Cant. 5. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. white and Ruddy the chiefest of ten Thousands Christ is white for his innocency and purity ruddy for his Sufferings as his bloody Sweat Agony and Passion upon the Cross Now because it infinitely exceeds the capacity of Men or Angels to represent Christs Dignity Honour and excellencies to the full in positive expressions therefore by way of negation we express the Price Dignity Valuation of Christ to be infinite unparrallell'd and inestimable and when we have said inestimable it 's beyond the sphere of our activity as an ancient * Nobis ad intellectum pectus angustum est ideâ— sic Deum digne estimamus dum inâ—stimabilem dicimus Min. Felix Father observes to reach any higher in our expressions 2. Here 's another word 2. What is meant by Believers to be explained viz. Believers It s sayd * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sola est â—des quae pretium ac excellentiam Christi nobis patefacit Calv. in loc Vnto you therefore which believe For as judicious Calvin observes it's faith alone which lays open to us the price and excellency of Christ Such then as believe unto Salvation are such whose hearts are k Act. 15. purified by faith l Rom. 5. 1. and justified by Faith and have such a faith as m Gal. 5. 6. works by love Called n Tit. 1. 1. the faith of Gods Elect. * They are chosen saith the Apostle unto Salvatioâ— through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 2 Thes 2. 3. Quia electi sunt elegerunt non quiâ— ellegerunt electi sunt elligentium meritum nullum esset nisi â—os eligentis gratiâ— Dei preveniret Aug. These have their Robes washt and made white in the Blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7. 14. They are begotten again to a lively hope 1 Pet. 1. 3. and made Partakers of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. These and these alone discern the Excellency and Dignity of Christ and they set the highest estimate and valuation upon him From the Premises thus divided and expounded there results this Doctrinal Conclusion That Christ is of inestimable Dignity and Honour Doctrine and infinitely Pretious in the accompt of all true Believers For the Methodical inlargment of this Method propounded Excellent Doctrine my work in the ensuing Treatise shall be first to give in the clear proof of the Doctrin and afterwards to infer an useful improvement thereof The Assertion to be proved is That Christ is of inestimable Dignity This shall constitute the Doctrinal part That which shall be intended by way of improvement is That as Christ is thus pretious and highly to be valued as in himself or so he ought to be by all true Believers This shall constitute the particular Use and Application of all 1. That Christ is of inesâ—imablâ— Dignity Honour and this is proved in 5 several Particulars In handling of the former Assertion I shall confine my self to these ensuing Heads of discourse 1. To reckon up several excellent Names of Honour and Dignity appropriated unto Christ in Scripture 2. To unfold the grand Mystery of the Divine and Humane Nature of Christ Hypostatically united in one Person 3. To represent the invaluable worth of those threefold Offices of Christ viz. Sacerdotal Prophetical and Regall 4. To set down several Metaphors and Resemblances in Scripture which applied to Christ declare his singular Dignity 5 To consider those great Purchases which Christ hath made for his People which are Justification Sanctification and Glorification These Heads of discourse I shall endeavour through Christ that strengthens me to inlarge in so many distinct Chapters Which as I hope and desire will abundantly satisfy confirm and establish us in this Fundamental Truth That Christ is pretious and estimable for Dignity and Honour Of these I shall treat in order in the following Chapters CHAP. II. Chap. 2. Containing an enumeration of several choice and honourable Names in Scripture ascribed unto Christ AMongst variety of Names in Scripture appropriated unto Christ I shall select these following not naming all that might be named and explain them as I go along The first I shall mention is Shiloh Gen. 1. Name Shiloh 49. 10. Which name the whole current of Orthodox Interpreters unanimously apply unto Christ The name signifies safe happy and blessed as * Est nomen verbale Salvus beatus faelix unde Shiloh derivatur Servator felicitetor hoc est faelices reddere Pet. Mart. in Gen. 49. 10. Peter Martyr observes some render Shiloh as learned Jerome and others He that is to be sent * Quasi tranquillatorem dicas qui tranquillitatis nostrae spiritualis Authâ—r sit futurus Scultet Exercit. Evangel Scultetus after he had mentioned variety of Interpretations acquiesceth in this That Shiloh signifies to cease and be quiet Ludovicus de Dieu understands Shiloh to be the promised Seed which was to spring from Judah The version of the 70 is emphatical and plainly declares Christ to be * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. Interpretum a Saviour That Jacob's Prophesy was fulfill'd and that the Scepter did not depart from Judah till the coming of Christ may thus be convinced For the Politick state amongst the Jews was not changed but still the * Non auferetur Sceptrum Regium dicet regnum permansurum esse in Judausque ad Christum quantumvis affligeretur propecollapsum videretur Vaâ—abl in loc â— Name a Star 1 The Star of Jacob. Regal Dignity and Politick Government continued in Judah Maugre all Persecutions and Oppositions whatsoever Judah was the Law-giveing Tribe And those Laws continued till the coming of Christ But at Christs comeing the Scepter departed from Judah and was translated to an Heathen King 2. Another Name attributed to Christ is a Star He is called the Star of Jacob and a bright Morning Star 1. He is called by Balaam the Star of Jacob Numb 24. 17. although Balaam was a Mercenary Prophet who as he is branded by the Apostle a 2 Pet. 2. 15. loved the Wages of unrighteousness Yet he gives this true attestation There shall saith he come a Star out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel This is a clear Prophecy concerning * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers 70. Surget Princeps ex Israel Vers Syr. Ungetur Christus de domâ— Israel Paraphr Chald. Christ Christ is that Star that lightneth and Shineth and what light we have is borrowed and derived from him who is that great light b Joh. 1. 9. which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World Malachy calls him c Mal 4. 2. the Sun of righteousness Zachary calls him d Luk. 1. 78. The Day spring from on high St. Peter calls him e 2 Pet. 1. 19. The Day Star For Christ shines gloriously in the Gospel He inlightens guides and directs He scatters Clouds and
Chrisost Hom. 9. ad Heb. No Man can hold the Tâ—â—e when it comes nor stop an Arrow shot out of a Bow nor hinder the Motion of the Sun no more can any Man hold fast these sublunary things None can keep Riches sure and stable and make them last to Eternity For under the Sun is nothing of a durable Substance If we desire that which is durable and never fading we must seek for it in Heaven it 's not to be had here below Further to instance in honours promotions and the preferments of the World They that have most of them are oft times by the revolutious of times made sensible that they possess a very slippery standing So that †Nunquid in honore sine dolore in praelatione sine turbatione in Sublimitate sine vanitate quis esse potest Bern. in Test Nicholai Serm. Honours are oft times burthens and objects of envy and malice and many are the machinations for supplanting and undermining the possessours of them Have we not frequently seen many great Personages degraded and devested of their Robes have not their Honours lain in the dust Haman in sacred Story is a signal example of Honours uncertainty And forraign Historys of Andronicus Bajazet Bellizarius our own English History of Wolsey and others give abundant testimony of this Truth That Honours are transient fading uncertain things And what are promotions and high places though many are so eager and greedy in the pursuit after them and often times for the attaining of them make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience What are they better I say than a Ficta omnia celeriter decidunt nec Simulatum potest quicquam essâ— diuturnum Cic. L. 2. Off. vid. Bp. Morton of Ezekiels Wheels Mushrome or a Jonah's Gourd which in one Night had its Original and Period Sesostris Wheels turning that spoke lowermost which was erst while uppermost are an embleme of the frequent revolutions of all things in the Universe I shall conclude this particular with that infallible Testimony of the Psalmist Psal 75. 6 7 8. For promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South But God is the Judge he putteth down one and setteh up another For in the Hand of the Lord is a Cup and the Wine is Red it is full of Mixture and he poureth out of the same but the Dregs thereof all the Wicked of the Earth shall wring them out and drink them And to secure support and preserve us safe amidst the worst of Changes I shall mention two or three establishing Scriptures one is Psal 73. 26. My Flesh and my Heart faileth but God is the Strength of my Heart and my Portion for ever Another is Psal 89. 43. I will not suffer my Faithfulness to fail A third is Heb. 13. 5. | 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Here then we may be preserved from danger by relying on these promises And if Five negatives which more vehemently deny Fieri non potest ut te abjiciam plane aut etiam ad tempus deseram Grot. any danger come then here is a Shield to ward of Blows Here 's a cordial a stay and a staff a restorative and supporter when we seriously consider that notwithstanding changes failings disappointments and treacheries which we meet with from Creatures yet our Creator is unchangeable And his immutability is a Fort-Royal an invincible Bulwark and a Rock impregnable unto all true Believers CHAP. III. Containing a Second Argument drawn from God's Promises I Proceed to a Second Argument drawn Arg. 2 drawn from God's promises Isa 12. 3. Isa 66. 11. Judg. 16. 17. from God's Promises And they are as so many Wells of Salvation and Breasts of Consolation Divine Promises are the Magna Charta or Title and Interest whereby the Saints make a claim to Heaven It was said of Samson that his great Strength lay in his Hair So a believers great strength lies in the divine Promises All the Promises attest the truth of the Doctrine That God is All-Sufficient And if we make a survey of particular Promises we shall by an Induction of particular cases and particular promises suitably applyed clear our assertion or point of Doctrine For Instance one Man is in great want and necessity hunger-bit and by reason of extream poverty afflicted with great cares and troubles and is still a carking and projecting and contriving which way to go about what means to use for supply of his pressing wants and exigencies Let such study the Promises and they will speak to them abundance of Incouragement viz. Psal 34. 9 10. Psal 37. 19. Psal 84. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 4. 19. It 's said there My God shall supply all your need i. e. shall fill up all your necessities we have a Promise for supply of necessities not for superfluities | Deus cui servio abunde sufficiet quicquid vobis opus erit Calv. in loc Calvin observes on the place That God whom I serve will abundantly suffice you what ever you have need of Another is much perplexed with variety of Fears as of loss of Life Livelyhood Liberty c. He 's oftentimes afraid of the fury of malitious and violent Adversaries To such the Promise speaks Comfort and Counsel Isa 8. 13. But it will be further replied that the â—ondition is dangerous and the hazards are apparent To such replies I 'le rejoyn Isa 43 1 2. Yet further some will complain O! We are a despised a shiftless and helpless People weak distressed impotent and apt to be trod down and trampled upon by every Foot Let such Read Isa 44. 10 14. 15. Isa 51. 12. Mat. 10. 28. What shall I add further Read also Isa 33. 23. Jer. 37. 10. Nay more than all this even Dry Bones shall become an Army of Men | Haec visio prophetica imago quodam modo fuit futur Resurrectionis licet ad literam restitutio Israelis in ierram suam per eam signifiâ—â—tur Clâ—rius inter critic sacr Ezek. 37. 3 10. Some understand this concerning the deliverance from Babylon Others hence allude to the conversion of the Jews in the days of the Gospel The Church may be in a dying condition yet it shall revive Isa 26. 19. There will be a Resurrection of the Church a Resurrection of the Names and Reputations of the People of God however blasted and defamed There will be a Resurrection of the Cause of the Church against Anti-Christ that Man of Sin And although the Witnesses and Professors thereof may be Dead for a time yet they shall Rise again and their Resurrection will be Glorious and Astonishing even in the sight of their Persecutors These things shall certainly be fulfilled in their Season although the punctual instant when this shall be is not within our cognizance to Determine We can resolve no otherwise than according to Psal 74. 9. We see not
This I have handled in five Particulars 1. By reckoning up several Names of Honour and Dignity appropriated unto Christ 2. By unfolding the Grand Mystery of the Divine and Human Nature of Christ hypostatically united in one Person 3. By representing the unvaluable worth of those threefold Offices of Christ viz. Sacerdotal Prophetical and Regal 4. By setting down several Metaphors applyed to Christ 5. By considering those great Purchases that Christ hath made for his People viz. of Information Sanctification and Glorification Now then follows the practical Improvement of this Doctrine which shall be in Uses viz. Information Reproof Examination and Exhortation Direction and Consolation CHAP. IX Containing two Vses viz. 1. An Vse of Information 2. An Vse of Reproof SECT I. From Examples WE should all be exhorted and persuaded Use 1 For Information to account Christ precious even the chiefest of ten thousands our Treasure Refuge our Honour our All and infinitely more worth than all Review seriously those five Heads before handled and it will evidently appear what strength of Reason there is to persuade us all to set upon Christ a greater valuation than upon all the Kingdoms of the World and Glory of them To what hath been said already I shall add for a close some Uses viz. for Information Reproof Examination and Exhortation Direction and Consolation I. For Information and that in two particulars 1. That Christ is thus precious is proved by Examples of true Believers 2. Upon what Grounds and Arguments the Truth may be evidenced 1. That Christ is thus precious is proved 1. That Christ is precious is proved by Examples by Examples We tread not in unbeaten Paths Abraham accounted Christ precious having seen him by the Eye of Faith Wherefore Christ tells the Jews your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day Joh. 8. 56. Dies Domini nihil aliud significat quam ipsius adventum in earnem vidiâ— enim eum eminus Abraham fidei nimirum oculis ut declaratur Heb. 11. 13. Bâ—za and he saw it and was glad Abraham was dead many hundred years before but by the Eye of Faith he saw Christ's Incarnation and rejoyced therein David likewise highly valued Christ insomuch as he penn'd many Psalms concerning Christ And in particular David calls Christ his Lord Psal 110. v. 1. The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand till I make thy Enemies thy Footstool The Prophet Isaiah foretells of Christ's Sufferings and how he was debased yet withal he tells us of his great Dignity Isa 53. 12. Therefore will I devide him a portion with the Great and he shall devide the spoil with the Strong and what a great esteem the Prophet Jeremiah had of Christ may appear from Jer. 23. 5 6. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute Justice in the Earth In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his Name whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness The Prophet speaks in his own Name and in the Name of the Church that whatsoever befel him even the greatest Losses and Crosses Disapointments and Vexations yet his Saviour was the joy and rejoicing of his Soul Hab 3. 17 18. Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall Fruit be in the Vines the labour of the Olives shall fail and the Field shall yeild no Meat the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vers Graec. 70 Flock shall be cut off from the Fold and there shall be no Heard in the Stall yet I will rejoice in the Lord and I will joy in the God of my Salvation The seventy render it I will rejoice in the Lord in God my Saviour I might further instance in the noble Army of Martyrs who set such an high price upon Christ as they parted with their Goods joyfully and laid down their Lives for the Testimony of the Gospel I shall only mention Moses and Paul Moses though learned and highly esteemed of in Pharaoh's Court though it is said he was mighty in Words and Deeds Acts 7. 22. yet in the confluence of his Honours he preferred Christ infinitely before all Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of Reward Moses preferred afflicted Godliness before prosperous Wickedness and a Crown of Thorns with Christ before a Crown of Gold without him To Moses I will add St. Paul O! how did he value Christ at a price above superlative He though a great Schollar more skill'd in Tongues than all the Apostles bred up at the Feet of Gamaliel an Hebrew of the Hebrews that is an Hebrew both by the Father and Mother and circumcised the eighth day as touching the Law a Pharisee yet Christ he infinitely prized above all See his zealous Protestation at Corinth which was so learned a place as was by the Orator called Oculus Graeciae the Eye of Greece yet he upon deliberate thoughts determines 1 Cor. 2. 2. For I determined to know nothing amongst you save Jesus Excellentia cognitionis Christi in quo thesauri sunt sapientiae ac scientiae Dei tanti erit huic Apostolo ut non mâ—do Judaismum sed quicquid eximium est uspiam in Câ—lâ— in Terra propter hâ—nc nihil fuerit imo dâ—â—ni loco duceret Musc Christ and him crucified And see how absolutely he declares his Judgment Phil. 3. 7 8. But what things were gain to me those I accounted loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but Dung that I may win Christ So great was his zeal for Christ that he protested that he was not only ready to be bound but to dye at Jerusalem for Act. 21. 13. the Name of the Lord Jesus Thus we see how the Saints accounted Christ precious SECT II. Evidencing by Arguments why Christ should Why Christ should be thus accounted pretious be Pretious in our Estimation IN the next place to confirm the truth by Arguments The Question will be propounded what Grounds and Reasons is there why we should set such an infinite value on Christ For Answer there are two sorts of Reasons or Arguments 1. Drawn from Christ 2. From true Believers 1 If we consider that Christ is the Eternal 1. Reason drawn from Christ Son of God the Mediatour of the New Covenant our Advocate and Redeemer there 's all the reason why we should price and esteem and account him Pretious and Honourable But I'â—e instance in particulars concerning the Beauty Riches Honours and Wisdom that is in Christ 1. For his Beauty Though his Visage was Marred in the days of his Flesh on Earth 1. Christs Beauty Is 53. 2.
for the Word of God Jer. 15. 16. Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the Joy and rejoycing of my Heart A Godly Man is known by this Character his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate Psal 1. 2. Day and Night God's Testimonies were David's Delight and Counsellors sweeter then Honey and the Honey Comb more valuable than Rich Spoiles even than Thousands of Gold and Sylver He than that knows and hath experimented the Beauties Treasures and Consolations of Christ O! how doth he delight in Communion with Christ O! how doth he prize Ordinances and Delights to walk in that way where Christ comes by The Joy of taking great Spoil the Joy of the Vintage the Joy of Espousals the Joy of Harvest are mentioned in Scripture to represent causes of rejoycing But all these are infinitely short of that Joy which is in the Heart of a true Believer who hath a new Name a white Stone and hidden Manna who hath a Sacred Communion Rev. 2. 17. with Christ and feels his Divine Influences This is a Joy Unspeakable beyond the Capacity of Men and Angels Wherefore he that hath a liking and approbation of Christ and his Ordinances he Joys in them as Job Professed more than in his necessary Food and with the Job 23. 12 Love sick Spouse he takes more delight in Christ and is at more pains to seek him then all besides Cant. 3. 1. Even on the Bed of Sickness and Affliction the Spouse sought her Beloved 3. A ready and couragious Spirit to 3. A ready and couragious Spirit to bear Testimony for Christ bear Testimony for Christ and the truth of the Gospel He that likes and loves Christ will vindicate him and his Honour from the Reproach of Gain-sayers When a Believer speaks of Christ he will speak with Reverence and highest appretiation of him when he speaks to Christ he will speak with Faith Fervency and Humility And when he speaks for Christ he will discover an Heroical Magnanimous Spirit such a Spirit the Apostles had when they Acts â— 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebraeorum more quâ— vehementem acrem significant interminationem Eras were straitly threatned that they should speak no more in the Name of Jesus they answer'd with an undaunted Resolution Act. 4. 19 20. But Peter and John answered and said unto them whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God Judge ye for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Thus the Apostle Paul took courage against Elymas the Sorcerer when he sought to turn away the Deputy from the Faith The Apostle branded him for the Child of the Devil and an Enemy of all Act. 13. 10. Praedicare Evangelium Dei nihil â—liud est quam derivare in se toâ—ius inferni furorem Satanae Lut. Loc. Com. Righteousness Luther knew what it would cost him even to bring all the Devils in Hell about his ears yet he was resolved to go to Worms and Preach the Gospel though every Tile on the Houses was a Devil to oppose him Bishop Latimer said often that the Preaching of the Gospel would cost him his Heart-Blood And so it came to pass for when he was a Burning his Blood gushed forth and quench'd a great part of the Fire Here then is a Proof of a Christians likeing and approving of Christ and his Gospel when he will plead for the Truths which are in Jesus and vindicate Christs Honour from Contempt and Reproaches A true Believer when he is called to witness for Christ is neither like a Still-Born nor a Tongue-Ty'd Person but he will speak for Christ and stand up for the cause of Christ what ever it cost him He is not affraid to be good nor affraid to own a despised Christ and a Persecuted Gospel To be of a timerous and cowardly Spirit and to seal up ones Lips when Christs interest lies a bleeding what 's this but to be spiritually benum'd or else Possessed of a dumb Devil Wherefore Luther professed that he would rather be guilty Impius sim avarus adulter iâ—â—â—mninm vitiorum reus modo impii silentiâ— non arguar dum Dominus patitur Luth. of the worst of Crimes than of wicked silence when his Lord suffered SECT II. Whether we prize Christ by our likeness and Conformity to him I Proceed to the second Proposition Prepos 2. Those that prize Christ endeavour to be like and conformable to him that those who prize Christ endeavour to be like and conformable unto him Christ is our Head and we are his Members and there ought to be a conformity between the Head and the Members And where this is it will be evidenced in these three Particulars 1. There will be a conformity to the 1. There will be a conformity to the commands of Christ Mark 1. 15. Mat. 6. 20. Mat. 6. 24. commands of Christ as that perfect absolute and infallible Rule of our Obedience Christ commands us to repent and believe the Gospel to lay up for our selves Treasures in Heaven to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness to ask and it shall be given you to seek and Mat. 7. 7. ye shall find to knock and it shall be openedunto you Likewise Christ commands enter ye in at the Straight Gate c. In a Mat. 7. 13. word Christ in his Gospel commands the whole Duty of Man The Gospel is every way comprehensive and sufficient to prescribe all things needful for our Salvation We may not then devise ways of our own Heads and Fancies and prescribe humane Inventions and Superstitions for Politick ends to justle out Divine Institutions It is not any Rule which will serve the turn As it was not any Partern which would serve for the Building of the Tabernacle but that Pattern only which was shew'd to Moses in the Mount And the Lord gave a strict charge Exod. 25. 40. And look that thou make them after their Pattern which was shewed thee in the Mount Neither is it any Rule will serve but only the Rule of the Word of Christ which is the Everlasting Gospel and commands our Obedience Wherefore the Apostle glorieth in nothing but the Cross of Christ Gal. 6. 14 15. Neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new Creature And such are Partakers of Peace and walk according to his Rule Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God Let then Christ's command ingage us to a ready and chearful Obedience and let 's not dispute but obey what he commandeth when he bids seek my Face let our Hearts return this ready answer Thy face Lord will I Psal 27. 8. seek 2. There must be a conformity to the 2. There must be a Conformity to the Life
of Christ Life of Christ Christ's Life is a perfect Pattern for our imitation and an exact example of Holiness Christ lives in every true Believer and he lives in Christ Christ's Image which consists in Righteousness Gal. 2. 20. is imprinted upon the Lives and Hearts of all his Adopted Children Christ propounds his own example for Meekness and Humility Let 's then thus argue the case every one in particular Was Christ Mat. â—â— 29. humble and shall I swell with Pride Was Christ meek and shall I be transported with anger Christ was much in Prayer and Meditation much exercised in watching and fasting O! what a similitude ought there to be in every one of us unto the Life of Christ Christ went about doing good comforting the Afflicted counselling the ignorant strengthning the weak His whole business even his Meat and Drink was to do the Will of his Father Now what pains should we take to imitate Christ in some proportion Quest But some will say how can we be Quest as Holy as Humble and as Meek as Christ was Answ I Answer though we cannot attain Answ to that Equality and Measure of Holiness which is in Christ yet we must endeavour after the quality and similitude of that Holiness which was in Christ And what measure of Grace we have already attained we may not propound as the Just Standard or the Ne plus ultra but still we must labour for augmentation of every Grace after the example of the Apostle forgetting those things which are behind Phil. 3. 13 14. and reaching unto those things which are before I press towards the Mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Every one that hath true Grace labours for more accessions to it and he Qui desinit proficere incipit deficere Bern. Desinit esse bonus qui desinit vel le fieri melior Bern. 3. There will be a Conformity to Christ in his Sufferings that ceaseth to get more Grace begins to fail of what he seemeth to have Here than is that perfect Pattern for our imitation even the Holiness Meekness Humility and other Graces which eminently appeared in Jesus Christ 3. There will be a conformity to Christ in his Sufferings The Apostle tells us Phil. 1. 24. Who now rejoice in my Sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Bodies sake which is the Church We are not to conceive Christs Sufferings to be imperfect for by one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified But as Christ had personal Sufferings in his Humane Body which are finished so Christ hath and shall yet have more Sufferings in his Mystical Body the Church Christ hath suffered once for all upon the Cross But the Saints Militant which are Christ's Body must prepare for Sufferings they are-appointed 1 Thess 3. 3. Luk. 9. 23. thereunto They must take up their Cross daily When Saul was Converted to be a Preacher of the Gospel and was chang'd both in his Name and Nature and of a Persecuting Saul became a Preaching Paul and a chosen Vessel to bear the name Acts 9. 15 1â— of Christ unto the Gentiles then the Lord shewed him how great things he must suffer for his sake And this is that knowledge that the Apostle so highly valued that he might know the fellowship of his Sufferings Phil. 3. 10. being conformable unto his Death Every true Christian is a Martyr in Heart and Resolution willing to lay down his Life for Christs sake It 's observ'd that Luther used to say that he should never have the Honour to dye for the Professing of the Gospel But he was a Man valient for the truth and a Martyr in the purpose and Integrity of his Heart and a willing mind obtains acceptance It 's said by Faith Abraham when he was tryed Heb. 11. 17. offered up Isaack God accepted the real Intentions of Abraham as if he had actually Sacrificed Isaack Christians must consider before hand what Religion will cost them not only the loss of Liberties Riches Honours but sometimes the loss of their Lives also And happy are they that die for and in Christ Men in this respect have a preheminence above Angels for Angels have not Bodies to suffer withal as Men have Christians must consider that they are Members of Christ their Head and he hath gone before them in Sufferings leaving them an example to follow his Steps Shall Christian sexpect Pleasure and think to Crown themselves with Rose Buds when Christ drank a Cup of trembling and wrung out those bitter ingredients down to the very Dreggs Shall Christians pamper their Appetites and live in Luxury and Wantoness when Non oportet membra deliciari sub capite spinis coronato Tert. Phil. 3. 10. as Christ drank Gall and Vinegar and in scorn was Crown'd with Thorns Let 's consider farther that we must with the Apostles desire to be made conformable unto Christ's Death Quest But it will be askt wherein consists this conformity unto Christ's Death Answ I Answer in regard of Mortification of Sin Christ condemned Sin in Rom. 8. 3. the Flesh And there holds some proportion beâ—ween the Death of Christ and the Death of in u. Christ died for us that our Sins should dye in us Christ died a Cursed Death to note that we should abhor Sin as a most accursed thing Christ drank Gall and Vinegar to signifie the sharpness of Gods Displeasure against Sin and that Sin ought to be in our account a most grievous and bitter thing Christ was nailed to the Cross and endured great pains to shew that we should never let Sin have a quiet Minute of ease but that we should Crucifie every corruption SECT III. Shewing that those that prize Christ burn in ardent Afflictions of Love to him LOve is as strong as Death It 's hotter Prop. 3. then the Coals of Juniper All the Waters and Floods of Persecution cannot quench Love There 's nothing can turn Christ's Love from us and therefore nothing should be able to extinguish our Love towards him Now where Christ is valued there cannot be wanting an ardent Love For those things which we prize most we love most But because there are many pretences and semblances of Love where Love in reallity is wanting we must bring the Love which ought to be in every Believer towards Christ unto the Touchstone and Tryal Wherefore I shall fix upon five tryals of our Love to Christ 1. Our Love must consist in an universal 1. Our Love must consist in an universal Obedience to the Commands of Christ chearful and cordial Obedience unto the Commands of Christ Obedience to Christ's Commands is an evident Character of our sincere Love to Christ John 14. 21. He that hath my Commandments and keeps them he it is that loveth me And ver 23. If any Man loves me he will
used to say Although Esto Diabolus magnipoteris nunquam eris Omnipotens Luth. the Devil could do great things yet he shall never do all things This Adversary is a subtil Adversary He hath Devices Methods Snares and Depths He is an inveterate and long experienced Enemy He useth all the Sophistry and subtil devices to seduce Mankind To Envy he adds Lyes and to Lies malicious Prosecutions and the most exquisite arts of cunning conveyance to destroy precious and immortal Souls How necessary is it for us to be always ready armed with the Divine Panoply even the compleat Armour of a Christian viz. The Eph. 6. 14 15 16 17. Girdle of Truth the Breast-plate of Righteousness the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit Let us fight with these Weapons and we shall overcome Let us resist the Devil and he will Jam. 4. 7. flee from us Notwithstanding all the Arts of Legerdemain and the cunningest sort of Sophistry which Satan useth a well grounded unfeigned Faith which worketh by love and purifieth the Conscience and which relyeth and stayeth upon God's Promises this Faith under God will conquer Satan's subtile Machinations This is the Faith which will be victorious Such a Faith joined with fervent Prayer was in Luther who fasted and prayed for a young Man at Wittenberg who had given his Soul to the Devil Whereupon the Devil threw in the Indenture through the Window Let Faith hold out and let the strength of Faith act vigorously then will the Temptations of Satan be quickly vanquished 3. Enemy is the World with all its 3. Enemy is the World Riches Honour Grandeur Pomp and Bravery These tempt and allure Men to Conformity to them The World throws to one a Ball of Pleasure to another a Ball of Honour to a third a Ball of Profit and exceeding great Riches O! what sweet melodious Musick doth the World play and how doth it bewitch Multitudes to dance after the World's Pipe and how many are there who for the fruition of a few paltry Delights of this present World have hazarded their Souls to all Eternity What way then is their left to get Victory over the World The Apostle informs us 1 John 5. 4. This is the Victory that overcomes the World even our Faith Where Faith is principled in the Word of God it will prevail with a Christian not to be conformed Rom. 12. 2. 1 Joh. 2. 15. to the World And not to love the World Faith will help a Christian to live above the World and to mind heavenly things and to have his Conversation in Heaven And thus through the strength of Faith being acted and enlivened by the strength of Jesus Christ we get Victory over our Spiritual Enemies viz. the Flesh the Devil and the World 4. Faith gives us a Title to and Interest 4. Faith gives us a Title to and Interest in the Divine Promises 2 Cor. 2. 20. Tim. 4. 8. in the Divine Promises All the Promises are made in Christ and in him they are yea and Amen Now Believers have only a propriety in the Promises without Faith we can lay no claim to any Promise Godliness saith the Apostle hath the Promises of this Life and that which is to come There 's a love of Beneficence whereof all Creatures are partakers Not the least creeping Creature but tastes of God's Bounty God feeds the poorest Creature This is a general Providence which extends to all good and bad just and unjust The Sun shines on the unjust as well as on the just through God's common Bounty But how many Curses Forfeitures and Variety of Mischeifs befall wicked Men so that their Bread is Gravel their Table their Snare their Bed a Bed of Thorns They have outward Riches and no Man should rob them because they are wicked yet they have them unsanctifyed they have not God's Turkium Imperium quantum est est nisi mica Panis quam Pater Familias proâ—icit suâ— Canibus Luth. reconciled Countenance to comfort them Therefore Luther speaking of the Turkish Empire saith that as great as it is it is no more than a Crum of Bread which the Father of the Family gives to his Dogs Whatsoever wicked Men have is ex largitione of common Bounty and by vertue of a general Providence But Godly Men enjoy all their Substance ex speciali Providentia Promisso They have Christ with all their worldly Enjoyments They receive all outward things in Mercy and sanctified Not a Bit of Bread a Believer eats but it is by vertue of a Promise Wherefore Faith helps a Believer in all Streights and Difficulties to apply the Promises for his Supportation and Consolation Poor Persons plead their wants and pressing Poverty But Faith answers all Objections by proposing the Promises one is Psal 35. 9 10. O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Another is Psal 84. 11. The Lord God is a Sun and Shield the Lord will give Grace and Glory no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly A third is Matth. 6 33. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you A fourth Promise is Rom. 8. 32. He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things And that one Promise may be added ex abundanti the last but not the least of what hath been already mentioned viz. Heb. 13. 5. Let your Conversation be without Covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave leave thee nor forsake thee Those five Negatives have the force of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strongest Negation Consider that all the Faithful are the Houshold and Family of God and he is never a whit the poorer by maintaining Multitudes Rich Men may decrease in their Estates by being over liberal to others this the * Muâ—â—â— Patâ—imonia estudeâ—runâ—â—â—câ—â—sulte 〈◊〉 ende Qâ—id autem stultiui est quam quod libeâ—ters â—acias 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diutiâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Offic. l. â— Orator reproves as a very great folly But God by giving wasteth not The Sun looseth no Light by communicating Light to others For its Light cannot be wasted The Fountain looseth no Water by giving Water to Streams Now God is a Light never extinct a Fountain never exhausted all the Granaries Treasures Cattle on a Thousand Mountains and all the Hearts of Men are at Gods disposing and he orders them all for the supply of his People There 's no deficiency nor weakness nor Poverty in God All the Promises are the Believers Interest or Magna Charta for Heaven They are so many Wells of Salvation
And Faith through Gods Gift is a Buckeâ— to Isa 12. 3. draw Waters of Consolation out of those Wells All the Promises are as so many Breasts of Consolation and Faith is as i were a Mouth to suck Milk out of those Breasts Wherefore in all Conditions inward or outward let Faith act on Promises and depend on them and by experience a Believer will find ground of singular support and comfort in the Promises 5. Faith gives us an insight into Heaven 5. Faith gives us an insight into Heaven and a Prospect of Eternity and a prospect into eternity Paul was wrapt up into the third Heaven and by Faith had a foretast of those unspeakable Joys * A Reverend and eminegâ—ly learned Divine gives his conjecture that at that time when Paul was Stoned â—â— was in a Trance and saw the third Heaven The Reaon of his Supposition he gives because the self same Year that Paul was Stoned he was caught up into the third Heaven A. B. Uâ—â—â—r Stephen by the Eye of Faith though the Stones were about his Ears saw the Heavens opened and Christ standing at the Right Hand of his Father Job on the Dunghil when he was scraping himself with a Pot-shread by the eye of Faith saw his Redeemer By Faith Moses amidst all the Reproaches and Cruel Bondage in Aegypt saw the recompence of reward Faith is the Eye whereby we peep through the Curtains of Mortality and take a view of the Glory of Heaven By Faith we enjoy Communion with Father Son and Holy Ghost we receive the first Fruits of that plentiful Harvest earnest or part of payment of a greater Sum which we shall receive in Heaven The Glory which is to be revealed is apprehended in part in this Life by true Believers We have a pledge and some foretasts of the Glory in Heaven What necessity then is incumbent on us to get this Grace of Faith both as to the truth and growth thereof We have such daily need of Faith as we cannot live without it When we pray Faith makes us successful when we hear the Word Faith helps us to profit when we suffer Affliction Faith helps us to be Patient In a Word in dissertion Faith makes us comfortable in Tryals and Encounters Faith makes us so couragious as to stop the Mouths of Lyons quench the Heb. 11 33 34. violence of Fire c. In Life Faith makes us fruitful and in Death Faith makes us Victorious And whilst we live in this World Faith helps us to a Prospect of Heaven As the Israelites saw a glimps of Canaan though a far off whilst they were in the Wilderness so a true Believer by the Eye of Faith sees the Heavenly Canaan He enjoys a Sacred Acquaintance and Communion with God in his Covenants Promises Gracious Influences so that by Faith we enjoy an Heaven upon Earth i. e. some fore-tasts of that Eternal Happiness which is reserved in Heaven for us SECT II. Containing an Vse of Direction SEeing then as it 's evident by the Use 5 for Direction how to get and increase Faith premises that only true Believers set a high estimate upon Christ and Faith is essentially requisite to get and keep so high an estimation of Christ I shall now proceed to the 5th Use which is for Direction how we may get and increase Faith To this purpose I shall prescribe some means partly internal and partly external both exceeding necessary First for Internal Means and that is the The Spirit is an internal means of getting Faith Holy Spirit of God Faith is a Divine Habit infused into the Soul by the Spirit of God Hence we are said to have the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 5. 13. The Spirit doth not stand in need of Moral Persuasions to excite us to Faith leaving it to the indifferency of our wills and understandings whether we will chuse or refuse assent or dissent But the Spirit of God Nolentem praevenit ut velit volentem subsequitur ne frustra velit Arg. de Grat. lib. Arg. works powerfully and irresistably and of unwilling makes us willing by antecedent Grace of willing makes us more willing by Subsequent Grace The Seeds of Faith are not sown in our Nature We are Dead as were those dry Bones mentioned by Ezek. 37. 2. Ezekiel until the Spirit of God infuse vital Operations into the Soul The Beginnings of Augmentations and finishings of our Faith all proceed from the Operations of the Spirit of God Where this Spirit is it opens the eyes of the Mind that so we may understand the infinite value of Christ and the absolute necessity of Faith to make particular application of him unto our selves Faith is a wise gift of God and it makes Believers wise unto Salvation Faith and knowledge are hand-fasted and may not be separated Joh. 17. 3. This is Life Eternal to know thee to be the true God and him whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. There can be saith a Learned Author no Knowledge without Faith nor any Faith without Knowledge 2. The Spirit of God as it opens the eyes so it inclines the will to yield ready Obedience unto Christ As soon as Divine Light breaks in upon the Soul by the powerful illumination of the Spirit then by the assistance of the same Spirit the will is made pliable and willing and becomes as swift in it's Motions as the Chariots of Aminadab to embrace Jesus Christ with the Arms of Faith Now we cannot Cant. 6. 12. John 6. 44. Cant. 1. 4. come to Christ unless the Father draw us Wherefore the Spouse prays draw me and I will run after thee Though we are not to be accounted as meer Stocks and Stones Because God hath endew'd us with a reasonable Soul and the faculties of understanding and Will yet unless we be assisted with Supernatural strength we cannot perform any Supernatural works We must fetch strength from Heaven otherwise we cannot perform any Spiritual action in a Spiritual manner But being prevented and assisted by Divine Grace we can cooperate through the assistance of that Strength as the Apostle professeth Phil. 4. 13. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me We cannot understand any saving Mystery till the Spirit inlightens us neither can we will any good thing till the Spirit of God inclines us But by the assistance of the Spirit we have our eyes opened to discern what is good and our Wills inclind to act what is good Having mentioned the Internal means of getting and increasing Faith I come now to the External means and External means of getting increasing Faith they are three the Word Prayer and the Lords Supper 1. The Word is an External means 1. The Word is a means to get and encrease Faith both to get and increase Faith and we are to consider the Word in a threefold Capacity as it is Read Preached
and Intercession Christ's Blood his Agony his Sweating in the Garden his Crucifixion upon the Cross all these were for his People Isai 53. 5. He was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his Stripes we are healed So that hence it evidently appears that Believers and they alone have interest in Christs Merits and enjoy the benefits flowing from them They are his Seed the Church his Body his Members 〈◊〉 Redeemed ones a Peculiar People For them Christ pray'd Joh. 17. 9. For them Christ shed his Precious Blood For them he became a Ransome and a Price of Redemption For them he Died and Rose again For saith the Apostle Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our Offences and rose again for our Justification And which is the highest Degree of Christs meriting for us He took our Sins upon him by imputation as the Apostle saith the 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to be Sin for us who knew no Sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him A third Demonstration is That Believers Demon. 3. Believers have the Precious Influences Christs Spirit have the Precious Influences of the Spirit of Christ All true Believers do pertake of such Heavenly Influences as are from the Head shed down upon the Members Now the Influences of the Spirit of Christ are discovered 1. By the Graces of the Spirit and the resemblances whereunto the Spirit is compared 1. For the Graces of the Spirit or Fruits they are mentioned Eph. 5. 9. Goodness Righteousness and Truth And a large enumeration is set down Eph. 5. 22 23. Love Joy Peace Long-Suffering Gentleness Faith Meekness Temeprance Every Grace is the Fruit of the Spirit Now Christ as Head Communicates Grace to all his Members and they receive according to their Measure and Proportion There 's in Christ a fulness of Wisdom to Counsel of Mercy to Pardon of Righteousness to Justify of Holiness to Sanctifie And Pro Legis gratia quae praeteriit gratiam Evangelii accepimus hanc manentem pro numbris imaginibus veteris Testamenti gratia veritas per Christum facta est Aug. Epist 11. there 's a derivation from the Root to the Branches Joh. 1. 16. And of his fulness have all we received and Grace for Grace 2. Le ts consider the Resemblances whereunto the Spirit is compar'd There are certain Metaphors mentioned in the Scripture whereby the Properties and Influences of the Spirit of God are more evidenced as for instance 1. The Spirit is compared to a Fire 1. The Spirit is compared to a Fire 1. As Fire enlightens and gives Light to a whole Room so the Spirit of God inlightens the understanding 2. Fire ascends so where the Spirit of God is there the affections are raised from Earth to Heaven 3. Fire is Consumptive it burns Stubble so doth the Spirit burn and consume Corruptions 4. Fire hath a penetrative vertue to creep into the pores of a combustible Body So doth the Spirit penetrate the Windings and Diverticles of the Heart The Spirit searcheth the Reins and discovers the most hidden things 5. Fire doth inflame and transform things into its own nature It makes combustible matter like it self So the Spirit of God fills the Soul with a Divine Ardour It 's called the Spirit of burning Isa 4. 4. where the Spirit of God comes it purgeth away the Dross of Corruptions by the Spirit of Judgment and by the Spirit of Burning 2. The Spirit is compared unto Water 2. The Spirit is compared to Water 1. Water hath a quenching Vertue In Water there 's a quenching and purifying Property 1. In Water there 's a quenching Property Water quencheth Fire at least abates and cools the heat so where God's Spirit comes it sometimes quencheth the heat of inordinate Passions and sometimes abates cools and moderates the heat of them God's Spirit is a Spirit of Meekness A Man 's own Spirit is a boistrous Spirit which upon any disgust is all in a Flame But God's Spirit extinguisheth the heat of Fury and Anger When Christ bad the raging Sea be still there was a great Calm so when the Spirit of God comes into the Spirit of Man it becalms all the Affections it sets them in order and fixeth them upon the right Objects Philosophers write De sedandis affectibus and yet they are meer Strangers to that Meekness which is one of the Beatitudes Mat. 5. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth That is Meekness in a Theological acceptation which moderates Anger and keeps it within just bounds when there are causes of provocation To know when to be angry and when to be meek is a great Point of Wisdom To be zealous in the cause of God and meek in a Man 's own cause is well beseeming a Christian Wherefore Luther speaking of a right placed Anger or Zeal saith It 's the best Ira in suo loco est optimuâ—â— Dei Donum Luth. Gift of God But when Men are transported with Passion like the Lunatick in the Gospel rending and tearing themselves or like Cities without Gates or Bars or like Waters that will keep in no Banks or like Fire that flames higher and higher O! what necessity is there of the cleansing Vertue of the Spirit of God which as Water quencheth flames of Fire so it quencheth the flaming Fury of exorbitant Passions and brings a Man into a sedate and composed frame of Spirit In Water there 's a purifying and cleansing 2 Water hath a cleansing Vertue Property Water casts out Garbidg and noisom Carrion And as Water cleanseth bodily Filthyness so the Spirit of Christ cleanseth from filthyness of Flesh and Spirit i. e. both outward and inward defilements Where the Spirit of God takes it's habitation it ringeth and washeth all clean what 's filthy and noisom it throws out For God's Spirit will not cohabit with a Cage of unclean Birds and noisom Lusts We read that Elias Christ's Fore-runner was like a Refiners fire and like Fullars Soap As the Refiner purgeth out Mal. 3. 3. Dross so doth the Spirit of Christ purge out Sin and Corruption and as the Fullers Soap scours washeth and cleanseth the Cloth and makes it pure and white so doth the Spirit of Christ purify and cleanse the Soul At Christ's transfiguration we read Mark 3. 3. And his Rayment became shining exceeding white as Snow so as no Fuller on Earth can white them From this comparison it 's intimated that although other Fullers can make Garments white and clean yet no Fullers Soap can make the Cloth so white and clean as the Blood of Christ can purify and cleanse the Soul 3. The Spirit is resembled to Ointment A third comparison of the Spirit whereunto it 's resembled is Ointment The Properties of Ointment are 1. To supple and asswage Humors in the Body so doth the