Rom. 8.29 so conformed that we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Ephes 5.20 't is an Hebrew phrase they were wont to say of their Brothers and kinred Os meum est caro mea he is my bone and my flesh as having received from the same loins and womb the same matter of flesh and bones common between them I beyond all this besides the fleshly substance which Brothers receive from the same Parents they do most what agree in the likenesse of disposition which they draw from the same common birth 'T is so with the Sons of God when they are made the Brethren of Christ being born of the Spirit of God besides that they partake of the same nature they are of the same mind with him which token of Brotherhood the Apostle requires in us Phil. 2.5 Let this minde be in you which was in Christ Jesus they are of the same spirit and minde they are pure even as he is pure 1 John 3.3 'T is his quickening and sanctifying spirit that puts life into them and makes them his members that puts holinesse into them and makes them his Brethren The Sanctifier and the sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren Hebr. 2.11 This our so near conjunction with Christ and being in him the Apostle hath fitly express'd Rom. 11. by a Graft grafted into a Plant by which resemblance is fully made good what I have said concerning the nearnesse of a Christian to Christ by faith and his spiritual living in him in as much as the Graft and the Plant are now made both one thing not only one and the same matter which before was different and two the one a good Olive-tree the other wilde but further that the same sap also does nourish all and the same spirit gives life and growth to all and all this by faith as v. 20. because of unbeliefe they were broken off the natural branches the Jewes Tu vero fide but thou standest by faith thou standest as he that tels thee so S. Paul lived by the faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 'T is the same in effect with that which the Son of God had taught before John 15. I am the Vine ye are the branches v. 5. Now the branch who knowes not lives in the Vine has the same life common with it sprouts and springs forth from the same power within and we as that must bring forth the fruits of the same spirit For deceive we not our selves beloved 't is not enough to professe Christ outwardly to say we believe in him this does not prove us to be ingrafted into him no more than the bramble was therefore King because it said unto the Trees If in truth ye annoint me King Judg. 9.15 this was only said there was no truth in it therefore there was no truth in it because of that other truth which Christ hath said that of a Bramble-bush men do not gather Grapes Luke 6.44 because it is altogether fruitlesse But if we do indeed and in truth cleave unto Christ by a true and lively faith an effectual and operative faith a faith working by love and bringing forth the fruits of good Works then be sure we are in him The branch cannot bear of it selfe except it abide in the Vine no more can ye saies Christ except ye abide in me John 15.4 And therefore when S. Paul had comforted the faithfull with an assurance of freedome from condemnation to them that are in Christ Rom. 8. because our being in him by faith is an internal note and cannot so easily be discerned he adds presently v. 1. another an external a practical note of Gods children whereby they may be known even by the fruit of their Faith who walk saies he not after the flesh but after the spirit All men carry their flesh about them with the infirmities of it and do often feel the force of sin within themselves but Rom. 6.13 Vers 12. so they yield not to it so they suffer it not to reign in their mortal bodies so they do not obey it in the lusts thereof Rom. 8.13 Rom. 6.4 but dayly strive to mortifie by the Spirit the deeds of the body so they walk in newnesse of life and not after the old man the flesh this is to them a token of the spirit of God in them that spirit is a pledge of their faith and both an assurance that they are in Christ so as not to be condemned when they are judged so as to have begun their state of blessednesse Now if they be thus happy who are in him as in that Text of the Apostle and thus in him as in our exposition upon it then surely they who abide in him as in that other Text of S. John holding fast that which they have that no man take away their crown abide in him till they have passed through Epistle and Gospel and come to this Text here in the Revelation that they die in the Lord holding fast the same faith unto the end and by the force of it recommending their spirit Lu. 23.46 in the end into the hands of him that gave it they must not doubt to partake of this blessednesse pronounc'd by a voice from Heaven Blessed are the dead that thus die They are blessed who live in the Lord by the faith of Christ who believe in him Beata quae credidit saies Elizabeth to the blessed Virgin Luke 1.45 thou are blessed in that thou hast believed but in a far lower degree according to the measure of our knowledge such is our happinesse but that knowledge which we have of God by faith is but a beginning of that we shall have by sight we know him now but in part 1 Cor. 13.9 But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away Then we shall know even as we are known v. 12. then shall we enjoy that perfect blisse which only can give us satisfaction satiabor cum evigelavero saies holy David Psal 17.16 I shall behold thy face in righteousnesse and when I awake up after thy likenesse I shall be satisfied with it Beloved ye have seen in part wherein this blessednesse consists which is the greatest and most absolute good to man that he can desire and who they be that shall obtain it To exhort you to the desire of so great a good were needlesse since every man does by nature long after it with the strongest bent of his affection 't is a thing born with us and we cannot choose but covet earnestly this best gift to be happy but 1 Cor. 12.21 because we often fail in our judgment of the right way to it and now that this voice from Heaven has made known unto us the only certain entrance that must convey us thither yield we willingly to this perswasion for our own good that we apply our hearts
justification ther 's his resurrexit pro nobis Lastly his ascension that was all glorious when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive Eph. 4.8 having spoyled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them Col. 1 Pet. 3.22 2.15 He is gone to sit on the right hand of his Father in height of majesty and glory and all this as all else for us to appeare in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 to make intercession for us Heb. 7.25 To prepare a place for us here in my Text here ascendit pro nobis all for us in every of his actions an expedit vobis and particularly in this it is expedient for you that I go Jo. 16.7 for I go to prepare a place for you For you who never cared to prepare a place for me when in great humility I came to visit you as he might object truely if he would enter into judgment with us a poor provision here made for him a stable his presence-chamber and a Cratch his Cradle from thence driven into Egypt and from place to place I to no place This Son of Man had not where to lay his hend Mat. 8. ver 20. Master where dwellest thou Jo. 1. ver 38. his Disciples might well ask 't was a hard question that no place prepared for him here even when he was to eat the Passeover not a place prepared for that and those few poor Disciples that would have prepared one for him could not tell where without his help prepare it I with all the heart we have but where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passeover Mat. 26.17 Thus we rewarded him evil for good to the great discomfort of his soul and sinful shame of ours Psal 35.12 yet he we see here loves his enemies blesses them that curse him does good to them that hate him and would have us do so in imitation of him that as he is we may be the children of our Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5.44 We have but small time for the large extent of this Vobis Verbum sapienti sat who they be that are contained in it of this one word will suffice to all that are wise unto salvation Not a man here but would gladly be one of those You 's and therefore would be loth to give it so narrow a Scantling as to reach only to those few Disciples to whom Christ then spake it That other Paratum Matth. 25. extends it further to all those whom he shall at the last day place on his right hand Paravi vobis it is prepared for all you for all those who since the speaking of it have been and who to the end of the world will be his Disciples God prepares both Place and Inhabitants too Place for Inhabitants and Inhabitants for the Place Those Vessels of Mercy whom he had before prepared unto glory Rom. 9.23 In the Parable Matt. 25. Those Virgins onely quae Paratae erant who were Prepared Ready went in with him to the Marriage Now Vse though in preparing this Place for us we must leave that to Christ alone yet in preparing our selves for this Place we must joyne with him Non salvat te sine te is a true Rule Austin Intreat God first to prepare us by the working of his sanctifying Grace in our hearts but when we have received that Talent of Grace we must imploy it also and and work together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 Who shall ascend into this Hill of the Lord Psal 24. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart in one place Psal 15. He that leads an uncorrupt life and doth the thing that is right in another Here is one way of preparing our selves by purifying the heart through faith Act. 15.9 to an uncorrupt life and cleansing the hands in innocency to good workes that which St. Paul prescribes if we will be Vessels unto honour we must be prepared unto every good worke 2 Tim. 2.29 We must be prepared to do good and to suffer evil if occasion requires and it may conduce to his glory that 's one way more When Christ speaks of this Kingdome Luke 22. he thus describes those for whom it is design'd first Ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations vers 28. and then I appoint unto you a Kingdome vers 29. This was the way which Christ himselfe went Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory Luke 24.26 He entred this holy place by his owne blood Hebr. 9. Be we not sparing of our paines and labour and sweat and blood if need be rather than not follow him follow the Lamb whither soever Revel 14.4 and which way soever he goeth even Agnum occisum follow the Lamb which was slain Rev. 5.12 Suffer with him that 's the way to reigne with him 2 Tim. 2.12 to have Kingdom and Glory too to reign with him and to be glorified with him Rom. 8.17 Let us not grudge beloved to take pains to suffer pain in this place of our Preparation for that Place we will not if we looke with faith to this Place which is set before us if we looke unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 'T was a course that himselfe tooke to strengthen himselfe in his Combate here as he was Man He for the joy that was set before him Ibid. endured the Crosse and despised the shame The sufferings of this present time in the worst of their nature are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed Rom. 8.18 though they were lasting but they are momentary too our Affliction is light and but for a moment 2 Cor. 4.17 When the Prophet Daniel had reckoned up many sore calamities upon the people they are encourag'd to the constant undergoing of them with this certain comfort Vsque ad tempus Daniel 11.24 't is but for a time whatsoever the burden of worldly crosses be which the faithfull servants of God groan under drowne not your selves in tears faint not in your triall make not your life more bitter with pensive thoughts nor waste your spirits with impatient complaints apply the Balsome this sweet contemplation of the short continuance Vsque ad tempus 't is but for a time when ye are revil'd and persecuted Matth. 5.11 when ye have triall of cruel mockings and scourgings Heb. 11.36 37. yea of Bonds and imprisonment destitute afflicted and tormented why Vsque ad tempus all this is but for a time They are the damned in Hell Drexelius De Aeternit that are more overwhelmed with the eternity than with the extremity of their sufferings no measuring of Time there no hope of release after thousands of millions of Ages there is cause of there is place for impatience But these temporary woes these short afflictions lightned with an expectation of enlargement endure we them have we patience in them Vsque in tempus saies the Son of Syrach too Ecclesiasticus 1.23 Vsque in tempus sustinebit patiens A patient man will bear for a time and afterward joy shall spring up unto him This is the Exhortation that from hence I desire to leave with you Possesse your soules with patience Luk. 21.19 notwithstanding the miseries of this life though they were greater and comfort your selves with a hopefull looking for of this place prepared by Christ Troubles here and Crosses and discontents and perhaps great causes of them to some their whole time is a Lent and their whole Lent a Passion-Friday But there is a Place prepared To do good and to suffer evill the Christians vertue is a hard task not to plot and prosecute revenge of receiv'd wrongs not to undermine others to a fall and upon their necks step higher to curb the irregularity of our affections to wage a continuall warre with our owne rebellious thoughts ambition and covetousnesse and voluptuousnesse and all the other Divels about us exceeding difficult to flesh and blood but here is a help from the Spirit our LENT cannot last long the Feast of CHRIST's and of our Resurrection is not far There is a Place prepared a Place of Peace and Rest and joy and glory fulnesse of joy and pleasures for evermore Thither Lord in thy good time bring us who art gone before to prepare it for us To thee O Christ with the Father and the Spirit c. These Books following being worth buying are to be sold at the signe of the Lamb at the East end of St. Pauls near the School CHristian Prayers and holy Meditations as well for private as publique Exercise The True Catholique collected out of the Oracles and Psalteries of the Holy Ghost for Instruction and Devotion by Tho. Parker his Majesties Servant Godly Prayers and Meditations by John Field D. D. An Admonition to all such as shall intend hereafter to enter into the state of Marriage godlily and agreeable to Laws by A. B. Cant. Dr. Hewits Sermons the right with his Prayer before and after Sermon A New-years-gift for a Christian Angel of Peace by Causin Thorndike's Learned Discourse on the Church and Service Robinson's Birth of a Day Dr. Hewit's Funeral Sermon by Mr. Hardy ALSO Mr. Theophilus Buckworth's famous and approved Lozanges which perfectly cures all sorts of Colds Coughs Consumptions Catarrhs Asthmaes and all Infirmities of the Lungs and is a soveraigne Antidote against the Plague and other infectious and contagious Diseases Every Paper of Lozanges is sealed with his own Coat of Arms to distinguish them from counterfeit FINIS
dwels Go to my Palace in Shilo ubi habitavit Nomen meum a principio Jer. 7.12 where my Name hath dwelt from the beginning God assoon as he had a People of his Own whom he honoured above all the world with that denomination when he had sever'd them from the Refuse those of Aegypt though they were yet in the vast Wildernesse and had themselves no seeled habitation yet there a moveable Tabernacle God would have them make for him and though it be after called The Tabernacle of the Congr-gation Exod. 28.43 't was theirs to serve God in yet it has an earlier Name which must not be forgotten Let them make me a Sanctuary a place to dwell in that I may dwell amongst them Exod. 25.8 a House of his own when he had a People of his own Some go further and observe that Mountains and Groves served instead of this and for this same purpose in the time of the Patriarchs that Abraham planted a Grove and called there on the Name of the Lord the everlasting God Gen. 21.33 and that he had his Mountain in the land of Moria whereon to appear before God with sacrifice Gen. 22.2 and his Altar about Bethel Gen. 13.4 and there he called on the Name of the Lord That the first sons of Adam Cain and Abel had whether to bring their Sacrifices Gen. 4.3 4. I and that their Father so soon even during the space of his small continuance in Paradise had where to present himselfe before the Lord Gen. 3.8 But of that in the Wildernesse Exod. 25 we are sure they had their charge and direction from God for the framing of it himselfe drew the modell for his own House being himselfe Architect-Generall in the most general and inclusive sence of the word for all the Princes and people too of the earth and for the very God of them all in appointing a place though a place loco-motive and pointing out the pattern of it for his Worship And against the time that they should come to settle themselves in the Land which he promised to their Fathers he gives them a strict command concerning that House which should be built Vnto the place which the Lord your God shall choose to put his name there even unto his habitation shall ye seek and thither shall you come Deut. 12.5 The honour of building this House David did much desire to have and Solomon did much rejoice to have And after the overthrow of this for the sins of the people when the second was erected though 't was view'd with great griefe to see how short it came of the glory of the former Ezra 3.12 yet the loud shouts for joy were equall to the voice of weeping Ezra 3.13 And being finished Ezr. 6.16 't was dedicated into Gods possession with a generall joy Besides which Temple there were both in other parts of the Land and even in Jerusalem by processe of time no small number of Synagogues Houses of God all for men to resort unto for his publick service whose necessarinesse together with the Temple our Saviour himselfe and after him the Apostles confirmed with their frequent presence So we see all along till Christs time God had his House his Houses besides the Temple his main Mansion-house which Christ here reduc'd to the purity of its first Institution And presently after his time though Temples such as now were not presently erected for the exercise of Christian Religion it has been neverthelesse not unreasonably conceived out of those the Apostles words Have ye not houses to eat and drink in or dispise ye the Church of God 1 Cor. 11.22 that he there teacheth what difference should be made betwixt House and House what is fit for the dwelling place of God and what for mans habitation At the first poverty was a hindrance to them they could not provide Houses such as they would for God and his worship but as soon as he blessed them with favour in the eyes of Princes and blessed Princes with his favour of Christianity they were not well till they had expressed their thankfulnesse that way Good Constantine presently finisht one for him at Jerusalem and gave it up into his hands with very solemne performance the greatest part of the Bishops of Christendome meeting at it each one setting forth that action to his power in Orations and Sermons and the sacrifice of Prayer for the peace of the world and safety of the Church and the Emperours and his Childrens good Euseb De Vita Constantini lib. 4. c. 4. c. Athanasius in his Apology to Constantius reports the like of a Bishop of Alexandria in a work of the like magnificence And after them the worke went up apace throughout the coasts of Christendome and they that hewed timber out of the thick trees were known to bring it to an excellent work Psal 74.5 By this means God has given us a plentiful pledge of his presence amongst us even ad satietatem usque woe worth the while we have enjoyed his mercy in this kinde as the Israelites in Quails till we slight it They were furious mad-brains not to be remembred but with disdain for to be pitied would but have hardened them and made them set their faces not toward but against the Temple who because these Houses had whilome been stained with Idolatry would have burned them to cleanse them would have had them pull'd down and levell'd with the ground who yet I wis had they some Papists dwelling-Houses fair and stately bequeath'd to them would not fall a demolishing of them though Saints had been prayd to in them more than once every day no Man will not he is of a more thriving Religion none but God shall be the loser And we are still too near their sick humor in the mean esteem we have of them we are afraid to place any holinesse in a Temple more than in a School-house or a Barne This is the House of the Lord God would we have said so with Solomon 1 Chron. 22.1 of that Temple had we seen it If we would yet that was but a Figure of Christ the Lamb the true Temple Rev. 21.22 and is gone and we have learned now of Stephen for we dare not Saint him we must not allow him holy that God dwels not now in Houses made with hands Act. 7.48 Houses say they for Temples they are loath to call them though Stephen did so even then when they deny them to be Gods Solomons people might have taken the like hint from his mouth for their neglect of that holy place Behold the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this House which I have builded 1 King 8.27 or if that was modesty in him they might have caught hold of an excuse from Gods owne mouth Thus saith the Lord Isa 66.1 Heaven is my Throne and Earth is my Footstool where is the House that ye shall build unto me And yet for all this Solomon