love of God in your Electing or accepting Christ on the terms offered chusing him above the World and to serve him rather than your Lusts You may read your own Election or God As 't is said of Mary Magdalen much was forgiven her for she loved much Pardoning love was to be read in her love this is one fruit of the love of God on the Soul So you may say God wills for the Creatures wills This will is of God's working and this testifiâ—s of God's will 2. Such as once will to be saved shall continue to will and to do what they ought in the way of Life They shall not reject Christ they shall not cast of his Yoke they shall so live and do as those that are in the way of Life ought for God will work the immutability of God's Counsel shall cause an immutability in their will of following Christ As nothing shall seperate them from the love of God Angels Principalities Powers c. noâ—hing shall alter God's will towards them so noâ—hing shall alter their will towards God They shall not grow out of the Love of Christ into utter dislike or dis-esteem of him their Conversation shall be in Heaven they shall breath and long for Salvation They shall deny themselves and walk contrary to the World they shâ—ll â—vercome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony and not love their liveâ— o the Death For God shall work in them both 〈◊〉 will and do of his good pleasure c The End of the Fourth Discourse THE FIFTH DISCOURSE Of Sanctifying the Sabbath or Lord's Day ISAIAH lviij xiij If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways not finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Verse 14. Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it THe occasion of making choice of this Text is a late Discourse concerning a Reformation which there is ground to hope there will be in the World which will be usher'd in with some sweeping Judgment and therefore our present work is to prepare for a Storm Many Directions were given how we may prepare for a Storm The last was this Furnish your selves with those Graces with which the day of Reformation will flourish when it comes Now of many Graces mentioned which will live in that day this is one in that great day when the Church shall be glorious through the destruction of Anti-christ by an increase of â—ight so that the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters coveâ—â—he Sea and the Spouse shall be prepared as a Bride adorn'd to her Husband when the Jews shall be called and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and these shall be filled with all the fulness of God and there shall be a Church which shall be the fulness of him which filleth all in all In this glorious day the Sabbath shall be an Holy and Honourable day in the Churches of Christ and the Duties thereof shall be performed with great delight Now if you wiâ—l prepare for a Storm and have some hâ—ding place in the day of the Lord's anger See that you be found in a strict observation of the Lord's day Doctrine When suâ—h a Reformation shall come which shall mak◠〈◊〉 â—hurch glorious on Earth then shall the Sabbath be look'd on by the People of God as Hâ—ly â—nd Honâ—urable and shall be observed as with verâ— much strictne s so with great delight Or in fewer words thus In the last and purest of Gospel time there â—â—ll be a very strict observation of the sabbath-Sabbath-day â—ich now we call the Lord's day Quest. You will ask what ground there is to conclude this from these words Answ Let the context be well considered and we shall see a Prophecy of such things which as yet have not had a full accomplishment but shall in the lâ—st days And the observation of the Sabbath is made the condition of the Promises here made if the Sabbath be duly kâ—pt then what is promised before and in the Text shall be performed and if it be so then God commands the keeping a Sabbath under the Gospel And as there was before so there was when the Law was given on Sinai a Sabbath given There remains a Sabbath a day of holy rest for the People of God Let us search this Scripture then and see whether there will not câ—me forth of it a Jus Divinum for a Sabbath now under the Gospel The Prophet was sent to shew the House of Jacob their Transgressions and in particular to reprove them of their Hypocrisy in the Duties they performed and especially in their fasting which was a counterfeit Fast and then shews them what is the true Fast and then makes many gracious Promises which is his usual method after reproving present Evils he makes Promises which not only had respect to present times but chiefly to the times of the Gospel as we see plainly in the next Chapter He mentions present Sins and present Judgments ver 16. He complains that no Man did endeavour to set things right and so declares the Lord putting on Righteousness and an Helmet of Salvation to execute Vengeance on his Enemies and then the Effect of this They shall fear the Lord from the West And then the Redeemer shall come to Zion And in this observe how suddenly he falls into Prophecying of Gospel times and the last of them For so he doth as appears Rom. 11.26 There shall come out of Sion the Redeemer and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob. Those words are brought in as a Proof for calling the Jews and bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles In like manner he doth here which will the better appear if we consider the particulars of this Prophecy in this Chapter which will manifest that these chiefly respect the last Gospel times 1. See ver 8. Thy Righteousness shall go before Thee c. that is The Lord thy Righteousness as he is call'd in Jer. 23.6 When we consider that their Righteousness shall go before that 's some evidence of this sense as best Besides in what time is it that Christ and the Church of the Jews shall be called by this Name and why In the place before mentioned it is said 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 Judgment and Justice in the Earth In his days Judah and Israel shall dwell safely So 't is to be fulfilled when Israel as well as Judah are brought out of bondage then he shall be The Lord our Righteousness Jer.
did not then yet after by the Holy Ghost in the Apostles he gave this Command And that a Christian Sabbath is now to be kepâ— by Divine Institution may be gathered 1. From Mark 2.27 The Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath ver 28 For the Son of Man also is Lord of the Sabbath-day I gather this hence Man did need a Sabbath and it was given to Man because he doth stand in need of it Men do need and cannot be without it therefore the Son of Man who is Lord of the Sabbath must give him a Sabbath God shall supply all your need Phil. 4.19 If Christ did not then he was not so faithful as Moses he gave a Command for a Sabbath because the Jews did want it therefore it is not to be questioned but that Christ gave a Command for the Christian-Sabbath Let this then be well considered the Sabbath was made for Man's benefit for his good and he so needed it that he can't well be without it and Christ being Head will give what the Members do need the Lord will give what the Servants do need the Husband will give what the Spouse shall need 2. When it was given Adam in Innocency 't was made for Adam's good and because he stood in need of it and if Adam in Innocency did need a Sabbath do not we much more now that we may the better recover what was lost by the fall 3. It was made for the Jews this was one of their advantages Rom. 3.1 2. What advantage had the Jews Much every way they had Oracles and the word of God they had his Laws Psa 147. He dealt not so with other Nations and in particucular the Law of the Sabbath was a great advantage and as much profit in it Now if Christians under the Gospel should not have a Sabbath given them than the advantages of the Law were above the advantages of the Gospel and the profit which the Jews had beyond the profit of Christians whereas the advantages of the Gospel are beyond the advantages of the Law the ministration whereof exceeds in Glory in Profit and Advantage Quest How was the Sabbath made for Man Answ 1. For man to rest in for the rest of his Body from labour and of his mind from thoughts care and study about his worldly Affairs 2. 'T is for Man that he may set himself in a more solemn and serious manner to praise the Lord for the great work of Redemption by Christ i. e. the work of the new Creation begun and for the works of Providence Sabbath work is the work of Heaven begun on Earth It was made for Adam that on the seventh day he might contemplate and praise God for the work of the six days and he was to think on God manifest in the Creatures aâ—d to see the invisible things of God his Eternal Power and Godhead in the things that were made The Christian-Sabbath is made for the Saints to contemplate the great Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh c. As Man was Redeemed Quickened Called Sanctified that he might be to the Praise of the Glory of his Grace and to shew forth the Vertues of him that died and rose again c. So this is the day the Lord hath made for the solemn Performance of this work 3. 'T is for a Man to gather Manna for the six Days The Jews were to gather Manna for the body on the sixth day for the seventh we on the Sabbath for the six days this is a day to trade for the Soul to buy of Christ Gold white Raiment and Eye-salve and to be digging for Wisdom and to search out for hid Treasures As God hath given Apostles and Prophets for the wâ—rk of the Ministry for edifying the body of Christ so a day also for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the Body of Christ and to continue with the Ministry till we all come in the unity of Faith and knowledge of the Son of God Eph. 4.13 Thus you see the Sabbath is made for Man for his use good and benefit and he can't be without it his Body and Soul need it and Christ is Lord of the Sabbath and it being so necessary for them he would make a Sabbath for them and not make it void He came not to destroy but to establish the Law Math. 5.17 The next thing to be handled is that there ought to be and when the Church shall be Gloririous in the World there will be a strict observation of the Sabbath As appears in this place 1. If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath-day to unlawful Works to sinful Company not go any unnecessary Journeys or to Sports and Recreations you must not walk your own Steps as well as not speak your own Words Now there is more understood when there is less spoken as thou must turn away thy Foot so the Hands the Eyes the Ears from the sabhath-Sabhath-day the Hands from the works of thy Calling the Eyes from the delightful beholding of Earthly things the Ears from hearing vain Discourses and Talks about worldly matters Men's own words Likewise the Feet of the Soul as thoughts and affections with these Feet many Souls many times travel on the Sabbath as the Devil doth that is to walk to and fro in the Earth and by observing lying Vanities to allude to that in Jonah forsake th â—r own Mercies Now as Solomon exhorts keep thy Foot when thou goest into the House of God Keep your Feet when the Sabbath comes and turn not these away from it let not these be Instruments of Prophanation on the Sabbath-day 2. Turn from doing thy Pleasure self-pleasing works are Sabbath prophaning works God's pleasure is to be fulfilled then altogether and nothing of our own pleasure is to be done in that time all bodily Recreations are forbidden all works tending to our worldly profit are unlawful for we must deny our selves in point of Pleasure and so also in point of Profit 3. Not finding thy own ways Most properly the works of Men's Callings are their own ways Let every Man abide in his Calling the works of our Calling are our own works these must not be done on the Sabbath-day they are the works of the six days 4. Not finding thine own Pleasure As we must not set our selves to self-pleasing works so if any pleasurable Objects are presented and come in your way you must not find them that is you should not take notice of them nor regard them If they find you and tempt you do not you find them Satan lays matter of Pleasures in your way but do not find and take it up 5. Nor speaking your own words Such words as you may speak at other times we ought not to be speaking of worldly Matters what we must not do what we must not find pleasure in that we must not talk of as we must not work so we must not talk of work we
must not Buy Sell Plow c. so we must not talk of these things on the Sabbath 't is prophane and prophaning talk This is the negative part shewing what is forbidden Next is the affirmative part 1. Call the Sabbath a delight The Jews did bear burdens on the Sabbath and thereby prophaned it many there are who if they bear no burden on their backs yet when they are engag'd in Sabbath-work bear burdens on their Hearts The Sabbath it self is a burden these do but prophane the Sabbath to whom Sabbath-Duties are a burden This is Evangelical True Spiritual keeping a Sabbath to call it a delight Psa 43.4 I will go to the Altar of God unto God my exceeding Joy So when you go about Sabbath-work and come to Ordinances your aim should be to have Communion with God and to meet with him to worship him and to receive Blessings from him that you may be able to say I will go to God my exceeding Joy Call Sabbath-work as well as Sabbath-blessings Sabbath-profit Sabbath-advantages a delight Delight to do the Will of God as well as delight in the Mercies he bestows upon you If you will remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy you must remember it and call it a delight and not only call it a delight but let it be so indeed and then your keeping of the Sabbath is the delight of God 2. The Holy of the Lord. 1. Made Holy by the Lord's Institution If you obserâ—â— a Sabbath as Commanded by Men only or as â— ving but the stamp of Humane Authority that â—s buâ— the Holy of Men but see the stamp of Divine Authâ—rity and look on the Sabbath as being from Heaven and not of Men. Honour Christ as Lord of 〈◊〉 Sabbath 2. And made Holy to the Lord to his Praise and Glory made for Holy Work and that for this High and Holy End to Glorify God 3. Honourable It hath been dishonoured and made contemptible by Men that have denied the Divine Right thereof and Men have been made Lords of it and many make themselves Lords of it doing and finding their own Pleasure and so make void this Law to themselves But as God will have a time to magnify his whole Law and make it Honourable so this of the Sabbath Isa 42.21 Thus you see with how much strictness and spirituality the Sabbath ought to be kept As there was an outward strictness required of the Jews for its observation beyond what is now as for not kindling a Fire c. so this was a type of that spiritual strictness here foretold which should be under the Gospel in the observation of it God forbad the kindling a fire on the Hearth That was a Type to shew that we should not kindle a fire of worldly Lusts in your Hearts nor warm your selves with any delightful thoughts of any matter of Profit or Pleasure c. and this reason may be given why God should forbid the kindling of Fire to the Jews God dealt with the Jews as a Soveraign and many things that were commanded was to declare his Soveraignty and to prove them whether they would be obedient to him So was the multitude of the Sacrifices and Oblations and so this command for not kindling a fire must be to declare his Soveraignty But under the Gospel 't is a time to declare his Kindness and Love his abundant Grace after that the Kindness and love of God appeared towards Man Tit. 3.4 Now God will have Mercy and not Sacrifice In this sense that he will declare his Soveraignty but will deal in a more gracious and merciful way as all Providences So all Ordinances and Commands are full of Grace Observe when God proclaims his Name before Moses Exod. 34.6 't is thus The Lord the Lord God gracious and merciful c. And that will not clear the Guilty We may take notice of three branches of this Name of God which have respect to three different times for the more convenient manifestation of them not but that all of them are manifested enough at all times 1. The Lord. So the time of the Law was for the manifestation of this branch of God's Name 2. The Lord gracious and merciful long-suffering abundant in goodness so the accepted time and day of Salvation under the Gospel is the time for the manifestation hereof 3. 3. That will not clear the guilty Now the day of Judgment will be the time for the manifestation of this part of God's Name Those that come in their guilt before him shall feel the power of that wrath which now perhaps they little fear Quest. If the Sabbath be to be kept with so much strictness Who then can keep a Sabbath Answ 1. This is the Law and thus it ought to be though we cannot come up to that strictness and spirituality which we ought to do 2. The Will and Desire should be as exact as is commanded and should beget in you your utmost endeavour and care and then shall you be accepted 3. Call it Holy and Honourable a delight Be sound in your Principles set your Seal to the truth of it 1. Call it so in your Judgment and inward Conviction or Assent and Consent 2. Call it so in word Justify it as the Holy of the Lord speak Honorably of it and for it 3. Call it so in your works do that which may honour the day and the Lord in keeping it When we consider the high degree of exactness and spirituality which there ought to be in keeping a Sabbath which is here laid down it much confirms the Interpretation of extending this to Gospel times and to the last and best times of the Gospel in which as God will liberally fulfil promises so he will in such a measure give his Spirit that the Saints shall more liberally fulfil this and other Commands when as all the Law so this of the Sabbath shall be written in the Heart God will have a time to make Men more Holy and obedient more agreeable to his Laws both for substance and circumstance matter and manner and it shall bear much more proportion and run more parallel with his Laws then hitherto Thus much I can boldly affirm haply more Consider Psal 102.18 This shall be written for the Generations to come and the People that shall be created shall praise the Lord or the new ercated People c. As this strict injunction binds always and makes it our Duty to keep a Sabbath so the new created People the Saints of the new Heaven and Earth shall praise the Lord they shall observe it in this manner c. when the Divine Nature shall deeply overspread all their Faculties when the Saints in Duties shall fly on the wings of the Spirit and shew the vigour of the new Nature which is part of that day of Reformation then will something be done to purpose as in all other Christian Duties so in this of turning away thy Foot c. Rev. 22.3
SEVERAL DISCOURSES ON The Unsearchable Riches of Christ The Knowledge of Christ Crucified The Authority and Efficacy of the word Working out our Salvation The Observation of the christian-Christian-Sabbath Christ 's coming to Judge the World Being Some REMAINS OF WILLIAM ALLEIN M. A. Sometime Minister of the Gospel in Blanford Carefully copy'd from his own Notes and publish'd at the Request of his Hearers Remember them which had the rule over you who have spoken to you the word of God whose Faith follow considering the end of their Conversation Heb. xiij vij BRISTOL Printed by Will. Bonny for I. Allein at his House in Bristol 1697. TO THE READERS Those especially who once were Hearers of the late Mr. W. A. and now desired this Service YOur justly Honoured-Teacher tho' ceased from his Labours near Twenty Years ago now once more speaks to you some great things of the Gospel to the same ends as St. Peter wrote to his dispersed Countrymen 2 Pet. 1.12 13. To stir you up by the way of Remembrance and to establish you in present Truth The World is indeed full of Books and Preachers yet seems to want more or at least that surviving Elisha might receive a double Portion of Elija's Spirit we are not allowed to wish that ascended Elijah's might be sent back to our dark impure World Divine Wisdom has chosen other ways to amend it but the Mantle they dropt we may take up to divide the Jordan in our way I cannot tell as perhaps you may at what times these Sermons were delivered it appears in some of them they were in in the time of the Authors publick Ministry Many yet remember what Excellent Piety Learning Modesty and Meekness enrich'd and adorn'd him and his Doctrine and have noted that when in his former Book which himself designed for the P ess and to have added somewhat to it he pleads more judiciously and strenuouslâ— for a dubious notion than most others did yet makes no such confident boast as they Somewhere that notion occurs too in these Papers which needs not offend any who are not of his mind in that Many great Men of different Names in our Age espouse most tâ—at he argues for viz. that a day aâ—d state of the Christian Church on Earth shall be when the impure mouths of Blasphemy now opened so wide against our blessed Lord Jesus his perfect Wisdom sacred Truth omnipotent Grace and vital Headship to his Body shall be stopped Satan the seducer being chain'd up and the whole Mystery of Godliness more clearly understood more unanimously â—elieved and the purifâ—ing nature of divine Truth irresistably demonstrated in the holy lives and loving Commerces of very numerous Converts to Christ Now who can forbear to wish at least this may prove true To promote such a Kingdom of Christ among Men as that in Rom 14.17 was the scope of the worthy Author's Life Study and Labours as witness these broken Remains he never design'd them for the Press as appears by many abreviatures and c's in his notes even in alledging Texts of Scripture which I think the Transcriber should have filled up but hath not a desire to serve true Religion peaceably in his private Station induced his consent to the motion of thus reviving his Honoured Father's Memory It cost him not a little pains tho' best acquainted with the Author 's very small Hand What assistance I could give in comparing his Copy with the Originals was due upon his request but after all our diligence the work requires the Readers Candour for we would not assume to correct the Atuhor's words tho' here and there may be a Phrase ungrateful to some Ears till they read on where our Author delivers his sense as plain and sound as needs be desired Once indeed I alter'd one Sentence to give the meaning of it in terms inoffensive but when the same recurr'd I chose to late it pâ—ss These Discourses were chose out of many because the notes of these were most legible the transcript has often fail'd in one little word viz. in putting so for ergo or therefore which the Authour commonly wrote in a character like So otherlike defects in the work claim excuse by Common Law Many have writ well on these same Subjects which as they can never be exhausted so must be alwayâ— inculcated that Men may grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. ult It 's not to be doubted but from a Man of God so well read in Holy Scripture you 'l receive what is worthy of your time and pains and will never be disrelished by any that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity but pleasant as bread eaten in Secret He was a true patient Labourer and most succesful Comforter of many dejected and wounded Spirits by skilful affectionate application of Gospel-Cordials a Man modestly zealous for Truth and Peace and mightily was his Spirit and Conversation influenced by the pure Heavenly Doctrine he believed and taught Like Remains of two other excellent Allein's Richard the geuvine Brother and Joseph the Kinsman of our Author have been judged worthy of such Publication And we have later Examples of Printing the Notes of great Men which in some parts are not more compleat than these Impartial Readers will allow that this Author was Baptized into the same excellent Spirit as they In the Sixty third year of his Age he was called into hiâ— Lords rest and joy when he had newly cut out for himself fome painful work wherein he hoped to do greater Service to the Church in divers places as he had every where good acceptance when his Friends told him they thought his Siskness would be unto death he answered well I know no cause I have to be sorry for that for I know in whom I have believed and am perswaded he 's able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day As 2 Tim. 1.2 but it 's some trouble to me that during my day I have not more improv'd my Time and Talent as I might Suitable Counsels he added to those about him to redeem the time and hasten all the work of their Generation and notwithstanding his penitent Reflections as excellent Arch-Bishop Usher on his death bed regretted his Sins of omission the Lord was pleased to chear him in his last Conflicts by ravishing prospects of Glory set before him even Eternal Life as the Gift of God through Jesus Christ To supply what was lacking in his design'd Service is one reason of publishing these imperfect Papers Some that saw his amiable walking in all good Conscience towards God and Man will more reverence and love that Truth whereâ—y he was sanctified the Faith and Footsteps of such guides St. Paul bids us follow and such remains may put us in mind that England's Churches once had burning and shining Lights Survivors sadly confess a greater scarcity of such now and may we not do well to enquire 1. How and wâ—y tâ—is is come
last must their Souls be brought The Kingdom of Christ is the wealthy Place Into that the Church at last shall be brought The Israelites had great Afflictions in Egypt and were led through the Water of the Red Sea and through Fire afterwards the burning at Taberah the stinging of the fiery Serpents and at last were brought into Canaan the wealthy Place were they enjoyed Vineyards they planted not Houses they built not so the Church is under hard bondage in Egypt Spiritually so called and that may have great Tryals in the Wilderness but at last it must enter into that Rest that remains and that wealthy place prepared for it or moist well watered Land as the words import or into a Refreshing as the Greek hath it Suitable to this the Apostle speaks Of times of refreshing from the presenee of the Lord Act. 3.19 After these sore afflicting times under the Reign of that Man of Sin shall be times of most sweet and abundant refreshing from the presence of the Lord when he shall consume Antichrist with the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him by the brightness of his coming and so make the Kingdoms of the World his own Kingdom 4. See that you have a true right to those true Riches you must have Christ that you may have his Riches he that hath the Son hath life 1 Joh. 5.12 he that hath Christ hath his Riches you must be in Covenant have the Lord for your God be his People and all is yours ye are Christ's 1 Cor. 3.22 23. you must have Christ as Saviour and Lord and Christ must have you to be his Servants and Followers to be his Spouse and Members do not content your selves with a Thought and Opinion that his Riches are yours but see that it be so indeed Laodicea thought her self to be Rich but was Poor as worldly Mens inward thoughts are as Psa 49.11 that their Houses shall continue and so the inward thoughts of some are that they have an Interest in the Riches of Christ when they are none of theirs as he that getteth Riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his Days and in the end shall be a Fool Jer. 17.11 So he that thinks he hath Christ's Riches and hath them not indeed in the end shall be a Fool Math. 13.12 From him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath he that hath a Name and not the thing a Name to live to be rich in having Christ and is dead and without Christ indeed shall have his Name taken away He that hath a form of Godliness and not the Power shall have the form taken away He that hath Gifts and not Grace shall have his Gifts taken from him he that hath a Lamp and not Oyle shall have his Lamp taken from him as 't is said concerning Judas his Bishoprick let another take it but on the other side to him that hath shall be given He that indeed is partaker of the Unsearchable Riches of Christ shall then have them more yea more abundantly The End of the First Discourse THE SECOND DISCOURSE OF Knowing CHRIST Crucified 1. CORINTHIANS ij.ij. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified THere were two sorts of men that took offence at Paul's Preaching Jews and Greeks as appears in Chap. 1.22 1. Jews The Preaching of Christ Crucified was to them a stumbling block they dreamt that the Messiah should abide always John 12. â—4 and never die or be crucified they expected a Messiah that should restore the Kingdom to Israel and that which was to be understood mainly in a Spiritual sense they understood carnally of outward and mundane Peace and Glory They that had such high and large expectations of temporal felicity would not believe in a Crucified Messias that Life Salvation Eternal Glory and an everlasting Kingdom should spring from a Cross from a cursed death upon it their vailed understandings and carnal hearts could not be perswaded of They expected likewise some visible convincing Sign to Evidence to all the World that he was the Messias without which they will not believe Chap. 1.2 The Jews require a Sign 2. Greeks who were Philosophers Disputers of this World had wise and subtil heads these Greeks seek after Wisdom they apprehended there was no wisdom in Paul's Preaching Chrâ—st Crucified 1. Because he did not speak Reason they deemed it commendable wisdom to deny assent to that which was not made apparent by Arguments clearing it to Mens Reason Paul Preached naked Truths only upon the Testimony and Authority of God Now as Thomas would not believe unless he did feel so will not these Greeks unless these Truths be evidenced to Reason The Jews seek after a Sign the Greeks after a Convincing Reason The Jew will have it made evident to his Sense by a Miracle the Greek by a sound Argument to his Reason that Christ Crucified is the Saviour of the World so Natural Reason and Carnal Wisdom is made the rule and standard for the proof and trial of Divine Truths 2. They dislike his manner of Preaching 't was not sufficiently adorn'd with Wit and Eloquence the Truths that he Preached were not set before them in a comely dress they conceived both wisdom of Matter and wisdom of words to be wanting Truths of God Soul saving Truths are rejected because they were not delivered in enticing words of Man's Wisdom here 's the ground of the Offence To these groundless grounds of Offence the Apostle replies by urging his Commission given by Christ his Practice grounded on and conformed to that Commission and the Reasons why such a Commission was given him 1. He shews his Commission Chap. 1.17 Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach not with wisdom of words c. not to Baptize c that is this was not my principal work that he set me about but to Preach which is the greater and more noble work Verbum est vis Sacramenti Preaching is the means to beget Life Sacraments do but seal and confirm what is begotten the Church may sometimes subsist without the Administration of Sacraments for a time as the Jews in the Wilderness but not without the Preaching of the word though Hypocrites are of a contrary mind herein if they have Sacraments administred and their ordinary Service kept up no matter how little preaching there be but says Paul Christ sent me not to Baptize that is to Baptize and not to Preach or to Baptize as my chief and principal work but to Preach and that not with wisdom of Words His Commission was not to go and preach wisdom of words or to go in the strength of natural Wisdom or rational Arguments to convince their Judgments or with enticing words of mans wisdom with well-set Sentences and Eloquent Phrases to move their Affections but declare plain and naked Truths set Christ Jesus before them as Crucified urge the Testimony and Authority
us a Child is born to us a Son is given c. or as the Wise Men or as Peter thou art the Son of God the Saviour of the World thou hast the Words of Eternal â—ife What Christ said was wanting in them that followed him because of the Loaves let that be in 〈◊〉 Joh 6.26 Ye follow me because ye eat of the Loaves not because of the Miracle of the Loaves thar is you do not follow me because I am the Son of God sent into the World to save Sinners which you should have been convinced off by the Miracle of the Loaves but you follow me for the advantage of eating the Loaves Thus you must know Christ not after the Flesh only not only as having Flesh and being Man not only as you pereceive something in him to satisfy your Carnal Desires of being filled with temporal good thingâ— or fâ—â—â—d from Temporal and Eternal Evilâ— but know him as the Son of God and Christ anointed of the Father to be the Saviour of the World You will never know Christ aright in his Glory you will never fully resign up your selves to him till you be convinced of this O therefore reâ—ieve this Truth that Christ whom we Preach is the Son of the Living God Then you know that he is able to save and you will believe in him then you know that he must be worshiped and served by you being the Great God so you will obey him then you will apprehend greatest love in Christ that being God he should die for you then you will love him and your love will constrain you to obey him and this is totum hominis the whole of a Man the whole of a Christian Man to believe in him as the Son of God and Saviour of Men and to be constrained by Love to Obey him This is the second means 3. Take heed of any conceits of a sufficiency of Knowledge Many think they know enough of Christ as much as they need and content themselves with what they have they hear not the Word they apply not their Hearts search not for more Knowledge If there be any of such an Opinion I shall leave two places for you to meditate on 1 Cor. 8.2 You that think you know enough know nothing as you ought c. You that dream of a sufficiency of Knowledge that you have are like the hungry Man that dreams he eats but waking he is empty You are most deficient 1 Cor. 3.18 Become a Fool. Though never so wise in regard of Worldly Wisdom yet know your selves to be Fools in respect of the Knowledge of Christ that you do want and this you must know that you may be wise Joh. 14.21 4. If you have attained any measure of knowledge you must follow on to know the Lord Hos 6.3 follow on in Study Prayer Hearing Meditating to get more Knowledge His going forth is prepared as the Morning Christ doth not reveal himself all at once but as at going forth of the morning-light 't is by degrees there is a dawning and twilight and then perfect light when the Sun goeth forth in its might so is the going forth of Christ and so you must follow on to know more still of Christ You are not capable of receiving perfect knowledge at once John 16.12 I have many things to say but you cannot bear them now Men are at first but Babes in Christ they we know encrease in understanding strength and stature by degrees what you cannot bear now you must learn another time you must go from strength to strength from one degree of knowledge to another you must follow on to know you must grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of Christ Use 3 Comfort to those that have gained the knowledge of Christ I shall shew 1. Some Signs whereby to know this 2. The grounds of comfort arising from thence 1. The Signs as 1. If you know Christ in such a manner as that your Souls are raised up to an esteem of him above any thing in the World thus it must be and this is the least of Christ that a true Christian can have he must love Christ more then these Esteem Christ more then Honours Riches c. in some degree otherwise he hath not the true Knowledge of Christ He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me The Young man being brought to the Trial which he loved most Christ or Riches left Christ hence it appears that he knew not Christ aright for there is no comparison betwixt Christ and Riches He that will nor forsake the World for Christ is ignorant of Christ he knows not the worth of Christ John 11.48 49. 2. If the word that hath been spoken unto you have been Spirit and Life if the Gospel hath been the Power of God to beget Faith in you to embrace it and lay hold on Christ revealed in it John 6.63 As when Christ said to Lazarus Come forth his words were Spirit and Life to Lazarus he cometh forth so if the words of Christ in the Gospel calling you to repent and to believe the Gospel have been life in this regard if that word Come forth from amongst them that are Sons of Belial have been life to you then have you gain'd this Knowledge When Christ said to his Disciples follow me they followed him O this hath Christ said to you often you have been called on many times have you left your Lusts to follow Christ left the practice of Sin to practice Holiness have Christ's words been Spirit and Life have they been as the Seed that is cast into good ground that lives and grows and brings forth Fruit Then may you comfortably assure your selves that you have gained the Knowledge of Christ 3. If you can rejoyce in the knowledge of perfect Holiness Righteousness and Justice of Christ as well as the Merit Grace and Loving kindness of Christ as well in this that he hath no sin and that he will not have sin to reign in his Members as in this that sin was imputed to him and that he imputes it not to his Members Many love the Knowledge of Grace to hear of satisfaction made c. but yet would continue in Sin They love to hear of a Pardon that might Priviledge them to commit Sin they would be freed from the malediction but not tyed to direction of the Law But if you know Christ aright you will rejoyce in him as pardoning Sin and purging Sin as in his freeing from the condemnation of Sin so in his condemning Sin in the Flesh as in pardoning and exercising Loving kindness towards humbled Sinners so in executing Judgment on impenitent and hardened Sinners Jer. 9.23 24. 4. If the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence Math. 11.12 that is since Christ Preached and men knew him there is a great slocking and concâ—â—â—se of People as if men would take Heaven by force the meaning is Men will strive to enter in at the
by the blood of Christ and by the word that is of promise of free Justification by Christ and Sanctification to be received by Faith This is more plainly exprest Heb. 13.12 Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate Here is Love indeed Christ passing by and seeing us weltring in Blood cast out to the loathing our Persons having no loveliness nothing but Spots from the Crown of the Head c. and our defeâ—t being to be cast into Hell then Christ gave himself to redeem us by his own Blood to sanctify us by his Blood Thus you see here is a Mystery of Infinite Love of Divine Grace God herein appears to be rich in Mercy and that great Love wherewith he loved us Eph. 2.4 is made manifest 3. Herein is a Mystery of Vertue There is an Infinite Vertue in the Blood of Christ which in general is set forth by the Apostle 1 John 1.7 The Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin particularly there is a Vertue going upward expiating guilt and a Vertue going downwards taking away the guilt with the Power and Pollution of Sin out of our Nature 1. There is a Vertue going upward to the Father taking away the Guilt of Sin Quest. How could there be such an Infinite Power in the Blood of Christ Answ Because it was the Blood of him that was God the infiniteness and worth of the Person did derive an infinite worth and value to the Blood of Christ thereby his Blood became an infinite price proportionable to the guilt of Sin which was Infinite As Sin becomes of Infinite guilt from the infiniteness of the Object against whom it is committed so Sin is an Infinite Evil because committed against God an Infinite Good on the otherside satisfaction for an Offence hath its efficacy and worth from the dignity of the Person satisfying so satisfaction made by Christ the price of his Blood becomes of infinite value adequate to the guilt of Sin because the Person whose Blood was shed was Infinite You see how the Blood of Christ hath such an Infinite Vertue For the proof of it that there is such a Vertue see it Zach. 9.11 By the Blood of the Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners that is by the Blood of Christ who is called the Covenant Isa 42.6 that is as the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 as the following words a Light to the People seems to confirm from the Pit wherein is no water that is I have redeemed from under the Babylonish Captivity which was a Type of Spiritual Redemption and deliverance from that cursed estate a man is in by Sin Now how is this but by satisfying the Justice of God paying the price of Redemption unto God by whom a Sinner was cast into Prison Luk. 22.20 This Cup that is the Wine in this Cup is the New Testament or New Covenant that is a Seal of the Covenant in my Blood that is which is established in my Blood because thereby is the Remission of Sins and so a Person comes to have part in that Covenant In this see the Vertue of the Blood of Christ. In the Covenant lies all a Christians Happiness therein God is engaged to be his God not to remember Sin any more but to be his God All sufficient Now this is a Covenant in Blood that is that is established and confirmed in the Blood of Christ the Blood of Christ that satisfied Justice therein was a repairing of all that Injury which was done to God by the Sins of the Faithful so Justice hath nothing to plead against them and the Riches of Grace which are contained in the New Covenant are revealed to them and of right do belong to them So they come to lay claim to the Love of God and to that Eternal Inheritance prepared by Christ The Vertue of Christ's Blood as looking upwards is double 1. Satisfying Justice 2. Purchasing and Meriting Everlasting Life There is Redemption from Misery and the Purchasing an Inheritance both these are called Redemption Eph. 1.1 In whom we have Redemption that is the forgiveness of Sins ver 14. until the Redemption that is buying again and putting into actual Possession of that Inheritance The Blood of Christ redeems out of Misery inflicted by reason of Sin and redeems the Inheritance of Eternal Life which was lost by Sin Heb. 10.19 We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus that is by the Blood of Jesus the way to Heaven is opened for us 2. There is a Vertue going downwards taking away the Power and Pollution of Sin out of the Nature and the Guilt out of the Conscience 1. The Guilt of Sin out of the Conscience God Condemns a Sinner the Law condemns and so his own Conscience when convinced of Sin condemns also Now by the Blood of Christ God and the Law are satisfied and so a Sinner is acquitted in his own Conscience he is freed from a eondemning Heart 1 Joh. 3.21 If our Heart condemns us not c. 'T is the Application of the Blood of Christ that frees from this condemning Heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true Heart c. having our Hearts sprinkled from an Evil Conscience that is with the blood of Christ an Evil Conscience is an Accusing Conscience The sprinkling of the Blood of Christ that is a fiducial Application of it to a Convicted Conscience acquits it from all Accusations Horrors Fears c. 2. The Power and Pollution of Sin Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God Which as it notes the purging of the Conscience in regard of the guilt of dead works that is dead Services dead Duties performed by Men dead in Sin so also it implies a purging of the Heart from the power of Sin as appears by that which follows to serve the Living God From the Blood of Christ applied to the Conscience a Vertue goes forth to the abating of the strength of Corruption and enabling it to serve the living God This see farther Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein That is by Vertue of Christ's Death having therein a Fellowship with him the strength of Corruption comes to be abated ver 6. Our old Man is crucified with Christ c. Quest How is it that there is such a Vertue in Christ's Death and comes to be conveyed to us Answ 1. The proper and principal cause to which this work of mortification of Sin is attributed is the Spirit Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit c. and ver 2. The Law of the Spirit of Life hath made me free c. That is the power and efficatious operation of the Spirit in me c. 2. The formal cause is our union with Christ and planting into him For hereby the Spirit of Christ the Righteousness Grace Merit Life of Christ
also in you that believe IN this Chapter you may observe two things 1. Paul's Relation of the Story of his Preaching the Gospel to the Thessalonians which for the manner was done with boldness v. 2. and in sincerity not in guile v. 3. not out of covetousness v. 5. but his sincerity appeared in two things 1. Because his aim was to please God v. 4. as pleasing God A service is never pleasing to God unless it be our aim and desire above all to please him 2. In his most affectionate desire of the Thessalonians 7.8 that is that they might be won to Christ and be saved Aiming at pleasing God and a desire to win Souls to God are always joyned together Remember these two marks of sincerity 2. The success of his Preaching the Gospel the good it wrought for which he blesses God In the Text observe 1. The Apostles Thankfulness and Praise offered up unto God He doth not Sacrifice to his own Net but casts in his Net to catch Souls for Christ and blesses God for what is done by him The work is only God's to make his word effectual and all the Glory must be his For this cause thank we God 2. The matter of his Thanksgiving and the ground of his praise Because when ye received the word of God ye received as 't was in Truth i. e. as it ought to be received And therein observe further 1 The Divine Authority of the word asserted As it is in Truth the word of God 2. The manner how it must be received by men As the word of God himself 3. The way in which it comes to work effectually that is by believing it Doct. The word contained in the Books of the Old and New Testament is in Truth the word of God This is the first Stone that must be layed when you begin the work of saving your Souls this is the Foundation of Religion our Faith our Hope our Profession of Religion is all vain unless this Principle be rooted in our Hearts Heb. 5.12 I may say of some of you as the Apostle of some of them Ye have need that one teach you which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God Now this is one of the first of those first Principles which that you may be instructed in Four Truths are to be shewn Truth 1. That word which is held forth as God's is so in Truth It hath God for its Author And if you ask as Christ concerning the Coin whose Image and Superscription hath it the Answer is God's give then to God the things that are God's You must not come with the Devil's Question no not in your hearts yea hath God said it But be like the Thessalonians here c. That there is a God that made the World and and all Creatures I hope is certain to you and that this God is to be worshipped There was a Law written in man's heart which did teach him how God was to be worshipped but Sin hath almost blotted out this Law so that there remains but here and there a Character of it and impossible it is that thereby we should come to a saving knowledge of the mind of God 'T is with us in respect of the things of God as with the Blind Man Mar. 8.24 Christ put his hands upon him and askt if he saw ought I see Men at Trees walking So we in our natural condition we see God as Man and as Trees and so fall to such gross Idolatries to worship stocks we look on evil as good on good as evil Now as Christ did put his hands the second time on the Blind Man and then he saw clearly so God must give his Law the second time and give us Eyes the second time and restore a divine and spiritual Light to us then we shall see the things of God clearly The former of these he hath done he lest his will upon Record in the word which in truth is his The latter we must desire him to do if he hath not done it already and as a means to further this I shall endeavour to prove it to you And here take Notice of three things as necessary to establish you in this Truth 1. There is the Spirit in Scripture giving Testimony to it as Christ says Though I bear witness of my self it is true John 8.14 So the Spirit in Scripture giving witness to it self is true John 3 33 34. Faith receives that Testimony 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scâ—ipture c. 2. Pet. 1.21 Holy Men speak c. Truth 2. There are Arguments to be drawn from the word it self to Evidence the Divine Authority As 1. The Power and Efficacy of the word The word is quick and powerful c. Heb. 4.12 There is a twofold word of God 1. There is the Eternally begotten word of God that is the Second Person John 1.1 this is most Powerful Omnipotent because he is God All the great works of God were done by this word v. 3. All things were made by him He is called the Word because begotten of the Divine understanding beholding the Divine Essence And as a word doth express and is the Image the Conceit of the mind so the Son is the express Image of the Father Now some understand that place of this word 2. There is the written word of God which may be called the word of the word of God Christ is the word of the Father This is the word of Christ Col. 3.16 He is the great Prophet that revealed this word Now as Christ is called the Power of God because by him all things were made so this word is the power of Christ 't is a powerful Instrument in his hand whereby he doth all great works Rom. 1.16 destroying Satan's Kingdom and setting up his own Kingdom converting Souls c and in this respect 't is said to be quick and powerful c. by this power Christ overcame the Devil Math. 4.4 7. ' Its written now the power of the word is seen 1. In conviction of the Conscience a wing and restraining mens Spirits How many proud Hearts have been made to stoop and fall down before the power of the word and to stand trembling before it as Act. 24.25 Felix trembled and said go thy way for this time c. he could not stand before the power of the word and experience tells us what a power the word hath in awakning sleepy Consciences in pricking Men at the Heart that they know not what to do in wounding Mens Spirits in such a manner as that the wise man says of it a wounded Spirit who can bear so as that the most exquisite torments of the body are not to be compared with it the scorching of Fire the dividing betwixt the Joynts and Marrow yea Death it self is nothing to it for would not a wounded Conscience choose Death to be freed from the torment thereof what a power is it that the word hath when Men have gone on in
Sin and taken great pleasure in it and when they hear what the word says that such must be damned banish'd from the presence of God and be everlastingly tormented with Devils and that this that the word speaks should strike such unspeakable terror to the Heart of Man what doth this argue but that the word is powerful Joh 18.6 as Christ spake but a word and his Enemies that came to take him fell back so that Mens proud and stubborn hearts should fall down before the word and are made to say as the Devils why art thou come to torment us this shews that there is an Almighty God speaking in the word and this fâ—â—ther That some Men yet in a natural condition who love Sin as their own Souls should not dare to commit some Sins because the word pronounceth Judgment and that Men that hate holiness as 't is evident that many do yet out of fear of Judgments denounced in the word should be brought to make some Profession of Holiness that as the unclean Spirit fell down and confessed Christ to be the Son of God so Men of unclean Hearts not renewed are forced to confess the word is of God 2. In the Conversion of Sinners I may say concerning the Word as Christ in his Message to John The Dead are raised the Deaf hear the Dumb speak and tâ— the Poor the Gâ—spel is Preached that a word preached should do this shews it to be the word of God so Men that are dead in Trespasses and Sins are raised by it the word doth bore some Mens Ears and make them hearken and obey it Consider that Men that take such great delight in Sin as we all do by Nature working uncleaness with greediness going to it as an hungry Man to his Meals ready to pine away for the pleasures of Sin and be discontent when we cannot satisfy our Lusts as it was with Ammnon Now that any of us because the word says cease to do Evil Sin no more should loath what we so dearly loved and that our hatred of Sin should be greater than our love was to it and it may be some can tell the time and remember the word that wrought such a mighty change what is to be concluded hence but that this is none other but the word of God Again we know how we love our selves by nature even so as that self-love is the supreme Law with corrupt Nature now that such an one should because the word says if any Man will be my Disciple let him deny himself cast off self-love and self-respects and sacrifice or give himself up to Christ and be his only and prize the Glory of God more than his own good yea choose to undergo the greatest Evils rather than dishonour God this shews the invincible power of the word Again if you have any knowledge of your selves you know what bitter enmity there is in our natures against holiness now that because the word commends holiness any of us should come to delight in it this likewise adds a Seal for the confirmation of this Truth that the word is in truth Gods word Again you know how we naturally love the World even so much that some can even in these plundering times think it better to loose our Lives than our Goods now that any should despise the world for Christ's sake and esteem his Reproaches better Riches only because the word doth commend Christ above the World and propose him as the best Good What doth this argue but a divine efficacy of the word and the power of a God making use of his word as an instrument of his own to bring to pass such mighty works 3. In confounding Christ 's Enemies Psa 8.2 Out of the mouths of Babes hast thou ordained strength to stâ—ll the Enemy this strength of mouth â— Prayer which is grounded on the word and preaching when men come with revengeful Spirits and think to swallow up the People of God the word shall stop and still them the word doth gather Men together and stir them up to fight against Anti-christ Rev. 16 16. and Rev. 17.16 The ten hornes shall hate the Whore c. why the word shall discover her and hence 't is said 2 Thess 2.8 That Man of Sin shall be revealed c. he shall destroy him with the Sword of his Mâ—uth and brightness of his coming Dan. 2.34 A stone cut out of the Mountain without Hands breaks the Feet of the Image and that shall overcome the great Roman Monarchy What is this stone c. a poor weak dispised People of God called by the word believing the same and walking by it these shall overcome all Antichristian powers and as the worm Jacob thresh the Mountains Use To make some application of this by the way Is there such a power in the word and may that be truly said of the word which is falsly of Simon Magus it is the great Power of God 1. Then take heed of despising it Heb. 12.25 see that ye dispise not look well to it if you despise the word you dispise the Power and Authority of God which is in it and which shall be manifested by it either in Conversion or Confusion either in unspeakable Terror or Consolation either it shall be the power of God to save you and then you must believe it and receive it with all readiness or to condemn you if you despise it if it do not now work effectually in you to turn you from Sin into the obedience thereof then it shall Judge you in the last day now you may hear it speaking comfortably to you bringing the glad Tydings to your Souls of good things of a Saviour that is offered to you a Pardon proclaimed Heaven opened to Men that are shut up under Sin and Wrath that is if you will now suffer your Consciences to be awakned to see what condition you are in but if it be not hearkned to it shall speak terribly to you and then you shall not sleep when 't is spoken you shall not sit carelesly under it as you do now but then you shall know the Terrors of the Lord you shall know the power of Divine Wrath to prevent which you should desire to feel the exceeding greatness of his Power in creating Faith in you and the length and breadth of his Love which is revealed therein so when the word is spoken to you let me exhort you as the Prophet Jer. 13.15 Learn be not proud the Lord hath spoken Act. 13.41 Behold ye Despisers and wonder I 'll work that you will not believe If you will not believe what I have said in the Word Precepts and Promises such Judgments shall be brought on you which you would not before believe 2. Believe the Word rest on it be strong in Faith your Faith shall not be in vain you rest not then on a broken reed but on the word of the great God on the great Power of that God The Power of God
him as Jacob by wrestling c. Isa 26.8 9. Hos 12.2 3 4 6. 5. When God gives Precepts and lays Commands on us know that the Holiness Majesty and Goodness of God deserves Obedience and sing as the 24 Elders Rev. 4. ult Thou art worthy O Lord to receive Honour c. you must see the greatest reason of yielding Obedience Now these qualifications make up that honest and good heart Luk. 8.15 That having heard the word keeps it c. by this try the honesty of your hearts many think they have honest hearts because they hate no man do no Injury but are upright in their dealings but here 's a way to try the honesty of your hearts indeed do you not hate some part of the word there is self-denial mortification of Lusts required heavenly mindedness a seeking the praise of God only and not of Men. Joh. 5.42 43 44. Rom. 2.29 Signs of true receiving the word of God 1. Holding fast the word undeâ— Persecutions Luk. 8.15 there are four sorts of Hearers only the last that believe the word aâ—ight and they grow by it and live on it and according to it and when Persecutions do arise for the word's sake a mock or scoff from Men is not so grievous as the word is precious As Christ endured the contradiction of Sinners so can they this is set forth as the highest of Christ's Sufferings Heb. 12.3 Consider him that endured Contradiction of Sinners c. and mockings are called Cruel they are hard to be born Heb. 11.36 these will try whether the word be received and blest so as to see Sin the greatest Evil. 2. If it work effectually to thorough Conviction and Conversion so that all high Imaginations stoop and the strong holds of Sin are demolished Agrippa was almost perswaded So the word did not work effectually in him The Jews did halt between two Opinions when the word works effectually then Men will pitch on Joshua's choice I will serve the Lord Josh 24.15 and the World will be despised for the word's sake You will go into Patmos for the word as John did Revelat. 1.9 rather than leave the word to escape Persecution This Discourse concluding so abruptly seems Imperfect but the Authors Notes proceed no further THE FOURTH DISCOURSE Of working out our Salvation PHILIPPIANS ij xij Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling ver 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good Pleasure THese words contain 1. An Exhortation work out Salvation 2. A Direction intimating tâ—e way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out which is with fear and trembling 3. An encouragement in this work for it is God which worketh c. or a reason the Apostle gives of his Direction 't is to be wrought with fear and trembling because it is God's work And the Soul of a Believer eyeing and beholding God going on in this work appearing in his glory ought to fear and tremble even at that glory â—â—â—ifested forth therein The Exhortation is to a duty of very great consequence there is no work that so nearly concerns us as this the Apostle here perswades us to set about work out c. so we should give diligent heed to this work Sect. 1. Explaining the sence of the Text. Take the meaning of the words thus work he means not either that Sinners in their natural state can by working raise themselves into a state of spiritual Life nor that Believers when they are spiritually quickned can or should so perform Duties as to think they shall merit Salvation thereby nor so work as the mercenary Pharisees did trusting in their own works Paul was no such Legalist but his meaning is consider the condition of your poor Souls that they are wretched and miserable c. look to the saving of them study the way of Life give not rest to your eyes till you have found it out search the Gospel wherein Salvation is revealed labour to be acquainted with the Mysteries of Christ work out Salvation this is meant two ways 1. Give Diligence to make Salvation sure to your Souls desire that it may be made out to your Spirits in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit Rejoyce in nothing but the assurance of Salvation that as it is wrought out in Christ so also in your Hearts 2. Work out that is Salvation being begun to be wrought desire the perfection and accomplishment of it Christ having begun to save you look to be saved to the utmost by him having received the first fruits of the Spirit groan for the adoption viz. the redemption of the body leaving the first principles of the Doctrine of Christ that is these being well laid go on o perfection Heb. 6.1 Labour to know more of Christ and to receive more from Christ till we attain to the measure of the stature of the fâ—lness of Christ Your own Salvation Your Hearts desire and endeavour must be that others also may be saved but especially look to the saving of your own Souls And indeed you cannot desire the Salvation of others unless the Spirit of God have first stirred up your hearts to desire the Salvation of your Selves With fear and trembling The Apostles meaning is not that you should have doubtful thoughts and perplexing fears about your Salvation like such as are under a Covenant of works whose condition the Apostle sets forth Rom. 10.5 6. Who shall ascend into Heaven c. who can tel whether we shall go to Heaven or Hell Fear and trembling is not opposed to Faith and full assurance but to highmindedness to glorying in the Flesh or to carnal Confidence Rom. 11.20 Be not high minded but fear Again with fear that is see God in Christ working your Salvation reconciling you to himself by his Spirit calling in your hearts and conforming you to himself and so fear and tremble at the glory of Wisdom Power and Love that shines forth from this work For it is God which worketh this is a reason why we should fear take notice of the work of God in Christ and the work of God in the Heart causing his Spirit to dwell in an unclean Soul to make it a holy and spiritual Temple for himself to dwell in let the discovery of God and his glorious approach to your hearts in this great work work fear and reverence in your Hearts this also is an encouragement to work out Salvation and look to be â—aved and to be assured of it because it is a work that God hath undertaken whatever difficulties there are in it God hath undertaken he will master them whatever is to be done by Men as they are to believe they are to repent they are to deny themselves and to take up their Cross and to follow Christ all this God will work in them To will and to do so work it out by Faith in the good pleasure and power of God for the perfecting of
14.5 The Lord thy God shall come and all his Saints with thee and Christ shall be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe in making them of Sinners Holy of Corruptible Incorruptible changing vile bodies c. 4. At this time he shall have subdued all his Enemies he shall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror This is hinted in that word Seat he shall sit down in his Seat He appeared to Stephen as standing at the Right-Hand of God Acts. 7.56 ready for Action taking his Power rising up to scatter his Enemies And to John as Riding on a White Horse going on Conquering and to Conquer which work he is now about Then he shall sit on a Seat having Conquered by his Power and taken his Enemies as Rev. 19.21 The Beast and false Prophet were taken he shall judicially proceed against them for opposing him As God Creating the World in Six Days rested the Seventh so Christ having Conquered the World shall sit down and rest from fighting and shall proceed to Judge for that he shall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror 1. Of Sin by having satisfied for it removing the guilt and condemning power as to the Saints Heb. 9.28 he shall appear the second time without Sin the meaning is the first time of his appearing in the Flesh he came with the guilt and burden of Sins the Sins of the Elect imputed to him then made Sin the Lord hath layed on him the iniquities of us all as Aaron confessed the Sins of the Israelites over the head of the Goat and sent him into a Land not inhabited But the second time he shall come without Sin without guilt â— Sin 's no longer imputed he being sent away with Sin imputed to the Grave he returns without them having left them in the Land of forgetfulness i. e. the Grave never to be brought in remembrance against Saints because of the full satisfaction he made so that he shall appear without Sin that is to the Saints a Conqueror of Sin 2. Of the Law He was made under the Law being Lord of the Law he suffered that to try its strength upon him and the Law wrought wrath and brought death on him but by the merit of his obedience overcame for he being Lord of the Law that suffered the Curse of it God was more honoured hereby than dishonoured by the transgression of the Law for which he suffered and so Conquered the Law 3. Of Death O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory And Christ shall appear as Conqueror of Death Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and am alive for evermore He hath the Keys of Death and Hell he that was dead and layed in the Sepulchre with a Stone rolled on the mouth of it and Sepulchre sealed he hath Conquered Death and gotten the Keys that is Power to deliver over to or keep from Hell 4. He shall appear as Conqueror of wicked Men and evil Angels Against such Men he shall pronounce Sentence of everlasting Condemnation for their opposing and not believing in him As for evil Angels Jude 6. he hath reserved the Angels in chains of darkness to the Judgment of great day As Prisoners are kept in Prison bound till the Assizes come so are they by God's Power that they cannot escape Doct. 2. All Men shall stand and appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth suitable to what they were and had done in the Body Christ shall be Judge of all Heb. 12.23 Abraham called him the Judge of all the Earth Gen. 18.25 in which negative question is implied an affirmative position that God above all others must and will do right because from his Judgment there is no appeal Acts 10.42 Judge of Quick and Dead of those who being found alive at his coming shall be changed and and of those which shall be raised from the dead to come to Judgment 2 Tim. 4.1 Christ shall Judge the Quick and Dead at his appearing and Kingdom when his Kingdom shall be manifest to all the World as well as over all the World Yea the Man Christ Jesus shall be Judge of evil Angels they are not in full torment Why art thou come to torment us before the time Math. 8.29 All their ease and mitigation of torments is that they have a power over the wicked and rule in them tempting to Sin thus revenging themselves on God and revenge is sweet Luk. 8.31 They besought him much that he would not command them to go out into the deep into Hell For Explication shall be shewn after what form and manner Christ shall proceed in Judgment 1. All shall be cited and called to appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ None shall hide himself then the wicked shall seek to hide in holes of the Rocks and call on the Mountains to hide them c. but thence shall they be taken Math. 24.31 He shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather his Elect 1 Cor. 15.52 1. Thess 4.16 As the people of God were Assembled in their Solemn Feasts and Fasts by the sound of a Trumpet and as an Mount Sinai the Law was given with a most loud and dreadful sound so the Summons of all to Judgment shall be some such sound which is here callâ—d the last trump When it shall be all shall know what this sound means And those that would not hear the sound of the Gospel nor understand what that meant and called Men to shall know the meaning of the Voice of the Archangel and shall hear the sound of the last Trump 2. As all so in this order That is first the Elect shall be Summoned and Judged and then the wicked this may be gathered from divers places Math. 24.31 he shall send his Angels and they shall gather the Elect c. and 25.34 the King first speaks to them on his Right Hand 1 Cor. 15.23 every Man in his order first Christ then they that are Christ's then shall he put down all rule c. 1 Thes 4.16 the dead in Christ shall rise first You may take this Argument for a further declaration of it The Godly shall be Judges of the wicked 1 Cor. 6.2 Do ye not know that the Saints shall Judge the World c. Christ is primary Judge that hath authority to give Sentence Saints by way of astipulation applauding the equity and righteousness of his Judgment and in and through Christ triumphing over the World Now this dignity affirmed of Saints argues their being first judged that they have received their Blessing Ye shall sit on twelve Thrones Judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Math. 19. 3. Those that are called to Christ's Judgment-Seat shall be examined and give account of the things done in the Body that is of thoughts words and works 2 Cor. 5.10 that every one may receive the things done in the body that is reward
agreeable to their actions whether good or bad 1. The Godly must be brought to an account Rom. 14.12 every one of us shall give account of himself to God how he hath behaved himself we must answer the Judge concerning our Persons Conversations c. our Thoughts Faith all shall be enquired into 2. Christ shall take notice of the sincere and holy works of Saints whatever proceeds from a pure Heart good Conscience and Faith unfeigned out of a desire to serve the Lord Jesus Math. 25.35 I was hungry and ye gave me Meat c. God is not unrighteous to forget your works of Faith and labour of Love Heb. 6.10 which ye have shewed towards his name Shew respect and reverence to the name of Christ c. 1 Cor. 3.13 every Man's work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire which is in part made good in this Life by the work of the Holy Ghost through the Preaching of the Gospel causing a discerning Light to shine to put a difference betwixt Truth and Error and this work shall be perfected at the day of Judgment when all Truths shall be made manifest by the revealing brightness of Christ and all errors discovered thereby Quest Whether the Sins of the Godly shall be at all mentioned or taken notice of in that great day Answ 1. The Sins of the Godly shall not appear against them for Condemnation for then they must appear against the Judge who took the guilt and punishment of their Sins upon himself but the Godly shall triumph over their Sins because they stand before him that died for them therefore no fear of Death 2. Nor to their shame all sorrow and so shame done away therefore if the Sins of the Godly be mentioned yet this shall not make them hang down their Heads with shame they shall not do as Adam hide themselves from their Judge these things are clear Now some hold that they shall not be at all brought to light because by Sentence of Justification they are covered and taken away To this may be answered that in the time of this Life Believers are absolved in God's gracious sentence towards them and in their own conscience more privately and secretly by the witness of the Spirit but at the day of Judgment they shall be absolved and acquitted of all Sins more publickly even in the sight of Angels and the whole World Now the Spirit speaks to the Heart and Conscience then Christ shall openly pronounce Sentence Come ye Blessed of my Father c. therefore it seems not contrary to the analogy of Faith to hold that the Sins of the Godly shall be brought to light Nay it seems very suitable to the great design of the Gospel which is to illustrate and commend in the highest manner the free Grace of God the great love of Christ the power of his Death and Infinite Vertue of his Sacrifice As that day is a day of Wrath to the Wicked c. so a day of Love to the Saints wherein the Love of Christ shall in the fulness of it be display'd and to commend it the more it seems not incongruous to affirm that the Sins of the Godly shall be brought to light even their secret Sins He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe his great love to Saints shall cause great admiration that is they shall admire the love of Christ not only to themselves but other Saints and Angels shall admire Christ in the Saints now the knowledge of Sin and of free Grace rejoycing over it or of the love of Christ c. this shall be a meanes to heighten much their admiration and seâ— of the great love of Christ with the more lustre 3. If the Sins of the Godly be recorded and to be read 't is in the Book of Life 't is that they may have some advantage thereby c. and they are all so recorded Rev. 20. Ergo. 2. For the Sins of the wicked that is most clear they shall be all laid open to the view of Men and Angels at that great day there is a Book in which all Sins are written from an idle word to the highest Blasphemy Math. 12.36 all secret Sins are set in the sight of the Sun Rom. 2.16 He shall judge the Secrets of Men there 's nothing hid that shall not be manifested this day shall declare it Rev. 2.23 All the Churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the Hearts and Reins Rev. 20.12 the dead are judged out of those things that are written therein Whatever you now go about to conceal and hide shall not be ever hid all wickedness that lay hid under a form of godliness c. then the Vail shall be removed c. Eccles 12.14 God shall bring every work to Judgment with every secret thing Eccles 11.19 Rejoyce c. yet know that for all this God shall bring thee to Judgment Take notice of some particular Sins because the Scripture doth particularize them as Whoredom and Adultery Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Neglect and abuse of the means of Grace this is one of the greatest Sins that Men shall be brought to Judgment for it shall bring a very heavy Punishment It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for this People if you live under the light of the Gospel and walk in darkness sit and hear the word yet are setled on the lees of Sin then at the last day this shall be brought in upon your account so many Sermons you have heard and never benefitted by them so many times Christ came to gather you and you would not so many times the Gospel came knocking at the door of your Hearts and you refused to open know that all is Recorded likewise hard speeches Jude 15. spoken against God or his People or the Commands ways and Administrations of God as to say his sayings his dealings are hard Christ endured and his Members endure the Contradiction of Sinners but you must look to be called to the Judgment-seat of Christ for Contradiction Christ shall give Sentence against those that did speak against him Yea not only hard speeches but Idle words the least Sins if you were guilty of no Sin but one idle word Christ might very justly cast you into Hell for it Some are mentioned to shew that all shall be remembred against you And there is no deluding or deceiving the Judge by your colourable pretences and excuses for he is most Wise and knoweth all things So there 's no covering your Sins for he is most Just and so no corrupting him with Gifts no overcoming with entreaties for then wicked Men shall try and call hard but he is most severe no appealing from this Bar for he is the Supreme Judge there shall be Verity in his Inquisition Impartiality in Sentencing Severity in Execution 4 Godly shall stand apart from the wicked
of Satan's wrath against the Godly now they breath out threatnings but the comfort is their wrath shall turn to the praise of God because wicked Men's wrath shall work for the good of Saints therein the power and wisdom of God hath praise but the last day is a day of Christ's wrath against the wicked and 't is true this wrath shall turn to the praise of God but who is there to restrain his wrath To be under the wrath of Man or Satan is a most miserable conditon if there be none to restrain it but worse under Christ's wrath 2. All sinful works shall be remembred and brought in upon an inditement against them blessed is he at that day whose iniquity is forgiven and sin covered that hath Christ for his Righteousness and Faith to put him on But the wicked shall have nothing to do with this blessedness now they seek it not now 't is not esteemed by them so great a blessedness as it is now Men establish their own righteousness and will not submit to the Righteousness of God but at the last day when Wicked Men shall know the worth and want of Christ's Righteousness then there shall be no possibility of having it then the Books are opened and the sins of the ungodly discovered and as the Spirit Promised to the Godly to bring to remembrance what Christ said to open the mysteries of the Gospel c. So on the other side then the Spirit shall bring to remembrance all that the Wicked have done all idle words all oaths filthy communication all vain thoughts sinful affections so many times eating and drinking to excess c. All their sins shall dog them to the Judgment-seat of Christ Christ shall take notice of all the unkindness shewn to him those only are mention'd Math. 25.44 to shew they are great and most provoking sins but as under one great duty commanded all are implyed so under one great sin forbidden all others are forbidden And so under these great sins and injuries done to Christ all others are included I was hungry c. and these shall go away into everlasting punishment and in the upshot these were injuries done to the Members of Christ which he makes his own injuries by Compassion as the Head suffers when the Members suffer this you reckon a small matter to pass by a Member of Christ and not supply his wants and if so for not feeding Christ in his Members how much more for going about to starve Christ in his Members by taking away the Bread of Life from them if for not visiting when sick and in prison how much more for wounding of Saints in Name Body Estates and for casting of Saints into prison 3. No works of theirs which for matter are good shall be remembred and accepted of in that day every work being weighed in the Ballance like Belshazzar being found too light whatever proceeds not from Faith in Christ nor is done out of zeal to the Glory of God shall be found too light and for wicked Men's works as hearing the Word doing Justice giving Almes they shall not plead any thing for you your Holy things shall not plead against iniquity because there is iniquity in your holy things self-love seeking Men's praise no sincere love to the Lord Jesus no judging Christ worthy of obedience If you do a good turn to a Man for your own ends what thanks do you deserve For know whatever good you do if it proceed not from a pure heart a good Conscience towards God Faith in the Lord Jesus c. it shall be reckoned but among your sins Math. 7.21 Not every one that saith Lord Lord that in words will call Christ Lord but deny it in works shall enter into Heaven shall be judged meet for that Kingdom But he that doth the will of my Father 'T is not enough to do what is good but to do it as the will of the Father out of obedience to his command with an aim at his honour yet that 's not all but he that doth the will of my Father that obeys the will of the Father as he is Christ's Father knowing the Son as the Father doing the will of the Father for Christ's sake coming to the Father through the Son moved with love to Christ he shall enter Heaven Objection But is this necessary will some plead at the last day that the will of the Father of thy Father as thy Father must be done Is it for thy sake c. Why that we can plead Lord Lord have we not Prophecied in thy Name c. Then Christ shall say Depart from me I never knew you I never knew you Born again Converted made new Creatures I never saw you deny your selves out of sincere love to me and zeal of my honour I never saw you in my Kingdom of Grace so I will not now admit you to any fellowship or acquaintance with me Depart ye workers of Iniquity whatever you have done I look on you but as workers of iniquity your good works that you plead I reckon but amongst your sins How sad a time will it be then with Wicked Men who shall say is our Religion vain Shall none of our works and doings proffit Have we prayed and taken so much pains from time to time Sabbath after Sabbath and all in vain will God forget all what a miserable case are we then in Even so it shall be nothing remembred if you are not regenerated if not a new Creature if you have not true Faith in the Lord Jesus resting in him alone for Salvation 4. When their sinful works shall be set before them in order and imperfection of their good works shewn then the wicked shall be convinced of both in their own Consciences now Wicked Men will not be convinced of sin nor judge aright of their performances they are past feeling Eph. 4.19 The Greek word signifies them that having done any thing amiss can't grieve or take shame to themselves as Drunkards past feeling Swearers past feeling 1 Tim. 4.2 Having the Conscience seared with a hot Iron That is either professing themselves to be the people of God their Consciences are stigmatized with the works of many foul and enormous crimes a metaphor taken from Rogues who are burnt in the Hand or some other part of the body or Conscience so insensible of sin and their dangerous estate by it and of the fearful Judgments of God as dead and hard Flesh feared with a hot Iron Thus 't is for the most part with wicked Men here but when they are called to Judgment then their Conscience shall recover feeling then it shall do its office in accusing judging here wicked Men make God a liar they have beâ—ied the Lord and said no evil shall come on us then they shall set to their seal that God is true his word is true his threatnings are true then as Joshua said ye know that not one thing hath fail'd Chap 23.14 so