unless we are Abrahams seed and heirs according to promise Gal. 3.29 4. Vnto thy seed I will give this Land saith God as an everlasting possession Gen. 17.8 Gen. 17.8 but how should that which the Israelites possessed only for a time be called an everlasting possession The answer is that the word translated everlasting doth not ever signifie that which shall have no end but an age a term or continuance as it was said of Samuel he should appear before the Lord and there abide for ever 1 Sam. 1.22 Ps 145.1 2 Ps 146.2 Jer. 25.9 i. as long as he lived and I will praise the Lord said David for ever and ever i. whiles I live will I praise the Lord as long as I shall have any being I will sing praises unto my God And the desolations of the captivity were called perpetual desolations i. long desolations even for seventy years Touching these blessings or priviledges I have no more to say but this that God gave more of the temporal less of the spiritual to the natural seed in the first ages but in the latter ages more of the spiritual priviledges and less of the temporal yea and thus it is this day for the most-what among the Christian seed of the Gentiles 1 Cor. 1.26 for ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called 2. Of things spiritual thus we read fear not Abraham I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward I am God all-sufficient or omnipotent the almighty God Gen. 15.1 Gen. 17 1-17.7 I will be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee O what precious promises are these 1. I am thy shield to keep thee from all evil such a shield that no creature can pry through such a shield as shall cover thee over nay such a shield as shall cover thee about as sometimes God spoke of Jerusalem I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about So here Zach. 2.3 I will be a shield a wall of fire round about not only a wall to keep thee safe but a wall of fire to consume all them that are against thee as a fire which stands about like a wall doth not only defend those that are within but it burns those without that come near unto it so is God to his people 2. I am thy exceeding great reward I am the almighty God I will be a God unto thee This is the very soul of the covenant and of all the promises of God q. d. quantus quantus sim vester ero all I am is thine my self my goods my grace my glory whatsoever is in me all that I have and all my attributes are thine my power my wisdom my counsel my goodness my riches whatsoever is mine in the whole world I will give it thee for thy portion I and all that I have are thine for thy use Christians was not this an exceeding great reward who can understand the height and depth and length and bredth of this reward surely happy is the people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose God is the Lord Psal 144.15 but more of this hereafter 6. What is the condition of this covenant I answer the condition of the covenant of grace is faith and only faith to this purpose it is said of Abraham he believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness This text is often alledged by the Apostles Gen. 15.6 Rom. 4.3 Gal. 3.6 Jam. 2.23 Gen 45.25 26 the word believed imports that he thought the Word of God to be sure certain stable and constant it is such a belief as is opposed to fainting as it is said of Jacob when he heard the report of his sons that Joseph was alive his heart fainted because he believed not but when he believed his heart revived and David saith of himself I had fainted unless I had believed So that it is a lively motion of the heart assenting unto and trusting in God psal 27 13 and in the word of God as firm and constant This was the very condition of the covenant which God required of Abraham q. d. Abraham dost thou believe that such a Messiah shall be sent into the world art thou able to believe yes I believe Lord said Abraham well saith God I will put thee to the trial I will give thee a Son though thou art as a dead man and Sarah as a dead woman yet I will promise thee a son art thou able to believe again thou seest the land of Canaan thou hast not one foot in it yet I will give thee this land in the length and bredth of it for thy possession art thou able to believe this you will say what are these to the condition of the covenant which is only to believe in God and to believe in Jesus Christ O yes 1. These were shaddows of the great promise Christ and therefore that act of faith whereby Abraham believed that he should have a son and that his Children should possess the land of Canaan was likewise a branch a shaddow a pledge of that main act of faith whereby he believed the promised seed in whom himself all the Nations of the earth should be blessed But 2. Let this be remembred that Abraham did not only believe the temporal promises but every promise as I will be thy shield and thy exceeding great reward now who is our shield but Christ and who is our reward but Christ but especially he believed the promise of the seed and who is the head of the seed but Christ yea he believed in that promised seed in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed and who was that but Christ your father Abraham saith Christ rejoyced to see my day Jâ—hn 8.56 and he saw it and was glad He saw it how could he see it thou art not yet fifty years old said the Jews and hast thou seen Abraham or could Abraham see thee or thy day yes even then he saw it when he believed in Christ he could see it no other ways but by an eye of faith therefore no question he believed in Christ and that was counted to him for righteousness But may some say if faith alone be the condition of the covenant then what need is there of any obedience or works of holiness this was the old plea of loose libertines in the Apostles times Jam. 8.20 to whom James gave answer But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead a good tree saith Christ is known by its fruits and so is right and sound faith let a man believe in truth and he cannot but love and if he love he cannot but be full of good works thus Abraham was justified by faith Abraham believed God saith the Apostle and it was imputed to him for righteousness but was not this faith accompanied with works observe but saith the Apostle when God bade him offer his son Jam. 2.23 compared with 21.22 did he not do it and was not that an exceeding great work surely his faith wrought with
his works and by faith was his works made perfect 7. Who is the head both as undertaker and purchaser and treasurer upon whom this Covenant is established 2 Cor. 1.20 I answer Christ and none but Christ All the promises of God in him are Yea and Amen unto the glory of God by us This was very darkly held forth in the first manifestation of the Covenant to Adam but now in this second breaking forth of it it is very fully expressed and often repeated thus Gen. 12.3 Gen. 12 3 in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed and Gen. 18.18 Gen. 18.18 all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham and Gen 22.18 Gen. 22.18 See the same in Gen. 26.4 and 28.14 in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed In comparing these texts we have a clear understanding thereof in thee in Abraham shall all the families and nations of the earth be blessed but lest Abraham himself should be thought author of this universall blessing therefore is the explication in thee i. in thy seed Gal. 3 16 and this seed saith the Apostle very expressely is Jesus Christ now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made he saith not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ So then here is the sense out of thy posterity shall spring the Messiah by whom not only thy posterity but all the nations of the earth shall be blessed You may remember in the first promise Christ was called the seed of the woman but now the seed of Abraham Christ was the Son of Eve or if you will the Son of Mary and so the seed of the woman and Mary was a daughter of Abraham and so Christ and Mary and all upwards were of the seed of Abraham But where shall we find mention of the passion of Christ in this expressure of his Covenant to Abraham in the first manifestation it was included in that phrase of bruising his heel and surely this is essential to the covenant of grace in any overture of it some answer that this is thrice put on in the passage of this covenant with Abraham Gen. 15.17 first in the federal confirmation by the smâ—aking furnace and burning lamp that passed between those pieces of the sacrifice as the sacrifice was divided so was Christs body torn and as the smoaking furnace and burning lamp passed between the divided pieces so the wrath of God run betwixt as I may say and yet did not consume the rent and torn nature of Christ Gen. 17.10 11 2. In that federal confirmation by the sign of circumcision there could not be circumcision without shedding of blood and where God commands shedding of blood in any of his antient ordinances it doth certainly reach to the blood of Christ and his everlasting testament 3. In the resolved Sacrifice of Isaac which was a plain type of the death of Christ See it in these particulars 1. Isaac was Abraham's son his only son his innocent son Gen. 2â— 10 the beloved son of his Father and yet Abraham freely offers up his son so Christ was the son of God his only Son his innocent son like to us in all things sin only excepted and the beloved son of his Father this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and yet God more freely offers up his Son out of his own bosome 2. Abraham by Gods commission rose early in the morning to sacrifice his Son and the Jews by Gods permission rise early in the morning to condemn the Son of God and hence he is called the Hind of the morning Psa 22.1 compassed with dogs that hunted and pursued his life 3. Abraham must offer his Son upon the Mount the very Mount on which Solomon's Temple was built John 2.19 which typified the body of Jesus Christ Joh. 2.19 So God offered his Son upon the Mount if not on the same Mount as Augustine thinks yet on a Mount not far distant from it Golgotha was the very skirt of Moriah the one being within the gate of the City and the other not far without the very nearest to the City of all 4. Abraham first laid the wood on Isaac and then he laid Isaac on the wood so God first layes the Cross on Christ Joh. 19.17 18 He bearing his Cross went forth into a place called the place of a skul and then he layes Christ on the Cross there they crucified him saith John or there they bound him to the Cross and fastned his hands and feet thereto with nails 5. Isaac must be offered alone the servants must stay at the foot of the hill little knowing the business and sorrow in hand Isa 63.3 so Christ must tread the wine press alone the disciples fear and fly and little consider the agony of their Master 6. Abraham carries in his hand the sword and fire against his Son so God carries in his hand the sword and fire the sword signifying the Justice of God the fire his burning wrath against the sins of men and both these were bent against Christ in whom the justice of God is satisfied and the flame of his wrath extinct and quenched Gen. â—2 16 17 18. That this was a plain type of Christs passion is hinted at in the blessing that God speaks to Abraham after this tryal by my self have I sworn saith the Lord for because thou hast done this thing and hast not with-held thy Son thine only Son that in blessing I will bless thee and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed All believers are blessed in the death of Christ who was that seed of Abraham typified by Isaac Abrahams Son for as Abraham intended so God truely sacrificed his Son his onely Son to take away sin Thus far of the Covenant of promise as it was manifested from Abraham to Moses SECT IV. Of the Covenant of promise as manifested to Moses THe next breaking forth of this gracious Covenant was to Moses The revenging justice of God had now seized on mankind for many generations even thousands of years so that now it was high time for God in the midst of wrath to remember mercy and to break out into a clearer expression of the promise or Covenant of grace To this purpose the Lord calls up Moses to Mount Sinai and there of his infinite love and undeserved mercy he makes or renews his Covenant with him and the children of Israel I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Exod. 20.2 thou shalt have no other gods before me For the right
to obey their Commands and to imitate their Godly Example we cannot honour God more than when we are Humbled at his Feet to receive his Word than when we renounce the Manners of the world Deut. 31.3 Ephes 5.1 to become his Followers as dear Children O think of this for when we conform indeed then are we Holy as he is Holy and Pure as he is Pure and then How should this but tend to the Honour and Glory of our Good God Thus far we have Looked on Jesus as our Jesus in that dark Time before His Coming in the Flesh Our next Work is to Look on Jesus carrying on the Great VVork of Man's Salvation in His First Coming or Incarnation LOOKING UNTO JESUS In His Birth The Fourth Book CHAP. I. Luke 2.15 Let us now go even to Bethlehem and see this Thing SECT I. Of the Tidings of Christ IN this Period as in the former we shall first lay down the Object and secondly direct you how to Look unto it The Object is Jesus carrying on the Work of Man's Salvation in His first Coming in the Flesh until His Coming again But because in this long Period we have many Transactions which we cannot with Conveniency dispatch together we shall therefore break it into smaller pieces and present this Object Jesus Christ 1. In his Birth 2. In his Life 3. In his Death 4. In his Resurrection 5. In his Ascension Session at God's Right Hand and Mission of his Holy Spirit 6. In his Intercession for his Saints in which Business he now is and will be employed till his Second Coming to Judgment 1. First For the Transactions of Jesus in His Birth Some things we must propound before and some things after his Birth so that we shall continue this Period till the Time of John's Baptism or the Exercise of his Ministry upon Earth Now in all the Transactions of this Time we shall especially handle these 1. The Tidings of Christ 2. The Conception of Christ 3. The Duplicity of Natures in Christ 4. The real Distinction in that Duty 5. The wonderful Union notwithstanding that Distinction 6. The Birth of Christ 7. Some Consequents after his Birth whil'st yet a Child of Twelve Years old The First Passage in Relation to his Birth is The Tidings of Christ This appears Luk. 1.26 27 28 c. And in the Sixth Month the Angel Gabriel wat sent from God c. Luk. 1.26 31. I shall a little insâ—st on some of these Words 1. The Messenger is an Angel Man was too mean to carry the News of the Conception of God Never any Business was Conceived in Heaven that did so much concern the Earth as the Conception of the God of Heaven in a Womb of Earth no less therefore than an Angel was worthy to bear these Tidings and never Angel received a greater Honour than of this Embassage Angels have been sent to divers as to Gideon Manoah David Daniel Eliah Zechariah c. And then the Angel honoured the Message but here 's a Message that doth honour the Angel he was highly glorious before but this added to his glory Indeed the Incarnation of God could have no less a Reporter than the Angel of God When God intended to begin his Gospel he would first visit the World wirh his Angel before he would visit the World with his Son His Angel must come in the Form of Man before his Son must come in the Nature of Man This Angel salutes the Virgin Hail thou that art highly favoured the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among Women Luke 1.28 Many Men and Women have been and are the Spiritual Temples of God but never was any the material Temple of God but only Mary and therefore Blessed art thou amongst Women and yet we cannot say that she was so Blessed in Bearing Christ as she was in Believing in Christ her Bearing indeed was more Miraculous but her Believing was more Beneficial to her Soul that was her Priviledge but this was her Happiness Christians If we believe in Christ and if we obey the Word of Christ we are the Mothers of Christ Whosoever doth the Will of My Father which is in Hâ—aven Mat. 12.50 Luke 11.27 he is my Brother and Sister and Mother Every renewed Heart is another Mary a spiritual Sanctuary of the Lord Jesus It was the Woman's Acclamation Blessed is the Womb that bare thee and the Paps that gave thee suck True said Christ but that Blessing extends only to one I will tell you how many are Blessed and rather Blessed yea Vers 28. rather Blessed are they that hear God's Word and keep it Blessed are they that so incarnate the written Word by doing it as the Blessed Virgin gave Flesh to the Eternal Word by bearing it those that hear and keep God's Word are they that Travel in Birth again until Christ be formed in them Gal. 41.9 Hearing they Receive the Immortal Seed of the Word by a firm Purpose of doing they conceive by a longing Desire they quicken by an earnest Endeavourr they travel and when the Work is wrought then have they incarnate the Word and Christ is formed in them In this Respect was Mary â—lessed and I make no question but in this Respect also the Angel calls her Blessed and Elizabeth calls her Blessed and Simeon calls her Blessed and She calls her self Blessed and all Generations call her Blessed and God Himself calls and makes her Blessed yea as Paul said Cometh this Blessedness on the Circumcision only so cometh this Blessedness on the Virgin only No Rom. 4.9 Mat. 5.3 4 5. Psal 32.2 even Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Blessed are they that mourn Blessed are the Meek and Blessed are they whose Sins are not imputed Even these hath God blessed with Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places and these shall Christ entertain with a Come ye Blessed of My Father Luke 1.29 3. This Virgin is Troubled at this Salute She might well be troubled For 1. If it had been but a Man that had come in so suddenly when she expected none or so secretly when she had no other Company or so strangely the Doors being probably shut she had cause to be troubled How much more when the shining Glory of the Angel so heightned the Astonishment 2. Her Sex was more subject to fear If Zachary were amazed with the sight of this Angel How much more the Virgin We flatter our selves how well we could endure such Visions but there is a difference betwixt our Faith and our Senses to apprehend here the Presence of God by Faith this goes down sweetly But should a Glorious Angel appear among us it would amaze us all But for this the Angel comforts her Vers 30. Fear not Mary for thou hast found Favour with God The Troubles of Holy Minds ever end in Peace or Comfort Joy was the Errand of the Angel and not Terrour and therefore suddenly he revives her
the Spirit of our God As every man is so is he affected so he speaks and so he lives if thy life be supernatural so is thy affections so is thy words so is thy conversation Paul lived a life once of a bloody persecutor he breathed out threatenings against all the Professors of the Lord Jesus but now it is otherwise The life which I now live in the flesh Gal. 2.20 I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me O my soul Hast thou the old conversation the old affections the old discourse the old passions thou used to have What Is thy heart a den of lusts a cage of unclean imaginations Then fear thy self there cannot from a sweet fountain come forth bitter streams there cannot from a refined spirit as refined come forth corrupted actions or imaginations a Thorn cannot send forth Grapes saith Christ so neither can a Vine send forth Thornes say we I know there is in the best something of flesh as well as of the spirit but if thou art new born then thou canst not but strive against it and wilt endeavour to conquer it 1 Pet. 3.4 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 7.22 2 Cor. 5.17 3. Where this new birth is there is a new nature a new principle Peter calls it the hidden man of the heart the divine nature Paul calls it the inward man the new creature it is compared to a root to a fountain to a foundation and for want of this foundation we see now in these sad times so much inconstancy and unsetledness in some professors themselves many have gotten new and strange notions but they have not new natures new principles of grace if grace were but rooted in their hearts though the winds did blow and storms arise they would continue firm and stable as being founded upon a Rock Never tell me of profession shew outward action outward conversation outward duties of Religion all this may be and yet no new creature you have some bruits that can act many things like men but because they have not an humane nature they are still brutish so many things may be done in a way of holiness which yet come not from this inward principle of renovation and therefore it is but copper and not gold mistake not O my soul in this which is thy best and surest evidence though I call the new birth a new creature my meaning is not as if a new faculty were infused into him that is new born a man when he is regenerate hath no more faculties in his soul than he had before his regeneration only in the work of regeneration those ablities which the man had before are now improved and made spiritual and so they work now spiritually which before wrought naturally As in the resurrection from the dead our bodies shall have no more nor other parts and members than they had before only those parts and members which now are natural shall then by the power of God be made spiritual 1 Cor. 15.44 It is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body so the same faculties and the same abilities which before regeneration were but natural are now spiritual and work spiritually they are all brought under the government of the Spirit of Christ a lively resemblance of this change in the faculties of the soul we may discern in those natural and sensitive faculties which we have common with beasts as to live to move to desire to feel the beasts having no higher principle than sense use them sensually but a man enjoying the same faculties under the command of a reasonable soul he useth them rationally so is it in a regenerate man his understanding will and affections when they had no other command but reason he only used them rationally but now being under the guiding of the Spirit of Christ they work spiritually and he useth them spiritually and hence it is that a regenerate man is every where in Scripture Rom. 8.1 Gal. 5.18 25. said to Walk after the Spirit to be led by the Spirit to walk in the Spirit the Spirit by way of infusing or shedding gives power an ability a seed a principle of spiritual life which the soul had not before and from this principle of spiritual life planted in the Soul flows or springs those spiritual motions and operations as the Spirit leads them out according to the habit or principle of the new creature the divine nature the spiritual life infused Come then look to it O my soul What is thy principle within consider not so much the outward actions the outward duties of Religion as that root from whence they grow that principle from whence they come they are fixed ones setled ones by way of life in thee Clocks have their motions but they are not motions of life because they have no principles of life within Is there life within then art thou born again yea even unto thee a Child is born This is one evidence 2. From the latter words I lay down this position unto us a Son is given if we are Gods Sons The best way to know our Interest in the Son of God it is to know our selves to be Gods Sons by grace as Christ was Gods Son by nature Christians to whom Christ is given are coheirs with Christ only Christ is the first-born and hath the preheminence in all things our sonship is an effect of Christs sonship and a sure sign that unto us a Son is given Say then O my soul Art thou a Son of God Dost thou resemble God according to thy capacity being holy even as he is holy Why then Christ was incarnate for thee he was given to thee If thy sonship be not clear enough thou mayst try it further by these following Rules 1. The Sons of God Fear God If I be a Father Where is my Honour Mal. 1.6 saith God if I be a Master Where is my Fear If I be a Son of God there will be an holy Fear and Trembling upon me in all my approaches unto God I know there is a servile mercinary Fear and that is unworthy and unbeseeming the Son of God but there is a filial Fear and that is an excellent check and bridle to all our wantonness What Son will not Fear the frowns and anger of his loving Father 1 Pet. 1.17 I dare not do this will he say my Father will be offended and I whether shall I go Agreeable to this is the Apostles advice If ye call on the Father pass your sojourning here with Fear 2. The Sons of God Love God and Obey God out of a principle of Love Suppose there were no Heaven or Glory to bestow upon a regenerate person yet would he Obey God out of a principle of Love not that it is unlawful for the Child of God to have an Eye unto the recompence of reward Heb.
it O my soul how art thou out of frame in creature-communion I usually feel the warm and vigorous active and very strong but now thy heart is enditing of a good matter thou art speaking of the things which thou hast made concerning the King thy words do almost freeze between thy lips how chill and cold art thou in thy converses with Jesus Christ Oh this puts me in mind of my deserts surely had Christ's love been but like this faint and feeble love of mine I had been a damned wretch without all hope O Christ I am ashamed that I love thee so little I perceive thy loves are great by all those actings in thy life come blow upon my Garden perswade me by thy Spirit that I may love thee much many sins are forgiven me O that I may love thee much SECT VII Of Joying in Jesus in that respect 7. LEt us joy in Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation for us during his Life But what is there in Christ's life or in all the passages of his Life to stir up Joy I answer all his life and all the passages of his life if rightly applied are excellent matter for the stirring up of this Affection indeed the main of the work is in the application of Christ's life if ever we rejoyce spiritually in Christ we must bring together the object and the faculty and this Union of the object and the faculty is usually wrought by contemplation or by confidence or by fruition I shall but a while insist on these that we may come up at last to rejoyce in Christ yea if it were possible to rejoyce and again rejoyce 1. Let us contemplate on this life of Christ let us think of it in our minds there is a kind of delight in knowing some things speculatively which we would abhor to know experimentally and therefore the Devil's first temptation was drawn from the knowledge of evil as well as good he knew that the mind of man would receive content in the understanding of that which in its own nature had no perfection at all now if there be a delight in the contemplation of evil how much more in the contemplation of that which is good And is not the life of Christ the Graces the Virtues the holy Actions the dear Affections of Jesus Christ to us-ward good and very good Come then stir up our memories let us be setled men let us spend our frequent thoughts upon this blessed Object the reason we miss of our joyes is because we are so little in comtemplations of our Christ It is said that he pities us in our sorrows but he delights in us when we delight in him Certainly he would have us to delight in him and to that purpose he way-layes our thoughts that wheresoever we look we shall still think on him O my soul cast thine eyes which way thou wilt and thou shalt hardly look on any thing but Christ Jesus hath taken the name of that very thing upon himself What is it day and dost thou behold the Sun He is called the Sun of righteousness Mal. 4.2 Num. 24.17 19. Or is it night and dost thou behold the Stars He is called a Star There shall come a Star out of Jacob out of Jacob shall he come that shall have dominion Or is it Morning and dost thou behold the morning-star He is called the bright morning-star Rev. 22.16 Or is it Noon and dost thou behold clear light all the world over in thy Hemisphere He is called the Light and that Light and that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1.7 8 9. Or to come a little nearer if thou lookest on the earth and takest a view of the Creatures about thee seest thou the silly sheep He is called a sheep Isa 53.7 as a sheep before her shearer is dumb so he openeth not his mouth or seest thou a Lamb bleating after the harmless sheep John 1.29 He is called a Lamb Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world Seest thou a Shepherd watching over his flock by day or night He is called a Shepherd I am the good Shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine John 10.14 Or seest thou a Fountain Rivers Waters He is called a Fountain In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem Zach. 13.1 for sin and for uncleanness Or seest thou a Tree good for Food Prov. 3.18 Cant. 2.3 or pleasant to the eye He is called the Tree of Life and as the Apple-tree among the Trees of the Wood so is my Beloved among the Sons Seest thou a Rose a Lilly any fair Flower in a Garden Cant. 2.1 He is called a Rose a Lilly I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valleys or to come a little nearer yet art thou within doors I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved John 10.9 and shall go in and out and shall find pasture Art thou adorning thy self and takest a view of thy Garments He is called a Garment Rom. 13.14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ Art thou eating meat and takest a view on what is on thy Table He is called Bread The bread of God true bread from Heaven the bread of life John 6.32 35 51. the living bread which came down from heaven Why thus Christ way-layes our thoughts that wheresoever we look we should ever think of Christ Now these thoughts or contemplations of Christ are they that bring together the object and the faculty of joy I cannot think of Christ or the life of Christ of Christ preaching or of Christ preached but I must rejoyce in Christ as sometimes the Apostle said Christ is preached whether in pretence or truth I matter not but that he is preached I therein do rejoyce Phil. 1.18 yea and will rejoyce 2. Let us consider in Christ let us upon good grounds hope our share and interest in the Life of Christ O this would strengthen our joy yea fill us with joy unspeakable and glorious where true joy is there is first a thinking of the good in our mind and secondly an expecting of it in our heart hence it is that whatsoever doth encourage our hope the same doth enlarge our delight the Apostle joines both these together Rejoyce in hope Hope and Joy go both together if I have but assured hope that Christ's life is mine I cannot but rejoyce therein on the contrary Rom. 12.12 if my hope fluctuate if I am but uncertain if I look on the influence and benefits of Christ's life as only possibly mine and no further then is my comfort but unstable and weak sometimes we find Christ compared to a rich Store-house In him saith the Apostle are hid all the treasures of wâ—sdom and knowledge but alas what am I
Cross But hast thou taken the same course with the body of sin that the Jews did with the body of sin hast thou arraigned it accused it condemned it and fastened it to the Cross hast thou arraigned it at the Bar of God's judgment accused it by way of humble and hearty confession condemned it in passing the sentence of eternal condemnation upon thy self for it and fastned it to the Cross in beginning the execution of it in setting upon the mortification of it with a serious and unfeigned resolution to use all means for its mortifying and killing why then be not disheartned it may be thou feelest it stirring and strugling within thee and so will a crucified man do and yet in the eye of the Law and in the account of all men that see him he is a dead man surely so is the body of sin when it is thus crucified though it still move and stir yet upon a Gospel-account and in God's estimation it is no better than dead and it shall certainly die it shall decay and languish and die more and more is not the promise express He that hath begun the good work Phil. 1.6 he will perfect it to the day of Jesus Christ Of this Paul was confident in behalf of his Philippians and of this let all true Believers rest confident in respect of themselves Thus far we see wherein we must conform to Christ viz. in his Graces in his Sufferings and in his Death For the Query what is the cause of this conformity I answer The death of Christ is the cause of this conformity And that a fourfold cause Eph. 5.25 26 27. 1. It is a meritorious cause Christ's death was of so great a price that it deserved at God's hands our conformity to Christ Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that by his death he might sanctifie it and cleanse it and 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 1 Pet. 2.21 2. It is an exemplary cause He suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps he died for us leaving us an example that we should die to sin as he died for sin we may observe in many particulars besides those I have named a proportion analogy and likeness betwixt Christ's death and ours Christ died as a servant to note that sin should not rule or reign over us Christ died as a curse to note that we should look upon sin as a cursed thing Christ was fast nayled on the Cross to note that we should put sin out of case yea crucifie the whole body of sin Christ died not presently yet there he hung till he died to note that we should never give over subduing sin while it hath any life or working in us 3. It is an efficient cause it works this conformity by a secret virtue issuing from it Thus Christians are said to be engraffed with Christ in the likeneâ—s of his death Rom. 6.5 Phil. 3.10 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of a passive signification importing not only a being like but a being made like and that by a power and vertue out of our selves so the Apostle elsewhere interprets That I may know him and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death Not conforming my self but being made conformable by a power out of my self But how then is the power of mortification attributed to men as Quest Col. 3.5 Gal. 5.24 Mortifie ye your members which are upon the earth And They which are Christ's have crucified the flesh I answer there is a twofold mortification the one habitual the other practical Answ the former consists in a change of the heart turning the bent and inclination of the heart from all manner of sin now this is the only and immediate work of the Spirit of Grace breathing and working where it will the latter consists in the exercise of putting forth of that inward grace in the acting of that principle in resisting temptations in suppressing inordinate Lusts in watching against sinful and inordinate acts now this is the work of a regenerate person himself co-operating with the Spirit of God as a rational instrument with the principal Agent and therefore the Apostle joins both together If ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Body Rom. 8.13 ye shall live 4. It is an impelling or a moving cause as all objects are for objects have an attractive power Achan saw the wedge of Gold and then coveted it David saw Bathsheba and then desired her As the brazen Serpent did heal those who were bitten by the fiery Serpent tanquam objectum fidei meerly by being looked upon so Christ crucified doth heal sin beget grace encourage to sufferings by being looked upon with the eyes of Faith Heb. 12.1 2. Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking uâ—to Jesus the Author and finisher of our Faith The Apostle was to encourage the Hebrews to hold on the well-begun profession of Faith in Christ and to that purpose he sets before them two fights to keep them from fainting 1. A cloud of witnesses the Saints in heaven on which cloud when he had staid their eyes a while and made them fit for a clearer Object he scatters the cloud and presents the Sun of Righteousness Christ himself and he wills them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to turn their eyes from it to him looking unto Jesus q. d. this sight is enough to make you run the race and not to faint why Jesus is gone before you and will you not follow him O look unto Jesus and the very sight of him will draw you after him Christ crucified hath an attractive power And I if I be lifted up John 12.32 will draw all men to me Thus of the causes of our conformity we see how it is wrought 3. For the last Query what are the means of this conformity as on our part I answer 1. Go to the Cross of Jesus Christ It is not all our purposes resolutions promises vows covenants endeavours without this that will effect our conformity to Christ in his sufferings and death no no this conformity is a fruit and effect of the death of Christ and therefore whosoever would have this work wrought in him let him first have recourse to Christ's Cross O go we more immediately to the Cross of Jesus 2. Look up to him that hangs upon it contemplate the death of Jesus Christ consider seriously and sadly his bitter shameful painful sufferings Much hath been said only here draw it into some Epitome As 1. Consider who he was 2. What he suffered 3. Why he suffered 4. For whom he
confusions distractions despondences staggering and sinking terrors Mat. 11.28 it will find it something yea it will look on it as a glorious work to discover but the morning Star through so much darkness any thing of life in such a valley and shadow of death 3. The understanding hath yet some brighter believing beams it confidently closeth with this truth that it is the will of the Lord that he should come and live and believe and lay hold on Christ it apprehends the particular designs of mercy to him and doth really principle the soul with this that God doth particularly call invite and bid him come to Christ the Fountain of life for life Now the understanding takes in general Gospel-calls in particular to himself It is my poor languishing soul which the Lord speaks to when he sayes come to me all yea that are weary and I will give you rest Ephes 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light Surely this is a great work when set home by the Lord that the soul acts in its addresses to Christ in the strength of a particular call from God 2. And now the answer to this call is wrought up in the renewed will as thus 1. The will summons all its confidences and calls them off from every other bottom to bestow them wholly upon Christ and this consists in our voluntary renouncing of all other helps excepting Jesus Christ alone now the soul sayes to Idols Get ye hence Hos 14.3 Ashur shall not save us we will not ride upon horses neither will we say any more to the works of our hands ye are our Gods Ashur shall not save us Not only cannot but shall not save us now as the soul is dissatisfied in Judgment as to the resting on any thing but Christ alone so the heart and will is disaffected to all other helps but Christ alone now it renounceth its own righteousness and worthyness not only because of their inability to save but mainly because their glory is swallowed up in that unmatchable excellency which appears in the way of life and salvation by Jesus Christ It calls home dependance from every other object 2. Hereupon there is a willing and chearfull receiving of Christ and resignation of our selves to his actual dispose to quicken us and save us in his own way A great part of the answer of Faith to the call of Christ lyes in this for as Faith sees life and salvation in the hands of Christ so it considers it to be given forth in the methods of Christ and so believing lyes not only in assent but consent of heart John 1 1â— that Christ shall save us in his own way this is called A receiving of Christ As many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God Many a soul would be saved by Christ that sticks and boggles at his methods they will not pass to happiness by holiness nor set him up as a King and Lord whom they could consent to set up as a Saviour Oh but now Christ that stood at the door and knocked Rev. 3.10 is received in consent hath made up the match and the door is opened that never shall be shut again 3. Upon this follows the souls resting and relying the souls confidence and dependance upon Jesus Christ for life and for salvation this closeth up the whole business of believing unto righteousness those various expressions used in Scripture of committing our way and selves to God of casting our care upon God of rolling our selves on him of trusting in him of hoping in his mercy c. wrapt up faith in this affiance dependance not without some mixture of confidence and resolved resting upon Jesus Christ a clear beholding of God in Christ and of Christ in the promises doth present such variety and fulness of Arguments to bear up hope and affiance that the heart is resolved and so resolved that we commit our selves and give our souls in charge to Christ I know whom I have believed 1 Pet. 4.19 2 Tim. 1.12 and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day 4. The upshot of all is this that the same close which the soul makes in believing with Jesus Christ as to justification and righteousness is not fruitless to this effect of conveying life and vertue from Jesus Christ as to grace and holiness for that union which then and thereby comes to be enjoyned with Christ is such an union as is fruitful in begetting a quickening power and principle in the heart and this is that which we ordinarily intend by saying saving faith to be operative James 2.16 that faith which brings forth nothing of holiness what is it but a dead faith As the body without the Spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also Justification and sanctification are twins of a birth and hence it is that vivification which is one part of sanctification is wrought in the soul after the self-same manner As first the understanding is illighttened 2. The will is changed 3. All the Affections are renewed 4. The internals being quickened there ensueth the renewing of the body with the outward actions life and conversation And now is fulfilled that saying of Christ in a spiritual sense John 5.25 The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Now is the soul vivified now it begins to live the life of God now it feels the power of Christ's resurrection and is made conformable to it And immediately upon this joy is made in heaven by the Angels Luke 15.24 God himself applauding it For this my Son was dead and is alive he was lost and is found Thus is the state of vivification wrought I know it is not in all men after one manner for every circumstance the methods of God are exceeding various and we cannot limit the holy one of Israel I have sometimes concerning this desired the communication of other thoughts whom I looked upon as such who had more than ordinary communication with Christ's Spirit and from one of such I received this answer I must profess to you I have in all my speculations in divinity found dissatisfaction in the writings of men in nothing more than is the work of clear and distinct conceptions concerning regeneration which yet is of such a Cardinal importance is that the great doors of heaven move upon the hinges of it the Lord enlighten us more for we see but in part and prophesie but in part For the third question what are the means of this conformity or vivification which we must use on our parts I shall answer herein both to the state and growth of our vivification As 1. Wait and Attend upon God in the ministry of the word this is a means whereby Christ ordinarily effecteth
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath begotten us anew to an inheritance immortal This seal of sanctification leaves upon the soul the likeness of Jesus Christ even grace for grace 3. There is a work of assisting exciting quickening grace or of Gods gracious concourse with that habitual grace which he hath wrought in his people now this is various according to the good pleasure of his will the Spirit is more migâ—â—ly present to some than to others yea more to the same man at some times and in some conditions sometimes the same Christian is as a burning and shining light sometimes as a smoaking flax John 3.8 The spirit blows how it listeth sometimes he fills the soul with fuller gales sometimes again she is becalmed a man hath more of the Spirit at one time than another now when the Spirit comes in thus by exciting quickning stirring and inabling us to act so that we can say Jer. 20.9 as sometime the Prophet said It was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones and I was weary with forbearing and could not stay why then the spirit seals and gives assurance to our souls that we are his 4. There is a work of shining upon or inlightning those graces which the Spirit plants in us and helps us to exercise this seals to the purpose and of this it is that the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 2.12 We have received not the spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we may know the things that are freely given us of God The things given to us may be freely received by us and yet the receit of them not known to us therefore the spirit for our further consolation doth as it were put his hand and seal to our receits he shines upon our graces or he enlightens our graces whereby we may know we believe and know that we live Indeed this is rare with Gods own People sometimes notwithstanding this seal we may be in such a state as Paul and his company were in the ship Acts 27.20 When they saw neither Sun nor Star for many days together so it may be that for a time we may see neither Sun nor Star neither light in God's countenance nor light in our souls no grace issuing from God no grace carrying the soul to God yet in this dark condition if we do as Paul and his company did i.e. if we cast anchor even in the dark night of temptation and pray still for day God will appear and all shall clear up we shall at last see light without and see light within surely the day-star will arise in our hearts 5. There is a work of joy and comfort and this is a super-added seal of the Spirit the works of the spirit you may see are of a double kind either in us by imprinting sanctifying grace or upon us by shining on our souls and by sweet feeling of joy habitual grace or sanctifying grace is more constant and alwayes like it self but this work of comfort and joy is of the nature of such priviledges as God vouchsafeth at one time and not at another and hence it is that a Christian may have grace and a Christian may know himself to be in the state of grace and yet in regard of comfort God may be gone Thus it was with Job he knew his redeemer lived and he resolved to trust in him though he killed him he knew he was no hypocrite he knew his graces were true notwithstanding all the objections and imputations of his friends they could not dispute him out of his sincerity My righteousness I hold fast Job 27.6 and will not let it go yet for the present he saw no light from heaven but he was in a sore and afflicted condition till it pleased the Lord to reveal himself in special favour unto him Now this work of joy usually comes not till after faith and many experiences of Gods love and much waiting upon God These are the several works of the spirits sealing But why is it that we can neither actually believe nor can know that we believe nor can enjoy peace and joy in believing without a fresh and new act of the Spirit I answer because the whole carriage of a soul to heaven is above nature where the Spirit makes a stand we stand and can go no farther without the help of the Spirit we can neither make promises nor conclude for our selves it is the spirit that sanctifies and witnesses and seals our souls unto the day of redemption Many other Reasons may be rendred but I shall speak of them in the end of the spirits mission Thus far we have propounded the object viz. the Ascension of Christ the session of Christ at God's right hand and Christs mission of the holy Ghost our next work is to direct you how to look unto Jesus in these respects CHAP. II. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our salvation in his Ascention Session and Mission of the Spirit 1. LET us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation for us in his Ascension into Heaven in his Session at God's right hand and in his mission of the Holy Ghost these are points of great use if these transactions had not been where had we been these are points of highest speculation if these transactions had not been where had Christ been after his humiliation herein lay the exaltation of his glorious Person he was exalted above the Earth above the Clouds above the Stars above the Heavens above the Heavens of Heavens O the glorious Majesty of our King Jesus as sitting down at God's right hand our salvation is the greatest mystery that ever was it being made up of the various workings of the glory of God for us men and for our salvation Christ was incarnate and came down from Heaven and for us men and for our salvation Christ was exalted and went up into Heaven Here is an object of admiration indeed the very Angels at the sight of it stood admiring and adoring it took up their heart astonished their understanding surely it was the blessedst sight that ever the Angels did or could behold come then and O my soul do thou take a view of that which they admire the design is not so principally concerning Angels as thy self they are in it only as afar off and in general but it concerns thee in special and particular and therefore study close this Argument and know it for thy self Study first the Ascension of Christ how and whether and why he ascended 2. Study the Session of Christ at God's right hand O the mines the riches of that spiritual heavenly knowledg 3. Study the mission of the Holy Ghost not a circumstance in it but deserves thy Study worlds of wealth ten thousand times better than Gold or Silver or Precious Stones may be found in the diggings of these mines have not many
that sitteth on the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Amen Ver. 13. Why this is their continual work in heaven they have nothing else to do but with joy and gladness to sing forth the praises of God and of Christ and that his mercy endureth for ever And this likewise is comprehended under that notion of the Saints beholding of Christ which compleatly makes up the proposition asserted that Christ or the glory of Christ which the Saints shall behold to all eternity is their all in all Thus far we have propounded the object which is Jesus carrying on the Salvation of his Saints in his coming again to earth and taking them up with himself and his Angels into heaven our next work is to direct you how to look unto Jesus in this respect and then we have done CHAP. II. SECT I. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his second coming WHAT looking is and what it contains we have often heard and that in these respects we may look on Jesus 1. Let us know Jesus carrying on the Saints Salvation in his second coming and taking them to Heaven Many glorious excellent things many precious passages many high and heavenly carriages are in this transaction Is it not of high concernment that he that now sits at God's right hand interceding for us should thence come again to judge the World and after judgment take up his Saints with him into glory can we read of the several actings of this general Assize and not desire to read on still nay is not all our reading mixt with admiration of every passage come wonder and sit and pause and stop at every word stay and wonder and adore that light which appears in any beam of truth and in the admiration of that truth which doth appear cast thy self down at the feet of Christ and cry out O the depth of Glory and Majesty and goodness and grace in thee O the riches of love that thou shouldst let out thy self in these several admirable dispensations come be exact in this study gather up all the crumbs and fillings of this gold the least beams of the glory of Christ especially as it shines and glitters at his second coming have so much light and love and splendour in them as that they will be very sweet to look upon them every piece or part of this knowledge will be of special use and worth yea the low and imperfect knowledge of this mystery is of infinite more value then the high and perfect knowledge of Ten thousand things besides And one thing O my soul let me tell thee it is possible for thee to attain a very sweet and satisfactory degree of this very knowledge And therefore study close run over again all that hath been spoken and dig yet deeper into that glorious mine content not thy self with a bare discovery of that gold-oare which is only upon the superficies or top of the mine but go so far as to find out the inward spiritual and experimental knowledge which the Saints by the light of the Spirit may come to attain O study Christ in his second coming to judgment SECT II. Of considering Jesus in that respect 2. LET us consider Jesus carrying on this work of Salvation at his second coming It is not enough to know but we must meditate and seriously consider of it A meer student may know Christ and study Christ as he knows and studies other things he may keep together many notions concerning Christ and his coming to Judgment but he hath no impression of the holiness of Christ upon his heart and in this respect he is a stranger to Christ and all his actings alas he studies Christ but he doth not rightly seriously inwardly consider of Christ but he doth not look unto Jesus as one that looks to his pattern or as one that looks to his refuge hope and help true and spiritual consideration is a serious matter it s not some few and freeting thoughts that are the discharge of this work but thoughts resting dwelling fixing and staying upon Christ until they come to some profitable issue O it is another manner of business then many are aware of it 's a thinking with thought upon thought it 's a reiteration and multiplication of the thoughts of the mind upon the Subject propounded so the Scripture expresseth it I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought Eccles 2.11 12. and in that next verse I turned to see he looked upon and considered his works and he returned to behold them he thought on them before but now he returned to think he renewed his thoughts upon the matter and took a new view of them Indeed when the understanding works seriously and spiritually it will fetch things into sight and not only so but it will hold them there and fasten upon them Lam. 4.20 and when they are gone it will fetch them again my soul hath them still in remembrance my soul in remembring doth remember them and will not off till the end he obtained so a man eyes Christ till he have more of Christ more of his presence and more of his light and more of his favour and more of his image O let this be our work let us thus consider Jesus in reference to his second coming to judgment And that we may do it in Order 1. Consider Christ's preparing for judgment realize it as if thou sawest or heardst the same no sooner the time determined which God hath appointed but Christ commands make ready ye Angels to wait upon me and make ready ye glorious souls that now are with me it is the Fathers pleasure and it is my pleasure to go down into the neather World and to call before me all the men and women that ever lived in it there will I pass my doom upon all flesh and reward every one good and bad according to his works O what a shout may I imagine in heaven at this news what joy is in the souls of Saints that now they must go to their bodies and enter into them that both their souls and bodies which sometimes lived together may now dwell together with Christ in glory and never part more if those that live on earth are commanded by Christ To lift up their heads because their redemption draweth nigh how much more shall they joy in Heaven who also have waited for the adoption to wit Rom. 8.23 the redemption of their bodies that now the long-looked-for day is come it is come O the exaltation of the Angels at this tydings This is worthy a pause a Selah to be set upon it 2. Consider Christ's coming to judgment all now in readiness the Son of God comes forth with all his glorious attendants Matt. 16.27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels and with the souls of Saints that for a time have been in