pay him again Chap. 19.17 especially they that out of love to Christ and them relieve his Members and Brethren though but with outward bodily reliefs for they shall hear that heavenly Sentence Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matt. 25.34 35 36. Oh how much more then shall they be rewarded that have hazarded their lives and spent their time strength to do good to the Souls of others to turn them in to Christ to the making them righteous and so his friends and brethren and preserving them from hell and destruction Surely the wise and wisemakers shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that turn many to righteousness or make many righteous as the stars for ever and ever they shall be glorious abundantly glorious that 's the substance of what is asserted here of them and signified in both the Metaphors used for illustration and in what is added thereto wherein we have also 2. The manner of their being glorified or rather the exceeding great measure of it We may speak to both the Metaphors together as to what is common to both first and then take notice of something peculiar and special in which there is some difference 1. Common to both namely to the â—…rightness of the Firmament and to the â—…tars is that they are 1. High above us â—…nd so it may denote and signifie that both â—…he wise and they that turn many to God â—…hall be highly honoured and glorified even â—…s Christ the great turner of many to God â—…e perfect one in wisdome and maker of â—…ise men is highly glorified above all so 〈◊〉 He is far above all Principalities and Poâ—…ers Thrones and Dominions and every name â—…at is named both in this world and in that to â—…me Ephes 1.20 21. Angels Principaliâ—… and Authorities being made subject to â—…im 1 Pet. 3.22 And all things put under his feet He being glorified with Gods own self even with that glory He had with him before the world was Heb. 2.8 John 17.5 and therein exalted extolled and made very high Isaiah 52.13 So also they that here are wise and means and instruments of making others so and they that in their endeavours turn many to righteousness shall be highly glorified God will exalt and honour them and set them on high because they have known and glorified his Name Psal 91.14 15 16. Yea their glory shall be as high above all the glory of this earth as the Heavens are higher than the earth and the stars above our common lights and torches and that iâ—… exceeding high as it is said Is not God iâ—… the heigth of heaven and behold the heigth oâ—… the Stars how high they are Job 22.12 anâ—… yet as high as the Heavens are above the earth so great is his mercy or kindness toward theâ—… that fear him Psal 103.11 Their glorâ—… shall be above the reach of men either 〈◊〉 give to them or take from them Ahâ—… suerus having promoted Haman and set hâ—… feat above all the Princes that were wiâ—… him yet could pull him down thence aâ—… command him to the gallows But the glâ—…ry of the Saints shall be above the reach 〈◊〉 either Men or Devils to pull them doâ—… from Pure and unmixt bodies and their splenâ—…our or glory in which they shine is pure â—…nd elear there is no fuliginous smoaky â—…isty matter mixt with the Firmament specially the brightness of the Firmament â—…nd the glorious Stars neither is there any â—…ixture of mans invention and endeavour 〈◊〉 their splendour or shine as in the shinâ—…ngs or brightness of fires or candles and â—…orches here below even so also shall the â—…lory and splendor of the Saints and holy â—…en the truly wise and such as have turnâ—…d many to righteousness be a pure and â—…nmixed glory and splendour nothing of â—…orldly casualties changes or vicissitudes â—…all it be obnoxious to neither shall there â—…e any thing so weak as that that is of mans â—…aming and devising put upon them as â—…ow there is put upon the sons of the glory â—…f this world human wreaths and crowns â—…tles dignities robes and the like But â—…l shall be there and upon them divine â—…nd heavenly pure and unmixed the new â—…erusalem the Bride the Lambs wife shall â—…ave on her the glory of God and her light â—…lendor or lustre shall be like that of a stone â—…ost precious like a Jasper stone in part â—…e representation of the glorious God upon is throne Rev. 4.3 clear as Chrystal Reâ—…elat 21.11 3. Most manifest and conspicuous such is the brightness of the Firmament and the Stars above they may be seen by their own light at the greatest distance and remoteness even a man as it were with half an eye may see their shining splendour so as the brightness of candles and torches at a great distance cannot be seen even so the glory of the wise and faithful ones that are instruments of turning many to Christ it shall be most bright and manifest it shall be seen and beheld of all for when Christ shall appear in glory they shall also appear in glory with him Coll. 3.4 Therefore that time and state is called the manifestation of the Sons of God when they shall all be seen and known who and how excellent they are Rom. 8.19.21 then men that could see no glory in and upon the servants and fearers of God nor no profit accruing to men by his fear and service but said It is in vain to serve God and what profit to keep his ordinances and walk mournfully before him and that call the proud happy shall tack about and turn and gaze upon the strange change that shall be then and discern plainly between the righteous and the wicked the wise man that is truly and spiritually so and the fool him that serveth God and him that serveth him not For then the day of the Lord shall burn like an oven and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts so as it shall leave them neither root nor branch But unto them that fear the Lord shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing under his wings So as to render them bright and conspicuous also Yea then the righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father So as their glory cannot possibly be any longer hid Matt. 13.43 Mal. 3.14 15 17. 4.2 Now the life of the Saints and holy men of God is hid with Christ in God but then Christ their life appearing it shall appear also to be very glorious when He shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe their glory shall be so great clear and wonderful and so discerned to be by all Coll. 3.3 4. 2 Thes 1.10 And then the sons of them that hated them shall come
Mercy and Faithfulness as in Authority Power â—…nd Sufficiency to help and save us and therefore He will not fail nor be discouraged till he set judgment in the earth and briâ—… every one of his faithful flock aâ—… followers to the enjoyment of 〈◊〉 everlasting Heavenly Pasture To him therefore lifting up 〈◊〉 eyes and hearts let us take coâ—…rage making use of what He haâ—… left us by himself and by 〈◊〉 Spirit in his thereby made boâ—… Apostles and Prophets yea aâ—… of what he affords or hath lâ—… with us of any his faithful Pastoâ—… or Teachers Let us only taâ—… heed to follow his instruction hearing his voice and fear noâ—… but we shall do well in the issâ—… and conclusion My Love anâ—… Service to your Self Lady anâ—… Family And the God of peacâ—… that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant made in Him with us through and according to which He will also raise from the dead the under-shepherds departed in the faith of Him and all His faithful Flock in his due time â—…o endless Glory and Happiness He make you and us all perfect â—…n every good Work to do his Will Working in us that which â—…s well-pleasing in his sight â—…hrough Jesus Christ To whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen Even in all that he doth and orders to and about us at all times To Him committing you and yours I am Sir Your obliged Friend and Servant in whaâ—… I may and canJohn Horne Lin-Regis Aug. 13. 1672. THE REWARD OF THE WISE AND â—…he future felicity of the fruitful faithful Labourers in Gods work and service Dan. 12.3 â—…d they that be wise shall shine as the â—…ightness of the Firmament and they that turn many to Righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever OUr Lord Jesus for so I understand him to be whose appearance is scribed in Chap. 10. either as in himself as the spiritual Being that was aftâ—â—wards to be incarnate and made flesh as represented by an holy Angel havâ—… in Chap. 11. shewed and made known his holy and beloved Prophet Daniel maâ—… of those great transactions that should 〈◊〉 out in the World especially as relating the people of the Jews or Church of Gâ—… under the Grecian and Roman Monarchâ—… declares in this Chapter what help Gâ—… would afford to his people in the greaâ—… overspreadings of the power of their adâ—â—â—saries and the good end that should be them And so he saith ver 1. And at 〈◊〉 tâ—â—e namely when the Adversary shall pâ—… the Tabernacles of his Palace between 〈◊〉 Seas in the glorious holy mountain or mouâ—…tain of delight of holiness shall Michael stâ—… up even Christ for by that name is he câ—â—tainly called Rev. 12.7 the great Priâ—… the Prince of the Kings of the earth Reâ—…lat 1.5 that standeth for the children of 〈◊〉 people either for the people of the Jews aâ—… their posterity Daniel being a Jew orâ—… also for the Church of God made up Jews and Gentiles and by faith in Chriâ—… made the seed of Abraham and heirs accordiâ—… to promise Gal. 3 26-29 the partition waâ—… being broken down by Jesus Christ Ephâ—…sians 2.15 this great Prince shall all thâ—… â—…e stand up which may be understood â—…her of Christs appearing in the flesh and â—…ough sufferings entring upon his glory â—…d therein exercising his power in behalf 〈◊〉 his Church or else rather of his gloriâ—…s appearing or standing up at last in the â—…urches greatest exigence to give it deliâ—…rance And there shall be a time of trouble â—…ch as never was since there was a Nation â—…en to that same time which time of so â—…eat trouble may be the time of the Deâ—…uction of Jerusalem by Titus and of the â—…esolations and troubles following upon the â—…ewish Nation and People especially if by â—…e standing up of Michael we understand â—…e appearance of Christ in the flesh and his â—â—ing exalted through sufferings unto glory â—…nd abiding therein and in the exercise of â—…is power for his peoples help For our Saviour seems to apply this saying to that very time of trouble in Matt. 24.21 where speaking of the troubles that should be in Judea and in and about Jerusalem he saith Then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to that time no nor ever shall be where we must either by No nor ever shal be understand that he means there shall never be such a time of trouble again in that Nation or else if we understand stand it universally that must of necessâ—… the time here spoken of this being sâ—… time as there was never before since thâ—… was a Nation But if we confine our Sâ—…ours expression to that Nation and uâ—…stand him here to speak of the World versally or of the Church in its larger pacity then we may also understand 〈◊〉 He may point out some such time of grâ—… trouble to the World or to the Chuâ—… rather from it towards the end of the timâ—… or immediatly before Christs appearing glory and so standing up for his peopâ—… as there never was the like before in a age As the time of the slaying of 〈◊〉 Witnesses by the Beasts rising out of the bottoâ—…less pit and of their dead bodies lying slâ—… Rev. 11 7-10 and of the gathering togethâ—… of the Kings of the earth to the battle of 〈◊〉 great day of God Almighty Rev. 19.14 maâ—… probably be though in the conclusion thâ—… Saints shall have joy and the adversariâ—… destruction as is there implyed And so 〈◊〉 is said and signified here when he addeâ—… And at that time thy people shall be delivered every one that shall be found written in the Book namely all they that shall be appointed oâ—… God thereunto or shall be truly righteous and fearers of God this is the fruit and benefit of Michaels or Christs standing up â—…hem both to intercede with God in â—…ven for them and to succour them from â—…out of Heaven And this is the great â—…er of hope and consolation to the â—…rch and people of God that whatever â—…ersaries rise up against them and how â—…oever they prevail and whatever sad â—…s of trouble come upon them yet they 〈◊〉 a great Prince greater than all their â—…ersaries even the Lord Jesus to stand â—…or their help therefore they may hold â—…heir way and hold fast the profession â—…eir faith with courage and confidence â—… conditions only necessary it is that give diligence to be found in Christ so that our names be found written in â—…en even in the Book of Life for no 〈◊〉 shall fail of deliverance Luke 10 20. â—…p 5.9 He adds â—…ers 2. And many of them that sleep in the 〈◊〉 of the earth shall awake some or these â—…erlasting life and some or those to shame â—…erlasting contempt It is the manner â—…e Prophets of times to speak briefly and â—…isely of the things of Christ and his â—…gdom so
Lord call upon or proclaim his Name make known not yours but His deeds among the people Sing unto him Sing Psalms unto him Talk ye all of his wondrous works Glory ye in his holy name And again Sing unto the Lord all ye earth Shew forth from day to day his salvation Declare his gloâ—…y his Son the brightness of his glory among the Heathens his marvellous works among all Nations For great is the Lord and greatly â—…o be praised He also is to be feared above all Gods 1 Chron. 16.8 9 10 23 24 25. Psal 96.1 2 3. 105.1 2 3. And so it was fore-prophecyed One generation shall waise thy works to another and shall declare â—…hy mighty Acts. I will speak of the glorious hoâ—…our of thy Majesty and of thy wondrous works things or words they others â—…hall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness The Lord is gracious full of compassion slow â—…o anger and great of mercy The Lord is good 〈◊〉 all and his tender mercy over or upon all â—…is works Psal 145 4-10 And surely Christ â—…eing made to us of God wisdome righteousâ—…ess c. The way to make men wife and righteous is to turn them to him that they may be made in him which though it be the work of God yet it 's a work that he doth by his Law or Doctrine that goeth forth from Sion the preaching of the Gospel Acts 26.18 or confessing his name which He therefore hath made known unto men and put into their hearts that they might thereby be made instruments of converting others to him as he hath also chosen them to put his name upon them and to declare it that the residue of men might thereby be moved and have advantage to seek after God Acts 15.16 17. With Gods Law oâ—… Doctrine then which is perfect converting the soul such as know it and have fitness in any measure for it are to endeavour to convert others to God by Jesus Christ setting him forth to and before all and every man as they have opportunity and capacity as the only righteousness are salvation of God prepared for them aâ—… and every one Luke 2.30 31. Isa 49.6 Rom. 3.21 22. the righteousness of God 〈◊〉 or for all and upon all that believe Anâ—… so declare his mighty works to that purpose tâ—… them which he hath done for all and ever one as the holy Apostle did who tells uâ—… He dyed for all and gave himself a ransom foâ—… all and tasted death by the grace of God for ever very one so as through his one righteousness the free gift is to or for its all men to justification of life that he is the propitiation for our sins even for ours who have him our Advocate to make good our cause with God as He is and doth for all that believe on him but not ours only but also for the whole worlds 2 Cor. 4.44 15. 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 1 John 2.1 2. and this without such Ifs or corrupt additions as are the product of mens ignorance or unbelief of Gods Testimonie and dependance upon one anothers Wisdome seeking honor one of onother or loving the praise of men more than the praise that comes from God only viz. those glosses and additions of all the Elect every one of the believers and the world of the Elect c. Whereas the Scriptures every where distinguish the Elect from the world and do not call them by the name of the world Alas how should men be turned unto righteousness unless they see that there is a perfect righteousness that is worthy to be turned to made ready for them and to be turned to by them a righteousness wherein and wherewith they may be righteous or which comes to the same how shall men be made righteous if not made in Christ or brought in to believe on and submit to him there being no other way to righteousness for them that that is of or after the Law as attained to or attainable by sinful fallen man being rejected of God! And how shall men be made in Christ if they see no excellency and preciousness in him and preparation of him for them if they be borne in hand that God sent him but for here and there one they know not who and they must infallibly be brought in yea they cannot hinder themselves of it and if not so they must perish notwithstanding all endeavours after salvation who that hath and useth the exercise of his reason will look after him upon such motives as that Doctrine contains and not rather take his course till he cannnt choose but come into him as thinking otherwise or till then all his labor will be needless in vain And what abouts are men fain to go courses take they to bring men to righteousness through their not knowing or believing Christ to be the Saviour of the world the Saviour of all men and especially of them that believe while they put them upon the Law and legal humblings and works and opperations preceding the knowledge of Christ and the good foundation laid in him to be as evidences or grounds of conceiving and believing that they are of the Elect for whom only they imagine and say that Christ died and oh what wretched mistakes are those men guilty of and how destitute are they of the truth that durst call the very manifest expressions of the Holy Apostles Errours and Blasphemies But Gods way of holding forth light to men to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Sathan to God â—…s to preach Gospel to them to let them know that they being all Sinners against God and lyable to his wrath ungodly and enemies He in the greatness of his mercy to keep them from perdition sent his own and only begotten Son into the world to be their Saviour and that he might be so He delivered him up to Death for their offences that were upon them and raised him again for their justification and hath exalted and glorified him and filled him with all His fulness that they inlistening to and obeying him might be saved and made happy by him To such purpose is that Word of reconciliation put into the Apostles or committed to them 2 Cor. 5.18 19-21 That God was in Christ reconciing the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them but made him that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him wherewith agrees the Doctrine preached by our Saviour to Nicodemus to regenerate him viz. That as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish but have eternal life For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into
to him in this present world He that knows his masters will and doth it not shall be â—…eaten with many stripes for to whomsoever â—…uch is given of him shall be much required â—…nd to whom men have committed much of him â—…hey will ask the more Luk. 12.47 48. Christ was not sent of God neither came he into â—…he world nor hath he sent forth his Spirit â—…nd fitted and furnished servants of his and sent them into the world and given forth his Word and Doctrine and the light of his sons and servants holy conversation to such end that we might only have our brains filled with better and righter speculations or our tongues tipt with finer and righter language and that we should bow to him with our knees and honour him with our lips and cry Lord Lord and jangle and wrangle and make a noise bustle and bluster in the world about opinions and forms of worship while still we remain in heart and life covetous proud ambitious vainglorious unjust and wicked But his great end in all this and the great end we are to pursue in the enjoyment of them all and the use we are to make of them was and is our being redeemed from all iniquity and purified to be to Christ a peculiar people zealous of good works Tit. 2.14 Oh let us look diligently that we neither fail of the grace of God nor receive it in vain but so as we may have it so effectually in our hearts prevailing with us and bringing forth its fruits in us that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear beâ—… made wise to Salvation a righteous people aâ—… branch of Gods planting the work of his hands that He may be glorified Isai 60.21 3. This also with reference to both it s branches Vse 6. May administer diverse reproofs as 1. To such as neglect Wisdome and Righteousness and regard them not that seek other things but seek not the Lord that call and cry and lift up their voices for vanities and that that will not profit them for perishing pleasures riches or honours but content themselves to be without wisdome and understanding seek not Gods Kingdome and his Righteousness have a will to be rich and through the love of money fall into a temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown them in destruction and perdition and pierce their souls through with many sorrows but flee from Wisdome and her calls counsels instructions and reproâ—… shunning the light thereof because their deeds are evil and follow not after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness that they might lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6.9 10 11 12. Who not believing that they are the truly wise that fear and serve God in the faith of Christ Jesus nor that they shall shine so gloriously in the issue and as the reward of their wise doings therefore say to God Depart from us we desire not the knowledg of thee or of thy ways preferring riches before righteousness wine and women and the ways of wickedness before wisdome heavenly understanding and righteousness their farms and oxen before the heavenly Marriage-feast husks with swine before the substantial bread of life laying out their money for that that is not bread and their labour for that that satisfieth not when they might but will not eat that that is good and let their souls delight themselves in fatnesse these are fools indeed and shame and contempt will be their promotion Prov. 1.7 and 3.35 When they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament then shall these ly down in everlasting darkness and be an abhorring to all flesh Isaiah 50.11 and 66.24 especially those that have had the greatest opportunities and advantages for getting wisdome and for being justified and made righteous and yet foolishly and wickedly have neglected and despised them Hebr. 2.3 that have a price put into their hands to get wisdome but they have no hearts to it Prov. 17.16 Indeed had Christ never been sent of God or come into the world or had he never died for them and rose again or had he by no means or God through him ordered any light or truth to them so as it might be known or discerned by them or given them no capacity to see hear or receive it their case might deserve more pitty and excuse God that winked at the times of ignorance would certainly comparatively at least overlook their remediless ignorance and brutishness but now that things are otherwise the light is come into the world Christ hath given himself the ransome for all and the the testimony in due or proper times and is the light that lighteneth every man coming into the world and what is to be known of God is manifest in or among men for God hath shewed it them and they close their eyes and refuse to see and like not to have or retain God in their knowledg yea professing themselves to be wise and neglecting what comes to make them wise become fools and their foolish heart is darkened they have therefore no excuse but the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against them for all their ungodliness and unrighteousness because they withold the truth in unrighteousness 1 Tim. 2.4 6. John 1.9 and 3.19 Rom. 1.18 19 20 21 22-28 Truly this is the case among the heathens But how much more inexcusable must we Christians needs be who have the Scriptures of the Law and Prophets among us yea the Preachings and doings of Christ and his Apostles in all a clear discovery of the mind and will of God and of his love and grace to us and the highest means and advantages given us for attaining to wisdome and being made just and righteous but put them from us or receive the Grace of God herein in vain Oh how great is the folly and how sad will be the state of such among us Folly and madness to neglect and slight what they might have of such worth as to advance them to greater glory than all the glory of the earth or world even to shine as the brightness of the Firmament But much more folly by neglecting that to incurr endless obscurity and disgrace and everlasting misery If men are accounted fools and well may be oftimes who having opportunities and advantages to attain to glory and dignity among men do sloathfully cowardly or otherwise neglect them how much more shall they who might attain to heavenly glory and care not for it nor will look after it upon which account also 2. Here is reproof to such as being somewhat acquainted with God and his grace truth and having received some furniture and fitness for being useful to others yeâ—… with the sloathful and wicked servant refuse to improve their talent know how to do good to others but have no heart to it mind their own things only but neglect thâ—… things that are Christs Philip. 2.21 Seek what to eat