called upon the God of Israel saying O that thou wouldest bless me indeed c. q.d. Here is a man of renown we must not pass him by without a note of memorial stamped upon him He hath outstript all the rest of his brethren for he is acquainted with God and in communion with him This is the first Inference 2. If Believers are united to the Son of God and made one with him then hence it will follow That the people of God may comfortably expect that God will take a special care of them and their concernments and have a peculiar regard unto them in the exercise of his providence For they are one with Christ and God loveth them with the same love for kind and substance though not for measure and degree wherewith he loveth the Lord Jesus and therefore certainly he will take a special care of them When the Lord is pleased at some times to appear gloriously in the preservation or deliverance of his Church and people it maketh the by-standers amazed and often filleth the wicked themselves with astonishment What are these people above others that God should bear such a gracious respect unto them You read the very Heathen could not but take notice of Gods handy-work in this particular Psal 126.2 Then they said amongst the Heathen the Lord hath done great things for them And Psal 48.5 They saw it and so they marvelled It was a matter of astonishment in their eyes that the Lord should be so mindful of them above others * Viderunt senserunt occultam vim numinis pro Israelitis propugnantem Et commoti sunt ipsâre Sim. de Muis in loc Why Sirs Here is the reason of it they are in Christ brought nigh unto God through Christ and no marvel that he hath a principle regard unto such You know That is a common distinction and it is a very comfortable distinction whereby the providence of God is branched forth 1. Into his general providence over all creatures So he feedeth the young ravens when they cry and provideth meat for the beasts of the field he disposeth and ordereth whatsoever doth concern any of the work of his hands 2. His special providence towards his own people he hath a special eye upon them and respect unto them As it is with a Magistrate of the City or Countrey If he be faithful in his place he hath a regard to the affairs and government of all that are under his jurisdiction but he hath a more than ordinary regard unto his own family and houshold So the Lord is especially mindful of the godly and here is the ground of it They are his family united to his Son and so his children by vertue of that union We have this distinction and the reason of it Mat. 6.26 30. Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly father feedeth them Are not ye much better than they Wherefore if God so clothe the grass of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven shall he not much more clothe you O ye of little faith Mark it If he mind other creatures he will much more regard his people How doth that appear Why because they are his children married to his Son He is a Creator unto others but he is a Father to them He that feedeth the fowls of the Air saith Christ is your heavenly father And therefore doubt not but he will exercise a peculiar providence over you Wherein doth this peculiarity of the providence of God manifest it self towards them For answer I will take notice of it in four things besides what hath been spoken of the peculiar Covenant-blessings which are conferred upon such 1. It doth appear in the special cognizance he taketh of their condition and concernments When the Lord looketh down from heaven upon all the inhabitants of the earth and taketh a view of the transactions in the world he doth it to this purpose that he may manage them in a compliance with the welfare of his children and make them subservient to their good He maketh an exact enquiry into the state of his Saints and observeth other things to this very end that they may be disposed of to their advantage and benefit That is a precious Text 2 Chron. 16.9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him He maketh an inspection into all the world that he may not miss any occasion of doing good to his little flock but may take all manner of advantages to shew kindness to them 2. This peculiarity of providence doth appear in the special support which he ministers unto the spirits of his people to bear up their hearts under such pressures wherewith others are over whelmed For although there is no visible difference alwayes made in the acts of providence towards the righteous but it happens unto them according to the works of the wicked Yet there is a remarkable difference to be observed by a discerning spirit in the support which is ministred unto their hearts When the wicked are at their wits end and filled with terror on every side then Believers can lift up their heads with confidence and not be troubled at any amazement God is graciously pleased to send them love-tokens at every turn to be a relief unto them which the world knoweth not of So that they can sing with joy of heart under those very dispensations when the wicked cry for forrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit Isa 65.13 14. Do but observe their confidence in the midst of troubles Psal 46.2 We will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea that is though all things be in commotion and combustion on every side Our hearts are settled under the most shaking providences 3. It doth eminently appear in Gods overthrowing all things that stand in the way of the welfare of his people and prove hindrances to the advancement thereof Sirs The Lord will have no regard to thousands of others that stand in the way of the good of one of his chosen He will overturn the thrones of the greatest Emperors if they are impediments to the good of the meanest of his Saints So that it is a dangerous thing to resist the proceedings of the most high when he awaketh to the deliverance of them that are upright in heart Isa 43.3 4. I gave Egypt for thy ransom Ethiopia and Seba for thee Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life * Hinc generalis doctrina colligenda est Sic Domino curae esse pios omnes ut pluris ipsos quam universum orbem faciat Et nullum fore
reward of the Inheritance commonly set forth by this expression eternal Life Rom. 6.22 Galat. 6.8 2. Virtually and secondarily all sorts of spiritual blessings that have a tendency to glory and are required to fit us for the possession thereof that is to say grace and holiness pardon of sin and reconciliation with the Almighty the supplies of the Spirit for doing the will of God and ability to persevere in that way unto the end These are all included in this expression of eternal Life for they are the first fruits and beginnings of it As glory is but grace in its ripeness and perfection so grace is glory in the bud and blossom And therefore our Saviour calleth the knowledge of God eternal Life Joh. 17.2 3. This is life eternal to know thee the only trus God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent that is This is the foretast of eternal Life the way to it an earnest peny in order to the full possession it is none other than the gate of heaven Thus you are to understand it here in the full extent and latitude of the expression as it comprehends the saving mercies conferred upon the Saints on the earth as well as the crown of Righteousness to be enjoyed in heaven For in the covenant of Peace whereof the Text is an abbreviation God hath made provision for the one as well as the other He hath not only given Salvation if men are sanctified and repent but hath provided for the sanctification and repentance of his Elect that they may be saved Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterwards receive me to glory And accordingly Christ the Mediator hath made his purchase he hath not only bought an inheritance to be given to the Saints but for the Elect of God he hath procured Saintship and all the appendices thereof that they may be partakers of that inheritance Tit. 3.5 6 7. That 's the first thing in the Text The mercy provided or the blessing conveyed 2. You have the Original or Well-spring of this mercy the fountain of this Blessing whence it is derived why from the free grace and pleasure of the Lord it is his gift It is not merited and deserved by us but freely and graciously bestowed upon us This is the record that God hath given us eternal Life Herein it differs from the reward of ungodliness that is the natural product of our sins but this is not the purchase of our boliness that is justly merited but this mercifully given as the Apostle observeth Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wherein the holy Ghost speaketh as if he did plainly intend to obviate and prevent the corrupt reasonings of men Will some be apt to argue If the wicked by their transgressions deserve eternal destruction then a Believer by his holiness doth merit eternal Salvation Nay saith S. Paul here I must have leave to deny the consequence the one indeed is a wages but the other is a gift We may take a view of the blessedness or salvation of the Saints in a fourfold period and in each of them in respect to us it is of grace God hath given us eternal Life In the 1. Purpose of the Father 2. Promise of the Gospel 3. Purchase of the death of Christ 4. Respect of our interest therein 1. In the eternal counsel and purpose of the Father As he determined and fore-ordained to bring sons to glory so it must of necessity be of grace and love Who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed What could move the Lord to design compassion for some and to pass by others of the same nature with them of greater parts and dignity and in higher place as to worldly honours and accomplishments To appoint an handful in comparison unto bliss and glory to set them apart for himself and to leave the rest of mankind in their undone condition Surely it was only because it seemed good in his sight and therefore it is called election of grace Rom. 11.5 6. There is a remnant according to the election of grace and if by grace then it is no more of works It is ascribed to pure mercy nothing but mercy Rom. 9.15 16. For he saith to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy 2. In the Covenant and Promise which God hath made of eternal Life and whereby it is made over to Believers Pray whence was the Lord induced to make such a gracious Covenant but from his own good pleasure It is given to us 2 Pet. 1.4 It is true the faithfulness and in some sense the righteousness and justice of God oblige him to fulfil the Covenant when it is made Nehem. 9.8 but it was only free love that could incline him to make it or to enter into this Covenant and to make publication thereof to some and not to others Deut. 7.6 7 8. Psal 147.19 20. 3. In the purchase of it by the blood of Christ God sent his Son into the world upon that errand by his obedience and sufferings to become the Author of Salvation And what was the motive that prevailed with the Lord to send him what provocative stirred him up to make this Mission Why God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 He shut up the fallen Angels irrecoverably in the chains of darkness he gave not Christ to take their nature upon him but for us men and for our Salvation he came down from heaven and herein God commendeth his love to us Rom. 5.8 4. Lastly eternal Life may be considered in respect of our Title to it and interest therein together with the possession thereof which is accomplished in the work of Regeneration And whence doth this proceed Why it is a gift 2 Cor. 5.5 He that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of his Spirit 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure That 's the second branch of the Text. The original of this mercy whence it doth proceed 3. We have the great dispenser of this mercy or blessing into whose hands it is put to be dealt forth unto Believers This is Jesus Christ the Son of God And this life is in his Son It is put into the hands of a Mediator and that Mediator is none else but the eternally and only begotten Son of God It is in him upon a threefold account 1. As in the meritorious
apt to think that God will not be so strict as some would press us to believe But if you are wicked sinners he will not abate you one transgression The very sins of thy youth which are slipt out of thy memory God will fill thy bones with them and make them lie down with thee in the dust Job 20.11 And as for thy secret sins which the world could not observe he will bring them to light and set them in order before thine eyes Eccl. 12.14 Psal 50.21 2. Persons out of Christ are in a wretched condition because they have God for their adversary who is the mighty possessor of heaven and earth in whose hands are all the corners of the world and at whose command and beck is every creature in being to fulfil his pleasure Against whom never did person rise up and prosper For he is wise in heart and mighty in strength Job 9.4 This all-powerful God is their enemy that setteth against them the living and eternal God who is able to pursue them that oppose him with fiery indignation for ever Into whose hands therefore it is a fearful thing to fall Heb. 10 31. Job 9.4 My brethren a few right and serious apprehensions of the nature and attributes of God would make a mans heart shiver and tremble at the very thoughts of having him for an adversary For as Moses saith Who knoweth the power of his anger Psal 90.11 No secure sinner knoweth it for if they did it would rouse them out of their security and cause them to flie for refuge unto the city of refuge * Omnis peccans est ignorans No unregenerate person knoweth it Had they but a glimps of the discovery of it their ears would tingle at the mention of his being against them It would be a vexation by day and by night only to understand the report of God's being their enemy who in a moment can break them in pieces like a potters vessel Who knoweth the power of his anger The meaning is It is unsearchably dreadful and past finding out So that this alone were sufficient to bespeak them throughly miserable For may a man say to the unregenerate as the King did to the woman that cried unto him for help 2 King 6.27 If the Lord do not help thee whence shall I help thee If God do not comfort thee what enjoyments can do it for they are all at his disposal and can minister no further assistance than he is pleased to put into them If the Lord of Hosts be set against thee who can deliver out of his hands 3. Vnconverted sinners are under a curse in all that doth concern them And how can they expect to succeed in any of their affairs when there is a curse from heaven intermingled therewith This is the condition of every person out of Christ to be an accursed person And that curse is of an extensive nature It rideth a large circuit it spreadeth it self upon and insinuateth it self into every mercy which they receive and every work they perform and every place and relation they are in and every providence they are under Prov. 3.3 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked But what if he go out of his house may he not escape it No The curse will follow him whithersoever he goeth and suck out the sweetness of whatsoever he doth possess Deut. 28.15 16 17 18 19 20. It shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thou be in the City and cursed shalt thou be in the field cursed shall be thy basket and thy store cursed shall be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy land the increase of thy kine and the flocks of thy sheep Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out The Lord shall send upon thee cursing and vexation and rebuke in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do until thou be destroyed and until thou perish quickly because of the wickedness of thy doings whereby thou hast forsaken me Mark how the curse pursueth the ungodly and although he stave it off with all his strength and skill yet it will come upon him And if he flee from it it will follow after him And if he run never so fast it will overtake and seize upon him and all that he hath and will never be removed till he leave his sins and get into Christ or else be made eternally accursed This is the third particular to set forth the misery of a Christless condition It is an accursed condition And it must needs be so for Christ alone can deliver us from the curse of the Law and you can have no redemption through Christ except you are ingraffed into him 4. Persons unconverted and ununited to Christ must of necessity be in a perfectly wretched condition because all the comminations and threatnings in God's word belong unto them and hang over their heads and unless prevented by a speedy return unto God will actually fall down upon them As a Believer cannot but be blessed because he hath a right to all the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel so an unregenerate person cannot but be miserable because all the dreadful and direful threatnings of the word are his share and portion And this in very deed is the reason why sinners for the most part cannot endure to be conversant in the word and it is a trouble and vexation unto them when passages of the Scripture are darted into their Spirits Because as Ahab said of Micaiah it never prophecieth good concerning them it denounceth nothing but wrath against them All that is written in the Law is set against them and if there be not enough written God will bring upon them more evils than are expresly mentioned in the threatnings of the Law Their inward thought is that God will not deal so severely with them as is contained in the word But mind it Sirs if you continue in sin he will fulfil his word with advantage He will bring upon such all the plagues that are written Also every sickness and every plague that is not written in the book of the Law them will the Lord bring upon such persons till they be destroyed Deut. 28.61 So much for the third Inference That persons out of Christ must of necessity be dead for he that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life There is one main objection should have been answered under this head which relateth especially to the third way of their being dead viz. in respect of impotency and inability to that which is spiritually good I will briefly touch upon it in this place though it cometh in a little out of order
faculties depend in all their regular operations upon the guidance of the understanding So that if the light that is within you be darkness how great is that darkness If it be dim and cloudy how easily will you be carried into innumerable mistakes Let the word of Christ therefore dwell in you richly in all wisdom Col. 3.16 And whatever truths you learn let it ever be with a personal appropriation unto your own hearts and consciences One plain truth closely * In absoluto facili stat aeternitas applyed to the heart will be of more advantage to help you forward in your journey towards Canaan than multitudes of notions that lie only floating in the head and do not descend with energy upon the conscience Job 5.27 Lo this We have searched it so it is hear it and know thou it for thy self 4. Labour what in you lieth to edulce and sweeten the way of God to your selves Be not alwaies poring upon the black and dark side of Religion but take a frequent view of it in its beauty and pleasantness When people fancy Religion to be a sad and melancholy way and think of nothing but the sorrows and severities of it their spirits are apt to hang off and are hardly wrought to any cordial compliance So that study much the loveliness and amiableness◠of it and take a daily prospect of the bright side of godliness Prov. 3.13 14 15 16 17 18. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold She is more precious than rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her Length of dayes is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Her wayes are wayes of pleasantness and all her paths are peace She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her This was the very course that David took which made his soul to follow hard after God and even to break with longings for the enjoyment of him Psal 63.1 3 5 8. And to this purpose observe these ensuing Directions 1. Look upon the word of precept in a continual conjunction with the word of promise If sinners did not separate between the Prohibition and the Commination If they did joyn the sin forbidden with the judgment threatned it would help to imbitter the waies of sin And if the people of God did contemplate the command as it is linkt with the Promise it would notably sweeten the course of obedience Heb. 10.23 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 2 Cor. 7.1 2. Be much looking within the vail Live in a constant meditation upon the crown of Righteousness And have a due respect to the recompence of reward Are there difficulties in the way The kingdom of heaven * Optanda est jactura quae lucro majore compensatur will make amends for all If the wicked did live in the apprehensions of Hell it would make the path of ungodliness as bitter as gall and wormwood And therefore that they may take their swinge they cast off these thoughts Prov. 9.17 18. Psal 10.4 5. So if the righteous did live in the meditation of Heaven it would put sweetness into the way of righteousness Heb. 10.34 35. Heb. 11.26 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. 3. Often bethink your selves what comfortable lives you might lead during your pilgrimage upon earth if you had good assurance of the love of God towards you and did study to * Hilaritatis nostrae omnis rivulus de fonte ducendus pietatis approve your selves in sincerity unto him With what sweet serenity and peace of spirit might you enjoy your comforts and perform all your undertakings as knowing your selves to be under the blessing and protection of the Lord of hosts who dwelleth between the Cherubims i. e of that infinite Being whose power and mercy are united * 2 Sam. 6.2 The mercy-seat was placed between the Cherubims for the defence of his children How cheerful might you be in times of affliction and trouble as knowing that all things should conspire to the advancement of your welfare You need not then be afraid of any terror or amazement Prov. 3.21 22 23 24 25 26. My Son let them not depart from thine eyes keep sound wisdom and discretion So shall they be life to thy soul and grace to thy neck Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lie down and thy steep shall be sweet Be not afraid i. e. Thou needest not be afraid * Vtuntur Hebraei imperativo in promissionibus ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 custodi praecepta mea vive i. e. vives Sic Ne timeto i. e non timebis there is no cause to be afraid of sudden fear neither of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh For the Lord shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken Read Job 11. from v. 13. to v. 19. And Psal 34.12 15. But I must contract my thoughts lest I should far exceed the intended bounds 5. Endeavour to be best in the worst times And think not the worse of Religion because it is despised and set against It is condemned indeed of pride and humour of faction sedition and turbulency But who are the persons by whom it is evil spoken of but men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth who have deeply wounded their consciences by sins against light and knowledge and given the victory to their fleshly lusts Therefore they condemn the fear of the Lord and the strict waies of holiness lest otherwise they should accuse and condemn themselves And will a Traveller be turned out of his road because of some Dogs and Curs that bark at him If you believe the Scriptures it is an excellent branch of humility to be subject unto the Lord and the greatest pride imaginable for poor Earth-worms to rise up against the most High Jer. 43.2 Neh. 9.16 1 Tim. 6.3 The Saints of God are the best subjects in a state who yield obedience in things agreeable to the will of God not only for wrath but also for conscience sake And pray for Kings and for all that are in authority that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2 Religion otherwhile is condemned of folly But it will shortly be found to be a point of the highest wisdom Eph. 5.15 16. Job 28.28 Psal 111.10 That is a considerable passage in the Apocryphal writings Wisd 5.4 Then shall the righteous man stand with great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his labours When they see it they shall be troubled with terrible fear and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his
and salvation is annexed He that thus hath the Son hath life And peace be to all them that are thus in Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.14 This is it which we are enquiring into wherein the nature of it consisteth which I shall now enter upon the unfolding of in the second answer to the question propounded By way of description CHAP. IV. Union with Christ described and the parts of the Description opened 2. HAving thus cleared our passage by the aforementioned distinction come we now to lay down a brief description of this great priviledge or grace of Union with the Son or having the Son which I shall endeavour to explicate in the several branches of it Take the description thus Union with Christ is that special relation which believers have to the Lord Jesus as Mediator of the Covenant of Grace arising from their closs and intimate conjunction with him whereupon they are accounted as one with Christ their spiritual state is fundamentally changed and the benefits of redemption are effectually applyed unto their souls In which Description that we may handle it methodically and so the more understandingly you have these five branches into which it may be divided that need each of them a little explanation 1. The general nature of this grace or priviledge It is a persons relation to the Lord Jesus 2. A note of difference whereby it is distinguished from other relations It is that special relation which they have to Christ as Mediator 3. The subjects of this Union unto whom it doth appertain and they are believers It is the special relation of Believers to the Lord Jesus 4. The foundation of this Union whereupon it is bottomed and whence it doth arise Why it ariseth from their intimate conjunction with Christ 5. The blessed consequents that flow from it or the great effects which are produced by it And they are three 1. Hereupon they are reckoned as one with Christ 2. Their spiritual state is fundamentally changed 3. The benefits of redemption are effectually applyed 1. The general nature of this grace or priviledge of Union with Christ It is a persons relation to the Lord Jesus So as I conceive it may be most properly stiled that mutual habitude or reference which is between them or which Christ and his people have one to the other Vnio hat est spiritualis illa relatio hominum ad Christum quâ jus acquirunt ad omnâ—s illas benedictiones qua in ipso praparantur Ames med It is called in the Text an having the Son and it is frequently set forth by a being espoused or married to the Son 2 Cor. 11.2 For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chast virgin to Christ. Rom. 7.4 That ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead Elsewhere it is called A belonging to Christ Mar. 9.41 And a being his Gal. 5.24 You know though there is a very neer conjunction and oneness thereupon between the Husband and Wife that are married together yet it is but a relative oneness their individual properties remain distinct notwithstanding Such is this Union of a sincere Christian with the Lord Jesus they are contracted and married together and so become united For by such umbrages taken from external things God is pleased to set forth this high mystery that it may be better apprehended by us that it may be easier let into our understandings Under this Head I shall intreat you heedfully to mind and observe three things 1. That this Union of the Saints with Christ is not a transformation of either into the essence or substance of the other Nostra ipsius Christi conjunctio nec miscet personas nee confundit substantias Sed affectus consociat confoederat voluntates either of Christ into theirs or of Believers into his essence They are not so made one as as if there were a substantial alteration or commixtion therein as if their persons or natures were so contempered together as to be made up into one A sincere convert is one with the person of the Mediator but they are not thereby made one person as some have vented their blasphemies that they are Christed with Christ and Godded with God and such like expressions that would make the heart of a sober Christian to tremble and his ears to tingle at the mention of them This oneness is not to be understood grosly and carnally as the Capernaites mistook it but in a spiritual sense as Christ himself doth interpret it Joh. 6.56 63. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him How is this to be understood Mark v. 63. Loquituâ— non de externo ac â—ranseunte verborum istorum sonitu sed de sensu illorum Ac significat se non carnaliter de carnall carnis suae esu in quo vita non est sed spiritualiter de spiritus vivificatoris virtute in qua vita est loquutum esse Muscul in loc It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak they are spirit and life As if he had said these things are to be taken in a spiritual sense and not after a carnal manner Indeed it is so undeniably evident that it is not to be meant of a corporal union that I shall not need to insist upon arguments for the confutation of such uncouth notions Christ and a believer are not so made one but that they retain their natures distinct and their personal properties distinct notwithstanding that union they have different places properties and employments Christ is corporally in heaven the heavens must contain him till the time of the restitutions of all things and many of the members of his mystical body are still militant upon the face of the earth He is the Redeemer and they are the redeemed Act. 3.21 To the Lord Christ doth justly and deservedly appertain all worship and homage All ye Angels of God worship him Heb. 1.6 But it were monstrous and hateful idolatry to give it unto the Saints who are our fellow-creatures Rev. 22.9 Acts 14 13 14 15. The Lord Jesus is ordained and constituted to be the Judge and Believers are a part of the persons to be judged It is true they shall fit as Assessors with Christ in passing sentence upon the wicked but first they must stand themselves before the Judgment-seat and receive their acquittal Act. 17.31 Rom. 14.10 I might multiply passages of this sort if it were needful So that this Union is not a perfonal or corporal oneness with Christ but it consisteth in the neer relation which they have unto him 2. Hence it followeth plainly by way of consectary that it is a gross mistake of such persons who would gather from a Believers oneness with Christ that they are perfectly freed from all remainders of sin Sirs Christ is holy and pure a Lamb without spot and blemish he never
and thou hast corrupted thy self He made man upright but he hath sought out many cursed inventions and made himself achild of the devil Besides this is none other ground than the devils may have to expect salvation Thus they are related to Christ For by him were all things created that are in heaven and in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalâ—ties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or powers all things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and in him all things consist Col. 1.16 17. 2. There is the relation of men to Christ as the Son of man As he humbled himself to take the form of a servant and to assume our nature and not the nature of Angels And indeed such a one it was necessary our Med ator should be As it was requisite he should be God that his obedience and sufferings might be of value sufficient to content and satisfie the demands of the justice of God so likewise that he should be man that he might be capable of subjection unto the Law and undergoing the penalty of the Law Gal. 4.4 Heb. 10.5 As it was necessary he should be God that he might be able to vanquish and subdue our spiritual adversaries so also that he should be man that he might taste death for the children of men which was the way appointed for that conquest to be made Heb. 2.14 As it was needful he should be God that he might be a prevalent high Priest so likewise that he should be man that he might be a merciful high Priest Si enim homo non vicisset inimicum hominis non justè victus esset inimicus Rursus autem nisi Deus donasset salutem non firmiter haberemus eam Et nisi homo conâ—unctus fuisset Deo nostro non potuisset particeps fleri incorruptibilitatis Opertuer at enim Mediatorem Dei hominum per suam ad utrosque domesticitatem ad amicitiam concordiam utrosque reducerâ— facere ut Deus assumeret hominem homo se dederet Deo Iraen adv haeres touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 2.17 And from hence doth arise a relation to him a kind of identity or oneness with him as between beings of the same nature Thus the Apostle saith they are one specifically one in respect of his humane nature Heb. 2.11 16. For he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one That is of the same stock and linage the children are partakers of flesh and blood and he took part of the same For v. 16. Verily he took not upon him the nature of Angels but he took upon him the seed of Abrahaem But still this is a relation which is common to the just and the unjust to them that fear the Lord and to them that despise him Indeed the benefit of it redoundeth only to such as are sanctified For what advantage is it to thee that Christ was the Son of man if thou liest still in the gall of bitterness and art a slave to the devil But the relation it self extends to all the generations of mankind They are the children of men and Christ was found in fashion as a man Phil. 2.7 8. they are of the humane nature and so was Christ being the seed of the woman according to the flesh Gen. 3.15 16. 3. There is a peculiar relation of Saints and sincere Christians to Christ as the Mediator and Redeemer God and man in one person as members are related to the Head or the Spouse to the Husband A saving relation to him whereby they have a right and title to what Christ hath done and suffered and an interest in the mercies procured thereby such a relation is this Union we are speaking of The Apostle doth evidently puâ— a difference betwixt this and the former Col. 1.16 17.18 By him were all things created c. and in him all things consist And he is the head of the body the Church q. d. It is true Christ is the Lord and Soveraign of the whole Creation men and Angels and devils but his own people have a peculiar neerness unto him he is the head of the body the Church And the beloved Disciple mentioneth it as a differencing priviledg 1 Joh. 5.19.20 We know that we are of God dear children and the whole world lieth in wickedness And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understâ—nding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ Mark it we are in him others are not we who are born of God have a share in this signal mercy whereof the rest of the world are not sharers This leadeth us to the third branch of the description which is 3. The subjects of this Union to whom it doth appertain why to believers It is the special relation which believers have to the Lord Jesus that is sound believers which are made partakers of the faith of God's elect such as are Israelites indeed and Christ's Disciples and followers in good earnest Col. 1.2 To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ You know there are Disciples of Christ in appearance and others who are such in truth who have not only the shew but the substance of Religion that do not only call themselves servants of Christ but are stedfast and faithful with him Rev. 17.14 And these are the persons who are in him It is for them only he prayeth that they might be one with him and therefore unto them peculiarly doth this priviledge belong Joh. 17.20 21. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe in me through their word That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us Mark it it is affixed to Believers that they may be one in us How are Believers the subjects of this union I answer on a fourfold account 1. Solely and exclusively 2. Universally and comprehensively 3. Entirely and undividedly 4. Formally under that respect as Believers 1. Believers are the subjects of this Union solely and exclusively It is a part of the hidden Manna which none taste of but Gods hidden ones as believers are called Psal 83.3 Carnal Professors have no lot nor portion in this matter they may enjoy great advantages by having their station in the Church but only real Saints and luch as are regenerate are ingraffed into Christ the head of the Church God doth give forth some spiritual mercies promiscuously indifferently to the good and bad to the righteous and wicked but there are other priviledges peculiar unto the righteous and this of implantation into Christ is one of them whereby he doth manifest himself unto his own and not unto the world How can this be saith Judas not Iscariot How is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not
with the Redeemer and that in a fourfold respect 1. God the father doth so account of them in his estimation He putteth an high price and value upon their souls he loveth them with a superlative love as being one with his Son they are sharers in the same love wherewith Jesus Christ is beloved It is true in themselves they are despicable creatures of a mean extraction and original and God might refuse to have any regard to them in respect of their Apostacy they are polluted creatures and so the Lord might abhor them but he takes a view of them in his Son and so his affections run out towards them Joh. 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the world may know Deinâ—e coelestis Pater eodem quo Ecclesiae caput amore complexâ—s est membra quoque omnia prosequitur ut neminem diligat nisi in Christo Marl. that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me Not in point of equality but similitude with the same love with a real love pure love eternal love unchangeable love And he will glorifie them with the same glory where with Christ is glorified 2. The Lord Jesus himself doth so account of them in the care which he taketh of their persons and affairs He hath a tenderness for them and a watchful regard unto them as parts and portions of himself Whoso roucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zech. 2.8 In all their afflictions he is afflicted Isa 63.8 9. And whatever kindness is shewed unto them is a refreshment to his spirit Mind how he speaks to Peter Joh. 21.15 16. Simon son of Jonas lovest thou me more than these He saith unto him yea Lord thou knowest that I love shee He saith unto him feed my lambs And v. 16. Feed my sheep And again v. 17. Feed my sheep as if he had said Thou canst no way better express thy love towards me than by being tender of those that are my servants Whatever thou dost for them for the least of them I will put it upon mine account I reckon it as done unto my self 3. The holy Ghost the spirit of grace and consolation doth so demean himself towards Believers in his operations and workings upon their hearts As he cometh to them in Christ's name so he dealeth with them as Christ's members He taketh of his and doth show it or communicate it unto them because they are parts of him Joh. 16.14 15. 4. Their fellow-servants all the sons and daughters of Adam are warned of God thus to judge concerning them and accordingly to suit their carriage and actions towards Believers They are apt to reckon them as the dung of the earth as the off scouring of all things as the most contemptible persons under the Sun but God will have them to know that they are one with Jesus Joh. 17.23 That the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me The world that is the inhabitants of the world or principally in this place the wicked of the earth it is a lesson wherein it concerneth them to be instructed That 's the first general consequent of this Union Being one with the Son of God they are to all intents and purposes so accounted of 2. The second general effect of this Union with Christ is the change of a mans state and condition Hereby their spiritual state is fundamentally changed so that of children of the wrath of God they are made objects of his favour and delight and complacency in whom he takes pleasures Instead of the curse of the Law under which they lay they are put within the verge of the Covenant of peace and reconciliation instead of fire-brands of hell they are made heirs of a crown of righteousness You know there is a threefold change wrought upon a person in order to conduct him to everlasting bliss 1. There is a change of the nature and qualifications of the person the frame and temper of the heart must be altered and turned from sin to holiness from the power of Satan to the living God 2. There is a practical change in the conversation from living after the flesh to a walking in the Spirit and minding the things of the Spirit 3. A change of the state and condition which we are now treating of and this is fundamentally wrought by a mans union with Christ This change of the state is stilled in the Scriptures A translation of a sinner out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of Christ Col. 1.13 And by the grace of union this translation is originally made and brought about Mark I say originally and fundamentally for although justification and adoption are a change likewise in the state of a sinner yet I ascribe it originally to union with Christ because those mercies are rivolets which flow from this fountain And you will find the holy Ghost attributing it hereunto Eph. 2.13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ The state of nature is a state of alienation and estrangedness from God then sinners are afar off from his favour and the light of his countenance but when they are implanted into Christ this alienation is removed and they are brought nigh unto God This is a point of very great weight and moment and therefore diligently to be heeded and studied So that I will open it somewhat largely for these three reasons 1. Because upon the change of the spiritual state of our persons doth depend the gracious acceptation of all our duties and performances This being the constant method of God's acceptance of them first he hath respect unto the person and then to the spiritual work and obedience which is tendered by that person Deus non habet gratum offereutem propter munera sed munera propter offerentem Gregor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen. 4.4 The Lord had respect to Abel and to his offering First to himself and then to his sacrifice Ezek. 20.40 41. I will accept you with your sweet savour First you and then your sweet savour thereupon It is not all the care and pains a natural man can take in some of the duties of the worship and service of God though he mean never so well as some persons will boast they mean well and have good intentions and therefore hope the Lord will not reject them that will render his duties pleasing unto God except he first give up himself to be the Lords and be in covenant with him and his spiritual state be changed Rom. 8.8 They that are in the flesh cannot please God * Qui in carne sunt i. e. per spiritum renati non sunt Buling Not only they will not but cannot it is a thing utterly impossible that God should take delight in the works of the wicked who are his enemies let them be
touching the way to Christ and I go to that Minister to direct me in following after him I leave no stone unturned no means unassayed And if I get but a glimpse of his favour I think all my endeavours well bestowed O how welcome is he to my soul With what unspeakable rejoycing doth it fill me So that I can boast of Christ all the day long How careful am I to preserve my fellowship with him that no clouds for the future may interpose betwixt me and the beams of that Sun of righteousness I might dwell upon the passages of this nature in that book I will but point you to them See the Churches as earnest pantings after Christ as the Hart panteth after the water-brooks cap. 8.1 2 3 4. And her description of him and holy exultation upon the account of her interest in such a Lord and Husband cap. 5.9 10 11 15 Wherein the close of all is observable v. 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O ye Daughters of Jerusalem q. d. He is the object matter of my whole affections there is none in heaven but Christ nor any thing upon the earth to be loved and desired in comparison with him He is most worthy to be beloved who cannot but admire such a gracious Redeemer Do not wonder that my heart is so set upon him for he is altogether lovely If you knew but Christ as well as I it would inflame your hearts in desires after him it would even ravish your Spirits in the contemplation of his beauty Never is it possible for any to be so blessed as those who have him for their friend So upon the other hand for the affection of Christ to believers he hath them graven upon the palms of his hands upon the very Tables of his heart Cant. 2.14 O my dove that art in the clefts of the rocks in the secret places of the stairs let me see thy countenance let me hear thy voice for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely q. d. Thou that art despised amongst men but highly regarded in my sight preserved by my power and righteousness which is stable as the rock that can never be removed I have provided secure fortifications to preserve thee when thou art hunted and persecuted on every hand Come now and let us converse together for therein I take pleasure Mark it nothing is so welcome to Jesus Christ as the voice and countenance of his Saints If they do but chatter as a Crane or Swallow * Isa 38.14 it is as lovely Songs unto him If they send but a sigh or a groan up to heaven it is a refreshment to his Spirit * Jer. 31.18 20. If they offer but a mite it is a sweet oblation before him because of the love which he beareth unto them Whereas the incense of the wicked is but as dung in his sight and the best of their sacrifices but as the cutting off a dogs neck or the offering of swines bloud that is odious and abominable such as his soul hateth See another place to this purpose Cap. 4.9 and so forward Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes with one chain of thy neck How fair is thy love my Sister my Spouse How much better is thy love than wine and the smell of thine ointments than all spices Thy lips O my Spouse drop as the honey-comb honey and milk are under thy tongue and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon But I must forbear only remember what was hinted in the proposition that this intimate love between believers and Christ may be well improved as an evidence of their ingrafture into Christ This moral union may be produced as a proof of the mystical union For he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 And that it may be of use to this end our love to Christ whereby we are knit to him morally must have these four properties It must be 1. A sincere love 2. A serviceable active love 3. A superlative love 4. A love of complacency and satisfaction 1. It must be a sincere and single hearted affection without dissimulation and hypocrisie when the heart of a Christian goeth out after Christ himself and for himself when our love to him is kindled by the contemplation of his own innate worth and excellencies and the spiritual blessings which he hath purchased There may be a kinde of love to Christ for the leaves sake a following after him for some outward advantage When Religion is countenanced to be amongst the servants of Christ is a matter of honour and repute in the eyes of men it may help to advance a mans secular interest and many come after him moved by such considerations But now the heart of a believer is fixed upon Christ for himself though nothing but frowns from men should follow their cleaving unto him although it were likely to bring disgrace and reproach along with it and to expose them to sorrows and sufferings upon every side yet their souls are resolved to have Christ * Id propter se expeti dicitur quod quamvis habeat extra se commoda sepositie quoque ill is ac remot is placet Sen de Benefic with all the incumbrances that attend the possession of him Hereunto the promise is made Eph. 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity i.e. in simplicity and incorruptness having a single aim at the enjoyment of himself 2. It must be a serviceable and active love such as sets a man a doing to advance the glory of Christ by a chearful obedience to his Commandments that maketh him study and contrive how to please the Lord Jesus Such a love as restraineth from the evil of sin whereby Christ is grieved and dishonored Such as constraineth unto holiness and causeth a man to take delight and pleasure in doing the will of Christ from the heart The passion of love Sirs is an active passion that will set the whole man a work to please the party beloved it will make him indefinite to all intents and purposes to all sorts of services and nothing will seem burdensome upon that account John 14.21 He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them saith our Saviour he it is that loveth me 1 John 5.3 For this is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous The grace of love hath a facilitating vertue it maketh difficult things easie and sweetens the whole course of obedience When a man hath a dear affection for Christ he will do any thing and suffer any thing for his sake he will not be afraid to own him in the face of the world though it may cost him all that is dear to him besides 1 John 4.17 18. Herein is
this powerful assailant But mind it Christians Although this should much excite you to watchfulfulness yet here is no cause of discouragement Is Satan a potent enemy yet he is a conquered enemy That Christ who dwelleth in you hath broken the power of hell and brought under the prince of darkness His temptations should quicken you to run to Christ for succour and to clasp the faster about him and in no wise to cast off your confidence A sincere believer in this case should recollect himself with David Why art thou cast down O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me Is not my Saviour stronger than the strong man armed Can it be imagined that he delivered me out of the snare of the devil that he might give me up again unto his will Did he break in with a mighty force upon my soul and eject the devil out of his habitation and come and dwell in me that afterwards he might surrender up his dwelling place to his greatest adversary Why Satan by being mine enemy is Christ's enemy thereby in whom I am and unto whom I am closely united and he wil never suffer him to get the victory Although he may permit him to vex and disquiet me for a time that my faith may be exercised * Deus bonos non negligit cum negligit nec obliviscitur sed quasi obliviscitur Ideo videtur deferere quia non vult deseri yet he will bruise him under my feet shortly Rom. 16.20 Mark how he rebuketh the devil in the case of Joshua Zech. 3.2 And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire q.d. Have I preserved him to this time by a special preservation that now I might deliver him into thy merciless hands So doth Christ pluck poor souls as firebrands out of the fire of the wrath of God and gather them into his own kingdom that afterwards he may give them up to the prince of darkness Mat 16.18 Vpon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it The gates of bell that is all the power and policy all the might and craft of the devil and his adhaerents The gates of Cities were the places where their arms and ammunition were laid up and there their Judges and Counsellors were wont to meet and advise for the good of the place So that by the gates of hell is meant the strength and crafty machinations and devices of Satan and his instruments they may trouble and vex the Saints of the most High but they shall not prevail against them not against the meanest faithful member of the Church because they are built upon the rock For it is not only the Church in general that is built upon that rock but every particular Saint Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2.6 3. A third particular that is most likely to disunite a Believer and the Lord Jesus is The allurements of the world Temptations objected * Temptations are 1. Injected such as the tempter darts immediately into the soul 2. Ascendent which arise from some stirred humour or inferior faculty 3. Objected which proceed from external objects baited and suited to the inclination of the Spirit as the Schools distinguish the lusts of the flesh the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life as the Apostle giveth us an inventory of all the worlds goods and accommodations 1 Joh. 2.16 These were the very engines whereby our first parents were seduced and commonly they have a great influence on the souls of their posterity To follow after which some have made shipwrack of faith and put a good conscience far away from them For the pleasures of sin they have forsaken Christ and for earthly profit and advantage have let go the pursuit of heavenly blessings and to get honour of men have neglected that honour that cometh of God only See Luk. 8.14 2 Tim. 4.10 John 12.42 43. But these are outside Christians who thus forsake their station and run away from their Master * Charitas quae descri potest nunquam vera fuit Aug. Such as are indeed ingraffed into Christ will never let him go For they have renounced these things already for his sake when they first gave themselves unto the Lord it was upon these terms That they should be ready to suffer the loss of all things at his command They find in the enjoyment of Christ more solid and substantial pleasure than sin can minister unto its followers and greater riches than the whole earth can afford They account it their highest dignity and preferment to be in him and of the number of his attendants They see that in the Covenant which doth infinitely out-bid the world in all that it can promise unto them that serve it Besides Through the Cross of Christ the world is crucified unto Believers and they are crucified unto it and redeemed from it So that it cannot have that power and prevalency over them as upon others Gal. 1.4 Gal. 6.14 4. False teachers and seducers may be thought likely to dissolve this union They have oftentimes cunning artifices to deceive and are of unwearied diligence to gain Proselytes and to make them the children of hell They are wont to come as messengers of righteousness and transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ They pretend to high attainments and plead the Spirit and new light for introducing their abominations And may not these subtle emissaries of the devil overturn the faith of God's people May not they so prevail as to make a separation between Believers and Christ Why Sirs the holy Ghost hath given sufficient warrant to assure us it shall not be They may lead captive silly unsettled persons who are laden with sins and led away with divers lusts They may beguil unstable souls who though they have been in the School of Christ were never taught the truth as it is in Jesus Nay they may possibly fly blow the souls of Christs peculiar servants with wretched errors and taint their faith but they shall not be able to overturn their faith For the foundation of God stands sure as the Apostle asserteth expressly in this respect 2 Tim. 2.18 19. And therefore their seductions are mentioned as to deceiving the elect with an if it were possible Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Intimating that eventually it is impossible they are placed out of harms way they are put through grace without the reach of their gunshot as to a total seduction from the faith as having an unction from the holy One whereby they know all things 1 Joh. 2.20 Not that this should
him glory in the Lord for all the sap and juice cometh from the root The branch hath nothing of its own but what is received from thence All your support is by vertue of the root so that walk humbly with God in the sense of your own emptiness and utter insufficiency And if you would live the life of God indeed have your constant recourse unto the Lord Jesus and be drawing nourishment from him for thou standest by faith Rom. 11.20 2. The similitude imports That the union of a Believer with the Lord Jesus is a very closly compacted and intimate union that they are very firmly and entirely knit together The branch when it is graffed becometh thereby incorporated into the vine so in a spiritual sense there is a kind of concorporation of Christ and his people together and therefore it is represented under the notion of being graffed into him There is a deep and inward connexion between them so deep and intimate that they are called by his Name 1 Cor. 12.12 As the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ i. e. so is the company of Believers Christ mystical who are so knit closs unto Christ as if they were the same as if they were consolidated into one 3. From this resemblance we may observe That a person cannot possibly be united unto Jesus till he be taken off from all other dependances whatsoever First there must be a cutting on the 〈…〉 stock in which it naturally groweth before it can be graffed into another First there must be an abscission before there can be an insition A branch may grow neer to the vine without being cut off from its old root but it must be wholly cut off ere it can be graffed into the vine Sirs By nature we grow in the wild olive tree we are rooted in the old Adam sin and self for when men are convinced of sin presently they have recourse unto self as a Saviour to deliver them from their sins But if you would get into Christ you must be taken off from these As you have it in the continued metaphor or allegory Rom. 11.25 For if thou wert cut off out of the olive tree which is wild by nature and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree Mark it first cut off from the one before capable of being graffed into the other 4. Learn in the last place from this similitude That the glory and excellency of a Christian doth lie in practical holiness or in being fruitful and abundant in the work of the Lord. You know The worth and excellency of a branch doth not consist in its beautiful outside or in the fair leaves and blossoms which it may bear but in bringing forth much fruit When there are fair clusters of grapes hanging upon it this doth content the Husbandman and prevents the pruning-hooks cutting off such a branch for the fire So herein is the excellency of a Believer when he is active for God in his place and calling and filled with the fruits of righteousness This is acceptable unto God and well pleasing in his sight This commends the root as a juicy sappy root when the branches are fruitful Joh. 15.8 Herein is my Fathor glorified that ye bear 〈…〉 fruitful you will be taken away and burnt the unprofitable servant shall be cast into outer darkness But then you will honour me indeed and be like to enjoy the comfort of your relation towards me when you express the power of godliness in your conversations This is the second resemblance 3. The third similitude setting forth the relation of a Believer to Christ is drawn from the â—uptial conjunction which is betwixt the husband and wife Christ and his people are joyned together in a conjugal union He is married unto them and they are his Spouse whom he hath betrothed unto himself When a man and woman are joyned in marriage according to the Institution and Ordinance of God they become one flesh so the Lord Christ and true Believers are one spirit Eph. 5.31 32. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joyned to his wife and they two shall be one flesh This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church It is as much as if the Apostle had said If the husband and wife are one by vertue of their marriage-covenant or nuptial contract much more intimately are Christ and his people one by their spiritual marriage the other is but a shadow of this Union Here is a mystery indeed for of this spiritual union you must understand me I speak concerning Christ and the Church Cant. 5.1 I am come into my garden my sister my spouse And throughout that book of the 〈…〉 1. When the 〈…〉 together into one It is according to the will and pleasure of the Father and a matter very pleasing and acceptable in his sight When marriages are regularly made it is with consent and approbation of parents on either side Now God is the parent on both hands in this spiritual conjunction and they have his consent to their espousals 1. He giveth his Son to the Church to be an husband Isa 49.6 I will give thee to be a light unto the Gentiles that thou mayest be my salvation to the end of the earth Gal. 4.4 When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son c. Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son 2. Upon the other hand he taketh the Church to be a Wife or Spouse unto his Son and giveth Believers unto him Joh. 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children whom thou hast given me So that this is the Father's will that sinners should come unto Christ and be united unto him And pray observe it the rather because there is a proneness in the heart of man to question the Fathers good will Sometimes sinners have good thoughts of Jesus Christ as one that minds their salvation and came down from heaven to accomplish it but they are full of doubts and jealousies touching the Father they question whether he be willing to accept them Why mind it Sirs What the Lord Jesus 〈…〉 〈◊〉 doth is by God the Fathers appointment and approbation It was he that sent him about his work and giveth lost sinners into his hands to be saved This is mentioned as an incouragement to believe in Jesus for if you do so the Father will receive you graciously and you shall in no wise be rejected See the words of our Saviour Joh. 6.37 38 39. Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise east out For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the
mention upon this account is taken from the union between the foundation and the building erected thereupon They are coupled together and knit into one so as to make up one house So the servants of Christ are knit unto him being built upon him 1 Cor. 3.9 11. Ye are God's building Upon what foundation are they built See v. 11. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ Believers then are as a fabrique erected upon Christ and cemented unto him A little to unfold this resemblance I will only mind you of three things 1. The holy Ghost doth make mention in the records of the Scripture of a twofold foundation with reference to the Church 1. A doctrinal foundation 2. A personal foundation 1. A doctrinal foundation whereupon our faith is to be bottomed as upon an infallible and unmoveable ground This foundation is the Scriptures the doctrines contained in the Bible the Word of God therein revealed and in that way made known unto the children of men Eph. 2.20 Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets that is Upon the doctrines contained in the Old and New Testament whereof the Prophets and Apostles were the publishers and the penmen by whom as instruments the mind of God was transmitted to succeeding generations * Gubernabit te verbum Dei ad portum coelorum te adducet spiritus sanctus Our faith Sirs is not to be bottomed on the dictates of men or the traditions of our fathers for then it would be a fickle unstable uncertain faith But it is to be built on the sure word of Prophecy The doctrines of the Bible are to be the foundation of it In this respect our Lord Jesus Christ is compared to the chief corner stone He is the principal subject whereof the Scripture treats and whereunto the doctrines tend they are appointed to discover Christ unto us and to bring us unto him and to build us up in him He is the person in whom the strength of the building lieth and through whom the two walls of the building are joyned together Jews and Gentiles are made up into one house and Church as the sides of a building are coupled together by the corner stone 2. There is a personal or essential foundation upon whom a Believer depends for life and salvation by whom the Church subsisteth and through whom it is constituted as a temple for God Thus Christ is the foundation and every Saint is a stone in the building founded upon him Isa 28.16 Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation Which the holy Ghost expoundeth once and again as meant of Jesus Christ And it is an excellent passage containing abundant matter of incouragement for humbled sinners to come unto Christ and to rest upon him 1. He is a Saviour of Gods appointment sufficiently authorized to be the Mediator so that if you come to God by him he will not reject you for it is the Lord 's doing to constitute him to be our Redeemer it is the way which God himself hath set open to bring sinners to salvation He is the foundation which the Lord hath laid I lay in Sion for a foundation 2. For the qualification of his person he is mighty to save able to deliver to the uttermost He is not as sand or gravel by which the building cannot be supported but a stone or rock which noteth the stability and strength of Jesus Christ he is able to bear whatever weight is laid upon him No winds or storms from earth or hell can prevail to overturn what is built upon him And this ariseth from the constitution of his person being very God as well as man 3. He is a tryed stone Do you yet question his sufficiency to save you Are you still in doubt whether you may trust in him Why do but mind the experience which he hath given of his ability he is a tryed stone Eve hath tryed him and Enoch tryed him and Noah and Abraham and David and Solomon and all the people of God in former ages have made the experiment and their expectations were not frustrated they found him such a one as he is discovered to be He is a stone of trial a foundation of proof a sure foundation 4. This is that which God would have sinners to take notice of Behold I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone c. q. d. Hear O people and give ear all ye inhabitants of the earth mind what I have done to carry on the salvation of sinners And to what end is this publication made but that we might come unto Christ and unto God by him with full assurance of faith This is the first particular I would observe under this similitude 2. This resemblance doth import That all such persons whatsoever who are knit unto Christ and built up to salvation upon his righteousness must of necessity be made conformable unto him There must be an answerableness betwixt them As the foundation is the supporter of the building so it is a rule and measure unto the building The stones which are set upon it must be proportioned thereunto the superstructure must be of length and breadth according to the foundation So it is in the spiritual building The souls of Believers who are joyned to Christ must bear a proportion to him with whom they are joyned This is the Statute-Law of the God of heaven and it is more unalterable and irrevocable than the Laws of the Medes and Persians That there is no saving interest in Christ without conformity to him Rom. 8.29 Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son Mark It is the unchangable decree of the Lord of Hosts If you are saved in any other way or at a cheaper rate it must be by the alteration of God's decrees which are unchangeable as his nature and essence without any variableness or shadow of turning As Christ could never have been our Redeemer but he must be made like unto us so we shall never taste of the Redemption purchased by him unless â—e be made like unto him This conformity of a Believer to the Lord Jesus Christ doth mainly lie in five things viz. 1. The qualifications of his â—erson 2. The sufferings of his death 3. His resurrection and ascension into heaven 4. The holiness of his conversation 5. The troubles and persecutions which he underwent upon the earth 1. Believers must be made like unto Chist in the qualifications of his person Their judgments must concenter with Christ's judgment in the approbation of such things as he approveth and disapproving those things which he disliketh Their affections must run in the same chanel wherein Christ's affections run loving what he loveth and hating what he hateth and delighting in that wherein he taketh delight Their minds must be placed on the same objects on which
and pearls and diamonds but the finest coloured earth yet these bags have a bottom and will be emptied But a Believer hath a mine a treasure without a bottom like the widows vessel of oyl that will not be emptied The best state of a worldling is but in lease for a tearm of years Let men boast what they will of having such or such an inheritance for ever the truth is the best Free-holder in the Land is but tenant for life death will as by a Lease of Ejectment thrust him out of his possessions Psal 49.16 17. But a Believers inheritance is for ever and ever Prov. 8.18 19. Riches and honour are with me saith Christ the eternal wisdom of the Father yea durable riches and righteousness My fruit is better than gold yea than sine gold and my revenue than choice silver And v. 21. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures All the riches in the earth are but a shadow and fancy like the apples of Sodom that crumble into ashes between the fingers They can never fill a mans heart A person may be glutted and surfeited with worldly profits and pleasures but never satisfied But spiritual blessings are substantial riches that give satisfaction to the soul Rev. 3.18 3. We put a value upon men according to their imployments and callings As a Physitian or Lawyer is esteemed above others that are in meaner places and imployed about more servile work and the like Now the imployment of a Christian is of the highest rank He is called to be an attendant of an infinite Majesty He spends his time in converse with the mighty God and is one of his intimate acquaintance He driveth a trade for heaven and in pursuit of a crown an incorruptible crown whereas others are bufied about the trash and dung of the earth Phil. 3.20 For our Citizenship so the word imports * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in heaven i.e. We are members of that corporation and trade in heavenly merchandise and drive on our designs for the enjoyment of that everlasting Kingdom 4. Men are usually prized according to their endowments and inward accomplishments of the mind As now If a man have a quick understanding and a strong memory and abundance of learning if he be of great parts and have a deep reach into affairs such a one is honoured and admired and persons of a mean capacity are little set by in comparison Why mind it Sirs A truly godly man is the best learned man He hath the highest accomplishments and the greatest insight into matters And no marvel for he hath been trained up in the School of Christ and none teacheth like him He hath had his breeding in the Court of the great King he hath knowledge of those mysteries that puzzle the understandings of the greatest Doctors and which the wisest Philosophers could never attain unto The greatest Statesman and wisest Counseilor upon earth is but a fool a very dolt in comparison with the meanest of those that are upright in heart * Quanto magis foras es sapiens tanto magis stulius efficeris Si in omnibus es prudens circa te ipsum insipiens Bern. For if men reject the wâ—rd of the Lord what wisdom is in them as the questiâ—n is put Jer. 8.9 All their knowledge is but madness and that which they boast of as wisdom is but the shadow of it They are cunning to pursue a feather to hunt after a thing of nought and neglect the substance and is this to be wise It is the greatest wisdom in the world to please the Lord and the highest point of knowledge to see into matters that concern * Vide miser homo quia totum est vanitas totum stultitiâ— totum dementia quicquid facis in hoc mundo praeter hoc solum quod propter Deum facis Bern. our eternal peace Prov. 1.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledg So that unregenerate persons are but Abecedarians they have not gotten the first elements of true knowledge Psal 119.99 100. I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more than the ancients because I keep thy precepts Multitude of dayes should teach wisdom and such as instruct others should be well skilled Yea but saith David I have out-stript them all for I am a servant of God anâ— have respect to his word 5. The last ground of honour I shall mention 〈◊〉 mens high extraction and Parentage their great kindred and alliances Such a person we highly account of He is Son to an Earle or Marquess or Duke he is neerly allied to personages of worth or the like But now a Believer is a child of the Almighty Eternal and Incomprehensible God he is of neer alliance to the Lord Jesus the Mediator He is closly knit to him and made one with him which is the highest pitch of dignity which a creature is capable of to be united unto the Creator the Lord of glory This is it which a godly man may glory of and be thereby able to out-boast all his fellow creatures all other the children of men whosoever Psal 87.4 5 6. I will make mention of Rabab and Babylon to them that know me Behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia this man was born there And of Sion it shall be said this or that man was born in her and the highest himself shall establish her The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there As if the Psalmist had said Men are apt to brag of their high birth and parentage they will boast of their Country and kindred I am a Citizen of Babylon will one say a famous City I saith another was born in Tyre a renowned place and have such personages of my kindred I can reckon my descent from Rahab saith a third a place of eminent remark and am allied to this or the other Prince and Potentate Well but a Believer can out-boast them he can go a step higher May he say I have God for my Father I was regenerate and born in Sion where the great King dwelleth I am married to the Son of God and so have a place in his family * Discamus sanctam superbiam sciamus nos esse illis meliores Hier. These are the people which God maketh the greatest reckoning of When he taketh a view of the world and the inhabitants thereof he puts an asterisk at the names of such He writeth them down with a note of remark Here is a man of royal descent indeed Here is a person that is of neer alliance to the King of heaven that is united to Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords And mark how in the midst of the genealogy the holy Ghost setteth a note upon Jabez 1 Chron. 4.10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren And Jabez
being unsearchable as himself for his compassions are himself He is a God of mercy his nature and essence is made up of it Psal 62.12 Hast thou multiplyed thine abominations above what can be reckoned Why his compassions are more than can be numbred Let the wicked for sake his wayes and the man of iniquity his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will multiply to pardon Isa 55.7 But can it ever enter into the heart of a man to think that God will ever pardon such a wretch as I have been may the sinner say Mind what followeth v. 8. He is God and not man his mercies are not to be measured by our scantling For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor your wayes my wayes saith the Lord For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my wayes higher than your wayes and my thoughts than your thoughts 2. The death and sufferings of Jesus Christ which he underwent for satisfaction of the justice of God are of infinite value and have given plenary content and satisfaction and he is at the right hand of the Father to plead that satisfaction in the behalf of lost sinners So that there is no ground of despair in this respect as if they might be greater offenders than the blood of Jesus could purchase acceptance for He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.25 and there is nothing beyond the uttermost If you perish for ever it is not for want of merit in the death of Christ for it was the death of that person who is the eternal God Act. 20.28 It was the death of the man who was God's fellow Zech. 13.7 The Father hath accepted of the price that he paid In him he is well pleased fully contented as to all the demands of his justice Mat. 3.17 Eph. 5.2 So that if you address your selves unto Christ and to God by him you may come with a full assurance of faith without doubting of acceptance though your sins have been never so great and your condition never so deplorable Heb. 10.19 22. That 's the second thing to be observed 3. As our Lord Jesus is able to save the most heinous sinners that come unto him in sincerity so he is as willing to receive them when they come and he will in no wise cast them out As he is mighty in strength so he is tender of heart his arms are open for the entertainment of such as come to him upon Gospel terms and will subject themselves unto his government So that there is no reason to despair of Christ's willingness to become thy Redeemer Here is that at which poor sinners are apt to stick Alas will they say We question not the sufficiency of his merit but will he ever vouchsafe to undertake the patronage and salvation of such a rebel as I have been Nay but O man art thou willing to accept him for thy Saviour and Master and to follow his conduct and to become his Disciple indeed Why he is abundantly more willing to receive thee into his protection He beseecheth sinners to come unto him and therefore surely he will not reject them when they do come 2 Co◠5.20 Yea but I have been a very rebel against heaven will the sinner say for many years together will not this hinder my acceptance Why mark that precious Text Psal 68.18 He hath received gifts for the rebellious also that the Lord God may dwell amongst them Oh but never was there a sinner in such a case as I am will the soul be apt to urge against himself Yet if thou comest unto Christ he will in no case cast thee on t Put the case that thou hast been guilty of the most horrid transgressions put the case that thou hast ran to all excess of riot yet mind that comprehensive word of promise which proceeded out of Christ's own mouth who is the Amen the faithful and true witness Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out It is an asseveration strengthned with a double negative in the original * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As if our aviour had said I will not cast him out whosoever he be that cometh unto me Do you question it I tell you I will not You may build upon it with the greatest confidence As he hath elsewhere confirmed the promise of not forsaking those that are in him I will never never never never leave thee nor forsake thee * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.5 So here he hath strengthened the promise of not refusing such as come unto him I will not reject them I assure you saith Christ I will not So that nothing can stand in the way of mans salvation to hinder the accomplishment of it but his own wilful impenitence and unbelief These are the cases wherein there is not the least ground of desperation in any broken-hearted sinner whomsoever the Gospel hath provided plentiful remedy against it 4. Note in the fourth place That the high-way which leadeth the children of men to this damnable despair and so to give up themselves to commit iniquity with greediness is not doctrines of terror to the impenitent but presumptuously sinning against the Lord. When persons will walk contrary to the light of their own consciences and the clear dictates of the word of God and suffer their vile affections to suppress and stifle the convictions wrought upon their hearts this is the direct path that tends to desperation I pray mind it Sirs Poor ignorant people are very much deluded in this particular When they hear doctrines of wrath and judgment to come and everlasting destruction prepared for the workers of iniquity they presently cry out against the Ministers These are Preachers of damnation they would drive us to despair Nay but O vain man those doctrines tend to shew you the necessity of Christ and getting an interest in him and to cause you to despair in your selves which is a good step to salvation It is rebelling against the light and sinning against knowledge which make way for damnable despair What made Cain despair but because he had wickedly and wilfully departed from the Lord and trampled the commandment under his feet What brought Judas to despair but forcing down the dictates of his own light and conscience And you read of the people in Isaiah They roared like Bears in the agony of their Ipirits because they had gone on to sin against knowledge Isa 59.10 11 12. 5. But then in the last place There are four cases wherein I would quicken you to despair and to press such arguments upon your hearts as may be influential to incline you thereunto And without such kind of despairing you will never effectually mind the working out your salvation 1. You must despair of ever coming to the kingdom of heaven hereafter unless