Spirit dwells in Believers and whatsoever is required of Believers the Spirit hath undertaken to do in them I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to walk in my Statutes Ezek. 36.27 That Covenant which is confirmed unto you by immutable things hath this Promise in it He is a Spirit of Faith Love Meekness and of Light to lead into all Truth to make the heart willing to follow Christ as King to deny self This Spirit is the earnest of Heaven and perfect Glory The Father hath made a bargain confirmed by his Word and Oath and by giving earnest This bargain he Seals and the Seal is the Spirit Eph. 1.13 This is a Seal that is sufficient to confirm Believers that Glory shall be perfected because they have the Spirit of Grace That Spirit that dwells in them shall quicken their mortal bodies Rom. 8.11 2. As the Salvation of Believers is in it self most sure so it may be made sure to them 1. Some have attained it Job 19. I know that my Redeemer liveth c. David Paul Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded c. He includes himself and this was not a singular pâ—iviledge given to some Saints more eminent then others or an extraordinary gift But 2. That which ordinarily God was pleased to bestow on the Saints Rom. 8.15 Ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby ye cry Abba Father This is true of all Believers and the Spirit beareth witness The Spirit where he is a Spirit of Adoption is usually a witnessing Spirit sealing up their hearts sealing up and treasuring Salvation in the heart The assurance of Salvation is a precious Jewel which ordinarily the Spirit doth treasure and seal up in the hearts of Believers giving the first Fruits of Heaven to their hearts And as Moses on Nebo had a view of the Land of Canaan so 't is not unusual for the Spirit to carry up the hearts of Believers above the World into the third Heavens and give a sight and taste of that most Excellent Glory 3. A way is shewn in the Gospel in which it may be attained Rom. 10.9 Say not who shall ascend into Heaven c. Do you doubt of Salvation Are you in fears about it Consider Christ hath been in the deep Christ is in Heaven Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe with thine heart and thou shalt be saved As Christ coming into the Ship when tossed and almost full of water there was a great calm an end put to the Disciples feaâ—s So Christ coming into the heart rebuking fears revealing himself as dying rising and sitting at the Right hand of God there shall then be a great calm in the heart Christ the Peace Joy hope of Glory in the heart 3. Salvation ought to be made sure it is the Duty of all that look towards Heaven to make their Salvation sure this is that which should be in your aims and desires Rejoyce that your names are written in Heaven saith Christ Luke 10.20 This should be the matter of the Saints Joy this implies that we ought to seek after the assurance of this that our names are written in Heaven Heb. 10.22 Let us draw near with a true heart that is ye that look on God as the Life of your heart God in Christ reconciled loving embracing us the Peace Joy Delight Contentment and Rest of the Heart A true heart is a heart that says concerning God as the Rich Man concerning Riches Soul take thine ease in God and with full assurance of favour and acceptation with God And then shews how it may be attained for the Gospel as it requires things to be done so it shews us the way how The Gospel requires not impossibilities but makes all its Precepts possible The Law did not thus it did not make its Precepts possible but the Gospel doth it leads to Christ by whom whatever is required is or shall be accomplished as to Believers Now look to Christ and so your hearts shall be sprinkled fear and guilt shall be purged out of the Conscience and Peace Joy and full Assurance brought in 2 Pet. 1.10 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure And if Election then Salvation there is a Golden Chain mention'd Rom. 8.29 30. if you get hold of one link of it then you have hold of all this reaches from Eternity to Eternity from Eternity of Election to Eternity of Glorification Now our care should be to fasten on this Golden Chain this Golden Chain is fixed in Heaven let it also be fixed in your hearts so shall you have hope as an Anchor fixed in Heaven and so Heaven shall have fast hold in you and you shall have fast hold in Heaven Heaven shall not loose you nor you shall not loose Heaven 4. Nothing besides Salvation can be made sure The Life of your Bodies cannot be made sure the Life of your Souls may 2 Cor. 5.1 For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an House nâ—t made with hands Eternal in the Heavens Earth cannot be made sure Heaven may be made sure So lay not up for your selves treasures on Earth but in Heaven The favour of Man cannot be made sure the favour of God may Riches on Earth cannot be made sure they will fly from you or you shall fly from them Riches of Glory may be made sure worldly prosperity and happiness cannot be made sure Earthly Men in their best estate of prosperity stand but in slippery places But everlasting happiness in Heaven may be made sure Honour amongst Men can't be made sure Honour with God may Creatures can't he made sure Christ may Comforts flowing from Creatures cannot be made sure Consolations abounding by Christ may be made sure So for other things those that have them should be as if they had them not Those that buy as if they possessed not those that have Wives should be as if they had none those that have Riches as though they had not and those that labour in the World as if they did not because nothing of them can be made sure So then take heed of spending your selves for them Salvation alone Christ Heaven the favour of God alone can be made sure so labour to make that sure and nothing else Judge the making Salvation sure the one thing that 's necessary because that alone can be made sure 5. Salvation and nothing besides Salvation is worth the making sure If you have Riches worldly prosperity and abundance if you have health and Houses to dwell in Children Men Servants Women Servants Sheep Oxen Shops full of Wares c Hearts full of contentment in enjoying of these things what shall all this avail you Riches cannot profit you in the day of wrath all these things can't redeem your Souls yet in bondage still going to condemnation What shall it profit you to gain the whole World and loose the Soul Math. 16.26 Creatures are
and the heart of Cyrus to make Proclamation of Liberty for the Jews return to Jerusalem and hence this is an Expression to set forth the Power of God Isa 44.24 Thus saith the Lord that stretcheth out the Heavens v. 27.28 that saith to the Deep be dry that saith to Cyrus he is my Shepherd he shall perform all my Pleasure What comfort is this when Saints see what bad hearts they have they know that Christ hath power to make them better and what malicious hearts wicked men have Christ can either destroy or incline them to shew kindness as he did the heart of Esau to Jacob. Gen. 23. 6. Christ hath power over all Creatures to do with them as he pleases and to do what he will by them they go and come move or not move live or dye they are or are not at his will He sends forth his Spirits they are created he takes away thâ—ir breath thâ—y dy He hath power of nothing to make something of darkness to make light of evill to turn it to good of death to bring out life from it it 's the Prerogative of God he calls the things that are not as though they were 1. Cor. 1.28 and commands them to be and much more can he confound that which is of Babylon he can say of it Babylon the great is fallen is fallen This is matter of abundant consolation to the Sainis thy Redeemer is strong the Lord of Host is his Name 2. Tim. 2.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep me c. Believers know whom they have chosen believed in whom they love and serve how full of might he is and when the power of Hell and of the World lying in wickedness is against them they may comfort themselves in this the power of the Lord is for them God made Nebuchadnezzar to know that the Heavens do Rule Dan. 4.25 26. that is the three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit which Spirit is in the hearts of Saints also of which the Apostle says Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the World 1. John 4.4 the holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Church Satan is the Spirit of the World the Saints comfort is they have the greater Spirit and if their Spirit be greater than the Spirit of the World much more is it greater than the Flesh of the World Particularly 1. Christ's Riches of Power are to be excercised for the good of the Heirs of Salvation Psa 89.19 I have laid help on one that is mighty the Father hath laid it on Christ with his power to help Unbelief to help Infirmities to help the Spirit against the Flesh the law of the Mind against the law of the Members None will stand by me in these things but Michael your Prince Dan. 10.21 .12.1 Let the weak then say I am strong Joel 3.10 In the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength Isa 45.24 In the Lord it is and in the Lord I have it 2. Christ's Riches of Power is a Fountain of Power to the Saints 1. In Regeneration he propagates his Power he begets and maintains a Power of Godliness in the new nature 2 Tim. 1.7 A Power to serve God a Power to confess his Name to take up a Cross and follow him Joseph's bow abode in strength when the Archers shot at him being made strong by the mighty God of Jacob Gen. 49.24 So are Saints strenghtened by the mighty Power of Christ resting on them Sin is from weakness how weak is thine heart seeing thou dost these things Ezek. 16.30 Vertue is a Power to do good which is from Christ 2. In the Resurrection Christ will give great Power to the glorified Bodies of the Saints 1 Cor. 15.43 It 's raised in Power the Power of raised and glorified Bodies shall be exceeding great there is not such power in any thing in the World as will be in them if God should give commission one glorified Saint might be able to destroy a World of ungodly men 3. In the World to come all weakness shall be swallowed up in Power there will not be cause to complain of the Power of Sin and weakness of Grace Heb. 6.5 there is mention of the Powers of the World to come there is no weakness but power in that World the power of Godliness the power of Love the power of an Endless Life Heb. 7.16 of Endless Holiness of Endless Joy Josh 14.11 As my Strength was then so it is now herein was Joshua a Type of the perfect and abiding strength of the Saints in the World to come And there being such Power in Christ learn 1. To Trust in him Isa 26.4 because in him is everlasting Strength Isa 3.15 O my Soul thou hast troden down Strength Judg. 5.21 Deborah's Soul having strong Faith and being poured out in Prayer did most in that Victory Deborah's Soul with Barah's Sword overcame the Host of Sisera Saints do most with the strength of their Souls and in this have great advantage of their Enemies and with this they shall tread down Satan and the Man of sin when a Saint hath no power in himself he may say as John there is one mightier than I and mightier than all my Enemies Jer. 31.22 A Woman shall compass a Man that is the weak shall overcome the strong as Deborah and Jael did one trod down the strength of the Host with her confidence and the other slew Sisera the Captain of it the Woman clothed with the Sun having the Moon under her feet though driven into the Wilderness yet at last must compass and conquer the Man of sin and then her Wilderness shall be as Eden and her desert as the Garden of the Lord and Babylon's fruitful Field shall become a Forrest 2. Fear him who hath Riches of Power he can destroy both Body and Soul in Hell Who art thou that art afraid of a Man that shall dye and forgettest thy Maker Fear him that hath made Heavens and the Earth the Sea and the Fountains of Water 3. Praise his Power Psal 21.13 Be thou exalted Lord in thine own Strength so will we Sing and Praise thy Power The Saints shall have abundant matter ministred unto them in the last days of praising the Power of Christ and of saying Salvation and Strength to our God and to him that sits upon the Throne Psal 145.11 12. They shall speak of the Glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power 4. Be in subjection to Christ and serve him if we ought to be in subjection to the higher Powers then much more to him that hath the highest Power and take heed that we be not found in opposition to him Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy are we stronger than he Job 9.4 5 6. He is wise in Heart and mighty in Strength which removeth Mountains and they know not Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered
but broken Cisterns these are not worth the making sure but the Fountain of living waters is worth the making sure The Father who is the Father of Lights his Love is worth tho making sure Christ in whom is Righteousness Merits Glory in whom all fulness dwells The Spirit who shall be a Well of Water springing up to everlasting life who shall be in the heart as flowing Rivers of Grace Comforts Joy Fullness of Joy Pleasures for evermore these are worth the making sure Sect. 3. For the further clearing of this consider 1. What Salvation is 2. And what the Assurance of it is 1. Now Salvation is the restoring of an undone Creature from fulness of misery to fulness of Glory 1. Salvation begun in this life is a Translation of a Sinner from a state of Guilt Unrighteousness Condemnation to a state of Righteousness and Justificaâ—ion from Polution to Purity from Prophaness to Piety from Wrath to Grace from a state of Emptiness and Poverty into a state of Fulness in Christ from the Power of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ 2. Salvation perfected is the bringing of a Creature into the presence of God making it partaker of the Glory of Christ God shining to the Soul in all his Glory Christ in his infinite Excellency God shining on the Soul in perfect likeness and suitableness to him We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3.3 This is that which is worth the making sure II. What assurance of Salvation is Now that is when that is done in the heart which the Apostle speaks of 2 Cor. 4.6 God that commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our hearts giving the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ unto the Soul then the Soul is at rest God appearing in the Glory of his Love reconciled in Christ in the Glory of his All-sufficiency Power and Wisdom God appearing as your God to your Souls the seeing of your selves to be partakers of the Divine Nature with Christ that as Christ hath the Divine Nature so you partake with him in it this is assurance of Salvation Now is not this a Pearl worth the selling all to purchase it Sect. 4. Use 1. Fxhort To perswade you that amidst the multitude of your Affairs and Imployments in the World this may not be neglected but with the greatest diligence prosecuted the making your Salvation sure to your selves As Solomon says above all keeping keep the Heart so above all working work out your own Salvation make sure that which may be made sure and is indeed worth the making sure You are made for ever if once your Salvation be made sure and whatever you are you are most miserable if the Salvation of your Souls be not made sure Be not like Martha troubled about many things cumbred with much serving with serving your Lusts serving of Men serving of the Body Take heed of loosing your Lives in seeking to save your Lives Take heed of loosing your Souls in seeking the things appertaining to the Body of coming short of Heaven in your toiling in Earth but chuse with Mary that better part She sate at Jesus his Feet and heard his word Luke 10.39 Look on this as the one thing needful as the best part that you can choose to hear the word of Christ to search the Gospel of Christ to study that Salvation that is in Christ And wrought out in their hearts that come to Christ behold that life and immortality that is brought to light in him To provoke hereto consider 1. The Father makes it his great work to save Souls a greater work than the Creation of the World wherein more of his Glory is manifested the greatest of God's works next to the Incarnation of the Son of God Now as God makes it his great work so next to the glorifying of that God in Christ this should be your greatest work to get an assurance of your Salvation 2. Jesus Christ died to make Salvation sure to the Elect to the Children of Promise 't is so glorious a work that Christ valued it above his own Life he delighted not so much in his own Life as in the Salvation of Sinners The Son of God pleased not himself that he might do whatsoever pleased him He denied himself that might do what he pleased He humbled himself that was Lord of Glory that he might save poor lost Souls He put himself into the miserable condition of Sinners that they might be translated into his estate of Happiness and Glory so this is a most glorious work for to take Salvation from Christ or make Christ sure or the favour of God Eternal Life in him should be your great work and such a work as you should not leave though you may be reproached and persecuted in it we should be contented to loose Temporals to make sure of Eternals to loose Life to save Life If you were in a Ship at Sea that was full of Gold and in danger of drowning you would cast out all to save your Life so let all things stoop to this work of saving of your Souls yet it is not always so you may make Salvation sure and keep your Riches haply enjoy Peace and not endanger your temporal lives 3. Salvation assured shall be an Anchor sure and stedfast to your Souls you shall see Christ holding you fast and hereby you shall hold fast Christ. And hereby you shall have Hope and Joy in the greatest troubles there 's no Tempest of afflictions shall carry away your hearts from Peace Your Joy is sure Joy your Comforts sure Comforts if you have this sure and stedfast Anchor nay there 's no sin shall trip up your heels of Joy and Peace in Christ with the Father in Christ's Righteousness to cover your Sin in Christ's satisfaction for Sin it should work in you Godly sorrow for doing any thing repugnant to his Glory but it should not disturb a Believers Joy in God And hereby you shall be kept stedfast in the Faith and in the profession of Godliness and in following the Lord Jesus you shall be armed against all trials and oppositions Eph. 6.13 Take the whole Armour of God v. 14. Have on the Breast-plate of Righteousness make that sure and that shall be the Armour of proof on your hearts and nothing shall kill the heart of your Peace and Joy whilst you keep that as a Breast-plate v. 15. Have your Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace By Feet are understood also Legs It was a custom antiently to wear a kind of Brazen Boots on the Legs 1 Sam. 17. Goliah had such greaves of Brass on his Legs to defend him against darts c. And they that have such may walk on Thorns and Briars and not be hurt Now have your Feet shod that is walk in Gospel-ways have the Gospel of Peace in your hearts believe the Gospel Promises Gospel
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
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
difference betwixt the Godly and the Wicked at last to shew himself upright and that there is no unrighteousness in him Here then we see the proper work of the Sabbath-day and other Duties as Preaching Prayer Meditation Holy Conferences that help forward the main Duties thereof The End of the Fifth Discourse THE SIXTH DISCOURSE Of Christ's Judging all the World ROMANS xiv x But why dost thou judge thy Brother or why dost thou set at nought thy Brother We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ THe words are a strong and forcible argument to hold Men back from doing that which they are very prone to that is to judge one another There was a great deal of dissention amongst the Believers that Paul wrote to about the use of things in themselves indifferent as Meats and observation of Days the occasion was the inequality of Believers some converted from Gentilism Strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel did live in a freer use of time and meats not observing the Jewish Feasts not tying themselves to the use of meats that the Jews were stinted to under the Law Others that were Jews and were called and embraced the Faith of Christ being weak in Faith did not understand that the Legal Ceremonies were abrogated by the coming of Christ so out of reverence and respect to the Law did abstain from meats therein prohibited and did observe Fasts and Feasts therein enjoyned The believing Jew now contemned the believing Gentile as a contemner of the Law on the other side the believing Gentiles did condemn the Jews for their Judaizing and walking contrary to the liberty of the Gospel and the difference grew to such a height as that each side seems to condemn the other as not having a part in Christ. Now this proud contempt of each other the Apostle strikes at and labours to bring them down to a more charitable opinion and loving carriage one towards another We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ For us to Judge is to place our selves in Christ's Throne to which we shall be all cited by sound of the Trumpet and voice of the Arch-angel and there appear to receive a Sentence suitable to what we were in the body We are to be all Judged by Christ so be not Judges of one another The words hold forth the last and most glorious part of the Administration of Christ's Kingdom Hitherto you have heard only of Christ's ruling in the midst of his Enemies over his Church in the midst of Enemies or mingled with wicked i. e. Enemies not at all subdued and made his Footstool but at the last day he shall sit in a Seat and Throne above his Enemies which are at his left hand to be cursed and his Church come out from the midst of Enemies standing on his right hand to be blessed Doct. 1. There is a Judgment-seat prepared for Christ on which he shall sit at the last day 2. All Men shall stand and appear before his Judgment Seat to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth 1. Christ hath a Judgment Seat prepared Jude 14. Math. 25.31 He shall sit on the Throne of his Glory that is he shall not appear in the form of a Servant as when he came first in the Flesh and was despised but ln the form of the Son of God made Judge Act. 17.31 He will Judge the World by the Man Christ Jesus he shall be Judge not only as God but as Man 2 Cor. 5.10 We must till appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ After Death comes Judgment Heb. 9.27 Judgment shall come that is by Christ's coming to Judgment Quest. What is meant by Judgment Seat whether to be understood properly of a material Throne that Christ as Man shall sit on as Earthly Judges use to sit Answ That which may make for the clearing of this consider in these particulars 1. Christ shall descend from Heaven in that nature which ascended he shall descend He was in the World and shall come into the World again as said the Angel Act. 1.11 This same Jesus which was taken up from you into Heaven shall so come c. that is locally and in the same body thus said Christ himself I will come again and receive you to my self Joh. 14.3 And Paul 1 Thess 4.16 The Lord himself shall descend and Saints shall meet him in the Air as he that ascended is the same that descended into the lower parts that is the Grave so the same shall descend again He descended first by vertue of a Sentence pronounced against him next he shall descend to give Sentence against those that were against him 2. Christ shall visibly appear in the World he shall not hide himself as he did many times at his first coming but to be seen Men shall see their Judge Zach 12.10 They shall look upon me Rev. 1.7 Every Eye shall see him Saints shall see him in whom they have believed Sinners shall see him whom they peâ—secuted and despised It was Job's Comfort and Confidence I shall see my Redeemer he shall stand the latter day on Earth It seems he then comes further than the Air not only Saints see but Sinners Numb 24.17 Balaam said I shall see him but not nigh 3. He shall appear gloriously A Judgment seat is an honourable Place Judges sit in their Robes in the Seat of Justice So Christ shall be seen in his Glory Math. 24.30 with Power and Glory that is a visible brightness and fulgor Math. 25.31 in his Glory the Glory of the only begotten Son of God i. e. that becomes such a Person what this Glory is we can't yet know but shall when we see him Math. 24.30 The Sign of the Son of Man shall appear in Heaven that is as some exceeding Glory and Majesty in Heaven which shall bear witness that Christ the Lord of Heaven and Earth draweth near to Judge the World 1. In the Glory of the Father Math. 16.27 that is such Glory as declares him to be God equal with the Father which the Jews denied and then shall see it shall declare him to be an Infinite Person Heb. 1.2 He is the Express Image of his Father's Person and brightness of his Glory And as he is so he shall be seen at that day God shall be seen in Christ as he is in Christ the fulness of the Godhead in Christ's humane nature shall shine forth 2. With innumerable companies of Angels who shall be his Ministers in gathering the Elect. He hath glorious Attendants Math. 25.31 He shall come and all the Holy Angels Now he hath but a few Poor Men of the World to attend him his followers are esteem'd as himself in the days of his humiliation Rejected of Men despised of the People Christ chuses now the weak things of the World but then all his Angels shall come with him Jude 14. Ten Thousand of his Saints according to Enoch's Prophecy that is as 't is expounded Zech.
14.5 The Lord thy God shall come and all his Saints with thee and Christ shall be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe in making them of Sinners Holy of Corruptible Incorruptible changing vile bodies c. 4. At this time he shall have subdued all his Enemies he shall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror This is hinted in that word Seat he shall sit down in his Seat He appeared to Stephen as standing at the Right-Hand of God Acts. 7.56 ready for Action taking his Power rising up to scatter his Enemies And to John as Riding on a White Horse going on Conquering and to Conquer which work he is now about Then he shall sit on a Seat having Conquered by his Power and taken his Enemies as Rev. 19.21 The Beast and false Prophet were taken he shall judicially proceed against them for opposing him As God Creating the World in Six Days rested the Seventh so Christ having Conquered the World shall sit down and rest from fighting and shall proceed to Judge for that he shall appear in the Glory of a Conqueror 1. Of Sin by having satisfied for it removing the guilt and condemning power as to the Saints Heb. 9.28 he shall appear the second time without Sin the meaning is the first time of his appearing in the Flesh he came with the guilt and burden of Sins the Sins of the Elect imputed to him then made Sin the Lord hath layed on him the iniquities of us all as Aaron confessed the Sins of the Israelites over the head of the Goat and sent him into a Land not inhabited But the second time he shall come without Sin without guilt â— Sin 's no longer imputed he being sent away with Sin imputed to the Grave he returns without them having left them in the Land of forgetfulness i. e. the Grave never to be brought in remembrance against Saints because of the full satisfaction he made so that he shall appear without Sin that is to the Saints a Conqueror of Sin 2. Of the Law He was made under the Law being Lord of the Law he suffered that to try its strength upon him and the Law wrought wrath and brought death on him but by the merit of his obedience overcame for he being Lord of the Law that suffered the Curse of it God was more honoured hereby than dishonoured by the transgression of the Law for which he suffered and so Conquered the Law 3. Of Death O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory And Christ shall appear as Conqueror of Death Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and am alive for evermore He hath the Keys of Death and Hell he that was dead and layed in the Sepulchre with a Stone rolled on the mouth of it and Sepulchre sealed he hath Conquered Death and gotten the Keys that is Power to deliver over to or keep from Hell 4. He shall appear as Conqueror of wicked Men and evil Angels Against such Men he shall pronounce Sentence of everlasting Condemnation for their opposing and not believing in him As for evil Angels Jude 6. he hath reserved the Angels in chains of darkness to the Judgment of great day As Prisoners are kept in Prison bound till the Assizes come so are they by God's Power that they cannot escape Doct. 2. All Men shall stand and appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ to receive a Sentence out of his Mouth suitable to what they were and had done in the Body Christ shall be Judge of all Heb. 12.23 Abraham called him the Judge of all the Earth Gen. 18.25 in which negative question is implied an affirmative position that God above all others must and will do right because from his Judgment there is no appeal Acts 10.42 Judge of Quick and Dead of those who being found alive at his coming shall be changed and and of those which shall be raised from the dead to come to Judgment 2 Tim. 4.1 Christ shall Judge the Quick and Dead at his appearing and Kingdom when his Kingdom shall be manifest to all the World as well as over all the World Yea the Man Christ Jesus shall be Judge of evil Angels they are not in full torment Why art thou come to torment us before the time Math. 8.29 All their ease and mitigation of torments is that they have a power over the wicked and rule in them tempting to Sin thus revenging themselves on God and revenge is sweet Luk. 8.31 They besought him much that he would not command them to go out into the deep into Hell For Explication shall be shewn after what form and manner Christ shall proceed in Judgment 1. All shall be cited and called to appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ None shall hide himself then the wicked shall seek to hide in holes of the Rocks and call on the Mountains to hide them c. but thence shall they be taken Math. 24.31 He shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather his Elect 1 Cor. 15.52 1. Thess 4.16 As the people of God were Assembled in their Solemn Feasts and Fasts by the sound of a Trumpet and as an Mount Sinai the Law was given with a most loud and dreadful sound so the Summons of all to Judgment shall be some such sound which is here callâ—d the last trump When it shall be all shall know what this sound means And those that would not hear the sound of the Gospel nor understand what that meant and called Men to shall know the meaning of the Voice of the Archangel and shall hear the sound of the last Trump 2. As all so in this order That is first the Elect shall be Summoned and Judged and then the wicked this may be gathered from divers places Math. 24.31 he shall send his Angels and they shall gather the Elect c. and 25.34 the King first speaks to them on his Right Hand 1 Cor. 15.23 every Man in his order first Christ then they that are Christ's then shall he put down all rule c. 1 Thes 4.16 the dead in Christ shall rise first You may take this Argument for a further declaration of it The Godly shall be Judges of the wicked 1 Cor. 6.2 Do ye not know that the Saints shall Judge the World c. Christ is primary Judge that hath authority to give Sentence Saints by way of astipulation applauding the equity and righteousness of his Judgment and in and through Christ triumphing over the World Now this dignity affirmed of Saints argues their being first judged that they have received their Blessing Ye shall sit on twelve Thrones Judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Math. 19. 3. Those that are called to Christ's Judgment-Seat shall be examined and give account of the things done in the Body that is of thoughts words and works 2 Cor. 5.10 that every one may receive the things done in the body that is reward