Brethren take heed of Gods of Man's making He is as much an Idolater that preferreth his Wealth to Obedience his Pleasures before God's Service as he that falleth down to a Stock It would be sad if on your Death-Beds God should turn you back as he did the Israelites in their distress Judges 10.14 Go and cry to the Gods whom ye have chosen let them deliver you in the time of your Tribulation Go to your Wealth to your Pleasures 2. If God be but One worship him with an intire Heart The Story goeth that the Senate hearing of the Miracles in Judea decreed Divine Worship to Christ but Tiberius the Emperor crossed it when he heard that he would be worshipped alone God is but one our Hearts should close with him as an All sufficient Portion There is enough in one The Scripture speaks of believing with all the Heart Other Comforts and Confidences must be disclaimed Sometimes Carnal Persons set their Hearts upon other Comforts Christ is not their whole Delight they would have Christ for their Consciences and the World for their Hearts Christ in an extremity but their Affections go out to other things Sometimes they will have other Confidences they would trust Christ for their Eternal Salvation to salve Conscience but the World ingrosses their Care as if they were to shift for themselves in temporal things and be Masters of their own Fortunes as it appeareth when temporal Supplies fail when visible Supplies are absent then they despair It is a meer mistake and folly to think it is easier to trust Christ for Pardon of Sins and Eternal Life than for daily Bread as Christ said Mark 2.9 Whether is easier to say Thy Sins are forgiven thee or to say Arise take up thy Bed and Walk The truth is Temporal Wants are more pressing and urging than Spiritual and Men are careless in the business of their Souls Doct. 3. The next Proposition is That this God is One in three Persons This also is collected from the Text. To know thee that is the Father with all the Coessential Persons They are undivided in Essence though distinguished in Personality Take a place of Scripture 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Let me a little open the Doctrine of the Trinity by some short Observations This is a Mystery proper to the Scriptures Other Truths are revealed in Nature but this is a Treasure peculiar to the Church There are some Passages in Heathens that seem to look this way as Plato speaketh of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mind Word and Spirit And Trismegistus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. but these were either some general Notions received by Tradition from the Jews and by them misunderstood for they dream'd of three distinct separate Essences or else Passages foisted into their Writings by the fraud and fallacy of some Christians who counted it a piece of their Zeal to lye for God It is not likely that God would give the Heathens a more clear Revelation of these Mysteries than he did to his own People the Church of the Jews We find it but sparingly revealed in the Old Testament though I might bring many places where it is sufficiently hinted but more distinctly in the New after the visible and sensible discovery of the three Persons at Christ's Baptism Mat. 3.17 The Spirit of God descended like a Dove and lighted upon him and lo a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Voce Pater Natus Corpore Numen Ave. The whole Trinity were present at that Solemnity Some Darkness there is still upon the face of this Deep we shall have more perfect knowledg of it in the Heavens John 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity still troubleth the present weakness of Reason but when we shall see God face to face our Knowledg shall be more satisfactory and compleat For the present we must come to this Truth with a sober mind and adore it with a humble Piety lest we puzzle Faith while we would satisfy and inform Reason There are many words which the Church hath used in the explication of this Mystery as Vnity Trinity Essence Person Consubstantial which though they be not all found in the Scriptures yet they are the best that we can use in so deep a Matter and serve to prevent the Errors and Mistakes of those who would either multiply the Essence or abolish the Persons Some Terms must be used and these are the safest They be Three and yet One and the most commodious way to solve it to our Understandings is One in Essence and Three Persons for there being Three in the Divine Essence the Father the Word and the Spirit each having the whole Divine Essence and yet the Essence undivided there must be some words to express the Mystery God being One cannot be divided in Nature and Being and there being Three every One having the whole Godhead in himself distinguished by peculiar relative Properties what term shall we use Three ways of Existence there are in the Nature of God because of those three real Relations Paternity Filiation and Procession One they are and distinct they are really There is and must be a distinction for the Essence and particular way of Existence do differ Whatever is said of the Essence is true of every Person God is Infinite Eternal Incomprehensible so is the Father Son and Spirit But now whatever is said of the Existence as Existence cannot be said of the Essence every one that is God is not Father Son and Holy Ghost I say then there being a distinction between the Nature and particular Existences there must be some Terms to express it The Greek Church in the Nicene Council some 360 Years after Christ worded it thus The Occasion was this some Hereticks said If Christ be God of the same Substance and Being with the Father then when Christ was Incarnate the Father was Incarnate also No say the Orthodox though the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Substance or Essence be the same it is not the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same Subsistence in the Godhead and then began the publick and received Distinction of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying the Nature or Substance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the several manners of Existence And the determination of the Church was that these were the fittest Terms to explicate this Mystery Not but that these words were used before in this Matter as may appear out of divers Authors that lived and wrote before that famous Nicene Council but they were not so accurately distinguished nor so publickly received And indeed though the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Essence be not in Scripture yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is There is ground for
Men neglect and contemn the Word of God they damm up the Fountain of Holiness 5. What is the true Witness of the Scripture's Certainty not the Testimony of the Church but feeling the sanctifying virtue of it It is good to take the Testimony of the Church at first as we take a Medicine from others upon their Experience but we must not rest in it 1 Thess. 1.5 For our Gospel came not unto you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance this giveth Certainty At first we believe upon the Church's Saying as the VVoman commended Christ to her Citizens John 10.42 Now we believe not because of thy Saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the VVorld There is a preparative humane Faith as in taking Pills we do not chew them but swallow them It is not good to be disputing away our Hopes But we should not rest in this but labour to get an Experience of the Power of the Truth upon our Hearts 6. The difference between Civility and Sanctification Civility is wrought by meer moral Education according to natural Principles without any Knowledg or so much as a desire to be acquainted with the Word of God Thus many are careful of common Honesty in Matters of Traffick and Commerce obedience to Civil Laws being restrained from gross Enormities but have no true Grace but in true Holiness we are inclined by the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby This is true Holiness when we conform and subject our selves in Heart and Practice to the Will of God revealed in the Word The Word of God must be Reason and Rule Reason 1 Thess. 5.18 This is the VVill of God concerning you and Rule Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them Why do you do this as the Children must ask their Parents VVhy do ye keep the Passe-over Still all must be examined by the Word John 3.21 He that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God he trieth every Action by it Only the Word is our Rule in all our Actions we seek to it as our Guide obey it for Truth 's sake Vse 2. Exhortation 1. Beware of Error It is a defiling thing the more mixture of Falshood the less awe of God upon the Soul and the more carnal Affections are gratified A constant use of the Word discovers Sin 2. To press you to wait upon God for the purifying of your Hearts through the Word in the use of the Word through the Spirit to look for the Purification and Sanctification of your Souls Here I should press you to take heed That you hear How you hear and What you hear 1. That you hear You need wait upon God and hearken diligently The Apostle infers it James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth What then therefore be swift to hear Continually you will find some new Enforcement or new Consideration to promote your Holiness and Sanctification 2. Take heed what ye hear Mark 4.24 You must get the distinguishing Ear that as the Mouth tasteth Meats so the Ear may taste Doctrines and you may judg of Things that differ 3. Take heed How you hear Luke 8.18 that is wait for the Operations of the Spirit do not â—ear carelesly negligently It is said Acts 10.44 While Peter was speaking those things the Holy Ghost fell upon them While we are speaking to you there are many good Motions stirred up in your Hearts Take heed how you hear that the Blessing may 〈…〉 from you Thy Word is Truth The Point which I am now to discuss is The Truth of the Word In managing this Discourse I shall shew I. What Necessity there is that God should give us his Word or a Declaration of his Will II. Where we shall infallibly find this Word or Declaration of his Will III. Of what Concernment it is to â—e established in the Truth of this Word IV. Whether it be possible that Carnal Men remaining so can have any Assurance of this Truth or whether it be only left to be cleared up infallibly to the Soul by the Light and Working of the Spirit I. What necessity there is of God's Word or some outward signification of his Will An absolute Necessity of an outward Rule there is not God might immediatly reveal himself to the Heart of Man he who made the Heart can stamp it with the full knowledg of his Will But the written Word is best for God's Honour and for the safety of Religion and because of the weakness of our Nature 1. For the Honour of God that he should give Man a Rule You know all Creatures that God hath made they have a Rule without themselves by which they are guided and directed in their Operations It is God's own Priviledg to be a Rule to himself The Angels have a Rule that is distinct from their Essence And in Innocency tho God stamped the Knowledg of his Will immediatly upon Man's Heart that Adam's Heart was as it were his Bible yet his Rule was distinguished from his Essence otherwise he could not have sinned against God If Man were his own Rule there would be an impossibility of sinning and so there would be an intrenchment upon God's own Privilege You know it is God's own Privilege that his Act is his Rule and therefore it is impossible that God should sin Look as when a Carpenter choppeth and squareth a piece of Timber there is a Line and Rule without him by which he is guided and directed If it were to be supposed that his Hand could never strike amiss that would be his Rule he would need no Line or Rule without him But this is proper to no Creature it is God's own Privilege that his Essence and his Rule are not distinguished but still a Man should not share with him in his peculiar Privilege therefore he hath given him a Rule Besides if Man were a Rule to himself there would be no room for Rewards there is no Commendation nor Praise where there is a natural necessity of doing good as Stocks and Stones are not capable of a Reward for not sinning because they cannot sin 2. For the Safety of Religion now Man is fallen that he might not obtrude Fancies on his Neighbour Isa. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this VVord it is because their is no Light in them Let it be Voice or Oracle all is to be measured by the outward Rule which God hath given to the Church 3. In respect of Man to repair the Defects of Nature and to satisfy the Desires of Nature 1. To Repair the Defects of Nature Fallen Man is brutish and knows not how to carve out a Right VVorship for God or a Rule of
is to sanctify God when we can say he is thus and none like him Now it is fit that you should be acquainted with the Grounds and Reasons of your holy Profession with the distinct Excellency that is in it above all other Religions in the World God counts no Assemblies in the World to be like the Church therefore we should be always studying the Excellencies and Perfections of God that we may see there is none like our God That Phrase Who is like unto thee is twice used in Scripture Of the Church Deut. 33.29 Who is like unto thee O People saved by the Lord And of God Micah 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee who pardoneth Iniquity c. The Church should in gratitude return this upon God where is there such a Pardon to be had such a Satisfaction for Conscience and such a Fountain of Holiness Christ and the Church are thus brought in mutually pleasing themselves in one another Cant. 2.2 Christ begins with the Church As the Lilly among the Thorns so is my Beloved among the Daughters It is not meant in regard of scratching as if the Church were in the midst of Thorns but by way of Comparison Look as a Lilly excells Thorns so the Church excells all the World And then the Church begins Verse 3. As the Apple-Tree among the Trees of the Wood so is my Beloved among the Sons Look how much the Fruit-bearing Tree excells the barren and rotten Trees of the Forest so doth Jesus Christ excell all others Upon these grounds it will not be amiss to enter upon the Discourse concerning the Divine Authority of the Scriptures IV. Whether a wicked Man remaining wicked may be convinced of the Truth of the Word I should think they can have no absolute Assurance till they have some Work of Grace because that is the Fruit of Grace Col. 2.2 That your Hearts might be comforted and knit together in Love and unto all Riches of the full Assurance of Vnderstanding to the Acknowledgment of the Mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ. 2 Cor. 4.4 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God for they are Foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned He receives not the things of God that is doth not perceive them with demonstration nor receive them with acceptation A natural Man may have an Opinion a light Conjecture a slight Conviction upon his Heart enough to beget an Awe so as he knows not how to contradict the Truth of the Scriptures but not an absolute Assurance of the Truth of the Word It is Christ's Sheep only that are able to distinguish his Voice John 10.27 My Sheep hear my Voice and I know them and they follow me They that look upon the Scripture in the Light of the Spirit they are only able to see that it is from God We may convince them and use preparative Inducements but they cannot be absolutely assured of the Truth of the Doctrine and that for two Reasons 1. Because all external Arguments without the Light of the Spirit work but an humane Faith He that inspired the Scriptures must open our Eyes to know them and incline our Hearts to believe them otherwise we shall look upon them but as a Traditional Report Isa. 53.1 Lord who hath believed our Report The Church maketh Report What is the reason wicked Men do not entertain it 1 John 2.20 Ye have an Vnction from the Holy One and ye know all things Men may speak of Christ by hear-say as a Parrot talks after a Man but it is the Spirit only that must reveal him to the Heart The Disciples themselves knew not the Truth of the Gospel so much by Christ's outward Ministry as by the inward Illumination of the Spirit So Christ himself saith John 16.13 Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he shall guide you into all Truth Christ had brought it out of the Bosom of the Father and had taught them by an external Ministry but the Comforter was to bring it into their Hearts to lead them into all Truth Therefore tho carnal Men may have a rational Conviction and may be so over-powered with Reason that they cannot contradict the Word and so far understand it as to be condemned by it yet they have not an absolute Assurance it is accompanied with Atheism Doubts and Dissatisfactions 2. Because the Spirit worketh not by way of Certioration and full Assurance but when he sanctifieth And therefore the Apostle saith 1 Thess. 1.5 Our Gospel came not to you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy-Ghost and in much Assurance It cleanseth and sanctifieth the Heart And in the Text it is said Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth Where-ever there is an inward plenary Conviction there is the Spirit and where the Spirit of God works he changeth the Heart It is true a wicked Man remaining carnal may have common Gifts from the Spirit Heb. 6.4 They may be inlightned and taste of the heavenly Gift and be made Partakers of the Holy-Ghost and taste the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come They may be able to make use of the Model and Form of Knowledg that is in the Brain but there is not an absolute Assurance This partial Conviction is soon lost it is led in by Man and led off by Man A natural Man being in the Church may have great Presumption and Probability he may know nothing to the contrary why it is not God's Word nay he may in Bravery die for his Profession but he dies in his own Quarrel and for his own Humor not for the love of the Truth because it is his not because it is God's because his own Profession may not be disparaged But a true Certainty they cannot have such as is affective transforming setled Vse 1. To wicked Men that stagger about the Truth of the Scriptures and are haunted with a Spirit of Atheism and continued Doubts 1. Wait upon common Grounds Consent of the Church and probable Arguments You ought out of respect to search into it whether it will be found to be the Word of God or no. You read in Jugdes when Ehud said to Eglon Judges 3.20 I have a Message from God unto thee he rose out of his Seat If a King's Letter threatning great Peril were brought to a Man he doth not know whether it be the King's Letter or no but because the Peril is great he will enquire further into the Matter So when the Word of God is brought unto you propounding everlasting Hope threatning everlasting Death this should make you wait enquire and see if it be the Word of God or no. We venture far for great Gain upon a probable Hope If there were but a loose probability of having a great Prize for a Shilling a Man
would venture upon that probability Now here is not only a possibility of gaining but you are threatned with horrible Torments everlasting Death and Horror more than is propounded in any Religion Do not think this is a foolish Credulity the Simple believeth every Word there is none more foolishly credulous than the Atheist and the Antiscripturist who withhold their Assent from the Word of God upon very slight Reasons and venture their Salvation upon them 2. Do not in such a Matter rest upon the Credit of any Man but seek to have a firm Ground in your Consciences an inward Certioration from the Spirit of God Phil. 1.9 This I pray that your Love may abound yet more and more in Knowledg and in Judgment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all sence Wait till you have an inward feeling He that is led by a Man into the acknowledgment of the Truth will be led off again by Men. There will be no stability till you have an inward Assurance 2 Pet. 3.16 Beware lest ye also being led away with the Error of the Wicked fall from your own stedfastness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Every Child of God should have some Ballast in his own Spirit some Ground and Experience upon which he durst venture his Soul Labour for this proper Ballast and Stedfastness of your own And for your Comfort let me tell you if you with a humble and pious Mind wait upon God you will not want it long He that with a sincere mind and studiousness of his own Salvation desires to find out the Truth of the Scriptures certainly God will settle him Vse 2. Here is Advice to the People of God 1. Prize this way of Dispensation bless God for it that the Rule of Faith is put into a setled Course the greatest Gift next the Lord Jesus Christ that the World ever had The Scriptures are God's Charter given to Man the Evidence of his Happiness by which he holds Heaven and Grace and all his Privileges in Christ. Tho the Bible alone were extant in the World here were sufficient Direction a Doctrine full enough to guide us to Happiness and tho all the World were full of Books if the Bible only were wanting you would have no sure Doctrine Some Books are of Satan's inditing they that are full of Filthiness and Folly Other Books smell of Men there is not any other Book in the World but hath something of Man in it and a humane Spirit But this is all of God this is the Truth the Touchstone of Words and Deeds Other Writings speak Man's Heart but this speaks to Man's Heart with a Divine Power this is the Book that is the best discovery of God's Heart to us and our own to our selves it is the Touchstone not only to try Doctrines but to try all Mens Dispositions how we stand affected to him 2. Rest in the certainty of this Doctrine We are foolish Creatures and would give Laws to Heaven and indent with God to believe upon our own Terms Look as the Devil would indent with Christ Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God command that these Stones be made Bread So we indent with God If it be his Word let God testify it by some Oracle or some visible Dispensation We think it were better and that the World had more Assurance when God spake in divers manners than when the Canon and Rule of Faith is closed up and he speaks by Writing only and not by Voice No God's Terms are surer than if a Man should come from Hell and speak to them We are apt to think if a Messenger should come up in Garments of flaming Fire and preach of the Horrors of the World to come then there would be no Atheists but there is a far greater certainty in such a Dispensation as we are now under Luke 16. 30 31. If one went unto them from the Dead they will repent And he said If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded tho one arose from the Dead Satan still appears to the blind World in horrible shapes to terrify them so would we look upon this as an horrible shape as the malice and cunning of the Devil Nay it is surer than if an Angel should come from Heaven to preach the Gospel to us for that would not be such an absolute Assurance Gal. 1.8 For tho we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Nay it is more sure than an Oracle from God tho that is as sure in it self because it is from the true God yet it is not so sure to us 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure Word of Prophecy More sure than what Than Visions and the Voice from the excellent Glory He alludes to that Voice which came from Heaven Mat. 3.17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Ay but saith he We have a more sure Word of Prophecy Therefore rest in this way of Dispensation do not blame God as if he had ill provided for the Comfort and Safety of the Church 3. Improve it to a solid Hope and Comfort it is the Word of God and venture upon it If you be deceived God hath deceived you as the Prophet saith Jer. 4.10 Venture upon the Promises of God entertain the Precepts of it as if God himself had spoken them 1 Thess. 2.13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of Men but as it is in Truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe When you hear any particular thing prest out of the Word entertain it as if God spake from Heaven What will you venture upon God's Word in a way of Suffering And what Lust will you thwart and crucify that God by his Word commands SERMON XXVIII JOHN XVII 17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth NOW I proceed to the Arguments that prove the Scriptures to be the Word of God First Some are Extrinsical and do lie without the Scriptures Secondly Some are Intrinsical and lie within the Scriptures themselves as being taken from the Matter and Form of them First Extrinsical Arguments There I shall shew you I. That God hath owned the Scriptures for his Word II. The Church hath owned them as God's Word III. The Malignant World in their way hath owned them that is upon that respect they have opposed them I. God hath owned them several ways By the wonderful Success of that Religion which the Scriptures establish Preservation Miracles Accomplishment of Prophecies Promises and Threatnings by Concomitancy of Grace Testimony of the Spirit by particular Judgments and Punishments of those which have abused the Scriptures First By the wonderful Success of that Doctrine and Religion which the Scriptures do establish Certainly if we think that
to have a good opinion of a thing till we make trial The Testimony of the Church hath inclined us to think that the Scriptures are the Word of God not that the Church can make and unmake Scripture when it pleaseth as a Messenger that carrieth Letters from a King doth not give Authority to them 3. How the Church hath witnessed to the Truth of the Scriptures in all Ages Partly by Tradition partly by Martyrdom 1. By Tradition Holy Books were indited one after another according to the necessity of Times and still the latter confirmed the former Moses was confirmed by Joshua Chap. 23.6 Be ye couragious to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses And Joshua and others by succeeding Prophets and all were confirmed by Christ Luke 24.44 These are the Words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and 〈◊〉 the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me For the New Testament it was confirmed by all the succeeding Ages of the Church Christians different in other things yâ—t agreed these to be the Writings of the Apostles So that we have a more general consent than we have about any other Matter probable in the World Men of excellent Parts and Learning that were not apt to take Matters on trust all assent to Scripture as the publick Record for the trial of Doctrines When Heirs wrangle they go to the Last Will and Testament 2. By Martyrdom The Patience and Constancy of the Martyrs who have ratified this Truth with the loss of their dearest Concernments yea even of Life it self Rev. 12.11 They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their Lives unto the Death It is possible that a Man may suffer for a false Religion and sacrifice a stout Body to a stubborn Mind but because there is counterfeit Coin is there no true Gold The Devil's Martyrs are neither so many for number nor for temper and quality so holy so wise so meek as Christ's Champions The Christian Religion can shew you Persons of all Ages Young and Old of all Sexes Men and Women of all Conditions of Life Noble and of low Degree of all Qualities Learned and Unlearned Persons that could not be suspected to be mopish or melancholy or tired out with the Inconveniences of an evil World but were in a capacity to enjoy temporal Things with the highest delight and sweetness and yet counted not their Lives dear to them to confirm the Truth of this Word What is dearer to Men than Life And this not out of any desire of vain Glory their Death being accompanied with as many disgraceful as painful Circumstances not out of any sensless stupidity or fierceness of Mind they being of a meek Temper and blamed for nothing else but their constancy in asserting that Truth which they professed not out of any confidence in their own strength in bearing those horrible Cruelties that were inflicted upon them but humbly committing themselves to God and imploring his Strength did deliberately and voluntarily give up themselves to be cruelly butchered and tormented as a Testimony of the Power of this Truth upon their Hearts some of them kissing the Stake thanking the Executioner others wrestling a while with Flesh and Blood and natural desires of Life yet the Love of the Truth prevailing came at length to encounter the Horrors of a cruel Death with a well-tempered Constancy and Resolution which certainly in so many thousands even to an incredible Number could not be without some Divine Power and Force upon their Souls That all this should be done by Persons otherwise of a delicate tender Sense and a meek and flexible Spirit what should move them to it but the Power of the Truth This being a Religion of little Reputation in the World which the Philosophers and Disputers of that Age sought to batter down with Arguments the Politicians with all manner of Discouragements the Orators with a Flood of Words the Tyrants with Slaughters and Torments the Devil by all manner of Crafts and Subtilties What had the poor Christians before their Eyes but Prisons and wild Beasts and Gibbets and Fires and Racks and torturing Engines more cruel than Death They had Flesh and Blood as well as others a Nature that continually prompted them to spare themselves as well as others Life was as dear to them and their care of their Families and Little-ones as great their respect to Parents and Friends as much in them as any yea more Religion requiring natural Affection in the highest Exercise and intendering their Hearts with a sense of their Duty Yet rather than give their Bibles to be burnt or be led away from their Religion they could trample upon all Certainly such an invincible constancy could not be imputed to any rigid Sullenness or foolish Obstinacy or distempered Stiffness but meerly to the love of Truth which prevailed over all other Concernments Let it shame us that they could part with Life and all their Interests for Christ and his Truth and we cannot part with our Lusts they with their well-being and we not with our ill-being Could they suffer the Persecutors to destroy their Bodies and will not we suffer the Fire of the Word to consume our Lusts Reason and Conscience is calling upon us to quit these things and yet we hug them to our great Prejudice we to whom a little Duty is so irksome a little pains in Prayer so tedious what would we do if the Fires were kindled about us and we were every day to carry our Life in our Hands and could look for nothing but Halters and Stakes and Instruments of Destruction Surely our Spirits are too silken and soft for such a Religion so abstracted from Ease and Pleasure and worldly Interests III. The Malignant World hath owned it the deadly hatred of the Devil and the constant opposition of wicked Men is a proof of it The Malignant World know it and therefore they hate and oppose it The Reason of the Argument is because the Heart of Man is naturally averse to God 1 Cor. 2.14 The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Now that which all wicked Men do universally and constantly oppose and malign certainly that is of God As Christ saith of his own Disciples John 15.19 If ye were of the World the World would love its own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you So may we reason If the Scriptures were of Men if devised by them and suitable to their Lusts and Humours the Men of the World would receive them with a great deal of stillness Flesh and Blood would love its own But carnal Men have constantly
all to elude the present Conviction long it is e're the proud Heart of Man is gained to take Christ upon God's Terms Convinced Men are brought in saying What shall I do Acts 9.6 Then let God write down what Articles he pleaseth they are willing to subscribe and yield to any Terms as softned Pewter let it be never so bowed and battered is receptive of any Shape and Form This is the Implicite Act or that which is required in Believing that a Man should be a lost undone Creature in himself ready to do what God will have him 2. The Explicite Acts when a Soul thus humbled casts it self upon Christ for Grace Mercy and Salvation This may be explained with respect to the two great Ordinances i. e. the Word and Prayer which are as it were a Spiritual Dialogue between God and the Soul In the Word God speaketh to us in Prayer we speak to God God offereth Christ to us in the Word and we present him to God in Prayer So that the Acts of Faith are to accept of Christ as offered and then to make use of him in our Communion with God and by this shall you know whether you do believe in him 1. Accepting Christ in the Word Faith is expressed by receiving him John 1.12 To as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name Receiving is a relative word and presupposeth God's Offer Art thou willing to take Christ upon these terms Yes saith the Soul with all my Heart I accept him as a Sanctifier as a Saviour and I can venture all in his hands Then you answer God's Question How often doth God lay forth the Excellencies of Christ and none regard him but a poor hunger-bitten Conscience prizeth him receiveth him with all his heart and entertaineth him in the Soul with all Respect and Reverence This is to take Christ to accept him as Lord and Saviour upon God's Offer As when Isaac was offered to Rebekah Laban and Bethuel answered saying The thing proceedeth from the Lord we cannot speak unto thee good or bad Gen. 24.50 they consented to take him because they saw God in it So they see God tendering Christ in the Word and they are willing to take him upon his own Conditions 2. By making use of him in Prayer The great Use of Christ is that we may come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him We must make our Approaches to God for Supplies of Grace in the confidence of his Merit It is a great Fault in Christians that they do so little think of this Act of Faith We are busy about applying Christ to our selves The great use of Christ is in dealing with God Heb. 10.19 Having therefore boldness Brethren to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus Every Prayer that you make with any Confidence and Liberty of Spirit it cost Christ his Heart's Blood He knew that Guilt is shy of God's Presence as the Malefactor trembleth to come before the Judg Ephes. 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with Confidence through the Faith of him Surely the Apostle speaketh de jure not what is de facto We have low and dark Thoughts as if we had no such Liberty purchased for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we may be free with God It is the Fruit of Christ's Purchase Christ's Name signifieth much in Heaven Vse Can you thus believe in Christ take him out of God's Hand No I cannot apply Christ. I Answer Yet disclaim when you cannot apply Phil. 3.9 And be found in him not having my own Righteousness which is after the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God through Faith And apply your selves to Christ when you cannot apply Christ to you that is cast your selves upon Christ. You have warrant enough from the Word There is an Adventure of Faith when there is no Perswasion of Interest 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day The Venture is grounded on God's free offer of him to all Sorts When we rest on him because we know he is ours that is another thing there is Trust that is a Fruit of Propriety 1 John 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal Life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God But the Adventure is grounded on the Offer as a Child holds fast his Father in the Dark Mariners cast Anchor at Midnight And ripen Faith more all Faith draweth to particular Application The lowest Degree is a desire to lay hold on Christ as our Saviour this is the tendency and aim of the least Faith though we do not leap into full assurance at first As a Man that climbeth up to the top of the Tree first he catcheth hold of the lowest Boughs and so by little and little he windeth himself into the Tree till he cometh to the top Secondly The next thing is the Warrant or Instrument through their Word It is not meant only of those that heard the Apostles in Person by their Word is meant the Scripture which was not only preached by them at first but written by them as Paul saith Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall judg the Secrets of Men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel that is which I have published and delivered to the Church in writing John 15.16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth Fruit and that your Fruit should remain By their Fruit is meant the publick Treasure of the Church the Scriptures and that remaineth in all Ages until Christ come As the Jews were Children of the Prophets that never heard them Acts 3.25 So were we converted by their Word Now I shall handle the Necessity Use and Power of the Word to work Faith 1. The Necessity of the Word preached it is the ordinary Means It is a nice Dispute whether God can work without it God can enlighten the World without the Sun It is clear ordinarily he doth not work without the Word we are bound tho the Spirit is free How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a Preacher Rom. 10.14 It is the means to convey Faith into the Hearts of the Elect it is as necessary to Faith as Faith to Prayer and Prayer to Salvation It is a Means under a Promise You see how necessary it is they that voluntarily neglect the Means put a Scorn upon God's Institution Men will say I can read at Home Are you wiser than he Men think that of all other things Preaching might best
with the Spirit of Christ assisting but not reforming as an Angel sometimes appears in an assumed Body But 't is dangerous to rest in this it maketh our sin and Judgement the greater if after a taste we rest in a common work Historical Faith if not growing into a saving sound Faith 't is a kind of mocking of God and an Hypocrites portion As for instance We profess to believe him Omniscient yet fear not to sin in his presence Omnipotent yet cannot depend upon his Alsufficiency to believe a day of Judgement yet make no preparation for our Account Tit. 1.16 Mens sins and Judgements are aggravated according to the sense they have had of Religion and so their latter end may be worse than their beginning 2 Pet. 2.20 And sad it will be for those that from hopefull beginnings fall off from God I will tell you a man may live and die with a temporary Faith and Affections to God and Holiness without making any visible Apostasie and yet have no sound Faith of the right Constitution Yea if you regard what little rooting Grace hath in mens hearts how weak their Pulse beateth this way how strong their Affections are to the World and the things thereof how little they can vanquish the cares and fears of this world and the temptations that arise from voluptuous living 't is to be feared the far greatest part of Christians are but Temporaries 3. Oh then be sure to get this truth of Grace into your Hearts let your Hearts be effectually subdued to God let there be a Principle of Life set up in them Religion respects our Principles as well as our Performances 2 Tim. 1.5 The end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure Heart and a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned There must be a renewed Heart as the fountain a well informed Conscience as our guide and Faith unfeigned as our great encouragement And so all acts of Charity to God and men are accepted with God as a piece of Obedience done to him If we will not regard the Manner God will not regard the Matter Oh then get this renewed Heart and a lively Faith and an awakened Conscience This is to get Oyl into your Vessels and if once you get this it will never fail but increase exceedingly like the Sareptan's Oyl But how shall we get it I answer 1. You have this Oyl from Christ. The Unction is from the Holy One 2 Joh. 2.20 As the Precious Oyl was first poured on Aaron's Head and then came down to the Skirts of his Garment so Christ is first possessed of the Spirit and then we have it by our Union with him Joh. 1 16. Of his fulness we receive Grace for Grace We must go to the Fountain every day to seek new supplies Christ was anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows Zech 4. Christ is represented by the Bowl and the two Olive Trees that alwayes poured forth Golden Oyl Christ as Mediator is the Store-house of the Church who is intrusted with all Gifts and Graces for our benefit Oh bring your empty Vessels to this golden Olive-tree The Widdow only brought Casks the Oyl failed not till the Vessels failed 2. If you would have it from Christ you must use the Means of Grace the Word Prayer Sacraments Meditation We need continual supplies must use continual Prayers seek the Grace of the Spirit to keep in our Lamps Luk. 11.13 So the Word God droppeth in something to the Soul that waiteth on him Mark 4.24 Take heed how you hear for with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again If we be earnest and diligent in waiting upon God God will abound to us in blessing his Word to us So for Meditation Mat. 13.19 The High-way Ground did not bring the Word to their minds again doth not revolve it mindeth it not heedeth it not So for the Lords Supper 't is a means to root us in the Love of God when we so often renew our Oath of Allegiance to him to excite our Faith in Christ. All these are a price put into our hands to get Oyl in our Lamps and prepare for his Coming 3. Keep your Vessels clean The Spirit dwelleth not but in a clean Heart Doves build not their Habitations on Dung-hills He cometh as an efficient Cause as a Spirit assisting before he comes as a Spirit inhabiting and purifieth our Hearts by Faith 4. After you have gotten this Oyl cherish it that it may not decay Of its own nature it would do so witness that stock of Original Righteousness which Adam had Gods Promise by which it is secured supposeth our endeavours to waste it Luk. 8.18 Whosoever hath to him shall be given but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have 5. Do not only cherish and keep it from decay but see that you encrease it 2 Pet. 1.5 Add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge 1 Thes. 3.10 Perfect what is lacking 1 Thes. 4.1 That as you have received of us how you ought to walk and please God so you should abound therein A little Faith will be as no Faith not honourable to God nor comfortable to you nor useful to others All our doubts perplexities uncertainties come from the smallness of our Graces 'T will not make an Evidence therefore give diligence No endeavour labour pursuit after God but hath its recompense not an earnest thought an earnest Prayer or time spent What shall I say They whose Hearts are upon the wayes thereof go on from strength to strength You are almost at home nearer than when you first believed Then you thought all your pains too much now all too little Let me apply all to the Sacrament 1. There we come to meet the Bridegroom in a way of Grace The Marriage Covenant between God Incarnate and his espoused Ones is here celebrated and solemnized The Sacrament is a Transfiguration of the last Marriage Supper to ascertain us what entertainment we shall have at the Day of Judgment when the Bride the Lamb's Wife shall be made ready and cloathed with fine Linnen Rev. 19.23 and then be received in to the Nuptial Feast Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. All is now prepared in this Duty 2. In some respect there should be a Serious Preparation for the one as for the other as we would prepare to dye or prepare to meet Christ the Judge Christ did not wash his Disciples feet when he took them with him to Tabor to his Transfiguration but when he took them with him at his last Supper Joh. 13.7 Surely to rush upon the presence of the Bridegroom with a perfunctory careless common frame of spirit is a dangerous thing When a People come hand over head prepare themselves slightly pray slightly before they come and live carelesly and negligently they slight the Bridegroom and wrong themselves strengthen themselves in sin rather than
things at rights for the great Espousals He that wooeth a Virgin if he went away from her in anger she might well suspect he would never see her again As Bridegrooms use to fetch their Brides so will Christ we should never come at him otherwise his Love will not let him rest satisfied 'till we and he meet again to enjoy one anothers Company certainly he who delighted among the Sons of men before the World was Prov. 8.31 who delighted to converse with his people in humane shape before his Incarnation who took pleasure to spend his time busily amongst them and to dwell with them in the days of his flesh Joh. 9.45 In short he that had a mind of returning before he went away certainly he will once more leave Heaven for their sakes When he hath done his work there he will return and bring his people along with him to Glory and the full fruition of the Promises He will stay no longer than our affairs do require Joh. 14.3 3. The Affections of his Saints to him which Christ will satisfie There are many that never saw him and yet believed in him and loved him heartily 1 Pet. 1.8 In whom believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of Glory And John 20.29 Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen me and yet have believed Their Faith is not misplaced they shall find him such a one as was to be believed loved and obeyed Now to gratify their desires Christ will appear and shew himself With these eyes shall I see my Redeemer The Children of God cannot look to Heaven but they remember they have a Saviour to come from thence Phil. 3.20 For our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaketh in his own name and in the name of all those like himself And Rev. 22.17 The Spirit and the Bride say Come The Holy Ghost breedeth the desire and the Church answereth the motion Nature saith not Come but Stay still If it might go by voices whether Christ should come or no would carnal men give their votes this way The voice of corrupt nature is Depart Job 22.14 Carnal men are of the mind of the Devil Art thou come to torment us before our time Mat. 8. But the Spirit in the Bride raiseth these desires Now would Christ disappoint these desires which he hath raised in the Hearts of his Children and set them a longing and a looking and a groaning for that which shall never be It cannot be imagined 4. From the Constitution of the Church He hath dispensed gifts and graces there and left Ordinances there and he will come and require an account of things during his absence how we have improved our Talents Mat. 25.31 how things have been managed in his house 1 Tim. 6.14 Keep my Commandments without rebuke till the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is now removed from us retired within the Curtains of the Heavens but he will come again 1 Cor 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha that is cursed till the Lord come 5. From his Promise We have his Word in pawn 'T is an ancient Promise made long ago Jude 15. Behold the Lord cometh and hath been received in all ages by the Lords Messengers Moses and David and Solomon and Daniel and Job and Zechariah and Malachi and revived by Christ at his departure Joh. 14.3 by the Angel Act. 1.11 And the Apostles every where put us in mind of Christs coming Now we may reason thus Fidelis Deus in omnibus in ultimo non deficiet God hath ever stood to his word many intervenient Providences yet Promises still accomplished not one word of God hath failed Every one that hath had experience of God may make that acknowledgment that Joshua did Jos. 23.14 Behold this day I am going the way of all the Earth and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you As unlikely things have come to pass that have been foretold in the Word Were the old Believers deceived that expected his coming in the flesh Surely God never meant to deceive us He will come again If it were not so I would have told you Joh. 14.3 Christs-deed and performance never gave his word the lye 6. His Promise is solemnly confirmed 1. By an outward sign and memorial 2 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew forth the Lords death until he come God knew he had to do with distrustful Creatures therefore left a Monument to keep the promise a-foot in the Church and to revive our hopes Would Christ institute an Ordinance for the solemn remembrance of his appearing if he meant no more to come at us 2. By a Real Pledge his Spirit dwelling in us He is gone to Heaven to prepare Heaven for us and hath left his Spirit with us to prepare us for Heaven He hath left his Spirit in the Church and doth give out frequent Tokens of Love to shew that he doth not forget us Christ and a Believer are not strange There is a constant intercourse between them We are absent from him in the body but there are frequent messages of love We hear from him in the Word Prayer Supper and will he not come again that is so mindful of us at every turn He did not forget us in his exaltation as the Butler forgat Joseph when preferred at Court he did not remember Joseph in Prison Now in his Fathers house he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and will not alwayes leave us liable to sinning and suffering Surely he that quickeneth us by the influences of his Grace and refresheth us with the tasts of his Love he will come again In short What would our Faith be worth if Christ would not come again Here we have but a slender enjoyment of Christ our full Communion is when he taketh us to himself Secondly I shall now speak of the Tarrying of the Bridegroom While the Bridegroom tarryed What! Is Christ more backward than the Church that goeth forth to meet him They are ready with their Lamps but he delayeth his comeing Answ. 1. Some understand it of our opinion not the reality of the thing Though Christ come alwayes with the soonest yet to us he seemeth to tarry Why Because earnest desires crave a present satisfaction and hope deferred maketh the heart sick Prov. 13.12 and Prov. 10.26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes so is the Sluggard to them that send him Expectation is in it self tedious especially when accompanied with difficulties Certainly being accompanyed with present troubles 't is more tedious The flesh groweth impatient after its own ease and in this sense the Bridegroom is not slack but we are
l. 37. for sublime r. purblind p. 185. l. 9. for little else r. little of self p. 190. l. 27. dele 4. l. 28. r. Nay 4. l. 50. r. answereth the Gift p. 193. dele for Judges p. 212. l. 32. r. Want of Zeal SERMONS UPON THE Seventeenth Chapter OF S t. JOHN SERMON I. JOHN XVII 1 These words spake Iesus and lift up his Eyes to Heaven and said Father the Hour is come glorify thy Son that thy Son also may glorify thee I Shall in the following Exercises open to you Christ's solemn Prayer recorded in this Chapter a Subject worthy of our Reverence and serious Meditations The Holy Ghost seemeth to put a Mark of Respect upon this Prayer above other Prayers which Christ conceived in the Days of his Flesh. Elsewhere the Scripture telleth us That Christ prayed but the Form is not expressed or else only brief Hints are delivered but this is expressed at large This was as it were his dying Blaze Natural Motion is swifter and stronger in the end so was Christ's Love hottest and strongest in the close of his Life and here you have the Eruption and Flame of it He would now open to us the bottom of his Heart and give us a Copy of his continual Intercession This Prayer is a standing Monument of Christ's Affection to the Church it did not pass away with the external Sound or as soon as Christ ascended into Heaven and sat at the right Hand of the Father it retaineth a perpetual Efficacy the Virtue remaineth though the words be over As the Word of Creation hath retained its Vigor these five or six thousand Years Increase and Multiply and let the Earth bring forth after its kind So the Voice of this Turtle is ever heard and Christ's Prayers retain their Vigor and Force as if but newly spoken In this Prayer he mentions all Blessings and Privileges necessary for the Church He prayeth for himself for the Apostles for all Believers He beginneth with his own Glorification as the Foundation and goeth on to seek the Welfare of the Apostles as the Means and then the Comfort of Believers as the Fruit of his Administrations in the World Christ's Merit the Apostles Word the Believers Comfort are three Things of the highest consideration in Religion I shall open these in the Order and Method in which they are laid down In the first Verse we have 1. The Preface to the whole Prayer These things said Jesus c. 2. Christ's free Request Glorify thy Son Which is backed with Reasons taken from 1. His special Relation Father and thy Son 2. His present Necessity The Hour is come 3. The Aim of his Request That thy Son also may glorify thee I shall go over the Phrases as they are offered in the Order of the words These things spake Jesus That is when he had spoken these things This Clause serveth 1. To shew the Order of the History His Prayer followed his Farewel-Sermon 2. The suitableness of his Prayers to the Sermon The Points there inforced are here commended to God in Prayer It were easy to suit the Requests to the Consolations and Instructions of that Sermon From hence 1. Observe How fitly Christ dischargeth the Office of a Mediator The Office of a Mediator or Days-man is to lay his Hand upon both Job 9.33 to treat and deal with both Parties Hitherto Christ hath dealt with Men in the Name of God opening his Counsel to us now he dealeth with God in the name of Men opening our Case to him As Moses the Typical Mediator was to speak to God Exod. 19.19 and from God Exod. 20.19 So did our Lord speak from God and to God He still performeth the same Work and Office He speaketh to us in the Word and for us in Prayer The Word never works till we hear Christ speaking in it 2 Cor. 13.3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me and our Prayers are not accepted but by virtue of Christ's Intercession Those that made their Addresses to King Admetus brought the Prince with them in their Arms or as Joseph charged his Brethren that they should not see his Face unless they brought Benjamin with them their Brother We cannot see God's Face unless we bring our Elder Brother with us Acts 12.26 When Herod was displeased with the Men of Tyre they made Blastus the King's Chamberlain their Friend It is good to have a Favourite in Heaven Among all the Favourites none so acceptable as Christ get him to make Intercession for you Out of the whole learn to see Christ in the Word to use Christ in Prayer he is the golden Pipe by which our Prayers ascend and the Influences of Heaven are conveyed to us 1 Cor. 8.6 One Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him All things come from God to us through Christ. 2. Observe Christ's Order and Method From Preaching he descendeth to Prayer the Word worketh not without the Divine Grace We may open the Word but God must open the Understanding Luke 24.28 with 45. Christ himself you see sealeth his Doctrine with the Seal of Prayer Moral Suasion worketh not without a Divine and Real Efficacy The Apostles said Acts 6.4 We will give our selves continually to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word When God hath spoken to us we must speak to God again Prayer is the best Key to open the Heart because it first openeth Heaven Those that hear a Sermon and do not pray for a Blessing see nothing of God in his Ordinances nothing but what is of Man's Oratory and Argument Efficacy is quite another thing and when God speaketh in his Word with Samuel they think it is Eli. It reproveth them that when the Sermon is ended go out and turn their backs upon Prayer This is to neglect Christ's Method And it presseth you still to help on the Word by your Prayers Rom. 15.30 I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake and for the Love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your Prayers If you would have Christ's Glory and the Spirit 's Efficacy promoted you must take this course 3. Observe The Industry and Diligence of the Lord Jesus in Holy Things He letteth no time pass without some saving Work from Doctrine he turneth himself to Prayer He began with the Supper and goeth on with Discourse and finisheth all with Prayer It upbraideth us that are soon weary of Holy Things We are like foolish Birds that leave the Nest and are often stragling and let the Eggs cool before they are hatched Our Religion cometh by Flashes which are never perfected and ripened Now especially should we imitate Christ upon Solemn Days of Worship as the Lord's Day our whole Time should be parted into Meditation and Prayer and Conference And yet more especially after the Lord's Supper we should continue the Devotion and make the whole Day a post-Communion as Civet-Boxes retain their scent when the Civet is taken
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for when the Nature of God is expressed it is expressed by a word equivalent to Essence I Am that I Am Exod. 3.14 So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that was and is and is to come Rev. 1.4 Then for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is called Heb. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The express Image of his Person It cannot be rendred Essâ—nce but Subsistence for then Arrius would have carried the Day and Christ would be only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the Father's Essence cannot properly be said to be impressed on the Son since the very same individual Essence and Substance was wholly in him as it was wholly in the Father and the Son cannot be said to be like But now the express Image of his Subsistence or as we now render it Person doth provide for the Consubstantiality of the Son against Arrius and for the distinction of the Subsistences against Sabellius Thus for a long time it was carried in the terms of Substance and Subsistence But how came the word Person in use I answer The Latin Church expressed it by Person upon these Grounds partly because they would have a word in their own Language that might serve for common and vulgar use and the right apprehension of this Mystery partly because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Subsistence were ambiguous and of a doubtful signification being both often in common acceptation put for the same thing and the Latin Fathers timidiùs usi sunt eo vocabulo were shy in using that word partly because this word is very commodious as being proper to particular distinct rational Substances Whatever is a Person must be a Substance not an Attribute or Accident as White or Black a particular Substance not a general Essence or Nature it must be living we do not call a Book or a Board a Person it must be rational we do not call a Tree or a Beast a Person though they have Life but only Man and it must not be a part of a Man as the Soul it must be that which is sustained in another but subsisteth of it self so the humanity of Christ is not a Person because it hath no Subsistence in it self but is sustained by the Godhead Now a Person in the Godhead is an incommunicable Subsistence in the Divine Essence or the Divine Essence or Nature distinguished by its incommunicable Property or more plainly a diverse and distinct Subsistence in the Godhead And the word is not to be taken in the extream rigor to infer any separation or division in the Godhead Three Persons among Men make three separate Essences three Men but not here three Gods for in the Godhead the Persons are not separate and divided but only distinguished by their Relative Properties they are Coeternal Infinite and may be in one another the Father in the Son the Son in the Father both in the Spirit We are material and though we communicate in the same Nature yet we live separate In short the word Person is used to shew that they are not only three Acts Offices Attributes Properties Qualities Operations but distinct Subsistences distinguished from one another by their unchangeable Order of First Second and Third Father Word and Spirit and their incommunicable Properties of Paternity Filiation and Procession or unbegotten begotten and proceeding and by their special and personal manner of Operation creating redeeming sanctifying Creation is by the Father Redemption by the Son Sanctification by the Spirit More may be said but when shall we make an end Let us apply it Vse Let us bless God that we have such a compleat Object for our Faith we can want nothing that have Father Son and Spirit the co-operation of all the Persons for our Salvation that we can consider the Father in Heaven the Son on the Cross and feel the Spirit in our Hearts yea that the whole Godhead should take up its abode and come and converse with us 2 Cor. 13.14 The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Oh what a treble Privilege is this Grace Love and Communion Election Merit and Actual Grace This is a Mystery felt as well as believed We have a God to love us a Christ to redeem us and a Spirit to apply all to the Soul 1 Pet. 2.3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious Our Spiritual Estate standeth upon a sure Bottom the beginning is from God the Father the Dispensation from the Son and the Application from the Holy Ghost The Father 's Electing Love is ingaged by the Merit of Christ and conveyed by the Power of the Holy Ghost There was a Purpose by the Father the Accomplishment was by the Son and Exhibition is by the Spirit it is free in the Father sure in the Son ours in the Spirit the Father purposeth the Son ratifieth the Spirit giveth us the enjoyment of all Oh! let us adore the Mysterious Trinity we are not thankful enough for this glorious Discovery Doct. 4. That God who is one in three Persons is the only true God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thee the only true God 1 Thess. 1.9 Ye turned to God from Idols to serve the Living and True God All others are but Idols and false Gods they are not able to avenge the contempt of them that wrong them or to save those that trust in them Gal. 4.8 Then when ye knew not God ye did service to them that by Nature were no Gods An Idol is nothing but what it is in the valuation and esteem of Men. Oh then let us not look upon Religion as a meer Fancy God is whether we acknowledg him or no. Usually in great Turns and Changes many turn Atheists some turn short from gross Idolatry to rest in Superstition others turn over and lay aside Religion it self as if all were Fancy and Figment Oh consider a God there is who else made the World And then Who is a God like unto the Lord our God Go search abroad among the Nations It is some advantage sometimes to consider what a God we â—erve above the Gods of the Gentiles God alloweth you the search for Settlement and Satisfaction Jer. 6.16 Thus saith the Lord Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old Paths Where is the good Way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your Souls If you will make a serious Comparison see where you can anchor safer than in Christianity Where can you have more comfortable Representations of God than in the Christian Religion And where can you have a purer Representation of the Christian Religion than in the Churches of the Protestants all else is as unstable as Waters Here God is represented as holy yet gracious and here you may meet with a strict Rule of Duty and yet best for your Choice Let it confirm you in your Choice and bless God for the Advantages of
the Gentiles the Wrestlers were anointed Which may be applied to Christ who was now to wrestle and conflict with all the Prejudices and Difficulties of Man's Salvation But it is rather taken from the Customs of the Ceremonial Law Three sorts of Persons we find to be anointed among the Jews Kings as Saul David Solomon 1 Sam. 9.16 Thou shalt anoint him to be Captain over my People Israel Therefore they were called the Lord 's Anointed 1 Sam. 26.11 Priests All the Priests that ministred in the Tabernacle or Temple chiefly the High-Priest who was a special Figure of Christ Exod. 29.29 And the Holy Garments of Aaron shall be his Sons after him to be anointed therein and to be consecrated in them Prophets 1 Kings 19.16 Elisha the Son of Shaphat shalt thou anoint to be Prophet in thy room As Oil strengthneth and suppleth the Joints and maketh them agile and fit for Exercise so it noteth a designation and fitness for the Functions to which they were appointed So Christ because he was not to be a Typical Priest or Prophet or King therefore he was not typically but spiritually anointed not with a Sacramental but real Unction not of Men but of God immediatly Therefore we shall inquire how Christ was anointed It implyeth two things 1. The giving of Power and Authority Heb. 5.5 Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Therefore though Christ be of the same Power and Authority with the Father yet as Mediator he must be appointed Christ took not on him the honour of a Mediator but received it of his Father God needeth not to appoint a Mediator it was his free Grace To save Sinners is not proprietas Divinae Naturae but Opus liberi Concilii This Council had its rise from the Mercy and free Grace of the Father he might have required this punishment of our selves If any had interposed to mediate for us without God's Will and Calling his Mediation would have been of no value a Pledg whereof we have in Moses Exod. 32.32 33. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their Sins and if not blot me I pray thee out of the Book of Life And the Lord said unto Moses Whosoever hath sinned against me him will I blot out of my Book And besides where should we have found a sufficient Mediator unless he should have given us one Therefore there is much in the Father's anointing or appointment therefore is the Mediation of Christ so effectual it is made by his own Will John 8.42 I proceeded forth and came from God neither came I of my self but he sent me John 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed as a Magistrate hath the King's Broad Seal Which is a great comfort when we go to God we may offer him Christ as authorized by himself thou hast sent thy own Son to be a Mediator for me And we may plead it to our selves in Faith God the Supream Judg the wronged Party hath appointed Christ to take up the Controversy between him and me 2. The bestowing on him the Holy Ghost who might make the humane Nature fit for the Work So Acts 10.38 Him hath God anointed with the Holy Ghost and with Power The humane Nature of Christ was fitted for the Employment for though it were exalted to great Privileges yet it could not act beyond its Sphere and Sanctification is the personal Operation of the third Person Now the Work of the Holy Ghost was in the Womb of the Virgin to preserve the Humane Nature of Christ from the infection of Sin From a Sinner nothing could be born but what was unclean and sinful by this Anointing Christ was made perfectly just strengthned to all Offices especially to offer up himself Heb. 9.14 Who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God To overcome all Difficulties and Temptations Isa. 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold my Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him The Work of Redemption was a weighty Work Christ had to do with God Devil and Man to bear the Wrath of God for the whole World 2. To what was Christ anointed To the Office of a Mediator in general particularly to be King Priest and Prophet of the Church To be a Prophet to teach us by his Word and Spirit Mat. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased hear ye him God bespeaketh audience To be a Priest to intercede and die for us To be a King to rule us by his Spirit and to give Grace and Glory to us Vse 1. Let us receive Christ as an anointed Saviour Christ is set over us by Authority Let us come to him as a Prophet denying our own Reason and Wisdom as a Priest seeking all our acceptance with God through his Merit Let us plead Lord Thou hast anointed Christ to offer himself a Sacrifice for me As a King let us give up our selves to the Authority and Discipline of his Spirit God's anointing is the true Reason and Cause why we should come to Christ. Vse 2. Comfort We are anointed too Christ's Ointment is shared amongst his Fellows he was anointed more than we but we have our part Psal. 133.2 Like the precious Ointment upon the Head that ran down upon the Beard even Aaron 's Beard that went down to the Skirts of his Garment 1 John 2.27 The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you We are made Prophets Priests and Kings Prophets meet to declare his Praises Priests fit for holy ministring Kings to reign over our Corruptions here and with Christ for ever in glory as the Queen is crowned with the King SERMON V. JOHN XVII 4 I have glorified Thee on the Earth I have finished the Work which Thou gavest me to do IN this Verse there is another Argument to inforce the main Request of his being glorified it is taken from the faithful discharge of his Duty and his Integrity in it it was all finished and finished to God's Glory therefore it was not unjust that he should now desire to be glorified When our Work is ended then we look to receive our Wages Now saith Christ I have finished the Work and besides which giveth weight to the Argument I have glorified Thee The Reason of Christ's Request seems to be taken from the Eternal Covenant Do your Work and you shall see your Seed and from those Promises 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour Prov. 4.8 Exalt her and she shall promote thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her Well Christ sheweth that his Request is not unequal Though this be the general Relation of the Context yet it is good to note the particular dependance between this and the former Verse Christ said that it was Eternal Life to know him that was sent now he sheweth he had discharged that Work for which he was
In the business of Salvation Christ would deal with us not by Angels but by Men given him out of the World that is the Description of the Apostles and Doctors of the Church In the Text To us he hath committed the word of Reconciliation God could teach us without Pastors and manifest himself unto us by inward and secret illapses into the Heart but he useth the Ministry of Men and that not out of Indigence but Indulgence not for any Efficacy in the Preacher but for Congruence to the Hearer as a Means most agreeable to our frail State There is Mercy in this Appointment 1. It is most for the Glory of God God's Honour cometh freely from us when the Instruments are vile and despicable We are apt to sacrifice to the next Hand Acts 14. They brought Oxen and Garlands to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas 2 Cor. 4.7 We have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us These are most apt to rival God as Children thank the Taylor 2. It trieth our Obedience We look for extraordinary Miracles and ways of Revelation God would see if we can love Truth for Truth 's sake rather than for the Teacher's sake and take it from the meanest Hand It is not Who but What is delivered Foolish Man would give Laws to God Christ impersonateth our Thoughts Luke 16.30 If one went to them from the dead they will believe Had Christ come in Person spake to us in an audible Voice or sent an Angel they would believe foolish Thoughts God trieth you by Moses and the Prophets It is a deceit to think if we had more glorious Means it would be otherwise with us Christ came in Disguise John 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not And the Word is brought to us in earthen Vessels It is merited by God-Man it is dispensed by the Power of God by Man 3. It is the most rational way He doth not rule us with a Rod of Iron by meer Power and Majesty but draweth us by the Cords of a Man by Counsels and Exhortations He dealeth with us by those with whom we have ordinary Converse as a Man with his Friend Exod. 33.11 What should Sinners do if God should come and thunder to them in Majesty and Glory Exod. 20.19 Let not the Lord speak to us He vaileth it under the Cloud of Human Weakness There is no conversing with the terribleness of Majesty but by intermediate Persons Men speak to us that have a feeling of our Infirmities Prophets are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Men of like Passions with our selves Jam. 5.17 If Angels should teach us we would think the Precepts too strict for Men. Men know how to speak to us by speaking from the Heart to the Heart Prov. 27.19 As Face answereth Face in a Glass so doth the Heart of Man to Man There may be lesser differences in regard of Complexion and Constitution but they know the general Nature of Man 4. It is the â—urest way If Men deceive us they deceive themselves We have experience of their Fidelity in other Things and they confirm it by their own Practice They are subjected to the Law of the same Duties and Necessities sometimes seal the Truth with their Bloods 5. It is a comfortable way Paul a great Sinner before Conversion Peter a great instance of the Infirmities and Falls of the Saints yet from their own experience of the Power and Comfort of the Gospel preach it to us Well then scorn not God's Institution but admire the Wisdom of it We are bound to submit tho we could see nothing but Folly 1 Cor. 1.21 It pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 2. Observ. Again It is a special Privilege to be chosen to Privileges of Grace when others are passed by Given me out of the World 1. There is a world of others and they are left to themselves Christ hath not the Tithe of Mankind Jer. 3.14 One of a City and two of a Tribe Christ doth not take them by Dozens or Hundreds but by Ones and Two's Grace falls on few Christ seeketh out the Elect if but one in a Town 2. They were as eligible as we only we were singled out by meer Grace The Lot might have fallen upon them as well as upon you Thousands in the World were as eligible Ezek. 18.4 Behold all Souls are mine as the Soul of the Father so also the Soul of the Son is mine All were made by the same God out of the same Mass of Nothing He is equally Judg of all all had sinned Thy Soul was as polluted as theirs as liable to God's Judgment as deep in the same Condemnation yet such was his good Will and Pleasure to single us out This is the Glory of his Grace Miserabor cujus misertus fuero Mal. 1.2 3. Was not Esau Jacob's Brother saith the Lord yet I loved Jacob and I hated Esau. Tho all Men be equal in themselves yet Mercy can make a distinction The best Reason is God's good Pleasure Well then apply this 1. Look to the Distinction How many steps of Election may we walk up That we were not Toads and Serpents but Men the same nothing was as pliable not Men only but Christians within the Pale of the Church not Christians at large but born there where the Mists and Foggs of Popery were dispelled nor Protestants at large but called to a stricter Profession still in every degree Multitudes were cut off That I was not a Christian but a Minister an Officer in the Church 1 Tim. 1.12 He counted me faithful putting me into the Ministy Plato gave thanks for three Things that he was a Man not a Woman a Grecian not a Barbarian not an ordinary Greek but a Philosopher A Christian may much more give thanks 2. To the reason of this Distinction John 14.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not unto the World Luke 1.43 And whence is this to me that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me When you have searched all you can you must rest in Christ's Reason Mat. 11.26 Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight God's Supremacy over all things in Heaven and in Earth maketh him free to chuse or refuse whom he pleaseth It is not because you were better disposed than others many of a better temper were passed by God raised up an Habitation to the Spirit out of crabbed knotty pieces A Man in a Wood leaveth the crooked Timber for Fewel The young Man that went away sad was of such a sweet natural Temper that it is said Christ loved him Secondly Let us now come to the Reasons why he prayeth for them I. What he did I have manifested thy Name to them In which Christ intimateth his own Faithfulness and their future Usefulness His own Faithfulness for this was one way
he was Wise Powerful and Good but they were unhappy in their determination of his Worship they sat a brood and proved but Fools They professed themselves to be Wise but became Fools Rom. 1.22 While they intended him Honour they carved to him the greatest contempt whilst they would express him in the Image of the Creatures they dishonoured him Natural Light is but small in it self and Corruption maketh it less They knew nothing of the misery of Man and the Remedy by Christ our Fall in Adam Original Sin and the Work of Redemption were Mysteries to them they could not dream of these things when they were revealed they counted them Foolishness They spoke of Vertue as a moral Perfection of Vice as a stain of Nature but nothing of Righteousness and Sin as relative to the Covenant of God God used the Heathen as Instruments to put Nature to the highest extent How may we pity them that they could go no further and admire God's Mercy to us that we being weaker than they in natural Gifts are yet stronger in Grace that a Boy out of a Catechism should know more than they Their Misery was great in abusing the Light of Nature our Misery will be greater and Damnation double if we abuse the Light of Nature and Grace 2. Above the Jewes whom God acquainted with his Statutes above all other Nations They knew little of the Name of God in comparison of what we know Therefore Moses desires to know God's Name Exod. 3.13 And it is said Judges 13.18 Why askest thou after my Name seeing it is secret The Divine Glory was hidden and under a Vail In those Appearances of Christ little was known in respect of what was known at his Incarnation It is spoken in reference to the present Dispensation Some notice they had of this Mystery God acquainted them with his Name by degrees as Exod. 6.3 I appeared unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty but by my Name IEHOVAH was I not known to them God had made himself known by other Names to the Fathers by the Name of God Almighty the Name IEHOVAH that should be an Appellation among his gathered People giving a Being to his People and making good his Promises Afterwards I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac the God of Jacob as more relating to the Covenant Afterwards Jer. 23.5 6. I will raise up to David a Righteous Branch this is the Name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OVR RIGHTEOVSNESS Then God will be known by his Grace justifying his People and accepting them for Christ's sake But in the New Testament all is open and clear he is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 1.5 Then God the Father and the Mediator were clearly made known Alas the Jewish Church knew little of the Doctrine of the Trinity the Distinction of the Persons the Quality of the Mediator the Way of Salvation What they knew was obscured and the Doctrine of the Messiah horribly depraved Vse Let us bless God for the Word and take heed unto it as to a Light shining in a dark Place What would be our Condition if we had not the Scriptures among us We should be no better than Salvages in the Wilderness or as the Body without the Soul the Earth without the Sun God might immediately have revealed himself to Man he that made the Heart can instamp it with the Knowledg of his Will But he would state his Doctrine into a setled Course that we might not coin Oracles to our selves or obtrude Fancies on others We have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as to a Light that shineth in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 He knoweth to what Liberty we incline in preaching Divine Things No more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those divers Ways and Manners wherewith God spake in times past to our Fathers by the Prophets Heb. 1.1 After the closing of a perfect Canon there needed nothing but ordinary Revelation This is sufficient to Salvation if there were no Book else if the World were full of Books and this only were wanting there were no certain way nor Rule to Heaven Here is God's Heart discovered to us and our Hearts to our selves it is a ray of the Face of God in Christ. John 1.18 No Man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son of God that lay in the Bosom of the Father he hath declared him Satan hath been ever maligning this Light that he might more securely domineer in the World Christ undertook he would declare God's Name to his Brethren and here he hath done it O let it it come with Divine Authority upon your Hearts in all the Precepts Promises Threatnings of it that you may come to a nearer sight of God and your selves 4. Observe The Necessity of a Divine Light before we can understand the Things of God I have manifested thy Name c. 1. There must not only be an outward sure Rule of Doctrine but an inward Light We can have no savory Apprehensions of the Things of God till Christ himself become our Teacher the Son of God must always be the Interpreter of his Father's Will He is the Word that speaketh to the Heart All Men by Nature are ignorant of the Name of God without any saving-Knowledg Ephes. 5.8 Ye were sometimes Darkness not only in the Dark but Darkness it self but now ye are Light in the Lord that is enlightned by his Spirit This is proper to the Elect those who are given to him The Church is Christ's open School the Scriptures our Book the Ministers are the Ushers and Christ is the inward Teacher Some are only taught by the Ministers others are taken aside and taught by Christ himself in private His Publick Lectures are read to all Hearers but the Elect are taught of God John 6.68 Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the Words of Eternal Life Others may hear the Word but they perish in their own blindness and unbelief Some play the Truants in Christ's School they will not hear they pass Judgment on themselves Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed The whole City was met to hear but none believe but the Elect and the Apostle doth not say As many as believed were ordained to Eternal Life but as many as were ordained believed It is not given to all Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given All the Difference is in the Will of God so that the Scholars in this kind are the Called according to his Purpose Christ's teaching is of no larger extent than his Father's Election Some School-masters besides their common Care do teach such Children a-part as they love most they take them and point with the Finger So doth Christ manifest himself to those that are
Father in Heaven the Son on the Cross the Spirit in our Hearts We are given to Christ but Christ is given to us by the Spirit our Interest is wrought and applied by the Holy-Ghost It is the Spirit of the Father the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ who is his Executor he is to see Christ's Will accomplished he is Christ's Vicar in his Kingly and Prophetical Office 2. Vse Let us consecrate and give up our selves to Christ. Walk as his 1 Cor. 3.23 Ye are Christ's and Christ is God's Look for all from him by dependance on him be whatever you are to him to his Glory You are given up to him you are not at your own dispose neither Tongue nor Heart nor Estate is thine God gave it and if thou are a Christian thou hast given up thy self to him SERMON IX JOHN XVII 6 I have manifested thy Name unto the Men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word Secondly THEY are committed to him by way of Charge In opening this I shall enquire 1. Who are the Persons that are thus given to Christ I answer The Elect and no other They are given to him out of the World a selected Company as in the Text Those whom thou hast given me such as shall surely and infallibly be brought to Grace and conducted to Glory John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me And Vers. 39 40. This is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last Day And this is the Will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have Everlasting Life and I will raise him up at the last Day And can the Father's Will be disappointed I wonder what can Men object against so plain a Scripture and when they are come they cannot miscarry This is the Will of him that sent me that of all that he hath given me I should lose nothing not a Leg not a piece of an Ear Christ hath received a special Charge But you will say It is said John 17.12 Those which thou hast given me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition So it seemeth some may be lost which are given to Christ. I Answer 1. The word given is there used Indefinitely for those given to Christ by way of Reward as well as those given to him by way of Charge Hypocrites because of their External Vocation are said to be given to Christ by way of Ministry and Service but not by way of special Charge That is notable which Christ saith John 13.18 I speak not of you all I know whom I have chosen but that the Scripture may be fulfilled He that eateth with me hath lift up his Heel against me Where he sheweth plainly that one of them was not of the Number of the Elect and should not receive the Privileges of his especial Charge Though he was chosen to the Calling of an Apostle yet not to Eternal Life Christ knoweth the number of the Heirs of Salvation and who only are given him by way of Ministry and Service of the Church 2. I may Answer by interpreting the Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The words are not acceptive but adversative none of them is lost but the Son of Perdition is lost the words are not rendred except the Son of Perdition but but the Son of Perdition it is not nisi but sed There is no exception made of Judas as if he had been given to Christ and afterward had fallen away It is not nemo nisi Filius Perditionis but when he had mentioned their keeping he would adversatively put the losing of Judas This Phrase or manner of Speech is often used in Scripture So Rev. 21.27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the words are not exceptive for then it would follow that some which work Abomination should enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but adversative these shall not enter but others shall enter So Mat. 12.4 It was not lawful for him to eat neither for those which were with him but only for the Priests 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not exceptive as if the Priests were of David's Company 2. What was this Charge It will be opened by considering What the Father proposed concerning the Elect and what the Son undertook 1. What the Father proposed The words of Heaven are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unutterable words which it is not lawful for a Man to utter 2 Cor. 12.4 Those secret ways of Discourse and Communication between the Father and the Son are to be adored with reverence and deep silence were it not that the Spirit of God hath put them into such Forms as are sutable to those Transactions and Intercourses which are between Man and Man It is usual in Scripture to put the Passages between God and Christ into Speeches Psal. 40.6 7 8. Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire mine Ears hast thou opened Burnt-Offering and Sin-Offering hast thou not required Then said I Lo I come In the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Psal. 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Footstool The Father came to Christ and did as it were say to him Son I am loth that all Mankind should be lost and left under Condemnation there are some whom I have chosen to be Vessels and Receptacles of my Mercy and Goodness and because I am resolved that my Justice shall be no loser you must take a Body and die for them and afterward you must see that they be converted to Grace justified sanctified guided to Glory and that not one of them should miscarry for I will take an account of you at the last Day It is easy to prove all these things out of Scripture That there are a certain definite Number See 2 Tim. 2.19 The Foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth those that are his There is no Lottery nor Uncertainty in the Divine Decrees the Number is stated sealed none can add to it or detract any one Person that Christ received a Command to lay down his Life for John 10.18 This Commandment have I received of my Father for them only I lay down my Life viz. for my Sheep That Christ is to see them converted to Grace John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me
Grace and Authority Mat. 7.29 The People were astonished at his Doctrine for he taught them as one having Authority and not as the Scribes All he did was with Heavenly Majesty and Authority a Soveraign Majesty was to be seen in Christ's teaching proper to himself Besides his Faithfulness as a Minister with such Clearness Evidence and Demonstration there was sufficient Declaration to the World at his Baptism Mat. 3.17 Lo a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased agreeing with the Prophecy of him Isa. 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold my Elect in whom my Soul delighteth At his Transfiguration before three Persons that for the Holiness of their Lives were of great Credit Mat. 17.5 Before all his Disciples John 12.28 Father glorify thy Name Then came there a Voice from Heaven saying I have both glorified it and will glorify it again To the World at his Resurrection Acts 17 31. Whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the dead To which Resurrection the Jews were conscious Those that reported it wrought Miracles these Men sought not themselves had no Advantage but visible Hazards their Witness was agreeable to the Writings of the Prophets the Doctrine built on it very satisfactory there is in it what every Religion pretendeth to tho in a higher way tho Miracles are now ceased yet it is confirmed by the Truth of the Word God continually confirmeth it by the Seal of the Spirit and there is an inward Certioration whereby Believers are satisfied John 18.37 For this cause came I into the World that I should bear witness unto the Truth Every one that is of the Truth heareth my Voice that is enlightned by the Holy-Ghost receiveth and believeth it but those that have a mind to wrangle God will not satisfy And then for his Miracles they were not Miracles of Pomp and Ostentation not destructive Miracles but Actions of Relief When the Pharisees said He casteth out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Mat. 12.24 He proveth that his main aim was to cast out Satan ver 26. If Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself Would Satan consent that his Kingdom should fall He would not go to dispossess himself All his aim was to promote Holiness and the Kingdom of God I note this 1. That you may know that the Apostles had sufficient Means to convince the World of the certainty of the Christian Doctrine The inward Testimony of the Spirit the Apostles would not alledg it by Miracles and rational Probabilities they were fitted to deal with the World and to appear as Witnesses for him when they were to give an Account Acts 5.32 And we are Witnesses of these things and so is the Holy-Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him This inward Witness is proper to Believers the other may be alledged to Infidels By the Spirit is meant there a Power to work Miracles 2. That you may know the way of God's working with Men Usually all these three concur to the working of Faith there is the Light of the Spirit external Confirmation and the use of fit Instruments 1. The Light of the Spirit without which there can be no Grace nor Faith 1 John 5.6 It is the Spirit that beareth Witness because the Spirit is true That is That Word which the Spirit himself hath revealed is Truth for he is not only the Author and Inditer of the Word but the Witness he worketh in the Hearts of the Faithful so that he persuadeth them of the Truth of the Word 2. There is external Confirmation Tho Miracles cease yet we have the Testimony and Consent of the Church who by undoubted and authentick Rolls hath communicated her Experience to us which is visibly confirmed by the Providence of God not suffering the Truth to be oppressed 3. There is the use of fit Instruments specially gifted for this Purpose Tho the Effect of the Word doth mainly depend on the Spirit yet there is a Ministerial Efficacy in the Messengers Acts 14.1 They so spake that a multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed Not that the Faith of the Hearers doth meerly depend upon the excellency of the Preacher Yet certain it is that one way of preaching may be more fit to convert than another both in regard of Matter and Form Pure Doctrine for the Matter is more apt to convert than that which is mixed with Falshood as pure Water cleanseth better than foul and good Food nourisheth better than that which is in part tainted He that can divide the Word aright and prudently apply it is more powerful to work than he that seeth by an half Light or presseth Truth loosly and not with Judgment and Solidity Not as if they could infallibly convert but they are more likely they do not carry the Grace of Conversion in their Mouths Then for the Form with more plainness clearness strength of Argument God hath given to some Gifts above others not to bind himself to them but in the way of Instruments they are more powerful tho the weakest Gifts are not to be despised And in the quality of the Persons Holy Persons are more polished Shafts in God's Quiver 3. I observe it to press you to regard all these things 1. The Power of the Spirit if you would profit in Christ's School The watering-Pot will do nothing without the Sun nor the Word without his Testimony 1 Cor. 3.7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the Increase The Spirit is to confirm Truth to you by way of Witness and Argument By way of Witness 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy-Ghost There is a secret Persuasion especially when you are reading and hearing that insinuateth it self with your Thoughts doubtless this is the Word of God Acts 16.14 Whose Heart the Lord opened that she attended to those things that were spoken by Paul By way of Argument working such things from whence you may conclude it is God's Word John 8.32 Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make ye free When ye are freed from the bondage of Sin then ye are enlightned to see the Truth of the Gospel by experience ye shall know the Truth 2. Take in the advantage of external Confirmation By Miracles Christ's Testimony was made valuable to the Apostles You have not only authentick Records wherein these Miracles are recorded which as an History may be believed but the Testimony of the Church which hath experience of the Truth and Power of the Gospel for many Ages The Lives of the Godly who are called God's Witnesses 1 Cor. 14.26 The Providences of God in delivering his Church in their miraculous Preservations Psal. 58.11 Verily there is a God that judgeth in the Earth Answers of Prayers grounded on the Word Upon all these
know that I love the Father He will be the Sinners Surety for his Father's sake Vse 2. Glorify God the Father it is the end of the whole dispensation of Grace Glorify him in your Expectations the Father himself loveth you Glorify him in your Enjoyments all is from the Father of Lights James 1.17 There is no Defect in Christ John 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the World may know that thou hast sent me and that thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me God hath loved him not only as his own Son but our Saviour John 10.17 Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my Life that I might take it again SERMON XI JOHN XVII 8 For I have given unto them the Words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me CHRIST in this Verse further explaineth the Argument that was urged before which was taken from their Proficiency in his School and that they had a right Sense of and Faith in the Dignity and Quality of his Person This Faith is set forth by all the Requisites of it First The Means by which it is wrought that is The Word the Doctrine given to him by his Father and by him to his Apostles For I have given unto them the Words which thou gavest me Secondly The Nature of Faith which consisteth in Knowledg and Acceptation They have known surely and they have believed them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are the two Acts of Faith Thirdly The Object of Faith the Mission of Christ and his coming out from the Father That I came out from thee and they have believed that thou hast sent me First I begin with the Means of Faith For I have given unto them the Words which thou gavest me The only difficulty is how the Word was given unto Christ. Some think it is meant of the divine and infinite Knowledg and Wisdom which was communicated to Christ by eternal Generation But that is very improper Quaecunque Christo dantur secundum humanitatem dantur It is meant of that giving which Christ had as Mediator as the Ambassador hath his Instructions according to which he is to act Now saith Christ I have taught them according to the Instructions which I received as Mediator These are said to be given to be infused and revealed to his Human Soul 1. Observe The Word is the proper means to work Faith We see here the Apostles had no other means of Salvation than Christ's Word when Christ giveth an account of their Faith he doth not mention his Miracles but his Doctrine Again he doth not speak only of the internal manifestation of the Spirit I have manifested thy Name but also of the outward Revelation I have given to them the Words which thou gavest me We have a general Saying Rom. 10.17 Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God This is the usual Method and way of Grace's working God will insinuate the Efficacy of his Spirit by outward Counsel and Instruction and by the Ear transmit his Grace to the Heart that he might work fortiter suaviter Vse 1. It reproveth the Folly of two sorts of Men there are some that think the Word cannot work unless it be accompanied with Miracles and others that think the Spirit will work without the Word 1. Those that think the Word will not work without Miracles and therefore expect a reviving of Miracles to authorize that Ministry which they mean to receive Vain Thoughts In the Primitive Times when Miracles were in force we read of some converted by the Word without Miracles but of none converted by Miracles without the Word Acts 11.20 21. Some of Cyprus and Cirene when they were come to Antioch spake unto the Grecians preaching the Lord Jesus And the Hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord They wrought no Signs only preached the Lord Jesus There is not one Instance in the whole Word of any one converted by a single Miracle It is natural to us to idolize visible Helps and Confirmations Those mentioned Acts 11. were not Apostles but private Brethren who in that extraordinary Time used their Gifts and were successful 2. Those that expect the Illapses of the Spirit without waiting upon the Word It is true God can work immediatly but the Question is about his Will God is not tied to means but we are bound and tied God may use his Liberty but this doth not dissolve our Duty and Obligation we are to lie at the Pool if we expect the stirring of the Waters There is a great deal of difference between the want of Means and the contempt of them I should always suspect that Grace that is wrought in us in the neglect of the Means The regular way of Faith is by the Word it hath pleased God to consecrate it God could have converted the Eunuch without Philip but we are to submit to his Will Paul that received his Consternation miraculously had his Confirmation from Ananias Christ had preached him into Terror from Heaven but he sendeth him to Ananias for Comfort Vse 2. It stirreth us up to attend upon the Word It is God's Instrument Rom. 1.16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to Salvation to every one that believeth the meaning is it is a powerful Instrument to work Faith As the first Sermon that ever was preached after the pouring out of the Spirit converted three thousand Souls An Angel could slay an hundred and eighty five thousand Men in a Night by his own natural Strength but it is easier to kill so many Men than to convert one Soul All the Angels in Heaven if they should join all their Forces together they could not convert one Soul to God but yet this Power will God discover in the Ministry and cooperation of weak Men. Those that do not delight to hear the Word have no mind to see the Miracles of Grace The Power is of God yet it is wonderfully joined with the Word it is not inclosed in it but sent out together with it when God pleaseth It is God's Ordinance and under the Blessing of an Institution 2. Observe again The Certainty of Christian Doctrine The Word delivered to the Apostles was received from the Father by Christ. It was no Invention of his own but brought out of the Bosom of the Father John 7.16 My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me So John 14.10 The words that I speak I speak not of my self that is not as Mediator It was prophesied of Christ who was the great Prophet of the Church Deut. 18.18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto thee and will put my Words in his Mouth and he
that thou hast sent me There is a Mission on God's part as well as Obedience on Christ's Observe The Love of God in sending Christ and giving him a Charge concerning us This sending implieth Distinction but not Inferiority Persons equal by mutual consent may send one another The Father sent him because in the Business of Salvation the Original Authority is said to reside in God the Father God would not trust an Angel with your Salvation but send his own Son 1 John 4.9 10. In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins He thought nothing too dear nor too near for us His Son was not sent to treat with us but to take our Nature to be substituted into our room and place But this Point of God's sending Christ hath fallen under our consideration in handling other Verses of this Chapter SERMON XII JOHN XVII 9 I pray for them I pray not for the World but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine CHRIST having urged several Arguments on the behalf of the Disciples cometh now to limit his Prayers to them which is a new Argument I pray for none but those which thou hast given me not for obstinate Persecutors and perverse Rebels but for thine own thy Charge put into my Hands If I had prayed for any which belong not to the purpose of thy Grace thou mightest deny me but I pray not for the World but for thine therefore hear me In the words you have I. The Object of Christ's Prayer II. The Object limited I pray for them which is amplified Negatively by a refusal to pray for others I pray not for the World III. The Reasons Thou hast given them me and they are thine mine by Oppignoration not Alienation thy Charge put into mine Hands I have a Charge over them and thou hast a Right in them Christ was tender of his Charge and the Father still loved and owned them Thy Right and Propriety is not lost by thy Donation but confirmed for they are thine It is not only a Reason of the Donation but an Argument that Christ useth in Prayer 1. The great Matter that needeth not so much to be cleared as to be vindicated is Christ's refusal to pray for the World It needeth not to be cleared because Christ doth expresly limit the Persons I pray for them he doth not only explain it whom he meaneth by them those which thou hast given me Which Explication if nothing else had been added would have been exclusive and would have amounted to them and only them But he doth himself exclude the World from having any share in his Prayers By the World he meaneth the Reprobate World not only the Unregenerate Elect who are sometimes called the World but reprobos amatores soeculi as the Carthusean the reprobate perverse World But some object and it is fit they should be heard 1. That the Apostles only are here intended and that there is not a distinction between the Elect and Reprobate but between the Apostles and others for afterwards Christ prayeth for others that shall believe through their Word Vers. 20. I Answer 1. The Apostles are chiefly intended but not only elsewhere doth he pray for the Disciples and Believers of that Age there were more than the eleven Apostles and if they be excluded they have no Name in Christ's Prayer 2. All others besides the Apostles could not be reckoned to be in the World Now here is a perfect distribution of Men into two Ranks those that were given him and the World 2. Others say that the words are not to be taken as utterly exclusive but only that he prayed not for the World in this place The Requests of fatherly Protection the Gift of the Spirit Love and Concord being only proper to them that did actually believe elsewhere they say they find Christ praying for the World They bring that place for one Luke 23.34 Father forgive them for they know not what they do where he prayed for his Persecutors some of which never were converted I Answer 1. We must distinguish the Prayers of Christ as an Holy Man and the Prayers of Christ as Mediator So Camero Owen p. 44 c. Gomarus in locum Rainoldus de Intercessione c. As he was a Holy Man he was to lay aside all shew of Revenge This was not a Prayer by virtue of his Office as Mediator but in answer to his Duty as he was subject to the Law and a private Person Those things which he did in obedience to the Law as a private Person were not Acts of Mediation they were Acts of the Mediator but not as Mediator He taught us to pray for Enemies Mat. 5.44 Love your Enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you Revenge is forbidden and Pardon and Prayer injoined 2. Christ did not pray for all his Persecutors and every one of them but only for those that sinned out of Ignorance as the words imply chiefly for the standers-by rather than the Priests and Pharisees many of which came rather out of Curiosity than Despight Yea this Supplication was effectual and succesful to all the Elect intended This Prayer brought in three thousand Acts 2.41 who are charged with Christ's Death Ver. 23. and 36. and again five thousand Act. 4.4 who are charged with Ignorance in this Matter Acts 3.15 And killed the Prince of Life Vers. 17. I wot that through Ignorance ye did it as did also your Rulers 3. Again they urge Vers. 21. That the World may believe that thou hast sent me Some say that by the World is meant the Unregenerate Elect. This tho it blunteth the force of the Objection yet I think it not so full an Answer 1. Because it is not directly made for them Mark it is not a Prayer but a Reason of Prayer Christ would have prayed more directly for the unregenerate Elect. 2. He would have Prayer for a more effectual Means of Conversion than the beholding the Unity and Concord of his Church That they may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the World may know that thou hast sent me 3. The word World in this whole Chapter is taken for the Reprobate World or those which are opposed to them which are committed to him by his Father 4. The substance of that Prayer is for the Elect not yet converted for Christ prayeth for all that shall believe through their Word Ver. 20. And then that they may be all one c. that the World may believe that thou has sent me so that the Unregenerate Elect are not intended Well but then doth Christ pray
for the Reprobate World that they may believe I Answer No Faith or Believing is there taken for a more full Conviction that they may be convinced and rendred more inexcusable It is not taken in a strict sence for a saving Comprehension and Receiving of Christ but for a Conviction and Acknowledgment Divisions in the Church usually breed Atheism in the World all is false when so many Ways and Differences So think they Christ is an Impostor the Word a Fable Now this kind of Conviction is not only termed Believing in Scripture but explained Vers. 23. That the World may know that thou hast sent me Nay let us grant that Faith is taken in the highest and strictest sense yet there is a difference between praying for such a thing as may be a likely means of working Faith and praying that they may believe Christ only prayeth that his People may be one that the World may not plead Prejudice at most he doth but obliquely reflect upon the World in that Prayer that they may have means of Conviction but not Grace Christ denieth that the World either hath or ever shall have the Grace of Faith Vers. 25. O Righteous Father the World hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me And the special Reason why the Elect have known tho the World have not known is rendred Vers. 26. I have declared unto them thy Name and will declare it By which is meant the special manifestation of his Grace given to Believers of all Ages which was given to the Disciples of that present Age and will be given to all future Believers A serious consideration of the Context will refute all these Sophisms Thus I have taken off the Objections Let me handle one Doubt more But if they were absolutely predestinated why doth Christ pray for them I Answer Predestination includeth all things that are necessary to the Salvation of the predestinated and so the Prayers of Christ must be taken in as well as other Means Take an Argument or two why Christ did not could not doth not pray for the Reprobate World This Prayer must either argue 1. A Nescience of his Father's Decrees which cannot stand with the Unity of his Person especially as now in Glory While upon Earth he knew it and approved it that God by an immutable Decree had left some to be justly hardened to their own ruine Mat. 11.25 26. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes Even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Or 2. A Contradiction to his Will and express Decree It is true we do not sin by asking a thing contrary to God's Decree as when I ask a Parent 's Life whom God hath determined to cut off by such a Sickness which I know not but if I did it is no rule to me But now God's Decree was a Rule to Christ in his Mediatory Actions as the Moral Law was a Rule to his Moral Actions and therefore when the Decree of God called for one thing and the Moral Law for another Christ was both to shew his Moral Affections and Mediatory Obedience Father let this Cup pass nevertheless not 〈◊〉 I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26.39 There was an innocent desire of Nature but an express Submission to his Father 's Will. 3. Because all Christ's Prayers were to be grounded on a Promise There was an Indenture drawn up between him and his Father he had the Assurance to be heard in whatsoever he asked Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession John 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Therefore he must needs exclude the Reprobate World out of his Prayers Observations First Let us look upon it as a Mediatory Action 1. Observe Here was the first solemn Offer of Christ's Meditation between God and Man and therefore upon this place we may ground the Doctrine of his Intercession I pray for them Here I shall speak of First The Person who is the Intercessor Secondly The nature of the Intercession Thirdly The Privileges and Fruits of it First The Intercessor I pray The Syriack twice repreateth the Pronoun I even I pray for them it is not an ordinary High-Priest but I I that am thy beloved and only begotten Son co-eternal and con-substantial with thy self I that have glorified thee upon Earth and done thy work I that am holy and harmless I whose Prayers thou hast promised to hear I who am an authorized Mediator sent into the World for this Purpose There are all these Advantages in the Intercession of Christ let us go over them a little briefly I shall refer them to these Heads the Dignity and Dearness of his Person the Sublimity of his Office the value of his Satisfaction the Articles of the Covenant or the Promise of being heard 1. The Person of Christ and there you have 1. His Dignity he is God-Man and so fit for this Office Job 9.33 Neither is there any days-man between us that might lay his Hand upon us both He communicates with God in the same Nature and we with him He is our Brother and God's Fellow Our Kinsman is in the Court of Heaven pleading for us he appeareth there in our Nature to set on our Salvation we need not be ashamed to go to him nor he to go to God He is of near Alliance to us and to God himself God's own natural Son which doth not only give him a Power to prevail with God but a Sufficiency to do us good None but Christ could serve our turn in this Matter Who can know all our Needs all our Sins all our Thoughts all our Desires all our Prayers all our Purposes and wait upon our Business with God Night and Day that no Wrath break out upon us but Jesus Christ who hath his constant residence in Heaven at his Father's right Hand There is an All-sufficiency required to Intercession as well as Oblation 2. The Dearness of his Person called his dear Son Col. 1.13 the Son of his Love one with him God bids him ask what he will Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession When Christ came first into Heaven he was to make his Demand He proclaimed it on Earth when Christ was baptized consecrated to God for the Priesthood Mat. 3.17 Lo a Voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased There was such perfect Love and Consent of Mind between God and Christ that if he had never died God could not have denied him any thing 2. The value of his Satisfaction Christ is an Intercessor not by Intreaty but by Merit John 17.4 I have glorified thy Name on Earth I
separation from the World and a contempt of earthly things before we can have an interest in him The World maketh a sport of these things but what can be more terrible than to be shut out of Christ's Prayers He curseth those for whom he doth not pray And that is the reason why Men that are besotted with the World do always wax worse and worse 4. The Excellency of Christ's Love to the Saints I pray for these I pray not for the World Christ's separate Love to us heightens his Kindness and our Duty It is not every ones Mercy to be remembred in Christ's Prayers Millions are passed by as many as may be called a World John 14.22 Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World So we may say How is it that thou wilt pray for us and not for the World Others that are better accomplished are left out and we taken in Man is taken with nothing so much as with Privileges common Favours seem to be a Right of Nature It was certainly a sweet Consideration to Noah tho he seemed to be buried alive in the Ark that he and his Family were saved when all the World perished in the Waters At the Day of Judgment how many millions of Thanks shall we owe to Christ when all the Reprobates are gathered together to consider God hath chosen me and not all these nay of those Reprobates some are more excellently accomplished and yet God hath chosen me and not Cato Me and not Socrates Me and not Plato not the most excellent among the Heathens When Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the Shore Exod. 14.30 it heightned their Deliverance If God had saved all it had been an infinite Mercy but now many are damned it is the more cause of Thanksgiving to those that are saved The Sun is glorious and beautiful but if every Star had so much brightness it would not be so admired Chrysostom saith It is a great means of Thankfulness now and then to go into the Spittles and to look on the Poor Creatures that are rough-cast with Soars So it commends Christ's Love and should raise in us thankful Acknowledgments to consider Christ prayed for us not for the World 5. By the Example of Christ we should embrace them and shew special Love to them that are chosen out of the World Christ saith I pray for these I pray not for the World we should specially remember them in our Prayers The Apostle saith concerning Alms Gal. 6.10 As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all Men especially unto them who are of the Houshold of Faith Christ saith Psal. 16.3 4. My Goodness extendeth to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom is all my delight Their Sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God their Drink-Offerings of Blood will I not offer nor take up their Names into my Lips Christ will not mention them Some think it is to be applied to the Idols rather to the Persons the whole Psalm is applied to Christ. But here ariseth a Doubt Are we not to pray for wicked Men yea the Impenitent the Persecutors of the Church Contemners of the Word I Answer 1. Yea Partly because we know not the secret Purposes of God's Grace Christ in the Light of his Divinity knew the Elect and the Reprobate but we know not therefore we are to pray for them that persecute Mat. 5.44 Paul once breathed out Threatnings against the Church Christ received Gifts for the Rebellious Partly because many Wicked Men are considerable in their Station therefore at least we pray for temporal Blessings for them though we have little hopes that ever they shall be gained to the Knowledg of the Truth Thus we are to pray for Wicked Rulers for the conservation of Humane Society they may serve as a Thorn Hedg about a Garden of Roses Thus it is said Ezra 6.10 That in the Temple they should pray for the Life of the King and of his Sons meaning the King of Babylon Darius at least for Temporal Favours 2. We have not such encouragement to pray for them as for the Saints For the Saints we pray out of the Unity of the Spirit for wicked Men out of common Charity for the Saints we pray out of a delight in their Graces for wicked Men out of a loose possible Hope Heb. 13.18 Pray for us for we trust that we have a good Conscience in all things willing to live honestly These should have the greatest share of our Prayers we have the more encouragements and hopes of them which should be an engagement to us to pray for them 3. Conditionally we may pray against the Obstinate and them that sin of malicious Wickedness There are many Imprecations in Psal. 109. which are not to serve our private Revenge but by us to be conceived conditionally Those Curses are uttered against Judas in a prophetical Spirit and therefore not to be drawn into Example to justify any heats of Revenge and private Passion 1 John 5.16 If any Man see his Brother sin a Sin which is not unto Death he shall ask and he shall give him Life for them that sin not unto Death There is a Sin unto Death I do not say that he shall pray for it It is a tempting of God to intercede for that Sin seeing he hath declared his Will the irremissible Sin is that Sin tho it be hard to be found out Therefore it is good to keep to the conditional Form when a Man after the profession of Religion falleth to an utter revolt and deadly hatred of it it is a shrew'd presumption they have committed that Sin 4. We feel sometimes a restraint upon our Prayers God by Oracle forbad the Prophet to pray for the People Jer. 7.16 Therefore pray not thou for this People neither lift up Cry nor Prayer for them neither make Intercession to me for I will not hear thee When he was resolved to put his Wrath in Execution he would not have his People's Prayers lost and still the same Spirit that stirreth up to Prayer searcheth out the deep Counsels of God So that there is a kind of prophetical Light in Prayers God suspendeth the servency and actual Assistance by which we are carried on at other times I would not justify every private passionate Conceit but yet we must look upon the Spirit of God as the Interpreter of God's Counsel and that he will not stir up Prayers to no purpose Yea sometimes we feel that after much striving we have no Heart to pray for them which is a very great mark of God's displeasure upon any Person when God's People yea even after much strugling with themselves have no heart to pray for him III. The Reasons why he prayed for them 1. Because they were given him by the Father 2. Because he could say to the Father They are thine How they are given unto him of the Father we
Chain must be broken the Son cannot die for them whom the Father never elected and the Spirit will never sanctify them whom the Father hath not elected nor the Son redeemed Reasons 1. From the Unity of Essence they are one and if any Person be interested in them all must otherwise Men might be beholden to Christ that were never beholden to the Father nor the Spirit They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of one Essence and of equal Dignity none shall be beholden to one that are not beholden to the other It is very notable that when Christ speaketh of his own Flock and the Certainty of their Conversion and the Sureness of their Estate he saith John 10.27 28 29 30. My Sheep my Voice and I know them and they follow me And I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish neither shall any Man pluck them out of my Hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no Man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand I and my Father are one He is greater than all greater than me as Redeemer If I acknowledg them for mine they must have Grace and cannot miscarry We are two Persons but one God he is a Joynt-Cause working together with me one in Power one in Counsel 2. From the Unity and Agreement in Will and Design They are one and agree in one The Persons are resolved to glorify one another In Man's Salvation the Father will have the Honour of Electing that the Son may have the Honour of Purchasing and the Spirit the Honour of Sanctifying It is said of the Spirit John 16.14 He shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And Christ faith John 14.13 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son The Son came into the World to make good the Purposes of the Father John 8.50 I seek not my own Glory and the Son sendeth the Spirit God sendeth the Son and the Spirit anointeth Christ Acts 10.38 God anointeth Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power There is a perfect Agreement mutual Missions between them Vse 1. To condemn them which put asunder those Operations which God hath joyned together the Arminians in Doctrine the common People in Practice 1. The Arminians in Doctrine by dividing Christ from Election or Election from Christ as if Christ were to die for those that were never elected and chosen to Life equally as for those that were or as if he expected Glory from and designed Salvation unto all alike These trouble the Links of the Chain of Salvation how can it be said All thine are mine and mine are thine when God would never own them and the Spirit would never sanctify them 2. The common People that sever the Election of God and Redemption of Christ from the Sanctification of the Spirit They say Christ dyed for them when there is no Evidence of it or that God loveth them when there are no Fruits of his Love The Fruit of the Father's Love is sending of the Spirit and he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his Rom. 8.9 If God had chosen thee thou wouldst be sanctified Sanctification it is as it were an actual Election John 15.19 Because I have chosen you out of the World therefore the World hateth you As by Election we are distinguished from others in the Counsel of God so by Sanctification we are actually set apart If Christ had dyed for thee thou wouldst have the whole Fruit of his Purchase Ephes. 5.25 Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Vse 2. Information how Believers come to be possessed of such excellent Priviledges All that are God's are Christ's and all things that are Christ's are ours by Faith There is the same Communion between Us and Christ as there is between Christ and God 1 Cor. 3.23 All are yours for you are Christ's and Christ is God's We have it from the Father's Love by the Son's Purchase Christ was God's natural Heir he made a Purchase that he might adopt Heirs and take them in with himself by Faith we are taken in We may say between us and Christ All mine are thine and thine are mine I am my Beloved's and he is mine Cant. 2.16 Vse 3. To shew us the Comfort of the Faithful God and Christ have an equal Interest in them the Father loveth them as Christ's as his own Christ careth for them as the Father's as his own 1 John 1.3 Our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. God made the Elect Members of Christ's Body that he might redeem them Christ made them Children of his Family that he might love them The Father saith They are mine the Son saith They are mine the Power of God issueth through Christ for their Salvation 2 John 1.9 He that-abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath the Father and the Son We may expect the Fruits of Elective Love and the Fruits of Christ's Purchase Two are better than one we have the Father to love us the Son to redeem us the Spirit to sanctify us and bring us to God It is a great Advantage John 16.27 The Father himself loveth you When Joab saw the thing was pleasing to David he interceded for Absalom 2 Sam. 14.1 The King's Heart was towards Absalom We have more Confidence to speed in our Prayers He loveth us for his own sake and for Christ's Christ hath satisfied the Justice of God and God is reconciled we have more boldness of Access to him we need not fear his Justice we have a double Claim and may lay hold with both Hands 1. We have God on our side who is the Supream Judg the offended Party the first Cause and Fountain of Blessing 2. By Christ we have a near Relation to God We are Christ's more than Angels they are Ministring Spirits not the Spouse of Christ's Bosom nor Members of his Body God hath given us to him as he brought Eve to Adam we are near to God John 14.20 I am in my Father and you in me and I in you as a Woman married to the King's Son by the King's Consent The whole Blessings of Christ's Purchase are ours we have God in our Nature working Righteousness making Atonement meriting Blessedness sending the Spirit as purchased by him And I am glorified in them So we render it that it may lye indifferent to any Sense tho the Word properly signifieth I have been glorified in them It relateth not only to their past present but future Endeavours for Christ's Glory But how was Christ glorified by his Disciples Answ. First Passively as he glorifieth himself in them by comforting refreshing their Hearts doing good to Persons so despicable and unworthy and manifesting the Riches of his Glory
will be like them that go back to fetch their Leap more commodiously Vse 3. When you stand let it incite you to Love and Thankfulness Nothing maketh the Saints more love God than his Unchangeableness His Mercy made you come to him and his Truth will not suffer you to depart from him Mercy and Truth are like Jachin and Boaz. Micah 7.20 Thou wilt perform the Truth to Jacob and the Mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our Fathers from the days of old The Covenant was made with Abraham and made good to Jacob. You may rejoyce notwithstanding your Weakness and Satan's daily Assaults as Daniel in the Lion's Den to see the Lions ramping and roaring about him yet their Mouths muzzled 2 Sam. 2.9 By strength shall no Man prevail that is by his own That any of us have stood hitherto let us ascribe it wholly to God we might have been vile and scandalous even as others Many of better Gifts may fall away and thou keepest thy standing what is the reason We have done enough a thousand times to cause God to depart from us Deut. 23.14 If he see any unclean thing among thee he will turn away from thee And is it not strange that the Spirit of Grace should yet abide with us hitherto when there is so much uncleanness in every one of us The great Argument of the Saints why they love and praise him is the Constancy and Unchangeableness of his Love Psal. 136. For his Mercy endureth for ever and Psal. 106.1 Praise the Lord O give Thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his Mercy endureth for ever No Form more frequent in the Mouths of his Saints Vse 4. If any fall often constantly frequently and easily they have no Interest in Grace 1 John 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he maketh not a Trade of Sin that is the force of that Phrase God's Children slip often but not with such a frequent constant readiness into the same Sin Therefore he that liveth in a course of Prophaneness Worldliness Drunkenness his Spot is not the Spot of God's Children Deut 32.5 You are tried by your constant Course Rom. 8.1 That walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit What is your Road and Walk I except only those Sins which are of usual incidence and sudden surreption as Anger Vanity of Thoughts and yet for them a Man should be more humble If it be not felt nor striven against nor mourned for it is a bad Sign What is your Course and Walk There is an Uniformity in a Christian's Course It is nothing to have some Fits and good Moods and Motions Vse 5. It provoketh us to get an Interest in such a sure Condition Be not contented with outward Happiness things are worthy according to their duration Nature hath such a sense of God's Eternity that the more lasting things are it accounteth them the better The immortal Soul must have an eternal Good Now all things in the World are frail and passing away therefore they are called uncertain Riches 1 Tim. 6.17 compared with Prov. 8.18 Riches and Honour are with me yea durable Riches and Righteousness The Flower of these things perisheth their Grace passeth away in the midst of their Pride and Beauty like Herod in his Royalty they vanish and are blasted The better part is not taken away Luke 10.42 Mary hath chosen the better part which cannot be taken away from her A Man may outlive his Happiness be stripped of the Flower of all Worldly Glory is sure to end with Life that is transitory And still they are uncertain Riches uncertain whether we shall get them uncertain whether we shall keep them By a care of the better part we may have these Things with a Blessing Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and all these things shall be added to you Gifts they are for the Body rather than the Person that hath them Men may be carnal and yet come behind in no Gifts Judas could cast out Devils and yet afterwards was cast out among Devils 1 Cor. 12.31 the Apostle had discoursed largely of Gifts but saith he Yet I shew you a more excellent Way and that is Grace that abideth Many that have great Abilities to pray preach discourse yet fall away according to the Place which they sustain in the Body so they have great Gifts of Knowledg Utterance to comfort direct instruct others to answer their Doubts to reason in holy Discourse and yet may fall fouly Heb. 6.4 5. They may be once enlightned and have tasted of the heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy-Ghost and have tasted the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come They may have a great share of Church-Gifts Nay Gifts themselves wither and vanish when the bodily Vigor is spent 1 Pet. 1.24 All Flesh is Grass and all the Glory of Man as the Flower of Grass the Grass withereth and the Flower thereof falleth away Whatever Excellency we have by Nature Wit Knowledg Strength of natural Parts nothing but what the Spirit of God worketh in us will last for ever So for seeming unsound Grace as false Faith such as beginneth in Joy will end in Trouble it easeth you for the present but you shall lie down in Sorrow General Probabilities loose Hopes uncertain Conjectures vanishing Apprehensions of Comfort all fail The planting of true Faith is troublesom at first but it leadeth to true Joy you may look upon the Gospel with some kind of delectation Thorns may blaze under the Pot tho they cannot keep in the Fire Do not rest in tasting the good Word of God Heb. 6.5 in some sleight and transitory Comfort Hymeneus and Alexander are said to make shipwrack of Faith 1 Tim. 1.19 20. that is of a false Faith So for a formal Profession Men may begin in the Spirit and end in the Flesh. Gal. 3.3 Are ye so foolish having begun in the Spirit are ye now made perfect by the Flesh A Man may seem to himself and to the Church of God to have true Grace nay he may be enlightned find some comfort in the Word escape the Pollutions of the World foul gross Sins yea these good things may be the Works and the Effects of the Spirit of God not of Nature only not professed out of a carnal Aim but there is no setled Root and therefore it is but of short continuance But certainly that Form that is taken up out of private Aims will surely fail God delighteth to take off the Mask and Disguise of Hypocrites by letting them fall into some scandalous Sins Paint is soon washed off Therefore rest not in these things till solid and substantial Grace be wrought in your Hearts Vse 6. Is Comfort to God's Children Grace is sure and the Privileges of it sure Grace is sure through your Folly it may be nigh unto Death but it cannot
Subjects against Enemies that shall cease but the Kingly Honour which he receiveth from his Subjects shall be for ever and ever he shall always be honoured as King and Mediator of the Church He shall resign the Kingdom that is that way of Administration by which he now governeth for when the Elect are fully converted and sanctified and Enemies destroyed there will be no need of this Care Now after he hath bought us out of his Father's Hands by his Merit and Purchase he is forced to recover us from the Devil by his Power and Conquest The Word is the Rod of his Strength the Sacraments are our Oath of Allegiance in Prayer we perform our Homages by Alms and Acts of Charity we pay him Tribute and Praise and Obedience are the constant Revenues of his Crown This is the first Grant 2. We are given to Christ as Scholars of his School He is the great Prophet and Doctor of his Church certainly Christ loveth the Honour of this Chair He hath also obtained this Title Acts 3.22 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you from among your Brethren him shall ye hear Christ came out from the Bosom of God to shew us his Heart and Mind So he is called Heb. 3.1 The Apostle of our Profession Christ doth so love a Relation to his Church that you see he taketh the Titles of his own Officers tho he is Lord of the Church yet he is the Apostâ—â— of our Profession he counteth it an Honour to be a Preacher of the Gospel The Son of God is first in the Roll of Gospel-Preachers he is God's Legat à latere an Apostle he laid the Foundation of the Gospel when he was upon the Earth and he teacheth us now he is in Heaven he doth not teach the Ear but the Heart he doth not only set us our Lesson but giveth us an Heart to learn it the Scripture is our Book and Christ our great Master and when he openeth our Eyes we shall see wondrous things in his Law Other Teachers teach for Hire but he bought this Liberty of God that he might open his School and become a Light to Jew and Gentile 3. We are given to him to be Children of his Family The only thing propounded to allure Christ to the Work of Redemption was Isa. 53.10 He shall see his Seed that he might have a numerous Issue and Progeny He delighteth in us tho we are all Benoni's Sons of Sorrow tho he died in the Birth yet he is wonderfully pleased with the Fruitfulness of his Death as a Woman delivered after sharp and sore Sorrow forgetteth all her past Sorrow for joy of the Birth At the last day this will be Christ's Rejoycing and Crown to see the Multitude of his little Ones all brought together Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the Children which thou hast given me It is a goodly sight when Christ shall â—ejoyce in the midst of them and go with them as a glorious Train to the Throne of God the Father Jesus Christ is our Brother and our Father by Regeneration and the Merit of the Cross he is our Father but in the Possession of Heaven he is our Brother for we are Coheirs with him 4. We are given to him as the Spouse of his Bosom This is another of Christ's Honours to be the Churches Bridegroom The Epithalamium is in Canticles and Psal. 45. There the Nuptials are celebrated Ministers they are as John Baptist was called Friends of the Bridegroom Look as a Father giveth her whom he hath begotten to another for a Spouse and Wife so doth God give his Elect to Christ. Indeed Christ hath bought the Church at his Fathers Hands other Wives bring a Dowry but Christ was to buy As Saul gave his Daughter to David but first he was to kill Goliah and to bring the Fore-skins of an hundred Philistines 1 Sam. 17.25 and 18.25 So God gave Christ the Church for a Spouse but Christ was to redeem her with his Blood the infernal Goliah was to be slain Yea ' ere Christ did obtain this Honour he gaineth our Consent by the Power of his Spirit working with the Intreaties of the Word Hosea 2.14 I will allure her and bring her into the Wilderness and speak comfortably unto her and Vers. 19 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in Righteousness and in Judgment and in Loving-Kindness and in Mercies I will even betroth thee unto me in Faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. First I will allure then betroth As David after he had bought Michal with the danger of his Life yet was fain to take her away from Phaltiel 2 Sam. 3.13 The Devil hath gotten Christ's Spouse in his own Arms he is fain to rescue her and oblige her to Loyalty by the Intreaties of his Spirit Hereafter is the Day of Espousals now the Church is called the Bride then the Lamb's Wife Christ's Honour as well as our Consent is incompleat then he cometh to fetch her and present her to God Eph. 5.27 and bring her into his Father's House Christ is decking her against that Time we are to accomplish the Months of our Purification and to have Odours and Garments out of the King's Wardrobe Esth. 1.12 5. We are given to him to be Members of his Body Here is the nearest Relation and that which Christ most prizeth next to the Title of the Son of God to be Head of the Church O what an honour is this to poor Creatures that Christ will take us into his own mystical Body to quicken us and enliven us and guide us by his Grace To Angels he is a Head in point of Sovereignty and Power Col. 2.10 And ye are compleat in him which is the Head of all Principality and Power But to the Church he is an Head by virtue of Mystical Union Angels are his ministring Spirits but we his Spouse they are not called his Bride nor the Spouse of his Bosom nor the Members of his Body In the Ephesians the Church is called his Body the Fulness of him that filleth all in all Ephes. 1.23 Poor Creatures are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth not count himself perfect without us as if he were a maimed imperfect Christ till all the Church be where he is He treateth his Mystical Body with the same respect that he doth his Natural it is raised ascended glorified so shall we For the present there is some Communion between us he is grieved in our Miseries and we are exalted in his Glory As there is a mutual Passage of Spirits between the Head and the Body so there is a Communion between Christ and us by Donatives and Duties II. How this is a ground of Establishment and Consolation 1. By this Gift we have an Interest both in God and Christ. 1 John 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have Fellowship with us and truly
is not so tender of his Works as of his Word It is more firm and stable than the Frame of Heaven and Earth that shall be dissolved but not the least Point of Truth shall fail Heaven and Earth do only continue till all that is prophesied of 〈◊〉 the Word be fulfilled His Word endureth for ever We shall have the Comfort of it in Heaven when all these things are melted 2. Nay which is more the Treason plotted against Christ taketh place that 〈◊〉 Word may be fulfilled and one main Reason why Christ came into the World was to accomplish the Word tho it cost him his Life yet saith he Heb. 10.7 Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God Promises shall be fulfilled tho most difficult for God to grant or us to believe Rather than God baulk from his Word God would send his Son to die for a sinful World Vse 1. Wait for the Accomplishment of Prophecies fear the Truth of Threatnings Hos. 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard Isa. 34.16 Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read No one of these shall fail none shall want her Mate For my Mouth it hath commanded and his Spirit it hath gathered them Look into the Book of the Law where these Curses are recorded When the Day of Execution cometh take this Prophecy into your hands see if any of these be found wanting not one thing shall fail This is the Unhappiness of Ministers all other Professions are believed when they discover Danger But who hath believed our Report It is our Duty to observe all Occurrences and compare the Rule and Event together and observe what Truth God makes good by what is fallen out and come to pass And so wait for the Accomplishment of Promises whatever Inconveniences fall out they shall be fulfilled When a Promise is thrown into the Fire it shall come out again and be fulfilled in its due time Vse 2. Here is Comfort to the Godly against the Wrath of their Enemies God hath a hand not only in Sickness and Famine but the Treasons of Men against Christ. If the Rod smites it is in the Father's hand Let Men live how they will yet God will have his Will if not his Will of Command his Will of Decree His Glory shall prevail at last You cannot hurt God whether you will or no he will be glorified SERMON XXI JOHN XVII 13 And now come I to Thee and these things I speak in the World that they might have my Ioy fulfilled in themselves OUR Lord is still amplifying that Argument of his own Departure and the Disciples danger in the World and so justifieth his earnestness in Prayer for them I come to thee and must leave their Company and therefore I have need to make some provision for them In the Argument of this Text Christ sheweth what was his special Aim in the whole Prayer He is so earnest not to blemish the Father as if he were backward and wanted Mercy but for their Comfort that they might know what Prayers were laid up in store for them and to give them a taste of his own Care He prayeth with them that they might know how he prayed for them Christ would have something left upon Record as a Pledg of his Affections to the Church These things I speak in the World c. In the words not to speak of the Occasion I come to thee which signifieth not his Address in Prayer but his Ascension to God as was cleared before Vers. 11. In the rest of the words we have Christ's Action and Christ's Aim The Comfort of the Disciples where we have the Author My Joy the Manner how received for quantity fulfilled the Quality in themselves And these things I speak in the World That is make this Prayer in their hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I speak it signifieth Prayer with an audible Voice elsewhere he useth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And here a Record and Patern is left for the use of the Church in all Ages That they may have my Joy What is the meaning of that 1. Because he rejoiceth in our Good My Joy and your Joy are distinguished John 15.11 These things have I spoken to you that my Joy should be fulfilled in you and that your Joy might be full There is nothing maketh the Heart of Christ so glad as to see his Members thrive in Peace and Grace So the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.2 Fulfil ye my Joy Nothing could be more comfortable to Paul than to see the Philippians thrive in Grace Thus some interpret it actively of the Joy which Christ hath in the good of his Members But I suppose it is rather to be taken passively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in themselves 2. Others think that by my Joy is meant a Joy like mine when they feel the same Desires kindled in their Hearts they may be comforted with the workings of the same Spirit of Prayer in them that is feel such a Joy as I feel in uttering these Requests But this doth not run so smoothly 3. My Joy because he is the Author of it Gaudium ex me Joy which I work as Mediator and Redeemer Of our selves we have nothing but Despair and Trouble Isa. 57.19 I create the Fruit of the Lips Peace Peace to him that is afar of and to him that is near and I will heal him We possess it but it is Christ's Joy he worketh it and causeth it by his Spirit elsewhere it is called Joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.6 4. My Joy because he is the Object of it Gaudium de me that that Joy which they have conceived from my Presence with them or care of them may not be lessened but increased that this Spiritual Joy may be fulfilled These two latter are of chief regard May be fulfilled not only accomplished but be abundant as Chap. 15.11 That your Joy may be full The filling up of Joy is a Phrase proper to S. John Ch. 3.29 This my Joy therefore is fulfilled saith John the Baptist because he heard the Bridegroom's Voice So 1 John 1.4 These things we write unto you that your Joy may be full And 2 Epist. 12. vers I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our Joy may be full Possibly this Joy is called a Full Joy not with respect to it self but with respect to other Joys In it self it is always a growing and receiveth a daily increase till it be perfected in Heaven Here we have but some fore-running Beams of the Noon of Glory the first Fruits of the Harvest The Joy of the World is a lank empty Joy In themselves that is in their Hearts by their own feeling and experience they have need of something within for they have nothing without John 16.33 In the World ye shall have tribulation but be of good comfort I
own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth that we should be a kind of First-fruits of his Creatures The First-fruits were the Lord's Portion Or else by the consent of their own Vows Rom. 12.1 I beseech you that you present your selves a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God that is your reasonable Service They have dedicated and devoted themselves to God God calleth for it when he saith My Son give me thy Heart God will have his own Right established by the Creatures Consent it is a necessary Fruit of Grace 2. Purged by degrees and made free from Sin this is to be sanctified to be purged from the Corruption of Sin and the World We are not only accounted holy but we are made holy and that cannot be till we are purged because we come into the World polluted with the Stain of Sin 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God There is a Stain and an Uncleanness sticketh to our Natures and defileth all our Actions we need to be purged 3. Endowed with God's Image and Likeness not only cleansed from Sin but adorned with Grace as the Priests under the Law were not only washed but adorned with gorgeous Apparel To be sanctified is more than to be purified because it noteth not only the Expulsion of Sin but the Infusion of Grace 2 Tim. 2.12 If a Man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a Vessel unto Honour sanctified and meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good Work Besides purging Sanctification addeth somewhat more they are not only purged from the Filthiness of Sin but prepared by the Infusion of Grace for every good Work made holy as God is holy 2. Why we should chiefly mind it in Prayer 1. Because of the Excellency of it It is God's Glory Angels Glory Saints Glory God's Glory Exod. 15.11 God is glorious in Holiness Angels Glory who are called Mat. 25.31 Holy Angels And the Saints Glory Eph. 5.26 27. That he might sanctify them with the washing of Water by the Word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it might be holy and without blemish The Church's Honour lieth not in Pomp and outward Ornament but in Holiness 2. Because God aimeth at it in all his Dispensations Election Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love 2 Thess. 2.14 God hath from the beginning chosen you through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth God chuseth us that we may be of a choice Spirit As when Esther was chosen out among the Virgins then she was decked with Ornaments so when we are chosen by God we are beautified with Holiness Redemption Eph. 5.26 Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word His Promises 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises that by these ye might be Partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the Corruption that is in the World through Lust. His Providences Heb. 12.10 They verily for a few days chastened us after their own Pleasure but he for our Profit that we might be Partakers of his Holiness Earthly Parents correct their Children out of meer Passion but he to renew our Affections to sanctify us for himself that the Husk may flie off He bestows Blessings to encourage us in Holiness 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Charge them that are rich in this World that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the Living God who giveth us richly all Things to enjoy That they do good that they be rich in good Works ready to distribute willing to communicate That your Riches may be Instruments of Piety not Occasions to the Flesh. It is our Corruption to turn all things to a carnal Use. His Ordinances That he might sanctify them by the washing of Water through the Word Ephes. 5.26 This is God's Aim and it should be ours Vse is to teach us what to seek for our selves and others not temporal Felicity so much as Sanctification not Deliverance from Afflictions nor outward Blessings so much as the sanctified Use of them This is to pray for one another out of the Communion of the Spirit and for our selves out of a Principle of the Divine Nature Temporal Blessings are only to be desired in order to spiritual Ends. Nature is allowed to speak but Grace must be heard first Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and all these things shall be added unto you These are for Overplus 2. Observe from the Matter he had prayed for Conservation from Evil now for Sanctification It is not enough to keep from Evil but we must be holy and do good Psal. 34.14 Depart from Evil and do good Isa. 1.16 17. Cease to do evil learn to do well God hateth Evil and delighteth in Good as we must hate what God hateth so we must love what God loveth Eadem velle nolle I durst not sin God hateth it I durst not omit this Duty God loveth it Our Obedience must carry a proportion with the Divine Mercy not only be positive but privative Divine Mercy spareth and saveth God is a Sun and a Shield Psal. 84.11 Therefore we must not walk in the Counsel of the Vngodly nor stand in the Way of Sinners nor sit in the Seaâ— of the Scornful But our delight must be in the Law of the Lord and in his Law must we meditate day and night Psal. 1.1 2. We must have Communion with Christ in all his Acts in his Death and Resurrection he mortifieth Sin and quickneth the Heart Rom. 6.11 Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The same Divine Power that killeth the Old-Man quickneth the New In the Word which is the Rule there are Precepts and Restraints therefore we are not only to escape from Sin but there must be a delight in Communion with God there must be an eschewing what God forbiddeth and a practising what God commandeth Thus are we obliged from our Approver our Principles our Encouragements our Rule Vse Let it press us not to rest in abstaining from Sin Men are not vitious but they are not sanctified The Pharisees Religion ran upon Negatives 1. Both are alike contrary to the New Nature 2. Both are alike disserviceable to the Work of Grace 3. Both are hated by God 1. Both are contrary to the New Nature it hateth Evil and loveth Good There is a putting off and a putting on Ephes. 4.22 That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is
corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts And that ye put on the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness It is indeed a Question Where the Trial of a Christian lieth â—ost sensibly in Mortification or Vivification in an hatred of Sin or in the practice of Duty It may be alledged that our Nature doth more easily close with Precepts than Prohibitions We are many times content to do much if the Law require this or that we yield and consent to it but to be limited and debarred of our Delights this is most distasteful Men that love Sin cannot endure Restraints O that there were no Bonds And therefore to meet with Man's Corruption the Decalogue consists more of Prohibitions than Precepts the fourth and fifth Commandment are only positive But then on the other side it may be alledged that many that live a civil Life and do no Man wrong have no care of Communion with God and that Sins trouble the Conscience more than Want of Grace Natural Conscience doth not use to smite for spiritual Defects Sins work an actual Distemper and Disturbance to Reason It is the new Nature that maketh Conscience of Duties and of obeying God's Precepts therefore the New Nature is here most tried but yet both must be regarded 2. Both are alike disserviceable to the Work of Grace It is another Question Whether we are more hardened by Sins of Omission or by Sins of Commission For Sins of Commission it may be alledged that they stun the Conscience like a great Blow on the Head and cast Grace into a Swoon David's Adultery put all out of order 2 Sam. 12.14 Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the Child which is born of thee shall surely die He lay in a spiritual Swoon till the Child was born But then on the other side Neglect of Duty depriveth us of the Influences of Grace and hardens us insensibly An Instrument tho never so well in Tune yet if you let it alone it will be soon be out of order worse than if a String were broken After some great and sudden Fall into Sin theâ—â— may be a Recovery as in David's Case but it is hard to recover out of long Neglects Therefore Sins of Omission are more dangerous than Sins of Commission And if your Communion with God be not constant the Heart contracts Rust. A Key that is seldom turned is rusted in the Lock by neglect and omission of God and Duties the Heart is wonderfully hardened and estranged from God Gifts and Graces languish and perish in Idleness 2 John v. â— Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought Standing Pools are apt to putrify and Sins increase as well as Unfitness for Duties the Motions of the Spirit are quenched 3. Both are odious to God It is a Question Whether God hateth most the careless sluggish Person or the outwardly vicious A barren Tree cumbreth the Ground and is rooted out as well as the Bramble It is not enough that a Servant do his Master no hurt but he must do his Work An Husbandman is not contented that his Land does not bear him Briars and Thorns but it must yield him good Grain It is not enough to say I am no Swearer no Drunkard What Communion have you with God What motions and feelings of the Power of Holiness Want of Grace depriveth a Man of Happiness As you would not be damned in Hell so you should get Evidences for Heaven Negative Righteousness in abstinence from Sin the Brutes and inanimate Creatures have it is improper and lame Omission of good Duties is a more general Means of Destruction than Commission of Evil But then Commission of Evil is ever accompanied with Omission of Good but Omission of Good is not always accompanied with Commission of Evil. He that doth Evil dishonoureth God more but he that omitteth Good disadvantageth himself more Sin is more odious than Want of Grace in it self yet Want of Grace considering our Advantages may provoke God as much as Commission of Sin II. To whom he prays Holy Father sanctify them Observe It is God must sanctify us We cannot ouâ— selves and Means will not without God 1. We cannot our selves We could defile our selves but we cannot cleanse our selves as little Children defile themselves but the Nurse must make them clean A Sheep can wander of it self but it is brought home upon the Shepherd's Shoulders Domine errare per me potui redire non potui God that gave us his Image at first must again stamp it on the Soul Who can repair Nature depraved but the Author of Nature When a Watch is out of order we send it to the Workman Eph. 2.10 We are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works that we might walk therein Levit. 21.8 I the Lord that sanctify thee am holy It is God's Prerogative 2. The Means cannot without God It is by the Truth but God is the principal Cause Sanctification is ascribed to many Causes To God the Father as he decreeth it Jude 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father To the Son as he merited it Eph. 5.25 26. He gave himself for the Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it To the Holy-Ghost as he effects it 2 Thess. 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit To Faith as it receiveth the Grace of God Acts 15.9 Purifying their Hearts by Faith To the Word as the Instrument of begetting it John 15.3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you It is the external Means But all Efficacy is of God and Grace is his Creature else what should be the reason why the same Word preached by the same Minister worketh on some and hardneth others at least it amendeth them not Lydia alone is converted because the Lord opened her Heart Acts 16.14 Man's Will doth not put the difference but God's Grace Vse It presseth us 1. To wait and look for it from God A Plant thriveth better by the Dew of Heaven than when watered by the Hand We may say as Peter Acts 3.12 Why look ye so earnestly on us as tho by our own Power and Holiness we had made this Man to walk Am I in the place of God saith Jacob to Rachel Gen. 30.2 When you look only to the Teacher's Gifts you lose the Divine Operation it may fill your Heads with Fancies and Notions but not your Hearts with Grace 2. To praise the Lord when it is accomplished 1. Cor. 3.5 What is Paul Or what is Apollo but Ministers by whom ye have believed As if Children should thank the Servants for what they have Grace maketh us more in debt you have received it from him not from your selves Not I but the Grace of God in me Thy Pound hath gained ten Pounds If you have any Holiness any
good Work it is not of your selves but of God Every Act every Degree of Holiness is from God III. For whom he prayeth the Apostles I. That were already holy John 13.10 Ye are clean and in the Verse immediately preceding They are not of the World yet now Sanctify them let their Hearts be more heavenly and their Lives more pure every day Observe Those that are sanctified need to be sanctified more and more Rev. 22 1â— He that is righteous let him be righteous still he that is holy let him be holy still 1. Our inward Sanctification must increase because of the weakness of present Grace and the relicts of Corruption 2 Cor. 4.16 Tho our outward Man perish yet the inward Man is renewed day by day It is not a Work to be done at once 1 Thess. 5.23 And the very God of Peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is perfect in parts at first the New Creature doth not come out maimed but not in degrees there is need of more Sanctification in Spirit in Soul in Body the Kingdom of Heaven increaseth by degrees 2. Our outward Man must be cleansed day by day because of new defilements John 13.10 He that is washed needeth not but to wash his Feet but is clean every whit It is an Allusion to a Man coming from the Bath his Feet contract Soil in the Passage Your Persons are sanctified by the Spirit but when you are never so holy there are new Defilements Vse 1. Be not satisfied with any present degrees of Grace There is an holy Covetousness I count not my self to have attained Phil. 3.14 Christ is so full that we cannot receive all at once 2. It is a strange Conceit in any to think they may be too good When we begin to be unwilling to grow better we begin to wax worse it is a good degree of Grace to know our Defects 3. Therefore let us use Means to persist in Holiness to increase in Holiness especially Prayer which is the Breath which God hath appointed to keep in the Flame II. For the Persons once more They were to preach the Word as a Preparative he prayeth for Sanctification Observe Holiness is a good Preparative to the Ministry and they are inwardly consecrated by the Spirit sanctifying them 1. That they may have experience of the Truth of the Doctrine upon their own Hearts The Apostles were to preach the Truth to others now saith he Sanctify them through thy Truth I believed and therefore have I spoken Psal. 116.10 We speak best when we speak by experience This is the right way of getting Sermons by Heart We are God's Witnesses now we should have sound Experience 1 John 1.1 That which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our Eyes which we have looked upon and our Hands have handled of the Word of Life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you Ezekiel was first to eat the Roll Ezek. 3. 1 2 3. not only to see it and to hear it but to eat it Ministers must first eat themselves then feed others We are not to speak by hear-say to deliver God's Message as a meer Narration but out of a deep Impression on the Heart What cometh from the Heart and from Experience is quick and lively 2. For the Honour of God Carnal Ministers bring a Reproach upon the Ordinances 1 Sam. 2.17 The Sin of the young Men was very great before the Lord for Men abhorred the Offering of the Lord. Who will take Meat out of a Leprous Hand 3. To answer the Types of the Law Aaron and his Sons were sanctified for the Levitical Priesthood Exod. 29.4 To be washed with Blood and Oil to be washed in the great Laver sprinkled with Blood anointed with Oil which denotes Remission of Sins Regeneration the Gifts of the Spirit 1 John 5.8 There are three that bear Witness in Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood Every Office should have a solemn Consecration Vse 1. Ministers should look to their inward Call They that are designed to serve God in a special manner must look after special Purity It breedeth Atheism when we do not live up to our Doctrine People will say they must say something for their Living 2. Let People look to their choice of Ministers There is a great deal of difference between an Eloquent and an Experienced Pastor Secondly We now come to the Means or Manner how Christ's Request is to be accomplished by thy Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may be rendred in thy Truth or by thy Truth oâ— through thy Truth as Vers. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without an Article that they may be sanctified through the Truth or as in the Margeâ—t truly sanctified but we better render it by the Truth there is an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not in Truth but in the Truth and it is presently added thy Word is Truth So that it noteth not the kind of their Sanctification but the Instrument and Means Now these words by thy Truth may be understood either of God's Faithfulness or his revealed Will both which are called his Truth Of God's Faithfulness as Vers. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as keep them by thy Power so sanctify them by or according to thy Truth and Faithfulness But this Exposition tho plausible yet is not so proper because it is presently added thy Word is Truth By Truth then is meant not his Faithfulness but his revealed Will. Now God hath revealed his Will by the Light of Nature or by the Light of his Word That Will of God which is revealed by the Light of Nature is called Truth so the Gentiles are charged Rom. 1.8 With-holding the Truth in Vnrighteousness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which may be known of God Vers. 19. is called Truth How came the Gentiles by the Truth who are strangers to the Covenant of Promise The Apostle answereth much of God was known to them But this Truth that is here spoken of is the Will of God made known in his Word or the Knowledg of things necessary to Salvation concerning God and his Worship first delivered by the Prophets afterwards explained by Christ himself to the Apostles and by them consigned to the Church Now the Truths delivered in the Word may be referred to two Heads Law and Gospel The distinction in Christ's Time was Law and Prophets In this place Christ chiefly intendeth the Gospel the Truth which they were sent to preach to others Christ would have them to have an experience of it themselves And it is notable that in many places of Scripture the Gospel is called Truth not only in opposition to humane Writings but also with respect to the Law and other parts of Scripture because it is the Truth by way of eminency as we call the Plague
needs be true for God is so infinitely Wise that he cannot be deceived and so infinitely Just and True that he will not deceive us and so Omnipotent that he cannot be jealous of our Knowledg and so Gracious that he is not envious of our Knowledg as the Devil would insinuate Gen. 3.5 For God doth know that in the Day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. It will be no infringement to his Interest if we should know his Nature and his Will But the great Question is What we should take for the Word of God Now that we may have a sure ground in this Kind let us consider how he hath revealed himself to Man The Dispensations of God are several 1. To Adam 2. To the World 3. To the Church 1. To Adam His Bible was his Heart the Law was written there and God preached to him immediatly and by Oracle gave him all extraordinary Commands and the Book of the Creatures for his Contemplation not so much to better his Knowledg as to increase his Reverence 2. To the World to Heathens God gave the Book of Nature which was more than they made use of and therefore he stopt there Psal. 19.1 2 3. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-Work Day unto Day uttereth Speech and Night unto Night sheweth Knowledg There is no Speech nor Language where their Voice is not heard c. This Revelation God hath made of himself even to all Nations they have Sun and Moon to look upon and the Structure of the Heavens to behold which are as so many Pledges of the Excellency and Infiniteness of God Rom. 1.19 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest to them for God hath shewed it unto them For the invisible Things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the Things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Acts 14.17 Nevertheless he left not himself without Witness in that he did good and gave us Rain from Heaven and fruitful Seasons filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness In the Book of Nature there is the rough Draught of God's Will Trismegistus said it was Liber unus Divinitate plenus Creation was nothing else but one Book that was full of the Glory of God and his Excellency God Spake to them by Things not by Words This with some Instincts of Conscience the Relicts of the Fall was all the Heathens had Conscience was God's Deputy to put them in mind of a Judg and the Heavens put them in mind of a God Look as Job's Messengers said I alone am escaped to tell thee so there are some few Reliques and Principles alone escaped out of the Ruins of the Fall to tell us somewhat of God and somewhat of a Judg. That Light proclaims every where and speaks to every Nation and proclaims it aloud to all People Kindred and Tongues of the Earth Take notice there is one infinite eternal God that made us and you and all things else God's refreshing the parched Earth with Showers of Rain shews how willing he is to be gracious to poor hungry Creatures Fruitful Seasons shew us the abundance of his Mercy The decking the Heavens with Stars and the Earth with Plants shew us what Glory he can put upon the Creatures This Language may be gathered out of the Creation and thus did God speak to all Creatures by the Voice of his Creatures 3. To the Church And the Dispensations of God to the Church have been various and diverse Heb. 1.1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake in Times past unto our Fathers by the Prophets c. He spake his Mind by pieces that is signified by the Word now he gave a piece of his Mind and then a piece And he hath spoken also in sundry manners by several ways of Revelation The Church never wanted sufficient Revelation nor Means of Knowledg to guide them to the Enjoyment of God and true Happiness God's Dispensations to the Church may be reduced to three Heads There was 1. His Word without Writing 2. Then Word and Writing 3. Then Writing only 1. There was the Word without Writing by Visions Oracles and Dreams by which he manifested himself to Persons of the greatest Sanctity and Holiness that they might instruct others and impart the Mind of God to others Now mark this Dispensation was sure enough to guide them to Communion with God why Because the People of the World were then but few Families and the Persons intrusted with God's Message were of great Authority and Credit therefore sufficient enough to inform that present Age of God's Counsel and which was another Advantage they lived long to continue the Tradition with certainty to others for hundreds of Years Vision and Tradition was sure enough for as 't is observed by some three Men might continue the Tradition of the Counsel of God from Adam till Israel went down into Egypt There was Adam first God taught him by Oracle and he taught others he lived a long time Methuselah lived with Adam two hundred forty three Years and continued until the Flood then Seâ— lived with Methusalah ninety eight Years and flourished about five hundred Years after the Flood and Isaac lived fifty Years with Sem and died about ten Years before Israel's descent into Egypt So that Methuselah Sem and Isaac might continue the Knowledg of God and preserve the Purity of Religion from Adam's Death till Israel's going down into Egypt for so many hundred Years This was God's Dispensation to that Church 2. Afterwards there was both Word and Writing God's Word was necessary for the further revealing and clearing up of the Doctrine of Salvation which was revealed by pieces And Writing was necessary partly because in process of time Precepts were multiplied and it was needful for Mens Memories that they should be registred in some publick Record and partly because the long Life of God's Witnesses was much lessened and the Corruption of the World was increased and Satan began to imitate God by Oracles Visions and Answers and Idolatry and Superstition crept into the best Families Into â—erah's Josh. 24.2 Your Fathers dwelt on the other side the Flood in old Time even Terah the Father of Abraham and the Father of Nachor and they served other Gods And Jacob's Family was corrupt Gen. 35.2 Then Jacob said to his Houshold and to all that were with him Put away the strange Gods that are among you and be clean and change your Garments The People were grown numerous enough to make a Commonwealth and a Politick Body and it was fit they should have a publick Record and common Rule and therefore to avoid Man's Corruptions and to give a stop to Satan's Deceits the Lord thought fit there should be a written Rule at hand for
the Trial of all Doctrines God himself wrote the first Scripture that ever was written with his own Finger Exod. 24.12 And the Lord said to Moses Câ—me up to me into the Mount and be there and I will give thee Tables of Stone and a Law and Commandments which I have written that thou mayest teach them And then commanded Moses and the Prophets to do the same Exod. 17.14 And the Lord said unto Moses Write this for a Memorial in a Book And Exod. 34.27 And the Lord said unto Moses Write thou these Words for after the Tenor of these Words I have made a Covenant with thee and with Israel So he bids Jeremiah Chap. 36.2 Take thee a Roll of a Book and write therein all the Words that I have spoken thee And so God spake to all the Prophets tho it be not exprest and by inward Instinct bids them write their Prophecies that it might be a publick Record for the Church in all Ages Now this Way was always accompanied with Prophetical Revelations until Christ's time who as the great Doctor of the Church perfected the Rule of Faith and by the Apostles as so many Publick Notaries consigned it to the use of the Church And so when the Canon was compleat then John as the last of the Apostles and outliving the rest closed up all and therefore closeth up his Prophecy thus Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every Man that heareth the Words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the holy City and from the Things that are written in this Book Which sealeth up the whole Canon and Rule of Faith as well as the Book of the Revelations And therefore 3. There is now Writing only without the Word without Visions and Revelations There needeth no more now because here is enough to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. And that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good Works It is sufficient to make us wise to preach and you wise to practise It is now certain enough God hath left a publick Record that we might not spend our time in doubting and disputing And it is full enough you need nothing more either to satisfy the Desires of Nature or to repair the Defects of Nature to satiate the Soul with Knowledg For God hath given to the Church sufficient Instruction to decide all Controversies to assoil all Doubts and to give us sure Conduct and Direction to everlasting Glory III. The next Question is Of what Concernment it is to enquire of the Truth of the Scripture Many think that such a Discussion needs not because this is a principal matter to be believed not argued and Arguments at least beget but an humane Faith Yet certainly it is of great necessity if you consider four things 1. It is good to prepare and induce carnal Men to respect it and to wait for the Confirmation of the Spirit An Humane Faith maketh way for a Divine when Men hearken to the Word upon common grounds God may satisfy them as those John 4.42 Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Son of the Living God They first believed upon the Woman's Report and then upon their own Experience So it is good to establish sound Grounds that we may know the Truth of God first upon Hear-say and afterward upon Experience This way we induce and invite Men to make a Trial. 2. Because it giveth an additional Confirmation and greater Certainty to the People of God Foundation-Stones can never be laid with exactness and care enough For if you mark it you will find all doubting in your Belief all disproportion in your Practice ariseth from this because the supreme Truth is not setled in the Soul We ought to believe it more and more then it stirs up greater Reverence greater Admiration and makes way for your Delight and Joy to have your Charter cleared It is good to look upon this Argument that it might further Our Comfort and that this Fire may be blown up into a Flame and that Truth may have more Awe upon the Conscience 3. It awakeneth them that have received the Word upon slight grounds to be better setled Most Men look no further than humane Authority and publick Countenance they have no other grounds to believe the Scriptures than the Turks to believe the Alcoran because it is the Tradition of their Fathers Most Mens Belief is but an happy Mistake a thing at peradventure and they are Christians upon no other grounds than others are Turks God loveth a rational Worship he would have us to render 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Reason of the Faith that is in us But they are Christians by Chance rather than Choice and solid Reason it is because they know no other Religion not because they know no better Well then that you may be able to justify your Religion For Wisdom is justified of her Children Mat. 11.19 that you may take up the Ways of God upon a rational Choice it is good to see what Grounds and Confirmations we have for that holy Faith we do profess 4. That we may know the distinct Excellency of our Profession above all other Professions in the World The Daughters of Jerusalem are brought in asking the Spouse Cant. 5.9 What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved O thou fairest among Women What is thy Beloved more than another Beloved that thou dost so charge us What can you say for your Christ and for your way of Salvation and for your Scriptures above what other Men can say for their Worship or their Superstition A Christian should know the distinct and special Excellency of his Profession Jer. 6.16 God bids us Stand in the way and see and ask for the old Paths Where is the good Way It is good to survey the Superstitions we have in the World and compare the Excellency of our holy Profession with other Professions In Scripture we are required not only to glorify God but to sanctify him Isa. 8.13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts in your Hearts So 1 Pet. 3.15 Sanctify the Lord God in your Hearts and be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the Hope that is in you with meekness and fear Now what is it to sanctify It is to set apart any thing from common Uses This
Signs and Wonders were not ordained for the Stage and Scene to cause admiration and pastime for every wanton Spectator Again I observe that generally these Miracles were Actions of Relief and Succour not meerly of Pomp and Glory and tended to deliver from the Miseries of Soul and Body as Blindness Sickness and Devils I remember but two of Christ's Miracles that were destructive blasting the Fig-tree and drowning the Herd of Swine in other Miracles he was exercised in curing the Sick raising the Dead casting out Satan c. Object 1. Ay but we have none now Answ. It is not necessary because the same Doctrine and Rule is continued to us without change That which is extraordinary must be proved by extraordinary Means Miracles wrought where there is no necessity are liable to suspicion When Christ's Doctrine was new and the Calling and Function that he exercised in the Church new then were Miracles wrought to confirm them The Lord's manner hath always been when he erects any new Worship and Service to give testimony to it from Heaven as Trees newly set need watering which afterwards we discontinue Upon the delivery of any new Law or Truth to the World natural and ordinary means of Conviction are wanting None now pretendeth to be an extraordinary Messenger from God the Doctrine is ordinary and the Call ordinary and why should we expect extraordinary Confirmation the Old sufficeth And by the consent and experience of many Ages and its own Reasonableness Christianity hath gotten a just Title to humane Belief and there we must submit John 20.30 31. And many other Signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this Book But these were written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God God hath given us the Report and Record of the old Miracles which is enough to beget Faith in them that have a mind to believe rather than wrangle We think it had been better if God had continued this sensible Confirmation but we must not give Laws to Heaven Because we have so much Light and other Inducements of Faith God will govern us by Wisdom and not by Power It is true Men are less apprehensive of his Wisdom than of the sensible effects of his Power but because we have otherwise Confirmation sufficient now doth God try us whether we will turn Atheists and Antiscripturists and upon light suspicion misbelieve Object 2. How shall we know that those Miracles were done since we saw them not we have but Fame and Report which oftentimes is no Friend to Truth Answ. We have the Report of Men that lived in that Age who were only fit Witnesses in this Case and were Persons of singular Holiness and Credit and they were those that sealed it with their Blood and therefore their Report is of as great Authority and Certainty as if we had seen them our selves And besides the Report is ancient constant not contradicted by the vigilant Adversaries of that Age with them which would be a madness if they were false and counterfeit since they might so easily enquire into the Truth of the Report Foreign Histories testify that such things were done tho they seek to deprave the Actions as if done by the Power of Satan And hitherto the Church hath maintained the Truth of them against all Opposers But of this hereafter Vse To press us to reverence the Word of God since God hath owned it by Miracles and sealed up Instruction as the Expression is Job 33.16 that is ratified it by extraordinary Dispensations The Apostle proveth that the Despisers of the Gospel will have a sorer Judgment than the Despisers of the Law Heb. 2.2 3 4. For if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression and Disobedience received a just Recompence of Reward How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will The Transgressors of the Law tho they did not see God giving it upon the Mount were punished and so will the Disregarders of the Gospel tho they did not see the Miracles It is better to believe than to make trial there are no Atheists and Antiscripturists in Hell they feel the Truth of what they would not fear Nay when God hath owned it if you neglect it or receive it carelesly or do not study it tho you do not openly oppose or secretly question the Authority of it if you neglect it God will deal severely with you The Miracles were then wrought and the Doctrine needeth not often Confirmation Thirdly The Accomplishment of Prophecies Threatnings Promises as if God had made the Word a Rule of proceeding and the whole Government of the World were managed in a conformity to the Scriptures for his whole Providence is but a Comment upon it 1. Prophecies How have they always been accomplished as set down in the Word Isa. 41.23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are Gods A Man may foretel things that depend on Natural Causes as Snow Rain Heat Cold Eclipses but things meerly contingent depending upon the Free Grace of God or Free Will of Man are foretold in the Word as the Rejection of the Jews and the Calling of the Gentiles are clearly spoken of and clearly accomplished The Scripture is not only an Authentick Register of what is past but an infallible Prognostication of what is to come nothing good or bad befel but that which was foretold 2. So for Threatnings God governeth the World by this Rule Threatnings have been accomplished Hosea 7.12 I will chastise them as their Congregation hath heard A Man might have the History of the Jews from Time to Time out of the Threatnings of Moses and prophetical Predictions and extract the Life of Christ out of the Writings of the Prophets Object But Threatnings many Times are not accomplished Answ. The Prerogative of Free-Grace many times doth interpose and God worketh extra ordinem God hath reserved this Liberty to himself he is not bound tho we are It is for his Honour that it should be so as all humane Laws allow the chief Magistrate a liberty of Pardoning There is difference between Laws and Decrees the Threatnings are the Sanction of the Law 3. Then for Promises We never waited upon God and put forth Hope according to a Promise but it was made good to a tittle Joshua 23.14 Behold this day I am going the way of all the Earth and ye know in all your Hearts and in all your Souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you all are come to pass unto you and not one thing hath failed thereof He was about to die and therefore
that looketh upon the Gospel in the Light of Parts and External Tradition hath a Model of Truth in his Brain but these find it impressed upon their Hearts there is Light and Fire Wait for this Witness Sixthly By the wonderful preservation of Scriptures even to our Times There is no Doctrine so ancient it describeth the whole History of the World from the very Creation Moses was ancienter than the Gods of the Heathens No Doctrine can produce such Records of the Original of the World The Doctrine of the Gospel is as Old as Paradise where God preached it to Adam Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel The Foundation was laid long since tho it was more explicitly revealed upon the coming of Christ. None so much oppugned We have some ancient Writings of the Heathens tho nothing so ancient as Scripture Other Writings by tract of Time have been much mangled tho they have been cherished by Men as not contrary to their Lusts but the Scripture is still opposed persecuted maligned and yet it continueth Psal. 129.1 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth may Israel now say Many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth yet they have not prevailed against me The Church hath been always bred up under Afflictions Enmity against it began betimes yet still it holdeth up its Head Errors are not long-lived 1 Cor. 3.12 13. Now if any Man build upon this Foundation Gold Silver precious Stones Wood Hay Stubble Every Man's Work shall be made manifest For the Day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by Fire and the Fire shall try every Man's Work of what sort it is The World hath had time enough to enquire into the Scripture and to discover the vanity and falshood of it if there were any Nay not only the main Doctrine of the Scripture hath been continued but no part of it is falsified corrupted or destroyed The World wanted not Malice nor Opportunity the Powers of the World were bent against it and corrupt Persons in the Church were always given to other gospelling Gal. 1.6 7. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. 1 Tim. 6.3 If any Man teach otherwise and consent not to wholsome words c. But still the Scriptures are wonderfully preserved as the three Children in the Furnace not an Hair was singed not a jot or tittle of the Truth is perished or corrupted If it were corrupted it must be before Christ's Time or after it not before then Christ would have noted it not after for then the Parts would not agree but we find no such thing but an exact Harmony Nor is there any lost for here is a sufficient Instruction and Guide to Happiness Christ hath promised not a tittle shall fall to the ground The Word hath been in danger of being lost but the Miracle of Preservation is therefore the greater In Joshua's Time there was but one Copy of the Law In Dioclesian's Time there was an Edict to burn their Bibles and Copies were scarce and chargeable and yet still it hath been kept Seventhly By his Judgments on those who have reviled abused and persecuted this Truth The Records of all Ages witness to this The whole Jewish Nation was destroyed for opposing the Doctrine of the Gospel After the slaughter of the Prophets and murder of Christ God let them alone for forty Years and then Wrath came upon them to the uttermost the People were carried captive contrary to the Roman Custom the Land lost its fertility Look into succeeding Times very few Persecutors went to the Grave by a natural Death Particular Stories are full of the Judgments of God executed on them Julian the Apostate confessed Christ had the best at last Vicisti Galilee and so died blaspheming Lucian that railed against God and his Word as he returned from a Supper his Dogs fell mad and tore him in pieces Eusebius reports of a certain Jew that took upon him to apply a sentence of the Word to a prophane End to make a Jest of Scripture was stricken with blindness till he made confession of his Fault Appion scoffing at Scripture and at Circumcision had an Ulcer growing in the place of Circumcision as Josephus reporteth God is very angry when Men are partial in the Law tho they do many good things Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every Man that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book If any Man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any Man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City and from the things which are written in this Book SERMON XXIX JOHN XVII 17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth II. THE Church hath owned the Word You see how God hath owned it he saith it is my Word Let us see how the Church hath owned it Here I shall shew three things 1. What is the Church's Duty to the Word 2. What Credit and Value we ought to put on the Churches Testimony 3. How the Church hath witnessed to the Word in all Ages 1. What is the Churches Duty To keep the Word and to transmit it pure to the next Age that nothing be added nothing diminished that it be published to the present Age and transmitted pure to the next Rom. 3.2 Vnto them were committed the Oracles of God We are Trustees Jude 3. Earnestly contending for the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of the Truth The Church is to hold it forth as a Pillar doth a Proclamation that it may not be lost and extinguished This is the Jewel Christ hath left his Spouse as the Law was kept in the Ark. 2. What respect we ought to bear to the Churches Testimony To hearken to it till we have better Evidence We do not ultimately resolve our Faith into the Churches Authority for the Authority of the Church is not Absolute but Ministerial as a Royal Edict doth not receive Credit by the Officer and Crier he only declareth it Yet the Church's Testimony is not to be neglected for Faith cometh by hearing Rom. 10.14 It is a preparative Inducement John 4.42 Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the World If we would know the Truth of a thing before we have experience go to them that have experience the judgment of others whom we respect and reverence causeth us
and universally opposed the Doctrine of God and always have been afflicting the Church and seeking to oppose the People of God because of their professing the Truth Mark it before Christianity began to be generally propagated in the World the Jews were the Mark and Butt of Malice whereat all Nations did shoot their envenomed Arrows of Malice and Rage and therefore it is very notable that the Romans tho they conquered many Nations yet they never put down the Idolatry of the Nations as they put down the Religion of the Jews and sought to oppose that and molested that And when the Christians began to be discovered then all their Malice was turned off from the Jews to Christians Certainly it was not meerly because of the Difference of Worship for they tolerated the Epicureans but took away all the Worship of God yea they burnt the Christians and made them to be Torches to give light to Rome in a dark Night Therefore there was so special a spight at the Ways of God Secondly I am now to prove the Truth or Divine Authority of the Word by Intrinsick Arguments or such Arguments as are taken from the Scriptures themselves Either I. From the Manner and Form of these Writings Or else II. From the Matter of them I. In the Manner and Form of these Writings you may observe these things 1. The Majesty of the Style Look as there was a difference between Christ's teaching and the teaching of the Pharisees Mat. 7.29 He taught them as one having Authority and not as the Scribes Such a Soveraign Majesty is there in the Scriptures They speak not as conscious of any weakness and so begging Assent but as commanding it Thus saith the Lord it is the great Argument in Scripture hear it or you are lost for ever Pray mark it is not said Not as the Prophets but not as the Scribes they had nothing but what was humane out of the Jewish Rabbies but Christ speaketh like an extraordinary Messenger as one that came to increase the Canon and Rule of Faith with such an awe that the High Priest's Officers were afraid to meddle with him John 7.45 46. Why have ye not brought him The Officers said Never Man spake like this Man with such an infallible Spirit Ye have heard saith Christ but I say and his great Argument is I say unto you Mat. 5.21 22. Ye have heard that it hath been said of old Time Thou shalt not kill c. But I say unto you That whosoever is angry with his Brother without a cause c. So Verses 27 28 33 34 38 39 43 44. There is such a Majesty breathing forth from one end of the Scriptures to another Men can only beg assent not command it by their own Authority and therefore in all Matters which they would inforce they use Insinuaâ—â—on and Argument but the Prophets say Thus saith the Lord and Christ who had Original Authority in the Church I say unto you With what a Majestick Contempt doth Christ scorn his Opposers He that hath Ears to hear let him hear He that is filthy let him be filthy still God will not regard the loss of such that do not regard to understand and obey his Word Longinus an Heathen admired the Majesty of Moses his Writings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let it be done and it was done the Style of mighty Princes and Emperors 2. The Simplicity of the Style Tho it be full of Majesty and Authority yet the naked Truth is represented in a plain manner to the capacity of the meanest Psal. 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the Simple As there are deep Mysteries which may exercise the greatest Wits so in Points necessary the Scriptures are so plain and clear that they may be understood by those of the dullest Understanding Such Simplicity with such Majesty is a Character of their Divine Original they speak in such a manner as to feed the greatest and instruct the meanest a Child may wade and an Elephant may swim But this is not all I mean by Simplicity the plainness of the Style but the native Beauty of it Things are nakedly reported but yet in an affective manner as if we had been actually present to see them done Look to the Histories of the Word certainly they cannot be Fictions for Fictions must either be to delight the Fancy as Poetry or to win asâ—ent for politick Ends. There is no such thing in the Scriptures not Poetry things are delivered in a plain manner not Policy to gain a repute to themselves they still seek to cast the Honour upon God as I shall prove by and by by the faithfulness of their Relations It is not imitable by Art such a plain genuine Narration For Mysteries there were Sophists in the Apostle's Times Nihil tam horrendum quod non dicendo fiat probabile The fashion was to make absurd horrid Things seem probable by the paint and artifice of Words as to prove a Gnat better than the Sun or a Worm than a Man by plausible Arguments But saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 2.4 My Speech and my Preaching was not with inticing words of Man's Wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power nor in ostentation of parts but in Simplicity and Power plain words have a mighty Efficacy Those Sophists and Orators did only tickle the Fancy their Aim was not to win Assent 3. The Fidelity of their Reports The Penmen of the Scripture report their own Failings which Men will not do If they must write of themselves they will be sure to write the best and not the worst but these spared not their own Faults Men naturally labour to cover their own Faults to hide them to speak well of themselves especially they are careful not to leave an ill Character of themselves to Posterity nor of their Party and Faction Now you shall see Moses spareth not to relate his own Weaknesses and Miscarriages his resistance of his Call Exod. 4. nor what a great deal of do God had to bring him into Egypt to perform his Duty to his Country his false Pleas shew his carnal Fear Vers. 19. The Lord said unto Moses in Midian Go return into Egypt for all the Men are dead which sought thy Life His murmuring against God and speaking unadvisedly with his Lips the Idolatry of Aaron the murmuring of Miriam his Sister God shutting him out of the Land of Canaan and not believing after many Miracles Numb 20.12 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron Because ye believed not to sanctify me in the Eyes of the Children of Israel therefore ye shall not bring this Congregation into the Land which I have given them Many such Instances may be given how the Penmen of Scripture relate things to their own disparagement Deut. 32.51 Because ye trespassed against me among the Children of Israel at the Waters of Meribah-kadesh in the Wilderness of
this sense he is the Apostle of our Profession an Ambassador sent from Heaven God's Representative in this sense he is called the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 The solemnest Messenger that ever God sent into the World Isa. 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek c. Christ was anointed principally for this Work to preach the Gospel he came from Heaven to shew us the Way of Life Heb. 1.1 2. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in Time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last Days spoken unto us by his Son He hath spoken to us by Apostles Pastors and Teachers Why doth he make mention only of Christ Because in the Roll of Gospel-Preachers Christ is the First Christ's Name is first enrolled he was first in Commission and he sent forth Apostles and the Apostles others The Mystery of Redemption was never clearly known till Christ came to preach it then all the deep Counsel of God for Man's Salvation came out which was hidden before Christ brought out of God's Bosom the Doctrine of the Gospel APPLICATION We learn hence many Things As 1. The distinction of the Persons in the Trinity Christ is a distinct subsistence from the Father for he that sendeth and he that is sent are distinct Mark it implies a Distinction but not an Inferiority against the Arrians Persons equal by mutual consent may send one another as the Elders of Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas but it doth not follow that they were inferior to the Elders of Antioch So here it implies Distinction but not Inferiority 2. The Knowledg of Christ's Person he was sent into the World therefore is God-Man He was one that was sent therefore had a being before he was Incarnate and was sent into the World therefore there was an Assumption of the Humane Nature 3. It sheweth us the Love of God he would not intrust an Angel nor Arch-Angel with our Salvation but sent his Son 1 John 4.10 Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins There is nothing too near nor too dear for us It will take the more wih us if we consider the infinite complacency and contentment God had in Christ yet he sent his Son Man's Love is defensive he loves his Children out of design of Immortality because he lives in them God had no reason to do so he had many reasons to the contrary yet he sent his Son to die for us when we were Enemies And his Son is sent What to do Not only to treat with us not only to borrow a Tongue to speak to us but to take a Body to die for us to be substituted in our room and stead 4. It informs us of the great condescention of Christ that he submitted to be sent Psal. 40.7 8. Then said I Lo I come in the Volume of the Book it is written of me I delight to do thy Will O my God yea thy Law is within my Heart He was ready when God would send him like a Servant ready to be dispatched upon his Errand That Christ would be sent that he would take our Nature not while it was innocent but when it was guilty liable to the Wrath of God when all Mankind were proclaimed Traytors and Out-Laws and whoever partaked of our Nature was to partake of our Sorrow yet then was Christ sent he came in the similitude of sinful Flesh Rom. 8.3 Christ did not partake of the infection of our Nature he was not a Sinner by being born of our Stock the Infection was stopped by the Holy Ghost but he took our Nature when it was sinful tainted with Sin and in this Message and Errand he laid aside his Majesty and by an unspeakable dispensation he abstains from the full use and exercise of the Godhead not from Godhead it self Therefore he prays John 17.5 And now O Father glorify thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was He begs for his Glory again which he had laid aside for a while It cannot be meant of the Divine Nature for to that nothing can be given it cannot be meant of Humane Nature because that is not capable of the Glory which Christ had before the World was the meaning is he desires to be restored to the full use of the Godhead from which he had abstained by an unspeakable Dispensation a long time and by the interposition of his Humane Nature the Glory of the Godhead was as it were eclipsed as a Candle in a Dark Lanthorn and therefore he desires that the Vail might be taken away and he might return again to the full use of the Godhead having done his Work It is irksome to us to go back a few degrees in Pomp and Pleasure even upon just and convenient Reasons but how did Christ condescend and stoop when he was thus sent into the World by God for our sakes 5. Here is some ground of Comfort to them that believe you may offer to God a Mediator of his own chusing one that was authorized by himself When you plead with God you may say Lord thou hast sent thy Son Or when you plead with your own Hearts you may urge thâ—m with this God sent him to be helpful to my Soul These things may be observed from the first thing the Mission of Christ. SERMON XXXI JOHN XVII 18 As thou hast sent me into the World even so have I also sent them into the World Secondly I Come to the Mission of the Apostles So have I sent them into the World as thou hast sent me The words intimate a comparison between God's sending of Christ into the World and Christ's sending the Apostles into the World But how doth the Comparison hold good Christ was sent to Redeem they to Preach the Apostles were no Redeemers Christ was sent not only as a Prophet but as a Priest as we have seen before And again for the manner Christ was sent by being Incarnate God-Man in one Person he must be Man if sent but they were Men and therefore there is a difference Christ was sent as the Supream Officer of the Church as God with Original Authority they as Ministers and Servants Christ could teach immediatly outwardly by his Word inwardly by his Spirit they only outwardly How then could it be said As thou hast sent me into the World so have I sent them into the World I Answer There is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some Likeness but not an Equality As the Union of the Apostles is compared with the Unity of the Trinity so the Mission of the Apostles with the Mission of Christ. The Similitude holdeth in several Things they were Authorized Ministers and Officers of the Church as Christ was Christ was authorized by
Crown of Heaven and their Message is not to denounce War but to propose Terms of Friendship and Amity to tell you that God is willing to be reconciled to and to be at Peace with his Creatures Oh how beautiful upon the Mountains should their Feet be that publish such glad Tidings Isa. 52.7 It is an Allusion to the dirty Feet of Travellers that come about weighty Business the Dirt of the Journey doth not render them defiled but beautiful Nay this is not all they are furnished with Authority with Power of binding and loosing of remitting and retaining Sins John 2.23 Whose soever Sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whose soever Sins ye retain they are retained To them are given the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to open and shut not as they please but so as the Lord ratifies their regular Proceedings in the Court of Heaven They have a Power in God's Name to take up the Controversy between God and you and they bear God's Name that is represent his Person And they are set forth with an answerable Equipage with plentiful Gifts of the Holy Ghost which are as it were their Letters of Credence with Gifts of Knowledg Experience and Comfort above the ordinary sort of Christians 2. It informeth us of the Duty of the Ministry as well as their Dignity their Duty both in their Life and Conversation and in their Ministry and Calling 1. In their Life and Conversation Remember the Gravity and State of Ambassadors you represent Christ's Person and you must be Examples and Paterns to others You should not be guilty of Levity or be given to the Pomp and Vanities of the World as others are not only that you may not disparage your Ministry and hinder the Ends of it but that you may the better represent the Person of him that hath sent you and not disgrace Christ. An imprudent vain carnal Minister is a disgrace to Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of our God Principally that Text concerns Ministers so Beza Calvin and others expound it for there he is comparing the Ministry of the New Testament with the Ministry of the Legal Dispensation that as Moses by conversing with God his Face shone so Ministers of the Gospel have their Glory too by conversing with Christ they carry away his Image So that a Minister should be a Representative of Christ. It is a Spiritual Dignity not a Temporal to be Christ's Ambassadors and therefore you must excel not in Place only but in Grace 1 Tim. 4.12 Let no Man despise thy Youth but be thou an Example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity This is the Duty of a Minister to appear like Christ's Deputy just as he was in the World This will make way for your esteem tho young for Age and mean in Birth and Estate The Apostle doth not write to others and say See you do not despise Timothy but he writes to Timothy Let no Man despise thee Our disesteem cometh from our selves when we let fall the Majesty of our Conversations Well then let the Dignity of your Office be in your Eye that you may not be a disgrace to him that sent you but may walk with all Religious Circumspection Gravity and Prudence 2. In their Ministry and Calling there is also required Faithfulness Gravity and Sincerity 1. Faithfulness Propound nothing to others but what you have in command from God and what you know to be certainly agreeable to his Will As an Ambassador must not go beyond his Commission that is upon his own Score and to his own Peril When Christ gave us our Commission this he gave us in charge Mat. 28.20 Teach them all things which I have commanded you The first mischief in the Church came from dogmatizing Men would be wise above the Word and that made way for foul Abuses and they for Heresies when you press things without Warrant others question all You shall see the Lord Christ often avoucheth how punctually he kept to his Commission John 12.49 For I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me Commandment what I should say and what I should speak Christ would not go a tittle nor hairs breadth from his Instructions When we are adding to the Word others will detract from it It is sweet when we can say John 7.16 My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me This I have in charge from God when we have clear Evidence from the Word and a strong Instinct from the Spirit to deliver such a Message not the Visions of our own Brain but the Counsel of God to the People 2. With Gravity God's Message must be delivered like his Message speaking as the Oracles of God 1 Pet. 4.11 with affection as having experience of it in our Souls feeling the Divine Power of the Word on our Hearts and with Authority thou art delivering Christ's Message in the presence of Christ and his Holy Angels and therefore it must not be delivered with frothy gayish Eloquence but with Majesty and Power Vain-glorious Preaching such as is intermixed with strains of Wit and Fancies and idle Speculations ill becometh God's Ambassadors Such speak as if they were in jest not as if they had a serious Message to deliver from God this becometh the Stage rather than the Pulpit 3. With Sincerity It is required of an Ambassador that he be faithful to him that sent him He is not sent abroad to seek his own Ends and enter into a Confederacy with Foreign Princes to gratify his Interest by secret Combinations but must be faithful to him that sent him Prov. 13.17 A wicked Messenger falleth into Mischief but a faithful Ambassador is Health Health to himself and Health to the Prince that sendeth him And therefore we must not seek our selves but be faithful to God You seek your selves most when you do not seek your selves when you are faithful to God when you do nothing for fear or favour of Men but are bold upon the Lord's Commission Your Work is to go for another not for your selves God himself will reward his own Messengers and will set the Crown upon their Heads with his own Hand And that is one Reason why he permits them to have bad Entertainment in the World that they may not take up with Men and that he himself might crown them and give them their Reward 3. It informeth us of the Mercy and Love of God to Mankind He was the offended Party and yet he first sendeth about Terms of Reconciliation In us there is Infirmitas Animositates Weakness and strength of Stomach tho we have done the Injury yet we are not ready to offer Terms of Reconciliation As David speaks of the Mercy of the Covenant in general 2 Sam. 7.19
and that many would yield up themselves to the Obedience of the Faith therefore to shew that they have a room in his Heart they have a Name in his Testament As Parents provided for their Childrens Children yet unborn so doth Christ remember future Believers as well as those of the present Age and pleadeth their Cause with God as if they were standing by and actually hearing his Prayers for them It was Esau's complaint Hast thou but one Blessing O my Father when he came too late and Jaaob had already carried away the Blessing We were not born too late and out of due time to receive the Blessing of Christ's Prayers Hath he no regard to us are his Thoughts wholly taken up with the Believers of the first and Golden Age of the Church Certainly No. I pray not for these only but for them also which shall believe on me through their Word We that now live hundreds of Years after they are dead and gone have an Interest in them Increase and multiply was spoken to the first of the Kind of all the Beasts and to the end of the World all Creatures do produce and bring forth after their Kind by virtue of this Blessing Christ doth not only speak of the first of the Kind but that we might be sure to be comprized he telleth us so in express words Certainly much of our Comfort would be lost if we were not comprehended in Christ's Prayers for his Prayers show the Extent of his Purchase 2. The Honour that is put upon private Believers their Names are in Christ's Testament they are bound up in the same Bundle of Life with the Apostles Here is a Question Whether this Passage relateth to the foregoing Requests or else to these that follow What part of the Prayer hath this Passage respect to Answer I suppose to the whole it looketh upward and downward The middle part of the Chapter doth chiefly concern the Apostles and Disciples of that Age some Things are proper to them yet there are many Things in common that concern us and them too He had lately said I sanctify my self for their sakes he would not have that restrained In the latter part of the Chapter all Believers are more especially concerned yet some Passages are intermingled that do also concern the Apostles Vers. 22. The Glory which thou hast given me I have given them Vers. 25. They have known that thou hast sent me Vers. 26. I have declared my Name to them and will declare it Thus you see we are partly concerned in all the Prayer it is a great favour that he would make mention of us to God As David when about to die did not only pray for Solomon his Successor but for all the People so doth Christ not only pray for the College of the Apostles to whom the Government of the Church was committed upon his departure but for all Believers to the end of the World He prayeth for the Apostles as intrusted with a great Work and liable to great danger and hatred but yet he doth not neglect the Church Secondly Positively The Persons for whom he prays They are described by their Faith and their Faith is described by the Object of it that believe in me and by the Ground and Warrant of it through their Word And so the Points will be two 1. That Believers and they only are interested in Christ's Prayers 2. That in the sense and reckoning of the Gospel they are Believers that are wrought upon to believe in Christ through the Word Doct. 1. That Believers and they only are interested in Christ's Prayers Tho Christ doth inlarge the Object of his Prayers yet he still keepeth within the Pale of the Elect. He saith V. 9. I pray not for the World and now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for them that shall believe in me He doth not pray for all whether they believe or no but only for those that shall believe Now this Christ doth partly because his Prayers and his Merit are of equal extent I sanctify my self for their sakes and then I pray not for these only but for them that shall believe in me through their Word Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right Hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us 1 John 2.1 2. If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the Propitiation for our Sins His Prayers on Earth do but explain the Virtue and Extent of his Sacrifice he sueth out what he purchased and his Intercession in Heaven is but a Representation of his Merit both are Acts of the same Office Partly because it is not for the Honour of Christ that his Prayers should fall to the ground John 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Shall the Son of God's Love plead in vain and urge his Merit and not succeed then farewel the sureness and firmness of our Comfort Now Christ's Prayers would fall to the Ground if he should pray for them that shall never believe Vse 1. It is much for the Comfort of them who do already believe You may be sure you are one of those for whom Christ prayeth whether Jew or Gentile Bond or Free. Particulars are under their general How do we prove John or Thomas to be Children of Wrath by Nature all were so So Christ prayeth for all those that shall believe as much as if he had brought them forth and set them before God by Head and Poll. And if Christ prayed for thee why is not thy Joy full Why did he speak these things in the World It is a Copy of his Intercession Christ would shew a little before his departure what he doth for us in Heaven he sueth out his Purchase and pleadeth our Right in Court It is a sign we have a Room in his Heart because we have a Name in his Prayers And what Blessings doth he seek for Union with himself Communion with him in Grace here in Glory hereafter It is a Comfort against all Temptations Doubts Dangers you are commended to the Father's Care Vse 2. It is an engagement to others to believe If he had commanded some great Thing ought we not to have done it This Comfort cannot be made out to you till you have actual Faith however it is with you in the Purpose of God yet you cannot apply this Comfort till you believe If a Man should make his Will wherein Rich Legacies should be left to all that can prove a Claim by being thus and thus Qualified would not every one put in for a Share Believe believe this is the Condition Vse 3. It sheweth the Excellency of Faith Those that have an Interest in Christ's Prayers are not described by their Love their Obedience or any other Grace tho these are necessary
be spared and of all Offices Hearing is least necessary The Ear received the first Temptation Sin and Misery broke in that way so doth Life and Peace The Happiness of Heaven is expressed by Seeing the Happiness in the Church by Hearing This is our great Emploiment to wait upon the Word preached next to Christ's Word it is a great Benefit to have the Word written next to the Word written the Word preached Christ sent first Apostles then Pastors and Teachers God could have converted Paul without Ananias taught the Eunuch without Philip instructed Cornelius without Peter Do not hearken to those that cry up an inward Teaching to exclude the outward Teaching as if the external Word were but an empty sound and noise as the Libertines in Calvin's Time Faith confirmed by Reading is usually begotten by Hearing 2. The Use of the Word It is our Warrant What have we to shew for our great Hopes by Christ but the Word It is our Excitement a Means and Instrument to shew us God's Heart and our own our natural Face and the worth of Christ the Key which God useth and openeth our Hearts by Ministers are Christ's Spokesmen if we will not open the Ear why should God open the Heart 3. The Power of the Word is exceeding great It is the Power of God to Salvation The first Gospel-Sermon that ever was preached after the pouring forth of the Spirit had great success Acts 2.41 The same day there were added to the Church about three thousand Souls It was a mighty thing that an Angel should slay 185000 in one Night in Senacherib's Host But it is easier to kill so many than to convert one Soul One Angel by his meer natural strength could kill so many armed Men but all the Angels in Heaven if they should join all their Forces together could not convert one Soul There were single Miracles of curing one Blind or one Lame Ay but the Apostle's Word could work three thousand Miracles 1 Cor. 3.5 Who is Paul and who is Apollo but Ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every Man Why doth God use the Word I Answer Because it pleased him 1 Cor. 1.21 It pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1. It is most suitable to Man's Nature Man is made of Body and Soul and God will deal with him both ways by internal Grace and external Exhortations Man is a reasonable Creature his Will is not brutish God will not offer Violence to the Principles of Humane Nature Man is not only weak but wicked there is Hatred as well as Impotency God will overcome both together by sweet Counsels mixed with a mighty Force he useth such a Remedy as our Disease requireth the Gospel is not only called the Power of God but the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.24 There are excellent Arguments which the Heart of Man could not have found out 2. It is agreeable to his own Counsels to try the Reprobate by an outward Rule and Offer wherein they have as much favour as the Elect they shall one day know that a Prophet hath been among them and so be left without excuse Rom. 1.20 The Rain falleth on Rocks as well as Fields the Sun shineth to blind Men as well as those that can see 3. It commendeth his Grace to the Elect. Their Faith must be ascribed to Grace When others have the same Means the same Voice and Exhortations it is the peculiar Grace of God that they come to understand and believe Whence is it that the Difference ariseth that whereas wicked Men are by the Word restrained and made civil there being an use of wicked Men in the World as of a Hedg of Thorns about a Garden they are by the same Word converted and brought home to God It is from the Grace of God Vse Examination Is our Faith thus wrought Every one should look how he cometh by his Faith by what Means True Faith is begotten and grounded upon the Word it is the ordinary means to work Faith The Word will be continued and a Ministry to preach it as long as there are any to be converted The Gospel alone revealeth that which may satisfy our Necessities it giveth a bottom for Faith and particular Application as being the Declaration of God's Will It is the only Means sanctified by Christ for that End John 17.17 Sanctify them through thy Truth thy Word is Truth James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth The Condition of those is woful that want the Gospel or put it from them Acts 13.46 Seeing ye put it from you and judg your selves unworthy of Everlasting Life lo we turn to the Gentiles If Faith be of the right make the Word will shew thee once thou hadst none and that thou wert not able of thy self to believe beseech the Lord to work it in thee SERMON XXXV JOHN XVII 21 That they all may be One as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the World may believe that thou hast sent me WE have seen for whom Christ prayeth Now let us see what he prayeth for their comfortable Estate in the World and the Happiness of their everlasting Estate in Heaven With respect to their Estate in the World Christ mentioneth no other Blessing but the Mystical Union which is amplified throughout Vers. 21 22 23. Here he beginneth That they may be all one as thou Father art in me and I in thee He had before prayed for the Apostles that they may be One as we are One Vers. 11. and now let them ALL be One. The Welfare of the Church is concerned not only in the Unity of the Apostles but of private Believers you had need be One as well as your Pastors Many Times Divisions arise from the People and those that have least Knowledg are most carried aside with blind Zeal and Principles of Separation therefore Christ prayeth for private Believers That they may be all One c. In which words there is First The Blessing prayed for That they may be all One. Secondly The Manner of this Unity illustrated by the Original Patern and Exemplar of it As thou Father art in me and I in thee the ineffable Unity of the Persons in the Divine Essence Thirdly The Ground of this Unity the Mystical Union with Christ and by Christ with God That they may be One with us Fourthly The End and Event of this Union That the World may believe that thou hast sent me First From the Blessing prayed for I Observe That the great Blessing Christ asketh for his Church is the Mystical Vnion of Believers in the same Body Let them be One One in us and as thou in me and I in thee All these Expressions shew that the Mystical Union is here intended Let them be One 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is elsewhere explained
Saints overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony and they loved not their Lives unto the Death Religion had never thrived and spread its Branches far and near had it not been watered by the Blood of the Martyrs Christ began and watered the Plant by his own Blood and then the Martyrs kept watering it till it began to be rooted and had got some esteem in the World and now it spreads its Boughs and yields a shadow and refreshing to the far greatest part of the World When Men take up Principles that will not warrant Suffering or are changeable and pliable to all Interests and wriggle and distinguish themselves out of their Duty upon all Occasions it doth mightily dishonour Christ and make Religion vile and harden the World and feed their Prejudices against the Truth What is the Reason the Ways of God have so little honour in the Eyes of the World so little Power upon the Hearts of Men Professors are so fickle and changeable this maketh them suspect all and so return to their old Superstitions and Vanities Now that you may do so I shall bind it upon you by some further Considerations 1. Consider you are God's Witnesses to keep up Truth in the World to bring them on to Conversion or at least to some temporary Faith Isa. 43.10 Ye are my Witnesses saith the Lord that I am He. God appealeth to those that have most Communion with him for the truth and reality of his Grace If a Man would be satisfied in a Thing that he knoweth not to whom should he go for Satisfaction but to those that have most Experience Well if the World would be satisfied Is Union with Christ a Notion or a real thing Ye are my Witnesses 2 Cor. 3.3 Ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ. In an Epistle a Man writes his Mind The Scriptures they are Christ's Epistle and so are Christians The World that will not study the Scriptures are to be convinced and preparatively induced by your Lives Every Christian is to be a walking Bible It is a dangerous Temptation to Atheism when Christians that pretend themselves near and dear to God are scandalous and let loose the Reins to every corrupt Affection He that took a Christian in an Act of Filthiness cried out Christiane ubi Deus tuus In the Scripture there is Christ's Mind in words in a Christian there is Christ's Mind written in Deeds in his Conversation You are to be a living Reproof As Noah condemned the World by preparing an Ark Heb. 11.7 There was something in it when he was so busy in preparing an Ark with so great Cost and Charge it was a real upbraiding of their security and carelessness So when Men are so diligent and busy in working out their Salvation with fear and trembling it is a real Reproof to the carnal and lazy World 2. Consider if you do not convince the World you justify the World as Israel justified Sodom Ezek. 16.52 The Wicked hold up their Ways with greater pretence and are hardned in their Prejudices You put an Excuse into Wicked Mens Mouths What a sad thing will it be when they shall say Lord we never thought they had been thy Servants they were so wrathful proud sensual self-seeking factious turbulent hunting after Honours and great Places in the World Rom. 2.23 24. Thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law dishonourest thou God For the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you Carnal Professors will blush at the last day when they shall consider how many they have hardened by their Examples unsetled by their loose walking how you have disgraced Christ and taken up his Name for a dishonour to him It is this that makes the Chams of the World to laugh you cannot gratify them more 3. Consider the great Good that cometh by it For the present you stop the Mouth of Iniquity Tit. 2.8 That he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil Thing to say of you It is the Duty of Christians not only to approve themselves to God but as far as they can to Wicked Men to take off all advantage from the World to confute their Slanders to muzzle the Mouths of Carnal Men that they may have no occasion to speak against the Ways of God and the Professors of Christianity Carnal Christians open prophane Mouths their Slanders shall be put upon your Score who give them too much matter and occasion to speak Do not say they are Dogs what care I if they bark The Awe that is upon Wicked Men is one Means of the Church's Preservation therefore you must justify Wisdom Mat. 11.19 But Wisdom is justified of her Children Justification is a relative Word it implieth Condemnation the World condemns the Ways of God and People of God of Fancy Fury Faction now you must justify them at least you will leave them without excuse and furnish Matter for the Triumphs of God's Justice at the last Day and so will have further cause to applaud the Counsels of God when you sit on the Bench at the last day For as in the last Day you shall together with Christ judg the World by your Vote and Suffrage 1 Cor. 6.2 Know ye not that the Saints shall judg the World So now you must convince them by your Conversations It is a sad thing Men walk so as it cannot be said Where is the Malefactor and where is the Judg You should condemn them as by the difference of your Lives so by the Heavenliness of your Hearts SERMON XXXVIII JOHN XVII 22 And the Glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one CHRIST had prayed for the Union of Believers in one Mystical Body here is an Argument to inforce that Request The Glory which thou hast given me I have given them c. His Act is urged as a Reason because of that Consent of Will that is between Him and the Father Christ would have his Gift ratified by the Father's Consent as if he had said Deny not what I have granted them For the meaning of the Words all the difficulty is what is meant by the Glory here spoken of Some say by Glory is meant the Power of working Miracles that is called the Glory of God John 11.40 Said I not If thou wouldest believe thou shalt see the Glory of God that is a Glorious Miracle wrought by him When Christ wrought a Miracle John 2.11 He manifested forth his Glory And so they limit it to the Apostles who had Gifts of Miracles and were fitted to succeed Christ upon Earth Thus many of the Ancients By the Glory of God is sometimes meant the Image of God Rom. 3.23 All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God So 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open Face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the
few things I will make thee Ruler over many things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. Christ is not only Purchaser but first Possessor and is gone into Heaven to prepare a place for us to which he will at last bring us John 14.2 3. In my Father's House are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a Place for you And if I go to prepare a Place I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Vse 1. Information to shew what ground we have of Patience Comfort and Confidence 1. Of Patience in Afflictions from God Would we be loved otherwise than Christ was loved We see in the Person of Christ that Love may stand with Fatherly Correction Christ was beloved by God yet under Poverty Disgrace Persecution Hunger Thrist c. When Christ was hungry the Devil came unto him Mat. 4.3 If thou be the Son of God command that these Stones be made Bread So he taketh advantage of our Troubles and Afflictions to make us question our Adoption but we may retort the Argument Heb. 12.7 8. If ye endure Chastisement God dealeth with you as with Sons â— for what Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not But if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are Partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Brambles are not pruned but Vines God loved Christ in the lowest degree of his Abasement as much as at other times Shall I desire to be otherwise beloved of God than Christ was Nay God's Love may stand with sad suspensions of Soul-Comforts Mat. 27.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me The Natural Son was in the Love of God when at the worst God loved him still tho he appeared to him with another Face as the Sun is the same when it shineth through red Glass only it casts a more bloody Reflection God had one Son without Sin but none without suffering 2. Comfort when we meet with ill usage in the World Our Lord Jesus prayeth That the World may be convinced that God loved them as he loved Christ. When the World intreated Christ ill how was the World convinced that God loved him There was an Eclipse at his Death which was a Monument of God's Displeasure Mat. 27.54 When the Centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus saw the Earthquake and those things which were done they feared greatly saying Truly this was the Son of God So when Christ's Members are evil intreated there are publick Monuments of God's Displeasure the Courses of Nature are altered Drowths Innundations Pestilences Famines unseasonable Weather Confusions c. If this be not when God smileth tho the World frowneth you will convince them by bearing up with Courage and Confidence The more the World is set against us the more do the Fruits of his Love appear before Men. 3. Confidence in the midst of Dangers and Temptations When once we are assured of God's Love what shall separate us from it Rom. 8.38 39. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Heighth nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Can any thing alienate God's Love in Christ If it were God's Love in us that were an uncertain ground of Hope but it is God's Love in Christ. Get but an Assurance of his Love and you will never be ashamed What can alienate the Heart of God from you while you are faithful to him and have the sure Pledg of his Love his Spirit in your Heart Love or Hatred is not known by any thing that is before us But if you have an Heart to seek him fear him obey his Laws this is the favour of his People and this was his Love to Christ. Vse 2. Direction 1. Whereby chiefly to measure God's Love by his Spiritual Bounty John 3.34 35. God giveth not the Spirit by measure to him The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands So the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are the special Effects of his Love for he loved us as he loved Christ and thus he manifested his Love to Christ. Psal. 106.4 Remember me Lord with the Love that thou bearest to thy People When one gave Luther Gold he said Valde protestatus sum me nolle sic à Deo satiari Be not satisfied till God love you with such a Love as he loved Christ. Inward Excellencies tho with outward Crosses these are the best Fruits of his Love an Heart to seek him to fear his Name to obey his Laws an understanding to know his Will God's Love is best known by the stamp of his Spirit that is his Mark set upon us Let us leave outward things to God's Wisdom Love or Hatred is not known by all that is before us Let us labour for a share in his peculiar Love Psal. 119.132 Look thou upon me and be merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name Lord I do not ask Riches nor Glory nor Preferment in the World I ask thy Love thy Grace thy Spirit Doth our Saviour care for outward Things Other things are given promiscuously these to his Favourites God's Love is conveyed through Christ. Rev. 1.5 To him that loâ—ed us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood he loved us and sanctified us Ephes. 5.25 26. Husbands love your Wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Nothing more worthy nothing more suitable to Christ's Love 2. It directeth us what to do when we are dejected through our own unworthiness Look upon God's Love in Christ. If God did take Arguments and Grounds of Love from the Creature Where would he have found Objects of Love God hath proclaimed it from Heaven Mat. 3.17 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and we are accepted in the Beloved Ephes. 1.6 Jesus Christ is worthy desire to be found in him not having thine own Righteousness Lord for the Meritâ— of thy blessed Son accept of me Christ being beloved of the Father is the Storehouse and Conduit to convey that Love to his People Vse 3. Exhortation to endeavour after the sense and apprehension of this Love in our own Hearts Surely this is our Duty for Christ afterward saith Vers. 26. That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them There is a Love of God towards us and a Love of God in us so Zanchy citing the Text his Love erga nos towards us is carried on from all Eternity but nondum in nobis it is not in Us but in Time He loved us before the Foundation of the World tho we know it not feel it not but now this Love beginneth to be in
he loveth him as Mediator and Head of the Church he doth not only love us in Christ but in a sort he loveth Christ in us because of the complacency that he took in his Obedience John 10.17 Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my Life that I might take it again God did therefore eternally love him and glorify his Manhood for his Love to us 2. In God's loving Christ he loved us We are elected in him before the Foundation of the World Ephes. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World When God chose Christ to be Mediator he chose us in Christ. This is the Method of the Divine Decrees God from all Eternity resolved to create Man pure and innocent but with a changeable Will to permit him to fall and he resolved on the Remedy Christ and in Christ to receive them to Grace and accept them to Life again First he loveth Christ and then us in him as a King doth not only love a Subject that hath done him Service but all his Friends and Kindred they are brought to Court and preferred for his sake 3. This Love to us was Eternal also 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an Holy Calling not according to our Works but according to his own Purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began So Titus 1.2 In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lie promised before the World began But how then are we Children of Wrath by Nature the Elect as well as others Ephes. 2.3 And were by Nature Children of Wrath even as others Answ. That sheweth the Merit of the natural Estate not the Purpose and Decree of God There are Vessels of Wrath viz. the Reprobate and Children of Wrath viz. the Unregenerate Elect and Children under Wrath viz. Children of God under desertion It notes not what God hath determined in his Everlasting Counsel but what we deserve by Nature and in the course of his Justice Vse 1. It is a ground of Hope why we may look for Everlasting Life because of God's Eternal Love So it is urged here There are two Grounds of Hope The Eternity of his Love and his Love to Christ. 1. The Eternity of his Love From Eternity it began and to Eternity it continueth before the World was and when the World shall be no more Psal. 103.17 The Mercy of the Lord is from Everlasting to Everlasting upon them that fear him and his Righteousness unto Childrens Children It is the weakness of Man to change Purposes God's Love is not sickle and unconstant We have good Purposes but they are speedily blasted but certainly God's Eternal Purpose shall stand So that the great Foundation of our Hope is the immutable Love of God the Father He that â—eeth all things at once cannot be deceived we are ignorant of Futurity and therefore upon new Events change our Minds Whatever falleth out God repenteth not Rom. 11.29 For the Gifts and Calling of God are without Repentance His Ancient Love continues still We have many back-sliding Thoughts we think to love God but new Temptations carry us away and so we are fickle and changeable but God changeth not he cannot deny himself 2. His Love to Christ which is the ground of his Love to us It is the Wisdom of God that the Reasons why Man should be loved should be out of Man himself in and among the Persons of the Godhead The Son loveth us because the Father requireth it and the Father loveth us because the Son merited it and the Holy Ghost that proceedeth from the Father and the Son loveth us because of the Father's Purpose and the Son's Purchase And then the Holy Ghost's Work is a new Ground of Love As long as the Son is faithful to the Father and God regardeth the Obedience of Christ and the Work of the Spirit we are sure to be loved But will not such an absolute Certainty make way for loosness It is possible it may with a Carnal Heart for the very Gospel is to some the savour of Death unto Death but to the Elect it cannot be the great Gift of God's Eternal Love is Holiness Ephes. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love And so for Christ's Love Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of Water by the Word And the Holy Ghost worketh us to this very thing 2 Thess. 2.13 Through sanctification of the Spirit If we turn a Wheel round the Wheel of necessity must run round If God loveth us Eternally we must be Holy There is not only a necessity of Precept but of Consequence he hath not only commanded it but it must be so Vse 2. It commandeth God's Love that you may admire it Remember it is eternal of an old standing and all that is done to us in time are but the Issues and Fruits of Eternal Love 1. It is Eternal as Ancient as God himself There was no time when God did not think of us and love us we are wont to prize an ancient Friend the oldest Friend that we have is God he loved us not only before we were lovely but before we were at all he thought of us before we could have a thought of him in our Infancy we could not so much as know that he loved us and when we came to Years of Discretion we knew how to offend him before we knew how to love him and serve him Many Times God is not in all our Thoughts when he is thinking how to bless us and do us good Let us measure the sâ—ort scantling of our Lives with Eternity wherein God sheweth Love to us We began but as yesterday and are Sinners from the Womb the more liberal we find God to be the more obstinate are we yet be repenteth not of his Ancient Love Certainly if God should stay till he found cause of Love in us we should never be loved 2. Look to the Effects of his Love in time We receive new Effects of his Love every day but all cometh out of his ancient and eternal Love in Christ tho the Effects be new the Love is ancient It is good sometimes to trace God in the Paths of his Love by what strange Providences our Parents came together that we might have a being how wonderfully were we preserved that we might not be cut off in our natural Estate How were we converted many times when we did think of no such Matter Everlasting Love sets it self awork Jer. 31.3 I have loved thee with an everlasting Love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee What could move God when Paul was in the heat of his Persecution How wonderfully did God take us in our Month send Afflictions to stop the course and
very first Fruits of the Spirit and he gives it as a Pledg of more Grace to follow That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them and I in them In the whole Verse Christ sheweth what he had done what he would do and with what Aim His End was two-fold to make way for Application of God's Love and his own Presence as a Vital Principle in their Hearts God's Love and Union with Himself I shall speak now of the first Whence Observe That one great End why God's Name is manifested in the Gospel is that his Love may be in us I. I shall inquire What it is to have his Love in us I shall give you several Observations upon the Phrase 1. Observe That the Love c. He doth not say that they may have Pardon Sanctification or Grace or Comfort in them but Love in them Obs. God's Love in Christ is the ground of all other Favours and Graces whatsoever The Spring of all is Love and the Conveyance is by Union which containeth two Truths 1. That all the Goodness that is in us cometh from the Love of God in Christ. We are loved into Holiness loved into Pardon loved into Grace Isa. 38.17 Thou hast in love to my Soul delivered it from the Pit of Corruption or thou hast loved me from the Pit He loved his Church and sanctified it Ephes. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Rev. 1.5 To him that loved us and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood Our Holiness is not the Cause of Love but the Fruit and Effect of it There can be no other Reason for any thing we receive So 2 Thess. 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good Hope through Grace c. There was no other cause there could be no other cause not necessity of Nature moral Rule or any former Merit and Kindness Not necessity of Nature God hath always the same Love Not bound by any external Law and Rule Who can prescribe to him Not by any Merit or Debt because of the Eternity of his Love antecedent to all Acts of the Creature There should be no other Reason for the Honour and Majesty of God and our Comfort 2. That we have not only the Blessings and Benefits but the Love it self 1 John 3.1 Behold what manner of Love is this that the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! not shewed us but bestowed upon us We have Blessings from his Heart as well as his Hand by his Blessings in us his Love is in us we may gather thence that we are beloved of God and no Benefit is to be valued unless God's Love be in it What good will the possession of all things do us if we have not God himself The Love is more to be valued than the Gift whatever it be God giveth this Love to none but special Friends he giveth his outward Love to Enemies He accepteth not our Duties unless our Hearts be in them and our Love be in them so we should not be satisfied till we can see Love in the Blessings that we receive from God that they come from his Heart as well as his Hand There are Chastisements in Love and Blessings given in Anger salted with a Curse 2. Observe That the Love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them He had before said Thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me now let this Love be in them The Love of God is sometimes said to be in Christ sometimes in us Sometimes in Christ Rom. 8.39 Nor height nor depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Sometimes in us 1 John 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of Christ towards us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because that God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him We are the Objects and Christ is the Ground To make it sure it is in Christ and to make it sweet and comfortable it is in us God doth not love us in our selves out of Christ there would be no ground and reason for his Love but in Christ and there is an eternal Cause and Reason why he should love us 3. Observe There is a Love of God towards us and a Love of God in us So Zanchy citing this Text. His Love erga nos towards us is from all Eternity his Love in nobis in us is in time These differ there was a Love of God towards us so he loved us in Christ before the Foundation of the World tho we knew it not felt it not But now this Love beginneth to be in us when we receive the Effects of it and God breaketh open the Sealed Fountain 1 John 4.16 And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us And therefore it must be distinguished God's Love from Everlasting was in Purpose and Decree not actual Rom. 9.11 That the purpose of God according to Election might stand So Ephes. 1.11 Being predestinated according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the Counsel of his Will We are loved from Eternity but not justified from Eternity Certainly the Elect are in a different condition before and after Calling 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Secret Things belong to God but revealed Things to us Whatever Thoughts God hath towards us yet we know it not till his Love be in us We are to judg of our Estates according to the Law It is true God is resolved not to prosecute his right against a Sinner that is Elect but he is not actually acquitted from the Sentence of the Law till he actually believeth We are not qualified to receive a legal discharge from the condemnation of the Law till we be actually in Christ Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus And whatever God's Purposes may be towards us we cannot but look upon our selves as under a Sentence of Condemnation and Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 that is the misery of our present Estate Before we know God as a Father in Chris◠the Love of God is towards us but not in us 4. Observe again God's Love is in us two ways in the Effects and in the Sense and Feeling These must be also distinguished for God's Love may be in us in regard of the Effects when it is not in us in regard of Sense and Feeling It is in us in the Effects of it at Conversion as soon as we begin to live in Christ. Where Christ liveth and dwelleth in us by Faith the
effects of the World's Conviction Page 314 Why Christ prays so earnestly for it Page 315 God honoured hereby Page 315 The advantage of it to the Elect. Page 316 It lessons and increases the World's Iudgment and how Page 317 Arguments to press Christians so to live as to convince the World Page 321 God would have the World convinced of his Love to his People Page 347 Reasons of it Page 348 How the World should be thus convinced Page 347 Convictions not to be slighted nor rested in Page 318 319 How we may know whether we are convinced only or converted Page 319 Covenant of Redemption the terms of it Page 77 What was proposed by the Father in it Page 155 What Christ undertook Page 156 Covetousness one of Judas's Sins Page 174 The evil of the Sin Page 177 To be avoided Page 177 Creatures discover God Page 28 33 Doting upon the Creatures withdraw the Heart from God Page 335 D. DAnger cannot be withstood by us in our own Strength Page 171 Christ apprehensive of the Danger of his People in this World Page 133 Reasons of it his Interest Love Charge Experience Page 133 Comfort from hence Page 136 Death desire of Death vid. Desire Death of Christ Christ died to promote Vnity among Christians Page 1â—â— Why the Death of Christ hath so little Effect upon us Page 291 Decay of the Power of Godliness brings trouble on the Church Page 195 Delight excessive in worldly things shews a worldly Heart Page 209 Desires show the temper of the Soul Page 208 Desire of Death whether lawful and what Desires are so Page 212 213 Difference between serious and passionate Desire of Death Page 213 Carnal Desires of Death whence they arise Page 212 Believers must be willing to dye Page 354 Despair one of Judas's Sin Page 175 To be avoided Page 178 Devil the great Author of the Troubles of the Church Page 201 219. Difference in course of Life provokes wicked Men especially Difference in Religion Page 200 Difference between Believers and Men of the World in their Principles Rule Conversation End Aims Page 204 Disrespect of the World not to be regarded and why Page 225 Hard to be digested Page 224 The best way to digest it is to consider Christ's Example Page 225 Distraction of Man's Thoughts after the Fall Page 333 This continueth till we return to God Page 334 Divisions in the Church how they arise Page 163 The mischief of them Page 165 166 They bring on Trouble Page 194 They that promote them contrary to Christ. Page 164 Who are guilty of this Sin Page 165 Doctrines of the Word shew it to be from God Page 260 Doctrines Christian vid. Christian. E. ELect none of them can be lost Page 173 Election a special Priviledg Page 66 Not for foreseen Faith good Works or Perseverance Page 364 Original and actual what Page 71 Election of Ministers the Peoples Right Page 273 End a Man is as his End is Page 55 Enjoying no enjoying God without Christ. Page 30 Envy of others worldly Happiness shews a worldly Heart Page 209 Wicked Men envy the Good in others Page 201 Error makes way for Looseness Page 232 Esteem of the World discovers a worldly Heart Page 208 Eternal State the Foundation of it laid in this Life Page 370 Evil Satan hath an Hand in the Evil that befals God's Church and People Page 219 Example of Christ the heavenliness of it Page 206 The Courage of it Page 206 Experience Christ hath Experience of his Peples Sufferings Page 134 F. FAith various Expressions by which it is set-forth in Scripture Page 391 The Nature of it Page 90 95. Difference between true Faith and counterfeit Page 93 The Acts of Faith Page 296 297 In Faith Assent Consent and Trust. Page 93 The Office of Faith to accept Christ and present him in Prayer Page 115 The Object of Faith Page 85 97 296 The Word vid. Receiving the Word Christ vid. Receiving Christ. Three things concur to the working of it the Light of the Spirit external Revelation and the use of fit Instruments Page 84 The Word the means to work Faith Page 88 The necessity use and power of the Word to work Faith Page 298 299 Why God useth the Word to this end Page 299 Incouragements to Faith Page 295 The Excellency of Faith Page 296 How it sanctifies Page 234 Faith a help to Ioy. Page 189 Faith cannot be without Knowledg Page 90 What a kind of Light the Light of Faith is Page 91 In the Knowledg of Faith there is undoubted Certainty Page 90 The work of Faith when we cannot apply Christ. Page 298 The Faith of the Apostles work yet by Christ commended to the Father Page 97 Faithfulness to our Charge recommended Page 67 Of Christ to his Father Page 83 Fall into Sin why God sometimes leaves his People to fall into Sin Page 218 What falls into Sin are inconsistent with Grace Page 148 Belivers not to be discouraged by every Fall into Sin Page 147 Father a Comfort in Prayer to call God Father Page 6 How to carry our selves in Afflictions towards God as a Father Page 7 God the Father chiefly offended by Sin Page 86 263 And he the supream Iudg. Page 86 264 Fear of want discovers a worldly Heart Page 208 Filth of Sin our Filthiness by Nature Page 291 Nothing can cleanse us but the Blood of Christ. Page 291 Finishing what Christ's finishing his Work signifies Page 47 G. GEntleness of Christ in bearing with his Peoples failings Page 80 85. Gift the Privileges of the human Nature a Gift Page 48 Work it self a Gift Page ibid. Gifts are fading Page 148 Wicked Mens Gifts useful to the Church Page 316 Given how Christ had given to his Disciples the Word of God Page 191 Given to Christ who are given to Christ. Page 21 76 153 351. None given to Christ but they that are the Fathers vid. Commensurable Page 72 107 109. Why God gave the Elect to Christ. Page 77 How Belivers given to Christ. By way of Charge vid. Charge Page 21 72 154 156 351. By way of Reward Page 21 72.154 155 351. How shall we knowwe are given to Christ. Page 159 351 Being given to Christ a ground of Consolation and Establishment to the Elect. Page 154 How it is such a ground of Establishment Page 158 Glory the fruit of Vnion as well as Grace Page 326 Shame the way to Glory Page 10 Christ in his last Will and Testament gives Glory to his People Page 350 The Glory that is given by Christ we have as sure as if in the Possession of it Page 322 The freeness of Grace in giving us Glory Page 349 Looking to future Glory a remedy in Tribulation Page 10 Glory of God much advanced by Iesus Christ. Page 11 Glory of Christ's Person what it is Page 358 What the Glory was Christ prayed for Page 9 61 Why Christ begged it of the Father Page 58 Why he was so earnest for
and why Page 249 How shall we know that Miracles were truely wrought Page 249 Not wrought at Man's will Page 249 Misery of Man by Nature Page 376 Mission of Christ vid. Sent. Mission of Ministers who are sent Page 279 By whom Page 279 To whom Page 279 For what end Page 280 Multitude no excuse to Wickedness Page 373 N. NAme of God what it signifies Page 67 143 379 None can discover the Name of God but Christ. Page 381 How Christ manifested God's Name to his People Page 66 God's Name made known to the Church by degrees Page 258 380 Why Christ would reveal God's Name to his People by degrees Page 381 It is the great Priviledg of the Gospel to know God by his right Name Page 380 New Birth takes Believers off from the World Page 250 O. OBedience establisheth our Ioy. Page 189 Whether Christ as Man was bound to Obedience to the Law of God his Maker Page 287 Positive Obedience vid. Positive Occasions of Sin to be avoided Page 216 Offices of Christ exercised in another manner in Heaven than here Page 15 The Sublimiâ—y of Christ's Office Page 102 Omissions whether we are more hardned by Sins of Omission or Commission Page 228 Oneness our Happiness lies in being one with God through Christ. Page 333 Opinions novel condemned Page 165 Opposition We had need be tender in opposing the godly Page 202 Ordination of Ministers the Elders Right Page 274 Whether Ordination by the Popish Clergy valid Page 278 Owning Christ it is praise worthy to own Christ when the World disowns him Page 372 This is a sign of God's Love to us Page 372 And of our Sincerity Page 373 P. PEnmen of Scriptures their Fidelity Page 258 People their right to chuse their Ministers Page 273 Advice to them with respect to their Ministers Page 277 283 Perdition Son of Perdition a Name given to Judas and to Antichrist Page 174 Carnal Practices will end in Perdition Page 175 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what it is Page 300 306 Persecution to be expected by God's People in this World Page 130 132 Wicked Men restrained from Persecution by conviction of Sin on their Hearts Page 316 Perseverance of Saints built on John 17.11 Page 143 The Point stated Page 144 The Grounds of it 1. The Father's Love and Power 2. The Son's Merit and Intercession 3. The Spirit 's Influence Page 146 Not a discontinued but constant Perseverance Page 145 This Doctrine not shaken by the Defections of Hypocrites Page 173 Doth not exclude Prayer Page 145 Still Believers are to be wary Page 145 And means of Grace not to be neglected Page 145 Exhortation to Perseverance Page 147 Should excite to Thankfulness Page 148 Yields Comfort to the People of God Page 149 When this Doctrine more especially yields Comfort to them Page 150 Person in the Trinity what it is Page 38 Person of Christ the Dignity of it Page 101 The dearness of it to the Father Page 102 Places in all Places there are Temptations Page 215 Pleasure of God's ways Page 186 Carnal Pleasure to be despised Page 186 Plots against the Church destroy the Authors of them Page 179 Reasons of it Page 179 Positive Obedience we must not only depart from Evil but do good Page 228 Reasons of it Page 229 Whether the Trial of a Christian lies in departing from Evil or doing Good Page 228 Poverty of Christ upon the Earth Page 205 Power of Christ over all Flesh what it is Page 16 Exercised for the Churches good Page 18 Power of the Word Page 251 How an Argument of the Truth of it to them that never felt it Page 252 Powers of the World usually set against Christ. Page 130 Practices carnal will end in Perdition Page 175 Praising and blessing God how they differ Page 49 139 Prayer must follow Preaching Page 2 The use of Words in Prayer Page 5 The only Guide in Suffering Page 8 Providence doth not hinder Prayer Page 11 An Encouragement in Prayer to back Requests with Promises Page 16 We are to pray for one another Page 104 Whether we may pray for wicked Men. Page 106 Vnto a Prayers of great force Page 162 When we pray to God we must look on him as an Holy Father vid. Holy Father No coming to God in Prayer but in an holy State Page 140 Prayer helps our Ioy. Page 190 Prayer of Christ why he prayed Page 4 Why he prayed aloud Page 5 The Object of it Page 94 294 295 Not the Apostles only Page 99 Why Christ prayed for them that should believe hereafter Page 294 Why Christ prayed for the Elect. Page 107 Why Christ prayed not for the reprobate World Page 101 Prayers of Christ and Merit of Christ of equal extent Page 295 How Christ prayed for his Persecutors Page 100 Prayers of Christ a Fountain of Consolation Page 183 Preaching some Preaching more apt to convert than others Page 84 Precepts of the Word shew it to be from God Page 260 Priestly Office of Christ the Parts of it Oblation and Intercession Page 103 338 The Love of God in Christ gives Confidence in both Parts Page 338 Prepare how Christ prepared Heaven for us by his Ascension Page 123 Presence corporal of Christ why withdrawn 1. To try his People 2. To make way for his spiritual Presence Page 126 127 Why Christ's Spiritual Presence was not vouchsafed till his Corporal Presence was withdrawn Page 127 Presence Spiritual of Christ to be look'd after by Christians and the advantage of it Page 128 Presence with Christ in Heaven a great part of our Happiness there Page 352 353 The Soul goes immediately to Christ's Presence after Death Page 352 And the Body at the Resurrection Page 353 Wherein our longing for it appears Page 356 Why we should long after it Page 357 Preservation means of it Page 172 What of God's Name is engaged in the Preservation of his People in Grace Page 150 None can preserve us but God Page 151 Why we are only preserved by God Page 151 God's Preservation should excite us to Dependance Confidence and Thankfullness Page 152 Preservation of Scriptures wonderful Page 253 Pride of wicked Men impatient of rebukes in the Lives of the godly Page 201 Priviledges outward not to be rested in Page 180 Profession Professors Worldliness of Professors brings Trouble on the Church Page 195 Profession not to be deferred till times are quiet Page 196 Not till the World is agreed Page 373 The excellency of our Profession above others Page 243 Proficiency of the Apostles in Christ's School Page 83 Promises of the Word shew it to be from God Page 260 May be pleaded Page 45 Shall be made good Page 250 Objections answered Page 250 Why temporal Blessings are in the Promise Page 251 What Respect and Reverence is due to the Promises Page 251 Prophecies of the Word shew it to be from God Page 261 Always fulfilled Page 250 Prophetical Office of Christ vid.
Teaching of Christ. Providence doth not hinder Prayer Page 1â— Providence of God in guarding Man is observable Page 172 R. REading the Scriptures the advantage of it Page 27 Scriptures to be read with Prayer Page 28 Receiving Christ what it is Page 389 What it is to receive Christ with all the Heart Page 94 Receiving the Word what it is Page 92 What it is to receive the Word with all the Heart Page 93 Reconciliation the Mercy of God in seeking Reconciliation with us Page 28â— Redemption In the work of Redemption the Father the supream Author supream Cause supream Iudg. Page 86 87 Vniversal Redemption disproved Page 105 Covenant of Redemption vid. Covenant Reformation after Trials and Reformations come Trials and Probations Page 194 God oftentimes promotes Reformation by Troubles Page 194 What Call the first Reformers had Page 277 Rejoycing what reason a Christian hath to rejoyce Page 189 Religion no Religion but the Christian Religion the way to Salvation Page 32 Repentance the Ingredients of it Page 179 Repetition of the same Truths grievous to Nature and why Page 220 But profitable to Grace and why Page 220 Not to be grievous to us Page 221 Directions to Ministers in repeating the same Truths Page 222 Resemblance between us and Christ as the Son of God and as Mediator vid. Likeness Page 323 Respect of the World to be suspected Page 201 Restraint wicked Men restrained from Persecution by the Conviction of Sin on their Hearts Page 316 Resurrection how Christ was raised by the Father and how by himself Page 266 Revelation of God's Will to Adam to the World to the Church Page 240 241 Various manners of Revelation of God's Will 1. By Word without writing 2. By Word and writing 3. By writing alone vid. Scriptures Page 241 242 Reverence to be used in Prayer Page 3 138 Right God hath a Right to all we have Page 55 Righteousness of God how God is said to be righteous Page 367 Rule God's Act his Rule Page 238 There must be some Rule from God to guide the Creatures Page 261 Light of Nature not a sufficient Rule to fallen Man Page 239 S. SAcraments promote our Ioy. Page 190 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper the end of it Page 293 Sacrifice how Christ was both Priest and Sacrifice Page 288 Christ offered himself a Sacrifice Page 288 This Sacrifice Christ offered not for himself Page 288 But for all the Elect. Page 289 Sadness of Spirit the causes of it Page 188 In some it deserves Pity in others Rebuke Page 187 In Christians disproved Page 187 It brings a Scandal on Christ's Spiritual Kingdom and on the Ways of God Page 188 A Christian hath cause of Ioy when he hath Sorrow and Sadness of Spirit Page 188 Salvation next to God's Glory Christ's Aim was our Salvation Page 13 The business of our Salvation put into safe Hands Page 158 No Salvation out of the true Religion Page 236 Sanctification the various senses of the Word Page 226 287 293 It is actual Election Page 227 The difference between Civility and Sanctification Page 237 The efficient cause of it God Page 229 We cannot sanctify our selves Page 229 Means cannot do it without God Page 229 The Instrument of it the Word of God Page 231 233 Chiefly the Gospel Page 233 The Gospel worketh not without the Spirit Page 233 This must be received and applied by Faith Page 233 How Faith sanctifies Page 234 How we are sanctified by the Word Page 291 Why God sanctifieth by his Word Page 234 The Word of God is morally accommodated to this Page 235 The Excellency of Sanctification Page 227 Why we should pray for it Page 227 It is God's aim in all his Dispensations Page 227 The end of Christ's Death Page 290 Those that are sanctified need to be sanctified more and more Page 230 Sanctify what it is to sanctify God Page 243 What Christ's sanctifying himself signifies Page 290 Why Christ sanctified himself Page 290 Satisfaction of Christ the value of it Page 102 Saviour how Christ saves us Page 42 Scholars Believers Scholars of Christ's School Page 74 157 Scriptures the necessity of the Scriptures or written Word Page 241 The advantage we have by the Scriptures above what the Iews and Gentiles had Page 68 We are to bless God for the Scriptures Page 245 The Scriptures not corrupted Page 254 The aim of the Scriptures Page 261 To be the Iudg of Controversies Page 262 To be the constant Rule of Faith and Manners Page 262 Reading the Scriptures vid. Reading Divine Authority of Scriptures why we should inquire into it Page 242 Sufficiently assured to us Page 245 More Reason to believe than doubt it Page 261 How to settle the Conscience concerning it Page 261 What they shall do that stagger about it Page 244 Whether wicked Men can have any absolute assurance of the truth of it Page 243 Arguments to prove it Page 246 External 1. How God hath owned them Page 246 2. How the Church hath owned them by Tradition by Martyrdom Page 255 256 The Churches duty to the Scriptures Page 255 What respect we ought to bear to the Churches Testimony Page 255 3. How the malignant World hath owned them Page 256 Internal Arguments Page 257 1. The manner and form of them Page 257 The Majesty and yet the Simplicity of the Stile of Scriptures Page 257 The Harmony of the Scriptures Page 258 The Impartiality of them vid. Penmen of Scriptures Page 259 2. The matter of Scriptures vid. Precepts Promises Doctrines Histories Prophecies Self-Conceiâ— the causes of it Page 365 Self-Murder the sinfulness of it Page 212 Sending of Ministers vid. Mission of Ministers Sent Christ was sent by the Father Page 263 What it implys Page 25 40 264 The ends of it Page 267 Christ's Condescension in submitting to be sent Page 269 Sending of Christ and sending the Apostles compared Page 270 271 Separation a great Crime Page 165 What grounds of Separation warrantable Page 165 Shame the way to Glory Page 10 Sight of Christ the greatness of the Priviledg Page 360 vid. Vision Sin committed against God chiefly as the wronged Party and highest Iudg. Page 86 263 Makes God stand at a distance from us Page 335 Sin prevails by degrees Page 176 Wilful Sins the danger of them Page 174 Sitting of Christ at God's Right-hand what it implys Page 62 Snares the World full of Snares Page 214 Sorrow the Nature of Man more acquainted with Sorrow than Pleasures Page 186 vid. Sadness of Spirit Spirit how it confirms the Word Page 27 85 Given to promote Vnity Page 164 Testimony of the Spirit how discerned Page 253 How we should know whether we have the Spirit of Christ. Page 306 386 Spirit of the World to be avoided Page 207 How it maybe discerned Page 207 Success to be desired by Ministers Page 277 Of the Doctrine the Scripture teacheth Page 246 Sufferings of Christ the greatness of them Page 287 He willingly underwent them
vid. Willingness Did not fall out by chance Page 180 Were appointed by the Father Page 7 Foretold by the Prophets Page 8 Always attended with some Glory Page 9 Sufferings of God's People short Page 8 God's People to prepare for them Page 194 vid Troubles When they come do not think strange at them Page 195 How to know when God is about to bring Trouble on the Church Page 164 Cautions in suffering for Christ. Page 117 Christ hath Experience of his Peoples Sufferings Page 134 T. TEaching of Christ the manner of it Page 69 Christ the great Teacher of the Church Page 74 Temptations fitted to every State Page 135 To every Condition Calling Action Place Page 214 215 Lust within gives advantage to Temptations without Page 129 260 Tender God is tender of his Truth and Saints Page 239 337 Threatnings of the Word always fulfilled Page 250 Objections answered Page 250 Titles of God in Scripture suited to Requests made to him Page 136 349 367 Toleration Arguments against it Page 236 Treason against Christ one of Judas's Sins Page 175 To be avoided Page 178 Trinity the Doctrine of the Trinity opened and proved Page 37 vid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Person How we are to imitate the Trinity Page 168 309 Truth a great Treasure Page 236 Truth of the Scriptures Scriptures must be fulfilled Page 182 vid. Scriptures Divine Authority U. VIctory over evil to be preferred before Exemption from it Page 213 Vision of Christ in Heaven ocular and mental what Page 358 359 Why our Happiness lies in it Page 359 Vision the cause of all Fruition in Heaven Page 359 It shall be comfortable Page 361 Who are they that shall see Christ in Heaven Page 361 Union moral of Believers one with another what it is vid. Unity Page 106 303 Union mystical of Believers with Christ what it is Page 160 301 389 The whole Trinity is concerned in this Union Page 301 Whole Christ is united to a whole Believer Page 301 This Union is secret and mysterious but real Page 302 Illustrated by the Union of Head and Members Page 302 And by the Conjugal Union Page 390 All the Ordinances have an aspect on our Union with Christ. Page 332 How this Union is brought about and in what order Page 389 What the Act of Faith is whereby we are united to Christ. Page 389 The end of it Page 333 The advantages Believers have by it Page 305 Glory the Fruit of Union as well as Grace Page 326 The Honour and Happiness of those that are united to Christ. Page 304 305 The Resemblance between the Mystical Union and the Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in Christ. Page 308 The disagreement between these two Unions Page 308 The Resemblance between the Mystical Union and the Union of Father and Son in the Trinity Page 308 Why Christ prayeth for this Union Page 303 How we may know we are united to Christ. Page 305 391 Those who are united to Christ to look for greater things than they enjoy Page 326 This should teach us Dependance Page 331 What those Fruits are of it whereby the World is convinced of the Truth of Christianity vid. Conviction Page 311 320 Unity of Believers hath some resemblance of the Unity of the Divine Persons Page 167 What is contrary to it Page 165 To be prayed for Page 163 Believers to be earnest for it Page 165 How much Christ's Heart is set on the Unity of his Members Page 161 vid. Love of Brethren Why Christ so earnestly prays for it Page 162 Arguments to press it Page 166 It is possible to be attained Page 163 What an excellent Blessing it is Page 162 The need the Church hath of it Page 163 Directions to attain it Page 166 Directions to restore it Page 166 How God keepeth the Saints together Page 168 Unity between God and Christ. Page 307 Unworthiness what we should do when dejected with a sense of our Unworthiness Page 344 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Original and Signification of the Word vid. Person Page 38 W. WAiting â—n God a Duty tho we want outward Supplies Page 172 Walk Christians to walk wisely towards them that are without Page 203 Warning Sinners to take warning by Iudgments on others Page 180 Watching what a Believer should watch against Page 216 Watching and Prayer should go together Page 216 Welcome of Christ by the Father at his Ascension Page 123 Willingness of Christ to undertake the Work of Redemption Page 286 And to suffer Page 9 287 Word of God the necessity of God's giving us a Word Page 238 VVhat it is Page 240 To be reverenced Page 250 How given to Christ. Page 88 The proper means to work Faith Page 88 vid. Faith It will work without Miracles Page 89 The Spirit will not work without it Page 89 The Power of it to convert Souls Page 89 The Truth of it vid. Scripture Divine Authority It helps our Ioy. Page 190 Work every Man hath his Work Page 52 This Work is given to him by God Page 53 This Work must be finished Page 54 World why God permits his People to be in the World Page 131 The weakness of the World Page 105 The danger of living in the World Page 129 214 The Enemies we meet with in the World Page 130 Christ apprehensive of his Peoples danger in this World and why vid. Daâ—ger Page 133 VVhy we should grow weary of the World Page 135 How Christians are not of this World Page 204 VVhy Christians are not of this World Page 204 Characters of those that live as if they were of this World Page 206 How to know whether our Hearts are set on this World vid. Heart Page 206 207 How should a Christian know when the Worâ—d incroacheth upon him Page 217 VVe can never enough be cautioned against the World Page 222 Worldly Conversation wherein seen Page 209 Worldly Men their dangerous Estate Page 106 Men of the World apt to defile the People of God Page 130 How the People of God differ from the Men of the World Page 191 Worldly Spirit to be avoided Page 224 Worldly things are frail Page 148 Worldliness expressed by Adultery and Idolatry and why Page 217 223 Arguments against it Page 223 Worldliness of Professors brings Troubles on the Church Page 195 Worship God to be worshipped in an holy manner Page 142 VVe should go away the more holy from Worship Page 142 A TABLE Of the Places of Scriptures explained in this PART    Pag. GEn. 3. 15. 197 19. 17. 216 Ex. 28. 12 29. 265 29. 4. 230 1 Sam. 2. 9. 171  25. 86 264 Job 1. 5. 105 4. 18. 138 31. 14. 56 Psalm 14. 1. 33 16. 3 4. 106 19. 7 8 9. 235 24. 7 8. 253  11. 122 25. 14. 372 62. 10. 209 93. ult 140 112. 96. 235 259 Proverb 8. 12. 91 13. 17. 281 14. 13. 187 18. 10. 152 29. 27. 197 30. 8 9. 214 Eccles. 2. 2. 187
strengthen your resolutions and increase your dependence that in these means you may meet with more incouragement then come and see what Christ will do for you 2. As to the Lords Supper your great business here is to commemorate Christs Death who is evidently set forth and as it were crucified before your eyes Now you you do not commemorate his Death as a Tragical story but as a Mystery of Godliness and therefore you are to look to the end of it which is the destruction of sin This is what man needeth this is that which God offereth 1. This is needed by man we are undone for ever if sin be not destroyed We may take up the Churches words Lament 5.11 The crown is fallen from our head we unto us that we have sinned If we had a broken hearted sense of what we have brought upon our selves by sin we would more prize our remedy we come to be saved from sin and so by consequence from Wrath and Hell and shall we be cold in such addresses to God while we have so much sin in us 2. This is offered by God His great intention of sending Christ into the World was to be a propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins and therefore he set him forth in the Gospel Rom. 3.24 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood How is it offered 1. It is dearly purchased by the Death of Christ that was the price paid for our Ransom which both commendeth his Love Rom. 5.8 But God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us and assureth ouâ— confidence Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 2. It is freely offered Isa. 55.1 Hâ— every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Rev. 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely These blessings come freely to you though they cost Christ dear 3. It is surely sealed and conveyed to every penitent Believer for God by Deed and Instrument reacheth out to every Believer the Body and Blood of our crucified Saviour or the benefits of Christs Death To others it is a Nullity the whole Duty is lost to them who regard iniquity in their hearts Therefore resolve without any reservation to devote your selves to God always to watch and strive against sin SERMON III. ROM VI. 4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life THE words are a proof that we are baptized into Christs Death the Apostle proveth it by explaining the Rites of Baptism The ancient manner of Baptism was to dip the Parties baptized and as it were to bury them under water for a while and if Baptism hath the Figure of a Burial but with an hope to rise again then it signifieth two things Christs Death and Resurrection the one directly and formally the other by consequence and our Communion with him in both Therefore we are buried with him in Baptism c. In the words the Apostle speaketh 1. Of something directly and primarily signified in Baptism We are buried with him c. 2. Of something by just consequence and inference thence That like as c. 1. That which is primarily and directly signified in Baptism We are buried with him in Baptism into his death the like expression you have Col. 2.12 Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him The putting the baptized Person into the Water denoteth and proclaimeth the Burial of Christ and we by submitting to it are baptized with him or profess to be dead to sin for none but the dead are buried So that it signifieth Christs Death for sin and our dying unto sin You will say If the Rite hath this signification and use why is it not retained I answer Christianity lyeth not in Ceremonies the principal thing in Baptism is the washing away of sin Acts 22.16 Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins that may be done by pouring on of water as well as dipping Other things were used about Baptism then as the stripping themselves of their cloaths even to stark nakedness whence came the notions of putting off and putting on so frequently used Eph. 4.22 24. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man and Col. 3.9 10. Seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man c. Gal. 3.27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now none rigorously urge the continuance of these Ceremonies as long as the substance is retained we may not quarrel about the manner 2. That which was signified with just consequence and inference is our conforming to Christs resurrection Baptism referreth to this also as a significant Emblem for the going out of the water is a kind of resurrection so it signifieth Christs Resurrection and ours Now our resurrection is double to the life of Grace spoken of here and called the first Resurrection or to the life of Glory Baptism relateth to that also 1 Cor. 15.29 else what shall they do who are baptized for the dead Baptism is a putting in and taking out of the water or a being buried with an hope to rise The former is intended here our rising to the life of Grace All this abundantly proveth that those which are dead to sin cannot live any longer therein In the latter Clause the Pattern of Christs Resurrection is first propounded then applied the Protasis the Apodosis 1. The Protasis or the Proposal of the Pattern like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father 2. The Conformity or Similitude on our part even so we should walk in newness of life 1. In the Pattern propounded you may observe two things First Christs state after his Burial he was raised up from the dead Secondly The efficient Cause by the glory of the Father that is by his glorious Power as it is explained 2 Cor. 13.4 He was crucified through weakness but he liveth by the power of God and elsewhere by the glory of God is meant his power So Joh. 11.40 If thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God that is his Power in raising Lazarus to life The agreement to this purpose is observable of Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be
into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit One alone is the Baptism of Water the other the Baptism of the Spirit The one inferreth an obligation the other produceth an inclination to dye unto sin and to live unto God And therefore 1. Let us speak of Baptism and 2. Of Regeneration 1. Of Baptism which inferreth an obligation All those that profess Faith in Christ and an interest in him are by Baptism taken into the number of his Disciples and visibly joyned into his Church Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls And therefore they are bound to rise from the death of sin to the life of Grace and to make use of the virtue purchased by Christs Death and evidenced by his Resurrection to this end and purpose and to use all good endeavours to subdue sin and a double wo and curse shall befal us unless we verifie and make good this Vow and Profession by our constant practice And therefore all the Members of the visible Church are to be put in mind that they are planted into the likeness of his Death and engaged to walk in newness of life 1 Joh. 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought to walk also as he walked Not only he that abideth in him as a real Member of his mystical Body but he that saith he abideth in him All that profess Communion with Christ their Profession bindeth them to a resemblance of Christ otherwise their Baptism is but a mockery and their Profession a dissembling and counterfeit respect to Christs Name and Memory It may be said to them as Alexander said to one that bore his Name but was a Coward Either lay aside the name or put on greater courage So either do as Christians or do not pretend to be Christians 2. As to Regeneration figured by Baptism In Regeneration there is planted in us or put into us a Principle destructive of sin and impulsive to Holiness Now the working and urging of this Principle should not be restrained or obstructed 1. As to the destruction of sin the checks of the new Nature should be observed 1 Joh. 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God 2. As to the perfecting of Holiness where the life of Holiness is begun we should give way to its operations and when the new Nature would break out with operations proper to it self we should obey these motions 1 Joh. 2.5 But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected that is breaketh out into its consummate and perfect effect So 2 Pet. 1.8 For if these things be in you and abound they make you that you shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace in its vigour will put you upon fruits becoming a Christian this vigour should not be quenched which is our internal Baptism 3. This Union sealed in Baptism inferreth a Likeness and Conformity to Christ. I prove it thus First Surely we are cut off from our old stock and planted into a new one to better our condition that it may be otherwise with us in Christ than we were when we merely belonged to Adam This improvement of our estate and condition cometh from our being planted into a new stock and partaking of his virtue and influence and that inferreth a likeness 1 Cor. 15.49 As we have born the image of the earthly we shall also bear the image of the heavenly As we grew upon our natural Root we were like Adam but when cut off and planted into a new Root we are made like Christ. How like Adam Gen. 5.3 Adam begat a son in his own likeness corrupt man begat a corrupt son mortal man begat a mortal child So by proportion we may conceive of the image of the Heavenly first made holy then happy creatures in the first we had the seed and pledge of death and corruption and in the second the seed and pledge of incorruption immortality and life Secondly Christ was â—it to be a Pattern to whom all the rest of the Heirs of Promise should be conformed for this reason Because he was the Head of the renewed state Primum in unoquoque genere est mensura regula caeterorum the first and best in every kind is the measure and rule of the rest He is a Fountain of Grace set up in our Nature Rom. 8.29 He hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first-born among many brethren that principal new Man to whom we might be conformed In every case wherein one thing beareth the image and likeness of another there must not only be similitude but deduction or a means of conveying that likeness Both are in Christ therefore Christ is set up as a Pattern in our Nature who lived among men in the same flesh that we have to teach us a life of Holiness and Patience and contempt of the World Thirdly The sameness of the Spirit in Head and Members doth evidence this For the Spirit worketh uniformly in both Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you The sap of the stock doth all now if the stock be the good Vine the fruit must be as the sap is the branches must bring forth Grapes Christ as the Root communicateth to us not only the fruits and effects of his Death and Resurrection but also the likeness of it in a way proper for our reception We partake of the likeness of the Root by Analogy and just proportion and what was done to Christ literally is spiritually done to us he dyed for sin we dye unto sin he rose to live unto God so do we in our way here upon earth as we seek his Glory and do his Will Fourthly That this Likeness and Conformity to Christ is carried on with respect to his Death and Resurrection To clear this it is good to see wherein our Likeness to Christ consists He was to be a Pattern to us in three things 1. His Graces 2. His States 3. The special Acts of his Mediation 1. His Graces There are certain Graces wherein we resemble God as Wisdom Purity Holiness Goodness and Truth in these God himself is our Pattern Mat. 5.8 Be ye perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect There are other Graces that help us in the duties of subjection to God as Faith Patience Humility Self-denial and Obedience in these we cannot have the Pattern from God for God is over all and subject to none therefore in these Christ is a Pattern to us As for instance Humility Mat. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and
Church for this purpose Eph. 5.26 That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word For the same end he intercedeth now in Heaven Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them He that hath undertaken this work counteth it his honour and glory to perform it Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And Jude 24. Now unto him that is able to keep ye from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding great joy It is matter of rejoycing not only to us but to him III. The value of the Benefit surely it is a great mercy to be freed from the power of sin and to have our enthralled Souls set at liberty 1. Because sin is the cause of all the controversie and variance between God and us Isa. 59.2 Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear This is the abominable thing which he hateth Jer. 44.4 O do not that abominable thing which I hate It is sin that maketh the great distance between Man and God not in position of place for so he is every where present with bad and good but in disposition of mind and affection of heart it hath caused him in anger to withdraw his gracious Presence from you Would you not be glad to have the great difference between God and you compromised and taken up and all enmity to cease between you and Heaven It can never be till sin be mortified as well as pardoned For till man be converted as well as God satisfied for the breach of his Law there is no due provision made for our entring into fellowship with him we shall stand aloof from him as an Holy sin-hating and condemning God and so have no heart to Communion with him 2. It is a defacing Gods Image in us and a bringing in of a contrary image the image of the Devil Gods image is defaced while we live in sin Rom. 3.23 We have all sinned and are come short of the glory of God By the glory of God there is meant his image not his glorious reward but his glorious image as 1 Cor. 11.7 The man is the image and glory of God and the woman is the glory of the man that is hath some likeness of his Power and Majesty Similitude and likeness is often called Glory So 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Now this is lost which is the beauty as sin is the deformity of the Soul And on the contrary the image of the Devil is introduced into the Soul as we are proud envious revengeful Joh. 8.44 Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do he was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his own for he is a lyar and the father of it The properties of the Devil like us much better than the Excellencies of God Now is it not a great mercy to be freed from this disposition and temper of heart especially since image favour and fellowship go together 3. It disableth us for Gods service While we live in sin we are not only weak but dead Let us take the softest notion Rom. 5.6 When we were yet without strength c. that is unable to perform any obedience to God sick and weak yea in a dangerous estate an heart under the power of sin is feeble and impotent Ezek. 16.30 How weak is thine heart seeing thou dost these things the work of an imperious whorish woman The strength of the disease is the weakness of the person that suffereth it so the strength of sin is the weakness of the Soul that cannot break the force of their own passions and affections but are easily led away by temptations have no strength left to do the will of their Creator to overcome temptations to sin to govern their own passions and affections but are at the beck of every foolish and hurtful lust pride sensuality wordliness carnal fear sorrow c. 4. It not only disableth us for our duty but setteth our hearts against it Rom. 8.7 The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be It disliketh his Government riseth up in defiance of his strict Laws so that Man is a perfect Rebel to God if this Law be inforced by external Messengers Hos. 4.4 Let no man strive nor reprove another for this people are as they that strive with the Priest It is to no purpose to seek to reclaim them for they would admit of no admonition for they opposed their Teachers urging not their own private suggestions but the Sentence of the Law of God slight all those that would oppose their growth and continuance in sin are enemies to them that tell them the truth So in the checks of their own Consciences Rom. 7.23 I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to the law of sin and death that is in my members Sin sets up a commanding power in direct opposition to the dictates of Conscience So for the Spirit Gal. 5.17 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would Now to be freed from this enmity and opposition to God and averseness from all that is good is certainly a great mercy and this we have by a due improvement of the Death of Christ. 5. It is not a distant evil but in our bowels always present with us hindering that which is good Rom. 7.21 When I would do good evil is present with me urging us to that which is evil therefore called Heb. 12.1 Sin that doth so easily beset us This inbred corruption is ever with us lying down and rising up at home and abroad it is ready to open the door to all temptations Jam. 1.14 Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts and inticed It poysons all our comforts and mercies and strengthens it self against God by his own benefits while it useth them as an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 It corrupts all our duties distracting us with vain thoughts in Prayer Mat. 15.8 This people draweth nigh to me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips but their heart is far from me It choaketh the good seed Luke 8.14 That which fell among thorns are
think that Grace will drop to us out of the Clouds he was an evil and a sloathful servant that did not improve his Talent To neglect duty is to resist Grace and to run away from our strength God hath promised to be with us while we are doing therefore we are to wait for this power in the use of all holy means that our corruption may be subdued and mortified USE is to exhort with all diligence to set about the mortifying the deeds of the body by the Spirit Two Things I shall press you to 1. Improve the death of Christ. 2. A right carriage towaâ—ds the spirit 1. Improve the death of Christ For the term Mortifie or Crucifie often used in this matter respects Christs death and every where the Scripture sheweth that the death of Christ is of excellent use for the mortifying of sin I shall single out a few places Gal. 2.20 I a am crucified with Christ. Three Propositions included 1. Christ crucified 2. Paul crucified 3. With Christ. It doth not imply any fellowship with him in the acts of his Mediation there Christ was alone only that the effects of his death were accomplished in him a participation of the benefits of his Mediation so Rom 6.6 knowing this that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin may be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Then was there a foundation laid for the destruction of sin when Christ died then was the merit interposed or price paid and the obligation laid upon us to mortifie it Something there was to be done on Gods part the body of sin was to be destroyed which intimateth the communicating of his spirit of grace to weaken the power and life of sin and something done on our part that henceforth we should not serve sin There was a time when we served sin but being converted we must change masters and betake our selves to another service which will be more comfortable and profitable to us One place more 1 Pet. 4.1 For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin That is since Christ hath suffered for you you must follow and imitate him in suffering also or dying with him namely in dying to sin as he dyed for sin or mortifying our lusts and passions For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that hath suffered in the flesh or is crucified in his carnal nature it hath not respect to suffering afflictions but mortifying sins for 't is presently added He hath ceased from sin given over that course of life so that he should no longer live the rest of his life in the flesh to the lusts of men but the will of God He inferreth the obligation of this correspondence and conformity from Christs dying From all these places we collect 1. 'T is an obligation This was Christs end and we must not put our Redeemer to shame 1 John 3.8 For this purpose the son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil That the interest of the Devil might be destroyed in us and the interest of God set up with glory and triumph shall I go about to frustrate his intention or make void the end of his death cherish that which Christ came to destroy tye those cords the faster which he came to unloose By professing his name we bind our selves to die to sin Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein not ab impossibili but ab incongruo 2. That the death of Christ was a lively and effectual pattern of our dying to sin For the Glory of God and our Salvation Christ dyed a painful shameful accursed death now we must crucifie sin Gal. 5.24 Be crucified to the world Gal. 6.14 That is to say Christ denied himself for us and we must deny our selves for him he suffered pain for us that we should willingly digest the trouble of Mortification and suffer in the flesh in our carnal nature as he did in the human nature 1. The death of Christ was an act of self-denyal he pleased not himself Rom. 15.3 Minded not the interest of that nature he had assumed parted with his Life in the Flower of his Age when most cause to love it And will you part with nothing make it your business to please the flesh and gratify the flesh he loved you and gave himself for you and will not you give up your lusts 2. The death of Christ was an act of pain and sorrow of all deaths crucifixion is the most painful and shameful Sinful nature is not extinguished in us without trouble as sin is rooted in self-love self-denyal is a check to it as this self-love is mainly a love of pleasure or the delight we take in sin so the pains of Christs death check it shall we wallow in fleshly delights when Christ was a man of sorrows Christs sufferings are the best glass wherein to view sin will you take pleasure in that which cost him so dear he was mocked spit upon buffetted he bare the shame due to our vain conversations A Malefactor was preferred before him Therefore when you remember Christs death you learn how to deal with sin the Jews would not hear of Christs being King Away with him we have no King but Cesar such an Holy indignation should there be a in a renewed soul Rom. 6.12 Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal bodies that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof Let it not King it we have no King but Christ. 3. 'T was a price paid that we might have grace Every true Christian is a partaker of the fruits of Christs death and one fruit is that we might die unto sin 1 Pet. 2.24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness This is communicated to us by the spirit he bought sanctification as well as other priviledges Eph. 5.25 26. As Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word And Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 1 Pet. 1.18 Redeemed us from our vain conversations We are ready to say I shall never get rid of this naughty heart renounce these sensual and worldly affections our hearts are so wedded to the interests of the flesh but Matth. 19.26 With God all things are possible 2. Carry it well to the spirit 1. Believe that the Holy Ghost is your sanctifyer and resign up your selves to him as such that he may recover your souls to God This is but fulfilling our baptismal vow Mat. 28.19 Go baptize all nations in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost To God the Father as
not utterly destroyed This is the design of this Scripture and therefore this general conflagration seemeth not to turn all things into nothing in regard of their substance but change of qualities and to change them with a perfective not a destructive change that change the matter not reduce it into nothing for that which is made matter of desire or hope cannot be simple and total destruction or annihilation as it is by the Apostle here and 't is compared with the deluge where the form of the world was destroyed not the substance 2 Pet. 2.6 As the world that was overflowed by water perished so shall the world perish which is consumed with fire Not by annihilation but a change of qualities only for the better as that was for the worse 6. What use this restored world serveth for we need not anxiously enquire whether to be a perpetual monument of the Wisdom Power and Goodness of the Creator the creating of the world served for this end so may the renewing of it or whether it shall be an habitation for the just during the judgment which is by some conceived to last for a thousand years and at first consumed by a purging fire and afterwards utterly destroyed by a consuming fire we shall enquire in the following Verses 3. Doct. That this estate of things ought earnestly to he desired and expected by us For to this end the Apostle mentioneth the earnest expectation of the creature and the day principally concerneth us and therefore 't is the duty of Gods children to look for this day There are two choice Scriptures that describe the Communion of the Church with Christ and the dispensations of Christ to the Church and they both conclude with a desire of his coming one is Cant. 8.14 the other is Rev. 22.20 the first place Make hast my beloved and be like a young hart or roe upon the mountains of spices Christ is not slack but the Churches Affections are strong make hast my Beloved that is the brides last and great suit to the bridegroom his coming in glory to judg the world The wanton prostitute would have her husband defer his coming but the chast spouse thinketh he ean never come soon enough they that go a whoring after the world and arâ— wholly taken up with the world neither desire his coming nor love his appearing but the Spouse would have all things hastened that he may return either come down to them or take them up to himself 't is that day only can perfect a believers consolation They do what they can to have the blessed and longed for meeting hastened In the other place Christ saith surely I come quickly and the Church like a quick eccho saith Even so come Lord Jesus come quickly It taketh the word out of Christs mouth There is the same spirit in Christ and the Church for 't is Christs spirit which resideth in the Church and therefore Christ speaketh in a way proper to him behold I come quickly in a way of promise And the Church in a way proper to her even so come And Christs voice and the Churches voice are Unisons our acclamation answereth to his proclamation Christ saith I come as desiring to meet with us even so come as desiring his fellowship and company the Saints look for his coming Titus 2.13 by faith and hope and long for his coming love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 in a way of love Now his coming must be desired by us 1. With earnestness and hearty groans 2 Cor. 5.2 For this we groan earnestly 2. With constancy not for a fit the spirit in the bride saith come Rev. 22.17 The new nature stirreth up these desires in us as soon and as long as he worketh in us there is a bent this way We should always stand ready to meet him 3. With patience here is earnest desire and waiting in the Text 1 Thes. 1.10 We wait for his son from heaven USE is to reprove those that never look after this estate 1. That have nothing to incline them to look no higher than the world that are under the power of a carnal nature that wholly bendeth them to earthly things Phil. 3.19 That are well enough satisfied with the happiness of beasts to injoy pleasures without remorse have not sense and care of the World to come Those whose happiness is terminated on things of the present life are so far from Christians that they are scarce men 2. Have much to divert them from it Namely unpardoned and unmortified sin if thieves and malefactors might have liberty to choose whether there should be an Assizes would they give their vote that way Would they look and long for the time They are not fire-proof or such as may abide the day of refining 2 Pet. 2.11 Seeing all these things must be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness They are not at peace with God v. 14. 2. USE To press believers to live in the constant expectation of this glorious day to make us Heavenly Phil. 3.20 But our Conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for a Saviour Live as if it were always present which by faith we look for this will make us faithful 2 Tim. 4 9. persevere to the end 1 John 2.24 make us press forward and make us long to be at home 2 Cor. 5.8 For we are confident I say willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. SERMON XXVII ROM VIII 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope HERE is the reason why the creature waiteth with earnest expectation for the consummate state of the faithful because it is for the present in a disordered estate subject to vanity In the words three things 1. The present state of the creature 2. The manner how it came into that estate 3. The hope of getting out of it Doct. The creature is made subject to vanity for mans sin Here I shall enquire 1. In what sense the creature is made subject to vanity 2. The manner how it came into it 3. The reason why the innocent creature is punished for mans sin 1. In what sense the creature is made subject to vanity In several respects First 'T is put by the order of its natural estate or much of that harmonious and perfect condition wherein God disposed it The perfection and harmony of the world is often now disturbed by tempests inundations distempered weather pestilential airs and noxious fogs and vapours whence come plagues and famine and murrains and other diseases The world is a Theater whereon much sin and many changes have been acted for thousands of years not only among men but much destructive emnity is to be found among elements themselves and a mutual invasion of one another for the confederacies of Nature are in a great measure loosned though not altogether
will without which it would lie sluggish and idle or like a Chariot without wheels and horses or a Bird when her wings are clipped therefore the Holy Ghost stirreth up these affections and our heart within us makes us willing and this bringeth the Soul to God for no other can give us satisfaction but he alone And the difficulties of Salvation are so many that we cannot overcome them but in his power and strength Now sense of wants and an earnest desire of a supply will ordinarily put words into a mans mouth and affections beget expressions Yet because many accidental reasons may hinder it the weight of Prayer is not to be layed so much upon the expression as the affection if there be a strong and an earnest desire after grace it will make us express our selves to God in the best manner that we can As long as you Pray for necessary graces and other things in subordination thereunto and can heartily groan and sigh to God for what you want with respect to your great end the Prayer is well performed there may be a great petulancy and extravagance of words where there is not a good and an honest heart vain bablings without faith or feeling or spiritual affection 4. 'T is not to be understood as if all that pray graciously had the spirit in a like measure or the same persons always in the same measure No the wind bloweth where it liâ—â—eth John 3.7 And he giveth us to will and to do We cannot find the assistance at our own pleasure some have it in a more plentiful others in a scanty measure tho all have iâ— Jesus Christ himself tho he had not the spirit by measure yet he exercised and acted the spirit of Prayer more at one time Luke 22.44 And being in an agony he prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more earnestly His love to God was always the same but the expression of it different So Gods Children seek Heavenly things with a weaker degree of desire and sometimes with a stronger at sometimes we have the directing work of the Spirit and are not sensible of those earnest and unexpressible groans That is to say we put up our requests for things lawful and useful and most necessary for us at the time but not with that ardour and fervency that we do desire we cannot say that the Holy Ghost doth not assist these Prayers as sometimes the assistance is given us more largely as to the groaning part and men are all in a flame strong and passionate affections do most bewray themselves Sometimes as a spirit of confidence and Holy liberty with our Father and faith is clearly predominant in Prayer at other times repentance and Child-like reverence and fear are altogether in action in the Prayer and there is a great seriousness tho not such life and vigour or strength of faith as grief for sin bemoaning our failings 5. Gifts are more necessary when we joyn with others and are their mouth to God But the Spirit of Prayer is of most use when we are alone and we have nothing to do but to set our selves before the searcher of hearts and draw forth our desires after him when without taking in the necessities of others we present our personal requests to God and lament the defects of our own Hearts and the plague of our own Souls When we pray alone 't is good to observe the workings of our own hearts surely whatever Prayer we make to God we should find it in our hearts 2 Sam. 7.27 Therefore hath thy servâ—nt found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee Having a deep sense of our wants a real desire of the blessing we ask exercising grace rather than memory and invention pouring out our very Souls to God with sighs and groans rather than words we are liberty there to use or not use the voice to continue speech and break it off and lift up the heart by strong desires to God VSE It informeth us 1. What kind of help we have from the spirit of God in prayer his work is to guide and quicken you First to guide you in Prayer that you may Pray to God in an Holy manner we know not what to pray for as we ought on a fourfold reason 1. As blinded with self-lâ—ve 2. As discomposed by trouble 3. As struck dumb by guilt 4. As straitned by barreness and leanness of soul. 1. As blinded by self-love Oh what strange prayers will men put up to God if they take counsel of their lusts and interests as the Disciples that called for fire from Heaven Christ told them ye know not of what manner of spirit ye are of Luke 9.55 Self love so blindeth us that if we be lead by it we shall rather beg our ruin than our salvation for we know not what is either profitable or prejudical to us so that it would be an argument of Gods anger to grant our requests The Ambitious if he should pray from the passion that possesseth him would only ask honour and worldly greatness The Covetous only that God would double his worldly portion and inlarge his estate according to his vast desires the Sensual the ability and opportunity of glutting his bruitish inclinations the Vindictive that he may interess God in his quarrels All sinners would serve him only to serve their carnal turns whatever words we use to God in Prayer if we serve him to these ends and hope that by praying they shall be the better gratified our Prayer is turned into sin but he that is guided by the Spirit intreateth nothing of God but what is pleasing to him and suiteth with his Glory we come to our Father which is in Heaven when we Pray and our welfare in the World must be subordinated to our Eternal and Heavenly estate And we come in the name of Christ now to ask honours in his name who was born in a Stable and Dyed on a Cross pleasures in his name who was a man of sorrows is utterly incongruous no! Gods Glory Kingdom Will must be preferred before our inclinations other things asked with reservation and submission 2. Our minds are discomposed by trouble that we scarce know what to do or say 2 Chron 20.12 Lord we know not what to do but our eyes are unto thee Our Lord Christ John 12.27 My soul is troubled what shall I say in great grief Christ himself was at a loss The great Teacher of the Church who hath so much to say for our comfort and counsel in such cases yet was amazed and at a nonplus and David Psal. 77.4 I am sore troubled I cannot speak Our words stoppeth the mouth Now when our thoughts are thus confounded we scarce know what to pray for the Spirit teacheth us what to say Look as in the case of the fear of men Luke 12.12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you shall say So in our perplexities when we are scarce able to open
that God approveth Our delights in God are often corrupted by a mixture of sensual delights so that we cannot tell what supporteth us God or the Creature our remaining comforts the help or pity of friends or God alone Therefore that the affliction may pierce the spirit the Lord causeth it to be sharpned and pointed by the scorn and neglect of men and their strange carriage towards us that we may fetch our supports from him alone That still we are not barr'd from access to the throne of grace there is our cordial that we have a God to go to to whom we may make our moan and from whose love we may derive all our comforts so David speaketh feelingly in deep afflictions Psal. 63.3 Thy loving-kindness is better than life This supplieth all his wants and sweetneth all his troubles and giveth more comfort than what is most precious and desirable in the Creature 2. I will shew you how it helpeth to raise our love to God There are two acts of love desire after him and delight in him for we love a thing when we desire to injoy it and find contentment in it being injoyed 1. Desire is the pursuit of the soul after God desiderium unionis The great act of love is an affecting of union with the thing beloved Now because of our imperfect fruition of him in this life love mainly bewrayeth it self by desires of the nearest conjunction with God that we are capable of and the motions of grace tend to this end to conjoin us to God or to bring God and us together and to this end tend faith and hope and ordinances and means the word and prayer and so Sacraments that we may get more of God When an house is a building there are scaffolds and poles and instruments of Architecture used but when the house is finished all these are taken away So here are many means to bring us to God There is Faith and Hope and Ordinances but when we come to the vision and fruition of him all these cease and love only remaineth In the Heavenly Jerusalem love is perfect because there God is all in all But while the distance continueth see how the hearts of the saints worketh Psal. 63.8 My soul followeth hard after thee All acts of the spiritual life are a further pursuit after God that we may meet him here and there and we may find more of him in every duty and be united to him in the nearest way of communion that we are capable of Psal. 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and enquire in his Temple This was Davids great desire above all earthly desires whatsoever But have the saints always this ardent and burning desire No 't is mightily quenched by the prosperity of the flesh when they have something on this side God to detain their hearts they forget him suck on the breasts of worldly consolation you will find their desires are most earnest in affliction As David when in a wandring condition Psal. 42.1 2. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God my soul thirsieth for God yea for the living God When shall I come and appear before thee Naturalists tell us that the hart is a thirsty creature especially when it hath eaten vipers they are inflamed thereby and vehemently desire water This embleme David chooseth to express his affection thereby and his longings after God and the means to injoy God when he was in his troubles so the Prophet Isaiah Isa. 26.9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night yea with my spirit will I seek thee right early He speaketh this in the person of the Church during the time of their troubles when Gods judgments are abroad in the earth then they had continual thoughts of God and their endeavours were early and earnest At other times you will find the Church flat cold and more indifferent as to the testimonies of his favour Jer. 2.31 32. O generation see ye the word of the Lord Have I been a wilderness unto Israel a land of darkness Wherefore say my people we are lords we will come no more unto thee can a maid forget her ornaments or a bride her attire yet my people have forgotten me days without number They had something whereon to live apart from God therefore afflictions are necessary to quicken these desires 2. The other affection whereby love bewrayeth its self is by a delight in God the cream of it is reserved for heaven but now 't is pleasing to think of God if the soul be in good piight Psal. 104.34 My meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord. 'T is the solace of their hearts to entertain thoughts of God to speak of him and his gracious and wondrous works is the contentment and pleasure of their souls Eph. 5.4 Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks There is their jesting to draw nigh to him Psal. 122.1 I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord. This is their heaven upon earth to obey him and serve him Psal. 112.1 Praise ye the Lord blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his commandments Now this delight is flagged and we even grow weary of God and weary of well doing we doat upon the world and grow estranged from God and cold in his service till we are quickned by sharp afflictions Then we begin to mind God again and a serious religiousness is revived in us The hypocrites never mind God but in their troubles Job 27.10 Will he always call upon God But the best Saints need this help and would grow dead and careless of God were it not for sharp corrasives Well now seeking after God and delighting in God being our great duties we should observe how these are promoted by all the troubles thas befalls us SERMON XXXVIII ROM VIII 28 to them that love God NOW we come to the Character and Notification of the persons to whom this great Priviledg doth belong First their carriage towards God To them that love God Doct. The Elect are specified by this character That they love God Here I shall shew you 1. What is love to God 2. Why this is made the evidence of our interest 1. What is love to God Love in the general is the complacency of the will in that which is apprehended to be good The object is good and love is a complacency in it The object must be good for evil is the object of our displicency and aversation and apprehended as good for otherwise we may turn from good as evil to us now love to God is the complacency of the will in God as apprehended to be good And therefore
door to God Page 250 Our example Page 301 And encouragement Page 302 How we may be like him Page 303 In seven directions he was delivered for us and how Page 325 Given for and given to us how differ Page 328 Christs love to his what Page 374 375 Christians of two kinds Page 19 100 Few like Christ Page 302 Have in them a principle and power opposite to flesh Page 76 Their life should convince the world Page 78 Indeed who Page 79 All such have the spirit Page 80 Different sorts of Christians Page ib. True Christianity what Page 109 They are warned to take heed of foulest sins Page 127 Are by the spirit exactly made like Christ and wherein Page 149 Children of God shall be manifested Page 128 Might live safe above enemies Page 320 And how Page 320 321 Are compleatly provided for Page 326 Church finally conquers Page 371 Condemnation what Page 2 Freedom from it Page 340 It is either by law of Works or Grace Page 2 The word of God the rule of it Page 2 When final and eternal Page 2 Fears of it hardly rid Page 34 Deserved by sin Original and Actual Page 3 Sin Conversion Page 3 Dreaded by Conscience Page 3 How we exempted Page 3 Out of Christ under Condemnation Page 7 Conformity to Christ in afflictions in holiness in glory Page 299 Corruption of man Page 106 Crucifixion a painful and shameful death Page 137 Conquerors and more Christians Page 366 How and who Page 367 Conscience Page 3 22 65 171 Checks for sin urges to duty Page 3 139 Presignifies Gods Iudgments Page 3 Is a rule Page 171 Not to be slighted Tho from spirit of Bondage Page 157 343 Not to be slighted When from spirit of Adoption Page 171 Presupposeth a God and a Law Page 171 Conviction smother'd tend to Atheism Page 78 Where Conviction begins Page 111 115 Conversation good wherein Page 16 Conversion what Page 5 6 God doth all at first yet we must do and what Page 115 'T is a mighty Work Page 135 Covenants two Page 40 Of nature brings us under fears Page 155 Covenant of Grace a Law of the spirit and why Page 9 10 11 Hath all requisites of a Law Page 11 Is Christs Law Page 17 Giveth liberty Page 20 Set up a remedy for us Page 24 Creatures as such subjects of God Page 35 36 Their state shall be renewed and how probably Page 192 D DEath and sin go together Page 21 89 How many kinds of Death and what each is Page 58 It is a punishment Page 89 A mark of Gods Displeasure Page 89 The Destruction of sin in Believers Page 89 To them a means to enter into glory Page 89 90 Comfortable onely to the holy Page 91 92 Death of Saints differs from Death of sinners and how Page 97 What is Death to sinners Page 108 Very fit Eternal Death be the punishment of sin Page 108 Debtors to the spirit Page 99 100 Christians are so Page ib. One Debt to God is indissoluble Page 101 Increased by Redemption Page 102 104 Decrees vid. Election Purpose Deliverance from Bondage of sin and Death very great priviledge Page 23 But begun now full at last Page 96 Dependence on God binds us to please him Page 68 Subjects us to God Page 102 Desires of Rest prove there is rest to be had Page 220 Desires of Hope strong Page 242 Destiny worthy to be known Page 40 41 117 Deadness to duty whence Page 131 Difficulties whet Christian hopes Page 238 Discouragements in obedience injurious to Christ and us Page 38 Lessen our Comforts Page 246 Sinners not Discouraged in sin Saints should not be in duty Page 247 Discourse with our selves Page 55 Disorder in mans mind Page 20 How great and whence Page 116 Dispair twofold and what each is Page 154 Displeasure of God seen most in his internal Government Page 85 Dissent too weak is too much consent to sin Page 52 Distress what Page 351 And why Page 341 Divel Flesh and World set out their best first Christ sets out his worst first his last is best Page 143 Divine works equally the works of Father Son and holy Ghost Page 94 In way proper to each Page ib. Do and Suffer ere we come to Heaven Page 241 Do as you can in Duty tho you cannot as you would Page 254 Dominion of the spirit Page 74 82 Of our Creator Page 100 Of Property and of Iurisdiction Page 100 In God is Universal Page 101 Dominion of God over all Page 316 Dominion of Man over the Creatures was by gift Page 195 Doubts of Eternity lye at bottom of our backwardness to good Page 143 Drooping Christians wanting to themselves Page 156 Die to sin and live to holiness mutually help each other Page 139 We must to live Page 242 Duty tho small yet must in their season be done Page 361 Dying men usually inquire whither going Page 40 117 To Believers is Christs pulling down their Cottage to build them a Palace on his own Charges Page 360 E EArnest of our Inheritance what how long continues Page 96 Earnestness of desire with hope Page 234 Earth and Heavens new Page 188 End of things best measure of them Page 143 269 Effectual Calling what Page 289 And its properties Page ib. Of meer love of God to us Page 290 Wrought by Almighty power Page 291 The particulars of it Page 291 Ends and aims of men different and they are as is their End Page 107 Election of particular persons to Life Page 293 Of meer grace unchangeable Page 293 Agreeable to the honor of God Page 294 And unsearchable in the methods of love to the Elect Page 294 295 Hence they are made to differ from others Page 295 296 By their conformity to Christ Page 299 In what this is Page ib. Shall be Called Iustified c. Page 304 Obligeth us to Duty and gratitude Page 309 Election and the effects are of grace in excellent order and connexion Page 308 This should affect our hearts and in what particulars Page 309 Endeavours must be continued to success Page 49 Eenemies of our Salvation agree in making us Rebels against God Page 64 Cannot hurt us while God is for us Page 314 315 316 Are in chains of Providence Page 321 Enquiry which dying men make Page 40 117 Episcopius fountain of new Theologie Page 5 Estates two in which all end Page 40 Which is ours we may know by the Scriptures Page 172 Esteem of God and things of God discover what we are Page 44 Eternity compar'd with time may set all right Page 182 Eternal Life what Page 59 Eternal death what Page 59 Exaltation of Christ our justification Page 348 Exhortation more necessary than tryal for weak Christians Page 47 Excommunicated by men received by God Page 186 Expiation of sin previous of our being heirs of God Page 179 Events are to be left to God Page 273 Evidence of true Christianity Page 82 83 84 330 Qualities of
the God of my Salvation And Psa. 23.4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear none evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff doth comfort me To make the promise yield us that which the creature cannot health strength life peace house and home and maintenance for our selves and Children When we die and have little or nothing to leave them and all means of subsistance are cut off and blasted then to live yea to grow rich by Faith as having nothing yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6.10 'T is enough that God carryeth the purse for us Many talk of living by Faith but 't is when they have something in the World to live upon As those Isa. 4.1 Only let us he called by thy name So in other cases why do the vain delights and dignities and honours of the World so prevail with Men that all the Promises of the Gospel cannot reclaim them yea fell their birth-right for one morsel of meat Heb. 11.15 The life of Sense is lifted up above that of Faith The Soul dwelleth in Flesh looketh out by the senses and knoweth what is comfortable to sense that God is unseen our great hopes are to come and the Flesh is Importunate to be pleased 2. Pet. 1.9 They that want these things that is Faith and other graces are blind and cannot see afar off Doct. 2. That Faith is for Earth and sight is for Heaven So the Apostle sorteth these two Here we believe in God and there we see him as he is As soon as we are reconciled to him God will not admit us into his immediate presence as Absolom when he had leave to return yet he could not see the King's face 2 Sam. 14.24 So God causeth us to stay a while in the World ere we come before him in his Heavenly Temple 1. Because now we are in our minority and all things are by degrees carryed on towards their state of perfection as an Infant doth not presently commence into the stature of a man In the course of Nature there is an orderly progress from an Imperfect state to a perfect The dispensations of God to the Church Gal. 4. And the Apostle compareth our estate in Glory and our estate by grace to Child-hood and manly Age 1 Cor. 13.11 12. Our words inclinations affections are quite changed in the compass of a few years so as we neither say nor desire nor understand any thing as some years before we did so it is with this and the next life Now our vision is very dark and imperfect looking upon things when they are shewed us as through a glass on purpose to give us a Glimpse of them but when we come to Heaven we shall see perfectly as we see a person or thing that is before our Eyes 2. We are now upon our tryal but then we are in termino in our final state now we are in our way but then we are in our Country Therefore now we walk by faith but then by sight God would not give us our reward here A tryal cannot be made in a state of sense but in a state of Faith We are justified by Faith we live by Faith we walk by Faith This state of Faith requireth that the manner of that dispensation by which God governeth the World should neither be too sensible and clear nor too obscure and dark but a middle thing as the day break or twilight is between the light of the day and the darkness of the night that as the World is a middle place between Heaven and Hell so it should have somewhat of either If all things were too clear and liable to sense we should not need Faith if to obscure we should wholly lose Faith Therefore 't is neither night nor day but towards the evening If the Godly should be presently admitted to their Happiness and have all things according to Hearts desire it would make Religion too sensible a thing not fit for that kind of Government which God will now exercise in the World Heb. 6.12 But followers of them who through Faith and patience have inherited the promises And Jam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that endureth Temptation for when he is tryed he shall receive the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him Every man must be tryed and approved faithful upon tryal and then God will admit him into his presence 3. There is no congruity between our present state and the beatifical vision the place is not fit nor the persons 1. The place is not fit because 't is full of changes Here time and chance happeneth to all and there is a continual succession of Night and Day Calm and Tempest Winter and Summer There is neither evil nor only evil not all good nor all Blessing but a mixture of either The World to come is either all evil or all good This is a fit place for our exercise but not for our injoyments here is the patience of the Saints But there is the reward of the Saints 'T is a fit place to get an Interest in but not a possession 'T is Gods Foot-stool but not his Throne Isa. 66.1 Now he will not immediately shew himself to us till we come before the Throne of his Glory He manifesteth himself to the Blessed Spirits as a King sitting in his Royal Robes upon his Throne but the Church is but his Foot-stool as he filleth the upper part of the World with his Glorious presence so the lower part with his powerful presence This is a place wherein God will shew his bounty to all his Creatures a Common Inn and receptacle for Sons and Bastards a place given to the Children of men But the Heaven of Heavens he hath reserved for himself and his people Psa. 115.16 2. The persons are not fit Our Souls are not yet enough purified to see God Matth. 5.8 1 John 3.3 Till sin be done away which will not be till Death we are unmeet for his presence when Christ will present us to God he will present us faultless before the presence of his Glory Jude 28. Our Bodies also are not fit till we have passed the Gulph of Death We are not able to bear Eternal Happiness Old bottles will not hold the new wine of Glory a Mortal Creature is not capable of the Glorious presence of God and cannot endure the splendour of it Matth. 12.6 They fell on their Faces and were sore afraid Upon any manifestation of God the Saints hide themselves Elijah Wrapt his Face in a mantle Moses himself when God gave the Law trembled exceedingly 3. Point That till we have sight 't is some advantage that we have Faith There is no other way to live spiritually and in holy peace joy and the love of God but by sight or faith either by injoyment or expectation therefore sight being reserved for the other world if we would live holily and comfortably we must walk
present life requireth many ministries and services at our hands Besides sinful distractions there are many worldly occasions to divert us but then 't is our work and our wages to see God our business and blessedness to study divinity in the Lambs face John 17.24 That they may be where I am and Behold my Glory 'T is our constant work in Heaven to admire and adore God in Christ. The difficulties and distractions are removed and that mass of Flesh which we then carry about us will be then no clog to us 1 Cor. 6.13 Meats for the belly and the belly for meats but God shall destroy both it and them Nature calleth for them and in this life there is an absolute necessity of them but the necessity and use shall cease the Spiritual body will need no other supplies and put us upon no other Imployments than the loving pleasing and serving of God All the things which we shall see will leave more sweet enlivening and powerful Impressions on us than possâ—bly now they can because we shall understand them better and have more leisure to attend upon them 3. Our presence with him shall be perpetual We shall meet never to part more 1 Thes. 4.17 We shall be for ever present with the Lord. Wicked men shall see Christ for they must appear before his Tribunal but they shall see him to their confusion Rev. 1.7 Every Eye shall see him and they that have pierced him shall wail because of him But the Godly shall see him to their Consolation Job 19.26 I know that my Redeemer liveth and with these Eyes I shall see him The one shall see him as their Judge the other as their Saviour but the chiefest difference is the one shall see him for a while and then be banished out of his presence Matth. 25.41 depart ye cursed There is a dispute whither paena damâ—i or Paena sensus be the greatest I cannot determine such nice points The sense of pain is from the wrath of God Conscience reflecteth upon our loss the Agents are not to be compared yet on the other side the object is greater the thing lost is God himself 'T is the creature that is pained but I am sure the loss will be much greater than now we apprehend it to be for the present we do not value communion with Christ we have other things wherewith to entertain our Souls there are no pleasures of the flesh to abate and divert the sense of our loss nothing left but the vexing remembrance of our own folly and perverse choice which will torment us for ever but now to be received into Christs presence and ever abide with him how great is the Happiness 4. The person whom we see and with whom we be present he is our best friend 'T is with Jesus Christ who is the life of our lives and the whole felicity of his people as long as the Church is without him she cannot take full contentment What doth the Spouse esteem when she seeth him not to whom she is espoused What can delight the wife when the husband is absent What comfort when they want the presence of Christ to whom their Souls cleave When the Church is here upon Earth she heareth much of Christ he is evidently set forth before their eyes in the Word and Sacraments but we do not see him face to face we do not injoy his presence nor his Immediate Imbraces The Church is left upon earth but Christ is received into Heaven with his Father we believe in him now rejoyce in him now when we see him not 1 Pet. 1.8 But how shall we love him when we see him and see him glorious in our nature and injoy him by seeing Hearsay and report could not convey such a knowledge and report as this personal experience as they said John 4 42. Now we believe not because of thy saying but we have seen him our selves Here is but a sight at Second hand as the Queen of Sheba 1 Kings 10.17 It was a true report which I heard in my own land of thine acts and thy wisdom but when I came and mine eyes had seen it the half was not told me We believe the report of Christ in the Word but when we come to see him we shall find that prophesy was but in part the one half was not told us however sight is the more precious because faith went before we believed him a Saviour and now we find him to be so How glad was Simeon when he had Christ in his Arms Luke 2.29 30. Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation 5. The Place and the Company where we shall be present with him The place is glorious the Heaven of Heavens must contain him Acts 3.24 The Earth is not a fit place for his glorified body nor for us to converse with him in his glorified estate We shall be there where God dwelleth and where he hath designed to manifest himself to his People and amongst the Servants of the Lord shall we ever remain Heb. 12.22 23. To an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judg of all and the Spirits of just men made perfect A choice company picked and chosen out of the World to be objects of his grace In this Council of Souls we are to abide for ever Use. Let us often think of this Blessed Estate what it is to be present with the Lord among his Holy Ones to be called to Heaven as Witnesses of his glory The Queen of Sheba said of Solomon 2 Kings 8.10 Happy are the men that stand in thy presence They that stand before the Lord and see his glory are much more happy Zacheus being a little Man pressed to see Christ upon Earth and got upon a Sycamore Tree The Wise men came from the East to see him in his Cradle 'T is our burden in the World that the Vail of the Flesh and the Clouds of Heaven interpose between us and Christ that there is a great Gulph between us and him which cannot be passed but by Death That Christ is at a distance therefore our Enemies so often ask us Where is your God But then when we are in his Arms then we can say Here he is here is he whom we loved here is he in whom we trusted Then our Redeemer shall be ever before our Eyes to remember us of the grace purchased for us and we are as near him as possibly we can be we dwell in his Family and abide in his House David envyed the Swallows that had their Nests about the Tabernacle He telleth us Psal. 64.10 One day in thy Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere Now you shall be always before the Throne and look upon Jesus so as to live on him This sight shall ravish and content your hearts The Three Children walked comfortably in the Fiery
do rejoyce yea and will rejoyce John 3.30 He must increase but I must decrease 4. If it be the principal design that your Souls travel with And you are still contriving how you may Improve your relations capacities and particular advantages for Gods honour and glory Neh. 1.11 What a man loveth he will strive to promote it if a man love the flesh he will strive to please it Rom. 8 th If a man love the Lord he will contrive how he may honour him If a Minister study to shew thy self a workman that needs not be ashamed if a Master of a Family he will endeavour to glorify God in his family and will consider what he hath there to do for God 5. If not sollicitous about the opinions and censures of men 1 Cor. 4.3 Not to stand much upon mans day or what men think of us 't is no great matter my business is to approve my self to God the Christians in the Spirit were differenced from the Christians in the Letter Rom. 2.29 Whose praise is not of men but God Sincerity is much known by considering whom we make our Witness Judge Approver and Pay-master and the truest magnanimity is a living above opinions and slighting what men think and say of us so we be found in the way of righteousness and in the discharge of our duty 't is more easy to deny wealth and pleasure then it is to deny esteem and reputation 6 When this is the great motive to all honest walking For our end is known by our motives and the only way and means to glorify God is by an uniform and constant holiness Matth. 5.16 Let your Light so shine c. 1 Pet. 1.2 2 Thes. 1.12 Not seeking any Glory to our selves from men but honestly aiming at the glory of God will bring sufficient incouragement so John 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified if ye bring forth much fruit When we seek our Fathers glory in all that we do it is argument enough 7. If we rejoyce that God be glorified by others And to the utmost of our power endeavour that it may be so True grace is cumulative Luke 22.32 When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren As Fire turneth all into fire about it so grace will diffuse it self 'T is observed of mules and creatures of a mungrel race that they never procreate bring forth after their kind There is an enmity goeth along with a carnal profession they would fain impale the common Salvation appropriate Christ to themselves shine alone in the reputation of holiness but hearts zealously affected with the glory of God can delight in the gifts and graces of others in their acting for God as they could do in their own Would to God all the Lords people were Prophets Numb 11.29 T is a sign we mind the end more then the Instruments Self-love and self-seeking is much bewrayed by envy if at work for God we should be glad of company 'T is a sign Gods glory is our aim when we can rejoyce that others are equal or superiour to us When a man would fain have a work dispatched he would be glad of fellow-labourers SERMON XXIII 2 Cor. 5.14 For the Love of Christ constraineth us because we thus Iudge that if one dyed for all then were all dead IN the Context the Apostle is rendering the reason of his fidelity in the Ministry which exposed him to hard labour and sundry Calamities His three grand Inducements were First The hope of a blessed Immortality Secondly The terrour of the Judgment Thirdly The love of Christ. This threefold cord is not easily broken His hopes are professed in the beginning of the Chapter His sense of the Terrour of the Lord and the weightiness of his account verse 10 11. With an answer to objections thou art proud mad or transported verse 13 th Now the last from his end and principle which bringeth in the third inducement the Love of God All together is enough to set the most rusty Wheels a going Motives strong enough to move the hardest heart Here are the strongest Arguments to perswade the greatest Terrours to affright yet all will not work without the force of love Rewards allure and incourage Terrours keep aweful and serious but 't is love that must inwardly incline men and constrain the heart For the love of Christ constraineth us c. In the words 1. We have the force and operation of love 2. The reason why and how it cometh to have such a force and operation Because we thus Judge that if one died for all then are all dead The reason of our love to Christ is Christs love to us which is described 1. By the special act of his love he died for us one for all 2. The end and aim of it then were all dead And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them verse 15. Christs end was 1. Our dying to â—â—n and Worldly Interests 2. Our living in a dedicated and consecrated way wholly to the Service and Glory of Christ. 1. I begin with the force and operation of love the love of Christ constraineth us 'T was love which put bands upon him and made him forget himself and only speak and do those things which concern the glory of Christ and the good of the Church Let us a little explain the words The love of Christ. It may be taken passively or actively passively for that love with which Christ loveth us Actively for that love which we bear to Christ I take it for this latter our love to Christ founded on his to us constraineth us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 compresseth the Spirit with a mighty force as Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was pressed in Spirit Acts 18.5 When the Spirit within him constrained him to speak The same word expresseth that passionateness of desire which Christ had to dye for us Luke 12.50 I have a Baptism to be Baptised with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and how am I straitned till it be As a Woman in travail striveth to be Delivered of her burden The word is emphatical and noteth the sweet violence and force of love by which the heart is over-swayed and over-powered that it cannot say nay Beza glosseth totos nos possidet regit It doth wholly possess us and ruleth us and hath us in its power to make us do what it would have us Paul was wholly guided and ruled by love that he forgot himself for Christs sake Doct. That the love of Christ hath such a great force and efficacy upon the Soul that it inclineth us to a willing performance of duties of the greatest difficulty and danger To evidence this to you this Scripture sufficeth for this is the account which Paul giveth of his zeal and diligence in his Apostleship To preach the Gospel was a work of much labour and hazard they went abroad to bait the Devil and hunt him out
own selves Christ had more to lose than all Angels and men They said of David 2 Sam. 17.3 Thou art better than ten thousand of us Every mans life is valuble 't is the Creatures best inheritance what was Christs life which was inriched with the continual presence of God 6. This one to dye so willingly Psa. 40.7 Lo I come to do thy will You cannot Meditate enough on these places Pro. 8.31 Rejoycing in the habitable parts of the earth and my delights were with the Sons of men And Isa. 53.11 He shall see of the travail of his Soul and be satisfied He had contentment enough in the Father right enough to the Creatures rich in all the Glory of the God-head what need had he to become man and die for sinners but only that he loved us and gave himself for us for me and thee Gal. 2.20 7. That he should die such a painful and accursed death He bore the iniquities of us all Isa. 53.6 The little finger of sin is heavier than the loins of any other trouble David that bore his own sins cryed out Psa. 38.4 They are a burden too heavy for me What was it for him to bear the iniquities of us all This made his Soul heavy to death filled up with such bitter agonies that he did sweat drops of blood Alas sometimes we feel what 't is to bear one sin what is it to bear many To bear all He did not only bear them in his body but in his Soul this put him upon tears and fears and amazement Now is my Soul troubled what shall I say John 12.27 As to bodily pains many of the Martyrs suffered more and with cheerful minds But Christ stood in the place of sinners before Gods tribunal Well then you see what a powerful Argument this is to breed and feed love 3. How this Argument is suited to breed that love which God expects even a thankful return of obedience 'T is proper for that purpose 1. From the end of Christs death Which was to sanctify us Eph. 5.25 26 27. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he mighty sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of Water through the word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people Not only redeem us from wrath but redeem us from sin to restore the Image of God which we had lost as well as his favour Now unless we would have Christ to be frustrate of his end and die in vain we should endeavour to be holy did he die for sin that we might take liberty to practice it come to unloose our cords that we might tye them the faster pay our debt that we might run on upon a new score Make us whole that presently we might fall sick or give us an antidote that we might the more freely venture to poison our selves No this is to play the wanton with his grace 2. The right which accrueth to our Redeemer by vertue of the price paid for us When a slave was bought with Silver and Gold his strength and life and all belonged to the buyer Exod. 21.21 He is his money So we are purchased by Christ redeemed to God Rev. 5.9 And we are bound to him that bought us to serve him in righteousness and holiness all our days Luke 1.74 To glorify him in our bodys and Souls which are his 1 Cor. 6.20 3. The pardon ensuing and depending on his death 'T is that God may be more loved reverenced feared and obeyed Psa. 130.4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared Luke 7.47 She loved much because much was forgiven to her They are bound to love most to whom most is forgiven Psa. 85.8 For he will speak peace to his people but let them not return to folly The remission of sins past is not for a permission of sin to come but a great bridle and restraint to it His mercy in remitting should not make us more licentious in committing otherwise we build again the things we have destroyed when we sought for pardon sin was the greatest burden which lay upon our consciences the wound that pained us at heart the disease our Souls were sick of and shall that which we complained of as a burden become our delight shall we tare open our wounds which are in a fair way of healing And run into bonds and chains again after we are freed of them 4. The greatness of Christs sufferings sheweth the hainousness and filthiness of sin 'T was Gods design to make sin hateful to us by Christs agonies blood shame and death Rom. 8.3 By sin he condemned sin in the flesh That is by a sin offering God shewed a great example of his wrath by that punishment which lighted upon our Surety or the flesh of Christ his design was for ever to leave a brand upon it by his sin offering or ransom for Souls Now shall we make light of that which cost Christ so dear And cherish those sins which put our Redeemer to grief and shame If the stain and filthiness of sin could not be washed out but by the blood of Christ shall we think it no great matter to pollute and defile our selves therewith This were to crucify Christ afresh Heb. 6. And to trample the blood of the covenant under foot Heb. 10.24 5. The terribleness of Gods wrath which can be appeased by no other sacrifice And shall not we reverence this wrath so as not to dare to kindle it again by our sins for 't is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Heb. 10.31 Christs Instance sheweth that for if this be done in the green tree what shall be done in the dry 6. But the great argument of all is a grateful sense of our obligation to God and Christ. For God so loved the World that when nothing else was fit for our turn he sent is Son and his Son loved us and gave himself to die for us Where we see the love of God putting forth its self for our help in the most astonishing way that can be imagined this is such an ingaging instance so much surpassing our thoughts that we cannot sufficiently admire it A mystery without controversy great We may find out words to paint out any thing that man can do to us or for us The garment may be wider than the body But things truly great strike us dumb God being the chiefest good would act in a way suitable to the greatness of his love Therefore let us love him and delight in him who hath called together all the depths of his wisdom and counsel to save a company of forlorn sinners in such a way whereby his wrath may be appeased his Law satisfyed and full contentment
belonging to his Infinite Power to give grace to a graceless Soul Or if you will take the latter notion Creation out of unfit matter he maketh those that were wholly indisposed to good averse from it perverse resisters of what would bring them to it to be lovers of Holiness and Godliness and followers of it God that made man at first must renew him and restore him to that image he lost Col 3.10 Restored to the image of him that created him And Eph. 4.24 Created after God His work must be acknowledged in it and looked upon as a great work not as a low natural or common thing otherwise you disparage the great benefit of the new Creation 3. From its connection with reconciliation We can no more convert our selves than reconcile our selves to God renewing and reconciling grace are often spoken of together as in the Text and often folded up in the same expression as going pari passu 1 Pet. 3.18 Bring us to God as being obtained both together Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins And 1. Cor 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God And both are received from the same hand by vertue of the same merit Well then there must be a supernatural work upon us to cure our unholiness as well as a supernatural work without us to overcome our guiltiness The same person that merited the one by the value of his blood and sufferings must apply the other by the Almighty Power of his grace And we needed the Son of God to be a Fountain of Life as well as the ransom for our Souls and 't is for the honour of our Redeemer that our whole and intire recovery should be ascribed to him not part only as the freedom from guilt but the whole freedom from the power of sin and that he might be a compleat Saviour to us 'T is not sufficient only that he be a prophet or a Law-giver to give sufficient Precepts Directions and Rules for the Sanctification and renovation of our natures and propound sufficient incouragements and motives in the promise of Eternal Life nor that he should be Priest only to offer a Sacrifice for the expiation of our sin but also be a Fountain of Life and grace to renew Gods Image upon the Soul As none but Christ is able to satisfy Gods Justice for us so none but Christ is able to change the heart of man Job 14 4. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Not one This work would cease for ever as well as the other part of the ransom and Redemption of our Souls he had this in his eye when he dyed for us Eph. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word And Titus 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works And he purchased this power into his own hands not into anothers and sendeth forth his conquering and prevailing Spirit to bring back the Souls of men to God And therefore if this part of our Salvation be not ascribed to Christ you rob him of his choicest Glory for to Sanctify is more than to pardon 4. From the effect of this renovation which is the Implantation of the three graces Faith Hope and Love which are our Light Life and Power In the new nature Faith is our light bacause by it we see things otherwise than we did before We see God Heb 11.26 By faith he forsook Egypt not fearing the wrath of the King he endured as seeing him who is invisible We see Christ John 6.40 That every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him They see such an excellency in him that all other things are but dung and dross in comparison of him They see Heaven and Spiritual things things to come Heb. 11.1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen And Eph. 1.18 The Eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what tâ—e riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Faith is the eye of the new Creature that giveth us another sight of things than we had before Without it we cannot see these things 2 Pet. 1.9 We understand what is good for back and belly we see things at hand but cannot see things afar off Then love is as it were the heart of the new Creature the seat of life or wherein the new bent and inclination to what is good and holy doth most discover its self We are never converted till God hath our love for grace is a victorious swavity or complacency God in conversion acteth so powerfully that his purpose is accomplished He acts upon the will of man with so much energy that he mastereth it and yet with so much sweetness that his power maketh us a willing people Psa. 110.3 That is he gaineth our love and then nothing he doth or saith is grievous 1 John 5.3 Healing grace worketh mainly by shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts and causing us to love him again The sensitive delectation which formerly captivated the will is subdued and the Soul is brought to delight in God as our chief good so that grace which is light in the understanding is pleasure in the will There is a powerful love which maketh our duty easie and agreeable to us Then hope that is our strength for the sense of the other World where we shall have what we believe and desire at the fullest rate of injoyment doth fortify the heart against present Temptations the sorrows of the World the delights of sense The Soul is weak when our expectation is cold and languid strong when the heart is most in Heaven our moral and Spiritual strength lyeth in the heavenly mind 'T is our Anchor and Helmet Now all these graces are of God The Scripture is express both for faith which giveth us a new sight of things Eph. 2.8 By grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God And love which giveth us a new bent and inclination or that victorious swavity which gently mastereth the will by its affectionate allurements or pleasingly ravisheth the heart 1 John 4.7 Let us love one another for love is of God This holy fire is only kindled by a Sun-beam And hope is of the same extract and original Rom. 15.13 The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy-Ghost That heavenly frame that maintaineth comfort in our Souls in the midst
Sin and the World Page 181 When Christ died all Believers died to sin in him Page 177 How those that were not then born were said to be dead to Sin when Christ died Page 179 How to improve the Death of Christ for the mortifying of Sin Page 182 Pardon of Sin is chiefly eyed in the Death of Christ. Page 230 Defects and failings of Christians to be bewailed Page 165 We are to labour to get ground of them Page ib. Desiring Christ. Why the Soul desires to be with Christ. Page 54 What hinders these Desires Page 55 v. Presence with Christ in Heaven Desire of Death Death not simply to be desired Page 24 What Desires of Death are lawful Page 24 34 Desire of Death ariseth from Assurance Page 70 Whether all Christians must desire Death Page 24 The Holiness to Regulated Desires of Death Page 35 Desire of Heaven None can desire Heaven but those that are clothed with a Gospel Righteousness Page 28 Determination a great help in Religion Page 175 Difficulties of Obedience how sweetned Page 73 Dominion of God his Title to it Page 86 Dying to Sin our consent to it given at Conversion and ratified in Baptism Page 180 How Believers may be said to be dead to Sin since there are so many carnal motions after Conversion Page ib. The Influence Christ's Death hath on our dying to Sin v. Death of Christ. E. EArnest the Nature of it Page 42 The difference between an Earnest and a Pledge Page 43 Earnest of the Spirit what it is Page 42 The Vse and End of it Page 43 Enemies all men by Nature are Enemies to God Page 217 244 The several Kinds of Enmity against God Page 217 244 245 God's Enemies carry on a War against him Page 246 God is an Enemy to carnal men Page 247 Wherein this Enmity of God is seen Page ib. It is a dreadful thing to have God an Enemy Page ib. End ultimate and subordinate Page 133 How to know what is our main End Page 77 The End varieth the Nature of the Action Page 136 Esteem of God the Effects of it Page 155 Esteem A Christian is not religiously to esteem others for external carnal advantages Page 194 The Reasons of it Page 195 Excellency of Heaven wherein it appears Page 38 Execution of the last Sentence will be certain speedy and unavoidable Page 107 Why the Sentence shall be certainly executed Page 107 The Sentence shall be executed on the wicked first Page ib. The Execution of the last Sentence shall be terrible F. FAith the objects of Faith Page 56 How it works as to another World Page 17 Faith goeth on certain grounds Page 59 How it should be rowzed up with reference to the promised Glory Page 17 Walking by Faith v. Walking Faith and Sight opposed to one another Page 56 Faith is for Earth Sight for Heaven Page 58 Till we have Sight it is an advantage that we have Faith Page 58 What relief Faith yields us in this World till we have Sight Page 59 If we have Faith we shall have Sight Page ib. Those that have Faith are not satisfied till they have Sight Page ib. Faith hath its Sights Page ib. Faith in Christ what it includes in it Page 255 256 Faith and Repentance Repentance respects God Faith Christ. Page 224 Both are wrought by the Word and acted in Prayer Page Ib. Fall of Man all mankind Fell in Adam Page 216 Fear Causes of Fear Page 111 Terror of the Lord ground of Fear v. Terror Page 110 Fear of future Iudgment how raised in us Page 114 Fear of Wrath and Love of God how consistent Page 113 Fitness for Heaven what it is Page 39 41 Gradual Fitness is to be lookt after Page 40 Fools carnal men are Fools v. Madness Page 126 127 Free Grace manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 98 Friendship between God and Mâ—â— in a State of Innocency Page 216 How this Friendship was broâ—en off Page lb. Fury of wicked Men in their sins Page 127 G. GArment Gospel Righteousness a Garment to cover our nakedness Page 28 Glory of God A Christian is in all things to aim at the Glory of God Page 130 We are to Glorifie God in all Relations and Conditions of Life and with all our Talents Page 135 136 I Indifferent actions God's Glory is to be our end Page 131 Actions that tend to our dishonour should not be omitted when God's Glory calls for them Page 133 Whether in every action a Christian is always bound to have actual thoughts of the Glory of God Page 132 Why the Glory of God is to be our Great end Page 128 133 139 Believers are fitted for Glorifying God as Men and as renewed Page 134 135 Aim at God's Glory ariseth from Love to God Page 131 How to know whether we Glorify God Page 140 Exhortation to Glorify God Page 137 Motâ—ves to Glorify God Page 138 Directions to Glorify God Page 139 Glory of God and good of the Church conjoyned Page 131 Glory of all that Grace that fits us for Heaven is to be given to God Page 41 Goodness of God the mercies of daily Providence declare much of God's Goodness Page 153 Gospel why called the Word of Reconciliation and why the Ministry of Reconciliation Page 234 To whom the dispensation of it is committed Page 234 Governour our Governour must be our Iudge Page 87 Grace the change that Grace makes in a Man Page 130 Acts of Grace easily discernable by a mans own Conscience Page 119 Habitual and actual Grace what Page 211 Groaning for Heaven the Reasons of it Page 20 Directions to stir it up Page 25 v. Desire of Heaven H. HAppiness Eternal why it is delayed Heart New v. New Heart Page 42 Heaven the Certainty of it v. Certainty Page 8 The Excellency of Heaven Page 38 Fitness for Heaven v. Fitness Why Believers are not presently admitted to Heaven upon Conversion Page 42 58 Hiding sin men naturally love to hide their sins from God men and themselves Page 96 God's people are subject to it Page ib. Why men endeavour to hide their sins Page ib. The folly of it Page ib. Holiness in God and in man how it differs Page 84 85 Holiness of Christ as God and as man v. Innocency of Christ. Page ib. Holiness of God manifested at the day of Iudgment Page 97 Home a Christian is not at Home while he is in the Body V. Strangers Page 50 Reasons of it Page Ib. God's Children are not at Home till they come to Heaven Page 54 Hope of Heaven the kinds of it Page 18 Expressed in Scripture by looking and longing Page 18 House State of Glory called a House Page 4 20 What a kind of House this is Page 5 Hypocrites the Reasons of the decay of their seeming Love to God Page 156 I. IMpediments that hinder man's turning to God Page 236 The Word of God a proper remedy to remove them Page 237 Imputation Non-Imputation of sin what is