if hee had said Put on the whole Armour of God praying take and vse the Girdle Brest-plate Shooes Shield Helmet and Sword praying So then the Christian being any waies assaulted or tempted hath sufficient Armour to defend himselfe and to keepe himselfe in safety which if for want of skill and dexterity to vse it well hee cannot skilfully guide or if his enemies seeme too strong and wily for him through his weaknes and simplicitie yet for his comfort he hath the benefit of Prayer by which darting vp a thought and desire vnto God and Christ his Captaine or Generall hee may haue present supply and succour as his neede shall require according to the mercifull promise of his heauenly Father and that euen because he hath knowne his Name Psal 91.14.15 Mat. 6.13 What a comfortable estate then is that of the true Christian who thus hath a care to put on Christ Par. 1. §. 13. and his spirituall Armour by Christ How safely stands he fenced with veritie and sinceritie with Righteousnesse and a good Conscience with Patience and the preparation of the Gospell of Peace with Faith with Hope with the Word of God and lastly with Prayer As therefore wee desire these excellent graces priuiledges and furniture as we desire the security and comfort afforded vs thence so it will behoue vs aboue all things to labour to become Christians indeed and truely to puton Christ Section 13. 2. As a further Motiue whereunto 2. The Christians comfort in case of trouble and temptation for sinne by desparing and doubting consider the Comfort of this our vnion with Christ by putting him on in case that we be tempted for sinne to despaire of mercy after wee haue beene foyled by sinne In case therefore of Doubting haue recourse to thy Baptisme whereby thou wast incorporated into Christ by putting him on for there God sealed to thee the pardon of thy sinnes and life euerlasting Is then thy title to life called into question by the enemie of Mankind What to doe in case of doubting here doe as men ordinarily do in the like case when their Houses and Lands are questioned and they looke into the last Will and Testament of their Parents and Grandfathers thence they secure themselues so haue thou recourse to thy Baptisme where the Will of thy Father and last Testament of thy Sauiour is sealed vnto thee thence assure thy selfe thy estate is good and sure enough with God howsoeuer thou mayst seeme to haue broken couenant with him on thy part Seeke also but duly prepared by Repentance and Faith vnto the Lords Table where the same couenant is renued with thee which was made in Baptisme and there thou shalt find thy saluation also sealed yea which is not done in other couenants with men thou shalt find God ready often in his mercy to seale to thee so that though thou by not performing the condition hast broken thy Bond and forfeited thy Lease wherein eternall life was sealed to thee yet God is willing to giue vs a new Lease of life or rather to renue and make the former good againe and hereof to assure vs by sealing the same often to vs in the Sacrament euen so often as we doe renue our repentance and so repaire in faith to that holy Sacrament Our vnion with Christ Indissoluble Here further know that hauing once truly put on Christ in and by the right vse of Baptisme nothing shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ not death which seuers betweene soule and body nor life nor Angels Rom. 8 35-38.39 nor Principalities nor Powers c. shall be able to seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. That is from the loue of God wherewith hee hath loued vs in his Son For God so loued the world Ioh. 3.16 that hee gauen his only begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting He then that spared not his sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all Rom. 8.32.33.34 how shall he not with him also freely giue vs all things Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is euen at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. The Apostle thus reasoning from the loue of God On what our assurance is grounded which is euer constant and immutable from the death of Christ which for the value of it is euer sufficient and from his Resurrection Ascension sitting at Gods right hand and Intercession which euer are auaileable for the application of his alsufficient merits to our iustification Rom. 4.25 and to our continuall preseruation in the state of grace by couering our daily faylings infirmities the imperfectiō of our workes by the daily applicatiō of his merits of which his appearing in the sight of God for vs as our High Priest it is said If any man sin Heb. 9.24 we haue and Aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins c. Seeing I say 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 the Apostle reasons from these and not from any thing in vs to proue the perpetuity of our vnion with Christ therefore wee may receiue comfort conclude that being once truely ingrafted into Christ our sinnes shall neuer after make a finall or totall seperation For thus further may wee reason with the same Apostle God commendeth his loue towards vs Rom. 5.8.9.10 in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs much more then being now iustified by his blood wee shall bee saued from wrath through him for if when we were enemies wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we wee shall bee saued by his life So then if our sinnes when wee were altogether sinners and enemies did not hinder God from setting his loue vpon vs in Christ how much lesse will hee estrange his loue from vs after hee once hath admitted vs thereunto and indued vs with his spirit As our sins then hindred not this vnion so neither doe they now dissolue breake it Satan may as well goe about to separate Christ frō thee which is impossible as thee from Christ Thou canst not perish because Christ with whom thou art clothed cannot perish Christ liuing who is the Head will not suffer any of his members to perish Because I liue ye shall liue also Ioh. 14.19 We are already in heauen in Christ our Head he is risen and is in heauen taking our Nature thither with him and leauing his Spirit here with vs as a double pawne of our glorification by vertue of our vnion with him of his with vs. He as is said hath put vs on by taking vpon him our nature and so is vnited to vs and we haue put
Christians characterized and described to bee such as not only looke for Christ the second time 2 Tim. 4.8 as we now heard but as loue his appearing 1 Ioh. 4.16.17.18 now blessed Iohn thus writeth God is loue and hee that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God God in him herein is our loue made perfect that we may haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgment there is no feare in loue To loue it a signe of Faith but perfect loue casteth out feare because feare hath torment he that feareth is not perfect in loue Here then is the confidence of Gods Children in Iudgment that though they bee not in this life without sinne which may bee cause of feare yet at death and after they are freed not only from the guilt of sinne which they were before it being not imputed to them but from the being of sinne in them so that comming before the Barre and Iudgement seat of Christ as their Iudge they stand cloathed before his Throne with himselfe as their Sauior his righteousnesse couers their vnrighteousnesse and they with comfort expect from him the sentence of absolution and acceptation with him for euer for his owne righteousnesse sake The assurance hereof makes them ioyfull in death and to loue the appearing of Christ in the certaine hope of the resurrection of their bodies to life eternall and of a Crowne of righteousnesse to be giuen them at that day by the Lord the righteous Judge 2 Tim. 4.8 These reason to their comfort that if God loued them and Christ dyed for them while they were yet sinners much more then being now iustified by his blood Rom. 5.8.9.10 shall they be saued from wrath through him c. Now the wicked and the hypocrite hath no such comfortable hope in the thought apprehension of the last Iudgement hee either dares not thinke of it at all seriously or so farre as he thinks of ir it is not without great horrour and astonishment It is no ioy nor comfort to him to looke Christ in the face as his Iudge frowning on him who heere reiects him as a Sauiour if any be so impudent as now being told of these things to outstare Christ as his Iudge and to professe a hope to speed as well at that day as any hee may easily bee conuinced hence namely by his harsh conceits of Christ now in his Word and Messengers Such men cannot now indure Christ in the power of his Word his sayings are too harsh his doctrine too austere his discipline too seuere his yoke is too heauy for them his coards too strait may we think they can indure Christ comming vnto them in the word of his power by the voyce of an Archangel in his owne most terrible thundring voice attended with infinit myriads of Angels 2 Pet. 3.11.12 the heauens all being on fire and the elements melting with seruent heate they had need bee other manner of persons in all holy conuersation and godlinesse who looke for and hasten vnto the comming of this day of God then these vngodly at best ciuill men are If then they cannot away with Christ now in his humilitie and when he comes clouded in the vaile of his Word how will they indure him in his glory and when he shall shew himselfe and person immediatly vnto them In a word if they cannot now indure him as a louing Sauiour how will they then for al their impudent brags indure him as a terrible Iudge Onely the iustified person at that day and now in the hope of it may and doth looke vp Luk. 21.28 and lift vp his head for his finall redemption draweth nigh The dissoluing of the world and Cnrists terrible comming is for their full deliuerance from the power of the graue and of Satan and of wicked men who haue beset and besieged the godly and therfore for their comfort but terrible it must needs be to all others against whō Christ comes in this terrible manner It shall be then as it is with men in some castle or hold narrowly besieged by their enemies when a puissant and migthy army is gathered for their rescue and to raise the siege when it comes neere and in sight the very clashing of the armour the brightnes of the swords the noise of Drummes and Trumpets yea the very roaring of the Canon all these are comfortable as sweet musicke to them for whose succor and deliuerance they come but must needs be dismall and terrible to their enemies Hee then that cannot now in some good measure and preuailing manner ouercome his feares and reioyce in the hope of his deliuerance frō death hell and all infernall enemies and of his crown of glory to be giuen him by the mercifull sentence of the Iudge at that day Par. 3. §. 11 can hardly bee assured for the present that Christ is his or that he stands now clothed with his merits and righteousnesse whatsoeuer in word he otherwise pretend Section 11. Now thirdly for the triall of our vnion with Christ Our vnion with Christ by faith knowen 3 by Selfe-deniall it were good for vs to examine whether wee haue made a diuorce from our selues by selfe-deniall or whether we be not still wedded to our own selues to our owne opinions to our owne willes and affections through selfe-loue If once we put on Christ wee must put off our selues By this note we discouer the pretended knot which seemes to be betweene many in regard of outward profession and Christ in as much as the same men who professe they haue put on Christ yet reject and cast him off in his Soueraigntie preferring their own wils before his in his wisdome preferring their owne reason before his Word Par. 3. §. 12. in his righteousnesse not submitting themselues vnto the righteousnesse of God but going about to establish their owne righteousnesse Rom. 10.3 in his glory doing all to their owne praise c. How haue these men put on Christ who so farre haue cast him from them Section 12. 4. If thou beest one with Christ by putting him on By other effects of it then dost thou receiue warmth and defence from him as he is thy cloathing sap and juice from him as he is the Vine and thou a branch of him nourishment food and refreshing as he is thy spirituall bread on whom thou feedest and in a word thou receiuest vigour and influence from him as thine Head thou being a member of his body for so doe all such as haue vnion with him Where then we see men lie naked and vnarmed and foyled with euery temptation where wee see nothing but barrennes in the liues of men whom wee see to be drie withered vnfruitfull branches where wee see men after so many yeares of plentie in the Gospel to remaine in their soules like Pharaohs leane kine Gen. 41.19 as poore and ill-fauoured as euer and lastly where we see men and
this life not distrustfully saying What shall wee eate or drinke Mat. 6 25-28-30.31-33 or what shall wee put on thus taking thought for rayment but Seeke yee first saith our Sauiour the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall bee added vnto you For what can we want if we haue Christ Roman 8.32 But especially let Women take out this Lesson and adorne themselues in modest apparell with shamefastnesse and sobrietie not with broydered hayre or gold or pearles or costly aray 1 Tim 2.9 1 Pet. 3.3 4. but which becommeth women professing godlinesse with good workes Section 9 2. As the Christian estate is honourable The ioyfull comfortable estate of such as haue put on Christ Ester 8.16 yea glorious and truely rich so wants it no cause of sound Ioy and reioycing euen hence because of this its rich clothing Honour and Ioy goe vsually together There is great cause of reioycing at the conuersion of others Luke 15.6 7-9 10-23 much more at our owne honour by conuersion Therefore saith the Church in the person of Isaiah Isa 61.10.11 I will greatly reioyce in the Lord my soule shall bee ioyfull in my God for hee hath clothed mee with the garments of saluation hee hath couered mee with the robe of righteousnesse as a Bridegroome decketh himselfe with ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her selfe with her Iewels and this is when being married to Christ by faith we are also by him reconciled to God and inioy his fauour in which we reioyce more then the wicked can doe Psal 4.6 7. by inioying the best things of this life for as God would haue married couples to reioyce in the loue one of another bidding vs reioyce in the wife of our youth so would he haue vs much more reioyce in him and in his loue in comparison of which hee would haue them that haue wiues 1. Cor. 7.29 to bee as though they had none The cause of this lightsome and ioyfull estate The cause hereof is their vnion with Christ is their vnion with Christ their Head whome they haue put on which strait vnion with him we may hence take notice of It is in Scripture set out by diuers similitudes Which is set out by comparisons by which we may conceiue of the comfortable effects of it First as was now said it is illustrated from Marryage where two are so ioyned together that nothing must seperate them excepting only Adulterie and Death yet this is a straighter vnion so that sprituall Adultery repented on shall not breake it Ier. 3.1 For thus are we knit vnto Christ in Loue and by Faith nothing no not Death being able through the constancie of his loue Ioh. 13.1 Rom. 8 35. to seperate vs from the loue of Christ wherewith he loues vs and by vertue of this mariage knot we pertake and haue right to not only all the goods and riches of Christ but euen to Christ himselfe who is ours and all things else in him because we are his 1 Cor. 3.21 22.23 2. This our straite vnion is such as is betweene the head and the members of the body Ephes 1.22.23 which are so knit together by the same spirit and soule that the members receiue life and influence therefrom euen so doe wee receiue from Christ our Head our life health and euery good thing 3. He is the Vine Ioh. 15.5 wee are the branches we being wild Oliues are graffed contrary to nature into him a good Oliue Tree Rom. 11.24 and are rooted and built vp in him Coloss 2.7 and so become one with him being stablished in the faith and abounding therein with thankesgiuing Iohn 15.5 bringing forth much fruite only with this difference hee our Stocke changeth vs into his diuine Nature in regard of diuine qualities and fruites and not contrarily as it is in naturall graffings we him 4. This vnion is signified and also sealed by our eating and drinking Iohn 6.51 whereby as the meate and drinke we take turne not only to our nourishment but into our substance and so become most straitly one with vs euen so Christ and we are made one body only with this difference he changeth vs to become like vnto him not wee him on whom by faith wee feede as in naturall foode Their comfort Lastly to passe by other similitudes the selfe-same neerenesse and vnion is here signified by the putting on of apparel the nature of which phrase is already noted Section 10. In the assurance of their immortall cloathing Now this is a Consideration full of varietie of Comfort For First we may take this first cloathing by the righteousnesse of Christ for a pledge and as the earnest of our immortall cloathing when at the Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.53 this corruptible shall put on incorruption and this mortall shall put on immortalitie for Christ Par. 1. §. 10 whom we haue put on and into whom we are ingrafted being risen wee shall rise also to glory For he is become the first fruites of them that slept so that in him shall all that belong to his body be made aliue as now Christ the first fruites so afterwards they that are Christ at his comming as the Apostle proues at large Though therefore our bodies die and be laid in the dust and turne to corruption yet they rest in hope and being members of Christ shall in due time rise to glory euen because hee is risen who is our head the head being safe and aboue water the body cannot perish Jf then our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolued we haue a building of God an house not made with hand 2 Cor. 5.1.2 c. eternall in the heauens with which wee both desire and hope to be cloathed Comfort hence in the death of our friends c. the assured hope whereof affords wonderfull comfort to vs in the death of those our friends that die in the Lord and armes vs against the feare of death in our selues Yea in the midest of all troubles and dangers yea in the dangers of Prosperity which would withdraw vs from God it makes vs it should at least make vs stedfast vnmoueable alwaies abounding in the workes of the Lord vers 58. for asmuch as we know that our labour is not in vaine in the Lord. As wee then desire to be cloathed with eternall glory and to be taken to house and harbour with Christ for euer so ought wee now labour truely to put him on Section 11. But wee want not comfort hence for the present 2. In case of Trouble in case of trouble whether our trouble be from without or from within 1. Outward If our trouble be outward from persecution whether of the Sword or of the tongue or from crosses losses sicknesses or the like our comfort is that Christ is ours and that not only wee in him haue a
hand was heauy vpon me When then not till he heartily confessed his sin but then his very thought and purpose of confessing obtained a pardon for saith he I acknowledged my sinne vnto thee and mine iniquitie haue I not hid I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne Euen thus are we all taught in the practise of the Prodigall Sonne who first said and accordingly did Luk. 15.21.22 saying Father I haue sinned against Heauen and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne What followed immediately hereupon Par. 2. §. 7 But his Father said to his seruants bring forth the best Robe and put it on him and put a Ring on his hand and Shooes on his feete Till thus our sinnes bee couered by our discouering of them vnto God it is in vaine by any meanes of our owne to seeke to hide them they may be hid from men such is the wisdome of men in the close carriage of themselues in their sinnes but yet hid they are not for they are knowne to their owne Consciences for no man sinnes without a witnesse within himselfe much more are they knowne to God vnto whose eies all things our very thoughts are naked and opened Heb. 4.13 and vnto whose Iustice and wrath sinners are exposed Section 7. The next thing is our Faith which we must reach out as our hand to receiue and applie to our selues 3. Faith this spirituall garment of Christ his righteousnesse and the pardon of our sinnes offered vs in the Gospell of Christ Part. 2. §. 9. without which faith neither Christ not his Word wil profit vs any thing God who prouides this cloathing for vs Heb. 4.2 and brings offers it to vs in his Word preached requires our Faith and that wee should take it to vs otherwise wee may well and should iustly starue and perish of cold if hauing garments brought vnto vs we will let them lye by vs and not vse them by putting them on It is our Faith which truly makes vs Christians by which Christ dwells in vs by which wee receiue the pardon of our sinnes and are iustified as was shewed in the beginning Section 8 4. Prayer 4. Prayer also is a notable means by which wee may obtaine the pardon of our sinnes and be discharged of all our debts this must not be neglected for when wee haue nothing of our owne to purchase Gods fauour then the Prayer of Faith will preuaile as wee see in that seruant in the Gospell who when he had nothing to pay and that his Lord commanded him to bee sold Mat. 18 25 26.27 32 and his wife and children and all that he had and payment to be made fell downe and worshiped saying Lord haue patience with mee and I will pay thee all whereupon his Lord moued with compassion loosed him and forgaue him the debt-after saying to him I forgaue thee all the debt because thou desiredst me This course we are directed vnto in the Lords Prayer where this is one principall Petition respecting our selues forgiue vs our debts Mat. 6.12 Luk. 11.4 or forgiue vs our sinnes now where sinne is forgiue in there it is also couered Section 9. Lastly the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is appointed as an excellent meanes of our further putting on of Christ 5 A reuerent receiuing of the Lords supper after once we haue receiued him spiritually by Faith For this reuerently and preparedly receiued helpes to gird Christ Par. 2. §. 10 nearer and closer vnto vs seeing in and by it is signified and sealed our strait and close vnion with him whereby wee become one with him and he with vs as also our communicating and participating of all his benefits especially such as belong to our Iustification and heereby wee againe renew that couenant which wee first made with God in Baptisme whereof the Apostle saith in my text all yee that are baptised into Christ haue put on Christ And these are the meanes which wee must carefully conscionably and constantly vse if euer we would put on Christ Iesus vnto our Iustification Section 10 Now wee are not to rest here but to see that we also put him on vnto Sanctification Meanes to be vsed for the putting on of Christ to our sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 for Christ is made vnto vs of God not onely righteousnes but also Sanctification This is done particularly by Mortification of the old man and viuification of the new man generally by an imitation of Christ and by an expressing of him in all things The Apostle elsewhere tells vs wherein the fruit and effect of our Baptisme consists saying Rom. 6.3.4 Know yee not that so many of vs as are baptized into Iesus Christ are baptized into his death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptisme into death that like as Christ was rassed vp from the dead by the glory of the Father euen so wee also should walke in newnesse of life As therefore Christ died and rose againe to life so if we be Christs haue truely put him on must we reckon also our selues to be dead indeed vnto sin but aliue vnto God through Iesus Christ our Lord. Where wee see the Apostle makes these two Mortification Viuification in vs to be as inseparable as they were in Christ as inseparable in the effects as in the causes These meanes are the cause of Mortification in vs being Christs death the cause of our viuification being his resurrection each of them made ours by our faith 1 Mortification of the old man The first thing then is that wee take out the lesson of the Apostle who thus exhorts Let not sinne reigne in your mortall body that yee should obey it in the lustes thereof and Mortifie therefore ye that are dead Rom. 4.12 Colos 3.5.8 and risen with Christ your members which are vpon the earth that is the members of the body of sinne or of old Adam which is in vs fornication vncleannesse couetousnesse c. Put off all these anger wrath malice c. This must first be done before we can put on the new man as Christ first dyed before he could rise againe Labour then we must to be partakers of Christs death to find the power of it in vs daily to the weakning of the contrary power of in dwelling sinne not that we may hope to haue this in this life done perfitly in our selues though in Christ our Head all our sins are both dead and buried and not any one shall make vs guiltie of eternall death for whether wee respect the nature of sin wee find it still in vs for being it is still in vs though it be not imputed vnto vs or the motions of sinne wee must though we be regenerate confesse and say with Paul Rom. 7.23 I see another law in my members warring against the law
intercession to the Father for them This makes them To call vpon God in Christ a signe of our vnion with him in all their necessities and wants to repaire to their heauenly Father with much ioy confidence and comfort powring out their soules vnto him in the name of Christ nay they neuer finde more comfort in any estate good or bad then when they inioy his presence in the heauenly exercise of Prayer Dares any then call himselfe a Christian and professe himselfe to haue put on Christ as well as any that dares not come into his presence that cannot open his mouth nor yet his heart to him in prayer neither confessing and bewailing his wants nor begging any supply thereof from him I knowe it should bee high presumption in any to dare to looke God in the face out of Christ vnlesse they haue not onely a commandement but a gracious promise in his name and for his sake to bee heard in their requests If there be any such presumptuous one hee may iustly feare that whiles he lifts vp his hands and his face to heauen God powre vpon him Psal 11.6 and raine downe snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest as the iust portion of his cup. Yet on the other hand for any hauing both precept and promise from God in Christ 〈◊〉 name to come immediately into his presence and to receiue what he askes for any I say not to come not to aske not to pray is an argument of an vnbeleeuing impenitent and senselesse heart and the true character of an Atheist and of one who is without God and without Christ in that he calls not vpon the Lord. Psal 14.4 Yet many such there are that especially of and by themselues neuer powre foorth a prayer to God nor willingly with others Par. 3. §. 9. and yet these men forsooth are as good Christians as any in their owne conceits and will bee saued by Christ as soone as the best oh strange hypocrisie and delusion 2. Secondly hereby also may a Christian take a scantling of himselfe namely by his conceit of and affection to Death and to Iudgement It being appointed vnto men euen to the godly once to die Heb. 9.27 after which commeth the Iudgement by both these as Christ drawes neere vnto vs so doe we vnto him So that if once we haue put him we by these put him more on and draw neerer vnto him Section 9. 1. Death whether it be in the Lord or for the Lord 1. By Death Rom. 8 38.39 as it seperates not from Christ nor from the loue of God wihch is in Christ Iesus our Lord so it brings a man neerer vnto Christ euen to be with Christ which is farre better and more to be desired then to be still in the body if wee respect our owne good Christ indeed now is in vs and we in him Phil. ◠23 Gal. 2.20 but as yet we are not so properly with him in which regard it is said that whilest we are at home in the body 2 Cor. 5.1.2 4. 6.7.8 wee are absent from the Lord but by death we are absent from the body and present with the Lord we so are present with his humanity whiles here we are by faith wee are espoused to him but by death we beginne to be taken into house home with him for euer where we shall inioy his more immediate presence and company for here wee walke by faith not by sight This makes Death so desirable to such as here haue truly put on Christ for saith Paul we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle where dissolued wee haue a building of God an house not made with hand eternall in the heauen for in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed vpon withour house which is from Heauen for we that are in this Tabernacle do groane being burthened not for that we would be vncloathed but clothed vpon that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life This affection is also in Gods Children generally who though Death be an enemie in it selfe and may affright them as men desiring their natuall good and preseruation yet whiles by faith they seeing beyond it Not to feare death an argument of our vnion with Christ looke to their eternall good they feare it not but much desire it as a man doth bitter and loathsome Physicke not for it selfe but in hope of health and according to Gods will willingly imbrace it whē it comes There may be some strife awhile betweene nature and grace as there is in them also betweene grace and corruption betweene the flesh the spirit Gal. 5.17 which haue contrary desires but the desires of the greater good of our soules by death preuailes against the desires of the lesser good of our bodies by inioying this temporall life As therefore we are bid examine our selues 2 Cor. 13.5 whether we be in the faith and proue our selues whether Iesus Christ is in vs or we be reprobates so may we doe it as well by this tryall as any for if Christ be in vs here and we in the faith of Christ then assuredly we cannot but desire and according to Gods will to be with him and further and more to enioy his more immediate presence which cannot be enioyed but by death at the least wee cannot when our time is come or that God calls vs to seale his truth by our death which wee professed in our life bee vnwilling or refractary thereunto which if for any long time we be or if that the loue of the world and of our temporall life preuaile with vs to make vs vnwilling to die whether in our profession or for it we haue then too iust cause to suspect our selues that as yet we neuer truly put on Christ nor were by faith vnited and espoused to him for if wee were wee could not be vnwilling to depart hence seeing he now is absent in body and to goe to him and to bee with him in those Mansion places which he hath prepared for vs in heauen which euen Louers and espoused couples in like case of absence the one from the other doe so much on earth desire Therfore to be vnwilling to die and to be with Christ argues that that party hath no hope to see Christ in his Kingdome or to raigne with him that he hath so little desire to goe to him whereas hee that hath once seene Christ here with the eies of faith and by it hath put him on will with good old Simeon wish and say Luk. 2.29.30 Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes haue seene thy saluation It argues moreouer that such a partie Par. 3. §. 10 and haue this straight vnion with him which wee make shew of or that we dwell in him he in vs we wil further declare this by our loue to him and to his comming for so are true
and sword of the Spirit kils mortifies and abolisheth the flesh or at least if hee finde it too strong as yet for him hee wisely withdrawes from it food and nourishment by keeping vnder the body by temperance fastings or the like or howsoeuer as the flesh in him lusteth against the Spirit so he stirres vp the Spirit to lust against the flesh Gal. 5.17 and when all helpes faile hee cries out of it to God saying Miserable man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the bodie of this death yea implores the aid and assistance of Gods Spirit by which he ouercommeth and for which hee can accordingly praise God saying with the same Paul 1 Cor. 15.57 Rom. 7.25 But thankes be to God which giueth vs the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Par. 3. §. 46 and I thanke God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Section 46. This inbred corruption of ours is neuer in this life so wholly subdued 2 How he by this strong spirit deales with sinfull affections motions but that it remaines still in the best both for the being of it and for the motions of it whereby a man shall find himselfe inticed to actuall and outward sins that through the subtiltie of Satan most according to his speciall inclination calling age occasion place or time wherein he liues according to these Satan seekes and takes his aduantage from our flesh from our naturall inclination and affection to any sinne more then other to tempt vs accordingly by the baites and bribes of pleasure profit or preferment Now neither good nor bad neither sound nor vnsound Christian is free at all times from such temptations to one sin or other by which Satan seekes to get or keepe possession of him But the difference is to be obserued betweene them Par. 3. §. 49 which generally is The difference betweene the sound and vnsound Christian in temptation to sin 1 Generall that by the power of sauing grace the former masters and mortifies all kind of sinne and vice in him how pleasing how gainefull how aduantagious soeuer in the world it may proue vnto him though it be to the pulling out of a right eye to the cutting off of a right hand or foote not suffering any bosome or beloued sinne to keepe the hold of his heart but keeping euery sinne and sinfull affection vnder himselfe free for euery good duty and exercise for hee knowes that there can be nothing but a bare forme of godlinesse without where the power of any one sinne is within and by this mortification of sinne and of his speciall corruption he giues euidence of the presence of this powerfull spirit in him whereas the other by suffering some sinne or other to sway his affection and to remaine indeed vnmortified in him shewes the contrary But of this thus generally long since Par. 3. §. 47. more particulally we shall find the sincere Christian to haue this spirit of strength in as much as hee both makes resistance against sinne and the temptations thereof Particularly as also impugnes and assailes his sinne continually labouring to dislodge it and roote it out Section 47. No man properly resists sinne by his owne strength 1 He resists and withstands sin but by the strength of Christ and of grace in him The power of our will by nature is so disabled that it hath not any inclinatiō to good much lesse power ouer euill without a further power of grace from Christ but is rather in bondage vnder it And therefore that the godly resist temptation and withstand sinne as it is sinne is from the gift of God not from any strength of theirs 1 Cor. 10.13 It is God that will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we by his grace are able and it is he that with the temptation will also make a way to escape that we may be able to beare it Wee are therefore bid resist 1 Pet. 5.9 stedfast in the faith Now that wee doe by faith which is the guift of God wee doe not of our selues we are also being to deale with temptation bid to be strong not in our selues Ephes 6.10.11 but in the Lord and in the power of his might c. If then any resist and bee not wholly ouercome of sinne it is from Gods grace and strength as it was answered Paul vpon his resistance made by prayer my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 for my strength is made perfect in weaknesse This grace in the Godly makes them either so soone as they are assaulted to abhorre the temptation and to giue no manner of consent vnto it as being hatefull to God or if they cannot be so soone quit of it yet to account it a burthen and an affliction to them that they are so song molested and as it were buffeted by it and to make resistance by prayer and by wrastling with of sinners that they both thinke and say they haue such a strong faith and such peace of conscience that Satans temptations neuer trouble them and haue no power ouer them whereas there was neuer any so strong in faith but Satan durst did assault him as the Apostles Adam in Paradise yea Christ himselfe Such againe is their securitie sottishnesse that they are most of all captiuated vnder sinne when they sleepe soundly and securely in sin being most assaulted when they feele no assault and therefore making no resistance because they are ignorant of the assault Yea often they are not assaulted or at least molested by Satan and why because they are already by sinne his subiects slaues and so when the strong man Luk 11.21 Satan armed by their sinne keepes the house the things that he possesseth are in peace though it be but a false peace the temptations to sinne doe please them Par. 3. § 48. and therefore they resolue to make no resistance spiritually and thus are they ouercome of the temptation Section 48. But the godly and truly spirituall Christian 2 Hee impugnes and assayles it doth not only resist sinne when it or Satan by it doth assault him but he moreouer assaults and impugnes it and to the vtmost of his power and of grace receiued he striues to dislodge and dispossesse it out of his heart so farre as it is in him though it would let him be quiet and giue him such content as sinners seeke yet he will not let it be quiet but if it would lurke or hide it selfe either vnder his tongue or in some corner of his heart either in his vnderstanding by an ignorance of sin in the nature of it or in his wil by obstinacie or an affection of libertie or in his affections by selfe-pride or selfe-loue which often with the other will not let a man see his sinne yet he hauing himselfe Par. 3. §. 49 stronger then other in Gods children which by reason of long continuance and familiaritie
euidence of our election bowels of mercies kindnes humblenesse of minde meeknes long-suffering Good Christians know so much and therefore dare not but put on Christ as well dying as rising and as well rising as dying he so being the obiect of their faith is so by faith put on and accordingly the effect of both of one as well as of the other is found in them The effect of his death is the godly mans dying to sinne knowing this saith Paul Rom. 6.6 that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destoryed that hence forth we should not serue sinne The effect of his resurrection and the power of his resurrection in vs as it is called is our newnesse of life Philip. 3.10 Rom. 6.4.5 For we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father euen so we should walke in newnesse of life for if wee haue beene planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection And both these effects are in a competent manner in the true Christian who hath put on Christ Par. 3. §. 58. Section 58. But with hypocrites it is otherwise Vnsound Christians shewe their vnsoundnes and where we find these two effects disioyned and seuered one from the other constantly in our selues or others there is too manifest an argument of hypocrisie But thus we shall find it to be with many in whom though neither of the two forenamed effects be in truth as being not conioyned yet that which seemes to be is single without the other and so proues it selfe to bee counterfeit and not sound 1 By putting of sin but not putting on Christ Which is shewed 1 in the Popish sort For 1. some seeme to put off sinne but they put not on Christ no not there where they seeme to put on something 2. Some seeme to put on Christ but put not off their sinne In the first ranke are first generally the Popish sort who professe a mortification of the flesh by whipping of themselues somtimes and by Fastings and abstaining from flesh on diuers dayes and that in a religious manner and respect accounting fish holier as not being destroyed in the Deluge in a shew of humilitie Colos 2.20 21.22.23 and neglecting of the body in will-worship according to the doctrines of men whose ordinances are touch not taste not handle not and yet not to speak of the loosenesse of their liues generally the same at the same time by dainties prouoke the flesh turning fasting from flesh to feasting with fish which of the two are the greater dainties as might easily be shewed whereas indeed the truest way to mortifie the flesh is either by true fasting and abstaining from all meat and drinke sometimes 1 Cor. 9.25.27 to humble at once both soule and body and so to keepe it vnder and to bring it into subjection or otherwise by a constant moderation of our diet and temperance in all things or to do with diligence the duties of our calling generall and particular More particularly those of the Popish sort are in this ranke who mew themselues vp in Cloysters as men mortified to the world and yet liue in all idlenes lasciuiousnes wantonnes to say no more and other works of darknesse which are made by the Apostle to bee farre from putting on Christ as we haue heard and say there were no such euils done yet what good is done by them they seeme to shake off the world but where is Christ put on I may truely say it as one hath done before mee a meere contemplatiue Monke Gal. 5.13 in shunning some occasions of euill flieth in a manner all occasions of doing good and of being a seruant to all by loue and the duties of it 2 in our selues 1 Generally in ciuill Christians Of the same ranke there are many of our selues not yet excluding the other who 1. generally are such as content themselues to liue ciuilly and plausibly in the world as putting off and yet not alwaies in heart and affection the grosser euils of the time being no known swearers drunkards adulterers profane persons yet shew foorth no power of godlinesse in their liues godly conuersations and in the exercise of the cōtrary graces and vertues of sanctifying Gods name by word deede of Sobriety Chastity and generally Holinesse nay in stead thereof such plausible men in their very soules often hate the true zealous and strict practise of Pietie in their brethren so that sinceritie hath no greater nor more bitter enemies then such ciuill Saints who in their owne and in the worlds account are right honest nay the only honest men all the rest are but precise fooles to them c. whereas such forbearance of grosser euils may bee an effect and is vsually of Gods not sauing and sanctifying but generall and restrayning grace wherby they out of the respects of feare shame of the world reuerence to some in Authority or for other their own priuate ends abstaine from such euills euen as Esau forbare a long time to reuenge himselfe of his brother Iacob comforting himselfe in the hope of his Fathers death but where was his true brotherly loue shewed to his brother all the while 2 Chron. 24.2.17 c so King Iehoash was a Saint all the daies of Iehoiada the Priest but after his death he forsooke the Lord and killed his sonne who spake to him in the name of the Lord which was an argument of his former vnsoundnesse for all his seeming forwardnesse euen such are many in these dayes c. Some againe more particularly 2 Particularly in vnsound penitents when they haue done amisse and falne into grosser euils seem to repent to be sorry yea with the Iewes of old to fast and afflict the body Isa 58.3.5.6 7. to bow down the head as a bulrush and to spread sackcloath and ashes vnder them or perhaps against Lent vpon their heads yet all the while euen then neglect all duties of of true Religion and Charitie as they are there charged This sorrow of theirs is not accompanied with reformation of life with more care feare desire zeale therefore is vnsound Thus men by returning to those sinnes which by words and other signes shewes of griefe they would seeme to bee sorry for they doe but deceiue themselues mocke God which yet will come home by thēselues for God will not be mocked euen as we would account him to mocke vs who saith he is sorry he hath done vs wrong and yet continues so to doe still Euen so that sorrow and turning from sin which doth not reforme a man is but a deformed sorrow a sorry one a foundation without a building an Ahabs humiliation 1 Kings 21.27 with 22 8-26.27 who by putting on sackcloath would seeme to put off and be sorry
very base rogues and runnagates like those other and wanderers from God who appeare what they are when their borrowed robes are taken off thē as their hypocrisie shall appeare at the day of Iudgement when all vailes shall bee taken away nay for the present these garments of colourable profession cannot so hide their hypocrisie but that the asse though he haue on the Lyons skin will bewray himselfe by his long eares so their secret vices can no more be hid vnder shew of Christian profession then a bunch or crook'd-backe can conceale it selfe vnder a close and strait garment But such is this garment Par. 3. §. 60 it is without fold or plaits without seame and doublings in and any deformitie whether swelling of pride or any other redundancy or defect of any member or necessary grace may soone bee seene through it Now to conclude this third point also do thou whosoeuer try and seriously sift thy selfe by these forenamed descriptions and as thou findest vnpartially iudging so bee comforted or instructed what to doe c. And thus much of this third particular and so generally of such trials as may be made by considering the Nature of our putting on Christ Section 60. Now in the next or second place let vs consider to the same end 2 Trialls of our putting on Christ from two Properties therefore these two properties of the same The first whereof is Vniuersalitie the second Constancie to name no more First he that truly is a Christian and not in name onely as he puts off the whole old man and that wholly so especially he puts on the whole new man or whole Christ wholly 1 Property is vniuersality He so doth both as that he neuer liueth in the liking of any one sinne neither is hee an enemy to any one grace That old apparell which is to bee put off is also an old man old Adam namely a body of sinne consisting of many parts or members animated with with a spirit of life The true Christian 1 puts of sin 1 whole or the whole body of it by being allowed a kinde of Soueraigntie with approbation and liking Now the godly Christian as he in the matter of Iustification wholly puts off himselfe strips himselfe starke naked of all the garmēts of old Adam not leauing so much on him as the shirt nay not so much as the Figge-leaues of excuse or extenuation in the least manner to iustifie his owne doings Not for being or yet his best actions without grace so in the matter of Sanctification though his sinne and Originall corruption not only for the nature and being of it remaines with him still but but also in regard of the motions of it as hath often binne said and so doth beset him Heb. 12.1 and as it were in regard of the attempts of it cloth and incompasse him round about 1 For complacency in it yet hee puts it off First in regard of his vniuersall dislike of it wherby being sensible of the burthen and annoyance of it Rom. 7.24 hee can truly in soule cry out with Paul wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death which indeed is the body of sin which causeth death and so shew himselfe truly displeased with all sinne euen with the whole body of it yet not without the comfort of victory being also able to say with him vpon it 25. I thanke God through Iesus Christ our Lord 2 For dominion and so secondly he puts it off in regard of dominion no one sinne raignes in his mortall body but that he labours the mortification of it and so puts it off whole wherein hee may bee obserued to strike at the whole body of it and at all the seuerall members and branches thereof he lops not off some fewe twigs or branches but fells the very trunke and aimes at the pith and life of it and comes as neere the roote of it as he can His old man is crucified with Christ Rom 6.6 that the body of sinne might bee destroyed Hee being circumcised in Christ with the circumcision made without hands Colos 2.11 puts off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ so that whereas circumcision made with hands cuts off only one part and particle of the body this puts off the whole sinfull body of the flesh whereby he mortifieth all his members which are vpon the earth 3.5.8.9 fornication vncleannesse inordinate affection euill concupiscence and couetousnesse and puts off all these anger wrath malice blasphemie filthy communication c. and all the deeds of the old man Thus Dauid I haue refrained my feete from euery euill way Psal 119.101 128. and I both esteeme all thy precepts concerning all things to be right and J hate euery false way And this vniuersall putting off sinne shall witnesse his vprightnesse and sincerity for saith he Psal 18.22.23 all his Iudgements were before me and I did not put away any of his Statutes from me I was also vpright before him and I kept my selfe from mine iniquitie that is from that sin which in regard of former affection to it might be called his Euen so is it generally with such as are vpright and sincere Christians for they know that if they with their hearts offend in one they had as good offend in all in as much as there is one common nature of all sinnes all and each being a disobedience vnthankefullnesse and dishonour vnto God all and each therefore seuering and excludidg from God so that if they hate not such sinnes as they would seeme to mortyfie in such respects they hate no sin as they should but would vpon like occasion and temptation commit all sinne as well as any and so Saint Iames is to be vnderstood Iam. 2.10 expounded saying Whosoeuer shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all namely not in regard of action but affection and readinesse to doe and act any other sinne being vpon priuate respects like occasions tempted thereunto as not hating and abhorring sinne as it is sinne and so vniuersally all sinne in each there being the same common nature of all but this or that sinne more then another as it toucheth him in his priuate and particular aimes c. but the sincere Christian knowes he that thus hath one sinne can want no sinne and he that hath any one vice hath them all and that by one hee as well departs from God and forsakes him as by any or all seeing all sinnes are coupled together though not in regard of conuersion to temporall good for some looke to the good of gaine some of glory some of pleasure c. yet in regard of auersion from eternall good which is God And as thus the true Christian puts off whole sinne so also wholly 2 Wholly in regard not of