Edifying and Satisfying discovery of this Necessary Important Truth viz. Christ made of God to us Wisdome Righteousness Sanctification Redemption and withall Point out plainely particulary the way how Beleevers in all their Particular and various exigéncies maâ—… and should so make use of and apply that all fulness which is treasured up in the Head for the benefite and advantage of the Members of the Mystical body as they may not only theoretically see but practically also experience this truth That in Him they are compleat and so they may be helped to understand how through the necessary constant usemaking of Him as all in all they may grow up in Him in all things If this be I say done by any to better purpose I shall think this my adventure not altogether fruitless in part at least excusable As for thee O Christian whose instruction edification and confirmation in the Faith of our Lord Iesus Christ the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints I mainly intended in this undertaking I have a few things to adde knovv then that there are certain men as the Apostle Iude speaketh crept in unawares who were of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Iesus Christ for in these last dayes vve see that these perillous times are come of vvhich Paul advertised Timothy 2 Tim. 3 1. c. vvherein men shall be lovers of their owne selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce breakers false accusers or make bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitours heady high minded lovers of pleasure morethan lovers of God having the forme of godliness but denying the power thereof for of this sort are they which creep into houses lead captive silly women laden with sinnes led away with diverse lusts ever learning never able to come to the knowledge of the truth And because it is so be exhorted to give deligence to make your Calling Election sure by giving all diligence to adde to faith vertue to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity for if ye do these things ye shall never fall As the Apostle Peter assureth us 2 Pet. 1 5 6 7 10. for itis the Elect vvho are secured from full and final defection and Apostasie Mat. 24 24. Mark 13 22. Rom. 11 5 7. 9 11. 8 33. Mat. 24 31. Mark 13 27. and the promise of Salvation is made to such as shall endure to the end The Crown is for the Overcomers such as are faithful to the death Mat. 10 22. 24 13. Mark 13 1â—… Revel 2 10 11 17 26 27 28. 3 5 1â—… 21. All vvhich and the like are sct dovvne that hereby his people might be rationally moved to a constant seriousness in the working out of their owne Salvation in fear trembling and the forevvarnings given of the great difficulty of reaching the end of our faith the salvation of our souls because of the many Active Vigilant Indefatigable Subtile and Insinuating adversaries who by good words faire speaches vvill readily deceive the hearts of the simple are to avvaken the more His people to be sober vigilant because their Adversary the Devil vvho acteth and moveth his under-agents in their several Modes Methods and Motions so as he may best according to the various Tempers Present Dispositions Advantages or Disadvantages of such as he intendeth to seduce vvhich he carefully studyeth and plyeth for this end obtaine his designed end their ruine and destruction as a roaring lyon walking about seeking whom he may devoure And this calleth them to haste out of their slumber and security lest their Adversary who will be loath to misse his Opportunity surprize them to their great losse and disadvantage It is Beloved high time novv to awake to look about us to consider where we are upon vvhat ground vve stand vvhether the Enemy or we have the advantage hovv and in vvhat Postour vve are to rancontre with deceivers that seek to cheare us of all of our souls and of our Salvation because they vvould cheat us of the Lord our Righteousness and dravv us off the pathes of life that vvhen vve come to die beside the unspe akable great losse vve vvould thereby be at even here in missing the comfortable accestes to God through lesus Christ the inflowings of grace strength for spiritual duty through the Lord our Strength the sweet communications of peace and joy in the holy Ghost the shedings abroad of the love of God in our hearts by the holy Ghost vvhich is given unto us and the full assurance of hope through the Lord Iesus our hope vve might be frustrated of all our expectations and finde that all that vvhich Men made us grip to lay hold on and leane unto in stead of Christ vvas but a meer shadow and a lie in our right hand to the unexpressible griefe vexation and sorrovv of soul vvhen all should end in a dreadful and horrible disappointment But let us not think that our Purposes firme-like Resolutions to adhere to the Truth and our present Abhorrence at and Detestation of errours novv broached to the overturning of the very foundations of true Christianity vvill sufficiently guaird us from and make us proof against the shotes and assaults of these crafty seducers Nor think that our learning and knovvledge in the Theory of the Truth nor our Abilities to rancontre Sophisters vvill secure us from a fall let us not think that the Enemies are contemptible and therefore vve need be the less anxious nor yet think that former experiences throughbearings in the like cases vvill be a pillow vvhereupon vve may novv lay our selves downe to sleep If vve do vve shall certanely deceive ourselves if all our strength standing be in ourselves and through ourselves and if this be the ground of our hope the Righteous Lord in his holy justice may give us up to be a Prey Peters instance should never be forgotten bâ—… us and such as tempt the Lord have no ground to expect his last issue Our strength must be in Christ to the rock of ages must vve flee to our chambers in Him must vve retire and there must vve hide ourselves on Christs lee side can vve only ride salfe and be free of the hazard of the storme To Him therefore must our recourse be dayly by new fresh acts of Faith In and through Him and His Influences communicated according to the tenor of the Covenant of grace through Faith eyeing the Promiser the Promise vvith the Price purchaseing and so dravving and sâ—…king Light Direction Strength Stability and vvhat our present exigent calleth for must vve think to stand and happy they vvho conscious to
5 6. that as many of us as are Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death and that therefore we are buryed with Him by baptisme into death and are planted together in the likenesse of his death yea and that our old man is crueified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed that hence forth we should not serve sin whence beleevers are warranded commanded vers 11. to reckon themselvs to be dead indeed unto sin and therefore sin should not reigne in their mortall bodyes to fulfill the lusts thereof vers 12. This is a sure ground of hope comfort for beleevers that Christ dyed thus as a publick person and that by vertue thereof being now united to Christ by faith they are dead unto sin by law and sin cannot challenge a dominion over them as before their conversion it might have done and did for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth but no longer wherefore beleeving brethren becomeing dead to the law by the body of Christ are marryed to another even to Him who is raised from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 1 4. 3. Hence It followeth that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. So that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God hath got his deaths wounds in the crucifixion of Christ shall never recover his former vigour activity to oppresse beare down the people of God as he did He is now virtually through the death of Iesus killed crucified being in Christ nailed to the crosse 4. His resurrection is a paune pledge of this sanctification for as He died as a publick person so He rose againe as a publick person we are buryed with Him by baptisme that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. and beleevers are said to be planted together with him in the likenesse of his resurrection vers 5. and they shall live with Him vers 8. and therefore they are to reckon themselvs alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord verse 11. we are raised up together Ephes. 2 6. 5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption betwixt the Father the Son Esa. 52 15. so shall he sprinkle many nations Cap. 53 10. He shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Christ then having this promised to Him must see to the accomplishment thereof and will have it granted to him seing He hath fulfilled all that was engadged to by Him having made his soul an offering for sin 6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace Ier. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity Ezech 37 23. and I will cleanse them So Chap. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse from all your idols will I cleanse you Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator for in Him all the promises are yea amen 2. Cor. 1 20. 7. He hath also purchased made sure to his owne the new nature and the heart of flesh which is also promised Ezech. 36 26. 11. 19. Ier. 32. 39. This is the new lively principle of grace the spring of sanctification which cannot be idle in the soul but must be emitting vitall acts natively Yea through Him are beleevers made partakers of the divine nature which is a growing thing young glory in the soul. 2. Pet. 2 3 4. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertaine unto life godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. 8. The Spirit is promised to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ who is the cautioner of the covenant yea He hath gotten now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the covenant committed unto Him so as He is the great Lord treasurer and administrator of the great glorious purchased blessings 9. There are new waterings breathings gailes of the Spirit given in Christ. Esai 27 3. He must water his garden or vinyaird every moment This is the north winde the south winde that bloweth upon the garden Cant. 4 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel Hos. 14 5. 10. Through Christ is the beleever brought into such a covenant state as giveth great ground of hope of certane victory He is not now under the law but under grace and hence inferreth the Apostle Rom. 6 14. That sin shall not have dominion over them Being now under that dispensation of grace whereby all their stock is in the Mediators hand at his disposall and not in their own hand power as under the covenant of works there is a sure ground laid down for constant supply furniture in all necessities 11. Christ hath prayed for this Iohn 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth where the Lord is praying that his disciples might be more more sanctified and so fitted qualified for the work of the ministrie they were to be imployed in And what He prayed for them was not for them alone but also for all the elect proportionably who are opposed to the world for which He did not pray v. 9. 12. He standeth in relation to beleevers of a Vine or a Root in which they grow as branches so that by abiding in Him living by faith in Him and drawing sap from him they bring forth fruit in Him Iohn 15 1 2 4 5. Their stock of grace is in Him the root and He communicateâ—…h sap and life unto his branches whereby they grow floorish and bring forth fruit to the glory of God 13. Christ hath taken on Him the office of a Prophet and Teacher to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to goe for He is that great Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up and who was to be heard and obeyed in all things Deut. â—…8 15. Act. â—… 2â—… and 7 37. He is given for a witnesse a leader Esai 55 4. and we are commanded to hear Him Mat. 17 5. Mark 10 7. 14. He hath also taken on Him the office of a King Psal. 2 6. Mat. 21 5. Esai 9 6 7. Phil. 2 8. 9 10 11. and thereby standeth engadged to lubdue all their spirituall enemies Satan corruption Psal. 110. He is given for a leader and commander Esai 55 4 and so can cause his people walk in his wayes 15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions failings He hath provided a fountaine for us
out hope and exspectation in God alone and to look above the ordinances for our help 4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone doth beginne and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul yet though he might did He but see it for his glory carry on and finish this work in the soâ—…l without the intervention of second causes or meanes he hath notwithstanding thought it fit forth â—… glory of his name to worke this work by meanes and particulary by beleevers setting about the work He worketh not in man as if he were a block or a stone but useth him as a rationall creature endued with a rationall soul having useful and necessary facultyes and having a body fitted by organs to be â—…ubservient to the soul in its actions Therefore the beleever must not think to lye by and do nothing for he is commanded to worke out his owne salvation and that because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do Because God worketh all therefore he should worke so reasoneth the Apostle so that God's working is an argument and motive to man to worke and not an argument to him to lye by idle and do nothing And here is the holy art divine skill requisite in this businesse to wit for the believer to be as diligent and active as if he could bring forth fruit in his own strength and by his owne working and yet to be as abstracted from himself his owne grace ability knowledge and experience in his working as if he were lying by like a meeâ—… block only moving as moved by externall force 5. The soul that would make progresse in Christianity and grow in grace would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy which we are to imitate and that therefore we should set Christ continually before us as our patterne that we may follow his steps 1. Pet. 1 15. and 2 â—…1 But with all it would be remembered that He is not like other ensamples or copies that can helpe the man that imitateth them no other way than by their objective prospect for looking by faith on this copy will bring vertue to the man that studyeth to imitate whereby he shall be inabled to follow his copie the better O 〈◊〉 we knew in experience what this were to take a look of Chrâ—…'s Love Patience Long suffering Meeknesse Hatred of sin Zeal c. and by 〈◊〉 to pore-in till by vertue proceeding from that copie we found our hearts in some measure framed into the same disposition or at least more inclined to be cast into the same mould 6. The beleever would act faith on Christ aâ—… the Head of the body and as the stock in which the branches are engrafted and thereby suck sap and life and strength from Him that he may work walk and grow as becometh a Christian. The beleever must grow up in Him being a branch in Him and must bring forth fruit in Him as the forementioned places clear Now Christ himselfe tells us that the branches cannot bring forth fruit except they abide in the vine and that no more can his disciples bring forth fruit except they abide in Him Iohn 15. Therefore as it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faith that the soul as a branch is united to Christ as the vine and as it is by faith that they abide in Him so is it by faith that they must bring forth fruit and this faith must grippe Christ as the Vine and the Stock or Root from which cometh sap life and strength faith then must look to Christ as the fountain of 〈◊〉 as the head â—…om whence cometh all the in â—…ces of strength and motion Christ 〈◊〉 strength and life enough to give out for the fulnesse of the God head dwelleth in Him bodyly and he is also willing enough to communicate of his fulnesse as the relations He hath taken on do witnesse Thâ—… head will not grudge to give to the members of the body spirits for action and motion 〈◊〉 will a vine grudge to give sap unto the branches â—…ay life strength and furniture will as it were natively flow out of Christ unto beleevers except they through unbeleef and other distempers cause obstructions as life and sap doth natively and kindely flow from the root to the branches of from the head to the members unlesse obstructions stoppe the passage It is necessary therefore that beleevers eye Christ under these and the like relations and look upon Him as standing to speak so obliged by his place and relation to grant strength and influences of life whereby they may become fruitful in every good work and so with holy humble and allowed boldnesse presse in faith for new communications of grace vertue strength courage activity and what else they need for from the head all the body by joints bands having nourishment ministred increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2 19. Ephes. 4 16. 7. For this cause beleevers would lye open unto the influences of Christ and guaird against the puting of obstructions in the way through grieving of the Spirit by which He conveyeth communicateth those influences unto the soul and through questioning misbeleeving Christ's faithfulnesse and unchangable willingnesse which as a violent humore stoppeth the passage So then beleevers would lye open by looking and waiting drawing seeking from Him what they need and by guarding against every thing that may provoke the Lord to angerâ—… whether in omission or commission Here is requisite â—…n holy humble sober and watchfull walk an earnest serious and hungry looking out to Him and a patient waiting for supply and furniture from Him This is to open the mouth wide that He may fill it to lie before the sun of righteousnesse that the beames thereof may beat upon them warme revive them and to waite as a beggar at this kings gate till he give the almes 8. For the strengthening of their hope faith in this they would lay hold upon Christ dying and by his death purchaseing all those influences of life and strength which are requisite for carrying on of the work of grace and sanctification in the soul for we must be blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings Eph. 1â—… 3. The beleever then would look on these influences as purchased at a deare rate by the blood of Jesus Christ so that the divine power giveth unto us all things that pertaine unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue 2 Pet. 1 3. And this will encourage the soul to wait on and expect the flowing down of influences and spiritual blessings and showres of grace to cause the soul to flourish and become fruitfull and to urge and presse more earnestly by faith the bestowing of the purchased benefites 9. Moreover the beleever would look on Jesus as standing engaged and obliged to carry on this work both as receiving them for this end from the Father
trusting to our own understandings so to the judgments of other men nor would we look to what suiteth most our own humors nor to what appeareth most specious and plausible for that may deceive us 9ly We would lye open to the influences and rayes of light by exerciseing faith in earnest desires as also patient waiting for and single looking to Him mindeing his name and his relations promises and engadgments for the strengthning of our faith and confidence 10ly We would labour to keep fast whatever He teacheth us by his word and spirit not prove â—…ecking vessels This the Apostle exhorteth to Heb 2 1. Therefore we ought to give the more eâ—…rnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip yea and we should be established in the Truth 2. Pet 1 12. 11ly We would beware of resting on a forme of the truth as those did of whom we read Rom. 2 â—…0 and of holding the truth in unrighteousnesse as these Rom. 1 18. and of disobeying it as these mentioned Rom. 2 v. 8. see also Gal. 3 v. 1. and 5 v. 7. 12ly But on the contrary we would so receive truth as that it might â—…ule and be master in us captivate judgment will and affections and break out into the practice and this comprehendeth several duties such as 1. To have the Truth in us whileas if we practise otherwise the truth is not in us 1. Iohn 1 v. 8. and 2 v. 4. 2. To be of the Truth as belonging to its jurisdiction power and command 1. Iohn 3 19. Iohn 18 37. 3. To doe the Truth by having true followshipe with Him 1. Iohn 1 6 and to walk in the Truth 2 Ioh. 4. 3. Ioh. 4. Psal. 86 11. 4. To have the loyns girt with truth Ephes. 6 v. 14. 5. To receive the love of the truth â—… Thes 2 10. 6. To be instructed of him as the truth is in Iesuâ—… Ephes. 4 21. 7. To purify the soul in obeying the truth 1 Pet. 1 v. 22. This shall suffice for clearing up and applying in the generall this excellent truth That Christ is the Truth We shall now come and make some more particular use of this precious point by speaking to some particular cases which we shall instance in by which the understanding christian may be helped to understand how to carry and how to make use of Christ in other the like cases wherein Christ is to be made use of as the Truth and show how beleevers are to make use of Him in these cases as the Truth CHAP. XIII How to make use of Christ as the Truth for grouth in knowledge IT is a commanded duty that we grow in the knowledge of Iesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3. last And the knowledge of Him being life eternal Ioh. 17 3. and our measure of knowledge of Him here being but imperfect for we know but in part it cannot but be an useful duty and a desireable thing to be growing in this knowledge This is to walk worthie of the Lord unto all pleasing to be increasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 10. Knowledge must be added unto vertue and it layeth a ground for other christian virtues 2 Pet. 1 5 6. In this knowledge we must not be barren 2 Pet. 1 8. And this being so necessary so desireable and so useful and so advantagious a grace the beleever cannot but desire to have more and more of it Especially seing it is a part of the image of God Col. 3 vers 10. Now it is the Truth that must teach them here first and last The light of the knowledge of the glory of God must be had in the face of Iesus Christ 2 Cor. 4 6. The question therefore is how we should make use of Jesus Christ for this end that we may attaine to more of this excellent knowledge For clearing of this I shall propose those directions First It is good to live in the constant conviction of a necessity of his teaching us and this taketh in those particulars 1. That we should be conscious of our ignorance even when we know most or think we know most remembring that the best knoweth but in part 1 Cor. 13 9. The more true knowledge we attaine to the more will we see and be convinced of our ignorance because the more we know the more will we discover of the vastnesse and incomprehensibility of that object which is proposed to our knowledge 2. That we should remember how deceitful our hearts are and how ready they are to sit down upon a shadow of knowledge even when we know nothing as we ought to know 1 Cor. 8. vers 2. and this will keep us jealous and watchful 3. And to helpe forward our jealousie of our own hearts and watchfulnesse we would remember that our hearts naturally are averse from any true and saving knowledge whatever desire there be naturally after knowledge of hidden things out of curiosity and of things natural or of thingâ—… spiritual as natural for the perfection of nature as might be pretended whereby in effect those that increase knowledge increase sorrow Eccles. 1 18. yet there is no inclination after spiritual and saving knowledge in us naturally But an aversation of heart therefrom 4. That we should study and know the absolute necessity of this knowledge how necessary it is for our christian communion with God and christian walk with others how necessary for our right improving of dispensations general and particular what a noble ornament of a christian it is and a necessary piece of the image of God which we have lost Secondly Upon these grounds mentioned 〈◊〉 would also be convinced of this That of ourselves and by all our natural parts enduements quicknesse and sagacity we cannot attaine to this saving knowledge which is a special and saving grace and so must be wrought in the soul by a divine hand even the mighty power of God By our private study and reading we may attaine to a literal heady and speculative knowledge that will puff us up 1 Cor. 8 1. but thereby shall we never attaine to this knowledge which is spiritual hearty and practical and so saving We must have the anoynting here which teacheth us all things 1 Iohn 2 27. And of this we would be perswaded that we may look to a higher hand for light and instruction Thirdly There would be an eyeing of Christ's furniture and fitnesse for this work of teaching of us To wit 1. An eyeing of Him as the substantial wisdome of the Father Prov. 8. 2. An eyeing of Him as one come out of the bosome of the Father Iohn 1 18. and so sufficiently enabled to acquant us with the mysteries of God for salvation 3. An eyeing of Him as mediator fully endued with all necessaries for this piece of his work and so having received the Spirit without measure for this end Iohn 3 34. and as having hid in Him all the treasures of wisdome and