the earth they have forsaken the Lord the fountain of living water O beloved will it not be a shame when men shall professe Christianity all their dayes when they shall hear and pray and performe duties resting in those things and when they shall come to appear before the Lord Jesus shall be rejected Esay 45.16 They shall be ashamed and also confounded all of them together that are makers of Idols that rest upon any thing beneath Christ wher 's the Lords Israel ver 17. shall be saved with an everlasting salvation c. and they that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion that shall never be removed Psal 125.1 4 Lastly to trust in any thing beneath the Lord Jesus is a cursed damning sin so it is to those that live and die in that condition see Mat. 7.22 23. Many will say in that day Lord Lord have wee not prophesied in thy name and in thy name cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderfull works and then will he professe to them I never knew you depart from me yee that work iniquity O beloved this will be the sad sentence pronounced against all that shall come before Christ at the last day in their own righteousnesse see Luke 13.27 depart from me ye workers of iniquity there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 3 Use A word of exhortation If it be so that Christ be the alone High-Priest and peacemaker between God and man O how should this stir up your soules to look to Jesus for salvation doe not mistake me I shall not set you upon this duty as if it were in your own power to doe it it is God that worketh both to will and to doe of his own good pleasure but as a means by which God may come in with power upon thy spirit working up thy soule above thy selfe to his Son and to incourage any poor soule to whom God shall be plesed to come in graciously in his own means Note first God calls thee to look above and beyond all to himselfe in his Son see Esay 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth and Esay 55.1 O every one that thirsteth come buy wine and milke without money and without price wherefore will you spend your money for that which is not bread O beloved God would not have poor souls for which Christ dyed to spend their time for that which is not bread he hath given Christ the living bread for that very end and purpose God hath given his Son a Sacrifice a peace-offering for sin so making reconciliation for the sins of his people he hath put in us the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ sayth the Apostle as though God did beseech you by us to be reconciled unto him that is to receive this reconciliation held forth by Christ in the Word O beloved what doe your soules say to this is reconciliation and peace with God through Jesus Christ worth the owning is it worth the receiving men and women consider of it Act. 13.26 Men and brothren children of the stock of Abraham and whosoever among you feareth the Lord to you is the word of salvation sent to whom ever among you God shall give an eye to see it and a hand to receive it to you it is sent 2 Consider Christ is ready to receive when ever you come unto him hee will not put you off John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that commeth to me I will in no wise cast out O beloved the Lord is ready to receive sinners the worst of firmers the greatest of sinners believe it the Lord never did nonever will cast forth a poore sinner that comes to him in truth that is who the Father draws to him See the Parable of the prodigall son Luke 15.20 his father seeing him afar off ran and met him and embraced him ô the readinesse of God to embrace poore sinners that come unto him witnesse Mary Magdalen Saul Acts 9. The betrayers and murderers of the Lord of life Acts 2. All which manifests the readinesse of God to receive sinners and believe it hee would never invite thee he would never give thee a heart willing to come to him did hee not intend willingly to embrace thee 2 Exhortation for the Saints if wee have such a High-Priest making peace and reconciliation for us ô beloved how should this incourage us to hold fast our profession to the end this is the use the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrews makes of it Chap. 4.14 Having then such a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens the Son of God lee us hold fast our profession or confession let us hold it fast with a strong hand so the word signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hold fast your profession with a violent or strong hand Now there are three things that are all most ready to make a poor Christian many times to throw away his profession 1 The power and strength of corruption 2 Inability and indisposednesse to that which is good 3 Those hard temptations and tryalls that they are lyable unto in their Christian progresse Against these three diseases will flow in from Christ our great High-Priest reamedies answerable even to the satisfaction of the soule The first is the power and strength of corruption this is that which troubles thee is it not poore soule ô thou hast such a body of sin such a vile cursed nature thou artready to cry out as the Apostle Paul O wretched man that I am who shall deliver mee from this body of sin And as Esay Chap. 6.5 Wo is me I am undone I am a man of polluted lips c. and this makes thee almost ready to throw away thy profession To this I shall propound a threesold remedy all flowing from a crncified Christ from Christ as he is our High-Priest 1 That all the sins of believers were condemned in the flesh of Christ Rom. 8.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it signifieth the pronouncing of guilt and so of condemnation upon Christ Beloved Christ hath born the guilt and punishment of all thy sins to whom hee hath given faith in his bloud all those lusts and corruptions that so much trouble thee he hath born them all 1 Pet. 1.24 Hee bare our sins in his own body on the crosse c. 2 He hath destroyed the power of all thy sins as hee is a High-priest See John 3.8.9 For this cause the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devill Whosoever is borne of God doth not commit sin that is as he is born of God he doth not sin willingly with his mind hee can say as the Apostle Paul Rom. 7.17 It is no more I that do it but sin that is I Paul borne of God do not sin O here is the power of sin destroyed though there is and will be the
to 23. For ye are not come to the mount that might not be touched and that burned with fire nor unto blacknesse and darknesse and tempest c. ver 23. but unto mount Sion c. Believers are not come to mount Sinay to burnings blacknesse and darknesse they are not called to a covenant wherein is the administration of condemnation that is done away to believers 2 Cor. 3.7 11. But they are come in deed to mount Sion to the city of the living God to the covenant of Grace where is mercy and pardon in its administration Heb. 8.12 To the bloud of sprinkling which speaketh better things then that of Abel where is nothing but cause of joy and gladnesse joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 All which many a poore soule is deprived of for want of a right understanding between the covenants of Law and Gospel Thus have I plainly though very briefly endevoured to lay open the grounds or true causes why many men and women though otherwise godly yet come short of walking up with God according to Scripture rules I must leave it to the great Prophet Christ to reach your souls The second sort of people that comes here to be reproved are those that pretend to be for Scripture yet indeed doe make the prescriptions of men their rule that resolve what ever the Magistrate requires or commands they will do a very sad thing and as much to be lamented that ever men that would be counted Christians should set up man in the room of God see what a dreadfull curse is pronounced upon such Jer. 17.5 6. Thus sayth the Lord note it is the word of God cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme whose heart departeth from the Lord What is the curse ver 7. He shall be like the hearth in the desart he shall not see good when it commeth he shall inhabit the parched places in the wildernesse Note The curse consists in two particulars 1 He shall be barren like the hearth in the desarts dry empty poore nothing of God in him O this is it that is the cause men grow so barren dry empty because they rest upon man they durst not entertain thoughts of going farther then they conceive the Magistrate intends ministers admire why so many gracious people leave them they see they are grown barren through their dependencie upon men the curse of God is come upon them they are like the barren hearth in the wildernesse Professours wonder why they are left of their companions many of them why they are barren empty they cannot profit by them and all because they trust upon men they dare not entertain thoughts of submitting to Scripture farther then the Magistrate goes along with them and therefore it is that they leave them A second curse is They shall not see when good commeth this is the reason why so many choice lerned men see not that good which is comming that truth that grace that glory that God le ts shine through the Gospel into the soules of many of his people but they oppose it and persecute it the curse of God being upon them blinding them because they trust upon man and make flesh their arme and their strong confidence and had rather deny truth then suffer affliction with the people of God but blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord whose hope is the Lord ver 7. He shall be fruitfull as a tree planted by the rivers of water c. O take heed of receiving or at least of resolving to receive rules from man in matter of worship without an exact tryall of it by the word of God If ever men should again as I trust it shall not be but I say if it should be so that men should as those Mat. 15.9 teach for doctrines the traditions of men yet that you would not receive those traditions for your Scripture for in so doing you can doe no lesse then incur that curse of being made like unto a barren hearth in the wildernesse c. The third thing propounded concerning Christ as he is a Prophet is the manner how he teacheth his people now he is in heaven and that is 1 Ministerially 2 Spiritually 3 Powerfully 1 Ministerially by his Ministers yet ever according to the rule viz the Scriptures thus Christ when he ascended to heaven sent forth his Disciples Mat. 28.19 20. and promised to be with them to the end of the world and you shall ever finde Christ teaching by this means Act. 2. Peter preaches the Jews are converted Chap. 5. and so the 8.12 Philip preaches the things concerning Jesus and they believed and in the churches Christ hath appointed Ministers with their gifts sed Ephes 4.11 and all for the edifying of the body of Christ so that this is the first means by which he teaches Rom. 10.14 17. How then shall they call on him on whom they have believed How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard How shall they learn without a Preacher ver 17. Faith commeth by hearing c. 1 Cor. 5.19 He hath put in us the word of reconciliation 2 Christ teacheth Spiritually The Word and the Spirit goe both together the word is but a dead letter in it selfe farther then the Spirit goes along with it therefore Joh. 6.36 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak are Spirit and life but if the spirit goes with the word then the word proves Spirit and life the Spirit worketh freely in the preaching of the Gospel the word is but an instrument in the hand of the Spirit by which it works see Iohn 3.8 The winde bloweth where it listeth so is every one that is borne of the Spirit so it is the Spirit that worketh in the word and by the word 3 He teacheth powerfully where Christ comes he teacheth powerfully therefore the Gospel is called The power of God unto salvation Rom. 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes 1 Thes 1.3 For our Gospel came not to you in word onely but in power and in much assurance c. So that the Gospel it is the power of God you see that it is that wherein Christ manifests his power in teaching poor ignorant unknowing creatures therefore it is said Mat. 7.29 that He taught them as one having authority and not as the Scribes that is his Word had a commanding power and authority over their spirits beloved if Christ once comes to teach your spirits he will come with power with authority he will make a separation between thy soul and thy sins he will pluck thee off from thy base lusts and cursed practises as once he did Saul Christ came with power and great authority upon him and took him off from his persecution and makes him a preacher of that truth which before he
Christ constr ains them 2 Cor. 5.14 3 Christ sets up in his Kingdome the Law of meeknesse and humility and that in opposition to the Law of pride and vaineglory Learn of me sayth Christ for I am meeke and lowly in heart Mat. 11.29 and this Christ sets up in the hearts of his people for he makes them partakers of his own graces Joh. 1.16 it is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.23 and of the Law of Christ set up in the soules of the Saints against which there is no law can prevail It is true there will be a rising somtimes in the spirits of the Saints pride will thrust it selfe in and be ready to life up the creature in the apprehension of some selfe excellencie although there is no cause yet this is a truth I believe it those that have any experience of the Kingdome of Christ or of the working of corruption know it right well pride will be pirking in ready to lift up the creature above measure either somtimes Externally to make a difference betwixt himselfe and others as nobility of birth parents or kinted honour in the world Externall carnall excellencies O how will it worke somtimes upon the heart of a poore creature as if he were sombody above others O is not thy soule sensible of this somtimes dear Christian I cannot but think it is But then comes in Christ with his law of meeknesse of humility and puls down this pride of heart and lays it low and brings the soule again to lay all in the dust what is honour sayth the believing soule what is nobility of birth this is my honour that I am a sonne a daughter of Iesus Christ and so the soule comes down ready to doe any service of love to the meanest Saint and now the Saints come to serve one another in love and now they come again to see that they are all one in Christ Iesus Somtimes Internally or with relation to Internall gifts received although we have nothing but what we receive yet this is the basenesse of mans nature it wil grow proude be ready to be lifted up even with those graces received is it not so with thy heart art thou not naturally proude doth it not presse in upon thee somtimes I know it doth and I dare say it troubles thee that art a Christian But now Christ comes with his law and casts all down to the ground lays low those mountains those strong lusts that exalt themselves thus against the Kingdome of Christ for this pride is absolutely against the Kingdome of Christ he will not have such things in his Kingdom it will thrust it selfe in but the Law of Christ discovers it and vanquisheth it and keeps the soule in an humble lowly meeke condition O consider of it where pride domineers and rules Christ hath no Kingdome in that soule there Christ dwels there he reigns where he hath made the soule humble faith in Christ doth not make men proud and high no no it is the greatest enemy to it in the world a proud heart did never can never believe before brought low in the sense of its own nothingnesse and emptynesse 4 Christ sets up in the hearts of his Saints in his Kingdom the law of patience and contentednesse in opposition to anger impatiencie and discontentednesse Rash anger impatiencic peevishnesse of spirit how will they arise and be striving somtimes in the hearts of Christians for a small matter how will the heart be out of order and distemper what words will be ready to flow forth the heart being in this temper but now in the heart of a Christian Christ puts in execution his law of patience and quietnesse of spirit O sayth Christ to the soule thou must be patient and meeke thou must learn of me didst thou ever read that I was moved to anger and impatiencie to fret and fume no not against mine enemies and then sayth the soule ô what a fool am I thus to fret and then to be angry how unlike to Christ am I and then down coms that proud peevish spirit into the dust and so foolish was I and ignorant I was even a beast before thee and then the soule is turned again into a sweet disposition of love a compound of patience not easily provoked not easily again stirred to wrath Somtimes in the soule of a Christian is apt to arise perhaps some impatiencie and discontentednesse under afflictions and persecutions hardly can it bear with patience some heart rising this way may arise but then in comes Christ purting in execution the Law of patience and contentednesse and puls downe all those impatient discontented thoughts and then let patience have her perfect worke and the soule is quieted and contented and willingly submits unto the minde of Jesus and then it can say with the Apostle Paul Phil. 4.11 I have learn'd in what estate soever I am therewith to bee content and now the soule is quieted and waits patiently upon the Lord and now the soule sayth ô how unlike am I to Christ 3 he suffered meekly as a lamb dumb before the shearer and opened not his mouth for me a sinner he suffered for me the just for the unjust that hee might bring me to God and shall not I be contented to suffer reproach and shame for him and then come what will come patience possesseth the soule 5 Christ sets up the Law of heavenly mindednesse in the heart of a Christian and indeed it is no wonder for his Kingdom is there heaven is there The Kingdome of heaven is within you Luke 17.21 and therefore needs must Christ set up this Law in his Kingdome and that in opposition to earthly mindednesse sinfulnesse or any thing that is opposite to holynesse and heavenlynesse and you know how the spirits of men nay of Christians are apt to be below the Lord Jesus somtimes on earthly object somtimes vaine proud unprofitable things run in the mind but Christ he comes and scatters those low things and raiseth the heart to himselfe and keeps the heart in such a temper that nothing can satisfie it but himself and when it loseth its heavenly temper its heavenly glory it is presently troubled and it cannot possibly take comfort in any thing beneath the Lord Jesus and here is a continuall combat and conflict between the flesh and the spirit the corrupt nature and the divine nature and certainly here corruption and Satan manytimes brings sadnesse upon the spirits of the Saints in darkning in overshadowing their heavenly enjoyment I meane in way of sense although they can never shake the faith of the soule in whom Christ dwels Mat. 16. The gates of Hell shall not prevaile against it Consider now doe you finde Christs Kingdom Christs laws these set up in your hearts do you find Christ opposing lust and corruption within you or do you not If Christ be there you will finde it in some measure I confesse it that Christ according
THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST In the dayes of the Gospel As the alone High-Priest Prophet and King Of Saints By THOMAS COLLIER somtimes Teacher to the Church in Yorke 1 Cor. 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Iesus Christ and him crucified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LONDON Printed by R. L. for Giles Calvert at the black Spred-Eagle at the West end of Pauls MDCXLVI The Epistle to the Reader PIous Reader such is the transcendent Excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ that we may say of it as the a Arist Anima Phylosopher somtimes spake concerning the Soule of Man Praestat paucula exmeliora scientia degust âsse quà m de ignobiliore multa that is A small dim understanding of it is to be valued farre above any other science And the Apostle esteemed all things losse and dung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus Phil. 3.8 Now that thou mayst grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ here is offered to thy diligent perusal a little Treatise wherein Christ Is exalted in all his Offices It contains three parts the first treats of his High-Priests Office the second contains his Propheticall Office and the third handles his Kingly Office Thou must not expect Excellencie of speech and the enticing words of mans wisdom but thou maist by Gods blessing learn somthing more of the excellencie of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus and mayest finde the tongue of the Learned speaking a word in season to thy weary soule in the plain and powerfull evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and such is the excellencie of Scripture learning which contains in it florem delibatum the flower quintescence of soul-saving-knowledge that it will abundantly satisfie the hungry soule A man may have excellent knowledge in other things and yet perish but this is life eternall to know God and Jesus Christ John 17.3 There are some shinings forth of the eternall Power godhead in the creatures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So that the invisible things of him from the creation of the World are cleerly seen being understood by the things that are made we know the diffused brightnesse of the Sun-beams is not so pleasant in large windows nor can the bright shinings of him who is invisible be so cleerly sweetly pleasantly discerned in the creatures as in the face of Jesus Christ in whom dwels the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Col. 3.9 And in whose face the light of the knowledge of the glory of God hath shined in the hearts of his Justified-sanctified ones 2 Cor. 4.6 and therefore by way of eminencie Jesus Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Brightnesse of his glory and the expresse Image of his substance Heb. 1.3 O how excellent then is the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and how acceptable will this little Treatise be unto those who with a spirituall appetite are enquiring after the true knowledge of Christ in all his Offices The Author being far distant from the City could not see to the correcting of his Book and it is an usuall thing for some faults to escape the Presse un-corrected in such a case which thou maist amend with thy pen as thou readest and for any materiall thing which thou apprehendest not sound carry it to the Touch-stone of the Word Try all things and hold fast that which is good And as we would have others moderate in censuring us Hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim go and do thou likewise if but a mite of knowledge shall be through Gods blessing by this his labour added to thy understanding let God have the glory and the Author hath his end Thy friend and the Truths servant Hanserd Knollys The Table A ADmire We are to admire the Wisdome of God page 42. The love of God 45. The iustice of God 48. And the power of God page 50 Agreement betweene Christ and the Iewish High-priests page 16 B BAptism and Circumcision are not one 96. proved ibid. Baptisme is not come in the place of Circumcision page 100 Believers the iustice of God as well as his mercy pleads for them page 50 Bloud of Christ makes peace page 19 C CHrist to be lifted up how 2 3. When he is exalted 10 12 13. He is the Saints righteousnesse 11. He is meat and drink to them 14. He is their cloathing 15. Sin laid upon him 35. He bare the sins of his people ibid. Hee is the wisdom of the Father 43. His offering what 16. He excels the Iewish High-priest 27 Wherein he doth it 18 19. How he bears the names of the Saints upon his heart 21 22 23. How hee taught his people before hee came in the flesh 84. Hee is the Teacher of his people now he is in heaven 85. How be teacheth his people 114. His Kingdome in this world is twofold 203. Why be rules in it page 237 Circumcision and Baptisme not the same 96. Proved page 97 Church of the Iews under the Law and of Christ under the Gospell how they differ 94. The Iewish Church Typicall page 94 Commands of the Gospell what page 60 Covenant the misunderstanding of it what evill it brings page 109 D DEny why men should Deny themselves 147. Why Christ teacheth men so to do page 151 154 155 Difference betweene the Iewish High-priest and Christ 16 17 27. Between the Iewish Church and the Christian Churches 94 Between the Iews priviledges and the priviledges of Christians under the Gospel page 101 E EFfects of receiving Christ page 75 Effects of the Kingdom of Christ in the sule page 220 Eternity God loved his from Eternity how page 39 Evill the misunderstanding of the Covenant what Evill page 109 Exalted When Christ is Exalted 12 13. How be is to be Exalted 15. Why he is to be Exalted page 247 Excellency of the grace of love among the Saints page 176 F FAith Why God gives it to his people 66. What it is to live by Faith 165. How it overcomes the Devill 188. When we live by Faith page 190 Fiery Serpent what page 248 Foolish Why the Virgins Math. 25. called foolish page 57 G GOd laid sin upon Christ 35. Hee hath nothing against the Saints 57. His glory and the Saints good ioynd together page 146 Gospel faith what page 122 Grace man cannot fall away from Grace page 25 H HIghpriest Christ is the Highpriest of his people 15. The Iewish Highpriest and Christ the High priest their agreement 16. Their difference page 17. I INtercession of Christ 40. How hee Intercedes for the Saints 41. Whether it be part of his satisfaction page 41 Ioy peace with God the ground of it page 77 Iustice of God to be admired 48 49. It pleads for Believers page 50 K KIngdome of Christ in this World twofold 203 The effects of it page 220 Kingly Office of Christ 202. Kingly power in Israel after the flesh a Type of Christs Kingly power in
tells them that he is their life and their light their justification reconciliation and peace and hee tells them in the dark in secret that there is no light or life to be attained in any creature or thing beneath the Lord Jesus and Christ having called them to it this they are to speak in the light and to preach it upon the house tops that is publikely to make it known to all that men through the blessing of God may come to the sight of it This was the commission Christ gave to his Disciples to lift up Christ for justification and life in the preaching of the Gospel see Luke 24.47 compared with Mar. 16.16 17 In Luke the Text sayes And that repent once and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all Nations And in Marke Goe preach the Gospel to every creature hee that believeth and is baptized shall be saved c. Note In the first remission of sins is to be preached in the second salvation through believing and both these in Christ remission of sins in the name of Christ salvation and life through believing in Christ who is the alone justification of believers so that justification remission of sins c. through Christ is to be held forth to the view of the soule that the soule who is a sinner may by the power of God come to see the Sonne that is to see that remission of sins that justification that is held forth in Christ and so come to be made partakers of it This you shall see farther confirmed by a second word from heaven Act. 5.20 Goe stand speak in the Temple all the words of this life that is all the words of the Gospel of Christ the means God hath appointed by the workings of his Spirit to discover life unto the soules of men And secondly as Christ thus requires it so likewise the Apostles practice it you shal ever finde them exalting Christ so the Apostle Peter Act. 4.12 exalts Christ to the heavens above all Neither is there salvation in any others for there is none other name given under heaven among men whereby we may be saved but by the name of Jesus Harke you beloved friends here is Christ exalted his name above every name for the remission of sins salvation and thus is Christ to be exalted above all duties creatures every thing Act. 5.42 and daily in the Temple and every house they ceased not to preach and teach Iesus What did they teach and preach of Jesus they preach justification by Jesus in opposition to all legall righteousnesse Act. 13.39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which yee could not be justified by the law of Moses This is the Sermon beloved the Apostles preached Iesus Christ dying and rising again 1 Cor. 15.3 4. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures this the Apostle Paul preached first of all unto them justification and life by Christ Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification that he dyed for sin and was raised again for justification this is the first Sermon you see the Apostle preaches and it is that he is ever indeavouring to make it more abundantly clear to the soules of the Saints Rom. 10.4 He is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to all them that believe Rom. 3.20 And that by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Iesus for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Thus beloved you see the Disciples of Christ they cease not to teach and preach Iesus that Christ is indeed the Mesiah promised Act. 9.22 the very Christ that he died and rose again for our justification that the Saints participate of this justification and life by faith in his bloud thus the Apostle Peter came preaching and exalting Christ for remission of sins Act. 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance and remission of sins according to Christs commission Luke 24 47. so is the Apostles practice preaching peace by Jesus Christ Act. 10.36 Who is Lord of all Note And this they preached as the command of Christ beloved and not as the idle fancie of their own brain as the servants of Christ are now charged by those ignorant of the righteousnesse of God going about to establish a righteousnesse of their own Rom. 10.3 but beloved they and so we that are the Ministers of Christ thus exalt Christ preach justification and peace by Christ by the command of God so Act. 10.42 43. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it was he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead and to him all the Prophets give witnesse that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall have remission of sins Note beloved this is the command of God where is it commanded why Mar. 16.16 17. he that believeth shall be saved that is shall have his sins pardoned his person justified and so be everlastingly saved that is by faith the soule comes to eye it and apply it to see it and to hand it for beloved the word saved implies all that free and full salvation held forth in Christ to believers which is a salvation from all their enemies Luke 1.71 That wee should be saved from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us but especially and in the first place that wee shall be saved from sin that we might through faith in his bloud receive remission of sins be saved from sin for this Jesus signifies a Saviour see a blessed word Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall save his people from their sins and this salvation God hath commanded to be preached this remission and salvation the Prophet witnesseth Ier. 31.34 speaking of the Covenant of grace the Gospel Covenant he sayth For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sins no more c. and this remission of sin is to be preached among all Nations beginning at Ierusalem and Luke 4.47 and in some measure this hath and shal be performed Act. 13.46 47 48 2 Christ is to be exalted and lifted as in the preaching of the Gospel so in the hearts of believers which I shall indeavour to speak a word unto before I come to speak of Christs exaltation in his offices I say he is highly exalted and lifted up in the hearts of all that rightly believe in him so the Apostle Paul desires to know nothing but Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 and indeed beloved hee that rightly knows Christ crucified knows enough therefore the same
the sins of his people also upon his shoulders 1 Pet. 2.24 He hath born our sins on his own body on the crosse Hee which knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousnesse of God in him believe it beloved those sins and corruptions that so much trouble the soules of Saints he hath borne them all himselfe hee himselfe bare our iniquities upon his own body 4 The High-priest bare the names of the children of Israel on a brest-plate of judgment for a memoriall before the Lord continually Exod. 28.29 He beares their names and judgments before the Lord c. So doth Christ our High-priest beare the names of his people yea their nature and judgments upon his heart before the Lord continually he presents them before his Father continually Now Christ may be said to beare the names of the Saints upon his heart First In his continuall presenting them to himself and Father without spot righteous in his own righteousnesse Ephes 5.25 26 27. Secondly In respect of their neernesse unto him Beloved that that comes to a mans heart comes neere him the Saints of God are as neere unto him as his own heart hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye he that persecutes them persecutes Christ Acts 9.4 O therefore let men take heed how they persecute Christians It were better a milstone were hanged about their necks and they cast inco the Sea then offend or persecute the Saints But the Saints whom the Lord hath or shall call are upon his heart in respect of his love unto them Beloved the elect were upon the heart of Christ from all eternity Ephes 1.4 That was the reason why he comes into the world to take your nature your sins become sin and a curse for sinners It was his love The elect of God was so upon the heart of Christ from eternity and hee will give his heart bloud before hee will lose one of them O what do your hearts say to this deer brethren and sisters is not heere comfort for your souls ô thou art perhaps affraid whether Christ loves thee this is the complaint many times of the gracious soule but know this you to whom God hath given faith in his Son thou art upon the heart of the Son in respect of means in respect of love hee loves thee more then thou canst love him for God is love John 4.26 He bears thee upon his heart poore soule and what canst thou desire more see Cant. 8.6 see what Christ sayth of his Church Chap. 4.9 6.5 Thirdly The Saints are upon the heart of Christ in respect of his remembring of them The righteous shall be had in continuall remembrance Psal 112.6 O here is comfort for the poor afflicted souls of the Saints it may be you are under affliction either externall or internal and art ready to complain as once David did as if the Lord had forgotten to be mercisull Ps 13.1 2. what ever thy condition be God hath not forgotten thee no no thou art upon his heart thou art neer and deer unto him thou art very precious unto him he hath set thee as a seale upon his heart and hee cannot forget thee Object But you will say perhaps will not God forget me when I forget him I I have a wicked deceitfull heart that gives me the slip when I come to pray and the name of the Lord is not so precious upon my heart as I wish it were many times Ans But God will not forget thee Esay 49.15 16. Can a woman forget her sucking childe from having compassion on the Sonne of her womb yea they may forget yet will not I forget thee Behold I have ingraven thee upon the palmes of my hands thy walls are continually before me c. O blessed word the Lord will not forget thou art not onely upon his heart but upon his hands also ever in his sight his eye is ever over thee for good Fourthly The Saints are upon the heart of Christ and there he will keep them Those which thou hast given me have I kept and none of them is lost c. Joh. 17.12 Ah blessed word able to bear up the spirits of the Saints to whom God hath given faith ô you poor doubting Christians who are somtimes affraid that your hearts will deceive you and perhaps are ready somtimes to complain with David I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul So thou art ready to say ô this wicked heart of mine ô this proud this stubborn heart of mine I am afraid least all is nothing and that I shall one day fall by it O beloved you to whom God hath given faith are upon the heart of Christ and if thou canst but once see thy selfe there it is enough thou needest not fear thy falling Dost think man woman that Christ hath set thee there for nothing no no he will keep thee there it is true were the power of standing or falling left to thy selfe then thou mightest well doubt but thou art kept by the power of God through faith 2 Pet. 1.5 thou art preserved at and in the heart of Christ his love is so to thee that hee will not lose thee none shall pluck thee out of his hands he loving thee once will love thee to the end however some pretend a falling away from grace after the soule comes truly to believe in the Lord Jesus but it is but a vain fancie and an imaginary conceit for it is a part of the Covenant of grace on gods part to keep thee from falling Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts and they shall not depart away from me Fifthly The High-Priest was to beare the iniquity of the holy things in a plate of pure gold on their fore-heads before the Lord always that they might be accepted before the Lord Exod. 28.37 38. So Christ bears the iniquity of the holy things of the Saints the best Saints I mean the most holy is not able to performe any duty to God but there is a great deal of sin in it iniquity cleaves to it now beloved as Christ hath borne all the rest of the sins of the Saints so he bears all the sin all the iniquity of the holy things of the Saints O comfort for the Saints thou caust not hear noe pray without sin why Christ bears all the iniquity of thy holy things he presents thy person and prayers to God without spot Ephes 5.27 There is never a prayer put up unto God in the name of Christ in faith but Christ presents it John 16 23. Whatsoever ye shall aske the Father in my name it shall be given you see Rev 8.3 The Angel Christ Jesus stands at the Altar and having a golded censer with much insence that he might offer it or add it to the prayers of the Saints ô beloved here is a blessed word for the soules of the Saints whether particular Saints or Churches Christ adds to your
CHRIST The alone PROPHET of SAINTS CHAP. II. I Come in the next place unto the Prophetical office of Christ wherein hee is also in the dayes of the Gospell to be exalted In the handling of which I shall first shew you from the word of life That he is the Prophet and teacher of his people and secondly that hee is to be exalted in the days of the Gospell as the alone teacher of his people First that he is the Prophet and teacher of his people now for the better proceeding in the unfolding of this particular unto you I shall goe along comparatively holding forth the Prophetick office of Christ by the Prophets under the Law Now there were three things ordinary to the Prophets under the Law viz. Teaching working miracles and foretelling of things to come Now in all these three Christ answers them yea and excels them all for he himselfe is the substance of all their prophesies Iohn 1.45 1 It was the worke of the Prophets to teach the people so Moses a type of Christ both in respect of Law and worship God taught Israel by him so Esay 1 throughout Jer. 1.5 6 7 Chap. 2. and all the Prophets In this Christ hath manifested himselfe wonderfully to be a Prophet this part of Christs Propheticall office to wit as hee is the teacher of his people may be considered under these three heads First as hee was a teacher of his people before he came in the flesh Secondly When he was in the world Thirdly Now he is in heaven 1 before hee came in the flesh Christ taught them by the Prophets therefore you have ever the Prophets in the Old Testament saying The word of the Lord came unto me Jer. 1.4 Cap. 2.1 This Peter confirms 2 Pet. 1.20.21 For the prophesie came not in old time by thye will of man but holy men of God spake as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit No Scripture is of private interpretation that is men did not speak of their own private spirits not that private men as they call them may not interpret Scripture there is no such thing in the word but the truth held forth to us in it is that holy men that writ the Scripture did not speak their own mindes their own fancies but spake as they were inspired by the holy Spirit and hence it is that upon good grounds we receive the Old Testament for Scripture because it is the Word of God But 2 Christ performed his Propheticall Office when he was in the World hee then taught personally Mat. 5.12 He teaches his Disciples in the Mount he teaches a very long Sermon the longest Sermon we read of in all the Gospel it continues to the end of the seventh Chapter Mat. 13.1 2. you have Christ teaching multitudes in a ship by the Sea shore hee continues his Sermon almost throughout that Chapter speaking to them in parables In John you have Christ often teaching in the third Chapter teaching Nicodemus in chap. 5 6 8 9 10. and almost in every Chapter you have Christ teaching the Jews But beloved in the third place Christ is still a Prophet to his people now he is in heaven which is the principall thing I intend to speak unto In the handling of which I shall indeavour First To prove from Scripture that Christ is still the Prophet of his people Secondly By what rule he teaches his people now he is in Heaven Thirdly The manner how he teaches Fourthly The matter what he teaches 1 That he is a Prophet still to his people now he is in heaven he never fails teaching his people he is still powerfully present with his people now he is in heaven Mat. 28.20 I will be with you to the end of the world hence it is that Christ sayth John 6.45 And they shall be all taught of God and Christ when he ascends promiseth to send the Holy Spirit what to do to teach his people Ioh 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance and this is the new Covenant the Covenant of Grace Heb. 8.10.11 I will give my Laws into their mindes and write them upon their hearts and they shall all know mee from the least to the greatest for they shall be all taught of the Lord Esay 54.13 so that you see Christ is still teaching and leading his people as a Pophet in the way he would have them to walke The second particular propounded was by what rule Christ teacheth his people now he is in heaven and that is by his Word the word of God is the alone rule by which Christ teacheth his people now he is in heaven therefore he sayth Iohn 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them you think to have eternall life and they are they that testifie of me and Esay 8.20 To the Law and to the testimony if any speak not according to this rule it is because there is no morning in them Ob. But some may say this was before Christs ascension into heaven Ans True but the same rule holds still see it confirmed after Christs ascension Gal. Co 6. He that walketh according to this rule peace shall be upon him and upon the Israel of God Marke it he that walketh according to this rule peace shall be upon him c. Note first The Word of God is the rule of a Christians life and secondly they are to walke according to it see 2 Pet. 1.18 20. We have also a more sure word of prophesie wherento you doe well that yoe take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place c. A sure word of prophesie that is the Scriptures and note in ver 20. he confirms the Scriptures for that end Know this that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit now the Scripture brings a sure word of truth It is that which ought to be the rule of the Saints in all their actions and believe it Christ never teacheh contrary to this Scripture If this be truth how may this reprove two sorts of people First those that cast off Scripture and refuse to walk according to it under a pretence of being lead by the Spirit and so above Scripture refusing to receive the Scripture as the rule by which Christ teacheth looking upon the Scripture as nothing to them It is a very sad thing that men professing Godlinesse should fall into such absurdities in receiving such principles as are destructive to the very power and being of godlinesse how can a man walke if he have no rule how can a man walke without his compasse his line he knows not when he is in or when he is out so it must needs be with those that cast off Scripture they cannot know when they walke according to the mind of God or when they
doe not Object Christ hath promised to write his laws in the hearts of his people and that they shall be all taught of God and that hee would send his spirit which should teach them all things Ergo for those thus taught of God it is to legall for them to walke by Scripture Answer First those that deny some Scripture must by the same ground deny all and if one Scripture be not a truth to mee and to be received in any practice how can I judge of the truth of another and the truth is that those that will believe but on that Scripture which they have a minde to believe rejecting the rest do not rightly believe any there is the same ground to believe all as to the believe one 2 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 I answer If you doe indeed believe these Scriptures to be a truth I make no question but you will anon believe the truth of the whole Scripture these being opened in comparing them with other Scriptures First Christ promising to find his spirit c. I answer that it was a particular promise made to the Apostles most principally and in some measure to all the Saints Two things here mentioned in this Scripture are most principally to the Apostles 1 That is mentioned is the first Hee shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Note the Disciples of Christ were with him saw his miracles heard his word but now when Christ is gone to heaven he will send his spirit which shall bring all things that Christ spake or did necessary to be be remembred for our information and consolation to their remembrance that they might leave it upon record to future generations and this promise of the spirit properly belongs to the Disciples of Christ who were both eye and eare witnesses of all he did or spakes and this may confirme us admirably in the truth of the Gospell it was you see written by the immediate inspiration of that Spirit of promise bringing it to the remembrance of those that wrote it and by no meanes serves to destroy the rest of the Scriptures The second thing promised is That it shall teach them all things note here also an admirable word Christ tels his Disciples that that spirit he would send them should teach them all things that is all things that God intended to make knowne to man for their rule and direction in this life and this without question Christ who is truth it self made good to his Disciples Therefore I hope this doth not serve to destroy Scripture but to confirme it abundantly for if Christ did as without question it is blasphemy to say hee did not teach his Disciples all things then are the rules prescribed by the Apostles in their Epistles true and perfect rules and you and I are bound in duty as wee will approve our selves Christians to submit unto them to receive them as the holy promised truths of God Object But Christ makes this promise not only to the Disciples but to all the Saints also for all Scriptures is written for our learning c. Ans True but in the first place it is to the Disciples that they might leave us a perfect patern from himself and in this there is much comfort for the Saints that wee have in the Scripture truth and all truth needfull for a Christian to know and secondly this promise is made good to all the Saints in its measure God gives them his spirit to understand the Scriptures and therefore it is that the Apostle sayth 2 Tim. 3.16 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction and for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works Note it is the Scriptures that thorowly furnishes or perfects the man of God to every good worke and wee are said to be built upon the Apostles and Prophets that is the doctrine the truth layd down by the Apostles and Prophets Christ himself being the chief corner stone Ephes 2.20 And for the second Scripture that God hath promised to write his laws in the hearts of his people and they shall be all taught of God c. It is true God makes this promise good hee writes his law in the heart where hee once corres in a way of grace that is he puts his spirit in them makes them freely willing to walke according to the rule of Scripture for the spirit and the word do answer each other If any man will say he hath received the spirit of Christ and refuses to walk according to the rules of Christ hee is alyar 1 Iohn 2.4 5 6. and the truth is not in him It is true also God teaches all his people they are all taught of God but how God doth teach and leade into all truth by the rule of Scripture therefore Christ sayth in his prayer 1 Iohn 17.17 sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth see then what a sweet harmony is held forth in all the Scriptures the spirits teaching and leading it is still according to the Scriptures The spirit of Christ where it is leads into truth and that truth is contained in Scripture Now for any man to say hee hath the spirit of Christ and yet cast away Scripture or for every man to say hee hath the spirit of Christ and yet cast away Scripture I must give him leave to say it but he must give me leave not to believe him and also to tell him that it is a diabolicall lying spirit that casts away Scripture if any man speaks not according to this rule it is because there is no truth in him Esay 8.20 A second sort of people that are here to be reproved are those that pretend to be all for the Scripture and yet walk not up according to the rules of Scripture without question those whom Christ teacheth hee teacheth to walk according to the rules that he prescribes them Of these there are two sorts 1 those that do not rightly divide between Law and Gospel between Legall rules and Gospell rules 2 those that instead of following the rules of Christ follow the rules and inventions of men that wait for what men will prescribe resolving to make that their rule First those that doe not rightly divide between Law and Gospell And of these there are both Ministers and people not rightly dividing the word of truth as the Apostle exhorts Timothy 1 Tim. 2.15 And this is ignorance which remayns to this day upon the hearts of many whom I question not for their godlinesse and honesty yet God hath not taught them to this day that cleere difference betweene Law and Gospell and the ignorance of these men consists principally under these five heads 1 In not understanding the difference betweene Gospell Churches and the Church of the Jews 2 Gospell Ordinances and the Ordinances of the Jews 3 Gospel priviledges
thing in baptisme that holds forth Christ comming Washing away the sins of believers in his bloud Acts 22.16 2 To type forth Christ who being circumcised was to performe perfect obedience for all his elect and so bring in everlasting Spirituall circumcision that is Righteousnesse out baptisme holds forth a conformity in the believer to this Chrise in his suffering in his death and but all Rom. 6.4 5 6. 7 Circumcision was no type of baptisme because baptisme is but a type it selfe Now for one type to type forth another I conceive is very absurd for Christ was the substance of all types and therefore of this 8 Lastly Circumcision was no type of baptisme for they were both on foot many year together all the time Christ preached in the world baptisme was the substance of circumcision then when the substance is once should the type have been abolished Object But if it be objected that baptism came in the room of circumcision because that circumcision was the means by which the Jews were admitted into the Church and so is baptisme to us I Answer I suppose baptisme is not come in the room of it proved first it is true Baptisme is that which gives visible admittance after the manifestation of faith into the Church of Christ Act. 2.41 As many as gladly received the Word were baptized and added but circumcision did not admit the Jews into the Church for they were borne members of that Church and circumcised because members note this if circumcision gave admittance to the Iews into the Church estate then they were no members before they were circumcised and then the Iews when they came over Jordan into the land of Canaan were no Church of God for there was none circumcised but Joshua and Caleb as you may see Ios 5.2 where circumcision is renewed but it was an Ordinance God required of the children of Israel meerly ceremoniall and typicall as all the rest of the Iews ordinances were thus you see what a great mistake here lies in the not rightly dividing between Ordinance and Ordinance A third ground of mens ignorance is in not understanding the difference between the Iews priviledges and the priviledges of the Gospel hence it is that men are ready to argue for Gospel priviledges O say they it was the Iews priviledge that their children should bee circumcised and is the Gospel straiter have not Christians more priviledge under the Gospel then the Iews under the Law is there not more liberty grace and glory under the Gospel then under the Law Why then should not the infants of believers be baptized as well as Abrahams naturall seed circumcised Ans It is true there is indeed more liberty grace and glory under the Gospel then under the Law but wee are to understand what the Christians priviledge is The Iews Priviledges would be a christians bondege this you say was the Iews priviledge that their children were to be circumcised it was such a priviledge as bindes them over to the whole Law Rev. 2.25 Gal. 5.3 but perhaps you will say What advantage then had the Iews land what profit is there in circumcision Rom. 3.1 that is what benefit then had the Jews by circumcisions see verse the second much every way chiefely because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God the Oracles that is the Ordinances of God was amongst them namely circumcision and worships c. wherein Christ was typed forth to those which had faith the world being without those Ordinances wherein Christ was thus prefigued Quest But what are our priviledges under the Gospel Ans We have the substance they had but the shadow we have Christ indeed as a Church of Christ they had but the Type we have the righteousnesse typed forth to them in circumcision they had the Oracles of God amongst them these were priviledges unto them yet indeed were held under much bondage by those Oracles the Law ever ready to condemne them our priviledge is that Christ hath set us at liberty from these priviledges which would be to us indeed yoaks of bonlage Gal. 5.1 And he hath made the Law A Law of liberty to the Saints that they may rejoyce in that Law from which they are set it liberty by Christ In a word there is never a priviledge that can be mentioned that the Iew enjoyes but would be a Christians bondage The Christians priviledges under the Gospel they are all spirituall and so are their Ordinances Phil. 3.3 We are the circumcision that worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Iesus having no confidence in the flesh So that in a word the Christians priviledge is that they have received Christ the sum of all the Iews priviledges ceremonies and sacrifices all is in Christ which the Christian onely by faith enjoyes Tell mee what priviledge it is for a poore infant to have a little water sprinkled upon him will it confer grace or will it not will it regenerate as you have been taught O Ignorance the Lord cause it to vanish can the Infant if elected make any use of this orodinance or receive any thing held forth in it to the eye faith nay he cannot faith is required in those that participate of Gospell ordinances and indeed men and women or to be baptized because they are regenerate not to regenerate them God owned the Jews under a covenant of works and so indeed for the most part of them they were but a carnall people and they had carnall typicall ordinances and a worldly sanctuary Heb. 9.1 2. but God owning his church under the Gospell in a covenant of grace Acts 20.28 Heb. 8.10 11. hath given us more spirituall ordinances and these ordinances are always presented to the eye of faith in those that receive it our priviledge is that wee are freed from the covenant of works and bondage under which the Jews were held Gal. 5.1 2 3. vers 13. and so being free from that covenant Heb. 8.7 8. are freed also from those carnall and legall ordinances from all fleshly and carnall priviledges in the spirituall enjoyment of the substance of all Christ Jesus who is our light and life our All in all A fourth ground of mens comming short and not walking up according to the rules of Scripture is in not understanding the difference between Priest and Priest and this may be taken notice of under a twofold consideration First in not understanding the difference between the Iewish High-Priest the type and Christ our High-Priest the substance who hath in deed made present peace and reconciliation for all his people Hence it is that many agracious soule comes short of that peace of that consolation which otherwise they might enjoy and not eying Christ their Priest and Sacrifice they themselves are ever sacrificing for peace and yet no longer then they are offering sacrifice can they have peace and so they come short of walking up with God according to the Gospel being filled with joy and peace
this World yet they are in Scripture called Saints that is Sanctus holy see 1 Cor. 1. called to be Saints called to be holy so Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling so that the kingdome of Christ is or should be Saints holy ones not the world for all the world are not Saints but the Kingdome of Christ are Saints called out of the World John 15.19 Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world The Church of Christ are Saints chosen out of the World they are not of the World they are a people separated or severed out of the World so was the Church of the Iews Levit. 20.26 Ye shall be holy to me for I the Lord am holy and have severed you from other people that you should be mine And thus it is with the spirituall Israel of Christ under the Gospel of which the naturall was a type they are not of this World they are called out of this World and severed or separated from the World 2 Cor. 6.14 to the end they are to be separated from the world although the world hath gotten a forme of godlinesse See 2 Tim. 3.1 5. The Apostle speaking of the last times reckons up what courses men should take what sins they should be addicted to and yet concludes they shall have a forme of godlines but from such turne away or be ye separated So that you see the Church which is Christs Kingdome are a people called out of the world they are not of this world as he is not of this world Then certainly those are no friends to Christ that would turn the World in to a Church and so make the kingdome of Christ not a spirituall but a carnall kingdom and so make the Lord Jesus a lyer for he hath said His Kingdome is not of this world but let Christ be true and every man a lyer The Church of Christ his kingdom they are such as are in the order and fellowship of the Gospel compacted together according to the Gospel rule in order and fellowship it is in the spirituall kingdome of Christ in this case as in the body politick the whole kingdome under one governmēt is but one body politick or state so the Kingdom of Christ his church although gathered in many bodies yet it is but one body and every body hath the same power the same priviledges so that it ought to be a body compacted together under the reign and rule of one Lord lesus Ephes 4.16 and the externall way by which the Saints enter into this fellow ship it is by baptisme as you may see Acts 2.41 Then they with the godly received the word and were baptized and so added but I have spoken of this formerly and therefore I passe it here 2 As Christ hath a Kingdom and that is spirituall in relation to the matter so he sets up Laws and they are spirituall the Laws of Christ in his Kingdom is 1 The law of love 2 The law of edification 1 The law of love Gal. 5.13 14. By love serve one another for all the Law is fulfilled in one word even this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe and Jam. 2.8 It is called the royall Law of God Thou shalt love thy neighbonr as thyselfe this is the Law of the Gospel love to Christ and love to the Saints A new commandement give I unto you that yee love one another Joh. 13.34 Now this love breaks forth in causing the Saints to walke up according to every rule of the Gospel it constrains them to submit to every word to every comand of Christ it causeth the Saints to watch over each other to build up each other in the most holy faith to restore a weak brother with the spirit of meeknesse being falne Gal. 6.1 to beare one anothers burthens and so to fulfill the Law of CHRIST Thus CHRIST rules in and over his Kingdom by this law of love It is the end of the command of the Gospel love out of a pure heart and faith unfained 1 Tim. 1.5 He gives rules unto his people out of love he causeth them to obey out of love there is no condemnation in his law to his people but if they sin they have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 who is a propitiation for their sins Here is love in the King love in the subjects love in Christ commanding love in Christians obeying a Kingdom upheld and maintained by the law of love O that the God of love would increase this love more abundaritly both in your and my soul 1 Thes 3.12 The Lord make you to abound in love one towards another and to wards all men O this love is sweet amiable pleasant Psal 133.1 love to the Saints love to all men it is the way to win them to the Lord Jesus 2 Tim. 2.25 This is the main law by which Christ rules in and over his Saints his Churches his Kingdom and this is spirirituall 2 There is the law of edification 1 Cor. 14.26 Let all things be done to edifying It is the law of Christ in his Church that all things should be done to edification for the building up of the Saints in their most holy faith therefore the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.23 makes light of that which tends not to edification All things are lawfull for me but all things edifie not that is it which a Christian should looke most unto that is it that will edifie most it is the end of their compacting and building together in faith and fellowship that they might edifie each other in love Ephes 4.16 All done in the Church is for the edification of the body or should be every Ordinance that Christ hath set up in his Kingdom is for Edification Watching over each other Exhortation Admonition it is all for edification Baptisme Preaching the Supper of the Lord Communion and fellowship it is all for edification and consolation as Christ hath appointed it Act. 2.41 to 46. 1 Cor. 14.3 Church censure excommunication it is an Ordinance appointed of God for edification to bring the sinner into the sight of his sinne and that should bee the Churches end in the use of it Give him up to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the soule might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 5.5 that is the end of this ordinance and should be the Churches end in the execution of it 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus let him be Anathema Maranatha let him be accursed till the Lord come so the word Maranatha implies it consists of two Syrian words Maran out Lord Atha come till our Lord come That is as I understand it till the Lord come either in a way of love convincing him by this ordinance or to judge and condemne him so that other Scripture seems to imply 1 Cor. 5.5 That his soule may be saved in the