Idols and to fulfill in them the whole good pleasure of God's goodness and the work of faith with power And were the faith the word of faith believed with the heart it would work by love as from God's love as the motive of it so in the exercise of love toward Christ and God in him so as to part with all as loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that they might win him and be found in him and towards men and brethren Galat. 5. 6. And truly he is one who knoweth mens works and without respect of persons judgeth according thereto 1 Pet. 1. 17. Men may appear to be somewhat when they are nothing and profess themselves to believe on the name of the onely begotten Son of God whise notwithstanding they love darkness their sins and vanities rather then light Joh. 3. 18 19. They may have a great many leaves upon them and make a fair face in the flesh while yet thier works may not be upright before him But these he taketh notice off as here he saith I know thy works But what did he observe in his taking notice of their works and pondering them Surely he saw that their works were not perfect before him and thence saith and observeth That thou art neither cold nor hot Not cold there was still some profession of the faith with them some seeking God waiting upon him and approching to him they had not wholly lest off all professed worshipping shipping of him and calling upon his name but still reckoned themselves Christians they might still read and hear and pray and speak one to another and have some use of the ordinances of Christ among them and have a form of godliness they had not wholly and professedly left off the thing that was good but there was some warmth with them still and they might and did surely assemble themselves together for they were yet reckoned by Christ a Church of his a Golden-candlestick that did in some measure receive and bear forth the light yea there might appear with them a great deal of fervency in their outward professions and behaviours of themselves They were not cold Nor hot Not zealous vers 19. Not fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Rom. 12. 11. Their hearts did not burn within them Luk. 24. 32. They were not inflamed with love to him and the things of his kingdome Or as considering the scope of the place they were not hot that is they did not so value Christ and the things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God the things most excellent that durable riches and righteousness in Christ as to buy them with a relinquishing and selling all that they had they did not so highly value Jesus Christ that pearl of great price as to part with their sins and idols and to go on to count all but loss and dung that they might be made partakers of him to hate Father and Mother Wife and Children Brethren and Sisters yea and their own lives also for the sake of Christ Jesus and to take up their cross and follow him That this is here meant by hot appeareth by the counsel he giveth them I counsel thee to buy of me Gold c. And by the reason and end of his rebuking and chastening them that they might be zealous and that their zeal might be exercised and evidenced in receiving and obeying that counsel and so in buying vers 19. And by his call to them and desire of their attention behold I stand at the door and knock vers 20. He was not readily received it seemeth but the door was shut against him and somewhat else entertained in his room and stead and he was fain to knock for admission and entrance and to stand there till his head was filled with dew and his locks with the drops of the night as Cant. 5. 2. While they gave their love to others and took in others instead of their husband and imbraced the bosome of a Stranger This was the heat they were destitute of and in this sense they were not hot they did not forsake all things for Christ Jesus they were as silly doves without heart professedly waiting upon God but yet retaining sin in their hands or double mindedness in their hearts Hos 7. 11. Or they were seeking their own things their praise honour glory name or to establish a righteousness to themselves and though they might appear to be and might be zealous yet not in a good matter Gal. 4. 18. They were like to a man that hearing of an excellent commodity at such a Mart or Market goeth thereto he is not so cold as to stay at home but taketh so much pains as to go to the place where it may be had and looketh upon it and liketh it and heareth delightfully what is spoken in commendation of it and taketh delight in approching to it but yet he is not so hot as to come up to the price of it though he may bid somewhat and be willing to part with something yet he hath not such an high estimate of and affection to it as to preferr it before all other things and to purchase it how dear soever it be Truly such an one though he be not cold yet he is not hot such a man is hot that is resolved to have such a commodity whatever it cost him that spareth no pains or cost In such a sense they were not hot they were not so cold as wholly to desist from a professed waiting at Wisdom's postes but they might come and sit before God as his people and hear his words and it might be as a lovely and pleasant song to hear what was spoken in the praise and commendation of that Gold tried in the fire c. But still their hearts went after their covetousness or their pride and high thoughts of themselves they conceited themselves to be rich and encreased with goods and therefore did not forsake all that they had for Christ they did not so highly prize him nor so ardently affect him as to count and go on to count all other things as dung and dogs meat in comparison of him Ezek. 33. 31 32. Oh let us search and try our hearts in the light of God's testimony and see if we also be not such manner of persons such Lukewarm ones as these were to whom this counsel was given the testimony of Christ the perfect law of liberty is a faithful glass that giveth a true and impartial discovery of all things and persons it pierceth even to the dividing asunder of Soâ—l and Spirit and Joints and Marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. Therein let us examine our selves and not trust to our own hearts or lean to our own understandings for the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things and he that trusteth therein is a fool Our wisdom and understanding will pervert us and make
not like other men or like to what they themselves sometimes were and not onely justifie themselves herewith before men but indeavour so to do before God also they not only weary men but God also with clearing themselves and pleading for themselves and take it ill at his hands and are even angry that he doth not approve them and hear their Prayers and grant their requests So when the Lord sent the Prophet to reprove his people he acquainteth and telleth them they were not Cold and that they had this to plead for themselves and excuse themselves withall that they might still hold fast deceit and refuse to return and because hereby they were blunt and unapt to receive correction and to turn at reproof therefore the Prophet is charged to put to the more strength Cry aloud saith the Lord for their ears are heavy and they are very dull of hearing spare not lift up thy voice like a Trumpet that they may be afraid and run together Amos 3. 6. And shew my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins Yet though they are so greatly polluted they are not quite cold but are lukewarm for they seek me daily and delight to know my ways as a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinance of their God they ask of me the ordinances of justice they take delight in approching to God Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not Wherefore have we afflicted our souls and thou takest no knowledge When as notwithstanding all this professed waiting upon God and frequent approaching to him they were not hot they did not part with the things reproved but their hands were defiled with blood and their fingers with iniquity their iniquities separated between them and God and their sins hid his face from them that he would not hear And yet they thought they were warm enough and looked that God should accept them and approve them But saith the Lord their webs shall not become garments neither shall they cover themselves with their works Isa 58. 1. 3. 59. 1. 6. They were ready to cry they had built an house for Gods name and the place of his rest and had kept his ordinance and walked mournfully before him and thought this would have excused them and obtained God's favour for them though they were loaden with iniquity and were serving their idols Isa 66. 1. 2. But when they are quite cold they have not such things to say for themselves but sooner fall under reproof As the Ninevites that had not God's name called upon them nor his word and ordinances amongst them sooner humbled themselves before God then the Jews who had the Scriptures read amongst them every Sabbath-day and fasted and prayed c. Because they thought eternal life belonged to them and that they were already in a good and happy condition Matt. 12. 41. And as our Saviour saith to the Pharisees Publicans and Harlots enter into the kingdom of God before you For John saith he came unto you in the way of righteousness and ye believed him not but the Publicans and the Harlots believed him Matt. 21. 32 33. Oh how hard is it for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of God! Now then by how much the more they are the more hardly admonished and more difficultly recovered then those that are cold by so much the more is their temper more sad for they sport themselves with their own deceivings 3. The Lukewarm ones are worse then those that are cold because by their seeming to be religious and to do their former works they cause the name of God and his doctrine to be evil spoken of and so do more injury to others sutable to what the Apostle saith Behold thou art called a Jew and so we may say a Christian and restest in the law and makest thy boast of God as if he were thy God thy Father and thou hadst an interest in him and knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent and art confident that thou thy self art a guide of the blind a light of them which sit in darkness an instructor of the foolish a teacher of babes which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law thou therefore which teachest another teachest thou not thyself thou that makest thy boast of the law through breaking of the law dishonourest thou God For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you through such lukewarm ones who seem to be religious and yet hold fast a lye in their right hand and so their religion is vain Rom. 2. 17 24. When persons are grown quite cold and come not into the assemblies of God's peculiar people there is not then such occasion given to the adversary to speak reprochfully of the worthy name of Christ and his doctrine as when men frequent those assemblies and frequently tread his courts and appear to do their former works when those that profess to believe the Gospel of Christ and are frequently amongst them that make profession of it and hold it forth to others when such I say hold fast deceit and refuse to return when such walk on in darkness fulfilling the desires of the flesh or of the mind the mouths of others by occasion of them is opened against Christ and his Gospel as if he were a Minister of sin and it a doctrine of licentiousness Others among whom they live will be ready to say these are the men that pretend to have learned the truth as it is in Jesus and to have imbraced the doctrine of Christ more sincerely then others They say they believe Christ died for all and gave himself a ransome for all and they hear and pray and read and usually go amongst such as assemble themselves often and professedly to wait upon God and to edify themselves but yet you may see they are as much polluted as others their heart goeth as much after its covetousnes as the hearts of any other and they are as proud and censorious and highly conceited of themselves and as uncharitable and unmerciful as others surely this doctrine teacheth them to live as they list and assureth them they shall have peace though they walk after the imagination of their own hearts This is a doctrine of looseness and licentiousness it is certainly an heresy or otherwise it would have some other manner of effiâ—â—cy on these men that make a trade of hearing it and being amongst those that profess it Oh how by occasion oâ— such is the doctrine according to godliness evil spoken of and repâ—â—ched as if it were a doctrine of profaneness How is God's name hereby polluted Hence the Lord as one highly displeased and provoked thus speaketh to his people in former times who did not servently and sincerely seek and serve him As for you O house of Israel thus saith the Lord God go ye serve ye every one his own idols and hereafter also if
also in him we are compleat because he is the head of all principality and power Heb. 1. 4 14. Ephes 1. 20 22. Col. 2. 10. This man was counted worthy of more honour then Moses who was the Mediator of the first Testament inasmuch as he who buildeth the house hath more honour then the house Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a Servant But Christ not as a servant but as a Son not in only but over his own house He is the Lord of it and hath dominion over it and he only Ephes 4. 5 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Heb. 3. 2 6. 10. 21. And he hath obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the Mediatour of a better Testament established upon better promises Heb. 8. 6. He is a more excellent High Priest then was Aaron or any of the high Priests under the Law A more excellent person they the Sons of men he is Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. they had infirmity but he is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher then the Heavens Heb. 7. 26 28. they were made after the law of a carnal commandment but he after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 16 17. they were made Priests without an oath but he with an oath Heb. 7. 20 21. They were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood which passeth not from him to any other to no Vicar on earth wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him c. Heb. 7. 24 25. They ministred about a worldly sanctuary but he is the Minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 9. 1. 8. 2. They offered up sacrifices which could never take away sin for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sin But this man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever even himself his own body once for all sate down on the right hand of God from ever offering any more a propitiatory sacrifice he needeth not daily as the former High Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself Heb. 10. 1 12. 7. 27. They entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but he into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us he is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the Heavens Heb. 8. 1. 9. 24. He is more excellent then all Kings and Prophets in former times he is anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows Heb. 1. 9. God hath set this King upon his holy hill of Zion and raised up him a Prophet whom all are to hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto them and whosoever will not hear this Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people Acts 3. 22 23. He is excellent in wisdom above all men for God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him yea he is greater therein then Solomon who was wiser then all men 1 King 4. 29 31. with Matt. 12. 42. He is more excellent then the mountains of Prey Psal 76. 4. This man is more precious then fine gold even this man then the golden wedge of Ophir Isa 13. 12. Man knoweth not the price of this excellent one this wisdom that is from above neither is it found in the land of the living it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious onyx or the Saphire the gold and the crystal cannot equal it no mention shall be made of coral or of pearls for the price of wisdom is above rubies The Topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it neither shall it be valued with pure Gold Job 28. 13 19. He that came down and cometh down from above is above all above all other persons and things Wisdom is better then rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to him Job 3. 31. Prov. 8. 10 11. He is more excellent then all the priviledges of the flesh and then all our works of righteousness zeal devotions frames and qualifications and therefore the Apostle counted those things that were formerly gain to him and in which was his life confidence and consolation loss for Christ yea he went on to count all things as loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that he might win him c. Phil. 3. 4. 9. Oh! happy is the man that findeth Wisdom For she is more precious then Rubies yea all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her Prov. 3. 13 15. There is none so excellent none so inriching as is this Spiritual and Heavenly Gold He doth more yea inexpressibly more exceed all other persons and things then natural Gold doth excell all other Metals whatsoever 3. He is called and compared to Gold because as Money answereth all things in having Gold tried Gold a man may have any thing here below Eccles 10. 19. So it is most fully and compleatly true here now by faith and in some spiritual first fruits and shall be hereafter in the Harvest and in a compleatly satisfying and glorious injoyment He that hath Christ hath all things in such a maner as he hath and enjoyeâ— him The father hath so loved the Son because he fell into the ground and died and rose again in that his own personal body that he hath given and delivered all things unto him and filled him with all fulness he is become a Fountain of Grace and Truth a Treasury of all forgiveness Wisdom Spirit and Life and in having and being made partakers of him those Treasures in him are also by faith received In him we have Redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Gods Grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. To him give all the Prophets witness That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive the forgiveness of sins Acts 10. 43. 13. 39. In this beloved one and in having him they are made accepted Ephes 1. 6. And have righteousness without works imputed to them they are made the righteousness of God in him So the Apostle signifieth that in winning Christ and being found in him He should have the righteousness which is through the saith of Christ Rom. 3. 22. 4 5 6. 10. 9 10. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Phil. 3. 8 9. To as many as receive him to them he giveth power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name John 1. 12. They are the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 26. And because in having him they are Sons God hath given unto them and sent forth into
cometh out again and is Gold tried only the Dross and mixture is taken out so it is here this Spiritual and Heavenly Gold which was in the fire and was then Gold the most precious one even he the same Jesus who dyed for our sins and was buried he in that very personal body is raised again discharged from the guilt of our sins and free from the fruits thereof God did not leave his Soul which was made an Offering for our sins Isa 53. 10 in Hell nor suffer his Flesh in which he was put to death 1 Pet. 3. 18 to see corruption Acts 2. 27-31 So the Apostle Peter saith Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. He that descended is the same also that assended far above all Heavens even into the presence of God that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 8-10 The Stone which the builders set at nought and disallowed the same is made the head of the Corner 1 Pet. 2. 7. It is even he the same person who was delivered for us that is raised again and taken from prison and judgment And in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily even in the body of his flesh Col. 2. 9 10. And this same Jesus shall so come in like manner As those men of Galilee saw him go into Heaven Acts 1. 9. 11. And herein is he preferred before David He fell on sleep and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption and his Sepulchre is with us saith Peter unto this day but Christ whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 36 37. 2. 29-32 And Christ in those fourty days after his resurrection in which he was seen of his Apostles Shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs Acts 1. 2 3. And shewed them his hands and his feet that were nailed to the Tree and his side that was pierced with a Spear of a Souldier and his Disciples did see and look upon and handle his raised body by which it appeared he was not a Spirit simply but hath a body that hath flesh and bones And these infallible proofs are given us that we may know and be assured That Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing in him we may have life through his name Luke 24. 36-40-48 John 20. 19-31 And of this the Apostles are Witnesses and have testified That he is the first born from the dead brought forth out of the heart or Womb of the Earth as Jonas was out of the Belly of the Whale Mat. 12. 40. Col. 1. 18. Rev. 1. 5. And it is he that person that same Jesus that is very Christ Acts 9. 22. Anointed with the Holy-Ghost And in him this first-born from the dead it hath pleased all the fulness to dwell even all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and so he is become Gold for us and hath the pre-eminence in all things Col. 1. 18 19. 2. 9 10. And hath all Dominion given unto him Because he humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross therefore hath God highly exalted him and given him who so humbled himself a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bowe c. Philip. 2. 8 9. And it is needful and good for us to be rooted and grounded in the hearty perswasion and belief hereof that we may be saved and preserved from those evil and Antichristian Spirits that say There is no resurrection of the dead and so by consequence that Christ is not raised again and then we are yet in our sins and the Apostles are found false Witnesses of God and faith is vain and those who are fallen asleep in Christ are perished But Christ is risen from the dead and is become Gold for us even the same that was tried in the fire 1 Cor. 15. 3 4-12-20 And herein he answereth to nay infinitely exceedeth and goeth beyond Gold that is the most incorruptible Metal Yet it will perish though tried with fire 1 Pet. 1. 7. It may canker and rust Jam. 5. 3. And is called a corruptible thing 1 Pet. 1. 18. But his Blood is said to be and is precious as opposed to corruptible of infinite value and worth and highly to be esteemed by us because it is incorruptible 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And he himself in his own body in which he died for us is in the virtue of his precious and incorruptible Blood raised again no more to return to corruption Acts 13. 34. And is become incorruptible Seed even the Word of God which by the Gospel is preached unto us he liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23-25 Isa 40. 8. And whosoever is born of this Seed shall live for ever this man continueth ever and therefore hath an unchangeable Priesthood He was dead and is alive and liveth for evermore and whosoever believeth on him though he were dead yet shall he live and he that liveth and believeth shall never dye 1 John 2. 17. John 11. 25 26. In such like respects he is said to be Gold tried in the fire 3. In the next place let us consider what is imported to us in the end why he counselleth this Angel to buy which is also a powerful Motive and Argument used to move us to have such an high estimate of this Gold as to buy it at any rate That thou mayst be rich To which I shall speak more briefly because what is intimated herein hath been noted formerly In this end then is signified unto us 1. That those that have not this Gold tried in the fire they cannot indeed be rich or inriched with the true riches but are poor miserable Creatures in the eyes of him that judgeth righteously though they have large possessions much Gold and a multitude of Rubies We may apply that saying of the Prophet to them Surely these are poor For they know not the way of the Lord nor the judgment of their God Jer. 5. 4. Alass all the substance here below will not procure the love and favour of God in which is life Cant 8. 7. These riches will not deliver from the stroke of Gods hand or from the Testimonies of his displeasure Will he esteem thy riches No not Gold c. Job 36. 18 19. They profit not in the day of wrath or death Zeph. 1. 18. Prov. 11. 4. They are deceitful riches they promise somewhat or rather we promise to our selves much contentment and blessedness in the enjoyment and possession of them but they are not there is no substantial and durable good in them That rich man in the Parable whose ground brought forth plentifully so as he was careful and thoughtful how to dispose of his fruits not having room where to bestow them and therefore resolved to pull down his Barns and build greater and there to dispose all his fruits
lifting up himself by his Spirit and rendring himself more precious then all the things of this world then all our injoyments relations attainments lives c. that so we might run with the feet of our Souls even with hot and fervent affections unto him from all other things Because of the Lord his God and for the holy one of Israel who hath glorified him Isa 55. 5. And that we might follow him whithersoever he goeth And laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us run with patience in induring afflictions and in a patient continuance in well-doing and patiently waiting for the Lord the race set before us looking off from all other things unto Jesus Heb. 12. 1 2 3. This is a needfull and usefull garment to be put on by us in and with Humility in putting on the new man and in being clad wherewith we shall be Instruments of good to others and provoke very many to seek and follow the Lord with us 2 Cor. 9. 2. and especially needfull for the Angels of the Churches that they may be ensamples to the flock and fervently seek their good Colos 4. 12 13. And abundant need and great cause have we now to buy this of Christ in these last and lukewarme times in which iniquity doth abound and the love of many wax Cold As was also soretold by our Saviour Math. 24. 12. And to that end that this Angel and Church might be zealous and repent change and forsake their evil and high thoughts of themselves therefore out of love and faithfulness the faithful and true witness did rebuke and chasten them Rev. 3. 19. Bowels of mercy kindness c. Are also to be put on by his Angels and Churches not only outward acts of mercy but bowels of mercy having an inward affection to men pitying and compassionating the ignorant and those that are out of the way and being kind also in heartily desiring the good of them that they may be saved Col. 3. 12. And these garments aptly follow and are joyned with zeal for when the love and loveliness of Christ is so known believed and considered by us as to inflame our hearts with love to him together herewith also his love is so infused and diffused into the heart by the holy Spirit as to fill us with love to all and so with bowels of mercy pity and compassion and with an hearty kindness to them and earnest desire and indeavour of their good This filleth with bowels towards all yearning toward them and breathing for their good that their eyes might be opened and that they might be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God the love of Christ known and believed frameth and constraineth hereto And so it frameth us to be like-minded unto Christ and God in him to be merciful as our father which is in Heaven is merciful Luk. 6. 36. And especially his grace teacheth and strengthneth the believers in putting on the new man to put on as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindness c. one to another exercised in a desire and indeavour of their good especially avoiding what is contrary to bowels of mercy and kindness as judging one another condemning one another and in doing what springeth therefrom as forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any have a complaint against any even as Christ freely forgave them that they should do likewise Col. 3. 12 13. with Luk. 6. 36 37. And as we have opportunity doing good to all men especially to those that are of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. 1 Joh. 3. 16 17 18. Meekness is also to be put on by them as a garment Col. 3. 12. To this the believing women are instructed whose adorning saith the Apostle Peter Let it not be that outward But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which though it be despised and laught at by men yea by many that profess godliness yet is in the sight of God of great price for after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves c. 1 Pet. 3. 1-5 And this is joyned with and put as the consequent of lowliness Ephes 4. 2. And of humbleness of mind Col. 3. 12. And meekness and lowliness of heart were conjoyned in our Saviour Matt. 11. 29. And unless we so receive the grace of Christ as to be clothed with humbleness of mind we cannot adorne our selves with this garment of a meek and quiet spirit for pride and high thoughts of our selves will cause us to be soon angry and fill us with contention strife envying confusion and every evil work Prov. 13. 10. Isa 16. 6. And this is to be exercised in subjection unto those that God hath set over us 1 Pet. 3. 3-5 And in quiet bearing injuries afflictions reproches and persecutions for the Gospel's sake and not indeavouring to resist the evil or leave our place of subjection Psal 37 7-11 In seeking the restoring of those that are overtaken with a fault Gal. 6. 1. In instructing those that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 23 24. In giving a reason of the hope to him that asketh us 1 Pet. 3. 15. And in all our receiving the ingrafted word with the instructions thereof and the reproofes of its instruction which are the way of life Jam. 1. 21. And this is also a fruit of the spirit which he is effecting in those that believe in glorifying Christ and discovering his excellency and that excellent example he hath lest us that we should follow his steps It is the fruit of that wisdom that is from above even of Christ and is therefore called meekness of Wisdom Jam. 3. 13-17 Gal. 5. 22. And is with the former to be put on by us especially in those last days in which evil men and seducers are grown worse and worse deceiving and being deceived and especially the Angels are to be clothed herewith The Servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves c. 2 Tim. 2. 23 24. Charity also is to be put on Above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. 14. Above all things have fervent charity among your selves 1 Pet. 4. 8. Let all your things be done with charity 1 Cor. 16. 14. Charity is distinguished from brotherly kindness 2 Pet. 1. 7. Brotherly kindness hath for its motive and object somewhat lovely and amiable in the party loved but Charity is a free manner of love fastening on and flowing forth toward the party loved not because of any worth or worthiness in him yea notwithstanding great unworthiness and manisold evils be found in him Thus it is in God God so infinitely loved pityed and compassionated the world that he
of the Law Heb. 7. 12. We have an High priest after a more excellent order then was Aaron's even after the order of Melchisedech and he is King of righteousness who hath brought in an everlasting righteousness and who is clothed therewith as with a robe Isa 61. 10. And hath it to confer upon and cloth with all that are born of him Heb. 7. 1 2. 1 John 2. 29. 3. 7. This was he whom Daniel in vision saw That certain or one man clohed in linen in White raiment whose Loyns were girded with fine Gold of Uphaz Dan. 10. 5. with Rev. 1. 13. And the same he speaketh off again Clothed in linen which was upon the Waters of the River c. Dan. 12. 6 7. with Rev. 10. 6 7. And he is girt about the Paps with a Golden girdle Righteousness is the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Rev. 1. 13. with Isa 11. 5. He is a more excellent High-priest then any of the former and answerably his raiment is more excellent then theirs Aaron had on when he ministred the Linen Coat Linen Breeches Linen Girdle and Linen Mitre outward Material white Raiment but he hath put on righteousness as his Garment Girdle Breast-Plate c. And all those that are born of and come unto him are made Priests be they Jew or Gentile wise or unwise male or female bond or free They are a Spiritual Priest-hood to minister unto him as all the males that were born of Aaron in former times were Priests so now Christ is actually in our nature glorified and become the father and begetter of Priests by a birth from above and no difference here between male and female for they are all one in Christ Gal. 3. 27. This priviledge of being Priests is not confined or limited to a mid-order of outward Officers between and distinct from Bishops or Elders and Deacons for there is no such order mentioned in the writings of the Apostles nor is it limited to any outward Church-chosen Officers whatsoever Nay men are so far from being the only Priests because chosen by the professed Church that they are not therefore Priests at all But all those that are born of Christ the Everlasting father and begetter of Priests whether in 〈◊〉 or out of outward Office in the Church are an Holy Nation and Gods Heritage or Clergy 1 Pet. 5. 3. Yea though those that were in former times born of Aaron and were of the Tribe of Levi were outward and bodily Priests to offer bodily Sacrifices in which they were Types of Christ and their Sacrifices of his Yet all Israel might then in obeying his voice have been Spiritual Priests according to that Exod. 19. 3-6 The Lord said to Moses Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob and tell the Children of Israel and not of Levi and Aaron only You have seen what I did to the Egyptians c. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my Covenant then ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me above all people for all the Earth is mine And ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of Priests and an Holy Nation These are the Words which thou shalt speak unto unto the Children of Israel And now all that come unto Christ the living Stone disallowed indeed of men yea of the builders also but chosen of God and precious they also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual house an Holy Priesthood 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. And there are none else that are Priests of Gods owning and approbation though there are many others that are called so but all these whether male or female in the flesh that so hear and learn of the father as to come unto Christ are joyned unto the Lord and so are Spiritual Levites and made one Spirit with him and partake of his Spiritual Blessings by faith and in a first-fruits of the Spirit according to their needs and capacities and they are Priests And that they may minister unto him and before men he washeth them in his own Blood Thus in our Types that the Priests might minister unto the Lord they were to be washed Exod. 29. 4. And when they came into the Tabernable or unto the Altar they were always to wash Exod 30. 17-22 And therefore the Laver was set between the Tent of the Congregation and the Altar that they might wash before they came to the Altar Exod. 40. 6 7. 29-32 So Christ who is the Laver and Fountain of living Waters through his Blood washeth those that come to and believe on him continually even the weakest as well as the strongest He forgiveth their iniquities even of the little Children also and they receive the remission of them through the opening of his name 1 Joh. 2. 12. Acts 10. 43. He sprinkleth their Hearts from an evil Conscience and their Consciences from dead works and their Bodies with pure Water He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of Water by the Word Ephes 5. 25 26. Heb. 10. 22. And as in our Types of old the Priests had peculiar Vestments white Garments prepapared for them and put on to minister in Exod. 29. 5 6. 40. 13 14. So Christ clotheth his Priests also with more excellent Raiment He clotheth them with a robe of righteousness Isa 61. 10. Psal 132. 9. He is made of God to them righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. And with the fruits of his righteousness as before Ephes 4. 23 24. Col. 3. 10-14 And he anointeth them not with Materal Oyntment as the Priests in former times were Exod. 29. 6. 30. 23-30 40. 9-13-15 But with the Spirit and with some useful gifts 2 Cor. 1. 21. And so they are prepared to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Christ as their High-Priest and Altar 1 Pet. 2. 5. Rev 1. 5 6. And the Sacrifices they offer are broken and contrite hearts broken off from all rejoycing in themselves or confidence in the flesh and filled with abhorrency of and sorrow for their sins Isa 66. 1-3 Psal 51. 17. And Prayers unto God in the name of Christ Psal 62. 8. 50. 14 15. 141. 2. And the Sacrifices of Praise continually that is the fruit of their lips confessing to his name and holding forth the Word of life Heb. 13. 15. Also to offer up their bodies a living Sacrifice holy and acceptable as moved and strengthened by the mercies of God Rom. 12. 1. And to do good and communicate For with all such Sacrifices God is well pleased being offered by Christ as the Altar Heb. 13. 15 16. Or as this counsel is given directly and expresly to the Angel that he should buy White raiment so there may be reference had to the Raiment the Angels those glorious Spirits were wont to appear in as it is said of that Angel that rolled back the stone from the door of the Sepulchre wherein
to see and behold as declared to us in his testimonies and especially in the testimony of his mouth The Father calleth upon us to behold his Servant and Son Behold saith he my Servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul is well pleased I have put my spirit upon him Isa 42. 1. Matt. 12. 18. And Behold the man whose name is the Branch Zech. 6. 12. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people c. Isa 55. 1-4 5. Jesus Christ calleth upon us also to behold himself Look unto me saith he all the ends of the Earth and be ye saved Isa 45. 22 23. with Rom. 14. 9-11 12. And saith Behold me Behold me unto a nation that was not called by his name Isa 65. 1. 55. 5. It is also the work of the holy Spirit to lift up the Son of Man as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness as a compleat object in whom is prepared all helpfulness and healing for every stung creature that men might look unto and believe in him Joh. 3. 5 9-9-14-16 It is his work and office to bear witness of his blood and the love of God as therein commended everlastingly and to glorify Christ and take of his things and shew unto us of his sufferings and the glory which there-through he hath received 1 Joh. 5. 6. Joh. 16. 13 14. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea as the father word and holy Ghost are one one in essence and being so one also in their testimony and this is the record that God hath given unto us mankind eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 7 11. Yea he is the sum and subject matter of the testimony of all those holy men by whom God hath spoken unto us from the beginning of the world to the end we might see and behold him To him give all the Prophets witness Act. 10. 43. Of this horn of salvation God spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets that have been since the world began Luk. 1. 69 70. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. Acts 3. 22-25 26. 23. Joh. 5. 39. The Baptist was a man sent from God to bear witness of him as the light the fountain in whom is all the fulness of grace and truth and he saith Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World Joh. 1. 6 7-15 16. 29 33-36 The Apostles also were witnesses of him Joh. 15. 27. Yea the fullest and clearest witnesses of him they saw and did testify that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4. 14. They preached not themselves but Jesus Christ and him crucified and therewith Jesus the Lord. 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. 2 Cor. 4. 5. To them was this grace given and Apostleship fo obedience to the faith among all nations Rom. 1. 5. 16. 25 26. To them was this grace given to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see c. Ephes 3. 8 9. It evidently appeareth therefore that it was needful they should anoint their eyes with this eye-salve that they might see this blessed object that hath been and is so constantly and unanimonsly witnessed of and directed unto by God and all those that have been taught and led of him All agree in one concerning him to the end we might see and believe in him who hath so testified his love towards us as to lay down his life for us that he might become our Saviour and who is through and by means of his blood exalted and glorified and become the habitation of all the fulness of the God head the fountain of life the fountain of living waters the Sun of righteousness the treasury of wisdom and knowledge Yea all that the Father hath is his Col. 2. 3. 9. Psal 36. 8 9. Mal 4. 2. Joh. 16. 14 15. And that this is the object which they are called upon and counselled to see and behold and to that end to anoint their eyes with this eye-salve appeareth from the scope of the place we are speaking unto For here the faithful counsellor had been commending unto them and counselling them to buy gold tried in the fire that they might be rich and white raiment that they might be clothed and that the shame of their nakedness might not appear And now he addeth anoint that thou maist see to wit this gold and how it hath been tried and the excellency of it and this white raiment c. And this is a glass which discovereth all things to us Here we may look upon those things which cannot be seen with the bodily eye 2 Cor. 4. 18. As Moses by faith saw him that is invisible Heb. 11. 27. And in some sense as Abraham saw the day of Christ and was glad Joh. 8. 56. So may we behold and see in this word of faith which is the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. the preciousness of the blood of Jesus Christ and his excellency and fitness for us and for our helpfulness by means thereof 2. To the end we may buy this gold and white raiment and thereto sell all that we have needful it is to anoint our eyes with this eye-salve that we may see namely that we may see the vileness and odiousness of our sins which are to be abhorred by us And the emptiness and unprofitableness of our idols which we are to abstain from that we may have these excellent and durable commodities here commended to us for while we are ignorant hereof we shall be ready to think that we part with is better then that which is commended to and set before us While we remain in our blindness we are ready and apt to mistake and to call evil good and good evil and to set our hearts upon that which will not profit yea to cleave unto that which will destroy us in conclusion if it be not parted with and fled from While persons are in darkness they are under the power of Satan and led captive by him at his pleasure Acts 26. 18. Ephes 5. 5-8 So much the Apostle signifieth concerning the Gentiles that remained in darkness when he saith they have their understandings darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness as if nothing were pleasurable unto them but what is abominable Ephes 4. 17-19 So the Apostle speaking of the believing Gentiles saith that in times past namely when they were darkness they walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Air the spirit that now worketh rulingly and prevailingly in the children of disobedience Ephes 2. 1 2. with chap. 5. 8. But to this we may add more afterwards Now therefore it is needful that we see our sins and vanities that we may be willing to part
their Hearts the Spirit of his Son Gal 4. 6. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said saith Christ out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Waters But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive Hence Christ's being in the believers and the Spirit 's being in them are used indifferently to signifie in having him we may and shall have the Spirit also for it is given to him without measure and put upon him and resteth on him to fit and furnish him for the work the father hath appointed him to do and to dispense to us according to our needs conditions and capacities John 7. 37 39. Rom. 8. 9 11. John 3. 34. Isa 42. 1. 61. 1. 11 1 3. And in being made Sons they have by virtue of their union with and relation to Christ right and title to and interest in that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away If Sons then Heirs Heirs of God and Co heirs with Christ and if Christ's then are they Abraham's seed and Heirs according to Promise Rom. 8. 17. Gal. 3. 17. He that hath the Son hath life hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation 1 John 5. 11. John 3. 36. He that hath him is a Subject of God's peculiar Love and Grace loved with other manner of love then any of those without him are loved withall God will love him and Christ will love him and manifest himself unto him He that findeth him findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Prov. 8. 35. In having him we have the promises to Abraham and his Seed they were made not to seeds as of many but to one even Christ they were originally made to him and confirmed in him and established by his Blood for he is the Amen and secondarily in coming unto and believing in him to all believers In being Christ's they are Abraham's seed and so the Promises are theirs Gal. 3. 16 17 26 29 Those that are born of him are the Children of the Promise .. Rom 9. 7 8. Yea in receiving him in the Testimony they receive him also who sent him Mat. 10. 40. They have fellowship with Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1. 9. And so his father is their father his Spirit is their Spirit his Gospel their Gospel his promises their promises his inheritance their inheritance his servants their servants his Glory their Glory his Brethren and Companions their Brethren and Companions his receivers their receivers and his Enemies their Enemies Yea as all things are delivered to him of the father so by faith all things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas whether those that had the Gospel of the Circumcision committed to them or the Gospel of the Uncircumcision or whether such who as wise Master-builders laid the foundation or such as built thereupon or the world the men and things of the world or life to be maintained and continued as and while it may be good for them or death all afflictions trials temptations necessities straits poverty persecutions yea death it self is gain to them or things present those things now acted done and enjoyed or things to come at the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ all is theirs and they are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Even as in Earthly and natural Gold all the things of this world are summarily included and infolded as it were and are had in having it a man may have such Food Raiment Physick Habitation Honour Friendship as he desireth so and much more truly and compleatly may it be said of and applied to Jesus Christ as with respect to durable and Heavenly things In him God hath blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in Heavenly things yea he himself is said to be the things themselves which are in him because they are infolded in him and may be and shall be certainly had and partaken of in receiving and enjoying him As to instance a little particularly as in him is redemption so he is made of God to the believer redemption Eph. 1. 7. with 1 Cor 1. 30. As in him is life God hath given us Eternal life and this life is in his Son So he is our life he is the true God and Eternal life 1 John 5. 11. with Col. 3. 3 4. 1 John 5. 20. As in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom so he is made of God to them that are in him Wisdom Christ is the Wisdom of God Col. 2. 3. with 1 Cor. 1. 24. 30. As in him is righteousness so he is the righteousness of God And his name is Jehovah our righteousness Isa 45. 24. with Rom. 3. 21. Jer. 23. 6. As in him is Salvation Neither is there Salvation in any other so he is the Salvation of God which he hath prepared before the face of all people Acts 4. 12. with Luke 2. 30 31. As in him is Peace so he is our Peace This man shall be the Peace c. John 26. 33. with Ephes 2 14. Mica 5. 5. As in him there is Consolation so he is Consolation fit and proper to comfort any one in any tribulations and the Consolation of Israel Phil. 2. 1. with Luke 2. 25. Yea as in him is all fulness so he is all Col. 1. 19. with Chap. 3. 11. And hence the Spouse rejoyceth in this and declareth this to be the sum and compleatment of her blessedness and happiness My beloved is mine I am his Cant. 2. 16. 6. 3. And the Psalmist crieth out Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Psal 73 25. And the Prophet The Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore I will hope in him Lam. 3. 24. Yea this word of the Lord who in the last Ages was made flesh setteth this as compleat and satisfying consolation and incouragement before Abraham Fear not Abraham I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great reward Gen. 15. 1. And indeed this is the sum of all blessedness now and hereafter to have him to be ours Oh Blessed is every such an one who hath the Lord for his God For the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield he will give Grace and Glory c. Psal 33. 12. 146. 5. 84. 10 11. Gen. 17. 7. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. Rev. 21. 3 7. Yea in having him we shall not only have in and with him all things that are Spiritual and Heavenly but in seeking first his Kingdom and the righteousness thereof all other things shall be added to us which are good and needful thereto such meat drink and apparel such food and raiment and all accomodations as may conduce unto our seeking more to know him win him and be found in him Mat. 6. 33. Godliness even God who was manifested in the flesh justified in the Spirit who is the root and foundation of Godliness and