will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness And Isa 43. 2 5. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee fear not for I am wiâ—h thee So Hag. 2 4 5. Hence the Psalmist saith Though I walk in the valley â—f the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me namely I will fear no evil of or concerning thee I will not be jealous of my Shepherd and so I will fear no evil no adversity whatsoever for thou art with me to uphold and strengthen me with strength in my soul Psal 23. 4. 138. 3. This comforted the Prophet when in great affliction and inderision daily I heard the defaming of many fear on every side report say they and we will report all my familiars watched for my halting peradventure he will be inticed and we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge on him By the way they signifie that unless they could intice him or turn him aside they could not take their revenge on him but saith he the Lord is with me therefore my persecuters shall stumble and they shall not prevail Jer. 20. 10 11. And so He will preserve their souls from the design of Satan and his instruments that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ that love him and keep his word Rom. 8. 35 39. he will not deliver them unto the will of their enemies Psal 41. 2. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. He will not suffer the feet of those that trust in him to be moved he that keepeth them will not slâ—mber behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep the Lord is their keeper the Sun shall not smite them by day the Lord shall preserve them from all evil he shall preserve their souls c. Psal 121. 97. 10. 1 Sam. 2. 9. My sheep saith our Saviour hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. Oh! what incouragement is given us herein to trust in him and not be afraid not to fear any of those things we may suffer but though bryars and thorns be with us and we dwell among Scorpions and our souls are among Lions and Wolves even amongst them that are set on fire whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword yet to walk in the strength of the Lord God and to make mention of his righteousness even of his only Yea He will cause all things to work together for good to them that love God who are the called according to purpose so as that in all the tribulations he is ordering they shall be mâ—râ— than conquerours through him that hath loved them and given himself for them Rom. 8. 28 37. and they shall be gainers by their losses and have occasion with thankfulness to acknowledge that it was good for them that they were afflicted Psal 119. 62 71. for his end in ordering the afflictions of the Gospel is for their profit that they might be partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 10 11. he is refining them but not with silver he is chusing them in the furnace of affliction Isa 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. Every branch in the true vine the Husbandman purgeth continually that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. and by all tribulations he is preparing them for glory and more glory for them Our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen saith the Apostle for which cause they fainted not 2 Cor. 4. 16. 18. yea death is theirs and to die gain and the Lord knoweth how even by this means to deliver the godly out of temptation 1 Cor. 3. 22. Phil. 1. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 9. and their manifold temptations the tryal of their faith through which now for a season when need is they are in heaviness shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And now in the multitude of their troubles and thoughts within them his comforts shall delight their souls Psal 94. 19. He is the God of all comfort who comforteth them in all their tribulations and as the sufferings of Christ abound in them so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ He is one who comforts them that are cast down and restoreth comfort to the conâ—â—ite one and his mourners by creating the fruit of his lips in his Gospel peace peace unto them 2 Cor. 1. 3 5 7 7. 5. Isa 57. 18 19. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Christ because the Lord hath anointed him to preach good tydiâ—gâ— to the meek To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to gâ—ve unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning c. Isa 61. 1 3. He will then especially and abundantly cause them to prove the sufficiency of his gracâ— 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. that having access by faith into that groce wherein they stand even that grace that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly they may rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. He will give unto them his good Spirit to bring to remembrance the sayings of Christ to glorifie him and enamour their hearts on him and to teach them all things and so to be a spirit of grace and supplication unto them to teach them how to pour out their hearts unto him in what manner and for what things and in what incouragement Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13 14. Likewise the Spirit also heâ—peth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we oâ—ght but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be â—ttered Rom. 8. 26 27. and so to teach them how to answer adversaries and opposers This is the promise which our Saviour promised his Disciples when he sent them forth as Lambs in the midst of Wolves to preserve them from carefulness and thoughtfulness what to answer But when saith he they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak either as to the manner or matter for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak for it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your father which speaketh in you Maâ— 10. 16 20. And hence our â—aviour admonisheth them to settle it in their â—eaâ—ts not to mediâ—are before what they shall answer for he assuâ—es them in so doing he will
let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8 9. If any man consent not in his teachings to wholsom words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud c. from such turn away 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. Now then we may be assured that such consent to wholsom words who say Christ died not for all nor by the grace of God tasted death for every man contrary to 2 Cor. 5 14. Heb. 2. 9. and so such as deny him to be the standing propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. These teach men to deny the Lord that bought them yea they are led by the spirit of error who confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Saviour of the world they come not up to wholesom words for the true Christ is the Saviour of the world even of mankind and this began to be spoken by the Lord himself Joh. 3. 16 17. 4. 42. 6. 51. and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. and so the Son of God is the Saviour of the world and this was the sum of the Apostles testimony which they had received and saw in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 13 15. And the Apostle Paul saith that he was ordained a Preacher of this viz. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth c. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. and instructed Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which he heard of him that unto which he was ordained a Preacher as before and an Apostle viz. that God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time by which he proves and evidences that God will have all men to be saved c. I say to hold this last in faith in an hearty belief of the truth of it and in love to men so as declaring this to them and holding it fast in profession according to the constraining operations of the grace of God in Christ 2 Tim 1. 9 13. with 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 2 Cor. 5. 13 15 18 20. and exhorted Timothy to command others to teach and himself to teach that the living God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10 11. See also Tit. 2. 11 15. And in this direction given unto us for tryal of spirits that we may know so as to avoid false Prophets it is observable the Apostle doth not positively and particularly declare what the false spirits do hold and teach but in the general he saith If they confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ or give not to him the glory due to him in their confessions so as in all hearing the Apostles they are not of God and we are to beware of them if they Evangelize otherwise than what the Apostles have Evangelized we are to reject them for if it be not the voice of our Shepherd we may be sure it is the voice of a stranger and so we are to flee from them yea if any man come unto you saith the Apostle and bring not this doctrine the doctrine of Christ in which he is lifted up in the words of the Holy Ghost receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed He saith not if he take not up this doctrine which he may seem to do for advantage sake when he is with you that he may not be discovered but may deceive you but if he bring it not if this be not his message his errand when he comes the thing he is set to promote receive him not c. Prov. 14. 7. Joh. 10. 4 5. 2 Joh. 7 11. 2. And by their fruits may be meant also the effects of their doctrines which the Disciples of Christ may perceive and discern namely that they are such as tend to corrupt from that simplicity that is in Christ to draw away mens hearts and affections from him who is the only foundation of faith and hope the only fountain in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily the only bread of life and door of approach to God They tend to remove men from him that called them into the grace of Christ and cause men to err from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. Gal. 1. 6. and this appears plainly in those that imbrace and entertain those confessions in which Jesus Christ is not lifted up in the word of the Apostles Now then in applying our selves to God and the word of his grace we may be preserved from those grievous Wolves for they confess not our God or confess him not according to that discovery given of him in the word of his grace Oh let us then keep sound wisdom and discretion so shall they be life to our souls preserve our souls in life and grace to our necks then shall we walk in the way safely and our foot shall not stumble Prov. 3. 21 26. take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. 3. That I may not over-much inlarge I shall briefly say the Apostle directs and commends them to this person and thing that they might not arise speaking perverse things and that they might be preserved from those amongst themselves that would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them ver 30. What hath been spoken before may be useful here also only in that he now forewarns them of this danger among themselves and therefore thus commits them He signifies 1. That amongst those whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers over the flock some may possibly arise speaking perverse things crooked wreathed things such as in which they would pervert the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 7. and that either by desiring to be teachers of the Law as there were some inclined hereto amongst these believers 1 Tim. 1. 3 7. So some such among the Galatians that turned them aside to the Law to be justified or sanctified by the works thereof and to perfect by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 2 15 16 3. 1 5. 5. 1 4. and turning them again to weak and beggarly elementâ— Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 22 24. or by not consenting unto wholsom â—â—rds event the words of our Lord Jesus Christ but limiting the grace of God and teaching men to deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. or not consenting to the doctrine according to godliness but â—urning the grace of our God into wantonness as if it gave liberty to men to continue in sin or to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness or licentiousness 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Jude 4. 1 Pet. 2. 16 or corrupting the word of God with Philosophy and that Science
LIGHT IN DARKNESS OR A CONSIDERATION OF A Comfortable and Instructive Resignation OF THE Church of God By an Eminent and Faithful Watchman upon his Departure OCCASIONED By the sad loss of that Faithful and painful Labourer in the Lord Mr. Thomas Moor Junior By C. P. Look away from me I will weep bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoyling of the daughter of my people For it is a day of trouble and of treading down and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of Vision breaking down the Walls thereof c. Isa 22. 4 5. Rejoyce not against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him until he plead my cause and execute judgment for me he shall bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousness Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God c Mica 7. 8 9 10. London Printed in the Year 1669. To the Reader Christian Reader WHAT the occasion of the following Discourse is thou mayest see before viz. the death of one that laboured abundantly in the Work of the Lord yet not he but the grace of God that was with him whom the Lord in testimony of high displeasure to the survivers took away to himself in the midst of his dayes and Work and thereby hath occasioned and increased mourning and lamentation in the daughter of his Judah Oh! that while he is thus lifting up his hand we may see wherefore he is thus contending with us that we may turn to him that smiteth and seek the Lord of hosts lest his wrath further break forth as fire and devour and there be none to quench it He was one that was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for he knew that it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth and therefore he determined to know nothing else in and unto all things save Jesus Christ and him crucified as he is evidently therein set before us and pourtrayed unto us and did not preach himself but Jesus Christ the Lord nor was his zeal exercised about indifferent things or lighter matters for he was well assured that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink and so not dayes and times and places and gestures and circumstances and such things as perish with the using but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy Ghost and therefore did in these great things of God's Law serve Christ and so was acceptable to God and profitable to men he was even set for the defence and confirmation of the Gospel and that was to him the joy and rejoycing of his heart and he had all his confidence begun and strengthned from the kindness and love of God our Saviour to mankind and his feeding upon the flesh of Christ that was given for the life of the World and the grace of God therein commended by which Jesus Christ tasted death for every man and in the vertue of his blood is raised again in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree this was the beginning of his confidence and not some secret thing with him or peculiar manner of love to him the reason of his hope the answer of his good conscience towards God the foundation of his faith and hope the argument by which he was reconciled to God and strengthned to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life and where-through his heart was purified and principled to the unfeigned love of the brethren and to the love of all men yea of his enemies from hence his hearts desire and prayer to God for them was that they might be saved The love of Christ did constrain him to perswade men and pray them to be reconciled to God and receive his grace to purpose whether he were looked upon as one besides himself or as a sober man because he thus judged that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again In preaching the word he was instant in season and out of season and was to that end that Christ might be magnified and therein mens good indeavoured and especially the profit of the houshold of faith pursued in journeying often in weariness and painfulness in watchings often c. Who was weak and he was not weak Who was offended and he burned not And in preaching Christ he did warn every man as he had opportunity and teach every man in all wisdom that he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Whereunto he did also labour striving according to his working which wrought in him mightily He hath fought the good fight he hath finished his course he hath kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give to him at that day and not to him only but also to all them that love his appearing Doubtless God in such strokes is signifying his great displeasedness with us in removing so untimely one so much framed to a like mindedness with himself in Christ whose heart was fixed to indeavour the good of all men especially of them that believe sutable to the mind of the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. As if he were hereby beginning to rise up out of his wonted place of mercy and to for sake us and wo will be to us when he depart eth from us Oh! that we may consider his work and the operation of his hands lest he destroy us and not build us up In this day suâ—ely the Lord God of hosts is calling to mourning and to weeping and to baldness and to girding with sackcloath Oh! that there may not be beheld among us joy and gladness slaying Oxen and killing sheep eating flesh and drinking wine But O daughter of Zion let tears run down like a River day and night give thy self no rest let not the apple of thine eyes cease Arise cry out in the night in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord lift up thine hands towards him He hath trodden under foot thy mighty men for this thou hast cause to weep that thou shouldst procure such testimonies of displeasure to thy self and that thine eye thine eye should run down with water because the Comforter that should relieve thy soul is far from thee Oh! that we may yet turn again to the Lord. We have still a Lord to turn to when the servants are removed the great shepherd to direct our eyes and hearts to when under-shepherds are taken away And to
or which they could have been guilty of before his grace that seasonably brings salvation to all men is vouchsaâ—ed God did lay or cause to meet upon him the iniquities of us all even the guilt of that first offence of the first Adam in which we all like Sheep have gone astray and from whence we are naturally and necessarily â—ound turning every one to his own way Isa 53. 6. And these are said to be his own sins Heb. 7. 27. and he confessed them as his to answer for where he saith Mine iniquities have taken hold on me c. they are more than the haâ—rs of mine head Psal 40. 12. And with respect to that first disobedience of our first Father in which we have all sinned and from whence we are unavoidably polluted as we come to have a being from him may that also be fundamentally mean aâ—d intended by the Baptist Behold the Lamb of God that beareth the sin of the world Joh. 1. 29. 3. Having our debt thus charged upon him and accepting of it as his to answer for he was made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. and had the judgment of the world executed upon him Joh. 12. 31. a bitter cup prepared for him which he willingly for the joy set before him drank of in which there was the hiding of God's face from him and the rage and cruelty of men and fury of Satan which was permitted and ordered by God and so in all God went to Law with him and thereby he was brought into the dust of deaâ—h his sufferings were 1. More immediately from God 2. By God's permission and ordering from men 3. From Satan by all which he was brought to death all these and in this order are spoken to Psal 18. 4 5. which Psalm though it was directly spoken of David as appears by the Title yet it was also a Prophecy of Christ and some things in it cannot fully be applied to any other person as may be seen in the latter end especially and the like order is also used in Psal 22. And so 1. The sorrows of death compassed him even the sorrows or pains of death which he indured as inflicted more immediately by his Father which were as pains of a woman in travel that cannot be delivered yea inexpressibly greater he suffered the torments of death he was tormented for our transgressions Isa 53. 5. it pleased the Lord to bruise him he put him to grief he forsook him Psal 22. 1. The Evangelists all of them declare the greatness of those sorrows he was compassed about with before he was apprehended by men See Mat. 26. 38. My soul saith he is exceeding sorrowful beset or compassed about with sorrows on every side even unto death as if our Saviour did refer unto and open that Psal 18. 4. These sâ—rrows were doubtless very great and so great as though they were in or upon the soul and so not so discernable to others as those more outward yet they could not be hid from others but the grief thereby occasioned was in some part visible yet not the greatness of it The Evangelist ver 37. saith He began to be sorrowful c. but our Saviour to signifie the greatness of his exercise was not known by others saith My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto dâ—aâ—h Mark Chap. 14. 33. saith He began to be sore amazed both to shew the wonderfulness and marvelousness of the weight of that burden he was bearing and bitterness of the cup he was to drink and was now drinking as also that he began to be afraid Mark 16. 5 6. Heb. 5. 7. Luke thus expresseth it And being in an agony he prayed move earnestly and his sweat was as it were grâ—at drops or clots of blood falling down to the ground Luke 22. 44. So Joh. 12. 27. Now namely when the judgment of this world was exâ—cuting upon him ver 31. is my soul troubled and these great and inconceivable pains he inâ—ured before he was apprehended by men in all which we may in part â—â—e 1. The greatness of the wrath he indured more immediately from the Father such as it even made him to roar and cry Psal 22. 12. and offer up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears Heb. 5. 7. his wrath lay hard upon him as our surety and he afflicted him with all his waves Psal 88. 3 7. He spared not his own son Rom. 8. 32. 2. That God did forsake him for some time and not presently hear him and deliver him as he did our Fathers but left him to taste death and feel the weight of that curse that was our due to have born Psal 22. 1 4. Yea it seems God's wrath and forsaking him continued from first to last in this harvest of affliction therefore in Psal 22. 1. his crying out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me is set down before the sufferings he indured from men and in Mat. 27. 46. a little before he commended his Spirit to God yea it seems as if he so cryed out when he yielded up the Ghost for it is said ver 50. Jesus whâ—n he had cryed again with a loud voice yielded up the Ghost Where again may be meant not only as with respect to time which might have been understood though that word had been left out as it is in Mark 15. 37. But again may be the same words also as also appears by all the expressions in the verse in which it seems the Evangelist refers to ver 46. 2. The flouds of the ungodly made him afraid namely their multitude and their rage against him they made a noise like the noise of the Seas and a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters as if they would have born him down before them The heathen did rage and the people imagine a vain thing Psal 2. 1 2. He vvas a reproach of men and despised of the people even of his ovvn Psal 22. 6. And so he vvas betrayed by Judas under pretence of affection He that ate bread with him did lift up the heel against him Psal 41. 9. This vvas a great affâ—ction and that for vvhich he vvaâ— troubled in spirit not only outvvardly troubled and sad in coâ—ntenance as a man may be vvhen he is not invvardly affected but he vvas invvardly grieved for it and by it Joh. 13. 21. and therefore surely he had not from the begâ—nâ—iâ—g determined him so to do nor vvas the Author of this his iniquity And those to vvhom Judas vvas guide for apprehending him vvere the chief Priests and his ovvn amongst vvhom he had been teaching these came out against him as against a thief Mat. 26. 47 55. This vvas a gâ—eaâ—â—riâ—f He came to his own and his own received him not yea 〈◊〉 him he laboured in vain and spent his streâ—â—â—h â—â—â— nought and in vain for Israel was not gathered Isa 49. 3. 5. yea they were the chief Priests and his own Nation the delivered him to the Gentiles
Joh. 18. 35. And now his disciples forsook him and â—led Mat. 26. 56. This added to his affliction he looked for some to take pity but there was none and for comâ—orters but he found none Psal 69. 20. To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friends â—ob 6. 14. but they were scattered and left him alone Joh. 16. 32. And when he was thus apprehended by his enemies and forsaken by his friends he is led away to the High Priests wâ—ere the Scribes and Elders were assembled in Councel and they instead of waiting for a legal charge and evidence against him sought false witness against him to put him to death Mark 14. 55 Mat. 26. 57 59. This was matter of his complaint false witnesses did rise up Psal 35. 11 12. And when they found nothing or nothing material they laid snares for him by propâ—sing a question and adjuring him to answer it which when he had answered they judge him to have spoken blasphemy and to be guilty of death and then they spit in his face and buffeted him and others smote him with the palms of or rods in their hands c. Mat. 26. 60 68. And now to add to his affliction he is denyed by Peter Yea and the chief Priests and Elders led him away bound and delivered him â—â— Pilate before whâ—m they accuse him Mat. 27. 1 2. Luke 23. 1 7. and Pilate sends him to Herod and there he is vehemenâ—ly accused by the chief Priests and Scribes yea and Herod also with his men of War set him at nought and mocked him and arrayed him in a gorgeous Robe and sent him again to Pilate Luke 23. 7 11. And though he was determined to let him go and sought once and again to â—elease him yet because of the importunity of the people particularly because they cryed out If thou let this man go thâ—u art not Caesars friend he delivered him to them to be crucified John 19. 4 16. The Kings of the earth stood up and the Rulers were gathered together against him Psal 2. 2. Many Bulls compâ—sâ—ed him strong Bulls of Bashan beset him round they gaped upon him with their mouths as a roaring and a ravening Lyon Psal 22. 12 13. And he was hanged between two Malefactors and so numbred with transgressors yea and now when they had so fâ—r accomplisht their design their hearts relented not but still they reproach him concerning his trusting in God He trusted in God say they that he would deliver him let him deliver him if he will have him Psal 22. 8. Mat. 27. 41 43. And this was a sword in his bones Reproach hath broken mine heart saith he and I am full of heaviness Psal 42. 10. 69. 20. And those that were instruments of this cruelty and shame to him were the professed Church of God and the Gentiles high and low those that would not at another time been in company together are confederate herein in his adversity they rejoyced gathered themselves together yea the abjects gathered themselves together against him they did tear and ceased nor with hypocritical mockers in seasts they â—â—â—shed upon him with their teeth Psal 35. 15 16. And as this which he indâ—red from men was a great affliction so it was the greater at this time because the hand of God touched him they prevented him in the day of his calamity or fog when the Father hid his face from him They persecuted him whom God had smitten Psal 18. 18. 69. 26. And though men were thus incensed against him and enemies to him because he bore wiâ—ness to the truth which he received of his Father and witnessed a good confession and so persecuâ—ed him for following and doing the thing that was good yet as it was permitted and ordered to him of the Father so it was a part of the curse which we had deserved and herein God went to Law with him for our sins and this appears in that whereas the Lord by the Prophet saith Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man my fellow saiâ—â—â— the Lord of Hosts smite the shepherd c. as herein giving permissive commission and ordâ—ring the wicked which are his sword to smite him Zech. 13. 8. with Psal 17. 13. Mark 14. 27. Our Saviour referring to and citing that place thus renders it I will smite the shepherd and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad as signifying that God did execute this upon him as part of the judgment of this world Mat. 26. 31. 3. Yea the sorrows of Hell compassed him about when men were thus persecuting and reproaching him the power of darkness also added to his great sorrow Luke 22. 53. The Prince of this world saith he cometh c. John 14. 30. that is he came to afflict him and execute death upon him of which he had the power according to the curse of the Law Heb. 2. 14. His soul was in Hell Acts 2. 27. 31. He did taste the sorrows of it even of all thoâ—e sorrows and toâ—ments of the first death and hell thereto appertaining which we must have endured had he not undertaken for us and in the suffering whereof we had remained miserable for ever And he câ—mâ— also together herewith to move him to put forth his hand to iniquity and to go out of his Fathers way that he might avoid further troubles he came to tempt him to sin John 14. 30. with Mat. 4. 3. c. He thrust sore at Christ that he might fall Psal 118. 13. He was in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin for the Prince of this world found nothing in him for the temptation to work upon Heb. 4. 15. And unto both these wayes of Satans afflicting him respect may be had in that prayer of the Prophet speaking in the person of Christ and concerning him Psal 22. 20. Deliver my darling or my only one from the hand or power of the dog namely of Satan who was now bruising his heel and causing great sorrows unto him he was now tearing of him as it were and therefore is he compared to a dog Mark 9. 18. He had spoken of dogs before ver 16. viz. of the Gentiles but here as I conceive of the Prince of the world and ver 21. Save me from the Lyons mouth even from the mouth of him who as a roaring Lyon seeketh to devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. and who was tempting and moving him to go out of God's way that he might not accomplish and finish the work the Father gave him to do And by all these great inexpressible and inconceivable sorrows and pains the snares of death prevented him He dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buryed c. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Herein it appears that the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant and therefore we have good reason to commit our selves to him whose grace was so great and who hath so discovered it in
the word of his grace 3. His grace still further appears to be great in this word of his grace if we consider the persons for whom he was thus greatly abased and that both as to their condition and as to their number 1. As to their condition in which they were we have it declared Rom. 5. 6 8 10. While we were yet without strength in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly God commendeth his love towarâ—â—â—s in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us when we were enemies we were reconciled by the death of his Son And so when without strength to help our selves sick and sick to death as water spilt upon the ground that cannot be gathered up again 2 Sam. 14. 14. when none could by any means redeem his brother by any thing he could do suffer or offer to God Psal 49. 7. Gal. 2. 21. then he commended his love to us yea this great weakness and helplessness we had contracted to and brought upon our selves by out voluntary departure from God God made man upright in a condition to have had communion with his Creator but they sought out many inventions Eccl. 7. 29. Adam transgressed the Covenant and there dealt treacherously against God even as a Wife treacherously departeth from her Husband Hos 6. 7. and not for want but through wantonness listened to the lye of the tempter and so brought death and misery into the world Rom. 5. 12. Our comeliness was turned into corruption and we retained no strength and now to lay hold on us when we had voluntarily disabled our selves this was great love indeed Amongst men this shuts up the bowels of their pitty when any one doth willingly and wilâ—ully lame or disable himself who will bemoaâ— such an one or turn aside to ask how he doth But in such a state God pityed us yea when we were ungodly and sinners ungodly such as did not worship him or desire and much less deserve any favour yea acknowledged not our fault but sought to hide and cover it Job 31. 33. and to throw it from one to another yea the man as it were secretly to cast it upon God The woman thou gavest to be with me she gave me and I did eat yet now he manifested his love to them that asked not after him yea that hid themselves first from the presence of the Lord and afterward sought to cover their transgression by hiding it in their bosom And sinners such as had mist their mark and were greatly deceived they in their pride not content with their state God created them in but listening to the temptation of Satan aspired to an equality with God and to be as God's Oh high presumption to have a self-sufficiency in themselves but they missed miserably what they in hearkning to the seducer proposed to themselves and so became transgressorâ— and broke his Law and thereby became such as God hears not though they had cryed Joh. 9. 31. such as he could not delight in or have fellowship with yet now he had compassion on us This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3. 18. yea when we were enemies enemies to him as well as to our selves haters of him God was in Christ reconciling us to himself David's kindness toward Saul wonderfully wrought upon him and it even broke his heart because he killed him not but spared his life when it was in the power of his hand to have destroyed him If a man find his enemy saith he will he let him go well away wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day 1 Sam. â—4 19. But alas David's love herein though very rare amongst men is not to be compared with this we are speaking of for Saul whom he spared was God's Anointed and King and therefore David could not put forth his hand against him and be innocent 1 Sam. 24. 10. 26. 9. But now on the contrary he that so testified love toward us was the Lord and heir of all things it is Christ the Lord 's anointed that dyed and we were his creatures and servants that had rebelled against him Again David parted with nothing that was dear to him much less laid down his life to shew kindness to Saul only spared him and forbore to touch him but Christ dyed for our sins that he might bring us back to God Is this the manner of man Oh Lord God Greater love than this hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends but God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners and enemies Christ dyed for us Joh. 15. 13. with Rom. 5. 6. 8. Great reason have we to break forth into admiration with the Psalmist and say How excellent and precious is thy loving kindness O God! Psal 36. 7. 2. The persons as to the number for whom he so humbled himself were all of them whose nature he took and in which he vvas made a little lovver than the Angels he vvas crovvned vvith glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man Heb. 2. 9. It vvas a light thing too mean for and belovv him that he should be God's servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob c. but God hath given him also that he should be for salvation to the ends of the earth Isa 49 6. And this began to be preached by the Lord himself God so loved the world saith he that he gave his only begotten Son c. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world thrâ—ugh him might be saved Ioh. 3. 16 17. This he spake to one man even to Nicodemuâ— that he might be born again We are apt to think that a particular application of God's love as men call it might have been more proper in this case vvhen our Saviour vvas applying himself to one person yet vve see the course our Saviour the Wisdom of God takes vvhen he is declaring the necessity of the Nevv-birth and directing to the means by vvhich a man may be born again And indeed herein he shevvs vvhat is the vvater of vvhich a man may be begotten again namely the pity and kindness of God to man-vvard and not some particular or peculiar love to this or that man And from his mouth the Samaritans received and learnt this lesson Now say they to the vvoman we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4. 42. So Joh. 6. 51. And this was also confirmed unto us by them that heard him We thus judge saith the Apostle that if oâ—e dyed for all then were all dead and he dyed for all 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Yea this
vvas that vvhich they favv in the light and evidence of the Spirit and accordingly did testifie even as the sum of their testimony that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the world 1 John 4. 14. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 4. In this Word is discovered to us his grace in what he hath through and by means of his death effected and obtained into himself for us and is become And so 1. That which he hath effected thereby is that he hath saved us mankind in himself from that so great a death in which otherwise we must have perished for ever for in Jesus Christ mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed he hath satisfied God's justice fulfilled his truth appeased his wrath paid that our debt answered the Law and this is manifested in that God hath raised him from the dead in that same body in which he was crucified and in which he bare our sins on the Tree and he hath brought him again from the dead through his blood so precious was it in the sight of the Lord Heb. 13. 20. That same Jesus whom the Jews crucified in that same personal body in which he dyed for our sins is raised again and this was of absolute necessity for if he be not taken from prison we must dye and abide in our sins for ever preaching is vain and faith vain c. But he is raised from the dead in that body which was pierced with a spear and with those hands and feet which were nailed to the Tree John 19. 34. with Chap. 20. 20 25 27. And unto his Apostles he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty dayes Acts 1. 3. And as he is raised in that very body in which he suffered so also in that publick consideration being acquitted from all our sins that were imputed to him and having over come all our death and enemies that had led us captive He was declared and determined to be the Son of God in whom he is well pleased with power according to the spirit of holiness in the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. He is taken from prison and from judgment and as in him as in the publick man all have dyed and suffered the whole of the curse due to them for our first departure from God 2 Cor. 5. 14. So in him who is the last Adam they are acquitted For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God being justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Rom. 3. 23 24. 5. 18. He hath so purged away our sins from before the presence of God the guilt whereof was imputed to him as that now the Father judgeth no man according to the Law as they fell under it in the first publick man Heb. 1. 3. with Iohn 5. 22. that is to say no man is condemned or held out from God either because our first Father hath sinned and we in him or because as we come to receive our beings we come forth and are born in sin and so naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled for he hath made peace slain the enmity that was between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in the way contrary to us broken down the middle wall of partition and is become the way to the Father and God hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son Eph. 2. 13 15. Col. 2. 13 14. Ioh. 5. 22 23. Gal. 3. 13. And he hath spoiled principalities and powers led captivity captive and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Col. 2. 15. Psal 68. 18. See how this began to be spoken by the Lord himself as to both these branches Iohn 12. 31 32. Now saith he is the judgment of this world to wit it was now executing upon him when his soul was troubled the guilt of the trespasses of the world which made it liable to the judgment of God being imputed to him he was called to the judgment-seat and made a curse for us and God in him took vengeance of our iniquities he judged and condemned sin in the flesh of Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 3. Isa 61. 1 2. He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Now shall the Prince of this world be castâ—out namely out of his principality and from being the Prince of this world as he was according to that judgment for we were fallen under his dominion necessarily and must have so remained for ever had not God devised this blessed means And I if I be lifted up from the earth namely crucified and hung on the Tree will draw all men unto me That is by means of his death who in the vertue thereof is discharged and acquitted he would draw all men unto him and now in the first sense hath drawn them unto himself from under the judgment of this world which was executed upon him from under that sentence of banishment according to which they were shut out from God and must have perished in their sins and from being under the necessary dominion of Satan who was become the Prince of this world from under both he hath drawn them unto himself to be under his judgment his gracious Government and Lordship for to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Lord of all Rom. 14. 9. Acts 10. 36. And to a gracious end did he dye for all and is raised again and hath the sentence of banishment remitted to him and brought us under his kingdom viz. that he might bring us back to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 15. And of both these it appears the Psalmist prophetically speaks in Psal 136. where he provokes to give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and that first because of his creating all things ver 5. 9. and then for his great goodness towards the house of Israel which he bestowed on them ver 10 22. to which he adds he remembred us in our low estate when we were brought low for our iniquities and were justly banished from his presence in the sentence of his Law for his mercy endureth for ever and redeemed us from our enemies for his mercy indureth for ever ver 23 24. I say it appears he speaks of this redemption of mankind in Christ generally and of his mercy to the Gentiles particularly in that it is distinguished from his work of creation his goodness to Israel and his providing for and giving food to all flesh And the like is also said Col. 2. 14 15. yea he hath so saved all mankind in himself as that no man shall perish for ever in that first death of which our Jesus tasted and which he overcame and hath abolished but be raised out of it for since by man death by man also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam
spotless sacrifice unto God through the eternal spirit and is ascended â—ar-above all heavens into heaven it self that he may fill and fulfil all things he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God and by means and by vertue of what he hath done there is peace in heaven Luke 19. 38. When man had sinned and brought themselves under the sentence of banishment God's love and pity was toward them but such was the holiness of God and his truth and justice that there was no mercy to be shewed forth to mankind until his justice was satisfied his truth fulfilled and his righteous Law answered For heaven and earth shall pass away but not one jot or title of the Law shall pass till all be fulfilled But now Jesus Christ becoming under the Law by the will of God he bare our sins and dyed our death and is raised again so as in him mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed truth is sprung out of the earth in his resurrection and righteousness looks down from heaven in all the streams of God's goodness and compassion to us and now there is cause to sing peace in heaven and glory in the highest he is ascended upon high and is set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens Oh infinite love Oh unsearchable riches of grace 2. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he is now doing to us from heaven in the name and authority of the Father and in the anointing of the holy Ghost And in what he is doing in heaven for us with the Father in both which he is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. his end in both being that he might bring us to God his end in what he hath done for us in breaking down the middle wall of partition that was between God and us and between Jew and Gentile and having abolished in his flesh the enmity it was that he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the Cross Eph. 2. 14 16. His end in his having made peace was that he might reconcile all things and so all men as persons sometimes is included and meant in that expression 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Col. 1. 20. And indeed that his end was to reconcile all men appears to be included in that expression in that he immediately adds And you who were sometimes enemies and alienated in your minds c. yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 20 21. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and so his end in what God hath now appointed Christ to and in which he is faithful is the same not to condemn the world but that through him the world might be saved and the Apostle doth hereby demonstrate and prove the graciousness of God's heart towards all men by shewing what he hath appointed Christ unto in his present work and office God saith he will have all men to be saved ' and come to the knowledge of the truth To evidence that he saith For there is one God namely not only to distinguish him from all other who are called Gods but to denote to us that he is one not divided hath not a secret will contrary to his revealed but he is light and in him is no darkness at all and so he is the same he hath manifested himself to be in abasing his Son to dye for us and crowning him with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man And one Mediator namely as before not only to distinguish him from all others that are called so and so to signifie that he is the one and only Mediator appointed by the one God though that is true and may be principally intended but also to assure us that he is one the same Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. And so in what he is appointed to to day he is one and the same with what he was yesterday even the Saviour of the world the anointed Saviour of men while they are not wholly given up to and become one with Satan and reckoned fully of his seed and for such in that consideration he was never a Saviour and so he is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus even he that had such infinite grace to all men that he gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. If God had not willed and desired that all men should be saved he would never have appointed such a gracious Mediator between him and them and such a faithful testimony Now then to this end that men might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth in this day and this in order unto their eternal salvation 1. Jesus Christ is a testimony of God's graciousness to men in due time even to all men as they come to years of capacity that they might be reconciled and their hearts turned to the Lord the enmity that was in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ hath already slain and hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us but yet still men while abiding in their natural state are enemies in their minds to God there is a secret enmity and contrariety in their hearts to God through that ignorance that is in them Now then that this may be purged out and their minds turned to the Lord Jesus Christ is seasonably by all means witnessing his and his Fathers pity and love to them and is by his goodness discovered moving to repentance for it is the goodness of God leadeth to repentance even those that are not led by it Rom. 2. 4 5. It is his love manifested and discerned that begets love to him again 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. Grace is poured into the lips of Jesus Christ Psal 45. 2. and he is in some measure giving some witnessings of God's mercifulness and goodness to all yea to those that had not the Word and Oracles committed to them as Israel after the flesh had He left not himself without witness of his propitiousness through a Mediator but gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 17. 17. 26 27. that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead even his mercy goodness and wisdom c. That he is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him which whoever believes having no more clear discovery comes to God acceptably Rom. 1. 19 21. Psal 19. 1 6. 145. 8 10. Heb. 11. 6. The grace of God brings salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. even some discovery of
said and so he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13. Dan. 2. 21. And by his thus giving the Spirit to them and opening the testimony of Jesus and therein glorifying Christ he is still and further baptizing them by this holy Spirit making them clean and washing them with the washing of water by the Word from the errors and pollutions of the world into Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 3. Mat. 3. 11. Eph 5. 25 26. 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. strengthening them there through to mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8. 13. giving this as a spirit of adoption into their hearts a spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12. 10. a spirit of boldness and confidence to come unto God as their Father and cry Abba to draw nigh to him by the blood of Jesus through that new and living way consecrated through the veil the flesh of Christ he being also the great High Priest over the house of God and so to come with boldness to the throne of grace that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 10. 19 22. Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 6. Heb. 4. 16. and to teach them what to pray for as they ought both what things to desire and so what to pray for first and especially namely the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and things more directly thereto appertaining and other things with submission to his will and upon what account and in what incouragement and to what end to seek them to wit in the name of Christ and that God in all things may be glorified Rom 8. 26 27. to fulfil in them the righteousness of the Law and fill them with the fruits of righteousness and so to conform them to Christ that their soul may be as a watered garden Rom. 8 4. Gal. 5. 16 22. Eph. 5. 9 10. Isa 58. 11. to teach them to answer adversaries and opposers and that they may contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints Luk. 12. 11 12. 21. 14 15. to anoint them and give grace to them even some gracious gift for the good of men and growth of the Church that they may grow up together by that which every joint supplieth Eph. 4. 7. 1 Cor. 12. 7. and so makes them a royal Priesthood to shew forth his praises 1 Pet. 2. 5 9. yea strengthens them through his Spirit to wait for the hope of his righteousness by faith in purging away their transgressions subduing their iniquities fighting their battels he being the Captain of their salvation perfecting all their works and even to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus to eternal life Gal. 5. 5. Psal 138. 7 8. Isa 26. 12. He is their Advocate with the Father to plead their cause to receive their suits to make their spiritual sacrifices acceptable taking away the iniquity of their holy things that they may come with acceptance upon his Altar and so to give answers of peace and gracious returns He is the High Priest of their profession and so he is not of others their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God Rock Mediator High-Priest their drink-offerings of blood will he not offer but he offers their sacrifices that come to God by him and perfumes them with the vertues and odours of his sacrifice Psal 16. 4. Joh. 14. 13. 1 Pet. 2 5. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rev. 8. 3 5. Heb. 13. 15 16. His eyes unto whom all things are naked and opened are alwayes upon them to preserve them from evil to preserve their souls 2 Thes 3. 3. they are always upon the righteous to order his providences as may be good and to deliver them from the will of their enemies and he is caring for them and will preserve them that none shall pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 27 28. Psal 33. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 5 6 7. Such is his grace to them that when need is he is chastening them for their profit that they may be more partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 9 11. The Lord tryeth the righteous out of love to them and faithfulness to Christ Jesus Psal 89. 28 33. But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth and therefore he is not so trying them Psal 11. 5. And oh that none of them whom he is so chastening may forget that consolation in Christ which speaks to them as to children that they may not despise his chastenings nor faint when rebuked of him Heb. 12. 5 8. Prov. 3 11 12. And in those chastenings they have a merciful and faithful High-Priest to consider who himself hath suffered being tempted and therefore is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2. 17 18. 3. 1. 4. 15 16. one who pities them as a father pities his children and therefore chastens them as a man chasteneth his Son Psal 103. 13. Deut. 8. 5. with great tenderness and in measure he debateth with them and with the temptation will make a way of escape that they may be able to bear Isa 27. 8 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and though he cause grief he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3. 31 32. and cause all things to work together for good to them that love God Rom. 8. 28. and all these tempâ—ations and trials of their faith shall appear to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7 they shall see and acknowledge his grace and faithfulness in nurtuâ—ing them in this day to so gracious an end that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 32. Prov. 23. 14. yea now while walking in the light of the Lord they are acknowledging his faithfulness in correcting and giving thâ—nks to him because of his righteous judgments Psal 119. 62 68 75. Yea he will in their seeking first the kingdom of God and unto that add unto them all other things and so what they shall eat and what they shall drink and wherewith they shall be cloathed he will give unto them food and raiment such provision hath he made in his great and precious promises for their incauragement that their conversation may be without covetousness and carefulness and he is faithful who hath promised as is wonderfully manifested in the Cross of Christ Mat. 6. 33. Heb. 13. 5 6. Psal 34. 9 10. yea he is a Sun and a shield and will give grace and glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly and therefore O Lord of hosts blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Psal 84. 11 12. 3. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he will do and that 1. To those righteous ones whom he gathers to himself now by death and before he appears 2. And to all of them hereafter when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 1. To those righteous ones
Lord though their spirits are made perfect as before yet there is some fruit of sin upon them but then he will cast all their sins into the depth of the Sea their sins and their iniquities he will remember no more Act. 3. 19. Heb. 10. 16 17. Mic. 7. 19. Jer. 50. 19 20. And this further appears in that they shall be raised out of and delivered for ever From death and all its fruits this was the wages of sin Rom. 6. 23. By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin Rom. 5. 12 14. And now the body is dead because of sin Rom. 8. 10. And it is appointed to man the whole kind once to dye though all shall not sleep in death yea the bodies of those just men generally whose spirits are made perfect sleep in the dust they are prisoners though prisoners of hope and so they are in the graves But he will open their graves and cause them to come ouâ— of their graves and their bodies shall be fashioned into the likeness of Christ's glorious body Phil. 3. 20. Now they are corruptible have the seeds of corruption and principles of mortality they are perishing decaying bodies and we may with him say to corruption Thou art my father and to the worm thou art my mother and my sister Job 17. 14. We must needs all dye and those that sleep in death their bodies return to dust but they shall be raised incorruptible no more to return to corruption this corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mottal immortality That which is now dishonourable and of which we are ashamed for sin brought in shame and therefore need cloathing and covering that the shame of our nakedness appear not and which is sown in dishonour a vile loathsom carcass shall be raised in glory even with the glory of the Lord upon it Mat. 13. 43. They shall no more need this vile cloathing but they shall then be cloathed with the garments of salvation and covered with the robe of righteousness That which is now weak at best and subject to many infirmities weaknesses and sicknesses destitute of that health and strength at first created in and so sown in weakness no life no strength in it to move it self and even like the beasts for that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts even one thing befalleth them as the one dyeth so dyeth the other c. Eccl. 3. 19. shall be raised in power be strong and freed from all weakness and diseases That which is now a natural body which we received by natural propagation and was here nourished with natural meat and drink by the word of God and is sown a natural body shall be raised a spiritual body they shall be the sons of God then as to their bodies being the children of the resurrection and then they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more they shall be so spiritualized that they shall be like to and equal with the Angels not hindered by any obstacles they shall bear the image of the heavenly and so they will be more excellent than man in his first creation and now freed from all sickness pain and grief these inhabitants shall no more say they are sick for their sins shall be forgiven them 1 Cor. 15. 43 49. Luk. 20. 35 36. Isa 49. 10. 33. 24. Rev. 21. 3. Christ shall then present them to himself a glorious Church not having wrinkle no fruit or remembrance of affliction or grief upon them Eph. 5. 27. Job 16. 8. but the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon them then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15. 53 55. they shall be freed and delivered for ever from the first death and shall be freed and delivered for ever from the first death and shall not go into the second blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20. 6. they shall not be condemned with the world in that everlasting fire which was not at first prepared for mankind but for the Devil and his angels into which all that have been incensed against and continued disobedient to Jesus Christ shall be cast he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2. 11. Then they shall be delivered and saved from all their enemies and from all their deceits and troubles God shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence Psal 72. 14. From deceit God shall then bruise Satan under their feet as he is already bruised under the feet of the Captain of our salvation for during the thousand years reign of Christ and his Saints he shall be bound so as not to deceive the Nations all that time and when the thousand years are expired he shall be loosed a little season out of his prison and shall go out to deceive the Nations he shall not then have liberty given him to deceive the Camp of the Saints much less the beloved City and presently after he shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 20. 1 3 7 10. into the holy City new Jerusalem shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or a lye Rev. 21. 27. 22. 15. Now they have temptations from Satan and men though yet in hearing Christ's voice and following him none shall pluck them out of his hands neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers not things present nor things to come c. shall be able to separate them that love God from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus Joh. 10. 27 29. Rom. 8. 38 39. but yet Satan is trying and indeavouring all means to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus and by â—etting slip the things heard and listening to Satan it 's possible that a man may be intangled and overcome there being sin in believers also that is alwayes working deceitfully as appears by the many admonitions given to believers and jealeusies of the Apostles concerning them and some instances in Scripture recorded c. 1 Thess 3. 5. Gal. 1. 6 7. 5. 3 5. 6. 1. 2 Cor. 11. 1 3. Heb. 2. 1 3. 4. 1. 10. 23 29. but then as they have no sin within them so none without them that shall tempt them any more And herein their condition is more excellent than was Adam's and mankind's in him in the first Creation for though then God made man upright yet there was a tempter permitted to tempt him and through his subtilty did beguil him he not keeping in believing mindfulness the word of God but listening to the lye of the serpent And then they shall be delivered from violence also he will give to them then rest from all their troubles when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flâ—ming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 7 8. Somewhat of this was typically injoyed by Solomon before he departed from the Lord according as God promised the Lord gave him rest on every side so that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrent 1 Chron. 22. 9. 1 King 5. 4. But behold a greater than Solomon is here There were then enemies in being but now there shall be no more a pricking bryar unto the house of Israel nor a grieving thorn c. Ezek. 28. 24. Psal 72. Violence shall no more be heard in the Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt câ—ll thy walls salvation c. and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended he will then destroy them that have destroyed the earth and precious shall be the blood of his Saints for he will take vengeaence on those that have slain them and been enemies to them Isa 60. 12 20. 63. 1 4. with the assurance of this he strengthens the weak hands and feeble knees viz. that he their God wiâ—l come with vengeance God with a recompence for the Lord God of recompences will surely requite all the injuries done to his Saints he will come and save them Isa 35. 3 4. Jer. 50. 27 28. 51. 56. He will then bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron and his people shall have an hand with him therein to execute upon them the vengeance written this honour have all his Saints Psal 149. 4 9. Those righteous ones that are taken away by death do enter into peace and are freâ—d from oppression but yet their blood is not avenged but they cry with a loud voice how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth for this they wait it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season c. Rev. 6. 9 11. but then he will thoroughly plead their cause shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night I tell you he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. vengeance is his and he will repay Rom. 12. 19. Rev. 11. 18. their eye shall then see their desire upon their enemies Psal 92. 11. 112. 8 10. in righteousness shall they then be established they shall be far from oppression for they shall not fear and from terror for it shall not come near them Isa 54 7 8 13 14. then he will compleatly and gloriously bless his people with peace and they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 29. 11. 37. 11. 3. They when thus raised and freed from all evil shall be ever with the Lord in companionship with him the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15 17. he will then come and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 1 3. This is his will concerning them that those the father hath given unto him should be with him where he is Joh. 17. 14. The tabernacle of God even Jesus Christ in his personal body shall then be with them and he wiâ—l dwell with them Rev. 21. 3. indeed now he dwells in their hearts by faith but faith is the evidence of things not seen but then they shall have a personal and-glorious injoyment of him according to that Zeph. 3. 14 17. Sing O daughter of Zion shout O Israel be glad and rejoyce with all the heart O daughter of Jerusalem the Lord hath taken away thy judgment he hath cast out thine enemy the King of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. and then there will be a gathering together of the righteous as unto him so one unto and with another and his coming and their being gathered together unto him are put together 2 Thes 2. 1. Now in a spiriâ—ual and invisible consideration they meet together they are all one in Jesus Christ and all in heaven and earth are one family one house and instruction given to them here to indeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace but yet they are severed and scattered as to personal society and so at a distance one from another and many of them unknown one to another yea some of them not owning one another to be of the same body whom yet Jesus Christ hath received they are now scattered and separated one from another Sometimes by contentions judgings and dâ—spisings one of another and this is matter of great lamentation and when they fall out they are hardly reconciled it being the work of Satan and his instruments to dig up evil and in their lips is a burning fire they are set on fire of hell and would set all on fire they sow strife and indeavour further to separate and make the breach wider by whispering and secretly fomenting jealousies and so are separating even chief friends Prov. 16. 27 28. Hâ—nce they are admonished to be angry and not sin not to let the Sun go down upon their wrath neither give place to the devil Eph. 4. 26 27. the devil is watching for such an advantage and therefore needful to be warned that we be slow to anger and quick from it seeing a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their contentions are like the bars of a Castle Prov. 18. 19. How oft now are they separated in their affections and delightful fellowships through that sin that dwells in them and policy of Satan the weak envying and judging the strong and the strong instead of bearing the infirmities of the weak pleasing themselves and despising and setting at nought those that have not what they have Rom. 14. Act. 15. 39. But then the envy of Ephraim shall depart Ephraim that had less shall not envy Judah and Judah that was preferred before and lifted up above their brethren shall not vex Ephraim Isa 11. 13. with 1 Sam. 1. 6. Now also they are scattered by the wise and gracious disposition of the housholder the Son of man he sows them abroad in the field of the world for the good of the world that they might be instruments of his praise according to their capacity that men seeing their good works may glorifie their father which is in heaven and so that his way may be known on the earth his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24 37. Psal 67. 1 2. But then his elect shall be gathered together from the four winds from one end
the Lamb that was flain to enjoy it yet then gloriously of his fulness shall they receive and grace for grace They shall not then need those Mediums for their help that now they do whether they be Prophecies they shall fail whether there be tongues they shall cease whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away for we know in part c. 1 Cor. 13. 8 9. All those gifts of Apostles Prophets c. shall then cease for they are given from on high to continue till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 8 13. they shall not then â—each every man his neighbour and every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know him from the least to the greatest Jer. 31. 27 34. Heb. 8. 11. and it appears this perfect knowledge they shall have through the sight of him Now in looking to him they are lightned Psal 34. 5. But Oh! how shall they then be inlightned when they shall see him as he is Hence their knowing now and hereafter is put as the effect and consequent of their seeing 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known signifying that according to the sight of him whether darkly or clearly such is and will be our knowledge And from this sight and knowledge of him they shall be filled with love to him and God in him and with love and charity one to another for charity never faileth 1 Cor. 13. 8. their hearts shall then be ravished with him from that clear and open discovery of his love and loveliness their love now to him which is in part is begotten and increased through the understanding of his we love him because he first loved us every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God for God is love in this was manifested the love of God towards us because he sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him whom having not seen ye love 1 Pet. 1. 8. but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away and they shall compleatly love him and delight themselves in and be abundantly satisfied with his love 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. 1 Cor. 13. 10. and shall be filled with divine love one to another yea and with all heavenly vertues when they perfectly know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge even all discovery and manifestation of it vouchsafed for it is greater than is contained in any revelation of it and therefore it exceeds all our knowledge and perception of it they shall be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3. 19. and so they shall be like to the Angels that do his commandments hearkening to the voice of his word Luk. 20. 36. with Psal 103. 20. his will shall then be done on earth as it is in heaven Mat. 6. 10. And in seeing and beholding him they shall appear with him in glory then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the kingdom of their Father Mat. 13. 43. When Moses was in the Mount seeing and beholding the similitude of the Lord his face shone that the children of Israel were afraid Exod. 34. 29 30. with Numb 12. 8. yet he could not see his face or glorious appearance so no man hath seen him nor can see him but then they shall see his face and his name glory and dignity shall be upon their foreheads the Lord shall arise upon them and his glory shall be seen upon them Rev. 22. 4. Mat. 5. 8. Isa 60. 1 2. 35. 2. 6. In this glorious condition they shall then together keep an everlasting Sabbath in that rest or keeping of Sabbath which remains for the people of God Heb. 4. 9. and together shall they then sing for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion Isa 52. 8 9. they shall then sing Hallelujah salvation and glory and honour and power unto the Lord our God Rev. 19. 1 7. they shall sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb Rev. 15. 3. in which they shall with thankfulness and rejoycing remember the infinite grace of the Son and of the Father in him in what he hath done and is become in what he is now doing and in what he will then do all summed up in that new song of the four Beasts and four and twenty Elders mentioned in Rev. 5 9 10. to wit That the Lamb was not is slain and is raised again in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree and hath destroyed all our enemies by himself in the name and authority of the Father his own right hand and his holy arm hath gotten himself the victory he hath purged away our sins overcome and abolished death destroyed the devil and obtained all glory into himself in our nature and for us this is the song of Moses in the type The Lord hath triumphed gloriously thy right hand O Lord is become glorious in power thy right hand O Lord hath dashed the enemy in pieces Exod. 15. 1 12. God is gone up with a shout the Lord with the sound of a trumpet sing praises to our God sing praises sing praises to our King sing praises Psal 98. 1. 47. 1 6. and this the song of the Lamb that God hath brought him out of the horrible pit out of the miry clay and set his feet upon a rock c. And put a new song into his mouth praise to our God who hath so delivered him and made him triumph over all our enemies sin death hell Devil c. Psal 40. 1 3. 22. 19 25. This is the Psalm or song for the Sabbath day I hat God hath made Christ glad through his work in delivering him and us in him from all our enemies and exalting his horn like that of an Unicorn and anointing him with fresh oyl with the oyl of gladness above his fellows this is the day which the Lord hath made they shall then for ever be glad and rejoyce in and for it Psal 92. 1 4 10. 118. 21 24. And that he hath redeemed them unto God by his bloud in discovering the preciousness of it in his testimony and testimonies of his goodness out of every kindred and tongue and people and Nation when they were sometimes of them and so of the world children of wrath by nature even as others yet then God who is rich in mercy for the great love wherewith he loved them when dead in sins quickned them together with Christ as Eph. 2. 1 5. for this they are now instructed to sing Allelujah Psal 135. 1 4. Praise ye the Lord c. for the
unto him and tell what thou hast done hide it not Josh 7. 19. While men are pleading their innocency or hiding their sin and crying out only of the affliction they therein indeavour to disannul his judgment and condemn him that they may be righteous Job 40. 8. whereas in a right examining our selves in the light of the Loâ—d and taking shame to our selves as it appears thereby to belong to us and so humbling ourselves we shall herein rightly glorifie him and acknowledge that he is righteous in all he hath brought upon us and that he hath not done without a cause all he hath done in the midst of us yea that he hath not laid upon us more than is meet or was needful to seal home our instruction and make us partakers of his end in afflicting us 2 Chron. 12. 6. Neh. 9. 33. Job 34. 23. Dan. 9. 7 14. yea we shall have cause abundantly to confess and acknowledge to his praise that he hath not in thus afflicting us dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities but hath punished less than our iniquities deserve Psal 103. 9 10. Ezra 9. 13. It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Lam. 3. 18 22. This will strengthen us to say I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. Yea consider that there is mercy with him as to forgive our iniquities and heal our backslidings so also to make up our â—â—sses and repair our breaches yea though our breach be like the great Sea and none can heal it though our bruise be incurable and wound grievous and there are with us no healing Medicines yet he can and in returning to him will restore health unto us and heal us of our wounds Jer. 30. 12 13 17. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Because they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the most high therefore he brought down their heart with labour they fell down and there was none to help then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he saved them out of their distresses He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness for he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder And whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Psal 107. 10 16 43. Oh that we may not be tempting God and limiting the holy one of Israel and say can he help us can he repair our breaches but consider what he hath done already and in that incouragement and as that is working in us both to will and to do Come and let us return to the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. Isa 57. 1 15 18. Levit. 26. 40. 42. Yea and be we admonished to examine our selves and to return to him in confessing our sins lest we provoke him to make further breaches upon us lest his soul depart from us and he make us utterly desolate of our glory Jer. 6. 8. For if we be not reformed by these liftings up of his hand but still walk contrary to him he will proceed in walking contrary to us and will yet punish us Levit. 26. 21 24. such like strokes as these are not only great judgments in themselves but also fore-runners of greater so when the Prophet was declaring the greatness of such a judgment as in which there was none to guide Jerusalem among all the sons she had brought forth namely that it was an heavy testimony of God's displeasure such as in which she had drank at the Lord's hand the cup of his fury the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out he then signifies that this was also the forerunner and concomitant of greater judgments therefore he adds These two things are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and destruction and the famine viz. that also of hearing of the words of the Lord and the sword c. Isa 51. 17 19. See what our Brother hath spoken more largely to this purpose in lamentation over the dead in Christ Page 30 33 37 38. and in breach upon breach pag. 8 12. And so much the Apostle here signifies I know saith he that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in amongst you not sparing the flock c. ver 29. 30. Oh that the consideration of all might awaken us to gather our selves together before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon us before the day of the Lords anger come upon us that we may seek the Lord seek righteousness and meekness that either he may graciously turn away his anger and judgments further threatned or however we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger Zeph. 2. 1 3. Amos 4. 2. 12. 2. He now commits these to God and the word of his grace that they might take heed to themselves and to the flock to feed them as ver 28. And so for instruction to them and to them and to such as now go before others in the word of the Lord yea to all that are faithful in the Lord that to the end they may edifie themselves and one another they commit themselves to this person and thing quietly leave themselves with the great Shepherd and the Word of his grace expecting helpfulness herein even wisdom strength and direction to all their service for in Christ as declared in the Gospel they may be furnished unto every good word and work in this person and thing to which he commends them they might be every way furnished for feeding and edifying themselves and one another in Christ as manifested in the word and so in the word of Christ there is given matter wherewith to seed instruction to the manner how to feed and motive to move hereto 1. Matter wherewith to feed namely to nourish them up with the words of faith in which Christ is declared to be the Author and finisher of the faith and of good doctrine 1 Tim. 4. 6. that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. the thing wherewith they might feed them it was the Gospel of Christ as opened according to the revelation of the mystery in which is the sincere milk whereby men may grow and be nourished up 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so the Apostle in this his exercise in directing them on such an occasion to God the word of his grace was a follower of God gave such instruction to these as God gave to the leaders of the people in former â—imes to whom he said This is the rest even that foundation laid in
through grace in the hope set before them they have everlasting consolations which are as the waters of Noah of rest and quietness for as he hath sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth so he hath sworn that he will not be wroth with his flock nor rebuke them For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but his kindness shall not depart from them c. Isa 54. 9 11. yea and hereby they might be instruments of restoring the soul from its wandrings and goings astray and so from its diseases thereby contracted its death ignorance leanness and batrenness its witheredness c. Ezek. 34. 4. the Law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul Psal 19. 7. Gal. 6. 1. Jam. 5. 20. In and with this Gospel they might warn and admonish of all that is evil Col. 1. 28. reprove when need requires they are the reproofs of instruction which are the way of life Prov. 6. 24. rebuke sharply and openly when men are stubborn and unâ—uly while they will heat and when they sin openly and exhort to love and good works this being the word of exhortation in and with which they may exhort to all 1 Thes 4. 18. 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. 4. 2. 2. As to the manner of feeding the flock the Apostle Peter gives instruction thereabout in 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. Not by constraint as matter of necessity and duty only to do it because you must do it 1 Cor. 9. 17. but willingly and cheerfully as moved thereto by the grace of God 2 Cor. 5. 14. Not for filthy lucre or doing it out of covetousness to inrich your selves thereby though the labourer is worthy of his reward yet that should not be the end aimed at to feed themselves and cloath themselves Ezek. 34. 2 3. The Apostle herein approved himself as a Minister of Christ he coveted no mans silver or gold or apparel 1 Thes 2. 5. Act. 20. 33. but of a forward ready mind a willing forward mind though others should with-hold more than is meet Neither as being Lords over God's Heritage or Clergy exercising authority over them or as seeking to have dominion over their faith but as ensamples to the flock being examples of the believers in word in conversation in charity inspirit in faith in purity 1 Tim. 4. 12. in all things shewing themselves patterns of good works Tit. 2. 1 7. Yea to preach the Gospel and to feed the believers with the sincere milk of the word and not to corrupt the word of God by mixing therewith the excellency of speech or of wisdom for however pleasing to the flesh this is and whatever good thereby they may think to do that use it yet certainly though men do preach the Gospel while it is done with wisdom of words it makes the Cross of Christ of none effect 1 Cor. 1. 17. it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching even by that plain and faithful commending and proclaiming the Cross of Christ which is without the wisdom of this world to save them that believe and so to feed them and build them up 1 Cor. 1. 21. though this manner of preaching the Gospel be to them that perish wander out of the way of understanding foolishness yet to the saved it is the power of God ver 18. And hence the Apostle when he came to the Corinthians came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring the testimony of God for he determined to know nothing among them who were rich in knowledge and utterance but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 1 2 7. And oh that this were considered both by them that teach others and by them that are taught By them that teach others that they might deny themselves and lay aside the use of their wisdom in preaching the Gospel both in word and in their writings for it renders them in both very unfruitful and unsuccessful and this they reap as the fruit of their evil in leaning to the wisdom of this world for herein they indeavour to build what God hath resolved to destroy and to make something of that which he hath purposed to bring to nought 1 Cor. 1. 19 20. and while they walk contrary to God herein it provokes God to walk contrary to them and to with-hold his presence and blessing from them so as they bring forth little or no fruit Or if men do receive the testimony of Christ declared by them their faith stands in their wisdom and not in the power of God and so the word of God worketh not effectually in them 1 Cor. 2. 1 5. 1 Thes 2. 13. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty and base things of the world and things that are despised hath God chosen and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence Those whom he chuses and makes partakers of this heavenly calling to minister unto him and serve him in his Temple and who do worthily in the Ministery they are babes and sucklings generally and not the wise and prudent yea all of them are such as he either finds or makes fools And therefore let no man deceive himself whether he be such an one as hath only natural parts or whether he be such an one as hath by study and industry acquired some skill in the wisdom of this world let him not think that by his wisdom he can find out the mind of God or be profitable to others but if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool not lean to his own understanding but cease from his own wisdom that he may be wise for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God Mat. 1. 1. 25. 1 Cor. 1. 26 29 Prov. 3. 5. 23. 4. 1 Cor. 3. 18 19. This way or manner of preaching the Gospel namely with excellency of speech or of wisdom it is very unprofitable and hurtful and men are making use of it partly from a jealousie of the Gospel of Christ as if it were not the power of God to salvation as declared in the words of the holy Ghost but needs somewhat else to be added to it to make it forcible But he that hath my word saith the Lord let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat is not my word like as a fire saith the Lord and like an hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces Jer. 23. 28 29. and partly they are inticed hereto and strengthned herein by desires of vain glory and that they may be accounted wise and men of parts and have respect and applause and therefore unless the grace of God be so received as to purge out that jealousie and those desires we shall not cease from our own wisdom for vain man would be wise but by committing our selves
by the Apostles is the foundation which God hath prepared and laid the bottom ground or first thing for men to come unto and be built upon And hence he is called the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets viz. that upon which they were built they were begotten to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead as this was discovered of God in the Gospel 1 Pet. 1. 3. and which they have doctrinally and Ministerially laid Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Eph. 2. 20. he was at first declared by God when mankind had departed from him in order to his being brought back again to him in that first Oracle The seed of the woman shall break the head of the Serpent Gen. 3. 15. Therein was assured that Jesus Christ should spoyl the plot of Satan who thought and devised to have separated us for ever from God and destroy and spoil his principality which he had gotten over mankind and so that he should destroy the works of the Devil 1 Joh. 3. 8. and so he was witnessed of by the Prophets as the head of the corner Psal 118. 22. and as the foundation Isa 28. 16. with 1 Pet. 2. 6. and so laid in the revelation of the mystery by the Apostles as wise Master-builders 1 Cor. 3. 10. and God hath raised him from the dead and given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 1. 21. This was the foundation on which they were built even Jesus Christ who by the grace of God tasted death for every man and is raised again in the same body in which he was crucified and hanged on a Tree according to the Scriptures who is the foundation of God and which standeth sure and is laid for a foundation to them who are disobedient and is the foundation of all unfeigned believers Hence he is called the beginning of our confidence Heb. 3. 14. even of the Apostles and of all believers confidence for they have all but one beginning of their confidence and that is Christ who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he should have the preheminence Col. 1. 18. Heb. 12. 2. he is the foundation and not any changes frames qualifications works or gifts given some above others not any revelaâ—ions or visions in which the Apostles were preferred before others Many there are indeed who have as their foundation on which they are bottomed and seed of which they are begotten somewhat that was not crucified for them either the injoyment of his Word and Ordinances Luk. 13. 26 27. or that they have prophesied in his name and in his name have cast out Devils and in his name have done many wonderful works Mat. 7. 21 23. but the having as the beginning of their confidence such like things is but building the house upon the sand which will deceive them for he never knew or owned any that were built on these things as he doth those who are built upon Jesus Christ the rock as declared to us in the Gospel Compare Luk. 13. 27. Mat. 7. 23. with 2 Tim. 2. 19. and in trusting in these things and being bottom'd hereon they are workers of iniquity and seek to cast down Christ from his excellency and to rob him of that honour the Father hath given unto him and which he will not give to any other person or thing And yet how many such are there who either trust in themselves that they are righteous like the old Pharisees they confide in the flesh and think and hope that because they run not with others to the same excess of riot but on the other hand fast and pray and give alms and frequent the assemblies of God's people though yet they do not his words in suffering the loss of all things for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that they may win him and be found in him that therefore God will be gracious unto them and they shall have eternal life Luk. 18. 9 11. Phil. 3. 4 10. or trust to themselves that they are Christ's like the new Pharisees 2 Cor. 10. 7. who being convinced of the shortness and unprofitableness of their own works of righteousness to render them acceptable before God disclaim it as filthy rags Isa 64. 6. and yet they have as the beginning of their confidence some changes or alterations in them some marks and signs some first act of repentance or love to God before they are perswaded of the love of God to them or know certainly whether God hath loved them and so from somewhat fore-wrought in them or done by them before they dare believe that God loves them from hence they conclude that Christ died for them and God loves them and righteousness is prepared for them and so the first thing that springs up hope the seed of which they are first begotten to some kind of perswasion of God's peculiar love to them and bottom ground of their confidence it is not Christ's death for sinners ungodly ones all men every man as is declared in the testimony but something in themselves some secret thing with them which will in conclusion prove a lying refuge and however though for a season they may rejoyce and be confident yet their foundation will be overthrown with the flood of God's anger as Job 22. 16. though now they may cry peace and safety and think themselves to be happy persons while they are in health and prosperity and because they find the life of their hands are not grieved Isa 57. 10. yet this bed of seeming ease will be shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it and this covering narrower than that a man can wrap himself in it when the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim and be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon that he may do his work his strange work c. Isa 28. 12 20 21 22. When the rain descends and floods come and winds blow and beat upon that house built upon the sand it will fall and great will be the fall thereof Mat. 7. 22 26 27. God is now in his Gospel graciously declaring that their righteousness and their works shall not profit them and by the weapons thereof pulling down mens strong holds casting down imaginations scaling the City of the mighty and casting down the strength of the confidence thereof that men might count what things are gainful to them loss for Christ and go on to count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of him but if now when his hand is lifted up they will not see they shall hereafter see and be ashamed that they have made lyes their refuge and hid themselves under falshood Isa 57. 12. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Prov. 21. 22. Isa 26. 11. Now therefore be ye not mockers reject not that rest to which he is calling that foundation which he hath laid in Zion and listen not to the builders