will not be mocked 6. Of holy Hatred loathing and abhorrence of sin which maketh us so filthy and odious in the eyes of the Lord. 2. This course would be followed for the purging away of the least sins for till they be purged away we remaine in our filth and cannot exspect God's favourable countenance nor his warme imbracements nor the hearty intimations of his love and kindnesse And a small inconsiderable like spot may grow greater and provoke God to let the accuser of the brethren Satan who alwayes waits for his opportunity losse upon us and a conscience wakened may make much of a little defilement to keep the soul from approaching to God 3. This course would be followed with every sin quickly without delay for the longer those spots continue it will be the more difficult to get them taken away the soul will after some time become the lesse troubled about them and possibly forget them and so they will remaine and this may occasion at last a sad distance and provoke God to hide his face which will cause more bitternesse and sorrow It were good then to keep up a Spirit of tendernesse and feare 4. Let this be our Dayly work and exercise for we are daylie contracting new filth yesterdayes cleansing will not save us from new filth to day nor will our runing to the fountaine to day serve to take away new spots tomorrow new spots call for new washing so that this must be our very life and exercise to be dayly and continually runing to the fountaine with our foule souls and giving Christ the great purger much to do 5. We must not think to be perfectly Washen so long as we are here for we will be contracting new filth dayly our feet will still be to wash Iohn 13 10. We will not be without spote or wrinckle till we come home to that place wherein entereth nothing that defileth 6. Let the beleevers recourse in this matter be wholly to Iesus Christ and his blood and lay no weight on their sorrow repentance or teares or on any outward meane which they are commanded to use yet would they not lay aside these meanes but goe through them to the fountaine to Jesus there and there only to be cleansed 7. They would not be discouraged or dispaire when their spots appear great and not like the spots of his children for Christ's blood can purge from all sin and wash away all their filth of how deep so ever a dye it be Christ's blood is so deep an ocean that a mountain will be sunck out of sight in it as wel as a small peeble stone 8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin even the greatest yet they would know that scandalous spots or a deep staine may cost them more frequent runing to the fountaine through humiliation godly sorrow prayer and supplication David's scandalous blot cost him more trouble and paines before he got it purged away than many others as we see Psal. 51. 9. When all this is done we must think of having on another righteousnesse as our cloathing and covering in the day of our appearance before our judge even the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ which only is perfect and able to save us from the wrath of God Let us be never so washen in the matter of sanctification and cleansed from our spots we cannot for all that be accounted righteous before God nor will that satisfie justice or take away the guilt so much as of one transgression before God Christ's righteousnesse will be ouâ—… upper-garment for all eternitie Ut his is the fine linning wherewith his bride is busked in heaven 10. At every time we run to the fountaine with our dayly contracted filth we would not forget to carry alongs with us the mother corruption which is the sinck and puddle of all filthinesse I meane our naturall corrupted rottennesse and pollution from whence flow all our other actuall pollutions We would do well to carry mother and daughter both together to the fountaine David prayeth to be washen and purged as well from his originall filthinesse wherein he was conceived and borne as from his bloudguiltinesse Psal. 51 5 7. 11. Let not this occasion our carelesnesse in watching against sin for that would be to turne his grace into wantonness but rather let it sharpen our diligence in watching against all occasions of sin lest we againe defile our soul. 12. Not only must we have our bodyes or our outward conversation washen but our soul within the frame of our heart our understanding will affections and conscience sprinkled with that blood The blood of Christ who through the eternall Spirit offered himself without spot â—…o God must purge our consciences from dead works to serve the living God Heb. 9 14. And we must have our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10 22. Finally If the beleever feare that he shall not be able to remember all these particular duties let him remember this to wit To put a â—…oule soul defiled with originall and actuall pollutions in Christ's hand dayly and leave it with him to wash by his blood and Spirit And yet remember to lay the weight of his acceptance before God upon the imputed righteousnesse of Iesus Christ and not upon his own cleannesse when thus sanctified and washen which is but imperfect Questions or objections answered But alas some may Object and say That their very faith which must carry the rest of their filth to the fountaine of Christ's blood is defiled How then can they expect to be made clean An. The blood of Iesus Christ is sufficiently able to wash all our filth away and the filth of faith as well as of other actions Therefore when faith as a hand is carrying the filth of the soul away to Christ to be washen in his blood let the foule hand go with the foule hand full give Christ faith and all to wash 2. But what shall I do when notwithstanding of all this my conscience shall still accuse me of uncleannesse and cry out against me as filthy and abominable Ans. Take it away also to the blood of Iesus that there it may be purged Heb. 9 14. and here alone will we get our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience Heb. 10 22. The conscience must be steeped to speak so in the blood of Iesus and so it shall be cleane and taking our filthy hearts to this cleansing fountaine to be washen we will get them delivered and sprinkled from an evil conscience that it shall no more have ground of accusation against us when we have it to say that we have put our filthy souls in the hands of the great cleanser Jesus Christ and brought all our pollutions to his blood what can conscience say to us The Lord it is true may suffer our consciences still to bark upon us and cast up our filthinesse to us that we may be the more humbled and be put to lye
and the basis of mans blessednesse advanceing him both to a conformity to God and qualifying him for the fruition of Him by the generality of those called to be saints that they may be haved is not onely upon deliberation and choice laid aside as having nothing in it to recommend and endeare it to the souls of men but hated floured fled from and forsaken as if it came on purpose to marre mens tranquillity and torment them before the time While I say it is thus some faithful Servants who make conscience to carry on His work who came to destroy the works of the Devil and went about while in the world healing all that were oppressed of him set themselves to pray preach and perswad the things concerning the Kingdome of God yea to write and warne and weep men into a compliance with their own happipinesse they endeavour solicitously to informe mens minds that they may reforme their manners and rescue them with feare who are runing upon their own ruine but alas with so little successe that they doe the work of the Lord with grief and have much sorrow of those of whom they ought to have joy and after all their beseechings obtestings requestings and cryings this is the way walke yee in it turne you turne oh why will you dye have this as the last returne to all their importunities Nay there is no hope speake no more to us of that matter do not offer to perswade us to relinquish the old road or disswade us from following our lovers for when ye have done all after these we will go we resolve to abide what we have been children of imperswasion But if his Servants in following their work closly seem to have gained a little ground upon men and almost perswaded them to be Christians Satan to the end he may make all miscarry and counter worke these workers together with God and poison poor souls by a perversion of the Gospel beyond the power of an antidot hath raised up instigat and set on work a race of proud Rationalists for they are wiser then to classe themselves amongst those poor fools those base things those nothings to whom Christ is made all things to whom Christ is made wisdome that he may be righteousnesse sanctification and redemption to them nay they must be wise men after the flesh wise above what is written a crucified Christ is really unto them foolishnesse and weaknesse though the power of God and the wisdome of God they will needs go to work another way they will needs glory in his presence and have a heaven of their own hand-wind O my soul enter not into their secrets and O sweet Jesus let thy name be to me the Lord my righteousness thou hast wone it weare it and gather not my soul with such who make mention of any other righteousness but of thine onely to bring-in another Gospel amongst men then the Gospel of the grace of God as they determine to know some other thing then Christ and him crucified so with the inticeing words of mans wisdom they bewitch men into a disobedience to the truth setting somewhat else before them then a crucified Christ And this they do that they may remove men from those who call them into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel A Christ it is true they speake of but it is not the Christ of God for all they drive at O cursed and truely Antichristian designe is that he may profite them nothing while they model all Religion according to this novel project of their magnified morality This is that which gives both life and lustre to that image they adore to the Dagon after whom they would have the world wonder and Worship That there is such a moralizeing or muddizeing if I may be for once admitted to coine a new word to give these men their due of Christianity now introduced and comeing in fashion many of the late pieces in request do evince Now that Christianity should moralize men above all things I both give and grante for he who is partaker of the divine nature and hath obtained precious faith must adde vertue to his faith But that it should be only conceived and conceited as an elevation of nature to a more cleare light in the matter of morality wherein our Lord is onely respected as an heavenly teacher and perfect paterne proposed for imitation is but a proud pleasing fansie of self conceited darkened and deluded dreamers robing God of the glory of his mercy and goodnesse our Lord Jesus Christ of the glory of his grace and merit The Spirit of the efficacy of his glorious and mighty operations and themselves and their pilgrimes who give them the hand as guids of the comfort and frute of all This is the pilgrimage we are perswaded to undertake to the holy Land this is that reasonablenesse of Christianitie which with great swelling words of vanitie is ventilat to the allureing and ensnareing of such who had almost escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust and the pollutions of the flesh through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ This is the way which they who undertake to publish to the world the true causes of the decay of pietie take to revive and introduce that pietie which they complain is wanting O impious invention not only encroaching upon the unsearchable mysterie of the Gospel but subversive of the whole method and blessed and beautiful contrivance of salvation and rendering salvation impossible to the greatest proficients in this studie and the grand patrons and practitioners in this new art the greatest opposers of that grace of God which bâ—…ingeth salvation unto all men It is true they will not plainly plead for profanitie Nay they may and do make a great noise about the practise of pietie as if they were the only patrons thereof that with lesse observation and greater facility they may beguile themselves and their followers of the reward they may possibly perswade even to a pinching of the body that they may puffe up and pamper their fleshly minde and while they overdrive men to the practise of will worship and performance of those things which have a shew of wisdome it is that they may withdraw them from holding that blessed head from which all the body by joints bands having nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God yet the grace of God that onely liveing principle of all true pietie which they dispute out of the souls of men that they may debauch them into a contempt of the Spirits working in men to will and to do takes frequent vengance on this their invention by leaving them not onely to play the Devil in disguise that they may be known by their fruits but also to lay aside that garbe of external godlinesse for the Devil nor his Domesticks cannot long weare a strait doublet that it may appeare how it is verified in them from
and death And beside this slight and cunning it hath strength and power to draw by lusts into destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 4 9. and to carry the soul headlong So that it makes the mans case miserable Rom. 7 24. All which would say that the beleever should call in other help than his owne and remember that through the Spirit he must mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8 13. 7. And therefore the beleever must lay aside all his carnall weapons in dealing with this adversary and look out for divine help assistance even for the promised Spirit through which alone he can be instructed inabled for this great work for of himself he can do nothing not so much as think a good thought as of himself 2 Cor. 3 5. faâ—… lesse will he be able to oppose such a mightie adversary that hath so great many advantages and therefore all his carnall meanes purposes vowes fightings in himself will but render himself weaker a readyer prey unto this adversary which gaineth ground while he is so opposed It is Christ alone and his Spirit that can destroy the works of the devil and kill or crucify this enmity 8. So that the beleever must have his recourse for help and succour here unto Iesus the Captaine of salvation and must follow Him and fight under his bâ—…nner make use of his weapons which are spirituâ—…ll fight according to his counsell and conduct taking Him as a leader commander lying open for his orders instructions waiting for the motions of his Spirit following them and thâ—…s oppose fight against this deadly enemie with an eye alwayes on Christ by â—…aith depending on Him for light to the minde resolution to the will and grace to the whole soul to stand in the battel and to withstand all assaults and never engadge in a disput with this enemie or any lust or member of this body without Christ the Principall that is the soul would dispaire in it self and be strong in Him and in the power of his might by faith gripping to Him as Head Captaine and Commander in chiefe resolving to fight in his strength and to oppose through the helpe of his Spirit 9. And for this cause the beleever would eye the covenant of Redemption the basis of all our hope and consolation wherein finall and full victory is promised to Christ as head of the elect viz that He shall bruise the serpents head and so that in Him all his followers and members of his mysticall body shall lift up the head and get full victory at length over both sin and death Now it is God thâ—…t giveth us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 15 57. The bâ—…leever would also eye by faith the covenant of Grace where in particularly this same victory is promiâ—…ed to the beleever in and through Jesus Rom. 16 20 the God of peace shall brâ—…ise Satan under your feet shortly and Sin shall not have dominion over you for yee are not under the law but under grace Rom. 6 14. The beleever I say would look out by faith unto and lay hold on these and the like promises and thereby get strength conveyed to him self whereby he may strive lawfully and fight valiently and oppose with courage and resolution 10. Further the beleever would eye Christ as a fountaine of Furniture as a full and compleat magazine standing open ready for every one of his honest souldiers to run to for new supply of what they want so that whatever they finde wanting in their Christian armour they must run away to the open magazine Christs fulnesse that standeth ready for them and by faith take put on what they want stand in need of in their warfare If their girdle of truth be slacked loosed or weakened and they be meeting with temptations anent their hypocrisie and Satan objecting to them their double dealing of purpose to discourage them and to make them fainte give over the fight they must away to Him who is the Truth that He may binde on that girdle better and make their hearts more upright before God in all they do And if their breast plate of righteousnesse be weakened Satan there seem to get advantage by casting up to them their unrighteous dealings towards God or Men they must flee to Him who only can help here and beg pardon through his blood for 〈◊〉 failings and set to againe a fresh to the battel If their resolution which is understood by the preparation of the gospell of peace grow weak it must be renewed in Christs armory and the feet of new be shode therewith If their shield of faith beginne to fail theâ—… away must they get to Him who is the Author finisher of faith Heb 12 2. And if their helmet of hope beginne to fail them In this armory alone can that be supplied And if their sword be blunted in their hand or they unable to weild it aright the Spirit of Jesus can only teach their hands to fight and instruct them how to mannage that usefull weapon with advantage Thus must the beleever be strong in Him and in the power of his might Ephes. 6 10. He is their God that girdeth them with strength and maketh their way perfect He maketh their feet like hindes feet setteth them upon their high places He teacheth their hands to war so that a bow of steal is brocken by their armes He giveth them the shield of Salvation His right hand upholdeth them He girdeth with strength unto the battell c. Psal. 18 vers 32 33 34 35 39. c. 11. For the further strengthening of their Hope Faith Confidence beleevers would eye Christ as hanging on the crosse and overcomeing by death Death and him that had the power of death the Devill so as meritoriously purchaseing this redemtion from the slavery of sin and Satan and particulary from the slavery of that body of death and of the law of sin death for the Apostle tells us Rom. 8 2 that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus doth make us free from the law of sin and death and that because as he sayeth further vers 3 4. what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his owne son in the likenesse of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That the rigâ—… teousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us So that the beleever may now look upon that enemy how fearfull so ever it appear as condemned and killed in the death of Christ. He having laid downe the price of Redemption hath bought this freedom from the chaines fetters with which he was held in captivity faith then on the death of Jesus satifying justice for the poor captive may should support and strengthen the hope confidence of the beleever that he shall obtaine victory at length 12. And it will
further confirme the hope and faith of the beleever to look to Christ hinging on the crosse and there vanquishing and evercomeing this 〈◊〉 as a publick person representing the elect who died in him and virtually and legally did in him overcome that Jailour and break his fetters and the soul now beleeving may yea should reckon it self in Christ dying as it were upon the crosse and there overcomeing all those spirituall enemies likewise sayeth the Apostle Rom. 6 11. Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin From hence even while fighting the beleever may account himself a conquerour yea more then a conquerour through Him that loved him Rom. 8 37. Now faith acting thus on Christ as a publick person dying and overcomeing death and sin the beleever may not only inferte the certainty of victory knowing that our old man is crucified with Christ Rom 6 6. but also from the crosse of Christ draw strength to stand fight against the struglings of this vanquished and killed enemy They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. But how even by the crosse of Christ for thereby is the world crucified unto me sayeth the Apostle Gal. 6 14. I unto the world your old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. 13. The beleever being dead indeed unto sin through the crosse of Christ is to look upon himself as legally freed from that yock of bondage under sin death The law hath dominion over a man so long as he liveth Rom. 7 1. but by the body of Christ beleevers are become dead to the law vers â—… That law of sin death which hath dominion over a man that liveth still in nature and is not yet by faiâ—…h planted in the likenesse of Christs death noâ—… buryed with him by baptisme into death Rom. 6 4 5. hath not that dominion over beleevers it had once for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made them free from the law of sin death Rom. 8 2. So that now the beleever is free from that tyranny and that tyrant can exerce no lawfull jurisdiction or authority over him and therefore he may with the greater courage repell the insolencies of that tyrant that contrare to all right and equity seeketh to Lord it over him still They are no lawfull subjects to that cruell and rageing Prince or to that spirituall wickednesse 14. So that the beleever renunceing that jurisdiction under which he was formerly and being under a new husband and under a new law even the law of the Spirit of liâ—…e in Christ Iesus is to look upon all the motions of sin as illegall and as treasonable acts of a tyrant The old man being crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed the beleever is not any more to serve sin Rom. 6 6. And being now dead they are freed from sin vers 7. and are married to another even to Him who is raised from the dead so they should not serve sin but bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 4. therefore look upon all motions of the flesh and all the inclinations and stirrings of the old law of sin as acts of treachery and rebellion against the right and jurisdiction of the beleevers new Lord Husband and are therefore obliged to lay hold on this old man this body of death and all the members of it as traitours to the rightfull King Husband and to take them prisoners to the King that He may give out sentence and execute the same against them as enemies to his kingdome and interest in the soul They being now no more servants of sin but of righteousnesse Rom. 6 18. they ought no more to yeeld their members servants to uncleannesse iniquity unâ—…o iniquity vers 19. and being debters no more to the flesh to live after the flesh Rom. 8 12. they are to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit vers 13. and to crucify the flesh with the affections lusts Gal. 5 24. that is by bringing them to the crosse of Christ where first they were condemned and crucified in their full body and power that a new sentence as it were may goe out against them as parts of that condemned Tyrant and as belonging to that crucified body 15. So that the beleever that would carry faithfully in this matter and fight lawfully in this warfare and hope to obtaine the victory through Jesus Christ must bring these Traitours that appeare in their sinfull motions and lusts in the soul working rebellion against the lust authority and equitable lawes of the lawfull Prince Iesus before the tribunal of Him who hath now gote all power and authority in heaven and earth Mat. 28 18. and hath all judgment committed to Him Ioh. 5 22. And to this end both died and rose revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Rom. 14 9. that He may execute justice upon the Tâ—…aitor head and members that He may trâ—…mple these devils under and bruise the head of these serpents within us The beleever then is by faith in prayer to carry these open enemies to Christ and declare and witnesse against them as Traitours by what mischief they have done in the soul by their hindering the righteous lawes of the king to be obeyed and constraining forceing what by arguments or allurements and what by forceable inclinations and pousings to disobedience and a counteracting of Christ and he should urge and plead upon the fundamentall lawes of the land viz the articles of agreement betwixt the Father and the Son and the faithfull promises of the Covenant of grace and upon Christs office as King and Governour and his undertaking as Mediator upon the merites of his death and sufferings upon his dying as a common person upon the constitution of the gospell whereby they are in law repute as dying in him and so free from the law of sin and death and upon their relation to Him as their new Lord Head Husband King Commander c. Upon these arguments I say to plead for justice against the rebell that is now brought to the barre and so by faith leave the prisoner in His hand that He may in his own time and way give a second blow unto the neck of this implacable and rageing enemy that he may noâ—… rise up to disturbe the peace of the soul as before or to trouble impede and molest the soul in paying the homage and obedience due to his lawfull Master and Soveraigne King Jesus Cautions Directions For furder clearing of the premises I would propose a few particulars for caution direction as 1. This work of laying the burthen of this businesse on Christ by faith would be gone about with much singlenesse of heart aimeing at the glory of God and the carying on of his work in the soul and not for
That they should live in the faith of this That there is life enough in Him who is the Life to do their businesse They should be perswaded of His alsufficiency 3. That He is not only an alsufficient deliverer able to deliver a soul that is as it were rotting in the grave and to cause the dead to heare his voice and live but also most willing and ready to answere them in all their necessities according to wisdome and as He seeth it is for his glory and their souls advantage The faith of this is necessary and will be very encourageing 4. That they should go to Him how dead-like so ever their condition be and by faith roll their dead case upon Him who is the Life 5. That they should pray upon the promises of grace and influence even out of the belly of hell or of the grave with Ionah Cap. 2 2. for He is faithful and true and tender hearted and will heare and give a good answer at length 6. That in the exercise of faith and prayer they should waite with patience till He be pleased to come and breath upon the dry bones and till the â—…un of righteousnesse arise on their souls with healing 〈◊〉 his wings But of this more particularly in the following cases which now we come to speak a little unto of purpose to cleare up more fully how the beleever is to make use of Christ as the Life when he is under some one distemper or other that calleth foâ—… life and quickening from Christ the Life We cannot handle distinctly all the particular cases which may be brought under this head it will suffâ—… for clearing of this great duty to speak to some few CHAP. XXI How to make use of Christ as the Life whâ—… the beleever is so sitten-up in the wayes of God that he can do nothing SOmetimes the beleever is under such a distemper of weaknesse and deadnesse that there is almost no commanded duty that he can go about his heart and all is so dead that he cannot so much as groan under that deadnesse Yea he may be undâ—… such a decay that little or no difference will be observed betwixt him and others that are yet in nature and be not only unable to go actively and livelily about commanded duties yea or to 〈◊〉 astle from under that deadnesse but also be so dead that he shall scarce have any effectual desirâ—… or longing to be out of that condition Now in speaking to the use making of Christ foâ—… quickening in this dead case we shall do thoâ—… things 1. For clearing of the case we shall shew how probably it is brought on 2. How Christ is life to the soul in such a case as this 3. How the beleever is to make use of Christ for life in this case and 4. Further cleare the matter by answering a question or two As to the first Such a distemper as this may be brought upon the soul 1. Through some strong and violent temptation from without meeting with some evil disposition of the heart within and so surprizeing overpowering the poor soul as we see in David Peter 2. Through the cunning and slight of Satan stealing the beleever that is not watchful enough insensibly off his feet and singing him asleep by degrees 3. Through carelesnesse in not adverting at first to the beginnings and first degrees of this deadnesse and upsiting when the heart beginneth to grow formal and superficial in duties and to be satisfied with a perfunctorious performance without life and sense 4. Through thortureing of conscience in light â—…nd smaller matters for this may provock God to â—…et conscience fall a sleep so the soul shall become more untender and scruple little at length at greater matters and thus deadnesse may come to an hieght God ordering it so for a further punishment to them for their untendernesse and uncircumspectnesse 5. Through their not stirring up themselves and shaking off that Spirit of lazinesse and drousinesse when it first ceaseth upon them but with the sluggard yet another slumber another sleep and a folding of the hands to sleep 6. Continuing in some known sin and not repenting of it may bring on this distemper as may be observed in David As to the Second particular Christ is life to the soul in this case in that 1. He keepeth possession of the soul for the seed remaineth the root abideth fast in the ground there is life still at the heart though the man make no motion like one in a deep sleep or in a swoon yet life is not away 2ly He is due time awakeneth and rouzeth up the soul so recovereth it out of that condition by one meane or other either by some alarme of judgment and terror as He did David or dispensation of mercy and tenderness as He did Peter And usually He recovereth the soul 1. By discovering something of this condition by giving so much sense and knowledg and senâ—…ing so much light as will let the soul see that it 〈◊〉 not well and that it is under that distemper of lifelesness 2. By discovering the dreadfulness of such a condition and how hazardous it is to countinue therein 3. By puting the soul in minde that He 〈◊〉 the Life and the resurrection and through thâ—… stirring up of grace airting the soul to look to Him for quickening and outgate 4. By raseing up the soul at length out of that drouziness and sluggish folding of the hands to sleep and out of that deep security and putting it into a more lively vigilent and active frame As to the Third The beleever that would make use of Christ for a recovery out of this condition would minde those duties 1. He would look to Christ as the light of Men and the enlightner of the blinde to the end he may get a better and a more through discovery of of his condition for it is halfe health here to be sensible of this disease The soul that is once brought to sense is halfe recovered of this feaver and lethargie 2. He would eye Christ as God able to cause the dead and dry bones to live as Ezech. 37. and this will keep from despondency and despaire yea it will make the poor beleever conceive hope when he seeth that his physitian is God to whom nothing is impossible 3. He would look to Him also as Head and Husband an Life to the poor soul that adhereth to Him and this will strengthen his hope expectation for he will see that Christ is ingadged to speak so in point of honour to quicken a poor dead and lifeless member for the life in the head is for the good of the whole body and of every member of the body that is not quite cut off and the good that is in the husband is forthcoming foâ—… the reliefe of the poor wife that hath not yet gotten a bill of divorce And Christ being Life the Life he must be appointed for the
is so displayed that nothing appeareth from the lowest foundation stone to the upper most cope-stone but grace grace free grace making up all the materials and free grace with infinite wisdom cementing all The gracious soul can be warme under no other covering but what is made of that web wherein grace and only grace is both wooft and werpe and the reason is manifest for such an one hath the clearest sight and discovery of his owne condition and seeth that nothing suiteth him and his case but free grace nothing can make up his wants but free grace nothing can cover his deformities but free grace nothing can help his weaknesses shortcomings faintings sins and miscarriages but free grace therefore is free grace all his Salvation and all his Desire itis his glory to be free grace's debtor for evermore the crown of glory will have a far more exceeding and eternal weight and be of an hyperbolically hyperbolick and eternal weight and yet easily carryed and worne when he seeth how free grace and free love hath lined it and free grace and free love sets it on and keeps it on for ever this maketh the glorified Saint weare it with ease by casting it down at the feet of the gracious and loving purchaser and bestower His exaltation is the Saints glory and by free grace the Saints receiving and holding all of free grace is He exalted O what a glory is it to the Saint to set the crown of glorious free grace with his owne hands on the head of such a Saviour and to say not unto me not unto me but unto thee even unto thee alone be the glory for ever and ever With what delight satisfaction and complacency will the glorified Saint upon this account sing the Redeemed and Ransomed their song And if the result and effect of free grace will give such a sweet sound there and make the glorified's heaven in some respects another thing or at least in some respect a more excellent heaven than Adam's heaven would have been for Adam could not have sung the song of the Redeemed Adam's heaven would not have been the purchase of the blood of God nor would Adam have sitten with Christ Redeemer on his throne nor would there have been in his heaven such â—…ich hangings of free grace nor such mansions prepared by that gracious and loving husband Christ who will come and bring his boughâ—…-bride home with Him Seing I say heaven even upon the account of free grace will have such a special lovely desireable and glorious lustre O how should Grace be prized by us now How should the Gospel of the Grace of God be esteemed by us What an antipaâ—…hy to Glory as now prepared and dressed up for sinful man must they show whose whole wit and parts are busied to daâ—…ken the glory of thâ—… Grace which God would have shineing in the Gospel and who are aâ—… so much paines and labour to dresse up another gospel though the Apostle hath told us Gal. 1 7. that there is not another wherein Gospel-grace must stand by and law grace take the throne that so man may sacrifice to his owne net and burn incense to his own drag and may at most be graces debtor in part and yet no way may the saved man account himself more graces debtor than the man was who wilfully destroyed himself in not performing of the conditions for Grace as the new Gospelers or rather Gospel spillers meane and say did equally to both frame the conditions make known thâ—… contrivance and tender the conditional peace and salvation But as to the difference betwixt Paul and Iudas it was Paul that made himself to differ and not the free grace of God determineing the heart of Paul by grace to a closeing with and accepting of the bâ—…rgan It was not grace that wrought in him both to will to do It waâ—… he not the grace of God in him What more contradictory to the gospel of the grace of God And yet vaine Man will not condescend to the free grace of God Pelagianisme Arminianisme needeth not put a man to much study and to the reading of many books to the end it may be practically learned though the patrons hereof labour hote in the very fires to make their notions hang together and to give them such a lustre of unsanctified and corrupt reason as may be taking with such as know no other conduct in the matters of God for nâ—…turally we are all borne Pelagians and Arminians these Tenets are deeply engraven in the heart of every Son of fallen Adam what serious servant of God findeth not this in his dealing with souls whom he is labouring to briâ—…g into the way of the Gospel Yea what Christian is there who hath acquantance with his owne heart and is observing its byasses and corrupt inclinations that is not made to cry out O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from these dregs of Pelagianisme Arminianisme and Iesuitisme which I finde yet within my soul Hence it may seem no wonderful or strange thing though after so much clear light it may be astonishing to think that now in this age so many are so openly and aâ—…wedly appearing for this dangerous and deadly errouâ—… to us to hear and see this infection spreadâ—…ng and gaining ground so fast there needeth few arguments or motives to worke up carnal hearts to an imbraceing thereof and to a cheerful acquiesceing therein little labour will make a spark of fire worke upon gunpowder And me thinks if nothing else will this one thing should convince us all of the errour of this way that nature so qâ—…imely and readyly complyeth therewith for who that hath any eye upon or regaird of such things seeth not what a world of carnal reasonings objections prejudices and scruples natural men have in readiness against the Gospel of Christ and with what satisfaction peace and delight they reason and plead themselves out of the very reach of free grace and what work there is to get a poor soal in any measure wakened and convinced of its lost condition wrought up to a compliance with the gospel way of Salvation How many other designes projects and essayes doth it follow with a piece of natural vehemency and seriousness without wearying were it even to the wasteing of its body and spirits let be its substance riches before it be brought to a closeing with a crucified Mediator and to an accounting of all its former workings attainments and painful labourings and gaine as losse for Christ and for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ and as dung that it may win Christ and be found in Him not having its own righteousness which is of the laâ—… but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faiâ—…h Phil. 3 7 8 9. Aâ—…d mâ—…y it not seem strange that now after so many have found through the grace of God the sweet experience of
glade in his house of prayer and their sighes and groans come up with acceptance upon his Altar O blessed Altar that sanctifies the gold This is that Altar whereto the mocking moralist hath no right It is by him that the poor beleever offers up his sacrifice to God continually what ever he doth in word oâ—… deed he desires to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus as he knowes He lives to make intercession and to appeare in the presence of God for his poor people both to procure influences for duety and plead for acceptation so he depends upon him for both as knowing he can never otherwise heare or have it said unto him well done good and faithful servant It may be he can do little he hath but a mite to offer but he puts it in the mediators hand to be presented to God he hath not gold nor silver nor purple to bring he can do no great things he hath but goats hair or rams skins but he gives them the right tincture he makes them red in the blood of Christ and so they are a beautiful incarnat Lastly This Gospel holinesse respects Jesus Christ as its last end as it hath its being from him so it is all directed toward the praise of his grace while the beleeving soul in whom Christ dwells designes no lâ—…sse and aims at no lower mark then assimilition to God and fâ—…uition of him while he is endeavouring alwayes and in all things to be unlike himself and what he was that he may be like God it is not to be like him on that wicked and wretched designe which man had at first in his eye whereby he lost his God and unmade a man but it is that thereby he may be in better case to glorâ—…fy him and that God may be the more endeared to his own soul because of what he hath done for him and commended and madâ—… precious to the souls of others while they take notice of what a change grace hath not onely made in his most eminent appearances for God he contracts himself into a disappearance that God may appeare and be seen in the shinâ—…ing glory of his grace bestowed upon him for the godly man of all men is â—…he most humble this is the garbe he cloaths himself with if his face shine in his accesses to God that pride may be hâ—…d fâ—…om his eyes he wots not of it the very thoughts of â—…obing God of his glory and clothing himself with thâ—… spoils of his honour are terrible to him and looked upon as that wherein thâ—… soul resembls Satan most manifestly and therefore that great practitioner who ouâ—… stript all others in doing and suffâ—…ring for God dare not stand up to intercept the glory due to his Master but ascribes all to him with a neverthe lesse neverthelesse not I but the grace of God which was with me what hast thou which thou hast not received prevents his boasting and imposeth the necessity of blessing the donor the marke he aims at in his exerciseing himself to godlinesse is mainly this that men seeing his goods works may glorify his Father which is in heaven As he knowes he acts not in his own strength but in his who counts him worthy of the high calling and fulfils all the good pleasure of his goodnesse in him and the work of faith with power so he considers for what all this is it is that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us and we in him according to the grace of our God the Lord Jesus Christ and he hath a sweet complacency in complying with this God-exalting and grace-magnifiing designe when grace hath set a crown upon his head and made him a king for the meanest beleever is truely a more illustrious Prince then the greatest Potentat of the earth not onely because under his rags lyes hide a title to a crown and his expectation is to sit with Christ upon his throne but because he is already crowned with loving kindenesse and tender mercies and doth while on the earth sit together with Christ in heavenly places Christ is possessed of glory in his stead as his representee and head and a man is all crowned and acknowledged as king when his head is crowned he knowes he is made a preist alâ—…o to sacrifice it to the giver and therefore he casts downe his crown before the throne with this thou art worthy to receive glory and honour c. and he esteems the priviledge of doing soâ—… as great as the prerogative of haveing it set on when he works hardest to adorne himself with the beauty of holinesse it is not so much that his beauty may appeare perfect as that that grace to which he is a debtor for all his comelinesse may shine in its lustre and his vertues who hath called him to glory and vertue may be shewed forth he designes not in his diligence in duty to be taken notice of as a singular saint but his great and shineing singularity which he doth most ambitionat lyes in this that Christ in the communications of his grace and efficacy of his influence may be admired in him as in all that beleeve In a word as all he hath is of him and from him so all he does or designs is for him and to him it is Christ to him to live in whom Christ lives now this is the very nature of pure religion and undefiled and that which compleats the image of God and puts it beyond all debat that his soul hath received the stamp and impression of the royal seal on it and that his heart is the epistle of Christ written not with inck and pen but with the Spirit of the liveing God when his glory and the exaltation of the manifold grace and manifold wisdom of God in the contriveance of salvation is upmost in his thinkings desireings Projectings and endeavourings and hath the first place in the roll of his wishings while other men seek their own things it is his own his onely own his one his all to seek the things of Christ that blessed seeker who came to seek him and save him and being found of him he endeavours to carry as one no more his owne the glorifieing of him in his body and Spirit which are his because bought by him is his begun heaven and the greatest errand he hath in heaven is to get a more cleare sight of that blessed object of all admiration and adoration and to be in better case to cry him up for ever Now this is but a short and general Character drawn by an unskilful hand of that holinesse which will abide the test and be found true when tried by the touch stone of the word But let us on the other hand take a short view of what our moralists substitute in its place as in their account both more beautiful to the eye and more beneficial to the souls of men wherein I intend to be breife I
5 6. that as many of us as are Baptized into Iesus Christ were Baptized into his death and that therefore we are buryed with Him by baptisme into death and are planted together in the likenesse of his death yea and that our old man is crueified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed that hence forth we should not serve sin whence beleevers are warranded commanded vers 11. to reckon themselvs to be dead indeed unto sin and therefore sin should not reigne in their mortall bodyes to fulfill the lusts thereof vers 12. This is a sure ground of hope comfort for beleevers that Christ dyed thus as a publick person and that by vertue thereof being now united to Christ by faith they are dead unto sin by law and sin cannot challenge a dominion over them as before their conversion it might have done and did for the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth but no longer wherefore beleeving brethren becomeing dead to the law by the body of Christ are marryed to another even to Him who is raised from the dead that they should bring forth fruit unto God Rom. 7 1 4. 3. Hence It followeth that our old man is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed Rom. 6 6. So that this old tyrant that oppresseth the people of God hath got his deaths wounds in the crucifixion of Christ shall never recover his former vigour activity to oppresse beare down the people of God as he did He is now virtually through the death of Iesus killed crucified being in Christ nailed to the crosse 4. His resurrection is a paune pledge of this sanctification for as He died as a publick person so He rose againe as a publick person we are buryed with Him by baptisme that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6 4. and beleevers are said to be planted together with him in the likenesse of his resurrection vers 5. and they shall live with Him vers 8. and therefore they are to reckon themselvs alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord verse 11. we are raised up together Ephes. 2 6. 5. This sanctification is an article of the covenant of redemption betwixt the Father the Son Esa. 52 15. so shall he sprinkle many nations Cap. 53 10. He shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Christ then having this promised to Him must see to the accomplishment thereof and will have it granted to him seing He hath fulfilled all that was engadged to by Him having made his soul an offering for sin 6. This sanctification is promised in the covenant of grace Ier. 33. 8. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity Ezech 37 23. and I will cleanse them So Chap. 36 25. Then will I sprinkle cleane water upon you yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse from all your idols will I cleanse you Now all the promises of the covenant of grace are confirmed to us in the Mediator for in Him all the promises are yea amen 2. Cor. 1 20. 7. He hath also purchased made sure to his owne the new nature and the heart of flesh which is also promised Ezech. 36 26. 11. 19. Ier. 32. 39. This is the new lively principle of grace the spring of sanctification which cannot be idle in the soul but must be emitting vitall acts natively Yea through Him are beleevers made partakers of the divine nature which is a growing thing young glory in the soul. 2. Pet. 2 3 4. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertaine unto life godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue whereby are given unto us exceeding great precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature c. 8. The Spirit is promised to cause us walk in his statutes Ezech. 36 27. Now all these promises are made good to us in Christ who is the cautioner of the covenant yea He hath gotten now the dispensing and giving out of the rich promises of the covenant committed unto Him so as He is the great Lord treasurer and administrator of the great glorious purchased blessings 9. There are new waterings breathings gailes of the Spirit given in Christ. Esai 27 3. He must water his garden or vinyaird every moment This is the north winde the south winde that bloweth upon the garden Cant. 4 16. He must be as the dew unto Israel Hos. 14 5. 10. Through Christ is the beleever brought into such a covenant state as giveth great ground of hope of certane victory He is not now under the law but under grace and hence inferreth the Apostle Rom. 6 14. That sin shall not have dominion over them Being now under that dispensation of grace whereby all their stock is in the Mediators hand at his disposall and not in their own hand power as under the covenant of works there is a sure ground laid down for constant supply furniture in all necessities 11. Christ hath prayed for this Iohn 17. 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth where the Lord is praying that his disciples might be more more sanctified and so fitted qualified for the work of the ministrie they were to be imployed in And what He prayed for them was not for them alone but also for all the elect proportionably who are opposed to the world for which He did not pray v. 9. 12. He standeth in relation to beleevers of a Vine or a Root in which they grow as branches so that by abiding in Him living by faith in Him and drawing sap from him they bring forth fruit in Him Iohn 15 1 2 4 5. Their stock of grace is in Him the root and He communicateâ—…h sap and life unto his branches whereby they grow floorish and bring forth fruit to the glory of God 13. Christ hath taken on Him the office of a Prophet and Teacher to instruct us in the way wherein we ought to goe for He is that great Prophet whom the Lord promised to raise up and who was to be heard and obeyed in all things Deut. â—…8 15. Act. â—… 2â—… and 7 37. He is given for a witnesse a leader Esai 55 4. and we are commanded to hear Him Mat. 17 5. Mark 10 7. 14. He hath also taken on Him the office of a King Psal. 2 6. Mat. 21 5. Esai 9 6 7. Phil. 2 8. 9 10 11. and thereby standeth engadged to lubdue all their spirituall enemies Satan corruption Psal. 110. He is given for a leader and commander Esai 55 4 and so can cause his people walk in his wayes 15. When we defile ourselves with new transgressions failings He hath provided a fountaine for us
for the breathings of his Spirit and open at his call least afterward they be put to call and seek and not attaine what they would be at as we see in the Spouse Cant. 5 2 3 4. 5 6. c. 7. They would also guaird against the quenching of the Spirit 1 Thes. 5 12. or greiving of the Spirit Ephes. 4 30. by their unchristian unsuteable carriage for this will much marre their sanctification It is by the Spirit that the work of sanctification is carryed on in the soul and when this Spirit is disturbed and put from his work how can the work go on When the motions of this indwelling Spirit are extinguished his work is marred and retarded and when He is grieved he is hindered in his work Therefore souls would guard against unbeleefe despondency unsuteable unchristian carriage c. 8. Especially they would beware of wasteing sinns Psal. 51 10. Sins against light and conscience such as David calleth presumptuous sinâ—… Psal. 19 13. They would beware also of favouring any known corruption or any thing of that kinde that may hinder the work of sanctification Secondly It were usefull and of great adâ—…antage for such as would grow in grace and advance in the way of holinesse to be living in the constant conviction 1. Of the necessity of holinesse without which no man shall see God Heb. 12 14. nothing entering in into the new Ierusalem that defileth Revel 21 27. 2. Of their owne inability to do any one act aright how they are not sufficient of themselvs to think any thing as of themselvs 2 Cor. 3 5. and that without Christ they can do nothing Iohn 15 5. 3. Of the insufficiency of any humane helpe or meanes or way which they may think good to choose to mortifie aright one corruption or to give strength for the right discharge of any one duty for our sufficiency is of God 2. Cor. 3 5. and it iâ—… through the Spirit that we must mortifie the deedâ—… of the body Rom. 8 13. 4. And of the treachery and deceitfulnesse of the heart which is bent to follow by wayes being not only deceitfull above all things but also desperatly wicked Ier. 17 9. That by this meanes the soul may be jealous of it self and despaire of doing any thing in its owne strength and so be fortified against that maine evill which is an enemy to all true sanctification viz confidence in the flesh Thirdly The soul would keep its eye fixed on those things 1. On Christ's alsufficiency to helpe in all cases that He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7 v. 25. 2. On his compassionednesse to such as are out of the way and ready nesse to helpe poor sinners with his grace and strength and this will keep up the soul from fainting and dispaireing 3. On the commands to holinesse such as those cleanse your hands and purify your hearts Iam 4 8. and be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 1 15 16. and the like That the authority of God and conscience to a command may set the soul a work 4. On the great recompense of reward that is appointed for such as wrestle on and endure to the end and on all the great promises of great things to such as are sanctified whereof the Scriptures are full that the soul may be encouraged to run thorow difficultyes to ride out stormes to endure hardnesse as a good souldier and to persevere in duty 5. On the other hand on the many sad threatnings and denunciations of wrath against such as transgresse his lawes and on all the sad things that such as shake off the fear of God and the study of holinesse have to look for of which the Scripture is full that by this meanes the soul may be keeped in awe and spurred forward unto duty and made the more willing to shake off Leazynesse 6. On the Rule the word of God by which alone we must regulate all our actions and this ought to be our meditation day and night and all our study as we see it was Davids and other holy men of God their dayly work See Psal. 1. and 119. Fourthly In all this study of holinesse and aimeing at an hiegher measure of grace the beleever would lavell at a right end and so would not designe holinesse for this end that he might be justified thereby or that he might thereby procure and purchase to himself heaven and God's favoure for the weight of all that must lie on Iesus Christ who is our Righteousnesse and our holinesse must not dethrone Him nor rob Him of his glory which He will not give to another But would study holinesse to the end he might glorifie God Father Son and holy Spirit and please Him who calleth to holinesse and thereby be made meet to be partaker of the Inheritance of the saints in light Col. 1 10 12. and be made a meet bride for such a holy bridegroome and a member to such an holy head that hereby others might be edified Mat. 5 16 1. Pet. 2 12. and 3 1 2. that the soul may look like a temple of the holy ghost and like a servant of Christ's bought with a price 1 Cor. 6 17 18 10. 20. And have a clear evidence of his regeneration and justification and also that he may expresse his thankfulnesse to God for all his favours and benefites Fiftly The soul would by faith lay hold on and grip fast to the ground of sanctification that is to say 1. To what Christ hath purchased for his people 2. To what as a publike person He hath done for them And so by faith 1. Challenge a right to and lay hold on the promises of grace strength victory and throw-bearing in their combating with corruption within and Satan and a wicked world without 2. Reckon themselves dead unto sin through the death of Christ and alive unto God through his resurrection Rom. 6 4 11. and that the old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed vers 6. and that they are now not under the law but under grace vers 14. That by this meanes they may be encouraged to continue fighting against a vanquished enemy and not give over notwithstanding of disappointments discouragements prevailings of corruption c. and the beleever may know upon what ground he standoth and what is the ground of his hope and exspectation of victory in end and so he may run not as uncertanely and so fight not as one that beateth the aire 1 Cor. 9 26. Sixtly In this work of sanctification the beleever would be much in the lively exercise of faith fight by faith advance by faith grow up and bring forth fruit by faith and so 1. The beleever would be oft renewing his grips of Christ holding Him fast by faith and so abideing in Him that he may bring forth fruit Iohn 15 4 5. 2. Not only would he be keeping his union fast with Christ but he
christianity they might grow wanton secure and carelesse and so occasion some sad dispensation to humble them againe 7. It would be remembered that perfect victory is not be had here it is true in respect of justification through the imputation of the perfect righteousnesse of Christ and in respect of their sincerity and gospel simplicitie and in respect also of the parts of the new man beleevers are said to be perfect Such an one was Noah Gen. 6 9. and Iob. Cap. 1 1 8. see also Psal. 37 37 and 64 4. 1 Cor. 2 6. Heb 5 14. Iam. 3 2. And it is true we are to aime at perfection and to pray for it as Mat. 5 48. 2. Cor. 13 11. Col. 4 12. Heb. 13. 21. Iam. 1 4. 1. Pet. 5 10. Heb. 6 1. Yet as to the degrees of holinesse sanctification and in respect of the remnant of corruption within there is no full perfection here Iob. 9 20 21. Phil. 3 12. for even he who is washen and as to justification is cleane every whit yet needeth to wash his feet because contracting filth in his conversation Ioh. 13 10. So that if the Lord should mark iniquity no man should stand Psal. 130 3. 143 2. There will stil be in the best something more or lesse of that battell that Paul speaketh of Rom. 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23. So that they will stil have occasion to cry out with him vers 24. O! wretched man that I am who shall deliverâ—…e from the body of this death And the flesh will stil lust against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that they shall not be able to do what they would Gal. 5 17. The place of perfection is above where all tears are wiped away and the weary wreastler is at rest 8. Let them not mistake and think that every stirring of corruption in the soul argueth its dominion and prevailing power Corruption may stirre and make a great deal ado where it cannot get leave to reigne and be as a violent and cruell invader seeking the throne putting the whole kingdom in a combustion who is resisted with force of armes Corruption may be more quiet and still when indeed it hath the throne of the soul as a conquerour may be more quiet and still when he hath overcome and is in peacable possession of the kingdom than when he was but fighting for it when the strong man keeps the house and is Master than all is quiet and at rest till a stronger come to thrust him out and dispossesse him 9. Sanctification doth not alwayes consist in a mans freedom from some corruptions for there may be some corruptions that one hath no naturall inclination to but oâ—… the contrary a great aversation from as some worlds wretches may have no inclination to prodigality and ranting or such like vices which are contrary to their humor or to their constant education and Satan may â—…ever tempt some man to such evils knowing he wiâ—… get more advantage by plying his temper and genius and so carying him away to the other contrary evill and so though this man know not so much as what it is once to be tempted to those vices yet that will not say that he is a sanctified man farr lesse will it say that he hath more grace than another man whose predominant that evil is and against which he is dayly fighting and wreastling Whence it appeareth that wreastling and protesting against even an overcoming corruption may evidence more of grace than freedom from some evils to which some are not so much tempted and to which they are naturally lesse inclined 10. Nor should they think that corruption is alwayes master of the soul and possessing the throne as a full conquerour when it prevaileth and caryeth the soul head-long at a time for corruption may sometimes come in upon the soul as an inuâ—…dation with irrestible violence and for a time carry all before it so that the soul cannot make any sensible resistence as when a sudden violent and unexpected temptation setteth on so as the poor Man is overw helmed scarce knoweth where he is or what he is doing till he be laid on his back at that time it will be a great matter if the soul dar quietly enter a protest against and dissent from what is done and if there be an honest protestation against the violent tyrannicall invasion of corruption we cannot say that corruption is in peacable possession of the throne if the Spirit be lusting against the flesh leavying all the forces he can against the invader by prayer and supplication to God and calling-in all the supply of divine help he can get and when he can do no more is sighing and groaning under that unjust invasion resolving never to pay homage to the usurper noâ—… to obey his lawes nor so much as parley with him or make peace we can not say that the soul doth consent fully unto this usurpation Nay if the soul shall do this much at such a time when Satan sets on with all his force it will be a greater evidence of the strength of grace in the soul than if the soul should do the same or alittle more at a time when the temptation is not so strong 11. It is not good for them to say that grace is not growing in them because they advance not so far as some do and because they come not to the pitch of grace that they see some advanced to That is not a sure rule to measure their grouth in grace by Some may have a better naturall temper whereby they are lesse inclined to severall vices which these finde a strong propension to they may have the advantage of a better education and the like So that they should rather tâ—…y themselves this yeer by what they were the last yeer and that in reference to the lusts to which they have been most subject all their dayes 12. We must not think that every beleever will attaine to the same measure of grace there is a measure appointed for every member or joynt of this body and every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every pâ—… Ephef 4 16. God hath more a doe with somâ—…â—…han with others there is more strength required 〈◊〉 an arme or legg than in a finger or toe And evâ—… one should be content with his measure so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ot to fret or repine against God and his dispenâ—…tions that makes them but a finger and not 〈◊〉 arme of the body and do their duty in their station fighting against sin according â—…o the measure of grace dispensed to them of the Lord and thâ—…â—…aithfully constantly and not quarrell with God â—…hat He maketh us not as free of temptations and corruptions as some others for the Captane must â—…ot be blamed for commanding some of his souldiers to this post where they never once see the enemy and others to that post
where they must continually fight the souldier is here under command and therefore must be quiet and take his lot so must the Christian reverence the Lords dispensaâ—…tions in ordering matters so as they shall never â—…ave one houres quietnesse whileas others have more rest and peace and stand at their post figâ—…ting resolving never to yeeld but rather to cover the ground with their dead bodyes till the Commander in chief think good to relieve them Suâ—…â—… am as the only wise God hath distributed to eveâ—…y member of the body as He hath thought good so it is the duty of every member to endeavour this holy submission to Him as to the measure of graâ—… considered as His free gift bestowâ—…d on them â—…nd to be humbled for the grudgings of his heart 〈◊〉 God hath not given him moe talents 〈◊〉 sure I am though this submission make no 〈◊〉 â—…oise in thâ—… world yet really this is one of 〈◊〉 â—…ghest degrees of grace attaineable here and 〈◊〉 aâ—… ornament of a mâ—…ek and quiet Spirit 〈◊〉 it in 〈◊〉 sight of God of great price So that who ever hath 〈◊〉 to this have the very grace they seem to 〈◊〉 and more Yet leâ—…t this should be 〈◊〉 lâ—… me adde a word or two of câ—…ution to 〈◊〉 this submission 1. There must be with it an 〈◊〉 priâ—…ing even of that degree of grace which they want 2. There must be a panting after grace as it is God's image and a conformity to Him and that with so much singlness as they may be in â—…ase to say without the reproachings of their heart they do not so much love holiness for heaven aâ—… heaven for holiness 3. There must be an uncessantness in useing all meanes whereby the grouth oâ—… grace may be promoved to this end that they may be comformed to His image rather than that they may be comforted 4. There must be also a deep humiliation for the want of that degree of grace they would have as it importetâ—… the want of so much conformity to Him to whose image they are praedestinated to be conforme which will very well consist with this submission we are speaking ofâ—… 13. It would be remembered that there may be a great progress even when it is not observed when 1. Hereby the man is made to ly in the dust to loath himself and cry behold I am vile 2. Hereby his indignation against the body of death is the more increased 3. Hereby his esteem of a Saviouâ—… anâ—… of the blessed contrivance of Salvation is the 〈◊〉 hiâ—…ghtned that he seeth he is thereby broughâ—… to make mention of His righteousness even oâ—… 〈◊〉 only 4. Hereby his longing after 〈◊〉 frâ—…ition is increased where all these complainâ—… shall cease 5. And hereby he is put to 〈◊〉 that much slighted duty of holding fast the rejoyâ—…ing of his hope firme unto the end looking 〈◊〉 longing for the grace that shall be brought unto him at the revelation of Iesus Christ when he shall be presented without spot and made meet to be â—… partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light CHAP. VI. How Christ is to be made use of in reference to thâ—… kâ—…lling and crucifying of the old man HAving thus shortly pointed out somethingâ—… in generall serving to the clearing and opening up the way of our usemaking of Christ for sanctification we come now more particularly to the clearing up of this business In sanctification we must consider First the renewing and changeing of our nature and frame and next the washing and purging away of our dayly contracted spots The first of these is commonly divided into two parts viz. 1. The mortification killing and crucifying of the old man of sin and corruption which iâ—… within and 2. The vivification renewing quickening and strengthening of the new man of grace and this is a grouth in grace and in fruitfulnesse holinesse As to the first of these viz the mortification 〈◊〉 crucifying of the old man we would know thâ—… there is such a principle of wickednesse and enmiâ—… against God in man by nature now since the fall whereby the man is inclined to evil and only to evil This is called the old man as being like the body made up of so many parts joynts and members that is so many lusts corruptions and evill inclinations which together make up a corpus and they are fâ—…st joyned and compacted together as the members of the body each usefull and serviceable to another and all of them concurring and contributing their utmost to the carrying on of the work of sin and so it is the man of sin and it is also called the old man as haâ—…ing first possession of the soul before it is by grace renewed and is â—… dying more and more dayly Thus it is called the old man and the body of sin Rom. 6 6. This old man hath his members in our members faâ—…cultyes so that none of them are free understanding will affections and the members of our body are all servants of unrighteousnesse to this body of sin and old man So we read of the motions of sin Rom 7 5. which work in our members to bring forâ—… fruit unto death and of the lusts of the flesh Rom. 13 14. Gal. 5 16 24. and the lusts of sin Rom. 6 12. So we hear of the desires of the flesh and of the minde Ephes. 2 3. and of affections and lusts Gal. 5 24. And the old man is said to be corrupt according to the deceitfull lustâ—… Ephes. 4 22. all which lusts and affections are as so many members of this body of sin and of this old man And further there is herein considerable a power force and efficacy which this old man hath in us to carry us away and as it were command us oâ—… constraine us as by a forcible law Hence we read of the law of sin and death Rom. 8 2 which only the law of the Spirit of life in Christ doth make 〈◊〉 free from It is also called a law in our memâ—…rs warring against the law of our minde Rom. 7 23. and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin which is in our members So it is said to lust against the Spirit and to warre Gal. 5 17 All which point out the strength activity and dominion of sin in the soul so that it is as the husband over the wife Rom. 7 1. yea it hath a domineering and constraineing power where its horns are not held in by grâ—…e And as its power is great so its nature is wicked malicious for it is pure enmity against God Rom. â—… 7. so that it neither is nor can be reconciled 〈◊〉 therefore must be put off and abolished Ephes. 2 15. killed crucified Rom. 6 6. Now herein lyeth the work of a beleever to be killing mortifying and crucifying this enemy or rather enmity and delivering himself from under this bondage and slavery that he may be Christ's free man and that
through the Spirit Rom. 8 13. Now if it be asked how shall a beleever make life of Christ to the end this old man may be goten crucified or how should a beleever mortifie thâ—… Old man and the lusts thereof through Christ or by the Spirit of Jesus We shall propose thosâ—… things which may helpe to cleare this 1. The beleever would have his eye on this old man as his arch enemy as a deadly cut-throat lying within his bosome It is an enemy ludging within him in his Soul Minde Heart and Affections so that there is no part free and therefore is acquant with all the motions of the soul and iâ—… alwayes opposeing and hindering every thing that is good It is an enemy that will never be reconciled to God and therefore will not be reconciled with the beleever as such for it is called enmiâ—…y it self and so it is actively alwayes seeking to promove the ruine of the soul what by prompting inclineing moving and forceably drawing or driveing sometimes with violence and rage to evil what by withstanding resisting opposeing counter working and contradicting what is good so that the beleever can not get that done which he would do and is made to do that which he would not Therefore this being such an enemie and so dangerous an enemie so constant and implacable an enemy so active and closse an enemie so deadly and destructive it is the beleevers part to guaird against this enemy to have a vigilant eye upon it to carry as an irreconcilable enemy thereunto and therefore never to come in tearms of capitulation or agreement therewith never oâ—…ce to parlie let be make peace And the beleever would not have his vigilant eye upon this or that Member of this body of death so much as upon the Body it self or the Principle of wickednesse and rebellion against God the Head Life Spirit or Law of this body of death for there lyeth its greatest wickednesse and activity and this is alwayes opposeing us though not in every joy at and member but sometime in one sometime in another 2. Though the beleever should have a maine eye upon the Body this innate strong and forcible law of sin and death yet should he have friendshipe and familiarity with no part member or lust of all this body all the deeds of the body should be mortified Rom. 8 13. the old man with his deeds should be mortified Col. 3 6. we should mortifie our members which are upon the earth vers 5. for all of them are against us the least of them countenanced intertained imbraced will worke ouâ—… ruine cut our souls throat therefore should the beleever look on each of them on all of them as his deadly enemies 3. He would consider that as it is a very unseemly thing for him to be a slave to that old tyrant and to yeeld his members as so many servants to iniquity so it is dangerous deadly his life lyeth at the stake either he must get it mortified killed subdued or it will kill him his life will goe for its life if this enemy escape he is a gone man The consideration of this would cause the beleeveâ—… act here in earnestnesse and seriousnesse with care and diligence and set about this work of mortification with labour and paines 4. Much more must it be against all reason and christianity for the beleever to be making provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13 14. To be strengthening the hands of and laying provision to this enemy which is lâ—…t sworne against us can stand with no reason And here is much of the christians prudence spirituall wisdome required to discerne what may make for fostering of this or that corruption or member of the body of sin death and to withdraw that as we will labour to take away provision of any kinde from an enemy that is comeing against us Paul acted herein as a wise gamster combatant when he keept under his body brought it into subjection 1 Cor. 9 27. It were but to mock God to preach forth our own folly to be looking to Christ for help against such an enemy and in the mean time to be under-hand strengthening the hands of the enemie this would be double dealing and trearchery against our selves 5. To the end their opposition unto this enemy may be the stronger and more resolute they would consider that this body of sin is wholly set against God his interest in the soul being very enmity it self against God Rom. 8 7. and alwayes losting and fighting against the work of God in the soul Gal. 5 17. against every thing that is good so that it will not suffer so far as it can hinder the soul to do any thing that is good at least in a right manner and for a right end nay with its lustings it driveth constantly to that which is evill raiseth evil motions inclinations in the soul ere the beleever be aware sideth with any tentation that is offâ—…ed to the end it may destroy the soul like a traitour within as we see it did in David when he fell in adultery and with Asaph Ps. 73 2. yea it self opposeth and tempteth Iam. 1 14. by setting minde will affections on wrong courses and thus it driveth the soul to a course of rebellion against God or diverts it and drawes it back that it cannot get God served aright yea sometimes it sets a fire in the soul intangling all the facultyes filling the minde with darknesse or prejudice misleading or perverting the affectious and so miscarrying the will leading it captive Rom. 7 23. so that the thing is done which the regenerate soul would not do and the duty is left undone which the soul would fain have had done yea and that sometimes notwithstanding of the souls watching and striveing against this so strong is its force 6. The beleever would remember that this enemy is not for him to fight against alone and that his owne strength and skill will make but a slender opposition unto it It will laugh at the shaking of his spear it can easily insinuate it self on all occasions because it lyeth so neare close to the soul alwayes resideing there and is at the beleevers right hand whatever he be doing and is alwayes openly or closely opposeing and that with great facility for it easily besetteth Heb. 12 1. because it lyeth within the soul in all the faculties of it in the Heart Minde Will Conscience Affectiones so that upon this account the deceitfulnesse of the heart is great passeth the search of Man Ier. 17 9. Man cannot know all the windeings and turnings all the drifts and designes all the lurking and retireing places all the falshoods and double dealings all the dissimulations lies and subterfuges all the plauâ—…ible and deceitfull pretexts and insinuations of this heart acted and spirited by this law of sin
self ends and carnal by 〈◊〉 respects lest thereby we marre all 2. It would be carryed on without partiality against all and every one of the lusts and motions of the Old man for if there be a complyance with and a spareing of any one known lust the whole work may be marred they may meet with a disappointment as to the particular lust they aâ—… desireing victory over and the lust they are harbouring though it may seem little may open a door to many stronger and so occasion sad dayes to the man ere he be aware 3. As they would bring the particular lust or lusts unto Christ as chiefe Lord justice so they would alwayes lay the axe to the root of the tree and crave justice against the maine body that yet lieth within the soul and these particular corruptions and affections that are as members of that body of sin should put them in minde of the old man for they should crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof Gal. 5 24. the body and the members these lusts are the lusts of sin or of that Head-sin which hath a law or the force and impulse of a law in the soul and therefore their maine designe would be against this root where lyeth the strength and body of the enemy and which acteth in those members this is the capitall enmity and should be mainely opposed and the following of this course would prove more succesfull than that which many a time we take out nibling at or wreastling against this or that member of the body of death is but of little advantage so long as the maine body of sin the bitter root of wickednesse the carnall minde this innate enmity is miskent and not opposed but on the contrary strick at this we strick at all 4. This would be the beleevers constant work to be crucifying the flesh with the lusts thereof to be mortifying their members wherein the members of the old man quarter and lodge Colos. 3 5. to be spiritually minded and to minde the things of the spirit Rom 8 5 6. for this carnall minde is enmity against God Rom. 8 7. and so is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be It is not only an enemy which may be reconciled but enmity in the abstract which never can be reconciled and this enmity will never be idle for it câ—…nnot till it be fully and finally destroyed the flesh is alwayes lusting against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. for they are contrary one to the other So that though to our sense it may sometimes appear as sleeping in regaird that it doth not by some particular lust so molest and perplexe the soul as formerly it did yet it is restlesse and may be more active in another lust and so by changeing weapons upon us deceive us Here then is much spirituall wisdome and vigilancy required when they think they have gotten one lust subdued they must not think the war is at an end but after all their particular victories watch and pray that they enter not into temptation 5. This way of laying the weight of the matter on Christ should and will keep them humble and teach them not to ascribe the glory of any good that is done unto themselves but to give Him all the glory who is jealous of his glory and will not give it to another that the crowne may alone floorish on his head who is the Captane of their salvation and who by his Spirit worketâ—… all their workes in them 6. Nor would this way of carrying the matter to Christ and putting it over on Him cause the beleever become negligent in commanded dutyes reading hearing prayer c. for it is there he must exspect to meet with Christ there must he seek Him and there must he waite for Him and his Spirit to do the work desired for though He hath not limited himself to these meanes so as He cannot or will not any other way helpe yet He hath bound us to them and it is our duty to waite there where He hath commanded us â—…o waite though He should sometime â—…hink good to come another way for the manifestation of the soveraignity of hiâ—… grace 7. Yet while we are about the meanes we would guaird against a leâ—…ning to them lest in stead of getting victory over corruption we be brought more in bondage thereunto another way we must not think that our Prayers or our Hearing or Reading c. will bring downe the body of death or subdue any one corruption for that were but an yeelding to corruption and opening a back door to the carnal minde and to another deadly lust and a beating corruption with a sword of straw This is not to mortifie the deeds of the body through the Spirit but through the flesh and a fleshly weapon will never draw blood of this spirituall wickednesse or old man or of any corrupt lust or affection thereof and yet how many times doth our deceitfull heart by as us thiâ—… way Our work would be as is said to use the ordinances aâ—… meancâ—… whereby we may get the businesse laid on Christ and help from Christ to do the bâ—…sinesse We must go to the meanes with our prisoner to finde Christ there at his court and aâ—…ifes that He may take course with the Traitor 8. In all this there would be a looking to and dependance on Christ for helpe and grace because of our selves as of our selves we can not do this much we cannot complean aright of corruptions nor take them away to Christ not ask for justice against them aâ—… constableâ—… and other officers must carry malefactores to the courts of justice uâ—…on publick charges so Christ will not have us doing or attempting this mâ—…ch on our own charges for He giveth noble allowance 9. In following of this course we would not think alwayes to come speed at the first Sometimes the Lord for the encourageing of his children may give them a speedy hearing and deliver them from the tyranny of some particular lust or other that hath troubled them that for some time at least it shâ—…ll not so trouble them as it did Yet He will not do so alwayes but may think it good to keep them waiting on Him and hanging on his courts for soâ—…e considerable time that He may thereby exercise their Faith Patience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Diligencâ—… So that it should not seem strange to us if we be not admitted aâ—… the first and get not our answer at the first cry 10. When the Lord thinketh good to delay the answer to our desires and the execution of justice on the Malefactor Traitour or to deliver us from his tyranny and trouble we would beware of thinking to capitulat with the enemy for our peace and quiet or to enter into a ceâ—…lation of armes with him that is our â—…mity against him should never abate nor should our desire after the mortification and crucifixion of this lust grow lesse
out hope and exspectation in God alone and to look above the ordinances for our help 4. Albeit it be true that the power and grace of God alone doth beginne and carry on this work of sanctification in the soul yet though he might did He but see it for his glory carry on and finish this work in the soâ—…l without the intervention of second causes or meanes he hath notwithstanding thought it fit forth â—… glory of his name to worke this work by meanes and particulary by beleevers setting about the work He worketh not in man as if he were a block or a stone but useth him as a rationall creature endued with a rationall soul having useful and necessary facultyes and having a body fitted by organs to be â—…ubservient to the soul in its actions Therefore the beleever must not think to lye by and do nothing for he is commanded to worke out his owne salvation and that because it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do Because God worketh all therefore he should worke so reasoneth the Apostle so that God's working is an argument and motive to man to worke and not an argument to him to lye by idle and do nothing And here is the holy art divine skill requisite in this businesse to wit for the believer to be as diligent and active as if he could bring forth fruit in his own strength and by his owne working and yet to be as abstracted from himself his owne grace ability knowledge and experience in his working as if he were lying by like a meeâ—… block only moving as moved by externall force 5. The soul that would make progresse in Christianity and grow in grace would remember that Christ is proposed to us as a copy which we are to imitate and that therefore we should set Christ continually before us as our patterne that we may follow his steps 1. Pet. 1 15. and 2 â—…1 But with all it would be remembered that He is not like other ensamples or copies that can helpe the man that imitateth them no other way than by their objective prospect for looking by faith on this copy will bring vertue to the man that studyeth to imitate whereby he shall be inabled to follow his copie the better O 〈◊〉 we knew in experience what this were to take a look of Chrâ—…'s Love Patience Long suffering Meeknesse Hatred of sin Zeal c. and by 〈◊〉 to pore-in till by vertue proceeding from that copie we found our hearts in some measure framed into the same disposition or at least more inclined to be cast into the same mould 6. The beleever would act faith on Christ aâ—… the Head of the body and as the stock in which the branches are engrafted and thereby suck sap and life and strength from Him that he may work walk and grow as becometh a Christian. The beleever must grow up in Him being a branch in Him and must bring forth fruit in Him as the forementioned places clear Now Christ himselfe tells us that the branches cannot bring forth fruit except they abide in the vine and that no more can his disciples bring forth fruit except they abide in Him Iohn 15. Therefore as it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faith that the soul as a branch is united to Christ as the vine and as it is by faith that they abide in Him so is it by faith that they must bring forth fruit and this faith must grippe Christ as the Vine and the Stock or Root from which cometh sap life and strength faith then must look to Christ as the fountain of 〈◊〉 as the head â—…om whence cometh all the in â—…ces of strength and motion Christ 〈◊〉 strength and life enough to give out for the fulnesse of the God head dwelleth in Him bodyly and he is also willing enough to communicate of his fulnesse as the relations He hath taken on do witnesse Thâ—… head will not grudge to give to the members of the body spirits for action and motion 〈◊〉 will a vine grudge to give sap unto the branches â—…ay life strength and furniture will as it were natively flow out of Christ unto beleevers except they through unbeleef and other distempers cause obstructions as life and sap doth natively and kindely flow from the root to the branches of from the head to the members unlesse obstructions stoppe the passage It is necessary therefore that beleevers eye Christ under these and the like relations and look upon Him as standing to speak so obliged by his place and relation to grant strength and influences of life whereby they may become fruitful in every good work and so with holy humble and allowed boldnesse presse in faith for new communications of grace vertue strength courage activity and what else they need for from the head all the body by joints bands having nourishment ministred increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2 19. Ephes. 4 16. 7. For this cause beleevers would lye open unto the influences of Christ and guaird against the puting of obstructions in the way through grieving of the Spirit by which He conveyeth communicateth those influences unto the soul and through questioning misbeleeving Christ's faithfulnesse and unchangable willingnesse which as a violent humore stoppeth the passage So then beleevers would lye open by looking and waiting drawing seeking from Him what they need and by guarding against every thing that may provoke the Lord to angerâ—… whether in omission or commission Here is requisite â—…n holy humble sober and watchfull walk an earnest serious and hungry looking out to Him and a patient waiting for supply and furniture from Him This is to open the mouth wide that He may fill it to lie before the sun of righteousnesse that the beames thereof may beat upon them warme revive them and to waite as a beggar at this kings gate till he give the almes 8. For the strengthening of their hope faith in this they would lay hold upon Christ dying and by his death purchaseing all those influences of life and strength which are requisite for carrying on of the work of grace and sanctification in the soul for we must be blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings Eph. 1â—… 3. The beleever then would look on these influences as purchased at a deare rate by the blood of Jesus Christ so that the divine power giveth unto us all things that pertaine unto life and godlinesse through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory virtue 2 Pet. 1 3. And this will encourage the soul to wait on and expect the flowing down of influences and spiritual blessings and showres of grace to cause the soul to flourish and become fruitfull and to urge and presse more earnestly by faith the bestowing of the purchased benefites 9. Moreover the beleever would look on Jesus as standing engaged and obliged to carry on this work both as receiving them for this end from the Father
hence we are said to be chosen in him before the fundation of the world that we should be holy c. Ephes. â—… 4. and aâ—… dying for themâ—… for He gave himself son the church that He might sanctiâ—…y cleanse it that He might present it to himself a glorious church that it should be holy Ephes. 5 25 26 27. He hath reconciled them in the body of his flesh through death to present them holy Col. 1 21 22. So that the noble 〈◊〉 of Redemption may found the 〈◊〉 hope and expectation of the beleever upon â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First upon the account of the Fathers faithfulnesse who promised a seed to Iesus Viz. such as should be his children and so be sanctified through Him and that the pleasure of the Lord which in pâ—…rt iâ—… thâ—… work of sanctification should prosper in his hand And next upon the account of Christs undertaking and engaging as is said to bâ—…ing his sonâ—… and daughters to glory which must be through sanctification for without holinesse no man shall see God And they must look like himself who is a holy Head a holy Husband a holy Captane and therefore they must be holy members a holy spouse holy souldiers So that He standeth engaged to sanctifie them by his Spirit and word and therefore is called the Sanctifier Heb. 2 11. for both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one Yea their union with Christ layeth the foundation of this for being joyned to the Lord they become one Spirit 1 Cor. 6 17. and are animated and quickened by one the same Spirit of life and grace and therefore must be sanctified by that Spirit 10. The beleever likewise would act faith upon the promises of the new Covenant of grace strength life c whereby they shall walk in his wayes have Gods lawes put into their mindes and write into their hearts Heb. 8 10. Ier. 31 33. and of the new heart and new spirit and the heart of flesh and the Spirit within them to cause them walk in his wayes or statutes and keep his judgments and do them Ezech. 36 26 27. and the like wherewith the scripture aboundeth Because these are all given over to the beleever by way of Testament and legacy Christ becoming the mediator of the new Testament that by meanes of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternall inheritance Heb. 9 15. Noâ—… Christ by his death hath confirmed this Testament for where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death ' of the testatour for a Testament is of force after men are dead vers 16 17. Christ then dying to make the Testament of force hath made the legacy of the promises sure unto the beleever so that now all the promises are yea and amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1 20. He was made a minister of circumcision to confirme the promises made to the Fathers Rom. 15 8. That the eyeing of these promises by faith is a noble meane to sanctification is cleare by what the Apostle sayeth 2 Cor. 7 1. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse ourselves perfecting holinesse in the feare of God And it is by faith that those promises must be received Heb. 11 33. So that the beleever that would grow in grace would eye Christ the fundamentall promise the Testatour establishing the Testament and the excutor or dispensator of the covenant and exspect the good things through Him and from Him through the conduite and channell of the promises 11. Yet further beleevers would eye Christ iâ—… his Resurrection as a publick person and so look on themselves and reckon themselves as riseing virtually in and with Him and take the resurrection of Christ as a certane paune and pledge of their sanctification for so reasoneth the Apostle Rom. 6 4 5 11 13. we are buryed sayâ—…s He with him by baptisme into death that likeas Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 of life for we shall â—…e 〈◊〉 also in the likenesse of his resurrection and if we 〈◊〉 dead with Christ we beleeve that we shall also live with him therefore reckon ye also yourselves to be alive unto God through Iesus Christ our Lord and yeeld yourselves unto God as these that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousnesse unto God The right improving of this ground would be of noble advantage unto the student of holinesse for thence he might with strong confidence conclude that the work of sanctification should prosper in his hand for he may now look upon himself as quickened together with Christ Epes 2 5. Christ dying and riseing as a publick person and he by faith being now joyned with him and united to him 12. Moreover this Resurrection of Christ may yeeld us another ground of hope and confidence in this work for there is mention made of the power of his resurrection Phil. 3 10. So that by faith we may draw strength and vertue from Christ as an arisen and quickened Head whereby we also may live unto God and bring forth fruit unto him and serve no more in the oldnesse of the letter but in the newnesse of Spirit Rom. 7 4 6. He was quickened as an Head and when the head is quickened the members cannot but look for some communication of life therefrom and to live in the strength of the life of the head See Col. 3 1 2. 13. Faith may and should also look to Christ as an intercessor with the Father for this particular Iohn 17 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth and this will adde to their confidence that the work shall go on for Christ was alwayes heard of the Father Iohn 11 41 42. and so will be in this prayer which was not put up for these few disciples alone The beleever then would eye Christ as engadging to the Father to begin and perfect this work aâ—… dying to purchase the good things promised and to confirme the same as quickened and riseing aâ—… head and a publick person to ensure this work and to bestow and actually conferre the graces requisite and as praying also for the Fathers concurrence and cast the burden of the work on Him by faith knowing that He standeth obliged by his place and relation to his people to beare all their burthens to work all their works in them to perfect his owne work that He hath begun in them to present them to himself at last a holy bride to give them the Spirit to dwel in them Rom 8 9 11 and â—…o quicken their mortall bodyes vers 11. and to lead them vers 14. till at length they be crowned and brought forward to glory This is to live by faith when Christ liveth acteth and worketh in us by his Spirit Gal. 2 20. Thus Christ dwelleth in the