lying upon him Wherefore saith he have I not found favour in thy sight that thou layest the burden of all this pâ—ople unto me and the reason of his thus complaining is intimated when he saith have I conceived all this people have I begotten them that thou shouldst say unto me caâ—ry them in thy bosom c. Numb 11. 11. 12. As intimating he could have been more tender had he been the Father of them but this incouragement we have in our God Christ is faithful as a Son over his house they are his own house he hath conceived them all he hath begotten them and therefore can and will carry them in his bosome as a Nursing Father bears the sucking child to that rest that remains for the people of God they are his flock whom he hath purchased with his own blood And therefore he shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young Isa 40. 10 11. He who is a Son over his own house and who hath said if any man provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house be hath denyed the faith 1 Tim 5. 8. Is one that hateth the iniquity he warns others of one who loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity and therefore will provide for his own house his own Children which God hath given him who are in an especial consideration the travel of his soul he hath a fatherly affect on a motherly tender heartedness toward them can a mother forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb yea they may forget but he will not forget his family his house his flock the price of his blood in this double consideration 3. Yea he who hath purchased them with his own blood is and God in our nature and for us God ever all blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. One in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. Who is glorified with the Fathers own self with the glory which he had with him before the World was John 17. 5. All things that the Father hath are his Joh. 16. 15 He is full of grace and truth the fountain of life one who hath all power both in heaven and earth this is the true God and eternal life 1 Joh. 5 10. He who is their Shepherd is Lord of all friends and enemies who is set down on the right hand of God in the heavenly places far above all principallity and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but in that also which is to come Eph. 1. 17. 22. This is the person to whom he commends them one to whom belongs power and with whom is mercy who is beautiful and glorious excellent and comely for our escape and so infinitely more worthy then any instrument and of whom we may say as Elihu doth to Job I will answer thee that God is greater then man Job 33. 12. It was to him whom the Apostle Thomas once and our Thomas often called my Lord and my God Jâ—â— 20 28. 2. The thing to which he commits them it was not 1. The wisdom of this World or of the Princes of this World which come to nought he commends them not to Logick Philosophy or to any such acts or Sciences to find out God by which are of high esteem with men and whereby men think they are fitted for better understanding and more proffitable holding forth the word of Life though if it had been needful at any time to have committed them to these it might have seemed to have been most seasonable now considering 1. He speaks to the Overseers and Bishops among them directly and 2. He forewarns them of Wolves coming in among them and they were subtile and powerful to deceive and our wisdom would tell us that we need these things for discovering and confuting them but the Apostle takes not this course but as he had avoided it and came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom declaring the Testâ—mony of God for he was sent to preach it not with wisdom of words 1 Cor. 3. 1. and 1. 17. So he signifies the perniciousness of it not with wisdom of words least the cross of Christ should be made of none effect and the Believers faith stand therein 1 Cor. 1. 17. and 2. 4. and admonisheth Timothy the most eminent of the elders of â—â—â—â—sus of it 1 Tim. 6. 20 and particularly when he had been telling him evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse and so be more subtile and wily yet he instructs him not to seek after the wisdom of the Gentles but to continue in the things which he had learned c. And what these things were and where he had learned them he signifies when he saith and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation thorow saith which is in Christ Jesus to wit thorow that Word of faith beleived Acts 24. 24. And to shew him and us what Scriptures they are which are able to make wise thorow faith in Christ he adds as I conceive all Scripture given by inspiration of God and to evidence further the excellency of them he adds and not only abâ—e to make thee wise c. but profitabâ—e for Doctrine teaching all things reproof of evil ways and vices correction of errours instruction in righteousness 2 Tim. 3. 13. 16. Of this also head monisheth the Colâ—ssians on like account beware of Philosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. 3 4 8 9. And oh that we may consider it that we may cease from our own wisdom both natural and arâ—ificiall 2. Nor commits he them to the Law as a Law of works or to the works of the Law for perfecting thereby what was begun by the Spirit he directs them not to that which declares their duty simply but gives no strength to perform nay he blames the Galâ—â—â—ians for turning aside thereto Gal. 3. 1. 4. But to that which declares his grace the Gospel of Christ of which he was not ashamed Rom 1. 16. in attending whereto and walking wherein the Righteousness of the Law should be fulfilled in them Rom. 8. 4. and so to that which would exclude boasting every where and in every thing and not to their one works or to the Law of works or to follow them who have the word of the Lord to themselves precept upon precept such as desire to be Teachers of the Law and know not what they say nor whereof they affirm Isa 28. 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 9. 7. 3. Nor commits he them to the Scriptures simply or otherwise then in them to come especially to Christ as the great thing therein testified of and so to the word of his grace men may search the Scriptures and hear them read frequently and yet be
all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And when they are raised they shall not be judged according to that first rule of judgment buâ— God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ he is appointed the judge of quick and dead anâ— God will judge the world in righteousness by tâ—â—â— man â—ct 10. 42. 17. 31. and the rule by which he will judge â—â—â—â— will be according to Pauls Gospel in which is declared â—hâ—â— Christ dyed for all and by the grace of God â—asted 〈◊〉 for every man 2 Cor 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. Rom. 2. 16. And he â—â—at believeth this Gospel as declared â—â— the means 〈◊〉 and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth â—ot shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. Joh. 16. 8 9. Rom. 2. 6 11. Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 2 4. Psal 68. 18 21. 2. He hath not only delivered us from so great a death and curse and from the hand of our deadly enemy who hated us but hath obtained and recovered all things into himself for us and is made perfect through sufferings that he might bring us back to God namely he hath obtained forgiveness spirit and grace and all power and authority in the name of the Father Forgiveness he is exalted with God's right hand a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins Act. 5. 31. This man when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down c. namely from this work of offering any more his sacrifice being so acceptable as that he hath taken away the guilt of his sins which were imputed to him and hâ—th obtained power to forgive the sins of the people Heb. 7. 27. 10. 11 12. He is ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and hath received gifts of justification forgiveness and spirit in the man for men as they come forth from Adam yea for the rebellious also which add rebellion unto their sin Job 34. 37. Psal 68. 18. Herein the free gift this grace in Christ exceeds the offence of the first man the judgment was by one offence to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences unto justification Rom. 5. 16. even of many offences that are distinct from that offence and unto which men are not thereby necessitated meerly of many offences in which men sin after the similitude of Adams transgression ver 14. through this man whom God raised again and who saw no corruption is preached the forgiveness of sins even of such sins as they that believe this preaching are justified from namely from such sins as they could not be justified from by the Law of Moses for which it afforded or directed to no sacrifice for a typical justification to wit rebellious presumptuous sins Act. 13. 38 39. with Numb 15. 30 31. The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins Mat. 9. 6. and in him God is become a God gracious and merciful pardoning iniquity and transgression and sin Rom. 3. 25. Heb. 10. 14 18. In him the Apostles had in the testimony to declare redemption through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Gods grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. Oh great consolation for us that have transgressed and have rebelled and have thereby procured such testimonies of displeasure as in which he hath been taking away faithful and eminent helpers in the Lord Oh excellent object and medium to be commended to that we may in the incouragement of his grace in what he hath done and is become and hath received come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy forgiveness of our sin and grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. And he hath received the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost the spirit of grace Isa 11. 1 3. 42. 1. Joh. 3. 34. he is full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2. 3. This is the record that God hath given us eternal life even the knowledge and favour of God and fellowship with him and this life is in his Son 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11. all things are here ready Mat. 22. 4. durable riches and righteousness a feast of fat things for all people of fat things full of marrow Prov. 3. 13 18. 8. 18 19. Isa 25. 6. he is become a fountain of life and living waters to cool and refresh our thirsty souls and to wash us from all our pollutions and defilements Zech. 13. 1. Psal 36. 9. Ier. 2. 13. Yea it discovers the great power and authority and dominion which he hath recovered into and received in our nature and for us God hath given him power over all flesh over all mankind he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth and hath power over all creatures all power is given to him both in heaven and in earth Mat. 28. 18. God hath given him dominion over the works of his hands in this lower part of his Creation the which he gave to man in the first Adam but by their seeking out inventions they came short of this glory of God which he had conferred upon them Gen 1. 26 28. Eccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23. but our Jesus hath redeemed this which was part of our possession and which we had sold and aliened and not only so but he hath power over Angels he hath obâ—â—iâ—â—d a more excellent name than they even than the holy and elect Angels they are now his and are instructed to worship him even all the Angels of God Heb. 1. 4 6. they are the Angels of the Son of man sent forth and ordered by him Mat. 24. 30 31. Heb. 1. 10 14. and his own right hand and his holy arm hath gouen himself the victory over the evil Angels he hath bound the strong man spoiled principalities and powers and God hath put all things under his feet Eph. 1. 20 21. Psal 98. 1. This was that which was more darkly prophefied of by the Prophet Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet all sheep and oxen yea and the beasts of the field even the great and wild beasts the fear of him is upon them the fowl of the Air and the fish of the Sea and whatsoever passeth thorow the paths of the Sea Psal 8. 5 8. He hath the dominion over these that he may give food to all flesh during his pleasure and that he may preserve from the â—ury and rage of the wildest and strongest of them that mens lives may be preserved while it is the day of his grace and for the peculiar good of those that believe Job 5. 22 23. Yea the Apostle citing that place in the Psalmist and shewing it was spoken concerning our Jesus doth also explicate it unto us and shews that he hath obtained a more excellent
and large dominion than over the works of God's hands here below yea that nothing no person or thing is exempted from being under his Lordship except him who hath put all things under him though this be not so gloriously manifested now as it shall be in due time Thou hast set him over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet sor in that he put all in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him Heb. 2. 7 9. Oh great grace toward mankind and especially for the good of those that shall be heirs of salvation Hence that admiration What is man that thou art mindful of him Psal 8. 4. Heb. 2. 6. 1. 14. This is that grace in Christ as to the first branch of the testimony even that he by vertue of his blood hath delivered us in himself from the guilt of our sins which occasioned the first breach and from that so great a death and hath obtained forgiveness of all our sins all grace and truth into himself and a great and glorious Lordship and authority And by vertue of what he hath done and hath received he is become the one and only foundation the living stone and chief corner stone the head of the corner 1 Cor. 3. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 4 6. yea to the disobedient the head of the corner 1 Pet. 2. 7. the Saviour of the world Joh. 4. 42. 1 Joh. 4. 14. the way the truth and the life Joh. 14. 6. the only door â—f approach to God by whom only we may come to the Fâ—ther Ioh. 10. 7 9. the true light the light of the world Ioh. 1. 9. 8. 12. the bread of life and water of life Ioh. 6. 35. the true vine Ioh. 15. 1. he is beauty and glory excellency and comeliness for our escape Isa 4. 2. the Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. a Prince and Saviour Act. 5. 31. yea in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat who is the head of all principality and power Col. 2. 9 10. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord who can shew forth all his praise Psal 106. 2 3. his love is that which passeth knowledge Eph. 3. 19. And great cause and good ground have we to pray for our selves and one another that God would strengthen us with might by his Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith in what he hath done and is become that we being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height even of his grace Eph. 3. 16 18. where the excellency of this love and grace is set forth in like expressions as is the unsearchableness of the Almighty for God is love See Iob 11. 7 9. there we have these several dimensions spoken of though in a contrary order The breadth of this grace is such as that it is broader than the Sea though that be famous for its breadth and therefore called the great and wide Sea Psal 104. 25. yet he hath given to it its decree that the waters should not pass his commandment Prov. 8. 29. there is an end of that but his love is exceeding broad and his commandment his Gospel in which it is declared this is more capacious infinitely exceedingly wide who there-through hath in our nature obtained dominion now and shall exercise it gloriously from Sea to Sea he is that place of broad rivers and streams and shall be so gloriously manifested Isa 33. 21. and they that from the excellency of his loving kindness put their trust under the shadow of his wings shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house and he will make them drink of the river of his pleasures now in a first fruits of the Spirit and hereafter in a full injoyment for with him is the fountain of life Psal 36. 7 9. 46. 4. As to its length it is longer than the earth as to its duration and continuance for it is everlasting Jer. 31. 3. And he hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 2 Thes 2. 16. and it is by vertue thereof that the earth and all the inhabitants thereof which were dissolved by the sin of man are upheld he bears up the pillars thereof upholds all things by the word of his power Psal 75. 3. Heb. 1. 3. whereby all the inhabitants of the earth are in him redeemed from the curse of the Law and whereby there is peace on earth good will towards men and which extends in the vertue and fruit of it to all the inhabitants of the earth in every age and generation and that to a gracious end Hence all the earth called upon to make a joyful noise to be thankful unto him and bless his name c. Psl 100. to look to him and be saved Isa 45. 21 22. The depth of it is deeper than hell even that wherethrough he hath destroyed Satan in his first work and is fitted and impowered to destroy him in his second and will do it in due time he hath spoiled principalities and powers Destruction and death say we have heard the fame thereof with our ears Job 28. 22. Satan had laid his plot very deep and by his subtlety having beguiâ—ed our first Parents and drawn them into the transgression and so into the desert of curse and death thought to have made them for ever necessarily alike miserable with himself and indeed the condition into which he brought them and they by listening to him brought themselves was such as they could never suffer this death so as to overcome in suffering no man could redeem his brother c. and yet the death must be suffered and overcome or no mercy could be shewn to mankind but now our God and the Father in him the man Christ Jesus hath counterplotted and underuinâ—d him and in what he thought to have dealt proudly he was aâ—ove him in that very destruction in which he though to have destroyed us for ever is he taken and fallen our Jesus hath through death destroyed him that had the power of death even the Devil and hath obtained the victory and his triumphing Song is Oh death where is thy sting Oh hell where is thy victory Death in him is swallowed up into victory and abolished and he hath overcome hell and out-witted Satan in the net which he laid for us and into which we were fallen is he himself taken Oh infinite pity and love to man-ward and through Christ God gives us the victory that we may rejoyce in his salvation and in the name of our God list up the banner 1 Cor. 15. 55 58. Psal 20. 5. 98. 1. 47. The height of it is the height of heaven for there-through and by vertue of what he hath done thereby he being raised from the dead hath offered himself a
spotless sacrifice unto God through the eternal spirit and is ascended â—ar-above all heavens into heaven it self that he may fill and fulfil all things he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God and by means and by vertue of what he hath done there is peace in heaven Luke 19. 38. When man had sinned and brought themselves under the sentence of banishment God's love and pity was toward them but such was the holiness of God and his truth and justice that there was no mercy to be shewed forth to mankind until his justice was satisfied his truth fulfilled and his righteous Law answered For heaven and earth shall pass away but not one jot or title of the Law shall pass till all be fulfilled But now Jesus Christ becoming under the Law by the will of God he bare our sins and dyed our death and is raised again so as in him mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed truth is sprung out of the earth in his resurrection and righteousness looks down from heaven in all the streams of God's goodness and compassion to us and now there is cause to sing peace in heaven and glory in the highest he is ascended upon high and is set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens Oh infinite love Oh unsearchable riches of grace 2. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he is now doing to us from heaven in the name and authority of the Father and in the anointing of the holy Ghost And in what he is doing in heaven for us with the Father in both which he is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. his end in both being that he might bring us to God his end in what he hath done for us in breaking down the middle wall of partition that was between God and us and between Jew and Gentile and having abolished in his flesh the enmity it was that he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the Cross Eph. 2. 14 16. His end in his having made peace was that he might reconcile all things and so all men as persons sometimes is included and meant in that expression 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Col. 1. 20. And indeed that his end was to reconcile all men appears to be included in that expression in that he immediately adds And you who were sometimes enemies and alienated in your minds c. yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 20 21. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and so his end in what God hath now appointed Christ to and in which he is faithful is the same not to condemn the world but that through him the world might be saved and the Apostle doth hereby demonstrate and prove the graciousness of God's heart towards all men by shewing what he hath appointed Christ unto in his present work and office God saith he will have all men to be saved ' and come to the knowledge of the truth To evidence that he saith For there is one God namely not only to distinguish him from all other who are called Gods but to denote to us that he is one not divided hath not a secret will contrary to his revealed but he is light and in him is no darkness at all and so he is the same he hath manifested himself to be in abasing his Son to dye for us and crowning him with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man And one Mediator namely as before not only to distinguish him from all others that are called so and so to signifie that he is the one and only Mediator appointed by the one God though that is true and may be principally intended but also to assure us that he is one the same Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. And so in what he is appointed to to day he is one and the same with what he was yesterday even the Saviour of the world the anointed Saviour of men while they are not wholly given up to and become one with Satan and reckoned fully of his seed and for such in that consideration he was never a Saviour and so he is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus even he that had such infinite grace to all men that he gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. If God had not willed and desired that all men should be saved he would never have appointed such a gracious Mediator between him and them and such a faithful testimony Now then to this end that men might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth in this day and this in order unto their eternal salvation 1. Jesus Christ is a testimony of God's graciousness to men in due time even to all men as they come to years of capacity that they might be reconciled and their hearts turned to the Lord the enmity that was in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ hath already slain and hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us but yet still men while abiding in their natural state are enemies in their minds to God there is a secret enmity and contrariety in their hearts to God through that ignorance that is in them Now then that this may be purged out and their minds turned to the Lord Jesus Christ is seasonably by all means witnessing his and his Fathers pity and love to them and is by his goodness discovered moving to repentance for it is the goodness of God leadeth to repentance even those that are not led by it Rom. 2. 4 5. It is his love manifested and discerned that begets love to him again 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. Grace is poured into the lips of Jesus Christ Psal 45. 2. and he is in some measure giving some witnessings of God's mercifulness and goodness to all yea to those that had not the Word and Oracles committed to them as Israel after the flesh had He left not himself without witness of his propitiousness through a Mediator but gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 17. 17. 26 27. that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead even his mercy goodness and wisdom c. That he is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him which whoever believes having no more clear discovery comes to God acceptably Rom. 1. 19 21. Psal 19. 1 6. 145. 8 10. Heb. 11. 6. The grace of God brings salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. even some discovery of
know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 7 8. Somewhat of this was typically injoyed by Solomon before he departed from the Lord according as God promised the Lord gave him rest on every side so that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrent 1 Chron. 22. 9. 1 King 5. 4. But behold a greater than Solomon is here There were then enemies in being but now there shall be no more a pricking bryar unto the house of Israel nor a grieving thorn c. Ezek. 28. 24. Psal 72. Violence shall no more be heard in the Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt câ—ll thy walls salvation c. and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended he will then destroy them that have destroyed the earth and precious shall be the blood of his Saints for he will take vengeaence on those that have slain them and been enemies to them Isa 60. 12 20. 63. 1 4. with the assurance of this he strengthens the weak hands and feeble knees viz. that he their God wiâ—l come with vengeance God with a recompence for the Lord God of recompences will surely requite all the injuries done to his Saints he will come and save them Isa 35. 3 4. Jer. 50. 27 28. 51. 56. He will then bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron and his people shall have an hand with him therein to execute upon them the vengeance written this honour have all his Saints Psal 149. 4 9. Those righteous ones that are taken away by death do enter into peace and are freâ—d from oppression but yet their blood is not avenged but they cry with a loud voice how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth for this they wait it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season c. Rev. 6. 9 11. but then he will thoroughly plead their cause shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night I tell you he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. vengeance is his and he will repay Rom. 12. 19. Rev. 11. 18. their eye shall then see their desire upon their enemies Psal 92. 11. 112. 8 10. in righteousness shall they then be established they shall be far from oppression for they shall not fear and from terror for it shall not come near them Isa 54 7 8 13 14. then he will compleatly and gloriously bless his people with peace and they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 29. 11. 37. 11. 3. They when thus raised and freed from all evil shall be ever with the Lord in companionship with him the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15 17. he will then come and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 1 3. This is his will concerning them that those the father hath given unto him should be with him where he is Joh. 17. 14. The tabernacle of God even Jesus Christ in his personal body shall then be with them and he wiâ—l dwell with them Rev. 21. 3. indeed now he dwells in their hearts by faith but faith is the evidence of things not seen but then they shall have a personal and-glorious injoyment of him according to that Zeph. 3. 14 17. Sing O daughter of Zion shout O Israel be glad and rejoyce with all the heart O daughter of Jerusalem the Lord hath taken away thy judgment he hath cast out thine enemy the King of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. and then there will be a gathering together of the righteous as unto him so one unto and with another and his coming and their being gathered together unto him are put together 2 Thes 2. 1. Now in a spiriâ—ual and invisible consideration they meet together they are all one in Jesus Christ and all in heaven and earth are one family one house and instruction given to them here to indeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace but yet they are severed and scattered as to personal society and so at a distance one from another and many of them unknown one to another yea some of them not owning one another to be of the same body whom yet Jesus Christ hath received they are now scattered and separated one from another Sometimes by contentions judgings and dâ—spisings one of another and this is matter of great lamentation and when they fall out they are hardly reconciled it being the work of Satan and his instruments to dig up evil and in their lips is a burning fire they are set on fire of hell and would set all on fire they sow strife and indeavour further to separate and make the breach wider by whispering and secretly fomenting jealousies and so are separating even chief friends Prov. 16. 27 28. Hâ—nce they are admonished to be angry and not sin not to let the Sun go down upon their wrath neither give place to the devil Eph. 4. 26 27. the devil is watching for such an advantage and therefore needful to be warned that we be slow to anger and quick from it seeing a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their contentions are like the bars of a Castle Prov. 18. 19. How oft now are they separated in their affections and delightful fellowships through that sin that dwells in them and policy of Satan the weak envying and judging the strong and the strong instead of bearing the infirmities of the weak pleasing themselves and despising and setting at nought those that have not what they have Rom. 14. Act. 15. 39. But then the envy of Ephraim shall depart Ephraim that had less shall not envy Judah and Judah that was preferred before and lifted up above their brethren shall not vex Ephraim Isa 11. 13. with 1 Sam. 1. 6. Now also they are scattered by the wise and gracious disposition of the housholder the Son of man he sows them abroad in the field of the world for the good of the world that they might be instruments of his praise according to their capacity that men seeing their good works may glorifie their father which is in heaven and so that his way may be known on the earth his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24 37. Psal 67. 1 2. But then his elect shall be gathered together from the four winds from one end
for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord namely when the godly man ceaseth and when the tongue of the wicked speaks proud things as if now they should prevail I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him and this he would do by his words which are pure words Psal 12. 1. 6. As to speak a little particularly â— The person to whom he commends them as is declared in the word of his grace is one that hath triumphed gloriously who having had the judgment of this world executed upon him hath indured and overcome it and hath cast out the Prince of the world and so hath drawn all men unto him he hath purged our sins from before the presence of God abolished death and destroyed him that had the power of death even the devil and overcome the world his own right hand and his holy arm hath gotten himself the victory Psal 98. 1. and hath obtained all power both in heaven and in earth and all fulness of grace and truth into himself for us The Father hath not given the Spirit by measure unto him but hath so loved him that he hath given all things unto him Joh. 3. 34 35. The consideration hereof is powerful to strengthen us not to fear any of those things we may suffer and to preserve us from evil and from the fear of evil this is our victory even our faith Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God even accepted to all the ends of his undertaking and so raised from the dead c. 1 Joh. 5. 4 5. In this we see that He hath trodden down strength and delivered us in himself from the hand of our enemies so that neither Satan nor his instruments can set on us to harm us till he give permissive commission thereto because all judgment is committed to him of the Father he hath bound the strong man and the kingdom of God by him is brought unto us and reigns over us graciously Mat. 12. 28 29. And this is made known to us in the Gospel that we might rejoyce in his salvation and in the name of our God we might set up the banner as they profess to do Psal 20. 5. Forasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood he likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil and deliver them through the knowledge hereof who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage Heb. 2. 14 15. See in our types how Moses incourages the hearts of the people If thou shalt say in thine heart these Nations are more than I c. thou shalt not be afraid of them but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh and unto all Egypt c. Deut. 7. 17 18 21. As if he should say consider how great things he hath done how gloriously he hath triumphed and in that thing wherein they thought to deal proudly he was above them and this will be bread to you for their strength is departed Numb 14. 9. Psal 74. 13 14. And now grace and truth is come by Jesus Christ we have this deliverance and victory obtained by the Captain of our salvation set before us to incourage us to serve God without fear seeing in and by him we are delivered out of the hands of our enemies Luke 1. 71 75. and to be of good comfort for he hath overcome the world Joh. 16. 33. He hath spoiled principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in himself Col. 2. 15. Eph. 4. 8. Psal 68. 18. He hath obtain'd in himself a compleat conquest over Satan the true Levâ—athan and crooked Serpent and his instruments and is gone up with a shout in token of victory the Lord with the â—ound of a trumpet Sing praises to our God sing praises 〈◊〉 praises to our King sing praises Psal 47. 5 6. so as that they have no power except it be given them from above And he hath abolished death and taken out the sting thereof and so out of all afflictions and lesser deaths so as there is nothing in them simply to separate us from the love of God in Christ he hath delivered us in himself from that so great a death into which we were fallen and in which we must have perished for ever had he not remembred us in our â—â—w estate for his mercy indures for ever yea he hath turned our curses into blessings he is ascended far above all heavens into heaven it self that he might fill all things and so all afflictions and death with the vertuâ—s and influences of his sacrifice yea he hath the keys of hell and of death 2 Cor. 1. 10. 2 Tim. 1. 8 10. Rom. 8. 39. Eph. 4. 10. 2. Consider he who hath thus obtained the victory and whose it is he is the Shepherd of his flock the High Priest of their profession who hold fast the beginning of the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm to the end Heb. 3. 1 2 6 14. And so He is one who hath offered up an acceptable sacrifice unto the Father even the offering of his own body once for all both for his own sins which were imputed to him and accepted by him and for the sins of the people and hath so taken away the guilt of the former that the wrath of God from him remains not on any one for that sin and sinfulness simply and obtained power to make reconciliation for the latter and to forgive them that through his name believe in him Act. 10. 43. 13. 39. Oh what incouragement is there in this to strengthen us to run with patience the race set before us and not to fear in the dayes of evil when the iniquity of our heels compass us about Psal 49. 5 15. See how this even compleats the consolation of believers in a day of adversity and causeth them to triumph always in Christ It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us that our iniquities may not be imputed but graciously forgiven and healed who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that hath loved us Rom 8. 34 39. Oh consider what a merciful and faithful High-Priest we have in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people and who is therefore able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them for such an high Priest became us c. Heb. 2. 17 3. 1. 7. 25 26. If our sins were lest upon us and no deliverance there from obtained
2. Who are the heirs of this inheritance 3. How God and the word of his grace doth give and is able to give them this inheritance 1. What is this inheritance It is not the riches honours and great estates here below thaâ— men are eâ—gerly seeking after and blessing themselves in the injoyment of it is not of this world Joh. 18. 36. nor to be fully and gloriously injoyed in the time of this world And this may be seen in the words It is not of this world because it is the inheritance of the Saints or sanctified ones now it 's evident that the inheritances of this world are not their peculiar portion for God gives the greatest part of these things unto those that are the men of this world they have their portion in this world their children are full and leave the rest of their substance to their babes Psal 17. 14. those that set their months against the heavens they have more than heart could wish they prosper in the world and increase in riches God fills their houses with good things Psal 73. 5 12. Job 21. 7 13. 22. 17 18. whereas generally they are the poor of this world who are rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which God hath prepared many of them are as having nothing having no inheritance here but are many times hungry and thirsty and cold and naked Jam. 2. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 10. And besides those of them that have here any inheritance they have it not as sanctified â—nâ—s but as men sâ—ns of Adam and upon a natural and civâ—l 〈◊〉 The earth he hath given to the children of men Psal 115 â—6 And this inheritance here spoken of is not fully and gloriously to be injoyed in the â—â—ne of this world because it is to be injoyed among all them that are sanctified many of whom are gone out of this world and many that hereafter will be of this number being not yet in the world but none of them shall be made perfect or perfectly and compleatly injoy this without the rest of their brethren those that have died in the faith have not received the promises and so are not made perfect without the surviving of that body and those that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep Heb. 11. 39 40. 1 Thes 4. 15. Yea as the sanctified ones who are the heirs are more excellent than their neighbours Prov. 12. 26. so is their inheritance more excellent it is an inheritance incorruptible and undeâ—iled and that fades not away reserved in the heavens for them 1 Pet. 1. 4. and so not like the inheritances of this world which are subject to corruption and pollution and which will fade away for riches are not for ever nor doth the crown indure to all generations Prov. 27. 24. and the rich man here shall fade away in his wayes Jam. 1. 11. The inheritance then here spoken of is a glorious and eternal inheritance which all that are sanctified shall be made partakers of when those that sleep in Jesus shall be raised and the living of that body shall be changed Prov. 3. 25. Heb. 9. 15. of which having spoken so â—ewhat before I shall be the bâ—â—â—fer hâ—re and shall say 1. Thâ—y shall inherit the earth when God shall make all things new even new heavens and a new earth in which dwelleth righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. So it is often assured and promised they that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth the meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth Psal 37. 9 11 22 34. 25. 13. And this our Saviour confirms saying Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth Mat. 5 5. and therein they shall possess and inherit the Land of Canaan when it is made an heavenly Coâ—ntrey as it shall beâ— For the Lord will comfort Zion he will comfort all her wasâ— places and he will make her wilderness like Edâ—n and her desert like the garden of the Lord Heb. 11. 16. Isa 51. 3. This was contained in the Covenant which God made with Abraham c. That he would give unto him the Land of Canaan the lot of their inheritance even for an inheritance to himself and his seed which Covenant is not yet performed according as promised for he gave Abraham none inheritance in it no not so much as to set his foot on yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession and to his seed c. By faith he sojourned in the Land of promise as in a strange Countrey dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise yea though David did injoy that typical rest yet he also confessed that he was a stranger as were all his fathers and so was not come to the inheritance as God promised it to Abraham Psal 105. 8 11. Gen. 13. 15. 17. 8. Act. 7. 5. Heb. 1â— 8 13. 1 Chron. 29. 15. 2. Herein they shall inherit glory Prov. 3. 25. even the Kingdom of Christ and of God when the Lord God shall give unto Jesus Christ the throne of his faâ—her David He then as King shall reign in righteousness and they as Princes shall rule in judgment Isa 33 1. He now washes them from their sins in his blood and makes them Kings and Priests and they shall reign on the earth Rev. 1. 5 6. 5. 10. they shall reign with Christ a thousand years Rev. â—0 4 6. the Kingdom and dominion and greatness of the Kingdom he saith not in heaven but under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high c. Dan. 7. 18 27. they shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 2. and have power over the Nations Rev. 2. 26 28. for Christ will grant them to sit with him on his throne Rev. 3. 21. 3. In this glorious place and Kingdom they shall inherit all things and God himself shall be their God gloriously their temple their light their salvation and their portion for ever Rev. 21. 3 7 21 23. So they are said to be heirs of God and coheirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. And Christ saith The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance even of his people whom he hath chosen for an inheritance Psal 16. 5. with Psal 33. 12. he will then dwell with them and gloriously manifest himself unto them they shall see his face and inherit eternal life in the perfect knowledge favour of God and fellowship with him yea they shall reign for ever and ever See the explicite declaration of the testimony of Christ pag. 157 173. 2. Who are the heirs of and shall be counted worthy to obtain this inheritance All them which are sanctified consider here 1. What it is to sanctifie and who they are that are sanctified 2. By what means they are