be happy hereafter we must here be Holy No Holiness no Happiness SECT II. Containing the Fruits of Justification which are a Ground of the Believers Comfort HAving proved the first Ground of the Comfort of Believers because they are Precious in the 〈◊〉 of Christ I come now and with this Section I shall conclude To lay down a second Ground of Believers Comforts drawn from the Fruits of Justification And they are set down Rom. 5. 1 2 3 4. Therefore being Justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by Faith unto this Grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the Glory of God And not only so but we Glory in Tribulation also knowing that Tribulation worketh Patience and Patience Experience and Experience Hope There are sixspecial Fruits of Justification by Faith mentioned as so many Daughters of that Mother or as so many Precious Fruits growing on that Tree And they are Peace Access Joy Hope Patience and Experience These I shall inlarge particularly and so finish the Treatise 1. By being Justified by Faith we have 1 Peace with God Peace with God We have sweet tranquility and security upon our Spirits What though Men Condemn and the World Persecute us What though troubles come as violently as Waves in a Storm dashing upon us with more renewed fury Yet Peace with God and security of Conscience will quiet our Spirits and comfort us amidst discontents and fortifie us against Euroclydons and most Tempestuous Storms When God Justifieth who can Condemn When God speaks Peace who can speak Trouble It 's a grand incouragement notwithstanding Troubles come thick and three-fold that in Christ we have Peace He is our Peace and Peace-maker and Reconciler However the World Storm yet Christ becalms the most Blasting Winds These things saith he I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have Peace But in the John 15. 33. World ye shall have Tribulation be of good chear I have overcome the World We should indeavour after the things that make for Peace and as the Apostle Commandeth If it be possible as much as in you Rom. 12. 18. lies live peacable with all Men. But some are of such implacable Spirits as will never be at Peace and of the same malitious temper with David's Enemies who when he was for Peace they make themselves Psal 120. 7. ready for Battel Yet here 's a ground of of singular Comfort that we have Peace with God and this will make amends for all For saith the Apostle What shall we then say to these things if God be for Rom. 8. 32. us who can be against us Wherefore let 's labour to get and keep Peace with God and a good Conscience Peace within will support and quiet us against all Troubles without as Aarons Rod swallowed up the Rods of the Aegyptians 2. Another Fruit of Justification by 2 Accesâ— unto God Faith is Access unto God Sin sets Bars against us and hinders our Access unto the Throne of Grace But Christ breaks the Rom. 5. 2. Barrs and gives us Admission We are led by the hand of Christ unto the Father The Original Word imports as much Rom. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Manuduction or leading of us by Christ unto the Father is a great Priviledg Hereby we are admitted into the presence of the great King None might presume to come into the Court of Ahasuerus unless the King held out to him the golden Scepter Behold Christ hath purchased this Priviledg of the King of Kings to hold forth his golden Scepter and admit Believers into his presence Hence a Beleiver enjoys a sacred Communion with the Father Son and Holy Ghost and hath freedom to make his request known in Prayer and Supplication What then remains but that we should make use of our Priviledg and reduce the Apostle's Precepts in continual Practice Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need A third Fruit of Justification by Faith is 3. Joy Joy and this is Joy in the Lord or a spiritual Joy in believing The sence of God's Love The apprehension of his reconciled Countenance The Believers Interest cleared up that he hath a new Name a white Stone and the hidden Mannah rejoyceth his Heart more than the Fruition of all the Honours Pleasures and Profits which the Universe can afford When God speaks to the Soul and saith Thy sins are pardoned this is the most joyful and welcome day that ever a Believer saw The good Hearers received the word with Joy and brought forth Fruit with Patience Amidst great straits and exigencies the Church discovers an heroical Resolution Yet will I rejoice in the Lord I Hab. 3. 1â— will Joy in the God of my Salvation Amidst multiplicity of rolling troublesome Thoughts the Psalmist takes ground of encouragement Psal 94. 19. In the multitude of my Thoughts within me thy Comforts delight my Soul A Believer's Joy acts extraordinarily that which extinguisheth the Joy of a Carnal Man is Feweâ— to enkindle the Joy of a Godly Man â—or saith the Apostle And not only so but we Rom. 5. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. 5. 2. glory in Tribulation also A Believer accounts it all Joy when he falls into divers Temptations He kisseth the Rod that beats him and with a Martyr bids welcome to the Cross of Christ and with the Apostles rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Christ Acts 5. 41. O! what Joy doth Faith bring to Believers in all their Sufferings so that scoffs and reproaches they account their Honour whips and tort ures scars of Marâ—yrdoms Though a Believer be tost up and down with boistrous Waves and Tempests he can see Christ by the Eye of Faith Though his Body be tormented upon the Rack yet he can see Christ his Comforter Though his Name be trampled on upon Earth yet he rejoiceth that his Name is written in Heaven A fourth Fruit of Justification by Faith 4. Hope is Hope and this is the Anchor of the Soul Were it not for Hope the Heart would break in the days of Jacob's Troubles But days of Jacob's Troubles are days of Jacob's Hope When Ezra and the People were full of grief and perplexities because the Holy Seed had mingled themselves with Heathens and were unequally yoaked with strange Wives but notwithstanding Hope was left quasi tabula post naufragium Ezra 10. 2. Yet now there 's Hope in Israel concerning this thing Rom 8. 24. By Hope saith the Apostle we are saved When Spoilers come a Believer is a Man of Hope Whatever they take from him yet they cannot take away his Hope Amidst Clouds of Darkness his Hope is That the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healings under his Wings He hopes against his Reason
And Faith through Gods Gift is a Buckeâ— to Isa 12. 3. draw Waters of Consolation out of those Wells All the Promises are as so many Breasts of Consolation and Faith is as i were a Mouth to suck Milk out of those Breasts Wherefore in all Conditions inward or outward let Faith act on Promises and depend on them and by experience a Believer will find ground of singular support and comfort in the Promises 5. Faith gives us an insight into Heaven 5. Faith gives us an insight into Heaven and a Prospect of Eternity and a prospect into eternity Paul was wrapt up into the third Heaven and by Faith had a foretast of those unspeakable Joys * A Reverend and eminegâ—ly learned Divine gives his conjecture that at that time when Paul was Stoned â—â— was in a Trance and saw the third Heaven The Reaon of his Supposition he gives because the self same Year that Paul was Stoned he was caught up into the third Heaven A. B. Uâ—â—â—r Stephen by the Eye of Faith though the Stones were about his Ears saw the Heavens opened and Christ standing at the Right Hand of his Father Job on the Dunghil when he was scraping himself with a Pot-shread by the eye of Faith saw his Redeemer By Faith Moses amidst all the Reproaches and Cruel Bondage in Aegypt saw the recompence of reward Faith is the Eye whereby we peep through the Curtains of Mortality and take a view of the Glory of Heaven By Faith we enjoy Communion with Father Son and Holy Ghost we receive the first Fruits of that plentiful Harvest earnest or part of payment of a greater Sum which we shall receive in Heaven The Glory which is to be revealed is apprehended in part in this Life by true Believers We have a pledge and some foretasts of the Glory in Heaven What necessity then is incumbent on us to get this Grace of Faith both as to the truth and growth thereof We have such daily need of Faith as we cannot live without it When we pray Faith makes us successful when we hear the Word Faith helps us to profit when we suffer Affliction Faith helps us to be Patient In a Word in dissertion Faith makes us comfortable in Tryals and Encounters Faith makes us so couragious as to stop the Mouths of Lyons quench the Heb. 11 33 34. violence of Fire c. In Life Faith makes us fruitful and in Death Faith makes us Victorious And whilst we live in this World Faith helps us to a Prospect of Heaven As the Israelites saw a glimps of Canaan though a far off whilst they were in the Wilderness so a true Believer by the Eye of Faith sees the Heavenly Canaan He enjoys a Sacred Acquaintance and Communion with God in his Covenants Promises Gracious Influences so that by Faith we enjoy an Heaven upon Earth i. e. some fore-tasts of that Eternal Happiness which is reserved in Heaven for us SECT II. Containing an Vse of Direction SEeing then as it 's evident by the Use 5 for Direction how to get and increase Faith premises that only true Believers set a high estimate upon Christ and Faith is essentially requisite to get and keep so high an estimation of Christ I shall now proceed to the 5th Use which is for Direction how we may get and increase Faith To this purpose I shall prescribe some means partly internal and partly external both exceeding necessary First for Internal Means and that is the The Spirit is an internal means of getting Faith Holy Spirit of God Faith is a Divine Habit infused into the Soul by the Spirit of God Hence we are said to have the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 5. 13. The Spirit doth not stand in need of Moral Persuasions to excite us to Faith leaving it to the indifferency of our wills and understandings whether we will chuse or refuse assent or dissent But the Spirit of God Nolentem praevenit ut velit volentem subsequitur ne frustra velit Arg. de Grat. lib. Arg. works powerfully and irresistably and of unwilling makes us willing by antecedent Grace of willing makes us more willing by Subsequent Grace The Seeds of Faith are not sown in our Nature We are Dead as were those dry Bones mentioned by Ezek. 37. 2. Ezekiel until the Spirit of God infuse vital Operations into the Soul The Beginnings of Augmentations and finishings of our Faith all proceed from the Operations of the Spirit of God Where this Spirit is it opens the eyes of the Mind that so we may understand the infinite value of Christ and the absolute necessity of Faith to make particular application of him unto our selves Faith is a wise gift of God and it makes Believers wise unto Salvation Faith and knowledge are hand-fasted and may not be separated Joh. 17. 3. This is Life Eternal to know thee to be the true God and him whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. There can be saith a Learned Author no Knowledge without Faith nor any Faith without Knowledge 2. The Spirit of God as it opens the eyes so it inclines the will to yield ready Obedience unto Christ As soon as Divine Light breaks in upon the Soul by the powerful illumination of the Spirit then by the assistance of the same Spirit the will is made pliable and willing and becomes as swift in it's Motions as the Chariots of Aminadab to embrace Jesus Christ with the Arms of Faith Now we cannot Cant. 6. 12. John 6. 44. Cant. 1. 4. come to Christ unless the Father draw us Wherefore the Spouse prays draw me and I will run after thee Though we are not to be accounted as meer Stocks and Stones Because God hath endew'd us with a reasonable Soul and the faculties of understanding and Will yet unless we be assisted with Supernatural strength we cannot perform any Supernatural works We must fetch strength from Heaven otherwise we cannot perform any Spiritual action in a Spiritual manner But being prevented and assisted by Divine Grace we can cooperate through the assistance of that Strength as the Apostle professeth Phil. 4. 13. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me We cannot understand any saving Mystery till the Spirit inlightens us neither can we will any good thing till the Spirit of God inclines us But by the assistance of the Spirit we have our eyes opened to discern what is good and our Wills inclind to act what is good Having mentioned the Internal means of getting and increasing Faith I come now to the External means and External means of getting increasing Faith they are three the Word Prayer and the Lords Supper 1. The Word is an External means 1. The Word is a means to get and encrease Faith both to get and increase Faith and we are to consider the Word in a threefold Capacity as it is Read Preached
our Signs there is no more any Prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long Eligat opportunitatem qui libere dat misericordiam Aug. However it is a grand Duty incumbent on us to be earnest in Prayers and Supplications in the behalf of the Church as Psal 14. v. ult Psal 126. 4. Isa 62. 1 7 8. Some others there are who are inwardly Wounded and that Wound must needs be more full of dolour and Prov. 18. 14. anguish A wounded Spirit Who can bear God withdraws Deus unus animum fractum quassatum erigere restaurare potest idque verbo suo â—uâ— innitentes e naufragio emergemus caput attollemus Carthw the Light of his gracious Countenance from them and this is their greatest affliction They complain frequently of their Troubles by reason of Gods hiding his Face from them The Terrours of the Almighty affright them and Sorrow drinks up their Spirits To such are many suitable Promises to be applyed and the Application of them to themselves in particular is matter of singular Consolation Particularly let them Read and Meditate on what they Read viz. Psal 94. 11. Psal 112. 5. Isa 50. 10. He that Woundeth can only Heal Hos 6. 1. Una eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit Whether the Wound be outward on the Body or Estate or inward on the Soul and Spirit we must make our Adresses and Applications to that one only Healer the great God of Heaven and Earth Exod. 15. 26. For I am the Lord that healeth thee And our Duty is to make use of Gods healing Medicines Jer. 8. 22. What then is our great Duty but to hearken what God speaks in his Word and beware of Relapses Corporal Relapses are dangerous but Spiritual much more Psal 85. 8. I will hear what God the Lord will Speak For he will Speak Peace unto his People and to his Saints But let them not turn again to Folly CHAP. IV. Contains a Third Argument drawn from God's Providences A Third Argument shall be drawn Arg 3 from divine Providences from divine Providences God's Providences fulfil his Promises As God promiseth help supplies and succours unto his People so by his good Hand of Providence he performs what he hath Promised God Promised great things to Abraham Gen. 17. 1 2. And when Abraham was Ninety Years Old and Nine the Lord appeared to Abraham and said unto him I am the Almighty God Walk before Me and be thou Perfect And I will make my Covenant between me and thee and will Multiply thee exceedingly And God made his Word good to a tittle to him For God gave him Riches in abundance and a numerous Posterity and in him were all the Families of the Earth blessed At God's Command Abraham Heb. 11. 8. left the Land of his Nativity he disputed Valde commendat Abrahamum credulitas promissionis quoniam immediate credidit Deo relinquendo presentia dulciâ— chara ut obediret Deo propter absentia quae non videbat Tena not the Command but yeilded Obedience thereunto And where ever he went he had abundant experience of God's gracious Providence He and his Wife though exposed to great Temptations were safely preserved in the Court of Abimelech As soon as he went Gen. 12. 10. into Canaan there was a Famine in the Land yet God made Provision for him and Preserved him whither ever he went and he obtained Favour both in the Eyes of God and Man Not to multiply many more Instances In Joseph there was a Concatenation of several signal Acts of Providence Although he was envyed by his Brethren cast into the Pit sold to the Ishmaelites and by them to Potiphar Yet God was with him And when Act. 7. 9. through the false accusations of his Mistress he was cast into Prison yet God Gen. 39. 29. was with him in Prison and gave him favour in the Eyes of the Keeper of the Prison It 's very probable that there were several Prisons in Egypt but Joseph was cast into that very Prison where the King's Servants the chief Butler and Baker were Prisoners And it came to pass that each of the King's Servants Dreamed and Joseph Interpreted their Dreams and the Interpretation accordingly was Fulfilled for the chief Butler was restored unto his Place and the Gen. 40. 21 22. chief Baker was Hanged Joseph might hope that he had now purchased a good Friend at Court he reckoned upon the chief Butlers Friendship but he as soon as restored to his Place forgot Joseph Gen. 40. 23. He ungratefully past an act of oblivion of his Ingagements to Joseph But God's time is not yet come for Joseph's Deliverance Wherefore Pharaoh himself Dreams and then the chief Butler remembers his faults and becomes a Remembrancer of Joseph's Skill in Interpreting Dreams Hereupon Joseph is sent for and Interpreteth Pharaoh's Dreams and for his great Wisdom and Understanding is preferred by Pharaoh to be Ruler over all the Land of Egypt And here 's a further Remark of Providence that Joseph hath a Price put into his Hand to be not only under God a Saviour of all Egypt but likewise of his Father and Brethren For when the Famine was in Egypt Cannan and other Places Joseph supplyed their Wants and through God's Blessing upon his wife and provident care preserved multitudes of Families from Perishing Joseph himself acknowledged Act. 7. 9. Non esâ— sine exâ—mplo quod Deus benefacit iis quibus vos nocetis maxime Grot. God's Hand in all things And St. Stephen making an Historical Narration of the several signal Providences exercised towards Joseph ascribes all to the Hand of God remarkable in Joseph's Preservation notwithstanding the envy hatred and malice of his Brethren To this History of Joseph we may add a series of divine Providences fastned together concerning the deliverance of the Jews from the bloody Designs of Haman Although Haman was highly advanced by Ahassuerus and obtained the King's Seal and Pur was cast even a day design'd by Lot for a barbarous Massacre yet Esther by a wonderful Providence though she was a Jew was advanced to be Queen instead of Vasthi She certified the King of Mordecai's faithfulness in discovering a Treason and Mordecai's Loyalty was Chronicled In perpetuam rei memoriam Esther Invited the King to a Banquet and Haman was Invited likewise She then interceded for the People of the Jews and Haman's intended Mischief was seasonably prevented and his horrid Design'd Wickedness fell upon his own Pate The Table proved a snare and the Banquet a forerunner of Hamans Destruction Mordecai was a Loyal and true hearted Subject to the King but Haman hated him for not doing | Non solum consuetudo sed etiam lex domestica Iudaeorum diserte vetat honorem deo debitum ulli mortalium exhibere Drus. in Est 3. 2. that reverence which he expected from him Some are of Opinion that Haman expected more
Tempestuous Waves of the Sea dashing one upon another with renewed Violence Now though Job could not remove these heavy Afflictions yet he found the Sense of them much abated and his Spirit much quieted by Praising God for all and acknowledging the Hand of God in all as appears Job 1. 21. Third However though Afflictions 3. Afflictions are Sanctified continue very great and painful and neither removeable nor sense of Mitigation appears at present yet the worst of Afflictions are through Mercy Sanctified to the Children of God Affliction in it self is not Bonum yet it 's turn'd in Bonum to the Good of all true Believers The Good Figgs were carried away Captive for their Good Jer. 24. 5. The Tribe of Judah resembled by those Good Figgs was carried away Captive into Babylon but God wrought Good for them out of their Captivity Men would be apt to pass Censures because of the Sufferings of Judah in their Captivity but the Lord Corrects their Censures in promising that all shall be for their Good Quasi diceret prepostere fieri judicium de calamitate paucorum annorum sed expectandum esse finem Calvin in Jer. 24. 5. Luther in Gen. 6. As if he should say That a Judgment of the Calamity of a few Years is made preposterously but the End must be expected as Calvin observes on the place fore-quoted Jer. 24. 5. The Lord Professeth that he humbled and proved his People and his end was to do them Good in the latter End Deut. 8. 16. We are Corrected for our Profit Heb. 12. 10. Luther used to say Schola crucis est Schola lucis non est Christanus qui non est crucianus It 's a common saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Corrections are Instructions so they should be and they are happy where Correction and Instruction meet together as the Psalmist Cum vibices dorso meo imprimeres precepta tua cordi meo insculpsisti Rivet in Psalm expresseth Psal 94. 12. Blessed is the Man whom thou chastneth O Lord and teachest him out of thy Law Joseph's Brethren when they were in distress in Egypt reflected upon their Sin and were perplexed for it which was committed many Years before and lookt upon their present Suffering as a just Punishment for that Sin Gen. 42. 21. And they said one to another we are verily Prius quam urgeret eos afflictio tor pebant nunc ingredi coguntur in suas conscientias Calvin in Gen. 42. 21. Guilty concerning our Brother in that we saw the Anguish of his Soul when he besought us and we would not hear therefore is this Distress come upon us They are good Observations Oculos quos culpa claudit poena aperit vexatio Qui tribulantur Sacras Scripturas melius intelligunt Secundi prosperi eas leguâ—â— sicut Oviâ—ii carmen Luther dat intellectum The Fiery Furnace did not hurt the Three Children Only Three were cast into the Furnace but there appeared a Fourth even the Angel of God for their Deliverance The nature of Fire was changed insomuch as it had no power so much as to Singe an Hair of their Heads The Mouths of the Lyons were stopt and could not hurt Daniel Daniel was Dan. 7. 22. cast alone into the Den but he was not alone there for he had the company of an Angel of God who was sent to shut the Lyons Mouths The Deluge of Water which Drowned the whole World did not drown Noah's Ark. but bare it up so Afflictions when Sanctified are so far from hurting God's Children as they help them and lift them up nigher to Heaven Afflictions are as a vantage ground to raise them higher to see a great deal further or like so many Looking-Glasses to represent to the Children of God their Stains and Deformities I shall apply a saying of St. Ambrose Quod pateris unde plangis Medicina est tibi non poena castigatio non damnatio noli repellere flagellum Domini nisi vis repelli ab haereditate Tribuâ—atio est aqua salsa quae Scabiem purgat abstergit Guil. Paris de morib 9. It 's reported that salt Marishes cure disseased Sheep I am sure Salt preserves Meat from Putrifaction Scullions scoure away Rust from Vessels The Fan separates the Wheat from the Chaff much more do Afflictions when Sanctifi'd advantage God's Children But we must know that it was not the moving Veniet tribulatio mea veniet purgatio mea August Psal 61. Joh. 5. 4. of the Waters of the pool of Bethesda that made them Healing but it was the coming of the Angel at a certain Season who troubled the Waters and afterwards who ever stept in first was Healed It was not the Mantle of Elijah that divided the Waters but the God of Elijah neither will Troubles Losses Sufferings meerly considered as in themselves do us any good unless the Lord Sanctify them to us and by them Purge Purify Refine and Cleanse us and make us partakers of his Holiness Wherefore our Duty is with a calm and sedate Spirit to submit unto God's Correcting Hand and act Faith on Promises and exercise Patience and Pray Job 36. 10. that God would open our Ears to receive Discipline and Purge out our Dross and Tin so that by Afflictions and Corrections our Sins and Corruptions may be wrought out and Graces wrought into our Hearts If Afflictions produce such good Effects we shall be exceeding great Gainers by our Losses and after a deliberate reflecting upon all our Sufferrings we shall Experimentally conclude with David every one of us in particular as Psal 119. 67. Before I was Afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy Words Comp. with vers 17. It is good for me that I have been Afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes What great benefit God's People get by their Sufferings is evidently Represented Psal 68. 13. Though ye have lain among the Pots yet shall ye be as the Wings of a Dove covered with Silver and her Feathers with yellow Gold | Etiam jacueritis inter vasa plena fuliginis i. e. oppressi fueritis magna calamitate candidi laetique reddemini ob liberationem Vatab. This as good Authors observe sets forth the happy Issue of Afflictions and the great Benefit which the People of God get by them but of this more largely in the next particular Fourthly and lastly though Afflictions 4thly Vnde sequitur non semper jucunda serenitate frui Ecclesiam sed ex tenebris erutam splendorem recuperare ac si ab omni malo intacta foret Calv. may be heavy for a time yet the exceeding great Compensation and Profit acruing in the close will make amends for all So it was with Job Jam. 5. 11. Ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord. And what that was we have Recorded Job 42 10. | Scriptura monet ipsi duplo facultates amissas fuisse
Schoot their keenest Shafts of Malice and Hatred The best of Men oftentimes Drinks deep of the Cup of Affliction Psal 34. 19. Acts 14. 22. 2 Tim. 3. 12. John 16. 33. Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous They enter into Heaven Through many Tribulations All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must Suffer Persecution Christ hath foretold that his Children should in the World meet with Tribulations The Title of Psalm 22. is Aijeleth Shahar i. e. The Hind of the Morning Hunted and Pursued That Psalm is a Prophesy of Christ's Sufferings and upon a serious Comparing of it with Mat. 27. we shall find this Chapter to be a perfect Commentary upon that Psalm But if we ask How comes it to pass Quest that the Righteous and Holy Servants of God Suffer such hard things and meet with such great Sufferings in this World I shall lay down an Answer in these ensuing Particulars Answ 1 The Godly have not their Portion in this Life Mich. 2. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 4. First The Godly have a Portion prepared for them in a better Life Here is not their Portion here is not their Riches Here is not their Rest. They have a brave Reversion i. e. the Kingdom of Heaven That 's Christ's Purchase and the Saints Inheritance This is a Crown of Glory that Fadeth not away This is an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled and that Fadeth not away Reserved in Heaven for all true Believers When Anaxagoras was ask't Hast thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no Care of thy Country Yes saith he I have a great Care of my Country and he Stretched out his Hand towards Heaven implying that Heaven was his Country The Godly have as it were an Hell here in this World by reason of Persecution Ignominy Disgrace and the Hearing and Seeing the Abominations of Wicked Men The Wicked have as it were an Heaven in this World for so they Esteem their Bravery and Jollity They are Described in their Characters Plal. 73. 5 6 7. They are not in Trouble as other Men neither are they Plagued like other Men. Therefore Pride compasseth them about as a Chain Violence covereth them as a Garment Their Eyes stand out with Fatness | Stultae corum cogitationes nullis finibus possunt claudi aut coreceri Quo enim plura affluant eo Majora appetunt subinde Cupiditates hominum sunt insatiabiles Mollenus they have more than Heart can wish Now who of Understanding would Envy such Men their Portion which they Possess for a few days and afterwards become Miserable unto all Eternity A good Man said well if it be well Interpreted Give me Heavens Misery i. e. Afflictions Troubles and Sufferings which meet us in our Way to Heaven And take thou Hells Happiness i. e. the Pleasures Profits and Riches of this World which is all the Heaven that Wicked Men shall have Better to go with Lazarus full of Sores to Heaven than with the Rich Glutton in all his Mirth and Jollity to Hell The Contemplation of Heaven and Meditation of the Glory that shall be Revealed will Sweeten the most bitter Pill of Affliction Second Whatsoever Afflictions God's 2. The Afflictions of God's People are Sanctified People Suffer they are Sanctified unto them by God's gracious Hand and turned unto their greater Good as is evident from Rom. 8. 28. There 's no Exception All things Be they Losses Persecutions Imprisonments Exiles even the greatest Mischief that Men and Devils can contrive against God's Children Yet all Shall work together | Non dicit quod non accedat quicquam periculi caeterum ad bonum cooperetur hoc est quod ipsis periculis utatur ad bonorum insidias calamitates sustinentium probationem Occumen for Good to them By Afflictions God's Children are defecated by being emptied from Vessel to Vessel they are Rinsed and Cleansed by being cast into the Furnace their Dross is took away He that ran a Sword into his Enemy with an intention to Kill him let out his Imposthume and so against his will saved his Life So wicked and violent Adversaries may against their will do good to the Children of God They may put them more and more upon searching their own Hearts and upon more circumspect Walking Carthage Emulating Rome and Rome Emulating Carthage both of them became mutually more Industrious likewise more VVatchful and more Valorous But sure I am that God so Orders the Sufferings of his People as to make them gainers thereby Although their Enemies intend nothing but Ruin and Destruction to them yet God brings much Good out of the Evil Designs of the vilest Periissem nisi periissem Themistocles inveterate Enemies so that Experimentally a Suffering Servant of God can say I had Perished unless I had Perished Third The Afflictions and greatest 3. The Saints Afflictions are but Momentary Sufferings are but Momentary for at the longest they last but while they Live in this vale of Tears in this present World but the Mercies reserved for them last to all Eternity There are grand Incouragements from Three choice Scriptures one is Isa 54. 7 8. For a small Moment have I forsaken thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee for a Moment but with everlasting kindness will I have Mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer The other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Puto hoc ipsum esse quod Latini verbo Reor signisicant unde ratum dicitur quod certum ac firmum censeri debet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vertimus pro câ—gitare reputare colligere imputare Beza Scripture is Rom. 8. 18. For I reckon that the Sufferings of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us A Third Scripture is 2 Cor. 4. 17. For our light Affliction which is but for a Moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and Eternal weight of Glory That Christian who lives upon these Scriptures and makes particular Application of them to his own Soul he needs not fear the most boisterous Storms and Tempests Act. 27. 1â— Ejus est timere mortem qui ad Christum nolit ire Cypr. no not that Tempestuous Wind called Euroclydon He that hath Interest in Christ and is assured of God's Love need not be afraid of Fiery Serpents Sons of Anak and Beasts of Ephesus for there is more for him than can be against him Rom. 8. 31. What shall we say then to these things If God be for us who can be against us Caesar comforted the Boat-man with this saying Be of good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Comfort Thou carriest Caesar Thus in a Storm he cheared up the Boat-man but how much greater ground of Incouragement is it in Afflictions to have Christ's Presence and the Consolations of his Spirit these will hold up the Head above Water and keep thee from
32. Things For one to have the Good Things of this Life as Riches and Honours and to have Christ with them to have them Sanctifyed this is the Mercy indeed And Fourthly and Lastly Here is the 4 Ground of Comfort is Hope of Eternal Glory greatest Ground of Comfort even the Hope of Eternal Glory Whatever be the Sorrow in Seed-Time the Harvest will make amends for all Whatever be the Losses the Riches of Christ will make abundant Compensation The Kingdom of Heaven the Glory to be revealed the Eternal Sabbath the Beatifical Vision these are in the Eye Heart and Meditation of the Saints of God Wherefore with Moses they look unto the Recompence of Reward with Stephen Heb. 11. 26. they see Christ amidst their Sufferings and with Moses see him who is Heb. 11. 27. Invisible Compare the Outward Sufferings with Inward Comforts and especially Transient Sorrows with Eternal Joyes and there will be abundant Cause of Comfort notwithstanding the greatest Afflictions that are on us or may befal us in this present World Heaven will make amends for all and the Consolations of God are sufficient for us Amidst Fears and Perplexities for real or imaginary Losses let us Comfort our selves with the Text and take Counsel from the Man of God his Answer to Amaziah viz. The Lord is Able to Give us much More than This. And upon this Consideration our Spirits will be Revived and Supported in the Times of Jacob's Troubles FINIS THE CONTENTS OF THE First Treatise Chap. I. Containing the Coherence and Exposition of the Words the Division of them and a Doctrine inferr'd from them page 1 unto page 12. Chap. II. Contains the Method of Proceeding therein the First Argument took from God ' s Attributes pag. 12 unto pag. 32. Chap. III. Contains a Second Argument drawn from God ' s Promises p. 32 unto p. 37. Chap. IV. A Third Argument is took from God ' s Providences p. 37 unto p. 52. Chap. V. Contains a Fourth Argument took from the Saints Experiences p. 52 unto p. 59. Chap. VI. Contains the Demonstration of the Doctrine by Reasons and first from Necessity of Precept p. 59 unto p. 65. Chap. VII Proves the Doctrine from the Necessity of Means in Four Particulars p. 66 unto p. 77. Chap. VIII Contains a Second Reason which is took from the Excellency of a Quiet and Submissive Frame of Spirit p. 77 unto p. 89. Chap. IX Contains a Third Reason drawn from the Vtility and Benefit accruâ—ng from this yielding submissive Spirit p. 89 unto p. 99. Chap. X. Contains a Fourth Reason concerning the sad and mischievous Consequences of Striving Strugling and Repining against God p. 99 unto p. 102. Chap. XI Contains a Resolution of Particular Cases p. 102 unto p. 130. Chap. XII Contains an Vse of Reprehension to Vnbelievers Murmurers and rash Censurers p. 130 unto p. 143. Chap. XIII Contains an Vse of Exhortation with several Motives to depend on God's All-Sufficiency p. 143. p. 153. Chap. XIV Discovers Two Grand Impediments viz. Covetousness and Hypocrisie p. 153. unto p. 160. Chap. XV. Directs to Three special Duties viz. To live by Faith To set the Spirit of Prayer a working and To get a meek and quiet Spirit p. 160 unto p. 180. Chap. XVI Containing a Third Vse for Examination in Five Queries p. 181 unto p. 195. Chap. XVII Containing the Fourth and Last Vse for Consolation p. 196 unto the End p. 207. ERRATA In the First Treatise PAge 3. in the Margent r. aegre velli potest p. 27. Marg. r. Paterculus p. 35. Marg. r. restaurare and naufragio p. 39. Marg. r. Benefacit p. 43. liâ—e 5. r. Thirst p. 53. lin 5. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 64. Marg. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 79. Marg. r. Salv. and punimur p. 92. Marg. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 117. Marg. r. Exemptus p. 127. lin 19. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 144. Marg. r. conscientiam afflictam and excitare p. 167. lin 26. r. Jam. 4. p. 170. Marg. r. profectae p. 173. Marg. r. vos p. 193. Marg. r. amittere p. 197. lin 3. r. none THE Second TREATISE Concerning the PRECIOUSNESS OF CHRIST Preach'd long since for the substance thereof but since much inlarged at St. MARIES OXON By Henry Wilkinson D. D. Then Principal of Magdalen-Hall Matth. 13. 45 46. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man seeking goodly Pearls who when he had found one Pearl of great Price went and sold all that he had and bought it LONDON Printed for John Kidgel at the Great-Atlas in Cornhill 1681. TO THE Candid READER WHAT here Reader I present to thy View and as I hope to thy Candid Interpretation I Preach'd many Years agoe at St. Maries in Oxford Since I have form'd it a Treatise with Inlargements The Subject Discoursed on is The Preciousness infinite Dignity and Value of our Blessed Lord and only Saviour Jesus Christ The Wise Merchant in the Parable Sold all and Bought this Pearl of great price It 's Chrysostomes Observation Matth. 13. 45 46. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysoft in loc Christ is the Pearl of infinite Value if you sell not all you cannot purchase it It 's worth our best Inquiry to ask who are they that put the highest price and estimation upon our Holy Lord Jesus The Text gives a full Answer Unto you which believe he is precious Only true Believers value Christ above all others The Vnbelieving Gadarens preferred their Swine before a Saviour and Demas valued the World above Christ and his Apostles It 's Recorded in History that a Profane Duke of Bâ—â—â—on proâ—est That he would not leave his part in Paris for his part in Paradice It 's no new thing for Swine and such who though they are in Meâ—s shape who have Brutish Qualities to trample precious Pearls under their Feet they resemble the Dung-hill Cock in the Fable who would rather have a Grain of Barley than all the Jewels in the World But a True Believer who hath Experimental Knowledge of the Superlative worth of Christ values him at a higher Price than all the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them It 's evident how highly the Love-sick-Spouse valued Christ Câ—â—â—t 4. 10 11 12. A Holy Martyr when the Flames were about his Ears Cryed out None but Christ None but Christ And John Lambert Mr. Bradford that eminently precious Martyr often poured out abundance of Tears upon his Trencher as he sate at Table and being asked the reason why he Wept he Answered because he could not bring his dull Heart to love Christ more than he did Mr. Calamy late Pastor of Aldermanbury an Eminent and Faithful Minister of the Gospel who though Dead speaks in choice Works and Exemplary Conversation amongst many other excellent Writings of his in Print put forth a very â—seful Book well worth the reading over and over again call'd The Godly Mans Ark in the
the Holy Ghost There was no concurrence of Man As Christs Name so was his Birth and Conception wonderful You have the History of Opus erat virtute agente virtute non humanâ sed divina ex immundis enim genitus nec mundus esse potuisset formaliter nec mundans efficienter Unde â—andem quidem naturam communicatam habere debebat sed modo communicationi diverso debet esse ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secundum divinam nâ—turam sic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secundum humanam ut plene responderet typo Melchisidechi Spanh dub Evang. both Matt. 1. 18 19 20 21 c. This is the mystery that the very Angels desire to peep into 1 Pet. 1. 12. Angels Proclaim it Wisemen came from the East to see it All the Heathen Oracles ceased Christ the Eternal God the Antient of days became became the Infant of days he whom the Heaven of Heavens could not contain lay inclosed in the Virgins Womb and when he was brought forth he was laid in a Manger That the Lord Christ the Eternal God should be wrapt up in Swadling Cloathes and became a Child This is an Evident Proof of his Humane Nature The * Quem Coelum Terra benedicit in praesepi angusto collocatur numeratur in saeculo qui est ante saecula Christus Jesus heri hodie idem ipse insaecula Aug. S. p. 589. Edit Frob. Fathers rise high in expression of this high Mystery †Christus multis servis in mundo minor esset aetate ipso mundo antiquior sine vetustate Homo fieret qui hominem fecit crearetur ex matre quâ—m creavit portaretur manibus quas formavit sugeret ubera quae implevit in praesepi muta vagiret infantia c. Aug. de Temp. Serm. 21. That Christ should be made of that Woman who was made of him that Christ should be before all Ages and yet born in time These are Transcendent Mysteries We may not be over curiously inquisitive lest with the Men of Bethshemesh we smart for our curiosity Let it suffice us to believe that which we read in Scripture revealed and let us acquiesce in that belief 2. Christs Humane Nature may be easily Reas 2 Christs Humane Nature proved by his Life proved by his Life If we consider his actions of eating and drinking and his infirmities which were not sinful of Hunger Thirst and Weariness his Weeping at Lazarus his Funeral these are evident proofs of his Manhood Now Weeping Thirsting Hunger and Weariness are Infirmities incident only to Mankind These and all such Infirmities free from Sin were incident unto Christ Indeed Lameness Deafness Blindness and such like which are only incident to individuals and some particular persons these Christ had not But those Infirmities which are in Common to Mankind as Weakness Hunger c. these Christ was subject unto The Gospel gives many Instances as Matth. 4. 2. Joh. 4. 7. Joh. 11. 35. Joh. 4. 6. I refer my Reader to the perusal of those Scriptures 3. Christs Humane Nature appears by Reas 3 Christs Humane Nature proved from his Death and Passion his Death and Passion The God-head is impassible and hath neither Body nor Parts But Christ assumed an humane Body The Apostle Heb. 10. 5. which is taken out of Psal 40. 6. gives a full proof Sacrifice and Burnt-offerings thou wouldst not but a Body hast thou prepared me Christ had a real Body and therefore Marcion who held that Christs Body was Phantastical in Semblance and shew only likewise Manes and his Followers who held that Christ brought his Body from Heaven and Valentinus who held that Christ had an aerial Body and assumed nothing of Mary but only passed as Water through a Channel these Hereticks with their Heresies have been long since exploded and Condemned and they are not worth reviving by any repetition unless for a larger confutation Now the self same Body which was of the Flesh and Substance of the Virgin Mary was Buffeted Scourged Crowned with Thorns Spit upon Crucified Christ as the Apostle tells us Phil. 2. 8. Became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross Object But it will be Objected Is this for Christs Dignity and Honour to become incarnate My Argument I treat on is concerning Christs Dignity How can Christs Dignity and Incarnation stand together Answ For Answer Though it 's a great Humiliation in Christ to be incarnate and to assume Humane Nature yet his Divine Nature puts Glory and Honour upon the Humane Nature for what * Quamvis nulla substantia digna est ut Deus induat quodcunque tamen induerit ipse dignum facit Tertull. ever God assumes he makes honourable Christ advanceth the Humane Nature by taking Flesh upon him He sanctifieth it and afterwards will bring it unto Glory 3. Let 's consider the Hypostatical Uninion 3. The Hypostatical Union that Christ is God and Man in one Person these two Natures of Christ * Paulus eximiam Christi commendationem habet quaeduas in eo naturas disertè coâ—fitetur Humana natura indicatur his verbis Ex Judaeis secundum Carnem Nam per carnem Phrasi Hebraica tâ—tus homo intelligitur Divina natura apertissime describitur his verbis Qui est super omnia benedictus in saecula Pet. Mart. in Rom. 9. 5. as Peter Martyr observes are plainly set forth from Rom. 9. 5. Of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God Blessed for ever How this may be understood I have read thus shadowed by a Similitude One Tree may be set into another and it groweth in the Stock thereof and becomes one and the same Tree though there may remain two Natures or Kinds of Fruits So in the Son of God made Man though there be two Natures yet both being united into one Person there is but one Son of God There are four * Quatuor haec adverbia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 totidem haeresibus in Symbolo Chalcedonensi opposit a sunt Adverbs which oppose so many Heresies and represent this Union viz. Inconfusedly Inconvertibly Undividedly Unseparably 1. Inconfusedly i. e. The Natures and Proprieties of the Natures remain still distinct There is no change or confusion in them When one propriety is given to another as when we read Christ purchased his Church aa Act. 20. 28. Salvâ proprietate utriusque naturâ— in unâ—m coâ—unte personam suscepta est à Majestate humilitas Eâ— naturâ— inviolabilis unita est passibili Tertull. contra Prax. with his Blood The Son of God bb Gal. 4. 4. was made of a Woman The cc 1 Cor. 2. 8. Per haec qui erat Dei filius factus est hominis filius assumptione inferioris non versione potioris accipiendo ipse quod non erat non â—mittendo quod erat Aug. de temp Permanente integro statu divinitatis assumpsit hominem Dei filius nec amisit quod
his Side Hands and Feet 2. In putting up Prayers in his own Name and making continual Supplication unto the Father as a Mediator and as an Advocate as an High-Priest interceeding for us at the Throne of Grace Christ is the great Master of Requests who prefers the Petitions of his People unto his Father The High-Priest when he was to make an attonement for the People entred into the Holy of Holies with Blood and Incense So Christ our High-Priest in Heaven presentâ— his Blood and the sweet Incense of his Prayers Rev. 8. 2. And I saw the seven Angels which stood before God and to them were given seven Trumpets And another came and stood at the Altar having a Golden Censer and much Incense was given to him that he should offer c. Heb. 9. 12 23 24. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entred in once into the Holy place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us v. 23 24. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens should be purified with these but the heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifice than these For Christ is not entred into the Holy places made with Hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Q Let us inquire into the fruit and benefit 2. Benefits of this Intercession 1. We are acquitted from all our Adversaries of this Intercession 1. We are acquitted from all Adversaries even from Sin Satan and the Law having interest in the Intercession of Christ we are freed from all Accusations and Condemnations of the greatest Adversaries * Qualis est ista incercessio non oralâ—â— sed realâ—â— ex merâ suipsius in cruce oblati repraesentatione Hinc est quod dicitur comparere corâ— Deo pro nobis D. Tuis Vindic. l. 1. part 2. Sect. 23. Rom. 8. 34. Who is he that Condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us Here are four things to acquit all Believers from Condemnation viz. Christs Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession Christ died to give Life unto his People He rose again and became the first Fruit of them that slept Christ Ascended on high and gave gifts to Men and he interceeds at the Throne of Grace presenting his Bloody Sufferings and the vertue of them unto the Father for a full and compleat satisfaction 2. Christ by his Intercession teacheth 2. Christ by his Intercession teacheth us to Pray us to pray and to make our Intercessions and Supplications unto the Throne of Grace We of our selves cannot put up one Meritorious Petition though we might gain the whole World for so doing For we pray coldly rawly and indigestedly with much deadness disorder and distraction of Spirit but these Prayers come not so to God the Father as they are presented by us for Christ mends them in the carriage and presents them in his own Name unto the Father and for his Rom. 8. 26. Quasi dicat cum mole tentationis oppressi nescimus orare ipse spirâ—tus qui in nobis habitat exerit se orationem in animo excitat Bucer in Loc. 3. Through Christs Intercession our duties and works obtain acceptance sake alone we obtain acceptance with the Father Christ interceeds to the Father for us and his Spirit helpeth our Infirmities and maketh intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered The Spirit of Christ doth two great works One is to make intercession for us and the other is to help us to make intercession for our selves By the assistance of the Spirit we can Pray and Sigh and Groan in such prevailing Rhetorick as will obtain acceptance but without the assistance of the Spirit we cannot Pray nor express our selves in any acceptable manner 3. Through Christs intercession our Duties and works obtain acceptance As for our selves and our own righteousness we have great cause to confess with the Church Isaiah 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy Rags But through Christs Reconciliation and acceptance our works obtain acceptance Though there be no worth in the work nor in the workers yet there is through Christ acceptation and imputation a worthiness accompted of in the sight of God as Joshua was to have his filthy Garments took from him * Semper in animum sibi revocent verbi divini precones impositum sibi esse cidarim mundam cui inscriptum sanctitas Jehovae proinde ei studeant ipsi ut aliâ— idem faciaut hortentur sedulo ut sint typi fidelium Tarnovius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habet quo significat spiritum singulari contentione studio intercedere pro sanctis Buceru in Loc. Unà sublevat infirmitates nostras quasi dicatur ipse vicissim onus attollere ex altera parte ne sub eo fatiscamus Ut sensus sit sicut spiritus S. unâ— cum Patre filio testatur spiritui nostro nos esse filios Dei similiter idem spiritus cum â—sdem opitulatur infirmitatibus nostris L. de Dieu Zech. 3. 4. So in the best of our duties there is filthiness and we stand in continual need of the inestimable benefit of our Intercessour who takes away our Pollutions and not only acquits us from the Guilt of Sin but cleanseth us from the filth of Sin He doth purge us as well as pardon us and sanctifie us by his Spirit as well as justifie us by his Righteousness Hence it comes to pass that the services of all such â—s have interest in Christ are accepted at the Throne of Grace and though in us there are many weaknesses and Imperfections yet Sincerity is accepted And though there are manifold failings in our Duties yet all are made perfect through the perfect satisfaction of Christ for he as a surety hath paid our Debt and fully satisfied the Father by doing and suffering all that the Law required Christ is the Beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased Mat. 3. ult CHAP. V. Concerning Christs Prophetical Office SECT I. Why Christ must be a Prophet HAving insisted largly on Christs Sacerdotal Office I come now to his Prophetical and Regal Office and I shall be more brief in the handling of these not intending a just volume of this Argument only so far I may inlarge as may afford good Measure full prest and running over for the further Demonstration of the Doctrine that I insist upon viz. The inestimable Dignity of Christ In the 2d place it follows that I should 2 Of Christs Prophetical Office treat of Christs Prophetical Office Christ is called * Deut. 18. 5. Christus dicitur Nabi Propheta est autem Nabi usu scripturae is qui profundiora de Deo deque rebus divinus disserit qui mentem divinam hominibus aperit saepius