this last duty seems to be required in order to the former and both in respect of the promises For the second particular the act here required 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not onely to go about a thing Luke 13.32 and to execute it 2 Cor. 8.6,11 but to finish and to adde the end to the beginning Phil. 1.6 And so here the Participle here used signifieth a profection with a tendency to a perfection As for the word perfection it is variously used and there is a manifold perfection spoken of among men one of profession and outward state among the Papists and so they will have their religious men especially those in orders to be termed perfect men if any will indulge them that honor and dignity and another of the inward state which we are here to understand that again is manifold one of sincerity and uprightness So King Hezekiah pleads for himself That he had walked before the Lord in truth and with a perfect heart Isai 38.3 But this perfection is not sufficient or always to be rested in 1 Pet. 1.22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned or sincere love of the Brethren See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently See 1 Thes 3.12 A second perfection there is of parts when all the several graces of Gods sanctifying spirit are found in a man This is conceived to be in every Convert or Believer But the truth thereof may be justly questioned for some want humility some meekness some patience and the like And why doth St. Peter command us to adde to our Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Temperance to Temperance Patience to Patience Godliness to Godliness Brotherly kindness to Brotherly kindness Love If we have all these at our first conversion 2 Pet. 1.5,6,7 A third is the perfection of degrees when holiness in a full degree is by us attained answerable to the Law of God And this is threefold according to a threefold estate or dispensation The first is of love to God above all and to our Neighbor as to our selves which is the sum and fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets to the putting down of all contrary dispositions This is a perfection enjoyned by the Apostle Col 3.14 and above all put on Love which is the Bond of perfection 1 Pet. 4.8 This is called perfectio viae and allowed of by all the Schoolmen The second is a greater perfection and power in all love and goodness when Christ in the power of his Resurrection ariseth in the Saints after they are wholly dead with him to sin Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted into Christ with the likeness of his death we shall also in the likeness of his Resurrection This is that which Paul saith he had not attained unto when he wrote to the Philippiane Chap. 3.11,12 And yet even then he was able to do all things viz. that were commanded through Christ which strengthens him Chap. 4.12,13 Howbeit he hoped for the other even while he was viator or in the body The third is perfectio patriae the highest perfection of the Saints of which the Apostle speaketh Heb. 12.23 And to the spirits of just men made perfect Here in the Text we understand the first of these three last named which is an imperfect estate gradually in comparison of the second as the second is being parallel'd with the third yet some there be who in this Text understand the second also which without doubt we should both hope for and pray for preparing our selves thereunto By the first perfection and by both the former we should seek after the third in all which the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled through Christ but according to several dispensations and degrees For in the first we have communion with Christ according to the flesh or in a lower and weaker way In the second with Christ according to the Spirit in a more lively and powerful way in the similitude of his Resurrection wherein he walked with his Disciples forty days upon Earth And in the third with Christ after his Ascension and Glorification yet the least of these is an holy Perfection For the persons to be engaged they are all those that have not yet attained to that state for he that made us without our selves will not save us without our best endeavors and concurrences we have also had a hand in fulfilling the measure of our disobedience and depravation and the Lord may justly engage us in the work of new obedience and the renewing of his Image and Kingdom in us as he doth here and elswhere frequently The whole Proposition or Doctrine then is this That those who would be made heirs and partakers of the Divine Promises must perfect the race of holy Obedience set before them and the holy Image of God which is to be renewed in them or they must put on that love which is the Bond of perfection and the fulfilling of the Law as hath been said Nor is our Apostle herein singular and precise above other his Fellow-ministers the Messengers of God nor goeth he higher then Christ himself did in his express Commands For as Moses witnesseth the Lord required this of Abraham the Father of the Believers Gen. 17.1 And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared unto Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk thou before me and be persect And Deut. 10.12 Moses himself requireth as much of all Israel And now O Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God and to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul And Levit 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self I am the Lord. And Deut. 18.13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God So our Apostle 2 Cor. 13.9 And this we wish even your perfection Yea he injoyneth perfection unto them in his farewel Verse 11. Finally Brethren farewel Be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you So Heb. 6.1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ let us go on to perfection Jam. 1.4 But let patience have her perfect work in you that ye may be perfect and intire wanting nothing Chap. 2.8 If ye shall fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scripture Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self you do well Yea Christ himself doth not onely commend love to God and men unto us as the fulfilling of the Law and the Prophets Matth. 22.36,37,38,39 but he expresly commands us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect Matth. 5.48 Nor is there less reason or equity for this part of the Charge and Condition then there was for the former For first God who is holy and love it self and perfect in
them that go backward rather then forward Revel 2.4,5 Nevertheless I have something against thee because thou hast left thy first love Remember therefore from whence thou art faln and do thy first works or I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent Fourthly They are here condemned who expect the blessings of Gods Promises and Covenants and yet are so far from perfecting their Obedience and Sanctification that they never as yet did set one foot forward in that way to those the Lord speaketh Psal 50.16 What hast thou to do to take my Covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my words behinde thee These although they haply call Christ their Lord and Saviour and plead that they have eaten and drank at his Table and that he hath taught in their streets yea that they have prophesied in his Name will have this answer returned by him Depart from me ye workers of iniquity I know or own you not Matth. 7.24,25 Luke 13.26,27 For unto â—hose that are contentious and do not obey the â—ruth and obey unrighteousness shall be indignation and wrath Tribulation and anguish upon overy soul that doth evil upon the Jew first and also upon the Gentile Rom. 2.8,9 Lastly This sharply smites all those of Michals spirit who was a mocker at Perfection as the name fignifieth viz. Who is perfect For she not onely despised David in her heart for wearing the embleme of Righteousness but for dancing and rejoycing before the Ark wherefore she is punished with barrenness as all they shall be with sterility of Grace who remain such scoffers of goodness and mockers of perfection see 2 Sam. 6.20,21,22,23 In the fourth place this Doctrine may serve for Exhortation First To those who have made some beginnings of progress towards Perfection that they be careful to proceed on in that way even unto Perfection Heb. 6.1 Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection Moses witnesseth that the work of the Lord is perfect Deut. 32.4 And we are commanded to be perfect as he is perfect Matth. 5.48 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Prov. 4.18 Wherefore let all that have obtained like precious Faith with the Apostle and Saints of God giving all diligence to add to their Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance and to Temperance Patience and to Patience Godliness and to Godliness Brotherly kindness and to Brotherly kindness Love for if these things be in you and abound they shall make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ See Revel 22.11 He that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy holy still Phil. 2.12 Wherefore my Beloved as ye have always obeyed not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence work out your salvation with fear and trembling Heb. 6.11,12 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of Hope unto the end That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises Secondly To excite those who never yet begun any advance towards holiness to consider these things First Whether the Jewels held forth in the precedent Promises be not rich and precious merchandise and secondly at what price they must be purchased and had if we will have them for the Lord will speak here unto us as he did unto the Jews Zach. 11.12 If ye think good give me my price if not forbear And as the Lord did speak to some Matth. 20.6 Why stand ye here idle all the day So will he say to those Awake to righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame Confider I pray you what a deal of business you have to do ere you can enjoy the Promises and how little time some of you may have to do it in And therefore pray with David Psal 39.13 O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more And with Moses Psal 90.12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Is it a time to receive money and to receive Garments and Olive-yards and Vineyards and Sheep and Oxen and Men-servants and Maid-servants 2 King 5.16 Wherefore he saith Awake thou that sleepest stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is Eph. 5.14,15,16,17 Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19 Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor devise nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Eccles 9.10 Little children let no man deceive you he that doth righteousness is righteous as he is righteous he that committeth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinned from the beginning For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the work of the Devil 1 John 3.7,8 This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minde having their understanding darkned being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them through the hardness of their hearts who being past feeling have given over themselves unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Christ That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old-man which is corrupt or destroying according to the deceitful lusts and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minde and that ye put on the new man which is created after the Image of God in righteousness and holiness of truth Ephes 4.17,18,19,20,21,22 In the last place This may serve for the comfort and encouragement of those that desire to obtain the Promises and apply themselves with all diligence to fulfil the Conditions of the same For first it is certain That the Conditions are feasible otherwise the Promises were made void Secondly Christ hath promised two things unto us of the greatest consequence and encouragemenâ—… First That if we finde our selves weary with striving against sin and heavy laden therewith that he will ease us by helping us to shake it off and remove it Secondly That we shall finde his yoke easie and his burden light onely he requireth of us That we should learn of him that he is lowly and meek and then we