is verified of such the name of Christ is engraven on their heart by the finger of his own Spirit 3. It s a penitential knowledge that melts the soul with godly sorrow as looking on Christ pierced by him and for him The sight of such a Saviour so unkindly requited cannot but make sin out of measure sinfull to such a tender heart The sweetness of Christ must needs embitter every sin to such who have tasted how good the Lord is Such do hate sin with perfect hatred knowing the baseness and unreasonableness thereof Christ clears their eyes to descry and detest the least appearance of evil The more beauty is discovered in him the more ugliness do such observe in sin his grand Opposite They take most pains to mortifie those Lusts which are most opposite to Christ 4. It s an obediential knowledge carefull to observe the Lords Will made known If any say that he knows him and keeps not his Commands he is a liar and the truth is not in him If we know that he is righteous we know that he that doth righteousness is born of him This knowledge is not notional but practical It rests not in the brain but conveys Influence into the whole Life It s not idle but very active It studies his Will to fulfill it and fulfills it in studying thereof It s obedience is neither blind nor lame but a spiritual Sacrifice a rational Service The whole man in heart and life compleats this oblation of loyal observance It minds the precepts as much as the Promises and desires holiness as much as happiness It would act like Christ in acting for him 5. It s an humbling knowledge that puffs not up but laies the soul low The more any know of Christ aright the more still do they know of their sins The best of Christ being duly known makes them to know the worst of themselves Christs eye-salve doth so clear their eyes that they see easily those sinfull motes of lesser faults which by their moon-light of notional knowledge they could not discern Their beholding of Christ in their Gospel-glass with open face thus shews more of this shame and of his Glory Thus Job was more humbled by seeing of God in a clearer light Abraham acknowledges himself dust and ashes upon familiar Conference with Christ Their Affronts put on him in their time of darkness humble them soundly in this season of Light They learn daily as Socrates said to know their ignorance As Simonides the more they study the knowledge of God the more amazed are they with his glorious unsearchableness 6. It s a grateful knowledge that cannot endure sinful ingratitude They know thereby the worth of Mercy and the high price paid by Christs blood for every favour afforded to his The bounty of Christ so magnificently multiplied on them still renders them thankful Debtors mindful of their Bonds Their Insolvency they more throughly know which makes them the more beholding to him What others enjoy by common Providence they receive still by a Gracious Promise Ingratitude the sum of all evil they abominate as the Devil himself Their homage and rent do they bring to him whom they well know to be their chief Lord. Returns of Duty they labour to make in some proportion to their Receipts of Mercy 7. All other Graces do beautifie this attending on Christ in following his Train Patience and Prudence are found in their Rank Zeal and diligence will not be backward Meekness and sweetness will not be strangers Courage and Fortitude are ready at hand Sincerity and self-denial are inseparable companions thereof The Knowledge of Christ then is a choyce Jewel that is so well set and accompanied Nothing is wanting for knowledge or comfort so far as Christ is known or enjoyed Reason 6. The Effects of this gracious Knowledge do add very much to the price thereof It works effectually upon the whole man in every Relation towards God and man There is no condition nor occasion here wherein its Influence is not manifested It s a precious Root that bears much fruit solid substantial and still seasonable It renders a man fit for every good and is a Preserver from all kind of evil It makes a man still to look to Christ and to seek for him in every Ordinance The matter and means of Divine worship with the manner and solemn time thereof it spiritually minds In every Providence Christ is also acknowledged by such in every Duty towards their Neighbor As the first Table of Christs Divine Law is unto them the Standard of Worship so is the second Table of his Decalogue their constant Rule of officious Duty towards every man That order and safety setled by Gods Word for Beauty strength and use in this worldly Fabrick the knowledge of Christ teaches how to preserve with all possible care The chastity and propriety of body and goods as well as of souls it looks after The credit and content that concerns all men in their respective places is much furthered and duly preserved by this gracious Knowledge It s good physick to purge out ill humours for the curing of all distempers It affords choice food for old and for young for strong and for weak in all necessities What the Rabbies soy of the material manna is truly verified of this spiritual Meat that its relish suits every Palat and may satisfie every desire It s a Cordial against all faintings to revive the feeble in their Agonies Armour of Proof it furbishes for war against all enemies inward and outward It is the Key of Christs Magazin and of all his stores opening the Treasures of our All sufficient God our El Shaddai If you can conceive any thing of worth either in Heaven or earth This Knowledge of Christ will both match it and get it for you so far as may tend to your real good It s in a word the true Elixar and Philosophers Stone that turns all to Gold and puts a choice vertue into every thing towards felicity Vse This knowledge appears a singular Jewel upon good Reason good use thereof should be made also The best things are made for the best use and appear best therein As Christ himself is of infinite usefulness every kind of way so is his Grace participatively and communicatively This may be improved then 1. In a word of Information 1. See hence by way of Corollary the singular Method that should regulate every mans study Men are naturally desirous of Knowledge by an Instinct suited to their rational Being Mans soul was at first made after Gods Image in perfect Knowledge What sin lost and defaced in Adams Treason Grace only Restores The Knowledge of Christ affords a Tree of Life but most follow the Serpents advice stil in longing after another knowledge both of good and evil The sinful Issue of sinful Adam do stil love to
tread in his steps hearkening to Satan rather then to God They are still Learning to know good and evil by sad experience This Tree of Life is little observed and less improved mens palats are so far degenerated Most are still scrambling about that Tree for fruit which can yield nothing but sin and sorrow The best of its fruit like to Sodoms Apples look very fair but by the least touch turned into Ashes Most men break their necks in clammering about and climing of that Tree whose fruit brings death If that fruit seem hard it s but a shell if it appear soft it s through rottenness In every condition men study something but most mind least this choice Tree of Life Christ is Divine Wisdom Essentially and Personally In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge He keeps open school and sends his Spirit to be his Usher He teaches within by motions of Conscience and without us in his Word and Providence The Volumes of his Truth and of all his works he gives us to read that the former may explain the latter He is the best Master for skil and sweetness Yet few do learn to any purpose because they slight the knowledge of him Men study pleasures profit honor in the world below which are to be had only from him Arts and Sciences others would attain but they miss their aim imâ—missing of him Some gaze at the stars and stumble in the dark like the blind Philosopher for want of Christs Light Many study words to tickle mens ears neglecting Christs Word that would teach the heart Some mind the Law of men so disorderly that they attend not to the Law of Christ The bodies of men are studied by many whilst their own poor souls are wholly neglected The care of souls is professed by some who yet little mind this saving knowledge Divers Parrot-like do speak of Christs knowledge not by experience but only by Roat Too many are found studying how to sin without trouble and sence without stop and Remorse Not a few tempt Satan to tempt them and study how to act a Satanical part of tempting of others Til Christ be the Rule of all our studies they will be fruitless being without Rule Till he be our End they will be sure still to prove endless Til he be the ground and the strength thereof they will prove groundless and supportless still If we learn him well he will teach us all that we need to know If we know him not we shall learn nothing that 's worth the knowing Knowledge is excellent when it s orderly learned and improved but it proves mischievous when it s once corrupted and abused Such men like Toads carry a stone of worth in their heads being full of poyson in their heart and Life Like monstrous Syrens they have a fair face but a shameful Tail The tinkling Cymbal and the sounding Brass is the fit Emblem of too many now The Lord teach us to study Christ stil in all above all that we may know all in him and for him Second Vse is for reprehension both to the Graceless and to Gracious souls 1. IT justly reproves the Graceless and unregenerate that still many wayes stand against this Truth as 1. All ignorant ones that do not know and will not learn Christ Such live in the dark as Moles under ground and Owls or Bats in the open ayr They are born blind and will continue so not looking for cure It was so of old and it s so stil my people parish for lack of knowledge was the Lords complaint A people of no understanding shall find no mercy from him that made them Consider it well Gross wilful ignorance will aggravate not lessen your sins Under Gospel-Light such Ignorance is very dreadful This is a sad condemnation indeed that seals up the full measure of all other sins Men think they see and therefore remain blind None are such fools as the conceited wise My people is foolish saith the Lord again they have not known me They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge Men pretend business they have not leisure like the Duke of Alva who had so much to look after on earth that he had no time to look after Heaven But is not this egregious folly to slight the Jewel and mind only the cask If you have not so much time as others why do not you Redeem what you have should not you rather spare it from your sleep work or Recreation then from this Jewel so much concerning both Gods honour and mans good Is Christ so little worth knowing and owning Will not you rue it to eternity Is not sinful darkness the beginning of Hell and utter darkness Is it not the womb and Nurse of all sin If Papists be content with picture-Teachers and blind obedience slighting and slandering the Word of God should their folly be followed among us Is the Light of Christ so to be disowned If the servant that knows not his Masters will shall be beaten though with fewer stripes what will become of him that would not learn to understand his will 2. All negligent ones that will not take pains to attain unto this gracious knowledge Such may possibly enjoy special helps they may have pregnant parts profess fair and seem to desire good but they are sluggish they improve not all means and prove lazy in their enquiries after Christs wisdom This is a sad and common evil Many such shall seek to enter in and shall not be able He that asks lazily teaches denyal The lazy servant that hoarded up his Talent smarted sore for it None can be excused for such a neglect Is not Christ well worth the taking pains for Who looks for a conquest without trouble Who expects a crop without care cost Who can drive a Trade without pain and venture Is not this the best Trade and Husbandry the best warfare and surest Venture Who gets acquaintance with the Lords wisdom without crying waiting and searching Why art thou content with a Velleity and a woulding will without endeavour like the sluggards wish Why art thou pleased with barren desires and fruitless Resolves If thy seeming longing make thee not active and inquisitive impatient of delay and unsatisfied it s a false longing If thou be not better then the stony ground lasting but a while and soon blasted what will thy end be Dost thou not hereby reproach Christ sadly by preferring creatures before him Thou wilt Repent when it s too late if Ephesus warning do not rouz thee up Be convinced then of thy laziness be ashamed and weary of it It concerns thee to see thy folly and thy misery 3. This Truth looks wishly upon Formalists that have indeed a form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof
Mountebanks speak you fair and big distrust them the more beware of self conceitedness be not wise in your own eyes dread the smallest Beginnings of evil in opinion affection or converse The sums of this arsnick rats-bane and mercury will distemper you before you be aware Avoid the first step to avoid all the rest Beware of the brink if you fear the Precipice if you keep ill diet and feed on venom wonder not at your wasting and decayes Remember Ephesus who sadly miscarried by neglect of this care Make sure of Christ upon his own terms and keep close to him The noble Bereans shewed their Nobleness in trying daily the Doctrine of Paul by the Scripture-rule duly examined take heed what you hear and how you hear it so Christ directs you bring all things still to the Lords Touch-stone to his Rule and standard to his Ballance and Test to move you consider That Doct. 3. All Christians even the best need still warning to keep themselves from Error and Apostacy SAith the Text keep your selves well that you may be kept be very active that you may not suffer This voice answers the Hebrew Hithpael keep your selves with all delight and diligence let every power of soul and body be kept on the watch All Christians need this yea the very best They must take warning from every part Heaven and Earth do warn and must be hearkened to Christ warns in conscience by his Spirits motions in his Word and Providence by the same Spirit His motions are regular and harmonious still they are seasonable and proportionable He warns by friends and sometimes by foes in adversity and prosperiry Satans motions are irregular unseasonable and unproportionable They are unscriptural in the scope and substance though often disguised with Scripture expressions sadly perverted All do need warning though but few take it The best find most need and benefit thereof Peter warns the Christian Hebrews here though well grounded and settled in the Truth Warning never hurts it cannot but do good if it be well taken The best retain much sin and weakness still They cannot but feel their sinfull Reliques To prevent Relapses and remove much evil warning must be given The Physitians warnings are of singular use to all sorts of Patients None stands so fast but he still stands on slippery ground The world is a great Ice very dangerous The enemy is subtile and numerous vigilant and active We cannot but find many lurking fiends in our own bosoms our hearts are deceitfull and desperately wicked We stand no longer then we keep our hold God indeed keeps his unto Salvation and therefore bids them keep themselves He appoints the means as well as the end As he keeps them by his own power so must they keep close to him by faith They shall never fall totally nor finally but they may often fall partially and dreadfully If left to themselves they would kill themselves They must therefore be faithfully warned Objection But what needs all this if the Elects salvation be sure Answer 1. All are not elect that seem to be such many are called but few are chosen 2. Though Salvation be sure to the Elect yet must it be assured to them Warnings must be taken that they may obtain such an assurance They may have the Grace without the comfort All diligence is therefore required to make their Calling and Election sure 3. Though Salvation be sure to the Elect yet must it be wrought out by them with fear and trembling because its God that works in them both to will and to do of his good Pleasure He will be sought and found in every one of his waies that he may still meet them with a Blessing 4. Though Salvation be sure to the Elect yet because they are men mixed among men he deals with them by men after the manner of men Rational creatures must act rationally and so be acted with He changes not the substance but their qualities in renewing them They are so moved that they are enabled to move themselves in following him Though the Elect cannot perish utterly yet they may fall very sinfully Warnings well taken are effectual means to prevent much shame sorrow and loss God warns his children that they may be taught good manners Conditional Threats are intended to prevent the mischief treatned and are effectually blessed to Gods Elect. 6. The assurance of the Elect lies not in themselves as it flows not from themselves The Fathers Purpose and the Sons purchase the Spirits indwelling and the Covenant-Promises made by the Father in his Son through his Spirit to them are their efficacious Grounds In subserviency thereto all due means are therefore needed and blessed warnings among the rest God neither promises nor commands in vain His word is still sure as all ages have found Psal 93. 5. 7. There is a peculiar vertue attending the word and means of Grace to all Gods Elect in due time and order That quickning power raises a Lazarus leaving others dead destitute thereof That saving Grace of Heaven betters the good plants under every shoure when the weeds grow worse That discriminating Influence from the Sun of Righteousness makes the flowers fragrant though is occasions the dung-hill to stink Thereby is Gods word made a savour of Life to some whilst it proves a savour of death to others Who makes a man to differ from another What hath he that he hath not received Must not the prime and ultimate cause resolve into Gods Will Do not you else subject Gods Will to mans There can be surely but one Independant either God or man which is to be chosen let reason it self judge by scripture-Light Consect 1. SE the usefulness of a Gospel-Ministry Christs Officers are given especially to that end the Churches watch-men are called to this great work He sets them apart by an orderly call to be his Heraulds and Ambassadors his criers and publishers The Father sets them in the Son gives them to the Holy Ghost makes them overseers in the Lords flock They are especially charged to warn the unruly to prevent Error and Revolt Therefore did Christ receive and give so many royal Coronation-gifts upon his triumphant assention for the perfecting of the Saints c. that we hence forth migh be no more Children tossed too and fro with every wind of Doctrine by the craftiness of Seducers c. The best need warning Christs sheep must attend their Shepheards who are deputed to office by that grand Shepheard of their Souls Such must be set a part thereto from age to age as Timothy was charged by Paul to chuse and charge such who should be able to instruct others all indeed are bound in their several â—alces to instruct each other charitatively according to their abilities and opportunities But
be a common Road for every Notion pretending to new Light Observe well the great gate of your understanding that no disguised enemy may slip in unaware Sift and search every thing by Scripture-Light that ye may know the Truth Watch narrowly the Fort of Judgement and Conscience that carnal Reasonings may not get in and thrust out spiritual Reason Let divine Reason by the Scripture of Truth fortifie the same against all surprises of the enemy Yield up your selves therefore to the Spirit of Truth for effectual renewing that through the Blood of Christ you may have it purified and pacified If Error get once into your conscience he will make sad work there Exercise your self therefore to have it alwaies void of offence towards God and man The Cittadel of your Will requires a special watch Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Have a singular eie to the Ammunition of your Affections if wild-fire get thither it will make work indeed See them all well ordered and well guarded least any be mounted for Error against Truth and for Revolt against perseverance Your Love and hatred your desire and fear your joy and grief your anger and distaste your hope and despair are Guns of great use if well managed but if error get once the mastery they will tear you and others to pieces Stand on your watch then as Christ commands all in these sleepy daies Watch and pray watch and Believe watch and Labour against such an enemy The Baits are specious that will entice you but dreadful hooks lie close under them Deadly poisons desperate Diseases will tempt you round under fair disguises Satans Powder-plots are most desperate in these later daies His venom is refined and sublimed to its height His old stratagems are revived afresh with more plausibleness Unclean spirits struggle and rage most stil when near ejection The Lord will keep you whilst you keep close to him in his Word and Waies He is with you whilst you keep with him if you forsake him he will forsake you 2. Relatively Keep close to your work in looking to others All Superiours have a special charge to keep their Inferiours from these dreadful Evils Study and improve your Relations well to this very end whether Political or Ecclesiastical Magistratical or Ministerial whether Parental or Magisterial Take heed to your selves and to the whole flock committed to your charge Act Gods part towards them and act like God whom you Represent Use all such means in Church or state as Christ himself would use were he in your place If fair Means will do good so much the better but rather then fail use sharper Tools If Lenatives will not avail Corrosives must be used When a Limb is gangreend and mortified it cals for Iron and fire If the Patient grow phrentick he must be bound and kept very close and solitary If the disease be contagious company must be kept off If the sore will not fairly resolve by proper discussives it must be ripened lanced cleansed with stronger medicines If a member be broken disjointed or wrenced you can hardly cure it without pain and trouble Superiors are Physitians in their kind if your Patients be froward you need the more wisdom care diligence You are Shepheards and Rulers of men all your Titles of Honor will still mind you of your Duty and Burthen Dignity and Duty are still inseparable You are set over others for their good Keep off therefore these great evils from them and keep them from these evils of revolting Errors The external man is within your reach The internal man accounts to God alone They that so honour God he will surely honor but they that dispise him in slighting his work shall become vile and base Whilst you act like God in acting for God the Glory will be his and the comfort yours in the furtherance of the publique good God looks now for such to stand in the Gap and make up the breach to prevent a fatal ruin One man of note may do a world of good one Moses one Phineas one Joshua one Nehemiah may be an eminent Saviour under Christ in this Israel Who is on Gods side now against Blasphemy and damnable Heresie against divisions and strong delusions Act Gods part now in your relations with zeal and courage with prudence and care Its Gods own work you may well trust him for Council and strength support and blessing The Lord never yet failed faithfull Reformers who denied themselves for the publique Weal Carnal policy will discourage you Divine Policy will quicken you still Christ himself met with strong Contradictions from all evil men and evil Spirits Your worst enemies are conquered ones both in Spirituals and in Temporals remember and improve all your experiences renewed so often for these many years Error discountenanced will soon wear away whereas Truth opposed will gather more strength Sinfull tolerations are the devils Nurses in all relations publique private Be zealous for God mind his Interest then shall your interest besurely settled Doctrine 4. The Grace and Knowledge of Christ is a singular Jewel THE word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grace in Scripture-sense hath divers acceptions improperly and properly Improperly it signifies in a larger sense Thanks Joy Liberality Gift Office c. Properly and strictly it denotes two things 1 Gods special favour towards his Elect. 2. His sanctifying work in the Elect the former is favouring Grace this later is renewing Grace 1. It signifies Gods peculiar favour towards his Elect and that considered in the fountain and streams 1. Grace in the spring is called his pleasure purpose councill of his Will Amor Benevolentiae his love of benevolence 2. Favouring Grace in the stream signifies the various emanations of that eternal Love in all the expressions thereof towards them sutably to all their necessities thence the denominations of his predestinating and redeeming Grace his adopting and pardoning Grace his supplying and supporting Grace c. Which are in God one single intire Act that is variously denominated from its object This is Amor beneficientiae his love of beneficence whence flows his Amor Complacentiae his love of delight embracing of them Secondly Grace signifies also properly Gods sanctifying work of his Spirit in his Elect called the fruits of his Spirit the work of his Grace the gift from above 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 often the peculiar saving operations of his gracious Spirit in them and by them this Grace is considerable in the Root and Branches in the habit and acts in the principle and effects in the seed and fruits in the source and streams in the beginning and progress thereof being often called metonymically the Spirit for the gifts thereof 1. Renewing Grace in the Root and
Principle in the Habit and Source in the seed and beginning is first given to the Elect in their Regeneration and Conversion to be the original of all actual Graces in them this is called the new creature the new man created after Gods Image the divine Nature the forming of Christ within c. Of this children are capable if they be not of actual Grace which yet seems probable This is inherent Grace in the first principles and Habits thereof both gratis data and gratum faciens in an Orthodox not in a popish sense Secondly Inherent Grace in the Branches and streams in the Acts and Effects in the fruits and progress is variously denominated from the Objects Subjects manner of acting c. it s called faith to express the motion of the renewed soul towards God in Christ upon conjugal terms believing his Truth closing with his Person trusting his Promises depending on his Mercy deriving from his fulness observing him in all things which is called the life of faith It s called Repentance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it turns the whole soul from all sin to God Both in purpose and endeavour through his Spirit this and all other Graces are still concomitants and subsequents of faith in their gradual proportion It s called love to denote the affectionate embracing of God in Christ and in his people for Christs sake as the most amiable object It s called obedience as it acts the whole man to a free and full compliance with Gods Will revealed in his Word It s called Thankfulness as it affects the heart with the sense of Mercy received It s called self-denial as it moves the soul to prefer Christ before all things else and part with any thing for his sake It s termed Patience in regard of sorrowfull evils which it learns to bear submissively It s named humility with respect to its low thoughts of self submitted still to Christ It s nominated Temperance in regard of its care to avoid all excessive use of Creatures It s termed Zeal as it moves with fervour for good against evil It s termed Justice or Righteousness in respect of its readiness to give every one their due It s called Prudence as it regards all due means tending to right ends It s termed Wisdom as it s acquainted with the best things in their nature cause and end Thus Grace inherent hath its various appellations and distinctions both habitually and actually being the Grace properly meant in the Text as being that Grace which is capable of Growth The Knowledge of Christ is taken also in a sense more large or more strict 1. LArgely and commonly for a notional Knowledge void of saving Faith and Love such as puffs up an empty Brain 2. Strictly and specially for that saving applicative knowledge which includes all Grace by an elegant Hebraism verbs of sense and knowledge signifying both affectum effectum Natural knowledge of things is acquired by sense Reason or Authority Thus in spirituals this knowledge of Christs is spiritually sensible and rationally fiducial Its a conjugal knowledge which implies 1. Apprehension of the Truth of Christs proper Object 2. Credit and Assent thereto upon his divine Authority 3. Personal consent and particular Applications in mutual Acception and Reciprocation Grace and Knowlede in the Text may be understood 1. Distinctly Conjunctly 1. DIstinctly shewing the excellent Worth and needfull use of every Grace and of the knowledge of Christ 2. Conjunctly by a figure called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grace and Knowledge signifies gracious Knowledge as in that like phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grace and Apostleship for gracious Apostleship So the sense will be very emphatical suiting our purpose in characterizing this excellent Jewel so singularly transcendent beyond all other This precious Jewel is curiously set out in the golden ring of divine Records where you find it held forth in its radient Lustre whose glorious beams may be contracted for our clearer apprehension into plain description you may then observe it to be a conjugal acquaintance with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour wrought in Gods Elect by the special operation of his renewing Spirit and effectually improved to Gods honor and mans good in every Relation toward God and Man This is the choice Jewel whose eminent worth hath been in all ages so incomparably prized by the Word and friends of God Every Page of Scripture sets forth the peculiar Eminency thereof every precept and Promise every prefiguration and Prophesie every President and performance points unto this This was under the Old Testament more ceremonially vailed and under the New is more Evangelically Revealed This is the centre wherein all the Lines of Scripture do meet All the Patriarchs aimed still at this Abraham saw his day and rejoiced Davi◠is full of it Job was divinely advised to such an Acquaintance as to the source and sum of all good Paul accounted all loss and dung in comparison of this excellent Knowledge and rationally determined to know nothing else Peter sums all up in this Good Reason for it if we consider the Object and subject the cause and Nature the property and effect thereof which are all hinted in the former Description Reason 1. The proper Object adequate of this gracious Knowledge is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ a singular Jewel indeed in every consideration The Paramount and Non-such the chiefest of ten thousand both in his Person and Office in his progress and Purchase in his Relation and Influence 1. The Person of Christ is a noble Paragon considered as God as Man as God-man 1. CHrist is God blessed for ever the eternal Son of his eternall Father co-essential and co-equal with him the the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image or Character of his Person in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substantially and bodily the only begotton of the Father full of Grace and Truth essentially one with the Father though personally distinct by an eternal Generation unutterable to man firmly to be believed on Gods Testimony and piously adored not curiously pried into The wonderful Wisdom of the Father who was his Delight before Time by whom in time he made the world and upholds all by the word of his power Essentially he is God of himself Personally God the Son of God the Father His proper Name is the Word of God the Wonderful Councellor the Father of Eternity He that doth what ever the Father doth and to be worshipped as the Father is worshipped He that sends the Spirit from the Father who being in the form and substance of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God To him be glory for ever Amen 2. Christ as Man is the Rare Object of this Knowledge For the word was made flesh and dwelt among
our selves as becomes us that we may not behold vanity 2. Is our Hearing spiritually employed in listning after the Fathers Commands Christs invitations the Spirits motions in his Word and Rod within and without us Is our ear opened to our Beloved and boared to the posts of his house that we may not hearken after any Tempter 3. Have we a spiritual Smell after the perfumes of Christs precious Garments the droppings of his Graces and Benefits and the fragrancy of his divine Spices Do we odorare the sweetness of his Garden and prefer it before all the rankness of sin self of the World and Satan 4. Is our Taste spiritually active to relish the dainties of Christ the pleasures of his Table the choiceness of his feast Do we prefer his flaggons and apples Do we relish him in his sweetness and comfort before all the worlds chear all and all in him Do we therefore abhor the bitterness attending every sin though sugard with Pleasure Profit or Honor Do we taste and know how good the Lord is 5. Is our Touch also spiritually employed to feel the difference between heat and cold between good and evil in the things of Christ Is this sense as others so well exercised to avoid all evil and embrace the good 2. The Internal sense receives from those Cinque Ports and Gates all sorts of Objects to be orderly view'd and compar'd laid up and improved by the faculties called Common sense Phantasie and Memory Are we thus spiritually sensible through this gracions Knowledge 1. BY common sense and general Perception of the species of things with their circumstantiated differences of Motion Rest Magnitude Number c. to give thereof a definitive intimation unto the Phantasie Doth Christs Spirit thus help us to discern of all things presented for a spiritual use to be faithfully reviewed and transmitted for orderly Improvement Do we keep watch and take due account of all sorts of Passengers and Guests coming to visit our internal man that they may be punctually discerned and orderly dealt with 2. Phantasie or Imagination entertaining those various Objects compares divides and composes them much like a Printer doth order his work with multitudes of variations and flowrishes Have we a like spiritual skill faithfully to compare the things that differ to separate the good from the evil to compose all things to spiritual advantage 3. Memory laies up what is thus ordered and laieth it out again as there is occasion in the naâ—ural man Is it so with us in the spiritual man Do we remember well the things of Christs Glory and of our own Peace Do we so record what he teaches us as to improve it in season and order Do we so lay up as to lay out in the best manner Are we carefull not to forget him or any thing of his Do we therefore beware of oblivion-water that we become not like wretched Israel 2. Sensitive Life acts by way of motion upward and downward to the right and left forward and backward in Pulsation and Respiration Do we move thus spiritually 1. DO we move upward towards Christ and Heaven aspiring still after Eternity Is our Center above and our Load-stone there where Christ sits at the right hand of God Is there a divine fire within us bending still heaven-ward to its first original 2. Do we move downward against every sin Do we labor still to tread self and Satan under foot with all sublunaries as Christ and his spouse eminently do 3. Do we move to the right in compassion and brotherly Love friendly assistance and Christian forbearance as Christ and his Apostles teach us practically 4. Do we move to the left by pittying and bemoaning sinners praying for them reproving of them and directing and exhorting them that yet remain in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity plucking some as brands out of the fire Christ himself did so in the days of his flesh 5. Do we move forward still toward the price of the heavenly calling looking at Jesus c Do we so press forward towards the Mark forgetting the things behind that we may lose no time in this race of ours 6. Do we move back sometime to hasten our pace that we may leap better in considering our ways with remorse of sin and strong resolves to be more diligent in learning Wisdom from former follies 7. Doth our Pulse beat spiritually with freeness strength and orderliness to signifie the due Composure and harmonious Accord of all our Vitals in the ways of Christ Doth our heart keep a right Circulation of spiritual blood from the Center to the Circumference with renewed Reciprocations Do the various Communications of his Spirit set out by the Title of seven Spirits to denote Perfection Variety and Sufficiency manifest themselves in the constant Tenor of of our spiritual Pulse by returning still to Christ what we are still receiving from him Are we sensible of any change there in weakness inaequality and disorderliness for speedy remove of all obstructions disturbing the same 8. Do we move also in Spiritual Respirations 1. Inspiring the fresh gales of his reviving Spirit who blows where he lists and breaths into us by internal and external motions to temper our Spirits and to revive them Do we therein imitate David and all the friends of Christ in their spiritual Pantings and longings 2. Expiring the fuliginous vapors of our sinfull hearts and breathing forth the desires of our souls to be rid of those fumes that are so noisom to all our vitals and still breeding feavourish heats in our internal man Do we long to eject these unwelcome Guests who still like that serpent in Aesop will be sure to sting and poison their host when they recover heat 3. Sensitive Life acts by Appetite Doth spiritual Life act so within us both Concupiscibly and Irascibly 1. The concupiscible Appetite acts the Affections of Love and Hatred Joy and Sorrow Desire and Disdain Is the like felt in us spiritually 1. DO we love Christ as the best Object for sweetness and beauty excellency and sutableness the incomparable Paragon of all Have we none in Heaven but him and none upon earth in comparison of him Do we love all his for his sake in subordination to himself Do we therefore love all the ways and means wherein his Love is shewed towards us that our Love may reciprocate towards him again 2. Do we hate sin and all Christs enemies as he hates them upon his account Do we abhor and detest whatsoever is contrary to that lovely Object as contrary to our very being also Hatred extends unto all the kinds Doth our Spirit thus abominate all sinful
habits and acts inclinations and allurements provocations and examples yea every appearance of evil in our selves and others 3. Is our Joy spiritually delighted in that Soveraign good presented to us to be certainly and intimately enjoyed both in free and present fruition Do we rejoice thus in the Lord always from the possession of that Kingdom of Christ which is Peace Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost Doth the Pledge and Earnest of his eternal Glory given us thereby fill us with that Joy both unspeakable and full of Glory Is this Joy of the Lord our strength to quicken and supple all the wheels of our souls 4. Is our Sorrow spiritually active in grieving for all sin Original habitual and actual for the great dishonor still done to Christ the contempt of his Gospel abusing his Mercies breaking of his Laws slighting his warnings hardning under his Judgements Do we mourn for the failings and distempers of his people and make their case ours among his Mourners marked for safety 5. Doth our Desire move spiritually with unsatisfiableness after that Good not yet attained setting an edge upon all endeavours sweetning all troubles in the way facilitating all difficulties spurring on sluggishness and teaching all Improvements of what 's received in order thereto 6. Doth our Disdain act spiritually to scorn all sinfull baseness which might hinder us from the good desired Doth it make us flie from whatsoever might keep that from us by keeping God at distance Doth it make us disown what might grieve Christ and offend his Spirit whose acquaintance is our chief desire 2. The sensitive Appetite moves irascibly against all difficulties by the Affections of Hope and Despair Fear Confidence and Indignation Doth this knowledge of Christ act thus within us 1. DOth our Hope stir spiritually towards the full enjoyment of eternal good though surrounded with discouragements from Earth and Hell Doth it cast Anchor within the vail upon the rock of Ages to stay our souls in the midst of all storms Is it that Helmet which safeguards our head in all Conflicts with many Legions of sins and devils 2. Do we spiritually despair not of Christ but of sin of selfe of all creatures expecting all good only from Christ in the use of good means appointed by him but not from themselves much less from self or sin 3. Is our fear spiritually active lest we should displease him and frustrate our own good by neglecting our duty or doing any thing contrary to him Doth this filial fear move us with Noah by faith to prepare all things and repair to the Ark casting out all slavish tormenting fears 4. Doth our Confidence appear spiritually in Christian resolutions against all Christs enemies to the discharge of our proper Duty he calls us to Are we bold with a generous audaciousness to follow Christ the Captain of our Salvation through all Impediments 5. Doth our spiritual Indignation move in holy Zeal to the removing of all obstacles that lie in the way of our Allegiance to our Soveraign Christ Are we enflamed with that prudent zeal which consumed the very heart of Christ for the purging and settling of his house Is our fire kindled against sin whilst our heart melts for the sinners good as far as possible It it not a blind but a well-guided zeal not a wild fire but duly ordered III. Natural Life appears in the Rational faculties by the several Acts of the Mind and Judgement Conscience and Will Memory and Affections doth our spiritual Life appear therein also 1. DOth our mind act spiritually in understanding of spiritual Matters and apprehending the mind of Christ made known to us by his Spirit Word and Providence 2 Doth our Judgment act in discerning of things that differ and reasoniug of things answerably to his divine Reason signified to us either expresly or consequentially Do we judge our selves first and our own sins that Satan may be judged in us and by us 3. Doth our conscience move spiritually in a due reflection on self with subordination to Gods Judgement Doth it speak for God as becomes his Deputy and Substitute in Teaching and Ruling in Witnessing and Recording in Judging and Executing according to Gods Will Is it not blinded bribed and feared Is it not benum'd deaded and gangrened by self-love and corrupt Opinions 4. Doth our will spiritually stir in chusing true good and refusing true evil Is it brought over to subject freely and fully to the will of Christ Hath the Key of Heaven opened the great Spring to lift up these everlasting Gates to the King of Glory Is thy heart of stone turned into flesh and this Iron sinew melted into Gods mould 5. Doth our Intellectual memory spiritually act in laying up those things which those faculties have committed to its charge Doth it recal such things to Remembrance by its peculiar Acts of Reminiscency and recovering those many useful things which accidentally had slipt away Doth it carry it self like a good Steward indeed bringing out of its store good things new and old 6. Do our rational Affections move spiritually towards good against evil under the guidance and Rule of these superiour Powers which are stil to follow the dictates of Heaven Do these wheels and weights stir Regularly Do these wings and feet carry our souls orderly Do these Sails and Oars convey us safely through the current of all our Relations to the service and enjoyment of God Thus may we take a due Estimate by this scantling and Abstract of our spiritual Acquaintance with God according to our measure of this gracious Knowledge variously acting toward Christ and from Christ for him and through him by his Spirits Energetical motions He that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life Vse 4. This Truth speaks singular Consolation to the real friends of Christ Choyce is the Jewel afforded to them as former particulars do fully evince This precious Cordial will be of excellent use against all corruptions and temptations against all Afflictions and desertions There will a season come for the benefit thereof to all Gods people It concerns all to make the best of it Objection This is good indeed may the trembling heart say but it s none of mine that am so far from the Knowledge of Christ I fear I am a stranger to him yet Answ It s bad indeed to be far from Christ but its good to be sensible of it The knowledge of thy disease is a good step to the cure There is hopes of good in sensible sinners nothing but wo to sensless Perfectionists Answ 2. But what makes thee fear thy estrangedness Is not thy desire
warfare against spiritual evils Doth your profiting in this Knowledge of Christ appear unto all in all occasions Vse 4. Be we stirred up to obey this divine Charge of growing in Grace and in the Knowledge of Christ Are not we all nearly concern'd therein Doth not our profit delight and credit challenge this from us Is not Gods Interest of greater moment to prevail with us Should not our Relations to others put as upon it Are not Christians spiritual Merchants Shall we not improve then such a precious Jewel Should not we still be trading with Christ in the great Commodities of Heaven Strong encouragements we have from all parts thereof if but duly weighed The Trade the Factor the Commodity the Venture and Gain are beyond compare Men improve their grounds and manage their state to the best advantage that they may live well Should not we then improve this stock and husband this portion upon better ground It is a field that will never fail the more we till it the more it will yield As Christ himself so the knowledg of him are richest Mines still full of Treasure springs of all good still inexhaustible The more you draw the more will follow it like the womans Oil that will never stop but for want of Vessels This improvement will improve all things else and without it nothing will do well This speak to dead and living 1. Death Christians should be excited that they may get Life else they cannot grow You must get the stock before you can trade Your heart must be renewed that it may be bettered Former directions will stand you in stead if duly minded and observed You must be convinced of your spiritual death to feel the need of the Prince of Life Seek then to him as blinde Bartimeus cry hard after him let him have no rest til he give you Life and Light at once He never yet rejected any soul that unfeignedly did attend on him If you wait long at Bethesdas pool it s for your good and he will be found in the best season if he put you off as he did that famous woman of Canaan it is but for trial and to quicken you If you cannot go send your heart and friends your Prayers and Tears to give him a call Be sure to observe what he saith to you in his Word and Providence as by his Spirit As you desire Life neglect no Means helping thereto Looking stil to him for his Blessing in all Retain no sin and slight no Duty Voluntarily give him your bad heart to mend it for you Feel your deadness that he may quicken you Know the worst of your self by inspection in his Glass that you may learn to know the best of Christ Beware especially of your darling Lusts your Dalilah corruptions whether sinful pleasure profit or Pride Know your wretchedness and emptiness your insufficiency and unworthiness that Christ may be your all for Wisdom and Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 2. Living Christians must stir up themselves encrease this Life Rouz up the Grace of God that is within you Blow up those sparks and make it your work to grow stil in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ Food and Exercise Physick and Diet Temperance and Vigilance will be found special Helps as for bodily so for spiritual improvement of Life There is an Instinct in every creature for self-preservation and increase which moves stil towards proper Objects in all due means 1. Look well to your food then of a spiritual Nature to shun what is evil and improve what is good You must therein mind the quantity and quality the order and season of Receving it for due concoction The Scripture Word will afford you still the living Bread and the living Water the flesh and Blood of Christ to feed on by Faith Its milk for Babes and strong meat for adult Christians Let it not be mixed nor adulterated by humane additions or detractions Hunger and thirst stil after the Word and Righteousness of Christ Take what suits your case and observe what Rules himself gives you Plain dressing thereof will be still best for your profiting Feel the need of it and long after it cry and seek hard for it make good use of it You must feed well that you may thrive well 2. See to your exercise that it may be moderate suitable and seasonable so will it be of singular help to discuss ill humours and to augment your native heat by fit distribution of food and Spirits In all the waies of God exercise your self unto Godliness as the Apostle did for himself directing Timothy and all others to the same Such an exercise hath the Promises of this Life and of that to come being still profitable for all things Beware of straying into the devils paths and training in his military Yard You must wrastle against sin and self against spiritual enemies of all sorts Your sinful body must be kept under that you may be nimble and swift in your Race The whole Armour of God is furbished to your hands that you may put it on and use it with success Be thus strong in his strength and in the power of his might that you may prevail in all your conflicts 3. Mind seasonable Physick which you will often find the need of to purge out your peccant humors that are increasing and putrifying still Your Growth will be stopt if these sinfull stoppages and putrid matters be not duly removed Advise therefore with the best Physician for Prescripts and Medicines sorted to your case Deal very freely and fully with him without dissembling and reservation Give him exact account of what you do know that you may be dealt throughly with for good observe his directions with puncutual care in receiving good and eschewing evil His Skill Power and Will are incomparable and unquestionable His blood and Grace by his Holy Spirit he mingles in his Word to destroy your sins and to save your soul If his Pils appear bitter to your taste they are the fitter to kill your corruptions Your eure is certain if you be but ruled under his preparing purging and dressing No disease ever proved shame to him trust him obey him and your case is safe 4. Keep a due Diet as he doth instruct who orders all things to his peoples good To abstain from evil is still as needfull as to be doing and receiving good Observe then what things are most offensive to your constitution that you may avoid the first beginnings and appearance thereof Some are more bent to pride others to Passion some to vanity others to wordliness some are more lazie others more wanton some grow more secure others more foolish Error will tempt you under various shapes putting on often the Garment of Light Ignorance and Pride
By his Spirit he draws home his Elect from among the rest to a conjugal acquaintance with himself This gracious knowledge is to be improved for a singular Antidote against sinfull Errors It hath appeared to be so in all ages and will still be so upon solid grounds which divine Reason suggests to us Reason 1. Because it removes and prevents the causes thereof External and Internal The cause removed the Effect will cease 1. THE External Causes called evident among Physicians are all such as from without endanger men as ill Company Disorders Infection Wounds c. from Sin and Satan thus spiritually many external causes do still assault us which the knowledge of Christ prevents and removes A well grown Christian hath his senses exercised to discern aright between good and evil The spiritual man judges of all things comparing of them spiritually He is not easily caught into the snare but wisely foresees it and escapes He believes not every Spirit but tries them all by the Lords Touch-stone He is forewarned and forearmed still against Infectious Temptations of all sorts 2. Internal Causes are either Antecedent and remote or continent and proxime which are bred within by congestion and defluxion of several ill humors putrifying gradually and variously to the distempering of the several parts and of the whole also Thus sinfull Corruption doth spiritually disorder mens souls Spiritual Growth affords Christs own help to the purging out of such ill Humors Vapors and Spirits It kils the worms takes away stoppages cleanses the parts by all convenient helps internal and external It purges the whole and then the parts in a due Method using revulsions and derivations with all sort of evacuations So far as Grace is grown up within by the knowledge of Christ so far is corruption purged out gradually He that knows him purifies himself even as he is pure Christs own Physick dispenced daily in his Word and Providence is through his Spirit improved that way He that is born of God doth not so sin as he did before neither can he so sin either totally or finally because the seed of God abides in him As he finds corruption breeding afresh within it s his desire and design his delight and labor to crush the Cockatrice in the shell and suppress the first beginnings He hath a tender heart sensible of the first stirs of the least vain thoughts and keeps himself that the evâ—l one touch him not as before Reason 2. Because it corroborates and fortifies the noble parts and thereby all the rest against all internal Corruptions and outward Temptations Thus health and strength are procured and improved against the malignity of all spiritual distempers Corroboration is a singular help as in the bodies so in the Souls of men against all diseases Ill Humors do leave in the parts affected an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Discomposure which enfeebles it and by a ferment and a sickly Spawn makes it prone to new disorders Error and Sin work in the like manner upon mens souls striking chiefly at the Vitals and Chief The knowledge of Christ duly improved doth orderly eradicate and extirpate it by Communication of his divine strength to vivification of every Grace and Mortification of the old man in all its Members The more a soul lives in him and by him the more of his renewed Supports and supplies come in which compose the Christian into spiritual health rectifying every part All the faculties are secured and fortified thereby against Relapses and struglings of sin Such can do all things through Christ strengthning them The sense of their own insufficiency drives them still to his Al-sufficiency that his Grace may be sufficient for them and his Vertue perfected in weakness Reason 3. Because it derives still a specifick Vertue out of Christ himself whose Soveraign Property mingled with all due means of his appointing affords still a sure Preservative Physicians observe the specifick Vertue of natural Medicines simple and compound which renders the whole effectual towards bodily cures Such a signally peculiar force is found in the Lords choice Antidote dispensed to his Patients The knowledge of Christ duly improved fetches out of him that wonderfull Grace which he mingles with all the Medicines appointed for their good His Blood is that Aurum potabile and Panpharmacum that Catholicon and Elixer of Life which sanctifies all things effectually to his Peoples good The more any soul grows up into acquaintance with him the more use is made of that Soveraign Balm of Gilead flowing from the Physicians very heart The Pelican is said to cure his little ones with his own blood Christ to be sure makes this good to his His Grace is the Basis of every Dose of every Topick of every means appointed by him The strongest poison is quelled thereby the stoutest humors are subdued the sorest obstructions are removed and the worst Maladies cured by the same He healed all manner of diseases and sicknesses among the people in their bodies and souls in his progress on earth and he doth so still by his Spirit from heaven His Word and Ordinances are the proper means used by him for application thereof He employes his servants of the Magistracy and Ministry to observe his will in the right use thereof by all fit helps Spiritual and Civil His Providence points out the case to be dealt with all spiritual skil Our Antidote improved affords every Christian to manage all aright His special Blessing he affords in all according to Promise The Reason is good make good use of it Vse 1. Corollar 1. Hence may we view the Ground and Cure of our spiritual Distempers in all Relations 1. THE Ground is much from want of spiritual Growth in the best as from want of Life in most Were Christ known to better purpose both Church and State would not be so sickly But the most are ignorant of him and the best much too blame Thence so many diseases and sores in all Relations and Societies Every Person every Family finds cause to complain because the Lord Christ is so much slighted No wonder if the sickness increase and the venom spreads when such a Physician with his Antidote are so basely used Wise men easily see whence this evil comes and is aggravated Gross wilfull unbelief is the forest disease that aggravates the case making it desperate This was the case of Gods people of old in the wilderness and Canaan again and again They slighted Christ and his Messengers till they were grown beyond all Remedy It may give us warning 2. The Cure and Method of Relief is hence observable the Lord hath not left us yet remediless There is Balm in Gilead and a Physician there with Soveraign Vertue to cure
Life a Turning of men from darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God by opening of their eyes and renewing their Will It s expressed by taking away the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh in putting his Spirit within us and giving a new heart and a new spirit in our special effectual Calling It s said to be our Regeneration and being born again absolutely needful to open an entrance into Gods Kingdom Though there be some Reliques of natural and moral Endowments left in men since the fall in their powers and parts as appears by the Heathens Improvements yet these only testifie the wofulness of mans desperate fall in ruining so glorious a Fabrick Thence the blindness and perversness of his mind and will are so aggravated the crooked distortions of his Affections the searedness and corruption of his Conscience with the disorder of every part are set forth so Emphatically to convince every man Thence men are said before Conversion to be Godless and hopeless because Christless Thence is the wonderful operation of Renewing Grace so extolled still in this new creation bringing forth Light out of darkness in making man partaker of the Divine Nature This supernatural Work is carried on rationally by the Spirit of Christ in a way suitable to mans rational Being He works strongly yet sweetly he opens their heart-springs with a special Key of his own framing This Renewing Grace runs parallel with the Fathers Electing and the Sons Redeeming Grace whom God did foreknow and predestinate those he calls effectually seasonably savingly Their corrupt nature doth much resist it till Grace prevails and conquers all its Forts The outworks of the Mind and Judgement Christs Spirit conquers first thence breaking through the Iron Gate of mans Will into the possession of all the powers and parts of the soul Many sins remain still in every part like so many Cananites and Tories to be gradually subdued These Rebels being broken in their Head and Reign Grace doth orderly dispatch by mortifying exercise The Spirit of Christ carries on his work in supporting and supplying still those gracious Beginnings which are weak at first By the Gospel Light he communicates his gracious Life Thus he perswades enables his people to embrace Jesus Christ upon Gospel terms by a Covenant of Marriage and Adoption Thus is mans dunghil heart by Renewing Grace broken up and dressed into a spiritual Garden sown and set with the fruits of his holy Spirit It differs exceedingly from common convictions and external Reformations as earth differs from Heaven That difference is still morally-specifical though it seems to be Physically but Numerical and gradual It s the same Spirit that works conviction on the Reprobate and on the Elect but not in the same manner He knocks at both and is resisted He leaves the Reprobate justly he opens the Elects heart mercifully and prevailingly The Reprobate may be externally and professedly sanctified in a partial superficial way Gods Elect are specially sanctified universally in every part and gradually through every part Mans free will by sin subjected to Satan is through this Renewing Grace set at liberty so far as Grace prevails The unregenerate is free only to spiritual evil being an enemy to spiritual good The Regenerate soul is so far free to spiritual good as it s renewed When Grace is compleated in Glory the soul like good Angels shall be free only to good The Nature of mans will is thus bettered by Grace which was made a slave by sin The Devils and damned do freely will sin so do unregenerate souls on earth yet necessarily Thus necessity man stand with freedom both to good and evil By this Renewing Grace the regenerate soul is made conformable to Gods Image and is so far called the new man and gradually learns to be holy as God is Holy That Seed and Root of Grace cast into it at first grows up by degrees as the grain of mustard seed as the corn as the Light as the living Child Thereby the soul is enabled to believe and Repent and further to actuate every sort of Grace being excited corroborated and directed still by the same Spirit Thence is the conflict so continuall between the spirit and flesh the Law in the members and the Law in the Mind Grace and sin which ends not till the death of sin in bodily death Thus acti agimus Implanted Grace then co-works still with the Lords gracious Spirit who works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure This Grace appears also most free and full most choice sure to the glorifying of all Divine Attributes Man could not be conceived to have any skil power or will to procure the same By Grace the Lord cals unto Grace and so to Glory By Grace are we saved through Faith and that not of our selves it s the gift of God not of works least any man should boast for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works so that it s not in him that wills nor in him that runs but in God who shews mercy Of his own will begat he us by the Word of Truth that we might be to the praise of his Glory Object But why then is man commanded to believe and repent to change his heart c Answ Because as we hinted before God deals with men by men rationally orderly to convince all of their Duty and insufficiency to humble and awaken them to put them upon all due means to render the most inexcusable and moralize many to convey his Grace into his Elect through those very means peculiarly sanctified to the spiritualizing of their heart Object But is not God partial in so doing Answ No. For he is not bound to any further then he pleases neither is he led by any sinful respects which render men partial Object But why doth he yet complain of the Reprobates if he give them not sufficient Grace as to others how can they help it Ans God justly complains of the wicked for insolvency and squandring away his goods wilfully and rebelliously both in their first Father and by themselves They smart not but for their fault their being Bankrupts is no payment nor discharge of their debts to him He gives them more then they could expect or make right use of Though they cannot change their own heart yet they might use the means better then they do they are still wilfully negligent and selfish in all they do and suffer justly for their demerits Can the wicked say they sin not wilfully Will not their own conscience condemn them Are they not all corruptly estranged from the womb and speaking Lyes by time Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Can the
Garland and that signal work 24. Christ is opposed likewise in his Servants of the Ministry as First By the former Errors So secondly By the Socinians Seekers Behmenists Revelationists Quakers and Libertines who deny corrupt and oppose it Thirdly by the Papists who set up an Antichristian Head and Hierarchy mangling and perverting it wofully Fourthly By Innovators who exalt a Power therein above others unknown to Christ and others slighting what Christ hath set up AGainst these various Evils the Knowledge of Christ improved graciously will fence our Judgements and make us to see the excellency and perpetuity the necessity and utility of his Gospel-ministry It was his care of old to set it up in his Church for their common good that the Priests lips might preserve knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth because he is the Messenger of the Lord. The first Insurrections against it which assaulted also the Magistracy by a strong levelling party under holy pretences were dreadfully rebuked and plagued by an extraordinary hand from Heaven The Lord made also Aarons Rod to blossom and fructifie miraculously that he might ratifie this great Ordinance of his to all Ages He appointed the Levites to be therefore settled in all the parts of Israel that every one might be provided with ministerial Help Himself promised in a peculiar way to be their best Portion and took a special care that among their Brethren they might never want a plentifull portion From time to time did he renew that charge and sharply visited for the neglect thereof He honor'd and prosper'd those Princes and people that did carefully observe his Will therein His Magistracy and his Ministry went still hand in hand both in doing good and suffering evil Moses and Aaron in all their Successors were still duly observed by God and good men The Jewish Church and State declined together by their sinfull neglects of Christs Institutions Christ therefore came at last himself personally that he might repair those wofull Ruins The vile abusing of his Ministry brought on them first a Babylonian yoak and afterwards a Roman slavery after many Persian and Grecian Oppressions The Revolts of Jason and of Onias with their Anti-temples in Aegypt and Samaria brought in many more confusions then both on Church and State Their corrupt opposings of Christs Ministry cost them very dear When Christ came in the flesh the many disorders of the ministerial Office and persons had disordered all His great care was then to rectifie things in the best method An end of all shadows he made in himself by his own Ministry and settled himself a substantial Ministry that should continue unto the worlds end His great business still was to purge his Temple and to commission his ministerial Servants for the successive building of his house His twelve Apostles and seventy Disciples were to that end succesfully employed by him When he ascended and triumph'd over all he bestowed then Coronation Gifts of a choice Nature Then gave he Apostles Prophets and Evangelists in extraordinary Pastors and Teachers in ordinary for Ambassados for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the building up of his body untill we all come to the full stature of the Son of God Thus Christ settled this ministerial function with spiritual Authority by setting apart in a regular Call persons by him duly qualified to the full employment of the Ministry The Circumstantials of the ceremonial Law he pared off thereby and settled the substance of his will therein in this solemn office for his special honor and his peoples good The Father and Spirit joined with God the Son in the Commission given from above to settle this Office and assure thereon a signal Blessing till the end of all As the Son gave these Residents of his to his Church below so did the Father set them in the Church and the holy Ghost still makes them overseers thereof In the renewing of their Commission he enlarged it unto all Nations gave them the keys of his Kingdom to act under him as Deputy-stewards Titles of Honor he gives them many fit Emblems also of their weighty work They are his Agents and the peoples Guides Shepherds and Rulers Angels and Leaders Elders they are and Overseers as Ambassadors acting in his name As he taught his Apostles the things of his Kingdom so were they carefull to instruct the rest Pauls Epistles to Timothy and Titus are a directory for all Church Affairs The Apostles needed extraordinary Gifts as did the Prophets and Evangelists in the first planting of Churches everywhere That work being done then ended with them their immediate infallible Call Extraordinaries are but for a time to make sure way to Ordinaries Snccessors they had in the substantials of the Ministry though not in all their Circumstantials Paul in his progress having shew'd the way of ordaining such gave Timothy and others further Rules still to prosecute that work Pastors and Teachers must abide in charge whilst there is one soul to be brought to Christ and built up in Christ These stars are kept in the Lords own hand being the Lights of his own setting up Many Ministers and Churches may perish for their Apostacy as they of Asia but the Ministry in the Church of Christ shall be sure to stand These witnesses of his may be much abused to the very Death but they shall rise again very speedily to the confusion of all enemies Lest they should grow proud and usurp Lorship Christ charged them timely to act as Servants in his name and work His word holds forth all Elders equal in ordinary since extraordinaries removed from men Some priority of order and age the Primitive Churches thought fit to admit Pride and Ambition corrupted the same adding Jurisdiction and Power thereto At first they did chuse a Moderator who might be Speaker in their regular meetings That was first elective and then became fixed and gradually did degenerate Under fair colors many did encroach and subjected Elders to Bishops Power Thence did Arch-Bishops and Patriarchs rise with other Limbs of that Hierarchy By Princes bounty too sadly abused this evil did rise and brought forth a Pope That Antichristian Beast with his double horn speaking like the Lamb acted Dragon-like He gradually subdued Christs Magistracy and Ministry by usurpations of the double sword That Pestilential Wen grew so fast on the Church that it did over-spread and consume it in its noblest parts Many Excrescences did rise under it as their Cardinals Archdeacons Chancellors Thence a further Rabble of Commissaries Porters Acolyths Subdeacons Exorcists Thence also their Monks Friers Eremits Nuns and Jesuits swarming everywhere Thus gradually did Abaddon prevail to waste Christs portion for a thousand two hundred sixty years The witnesses whilst
prophecy in Sackcloth the woman is fed in the wilderness Yet did not Christ forget his Interest but in the worst time maintained his Ministry Brittain Ireland Germany and France shew large Catalogues of undoubted Truth to verifie it Waldus and Wicklef John Hus and Jerom with many thousands testified the same The Reformation by Luther and Calvin was but a more solemn carrying on of the Work We have antiquities of approved credit shewing Successions of faithful Ministers from the Apostles time all along to this day as in other parts so in these Nations The Scriptures are not the worse nor the Ministry for passing through the hand of Romish Antichrist Gold loses not its worth for touching a leprous hand nor Gods Temple by the sitting of the man of sin when their pollutions are but once removed If any defilment be proved to attend our Ministry we are ready to yield and remove the same When the Wen is cut off and the body cured health being restored is to be improved If any will stil lord it over Brethren we shall disclame such usurpations Christs Ministry is to feed and teach to rule and to cure Ministerially Our weapons and work are spiritual not Political nor Monarchical As Nurses appointed for the Childrens good it s our desire to attend Christs house An orderly Call unto this office as he doth appoint so will he still bless How shall men believe if not preached to How shall men preach right if they be not sent Internal gifts are very needfull yet not sufficient to make out this Call No man self-called is owned by God no more then Corah and Jeroboams Priests A Souldier though able without Commission shall never be owned for an Officer A person of Parts without Authority cannot act the part of Justice or Judge Every Christian is to improve Gifts but within his place and fit relation Gods word doth appoint an orderly way of Calling persons into the Ministry They must be well proved and approved of then chosen and ordained to a proper charge He that hears and receives persons so called in the name of Christ hears and receives Jesus Christ himself by his own witness He that abuses and rejects such abuses and rejects the Lord Christ thereby If any be bad let them be questioned and reap their deserts We pretend to no Infallibility but would be tried still in Doctrine and Life by the word of Truth Christs work its we are sent about the devil would marr it by slandering tongues False Christs false Prophets are now very rife Sick brains are heaping Teachers to themselves to please itching ears They that thus run before they are sent shall not profit but deceive the people The chief rage of Foxes and Wolves disguised will stil be bent against the Shepherds Jeroboams Priests with his Golden Calves brought in division deceit and ruin If the Lords Mercy do not prevent it our sin and sorrow will be too like theirs The Cavils pleaded against this clear Truth have been fully dissolved again and again It was Julians attempt to starve the Ministry and Schools as the sure way to ruin Christianity The like design is revived of late to the same end The Laws of Nature and of Nations as well as Gods positive Laws are brought in by Paul to prove the just Rights of Ministers maintenance The Corinthiane are blamed for putting him to shift and work with his hands He commends them highly that had been free towards his relief 25. Christ suffers also in his Providence as by the former Errors So first By Atheists Stoicks Epicures that ascribe events to fortune fate or chance Secondly By Divers Jesuits and Arminians charging his purpose and execution with Contingency and Dependency Thirdly By Star-gazers and Astrologers who pretend to divine of humane Events by their judicial Prognostications AGainst this Malady the gracious Knowledge of Christ improved will give us still a Soveraing Remedy It shews by Scripture Light that the hand of Christ who first made the world doth uphold it still with Rule and Order by the word of his power His eternal purpose he still executes in doing of good and over-ruling evil What evil of sorrow that the Lord sends not What evil of sin that he limits not What good temporal or spiritual that comes not still from his Providence His Rule is so sweet and so soveraign that all fulfill his Will in fulfilling theirs what ever opposes his revealed Will is still over-ruled by his secret Will The Will of his purpose men do then fulfill when they disobey the Will of his precept The Instance of Joseph and Jesus suffice to demonstrate Christs Soveraign Rule Things most contingent as to men and means do yet come to pass by a necessary and sure providence The very Sparrows fall not to the earth nor the hairs of man without Gods special hand Astrologers sin is so much condemned by Scripture Reason and Experience that they should not proceed any further seeing their folly is made so manifest Some use we grant of Astronomy if modestly handled natural Astrology may hint at some things though very uncertainly But that judicial Astrology which pretends to foretel the success of affairs acted among men is an Errand cheat and dreadfull Imposture such an Art descends from old Magicians that learned of Satan among the Nations Caldeans and Diviners with all South-sayers are noted in Scripture with Aegypts Magicians Indian Gymnosophists Brachmans and Pawawes the Druids of Gaul the Bards of Brittain the Dervis's of Turkie are of the like school The rules of this Art are certainly known to be most absurd vain and uncertain Mirandula and Perkins who searched into their depths discovered fully their juggling Impostures as their Writings testifie Some profound Scholars who had curiously pryed into their secrets came off with remorse and abhorrings thereof This Profession hath been in all ages justly detested by the wise and good Such Affinity it hath had still with Satanical Oracles that its unsufferable in a Christian State There is vertue indeed in heavenly bodies But who can find out the same distinctly An Apollonius Faustus or Hildebrand may pretend somewhat from Satans teaching in this black study But shall Christians go to the devils school to learn Christs mind Starry Constellations have their Influence on sublunary bodies but they cannot reach the souls and Acts of men How far they may affect this earth none can know but that our Reason and humane Events are beyond their reach is easily known The Constellations of Christs Providence compared with his word are the proper Rules of our Prognosticks personal and publique Thence should Christians cast a divine figure to find out a true scheme of their State and Acts. Learn we to calculate our spiritual birth and observe the positure of souls under Chris thence all conjunctions and
and lately Infant Baptism in its purity Antiquity Right hath been fully made out as by all former Writers so lately by Mr. Marshal Mr. Blake Mr. Baxter Mr. Cobbet Dr. Winter Dr. Featley Dr. Goodwin Mr. Cotton Mr. Sidenham Dr Worth and many others 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Matth. 15. 9. Consult Sleiden Alling Hornebeck Bulinger c. for the particulas Deut. 26. Deut. 29. 10 11. Gen. 17. 7 8 10 Ezek. 16. 20. Matth. 19. 13 14 15. Act. 2. 39. Heb. 13. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 20. Gal. 3. 8 9 14. Rom. 11. 16 17 20 23. Exod. 12. 48. Act. 16. 31. Luke 19. 9. Iohn 6. 44. About this Subject you may see most of our Protestant Divines as the Fathers also against schism as Irenaeus Austin c. More lately have written Dr. Field B. Iewel Dr. Willet and within these few years the Assembly of Divines Mr. Hudson Mr. Hooker Mr. Stone Mr. Caudry Mr. Cotton M. Baxter c. whose circumstantial differences are easily reconciled by moderate Christians who strive for Truth and Peace not for contentious Victory Eph. 1. 23. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Eph. 4. 3 4 5 6. Ezek. 11 19. Iohn 10. 16. Rom. 16. 17 18 19. 1 Iohn 3. 3. 1 Cor 5. 7 8 9 c. Cant. 6. 10. Rom. 14. 19. Psalm 34. 14. Heb. 12. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 follow hard after as with hue cry with utmost diligence Augustin Propert and many other Fathers cleared this point of old The Reformed Churches have afforded successively many Champions thereto as Wickliff Bradward Calvin Zanch. Paraeus Iun. Chamier Twiss Pemble c. Lately Dr. Owen Mr. Baxter Mr. Resbury Dr. Kendal Dr. Prideaux c. Rom. 9. 11. Eph. 1. 3 4 5 6. Rom. 8. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Iohn 6. 70. Rom. 8. 28. Matth. 25. 12. Eph 1. 5 11. The Arminian distinction of Gods Antecedent and Consequent Will is found insufficient to theiâ— scope cross to all Divine Attributes 2 Thes 2. 13 14. Rom. 8. 28 29 30. Act. 13. 48. 2 Tim. 2. 19. * The Apostle Rom. 9. brings three signal Instances of this great Truth for a sure demonstration 1. In Jacobs Posterity ver 5. 6. 2. In Abrahams seed ver 7 8 9. 3. In Isaacs family ver 10. 11 12 c. to take off all mistakes shewing the first absolute Ground of difference between man and man to flow from Gods bosom for ordaining the future state of all his creatures according to the purposed pleasure of his wil. As for the execution or Justice or decreeing thereof he delights not in the sinners death but in glorifying of Justice 1 Thes 5. 9. Rom. 9. 22 23. Iude. 4. Prov. 16. 4. Rom. 9. 14 15 c. Rom. 9. 19 20 c. Iam. 1. 2 Pet. 2. 1 Iohn 3. Rom. 11. 6 7 c. Upon this Text see Mr. R. Resburies Elaborate Lectures Dei voluntas rerum necessitas August de Genes ad liter Many choice Pleces of this Theme you may consult with left by Augustin Propert Bradward Calvin Luther Paraeus Zanch. Twiss Chamier Molin Downame and many more Ancient and modern Dr. Owen Dr. Kendal Mr. Lyford Mr. Resbury c. have taken off many sad mistakes herein in their late writings against Arminianism See the writings about them Rom. 8 28 29 30 Act. 20. 28. Heb. 9. 22. Rom. 5. 8 9 10. 2 Pet. 2. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Psalm 36. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salvabis Septuag thou shalt save answering the Hebrew Rom. 8. 28. Matth. 20. 15. Rom. 11. 35. Heb. 7. 25. Luk. 19. 9 10. Ioh. 10. 16 28 29 30. Matth. 3. 5. Col. 1. 23. Iohn 1. 29. Psal 32. 32. Iohn 6 33. 2 Cor. 5. 19. 1 Iohn 5. 19. Iohn 17. 9. Revel 13. 3. Iohn 14. 17. Iohn 17. 25. 2 Pet. 2. 5. He distinguishes the â—orld of the ungodly from the saved Ones Matth. 5. 3 6. Esay 48. 22. Esay 57. 21. Iohn 6. 37. Act. 15. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 19. It s no disgrace to the sufficiency of the Sun that so many blind eyes share not in its Light Some are wilfully all naturally some judicially many sluggishly blind in spirituals All are born blind Satan blinds further some fall asleep others wilfully shut their eyes some are offended others judicially blinded There is no fault in the Natural or Spiritual Sun but in the creature sin is from self Rom. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 22. You may see largely on this Subject Augustin Epiphan Prosper Chamier Magdeb Centur. Calvin Luther Chemnit Paraeus Zanchius Bradwardine Ames Dr. Twiss Anatom and Histor of Socinian Trelcatium Vtrumque Iun. Theses Davenant Bishop Jewel Rivet Hornebeck de Socin Willets Synops Dr. Owens Display of Arminians c. Mr. Ant. Burges Lectures Mr. Downams System Mr. Baxters Rest Mr. Perkins Hooker Shepheard Cotton Dr. Preston Sibs c. See the Books about them Gen. 6. 5. Psalm 14 Psalm 53. Ierem. 17. 9. Psalm 51. 5. Iohn 3. 3 5. 6. Matth. 18. 3. Eph. 1. 17 18 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 1 Iohn 3. 14. Act. 26. 8. Ezek. 36. 26 27. Iohn 3. 3 5 6 7. Rom. 2. Rom. 3. Psalm 58. 3. Eph. 2. 1 2 3 11 12. Eph. 4. 17 18 19. Tit. 1. 15 16. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. * Act. â—4 27. Act. 16. 14. Gen. 6. 5. Gen. 8. 21. The Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that speech of God appears to be not causal as many take it but discretive as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etsi although aggravating mans sinfulness as the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seems to import 1 Tim. 1. 13. where he doth not extenuate but aggravate his sin 1 Cor. 16. 9. Col. 4. 3. Rom. 8. 28 29 30. Iohn 6. 37 44 45. Ezek. 36. 2 26 27. Ierem. 31. 33. Ier. 32. 39 40. Psalm 89. Rom. 7. Col. 3. Hos 2. 14 19 20. Gen. 9. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Hebrew reads Emphatically God will efficaciously perswade Japhet enlarging the heart of Gentiles towards Christ il a hirera en douceur as the French reads it He will sweetly and surely draw them Thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persuadeo Revel 3. 21. Rom. 8. 7 8. Rom. 8. 2 9. Rom. 7. 25. Necessity and liberty meet together in Heaven on Earth yea in Hell itself Eph. 4. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 14 15. Matth. 13. Prov. 4. 18. Luke 13. Mark 4. Rom. 7. Phil. 2. 13. Eph. 2. 8 9 10. Rom. 9. 16. Iam. 1. 18. Eph. 1. 6. Men sin wilfully though necessarily It s a necessity conditional not absolute It was contracted by a mans own fault it opposes not his Liberty of choice whether in point of contradiction towards contrary acts willing or nilling or of contrariety towards contrary objects good or evil The sinner chuses evil in refusing good willingly without constraint Gods Decree infuses no evil into a man nor his Providence Psalm 58. 3. Iob 14. 4. Matth. 7. 16. Luke 6. 44. Iam. 3. 12. Eph. 2. 1 2