem and that they are rooted and built up â—n him and established in Faith 2. They must lay to Heart that great Duty of growing in Grace and bearing Fruit in him Ioh. 15.2 That this Union with Christ may appear For when found fruitful in him â—hen it appears that they are united unto a Fruitful and sappy Root and that the founâ—ain of Life and influences is in them And on â—his account are they to be the more diligent in â—hese following Duties As 1. Live in the constant and real Convictions of your Impoâ—ency to do any thing of your selves knowing â—hat ye are not sufficient of your selves to â—hink any thing as of your selves 2 Cor. 3.5 â— Acknowledges that all your sufficiency is in Christ through whom ye can do all things â—hilip 4.13 Believe his All-sufficiency and â—eadiness to help and bear through Difficulties â—ll such who will imploy him and his Grace â— In confidence hereof go to him for help â—epend on him for assistâ—nce according to the â—romises lay the weighâ— of the Duty on him â—y Faith 4. Lean and rest on him by Faith â—nd so venture upon every commanded Duty â—ith uprightness of Heart 3. The Believer must lay to Heart the Duâ—y of rejoycing in him and of boasting alone in him And that in these respects 1. As having all what they have in and through and for him alone As also all they have to expect for the making of them compleatly happy must run through this Channel so thaâ— the Believer is alone Compleat in him Col. 2.10.2 Because they will find all their wants through Loâ—ses Crosses Tossings sharp Dâ—spensations c. Richly made up in Him in whom Dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead Bodily Col. 2.9 For He is in theâ— 3. Because that through Him they are brought to the highest pitch of Honour and Credite imaginable as having Christ abiding and dwelling in them 4. Because that through Him they have the â—urest hope of seeing God and of dwelling in Glory eternally For Christ in them is the hope of Glory 5. Because that in Him they have cause to triumph over Death Hell the Grave and Corruption and over a Body of Death Rom. 7.24 25. 1 Cor. 15.55.6 Because they have him near at hand to go to is all their Needs Miseries Doubts and Questionings Weakness c. He is ever at hand for he is in them 4. Seeing Christ is come so near unto them that He is in them so they are to keep near Communion and Fellowship wiâ—h him and that in these following respects 1. That they converse with him in their thoughts separating themselves from all others singly to speak with him adoring and admiring his Love and Condescendency towards them and with delight continuing in the Meditation of his Person Offices and Mediatory Works c. 2. That they be often speaking with him in Prayer And thus keeping up a Correspondence with him laying out all their wants before him pouring out their Souls in his Bosome going to him on all occasions 3. That they seek advice of and consult him in all Emergents attempting nothing without giving him notice first thereof 4. That they set hâ—m up conâ—inually as their Patern that they may be Followers of God as dear Children Ephes. 5.1 He haâ—h left us an example that we should follew his steps 1 Pet. 2.21.5 That they unbosome their whole Secrets to Him seeing He is their Heart and bosome Friend and seeing this is the real and sure token and demonstration of resting in and crediting of Him 6. That â—hey approach unto Him or unto God through Him with all Christian freedom and familiaâ—ity with an assurance of accepâ—ance seeing He is come so near to the Soul For in him We have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of Him Eâ—hes 3.12 And through Him we â—oth have an access by one Spirit unto the Father Ephes. 2 18.5 Seeing it hath pleased Christ â—o worthy and excellent a Guest to take up Lodging in the Souls of Believers they must beware of gâ—ieving Him We should be loath to let a good Guest go to the door upon the account of our incivility Now among other things these following will grieve Christ and and provoke him to depart 2. In case we have not that high esteem of Him as we ought any will soon weary in Company where affronted and slighted 2. Providing due honour and Respect to him be not intertained and fostered notwithstanding of all our forementioned freedom and familiarity with him For homliness must not spill good Manners He is a great King and Jealous God A Sen Honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master If then I be a Father where is mine Honour And if I be a Master where is my Fear saith the Lord of Hosts c. Mal. 1.6 3 Providing we have not strong hearty and sensible desires after him For as Love and Kindness waxeth cold so Friendship dryeth up His Love iâ— strong and love must be answered with love otherwayes it turns into Jealousie He is a jealous Lover And as his Love has mounted far above all Love yea above all the Love of Women though distilled into one Therefore we should carry our selves as ever sensible hereof continually praying that ouâ— Hearts might alwayes be directed into â—he Lorâ— of God 2 Thess. 3.5 And
we keeped thereâ—â— Iude v. 21. And may abound yet more and morâ— Phil. 1.9 4. Providing we be carnally minded this will chase him out of the Soul Because the Carnal mind is enmity against God Rom. 8.7 5. Providing we give free access to inward Corruption that will exceedingly grieve him For he is come exprâ—sly into the Soul to break that yoke of bondage And to deliver the poor Soul from the Tyranny of Sin And when man willingly subjects unto his unreconcilable enemies it is a direct and open declaring and proclaiming our unwillingness to intertain him longer in the Soul and a seeking these beastly self and Soul-ruining Lusts and Desires above him Anâ— that cannot but grieve him when he sees Satans company more prized then his 6 Providing we disesteem and undervalue his Doctrine Leading Counsel and Advice resisting his Motions and trâ—mpling on his Laws This will make him weary of his Lodging when we are not so ready as formerly to do what a Friend desires us and when not so willing to take his Advice and to follow it then it is a Symptome that we are jealous of him and wearied of his company 7 Providing we be lazie and sloathful in Duty This will grieve the Spirit because he is dishonoured thereby and in effect declared to be a dry sapless Root when the branches in him are seen without Fruit notwithstanding oâ— all their fair leaves 6. Is Christ so affable and gracious that he takes up lodging in poor Souls Then they should heartily welcome him and let him know so much And that 1. By giving him the Throne and the head of â—he Table with the best place in the House for he is worthy He is the Lord of Hosts the Master the Husband the kindly Suitor Hereby we manifest our high esteem and burning Love towards Hâ—m as knowing that none is to be compared wiâ—h him 2. To make him the more welcome we should call in all our scattered Desires and wandering Affâ—ctionâ— which now are spent and set loose in hunting after the scum of empty shaddowy Vanities and gâ—ther them in and direct them all towards him as to the Center As being only worthy of aâ—l Love and Affectâ—on for He is altogether aâ—d wholly Lovely Song 5 16 And the Desire of all Nations Hag. 2.7 3. We should to the uâ—termost of our Power lay out our selves 〈◊〉 Him sparing no cost nor Labour to pleasâ— Him and to evidence our sincere affections towards him 4. We should give him his whole will and Command over us and over what is ours so that all our Power Wisdom Will Conscience Memory Affections c. With all the Members of our Body attend his Command so as he might ever freely take and dispose of us and ours according to his good pleasure without opposition or gainsaying whereby he might be the more freely Master of the House and freely make usâ— of all according to his Will 5. We shâ—uld side with him against all that would oppose him in our Souls And by his Auâ—hority and through his Strength we should put to the door all that are enemies to him and his Interest in our Soulâ— were it the right eye or the cutting â—ff of the right hand if in opposition to him 6. We should with cheerfulness and outstreched Hearts run in the wayes of his Commandments and do his will with delight and readiness and seek to know what might please or displease him thaâ— the one might be done and the other eshewed whatever might follow thereupon 7. Hath Christ so far honoured the poor Believer as to come under a roof with him yea as to come into his Heart to dwell and abide there And should they not sâ—â—k all occasions again to honour him Namely 1. They should put the Crown upon his Head and behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his Mother crowned him in the day of his Espousals and in the day of the gladness of his Heart 2. They should earnestly and carefully observe all the Precepts and Ordinances in the Woâ—shâ—p whereby he is publicklâ— and solemnly served and honoured in the World This is the honour and open Testimony of Respect he calls for The sons of Eli honoured him not thus neâ—ther Nadab and Abâ—hu nor Vzza nor the Bethshemites wherefore his fierce anger was powered forth against them 3. They should recommend him to the Love and Esteem of others speaking good of him in all Companies laying forth his Beauty and desireableness at the Bride doth Song 2. And so engaging and perswading others to love him 4. They would so carry themselves that others that look upon them may see a desireable Lovelyness and Beauty in Christianity That is by walking chearfully in the wayes of GOD that others may not be scarred therefrom through their sad and dejected carriage as if there were no reason of Joy and Gladness of heart in the Service of GOD and as is he were an unkindly and hard Master whom they serve 8. Is Christ himself within the Believer then surely they are called to walk so that all that notice them may distinctly see and freely say that such have not only been with Christ but that they are continually with him and he with them and that he lodges and lives in their Souls And for that effect 1. They should have a care that they be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of their minds Rom 12.2 That it might be manifest that they serve another Master then the world serves and that they are moved and led by another Spirit 2. Their hearts should be lifted up in the wayes of the Lord As it was with the Heart of that good King 2 Chron 17.6 3. Their walk and carriage should be singular Heavenly and Spiritual as being above the World and the vanities thereof as having their Hearts and desires in Heaven Where Christ sitteth on the Right Hand of GOD Col 3.1 And as having their Conversation in Heaven Phil 3.20 And as it becometh the Gospel Phil 1.27 Having Christ in them so should they be dead and crucified to the World 4. Thus having Christ in them whose eyes are at a flâ—me of fire who sees their whole carriage and knows the frame of their Hearts they should endeavour in their whole carriage and walk to be upright and without hypocrisy that they may present themselves pleasant before him who sees the secrets of of the Heart For our rejoycing is this saith the Apostle 2 Cor 1.12 The Testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity noâ— with fleshly wisdom but by the Grace of GOD we have had our conversation in the World c. Wherefore laying aside all guile and hypocrisies 1 Pet 2.1.5 They should then make it appear that Christ is in them by serving him after a lively manner So it is not sufficient to follow Dutiâ—s but to perfoâ—m them as living in Christ or as having Christ living in them as having the
Stars Adam if he had â—tood had never appeared with Christ as a glorious Member of Hîs glorified mystical Body Col. 3.4 He haâ— never been partaker of that Glory which Christ bestoweth upon His own which He hath of the Father as the Redeemed now have Ioh. 17.22 He had never been brought to Glory through Christ as the Captain of Salvation made perfect through Suffâ—rings as the Saints are now brought Heb. 2.10 He had never had that relation and interest in Christ as his elder Brother Hâ—ad and Saviour which Believers now have by veâ—tue of the New Covenant He had never sitten with Christ upon His Throne as Christ sitteth upon His Father Throne But this unspeakable Concotenatâ—on of Glory is carried on through the Covenant of Grace The Glory which he should havâ— purchased should have been but a Glory oâ— his own begetting bought with his poor inconsiderable sweating and legal payment but the Glory of the Gospel is a Glory bought witâ— the Life and heart Blood of the Eâ—ernal Son of GOD The other had been but a Glory of Law work and of Law-merit But this is a matchless Glory wholly through and through shining with the Glory of free Grace Here appearâ— incomprehensible Love wonderful free Grace inconceivable Mercy and a wonderful harmony of Mercy and Judgement Adam had not sung that new Song which the Redeemed now sing in Glory So that upon infinite accounts the Glory of the Gospel far surmounteth the Glory of the Covenant of Works That was unsure as the event did manifest This is sure for all the Seed being grounded and firmly bottomed on the Faithfulness established on the Truth ensured through the Righteousness strengthned by the Oaâ—h of GOD and confirmed by the Death of the Testator c. 4. Compare the Gospel with the formeâ— Administration of the Covenant of Grace before Christ's Incarnation and thô that Administration had its own Glory which nevertheless behoâ—ved to be abolished yet here is a Glory far more excellent A Glory after which in former times the Prophets searched â—nd unto whom it was revealed they Propheâ—ed of this Grace that should come unto you 1 Pet. â— 10 12. The first Dispensation was daâ—k â—s also the Mysteries were vailed with Types â—hadows Ceremonies and Offerings Thereâ—ore Moses put a vail over his face that the Chilâ—ren of Israel should not stedfastly look to the end â—f that which is abolished 2. Cor. 3.13 That Administration in respect of the Administraâ—ion of the New Testament is called the Letâ—er that killeth and the ministration of Death written and engraven on Stones the Ministraâ—ion of Condemnation But this is called the Spirit the Spirit that giveth Life and the Ministration of the Spirit the Ministration of Righteousness So that the Glory of the former Ministration was not once to be compared with the Glory of the latter Ministration That was â—ndeed glorious so that the Children of Israol could not stedâ—â—stly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance but it was a Glory that was to be done away But this is much more glorious and surpasseth far in Gloâ—y For even that which was made glorious had no Glory in this repect by reason of the Glory that excelleth 2 Cor. 3.6 7 8 9 10. Therefore until that that Evangelical Day began to down and clear up and Faith or the great object of Faith Christ Jesus came unto the World The Heirs were kept under the Law shut up unto the Faith as in a prison and held under the strict Discipline of a Pedagogue or School Master Gal. 3.23 24 25. Under the Law they were Children differing nothing from Servants but were in Bondage under the Elements of the World and they were Tutors and Governours Gal. 4.2 3. They were under weak and beggerly Elements Gal. 4.9 But we shall not insist longer here this being sufficiently held forth by the Apostle Paul throughout hiâ— whole Epistle to the Hebrews Secondly Further that there are Riches in the Glory of the Gospel will appear providing we in the next place take notice of the glorious and super-excellent Nature of the same Many things might be brought in for clearing of this but we shall satisfie our selveâ— with some fâ—w As 1. This rich glorious Nature of the Gospel appears while it is called The Power of God unto Salvation to every oâ—â— that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek Rom. 1.16 That noble and sharp-fighted Apostle of the Gentiles saw such a Richeâ— of Glory therein that how contempâ—ible so ever it appeared to others whether Iew oâ— Gentile yet with him it had a high esteem he was not ashamed of it that is he gloried in it this being a dimunitive menner of Speech wherein more is understood than is exprest For he descerned it to be the glorious and none-such Instrument of GODs Power to break up Satan's hoof Quarters in the World and so to spread out the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Whereupon he says 2 Cor. 10.4.5 The weapons of our warefare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Justly then might he magnify his Office whileas he was imployed to carry these Treasures unto the Gentiles Rom. 11.13.2 Its Riches appeareth herein that the Gospel is the Cabinet wherein lyeth and the Field wherein is to be found the most enriching Glory imaginable It hath folded up in it that really enriching Pearl which when the wise Merchant had found sold all that he had and bought it which you may read in that Parable and which is doubled with very litle alteration Mat. 13.44 45 46. Christ the alone enriching Pearl of great Price is the whole Matter the Heart and Marrow of this Gospel It is wholly imployed about Him therefore cannot but contain Glory and Riches of Glory therefore it is called The Word of Christ Col. 3.16.3 It appears herein because it is the offering aâ—d the holding forth of the most enâ—iching and glorious Marriage that ever was heard tell of a A Marriage between the lofâ—ly high holy glorious and matchless King of Kings and Lord of Lords and despicable Sinners pooâ— beggerly Creatures by Nature Heirs of Hell It is the word of Reconciliation containing Articles and Conditions of Peace between the Holy Righteous and Glorious GOD and sinful self-destroying Sinners which is intrusted to the Apostles and their Successors 2 Cor 5.10 20. therefore called the word of Peace Act. 10.36 37.4 The Riches of Glory appears herein because the Gospel is the outward Call of God which when the LORD makes effectual He accompanyeth with an inward powerful irresistable Calling to the most glorious things imaginable It is hereby that the Lord Jesus bringeth many Sons unto Glory Heb. 2.10 Hereby do the Elect obtain the Salvation that is in Christ Iesus with
Inability seated in him through misunderstanding and prejudice against the Mysteries of GOD For it is said of the natural Man 1 Cor. 2 14 That he receiveth not the thing of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him Therefore was the Preaching of Christ crucâ—fied unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23.4 Yea the carnal Understanding is enmity against GOD It submits not it self to the Law of GOD neither can it Rom. 8.7 8. so that there is also a pravity and impotency in their will Therefore saith Christ that a corrupt Tree cannot bring sorth good Fruit. Math. 7. The Ethiopiaâ— cannoâ— change his Skin Ier. 13 5. There is an acquired habitual aveâ—ssness through the praviâ—y of our Inclinations By Nature People are so wâ—dded and glewed to their Lusts and Idols which they will not â—orsâ—ks which augments their natural Antipathy against the Gospel so that they are Enemies in their Minds by wicked works Col. 1.21.6 Besides all this the Devil who is the god of this World iâ— working in thâ—m Ephes 2.2 who more especially so blinds the Minds of those who do not believe that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of GOD may not shine unto them 2 Cor. 4.4 This needs no â—uâ—ther evidence being more than manifest by daily experience no preaching will once pick on some yea Christ Himself preached unto many who goâ— no profit thereby The great things of GOD's Law are accounted buâ— a strange thing by some Hos. 8. Many have Eyes and see not Ears and hear not 1 Vse We are hereby called to be established in â—he Faith of this Truth That it is only a Divine Power which can makâ— known unto us and in us the Gospel Truths We by Industry and Education with some ordinary light of the Spirit may win to understand the letter of the Gospel But in respect of the saving Manifestation of this Mystery there is a necessity of a real discriminating special immediate inward and powerful Operation of the Spirit of GOD in the Soul driving away the natural Darkness and received prejudices creating Divine Light in the Mind and Understanding and so forming in the Soul a Spiriâ—ual Patern of the glorious Mysteries of the Gospel For until this enlightning Operation and Revelation of the Spirit come all will be to no purpose 2. Vse So should we have a loathing and aversion of that dreadful Doctrine which says That this Divine Spiritual Enlightning is not needful but alledge that moral perswasion with the outward Revelation is sufficient whereas none who hath any knowledge of his own Heart can be so stupid that he should not see so much of the Darkness of his own Understanding that no less than a Divine Power must be exercised and put forth in order to this his Enlightning And what doth this Opinion else but signally vilifie and palpably deny the Divine Mystery of this Revelation and lamentably blow up the empty Creature with Pride Ambition and a foolish conceit of himself to retain somewhat whereby he may as he â—ancies be the less obliged to GOD and may have ground to thank himself to sacrifice unto his own Net and burn incense unto his own Drag What a ruining and dreadful Enemy is this opinion against the exalting of the Power of GOD's Grace and against Folks carrying therein with subordination and dependency on GOD and against all Prayer unto GOD. 3 Vse However this be only GOD's work and His powerful work nevertheless none ought because of his Impotency and natural Ignorance to account himself therefore discharged exeemed or delivered from guilt For 1 Our natural Impotency is our Sin 2 Besides there is ever real opposing and rejecting of this Light in all such as are come to the years of discretion who hear this Gospel and a wilful contemning of this Light which will abundantly stop the Mouths of every one And this often appears either by their neglecting of the Means or by their negligent and sloathful improving of the same and their not using but misusing of the Light which they have c. 4 Vse Notwithstanding this be GOD's work yet we should not cast off the Means for hereby it pleases the Lord to convey Life and to come with that Light and enlighten when and where He will For it pleâ—sed God by the foolishness of preaching to save 1 Cor. 1.21 And Faith comeâ—h by hearing Rom. 10.17 And however the Means in themselves can do nothing yet being ordained by Him as it is our duty so we may have peace in waiting on the â—ree and glorious King where He Commands us to wait and our waiting will sharpen our desires and longings after that blessed Light yea when we are disappointed and cut off in our expectations even this must serve for the further humbling and abasing of our selves and to make us the more earnestly cry out unto Him who is the Fountain of Light that He who has caused the Light to shine out of Darkness would shine in our Hearts in giving us the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4 6. Our attendance on the Means should be constant because we know not when He may come It is good to sow by all Waters and to sow Morning and Evening and in our Duâ—â—es alone to eye Him knowing that all must come from Him And albeit there may many Discouâ—agements arise to cause us give it over partly from without Saâ—an crying It is in vain to wait any longer and partly from within our Hearts looking on it as a desperat work yet this consideration that this Enlightning is GOD 's working may encourage and set us foreward again For GOD is a Soveraign King free to come when He will so is He gracious and merciful and can and will pass over many Enormities and much opposition yea â—urther for quieting of our Hearts under all Objections whatsomever this may sufficâ— He is GOD Almighâ—y and unresistible in His workings He shall work and who shall hinder it 2 dly Moreover we should learn from hence that GOD maketh known this Glorious Mystery to whom He wiâ—l most freely without Hyre or Price it is an Act of His wonderful free Gâ—ace He would make known c. not by reason of any deserving or worth in us or by vertue of any pliabliness or readiness in those to whom â—his is made known or of any necessary connexion betwixt the preparation in them and His Work But meerly from His free Grace and good Pleasure for He is found of them that sought Him not Isa. 65.1 Therefore it is through Faith that we are saved and Faith is not from our selves It is the Gift of God Ephes 2.8 And not by the works which we have done but accordâ—ng to His Mercy we are saved T it 3.5 1. Vse For Instruction and this should learn us 1. To admire this wonderâ—ul and
every way useful and absolutely neâ—essary 5. That we receive Him for every Work and Imployment for Sanctification as well as Justification 6. That we jointly deny our selves take up His Cross and follow Him Mat. 16.24 3 dly In this Gospel we have the Nature of this Union viz. The indwelling of Christ manifested unto us For here is declared 1. That is indwelling of Christ and union with him mysterious profound unsearchable and comprehensible Ephes 5.32.2 That is wholly Spiritual so that they become â—he Spirit 1 Cor 6.17 They are made parkers of His Spirit Rom 8.9.3 That it a near and inward Union so that no Comâ—â—rison can sufficiently demonstrate it as we â—â—ve heard before 4. That it is permanent â—â—d inviolable nothing can make a separatiâ—â— here Rom 8.38 39.5 That it is Gloâ—â—ous Exceeding Excellent 6. That it is very useful and profitable Union having â—â—effably great and wonderful Advantages â—oth here and hereafter 4 In this Gospel we have what Christ did for â—â—e carrying on of this Union how he is beâ—â—me a Mediator Cautioner taking upon â—â—m to make peace and reconciliation and so 〈◊〉 satisfie Justice for their sins How in the â—â—lness of time he has come and has given a â—â—ll and perfect satisfaction according to his â—ndertaking how he hath purchased of the â—ather all that was accounted necessary for the â—â—rrying on of this Union in respect of the Eâ—â—ct How he lives forever as an Intercessor â—â—r that end and effect How he as King and â—ead of the Church hath appointed ordinanâ—es and Laws How that he hath blessed them â—â—cording to his good pleasure for that Effect â—nd how he hath sent his Spirit to work up his Chosen to a cheerful receiving of his offer Aâ— this and much more is made known in the Gospel 5. Here is held forth and cleared what is required on our part in respect of obtaininâ— possession and to be possessed of this Noble Spirit and to win at this Union Namely 1. Thaâ— we forsake all our Righteousness with alâ— other Idols and lovers which possâ—sâ— our Soâ—lâ— 2. That we acknowledge and be convinced oâ— our own inability and natural unwillingnesâ— to open unto him 3. That we attend on thâ— means appointed and on him in the meanâ— 4. That we lay a side all prejudices 5. Thaâ— we lay our selves open to his approaches 6. That we cry and long after him and his company so as we can 6. Here in this Gospel is made known thaâ— this opening of the heart for Christ is a woâ—â— above nature and that Christ is the Auâ—hoâ— and finisher of Faith Heb. 12.1 2. And that no man can come until the Father draw him Ioh. 6.44 7. Here is also discovered that notwithstanding â—he LORD wonderful in Council mighty indeed hath thought good through the foolishness of Preaching to save those that believe 〈◊〉 Cor. 1.21 And to make use of Planâ—ers anâ— waterers albeit neither of them can do good providing he give not the increase 1 Cor. 3 5 6 7. And therefore hath he sent Labourâ—rs to his Vine-yeard to labour and work there â—o that they are Labourers together with GOD Cor. 3.8 9. He sends his servants as so â—any Ambâ—ssadors to Court a Bride for Christ. â— Cor. 5.20 and 11 2. Therefore they â—ome in their Masters Name and lay forth â—he Articles of agreement and reconciliation â—nd he himself must and will through his Spirit â—etermine and perswad unto an opening Vse From all that is said appears that the Gospel and the preaching of the same is the â—eans appointed of GOD for this end and â—hat it is the chief and grand design of the preached Gospel to work up the Soul into this Unâ—on with Christ and make the heart to open â—hat the King of Glory may enter in Which â—hould incite to these things 1. To a high esâ—eemation of the Gospel as being such a noble mean ordained for such an excellent end To account highly of it I say and of such who are appointed to carry these glad tidings of the great Salvation and to haâ—ken unto it them as such noble means of Gods appointment 2 That we may have this end before us in the Administration of the Gospel The Ministers should so preach it and the People should so hear it as a mean ordained for that end and never to rest sâ—tiâ—fied or much less to think all is well until this end be first attained to wit that Christ be formed in the Soul O! it were desireable to see that the Ministers in preaching of the Gospel were as it were traveiling 〈◊〉 Birth to obtain this end Gal. 4.19.3 That 〈◊〉 lament the estate of such who miss this glorioâ—â— gospel of those who have but the sound of tâ—â— Gospel without the power thereof 4. That 〈◊〉 be thankfull for this inesteemable priviledgâ— and so be sensible of the same and be careâ—â—â— that we provoke not God to remove this advaâ—tagious most useful Candlestick 5. That 〈◊〉 have compassion on those who are desperatâ— wicked that they are so wearied of this precâ—ous Gospel that they hate oppose ruine yâ—â— persecute the same O what a misery is thâ—â— for Poor Souls to forsake their own unspeaâ—able riches The third thing is that this Vnion to witâ— Christ in the Soul is the riches of the Glory 〈◊〉 this Gospel Mysterie And this appears 1. In thâ—â— it is the principal and chief business which thâ— Infinitly wise GOD had beâ—ore him in the Eternal Counsel of his will to work out by thâ— dispensation 2. The LORD who is the Authoâ— of this Gospel is thereby Gloryfied in his Glorious Attributes Christ exalted and made 〈◊〉 see the travel of his Soul and the pleasure oâ— the LORD prosper in his hand and the greaâ— designe therein principally intended next thâ— Glory of GOD to wit the Eternal compact between GOD and the Mediator is then begun 〈◊〉 be accomplished 3. All the Draughts of thâ— Glorious Gospel terminate here as in a Centeâ— 4. Then beginneth â—he Soul to knâ—w what are the excellenâ— Riches of the 〈◊〉 of Love Grace and wâ—sdâ—m that are broughâ— to light througâ—t the Gâ—spel then and not untill then begin â—hey to be partâ—kâ—rs thereof Vse This serves to set us all a woâ—k to a serìous enquiry and tryal if the Gospel hath had these noble Fruits in us which may be known from what hath been formerly mentioned of Christ his being in the Soul And we are never to think we see or know any thing of the Râ—ches of the Gospel how great soever a measure of knâ—wledge otherwayes we may have attainâ—d or be partakeâ—s of unâ—il this Union be wrought and provâ—ding this be wrought then we may well sit down contented what ever other things we want as having now in thiâ— Union the whole Riches of the Gâ—spel as in a Treasure laid up in our Souls O what a condition must this bâ— The last thing iâ— that thiâ— Fruit of the Gospel and â—his shâ—rt compend of the Riches of its Glory is of GOD and wroughâ— by Him He makes iâ— known and the reason is clear â—or 1. Man by nature hates Christ will noâ— welcome Him much less let Him in to dwell in the Soul they hate boâ—h Him and His Father Ioh. 15 24 2ly The lâ—ghâ— which must discover this enmitie together wiâ—h the miserie that accompanieth their estate who are wâ—thout Christ is Divine these Saving discoveries are only attainable through a divine supernatural illuminatiâ—â— Now it is GOD alone that openeth the eyes of the blind 3ly As it is GOD alone that taketh away the natural blindnesâ— of the understanding and sends Divine Light into the Soul so must He guard off and remove the natural pravity of the will and do away the stony heart and make his people willing after this manner must He open thâ— heart as He opened the heart of Lydia Acts 16 14.4ly Even so must GOD by His immediate powerful Grace effectually work the consenâ— unto the offer made in the Gospel And how ever this work of the LORD be powerfull and irresistable overcoming all opposition from without and within nevertheless it is without force and violence For though He draw yet He draweth with the cords of Men and Bonds of love strongly convincing making the Soul effectually to submit and give it self over seing the heart is in his hand He can turn it whether He will as He pouers in Grace so He makes the Soul willing 1. Vse This should serve to teach those who are made partakers of this Union to know whom they have to thank for it and who should have the praise and the honour of this noble and glorious Work and make them far from thinking or saying that they themselves have made the difference or from offering sacrifice unto their own net in respect oâ— his Grace 2 Vse This should also learn others where the right door is whereunto they must betake themselves O! poor Souls look to him and to him alone and wait at the Posts of his door forsaking your own strength and despairing in and of your selves FINIS
is begun in them therefore they shall live the Life of Glory hereafter 9. These that have Christ in them they have received Abundance of Grace and of the Gift of Righteousness through Christ living in them And so shall certainly Reign in Life by Him Rom. 5.17.10 Such who have Christ in them they are quickned together with Him yea they are raised up together in Heavenly places in Christ Iesus Ephes. 2.5 6. Christ takes possession in their Name and they in him as their Head and Agent And so in effect and in respect of legal Certainty they have present possession of Glory so that Christ in them must be the assured hope of Glory For further clearing and confirming hereof observe these following Considerations To wit 1. That Christs being and living in the Soul gives us to know the greatest Love and Respect He hath for that Soul And whom he Loves He Loves unto the end Ioh. 13 1. And what can separate the Soul from his Love Rom. 8.38 39.2 Christs coming into a Soul intimates his union therewith which union is fast and who can loose it And being one with him and united with him so they shall be alwayes with him He hath prayed that they might be with him wherâ— he is that they might behold his Glory Ioh. 17.24 He will not want his Servants For where he is there they must be also Joh 12.26.3 Christs being in the Soul holds forth his protection He â—s in them to own and defend them who can wrong them whom Christ defends Whom Christ defends the Father defends also Joh. 10.27 28 29 30. My sheep hear my voise and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater then all â—nd no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand I and my Father are one 4. Christ is in them taking possession of them as of his own purchase And who shall or can take his Possession over his head Because greater is He that is in them then he that is in the World 1 Joh. 4.4.5 He is in them as fitting and preparing them for Glory and Sanctifying and cleansing them With the washing of Water by the Word That He might present them to himself a Glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that they should be Holy and without blemish Ephes. 5.26 27.6 He is in them by his Spirit as the pledge and earnest of Glory Ephes. 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 1.22.7 In a word that he is in them is begun Glory Glory in the Seed and in the out-sprouting He is in them working the work of Grace and that is the foundation of Glory Here they have begun Communion with him and that shall never be broken off but be carried on to a more immâ—diate sweet full and uninterrupted Fellowship in Glory so that Christ in the Believer can be no other thing then the sure hope of Glory Vse 1. This Truth makes way for confuting 1. Papists who are against assurance of Salvavation and who defend and teach that we are to fear and doubt all the dayes of our Lifâ— For if Christ in us be the assured hope of Glory then undoubtedly some of these in whom Christ dwelleth attain to this assurance For some of them come through Grace to see that Christ dwells and abids in them 2. It is for confutation of Arminians who lay a sure foundation for the doubting of Papists in â—aying that the Saints may fall away and that wholly and finally But providing that were true then Christ should not be the Hope of Glory in the Saints For according to that Doctrine he could be in us to day and not tomorrow and so his being in us could be no hope of Glory 3. It is for confutation of Antimonians who deny Sanctâ—fication to be any evidence of Justification notwithstanding we see that Christ in Believers is a sure and fast ground of the hope of Glory Now his being in them is through the work of Sanctâ—fication 4. For confuâ—ing of poor deceived Souls who build their Hope of Glory on some other thing As 1 Upon an imagination that God is merciful which can afford them no more ground of the hope of Glory then to all living yea then to Devils 2 Who build their hope upon their naked fancy of their good Heart which is most false the Heart being Deceitful above all things and desperately wicked So is it an undoubted token that Christ is not in them For since He iâ— Light so should he discover their deceitfulness unto them So that it can never be a ground of Hope but a sufficient foundation of a real imagination and of a dreadful deceit 3. Who build their hope upon their innocency and freedom from scandalous out-breakings with the Pharisee Luke 18 Yea a Heathen will pretend more then they 4 Who build upon their Civility and Sobriety which readily they may have through a soft nature humor through good education corrupteâ— by ends which may be a ground of self-deceiving though never of the hope of Glory 5. Who buiâ—d on ouâ—ward diligence and carefulness after publick Worship wherein a Pharisee may go beyond them and which at most but holds forth that they have a Name they live and yet are dead Dead and formal Worship is no assured hope of Glory 6 Who build on the forsaking some Lusts and former evil practises to which they were formerly addicted whereas notwithstanding Satan may have a sure and certain Possâ—ssion of their Soul Vse 2. This Truth serves to inform us of these two 1. That the state of these who are yet without Christ is very sad and lamentable For if without Christ they have no hope of Glory And what have they then though they had the World at their disposal and were swiming in Pleasureâ— Alas they want that which might sweeten the want of all other things to wit the hope of Glory 2. That the condition of those who have fled to Christ and have gotten that noble Guest Christ in them is unspeakably happy For let their outward Estate be here in the World what it will they may Sing in the hope of the Glory of God having Christ in them so they have the assuredest hope of Glory imaginable They have Christ who is the whole Covenant whereby Glory is ensured They have him withâ—n their Souls who already hath given them the possession of Glory fitting them to have a Portion in the Inheritance of the Saints in Light And who takes possession of them that he and they may never more be separate Vse 3. This Doctrine contains also in it a Reproof 1. To Unbelievers who notwithstanding they be wholly without Christ and his Spirit nevertheless dreams and imagins that they have an undoubted right unto Glory And so deceives themselves wiâ—h a vain and