and everlasting Covenant Matt. 26. 28. Heb. 10. 29. 13. 20. 9. 15 16. Those great and precious promises appertaining to Life and godliness yea to this life and that to come are not only assured by the word of God and confirmed by his Oath which yet are two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lye and therefore might quicken and encourage lukewarm ones to flee for refuge to lay hold on that hope set before them but actually made firme by the blood of the Testatour who is also in the virtue thereof raised and as the forerunner entred into Heaven and is the Mediatour of the New Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions under the first Testament they which are called may receive the promise of the eternal Inheritance He Mediateth and maketh Intercession for the taking away the iniquities of those that come to God by him and that the contents of that Covenant may be dispensed to them according to their needs and capacities God hath promised and Christ hath actually said and is the Amen to them Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 8. 6. and 9. 15. It may seem in that Jesus Christ doth first describe himself by this title of the Amen that these likewarme ones did not keep in believing remembrance the promises and the firmeness and immutability of them and certainty of their performance according to the tenour of them being ratified by such precious blood and ascertained by such a faithful and true witness and therefore they grew sluggish remiss and indifferent and there was a great abatement of their former fervency either fearing they should be left in sufferings or not provided for or dispensed unto according to their wants and therefore to recover them he telleth them his name is the Amen The consideration hereof is powerful to stirr up to diligence and to recover us from our decays to cause us that we shall not be slothful but followers diligent followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Heb. 6. 10 20. To strengthen us to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering and to consider one another to provoke to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together Heb. 10. 22 25. To ingage us to come out from amongst men and to be separate and not touch the unclean thing but to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. 2 Cor. 6. 16 18. 7. 1. if these exceeding great and precious promises given to the Apostles to minister and ministred by them in and with the glorious Gospel be in us received and entertained by us and abound if they be suffered to dwell richly in us and to have their perfect work so as we limit them not nor hold them in unrighteousness they make us that we shall not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ They will provoke us to flee from and escape the corruption that is in the world thorow lust and besides giving all diligence thereto they will inable and stir us up to add to our faith virtue courage zeal resolution of spirit magnanimity to be as bold as lions and to virtue knowledg that we may use our fervour and zeal aright and that not about meat and drink and days and places and gestures in which the kingdome of God consisteth not but in contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints and to knowledg temperance to have sober thoughts of our selves of our knowledg vertue parts gifts attainments and to be temperate in our use of and exercise about the things of this world in which there may be excess and in our joys and griefs thereabout and to temperance patience patiently continuing in well doing in faith in virtue in knowledg in temperance c. Patiently induring whatever reproches and persecutions we may meet with in walking in Christ and in the exercise of those efficacies of his grace and resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for him and to patience godliness worshipping him in the spirit and rejoycing in Christ Jesus and having no confidence in the flesh and imitating and following him as dear children according to the light and instructions of his grace and to godliness brotherly kindness loving the brethren with delightful and peculiar manner of love not pretending we are right worshippers of God while we are without brotherly kindness to those borne of him For every one that loveth him that begat loveth them also that are begotten of him For if a man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen and to brotherly kindness charity that free manner of love which is exercised towards others not because of somewhat lovely and amiable in them but from an higher reason and motive even from the constraining operation of the love of God in Christ and thence to have fervent charity among our selves and to love all men To these things will these precious promises confirmed by such precious blood enliven and quicken us if they be suffered to dwell richly in us for hereby we shall be made partakers of the Divine nature in union and fellowship with it interest in it usefulness of it and conformity to it 2 Pet. 1. 4 9. Oh exercise we our selves to godliness to Christ who is the root and fundation of godliness for it is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. 8. with chapt 3. 16. Oh! how effectual were the promises with the Patriarchs in former times when they were not so confirmed as now to make them forsake their Countrey Kindred and Fathers house To confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on the earth c. These believed caused Abraham the Father of the faithful not to consider his own body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarah's Womb but was strong in faith giving glory to God and being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able also to performe and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him who hath performed the promise made to the fathers in raising Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Gen. 12. 1 3. Heb. 11. 13 16. Rom. 4. 16 25. with Act. 13. 32 33. Heb. 11. 17 19. The Apostle Paul to recover the Galatians from their wandrings setteth before them that Christ is the Amen to him the promises are made and in him confirmed and with him assured to those that receive him so as in being Christ's they are Abraham's seed and Heits according
whom shine ye as lights c. Philip. 2. 13 14 15 16. To the same purpose the Apostle Peter beseecheth the believers as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the Soul and to have their conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against them as evil doers they may by the good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. Mat. 5. 15 16. 4. This Raiment is said to be white to signifie unto us that it is raiment of praise and beauty of rejoycing and gladness it betokeneth and occasioneth joy and rejoycing as opposed to that clothing and those garments werewith persons usually cover themselves when they are in heaviness affliction and sadness and when they have cause of sorrow and mourning This appeareth to be the meaning of the expression in Eccles 9. 7 8 9. Go thy way eat thy bread with joy and drink thy Wine with a merry heart for God hath already accepted thy work even those works wrought in God in Immanuel Joh. 3. 21 let thy Garments be always white as a token of joy and mirth and let thine head want no Oyntment live joyfully c. And so on the contrary when men are mournful they walk in black as Mal. 3. 14. What profit is it that we have walked mournfully or in black And indeed this raiment is beautiful and joyous and that which may cause putter on and wearer of it to rejoyce at all times especially in that plenteousness of redemption in Christ through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins and in that everlasting righteousness which he hath brought in and compleated and which he giveth to the buyer Yea when they are in heaviness through manifold temptations yet believing what Christ hath done and is become they rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 6-8 Rom. 15. 14. 14. 17. This the Garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness which Christ is appointed to give to them that mourn in Zion Isa 61. 1-3-10 The beautiful Garments which Zion is called upon to put on and therefore to awake awake instead of those dirty dusty dejected ones wherewith they were clothed in times of affliction and sadness and in this they may rejoyce continually in that righteousness of Christ which shall never be abolished but shall remain for ever and ever and most fully shall they do so when they are made compleatly partakers of it Isa 52. 1 2-7 with Chap. 51. 4-9 So much is imported in that vote and desire Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousness with white ralment and let thy Saints shout for joy that only joy inwardly but outwardly also express and testifie it Psal 132. 9-10 So when in our types the Levites were arayed in white linen their work was with joyfulness to praise and thank the Lord because he is good for his mercy endureth for ever 2. Chron. 5. 12 13. And surely they have not oâ— by faith and in usefulness this white and and rejoycing raâ—ment that lye under discouraging and disquâ—ering sadness and heaviness as if there were no forgiveness in Christ for them no robe of righteousness prepared to cover the shame of their nakedness and who are complaining and judging and speaking hardly of the God of our righteousness instead or praising him and making mention of his righteousness even or his onely 5. VVhite raiment signifieth that raiment where with those that overcome are clothed and which God giveth to them that run with patience the race set before them as a token of his approbation of them and Testimony of his well-pleasedness with them So he that hath the seven Spirits of God saith He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment Rev 3. 4 5. And it is said VVhite robes were given unto every one of them that were slaâ—n for the word of God and for the Testimony which they held Rev. 6. 9-11 And they also who came one of great tâ—â—butation who shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heaâ— Chap. 7. 9-7 And this is the raiment which the Lambs Wile hath on for the consummation of the Marriage with the Lamb and with which his victorious Army shall be arayed Chap. 19. 7 8-11-14 And this is that White raiment this Church and Angel is instructed to buy And to seek glory honour and immortality by a patient continuance in well-doing Rom. 2. 7. To them who forsake all for Christs sake that they may win him and follow him in the regeneration God now giveth the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and the raiment of victorers by faith 1 Cor. 15. 57. 1 John 5. 4 5. And will give it compleatly in Spirit to them who are faithful unto the death and in the first resurrection they shall have it gloriously in Soul and body re-united On such like accounts this raiment is said to be white and such manner of instructions are contained in the expression 2. We have in the next place to inquire into and consider the end why this Angel and Church is counselled to buy this white raiment which is also a Motive and Argument used to stir up to fervency in buying viz. that thou mayst be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear in which end is signified unto us 1. That those that have not this excellent and durable clothing here commended and counselled to even the righteousness of God by saith and the fruits thereof those that part not with and suffer not the loss of all things for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that they may win him and be found in him they have a shameful nakedness upon them This is true generally as with respect to all mankind as they are and while they reman in their natural estate and condition God did indeed at first make man in his Image after his likeness and gave him dominion over the works of his hands in this lower part of his Creation Gen. 1. 26 27. God made man viz. Adam and all mankind in him upright Eccles 7. 29. He Created them in righteousness and holiness Ephes 4. 23 24. Col. 3. 10. He made him a little lower then the Angels and Crowned him with glory and honour the Glory of God was upon him in that righteousness holiness purity innocency and integrity that was upon him and in that dominion given to him Psal 8. 5. Rom. 3. 23. 1 Cor. 11. 7. The Law of God was in his heart and there was in him a natural bent and inclination to love and live to the Lord his God with all his Heart Soul mind and strength and to love his neighbour as himself And then while they were in honour and in this upright and honourable condition though they were naked as with respect to any clothing or covering from without there was no shame upon them and they
from an high estimate of Christ and causeth them to wander from him and not to hold the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Compare 1 Cor. 8. 1. with Chap. 13. 4. and Col. 2. 18 19. It is much to be feared that we have also too high conceits of our selves and therefore though we are not quite Cold yet such thoughts make us Lukewarm we are too apt to think we know all already we have attained to excellent Ornaments and are pure in our own eyes Oh that we may come to the light of the Lord and therein see and examine our selves and if this iniquity be found with us put it far away for this thinking of our selves more highly then we ought is that which is the cause of our loathsom temper or 2. This Verse is a reason of Christs threatning and of that wo and judgment threatned Ver. 16. I will spue thee out of my mouth because thou saist I am rich c. Oh! what a provocation to Christ is it what a loathsom thing in his sight that such babes as we are should boast as if we were come to a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ that we should imagine and say we have need of nothing when so little a portion is known of him by us that we should think and say we are whole what need then have we of a Physician What need of a Mediator to intercede for us We do by â—â—â—h like thoughts and sayings make the Cross of Christ and Preaching of it foolishness to our selves and render it a needless and undesirable thing and they do lead us to set light by and undervalue Christ and to give our hearts unto and take up our contentment in our attainments and receits which are indeed broken Cisterns which can hold no water and which we make as Idols to our selves and incense him against us who will not give honour to another nor his praise to graven Images his name is jealous and he cannot he will not indure it that we should give our loves to and take up our rest in any thing besides himself who was crucified for us and in whom only there is rest for our weary Spirios His jealousy when his love is abused or slighted is cruel as the Grave the Coals thereof are Coals of fire which hath a most vehement flame Cant. 8. 6. He cannot bear it that those that are espoused to him should treacherously and adulterously depart from him and cast their eyes upon and give entertainment to other lovers and therefore when any do so that have been called to the fellowship of himself the fire of his jealousy is kindled against them and he as here threatneth to cast them off Wo saith our Saviour to you that are rich for ye have received your consolation Wo unto you that are full for ye shall hunger Luke 6. 24 25. Manifold afflictions shall come upon them and they shall weep and howl for those miseries that shall come upon them James 5. 1. He that filleth the hungry with good things doth send the rich empty away Luke 1. 53. Such he will abhor and vomit them out of his mouth as most loathsom persons to him Oh! how sad and calamitous is their condition who boast and witness of themselves that they are pure sinless perfect as to attainment there is a Generation who are pure in their own Eyes though yet they are not washed from their filthiness and oh how lofty are their Eyes and their Eye-lids lifted up they can witness their enjoyment of all that is to be enjoyed now in this day that they have no sin in them and that they are perfect in themselves Woe unto them they have their happiness now their portion in this life and those that are in any measure like to them are loathsom to Christ and the more loathsom and abominable the more they are like to them It was displeasing to the Lord that Job had such an overweening conceit of himself of his knowledge purity innocency though he was destitute of such light and advantages as are afforded to us and it brought forth evil fruit in him even to condemn him that was most just and that good man when convinced of his evil was ashamed of himself and confesseth that he was vile and professeth he would lay his hand upon his mouth Once saith he have I spoken but I will not answer yea twice but I will proceed no further and when his eye saw God he did abhor himself and repented in dust and ashes Job 40. 3 5. 42. 4 6. This is a becoming thing for us to be low in our own eyes to take notice and be sensible of our vileness bruitishness shortness in every matter and to acknowledge that when we have done all that is commanded us yet we are unprofitable servants to confess with him That we are more bruitish then man and have not the understanding of a man that we have neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy Prov. 30. 2 3. That we have yet much wanting and lacking in our faith in him love to him and conformity to his Image To this man will he look that instead of boasting what he is and hath done and proclaiming his own goodness is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at his word that hath nothing to glory in but the Lord Who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption Isa 66. 1 2. 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. But the proud the rich the full he knoweth a far off The foolish such as are vain-glorious boasters who lift up the Horn on high and speak with a stiff neck who commend themselves and their own mouths praise themselves such shall not stand in his sight Psal 5. 5. with Psal 75. 4 5. His eyes are upon the haughty that he may bring them down 2 Sam. 22. 28. And their conceitedness is so unpleasing and distastful to him that he cannot away with them but if they repent not he will at last spue them out of his mouth he will not plead for them as his Church but cast them forth as an abominable branch and then how will they be exposed to all miseries afflictions and judgments whatsoever Oh! consider we this that pride may be hidden from us and that we may not be wise in our own eyes but viewing our selves in the Glass of the Lord's body may take shame to our selves For pride goeth before destruction and an haughty Spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. 18. 12. 29. 23. Were we but comparing our selves with that object that is proposed to us and set before us in the glorious Gospel and viewing what is the breadth and length and depth and height thereof and considering that love of Christ which passeth knowledge that Peace of God which
living Waters but such as are insensible also such as are poor miserable wretched blind naked and know it not and this is generally true as with respect to Gods preventing men with his Grace that bringeth Salvation to all men when he first calleth to and counselleth men in and with his glorifying his Son unto them they are dead in trespasses and sins they are deaf and wretched and blind they know not the sadness of their condition hence he calleth to such Hear ye deaf and look ye blind that ye may see Isa 42. 18. They are at first dead to whom the Son of God sendeth forth his voice destitute of all Spiritual liâ—e and light they are ignorant and out of capacity by and wisdom or light of theirs to know what their condition is John 5. 25. And hence men generally have such a good esteem of themselves and of their condition and ways and think highly of themselves as the Jews who though they did search the Scriptures yet would not come to Christ that they might have life and therefore had not the love of God in them yet they thought themselves to be in a good Case and that Eternal life did appertain to them John 5. 39 40. And those that made mention of the God of Israel but not in truth nor in righteousness For they were obstinate and their neck as an Iron Sinew and their brow Brass yet they called themselves of the holy City and stayed themselves upon the God of Israel Isa 48. 1 4. Yet to such as these he calleth and giveth good Counsel to simple ones who know nothing yea who love and that for a long time their simplicity and to fools who hate knowledge Prov. 1. 20 23. He counselleth foolish ones who know not him and therefore know not themselves for he is the light of the world yea indeed all the Sons of Man are foolish and ignorant until or further then they are inlightned by him Hence that cry and call Unto you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of Man Oh ye simple understand wisdom and ye fools be ye of an understanding heart to signifie to us that the Children of men are simple and fools and yet are called upon and invited to come to Christ Prov. 8. 4 6. This may give us somewhat to answer those that abuse the Scriptures and pervert them to the hurt of themselves and others when the Holy-Ghost inviteth every thirster to come to the waters to buy and eat this is onely meant say they of such as are sensible of their sad condition and such as are gracious thirsters which hunger and thirst after righteousness when as indeed it appeareth most directly to be spoken to such as thirsted out of necessity only and who were seeking rest and satisfying in vain things that could not profit them and therefore were reproved for so doing and this I am sure is no gracious frame or qualification for it is added Why do ye spend Money for that which is not Bread and your labour or that which satisfieth not Isa 55. 1 2. So when our Saviour saith Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden this is spoken say they of such as laboured for Christ and were weary of and willing to part with their sins when as such are hereby invited who did seek rest where it was not to be had such as sought to know the father by the wisdom of this world and so failed of their expectation Hence our Saviour calleth them all of them to him who knoweth the father and none but he and him to whomsoever he will reveal him and in coming to him he would give them rest from their burdening and unprofitable labour Mat. 11. 25 29. And this is sutable to what we have noted in this place we see here such are called upon and incouraged to buy and purchase and good counsel is given to them whose case and condition was very bad and lamentable and yet they knew it not they were insensible 〈◊〉 of it and thought otherwise and better of themselves then was meet 4. In that he giveth such Councel to these that were ignorant of their state he signifieth to us that the way to make men sensible of their condition when their case is wretched and miserable and they know it not is to commend to them and lift up before them Christ and those treasures in him and to direct them thereunto and not at first to preach the Law or otherwise to use it then according to the glorious Gospel The Gospel of Christ is the Arm of the Lord in which his power is put forth and Spirit given to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death so Christ sath The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor and therewith to preach recovery of sight to the blind to preach their eyes open in preaching the Gospel Luke 4. 18. So our Savionr saith The Holy Ghost shall reprove and convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment in and with glorifying Christ this way he should shew unto them and open their eyes to behold the sinfulness of their sin in not believing on Christ and the vanity and unprofitableness of their Idols of their works of righteousness judgment c. John 16. 8 14. In like manner also the Apostle Paul was sent with this Gospel to open the eyes of Jews and Gentiles and so to shew them what a sad condition they were in how well thoughted soever they were of themselves Acts 26. 18 23. Prov. 8. 4 6. Hence also the Gospel is called The Word of Life Phil. 2. 16. The Words of Christ are Spirit and life to them that believe not John 6. 63. The Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple that know nothing Psal 19. 7. 119. 130. The Gospel is light the Medium for discovering all things in their right and proper Colours and for giving sight to us also 2 Cor. 4. 4. Surely the lifting up Christ is the way to make men run unto him that were formerly insensible of their sad condition without him because they were ignorant of and unacquainted with his excellency Isa 5â— 5. Cant. 5. 8 16. with Chap. 6. 1. In lifting him up thereby the Spirit of God sheweth unto us and convinceth us of our deadness as the Apostle hereby judged and reasoned and herein shewed all were dead condemned to dye and helpless in their misery and insensible of their condition in that One dyed for all and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 5. Particularly from the Counsel it self we may note these instructions 1. That there is a rich treasury and full and compleat provision answering to the needs of those that are poor c. and know it not 2. That this provision may be had by such as are poor c. 3. That to the end they
reputation and became obedient to death the death of the Cross not for himself but for us and for our sakes surely he hath born our griefs and carryed our sorrows the chastisement of our peace was upon him it was our good he designed and not his own and rather then we should suffer the curse we had deserved he indured the Cross and suffered the curse he bare our sins in his own body on the Tree How might this move and prevail with us to bear one anothers burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. Herein perceive we the love of God that he laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the Brethren even in the room and stead of them and for their good But who so hath the worlds good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth his bowels from him how dwelleth the love of God in him My Brethren let us not love in word neither in Tongue but in deed and in truth 1 John 3. 16 17 18. 4. In that he here commendeth himself to us under the name of Gold and proposeth such an end to us to move and perswade us to buy it that we may be rich herein is intimated and signified to us his willingness and cordial desire that we should listen to him receive and obey his gracious counsel imbrace and close with him and part with and suffer the loss of all things for the excellency of him therefore doth he so aptly and enamouringly present himself to us and make use of such ingaging alluring Arguments and Motives he knoweth we all naturally love riches our hearts are taken with Gold and our eyes set upon that as a most desirable and delightful and desirable thing and which is very pleasant to behold he knoweth we would fain be rich and our wisdom moveth and leadeth us to desire so to be and to labour to that end Prov. 23. 4 Now then he thus in the first place describeth himself and calleth himself and commendeth himself to us under the name of Gold tried in the fire and counselleth us to buy it that we may be truly and indeed inriched that we might be assured of his good will to us and earnest desire that we should listen to him and that he may out-bid all other persons and things that we might be taken with and enamoured on and give our hearts and affections unto him he thus representeth himself to us as such a delightful and desirable Object that we might receive his heavenly and advantagious counsel and open unto and give entertainment unto him so when the Spirit of errour and delusion useth many alluring Arguments to perswade men to listen unto and imbrace her that she may seduce and destroy them that she hath deckt her bed with coverings of Tapistry with carved works with fine linnen of Egypt that she hath perfumed her self with Myrrhe Aloes and Cynamon and thence inviteth Come let us take our fill of love until the morning let us solace our selves with loves To the end none might listen thereto and be inticed and deceived by her the Wisdom of God calleth also and glorifieth her self by her Spirit unto the Sons of men Doth not wisdom cry and understanding put forth her voice she standeth in the top of high places that her voice may be heard far and near by the way in the places of the paths unto you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of man hear for I will speak of excellent things such things as excel what the whorish woman proposeth and presenteth and the opening of my lips shall be right things receive my instruction and not Silver and Knowledge rather then choise Gold though those seducers and deceivers should set before you and promise to you Gold and Silver to corrupt you yet my instruction is better for Wisdom is better then Rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it yea and also Riches and honour are with me yea durable riches My fruit is better then Gold yea then fine Gold and those that love me shall inherit substance c. Prov. 7. 10-27 8 1-21 So when sinners such as miss their way and mark are inticeing and saying Come with us let us lay Wait for Blood We shall find all precious substance we shall fill our houses with spoil cast in thy lot amongst us that we might not consent or imbrace their evil counsel though they set motives of profit before us Wisdom cryeth without she uttereth her voice in the Streets she cryeth in the chief places of concourse in the openings of the Gates in the City she uttereth her words in which she sheweth how precious and inriching she is and how happy they are that listen to her that whoso findeth her findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord and saith Turn at my reproofs Behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you which are pure words as Gold tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times To the end we might hear and receive his counsel that we might be wise for our selves and inriched by him Prov. 1. 10-22 Psal 12. 6. His willingness that we should be made partakers of himself and his readiness to communicate and impart this Gold is signified to us in his thus commending it and using such Motives and Arguments as are most taking with and pleasing to and desirable of us all which might provoke and perswade us to buy this Gold But we shall adde no more to this first branch of the counsel In the the next place we come to the second branch viz. And White raiment that thou mayst be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear This is a further branch of the good and wholsom counsel given by the Amen the Faithful and true Witness the beginning of the Creation of God who is the Counsellor of Peace that giveth this good counsel In which consider we 1. The thing further counselled unto by this excellent one and that is White raiment 2. The end why this Angel and Church is counselled to buy this White raiment That thou mayst be cloathed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear 1. The thing which this Counsellor further counselleth this Angel and Church to buy and that is White raiment or Whâ—te Garments They were not only wretched miserable poor but naked also and there is that provided which answereth to that part of their need namely a cloathing for their nakedness a covering for their shame that it might not appear That we may have some understanding and usefulness of this branch of the counsel let us God assisting inquire into and consider 1. What is this White raiment here counselled unto 2. Why this Raiment is said to be White and what is imported therein 1. What is this White raiment here counselled unto In general we may
of the Law Heb. 7. 12. We have an High priest after a more excellent order then was Aaron's even after the order of Melchisedech and he is King of righteousness who hath brought in an everlasting righteousness and who is clothed therewith as with a robe Isa 61. 10. And hath it to confer upon and cloth with all that are born of him Heb. 7. 1 2. 1 John 2. 29. 3. 7. This was he whom Daniel in vision saw That certain or one man clohed in linen in White raiment whose Loyns were girded with fine Gold of Uphaz Dan. 10. 5. with Rev. 1. 13. And the same he speaketh off again Clothed in linen which was upon the Waters of the River c. Dan. 12. 6 7. with Rev. 10. 6 7. And he is girt about the Paps with a Golden girdle Righteousness is the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Rev. 1. 13. with Isa 11. 5. He is a more excellent High-priest then any of the former and answerably his raiment is more excellent then theirs Aaron had on when he ministred the Linen Coat Linen Breeches Linen Girdle and Linen Mitre outward Material white Raiment but he hath put on righteousness as his Garment Girdle Breast-Plate c. And all those that are born of and come unto him are made Priests be they Jew or Gentile wise or unwise male or female bond or free They are a Spiritual Priest-hood to minister unto him as all the males that were born of Aaron in former times were Priests so now Christ is actually in our nature glorified and become the father and begetter of Priests by a birth from above and no difference here between male and female for they are all one in Christ Gal. 3. 27. This priviledge of being Priests is not confined or limited to a mid-order of outward Officers between and distinct from Bishops or Elders and Deacons for there is no such order mentioned in the writings of the Apostles nor is it limited to any outward Church-chosen Officers whatsoever Nay men are so far from being the only Priests because chosen by the professed Church that they are not therefore Priests at all But all those that are born of Christ the Everlasting father and begetter of Priests whether in 〈◊〉 or out of outward Office in the Church are an Holy Nation and Gods Heritage or Clergy 1 Pet. 5. 3. Yea though those that were in former times born of Aaron and were of the Tribe of Levi were outward and bodily Priests to offer bodily Sacrifices in which they were Types of Christ and their Sacrifices of his Yet all Israel might then in obeying his voice have been Spiritual Priests according to that Exod. 19. 3-6 The Lord said to Moses Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob and tell the Children of Israel and not of Levi and Aaron only You have seen what I did to the Egyptians c. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my Covenant then ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me above all people for all the Earth is mine And ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests and an Holy Nation These are the Words which thou shalt speak unto unto the Children of Israel And now all that come unto Christ the living Stone disallowed indeed of men yea of the builders also but chosen of God and precious they also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual house an Holy Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. And there are none else that are Priests of Gods owning and approbation though there are many others that are called so but all these whether male or female in the flesh that so hear and learn of the father as to come unto Christ are joyned unto the Lord and so are Spiritual Levites and made one Spirit with him and partake of his Spiritual Blessings by faith and in a first-fruits of the Spirit according to their needs and capacities and they are Priests And that they may minister unto him and before men he washeth them in his own Blood Thus in our Types that the Priests might minister unto the Lord they were to be washed Exod. 29. 4. And when they came into the Tabernable or unto the Altar they were always to wash Exod 30. 17-22 And therefore the Laver was set between the Tent of the Congregation and the Altar that they might wash before they came to the Altar Exod. 40. 6 7. 29-32 So Christ who is the Laver and Fountain of living Waters through his Blood washeth those that come to and believe on him continually even the weakest as well as the strongest He forgiveth their iniquities even of the little Children also and they receive the remission of them through the opening of his name 1 Joh. 2. 12. Acts 10. 43. He sprinkleth their Hearts from an evil Conscience and their Consciences from dead works and their Bodies with pure Water He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Ephes 5. 25 26. Heb. 10. 22. And as in our Types of old the Priests had peculiar Vestments white Garments prepapared for them and put on to minister in Exod. 29. 5 6. 40. 13 14. So Christ clotheth his Priests also with more excellent Raiment He clotheth them with a robe of righteousness Isa 61. 10. Psal 132. 9. He is made of God to them righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. And with the fruits of his righteousness as before Ephes 4. 23 24. Col. 3. 10-14 And he anointeth them not with Materal Oyntment as the Priests in former times were Exod. 29. 6. 30. 23-30 40. 9-13-15 But with the Spirit and with some useful gifts 2 Cor. 1. 21. And so they are prepared to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Christ as their High-Priest and Altar 1 Pet. 2. 5. Rev 1. 5 6. And the Sacrifices they offer are broken and contrite hearts broken off from all rejoycing in themselves or confidence in the flesh and filled with abhorrency of and sorrow for their sins Isa 66. 1-3 Psal 51. 17. And Prayers unto God in the name of Christ Psal 62. 8. 50. 14 15. 141. 2. And the Sacrifices of Praise continually that is the fruit of their lips confessing to his name and holding forth the Word of life Heb. 13. 15. Also to offer up their bodies a living Sacrifice holy and acceptable as moved and strengthened by the mercies of God Rom. 12. 1. And to do good and communicate For with all such Sacrifices God is well pleased being offered by Christ as the Altar Heb. 13. 15 16. Or as this counsel is given directly and expresly to the Angel that he should buy White raiment so there may be reference had to the Raiment the Angels those glorious Spirits were wont to appear in as it is said of that Angel that rolled back the stone from the door of the Sepulchre wherein
they confess not their proper iniquity for which God is rebuking them or they extenuate and excuse it Job 20. 12 13. Sometimes they seek to cover one sin with another and add sin to sin that they may cover their shame As sometimes men seek to cover their adultery or uncleanness with murder or with some other sin 2 Sam. 11. 4-8-13-15 12. 12. Or to hide their theft by lying or by swearing and forswearing thinking this way to clear themselves Lev. 6. 2 3. 19. 11 12. Prov. 30. 9. Yea this way of lying is a general covering men have wherewith they think to cover their other evils not from men onely but from God also to which Satan is tempting men powerfully and in and walking in which they are very like to Satan for he useth lying in all his sinning at first and always from the beginning When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a liar and the father of it Jer. 2. 23 35. Joh. 8. 44. And great need have we every one of us to pray with David remove from me the way of lying and grant me thy law graciously Psal 119. 29. Sometimes men think to cover their evils by committing them in secret and in the dark The murderer in the night is as a Thief The eye also of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight saying none eye shall see me and disguiseth his face In the dark they dig through houses they know not the light for the morning is to them even as the shadow of death if one know them they are in the terrours of the shadow of death Job 24. 14-17 22. 12-17 Isa 29. 15 16. So those that persecute and murder the innocent many times do it in the dark or in secret pretending that they are enemies to them not because they worship God but because they are deceivers and malefactours Ezek. 9. 9. Joh. 18. 30. 19. 12. So those that walk in abominable idolatry act it in the dark many times Ezek. 8. 7-12 And generally those gross lusts and evils are therefore called works of darkness because men commit and serve them in the dark Rom. 13. 12 13. 1 Thes 5. 7. And hereby the workers of iniquity think to hide themselves though they are greatly mistaken and deceived For there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Job 34. 21 22. Sometimes men think to cover their other evils with hypocrisie feigning and pretending themselves to be worshippers of God and religious persons that they may continue in their sins unsuspected Mal. 2. 13. Matt. 23. 14 15. So those that came to intangle our Saviour in his talk that they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governour feigned themselves just men Luk. 20. 20-23 And of Israel generally it is said every one is an hypocrite and an evil deer they thought to cover their evil doings with their hypocrifie Isa 9. 17. Sometimes and too frequently men think to hide their sin and shame by charging God foolishly therewith Thus Adam sought to hide his iniquity by laying it secretly upon God himself as if he were the cause of it Gen. 3. 12. And men bely the holy one and think this way to cover their transgressions either 1. By saying he is the author of their sin and moveth them to what is evil as too too many do who say all is of God and therefore there is no sin or that God perswadeth and inclineth them to evil Nay the holy Ghost seeth it needful to give this warning to the believers themselves Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13. Oh what wickedness is in our hearts Rather then we will take shame to our selves and acknowledge our evils we are naturally ready to condemn him who is most just and to impute evil to him who is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness yea who is of purer eyes then to behold evil Psal 5. 5 6. Hab. 1. 13. Rather then cry guilty we would make him who is holy and none is holy as he like the Devil himself who is called and is the tempter and wicked one emphatically Or 2. Men would excuse themselves and lay the fault upon God by saying God doth not seasonably give them grace and if God would have given them grace they would have done better like that wicked and slothful servant who said he was an austere master reaping where he had not sown and gathering where he had not strown Matt. 25. 24-26 So men would wipe their own mouthes and secretly signify they could not abstain from such or such evils they had no power in themselves and God withheld from them his grace Whereas indeed the grace of God in due time bringeth salvation to all men in the receiving whereof they might be kept from their iniquities See what the holy Ghost saith to such an intimately evil charge Mica 2. 7. O thou who art named the house of Jacob is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these thy evils and iniquities his doings as intimating they are none of his doings because his spirit is not straitned but he is graciously and seasonably calling unto them O do not this abominable thing which I hate And while he calleth he stretcheth forth his hand that men might lay hold on his strength and be preserved from that which causeth shame The spirit indeed which dwelleth in us lusteth to envy and to all that is evil but he giveth more grace grace abounding our natural corruption while he calleth to us wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud that receive not or receive not to purpose his grace but giveth grace continually and more abundantly to the humble that turn at his reproofs and in the light and strength of his grace Jam. 4. 5 6. Many such like coverings our wisdom leadeth us to make use of to hide the shame of our nakedness withall in which we do but add sin to sin and think to hide our shame with what is shameful but alass none of these will avail us for Hell is naked before him and destruction hath no covering Hell and destruction are before the Lord how much more then the hearts and ways of the children of men Job 26. 6. Prov. 15. 11. Job 34. 21. 28. 11. Dan. 2. 22. Jer. 16. 17. And he will hereafter bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart 1 Cor. 4. 5. Job 20. 12 13. Yea now while it is called to day and for our good while we make it our work thus to cover our shame and sin he will make it his work to discover and reveal it Psal 32. 2-5 2 Sam. 12. 12. Nor can any cover the shame of their nakedness or wash away their filth by any washings sanctifyings and purifyings of their own But
possessed of That which is said of Wisdom may be said of this also it is more precious then Rubies and all the things we can desire are not to be compared herewith Man knoweth not the price thereof neither is it found in the land of the living It cannot be gotten for Gold neither shall Silver be weighed for the price thereof it cannot be valued with the Gold of Ophir with the precious Onyx or the Saphire c. Prov. 3. 13-15 8. 10 11. 16. 16. Joh. 3. 31. Jam. 3. 17. It is even the Lord himself and what is treasured up in him and all nations are before him as nothing and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity To whom then shall we liken him or what likeness shall we compare unto him Isa 40. 15-18-25 46. 5 6. The world and all the things thereof and all we injoy and are possessed of are not to be compared to this unsearchably rich treasure which we are here counselled to buy Cant 8. 7. 2. And it also appeareth that by buying is not meant parting with any thing as a valuable consideration if we consider what manner of persons they are that are counselled to buy to wit such as had no worth or worthiness in them such as were indigent worthless creatures such as were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked and therefore such as could give nothing in exchange for this excellent commodity that might in the least be valuable therewith or comparable thereto And elsewhere such are invited to buy that have no money nor price Isa 55. 1 2. Luke 14. 21. 3. And it further appeareth that this is not meant by buying because it is highly provoking to God to think that we can purchase the gift of God with any thing we have as a valuable consideration This was the great and hainous iniquity of Simon Magus to think that the gift of God might be purchased with money And therefore Peter said unto him Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter for thy heart is not right in the sight of God Act. 8. 18-23 2. But this is called and compared to buying 1. Because we must part with somewhat that we may be made partakers of Christ As in in buying any commodity a man must part with one thing for another so here We must part with what we have even all that we have of our own We must be like the wise Merchant who when he had found one Pearl of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it Matt. 13. 44-46 So must we do we must part with and forsake all we have that we may have this Gold and white raiment As to say We must at first and always let go our Pride and high thoughts and conceits of our selves and of our being in a good condition already and without Christ This was the great and fundamental evil found with these as is before noted they said they were rich and increased with goods and had need of nothing and hereby they grew remiss and lukewarm and therefore unless this evil and high conceit of themselves were abstained from and parted with by them how could they with fervency seek the Lord Hence this faithful and gracious counsellour instructeth and admonisheth them Vers 19. Be zealous and repent and the latter is needful to the former And so it is as if he should say that you may with earnestness and intention of spirit seek to know and be made partakers of Christ and those durable riches in him needful it is that you repent change your minds let go your proud and lofty thoughts and conceits of your selves and of the goodness of your present condition that you may seek the Lord the Lord himself and that substantial preparation in him Forsake your unrighteous thoughts without which you cannot return to the Lord with whom is plenteous redemption Isa 55. 1-6 7. Wash your hearts from wickedness how long shall vain thoughts lodge within you Jer. 4. 14. This haughty concert of the goodness of their present condition was that which hindered the leaders of the people in â—orâ—eâ— times from coming to Christ as the rest and refreshing and directing others thereto because they thou â—â—t the evil should not overtake nor prevent them They had made a covenant with Death and with Hell were they at agreement they were not afraid of death or hell they were in an happy estâ—te already Isa 28. 12-15 and this hindred the Jews from entertaining Christ and his Gospel they thought they were whole already and that eternal life appertained to them they had it in the Scriptures assured to them and they knew all already and took it hainously that they should be reproved or faulted for any thing or that the goodness of their condition should be suspected hence they came not to Christ that they might have light life and righteousness Matt. 9. 10-12 Joh. 5. 39 40. 9. 40 41. Luke 11. 45. God doth in due time give grace to us that we might have our high thoughts of our selves subdued and that we might hate them Oh! that it may be received by us to such end and purpose Jam. 4. 5 6 7. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. So also we must let go and forsake our double mindedness and halting between two opinions This Angel and Church were somewhat polluted herewith they were lukewarm and neither cold nor hot they were not so cold as to leave off all professed waiting upon Christ and use and observance of his ordinances nor so hot as to be chastly and singly for him to be for him and for him only which is a very sad and nauseous distemper and very loathsome and provoking to Christ Jesus and therefore needful it is that we cleanse our selves in the light and strength of God's grace here-from And indeed this is the consequent of pride and high conceits of our selves and of the goodness of our conditions and of our attainments and injoyments as hath been foreshewn and as also appeareth in Jam. 4. 5 6-8 The grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men cometh first to save us from our pride and high thoughts of our selves and then and therewith instruction is given to cleanse the heart from couâ—le-mindeâ—ness This double-mindedness as it is very 〈◊〉 and dangerous so also it is very frequent and ordinary amongst many professours who have a great form of godlineâ—s upon them They have some appearance of love for the grace of God in Christ to man-ward and they will come to hear the Gospel in and amongst the Societies of God's people and seem to take delight therein And yet also they have love to and an heart for those differing and contrary doctrines which deny the grace of God to mankind or confess it not speak it not out openly and all are honest and godly men with them both those that declare and contend for the faith of the common salvation
this White raiment here commended to us Possibly this might cause Laodicea to be so Lukewarm and so much to shut the door against Christ and deny or refuse entertainment to him though he had stood at the door and still did knock vers 20. and however certain it is that not only our righteousness and our works shall not profit us Isa 57. 12. But it is hurtful also and hindereth from coming unto Christ being confided in it filleth men so with pride and boasting Rom. 3. 27. as that it leadeth men not only to despise and undervalue others and to say to them stand by thy self come not near unto me for I am holier then thou Luk. 18. 9-11 Isa 65. 5. but also to reject or not to accept of God's righteousness which is prepared in Christ for all and manifested so to be in the doctrine of Christ Rom. 3. 20-22 So much the Apostle giveth us to understand when he saith the Jews who had a Zeal of God yet seeking to establish a righteousness to themselves they submitted not humbled not themselves to the righteousness of God Rom. 9. 30-33 10. 2 3. with Jam. 4. 6 7. 1 Pet. 5. 5 6. This was that which was an impediment to the Pharisees and hindered them from coming to Christ they thought and conceited themselves to be whole and then they needed not a Physician Mark 2. 17. they had a righteousness and appeared righteous before men and knowing themselves hereby they were letted from coming to Christ Yea the Publicans and Harlots entred into the Kingdom â—f Heaven before them Nay they were the greatest enemies and most fierce opposers of Christ and his Gospel of any persons whatsoever and shut up the Kingdom of God against others neither entring in themselves nor suffering others that were entring to enter Matt. 5. 20. 21. 33 34. â—3 27 28. with vers 13. What a great enemy was Saul who had his life in his own works of righteousness to Christ and his Gospel He verily thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus and was exceedingly mad against the Gospel and its declarers He was concerning zeal persecuting the Church and concerning the righteousness of the Law blameless But after the kindness and love of God to man ward appeared to him he did count all but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus his Lord that he might gain him and be found in him not having his own righteousness which was of the Law but the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ even the righteousness of God by faith We must suffer the circumcising efficacy of the grace of God to cut off this foreskin of the heart or otherwise we shall not be of the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 1-4-7-9 10. Matt. 13. 44. Gal. 2. 16. 3. 10-12 1 Cor. 1. 29 31. We must also abstain from and mortify our desires of the praise honour and glory of this World and of their favour friendship and approbation for this is a very great hinderance from coming unto and following after Jesus Christ from heartily believing in and confessing him How can ye believe saith our Saviour which receive honour or glory one of another and seek not the honour that cometh from God only Joh. 5. 40-44 While men are set for the praise and reputation of men and of them who have a form of godliness denying the power thereof they dare not they cannot singly cleave to the Lord lest they should displease and lose their favour This friendship of the World is spiritual uncleanness and enmity with God as the Apostle signifieth when he saith Ye Adulterers and Adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world of the prophane ones or of the Saints thereof is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a friend of the World he is the enemy of God Jam. 4. 4 5. Truly if a man will be a Disciple and follower of Jesus Christ He shall be hated of all men and have his name cast out as evil for the son of man's sake And that not only by profane ones but by many that appear righteous towards men yea by such as have a zeal of God but not according to knowledg Therefore that a man may come after Jesus Christ needful it is that he go out of the Camp bearing his reproch and be willing to be made the filth and off-scouring of all things Luk. 6. 22 23-26 Rom. 8. 28 29. with Isa 52. 13. 1 Cor. 4. 9-13 Heb. 11. 24-26 13. 12. This desire of vain glory is inconsistent with walking in the Spirit Hence the Apostle saith If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit let us not be desirous of vain glory Gal. 5. 24-26 And this will hinder from confessing Christ as it did the rulers who believed on Christ but did not confess him for they loved the praise and glory of men rather then the praise of God Joh. 12. 42 43. The grace of God must be therefore so received as to cut off this lust and desire that we may cleave to the Lord with full purpose and follow him in the regeneration He is a Jew who is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God Rom. 2. 29. We must also part with abstain from and mortify our covetousness our love of money and the riches of this World for this is a very hurtful and pernicious affection and lust of the flesh and is therefore to be mortified by us that we may seek Christ and those things that are above where he sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 3. 1-5 It is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a Needle then for a man that loveth and trusteth in his riches to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Mark 10. 21-24 25. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him 1 Joh. 2. 15-17 Money is also one of the great Idols of the World and the loving and lusting after that is the worshipping of an Idol Covetousness is idolatry and the covetous man is an Idolater Ephes 5. 5. Col. 3. 5. Yea this love of money is the root of all evil which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6. 9-11 Matt. 6. 24. Needful therefore it is to be fled from us that we may be made partakers of Christ and that rich and inriching provision that is prepared of God for us in him Luk. 12. 15. Psal 119. 36 37. Yea we must mortify and abstain from our inordinate affection to our nearest and dearest relations and to our natural lives also that we may rightly come unto and be made partakers of and follow
after Jesus Christ Col. 3. 5. So much our Saviour signifieth in what he speaketh to the multitudes by occasion of the first bidden guests refusing to come to the Supper prepared for them when they were once and again invited He turned and said unto them if any man come unto me and in coming hate not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also which is more then all to us and harder to be parted with Job 2. 4. he cannot be my Disciple c. Luk. 14. 24-27 He that loveth Father or Mother more then Christ is not worthy of him and he that loveth Son or Daughter more then him is not worthy of him And he that taketh not his Cross and followeth after him is not worthy of him Matt. 10. 37-39 Luk. 9. 59-62 Joh. 12 25 26. Those who will indeed be joyned to the Lord and be spiritual Levites and so be one spirit with him must be herein like to Levi of old who said unto his Father and Mother I have not seen him neither did he acknowledg his Brethren nor know his own Children Deut. 33. 8 9. 'T is needful to our partaking of and having fellowship with him in his riches and inheritance that we be like-minded in a sense with the Father he hath given unto Christ the pre-eminence in all things and amongst all persons so also it is necessary that we in our hearts loves and esteems should so honour him as to prefer him before our chiefest joy and before our nearest and most beloved friends injoyments and relations And if we so honour him not we shall be looked upon as despisers of him and such as set lightly by him and shall also be lightly esteemed of him Col. 1. 18. Isa 13. 11 12. 1 Sam. 2. 30. Yea Not to inlarge any further hereto particularly we must sell and part with all that we have as is before said all our own things that we may have and obtain this gold tried in the fire and this white raiment for clothing and covering the shame of our nakedness Our sins and idols must be let go and abstained from We must forsake and bid farwel to all we have that we may be the Disciples of Christ Luk. 14. 26-33 We must sell all that we have with the wise man and merchant that we may be made partakers of this Pearl of great price and treasure of invaluable worth Matt. 13. 44-46 We must deny and renounce our selves daily as Christ said to the People and his Disciples also our wisdom wills designs enterprises affections and lusts our own righteousness our confidences consolations hopes for Heaven our pride and desires of vain glory our covetousness intemperance uncleanness anger wrath c. We must lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness that we may receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save our souls We must cast off the works of darkness that we may put on the armour of light and abstain from rioting and drunkeness chambering and wantoness strife and envying that we may put on the Lord Jesus Christ Matt. 16. 24 26. Mark 8. 34-36 Luk. 9. 23-25 Jam. 1. 21. Rom. 13. 12-14 Titus 2. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. Col. 3. 1-5 6-8-12 And this is the first Reason why this winning Christ and obtaining this durable riches and righteousness in him is called and compared to buying here and elsewhere because we must part with and sell somewhat for him and those excellent treasures in him to wit all that we have 2. This gaining Christ and that preparation in him is also called and compared to buying because that which we must part with though it be indeed nothing worth yet we have naturally a goodly and high esteem thereof it is naturally highly valued by us and of very great account with us through our blindness and ignorance We are by nature and first birth empty and void of all spiritual understanding though we would be wise yet we are born like a wild Asses Colt hence we are ready to mistake to call evil good and good evil to put light for darkness and darkness for light To make an Idol of Christ and God in him and to prefer broken Cisterns before the fountain of living waters We are strongly inclined to be highly esteeming and valuing our own things which we must sell and let go that we may have Christ and those unsearchable riches of him especially such things as are commendable amongst men and which are the object of the desires of the mind as to say particularly The wisdom of this world is of high account amongst men and men are apt to glory herein as if it were some goodly thing Though it is and is declared to be foolishness with God and every man by his knowledg is bruitish and like a beast 1 Cor. 3. 3. 19. Jer. 10. 14. 51. 17. Yet this is unto a man in his natural condition as his right eye this is that which he is most tender of and most highly prizeth and he looketh upon it as a most useful and beneficial thing both for knowing and finding out God in the wisdom of God and for glorifying him to others though he is much mistaken herein 1 Cor. 1. 21. Matt. 18. 9. And those that have more of it then others and are rich in this wisdom and knowledg look upon themselves in the injoyment hereof as happy persons yea as the only blessed ones and judge and give forth others to be accursed Joh. 7. 47 49. And are ready to say as they did the law shall not perish from the Priest nor Counsel from the wise Jer. 18. 18. Doubtless as is before said this is one of the great Idols and Gods of the world and too much and too often set up also in the temple of God to the polluting and defiling it which men adore and worship and lift up themselves by and make their boast of and upon every occasion ask counsel of this stock and this staff declareth to them So also the works and doings of the flesh which are wrought by the wisdom and strength thereof our own righteousness according to the Law this is highly esteemed amongst men and men are apt to confide herein and think on this account eternal life appertaineth to them This is even their life their riches their gain though in truth it be nothing worth for we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy raggs Isa 64 6. Thus it was with the Apostle Paul when he had his confidence in the flesh he was alive once without the Law he thought himself to be in a very good and happy condition Rom. 7. 9. His own righteousness which was of the Law was gain to him before the righteousness of God without the Law was believed and received by him Phil. 3. 4-7-9 And thus it was more generally with the Pharisees they trusted in themselves
one and as thus furnished is giving himself to us in his Gospel and with himself all things that we might for the excellency of the knowledg of him suffer the loss of all things and count them but dung and dogs-meat that we might win him and be sound in him Now then doth not this render a man unworthy of him that shall preferr his own wisdom which is brutish his righteousness which is filthy his works which are empty and unprofitable his glory which is vain his Mammon which is false and uncertain and his pleasures which are 〈◊〉 and but for a little time to be injoyed before him who is altogether lovely only satisfying and inriching and who rendereth and maketh them eternally happy and blessed that receive and retain him Do not such men by observing lying vanities sorsake and deprive themselves of their own mercy Jona 2. 8. Are they not unworthy of him and worthy of the severest punishment that trample under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant a common and profane thing Heb. 10. 29. Is not their sin herein like unto and yet much greater then was the sin of Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his birthwright Heb. 12. 16 17. Is not this justly the condemnation the cause of mens condemnation that Christ the true light hath come and men loved darkness rather then light to wit preferred their sins and idols before Christ in whom God hath taken up all his well pleasedness and whom he hath to loved that he hath given all things into his hand Ioh. 3. 19 35 36. Is not men's iniquity herein like that of the Iows who would not have this man to reign over them but rejected Christ and preserred a murderer before the Prince of life Acts 3. 14 15. And are not they unmeet for and unworthy of him who when called to the waters wine milk bread that which is good fatness to a feast of fat things refuse this because it must be bought though without money and price and yet willingly spend and weigh money for that which is not bread and labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55. 1 2 3. Surely this is great unworthiness and unthankfulness a most foolish and unkind requital of his goodness who in his love and pity hath redeemed us and is now calling us to the injoyment of himself by his grace and it must needs provoke the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to anger that men so lightly esteem the Son of his love as to prefer lies before him who is the truth and empty appearances before the substance Yea they shall all be damned persisting herein who believe not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2. 10-12 How shall they escape who neglect so great salvation Heb. 2. 3. Them that honour him who give unto him the precedency and preeminence in all things to whom the Father hath given it he will honour But those that despise him who preser Wives or Children or their own wisdom or righteousness or lives before him shall be lightly esteemed Mark 10. 29 30. 1 Sam. 2. 30. O Lord the hope of Israel saith the Prophet all that for sake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from me shall be written in the Earth not in Heaven because they have for saken the Lord the fountain of living waters Jer. 2. 10-13 17. 13. 18. 14 15. Oh! That this may be so considered by us that we may not render our selves so foolish and demean our selves so unworthily as to love other things rather then him which is hatred of him Joh. 3. 19 20. But that we may so consider his infinite and incomparable worthiness that we may hate all for his sake that we may gain him and be made partakers of him and may abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 3. Yea it is needful this Gold and White raiment be bought in the present time and opportunity therefore this gracious and faithful counsellour instructeth us to do it in the present time I Counsel thee to buy c. Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Now is the Mart as it were in which these inriching commodities are set to sale and may be had and bought by us And if the present opportunity be neglected and let slip by us we may deprive our selves hereof and be guilty of the greatest folly and madness imaginable They were truly called foolish Virgins and were so with a witness who slumbred and slept when there was an opportune season for buying and afterwards while they went to buy the Bridegroom came and those that had formerly bought and were ready went in with him and the door was shut and these foolish ones were excluded Matt. 25. 6-12 What cause have we therefore to watch and redeem the time for we know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh Matt. 25. 13. Certainly our life-time is the only time allotted us for buying In the grave whither we are going there is no work nor device nor wisdom nor knowledg Eccles 9. 10. The night is then come when no man can work and our times are in the hand of the Lord and not in our own There is no man hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit and there is no discharge in that war but when he pleaseth he can take away our breath and then we return to our dust and in that day all our thoughts perish Oh! that we may therefore seek the Lord and this gold and white raiment while he and it may be found and whatever our hand findeth to do let us do it with our might Isa 55. 6. Eccles 9. 10. To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Strive now to enter in at the straight gate for many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13. 24. Go to then ye that say to morrow we will buy we will seek after those heavenly treasures when we have more convenient season Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow for what is your life It is even as a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away but now hear counsel this gracious and needful counsel and be wise and refuse it not And do like that wise man spoken of Matt. 13. 44. The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that be hath and presently buyeth that field So let us do Walk we circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the opportunity because the days are evil Ephes 5. 15 16. Let us in the present season and perpetually while we are here in this world buy the truth even Christ and those unsearchable riches
amongst the Jews did falsly accuse Christ with being a vicious person the men of that generation those who were the men of the times then they said of the Son of Man Behold a gluttonous person and a wine bibber a friend of Publicanes and sinners But saith he Wisdom is justified of all her Children All the Children of Christ and the Gospel know that this is but a slander Luk. 7. 31-35 Matt. 11. 16-19 There is no other Doctrine besides that so sheweth the vileness of sin and necessity of our being washed therefrom in the blood of Christ as doth this Doctrine of the Gospel For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation to all men hath appeared teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Titus 2. 11-14 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Rom. 5. 18. with chap. 6. 1-3 But this slander of theirs is the issue of their ignorance and prejudice and what better fruit can be expected from such evil and bitter roots 3. This instruction may also shew unto us the great evil of those that deny that Christ hath died for all and by the grace of God tasted death for every man for these render it impossible for the greatest part of men to be made partakers of that darable riches and righteousness in Christ The Doctrine of the Gospel maketh the gate unto life strait enough and yet no straiter then is needful But these shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men and neither enter in themselves nor suffer them that are entring to enter The little finger of this Doctrine is heavier then the loyns of the Gospel to the greatest part of man kind Nay indeed as with respect to one part of men there is no straitness in the gate at all and with reference to the other and greatest part there is no gate open for them at all were their doctrines as true as they are counted by many But these herein are false witnesses of God and like the evil spies that brought an evil report upon the Land of Canaan and thereby discouraged the hearts of many of their brethren Take we heed and beware of those evil and pernicious doctrines that cause to err from the words of knowledg and way of truth 4. Seeing we cannot have these heavenly commodities without buying in selling all that we have let us so seriously consider the excellency of them that we may be made willing to let go all things as loâ—s and dung 〈◊〉 for the excellency of the knowledg of them that we may be made partakers of them For the great and eternal worth and excellency of these considered will make this yoke easy ano this burden light And this leadeth us to the last instruction propounded to be considered by us viz. 4. That to the end the wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked may buy this gold tried in the fire and this white raiment here commended to us it is good and neeful for them that they anoint their eyes with eye salve that they may see This though the last mentioned and counselled unto is surely needful to the former for without knowledg the soul cannot be good Prov. 19. 2. How should any man so highly prize any commodity as to part with all his substance for it that seeth no worth or excellency in it And how should Christ's Angels and Churches part with all they have for those heavenly treasures if they see no beauty in them why they should desire them There is no earnest desire after or high prizing of that which we are ignorant of and see no worthiness in Now then in this Instruction here propounded we shall speak unto these three things contained therein which may be usefully and profitably considered by us As to say 1. That Christ's Angels and Churches may be blind and ignorant of the excellency of Christ and those treasures in him 2. That there is eye-salve prepared for such blind ones also wherewith anointing their eyes they may see 3. That to the end they buy Christ and that in him it is neeful they anoint their eyes herewith that they may see 1. That Christ's Angels and Churches may so depart from him as to become blind and ignorant of the excellency of Christ and of those treasures hid in him Thus it appeareth here in this place in which our Lord saith to the Angel Thou art blind and counselleth every one that hath an ear to hear what the spirit saith to the Churches as intimating this was spoken to them all for their admonition and that it might so befall them also if they did not look diligently lest they failed of or fell from the grace of God God's people may become foolish and not know him they may be sottish children and have no understanding Jer. 4. 22. Yea the Pastours may become brutish and not seek the Lord. Jer. 10. 19-21 The blindness here spoken of is not the being destitute of natural or artificial wisdom the wisdom of this world for this men may have and yet be sufficiently blind in this consideration we have to speal of for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God Where is the wise Where is the Scribe Where is the disputer of this world Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world 1 Cor. 3. 19. and chap. 1. 18-21 But the blindness here spoken of is a being without the wisdom that is from above a being destitute of spiritual understanding And so this Angel was blind if not wholly yet in a great measure and in so great a measure as that our Saviour the wisdom of God signifieth that he was blind Those that are watchmen amongst God's people and who have high conceits of themselves for knowledg and piety may yet have their eyes blinded with darkness His watchmen saith the Lord are blind they are all ignorant there may be blind guides blind leaders of the blind and how sad is it when it is thus Then surely their leaders cause them to err and they that are led of them are destroyed Isa 56. 10. 3. 12. 9. 16. Matt. 15. 14. 23. 24. Jer. 2. 8. This Angel and Church might be in such a condition as the Apostle Peter speaketh of when he saith He that lacketh these things to wit these great and precious promises ministred in and with the Gospel he in whom these are not and abound not dwell not richly so as he addeth not to his faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly-kindness and to brotherly-kindness charity such an one is blind and cannot see afarr off he is poreblind He may see some things near hand but he is so blind he cannot see these things afarr off he cannot see within the vail he cannot see into Heaven where Christ is nor those things above where he sitteth Deut. 30. 11 12.
faithful and true Witness This also is to be understood in a spiritual consideration and hereby is not meant the Wisdom of this world or of the Princes of this world for this will not open the eyes of the blind into the knowledge of the Cross of Christ and the ends and virtues thereof nor into the preaching thereof But these things are foolishness to them that seek after this wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 18-23 The natural and animal man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. And hence the Holy Ghost hath instructed those that are wise with this seeming wisdom to become fools that they might be wise as before 1 Cor. 3. 18-20 and admonished the believers to beware of Philsophy Col. 2. 8 9. And the Apostle avoided 〈◊〉 use of it in declaring the testimony of God 1 Cor. 1. 17. and Chapter 2. 1-5 But by this Eye-salve is meant the Word of Truth the Gospel of our Salvation especially the first branch of it in which is declared to us the sufferings of Christ and what he hath thereby effected for us in himself and obtained into himself and is become And that this is meant by the Eye-salve here commended to us may appear 1. By the name put upon it and that by this same Apostle to whom this book of the Revelation was sent and signified it is by him called an action and the anointing So the Apostle saith to the believers Ye have received an unction from the Holy one and ye know all things That is they had received the truth the word of truth which appeareth to be the thing meant by that expression That which they had heard from the beginning to wit that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 John 2. 20-24 with 1 Cor. 15. 1 4. And so it is called the anointing which is the very same thing when he saith The anointing ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye c. 1 John 2. 27. And in this testimony of Jesus the Holy Spirit which is the Oyl wherewith Christ was anointed above his fellows is always present in the faithful declaration of it Isa 61. 1. Heb. 1. 9. Acts 10. 38. Yea because this Gospel was given forth by the Spirit and because the Spirit is always present with it therefore it is especially as now revealed both called the ministration of the Spirit and the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6 8. John 6. 63. Ephes 6. 17. John 7. 38 39. 3. 6. Acts 7. 11. 2. It appeareth also that by this Eye-salve is meant the Gospel of Christ or testimony of the Lord because this is that which openeth the eyes of the understanding that men may see for which purpose and to which end this Angel and Church is counselled to use this Eye-salve So it is said The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple to wit opening their eyes and revealing to them that object in knowing which they may be made wise And the commandment of the Lord the old and new Commandment the Gospel of Christ is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. So much the Prophet elsewhere also signifieth when he saith The entrance of thy words namely the word of the beginning of Christ giveth light to discover all things and it giveth understanding to wit capacity for seeing unto the simple It giveth both light and sight without both which a man cannot see though a mans eyes be never so good yet he cannot see in the dark But this testimony of the Lord is the medium for discovering all things and this giveth capacity for discerning the things discovered also So wonderful are the testimonies of the Lord especially in the first and fundamental things of them Psal 119. 129 130. So also the Apostle signifieth that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is given in the knowledge or doctrine of Christ both for opening the eyes of the understanding and for discovering and revealing Christ and all things in him Ephes 1. 17 18. Certainly as the power of the Lord was present with Christ to heal bodily diseases and infirmities to cure the deaf and blind while he was here in his personal Ministration Luke 5. 17. So also the hand and power of the Lord yea his arm is put forth in and with this word so as the preaching of the Cross is the power of God for healing the diseases of the Soul for giving sight to the blind minds of men Psal 107. 20. 1 Cor. 1. 17 18 23 24. Hence it is said That the Spirit of the Lord was upon Christ because the Lord anointed him to preach the Gospel to the poor and therewith to preach recovering of sight to the blind Luke 4. 18. He is become a good Physician and he giveth sight to the blind by anointing them with that oyl that is in the name of the Lord. And the Apostle when he was sent to the people and to the Gentiles to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light c. was sent with this Eye-salve to preach the first and great things of Gods Law to them and so much he giveth us to understand I continue saith he to this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other thing then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come to pass That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light unto the people and to the Gentiles Acts 26 17 18-23 To the same purpose also he speaketh to the Ephesians Chapter 3. 8 9. Unto me is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see to wit in thus preaching Thereby he made them see that they might see This was the Eye-salve which is here commended unto us Ignorant are they of the wonderfulness of the testimony of the Lord and of its excellent usefulness for converting and restoring the Soul That call it the letter and a dead letter as if it were meet for nothing When as indeed it is the power of God for saving men from their blindness and ignorance and from all their iniquities and idols and they prove and experiment it so to be that with the heart believe it Hence it is called not onely the Gospel of our salvation but the salvation of God also Ephes 1. 13. Acts 28. 28. And as Christ is called the Light both because he discovereth all things to us faithfully and openeth the eyes of the blind So also the commandment is said to be a lamp and the law light because hereby all things are manifested and
with and relinquish them and with this eye-salve in the testimony of Christ we may see Therein all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light the light doth faithfully discover them in their right and proper colours to the end we might stand up from them and might flee from our iniquities and idols Ephes 5. 11-14 And indeed the holy Spirit that breatheth in this testimony doth in and with glorifying Christ and discovering the transcendent excellency of him shew unto us also the sinfulness of sin and the emptiness of all those objects in which naturally we are seeking rest and on which we are placing our affections that we might turn from our vanities unto him who is worthy to be cleaved unto by us So when the Lord by the Prophet saith Behold they are all vanity their works are nothing their molten images are wind and confusion He then addeth Behold my Servant whom I uphold c. Isa 41. 27-29 42. 1. The holy Spirit in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us doth therein and therewith convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and teacheth the believers all things and leadeth them into all truth Joh. 16. 8-14 In bearing witness of Christ and in his testimony the holy Spirit sheweth unto us the odiousness of our sins that we might see and behold it that we might abhort and abominate them in that God hath taken such vengeance on them in the person of his son who knew no sin Though God testified of him that he was his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased yet when but the guilt of our sin was imputed to him he spared him not but condemned our sin in his flesh It pleased the Lord to bruife him He did put him to grief Isa 61. 2. Rom. 8. 3-32 Isa 53. 10. This seen and beheld by us would help us to abhorr it and say How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 1-3 And here may we also see the necessity of our being washed here-from in that he is become such a fountain through his blood for cleansing us Zech. 3. 1. And it was his very end in being manifest that he might take away our sins 1 Joh. 3. 5. He bare our sins in his own body on the tree not that we might live any longer thereto but that we being dead to sin might live to righteousness 1 Pet. 4. 1 2. and chap. 2. 24. And in his cross and testimony we may also see the vanity of our idols and our vileness in serving them that we might turn there-from to God to serve the living and true God 1 Thes 1. 9 10. Here we may see the brutishness of our wisdome Now is the Judgment of this world saith our Saviour Here you may take a view and have a discovery of it in that those that were Princes of the World for wisdom crucified the Lord of glory and were also before his hour was come the greatest enemies to him and thought that their taking him out of the way and killing him would much have tended to their security when as on the contrary it brought and hastened destruction upon them Joh. 12. 31. 1 Cor. 2. 8. Joh. 11. 47 48. With Matt. 21. 39-41 Joh. 7. 45-49 Here may we see the unprofitableness of our works of righteousness in that he only could and hath brought in by his death and resurrection everlasting righteousness and there was no other way for the compleating it for us for if righteousness could have come by the law or by any other way whatsoever then Christ hath died in vain Gal. 2. 21. The Holy Ghost saith our Saviour shall convince the world of righteousness namely he shall shew and evidence the unprofitableness of all our works of righteousness and of all righteousness according to the law and that righteousness could not come by the works or sacrifices thereof in that he is gone to the Father and we see him no more He cometh no more down to suffer or offer sacrifice but his sacrifice is accepted of God so as he hath set him down on his own right hand Iohn 16. 10. with Hebr. 10. 1. 2. 11. 12. and he hath prepared righteousness for all men without the law as hath been said Rom. 3. 20-22 here we may also see the vanity and helplesness of the riches of this world in that we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold They that trust in their riches and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth none of them can by any means redeem his Brother nor give to God a ransome for his own soul 1 Pet. 1. 19. Psal 49. 6 7. Here also we may see the emptiness and worthlesness of all the glory and honour of this world in that our Lord Jesus neither had nor would accept of it But he was rejected and despised of men a worm and no man a reproch of men and despised of the people All they that saw him laught him to scorn they did shoot out the lip they did shake the head Joh. 6. 15. Isa 53. 2-4 Psal 22. 6 7 8. Nor had he nor did he seek for the favour and friendship of this world but the world hated him because he testified of it that the works thereof were evil Joh. 7. 7. 15. 18-20 Yea in and by this one thing by this unction we may know all things that are needful to be known by us and see them in their right colours Hence the Apostle determined to know nothing in and unto all things but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. And it is needful we should know the vileness of our sins and the vanity and unprofitableness of all those objects on which naturally we are placeing our affections and in which we have been seeking rest and satisfaction to our spirits 3. It was needful for them to see themselves and to see what manner of condition they were in and what manner of persons they were And to this end that they might see this needful it was they should anoint their eyes with this Eye-salve that they might behold themselves and know what state they were in They were at present very much mistaken they thought their condition was very good and that they were so happy that they needed nothing but this was the fruit of their blindness and ignorance for had they viewed themselves in the Testimony of Jesus they might have perceived it was far otherwise with them And indeed this is generally the fruit of mens blindness they are many times pure in their own eyes who are not washed from their filthiness Prov. 30. 12 13. Such fools are men that all their own ways are clean in their own eyes Prov. 16. 2. And they who have not the love of God in them yet think that eternal life appertaineth to them Joh. 5. 39-42 It is therefore a very ignorant and false saying
their idols and were washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus c. 1 Thes 1. 5-9 and 2 13. 1 Cor. 6. 9-11 and 12. 2. with Chap. 15. 1 2 3 4. The seeing our sins and idols in this testimony will make us willing to sell them and part with them that we may have and enjoy this Gold and White Raiment In like manner the beholding and seeing in and with this Eye-salve what a sad condition we are in without Christ and without this durable riches and righteousness here presented to us this is a powerful argument to engage and move us to seek the Lord while he may be found that we may win him and be found in him and be made partakers of him in whom there is blessing prepared for all the kindreds of the earth Acts 3. 25. The seeing and considering that without him we are wretched and miserable and poor and naked and undone creatures and that abig ding such we shall be spued out of his mouth and become miserable for ever for nothing besides him will secure from evil and satisfie us with good This is a forcible motive and argument to move us to be hot and fervent in Spirit that we may buy of him those inestimable Treasures here counselled unto which only will render us blessed and happy in the enjoyment of them As it appeareth here in this place the scope of it being considered by us Rev. 3. 15-19 20. Acts 2. 37. 2. It is also needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may see because not onely are there such powerful arguments proposed to and set before us in this testimony of Christ to move us and make us willing to buy But also there is a mighty and supernatural power put forth in and with these arguments in this Gospel to convert us and to turn us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God and so from our sins and idols unto the living and true God Acts 26. 18-23 The Gospel of Christ is the power of God his arm and power is put forth therein to effect in us what he requireth of us Rom. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 1. 18-23 24. His hand and mighty power is stretched forth herein all the day long to enable us to turn to him in and at his reproofs and to cast away our sins and abominations out of his sight Prov. 1. 20-24 Isa 65. 1-3 Rom. 10. 21. God hereby worketh in us both to will and to do of good pleasure Phil. 2. 12-15 Not onely is the Gospel the instrument he maketh use of to glorâ—â—â—e his Son in and by and to shew us the vileness and vanity of all other things but it is that also which he accompanieth with the power and presence of his Spirit So that he that rejecteth rejecteth not man simply but God who giveth of his Spirit in and with his word 1 Thes 4. 3 -8. And hence these weapons the arguments of the Gospel are mighty mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds c. For God is in them of a truth 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. 1 Cor. 14. 24 25. In looking unto Christ beholding and minding what he hath done for us and is become and what is treasured up for us in him and therein seeing our sins and idols and in how sad a condition we are without him God is saving us from our iniquities and vanities and enabling us to run from them to Christ To this end his grace bringeth salvation in due time to all men saving strength and power Tit. 2. 11. Hence he saith Look unto me all the ends of the earth and be ye saved Not Save your selves But Be ye saved As intimating in our looking unto him to enable us whereto also he is preventing us with power God is saving us that we might be saved Isa 45. 22. To the same purpose also the Apostle saith We all not some of us onely but we all with openâ—face as in a glass beholding the glory of the Lord are changed not change our selves but we are transformed changed out of one form into another from the love and service of our sins and vanities and out of our miserable condition into his image even as by the Spirit of the Lord who is in and with this object as declared and discovered to us in this Glass 2 Cor. 3. 18. God in and by his Spirit is so present in and with this Gospel of Christ that he that receiveth that receiveth Christ and him who sent him Matth. 10. 40. And he that despiseth and resisteth that despiseth and resisteth God Christ and his Holy Spirit Luke 10. 16. Acts. 7. 51. The hand of the Lord is put forth in and present with the arguments of the glorious Gospel to convert and turn us from our evils and vanities unto Christ and to make us willing who naturally are without an heart and unwilling to gain and buy Christ and the unsearchable riches of him Acts 11. 20 21. 3. 13-19 It therefore evidently appeareth that it is very needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may see 3. And on the other hand it is needful for us to anoint our eyes with this Eye-salve that we may in seeing see the excellency of Christ and vileness and unprofitableness of all other things to the end we may part with them for him or otherwise we shall be and abide under the power of Satan as hath been also before said He hath his power in darkness and while men remain blind he can deceive them and lead them captive at his pleasure Col. 1. 13. Acts 26. 18. Hence it is said those evil principalities and powers are the rulers of the darkness of this world he ruleth and prevaileth over them who remain in blindness and darkness and serveth himself of them making them do his lusts and requirings Ephes 6. 12. He so blindeth the minds of them that believe not that anoint not their eyes with this Eye-salve that the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God may not shine unto them that they may not perceive his excellency and comeliness And together herewith also he commendeth and rendreth excellent needful and pleasurable the things which indeed are vile evil and abominable For he is the God of this world of such as are and remain in ignorance 2 Cor. 4. 4. 1 John 5. 19. He prevailingly perswadeth them that the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are most desireable and worthy to be earnestly sought after and affectionately embraced by us and that no fruit is so good and pleasant and worthy to be sed on by us as that which is forbidden us of God For as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty at first so he is also endeavouring to deceive us and to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 11. 1-3