such a Righteousness that true Believers thereby are made the Righteousness of God 2 Cor. 5.21 which is an expression that lifts up the Creature as much as any in Scripture shewing that it is 1. A most excellent glorious and transcendent Righteousness that Believers have the Hebreâ— useth to set forth exeellent things by adding the name of God to them as the Mountains of God the Cedars of God c. So they are made the righteousness of God that is in having the highest and best Righteousness imputed to them 2. There is highest likeness and nearest conformity to God in this Inherent Righteousness being wrought in us and that which is wrought by us is a part of God's Image for the new man is after God in Righteousness but this Righteousness which is adherent and imputed is a more glorious part of God's likeness for this is perfect the other here being but in part and if we could be perfect in our works of Righteousness yet must they be far short of Christ's works or his Righteousness imputed 3. Believers are Righteous before God in the Righteousness of God for Christ is not only man but God but when we have said all we have reason to reckon this among the unutterable things which Paul saw when he was caught up into the third Heavens 3. The Riches of Christ's Righteousness appears in this that hereby we have Justification of Life Rom 5.18 The free gift came upon all men to the Justification of Life Christ's Righteousness is Righteousness unto Life as Hezekiah said in these things is the life of my Spirit so in Christ's Righteousness is the life of our Spirits when sinners that remain without Christ shall dye in their sins when those that trust in their own Righteousness shall dye therein those that desire to be found in Christ having his Righteousness shall live by him and his Righteousness 4. They that have Christ's Righteousness do not only live thereby but Reign in Life Rom. 5.17 They which receive the gift of Righteousness Reign in Life c. which notes thus much That true Believers are not in subjection to any persons or things which may take their life from them 't is one thing to live another thing to Reign in Life we live a bodily life but do not reign in that life but are in subjection to a Divine decree it being appâ—inted to all men once to dye we are in subjection to many infirmities and sicknesses c. and to men that have Power to kill the body Adam in Paradice did live more then a bodily life but did not reign in life Sin entred and Death by Sin but what a better Estate is here A Believer being in Chriâ—â— lives and reigns in life being lifted up far above any power that may take it away above the power of sin the Law and second death above the Power of Satan he hunts after the precious life but it is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 Prov. 30.31 one of the things that is comely in going is a King against whom there is no rising up The like may we say of Believers they reign in life so as there is no rising up against their life who shall lay any thing to their charge or condemn seeing it 's Christ that dyed c. II. There is Christ's Righteousness in his works towards men in the dispensation of that power which he hath in Heaven and Earth as a King he reigns in Righteousness as Priest he makes Intercession in Righteousness and as Prophet he Teaches in Righteousness Isa 63.1 I the Lord that speak in Righteousness His love led him into these Offices and not only love but Righteousness leads him through them and engages him to full and a faithful discharge of them concerning this take these Considerations 1. Saints may fly for refuge not only to the love but to the Righteousness of Christ Prov. 18.11 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous run thereto and are safe Not only as he is Gracious and Merciful but as he is Just Righteous Servants may run to a Righteous Lord for refuge and shall find his Righteousness a covert and hiding place Isa 32.1 He is Just to forgive sin 1 Joh. 1.9 Just to Justify Just to Sanctify to give Grace and Peace Just to hear Prayers Just to deliver out of the Enemies hand and to bring many Sons to Glory but remember that not our works but God's free Grace it is that makes all this to be Just Being a Surety he is a Just Surety being a Saviour a Just Saviour Just to give the Oyl of Joy c. And having betrothed any to himself he will take them to nearest communion Hos 2.19 20. I will betroth thee unto me in Righteousness Loving Kindness Judgment and Faithfulness Christ â—akes a Spoâ—se among the Captives and when any Israelite would do so Deut. 21.10 He was to briâ—g her to his House she was to shave her Head pare her nails put off the Raiment of her captivity and to bewail her Father and Mother a full Month so such as are taken from amongst the Captives to Sin and Satan to be bethrothed to Christ must put off the old man and lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness that is all sin for eveâ—y sin is a superfluity and â—ewail Father and Mother i. e. that they are Conceived and Boâ—n in Sin and be in Christ's House so he betroths in Righteousness c. and will not be like â—he hard hearted Jews that give a Bill of Divorce for the Lord hâ—tes puttiâ—g away and â—eeing he betroths in Righteousnes Juâ—gâ—ent and Fâ—â—thfulness therefoâ—e a time of the Maâ—riage of â—he Lamb must come and his Wifâ— shall be â—ade ready Thus Saints may fly for refuge to and take comfort in the Righteoâ—sneâ—s of Christ 2. The Râ—ghteousness of Christ makes him râ—ady to fulfil all Promises ready to act for the Saints and to put forth his Power on their beâ—alf Isa 11.5 there being a Prophecy of the K ngdom of Christ it 's said Righteousness shall be the girdâ—e of his Loins which shall make him â—eady tâ— reprove and argue for the me k of the Earth He shall argue out the Saints Innocency and â—he wickâ—dness of the World in persecâ—tiâ—g for Righteoâ—sness sake he shall debate the business with them that all may see what Reasâ—n â—e hath to smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and to slay the Wicked with the Breath of his Lips and to save the meek of the Earth Christ is well pleased for his Rightousness sake Isa 41.21 And when there are in the Saints so many failings when cause to say who is blind but my Servant and deaf as my Mâ—ssenger who is Pâ—â—ud Covetous Earthly c. and there is so much among them that is displeasing when divisions sâ—riâ—e and contention among Brethren yet for his Righteousness sake he is well pleased to do them good If we believe not as
or maketh a lye neither Hypocrites nor profane Persons there the dark Saint shall be full of light the weak shall be strong the too much Earthly and Carnal Saints shall be Spiritual and Heavenly and the divided Saints shall be all one and this shall in an especial manner be accomplish'd among the Jews When the Jews were cast off what was their condition We see it set forth Ezek. 22.18 Son of Man the House of Israel is become Drossie all they are Brass and Tin and Iron and Lead they are even the dross of Silver but when they shall be called then they shall not be the dross of Silver but pure Gold nay compare them in their most glorious and pure Estate which formerly they were in as when they had the Law given them on Sinai when the Tribes were brought into such excellent order and they had Moses their Leader and Aaron the High-Priest when they were fed with Angels food and had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire and the Tabernacle in which was the Ark I say compare them in this Estate with what they shall be at last and we may well conclude that they are but as Brass to Gold for then they had but the shaddow but when they shall be called they shall have the Body and Substance Then they had the Law given by Moses and written in Tables of Stone but at last given by Christ and written in Tables of their Hearts and Christ will be their High Priest and Prince upon a Throne and the shall have the Cloud and Pillar of Fire too Upon all the Glory there shall be a Defence and as their Estate shall be more excellent then ever heretofore so they shall be an eternal excellency and then all Nations shall bow before Christ and be made to serve him and some of the chiefest in the Nations the Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring Presents The Kings of Sheba and Saba shall offer Gifts In the beginning of Christ's Kingdom not many Mighty and Noble were called it being in great contempt and under great Persecution but when this shall become a great Mountain and fill the whole Earth and God shall beautify the place of his Sanctuary and make the place of his Feet glorious then many Mighty and Noble shall be called and brought into it Jer. 33.21 Their Nobles shall be of themselves Rev. 21.24 there is mention of Kings bringing their Glory and Honour into the new Jerusalem where they shall find better Glory then they bring Isa 49.7 Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord which is Faithful Isa 60. There are four Promises made concerning Kings with reference to these times verse 3. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising verse 10. Kings shall minister unto thee There is a time of their ministring unto the great Whore but at last some of them will hate the Whore and love the Saints and minister unto them verse 11. Thy Gates shall be open continually that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles that their Kings may be brought verse 16. Thou shalt suck the Breasts of Kings Now when this shall be then shall the Church be prepared as a Bride be adorn'd for her Husband and have Glory suitable to Christ's Glory When he shall come all the Saints shall come with him Zach. 14.5 The Saints in Heaven and all the Saints on Earth shall be all gathered unto him they shall come from the East and West and sit down in the Kingdom of God 2 Thess 2.1 I beseech you by the coming of Christ and our gathering unto him As the Lord was present in the midst of the Camp of Israel in the Ark which was the sign of his presence and all the Tribes were gathered in order about him and the Levites next to him so when Christ shall come all the Saints shall be round about his Throne and be all Priests near unto him then Christ shall come in the Glory of the Bridegroom and the Church shall be in the Glory of his Bride the Angels shall be the Friends of the Bridegroom and Saints the Bride the Lambs Wife Then Christ shall have his mystical as well as his personal Glory for as Head and Husband he accounts not himself pefect but in the perfection of his Spouse and Members the Church being the fullness of him that filleth all in all this shall be the New Jerusalem and that City and Temple mention'd in Ezek. 40. c. set forth under legal expressions The Law had the Shadow of good things to come but the Body is of Christ that City and Temple is the Body of legal shadows when we read of a Temple Court Chambers Priests and their Garments of Burnt-offerings and Peace-offerings by all we must understand that which is the Body of these legal shadow Christ shall be the Priest by whom Believers are reconciled to God and the Saints shall be made Priests to God Christ the Prince and all the Saints shall reign with him every one shall have a Chamber a Mansion there now they long for the Courts of God then shall they be in those Courts and be Pillars there Ezâ—k 43.27 The Priest shall make your Burnt-offerings and Peace-offerings the meaning is I will accept you Now what hath been spoken to set forth the Riches of Glory that are in Christ shews what reason there is to have the highest esteem of Christ as better then all other beloveds well might David say Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Here we may consider further 1. The sight of Christ's Glory shall be the Saints blessedness Blessed are your Eyes for they see if there was so much blessedness in seeing him in his humble State then what blessedness shall it be to see him in Glory the Wicked that dye in their sins shall see Death John 8.51 He that believes on me shall never see Death unbelievers shall see it The Greek word imports a seeing by contemplation and speculation the death of the wicked is a contemplative death as we read of some they live a contemplative life being for speculation and not for practice so we may say of the wicked in Hell they dye a contemplative death as we read of the hurt of the second death so very much of the hurt thereof comes by contemplation the same words are used Rev. 11.12 when the Witnesses ascend in a Cloud 't is said that their Enemies behold them they see and have the speculation of their Glory and Joy but do not intermeddle with it they have a terrifying and tormenting vision but not a beatifical vision of their Glory and the wicked see death and their contemplative death is a proportionable punishment of contemplative wickedness which abounds as we may suppose beyond practical thoughts being more then actions they are contemplating on that which continues
find out a way wherein Sinners should be saved by the Satisfaction of Justice and yet by Free Grace they could not have found any therefore the Angels desire to look into these things 1 Pet. 1.12 Christ died for our Offences the Son of God that was made Man so made compleat satisfaction we have a Righteousness by which we are Justified yet Justified freely by his Grace see this Eph. 1.7 and Rom. 3.24 and Psa 85.10 where is a Prophecy begun ver 9. of a Spiritual Restoration from the miserable condition a Man is in by reason of Sin unto a glorious Estate of Happiness of which the delivery from the Tyranny of Antiochus was a Type which the Prophet hath respect to as Interpreteâ—s conceive which is spoken of Dan. 8. â—4 Now in what way is it that Redemption is wrought out that the Psalmist shews ver 10. Mercy and Truth are met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other 3. See the Party offended upon the Cross satisfying for those Offences which were committed against himself the great God that was wronged Righting himself him that was dishonoured repairing his own Honour This is a great Mystery behold him made Sin against whom Sin was commited see him that was the Just God to punish Sin and will not clear the guilty bearing the Griefs and carrying the Sorrows of Sinners him making his Soul an Offering for Sin whose Heart was vext and grieved by Sin As God equal with the Father he was the Party Offended As God and Man he was Mediator so he satisfies for the Offence 4. In that Men are Justified Redeemed and Saved by Christ's being Crucified on the Cross to which Crucifixion they set a helping hand this is a Mystery that Men should be saved by the Death of Christ which they were the cause of A Man could not have conceived this that those might be Eternally saved by Christ's Death that did help to put him to death and that that blood should take away all guilt the guilt whereof lies on Men. His Blood be on us said the Jews that is in the guilt of it which surely was a most horrible Crime yet by that Blood they may be saved there was a Vertue in that Blood to take away the guilt of that Blood and all other Sins from them Is not this an admirable Mystery See it Zach. 12.10 Revelat. 1.7 Act. 2.38 39. 5. In that all the Elect suffered punishment of their Sins and satisfied the Justice of God in Christ's being fastned to the Cross and so by Christ's once offering of himself are for ever perfected Christ was a common Person As in Adam all die all sinned so in Christ the second Adam all suffered the Sins of all the Elect were laid on him were imputed to him and he satisfied for them all And so the Elect may reckon themselves to have suffered and satisfied according to that of the Apostle Rom. 6.10.11 In that he dyed he dyed unto Sin once c. likewise reckon you your selves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord that place is meant concerning mortification of Sin and is to comfort Believers in that the work of Mortification is yet imperfect This is true as if the Apostle had said if you look on your selves for the present in reality you are but imperfectly mortified but you may reckon your Selves to be perfectly mortified by being in Christ your head who was a common Person on the Cross and you all were reckoned to be in him and you may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reason or reckon your selves wholly dead in and through Christ Now as for Justification that you may truly reckon to be perfect and compleat your guilt is wholly taken off and you acquitted and discharged in Christ's dying 2. Here is a mystery of Love in the Crucifying of Christ Infinite Love appears 1. Of the Father as under the Cross of Christ is contained a Mystery of Infinite Wisdom of the Father which the Apostle speaks of Eph. 1.8 In Redemption by Christ he hath abounded towards us in all Wisdom and Prudence as you have heard so likewise under it is contained a Mystery of Infinite Love which in the next verse is called the Mystery of his Will according to his good Pleasure which he purposed in himself now this Mystery of his Will was the Infinite and Eternal Love of the Father which was the only ground of the gracious Purpose and Decree of his to give his Son to suffer Death to make satisfaction to pay the price of Redemption that so as it follows verse 10. In the dispensation of the sulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ c. that is that by Christ he might destroy the Enmity which was betwixt God and the Elect betwixt Good Angels and Sinful Men betwixt Innocent Creatures and Corrupt Man that so a perfect Reconciliation and Union might be made of Men Elect and of Holy Angels under one head Christ This Love of the Father we have mentioned Joh. 3.16 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life that is to suffer Death for the World of the Elect 1 Joh. 4.9 In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live by him that by his Death we might live Rom. 5.8 Herein God commended his Love as if he had said here is a Mystery indeed a glorious Mystery a most high commendation of Love in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us This is a most sweet thing to contemplate on in the Cross of Christ God gave him to die for Sinners yea for Enemies this is a Mystery worth the searching into and in considering Christ Crucified this you must labour to know 2. Here 's the Mystery of the Love of Christ 2 Cor. 5.14 the Apostle mentions the Love of Christ was a constraining Love to him which made him besides himself in the opinion of Men that is so zealous to magnify and set forth the Honour of Christ that he was accounted for this as a Mad-man But in what doth the love of Christ manifest it self In this that Christ died for those that were dead to raise them to life What death were they under A death of Sin Eph. 2.1 2. in which Estate they lived to themselves contrary to the will of God yet Christ died that they might live Eph. 2.6 raised with Christ and made to set together in Heavenly Places Well might this be a constraining love to the Apostle This see farther set forth Eph. 5.25 26. Husbands love your Wives as Christ loved his Church How did he love He gave himself for it that he might sanstify and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the word by washing of Water that is in Baptism a Sign and Seal of washing
by the blood of Christ and by the word that is of promise of free Justification by Christ and Sanctification to be received by Faith This is more plainly exprest Heb. 13.12 Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate Here is Love indeed Christ passing by and seeing us weltring in Blood cast out to the loathing our Persons having no loveliness nothing but Spots from the Crown of the Head c. and our defeâ—t being to be cast into Hell then Christ gave himself to redeem us by his own Blood to sanctify us by his Blood Thus you see here is a Mystery of Infinite Love of Divine Grace God herein appears to be rich in Mercy and that great Love wherewith he loved us Eph. 2.4 is made manifest 3. Herein is a Mystery of Vertue There is an Infinite Vertue in the Blood of Christ which in general is set forth by the Apostle 1 John 1.7 The Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin particularly there is a Vertue going upward expiating guilt and a Vertue going downwards taking away the guilt with the Power and Pollution of Sin out of our Nature 1. There is a Vertue going upward to the Father taking away the Guilt of Sin Quest. How could there be such an Infinite Power in the Blood of Christ Answ Because it was the Blood of him that was God the infiniteness and worth of the Person did derive an infinite worth and value to the Blood of Christ thereby his Blood became an infinite price proportionable to the guilt of Sin which was Infinite As Sin becomes of Infinite guilt from the infiniteness of the Object against whom it is committed so Sin is an Infinite Evil because committed against God an Infinite Good on the otherside satisfaction for an Offence hath its efficacy and worth from the dignity of the Person satisfying so satisfaction made by Christ the price of his Blood becomes of infinite value adequate to the guilt of Sin because the Person whose Blood was shed was Infinite You see how the Blood of Christ hath such an Infinite Vertue For the proof of it that there is such a Vertue see it Zach. 9.11 By the Blood of the Covenant I have sent forth thy Prisoners that is by the Blood of Christ who is called the Covenant Isa 42.6 that is as the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 as the following words a Light to the People seems to confirm from the Pit wherein is no water that is I have redeemed from under the Babylonish Captivity which was a Type of Spiritual Redemption and deliverance from that cursed estate a man is in by Sin Now how is this but by satisfying the Justice of God paying the price of Redemption unto God by whom a Sinner was cast into Prison Luk. 22.20 This Cup that is the Wine in this Cup is the New Testament or New Covenant that is a Seal of the Covenant in my Blood that is which is established in my Blood because thereby is the Remission of Sins and so a Person comes to have part in that Covenant In this see the Vertue of the Blood of Christ. In the Covenant lies all a Christians Happiness therein God is engaged to be his God not to remember Sin any more but to be his God All sufficient Now this is a Covenant in Blood that is that is established and confirmed in the Blood of Christ the Blood of Christ that satisfied Justice therein was a repairing of all that Injury which was done to God by the Sins of the Faithful so Justice hath nothing to plead against them and the Riches of Grace which are contained in the New Covenant are revealed to them and of right do belong to them So they come to lay claim to the Love of God and to that Eternal Inheritance prepared by Christ The Vertue of Christ's Blood as looking upwards is double 1. Satisfying Justice 2. Purchasing and Meriting Everlasting Life There is Redemption from Misery and the Purchasing an Inheritance both these are called Redemption Eph. 1.1 In whom we have Redemption that is the forgiveness of Sins ver 14. until the Redemption that is buying again and putting into actual Possession of that Inheritance The Blood of Christ redeems out of Misery inflicted by reason of Sin and redeems the Inheritance of Eternal Life which was lost by Sin Heb. 10.19 We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus that is by the Blood of Jesus the way to Heaven is opened for us 2. There is a Vertue going downwards taking away the Power and Pollution of Sin out of the Nature and the Guilt out of the Conscience 1. The Guilt of Sin out of the Conscience God Condemns a Sinner the Law condemns and so his own Conscience when convinced of Sin condemns also Now by the Blood of Christ God and the Law are satisfied and so a Sinner is acquitted in his own Conscience he is freed from a eondemning Heart 1 Joh. 3.21 If our Heart condemns us not c. 'T is the Application of the Blood of Christ that frees from this condemning Heart Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true Heart c. having our Hearts sprinkled from an Evil Conscience that is with the blood of Christ an Evil Conscience is an Accusing Conscience The sprinkling of the Blood of Christ that is a fiducial Application of it to a Convicted Conscience acquits it from all Accusations Horrors Fears c. 2. The Power and Pollution of Sin Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ purge your Consciences from dead works to serve the living God Which as it notes the purging of the Conscience in regard of the guilt of dead works that is dead Services dead Duties performed by Men dead in Sin so also it implies a purging of the Heart from the power of Sin as appears by that which follows to serve the Living God From the Blood of Christ applied to the Conscience a Vertue goes forth to the abating of the strength of Corruption and enabling it to serve the living God This see farther Rom. 6.2 How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein That is by Vertue of Christ's Death having therein a Fellowship with him the strength of Corruption comes to be abated ver 6. Our old Man is crucified with Christ c. Quest How is it that there is such a Vertue in Christ's Death and comes to be conveyed to us Answ 1. The proper and principal cause to which this work of mortification of Sin is attributed is the Spirit Rom. 8.13 If ye through the Spirit c. and ver 2. The Law of the Spirit of Life hath made me free c. That is the power and efficatious operation of the Spirit in me c. 2. The formal cause is our union with Christ and planting into him For hereby the Spirit of Christ the Righteousness Grace Merit Life of Christ
The Sorrow of the World worketh Death 2 Cor. 7.10 The sorrow of the World that is grieving more for Suffering than for Sin growing under the want of Temporals more than of Spirituals this is a weight it hinders desire after a Heavenly Life pressing on to Salvation this depresses the Spirit Godly Sorrow what carefulness it wrought what zeal what vehement desires c. Lay aside the weight of worldly sorrow 4. Sin Especially the easily besetting Sin Heb. 12.1 Who shall deliver me from the body of Death This is a weight in Paul's Spirit when I would do good evil is present there 's a Law in my Members c. Desire that Sin may be subdued look to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ to free you from the Law of Sin and Death especially the Lusts that are most prevalent that do most easily prevail that the Soul is usually overtaken with your Dalilah Herodias your Right Hand your Right Eye The following a Lust takes off the Heart from following after Knowledge c. 3. Run your Race with Patience that is first be not angry if the Blessing longed for be not presently bestowed be not like those that ask where is the promise of his coming Hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of God Lam. 3.26 All my appointed time will I wait till my change come Secondly Be not angry at the Crosses you meet with in the way of Salvation c. This was Israel's prevailing Sin whereby they vext the Spirit c. They could not with patience bear any Cross in the way to the Land flowing with Milk and Honey Satan and the World set themselves against the Heirs of Salvation that labour to work it out and with patience endure their buffetting There 's great reason for it for our light Afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more Exceeding and an Eternal weight of Glory Afflistion is not worthy to be compared with the Glory that is to be revealed Rom. 8.18 and 2 Cor. 4.17 Skin for Skin all that a Man hath will he give for his Life endures any thing parts with any thing rather than part with his Life He that will loose his Life shall find it loose Earth to find Heaven c. Psa 84. Going through the Vally of Baca a dry place make a Well this is a Well they going to God can satisfy themselves with his Law c. Thirdly Look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of Faith and Love c. The Author and Finisher of Grace and Glory Believe that he who is mighty to save will carry on the work to perfection The Jews had the Angel of God's presence with them to keep them and to drive out the Canaanites c. In a Wilderness he fed them with Bread from Heaven when they were ready to perish with tâ—irst he brought Honey out of the Rock c. When Sihon King of the Amorites and Og opposed them he slew those mighty Kings and he made a way through the Sea and Jordan Isa 63.9 The Angel of his presence saved them and in his Love and Pity redeemed them and bare them c. even thus Believers have the Angel of God's presence Christ Jesus c. He will bear in his Love and Pity as by his power as the tender hearted Mother bears her Child in her Arms Believers they have Christ to overcome their Spiritual Enemies Christ to feed them and supply them with Spiritual Nourishment Bread from Heaven and with water of Life giving by his Spirit so look to Christ as the Author and Finisher of Salvation As the Cloud and Smoak by day and the flaming fire by night c. was a sign of God's presence so God promises Isa 4.5 I will create on Mount Sion and her Assemblies a Cloud c. the shining of a flaming Fire Shining for Light to the Saints Flaming for Terror to the Enemies Christ will be as careful of Believers now as of the Jews of old believe that you have the Angel of his presence to conduct you to his presence and so hold fast your Confidence firm unto the end and you shall receive the end of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls Heb. 11.14 Christ is passed into Heaven as Priest he bare Sin on Earth but now he is entred without Sin Jesus the Son of God So hold fast your Profession Here 's an encouragement there 's no infirmities but Christ hath felt the like So then come boldly to the Throne of Grace by Faith go to the Throne of Grace in Heaven for Grace to help you to Heaven have Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven on a Throne of Grace fixed in Christ so shall you be drawn nearer and nearer to Heaven Section 10. With fear and trembling As the Gospel requires Men to set about a work of following Christ and of saving their Souls so it gives directions for the way and shews where strength is to be had c. Here you have a manifestation of the way and manner in which Salvation is to be wrought out Whence the Doctrine is Doct. 3. Salvation is to be wrought out with fear and trembling Whereas in the former Exhortation somewhat seemed to be ascribed to the Will and Power of Man as if he could do somewhat towards the perfecting of his Salvation This that the Apostle adds in these and the following words takes away all colour and ground of attributing any thing to Nature in this great work But shews it to be the sole work of God's Grace and Power in Christ And there being a glorious manifestation of God in this work revealed in the Hearts of Believers that 's a ground of fear and trembling Now for the opening of this point I shall shew what is not meant by Fear and Trembling 1. Not a slavish fear of Judgment The fear of Christians should be filial i. e. fear of dishonouring God should restrain from Sin not fear of being destroyed but an earnest desire of being accepted Not a dread of Vengeance should move you to walk in Holy and Gospel ways Christians should not be driven to seek Heaven meerly out of fear of Hell but drawn by the Glory of Heaven and Pleasures for evermore in the presence of God Not driven by fear of the wrath of the Lamb but drawn by the Cords of the Love of the Lamb. The fear of Christians should not be the fear of Slaves but the fear of Sons Not the fear of Cain Every one that findeth me shall slay me but the fear of Joseph Gen. 42.18 I fear God Exod. 20.20 When Israel feared because of the thunderings c. Moses said Fear not for God is come to prove you that his fear may be before your faces that you sin not Fear of Evils God doth not account his Fear his fear is not Sin Believers are set beyond the fears of Evil they have no ground to fear wrath and vengeance 'T is an Infirmity to do it
suffer Death for them the Spirit works to will and to do to consent to be saved by Christ to take Christ for Saviour and Lord and to believe in him as the Author of and to follow him as the Câ—â—tain of Salvation 2. There 's a most glorious manifestation of God in this work All God's works are God's manifestations they are his visible appearances and out-goings The Creation was the first manifestation of God The Heavens declare his Glory and ths Firmament shew his handy work Psa 19 1. Rom. 1. His eternal Power and Godhead is seen by the things that are made as 't is said of Christ Joh. 2.11 This beginning of Miracles he did and manifested forth his Glory The most glorious manifestation of God is in Christ the Word being made Flesh the fulness of the Godhead in him being made Flesh made Lord and King He has Love Power and Wisdom to set up his Kingdom and to make his Enemies his Foot-stool This is the greatness of Gods works Godman being made by this work that is the Union of God and Man in one Person the effect of this work The second Glorious Manifestation next to this is in saving Sinners by Christ He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that bâ—lieve A Manifestation of Power exceeding greatness of Power As great a work to save a Sinner as to raise Christ from the dead Of Wisdom in finding out a way to save Sinners so as that Justice might be satisfied and love be abundantly discovered an infinite Satisfaction an infinite Obedience and an infinite price to be paid Where should such be found Men were not able to give it Angels could not bring it The Son of God became Man and Mediator an infinite Person undertakes to lay â—down his Life and to yield Obedience and so an infinite Price is paid and infinite Obedience is yielded c. Here the Wisdom of God is most clearly seen And Lastly Here 's a most glorious discovery of Mercy and Grace he makes known the Riches of his Grace on the Vessels of Mercy When Sinners aâ—e Enemies and nothing lovely God loves the Elect so as to give Christ to taste Death for them and Christ loves not his Life to Death He that was in the form of God humbles himself and puts himself into the miserable condition of Sinners that he might translate them into his own Glorious Estate whom he will make like to himself and partakers with him of the Divine Nature and of all his Glorious Priviledges 3. This Glorious manifestation of God in the Soul cannot but work fear and trembling in it Fear will be the effect of the discoveries of God to the Creature There is so much Majesty Glory and Greatness in it that will awe the Heart of the Creature When God appears in the Glory of his Justice and Almighty Power Then the wicked shall fear The Kings and Captains c. shall cry to the Mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. And the discovery of the infinite goodness of God will work fear in the Hearts of the Saints they shall fear the Lord and his Goodness because his goodness is the goodness of God that is infinite and exceeding great goodness to sinful nothing Creatures The apprehension of this should work fear Hos 3.5 Section 12. Now this fear consists 1. In admiration of this Glory reveal'd Such Wisdom and Grace that if it be apprehended will raise the Soul in holy admiration of God David said he was fearfully and wonderfully made Psa 139.14 In respect of the excellent frame of the Body such variety of parts and so fitly composed therein may be seen so much of the Wisdom and Power of God as may make the Heart wonder and fear that God that made him so Persons that are sav'd are fearfully and wonderfully sav'd if it be reveal'd in the Soul how this work is undertaken and carried by the Trinity The Father loving from Eternity Christ dying in the fulness of time and the Spirit living and acting in the Soul making it his own Habitation Sinners become the Apple of God's Eye precious c. Christ's Members Joynt Heirs with Christ Sinners having access to God and are partakers of the Divine Nature What a fearful and wonderful thing is this So much favour shewn by God to a Sinner when there is so vast a disproportion betwixt him and God may well beget admiration When Saul said he would give David his Daughter to Wife 1 Sam. 18.18 He replys What am I What is my Life or my Father's Family in Israel that I should be Son in Law to the King The apprehension of the great disproportion betwixt him and Saul was the cause of his so much admiring at the favour that was shewn him so there is the greatest disproportion betwixt God and Sinners As Men and as Sinners As Men they are not so much as a drop to the Ocean And as Sinners as great as is between Light and Darkness c. That such Creatures should be comprehended in love and brought near to God c. What am I and what is my Life that I should be brought hitherto Deut. 28.58 Thou shalt fear this great and dreadful name the Lord thy God God that is Infinite Thy God that art a poor and inconsiderable Creature God that is so holy thy God that art so unholy God that is Just and will not clear the Guilty thy God that hasâ— so much abounded with Sin clearing thee of Guilt that hast so much abounded with Guilt This Name This is dreadful this is a wonderful and dreadful Manifestation of God As the Psalmist says They that know thy Name they will put their trust in thee So they that know this Name The Lord thy God will fear and tremble They cannot but admire at such Infinite Grace when the Son of God was made Man the Word made Flesh and Crown'd c. This was a dreadful Manifestation of God! There 's cause to admire at the Grace that was shewn to the humane Nature of Christ whence as the Apostle says Heb. 2.6 One testifies What is Man that thou art mindful of him c. Thou Crownest him with Glory and Honour And Christ himself is said to fear as Man So as Man he is most deeply sensible of and affected with the Grace shewn to the humane nature So a Believer may say What am I that God should be so mindful of me That he should visit me with Salvation-love That I that am the lowest and worst of Creatures fit for Hell and to be a Companion for Devils should be Co-Heir with Christ and partaker with him of all his Glory 2. In Humility The discovery of such Grace and Goodness will bring down high Imaginations and beget lowliness of Mind it will convince the Creature of its own emptiness and nothingness This hath been the effect of the appearance of God both to Men and Angels Isa 6.2 The
says a sinner must dye but what saith Paul He loved me and give himself for me out of love he made his Soul an offering for sin and now who shall condemn by which it appears that the power of his love to work out Salvation is beyond the power of sin to Destroy 2. The love of Christ towards the vessels of Mercy did abound beyond self-love The Law is to love our Neighbour as our selves Christ did more When Peter said Master pity thy self he was so great an offence to him that he calls him Satan He pitied Souls to be saved more than his Body and loved their lives even to his own Death And if the Jews had ground to say when he wept over Lazarus behold how he loved him much greater cause is there to say when Christ dyed for sinners behold how he loved them If the sheding of tears was so great a demonstration of his love what was this that he yielded his Blood should be shed 3. It abounds beyond all the wants and weaknesses of Saints It is not exhausted by what he hath done for them or bestowed on them as he hath the Residue of the Spirit so the Residue of Love and Grace even the fullness of it so as he accounted no suffering too great to undergo for them so no good thing too great to give them Heaven a Kingdom the fullness of Joy Holyness Light and Grace is not too much for his love to bestow we cannot have less to make us happy and 't is not more then his love can make us partakers of 2. The love of Christ is an abiding love he loves with an everlasting love here 's a love not to be quench'd with many waters which no floods of either Human or Diabolical or Divine wrath could Drown Having loved his own he loved them to the end John 13.1 that is the finishing of that work he had to do for them in the World and will to the end of his Mediatory work till he hath brought up all the Saints to the measure of the stature of his own fullness and when his love shall have brought him to this glorious end of his work in perfecting all the Saints and presenting them to the Father who shall be all in all and he shall have thus loved them to the end then he shall love them without end The Saints have then ground to comfort themselves with the abiding love of Christ If the World pass away if Riches come to nought c. yet the love of Christ doth not pass away and when there is so constant a hatred from the World and such abiding malice against the followers of Christ in evil men and evil Angels there is an abiding love of Christ to comfort them 3. The love of Christ was once a love fulfilling the Law and now is a love fufilling the Gospel it was once a love fulfilling Precepts and now is a love fulfilling Promises Rom. 13.10 Love is the fulfilling of the Law such was the love of Christ love brought him that was Lord of the Law under the Law and carried him through it even to perfect obedience â—is love made him say it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and by this there is Reconciliation and Peace with God and as it was once the fulfilling of the Law so now of the Gospel All the Promises are yea and Amen in Christ's love When Saints are unworthy of the good of the Promises the love of Christ will bestow it on them There are Promises of not remembring sin of giving Grace and Glory and every good thing of putting the Law in the mind of turning all to good of saving out of all troubles and love will fullfil them all the Gospel is the Testament and Will of Christ and there must be the Death of the Testator that the Will may be of force Now here we may take notice of this truth Christ dyed that his will may be of force and lives again to the Executor of his own will and his love is the fulfilling of it hence Christ promiseth to his Disciples I will not leave you Orphans I will come to you John 14.18 Christ being dead they were Orphans c. but happy were it for many poor Orphans if their Fatheâ—s could come again and set all things right and see that every Child should have his portion now although this cannot be yet it was so with Christ He arose from Death and will be the Executor of his own Will and hence he is called the everlasting Father having a Fatherly love and regard to all the Saints which is everlasting and which will perfect that which concerns them Saints are the travel of Christ's Soul and he must see the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 Rachel said give me Children or else I dye Christ said let me dye that so I may have Children Rachel dyed in travel and did not live to see of her travel Christ dyed in his travel with the vessels of Mercy and lives again to see of the travel of his Soul Every Saint at first was a Benoni a Son of Christ's sorrow in that he dyed in bringing them forth but afterwards a Benjamin a Son of his right hand he being alive for ever more and is ever seeing them to his satisfaction and they shall see him for ever to their satisfaction and living again he will see that they be partakers of that Grace and Glory that he bequeathed to them 4. The Love of Christ is such that when it finds not its Object lovely it can and doth make it lovely Christ found Mary Magdalen a sinful Woman and so not lovely but made her lovely in converting her Paul was an Enemy to Christ but he converted him his love made him lovely it made him a Believer a Saint a faithful Servant unto him This is set forth in Ezek. 16. Thou wast polluted in thy Blood I passed by thee and thy time was the time of love and love made them lovely I spread my skirts over thee I washed and clothed thee and decked thee with ornaments and thy beauty and renown was perfect through my comeliness put upon thee If we have cause to say as Isaiah wo is me a man of unclean lips If we abhor our selves and repent we may take comfort in this Christ doth not abhor but his love doth make us lovely 5. The love of Christ turns all evil things to good life death things present things to come all are yours the love of Christ makes them so and gives an advantagious and profitable propriety in them and makes even Reproaches for Christ's sake Riches and better then the Treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 Riches are things of worth so are Reproaches for Christ The Apostles rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ And better then Riches 1. In that God doth not esteem any man's wealth nor him for his wealth's sake will he esteem thy wealth Job 36.19
He will esteem thy Reproaches c. and thy parting with wealth for his sake 2. Better Riches in regard of better gain by them the gain of Grace Spiritual consolation of a Kingdom c. If sufferings for Christ abound consolations abound more 6. The love of Christ is every thing we need this is the Gold that will make us rich Money answers all things but 't is most true concerning the love of Christ 1 Cor. 15.28 That God may be all in all so he is in himself and by love he is all things to the Saints Christ's love is Grace and Glory and every good thing Jacob might well say to Esau I have all Gen. 33.11 So 't is in the Original because God said Jacob have I loved 7. The love of Christ is such that it will make him when glorified serve the Saints As their Duty is to serve one another in love so Christ doth this he did in his state of humiliation but how much more to be admired is this Luke 12.37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you he shall gird himself and come forth and serve them Here we may say as the Disciples when Christ said a little while and ye shall not see me and then a little while and you shall see me we know not what he saith we are not to understand it after a carnal manner Christ did serve his Disciples at his last Supper he feasted them with himself as Crucified and with the benefits of his Death In his Kingdom he shall feast them with his Glory and with himself as glorified in that he feasted them now with signs of himself in this with himself in sight shewing all his Riches and Glory to them John 16.14 Christ promising the Spirit said he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you this he doth in the conversion of a sinner shewing the Righteousness Merits Power and Wisdom and Love to his Saints but when Christ himself shall appear then he himself shall shew them all that he is and hath here is my righteousness the price and value of my Blood her 's my Love and Grace her 's my Glory He kept the Passover with his Disciples feasting them with the benefits of his Death in a large upper-room furnished c. Heaven is indeed the large upper-room furnished there Christ is feasting the Spirits of just men made perfect with the Glory of his Life he shall shew his Glory as having the fulness of the Godhead in him as the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth as a Prince and Saviour as a Bridegroom Joseph said to his Brethren ye shall tell my Father of my Glory in Egypt Christ shall when he appears tell the Saints of all his Glory in Heaven and let them see and hear that which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard c. as Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadors of the King of Babylon the House of his precious things and there was nothing of worth which he shewed not unto them This is the Entertainment that Christ will give c. What encouragement is this to be found in those duties to which this Promise is made That is Seek the Kingdom of God give Alms lay up Treasures in Heaven let your Loins be girt Lamps burning be like men waiting for their Lord This is farther set forth Math. 26.29 I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine until I drink it new with you c. Quest What is that Wine Answ Contraries illustrate one another now in Rev. 14.10 there is mention of the Wine of Wrath without mixture as the portion of the wicked on the other side then the Wine of Love without mixture is the portion of the Saints Pure Wrath is the portion of the Ungodly pure love the portion of the Godly Evil without mixture of good is the portion of the Wicked Good without mixture of Evil shall be given to the Saints Wicked men shall not have so much as a drop of Water to cool their Tongues Saints not so much as a spark of Fire to torment them Thus we see what Riches of Love there are in Christ which we should be careful not to despise nor abuse by indulging our selves in any evil way because we hear of such Riches of Love If any shall turn Grace into Lasciviousness they may know that there is fury that shall smoke against such Behold the goodness and severity of God goodness to such as continue in his goodness but severity to such as abuse his goodness as who knows the Power of his Love so who knows the Power of his Wrath His Love is above our Faith and his Wrath above our Fear Learn then to love Christ because he loves to live to him because he loves please him serve him deny our selves take his Yoke because he loves and take heed we do not that abominable thing which he hates take heed of that abominable thing Covetousness of that abominable thing Pride Lying Deceit Hypocrisy Lukewarmness and remember that he that loves Saints so much hates sin as much and he looks that those whom he loves should love him and hate the thing that is Evil. CHAP. IV. 2. THere are in Christ Riches of Righteousness Rom. 5.17 They which receive abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness Abundance relates to both there is abundance of Grace giving and abundance of Righteousness given there is uncreated Righteousness in Christ as God which is Infinite Perfect Unchangeable so there is Riches of it and no Iniquity in him Christ may challenge all as God did the Jews what Iniquity have your Fathers found in me Jer. 2.5 There is also the Righteousness of Christ as Mediator which is twofold 1. In his works for Men. 2. In his works towards Men. First In his works for Men being a surety and representative undertaking to fulfil that Righteousness for them which they could not for themselves that hereby he might reconcile them to God and make them stand as just in his sight Here consider 1. Christ's Righteousness fulfilled for the Elect is a full and compleat Righteousness Christ taking the form of a Servant did fulfil the Law both for matter and manner substance and circumstances The Law requires not more active and passive Obedience than Christ yielded The Law is exceeding broad Christ's Righteousness as broad as that The Law was Spiritual so was Christ's Obedience Sin was infinite in Evil because committed against an infinite Person Christ's Righteousness had infinite good in it infinite Glory because fulfilled by an infinite Person who obeying was Equal with the Person commanding Obedience and demanding satisfaction for man's disobedience so that here are Riches of Righteousness Paul had good reason to be found in it What a glorious change is wrought by its imputation it makes a sinner a righteous Person By the Obedience of one many shall be made Righteous 2. It 's
last must their Souls be brought The Kingdom of Christ is the wealthy Place Into that the Church at last shall be brought The Israelites had great Afflictions in Egypt and were led through the Water of the Red Sea and through Fire afterwards the burning at Taberah the stinging of the fiery Serpents and at last were brought into Canaan the wealthy Place were they enjoyed Vineyards they planted not Houses they built not so the Church is under hard bondage in Egypt Spiritually so called and that may have great Tryals in the Wilderness but at last it must enter into that Rest that remains and that wealthy place prepared for it or moist well watered Land as the words import or into a Refreshing as the Greek hath it Suitable to this the Apostle speaks Of times of refreshing from the presenee of the Lord Act. 3.19 After these sore afflicting times under the Reign of that Man of Sin shall be times of most sweet and abundant refreshing from the presence of the Lord when he shall consume Antichrist with the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him by the brightness of his coming and so make the Kingdoms of the World his own Kingdom 4. See that you have a true right to those true Riches you must have Christ that you may have his Riches he that hath the Son hath life 1 Joh. 5.12 he that hath Christ hath his Riches you must be in Covenant have the Lord for your God be his People and all is yours ye are Christ's 1 Cor. 3.22 23. you must have Christ as Saviour and Lord and Christ must have you to be his Servants and Followers to be his Spouse and Members do not content your selves with a Thought and Opinion that his Riches are yours but see that it be so indeed Laodicea thought her self to be Rich but was Poor as worldly Mens inward thoughts are as Psa 49.11 that their Houses shall continue and so the inward thoughts of some are that they have an Interest in the Riches of Christ when they are none of theirs as he that getteth Riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his Days and in the end shall be a Fool Jer. 17.11 So he that thinks he hath Christ's Riches and hath them not indeed in the end shall be a Fool Math. 13.12 From him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath he that hath a Name and not the thing a Name to live to be rich in having Christ and is dead and without Christ indeed shall have his Name taken away He that hath a form of Godliness and not the Power shall have the form taken away He that hath Gifts and not Grace shall have his Gifts taken from him he that hath a Lamp and not Oyle shall have his Lamp taken from him as 't is said concerning Judas his Bishoprick let another take it but on the other side to him that hath shall be given He that indeed is partaker of the Unsearchable Riches of Christ shall then have them more yea more abundantly The End of the First Discourse THE SECOND DISCOURSE OF Knowing CHRIST Crucified 1. CORINTHIANS ij.ij. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified THere were two sorts of men that took offence at Paul's Preaching Jews and Greeks as appears in Chap. 1.22 1. Jews The Preaching of Christ Crucified was to them a stumbling block they dreamt that the Messiah should abide always John 12. â—4 and never die or be crucified they expected a Messiah that should restore the Kingdom to Israel and that which was to be understood mainly in a Spiritual sense they understood carnally of outward and mundane Peace and Glory They that had such high and large expectations of temporal felicity would not believe in a Crucified Messias that Life Salvation Eternal Glory and an everlasting Kingdom should spring from a Cross from a cursed death upon it their vailed understandings and carnal hearts could not be perswaded of They expected likewise some visible convincing Sign to Evidence to all the World that he was the Messias without which they will not believe Chap. 1.2 The Jews require a Sign 2. Greeks who were Philosophers Disputers of this World had wise and subtil heads these Greeks seek after Wisdom they apprehended there was no wisdom in Paul's Preaching Chrâ—st Crucified 1. Because he did not speak Reason they deemed it commendable wisdom to deny assent to that which was not made apparent by Arguments clearing it to Mens Reason Paul Preached naked Truths only upon the Testimony and Authority of God Now as Thomas would not believe unless he did feel so will not these Greeks unless these Truths be evidenced to Reason The Jews seek after a Sign the Greeks after a Convincing Reason The Jew will have it made evident to his Sense by a Miracle the Greek by a sound Argument to his Reason that Christ Crucified is the Saviour of the World so Natural Reason and Carnal Wisdom is made the rule and standard for the proof and trial of Divine Truths 2. They dislike his manner of Preaching 't was not sufficiently adorn'd with Wit and Eloquence the Truths that he Preached were not set before them in a comely dress they conceived both wisdom of Matter and wisdom of words to be wanting Truths of God Soul saving Truths are rejected because they were not delivered in enticing words of Man's Wisdom here 's the ground of the Offence To these groundless grounds of Offence the Apostle replies by urging his Commission given by Christ his Practice grounded on and conformed to that Commission and the Reasons why such a Commission was given him 1. He shews his Commission Chap. 1.17 Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach not with wisdom of words c. not to Baptize c that is this was not my principal work that he set me about but to Preach which is the greater and more noble work Verbum est vis Sacramenti Preaching is the means to beget Life Sacraments do but seal and confirm what is begotten the Church may sometimes subsist without the Administration of Sacraments for a time as the Jews in the Wilderness but not without the Preaching of the word though Hypocrites are of a contrary mind herein if they have Sacraments administred and their ordinary Service kept up no matter how little preaching there be but says Paul Christ sent me not to Baptize that is to Baptize and not to Preach or to Baptize as my chief and principal work but to Preach and that not with wisdom of Words His Commission was not to go and preach wisdom of words or to go in the strength of natural Wisdom or rational Arguments to convince their Judgments or with enticing words of mans wisdom with well-set Sentences and Eloquent Phrases to move their Affections but declare plain and naked Truths set Christ Jesus before them as Crucified urge the Testimony and Authority
Paul apprehended this to add a great deal of worth and esteem to the knowledge of Christ that he was Crucified it being of absolute necessity to Salvation that Christ must be apprehended and believed in under this notion and when he speaks of the Knowledge of Christ crucified he means not only the History of Christ Crucified that he suffered under Pontius Pilate c. but the mystery of the Cross the former many may know and yet be Ignorant of the latter but this is the life and excellency of this knowledge to know the Mystery c that is the Eternal Wisdom and Goodness of God in ordaining such a way for the Redemption of lost Man the great love of Christ the infinite satisfaction made the vertue of the death of Christ the glorious Conquest he made c. Some Observations I shall raise and touch at and pass by and then come to the main point to be insisted on From that word I determined observe that Doct. 1. A Minister of the Gospel ought to put on a fixed and setled Resolution to go through with his work of Preaching the Gospel be the work never so great difficulties many oppositions mighty he must resolve to go through with it 't is said of Ruth Chap. 1.18 She did stedfastly set her self c. or she strengthned her self a fixed Resolution is a strengthning and fortifying a man's self before hand against difficulties and oppositions the more Resolution the more strength for the work A Minister must imitate Christ his Master Luk. 9.51 He did stedfastly set his Face to go to Jerusalem I shall not insist on this only shew what is required to the making of a Resolution that it may be a strengthening to a Man 1. It must be a Resolution of Faith grounded on Faith 1. That God calls and sends a man Judg. 6.14 God says to Gideon go in thiâ— thy night have not I sent thee God's call and mission was his Strength upon this he may safely resolve and undertake the work and fear no terrors God's Mission is our might be assured of a divine Call and then you may resolve to undertake the work And 2. A continued dependance on God for strength God's sending at first is not enough to carry a man through but he must renew his strength rely on God for actual supplies and in this Faith fix a Resolution and say not by power or might but by the might of the Spirit of God going along and assisting in the work 2. It must be a Resolution of Sanctifying God's Name and Glorifying him This must be the aim and drift a Resolution to help to pluck Men out of the fire to build up the Spiritual House and inlarge Christ's Kingdom Use Proportionably hereto must fix your Resolutions to Hear Believe and Imbrace the Word you must determine to walk by it strengthen your selves with believing Resolutions 1 Laying hold on the strength of Christ to enable you to make good your Resolutions and say I can do nothing without strength from Christ I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me 2. The aim in your Resolutions must be to glorify God the end of Hearing of Worship and Profession must be to magnify Christ to hold out his Name and Honour in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation then resolve such Resolutions will be your strength you must not be half Perswaded with Agrippa but altogether resolved to be such as Paul a Zealous Doer and Patient Sufferer for Christ to follow Christ according to the Gospel as Ministers must have fixed Resolutions to Preach so you to live in the way of the Gospel Not to know any 1. Paul was not like some others who Preached with Excellency of Speech and Wisdom to publish their Gifts rather than to make known Christ but I determined not to know any thing save Jesus Christ and him Crucified Doct. 2. The aim of a Minister of Christ must not be to Preach himself or to purchase himself applause His aim must not be to bring himself but Christ into esteem with a People he must not make a vain ostentation of his own Gifts but hold out the Graces of Christ not his Wit but Christ's incomparable Worth not to magnify his own parts but the Power of Jesus Christ he must take Paul for his Pattern 2 Cor. 12.16 Not make a gain of the People but labour to gain them to Christ by shewing them that Christ is the greatest gain 2. He must spend himself for the Peoples Souls ver 15. I 'll gladly be sent for you the Greek is for your Souls his Peoples Souls must be more precious then his own Body 3. He must love abundantly though smal retribution for love though he be less loved because of the manifestation of his love v. 15. 4. He must bewail those that sin any do not repent v. 21. so that all must be to perswade a People over to Jesus Christ and to imbrace the Gospel proportionably must you carry your selves that is you must profess your Selves to be the Servants of Christ not to get esteem to your selves but to Christ that he may be magnified by you not that you may be like the Giants of old Men of Renown but that Christ may in and by you have greater Honour and Renown by your Holy Christian Conversateon and Godliness But Jesus Christ although the Preaching of the Cross was accounted foolishness Doct. 3. A Minister must resolve to Preach Christ although he be accounted a Fool for his labour He must account the Preaching of Christ a most precious Service although the World account it foolishness because 't is both the Wisdom of God which the World accounts foolishness and the Power of God which it judges weakness Proportionably hereto Although the World may esteem diligence to hear the Word Preached Foolishness and a needless labour yet you must not be ashamed although the world may reproach you for preciseness in the ways of Christ and zeal in the cause of Christ yet after that way which they account foolishness you must Worship God and Honour Jesus Christ which is the way that leads to Life and Salvation Not to know c. knowing is put for making known that Paul accounts himself to know which he is careful to make known Doct. 4. Then a Man may be said truly to know Christ himself when he labours to make him known to others they are knowing Men that communicate what they know This were a Point very profitable to be handled but I shall have occasion to make use of it in the main point and so shall say the less of it now 1. God doth not account you to know what you do not communicate you are in his account ignorant Persons that labour not to Instruct the Ignorant in what you know for the Gift of Knowledge that you have is given to profit withal that you may be Eyes to the Blind Christ says that he knew not the
told this in the City and they went out to see him but I can tell you greater things behold a Jesus that will save you if you come to him from all things that you have wickedly done will it not be worth your study and pains to know him If you should hear of a Physician able in cure you of all Diseases what flocking would there be to him would you not all desire acquaintance with him such an one is Christ he is able to cure you of your worst Diseases to heal all your Soul Infirmities and save you to the utmost certainly he is a Person worth the knowing 5. The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 with chap. 33.16 He that will be for a Wedding Garment to you he that spreads his Banner of love and casts the Mantle of his own Righteousness to cover your nakedness to hide your Deformities that so the Lord may not see Iniquity in Jacob that he may look on you as comely through his beauty put on you surely there can be nothing more precious to a Self-condemning Sinner than to know this Name The Lord my Righteousness that shelters me from wrath and tâ—at renders me accepted with God Isa 23.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick they shall be forgiven their Iniquities their Righteousness is of me The knowledge therefore of this name of Christ cures the Soul of its Sicknesses of all its discomforts and sadness and fills it with consolation so is most precious 3. In Relation to his Church so he is Head thereof Col. 1.18 He is the head of the body such a head as the Husband is to the Wife Eph. 5.25 so he loveth his Church with his choicest and most tender love he nourisheth and cherisheth his Church v. 29. he takes care to provide for and preserve his Church This Relation is most sweetly set forth in the book of Cant. Chap. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse c. thou hast taken away my heart Christ's Heart is wholly taken up with his Church none else have his heart and from these sweet Manifestations of the love of Christ and of the incomperable Excellencies of Christ which the Church contemplates on Chap. 5.10 c. She concludes at last v. 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely thus she hence concludes as the Apostle Non Eximium duxi c. there is none whose Graces are so excellent whose Love is so burning whose Beauties are so shining whose Dignities so high none that hath all Power all Fulness as Christ therefore I determine not to knâ—w any thing among you save Jesus Christ c. Again such a head he is as the natural head in the body that is the Fountain of Sense and Motion there is the Understanding and Knowledge seated there is the light of the body by it all nourishment is conveyed into the body now such a head is Christ in him dwells all Fulness he hath the Spirit he hath Life in himself he hath Wisdom to inform and instruct to make us wise to Salvation he hath Righteousness to Justify Grace to Sanctify c. so all Spiritual Good Peace Life Grace is treasured up in him how excellent then must the knowledge of him be 4. Consider him in his Offices And so he is 1. A King all power is given him to save his Church and to subdue his Enemies he hath power to save and destroy to give Life and to take it away to raise up to Heaven and to cast down to Hell a King full of Might King of Kings that is able to cast down all Kings that do oppose him to bruise them with a Rod c. for he shall overthrow all the Kingdoms that will not set his Throne to be established amongst them full of Might to save his Members of weak he makes them mighty even him that is feeble mighty as David and the House of David as God as the Angel of the Lord before them thus Christ is a Glorious King Now of all the Persons in a Kingdom the People desires to know the King and Christ being the greatest King it must needs be the most excellent Knowledge to know him as such 2. As Prophet He is that Prophet the Inspirer of all other Prophets The Woman of Samaria apprehended a great deal of Excellency in this that Christ could tell all that she had done but he was a Prophet that knew and could make known far greater things he knew not only what Men had done and what was in their Hearts but what God had done all his works are open to him because what the Father wrought he wrought and all that was in the Fathers heart his eternal saving Purposes his Good Will towards Men his Righteous Decrees Christ knew all For he is in the bosom of the Father as Son of God and knows all things he is the word of God he is that Prophet to make known to Men the gracious Purposes of the Father Joh. 1.18 He is the Lord which teacheth to Profit and tells how Men may be saved he makes known the things belonging to our everlasting Peace is not he worth the knowing above all 3. As Priest humbling himself and becoming obedient to Death Offering himself without Spot to God to take away Sin by one Sacrifice of himself he bare our Griefs and received our Stripes He remains still a merciful high Priest that hath compassion on our Infirmities and knows how to succour them and all this out of meer Love and free Grace Now the Knowledge of Love that is most sweet the knowledge of the greatest Love is the best Knowledge 2. Consider the Effects of this Knowledge further to shew its Excellency And these are 1. Justification and Peace with God This Knowledge of Jesus Christ surpasseth all other Knowledge because this produceth that Peace which passeth all Understanding It begets Peace in the Understanding quiets it against all perplexing doubts that arisâ— from the knowledge of Sin and apprehension oâ— wrath it acquits from Self-condemnation and accusations It satisfies the will and begets a complacency it is well pleased upon the knowledge of Christ and closing in with him in whom God is well pleased It allays all Storms and Tempests of Fears Griefs c. raised by the Conscience that is awakned to see its Sinful and Cursed condition It saith to all diâ—quieting Affections Peace be still thus this Knowledge begets Peace in the Understanding and Will Affections a calmed Spirit a Peace 't is that satisfies nay 't is a Peace that more than satisfies it surpasseth Knowledge it exceeds thoughts it goes beyond desires it passes all and that because Christ is Prince of Peace that is that none hath power to Command to make Peace to give Peace to a Sinner He alone hath power of Life and Death of forgiving and Retaining Sin He makes Peace by the Blood of his Cross dies to make Peace that he might satisfy Divine
others in the World as Nobleness of Birth Breeding Beauty Honour Riches not to prefer him as better before God by these So know not Christ according to the Flesh that is do not look upon him in his outward condition in his fleshly Priviledges or external meanesses if so Christ will either be utterly contemned or esteemed only according to his Inferiour Excellencies which will not advance him in your esteem above other men 1. Look not on Christ in his outward meanness and lowness of his condition in respect of which there was no Beauty or comeliness for which he should he desired In his Birth he was mean a Carpenters Son as the Jews said this was a stumbling block to the Jews What was in him to win their respects or that he should be esteemed the Redeemer of Israel What to perswade a Man to Worship him What to be a motive and ground for Faith to be fix'd on him What to perswade a Man to forsake all to follow him What to take off the affections from all other objects and to unite them to him There is no outward appearance of such transcendent Glory and Excellency to beget a transcendency in their esteem of and affection to him This is true when Christ is known after the Flesh when you Judge carnally of him and look on him only with a worldly Eye Especially too when men consider that this is the condition of Christ's Members who outwardly for the most part are in a mean condition hated and Persecuted and kept under in the World There is no Excellency in the Knowledge of Christ if he be only known after the Flesh therefore you must labour to have your understanding and your hearts spiritualized refined from all carnal conceits and respects Look on Christ with a new and spiritual Eye and so the Apostle adds v. 17. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature If any Man would know Christ aright and be in him let him become a new creature his understanding his heart must be new made of a carnal one it must be made spiritual and learn to judge of things in a spiritual way and to see the spiritualness of Christ and divine Excellency through all his carnal and outward appearances In his natural Birth look through and see his Eternal Generation not to be declared through his swadling cloths see him Glorious in his Apparel deckt with Majesty and Honour which the Wisemen saw and fell down and Worshipped him In his Humiliation see him making way for his Members exaltation in his becoming mean see him labouring to bring many Sons to Glory working Salvation in his Sufferings taking away sin by being Sacrificed laying a foundation of Eternal Life in his Death And rising and ascending let your hearts be raised after him Now know him no more after the Flesh but consider him now as highly Exalted Crowned with Glory and Honour set down on at the Right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty on high Have high thoughts of Christ answerable to his Highness Have Spiritual and Glorious thoughts of Christ answerable to his Spirituality and Glory look on him as King of Righteousness and King of Peace According to that 2 Cor. 10.5 There must be a casting down of imaginations and every high thing c. that is because of Christ's visible and outward meaness and worthlesness there be many things in the World that get above Christ and have the upper-hand of Christ Mens imaginations and reasonings they are to throw down Christ to depresse and undervalue him and to set up worldly greatness honour riches above Christ What is to be done now You must lay aside carnal weapons that is carnal imaginations and fleshly reasonings which are as a high Wall standing up betwixt Christ and the Soul and keeping out the true Knowledge of Christ Jer. 4.19 there is mention made of the Walls of the Heart which the Septuagint renders the Senses The Senses the Carnal Imaginations are a Wall which hinders the letting in of Christ now this Wall must be broken down that the Spiritual Excellences of Christ may shine in upon the Soul Math. 16.17 and every Thought must be brought into Captivity to Christ that is all high Thoughts you have of the Excellency of Worldly things must be made to stoop to Christ you must acknowledge him infinitely to surpass all in Excellency Thus let 's look not on Christ according to the Flesh in his outward meaness to undervalue him 2. Look not on Christ after the Flesh that is let not your apprehension of any thing that is outward and carnal in Christ be the ground of your esteem of him Let not this be the main motive to invite you to him As to Instance that you may the better understand 't is said of Herod that he heard of the same of Jesus therefore when Luk. 23.8 he was brought to him he was glad being desirous to see him having heard many things of him Christ had a great Fame in the World he was much talked off so he desired to see him many now hear many things Christ is Preached and much talked off there goes a great Fame of him and this is some Mens ground of coming to hear the Word and Profession they make of being the Followers of Christ This is to know and esteem Christ after the Flesh but now you should not do so all this while you come not up to see Christ in his Glory and to behold him in his Chiefest Excellency Herod was upon the Fame Christ had desirous to see Christ and exceeding glad when he saw him yet what follows ver 11. Herod with his Men of War set him at naught and mocked him and Arrayed him in a gorgeous Robe and sent him to Pilate If on this ground you esteem Christ because he hath a Fame in the World and many follow after him if the World set against Christ you will do as Herod did c. you will set him at naught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he accounted him as no body so if your esteem of Christ be grounded upon his inferior Excellencies only and on some fleshly respects you do not esteem Christ as any thing Others there were that followed Christ because of the Loaves they knew Christ according to the Flesh and many do still follow him for advantage to gain Esteem and Credit to be freed from Misery that they may not go into Condemnation all this is to know Christ after the Flesh and if so when occasion is given you will leave Christ you will slight him and set him at naught nay you will turn Enemies to him and mock him See then that outward and carnal respects be not the main Motive inviting you to Christ and raising your esteem of him Quest But you will say How must we know him then what is it that we must look on to raise our esteem of Christ into a transcendency Answ Know him as Isaiah did Chap. 9.6 To
becomes ours Rom. 6. If we have been planted together with him c. The Death of Christ hath a Vertue to destroy Sin as it makes way for the Spirit of Christ to enter into a Sinner to destroy Sin The Death of Christ opens a way to the Throne of Grace for a Sinner he hath boldness by the Blood of Christ c. Because hereby Justice is satisfied and a Sinner is brought into favour with God and by this taking away of the guilt of Sin that which did seperate betwixt God and us is taken away that which did hinder the Spirit from entring into a Man is removed and so as by the death of Christ a way is made into Heaven for a Sinner so by it a way is made for the Spirit of God into the Heart to reign and rule there Rom. 6.6 2. There is a Vertue of the Death of Christ going downward which draws Believers into a Fellowship with Christ in his Sufferings The Death of Christ is a cause of a double mortification 1. Inward that is of Sin 2. Outward in regard of Sufferings called Deaths 2 Cor 11.23 This is by being planted with Christ in the likeness of his Death that is to dye to Sin as he died for Sin and to suffer Afflictions and Persecutions with him Christ being the Head Believers his Members by dying he draws his Members into a conformity with himself to suffer with him so that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 'T is as it were essential to them their Suffering arise from Christ's Death Now although Sufferings in themselves be bitter yet considering them as arising from his Death whence there is a Vertue that makes us to have Fellowship with him in Sufferings so is there sweetness in Sufferings In respect of this Paul did account all things Loss and Dung so he might win Christ and be found in Christ and know the Vertue of Christ's Resurrection and Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable unto his Death Phil. 3.10 Because he could look on his Sufferings as having in them Fellowship with Christ's Sufferings as being made conformable to Christ's Death Now the comfort and sweetness arises from two Grounds 1. The cause of Christ 's and his Members Sufferings therein they have Fellowship and Conformity 'T was for Christ's good works that the Jews Persecuted him so wicked men Persecute the Saints because their own works are evil theirs good It was because Christ preached and proclaimed himself to be the Son of God and Redeemer that he was Persecuted so because his Members believe in Christ and obey him as the Son of God and Saviour of the World because they set him up as Lord and King wicked men oppose them His Accusation written on the Cross was This is the King of the Jews like unto which is yours who follow him 2. The end of Christ's and his Members Sufferings are the same therein is a Fellowship Christ was made perfect through Sufferings Heb. 2.10 And it as well behoves these Sons he brings into Glory as Christ himself to be made perfect through Sufferings Christ by suffering of Death was Crowned with Glory and Honour so are his Members Suffering with him they Reign with him 2. There is a Vertue in Christ's Death to overcome all his own and his Churches Enemies 1. Death the last Enemy is overcome by Death Hos 13.14 O Death I will be thy Death that was by dying By his Death Believers are delivered from Death this is a Mystery indeed that Death overcomes Death 2 The Devil Heb. 2.14 By Death he overcame him that had the power of Death By that he overcame the Devil by which the Devil thought he had overcome him In overcoming he was overcome This was by Death he ransomed the Elect payed a price and rising again actually put Satan to the worst Use 1. Reproof 1. Of those that are Enemies to the Cross of Christ And that 1. In Opinion Who look on Christ on the Cross as the Jews a Malefactor that think he was justly hanged on the Cross but it may be only those that are open and profest Enemies of Christ are guilty of this not any that bare the Name of Christians but many such to be reproved for slighting and contemning the Cross of Christ like those Greeks 1 Cor. 1.23 to whom the preaching of Christ crucified was but foolishness They are Ignorant of the Mystery they discern not the Wisdom of God and the Love of Christ the infinite Vertue of his Death But as those Heb. 10.29 The Apostle speaks of that count the Blood of the Covenant an unholy thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common blood no other than the Blood of an ordinary man not precious Blood not Sin-destroying Satan-conquering Soul-saving Blood not Hell shutting Heaven opening Blood I fear such are the private esteems and secret undervaluing of the Blood of Christ by too many whatever outward Profession they make And indeed it is too evident to be so 1. When men esteem no more the Preaching of the Cross c. when that word by which Christ Crucified is set forth meets not with Faith to mix with it with obedient Hearts to submit to it Certainly they are most unworthy of the great benefits of the death of Christ that have unworthy thoughts of Christ crucified 2. In Practice some in a higher degree more open and manifest as those the Apostle complains of Phil. 3.18 Many walk of whom I tell you weeping 't is a most sad thing which pierces a Godly Heart that they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ to Christ crucified How are they described 1 Whose God is their Belly That is that make it all their business to satisfy their fleshly desires to take their fill of Earthly Pleasures that serve not the Lord Christ but their own Bellies Rom. 16.18 Such as are Voluptuous Persons that take care only to satisfy carnal Appetites Drunkards that abuse the Creature to riot and excess these are like prophane Esau that for one morsel of Meat sold his Birth-right So these for one Earthly Pleasure for wine or strong drink sell the precious Blood of Christ. If thou art such a one if a Drunkard c. I must tell thee thou art an Enemy to the Cross of Christ. 2. Whose Glory is their shame who glory in that which is their greatest shame that is who boast themselves to do wickedly are ashamed of the Cross of Christ but not ashamed to commit Sin Some are grown to such a height in Sinning as to be shameless and Impudent they are open and profest Enemies to the Cross of Christ 3. Who mind Earthly things Those to whom earthly thing are great things the desire of their Souls and delight of their Eye that could be contented with the World for their Portion and would remain on this side Jordan in a word who mind Earthly things more than Heavenly Ah! wretched men are such they are Enemies
to the Cross of Christ. 4. And lastly Those that do in some sort prize the Blood of Christ but not according to its full value that come not up to account it precious in all its excellent Effects .. As such as prize it as crucifying wrath taking away guilt overcoming Death and Hell but not as purifying the Conscience not as washing from the Pollution of Sin not as destroying the reigning power of Sin You must know that if you prize it not according to its full value you do absolutely undervalue it you are Enemies to the Cross of Christ and if so I must declare what the Scripture says 1 Cor. 1.18 The Preaching of the Cross is to them that perish Foolishness If it be foolishness to you it will be your destruction You perish that do not prize it So for those that are Enemies to the Cross of Christ in practice of you the same Apostle says Phil. 3.19 Whose end is destruction Use 2. Exhort 1. Be not ashamed of Christ Crucified 1. To Believe in him This should be no stumbling to your Faith to hinder your believing but the greatest motive to believe This is the Formalis Ratio of justfying Faith Faith could not be justifying if it did not look on Christ as dying therefore be not ashamed of the Cross of Christ If Christ had not humbled himself and became obedient unto Death we could not have been exalted 't was by his Death alone that we could be freed from Death 2. Be not ashamed to profess Christ Crucified to fall down and worship Christ crucified The four Beasts and twenty four Elders Rev. 5.8 fell down before the Lamb they consider him as a Lamb that is as he was crucified and for this they account him worthy to receive Power Honour c. and ver 9 12. 3. And do you really manifest this by not being ashamed to suffer for Christ and to bear his Cross with him if Christ call you to suffer rejoyce with the Apostle Paul to fill up that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ Col. 1 24. That is those Sufferings of Christ which he is to suffer in Corpâ—re Mystico not in Corpore proprio As there was a most glorious design which the Father had laid to bring to pass by Christ's Death so there is a most gracious Design which God hath to bring to pass by your Suffering for Christ Hereby Christ shall be magnified by a glorious Testimony that you shall give to him sealing the Dignity Honour Truth and Worth of Christ by your Suffering hereby others shall be won to Christ and incouraged to believe in him and to profess him your Sufferings will be a support to others Faith hereby your Selves shall be much benefited you have Fellowship with Christ in regard of the cause you suffer in an honourable cause as he did and in regard of the end c And to stir you up to suffer there can be no greater motive than love and the love of Christ is the greatest Love Paul Preached Christ Crucified among the Gentiles Chap. 3.1 which wrought so much upon them that their Hearts were extraordinarily inflamed with love to Paul Gal. 4.14 15. That they receive him as an Angel and were ready to have plucked out their Eyes c. how much more should our hearts be inflamed with love to Christ who was crucified who laid down his Life Be content to lay aside your Honour for Christ's sake he emptied himself Be contented to part with Riches he became poor c. Be content to lay down your lives he was that good Shepherd that laid down his Life c. and in washing his Disciples Feet he sa d I have given you an Example c. so we may say of his Death he gave an Example c. 1 Pet. 2.21 1 Joh. 3.16 Quest But how must we Suffer that we may have fellowship with Christ and follow him as our Example Answ 1. There are some things in Christ's Sufferings wherein we must not imitate him As he suffered to make satisfaction to God for the Offences of Men his Death was a propitiatory Sacrifice whereby the wrath of God towards Sinners was appeased You must not think that your Suffering for standing in the Defence of Religion and the Honour of God shall be available for such an end To suffer Martyrdom for Christ cannot take away the guilt of the least Sin your own blood-shed in the cause of God cannot wash you from any Sin this cannot free you from Eternal Punishment As the Apostle says concerning Charity 1 Cor. 13.3 Though I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profiteh me nothing so it profiteth nothing as touching the taking away of Sin freeing from Condemnation for Sin appeasing Wrath or satisfying Divine Justice that you suffer the loss of all things even of Life it self in standing for the Honour of God You must not think that this doth merit the least degree of Glory If there be different degrees of Glory that those that suffer most and do most for God have most Glory yet this is not because 't is merited but because God freely bestows more on one then on another however the thing is not certain but controverted so that in this Chris t is not to be imitated we must not make our Sufferings our Saviours Christ's Death cuts off such a Fellowship and this were a great injury done to Christ to think our Sufferings available to satisfy for our Sin or merit favour 2. Some things there are in his Sufferings imitable for us wherein we must have Fellowship c. 1. The Cause 2. Mind c. his willingness before his Sufferings and patience under Suffering 1. The Cause therein have Fellowship with him and herein I mean the Cause why the Jews did put him to death and not the reason and cause why God did deliver him to death for in that we have not fellowship with him the reasons why God gave his natural Son to suffer and why he calls his adopted Son to suffer are not the same for the main As Christ was given to be a surety for Sin not the Adopted c. but for the exercise of their Graces for the trial of Faith and Love c. for the purging of the filth of Sin out of the Nature not the guilt of Sin from the Person yet Christ died to give testimony to that great Truth that he was the Son of God and the Saviour of the World so the sufferings of the Saints are to give testimony to the Truth but when I say we must have fellowship with Christ in the Cause I mean in respect of Men that were the Instruments of his Death 't was because he did all things well he made both the Deaf to hear c. because he came to destroy the works of the Devil and laboured to turn Men from their Vanities c. because he Preached himfelf to be the Son of God c. and
which himself prescribes 1. According to his own Laws c. acknowledge no other Lord or Law-giver in matters of Religion Lord of Faith things to be believed Lord of Worship things to be done know that whatever is more than Christ commands is Sin whatever Ceremony to be used in a Religious way as representing and signifying some spiritual thing enjoyned by Men is Sin that is forbid in the Second Commandment thou shalt not make c. i. e. institute and appoint or invent to thy self any way of Worship anything to be used Religiously to set forth any spiritual thing but what God requires that only thou shalt observe herein is the great Apostacy of the Papists and herein consisted that great Sin of our Land which above others hath provoked God to bring this Judgment of War that Men's Laws have been Rules to us in matters of Religion because Men did make Ordinances and enjoyn Ceremonies to be used in a Religious way here was an Intrenching on Christ's Kingly Office herein was Superstition Will-worship and because the abomination of desolation was set up therefore we like Ephraim are smitten in Judgment because we willingly followed after their Commands so are delivered into the hands of the Cruel they that caused us to err are causes of wo Now that we may be healed again let 's remember whence we are fallen and how fallen from the purity of Christ's worship cast off all mixtures in Religion let not our Heart hang after the Onions and Garlick of Egypt after old Ceremonies be longer the Servants of Men. when the Corinthians some of them ascribed too much to Paul too much to Apollo Paul reproves this 1 Cor. 1.13 was Paul Crucified for you intimating he must be honoured above all his Doctrine his Laws we must imbrace and be led by in matters of Religion who was Crucified for us that was Christ 2. Do what Christ enjoyns in Spirit and Truth not feignedly but in truth not outwardly and bodily only but spiritually let the Service we perform be a work of our Spirits pray with the Spirit hear with the Spirit and when you receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper It must be done with the Spirit and the work of the Spirit amidst all these Services is especial in a work of Faith laying hold on what Christ promises and conveys in and by his Ordinances that Grace Life and Strength c. 3. That which Christ's Crucifying especially calls for and most nearly answers it is the Crucifying of our Flesh with the Affections and Lusts that our old Man be Crucified with Christ Gal. 3.23 where you see 't is not enough to have some Members cut off to forsake some particular Sins that may be and the body of Sin live still but crucify the Flesh crucify Original Corruption that is that strength and power of Sin which is in the Heart Quest Now wherein lies the strength of Sin Answ In the Will when Sin hath the Will so that what Sin a Man commits the bent of his will the disposition of his Soul is to commit them if a Man sins and wills to sin then Sin reigns Eph. 2.3 fulfilling the desires of the Flesh c. Sin is a King when the love of Sin constrains a Man to do Iniquity as on the other side Grace reigns when the love of Christ constrains c. then crucify the Flesh so as that Sin may cease to reign if Sin have your Members sometimes yet let it not have your Wills let the strength of all your Faculties be turned against Sin of your Understandings to search into the Evils of it and to study out ways to overcome it let your wills be to be freed from it your Affections turned all against it to hate loath c. Sin cannot be wholy purged out in this life the mortifying of Sin is a work done by degrees as those that are hanged on the Cross dye by degrees 't is a lingring Death such is the death of Sin that railing Thief on the Cross you may take as an Emblem to set forth Sin in the Saints where 't is Crucified his Body hanged on the Cross his Hands nailed he could not rob or spoil any more he ceased now to be a reigning Thief but then his Tongue he used in railing against Christ so for those that are Members of Christ their old Man is fastned to the Cross it cannot reign any longer some life remains it may strugle with the renewed part the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit it would fain overcome but the Spirit of God in the Soul keeps it under and by all the striving of Corruption again Grace Corruption waxes weaker till at last it be wholy vanquished Now this Effect you must labour to shew forth of the Death of Christ and herein be conformed to him Be planted together in the likeness of his Death now be freed from Sin and be no longer Servants to it let it not reign and as Christ being raised dieth no more Death hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 so labour that Sin may in such manner be Crucified as that it never have dominion in you again 4. Learn hence to make use of the Blood of Christ for obtaining your Justification and Peace with God By the shedding of the Blood of Christ is Remission of Sins this is the Sacrifice that makes Attonement Christ made Peace by the Blood of this Cross Labour for Faith to draw forth this Benefit out of the Blood of Christ to apply it to your selves that it may be yours in the Justifying Effect that peaceable Fruit of it Now what is required of us 1. To believe the Vertue and Value of it that 't is sufficient to redeem a Soul and your Soul 2. To believe God's offer and tender of it to you and Christ's willingness to give it to you if you will but imbrace it 3. That you cast your Souls into that Sea of Blood and rest only on the Vertue of it for Life and Justification Do thus then rest confidently assured of acceptance with God you may go with boldness into the Holiest c Vse 3. Trial. By this you may know what Knowledge you have in the Mystery of the Cross of Christ c. viz. if you so know him as to believe in him to count his Blood most precious to be resolved to obey and suffer for Christ in a due manner and draw Vertue from his Cross for Crucifying Sin and conquering all the World and comforting your Hearts in all Tribulations and Deaths this is to know the Mystery of Christ Crucified Gal. 6.14 The End of the Second Discourse THE THIRD DISCORUSE A Sermon concerning the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures 1 THESSALONIANS ij xiij For this cause also thank we GOD without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which you heard of us ye received it not as the word of Men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh
Grace Gospel Righteousness have a Gospel Spirit So you are well prepared and walk through troubles dangers and oppositions in the midst of Satan's fiery darts and the World's reproaches and still the life of your Peace and Joy in the Love of God in Christ be preserved v. 17. Take the Helmet of Salvation Salvation being made sure shall be an Helmet on your Heads whereby you shall receive the blows of Tongues c. and not be hurt this shall defend you against all the Curses of the Law 1 John 4.17 Herein is our Love or Love with us made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment When others shall fear the Wrath of the Lamb c. you shall have boldness and not be ashamed in this World c. when your Salvation is sure the Soul dwells in God in the Love of God All-sufficiency Power Wisdom c. 4. The more assurance you have of your Salvation the less earthly will your thoughts and hearts be this will raise your Spirits and carry them up to God in Christ So that 1. You shall dwell in Love you shall dwell in God and God in you He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 And this is a glorious habitation for a Soul to dwell in the Love of God in Christ The World will be but the habitation for your Bodies The fulness of the Lord Jesus the Love of God which hath length and breadth c. shall be the habitation of your Souls The want of this the not breathing after the Assurance of Salvation makes men so earthly that their Souls are still travelling in the Creature seeking Joy and Contentment in the World 2. You 'll dwell safely and secure who can hurt those that dwell in God God must be overcome before they can be destroyed God is a better habitation then the World so whilst you dwell in the World above all labour for the assurance of the Love of God 5. The more Assurance you have the greater abounding of Grace there is from Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure so an entrance shall be administred aboundantly to you into his everlasting Kingdom then shall you expect the more and receive the more you shall come with the more boldness and receive the more Grace 6. Now is the day of Salvation the day wherein great Salvation is offered to you Behold now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Now in my absence work out your own Salvation Now is the day to make Salvation sure now Salvation is offered to you and revealed Christ now calls on Sinners and beseeches them to be reconciled to God Now God lets down the coâ—ds of his love in Christ that you may take hold on them and live Now is the Righteousness of God revealed for Sinners to embrace that they may be justified Now is the day in which the Spirit is poured forth Now is the day in which Christ is working the works of God that is for calling of Sinners out of the World and gathering the Elect into his Kingdom by the preaching of the Gospel for the saving of Souls and reconciling them unto God And this day shall have a night And now is the day and season for you to work out your Salvation to make it sure A night shall come when none shall have the means and opportunity of working out their Salvation the Night of Death or day of Judgment which is a Night in this respect then 't is too late to work out Salvation if you neglect Salvation now you shall not escape wrath in that day Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at first begun to be spoken by the Lord 't is great Salvation Salvation from the greatest misery to the enjoyment of the greatest Glory to an exceeding eternal weight of Glory 't is great Salvation spoken to not hid from you but spoken to you that you might make it sure And if the Gospel be hid when spoken consider what the Apostle says 2 Cor. 4 3. If our Gospel be hid it is to them that are lost Section 5. Use 2. Direct 1. To Sinners Such as are yet strangers from Christ and from the Covenant of Promise that you may make Salvation sure To this end 1. Build on a sure Foundation let your hopes of Glory be founded on Christ Christ is a sure Foundation Isa 28 16. A foundation of Justification Sanctification and Life that will not fail You may be as sure of acceptance as Christ anâ—â—o continue in favour with God as sure of Glory as Christ and to remain in a state of Glory and as sure of Life as Christ as sure to live because I live ye shall lille also Joh. 14.19 Christ's Life is a sure foundation of a Believers Life Christ's Acceptance a sure foundation of his Christ's Glory a sure foundation of his Glory so then hearken to the Lord's call Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth Sinners look to me who came to save you from your Sins know that there is death in Sin there is Damnation to all that are out of me your Lusts are hurtful Lusts if you follow them they will work out your ruin will bring everlastiâ—g hurt to your Body and Soul Fleshly Lusts war against the Soul they war against the Salvation Life and Peace of your Souls your Life consists not in the abundance of your Riches c. 'T is no profit to you to gain the World and loose your Souls in the Creature Neither is theâ—e any life in youâ— Dâ—tiâ—s These aâ—e no sure foundations to build youâ— Salâ—ation upon hopes of Salvation built only â—n them is like a House built on the Sand. So 〈◊〉 Christ to you look off from all those Behold me behold Life in my Death Peace in my Blood Righteousness in my Obedience Behold Love in me and Bâ—wels of Compassion with which you shall be received by me thus look to Christ and you shall â—e Salvation in him he that believes on him shall not be ashamèd for he shall be sure of Salvaâ—â—on You are all by nature of the World that lies in wickedness on which condemnation is coming apace Now prepare an Ark for the saving of your Souls Christ is this Ark as Noah in the Ark was safe and sure of being safe let the Waters rise as high as they would the Ark caâ—ried Noah still above them and when he was in the Ark God shut him in and then if any would have entred in none could Christ is the Ark prepared for the saving of Souls the Door of the Ark is not yet shut Christ calls you to come in unto him if you come not before God shuts the Door of this Ark there is no escaping of Condemnation O whilst it is to day if you will hear his voice harden not
your hearts c. the refusing to hearken will harden your hearts against Christ there is no other name given whereby you may be saved neither is there Salvation in any other Act. 4.12 look whether you will there is no Salvation you may look to the World you may look to your Riches Lands c. but there 's no Salvation in them so then say to your selves that its vain for me to say to my Soul sit down here in Christ alone is Salvation to be had then look to him say that it 's good to be here here I will dwell this shall be my rest for ever I 'll commit my Soul to him who is able to keep what I shall commit to him against that day Christ in you the hope of Glory Christ formed in you Christ revealed to you Christ appearing with his Blood in the heart as well as in Heaven Christ sheding abroad his Love Christ believed on Christ judged worthy of Glory c. most worthy of Love and Obedience Christ esteemed as the chiefest of Ten Thousands as altogether lovely Christ being thus in the Heart is the hope of Glory in that Heart and assurance of Salvation in that Heart when the Sun of Righteousness thus shines into your Hearts then you shall see Salvation sure 'T is not the performance of Duties praying with fervency hearing with delight and abstaining from this or that Sin that is a sure ground of assurance of Salvation any Duty and Grace if there be a beam of Christ that you see derived from Christ the Sun of Righteousness coming from him and tending to him may afford some light towards assurance but then is full assurance when Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines in the Soul God shines in the Face of Christ and sheds abroad his Love in the Heart by Jesus Christ 2. Consider the properties of true assurance of Salvation and the concomitants c. 1. The more assurance of Salvation there is the more Purity true assurance is purifying The more you dwell in the love of God the more will you labour to be like unto God and the more will you abhor impurity and the more will you follow after holiness Assurance will not make licentious dwelling in love and walking in your Lusts hopes of Glory and conforming to the courses of the World a looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein Righteousness dwells and not a putting off the old Conversation these will not consist together He that hath this Hope purifies himself even as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 Seeing we look for such things be diligent that we may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 2. It makes fruitful in good works the abounding of the Love of God in the heart will cause an abounding in the work of the Lord it will constrain you to serve the Lord and to live to him 3. The more Assurance the more heavenly mindedness our conversation is in Heaven whence we look for a Saviour when Heaven is sure the mind will be most in Heaven If there is your hope there will be your hearts This will make you willing to leave all these things here below this will make you sojourners here in the World By Faith Abâ—aham sojourned â—n the Land of Promise as in a strange Land If you look for a City that hath Foundations then will you be strangers and Pilgrims on the Earth 4. An earnest desire of Christ's appearing Where there is true Assurance a Man shall say to be with Christ is much better Let my beloved be like a Roe on the Mountains of Spices let him make haste to come let him come quickly When there 's a taste of the Love of God the Soul would have it fully When God shines into the hearts in some beams of his Glory the heart would know him perfectly and enjoy him fully That heart that enjoys Assurance of everlasting Love would have an everlasting and uninterrupted sense of that Love That Soul that sees its self above danger of wrath and loss of Love would be above danger of the with-drawings of Love That Soul that is Assured of Eternity of Love would be in such a condition as not to be subject to any moments displeasure in regard of the hidings of God's face 3. Take heed you give not the Right Hand of fellowship to the Enemies of Assurance As 1. Do not love darkness and hate light there 's no greater Enemy to the Assurance of your Salvation then this This is thâ— most direct way you can take to make your reprobation your damnation sure This is the condemnation this makes condemnation sure that light is come into the World and men love darkness rather than light John 2.19 Do not shut your Eyes from beholding the things of your Peâ—ce How should you be assured of your Salvation if you now shut your eyes from Salvation that is spoken to you c. or if you refuse him in whom Salvation is to be found and no other Rom. 1.28 Because they liked not to retain God in their Knowledge God gave them up to a reprobate mind c. 2. Be not enslaved to the World to the Riches and to the Pleasures of it this will hinder you from desiring or seeking Salvation to be made sure The Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some have coveted after have erred concerning the Faith to deny the Faith to keep Richeâ— this is a great cause of Mens erring so dangerously concerning their Souls that they do not provide better for them that they study not the good of them because their Hearts are so much glued to the World 3. Let not Sin reign in your Mortal Bodies that you should obey it in the Lusts thereof so long as Sin â—â—igns you are in danger of Death for Sin reigned unto Death and you cannot say you are under Grace for that Spirit that speaks peace to a Sinner proclaims war against his Sin that Spirit that sheds abroad the love of God in the Heart will lust against the Flesh that Spirit that brings Chyist into the Heart as the hope of Glory will write the Law of Christ in the heart and cause a walking in newness of Life 4. Take heed of grieving and quenching the Spirit the Spirit strives in the preaching of the Gospel as with the men of the Old World Noah was a Preacher of the Righteousness of Faith Assurance is a Grace of the Spirit a Gift of the Spirit and if you resist the Spirit the Spirit will not witness with you that you are the Children of God but against you that you are Enemies to God 2. Be not Enemies to the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ's Kingdom of Light Assurance is a Priviledge of his Kingdom and of those that belong to it When you can see your selves translated out of the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ then happy are you then you are past all danger of
the Mark they put forward with all their might so do Christians with all their Souls and strength Heaven and nothing but Heaven should be lookt on as the place of rest looking unto Jesus Make Christ your pattern What was his great desire Father glorify thy Son that thy Son may glorify thee Glorify me with the Glory I had with thee before the World was There was Joy set before him so Christ is set before the Saints revealed to their Faith they should long to see him as he is Glory is set before them c. In the World is Vanity in themselves Corruption Crosses on all hands Shame Reproach c. Before and above all in Heaven is set everlasting Joy Pleasures for evermore Where this Joy is there Believers hearts should be the mind the will and affections of a Believer should still be travelling towards this Joy running a Race towards Heaven as 't is said of the Creature Rom. 8.21 The earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth c. The Creature is in Bondage to Corruption Slaves to Lusts this is contrary to the end for which the Creature was made they naturally make towards that end to be Servants to the Saints and to be instrumental towards the manifesting the Glory of the Creator and to be free of Bondage So should Saints desire perfect freedom from Bondage to enjoy the Liberty the Inheritance portion and perfection of the Sons of God in the presence of God This hath been the great desire of Believers Rom. 8.23 We which have received the first Fruit of the Spirit What is meant by these The beginnings of Grace Knowledge of Christ Faith Love Humility Heavenly Mindedness the Comfort and Consolations of the Spirit we that have received these groan within our selves We would receive the whole lump of the Spirit there are burdens we groan under Sin is a burden when the Spirit hath wrought Holiness earthly things are a burden they cannot be gotten but by the sweat of our brows when Salvation that is purchased by Christ is believed then mortal estates are a burden when immortality is brought to Light then to be out of Christ's presence is a burden where Glory and the fulness of Christ is revealed we groan waiting for Adoption c. There 's Adoption in making you Sons and there 's Adoption in bestowing the Inheritance Glory and Liberty which belongs to them as they are the Sons of God They that are Sons and have the Spirit of Sons crying to God Abba would fully enjoy all the Priviledges all the Glory and all the love which belongs to them as the Sons of God in Christ Phil. 1.23 To depart and to be with Christ is far better beyond all comparison better there 's Joy without Sorrow Holiness without Sin Knowledge without Ignorance Eternity of all So to be in Christ in the World is infinitely better then to be in the World enjoying the contentment of it without Christ And to be in Heaven with Christ is exceedingly much better then to enjoy Christ only in the World The state of a Christian in Heaven is exceedingly beyond the state of a Christian on Earth though the Body may dye and be laid in the Grave Phil. 3.13 14. I count not my self to have apprehended I have not Knowledge enough I have not Grace enough I have not enjoyment of Christ enough it was much he had yet not enough but this one thing I do this is my main business forgetting the things behind earthly things behind and Grace receiv'd behind so far as not to be satisfied there with I reach forward to the things before The heart reaches out Faith is the hand that reaches out after earnest desire carries the Soul out unto them I press towards the Mark as a Man in a throng c. through a throug of Lusts and Temptations c. For the price of the high calling that I might enjoy all that Glory and happiness that God hath provided in Christ 2 Pet. 3 12. Looking for and hastning to the coming of the day of God That day hastens and is coming be you hastening to it i. e. your Hearts and Souls by Faith and desire that it may come hasten to it Sect. 9. Use â— Information By this it appears that many there are that as yet are not in the way of Salvation Because they can't say as Paul this one thing I do Who 1. Such as have nothing before them but worldly things worldly profits and pleasures that have their hope only in this Life and not Hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven but the love of the World fixed as an Anchor in the Earth whereby their Hearts and Souls are fastened to the World that with the two Tribes could be content to have their Portion on this side Jordan that their Houses Lands and Temporal Lives might continue for ever would desire no better Portion that see more gain in Life than in Death this is an evidence that they have not drunk of the Water that Christ gives their Souls have not been filled with the Glory of the World to come they are not acquainted with the Riches of Christ they know not the price of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus This is an inseperable property of a true Believer a desire to have his Salvation wrought out and finished where ever this work is begun the Heart would have it finished where Holiness is begun the desire of the Soul is to have it perfected There 's no greater burden than Sin to a Gracious Heart all the Contentments of the World cannot content a believing Soul nothing beneath Heaven nothing without the Presence of God nothing besides the Glory of Christ can make it perfectly Happy to be where Christ is that is best of all Faith will make us sojourn in the World when you are in the way of Salvation perfect Salvation is the mark which the Soul presses towards Now lay your Hearts to the bond of this undoubted Truth and do not conclude your selves to be in the way of Life if perfect Salvation be not the mark you press towards if it be not the presence of the Lord that you account the perfection of Happiness if you could be contented with worldly Felicity and your Desires are only towards the things of this Life then the root of all Evil is yet alive and growing in you 2. Such as dream of a present perfection that think they know as much as they need to know and do as much as is needful to be done He that thinks he knows enough knows nothing as he ought 1 Cor. 6.2 He that thinks he hath enough of Christ hath nothing of Christ Where there is true Knowledge of Christ begun the Soul is carried out with such earnest desires to know more that it accounts it self to know nothing I forget that which is behind Gal. 4.9 Now we know God or rather are known of God we are known perfectly but we do not
and proceeds from weakness of Faith Psa 23 24. 4. Eâ—ery Believer ought to say as David I will fear no Evil. But they may rejoyce in Love and expect good and count that all things shall work for good to them In Christ they are carried above all fears of Evil for their Hearts should not fall down in them so that fear of Evil is not the thing here required this is forbidden elsewhere as by Moses fear not so not enjoined here 2. Fear of Doubting and Distrust Trembling opposed to Confidence and full Assurance is not here meant Men in a natural condition out of Christ may well be under the tortures and rackings of this fear they may be in bondage through fear of Death They may be tossed with fear and doubting and say as Rom. 10.5 Who shall ascend into Heaven Who shall descend into the Deep Or who can tell whether we shall go to Heaven or Hell But for Believers that are in the way of Salvation they ought not thus to fear 't is for such that have no other Spirit but the Spirit of Bondage which Believers do not receive If they are in bondage 't is not the Spirit of God but the unbelief of their own Spirit is the cause of it We have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we may cry Abba Father They are Sons having the Spirit of Sons Now as Christ says the Servant abideth not in the House for ever Joh. 8.35 He may be cast forth and so is subject to fears So Men in a natural estate are in danger to be cast forth into outer darkness But the Son abideth ever he is beyond fear so Believers are Sons they are always in Lâ—ve The Apostle Exhorts Let us draw near with a true Heart in full assurance of Faith c. Heb. 10.22 Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace Now if he should exhort to fear and trembling because of doubtings of Salvation he should conclude it to himself and make void his other Exhortations Again Believers are exhorted to be in a constant frame of rejoycing Rejoyce in the Lord always Phil. 4.4 We rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.1 But fear of doubting is directly contrary to this joy Of it the Apostle says 1 Joh. 4.18 Fear hath torment But against this that place may be objected Heb. 4.1 Let us fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of us should fall short Where he seems to exhort to fear of doubting of coming short of Heaven For answer Consider Because some there are that put their Hand to the Plow and look back again some that have Lamps and not Oyl a form and not the power of Godliness a Faith that is not saving but vain so they may seem to stand and walk in the way of Life but because they have no more not true Faith in Christ noâ— real Interest in nor Union with him they come short or come too late as 't is said of the foolish Virgins They came when the Door was shut So the Apostle Exhorts all to fear that is to look well to themselves and to be searching for Salvation and not content themselves with a form with shews and shadows so as to think that their Profession and the performance of some Duties is enough to bring Men to Heaven But they should labour to see themselves stated in Grace interested in Christ that so they may know that they shall not come short The ground of this Exhortation is the Examples of the Jews they had the Promises the Gospel was Preached unto them that is Promises of rest in Canaan But many came short Why They did not believe Now there are Promises of a rest a better rest in Heaven Heb. 10.34 We have in Heaven c. Now fear c. that is look well to your selves take heed you be not deceived lest your Hopes prove vain Believe the Gospel the promises of Life made in Christ and let the word of hearing be mixt with Faith Take heed of an evil heart of Unbelief if the Gospel be not mixt with Faith the Promises of the Gospel will not profit you Christ is of none effect to you if you believe not in him so that this is an Exhortation to those that have not yet received Christ in their Hearts and entertained the Gospel Promises and fear is to be taken for heed-fulness wariness and utmost Diligence If once they believe and are interested in Christ they may be sure then that they shall not come short 2. What is to be understood by Fear and trembling For this consider the Apostle is Exhorting you to work out your Salvation that is make it sure to your selves see God in Christ reconciling and saving and desire that it may be carried on to perfection Now amidst the beholding of God in Christ and desires of perfect enjoyment there being so much of God declared in this business in giving Christ and so much of his Glory shining forth you must fear i. e. admire and stand amaz'd at the love of God giving Christ himself to a wretched polluted Creature full of Enmity Tremble at the infinite greatness of Divine Love be humble and trust not to your own strength but to that infinite Grace and Love in which God comprehends poor Creatures for carrying on Salvation to perfection Sâ—ction 11. That this may be the better understood consider these particulars 1. The Salvation of Sinners is the work of the whole Trinity Of Father Son and Holy Ghost God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself God in Christ through his Spirit saves the Elect and will make them perfectly happy The Salvation of Sinners is the Father's work by ordination he predestinates them to be conform'd to the Image of his Son he chuses to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thess 2.13 'T is Christ's work by Mediation he makes their case his own they being under Sin under a Curse he represents their Persons in undergoing Punishment suffering Death Rising and Entring into Glory Believers in him died rose c. Rom. 6.3 to 11. It 's the Spirit 's work by renovation God will have a change of Carnal to Spiritual of Sinful to Holy of Enemies to be made Obedient to the Lord Jesus In a word to be conformed to the Image of Christ Christ's work is to make Peace and to reconcile to God The Spirit 's is to conform to Christ in Grace and Glory to fashion Soul and Body like to him Not that the three Persons are divided in their Operations that one doth what another doth not but this is to be understood by way of Appropriation The Scripture doth Appropriate to each Person one work The Salvation of Sinners is the Father's work by purpose Christ's work by price Redeeming out of Misery the Spirit 's work by performance shedding abroad God's Infinite Love in the Heart shewing God in Christ God giving Christ Christ giving himself to
Will may stand there will be an answerable doing Such as are in the Flesh and broad way have their Conversation in Lusts but such as are in the narrow way have their Conversation in the Will of God Rom. 12.2 Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God An upright mind is that which proves and finds out the will of God and is able to distinguish it and say this it is An upright will is that likes it and approves it and consents to it as 't is Holy Just and Good The doings of Christians the just and upright doings are obeying the good and acceptable and perfect Will of God 2. Obeying the Law as good 1. because 't is better to obey the Law than to obey Lusts God's will than our own not for our good only but because the Law is good being drawn by goodness of Obedience more than by the goodness that comes from Obedience because 't is the Beauty of the Creature to be in subjection to the Creator 2 Because Obedience is acceptable and approved of God Obedience pleases God though it does not pacify him To do goood and to distribute forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 There 's a double Head of Sacrifices 1. A Propitiatory purifying Sacrifice that prevents displeasure from breaking out because of Sin as the Sacrifice of Christ offered on the Cross and none but this 2. A Sacrifice that God is well pleased with and accepts of when he is made propitious to a Person by Christ's Sacrifice and by his Spirit works Obedience Thus doing good is a Sacrifice of Praise which God is well pleased with This is that which moves a sound Christian to do good because it pleases God this is an excellent temper Christ pleased not himself So Christians must not please themselves it is God's Prerogative to do whatever pleases him but 't is Piety in Christians to do whatever pleases God This is the will of God even your Sanctification God's wilâ— is that Believers should be Holy doing good 3. Obeying the perfect will of God that is 1. There 's no Law nothing that God wills to be done that a sound Christian rejects although he fails in many points yet he rejects not nor despises any point of the Law The Carnal Mind is enmity against and makes void the Law but the found Mind does not he does not Sin out of contempt of the Law but through infirmity of the Flesh As renewed there 's a delight In the whole will of God I delight in the Law of God after the inner Man Rom. 7. 2. The doings of those that are in the way of Life are not for Life but from Life i. e. They do not this and that Duty they love not the Saints they abstain not from the Pollution of the World that they may live in their doings their doings proceed from Life and are not to procure Life They know that Christ hath done enough to procure Life he hath obeyed the Law and undergone the Curse of it for Righteousness to them they look on Christ as their Life and not on their doings as their Life They do not to deserve by their doings but because Christ hath deserved their doingâ— They do not count themselves worthy by their Service but do account Christ worthy of their Service and Obedience Their doings are not for Love but â—hey flow from Love They serve not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit their Service is not old Covenant but new Covenant Service Sect. 18. Doct. 2. A will to embrace speritual good offered or to do spiritual good enjoyn'd is of God's working Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works A willing and doing Christian that 's in the way of Life is God's workmanship a Mind â—iâ—led with the Knowledge of God in Christ filled with his Glory shining in the Face of Jesus Christ a Will drawn out to God in Christ in sweet embraces of his Love full of spiritual dispositions and desires living in God and living to God a life full of good works abounding in the fruits of Righteousness to the Glory of God is the special and peculiar work of God As God at first created the World out of nothing there was no praeâ—xisting matter which God did make use of in forming Creatures out of it they did all come forth from God and spring out from his Divine Power and God-head who said Let there be and they were So consider a Man as spiriâ—ualiz'd his Heart set into a spiritual frame enjoying God as his life and living to him thus he is made out of nothing there is no prae-existent will or disposition to embrace good offered to do any good that is commanded out of which he is educed God doth not by moral perswasions only stir up any good in him or blow up Coals of spiritual good in him that are lying hid under the ashes of Carnality and Corruption like a Talent wrapt up in a Napkin and hid in the Earth but by a Physical work creating Life out of Death in the Soul he doth not bring a greater Light out of a lesser in the Conversion of a Sinner but commands Light to shine out of Darkness as in the first Creation bringing in Spiritual and Divine Light where there was none He doth not bring forth a full perfect and compleat will of Embracing Christ and of laying hold on the Covenant out of a Velleity or imperfect will towards spiritual good towards the embracing of the Lord Jesuâ— but in all that are in the way of Life he creates such a will out of nothing or out of that which is worse than nothing Enmity Contrariety c. God doth not bring perfect Health out of Sickness Strength out of Infirmity Soundness out of Wounds Life out of an half Death as the good Samaritan did by pouring in Oyl and Wine into the wounds of him that was half dead but God in the Conversion of Sinners bringeth Life out of Death absolute perfect Death He creates Holiness out of nothing where there is nothing but sinfulness Purity out of nothing but Impurity Obedience out of nothing but Disobedience So this work is called a new Creation 2 Cor. 5.17 There is nothing of the Spiritual Man remaining in them The influence of God on the Souls of Sinners in their Conversion is not like the influence of the Sun only upon the Earth that is the Mother of Trees Plants Herbs c. the womb in which they are begotten there 's a seminal Power and Vertue iâ— the Earth to bring them forth but that is weak and inefectual in it self till the Sun by its enlivening and quickning influence doth strengthen and draw forth that seminal Vertue So there 's no seed of Grace no root of Holiness no seed of God till God sow
forc'd from his Heritage and not fed with it and 2 When there was a Famine in the Land of Canaan then his Heritage failed him and he went down into Egypt to be fed there But there shall be a time when the true Israel of God shall not only have but be fed with their Heritage their Heritage shall not fail them There is no Famine of Bread in the true Canaan Bread shall be given them and their Waters sure There shall be no prophane persecuting Person as Esau to make them fly from it 6. A Sabbath rightly kept is as the Gates of Heaven as Jacob said of Bethel this is the Gates of Heaven The Rest of the Sabbath is a figure of the Rest of Heaven and of Christ's Kingdom The work of the Sabbath is a figure of the work of Heaven the Joy in communion with God tasting in his Ordinances that the Lord is gracious is the first Fruits of the Joys of Heaven Heb. 4.4 5. He speaks of the Seventh day God did rest then from all his works and in this place if they shall enter into my rest Observe Those that keep a Sabbath aright to the Lord do enter into the rest of the Lord they rest from their own work and refresh themselves in the Lord. v. 9. There remaineth a rest or Sabbatism to the People of God that is a day to rest in and rejoyce in the Lord and honour him and this is the figure of the Eternal rest the Saints have in Heaven Directions for a Gospel keeping of a Sabbath To what was spoken before from the Text let the 92 Psalm be added where we have a pattern and directory for it The Title of it being A Psalm for the Sabbath-day 1. God is to be praised for making us glad through his work v. 4. It 's a good thing to give thanks c. to shew forth his loving kindness and faithfulness his loving kindness in giving Christ to be made Flesh and Sin a Curse c. Thou Lord hast made me glad through thy works through the work of Redemption Justification Sanctification Our own works make us sad when we think of them 't is with grief and Godly sorrow but thy works c. The works of the Redeemer fulfilling Righteousness making his Soul an offering for Sin and making Intercession changing me into thine Image these make me glad I will triumph in thy works I am ashamed of mine own works but I will glory in thine I am ashamed of mine own Righteousness which is as filthy Rags but I will triumph in Christ's which is most perfect and glorious I trust not to my own works but I trust in thine and not only trust but triumph in them over Sin Satan Death and Hell How great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep We should not only take a slâ—ght view but have very serious thoughts of them and be much in meditating on them As the Angels desire to look into them and with a holy admiration of them Such Knowledge is too wonderful for me c. When Christ took not on him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham and took Sin upon him and so loved us as to give himself to suffer Death and passing by many so loved me as to give his Spirit to quicken me when I was dead in Sins and to prepare me unto Glory what a great work is this Now it is proper for the Sabbath to cease from our own works which weary us c. To contemplate on and make our selves glad with the work of the Redeemer There are also the works of his gracious Providence in which God gives great experience of his Love Mercy c. to his People Object When we consider how much the Saints are afflicted in the World the are chastened every morning and in the mean time the Wicked spring as the Grass and the workers of Iniquity do flourish How can we be glad thro' God's works of Providence Answ Here God's thoughts lye deep but enter into the Sanctuary of God draw nigh and search into them and so you shall understand that which shall make you glad As for the wicked they spring as the Grass but 't is that they may be destroyed the wicked in their Prosperity are but as Grass and the best of them but as Grass on the House-top Grass soon withers and that on the House-top the soonest of all Thou Lord art most high if they be more high in Worldly Prosperity c. As for the Godly if they now suffer and are afflicted in their outward Man in worldly things 't is that they may be saved for ever The Wicked now prosper that they may perish for ever This he further sets forth Lo thine Enemies shall perish my Horn shalt thou exalt c. The World being high in worldly Prosperity are in the way to be thrown down Saints being low are in the way to be exalted the wicked exalting themselves glorying in their wickedness in their worldly enjoyments having exalted thoughts of themselves shall be abased but the Godly humbling themselves under the mighty Hand of God shall be exalted 2. On this day a Spirit of Prophesy should be exercised as to praise God for and make our selves glad in the works that are done so by the Spirit of Prophecy to consider from the word what God will do and make our selves glad in the works that are to be done ver 10. I shall be anointed with fresh Oyl I have some Light I shall have more somewhat I know of the Mystery of Godliness and I shall know more Some Grace I have received I shall have more I have a little strength I shall have more the little Faith and Love I have shall be increased thou wert a a Spring to me heretofore I had Grace in Conversion and all my fresh Springs are in thee and thence I shall have fresh Oyl 'T is good to exercise a Spirit of Prophecy it will make us glad amidst all our weaknesses and wants c. ver 11. Mine Eyes shall see and mine Ears shall hear my desire of the Wicked the Church's Eyes shall see her desire on Anti-christ the Man of Sin on Babylon the great ver 12.13 The Righteous shall flourish as the Palm trees the Righteous are oppressed but they shall flourish in and under their oppressions and shall grow under their burdens and take root downward and bear fruit upwards so doth the Palm-tree bear more fruit when 't is burthened He shall grow like the Cedar in Lebanon the wicked grow but as the Grass the Saints grow like the Cedar That is lasting and a Tree that continues long and the wood is very durable and lasting Those that be planted in the House of God shall flourish even when old And then are most green and flourishing in Grace When the outward Man perisheth the inner Man is renewed Lastly All this must be that God may shew himself upright he will put a
the Just by themselves Unjust by themselves Sheep by themselves and the Goates by themselves in this life the Wicked and Godly are mingled together Chaff with Wheat therefore 't is that in this life all things happen alike to all Eccles 9.2 There are calamities that are common to the Godly and Wicked The evil despise and persecute the good and Godly as well as the Wicked dye and rise again but great difference appears when brought to the Judgment-seat of Christ then the precious are perfectly seperated from the vile Then the Righteous shall have the upper hand Ps 49.14 The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning 5. Christ shall publâ—ckly and solemnely pronounce Sentence to the Godly and wicked according to the word and their own Consciences which shall set a Seal of approbation to the justness of Christ's Sentence Math. 25.34 The King shall say to them on his Right hand Come ye blessed c. to them on his Left-hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels For the time when Christ shall come to Judgment nothing can be said but that 't is most certain yet most uncertain Most certain that he shall come but most uncertain when he shall come to Judgment The Lord shall come but he so cometh as a Thief in the night And the time is of purpose on weighty reasons concealed that one day is concealed that it might be looked for every day As the Lightening cometh out of the East and shineth unto the West so shall the coming of the Son of Man be Math. 24.27 that is sudden and at an instant appear to all the World that all shall at once know that he he is coming as the Lightening in a moment shineth from the East to the West For the time how long 't is called a Day but longer space than artificial or natural day contains as the great and manifold work of that universal Judgment day will require Use 1. For exceeding terrour to the Wicked who now with Dives enjoy their good things who are not in troubles nor plagued as other Men that live in pleasure serving divers lusts going whither they would doing what is right in their own eyes running to excess of Riot know that for all this God will bring thee to Judgment Eccl. 11.9 The wickedness that is now sweet in thy Mouth shall be bitter in thy Belly Sin is now a wicked Man's pleasure than it shall be his pain A Wicked Man would not have his sins remembred and discovered he hates the Light of the word that reproves him when the Book of the Law is now opened to convince him of sin he shuts his Eyes and stops his Ears and hardens his Heart and will not suffer himself to be convinced of sin he fears his Conscience but then the Book wherein all is Recorded that you have done shall be opened and by him that openeth and no Man shutteth Rev. 3.7 and Conscience shall be opened And out of that Book not only Christ shall Judge you worthy of death the second death but your selves shall Judge your selves Christ and Saints shall Judge the Wicked yea their convinced Consciences shall be Judges too all â—â—ose shall bear Record against you Judgment 〈…〉 and tâ—ere is no escaping of it Sudden 〈…〉 shâ—ll come as travel on a Woman with 〈…〉 shall not escape Then shall you 〈…〉 Mountains c. Rev. 6.16 As when 〈…〉 was destroyed by the Flood and the 〈…〉 arising the People did get up to the tops of Mountains hoping that the Waters would not 〈◊〉 â—bâ—ve the Mountains in allusion hereto 't is sâ—d the Wicked shall cry to the Mountains c. Put aâ— Amos 9.1 He that fleeth of them shall not flee away and he that escapeth of them shall not be deliverâ—d though they dig to Hell thence shall my hand tâ—ke thâ—m that is if they hide in Holes and Câ—res of the Earth as the Grave is called Hell Your Judge shall be Omniscient or all seeing all â—hings are naked to him c. the Wicked shall know as well as the Churches Rev. 2.23 That he is the searcher of the Hâ—art and Reins And an Omnipotent Judge His Hand shall execute the Sentence he passes Now let this dreadful day possess your thoughts and be not so overcome with the pleasures of sin ard delights of the World as to banish all serious thoughts of Judgment know that it is appointed to all to dye and after Death the Judgment After Life comes Death and after living and rejoycing in sin comes Judgment for sin Now let this Doctrine be to all Wicked Men as the Hand-writing to Belshazzar Dan. 5. 't was said to him Thou hast brought the Vessels of the Temple of God drunk Wine in them and praised the Gods of Silver and Gold and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified and then this Writing was written Mene Mene c. God hath numbred thy Kingdom and it is finished Tekel thou art weighed in the ballance and found too light Peres thy Kingdom is divided even so for you that drink wine c. and praise the Gods of Gold and Silver Brass Iron Wood and Stone that love these earthly things delight more in them than in God and so praise them and glorify not God in whose hands your breath is that is who is Lord of your Life whose are all your ways that is without whose Providence you cannot move a step yet that God you glorify not know that there is a hand writing against you for all this God will bring you to Judgment To strike greater terror Consider 1. That day shall be the day of Christ 's wrath now is the day of Christ's love now is the accepted time and the day of Salvation a time for Sinners to make their peace to make supplication to your Judge but then if this day of Grace be slighted by you and you make it a day of sinning of security Impenitency then shall that day be to you a day of Christ's wrath wherein he shall in as great degree declare his wrath to the Wicked as ever he did love to his Saints Rev. 6.17 The great day of the Lambs wrath is come Now you hear of wrath in a day of Grace when yet is a time and opportunity left you to make peace and to escape wrath but then you shall hear of wrath in a day of wrath when the day of Grace is ended as for the wrath of the Father that may be escaped by flying to Christ for refuge being in Christ wrath cannot break out against us because in Christ the Father is well pleased and he is a propitiation for sin but if the day of Christ's wrath come on you before you have made your peace there is none to deliver from Christ's wrath for this is dreadful wrath The time of this Life is the day of wicked Men's wrath
which I have committed to his care and custody to bring it forth a glorious Soâ—â—at that day and my vile Body that he may make it a glorious Body like his own This I have committed by Faith and Hope deposited with him This is the great Command of the Gospel that you give up your selves to Christ that you deposite your Souls and Bodies with him and trust him for the saving of both that he is able and willing to do it 2. Do what Christ would have you to do deny your selves to do Christ's will Let not his Commands be grievous to you Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel in Holiness Meekness c. This some do conceive to be meant by the Wedding Garment a conversation becoming the Gospel The Gospel calls to a Feast it contains fulness of Blessings as Rom. 15.29 I shall come in fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Christ Blessings for Soul Body enough for both Eternity of both He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life He shall live and reign with Christ. This is the Feast that believers are called to Now 't is required in all that would be meet Guests that they be Holy Obedient in carriage As you know 't is an unseemly thing for a Man to come to the Marriage-Feast of a King's Son only to enjoy the pleasures of that solemn meeting without respect of decent apparel befitting such solemnity So you that would eat of the Feast of fat things contained in the Gospel must have decent apparel a Conversation beseeming a Christian Calling becoming the Gospel suitable to it in all holy conversation and godliness as you would lay hold on the promises and blessings of the Gospel so you must have a Gospel-garment a Gospel-frame of life herein many come short they do profess to believe in Christ and hope for Pardon and Mercy at that day but have no Wedding Garment no Gospel Garment no Conversation becoming the Gospel and to such Christ shall say How comest thou in hither out with him here 's one that lays claim to Promises and would not regard the Precepts he comes in his filthy Garments of sin now this is to be so doing Mat. 24.46 Blessed c. that so doing trusting in Christ and walking in Gospel ways endeavouring to honour the Lord Jesus as Lord and King this is Oyl in your Lamps a heart believing the Gospel subdued to Christ establish'd with Grace Oyl in the Lamp is Faith and Love a Lamp without it is an empty Profession and form of Godliness your hearing praying professing to believe in Christ that is your Lamp your Eaith Love Zeal for the Honour of Christ is your Oyl in the Lamp have not this to seek when you should come to meet Christ 3. Look for this day looking for the blessed hope Tit. 2.13 all the hope of a Christian is in that day of Christ If in this Life only they had hope then they were most miserable then more miserable than wicked Men they have pleasure and enjoy their good things and Saints for the most part in regard of their outward Condition have torments So look for that day and long after it be not overcharged wlth the cares of the World say not this is your rest look for rest for your portion and inheritance at the day of Christ's appearing to them that look for him he shall appear without Sin c. Christ hath so foretold it and before his coming he shall give evident signs that he may be looked for so look beyond Friends Estates beyond the end of the World beyond Life Death even to Christ's day be frequent and serious in your thoughts of it 't will disengage your thoughts from the World Enoch the seventh from Adam that lived in the beginning of the World his thoughts did reach to the end of it to Christ's appearing though the Vision be far of and a great while to come Judg. 14 Enoch prophecy'd The Lord shall come with ten thousands of his Saints how much more should we look after it upon whom the ends of the World are come now the time is so near that Christ is as it were at the door so watch and wait for him 2 Pet. 2.12 Looking for and hasting to the coming of the day of God or hasting the coming going forth to meet Christ let your thoughts and desires be sent out to meet him Vse 3. Comfort for Saints here they find trouble c. but they shall find mercy at that day there shall sure right be done them and be avenged of the wicked as the Jews are wont to comfort themselves when they meet with any knotty place of Scripture in the old Testament that cannot understand Elias veniet et euodabit omnia So Christ will come and then wo to the wicked it shall be ill with them say to the Righteous it shall be well with him Isa 3.10 't is the day of the Saints Redemption and Adoption when they receive Inheritance as well as have right to it As Rom. 8.23 we wait for the Adoption even the Redemption of our Bodies FINIS