elswhere more fully and fitly rendered Cap. 12. v. last of the same Epistle where we meet again with the same Injunction Covet earnestly the best gifts With such earnestness of affection are Christians to seek after spiritual Graces and Gifts Graces which may be beneficial to themselves Gifts whereby they may edifie others desire them with zeal and holy emulation 2. Works 2. And as Gifts so Works As to Receive so to Doe This the Text points at A people zealous of good works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sectatorem bonorum operum so the Vulgar Latin renders it A people that are followers of good works A truth Such Christs people must be Followers of that which is good as St. Peter hath it 1 Pet. 3.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitators as that word properly signifieth Imitating and following of God Be ye followers of God Eph. 5.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imitating him in doing good unto all Zeal imports an intense Affection Thus ought Christians to be followers of good works Followers after Charity 1 Cor. 14.1 But the word in the Text imports more Vides inquit Chrysost ut non simpliciter opera virtutis a nobis exigantur Ait enim aemumulatorem h.e. magna cum alacritate ingenti studio animo vtrtutis opera crpessentem Esti ad loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth to Boyl per Onomatopaeiam because when liquor boyles it maketh an hissing noise Vnde fortasse Anglicum Seeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous of good works Giving us to take notice as Chrysostom well observes upon it that it is not sufficient for Christians to do good works but they must do them with an intense affection They must be Emulatores bonorum operum as Jerome and Ambrose here render the Word or as Beza Studiosi bearing a fervent affection to them and earnestly striving to go before others in them This is the proper signification of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous zeal the same in all thre Languages which coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a verb which signifieth to boyl or seeth a word answering it both in sound and sense and so may be conjectured to be taken from it or to make a hissing noise as water doth when hot Iron or burning Coals are cast into it it imports a fervent heat in the Soul an earnest and vehement Affection And with such an affection are Christians to go about good works to be zealous of them and in them zealously to Affect them Thus are they to be affected towards their God loving him with an intense Affection Christians to be zealous towards their God So the Law requireth it Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Saint Mark and Luke have it Mark 12.30 Luk. 10.27 And being thus affected towards him they are in like manner to be thus affected for him This is Phineas's commendation He was zealous for his God Numb 25.13 zealous for his sake as the 11th verse there hath it He could not indure to see such dishonour done to his God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelando Zâ—latus sum Montan and therefore steppeth forth to execute Justice upon the offenders And the like saith Elijah of himself I have been very jealous or zealous for the word is the same for the Lord God of Hosts 1 King 19.10.14 And the like we read of David Psal 69.9 who was therein a type of Christ of whom it written the Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up Joh. 2.17 Such was his Zeal for the worship and service of God that it was as a fire within him burning in his breast and breaking forth as occasion was offered as at that time it did when he whipped the buyers and sellers out of the Temple And thus ought those who profess themselves to be his people to be affected towards their God Being zealous for his honour and glory in and about his worship and service Zealous towards their Brethren And in like manner are they to be affected towards their brethren being Zealous of them So Paul telleth his Corinthians that he was for them 2 Cor. 11.2 I am jealous over you with a godly jealousie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am zealous of you ardently affecting you earnestly desiring your wellfare So ought the Ministers of Christ to be affected towards the people committed to their charge desiring their good That is the Testimony which Paul giveth to his Colossians concerning Epaphras or Epaphroditus for they are conceived to be both one a faithfull minister of Christ as he calls him Col. 1.7 Epaphras idem qui Epaphroditus contractione pronunciationis sic Demas est Demetrius Grot. Annot. in loc I bear him record saith he that he hath a great zeal for you Col. 4.13 And thus ought all Christians to be affected towards their brethren earnestly desiring their good being readie to express their Affection to them by being forward to all good offices readie to every good work as we haue it in the verse next but one after the Text Tit. 3.1 With such Zeal are Christians to perform all duties All duties to be performed with Zeal to do all kind of good works of Piety and Charity works of Holinesse and Righteousnesse Being good works and proper for them they are be zealous in performing of them So was our blessed Pattern the Lord Jesus in doing the will of his father of which he saith that it was his Meat Joh. 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work This he desired more than his bodily food which a hungry man maketh haste to feeding upon it with an eager appetite and with great complacency and contentment And thus are Christians to go about Gods work the doing of his will making haste to it I made hast and delayed not to keep thy Commandements saith David Psal 119.60 making it their delight I delight to do thy will O my God saith he Psal 40.8 Thy Testimonies are my delight Psal 119.16.24 and often in that Psalm And so is it with every truly godly man he is one whose delight is in the Law of the Lord as David describeth him Psal 1.4 as in Meditating of it so in Practising it doing it with alacrity and chearfulness and some spiritual vigor desiring to run Gods waies I will run the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart saith that holy man v. 32. of that Psalm A Runner in a race is zealous in his way putting himself forward what he can putting all his strength to the work that he is about And so ought Christians to be in Gods waies being zealous of and in good works R. This is R. And great reason they should be so this being a thing both Good and Necessarie 1. Good 1. Good 〈◊〉
Each nature contributing what was congruous and agreeable to it for the effecting of this great work of Reconciliation Such a Communion there was betwixt the two natures from their first union that the one did not act without the other not the Divine without the Humane nor yet the Humane without the Divine which some of our adversaries in some cases are inforced to acknowledged As for what is by them alleged from that obvious text commonly taken up in this cause 1 Tim. 2.5 where it is said There is one Mediator betwixt God and Man the man Christ Jesus it is soon and easily answered True it is Christ who was truly Man is this Mediator but not Quâ homo not only as Man Even as before it was said in that other Text that God shed his blood Deus sed non quâ Deus He that was God but not as God Both Natures being personally united did mutually contribute to this great work whilest the one properly suffered the other as is said supported it in suffering and gave value to those sufferings Let it then be concluded as a truth clearly and convincingly held forth by this Text that whole Christ Christ God and Man is the Gift here spoken of The great God even our Saviour Iesus Christ who gave himself Loe here then the Gift of Gifts Obs The Gift of Gifts Jesus Christ the greatest Gift that ever was bestowed upon any Creature Such was the Lord Iesus Thence called by himself the Gift of God Joh. 4.10 If thou knewest the Gift of God saith he to the Samaritan woman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Donum illud as Beza rightly renders it that Gift Istud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accipiendum est pro exegesi Beza Gr. Annot. in Loc. meaning himself as the sequele explains it And who it is thaet saith unto thee c. which words are most fitly looked upon as exegetical Expository to the former shewing what Gift he there spake of viz. himself who may well be called that Gift being as I sald the Gift of Gifts a Gift not to be parallelled R. That it is so will easily and plainly appear if we do but consider 1. A gift in it self invaluable 1. The value of the Gift it self wherein it infinitely exceeds all other gifts As for other gifts how rich soever yet they are but Creature-gifts this gift is the Creatour himself The great God gave himself 2. Most beneficial to others 2. The great benefit which accrueth to those to whom this gift is given As for other gifts they are oftimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gift-less gifts though it may be of much worth and value in themselves yet of no great use to the parties that are possessed of them nay sometimes proving prejudicial to them as the Preacher saith of Riches which are oft kept for the hurt of their owners Eccl. 5.13 So is it not with this Gift which as it is of infinite value in it self so of unspeakable benefit to those to whom it is given they being hereby made happy for ever Other gifts a man may injoy yet perish with them As Peter said to Simon Magus when he offered him a gift Thy money perish with thee Act. 8.20 Not so where this gift is given and received So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 In this Gift all other gifts are as it were bound up So as they who are interested herein shall not want any other gift which may any wayes conduce to their happiness How shall not God with him with Christ also freely give us all things saith the Apostle Rom. 8.32 all things necessary and expedient Other gifts are but accessaries this the Principal Applic. Applica All seek after this Gift O then let all of us look out for our share in this Gift Gifts if of value and profitable they are things which nature inclines men to look after and that too often in an inordinate manner and way Every one loveth gifts saith the Prophet Isai concerning the Princes of Iudah Isai 1.23 O that grace may incline all our hearts to be in love with this Gift As for other gifts some of them are not to be loved but hated Hee that hateth gifts shall live saith the wiseman Prov. 15.27 speaking of Bribes which oft-times prove baneful to the receivers of them whereas tbose upright Judges who refuse them live in grace and favour with God and men And for other Gifts gifts from men though happily they may lawfully be received yet sometimes they are better refused than accepted So are those Gifts which Princes sometimes bestow upon their favourites upon whom they confer great Honours and Dignities and Estates All which when offered by King Belshazzar to Daniel the story tels us they were refused by him Let thy gifts be to thy self O King saith he Dan. 5.17 But loe here is a Gift which whosoever receiveth shall never have cause to repent him of it A Gift which alone is able to make him perfectly happy and that unto all Eternity O let all of us look after this Gift not contenting our selves to hear that there is such a Gift given to and for the Sons of men but every of us labour to assure our interest in it to make this sure that Christ is given for us and to us which how it may be done I shall God willing shew you hereafter Such a Gift is Jesus Christ Quest Quest How Christ was given for the Sons of men But how was this Gift given or how did Christ give himself for the Sons of men Ans To this it may be answered given he was for them throughout his whole course Answ He was through his whole course In his Incarnation Birth Life Death Resurrection Ascension Intercession All which were and are for their sakes 1. So was his Incarnation 1. In his Incarnation wherein he gave himself to be made Man The word was made flesh Joh. 1.14 that is the Son of God the substantial word of his Father by whom he declared his will to the Church as our minds are made known to others by our words he was made man by taking the nature of man into a personal union with his God-head Thus was he given to us as a man that giveth himself in mariage to another whom he loveth Thus did the Son of God out of his love to the Sons of men he as it were maried himself to their nature taking it into an indissoluble union with his God-head This he did in his Conception 2. And secondly in his Birth 2. In his Birth To us or for us a Child is born to us a Son is given Isai 9.6 3. And thirdly in his Life 3. In his Life Being born for us he lived for us throughout the whole course of his life devoting himself to the seeking of our
works to speak for you I mean to speak to the World and your own consciences so as to evidence the truth of your faith never reckon your selves in the number of true beleevers For this Saint James speaketh fully and expresly in that known place Jam. 2. Where he sheweth how faith without works is but a mock-faith a dead faith Faith if it have not works is dead being alone v. 17. Being alone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by it self not being accompanyed with good works works of Holiness and Righteousness which are the inseparable companions of a true justifying faith it cannot be a true living faith Which if it were it would be a working faith True faith a working faith So Paul describeth it Gal. 5.6 Faith working by love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word being taken Passively as it proPerly signifieth it imports a faith actuated by love thereby quickned and moved to the doing of good works or Actively as it is commonly understood it denotes an active operative faith which putteth forth and sheweth it self in the exercises of love love to God love to his Saints in doing of good works works of Piety and Charity Hereby faith sheweth it self to be a true living faith So doth the Body by the Operations of it it sheweth it self to be a living body And so doth faith shew it self to be a living faith by its works which are Indicativa fidei I will shew thee my faith by my works saith St. Iames Jam. 12.18 No such sure and certain token of a true saving justifying faith as an uniform impartial and universal obedience Which where it is not in an unfeigned desire and endeavour it is a clear evidence of a dead faith As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also so that Apostle there closeth up that Chapter Iam. 2.26 As the body without the spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not that works are to faith as the soul is to the body the form of it and giving life to it which some would from hence infer that were to stretch the similitude beyond the staple beyond the scope and intent for which it is here made use of which is onely to illustrate what before was laid down viz. that Faith without works is dead So is the body without the soul or without breath as that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be rendred which our new Translation in the Margin mindeth us of Where there is no breathing there can be no life breath being though not a Cause yet an Indication of it And so where faith doth not breath forth and shew it self by good works the evidence is plain it is no other but a dead faith Solitary faith not to be trusted to Which in the fear of God let it be brought home to you who reckon your selves in the number of true believers putting your confidence in Christ hoping that as you are Redeemed so you shall be saved by and through faith What is this your faith fides solitaria a solitary faith faith alone having no good works to attend it do not think that Christ will ever own you for his True it is it is not for your works sake that he will own and accept you but he will not do it without them But what then shall we say to those evil workers Evil workers none of Christs people whose works testifie against them shewing to whom they belong Good works they have none to speak for them but evil ones too many to speak against them Being such as our Apostle speaketh of in the last verse of the Chapter fore-going Tit. 1.16 Such as professe that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate Such as it may be give over themselves unto all lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse with greedinesse as he saith of the impure Gentiles Eph. 4.19 working the works of the flesh which what they are we may learn from the same Apostle who giveth us a bedroll of them Gal. 5.19 20 21. Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication c. And are not these the works which some and too many who bear the names of Christians are given over to Evil works which they live and lie in and make a trade of A plain evidence that whatever acquaintance they may take of Jesus Christ calling him their Saviour yet they are in truth strangers to him It is that which Paul saith of his Colossians before their conversion Col. 1.21 They were then alienated and enemies in their minds by wicked works And surely so are all they who are workers of iniquity Giving themselves over unto wicked works to the practice of them whatever their profession be this their practice sheweth that they have no true acquaintance with God and Jesus Christ They are alienated from him and enemies to him So as whatever acquaintance they may take of him as I said he will take none of them Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity That is the answer which the Master of the house giveth unto some who would take acquaintance of him as you have it Luke 13.26 We have eaten say they and drank in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets they had had familiar acquaintance with him But he shall say to them as it followeth I tell you I know you not whence you are Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity Workers of iniquity such as make a trade of sin living in the practice of it for such are properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not every one that falleth into sin but such as live in a course of sin they are workers of iniquity And being such whatever outward visible communion they have had with Christ in his Ordinances in his Word and Sacraments yet let not them think that he will own them for his another day No those that are Christs are such as have their Consciences purged from dead works to serve the living God as the Apostle describeth them Heb. 9.14 From dead works that is sinful works which are fitly so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in as much as they naturally proceed from a man that is spiritually dead and make him that doth them lyable unto death From such works true believers have their consciences purged being freed as from the guilt so from the habit and power of them so as henceforth they do not serve sin which sometimes they did God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin saith Paul of his believing Romans Rom. 6.17 Such they were before their conversion but not such now Now they served another Master From the time that they came to obey that form of doctrine which had been delivered unto them to receive and imbrace the doctrine of the Gospel now being freed from sinne they became the servants of righteousnesse as it there followeth v. 18. And so is it
maintaining of it as that they have not spared to expose themselves to the greatest of hazards Sir Henry Slingsby Dr. Hewet beheaded on Tower-Hill June 8. 1658. even to the losing of their lives in the service Of which kind this week last past furnisheth us with two sad examples in this Nation Now shall men be so zealous for men and shall not Christians be as zealous for their God Who as he is able to protect and bear them out in whatever they do for him so he will not be wanting in recompencing of them Neither of which men are sure of from whomsoever else they engage and undertake for 4. And like use make we of the zeal which we see or hear of in evil workers as viz. 1. In Satan who ceaseth not to compass the earth as himself declares it Iob 1.7 The Question being put to him by God Satan whence comest thou he presently returns Answer which he doth once and again Cap. 2.2 From compassing the earth to and fro or as our new Translation hath it from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it Such is his zeal to do mischief that he is continually ranging to and fro seeking opportunities and advantages Like a roaring Lion walking about seeking whom he may devour as St. Peter expresseth it 1 Pet. 5.8 So greedy is he of his prey zealous to do mischief 2. And the like zeal we may see in his Instruments 2. His Instruments Seducers With what zeal do they serve this their Lord and Master False Teachers subtle seducers how zealous are they in propagating and spreading of their pernicious errors They compass sea and land to make proselytes as our Saviour sayes of the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23.15 And thus Saint Paul speaking of false Teachers which opposed him and his Doctrine he tells his Galathians that they zealously affected them Gal. 4.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were very zealous in seeking to gain them and bring them over to their way And as Seducers so Persecutors Persecutor◠How zealous shall we find them in persecuting the truth and the sincere professors of it Concerning zeal persecuting the Church saith Paul of himself before his conversion in that Text forecited Phil. 3.6 A Persecutor he then was and that a zealous one Breathing out threatnings and slaughters against the Disciples of the Lord as it is said of him Acts 9 1. So vehement was the heat of his inraged heart against Christ and his followers that he discovered it both in his words by his menacing and threatning language and also in his actions taking upon him the office of an Apparitor and procuring a Commission from the High Priests that if he found any of that way professed Christians whether they were Men or Women he might bring thē bound to Ierusalem as it there followeth in the next verse v. 2. So zealous then was he against Christ and against all that professed the name of Christ And what he was then against them the like were others afterwards against him some combining and banding themselves against him So we read of those Iewes Act. 23.12 They banded together and bound themselves under a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul Such was their zeal against the way which he then held forth And may we not see the like among those of the Romish Religion who spare not to prosecute whoever they are that dissent from them with fire and faggot Witnesse the Marian Persecution in this Nation in the last Age which spared neither Sex nor Age. So zealous are the Devils Instruments in serving of him in doing of his work 3. His servants false worshippers 3. And like Zeal shall we find in his Servants Idolaters and false worshippers how zealous shall we find them in their way So were the Ephesians for their Diana whom we may hear crying out for two houres together Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19.34 And so are the Papists at this day for their Superstitious and Idolatrous worship And so are profane persons Profane Persons who willingly make themselves slaves to their lusts serving divers lusts and pleasures as the Apostle hath it in the Chapter after the Text Tit. 3.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Addicti Mancipati Addicted Mancipated inslaved to them which they are in a spontaneous and voluntary way selling themselves to work evil as it is said of Ahab 1 King 21.20 giving over themselves to the committing of sin and that with greedinesse as the Apostle speaketh of the Gentiles Eph. 4.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an unsatiable desire or as it were striving how they may do most evil Thus are wicked men in doing of wicked works they are zealous resolved in their way so bent upon their will in it that nothing shall take them off or turn them aside Ye are of your father the Devil and the lusts of your father ye will do saith our Saviour to those malicious Iewes Iohn 8.44 Being of the like temper and disposition with the Devil and resembling him as the Child doth the Father his lusts they would do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quicquid collibitum est as Grotius explaines it whatever he pleased So forward are wicked and ungodly men in serving of sin and Satan in doing of wicked works which they do in a zealous way Their feet run to evil as the Wiseman saith of them Prov. 1.16 And are all these so zealous in evil works O then how zealous should we be in good works What shall the servants of Satan be more zealous in serving their Master than we in serving ours Let all these serve as Incentives to our zeal to stir and blow up this heavenly fire in our souls 4. And whilest we make this use of their zeal 4. The zeal of wicked men against zeal in for evil works make we the like also of their zeal against good works and against the Actors of them Wicked men they cannot endure those that are zealous of good works they are a mote in their eye they are ready to speak evil of them to revile them and upbraid them with this their zeal But let this be so far from quenching or yet cooling hereof that let it rather be an Incentive to it Like as the wind is to the fire or water to the Smiths forge which make it burn and flame so much the more such use make we of the scornes and obloquies which men of the world cast upon the zealous profession and practice of Godliness Let this make us so much the more zealous Such use did David make of that jeer which scoffing Michal put upon him for his zeal which he shewed in bringing the Ark of God into its place when she saw him dancing before the Lord with all his might which the Text tells us he did 2 Sam. 6.14 This she maketh a jeer of upon her next
whether ever they shall have a second invitation Just is it with God to withhold his grace from those who thus reject it and to harden their hearts confirming them in their infidelity who have first hardened their own hearts against the tenders of grace and mercy in Christ This is that which our Evangelist St. John saith of the Jewes John 12.37 Though Christ had done so many miracles before them yet they believed not on him And why not how came they to be so stupid The reason is rendered v. 39 40. Therefore they could not believe because Isaias said He hath blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts c. They had first wilfully shut their own eyes against the light of the Gospel maliciously withstanding and rejecting of Christ And thereupon God in his most just and righteous judgment giveth them over to a reprobate sense taking from them those abilities which they had of believing unto salvation O take heed that the like do not happen to any of you which you may justly expect shall you dare upon this or any other pretence whatever to reject and refuse the gracious offers of Christ tendred to you No ground of Despair Obj. 3. But in the third place may not this Doctrine minister matter of despair to some drooping spirits who may thus reason against themselves If only they shall come unto Christ who are given to him by God the Father then with what confidence can they come to him not knowing whether they be of that number which they fear they are not and if so then all their attempts and endeavours this way will be to no purpose Hereupon they fear that they shall never come to him to receive any benefit by him and from him Ans For Answer to this A wrong way of reasoning to begin with Gods decrees know we that this is a wrong way of reasoning to begin with Gods decrees which being secret to us and hidden from us until God shall be pleased to make them known in and by the execution of them may perplex and trouble but no wayes profit or advantage any by their immediate enquiries into them And therefore let none attempt to unlock that Cabinet to look into that Ark. Gods revealed Will mans Rule Secret things belong unto the Lord but revealed things to us and to our children Deut. 29.29 Now what Gods revealed will is that all either do or may know viz. that they should come unto his Son Christ that they should believe on him This is the Commandement that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 3.23 And to this command we have a gracious promise here annexed They who so come unto Christ shall not be rejected He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Now then wherefore should any perplex and trouble their spirits in searching after that which they shall never in any other way find whether they be given to Christ Temeritatis est velle pervestigare divini consilii arcanum Hoc faciendum est quod praecipit Deus Praecipit autem credi in Christum Ferus Annot. in Text. Why do they not rather in obedience to that great Gospel-command and in confidence of so gracious a promise put their soules upon this way apply themselves to the doing of what is so required of them viz. To come unto Jesus Christ Which let me now press upon all and every of you by way of Exhortation Vse 2. Exhortation to all to come unto Christ that you would come unto Jesus Christ This is that which he himself inviteth all to do Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden And again John 7.37 In the last day that great day of the Feast Jesus stood and cried saying If any man thirst let him come unto me And let all hearken to this Invitation closing with it Many Arguments and Motives Motives to it might I make use of to press this Motion to set on this Exhortation In no other way is life to be expected Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life saith our Saviour to the Iews John 5.40 They went to Moses seeking salvation by the works of the Law but alas it was not there to be found I am the way the truth and the life John 14.6 Christ is the only true way which leadeth unto eternal life This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17.3 To know God in Christ this is the saving knowledge Cominh unto Christ you shall find a fulnesse in him so as you shall not need to seek any thing out of him He that cometh unto me shall never hunger saith the verse next but one before the Text v. 35. he shall find a full satisfaction in me Here and only here is true rest and peace to be found Come unto me ye that labour c. and ye shall find rest to your souls Here is that wine and milk to be had which the Prophet Isai speaketh of Isa 55.1 whatever is requisite for the refreshing and nourishing of the Soul But I shall confine my self to that one Argument which I have here put into my hand Coming to Christ an assurance of being given to him Hereby shall you come to know that you are given to Christ by God his Father This is the one and only way whereby you may come to be assured of Gods gracious purpose towards you Adhaerens Christo certus es de praedestinatione tuâ Ferus Annot in Text. that your names are written in the book of life that you are in the number of Gods Elect. A thing which it standeth all Christians in hand to make sure unto themselves Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure So St. Peter presseth it upon those to whom he writeth 2 Pet. 1.10 And who is there among you but would be glad to have this assurance Now in what way may this be obtained Why in vain it is to think of ascending up into Heaven there to search the Rolls and Records of Eternity Only then put your selves upon this way of coming unto Iesus Christ Hereby may a Christian come to be undoubtedly assured hereof So much we may learn from the Text. All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me So then invert the words All that do come unto Christ are given to him by his Father Thus may Christians safely pass a Notiore ad ignotum from that which is known to what is otherwise unknown reasoning from their Vocation to their Election from their coming to Christ to their being given to him As for their coming unto Christ Coming to Christ a thing which may be known that is a thing which they may certainly know The heart cannot be a stranger to its own Affections especially if they be intense Quid enim cordi nostro perspectius esse poterit quam