Saint Paul to Titus hath appeared teaching men to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously c Acts 26.16 and goâ—â—â—â— in this present evill world And 〈…〉 Christ to Paul have appeared 〈…〉 â—â—is purpose to make thee a Miâ—â—ster 〈◊〉 witnesse both of these things which thou hast seene and of those things in the which I will appeare unto thee delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee to open their eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God In regard of Gods expectation The husband-man after the long manuring of the field lookes for fruit from the field Who is the d Mat. 21. housholder in the parable that planted a vineyard but the Lord What is the vineyard but the Church and what are the vines but the several meÌ„bers of the Church Who are the servants but the Ministers whom God sends to dresse his vineyard what is the fruit which God there expects but knowledge faith repentance the fruit of his Ministers labours in the soules of his servants The shepheard lookes for increase from the flocke which he watcheth feedeth conducteth and defendeth the husband lookes for children from the wife whom he espouseth the fruit of his wedlocke and God the husband and shepheard of our soules lookes for fruit from us over whom by his Ministers hee watcheth whom by their labours he feedeth conducteth and defendeth and espouseth to himselfe The Teacher expecteth learning from his scholer and herein saith Christ is my Father glorified e Joh. 15.8 that ye beare much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples In regard of honouring and glorifying the Word and Ministers thereof The fruitfulnesse of the field is the glory of the seed sowne in it and of the husband-man which sowed it f Psa 128.3 the wife which is as the vine by the sides of the house and the children standing like Olive plants round about the Table are the glory of the house and husband g Psal 127.5 happy is he that hath his quiver full of them sayth the Psalmist he shall not be ashamed The fruitfulnesse of the people when the Congregation is full of spirituall fruit like a vine growing by the house side and the severall members thereof fat and flourishing in grace like Olive plants then the Word is glorified then the Minister is honoured happy is that Messenger of God that hath his quiver the house of his Ministery full of them It is sayd of the Gentiles h Acts 13.48 that they heard and glorified the Word of God and as many as were ordained unto life beleeved They glorified the word of God by acknowledging the truth of it by beleeving the promises of salvation proposed in it by submitting themselves to the power and authoritie of it by walking answerably to it Mans obedience is the glory of Gods ordinance the fruitfulnesse of the hearers is the crowne of Gods Messengers In regard of peace and consolation to their owne soules The good effects of Physicke make the patient joyfull the fructification of the word in the heart of man makes the soule of man comfortable When the Gospel commeth not in i 1 Thess 1.5 word onely but in power also in power in lightning in power converting and changing the heart of man working and perfecting grace in the inward man then the soule of man is filled with joy in the holy Ghost then the Word is the joy and rejoycing of the heart then the k Isai 5.7.19 fruit of the lippe is peace spirituall inward universall plentifull and perpetuall peace peace with God peace with man peace with the conscience a paradise of heavenly comforts a river of peace which no humane understanding can fathome And therefore it must bee the care of men to see that they grow to much spirituall perfection after the Ministers long and frequent preaching This therefore reproveth such as after the long and frequent preaching of the Gospel continue barren and unfruitfull Use like the grounds about l 2 King 2.19 Iericho which were not made fertile but rather barren by the waters which did flow upon them to whom the waters drawne out of the wells of salvation are as waters powred upon the rocke which bringeth forth no fruit from whom the sounding of the trumpet of the Gospel and the constant cry of Gods watchmen like the m 1 King 18 26. call and cry of Baals worshippers from the morning to the evening upon Baal hath no voyce nor answer of faith in Gods promises of obedience to Gods precepts nor of godly sorrow for mens transgressions ministring matter of complaint to God provoking the site of Gods indignation against their soules I n Isa 64.2 have spred out my hands all the day long saith the Lord unto a rebellious people which walketh in a way that is not good after their owne thoughts a people that provoketh me to anger continually 〈…〉 face ministring cause of great complaint to Gods Messengers causing them to say with the Prophet Esay o Isa 53.1 Who hath beleeved our report and to whom hath the arme of the Lord been revealed to mourne wish with Jeremy O p Jer. 9.1 that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountaine of teares that I might weepe day and night for the slaine of the daughter of my people O that I had in the wildernesse a lodging of way-faring men that I might leave my people and goe from them for they are all adulterers an assembly of treacherous men Great is the griefe arising in the soules of Gods Ministers when men continue barren under their labours And when men thrive not ascend not to perfection in grace by the care industry of Gods watch-men they lose that q Pro. 2.10 knowledge the presence whereof is more pleasant then the sun that r 1 Pet. 1.6 faith the enioyment whereof is more pretious then all gold that peace which is more comfortable and delightfull then any paradise then the garden of Eden it self and that communion with God in coÌ„parison wherof the sweetest communion with men is but an exilement continuing their soules under the dominion of sin which is more loathsome full of torment then any sicknes under that bondage of Satan which is infinitely worse then captivity under any mortall tyrant provoking God at length to leave them and making their last account for all the Sermons which they have heard most dreadfull and most uncomfortable Therefore let it bee our care after the long and frequent preaching of the Gospel after the due and faithfull discharge of the Ministers dutie towards us to discharge our dutie also towards God the Lord hath caused the Starre of his Gospel a long time to shine amongst you and hath made the dew of his doctrine to drop for divers years upon you he hath shewed you his statutes and
on earth besides him and is as a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord Isa 62.3 and as a royall Diadem in the hand of his God Joh. 1.12 Rom 8.18 Rev. 1.6 All that have Christ are sonnes of God heires of heaven spirituall Kings hee is most honourable and glorious that comes nighest unto Christ that receiveth most of Christ it is not naturall birth but new birth not worldly abundance but heavenly fulness that honors man in Gods presence * Sola apud Deum libertas est non servire peccatis summa apud Deum nobilitas est clarum esse virtutibus Rev. 12.1 The onely freedome with God saith Ierome is not to serve sinne and with God to excell in vertue is the highest nobility Most honourable and glorious is the description of the Church represented by a woman clothed with the Sunne a crowne of twelve starres on her head and the Moone under her feet That mans condition is questionlesse most honourable that hath the Sunne of righteousnesse clothing him the starre of Gods word guiding him and all the things of the earth put under him 5. The having of all things Fifthly hee that hath Christ hath all shee that is wedded to the Master of the house hath all the house Man by his spirituall wedlocke with Christ hath interest in all the things of this great house of the world Of such as have Christ the Apostle saith All things are yours 1 Cor. 3.22 23. whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and yee are Christs and Christ is Gods All things are yours all the creatures here below are yours as your servants to doe service to you as all the servants of the house are under the mistresse of the house the Angels are also yours to minister to you as the Nobles of the land are the Queenes to attend and wait upon her All things are appointed for your good for your edification supportation and comfort Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas all the Ministers of God from the highest to the lowest are yours as lights to guide you pastors to feed you with knowledge and understanding as shepheards to gather you home to Christ as physicians to heale you as builders to hew and square you as husbandmen to manure and dresse you as the friends of the Bridegroome to wooe you to perswade and betroth you to Christ All the ordinances of God are yours as a schoole to instruct you as a Banquetting house to feed you as an Artillery house to furnish you with spirituall armour as a Bethesda to heale you All these are for your sakes for your good The world is yours as a house for you to dwell in a countrey for you to live in for a season All the goods of the world are yours to use as the things of the house are the wives to use they are all sanctified unto you All the malice and opposition of the world is yours to weane you from the earth to drive you home to Christ to exercise your graces and sweeten unto you Christ Iesus The fulnesse pompe and glory of the world is yours to try your sobriety humility vigilancie and moderation in all things Not onely all things are yours but all conditions whether life or death life is yours the time of life is yours to learne and know God to get assurance of another life The prosperity of life is yours to bee thankfull to God for it the troubles of life are yours to learne to beare the crosse with patience All the severall estates and conditions of life are yours in each of them to shew your subjection and obedience unto God Death is also yours to put an end to all your miseries as a Physician to cure all your diseases as a haven of peace after all tempests as a place of rest after all labours as the red sea to Israel drowning all sinnes ending all sorrowes and giving entrance into endlesse joyes as the red sea drowned Pharaoh and the Egyptians and proved a safe passage to the Israelites and gave them occasion of great triumph and exultation Things present and things to come are yours present things are yours present good things are yours to behold God in them to praise God for them to serve God with them to doe good to others by them present afflictions are yours to try you to humble you to purge you to sweeten the meditation of Christ and heaven to you present sinnes are yours to make you vile in your owne apprehension to drive you out of your selves to let you see the necessarie use of Gods ordinances and the necessity of Christ Jesus Things to come are yours afflictions to come are yours to prepare for them sinnes to come are yours to prevent them heaven and happiness to come are yours to sustaine and comfort your selves with the thought and beleefe of them All things of whatsoever kinde or nature are yours and you are Christs Christs servants to obey him Christs Spouse to love him Christs members receiving all from him possessing all in him and Christ is Gods subordinate unto God as Man and Mediator between God and Man Here are all the latitudes of a Christians riches his having of all in Christ Jesus Let the proud man with Nebuchadnezar blesse himselfe in his stately palace let the mighty man with Golâ—ah boast himselfe in his tall stature and strong armour let the valiant man with Senacharib magnifie himselfe in his victories and the covetous blesse himselfe with him in the parable in having his barnes full but let the Christian pronounce himselfe happy onely happy truly happy fully happy everlastingly happy in his having of Christ for Christ Jesus is mans sole and joyfull constant and most glorious happinesse because in him dwells all fulnesse even the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily The last thing in this verse is the manner how the fulnesse of the Godhead dwells in Christ and that is bodily in the body or humane nature assumed in that the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth Omnis plenitudo divinae narae in corpore ejus inhabitat All fulness saith Ierom of the divine nature dwelleth in his body And the Apostle addeth this word bodily 1. To put a distinction betweene the dwelling of the Godhead in the humane nature assumed and in the Saints in them the Godhead dwels by the communication of vertue but in this the Godhead dwels personally by the coÌ„munication of the person of the Son to the humane nature 2. This the Apostle addeth to shew that Christ according to his humane nature is head of the Church by reason of the personall inhabitation of the Godhead in the flesh 3. To declare the full and open manifestation of God in Christ God did often manifest himselfe unto men in shadowes and in powerfull and mighty workes but in Christ he hath manifested himselfe most fully dwelling
perfection 1. Union with Christ IN regard of union with and incorporation into Christ They are united unto Christ as branches to the vine the vine is of the same nature with the branches so is Christ as man of the same nature with beleevers the branches have their originall from the vine beleevers are begotten againe by Christ to a lively hope the branches are supported nourished and filled by the vine so are all true beleevers by Christ Rom. 12.5 They are united unto Christ as members to the head the head communicates sense and motion to all the members of the body Christ communicates spirituall life sense and motion a heavenly fulnesse of all good things to the members of his mysticall body They are united unto Christ as the bride unto the bridegroome Hos 2.19 they are betrothed unto him for ever the wife by her wedlocke participates of the name honour dignity and earthly fulnesse of her husband the Church by spirituall wedlocke with Christ partakes of the name honour dignity and heavenly fulnesse of Christ As man and wife are one matrimoniall flesh 1 Cor. 12.12 so are Christ and his members one mysticall Christ In regard of proportion 2. Proportion betweene Saints and Christ There is a naturall proportion and likenesse betweene the head and the members betweene the parent and the child betweene the Sunne and the aire enlightned by the Sunne and thus there is a spirituall proportion between Christ and all such as like living members are enlivened by him like children are begotten of him and savingly enlightned by him as the Sunne doth enlighten the aire There is a gracious proportion and answerablenesse betweene Christ and all Gods faithfull servants as betweene the Sunne and the Starres in the firmament as betweene the King and the Queene in the Court as betweene the father and the children in the family they are holy as hee is holy in proportion 1 Pet. 1.15 Rom. 8.29 in imitation in quality but not in adequation degree and equality they are conformed unto Christ in sanctification and in suffering Christ hath fulnesse above measure they have fulnesse in measure In Christ is fulnesse as in the fountaine in them as in the cisterne 3 Christs communication to the Saints In regard of Communication The Sun communicates light unto all the Starres the Sea waters to all the Rivers Christ hath not received for himselfe alone but for all his members Joseph had not the fulnesse of Egypt for himselfe alone but for all the people of the land to dispense to them according to their severall necessities God hath put all fulnesse into Christ and through Christ hee doth dispense the same to us God saith S. Paul hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ Ephes 1.3 with knowledge justification remission adoption sanctification and all spirituall riches in Christ God dispenseth all his fulnesse by Christ Jesus to his servants As the Angels came downe by Jacobs ladder so doe all the gifts of God come downe to the soule of man by Christ Of his fulnesse wee doe all receive Ioh. 1.16 Ioh. 17.8 grace for grace The words saith Christ which thou gavest mee I have given them the words of precept to direct them the words of promise to sustaine them the words of life to quicken them the words of peace to comfort them what thou hast revealed and given to me as Mediator have I revealed and communicated unto them as their teacher and Saviour In regard of Imputation 4. Imputation of Christ Christ with all his benefites is imputed to beleevers their sinnes are imputed unto him and his righteousnesse is imputed unto them Hee that knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.11 was made sinne for us that wee might bee made the righteousnesse of God in him not our righteousnesse but the righteousnesse of God not in us but in Christ As Josua the high Priest had his filthy garments taken from him Zach. 3. and was clothed with change of raiment so is our sinne like a filthy garment put from us and wee are clothed with Christs righteousnesse as with a rich and royall robe and wee are to put on Christ to justification being through faith clothed and covered with Christ his perfect innocencie and holinesse of nature and actions as with a garment to appeare holy and unblameable without spot or wrinkle before God And wee are also said to put on Christ to sanctification Rom. 13. being decked and adorned with the gifts and fruits of his Spirit as with jewels ornaments Yee are of God saith Saint Paul elected 1 Cor. 1.30 called regenerated by his Spirit All things are of God by creation elect beleevers by the grace of adoption and regeneration Yee are of him in Christ elected in Christ before the foundation of the world In Christ who is made unto us of God wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Made unto us of God not by creation but by ordination Wisedome the authour and teacher of wisedome revealing to us the counsell of his Father touching our salvation and making us wise by giving us the spirit of illumination Righteousnesse our Justifier making us righteous through his righteousnesse imputed to us Sanctification our Sanctifier regenerating and renewing us by the worke of his Spirit Redemption by his merit and efficacie freeing us from the power of Satan the dominion of our corruption and death eternall He is our Wisedome as a Prophet our Justification and Sanctification as a Priest our Redemption as a King Hee is our Righteousnesse Imputativè by way of imputation hee is our Wisedome Sanctification and Redemption Effectivè by way of inherent and gracious operation Christ saith * Christus factus est nobis sapientia in praedicatione justitia in peccatorum absolutione sanctificatio in conversatione redemptio in passione Bernard is made unto us Wisedome in preaching Righteousnesse in the absolution of sinne Sanctification in conversation and Redemption in his passion Christ saith * Liberans ab errore peccatorum dimisâ—ione per spiritum paracletum Two sorts of men excluded from Christ and the number of his Saints Theophilact maketh us wise freeing us from errour hee maketh us wise by forgivenesse of sinnes he sanctifieth us by his Spirit the Comforter And thus he â— parteth to us perfect redemption or dâ—â—â—â—aâ—ce from all evils and thus it appeâ—â—eâ— that there is a spirituall and heavenly perfection and fulnesse in all the Lords servants This shewes how great strangers they are to Christ how farre from the number of Gods faithfull servants First who are empty of all saving grace whose soules like the foolish virgins lamps are empty of all spirituall and heavenly oyle whose hearts are an empty house I. Matth. 25. Rom. 7.18 Hos 10.1 wherein dwelleth no divine and saving good whose lives are as the Prophet said of Israel an empty vine bringing forth to themselves to the flesh but not
readinesse in the ground to receive raine from every cloud a readiness with diligence to follow every good worke 2 Tim. 2.21 as there is a readiness in the hand of a good Scholar to write after every letter in the copie 3 By the fulnesse of liberty and freedome from the rule and power of every sin 3 Fulnesse of liberty from the rule of sin as Josuah put all the Canaanites under so doth fulnesse of grace put downe every lust it suffers no sin to reigne as Asa deposed his owne mother 2 Chr. 15. so doth this the mother sin of the soule the sin that is most deare If the eye offend it plucks it out Mat. 5. if the hand offend it cuts it off it doth not worke by halfes as Saul did but destroyes all as Samuel did 1. Sam. 15 it restores the whole man to liberty the understanding to know as Christ restored the blind man to sight the will to embrace Christ as the man whose hand was withered had it made whole to receive any gift the imagination and affections to mind and meditate upon to love and delight in the things which are above as Christ healed the woman that had a Spirit or infirmity making her able to walke upright it makes the whole man free to move and come to Christ as the Rivers move towards the Sea This the Psalmist termeth an inlarging of the heart to run the way of Gods commandements and where the Spirit of the Lord is Psa 119.32 2. Cor. 3.17 there is liberty saith the Apostle 4 By the fulnesse of mans application of himselfe to Christ 4. Fulnesse of mans application of himselfe to Christ The more fully man receives of Christ the more fully he doth apply himselfe to Christ the more the River receives from the Sea the more strongly speedily and fully it returns again and empties it selfe into the Sea Mans motion to Christ is according to his gracious receivings from Christ where there is fulnes of grace Christ is apprehended as a King for his authority as a most precious Pearl for his worth as a Ransomer for his purchase which he hath made of us as a Bridegroome for his love to us and conjunction with us and as the wife which receives the husband gives her selfe againe unto the husband thus the soule which receiveth Christ doth give it selfe againe to Christ Saint Paul saith of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.5 they gave themselves unto the Lord as to their Counselour to direct them as to their Shepheard to feed them as to their King to honour him as to their Lord and Master to serve him as to their Husband to love him to rejoyce and delight in him and bring forth fruit unto him and this is stiled a yeelding vp of our selves to God and a living unto God Ro. 12.1 2. Cor. 5.15 mans subjection unto God and Christ being ever sutable to the power and dominion of grace within him This should perswade and move all men to labour for spirituall and heavenly fulnesse to abound as the Corinthians did Perswasion to this fulnesse in every gift to abound in knowledge as good schollers in learning as the starres in light 2 Cor. 8 7 2 Pet. 3.18 to grow in knowledge In the knowledge of our selves and bee abased In the knowledge of the Law of God and bee reformed by it and conformed to it In the knowledge of the majestie puritie and perfection of God and bee humbled in the apprehension of it In the knowledge of the authoritie and dominion of God and feare to offend him In the knowledge of the power of God and hide our selves under him In the knowledge of the promises of God and build upon them In the knowledge of the bounty of God and bee thankfull In the knowledge of the love of God and be cheerfull In the knowledge of the gracious working of God and ascend to more spirituall perfection In the knowledge of the death of Christ attaining to a greater measure of mortification In the knowledge of the resurrection of Christ being more and more quickned by him In the knowledge of the fulnesse of Christ drawing neerer to him receiving more and more from him more and more solacing quieting and contenting our soules in and with him Let us labour for fulnesse of Faith as the tree increaseth in the fulnesse of his roots Col. 2.7 beeing rooted and built up in Christ and stablished in the faith abounding therein with thankesgiving Let us strive to bee full of love as a fire of much wood is full of heat and as the bride is full of love even sick of love towards the bridegroome to bee full of joy with the light of Gods countenance as the favourite is full of joy with the Kings countenance the light of the Kings countenance being unto him as life and his favour as a cloud of the latter raine O let us endevour to bee full of the holy Ghost full of the fruits of the Spirit as a good orchard is full of all sorts of fruit And the better to provoke our soules to this let us meditate Upon the fulnesse of that power which doth oppose the welfare of our soules Foure meditations moving to this fulnes 1. Fulness of opposing power There is a fulnesse of sinne a fulnesse of Satan a fulnesse of worldly vanities which without a fulnesse of grace we can never withstand subdue and cast downe When the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Sampson he rent the Lyon Iudg. 14. when the Spirit of the Lord cometh mightily in the fulnesse of his grace upon us then Satan the roaring Lyon is put to flight then his workes are dissolved then the strong holds of sinne are cast downe and the soule prevaileth Therefore the Apostle chargeth us to bee strong in the Lord and in the power of hâ—s might to put on the whole armour of God that wee may bee able to stand against the wiles of the Divell 2. Sweet agreâ—ment beâ—ween Heaâ—t and Word Upon the sweet agreement which will arise from this fulnesse betweene our heâ—rts and the word of God This will make the commandement an easie yoke a plaine path this will make the Word sweet and pleasant as the light unto a cleare eye wine unto a thirsty palate or meat to a healthy and hungry stomacke or the voyce of the bridegroome to the bride when her heart is full of love towards him 3. Satisfaction which it ministreth Iâ—h 4.14 Ioh. 7. Mat. 13.44 Upon the satisfaction and contentment which this fulnesse of grace will minister to the soule It will bee as a living spring as floods of water within us quenching our thirst and taking off all our longings from the world it will bee to us as the pearle to the Merchant in the Parable in stead of all worldly treasure it will content us in every estate bee in stead of all to our soules
Clients wait day by day and houre by houre at the gates of Princes and Counsellours to have their suits heard causes favoured petitions granted thus must wee wait daily upon the posts of the Lords house and then we shall be blessed Pro. 8.34 3 Holy fervent and frequent prayer pray for a powerfull and faithfull ministry for a zealous and godly Magistracy in every Corporation and Congregation in the Kingdome for an universall reformation in every particular family Hanna was in bitternesse of spirit prayed 1 Sam. 1.10 and her barren womb was opened and made fruitfull thus fervent prayer is an instrument of great antemnae quò altius malo affiguntur eò velocius navim impellunt and they render the reason quia virtus movens quò est remotior à centro eò velocior validior so in this case the more the mind thoughts and affections of a Christian are raised up the more strong speedy and cheerfull he is in his spirituall motion the more fruitfull in every religious and holy undertaking therefore according to that of the Apostle Col. 3.1 2. If you be risen with Christ seeke those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Thus of what we are to gather from the first branch of this text our Saviours Commiseration next followeth his Exprobration of them wherein we may behold 1. The reason why our Saviour did upbraid them their ignorance they knew not They had Cognitionem Historicam but not Mysticam they had Cognitionem speculativam but not affectivam they had Cognitionem apprehensionis but not Approbationis they had Cognitionem discursivam but not Experimentalem Thus they knew not Christ in regard of affection he was as a stranger whom they loved not in regard of affiance as a withered reed on whom they leaned not in regard of feare as a Carpenters sonne a poore man whom they reverenced not in regard of joy and estimation hee was to their eye as a face in which is no beauty nor comelinesse Thus were they ignorant 2. Here is the matter whereof they were ignorant the things belonging to their peace happinesse and everlasting welfare Peace cometh of a word signifying perfection it compriseth in a large sense the whole welfare of soule and body Peace in regard of the Subject where it resideth 1 Thess 5.3 Rom. 14.17 Judg. 4.17 is either carnall or spirituall in regard of the Object or parties with whom wee embrace it it is either civill between man and man Gal. 5.22 or Christian between Gods children Ephes 2.14 or divine and heavenly between God and the soule of man in regard of the Adjunct Psa 121.6 2 King 20 19. Rom. 12.18 Phil. 4.7 it is either publicke of the Church or Common-wealth or private between our selves and our neighbours or secret between each particular person and his owne conscience The peace here spoken of is a spirituall and heavenly peace between God and their soules a peace in regard of the fountaine flowing originally from God the Father Phil. 4.7 Isa 53.5 the cause meriting Christs sufferings the instrument revealing and working it Eph. 6.15 the Gospel the medium by and through which it is revealed Col. 1.20 the Sonne of God the Mediator the cause efficient Rom. 14.17 Isa 54.13 Isa 57.20 the holy Spirit the subject receiving it the heart sanctified They knew that true peace consisted in having perfect communion with God but that the preaching of the Gospel was the instrument and Christ the procuring cause of it they knew not and for this they were upbraided Here is the amplification of their ignorance Mat. 3.1 taken from the season In this thy day Day generally signifieth time specially a naturall or artificiall day Ios 11.9 but usually in Scripture day is three wayes taken First Psa 90.9 there is dies vitae as the day is short full of changes and attended with the night so is the life of man of small continuance subject to many changes ever waited on by death Secondly there is dies doctrinae 1 Cor. 3.13 the day is lightsome discovereth things hidden such is the nature and such is the effect of the word of God Rom. 13.12 Thirdly there is dies gratiae this is the day here mentioned a time wherein God offered mercie to them fitly resembled to the day in regard of Revelation without the Gospel it is all night all darkness In regard of Adornation the Gospel the meanes of grace is the crowne honour beauty of a place or people as the day is the glory of the world In regard of Consolation the day is pleasant Eccles 11.7 It is a pleasant thing to the eye to behold the light so are the meanes and times of grace pleasant comfortable to the souls of the people In regard of Distinction the day distinguisheth one thing from another so under the meanes of grace Jer. 15.19 the pretious are separated from the vile the chosen from the reprobate In regard of speedie preterition a day is soone gone so is the meanes of grace soone removed a night of uncomfortable darknesse brought upon us if wee make not vse of the meanes when we have it which is the 4th and last thing here observable their deprivation of the meanes of grace the things belonging to their peace were hidden from their eyes the punishment of their former ignorance contempt rebellion barrennesse ingratitude they were left in their blindnesse From the exclamation and amplification our Saviour upbraiding them for their ignorance depriving them of the meanes of life for their barrennesse blindnesse disobedience under it we may learne that Doct. It is very dangerous and fearfull for any people or person to neglect the meanes and times of grace which God doth offer them There was a Law in the dayes of Moses that when they came to fight against a Citie Deut. 20.10 11 12 13. peace must bee proclaimed if they would not accept the peace proffered and become tributaries then they should besiege it and when the Lord had delivered it into their hands they should smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword In like sort the Lord by the ministery of the word laieth siege to our soules proffereth conditions of peace but if wee refuse peace when hee offers it and will not bee reconciled and will not become tributaries to him but deny to him the tribute of love above all creatures the tribute of obedience before all persons the tribute of dependance in all estates and conditions the tribute of contrition confession for all offences the tribute of humiliation at the apprehension of our present vilenesse the tribute of thankfulnesse for all received mercies if wee refuse this the Lord will besiege us with an Armie of fearfull plagues and punishments and at length miserably destroy us hee
will have no pitie no compassion upon us Hear what the Lord hath to this purpose spoken by Solomon Proverbs 1. vers 23. Pro. 1.23 There is Gods invitation strengthened by the consideration of past and present corrections and the promise of future kindnesse vers 24 25. There is their refusall obstinacie rebellion against him their slighting of Gods counsels weariness under his corrections Vers 26 27 28. There is laid open the misery of their condition the wrath of God against them the bitter fruits of their rejection of that mercy which God did proffer to them For this God threatned to leave the people in their sinne Because I have purged thee Ezek. 24.13 and thou wast not purged saith the Lord unto Jerusalem thou shalt not bee purged from thy filthinesse any more till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee I the Lord have spoken it it shall come to passe and I will doe it I will not goe back neither will I spare neither will I repent c. To this accordeth that commination of our Saviour against the false Prophetesse and soule-seducing Jezabel Rev. 2 21. I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not there is our Saviours patience mercie long-suffering veâ—se 22. Behold saith Christ I will cast her into a bed a bed of affliction them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their evill deeds Heb. 3.16.18 Some saith the Apostle when they had heard provoked thereupon the Lord sware they should not enter into his rest and the estate of such people is very dangerous and fearfull For Reason 1 It is uncertaine First whether God will continue the meanes of grace Propter incertitudinem If a man knock long at a doore and none open he departeth Our Saviour Cant. 5. knocked by his word instructing inviting by his rod chastising by his Spirit moving by his mercies long-suffering alluring he waited long in the dew and in the raine enduring many sorrowes Cant. 5.2 3. troubles afflictions in himselfe and in his Ministers but because his Spouse refused the proffers of his love hee withdrew himselfe hee stopt his eare hee would not heare in her distresse Secondly it is uncertaine whether our life will continue Iam. 4.14 Our life is but a vapour and wee know not what shall be on the morrow Nemo tam divos habet faventes crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri Sen. qui poenitenti veniam spospondit peccanti diem crastinum non promisit Greg. Thirdly if both meanes and life continue and wee for the present refuse to make use of it it is very uncertaine whether God will give his blessing to make the meanes effectuall God may leave us under his ordinances as rockes in the midst of rivers Isa 59.10 as blinde men under the Sunne at noone day hee may suffer his word to prove the savour of death unto death 2 Cor. 2.14 make what should have been for our welfare to be an occasion hastening our ruine It is not in our power to repent and turne to God when we list Propter impotentiam 2 Sam. 3.32 David in his life time complained of the sonnes of Zervia that they were too strong for him And wee may truly complaine of Satan and his sonnes his cursed birth within us I meane our corruptions that they bee too strong for us wee may imagine as Sampson in another case did that we have power to awaken rise up goe forth from the servitude of sinne and Satan when wee please but it will bee at last with us as with Sampson our strength will faile us the Philistines will bee upon us prevaile against us Ezek. 36.26 27. we may as soon turne the stony rock into soft ground raise the dead out of the grave make the brambles bear figges as by our owne power raise our selves to a new life Ephes 2.1 Mat. 7.16 turne our stony into a soft and tender heart bring forth the sweet figges and pleasant grapes of godly sorrow true repentance a lively faith fervent love sincere obedience This is a worke sutable to none but Gods finger Hee that raised the dead Ioh. 11.44 Isa 35.5 6 Exo. 17.6 that turned the barren wildernesse into a fruitful field that fetcht water out of the stony rocke hee alone can change the heart make us fruitfull in the saving grace of the Spirit 1 Cor. 3.6 Paul plants and Apollo waters but the Lord doth give the increase It is God that openeth the heart of Lydia Act. 16.14 When Paul preacheth and the Lord is a free agent hee communicateth his grace when and where he pleaseth Ioh. 3.8 Sinne will grow strong and Satan will fortifie his holds Propter incrementum if the meanes of grace bee neglected the reformation of our wayes procrastinated A disease neglected growes incurable an enemy let alone becomes invincible and sinne gathers much strength by continuance it blindes the understanding dulls the affection hardens the heart seares the conscience makes uncapable of holy counsell unfit for every godly undertaking Difficile est ab usitatis desinere difficile est à familiaribus abstrahi Greg. Can the Ethiopian saith the Prophet change his skinne Ier. 23.13 or the Leopard his spots then may yee also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill This serveth for the sharpe reproofe of such as procrastinate their repentance Use stop their eares to present invitations shut their eyes against the present light which shineth to them regard not the day of their visitation Iâ—a 55.6 who seek not the Lord while hee may bee found but like the sluggard cry Pro. 6.10 A little more sleepe a little more slumber a little more folding of the hands upon the bed of sinne till sinne Satan hell come like armed men upon them and they are found unable to resist them Thus the old world all the time of Noahs preaching and preparing the Arke neglected their day till the flood came upon them Mat. 25.1 the foolish virgins slumbred till the bridegroome came entred in and shut them out having no oyle in their lampes Some out of the strength of their love to sinne repose themselves after many warnings in her lap as Sampson did in Dalilahs lap till shee delivered him into the hands of the Philistines Some out of hope to repent hereafter Acts 24.25 Rom. 2.5 Psa 95.10 Job 21.14 or in hope of better leasure some out of the hardnesse of their hearts some out of their unbeliefe some out of their Atheisticall and base conceits of a religious and godly life Rev. 3.17 some out of selfe-conceit thoughts of selfe-sufficiencie and present fulnesse Luk. 14.18 some through multiplicitie of worldly businesse some by the perswasions of carnall friends are hindered from attending the meanes of grace from the reformation of their wayes As the Levite was so long
detained by his father in law Iudg. 19.5 that hee lost his Concubine by the way shee came short home thus many of us are so feasted by the world so detained from day to day that wee lose our soules by the way wee come short of heaven and eternall happinesse at last It is marvellous to consider how in all matters of this life wee take the time make use of the opportunitie If the body bee diseased we goe presently to the Physician with the woman of Shunem wee saddle the horse 2 King 4. and ride in all haste if fire bee kindled in the house wee instantly runne for water to quench it if a citie be besieged like the men of Gibeon Ios 10.6 wee speedily send for strength to remove it if wee bee rob'd wee forthwith make hue and cry that the thiefe may be apprehended Husbandmen for the earth Mariners for the sea Merchants for the Mart and every Smith strikes while the iron is hot And is it not a shame that wee whose soules are so dangerously diseased an infernall fire burning within us an armie of unclean spirits laying siege against us many theeves robbing us of the best among all jewels yet wee move not stirre not strive not for deliverance Wee have the best seed to sow the richest voyage to make the chiefest merchandise to buy and yet wee regard not our day esteeme not the time of our visitation entertaine not the proffer which God of his free and abundant mercie doth make O beloved consider First how just it will bee with God not to heare us in our misery if wee refuse to heare him inviting us in the multitude of his mercie shall the master heare the servant requesting if the servant regard not the master requiring Remember the words of a dying man of a dying King a holy a wise King a man after Gods owne heart the words of King David to his sonne Solomon 1 Chron. 28.9 Thou my sonne Solomon know thou the God of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts If thou seeke him hee will bee found of thee but if thou forsake him hee will cast thee off for ever Secondly doth not our refusall of mercie when it is offered cut off all hope of mercie for hereafter Doth not the rejecting of a proffered pardon turn the Kings favour into anger against the malefactor Did not this give Christ occasion to withdraw his mercie from Jerusalem O Jerusalem Mat. 23.37 38. Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered you together even as a Hen doth gather her Chickens under her wing and yee would not Behold your house is left unto you desolate Thirdly will not our continuance in sinne make our repentance if ever we doe repent so much the more grievous full of terrour vexation and anguish Where trees have growne long and the roots are deepe the earth is very much rent and torne before the tree is plucked up Doth not the traveller who hath walked long and farre out of his way goe backe with much sorrow sadness and griefe of heart Fourthly will God be well pleased that we shall spend all the flower and strength of our time in Satans service and when wee are old and can serve sin no longer come crowd and thrust our selves into his service Fifthly doe not wee hereby lose much spirituall riches blessed communion and acquaintance with God comfortable assurance of joy and glory in the heavens that comfort peace pleasure rejoycing contentment which infinitely surpasseth all the contentment in the world O therfore let us not any longer delay our conversion put off our repentance neglect the day of our visitation let us not be like Jerusalem strangers to the things belonging to our peace but let us thinke upon the Lords patheticall and manifold expostulations asking Pro. 1.22 How long yee simple ones will yee love simplicitie and scorners delight in their scorning and fooles hate knowledge Interrogating also with his people Ezek. 18.30 31. Repent and turne your selves from all your transgressions make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will yee dye O house of Israel Call to minde also and thinke seriously upon the Lords free and gracious invitations Ier. 3.22 bidding us by the Prophet Turne O back-sliding children and I will heale your back-slidings Zech. 1.3 And againe Turne yee unto mee Mat. 11.28 and I will turne to you And Come to mee all yee that be heavie loaden and I will refresh you Thinke on this and Remember your Creator in the dayes of your youth Eccles 12.1 Remember him as a Maker to depend upon him as a Father to love him as a Master to feare him as a King to obey him as a Friend to rejoyce in him as a Shield to defend you a Store-house to minister all fulnesse to you And as the Angell charged Lot Gen. 19.17 Escape for thy life looke not behinde thee neither stay in all the plaine escape to the mountaines lest thou bee consumed so let mee charge exhort intreat perswade every person that tenders his owne everlasting peace glory comfort to hasten out of the Sodome of sinne to escape from his uncleannesse not to looke back with love or liking upon any way which God hath forbidden lest his consuming wrath seize upon him but shine more and more like the Sunne unto the perfect day Goe forward like a good traveller bee filled with all goodnesse as the sea with waters and you shall have a resting place in Sion drinke of the rivers which shall fill your soules with the choycest pleasures and bee more glorious then the Sunne for ever in the heavens FINIS THE LORD JESUS THE SOULES LAST REFUGE By Alexander Grosse B. of Divinity at the funerall of Mr. S. H. PSAL. 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth me but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever PSAL. 141.8 Mine eyes are unto thee O GOD the LORD in thee is my trust leave not my soule destitute PSAL. 142.4 5. I looked on my right hand and beheld but there was no man that would know mee refuge failed me no man cared for my soule I cryed unto the LORD I said Thou art my Refuge and my Portion in the land of the living LONDON Printed by R. Young for John Bartlet at the gilt Cup in Pauls Church-yard 1640. THE LORD JESUS the Soules last Refuge REV. 22.20 Come Lord Jesus THE comming of the Sunne is joyous to him that hath been long in darknesse the comming of the Dove with an Olive branch was comfortable to Noah after he had been tossed divers dayes upon the deluge the re-appearing of the Starre to the Wise men made them exceeding joyfull And such is the comming of the Lord Jesus to the
which words wee may take notice 1. Of a particle of conclusion Finally 2. Of a title of compellation Brethren 3. Of a terme of valediction and farewell Farewell 4. of a vote Of exoptation or wishing Be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace be with you Wherein Saint Paul like a Testator or Parent that makes his last Will Testament bequeatheth these five gifts as five Legacies to the Corinthians his children in Christ which are like the h Gen. 45.22 five changes of rayment which Joseph gave to Benjamin for the spirituall warmth and ornament which they minister to the soules of Gods children like the i Judg. 18.7 five men which brought good tidings to their brethren incouraging them to arise and enter into the land for the comfortable newes which they bring to the soules of men encouraging them to enter into Gods service to set their feet into the wayes of peace and holinesse like the k 1 Sam. 21.3 five loaves of bread which David asked of the Priest for the nourishment refection and strength which they minister to the soules of Gods servants and these I shall being now as a dying man to you bequeath unto you as a Legacie of choycest worth to adorne you of greatest strength to support you of best nourishment to feed you of sweetest peace to solace you Finally brethren farewell Be perfect c. The branches growing on this tree are many the streames issuing from this fountain are divers and having but one day to gather the fruit here growing to draw the waters hence arising I shall but briefly touch give you a taste of each of them and first of the particle of conclusion Finally lastly Denique quod superest or as touching that which remaineth that is after that I have done mine office and have instructed you by the word threatned you by the judgements and intreated you by the mercies of God and have used all meanes to move you to repentance and to draw you to Christ Finally or what remaineth more to be done now but that you doe your duty that you beleeve repent reforme bee perfect and draw home to Christ with all your soule and might This is that which now remaineth which is now on your behalfe expected And hence you see Doct. That the Ministers long and frequent preaching must be attended with much perfection in the people After the Ministers long and frequent instruction faith repentance and true conversion must shew it selfe forth in the people When the Minister hath done his dutie towards men men must doe their dutie towards God The l Exod. 17.6 rocke gushed out water after Moses striking it After the Priests seven times compassing the walles of Jericho and m Jos 6.20 blowing of their Rammes horns the walles fell unto the ground After the Prophets n 2 Kings 4.34 spreading himselfe upon the woman of Shunems child the flesh of the child waxed warme hee neesed and opened his eyes After the Ministers often smiting our hearts with the hammer of the word often sounding of the trumpet of the Gospel in our eares and right dividing and applying of the word unto our hearts our stony hearts should be softned and send forth the waters of godly sorrow the strong and mighty holds of sinne should bee cast downe our soules enlivened the eyes of our understandings most clearly and savingly opened After the shining of the Sunne the aire is inlightned after the distilling of the dew and plentifull influence of the heavens the earth fructifieth after the long shining of the light of the Gospel and frequent distilling and dropping down of the dew of heavenly doctrine mens understandings should bee filled with knowledge as the aire with light and their lives replenished with all spirituall and heavenly fruit This the Lord expecteth o Isa 5.4 What could have been done more to my vineyard saith the Lord that I have not done in it in regard of the externall meanes wherefore I looked that it should bring forth grapes that like a vineyard long and well dressed it should bring forth good grapes of knowledge faith repentance and the like this is the property of Gods children as good p Mat. 13.24 ground receiving good seed they bring forth much fruit as living and healthy children sucking their mothers breasts they q 1 Pet. 2.2 grow by the sincere milke of the word of God This fruit hath followed the labours of Gods Ministers Saint Peter r Acts 2.44 testiâ—â—â— and exhorted and his word was glad 〈…〉 and about three thousand soules were 〈◊〉 to the Church Saint Paul preached and as Å¿ Acts 13.48 many as were ordained unto life beleeved The Apostle preached at Ephesus t Acts 19.20 many beleeved came and confessed and shewed forth their deeds so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed u Exod. 17.11 Iosua fought Moses prayed and Israel prevailed over Amalek When the Minister preacheth and prayeth Gods Israel must prevaile over Satan and their corruption Peter w Ioh. 21.11 casteth the net the second time into the sea and a multitude of fishes are taken in it At the Ministers first and second frequent and often preaching many soules should by the net of the Gospel bee drawne out of the gulfe and sea of sinne and the world And that In regard of the end of the Ministers Reason 1 long and frequent preaching The x Psa 104.22 23. Sunne ariseth sayth the Psalmist the wilde beasts gather themselves together and lay them downe in their dennes man goeth forth to his worke and to his labour untill the evening The Gospel like the Sunne ariseth and all the lusts of men which like so many wilde beasts walke forth and make their prey upon the soules of men in the right of their ignorance must now lye themselves downe by humiliation mortification and true repentance and man must arise from the bed of sinne and goe forth out of himselfe as out of his house to his worke and to his labour y Phil. 2.12 working out his salvation with feare and trembling never z 1 Thess 1.3 ceasing from the worke of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ untill the evening untill the sunne of his life be wholly gone down and set This the Apostle presseth from the end of the appearing of the Gospel a Rom. 13.11 The night is farre spent the time and state of ignorance and blindnesse is farre gone and the light is neere at hand the day of the Gospel breaketh forth and the light of illumination doth appeare Let us therefore cast off the workes of darknesse as men cast off their bed-clothes in the morning and let us put on the armour of light as men put on their day clothes and so let us walke and b Tit. 2.11 the grace of God saith