to God and the word of his grace we may be helped to become fools and so to be crucified to the world and not matter though we be accounted unlearned ignorant men and such as have never learned which is part of the Cross of Christ that is to be taken up and born by us Joh. 7. 15. Act. 4. 13. This wisdom is part of the goodliness of the flesh the glory of man which the spirit in the testimony is withering Oh! that he might be suffered to have his perfect work in us And oh that this were considered by them that are taught that that manner of preaching the Gospâ—l which is with wisdom of words makes the Cross of Christ of none â—ffect when men receive the word of God as the word of men and their faith stands in the wisdom of man that is they hear it with delight and credit it because such as bring it to them are furnished and come with excellency of speech or of wisdom though it is the word of God that is received yet it works not effectually in them 1 Thess 2. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 5. And truly we all need to be admonished of this evil for men naturally love and admire the wisdom of this world and oh that there were not too much cause to say that many of God's people are too much polluted with this iniquity If a man be made willing to become a fool for Christ's sake in declaring the testimony how ready is he to be despised and lightly esteemed Whereas if another be wise in Christ and exalt himself this they can suffer gladly and love to have it so and stâ—engthen those that so teach thâ—m in this evil way while they weaken the hands of others 1 Cor. 4. 10. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Oh let us all beware of the inâ—icing words of mans wisdom and so of Philosophy c. for in Christ dwelâ—s all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and in him we are compleat Col. 2. 2 4 8 10. 3. And in this to which the Apostle commits them there is contained motive for feeding that which is powerful to strengthen to seek the good of men generally and especially the good of the flock of Christ As to say 1. Herein they may behold the infinite grace of Jesus Christ and God in him toward every sinful soul of mankind and that he is not willing any man should perish but that all should come to repentance as is wonderfully evidenced in this that Christ by the grace of God tasted death for every man Oh how will this constrain to indeavour the good of men and especial good of believers The love of Christ constrains us saith the Apostle because we thus jâ—dge that if one died for all then were all dead and he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him that died for them and rose again This judgment received by them did powerfully move them to perswade men and they could not but speak the things they had seen and heard 2 Cor. 5. 11 15. Act. 4. 19 20. This love of God known and believed with the heart effects in them that so receive it an hearty desire and prayer to God that they may be saved who are ignorant of and enemâ—es to the righteousness of God it framâ—s them to some like mindedness with their heavenly fatâ—er and causeth their hearts to burn within them in an ardent affection to and desire of the good of those that are ignorant and out of the way 1 Joh. 4. 14 16. Luke 24. 26 27 32. Jer. 20. 9. Whereas others that have not received thâ—s judgment that one died for all and rose again what appearance of zeal and devotion soever they have yet the love of Christ doth not constrain hereto but either they do what they do that they may have praise of men or out of a desire of filthy lucre or to establish a righteousness to themselves yea and this judgment received and believed is the bottom ground and motive to move them that have it to feed the flock of Christ to pray them to be further reconciled to God and not to receive his grace in vain 2 Cor. 5. 14 19 21. 6. 1. their hearts are purified in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the brethren 1 Pet. 1. 22. And so 2. They have this further motive to move them to feed the Church that they are Christ's flock the Church of God which he hath purchaâ—ed with hâ—s own blood not only hath he given himself a ransom to God for them as he hath done for all but he so evidenced the preciousness of his blood to them in the peace and atonement which he thereby made in the victory thereby obtained in the righteousness thereby compleated in the fulness of grace and truth thereby received in the New Testament and everlasting Covenant thereby confirmed as that they not being disobedient to the heavenly call were hereby redeemed unto God and what things were formerly gain to them these they counted loss for Christ and so were made of the chosen generation and of his flock in a peculiar consideration being all baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. such as Christ loves with peculiar manner of love and frames those that receive his grace to the same mind even to do good to all but especially to the houshold of faith Gal. 6. 10. to love one another with a pure heart fervently 1 Pet. 1. 22. and so to be followers of God as dear children and walk in love as Christ hath loved them Eph. 5. 1 2. This is a great moâ—ive for a servant to love and seek the good oâ— such as are his Lord's children and such as he delights in So Peter from this motive exhorts the Elders Feed the flock of God that is among you 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. yea and in that they are his flock there is contained in it this further incouragement that he will bless and assist their helpers and be with them in the faithful declaration of the Gospel unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 18 20. For who goeth a warfare at any timâ— at his own charges yea these had some oversight of the flock committed to them and it is required of Stewards that a man be found faithful and the shepherd will require the flock at their hands Ezek. 34. 10. Oh let such take heed therefore to themselves and to all the flock that they may be pure from the blood of all men Nay surely in their places and according to their capacity all the holy brethren are partakers of the heavenly calling though not all chosen into office and the grace of God doth instruct them and God their Shepherd doth furnish them that they may edifie one another on their most holy faith Jude 20 21. 1 Thes 5. 11. Rom. 15. 14. The manifestation
hearts desire and with-holds not from him the requests of his lips he did oft-times hear Moses but once when he request somewhat for himself the Lord said unto him let it suffice thee speak no more to me of this matter and would not grant him his desire but God never turns away the face of this his anointed one but hears him alwayes Joh. 11. 41 42. And as before is intimated his end in making intercession it is not only that mens lives might be a little longer continued much less is it that he may aggravate their condemnation though if men still refuse and rebel their condemnation will be hereby aggravated and God will wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalpe of such as go on still in their trespasses Psal 68. 18 21. but that they which live and have their lives prolonged might live not to themselves but to him who dyed for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and therefore while he intercedes for further sparing it is that he may dig about by his corrections and chastenings in which he hath a gracious end while it is called to day Job 7. 17 18. 33. 19 29. and dung them with his mercies and goodness to lead them to tepentance as Luk 1. 3. 6 8. So also the Apostle signifies in that motive and argument he layes down to move the Coriâ—â—hians not to receive the grace of God in vain for he to wir the Father saith to Christ I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee I say therein is signified that while God hears Christ and that is all the time he is mediating he is also using means and succouring him in his ministration that men might receive the grace of God to purpose and so all this while it is an accepted time and day of salvation in which men may seek the Lord and he will be found 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Isa 55. 1 6. And hence the Apostle Peter instructs to account the long-suffering of our Lord to be salvation that is not only an evidence and witness of that salvation wrought and compleated in the person of our Lord though it is so also Psal 68. 18 20. nor only that during that time of his exercising long-suffering he is saving them from destruction but also to signifie what the end of our Lord in procuring it for us and exercising it toward us is namely He is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish no not those scoffers that walked after their own lusts and said Where is the promise of his coming while it is called to day but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3. 4 9 15. Prov. 1. 22. for he hath no pleasure none at all neither secret nor revealed in the everlasting destruction of men while the day of his grace and patience continues and that is while Jesus Christ mediates and that is while God is calling men by any means and stretching forth his hand which he doth while he calls Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should dye saith the Lord God and not that he should return from his wayes and live Ezek. 18. 23. 33. 10 11. Isa 49 8. 50. 1 2. and therefore when men have so provoked God as that they have deserved to be presently cut off and he is threatning to bring upon them such judgments as in which many would have their lives taken away and so dying in their sins be sealed up to the wrath to come because he hath no pleasure concurring with their destruction while there may be hope he is through the Mediation of Jesus deferring his anger and waiting that he may be gracious and exâ—â—â—ting himself that he may have mercy upon such Isa 30. 8 18. such his grace to man-ward while it is called to day But now in his present work and office he is especially the Saviour of them that believe the Apostle and High-Priest of their profession to whom he is more abundantly gracious he giveâ—h grace to the humble He forgives them their iniquities that come unto God by him and retaineth them no longer in heaven against them but justifieth them freely by his grace and ever lives to make intercession for them to take away their manifold mixtures weaknesses and infirmities and is therefore able to save them to the uttermost yea they are justified in believing by him from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses even from rebellious iniquities and to them he imputes righteousness without works and they are made accepted in the beloved Heb. 7. 25. Act. 13. 39. Tit. 3. 7. Rom. 4. 5 7. yea God is daily and continually tâ—â— just fier of him that believeth in Jesus through him as the propitiatory Rom. 3. 22 25 26. and so To them he gives power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name and they are the subjects of peculiar grace and favour Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us that we should be called the sons of God even such as were sometimes the children of wrath even as others 1 Joh. 3. 1. Eph. 2. 3. Jesus Christ loves them with the same manner of love as wherewith the Father loves him and the Father loves them with such manner of love as wherewith he loves his Son Jesus Christ Joh. 15. 9. 17. 23. even with a delightful and well pleased love yea therefore he loves them because they have loved Jesus Christ and have believed that he came forth from God Ioh. 14. 21 23. 16. 27. And because they are sons he sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts to them he pours forth his Spirit and makes known his words Gal. 4. 6. Prov. 1. 23. He gives unto them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revâ—lation in the knowledge of Christ opening and enlightning the eyes of their understandings that they may know what is the hope of his calling c. Eph. 1. 17 20. And this he doth not because of any perfection of their coming to God by Christ but from his own goodness he is pleased to make and repute them as his people and to favour them with such favour Henâ—e the Psalmist ascribes it principally to the graciousness of the Lord that he still and further teacheth them and makes known his words Good and upright is the Lord therefore the meek he will guide in judgment and the meek he will teach his way and the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant his Son whom he hath given for a Covenant of the people and in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen Isa 42. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 20 Psal 25. 8 14. He gives them his good Spirit to guide them into all truth to teach them all things and bring all things to remembrance which Christ hath
how then could we live This wâ—uld make us faint in our sighings But bless the Lord O my soul saith the Prophet Who forgiveth all thine iniquity whose office it is so to do unto all that come unto God by him and to make them partakers of the forgiveness of sins through the word of faith Psal 103. 1 3. Act. 26. 18. 10 43. He is one who is made perfect through sufferings and so he orders nothing but what he himself indured for he was in all points tempted like unto us yet without sin yea he bare our sufferings with the sting in them He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief And how may this strengthen us and make us willing to follow his steps considering he indured so great afflictions for our sins and hath taken the sting out of what remains for us to suffer Hath our Lord so willingly humbled himself for us and for the joy set before him that he might bring us to God indured the Cross despising the shame and shall not we count it an honour and rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for him seeing also we have but the shadow of death to pass through Consider him that indured such contradiction of sinners against himself that ye be not weary nor faint in your minds Heb. 12. 1 3. Yea and since he hath suffered being tempted he is able also even fitted and disposed to succour them that are tempted He hath also been compassed with Bulls Lions Wolves c. and knows how to have compassion on us and to sympathize with us to be even afflicted in our afflictions and to pitty us therein as a father pityeth his children Heb. 2. 18. 3. 1. 4. 15. Our High Priest is one on whom rests the spirit of wisdom and understanding who knows all things and knows the hearts and thoughts of men Joh. 21. 17. Act. 1. 24. the darkness and the light are both alike to him Great is our Lord his understanding is infinite Psal 147. 5. And with this infinite wisdom is he filled and furnished for the good of men and especial good of those that believe that he may improve it for their good in so befooling and disappointing their persecuters that their hands may not perform their enterprizes his eyes run to and fro to shew himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect with him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Seeing then we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4. 13 14. Had we more to do with him and did we consider that in him we are compleat our souls would dwell at ease and it would preserve us from those fears of amazement and cares wherewith we afflict our selves to know mens intentions and to save our selves Psal 10. 11 14 35 22. Jer. 11. 18 19. And together herewith He our Lord is of great power Psal 147. 5. and hath received this and will manage it for the special good of those that believe The Father hath put all things under his feet and given him to be head over all things unto his Church And the Apostle prayes for the believers that the eyes of their understandings might be inlightned to know this which would delight their souls in the multitude of their thoughts within them Eph. 1. 17 20 22. And this compleats the answer of the good conscience that he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels Authorities and powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 21. 22. Heb. 4. 14. 8. 1. 12. 2. All are his servants Satan and all his instruments are ordered by him and when he suffers them to take away from us or afflict us yet it is the Lord that taketh away and orders that affliction to us though he is not the author of the sin yet who is he that saith and it cometh to pass when the Lord commands it not Out of the mouth of the most high proceeds not evil and good Job 1. 21. Lam. 3. 37 38. Consider then when any grievous wolves enter in among us that it is the Lord that dyed for us yea rather that is risen again that hath ordered those cruel ones to us and his will is good perfect and acceptable and therefore let him do what seemeth him good He is such an High Priest who hath confirmed great and precious promises in his blood even for this life also as He will debate in measure both as to the weight and continuance of the affliction The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquity Isa 27. 8. Psal 125. 3. There hath no temptation taken you saith the Apostle but that which is common to man or moderate and God is faithful for the time to come who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation make a way of escape that you may be able to bear 1 Cor. 10. 13 14. To this purpose also speaks Moses Deut. 8. 5. 6. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart that as a man chasteneth his son so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee namely with compassion and much tenderness He is a God of judgment by whom actions and afflictions are weighed The fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument neither is a cart-wheel turned about upon the cummin but the fitches are beaten out with a staff and the cummin with a rod he will not lay upon his people more than they are able or he will inable them to bear but beat them with a rod and a staff and not bring the wheel over them Prov. 20. 26. and his rod and his staff shall comfort them namely his moderate afflictions as Psal 23. 4. bread corn is bruised because he will not ever be threshing it nor bâ—eak it with the wheel of his cart nor bruise it with his horsemen This also cometh from the Lord of hosts which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working who knows our frame and weakness and is excellent in working for our escape that the Spirit may not fail before him and the Soul which he hath made Isa 57. 16. Abruised reed he will not break Isa 28. 26 29. 42. 1 3. Psal 103. 13 14. Surely saith the Prophet the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder thereof which would not tend to his praise in the profit of his people thou wilt restrain Psal 76. 10. He will be with them in all the grievances he is ordering to them according to that Isa 41. 10 14. Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismaâ—ed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I
21. Thus Micah at such a time incourages himself Micah 7. 1 7 9. And David wâ—en shut out from the personal Society of God's people Yet saith he the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time in the proper season of it in the day of prosperity and in the night his Song shall be with me â—in the time of affliction while I sit in darkness his tryumphing Song over sin death hell c. That his own right hand and his holy Arm hath gotten himself the victory and my prayer unto the God of Life See Psal 42. 8. with Mica 7. 8. Psal 98. 1. and 84. 10. 11. And oh that we may not forget this consolation in Christ which still speaks to us to wit the Lord liveth but that we may trust and rejoyce in him and pour out our requests and complaints to him when we look on the right hand and behold but there is none that knows us refuge fails us no man cares for our soul as Psal 142. 2. Now namely when he was departing from them and had foretold them that grievous Wolves should enter in among them and that of themselves men should arise speaking perverse things c. Ver. 29 30. That they might be instruments of saving themselves and others so be signifies to us That now its high time for us to apply our selves to God and to the word of his grace when God is taking away faithful and eminent watchmen before the number of their days that are with him are determined or in the midst of some good work now we are called upon especially to awake to Gods righteousness that we be not driven away by Wolvish persecutors or carried about with divers and strange doctrines to stir up our selves to lay hoâ—d on his strength and have our hearts established with grace yea and to watch one over another lest any man fail of or fall from the grace of God fighting the good fight holding forth the Word of Life See how solemnly on this account the Apostle awakens and charges Timothy I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom and so thee also for we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine For the time will come when they need will indure sonnd Doctrine c. But watch thou in all things indure affliction c. For I am now ready to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought the good fight c. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 7. So Pâ—ter on like account stirs them up to a being mindful of the Commandments of the Apostles c. 2 Pet. 1. 13. with chap 3. 1. 3. 4. 16. 18. While such eminent and faithful labourers were living others might be too remiss and negligent and think they might be excused because these faithful ones were so forward and willing to supply their lack of service and so resolute to warre this good warfare but when God is depriving of such he is calling aloud upon others to watch and that those to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation and given fitness furniture for holding it forth should stir up the gift of God that is in them that they may be preserved from the errour of the wicked and be pure from the blood of all men even for preaching Christ and therewith warning every man and teaching every man in all Wisdom And indeed this resignation is particularly added to that remembrance the Apostle gives that he had not ceased to warn every one with tears and this to signifie that now especially it lies upon those that go before others in the word of the Lord to apply themselves to God and attend his word of grace that they may warn all doctrinally and as need is personally with the spirit of meckness to wâ—rn the unruly and deal faithfully and plainly one with another in reproving and rebuking as need requires and occasion is given and not to daub with untempered Mortar and cry peace peace for some may not indure this afterwards and though I think we cannot blame our Brother for unfaithfulness in this particular yet he bewailed it that he had not warned when he had opportunity and yet surely was a faithful reprover Oh take heed now especially of flattering or giving flattering titles to any and so of hating your Brother and suffering sin upon him Levit 19. 17. That you may preserve your selves and one another in the grace in Christ and warn while others will hear as need is lest they dye in their sins and their blood be required at your hands and let those that are faithful and upright hearted among the believers who are the glory of the Churches say to those over them when need requires Take heed to the ministry ye have received of the Lord that ye fulfill it as Col. 4. 17. to such purpose the Apostle now commends them to God c. â— The Persons whom he thus resigns and these he calls Brethren and speaks 1. Directly to the elders of the Church those appointed to be guides to the rest who had doubtless also some gift given for feeding the Church and so at least were Pastâ—rs and Teachers At that time none were chosen into office but such as were apt to teach and these he calls Brethren we might say in a manifold consideration but shall here only say they were Brethren in a pecuâ—iar sense holy Brethren and such as were put into the Ministry and so Brethren 1. To the Apostle 2. One to another 1. To the Apostle and so to denote That though he was preferred before them yet they were appointed to the same Service as he was in some measure fitted for the work of the Ministry and this is for instruction to other beleivers that they may not despise those that are oâ—er them in the Lord because they have not such knowledge and utterance as others who are taken away but to look upon such as are faithful in the Lord as Brethren of the Apostles and of those â—hat have more eminent gifts and fitness for holding forth the word of Life it was a great fault among the orinthians and they were reproved for it that they were puâ—t up so one against another one was of Paul another of Apoâ—lâ— c. Whereas all were theirs and they fellow labourers 1 Cor. 3. 4. 9. 2 Cor. 6 1. and by their thus overvaluing some they were apt to undervalue others and set light by them hence that instruction and admoniâ—ion if Timoth come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also dâ— let no man therefore despise him c. 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. So again if any require of â—itus he is my partner and fellow helper concerning
spotless sacrifice unto God through the eternal spirit and is ascended â—ar-above all heavens into heaven it self that he may fill and fulfil all things he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God and by means and by vertue of what he hath done there is peace in heaven Luke 19. 38. When man had sinned and brought themselves under the sentence of banishment God's love and pity was toward them but such was the holiness of God and his truth and justice that there was no mercy to be shewed forth to mankind until his justice was satisfied his truth fulfilled and his righteous Law answered For heaven and earth shall pass away but not one jot or title of the Law shall pass till all be fulfilled But now Jesus Christ becoming under the Law by the will of God he bare our sins and dyed our death and is raised again so as in him mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed truth is sprung out of the earth in his resurrection and righteousness looks down from heaven in all the streams of God's goodness and compassion to us and now there is cause to sing peace in heaven and glory in the highest he is ascended upon high and is set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens Oh infinite love Oh unsearchable riches of grace 2. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he is now doing to us from heaven in the name and authority of the Father and in the anointing of the holy Ghost And in what he is doing in heaven for us with the Father in both which he is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. his end in both being that he might bring us to God his end in what he hath done for us in breaking down the middle wall of partition that was between God and us and between Jew and Gentile and having abolished in his flesh the enmity it was that he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the Cross Eph. 2. 14 16. His end in his having made peace was that he might reconcile all things and so all men as persons sometimes is included and meant in that expression 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Col. 1. 20. And indeed that his end was to reconcile all men appears to be included in that expression in that he immediately adds And you who were sometimes enemies and alienated in your minds c. yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 20 21. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and so his end in what God hath now appointed Christ to and in which he is faithful is the same not to condemn the world but that through him the world might be saved and the Apostle doth hereby demonstrate and prove the graciousness of God's heart towards all men by shewing what he hath appointed Christ unto in his present work and office God saith he will have all men to be saved ' and come to the knowledge of the truth To evidence that he saith For there is one God namely not only to distinguish him from all other who are called Gods but to denote to us that he is one not divided hath not a secret will contrary to his revealed but he is light and in him is no darkness at all and so he is the same he hath manifested himself to be in abasing his Son to dye for us and crowning him with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man And one Mediator namely as before not only to distinguish him from all others that are called so and so to signifie that he is the one and only Mediator appointed by the one God though that is true and may be principally intended but also to assure us that he is one the same Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. And so in what he is appointed to to day he is one and the same with what he was yesterday even the Saviour of the world the anointed Saviour of men while they are not wholly given up to and become one with Satan and reckoned fully of his seed and for such in that consideration he was never a Saviour and so he is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus even he that had such infinite grace to all men that he gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. If God had not willed and desired that all men should be saved he would never have appointed such a gracious Mediator between him and them and such a faithful testimony Now then to this end that men might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth in this day and this in order unto their eternal salvation 1. Jesus Christ is a testimony of God's graciousness to men in due time even to all men as they come to years of capacity that they might be reconciled and their hearts turned to the Lord the enmity that was in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ hath already slain and hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us but yet still men while abiding in their natural state are enemies in their minds to God there is a secret enmity and contrariety in their hearts to God through that ignorance that is in them Now then that this may be purged out and their minds turned to the Lord Jesus Christ is seasonably by all means witnessing his and his Fathers pity and love to them and is by his goodness discovered moving to repentance for it is the goodness of God leadeth to repentance even those that are not led by it Rom. 2. 4 5. It is his love manifested and discerned that begets love to him again 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. Grace is poured into the lips of Jesus Christ Psal 45. 2. and he is in some measure giving some witnessings of God's mercifulness and goodness to all yea to those that had not the Word and Oracles committed to them as Israel after the flesh had He left not himself without witness of his propitiousness through a Mediator but gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 17. 17. 26 27. that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead even his mercy goodness and wisdom c. That he is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him which whoever believes having no more clear discovery comes to God acceptably Rom. 1. 19 21. Psal 19. 1 6. 145. 8 10. Heb. 11. 6. The grace of God brings salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. even some discovery of
2. They are free from alâ— pâ—â—secutions in words gestures or actions they are hid in the secret of God's presence from the pride of man and kâ—pâ— secretly in a pavillion from the strife of tongues Psal 31 19. after the body is dead their enemies have no more that they can do Luk. 12. 4. there the wicked cease from troubling and there the weary are at rest there the prisoners rest together they hear not the voice of the opprâ—ssor Job 3. 17 19. The reproaches laughâ—ers scorns and persecutions that here they met with did seem to be grievous to them as to what they themselves thereby indured Psal 69. 20. as well as also as to their enemies it caused great grief to them rivers of waters run down their eyes and they were troubled in spirit because men kept not God's Laws but persecuted them wrongfully and were enemies to them for following the thing that was good Joh. 13. 21. this caused heaviness to them to consider the greatness of their iniquity and severity of the judgment they were pulling upon their heads by such iniquities They are now out of the danger of miscarrying and from henceforth there is laid up for them a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give unto them in that day 2 Tim. 4. 8. there is now a great gulf fixed and no passing from one place to another no altering of their condition no not for ever Luk. 16. 26. Eccl. 11. 3. Now abiding in Christ they are safe he that abideth in him sinneth not transgresseth not and misseth not the mark but if a man abide not in him he is cast forth its possible that such as have begun to run well may turn aside from him that called them into the grace of Christ 1 Joh. 3. 6. Gal. 1. 6. 5. 7. but then no change of their state and their works follow them all their work of faith and labour of love and patience in tribulation these shall not be forgotten but be recompensed in the resurrection of the just Luk. 14. 14. And now they are present with the Lord as here they were not when at home in the body seeing and beholding in their spirits the glorified and glorious body of our Lord Jesus and then walking by sight as now they do not for they are more excellent and therefore sorrow not for them as those that have no hope Isa 57. 2. 2 Cor. 5. 6 7 8. Phil. 1. 23 24. 2. It discovers his grace to all of this body both in soul and body when Jesus Christ shall appear the second time without sin to salvation Heb. 9. 28. in which his Israel shall be saved with an everlasting salvation they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Isa 45. 17. this is that which Peter exhorts the believers to hope for Gird up saith he the lions of your minds be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 13. and this he calls the grace of life 1 Pet. 3. 7. and indeed that eternal life they shall then inherit gloriously it is not wages as death is of sin buâ— a gift of grace Rom. 6. 23. Zech. 4. 6. And this grace that shall then be brought to them is so exceeding great as none here fully knows Hence that admiration Oh! how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men Psal 31. 19. since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear by any thing they have heard in any declaration vouchsafed neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Isa 64. 4 These things were indeed revealed to the Apostles by the Spirit as in formâ—r times they were not and so they have declared them and yet they did but see in part and therefore Prophesie in part 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. with Chap. 13. 9. This grace is inexprâ—ssiâ—ly yea inconceivably great it hath not entred into the heart of man and much less can I declare it in order who have seen so little of it in the testimony but yet as I may be helped I shall speak a little of it 1. They that sleep in Jesus shall be raised and the living changed when Christ shall descend from heaven and so before the rest of the dead 1 Thes 4. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. As in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive but every man in his own order not all at once Christ the first fruits he is risen from the dead already and is become the foundation of the resurrection from and of the dead for if he be not raised there could be no resurrection and he shall be the effecter of it and is become the first fruits of them that are fallen a sleep in him especially like to whom shall be that lump Rom. 11. 16. afterward they that are Christ's at his coming then or afterward as ver 5. the end namely after the end of the thousand yeaâ—s of Christ's and his Saints reigning on the earth there will be the second and general resurrection when the dead small and great shall be raised and stand before God Rev. 20. 7 12 13 15. 1 Cor. 15. 22 24. So the Apostle John saith I saw to wit in vision the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast neither his image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished Rev 20. 4 6. Isa 26. 19. 2. In their being raised they shall be saved wholly from all sin death and other enemies And so From sin he shall present them to himself a glorious Church not having spot Eph. 5. 27. they shall then be sanctified wholly in spirit soul and body and be presented blameless before the throne of his glory 1 Thes 5. 23 24. 3. 13. Jude 24. No sin in them but as the first fruits Jesus Christ is holy so will be the lump then compleatly nor any imputation of sin to them or remembrance of sin upon them their sins shall then be compleatly blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send us Jesus who now is preached to us There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit but yet there is sin in them and if any of them say they have no sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not in them yea and there is some remembrance of sin upon them And as to those that dye in the
know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 7 8. Somewhat of this was typically injoyed by Solomon before he departed from the Lord according as God promised the Lord gave him rest on every side so that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrent 1 Chron. 22. 9. 1 King 5. 4. But behold a greater than Solomon is here There were then enemies in being but now there shall be no more a pricking bryar unto the house of Israel nor a grieving thorn c. Ezek. 28. 24. Psal 72. Violence shall no more be heard in the Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt câ—ll thy walls salvation c. and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended he will then destroy them that have destroyed the earth and precious shall be the blood of his Saints for he will take vengeaence on those that have slain them and been enemies to them Isa 60. 12 20. 63. 1 4. with the assurance of this he strengthens the weak hands and feeble knees viz. that he their God wiâ—l come with vengeance God with a recompence for the Lord God of recompences will surely requite all the injuries done to his Saints he will come and save them Isa 35. 3 4. Jer. 50. 27 28. 51. 56. He will then bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron and his people shall have an hand with him therein to execute upon them the vengeance written this honour have all his Saints Psal 149. 4 9. Those righteous ones that are taken away by death do enter into peace and are freâ—d from oppression but yet their blood is not avenged but they cry with a loud voice how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth for this they wait it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season c. Rev. 6. 9 11. but then he will thoroughly plead their cause shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night I tell you he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. vengeance is his and he will repay Rom. 12. 19. Rev. 11. 18. their eye shall then see their desire upon their enemies Psal 92. 11. 112. 8 10. in righteousness shall they then be established they shall be far from oppression for they shall not fear and from terror for it shall not come near them Isa 54 7 8 13 14. then he will compleatly and gloriously bless his people with peace and they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 29. 11. 37. 11. 3. They when thus raised and freed from all evil shall be ever with the Lord in companionship with him the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15 17. he will then come and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 1 3. This is his will concerning them that those the father hath given unto him should be with him where he is Joh. 17. 14. The tabernacle of God even Jesus Christ in his personal body shall then be with them and he wiâ—l dwell with them Rev. 21. 3. indeed now he dwells in their hearts by faith but faith is the evidence of things not seen but then they shall have a personal and-glorious injoyment of him according to that Zeph. 3. 14 17. Sing O daughter of Zion shout O Israel be glad and rejoyce with all the heart O daughter of Jerusalem the Lord hath taken away thy judgment he hath cast out thine enemy the King of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. and then there will be a gathering together of the righteous as unto him so one unto and with another and his coming and their being gathered together unto him are put together 2 Thes 2. 1. Now in a spiriâ—ual and invisible consideration they meet together they are all one in Jesus Christ and all in heaven and earth are one family one house and instruction given to them here to indeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace but yet they are severed and scattered as to personal society and so at a distance one from another and many of them unknown one to another yea some of them not owning one another to be of the same body whom yet Jesus Christ hath received they are now scattered and separated one from another Sometimes by contentions judgings and dâ—spisings one of another and this is matter of great lamentation and when they fall out they are hardly reconciled it being the work of Satan and his instruments to dig up evil and in their lips is a burning fire they are set on fire of hell and would set all on fire they sow strife and indeavour further to separate and make the breach wider by whispering and secretly fomenting jealousies and so are separating even chief friends Prov. 16. 27 28. Hâ—nce they are admonished to be angry and not sin not to let the Sun go down upon their wrath neither give place to the devil Eph. 4. 26 27. the devil is watching for such an advantage and therefore needful to be warned that we be slow to anger and quick from it seeing a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their contentions are like the bars of a Castle Prov. 18. 19. How oft now are they separated in their affections and delightful fellowships through that sin that dwells in them and policy of Satan the weak envying and judging the strong and the strong instead of bearing the infirmities of the weak pleasing themselves and despising and setting at nought those that have not what they have Rom. 14. Act. 15. 39. But then the envy of Ephraim shall depart Ephraim that had less shall not envy Judah and Judah that was preferred before and lifted up above their brethren shall not vex Ephraim Isa 11. 13. with 1 Sam. 1. 6. Now also they are scattered by the wise and gracious disposition of the housholder the Son of man he sows them abroad in the field of the world for the good of the world that they might be instruments of his praise according to their capacity that men seeing their good works may glorifie their father which is in heaven and so that his way may be known on the earth his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24 37. Psal 67. 1 2. But then his elect shall be gathered together from the four winds from one end