know perfectly Brethren I count not my self to have apprehended I follow after I do not sit down satisfied with that I have but I follow after that which I have not that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of God God apprehends the Elect in Love he apprehends by his Spirit to bring nigh to himself to make Vessels of Mercy and Glory and they desire to apprehend God and to be nigh him and to be filled brim full with Mercy and Glory they that are full already are most empty Luk. 1.53 Use 2. To stir up the Saints with more diligence to labour to work out their Salvation as Peter exhorts Believers 2 Pet. 1.5 Giving all diligence add to your Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge c. So to add Faith to Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Holiness to Holiness Hos 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord. You that know any thing of Christ should follow on to know more and you shall know more if you hear if you search the Scriptures if you ask more Wisdom and Knowledge 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of the Lord. Grow in all Graces in Faith Humility Heavenly mindedness and as a great furtherance hereto grow in Knowledge That Salvation may be perfected Consider what it is The Apostle describes it by two parts 1. Wee shall see him as he is 2. We shall be like him To see Christ as the Express Image of the Fathers Person to know God in Christ and to enjoy him as your God and to bear the Image of Christ perfectly in your Soul and Body this is compleat Salvation To see him in whom all fulness dwels and to be like him that is the brightness of the Fathers Glory is Glory enough So these are two great things that ought to be your mark 1. Grow in the Knowledge of Christ Math. 13.11 To you it is given to know the Mystery of Christ To know the great Mystery of Godliness to you a Spirit is given to lead you into all Truth to you the Promises are made of being taught of God Desire Knowledge and believe this Promise so more and more still of the Fulness Excellency and Glory of Christ shall be revealed to you 2. Grow in a conformity to Christ Christ is perfectly Holy labour to be more like him in Holiness let the same mind be in you as in Christ the same Meekness Compassion Heavenly mindedness and Zeal for the Glory of the Father Fashion not your selves to the World but fashion your selves according to the Pattern of Christ and believe that your vile Bodies shall be fashioned like to his Glorious Body and let this Hope he your Happiness till you actually enjoy this Happiness Use 3. Direction about this great work of working out our Salvation 1. Propose right ends to your selves Intermediate and Mediate 1. Intermediate ends that you may have perfect Happiness perfect Redemption from all Evils and that an end may be put to Sin and Sorrow that there may be no more sinning nor no more sorrowing The desire of your own good is not unlawful if you desire Heaven as your Happiness Christ as your Life the presence of God as your best portion this you ought to desire as your happiness the enjoyment of God as your chief good and perfect likeness to Christ as the most perfection that you can be made partakers of Thus did Paul desire his own happiness and good 2 Cor. 6. We which are in this Tabernacle do groan c To be cloathed upon that immortality may be swallowed up of life that Vanitv may be swallowed up of fulness Earthly things of Heavenly Temporal of Eternal that is you must not make it your Business to be Rich Great Renowned and Happy in the World but to be Rich Glorious and Happy in Heaven Lay not up for your selves Treasure on Earth but in Heaven say not to your Souls there are Goods laid up on Earth but much Glory in Heaven Treasures which Moth and Rust cannot corrupt nor Thief break through and steal 2. Your own Happiness must not be your chief and ultimate end but the Glory of God Desire that perfection of Glory may be given you that God may have all that Glory which he expects from you Mark that Petition Father glorify thy Son that thy Son also may glorify thee Joh. 17.1 Desire your own Glory for the Glory of God Desire perfect Knowledge and perfect Holiness that you may do nothing besides Glorifying God that you may not come short of any degree of Glory that he expects from you It is the Everlasting Exercise of the Saints in Heaven to sing Hallelujahs 2. Lay aside every Weight As those that run in a Race will not load themselves with unnecessary weights and he that strives for Masteries is temperate in all things 1 Cor. 9.15 He will take heed of Surfeiting and Drunkeness so in running this Spiritual Race towards Heaven lay aside every weight whatever may be a clog to your hearts to slacken your diligence from endeavouring after the encrease of Heavenly perfections whatever may draw down your hearts from Heaven what may remit your desire of Christ's appearing and of being in his presence As 1. The Love of the World This will be a heavy weight on hearts to hinder their ascending to Heaven If the Mountains should fall upon your Bodies these would be such a weight that you would not be able to stir in the least motion under them the love of the World in the heart is as great weight upon the Spirit it suppresses breathings of Spirit after Heaven it quenches thirstings after Heavenly Glory Take heed of loading your hearts with this weight do not load your selves with thick clay So much immoderate love as there is to the World so much weight is in your Spirits pressing them down from Heaven 2. The cares of the World These are a weight they beget Heaviness in your Spirits and deadness unto Spiritual things Luke 20.34 Take heed of surfeiting and drunkeness and the cares of the World Provident cave is not forbidden but immoderate carâ—king cares take heed of being drunken with cares these cares are choaking things Spiritual desires joys motions and breathings are in danger to be choak'd by worldly cares This our Saviour shews in that parable of the Sower Some Seed shall fall among Thorns and the Thorns sprang up with it and choaked it Luke 8.7 By this is meant such hearers as hear the word and go forth and are choaked with the cares riches and pleasures of the World and bring no fruit to perfection ver 14. If you give up your selves to these this will hinder the bringing Fruit to perfection Worldly Men bar Fruit but not Fruits to perfection no Faith no Love Repentance Reformation so if Saints be overtaken with these this will hinder much their growing onwards to perfection in Knowledge in Grace 3. Worldly Sorrow
straight Gate they will follow hard and press towards the Mark c. they put on with Zeal and Resolution in the way that leads to life They go to Sion with their faces thitherward that is they come to ordinances with strong affections as a hungry Man to a Feast They run with patience the Race set before them this is an evidence of the true Knowledge of Christ. 2. Next I shall lâ—y down the grounds of consolation they have who have attained to the saving Knowledge of the Excellency of Christ. 1. You that have attained to Excellency of Knowledge of Christ shall have the perfection of the Knowledge of Christ. He that knows in part shall know as he is known He that sees Christ darkly as in a Glass shall see him face to face He that knows his back-parts shall know his fore-parts This is evident from that of Christ to the Woman of Samaâ—ta John 4.14 Whosoever shall drink of the Water I shall give shall thirst no more that is shall not thirst after other Waters he shall not seek other comforts he finds enough in Christ that knows Christ aright and can say as Peter to whom elsâ— shâ—uld I go then hast the words of Eternal Life he goes not to the creatures to suck comfort from them he shall thirst no more after other things He shall thirst no more that is he shall be filled with Christ he shall have enough in Christ to satisfy him tho' as yet he hath not When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness satisfied with the clear Vision and Knowledge of Chrest so as that he shall desire to know nothing but Christ and shall know as much of Christ as he can desire 1 John 3.2 Now we are the Sons of God c. and we shall see him as he is that is now we see him darkly then face to face clearly perfectly Christ now looks through lattess Cant. 2.9 but Christ shall lay himself open to our view Then the Glory of Christ's Person shall be made visible to us then Christ in all his Glory shall appear then the mystery of Christ shall be made plain then Christ who is altogether lovely shall be altogether known as lovely then there shall be perfect knowledge of that Love of his which now passeth knowledge then Faith shall be swallowed up in Vision Desire shall end in perfect Delight What comfort then may this afford to those that have in some measure attained to the Knowledge of Christ and thirst for more you shall have what yea more than you thirst after 2. There shall be wrought in you a perfect Conformity unto Christ in Glory this shall follow upon the perfecting of your Knowledge If you behold as in a glass the Glory of the Lord and are changed c. translated c. then much more seeing Face to Face you shall be changed from Glory to Glory that is Glory you shall have in some measure answerable to the Glory of Christ The Glory of the Members shall be in their measure proportioned to the Glory of the head this appears 1 Joh. 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is because we shall see him so we shall be like him and what a glorious condition shall you be then in Christ as you have heard is a most glorious Person therefore 't will be your greatest Glory and Happiness to be made like him 3. You have reason to be strong in Faith you know whom you have believed to whom you have committed your Souls for Salvation and from whom it is you look for Life and Immortallity Glory Honour you know him to be the Son of God and so that he is able to keep what you commit to him you know his Righteousness that it is not a Covering too narrow for a Man to wrap himself in but adequate to the breadth of all your Sins you know him to be Intercessor with the Father in the bosom of the Father nay one with the Father so that you need not to fear the wrath of God nor to fly from him as a Consuming Fire you can with Moses go up to the top of the Mountain to talk with God when others may justly fear to touch the foot thereof least they be consumed you need not fear the wrath of the Devil you know one that hath led him captive that is able to bind that strong Man and hath done it you know that there is a Vertue in Christ's Blood which you know how to make use off and by it to overcome the Devil who is the Accuser of the Brethren Rev. 12.11 when he comes and hath great wrath then a wo is denounced to the Inhabitants of the Earth but rejoyce ye Heavens c. ver 12. you have not need to fear the wrath of Man you know Christ who is able to turn the wrath of Man to his own Glory and to your Good Isa 43.1 c. in a word you have in all your Distresses ground of strong Consolation and may comfort your Souls as Job did Chap. 19.25 c. you are assured of Safety and Salvation therefore be strong in Faith let not your Hearts be moved at the apprehension of Danger hold you your Confidence stedfast to the end let it be your care to keep a good Conscience to hold forth the Honour of Christ and if your Hearts suggest Dangers answer your fears as Abraham did Isaac the Lord will provide Christ will take care of your Safety 4. You that know Christ are known of Christ he knows you for his own he owns you he appears for you he knows your Souls in all your Adversities and that as a Father pittieth his Child in all his distresses and will do his utmost to relieve and ease it Psal 31.7 I know my Sheep and I am known of mine Joh. 10.13 14. noting his care of them Gal. 4.9 Since ye know God or rather are known of God those that know are known as 't is said we love God because he first loved us so if we know Christ he hath first known us if our Earthly Friends forsake or will not own you as Job's and David's yet Christ will not he will not forget or forsake you therefore you should be always ready to own Christ he knows you in your Sufferings know you him in his Sufferings c. and you need not to fear that dreadful Sentence of Christ Depart from me I know you not to all that now know not God and that desire not to know him so he shall say but to you Come ye Blessed c. Doct. 2. The Principal study and care of a People must be to know the Mystery of the Cross of Christ This Point I shall endeavour to prove and then to unfold the Mystery and shew what 't is you must labour to know of Christ Crucified and so descend to Application I. I shall prove it by these steps and degrees 1. 'T is
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
Accomplishment Page 166 3. To make these Argum. convictive there is requir'd an inward work of the Spirit on the Heart Page 170 Use 1. Of reproof to them that honour not the word duly Page 175 2. Of direction how to receive it Page 179 The Fourth Discourse Phil. 2.12 Of working out our Salvation Page 185 Sect. 1. Opening the Text. Page 186 Sect. 2. D. 1. The great busin that requires greatest diligence is to make Salvation sure Page 188 1. Salvation of Believers in Christ is sure in it self as the whole Trinity can make it Page 193 2. It may be made as sure to them 3. It ought to be made sure Page 194 4. Nothing else can be made sure Page 195 5. Nothing else is worth making sure Page 196 Sect. 3. What is Salv. and what Assur thereof Page 197 Sect. 4. Use of Exhortation with motives Page 198 Sect. 5. Directions 1. to estranged Sinners Page 203 Sect. 6. 2. To Saints 1. how to get this Assur Page 211 Sect. 7. 2. How to carry thems in want of it Page 213 Sect. 8. D. 2. The working out of Salvation begun should be the great desire of all Believers Page 220 1. Their Salvation shall be perfected 2. by degr 3. They should desire its perfection Page 223 Sect. 9. Use 1. Of Information 2. Of Excitation 3. Of Direction in this great work Page 229 Sect. 10. D. 3. Salvation is to be wrought out with fear and trembling Page 238 With what fear and what not Page 240 Sect. 11. 1. Salvation of Sinners is the work of the Trinity Page 242 2. There is a most glorious manifest of God in it 3. That cannot but work fear in the Soul to which this manifestation is made Page 245 Sect. 12. Of the nat and opposiâ—… of that fear Page 249 Sect. 13. Use 2 Of Information for Sinners Page 250 Sect. 14. Use 2. To consider well what is this work Page 252 Sect. 15. On the motive to this work ver 13. Doct. 1. they that are in the way of Life and Salvat are willing and doing Christians Page 256 Sect. 16. How they are willing and doing Page 257 Sect. 17. Use for conviction of many Page 261 Sect. 18. Doct. 2. A gracious will is of God's working Page 266 1. Explained 2. Proved by these steps 1. In Nat. Man is no free will to spirit good he is 1 dark 2. dead 3. full of enmity thereto Page 271 2. Renewed Man hath spiritual freedom Page 273 3. This holy free will is of God's working Page 274 Two main Objections answered Page 276 Sect. 19. Divers uses of this point Page 271 The Fifth Discourse Isa 58.13 14 Of Sanctifying the Gospel Sab. Page 283 Doct. In the puâ—est Goâ—pel-times theâ—e will be a strict observ of the Sabbath day How this Prophet Text proves that Page 285 c. Q. How God's Com. to Sanct. the seventh day can oblige us now to Sanct. the Lord's day Page 293 Q. How the chaâ—ge of the Sab. day appears Page 294 Q. How was the Sabbath made for Man Page 296 Q. Wherein consists the strict observ of it Page 299 Answer'd from the Text it self Object Who then can keep a Sab. Answered Page 302 Q. Shall a Sab. be kept in New Jerus or when the Church is glorious on Earth Page 303 Use 1. Of Rep. to many for not counting the Sab. holy and honour neither in the Judgm nor in their Practice Page 304 2. Of Exhortation to Sanctify it better Page 306 3. Motives to the Exhortation 4. Direct how to keep a Gospel Sab. Page 312 The Sixth Discourse Rom. 14.10 Of Christ 's Universal Judgment Page 317 D. 1. Christ hath a Judgment seat prepared for him What is meant by that and by his sitting on it Page 319 How Christ shall then appear What Enemies will then be Conquered D. 2. All Men shall then appear before him to receive Sentence according to their deeds now done in the Body Page 323 After what form Christ's Judgm will proceed Page 324 Q. Shall the Sins of the Godly be then mentio Page 326 Use 1. Of terrour to all the Wicked Page 331 Urged by considering that 1. 't is the day of Christ's wrath 2. All their sinful works will be remembred 3. None of their seeming good works mention'd in excuse of their evil ones 4. Their Conscience shall then be convinced Page 337 5. Their cries Prayers shall not be heard Page 339 6. They 'll be reward accord to their works Page 340 Use 2. Of Exhortat make it the business of every day to prepare for that last day Page 341 Directions how to prepare ERRATA Of many Slips in Spelling and Pointing these most need to be Corrected PReface Page 3. Line 16. for late read let p. 4. l. ult r. 12 Book p. 1. l. 8. dele Saint p. 7. l. 28. after is add to p. 11 l. 9. doth This. l. 33. r. here 's page 53. 30. they p. 54. 30. dele be p. 62. 28. aim p. 65. 12. is r. are p. 67. f. trusting r. instructing as we are instructed p. 68. 32. too r. to p. 69. 33. where p. 78. 12. add as after Sense l. 28. is r. if p. 80. 20. night r. might p. 81. 6. you r. must p. 82. 11. spent p. 84. 7. exercise p. 86. 33. Son-like p. 87. 2. change the Points p. 89. 28. dele more p. 90. 12. none p. 97. 19. Isai 33. p. 103. 14. search l. 22. plenty p. 104. 30. then read thou p. 107. 27. appropriation p. 108. 10. dele re p. 110. 15. I can p. 115. 21. dele on p. 116. 19. dele let 's p. 122. 3. Christ was p. 149. ult they P. 151. 2. constrain p. 152. ult be no. p. 160. 15. p. 170. 9. dele Truth p. 19. 69. â—n r. in p. 174. 20. fore r. for l. 24. there are p. 180. 19. 15. r. 5 p. 199. 22. that he p. 204. 3. r. live p. 221. 22. we were p. 235. 1. groaâ—ing p. 275. 12. dele that l. 21. his own p. 313. ult they p. 323. 30. dele and. p. 333. 14. change the Points r. and the. p. 340. 26. capacity p. 341. ult believe This. p. 344. 15. Jude l. 88. that they THE FIRST DISCOURSE THE Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST EPHESIANS the iij. verse viij Unto me who am less than the least of all Saints is this Grace given that I should Preach among the Gentiles the Unsearchable Riches of Christ CHAP. I. THE Apostle here commends the Grace of God to the Gentiles in that they were made Fellow Heires and partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gospel and also the Grace of God to him in particular in Calling him to Preach the Unsearchable Riches of Christ among the Gentiles Who was a greater and more Eminent Saint Saint then Paul He calls himself when a sinner the chief of Sinners So there was ground for others to call him when he was a Saint the chief of Saints yet he stiles
we ought yet he remains Faithful When the Israelites did so much provoke the Lord in the Wilderness yet he was well pleased for his Rightousness sake to save them 3. Christ shall prosper in a work of Righteousness Ps 45.4 Ride prosperously because of Righteousness It is a Righteous thing with God to render Tribulation to them that trouble you to Babylon to Persecutors to the Man of sin In the last day it will be the great Work of Christ as in Egypt God rendred tribulation to the Egyptians to the Task Masters c. and to the Israelites Rest so Persecuâ—ors of Righteousness most look to have their portion of wrath and vengeance from the Righteousness of Christ 4. Christ shall be a Fountain of Righteousness to the Afflicted and Oppressed World he is the â—un of Râ—ghteousnesâ— he is full of Righteousness as the Sun is full of Light the World is Empty of Righteousness Christ is full of it and this Sun shall arise Psal 85.11 And Righteousness shall look down from Heaven it 's in a great measure gone out of the Earth and almost confined to Heaven all kind of unrighteousness flows from under â—â—e Throne Iniquity flows thence like Water and unrighteousness as a mighty Stream but Righteousness shall have a time to look down from Heaven and the Waters of Life shall issue from the Throne of God and of the Lamb and from thence Judgment shall run down as Water c. And now what abundant comfort may flow into the Saints from the Righteousness of Christ in his Works for and towards Believers By the Righteousness he fulfilled for them they are reconciled to God believing and being in him having this Righteousness there is no condemnation to them and by the other Righteousness they shall be saved from the Wrath of the Devil and wicked men Therefore as Christ's Righteousness sustains him Isa 59.16 that is it bears him up and carries him on in a work of Vengeance upon his Enemies and Salvation of his Servants in the one his Righteous fury upholds him Isa 63.5 in the other his Righteous â—ove so should Christ's Righteousness sustain Believers under their burthens and crosses which they meet withal in the works and ways of God This should support their sinking and drooping Spirits and say to those that are of a fearful heart Be strong fear not for God will come with vengeance and recompence he will come and save you Jacob said with this Staff I passed over Jordan the Saints having the Staff of Christ's Righteousness may pass over Jordan and be above the fears of Death Satan c. The World with this may go through Fire and Water and be sure to be brought into the wealthy place Jacob with his Staff got into a wealthy State he had a Staff in his hand but a better Staff in his Heart that was his dependance on the Lord his God This is the true Jacob's Staff which if we have it shall sustain and uphold us for doing and suffering It will be our stay and strength in both And if Châ—ist hath Riches of Righteousness and be Faithful and Just to Believers how should this engage them to be Faithful and Just to him He is Just to the Vessels of Mercy in giving Repentance and Remission of sin which should teach them to be Just to him in giving him his due Subjection Service Worship and Glory when he had undertaken it he was just in giving himself for them and should not they be Just in giving up themselves and say we are not our own but bought with a price c. Be Just to confess him be Just to serve him and suffer for him be Just to render all their due and especially to the Houshold of Faith Comforting as being Comforted Instâ—ucting as being Instructed Forgiving as he Forgave and giving freely as we have freely received And if Christ have the Riches of Righteousness then all wicked men that are Enemies to Christ have cause to tremble such as break his bonds and bruise his members that will not have him to reign over them and would not that any of his faithful Servants and Members should live among them hating them because Christ hath chosen them such have cause to fear before him As the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against the unrighteousness of men so Christ's Righteousness doth engage him to punish the unrighteousness of men as he is Gracious and Merciful abundant in goodness so he will not clear the guilty Exod. 34.7 As he looks to those of a humble and contrite heart that tremble at his word and rejoices over them to do them good so he beholds them that are proud and rebellious and harden themselves against him and will bruise them with his Rod of Iron c. Psal 2.9 CHAP. V. THere are in Christ Riches of Wisdom in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2.3 He hath Wisdom in greatest Abundance the Treasures of Wisdom Solomon had Wisdom and largeness of Heart as the Sand upon the Sea shore wheâ—ein he was a type of Christ but behold a greater then Solomon is here Exceeding him more then he did the Children of the East if any ask as Job 2â— 12 Where is Wisdom and the place of Understandig It 's not to be found in the land of the living The depth saith it 's not in me and men must say 't is not in them verse 23. God understandeth the way and knoweth the path thereof and the Scripture discovereth where it is to be found that is in Christ 1. Christ hath the Riches of Speculative Wisdom in the knowledge of the highest and best Objects of all deep things he understands all deep Mysteries they are no Mysteries to him darkness is no darkness to him but Darkness and Light are both alike he knows the Divine Nature That Name which is secret to us is manifest unto him and he hath the knowledge of the deepest Mysteries of Nature He enters into the Treasures of Snow and Hail and Springs of the Sea and walks in the search of the deep He knows the Ordinances of Heaven all which was hid from Job He knows all the Mysteries of the Word all Scripture-truths Promises and Prophecies He opened the Scripture the things concerning himself He hath the knowledge also of the Mysteries of Iniquity which hath been working so long all Antichristian Counsels and coâ—tâ—ivances He knows the Mysteries of men's Hearts John 2 2â— He knows what was in man all tâ—e Churches shall know those of the Synagogue o Saâ—â—n shall know yea all the World shall know that â—hriâ— searcheth all Hearts c. Rev. 2.23 He knows the depts of Satan and is not ignorant of his deâ—ices 2. Chriâ—â— hath the Richâ—s of Practical Wisdom and thus as it is Prov. 8.12 I Wisdom dwell with Prudâ—nce and find out knowledge of witty inventions Wisdom is the knowledge that Christ hath of all thiâ—gs the highest and best the
lowest and meanest Prudence orders the way and means foâ— bringing about that which Wisdom judgeth best to bâ— dâ—ne Prudence is the Guide of Action and s conversant in doing Wisdom counsels and consider Prudence puts upon working that which counsel determines He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will Eph. 1.11 Wisdom is conversant in counsel Prudence in working after that counsel Many men have a great measure of Wisdom and knowledge but they rest in knowing and content themselves in Speculation there is mention of a Servant who knew his Master's will and did it not His Wisdom did not dwell with Prudence he that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin 't is not so with Christ his Wisdom dwells with Prudence nay he is Wisdom c. Prov. 8.14 As he knows how to do good so he doth it He knows how to convince gain-sayers he knows how to Justifie Sanctifie and Save and how to subdue and destroy his Enemies The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Thus Wisdom dwells with Prudence and finds out knowledge of witty Inventions The Scripture discovers many of the witty Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence foretelling and promising more 1. What a wise Invention was the World the Heavens the Earth and all the Host of them These Works of the Lord are great and to be sought out when we consider the Heavens the work of God's hand the Moon and the Stars which he hath created the Earth and variety of Creatures therein but especially man in the frame of his Body but chiefly his Soul There will be abundant cause of admiring the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence and we may say of all they are fearfully and wonderfully made 2. When man was fallen by the subtil inventions of Satan what a witty Invention came forth of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to recover man fallen The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 3. When the World was to be destroyed by a Flood what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence to save Noah and his Family and a stock of all living creatures in the Ark 1 Pet. 3.20 4. When Joseph's Brethren had their witty inventions to make void his Dreams then wisdom dwelling with Prudence had its witty inventions to accomplish them and herein to be admired that their wicked inventions intended by them to frustrate were made the means to further the fulfilling of them Gen. 50 2â— 5. When Pharaoh thought he saw an advantage against the Israelites they are intangled in the Land the Wilderness hath shut them in and now he resolves to pursue and overtake c. But what a witty invention was there of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence for the Salvation of Israel and utter destruction of Pharaoh and his Host at once by the same invention Exod. 14. 6. When Haman had a mischievous invention to destroy the Jews Wisdom dwelling with Prudence had a witty invention to save them and to cut off Haman Esther 6.7 7. There was a witty invention to cut off those three Shadrach Meshach and Abednego by setting up an Image and commanding them to worship it and because they would not worship it they were cast into the fiery Furnace but then Wisdom dwelling with Prudence that is the Son of God appeared in the Furnace and walked with them in the midst of the Fire restraining it that it had not power upon their Bodies or Garments only as we may conceive it did burn up their Bonds for they were cast in in Bonds but walked loose which is worthy of our Observation in that it hints to us God's great design in the fiery Trial at any time happening to the Saints which is to burn up their bonds Lusts within are Bonds these will the Lord consume by the fiery Trial and too often outward things as Riches Glory Prosperity are like the hands of the whorish Woman that is bonds to the Soul which sometimes are loosed by the fiery Trial and what is Death to Saints but the loosing of the bonds of the mortal body that so the Soul may go to its rest Hence Paul â—ays Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissâ—lved to be unbound to be let loose and to be with Christ which is much better And the design of destâ—oying Daniel in the Dâ—n of Lions was frustrated and ended in the destruction of the contrivers Here we may see 1. That there are Inventions within Inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence within Satans and wicked men's inventions 2. The inventions within that is of Christ are the standing inventions Many are the devices of men's hearts saith Solomon but the counsel of the L rd shall stand Christ's inventions do oveâ—-rule and over come all Satan's and wicked men's inâ—entions As 1. Sometimes making them prove abortive destroying the Wisdom of the Wife and bringing to nothing the understanding of the Prudent 2 Setting them their bounds thus far shâ—ll â—hey come and no farther and here shall theiâ— pâ—oud waves be stayed c. 3. Giving them their tendency which is many times directly contrary to what men aim at making them serve to the Author's destruction men have perished and will perish by their own inventions and fall by their own counsel the Lord will be known by his Judgments herein and his Wisdom must triumph over all the Wisdom of Hell and the World But 1. Of all the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence the most Glorious is that of the Word being made Flesh and so made sin that sinners may be made the Righteousness of God in him Satan had a Subtile invention to destroy the the Lord a more witty invention to save men what an invention was here that one Person should be God-man Creator and Creature Off-spring of David and Root of David his Son and yet his Lord The Salvation of Sinners seemed utterly impossible God had said a sinner must dye There was an invention of fulfilling this Law upon a Surety which undertook for man As an Infinite Person was offended so there must be an infinite satisfaction and price of an infinite value without which man could not be reconciled to God what a glorious invention was here The Surety undertaking this was an infinite Person equal with the Father he gave a life of an Infinite Value he had in the humane nature united to him A Body hast thou prepared me It was the Body of the Son of God and so a Sacrifice of Infinite Value the Priest offering the Sacrifice was infinite the Son of God the Altar Sanctifying the Gift was the Divine Nature What an invention was it for the redeeming of lost man The Incarnation of Christ the Hypostatical union was the chief of the witty inventions of Wisdom dwelling with Prudence 2. The next is the mystical union betwixt Christ and the Vessels of Mercy who are joyned to the Lord and become one Spirit with him being
joyned as Husband and VVife so are one Spirit no man hates but loves and cherishes his own Flesh even as the Lord the Church his Name is called on the Saints they are made partakers of his Benefits of his Riches Relations Inheritance and Glory They are joyned also as Head and Members 1 Cor. 12 1â— As the body is one and hath many members so is Christ The Head is for the Members and the Members for the Head the Head Rules the Members serve the Head ascending and entering into Glory the Members must follow the Head into that state of Glory Being joyned to Christ they have that Power and Priviledge to become the Sons of God to be Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. 3. The next of the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence which we may take notice of is that of Regeneration making men of Flesh Spirit of sinners Saints of dead alive to God we are his workmanship Eph. 2.10 A Saint is a work beseeming God commending his divine skill All the Saints shall come unto a a perfect man in Christ as the expression is Eph. 4.13 and be prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband and presented without spot or wrinkle having minds filled with light hearts with love fear and all other Graces In this work the witty inventions of wisdom shall appear 2 Thes 1.10 He shall come to be glorified in all his Saints and admired in those that Believe as by them so in them Angels shall admire the work of God in and upon the Saints for 't is a work the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 In that by the Churches the manifold Wisdom of God comes to be known unto them Eph. 3.10 4. Then the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence have been seen in doing of great things by very inconsiderable means It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching as it was judged by the wise ones of the VVorld to save them that Believe God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the mighty and things that are not to bring to nought things that are Weak means therefore are not to be despised when a Wise Omnipotent God is at work in and with them What great things were done by a few contemptible Persons as the World Judged for the Conversion of many Souls and the setting up the Kingdom of Christ So for outward Deliverance and Salvation God can work it by weak means as by the three hundred men which were with Gideon who took water in their hands and lapped being contented with a little of the creature for present refreshment were ready to go forward in the work they were called to of Christ it is said Psalm â—10 7 He shall drink of the Brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the lead By these few did the â—ord scatter the great Host of the Midianites and here Wisdom dwelling with Prudence did suggest a witty Invention and Stratagem of carrying Trumpets in their right hands and empty Pitchers and Lamps within them in their left which terrified the Hoâ—t and brought all into confusion and thus God can by a few of his Servants who know how to use creatures and not abuse them who are burning and shining lights sounding forth the truths of the Gospel and the Praises of the Most High break the Rod of that Oppressor the man of sin as in the day of Midian Isa 9.4 for yet a little while and the indignation shall cease and the anger of God in his destruction and the Lord of Host shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the Rock of Oreb and he will do to him and his followers as unto the Medianites as to Sisera as to Jabin at the Brook of Kison which perished at Endor They became dung for the Earth not only as dung upon the Earth but for the Eearth they had fatted themselves with the Fruits of the Earth but at last all their glory and wealth c. shall be as dung to make fat the Earth And as many of the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence have been discovered so more must be As there were witty inventions in the first Creation so there must be in a New Creation which shall so far exceed that when the new Heavens and the new Earth shall be Created the former shall no more be remembred neither shall come upon the heart The Glory of the latter House shall exceed the Glory of the former what inventions shall be in and about the new Jerusalem that City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God described in Ezekiel by legal Expressions which are to be known as Christ not after the Flesh but after the Spirit it is the body and substance of all legal Shadows which is set forth and shall appear in that City and Temple there described John's Vision of the new Jerusalem is the same with Ezekiel's which shall have the Glory of God have light like a Stone most precious the street thereof is pure Gold as transparent Glass there shall not be such darkness of ignorance sin corruption and misery as now it hath no need of the Sun or Moon for the Glory of God doth lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 5. There have been and will be also the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence in works of Providence and Preservation the Bush did burn and was not consumed the world is set on fire of Hell the hearts of wicked men burn with malice and anger against the Godly the Anti christian party have a Fire continually a burning within them against the followers of Christ and hence have made use of so much outward fire against the Saints yet cannot destroy the Church of the First-born who have the Name of God in their foreheads and are the first Fruits of God and the Lamb. VVhen â—haraoh studied to desâ—roy the Male children of the Hebrâ—ws VVisdom dwelling with Prudence had a way to preserve them and Moses who was to be the Deliverer was secured and bred up in Pharaoh's Court Infinitly doth the wisdom of God exceed man's wisdom and so when the time shall be for Redemption out of Egyptian and Anti-christian Bondage as God is providing his Instruments so he will call forth and command his Sanctified and Mighty ones for his anger even them that rejoyce in his Highness to put down Babylon and execute the vengeance of his Temple upon it when Goliah defied the Armies of Israel and terrified them God brought David to the Camp and put it into his heart to fight with the Philistine who being Armed as he thought sufficiently the Lord knew where he was bare and with David's Sling and Stone slew him and David cut â—ff his head with his own Sword In like manner must that Goliah at Rome be destroyed by a Stone cut out of the mountain without hands and by his own Sword for the
made him the King of Glory 't is one thing to have the Glory of a King another to be the King of Glory that is a King made up all of Glory for they did some things which were their Shame and not their Glory These were but as the Moon which rules the Night having their Spots but Christ is the King of Glory made up all of Glory like the Sun that rules the Day Particularly 1. Christ hath the glory of being Universal King Antichrist mainly strives for it This is Christs peculiar Glory all things in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth are subject to him he is in Heaven at the right hand of the Majesty on High his Eyes run to and fro on the Earth beholding the Evil and the Good his left hand is under the Head of the Saints and his right hand doth imbrace them be they never so much under yet beneath them are everlasting Arms to uphold them and be their Enemies never so high yet the everlasting Arms are above them and his Hand shall be in the Neck of his Enemies Gen. 49.8 2. A Triumphant King all his Enemies must be made his Footstool and he must see his desire and designs upon them he shall bind Satan and the Hands and Hearts of wicked Men that they shall not hurt nor destroy in all his Holy Mountain 3. A King Reigning in Righteousness Righteousneâ—s is the best Glory of Kings the King of Kings shall be most Glorious in his Righteousness as he is a Priest after the Order of Melchisedec so a Prince also after his order being the King of Righteousness he shall not Judge after the sight of the Eyes but Righteous Judgment Isa 11.3 4. as David was a King the goodness of whose Government did extend to the Saints being a King for them and not against them Psa 16.3 So is Christ much more he is a King to relieve the Oppressed and hearing also the cry of Oppression so as that he shall break Oppressors in pieces but shall save the Poor and Needy and such as have no Hâ—lper in his days the Righteous shall flourish and abundance of Peace so long as the Moon endureth He shall be a King not like Saul who was for having good things extended to him from the Israelites He shall take off your Olive yards c. but like David who was for the extending of his Goodness c. 4. Christ is a King having an Incorruptible Crown Earthly Kings must dye and their Kingdoms must at last come to an end but Christs Kingdom shall never have an end Earthly Kings after they have lived a while in Glory lye in glory Isa 14.18 that is in some stately Monument but Christ shall always live and never lye in Glory much less then shall he lye down in shame this is the meaning of the Rainbow about his Throne like an Emerald Rev. 4.3 Anti-christ's Throne that Throne of Iniquity which establisheth Mischief by a Law hath not a Rainbow about it but a hand-writing against it the Bow in the Cloud secures the Earth from being overwhelmed again by a Flood so the Rainbow about Christ's Throne notes its security from Destruction it shall destroy but never be destroyed it shall breake in pieces but never be broken 3. There is the Glory which Christ shall have from Creatures 1. From the Holy Angels they are his Servants ascending and descending upon the Son of Man Joh. 1.51 they have their standing in and their stability by Christ and they do not stand idle in Christ but ascend and descend that is they 're running and going at Christ's Command and are always imployed in the business of the Son of Man being his Ministers by whom he doth his work in the World they ascend to know and descend to do they ascend to receive Command and descend to Execute them they descend about their work but ascend in their end doing all to the Glory of God and when Christ shall come these shall be his Attendants and be round about his Throne Dan. 7.10 Thousands thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him 2. From the new created World Christ will not come into this old corrupt prophane World which is like a moth eaten Garment the Heavens do contain him till the times of Restitution of all things Acts 3.21 such a restitution there must be that there may be a better World to receive Christ and be in subjection to Christ the Heavens must be dissolved and the Elements melt with fervent heat to purge away their Dross and that all may run into a more pure and glorious Form fâ—â— this fire shall be as in some respects a consuâ—ing fire so also a Râ—â—â—â—r's fire Men do much by fire for refining 〈◊〉 â—â—d calling them into what form they pâ—â—â—sâ— and also fâ—r Extracting Spirits great Transmutations of things are made by fire what great things will the Lord do by this fire at the last the new Heavens and the new Earth shall come forth of thâ—s fire for the Earth and the works therein shall be burnt up nevertheless we according to his promises look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein Righteâ—usness dwelleth 2 Pet. 3.10 13. and the Lord promises Isa 60.17 for Brass I will bring Gold for Iron Silver c. which shall have an accomplishment several ways as if we consider the new world in general it shall be in comparison with the old as if Gold were brought out of Brass Silver out of Iron Iron out of Stones 1. And if in particular we consider men first as Men in the Constitution of their Bodies in a natural and moral Capacity in respect of Wisdom Understanding and Knowledge of Natural things and in their behaviour so shall there be such difference from what Men are now as if Gold were brought out of Brass and Silver out of Iron 2. In a politick Capacity so there will be the like difference which seems to be expresly hinted in that Promise seeing it immediately follows I will make thine Officers Peace and thine Exactors Righteousness in which respect there will be for Brass Gold for Iron Silver In the times of Degeneration as we may observe in that Image Nabuchadnezzar saw Gold degenerates into Silver Silver into Brass Brass into Iron but in the time of Regeneration Math. 19.28 it will be contrary then the Iron and the Brass and the Silver will regenerate into Gold and better Gold than the Head of that Image In that the Lord Promises I will restore Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Isa 1.26 3. In a Spiritual capacity as Saints and in respect of Church-State so for Brass will the Lord bring Gold for common Stones there shall be precious Stones I will make the Windows of Agates and the Gates of Carbuncles and all the Borders of pleasant Stones Isa 54.12 Then shall be that Church into which nothing shall enter which worketh abomination
flowing in till there be fullness and then they never flee away concerning Babylon's wealth the cry will be Alas alas in one hour so great Riches are come to nought Rev. 18.16.17 but Sion's Riches never came to nought being the durable Riches Prov. 8.18 2. They many times hinder Mens entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven 't is hard for â— Rich Man to enter thither because Riches are loved more than that Kingdom but being rich in Christ and having Vertue and Knowledge Temporance and Godliness added to Faith so you may know that Entrance shall be administred abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of Christ 2. Pet. 1.8 11. 3. The love of Money is the Root of all Evill a Root bearing Gall and Wormwood as Lying Deceit Violence Apostacy Pride c. on the other side the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much good will grow as Obedience Zeal of following Christ Boldness to Confess him a heavenly Conversation with contentment with food convenient as the love of Money is the Root of Sin so of piercing Sorrow and distracting Cares but the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much Peace and Joy will grow even that Peace which passeth Understanding and Joy unspeakable and full of Glory 2. Let those that are partakers of Christ's Riches take these Instructions 1. Be poor in Spirit when you are rich in Christ being rich in the Spirit of Christ given you be poor in your own Spirits Paul said in nothing came I behind the very chiefest Apostles though I be nothing 2 Cor. 12.11 whatever I have now there was a time when I had nothing and was nothing I see now but I was blind I am Righteous now but I was a Sinner and by the Grace of God I am that I am 1 Cor. 15.10 I have no Sufficiency of my self but his Grace is sufficient for me thus be poor in Spirit then you are blessed for yours is the Kingdom of God Math. 5.3 blessed are those that are thus poor in Spirit for they are rich blessed are they that are empty for they are full blessed are they that are thus nothing in Christ they have all 2. Know that it is by your Faith you are Rich Jam. 2.5 rich in Faith Faith seeing Christ Faith receiving Christ and staying upon him makes Rich. Thou standest thou livest thou lovest thou followest Christ by Faith therefore be not high minded but fear be not low minded but believe 3. Such as are rich in Christ should be rich towards Christ 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Charge them that are rich in this World that they be rich in good works much more should those that are rich in Christ be rich in good works abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15 58. 6. 20. 4. Prize the Riches of Grace as well as the Riches of Glory Isa 33.6 the fear of the Lord is his treasure as the fear of the Lord and zeal of worshiping God was that which brought so much treasure to Hezekiah and filled his Treasures with precious things so the Worship and Service of God was esteemed by him as a great Treasure the Treasures of Grace which he had in his Heart were better than the house of his precious things he is a sound Christian that looks on the favour of God and the fear of God as his Treasure 5. Communicate of your Riches As the Ministration of the Spirit so the Riches of Christ are given to profit withal and we should be good Stewards of them in trusting as we are intrusted comforting as we are comforted when Christ gives his Riches he gives his Charge with them Occupy till I come Luk. 19.13 with 1 Pet. 4.10 6. Honour the Lord with your earthly Riches feed Christ hungry and cloath Christ naked we may argue as the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.11 If we have sown Spirituals is it a great matter if we reap your Carnal things If Christ sows his Heavenly Spiritual Incorruptible Riches is it a great matter for him to reap our Carnal make you Friends of the Mammon of Vnrighteousness Covetuos Men look on Mammon as their best Friend Saints should not do so but make themselves Friends with it Not Christ we can't make him our Friend by our Riches Believe come to him Reverence him and so he will be our Friend our Riches cannot purchase his Friendship but make the Saints our Friends do good to the Houshold of Faith and then when these fail they shall receive you with Joy and consecrate your Gain to the Lord If Men have not a heart to it themselves the Lord will do it for them Mich. 4.13 I will consecrate their Gain to the Lord c. when covetous Men make a God of their Wealth Saints should Honour God with it 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mountains of Gilboa let their be no Rain nor Dew nor Fields of Offerings the Fields of Canaan were Fields of Offerings of the Fruits of them were made Offerings to the Lord so shâ—â—ld the Fields of Saints be Fields of Offâ—rings tâ—eir Riches the Riches of Offerings and 〈◊〉 â—hat is in the hands of wicked Men is the Mammon of Unrighteousness but shall in the handâ— of Saints be the Riches of Righteousnesâ— 3. Comfort to such as have Christ and his Riches with him Those tâ—at have theâ—â— Portion only in this life and enjoy their good things here hereafter mâ—y have torment and as Jam. 4.1 Go too now ye Rich Men weep and howl for the Miseries that are to come upon you But go too now ye Sainâ—s that are so much scorned and contemned in the World so much persecuted c. rejoyce and be exceeding glad great are your Riches â—n Christ much have you received mo e is laid up for you great is your reward on Earth but far greater in Heaven If you are of the Poor of the World you are rich in Christ if you loose outward Riches for Chrâ—st's sake you have an hundred fold and in the World to come Everlasting Life and the fulness of heavenly Riches In every State you may know how to want and how to abound having Food and Rayment you may very well be content and account Food convenient as all Phil. 4.18 I have all and abâ—und having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you what an Excellent frame of Spirit was there and most worthy of our Imitation and what cause is there to rejoyce in filling up that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ as Paul did Coll. 1.24 seeing Christ is filling up that which is behind of our Grace and Glory and is the Lord Proving and Trying you as Silver is tried doth he bring you into a Net and lay Afflictions upon your Loins doth he at any time cause Men to ride over your Heads what is the Issue of all Psa 66.12 Thou ledd'st us through fire and Water and brought'st us out into a wealthy Place Heaven is the wealthy place thither at
the former was only a type of Christ a sign of his Presence therein was the typical Glory of Christ contained but the latter was more than a type even the place of his real Presence Into it the King of Glory came Christ's Presence in the Temple made it most Glorious hence it is that he is most Glorious If thou then art a Temple of Christ in which he dwells if Christ come to thy Soul and make himself known there then art thou filled with Glory thou hast Excellency of Knowledge the most precious Knowledge because of the King of Glory The Queen of Sheba beholding the Glory of Solomon said happy are the Men that stand before thee and hear thy Wisdom but a greater and more glorious Person is Christ infinitely happy are they that stand in his Presence and see his Face they will say with the Apostle in the Text Non Eximium duxi 2. In particular consider him 1. In his Natures 2. In his Names 3. In his Relations 4. In his Offices 1. According to his Natures which are two 1. Divine so he says I and the Father are one what the Father is the Son is whatever glorious Excellencies the Father hath the Son hath the same the same Attributes Eternity Incomprehensibleness Immutability whatever the Father doth the Son doth the Father worketh hitherto and I work So he is the Creator of Heaven and Earth by him all things were made he is the Fountain of all Beings of all Excellencies and so the knowledge of him must be most Excellent he is called Wisdom it self and so to know him must be the greatest Wisdom he is the brightness of the Father's Glory and the Express Image of his Person that is as a Person distinct from the Father and the most Express Image because he hath the very same Nature Identical Glory with the Father in a distinct Person If then to know God the Creator of all things Eternal Invisible c. If to know Wisdom Infinite Wisdom If to know the brightness of the Father's Glory be most Excellent then the knowledge of Christ is most precious he that sees me sees the Father This was Moses's Request and a most choice one I beseech thee shew me thy Glory no greater Glory than to behold the Glory of God and the brightness of that is to be seen in Christ's Glory of Eternity Glory of Omnipotency Glory of Omnisciency of Eternal Love even that passeth Knowledge unspeakable Goodness c. hence there 's ground to say Non Eximium c. 2. Humane as taking on him the Seed of Abraham The Son of God begotten from all Eternity in respect whereof 't is said who can declare his Generation yet was born in time and became the Son of Man The Great God equal with God took the form of a Servant so he is become Immanuel God with us God in our Nature in which dwells the fulness of the God head Bodily Câ—l 2.9 that is by a Substantial and Hypostatical Union so as that both Natures make but one Person this was that God and Man betwixt whom was a great Gulf that these might meet God comes down to Man because Man could not come up to God God satisfies his own Justice by himself when Man could not satisfy for himself so Justice and Mercy both are glorified perfect Satisfaction and free Grace meet together Christ taking Humane Flesh satisfies for Man there Justice is glorified the price of Redemption is paid Man is freed from Eternal Misery he deserved without any personal satisfaction of his own there fâ—ee Grace is Magnified Great now is this Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh a Mystery of Infinite Wisdom in contriving Man's Salvation in a way wherein the greatest Glory of God shines forth a Mystery of Incomprehensible Love which makes the Glorious Angels stand amazed 1 Pet. 1.12 well might the Apostle esteem the Knowledge of Christ as most Excellent 2. Consider him in his Names And so 1. His Name is called Wonderful Judg. 13.16 Isa 9.6 a Name that may be admired it cannot be perfectly apprehended this argues his Name to be most Glorious as therefore we cannot behold the Sun because so full of Light the greater is its brightness the less we are able to look upon it so the more unsearchable Christ's Name is the greater is the Glory of it As the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance and the Ministration of Legal Ordinances was so glorious that they could not stedfastly behold the the Face of Moses 2 Cor. 3.7 the like we may say the less stedfastly we can behold the Glory of Christ's Name the more glorious it is 't is Secret so full of Glory If Moses's Face was so glorious c. much more is the Eternal Name of Christ that excels in Glory Now if the Name of Christ be so Glorious as that it is Secret and Unsearchable then it must be most Excellent Knowledge in any measure to apprehend the Name of Christ. 2. His Name is The Lord the Lord God gracious c. Exod. 34.5 This is Christ's Name v. 4. 't is said The Lord proclaimed his Name before Moses 't is full of Glory and Goodness most Sweet and Precious this was an Answer to Moses's Request I beseech thee shew me thy Glory God reveals this his Name that he might shew his Glory his Name is his Glory so the Knowledge of Christ is most Glorious 3. His Name is Messias Dan. 11.25 That is the Anointed Psa 2.2 that is one that is chosen and set apart by the Father in an Eternal Decree to gather Jacob. Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me c. and also fully authorized to execute all Judgment to set about the work of Redemption as Joh. 6.27 Him hath God the Father sealed that is given him a Commission to be King Priest and Prophet so that he may save to the utmost those that are given him to save and lastly anointed that is furnished with all Gifts Qâ—â—lifications and Abilities to sit him for the fulfilling his great work The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me c. What Spirit See Isa 11.2 The Spirit of Wisdom Understanding Counsel Might Knowledge Fear Now thus to know Christ as Messias such a Messias must needs be a a most sweet and precious thing Andrew having found Christ and meeting Peter he cries out he had found the Messias Joh. 1.41 they were so much taken with him that they willingly leave all to follow him 't is worth our leaving all to know Messias to see where he dwelleth and to abide with him 4. Jesus because he saves his People from their Sins being the good Shepherd that gives his Life for his Sheep Joh. 10.11 The Woman of Samaria thought Christ worth the knowing Joh. 4.29 because he had told all things that she had done she
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
love of God in your Electing or accepting Christ on the terms offered chusing him above the World and to serve him rather than your Lusts You may read your own Election or God As 't is said of Mary Magdalen much was forgiven her for she loved much Pardoning love was to be read in her love this is one fruit of the love of God on the Soul So you may say God wills for the Creatures wills This will is of God's working and this testifiâ—s of God's will 2. Such as once will to be saved shall continue to will and to do what they ought in the way of Life They shall not reject Christ they shall not cast of his Yoke they shall so live and do as those that are in the way of Life ought for God will work the immutability of God's Counsel shall cause an immutability in their will of following Christ As nothing shall seperate them from the love of God Angels Principalities Powers c. noâ—hing shall alter God's will towards them so noâ—hing shall alter their will towards God They shall not grow out of the Love of Christ into utter dislike or dis-esteem of him their Conversation shall be in Heaven they shall breath and long for Salvation They shall deny themselves and walk contrary to the World they shâ—ll â—vercome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony and not love their liveâ— o the Death For God shall work in them both 〈◊〉 will and do of his good pleasure c The End of the Fourth Discourse THE FIFTH DISCOURSE Of Sanctifying the Sabbath or Lord's Day ISAIAH lviij xiij If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways not finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Verse 14. Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it THe occasion of making choice of this Text is a late Discourse concerning a Reformation which there is ground to hope there will be in the World which will be usher'd in with some sweeping Judgment and therefore our present work is to prepare for a Storm Many Directions were given how we may prepare for a Storm The last was this Furnish your selves with those Graces with which the day of Reformation will flourish when it comes Now of many Graces mentioned which will live in that day this is one in that great day when the Church shall be glorious through the destruction of Anti-christ by an increase of â—ight so that the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters coveâ—â—he Sea and the Spouse shall be prepared as a Bride adorn'd to her Husband when the Jews shall be called and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in and these shall be filled with all the fulness of God and there shall be a Church which shall be the fulness of him which filleth all in all In this glorious day the Sabbath shall be an Holy and Honourable day in the Churches of Christ and the Duties thereof shall be performed with great delight Now if you wiâ—l prepare for a Storm and have some hâ—ding place in the day of the Lord's anger See that you be found in a strict observation of the Lord's day Doctrine When suâ—h a Reformation shall come which shall mak◠〈◊〉 â—hurch glorious on Earth then shall the Sabbath be look'd on by the People of God as Hâ—ly â—nd Honâ—urable and shall be observed as with verâ— much strictne s so with great delight Or in fewer words thus In the last and purest of Gospel time there â—â—ll be a very strict observation of the Sabbath-day â—ich now we call the Lord's day Quest. You will ask what ground there is to conclude this from these words Answ Let the context be well considered and we shall see a Prophecy of such things which as yet have not had a full accomplishment but shall in the lâ—st days And the observation of the Sabbath is made the condition of the Promises here made if the Sabbath be duly kâ—pt then what is promised before and in the Text shall be performed and if it be so then God commands the keeping a Sabbath under the Gospel And as there was before so there was when the Law was given on Sinai a Sabbath given There remains a Sabbath a day of holy rest for the People of God Let us search this Scripture then and see whether there will not câ—me forth of it a Jus Divinum for a Sabbath now under the Gospel The Prophet was sent to shew the House of Jacob their Transgressions and in particular to reprove them of their Hypocrisy in the Duties they performed and especially in their fasting which was a counterfeit Fast and then shews them what is the true Fast and then makes many gracious Promises which is his usual method after reproving present Evils he makes Promises which not only had respect to present times but chiefly to the times of the Gospel as we see plainly in the next Chapter He mentions present Sins and present Judgments ver 16. He complains that no Man did endeavour to set things right and so declares the Lord putting on Righteousness and an Helmet of Salvation to execute Vengeance on his Enemies and then the Effect of this They shall fear the Lord from the West And then the Redeemer shall come to Zion And in this observe how suddenly he falls into Prophecying of Gospel times and the last of them For so he doth as appears Rom. 11.26 There shall come out of Sion the Redeemer and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob. Those words are brought in as a Proof for calling the Jews and bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles In like manner he doth here which will the better appear if we consider the particulars of this Prophecy in this Chapter which will manifest that these chiefly respect the last Gospel times 1. See ver 8. Thy Righteousness shall go before Thee c. that is The Lord thy Righteousness as he is call'd in Jer. 23.6 When we consider that their Righteousness shall go before that 's some evidence of this sense as best Besides in what time is it that Christ and the Church of the Jews shall be called by this Name and why In the place before mentioned it is said Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch and a King shall Reign and prosper and shall Execute Judgment and Justice in the Earth In his days Judah and Israel shall dwell safely So 't is to be fulfilled when Israel as well as Judah are brought out of bondage then he shall be The Lord our Righteousness Jer.