is like the Gaderenes still crying Depart ye professors we desire neither your company nor acquaintance How often is it that the men of the world are not at home though at home but wishing this and that because a childe of God is in his house he thinketh every minute seven till he hath done talking and done companying and however his seemings may be yet inwardly he says Depart I desire not your company nor acquaintance O that I were rid of this same fellow not friend though he be a neighbor or a Town-dweller yet being a professor he will not be familiar But now let this worldling have but one of its worldly brats come in O what stroaking soothing and suckering and shaking of hands and brother and brother and brother in iniquity he hath all the welcome as at house and home but to professors the world is not at home to them nor they unto the world like as strangers cold in acquaintance and cold in entertainment And the like measure from the world and in the world findes Christ himself he had but little acquaintance but fewer friends but cold entertainment from all And as he is so are the Saints in this world 1 John 4. 17. and let not Gods children look for better but if we finde the like let us take up Pauls resolution and say and pray and live but not in the worlds crowns nor crosses but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom or whereby the world is crucified unto us and we unto the world Gal. 6. 14. 2. Saints are strangers on the earth in In regard of their desires regard of their desires True it is they are not in their persons until their change comes but in regard of their affections and spiritual desires before their change Saith Paul Phil. 1. 23. I desire to depart and to be with Christ Heaven is my home and Christ is my habitation yea and however I am here in the body yet I am but as a stranger my affections and desires are with the Lord and that at present while we are in the body we wait till our change comes And what is our desire in the mean while David tells you the Saints and holy souls desire in their present state Psa 73. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is nothing upon earth that I desire besides thee yea though flesh and heart fail yet my desires faint not but in the midst of all my faintings and failings the Lord is the strength and support of my soul and my everlasting portion Ask a worldling Where is your home and your desires at morning noon night and they must tell you in the world and worldly cares our home and heart is where our treasure is laboring all day and casting at night for the things of this life Our conversation is amongst the creatures this is our home and our desires are not to be removed But now ask a Christian Where is your home alas say they not in the body though I am in the body yet I am absent 2 Cor. 5. 6. from my home my home is with the Lord and my desires are to be at home Judge world as you will of the worth of the soul and the esteem of heaven which is mine and my fathers mansion yet methinks that is the place my conversation is in heaven and at present I cannot but desire home A strangers will say Home is home though never so homely So say Gods children in this world I am as it were out of doors I am but a stranger but yet I am hastening and desiring homeward I have another structure above this poor rabernacle in which my desires are centered and my faith is fixed on a home indeed not made with hands eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. 3. Saints are strangers not onely in regard 3. In regard of propriety of etertainment acquitance in the world and their desires to be in heaven but also in regard of their propriety of the things of the world though all be theirs yet they count nothing theirs Godliness saith the Apostle is profitable unto all things 1 Tim. 4. 8. having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Christians have a lawful use and propriety of creature-comforts as well as others but they dare not interest in them as do others The Christians are strangers and you know they may not hold and keep as do others but though all be theirs as life and goods death and stripes yea all contentments yea things present are the Saints propriety 1 Cor. 3. 22. yet they count nothing theirs but say to every contentment and comfort as well as every scorn and cross These are ours but in this we fix We are Christs and Christ is Gods The 1 Cor. 3. 23. sum of this is own'd and acted by the Saints as you may see Phil. 3. 8. And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I might win Christ comparing this but with the 7. ver and you shall clearly see his propriety Worldly gain was his but he counts it loss for Christ such a stranger and a trampler was the Apostle upon this worlds glory notwithstanding his right in all things And that this was the Saints practice being called unto for Christ mark their usuage from the world Heb. 10. 34. they were companions in bonds but took joyfully the spoiling of their goods there is their propriety but in that they took it joyfully there was their esteem and that in heaven there was better and more durable substance which shews their strangeness to their present possessions as the Apostle speaks as having all things and yet as possessing nothing 2 Cor. 6. 10. and as having nothing and yet possessing all things Seeming contradictions but real truth for a Christian to have all and nothing for Christ yea though all be theirs yet they count nothing theirs As strangers when they come to a friends house though they partake of a friends morsels and that with welcom with freeness and fulness yet they wil tel you though it be all good t is not so kindly They like this and eat that and taste of all but say they One bit at home is better and more sweet then all for I am a stranger notwithstanding all my entertainment one dish or one morsel at home is more kindly and sweet So it is with Christians while in this world they may have all things with welcom from the Lord while in this world and ofttimes they have many kindnesses the Lord spreads a Christians table in the midst of adversaries giving a poor soul much comfort solace and contentment yet saith the soul Notwithstanding all these kindnesses I receive in this world and that with the Lords welcom yet all is not
Solomon tells you of the vanity of the creatures but David tells you what he found himself in this world and what he found the Lord unto him in his distresses God was his Rock his Shield his Shepherd his Tower of Defence Psal 33. 1. Psal 18. 2. and in the Text you have his own experience and esteem of himself in the world I am a stranger in the earth hide not c. The Text is an Argumentative petition of Davids not to move God but that the Lord would move towards him in pity and compassion as the beggar when at the bountiful door knows he is Lord of nothing but the Master of the house is Lord of all and therefore he tells his condition I am hungry cold and comfortless naked house and harborless concluding him to be bountiful he tels his condition and therein requesteth pity and compassion Even thus doth David at the bountiful door of the Lords wisdom who giveth and upbraideth not Lord saith David I am not at home but in a Countrey where I want a guide I am far from father or friend in this tabernacle of clay I sojourn up and down as did my fathers I am not onely in my pilgrim-weeeds but in my journey wandring now here now there And whether shall I wander without directions guide me direct me and rule me for I am a traveller and a stranger forlorn without thy conduct and take but knowledge of me and my condition and I know thou wilt grant unto me thy pity and compassion Thus in general but more distinctly observe in the words these two parts 1. Davids confession 2. Davids supplication His confession in these words I am a stranger in the earth And then his supplication in this Hide not thy Commandments from me In the first part consider three things 1. Who is he that thus speaks and that is David a man after Gods own heart a precious Saint and Servant of the Lord. 2. What he is and that is in Office a King by experience a stranger and a pilgrim 3. Where he is and that is in the earth I am a stranger in the earth the word is Baarets By which is meant not onely in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the body but also all that pertaineth to the body yea his Crown and kingdom and his life too in comparison of his home his heaven and happiness And that earth is usually so taken I need say no more but the reciting of these Scriptures Psal 115. 16. and 24. 1. What more is needful in the unfolding of the terms you shall have it in the further prosecution of the Doctrines therein contained These three Truths or Doctrines will fairly be extracted and I suppose obvious unto the meanest capacity that consulteth with the words 1. That the Lords people or Gods Davids Doctr. are strangers in the earth Though they are present in the body yet they are strangers they are not at home they being absent from the Lord And I shall beseech you to feed on it a little in your meditation for I shall presently fasten on it for this present occasion onely give me leave to mention two more Doctrines which I will but onely name and so proceed 2. That Gods children are so far from living without a rule that wanting they beg of the Doctr. Lord for one Hide not thy commandments from me Contrary to some professors practice and contrary to such slanders of some upon Gods children in opinion for the Spirit of God teaches to live in and under rule but not without rule c. 3. That it is a Christians duty if not the creatures of mankinde to extract and Doctr. draw Arguments from their distresses as praying encouragements I do not say from our prosperity but from our misery and distress David doth not say I am a King or Rich and Honorable c. but from his dark and distressed part I am forlorn distrest a stranger Christians consider this in the midst of your afflictions What a mercy is it that you may go to God with them I am sad and pensive husbandless and comfortless and this as a praying encouragement as The Lord to be thy joy thy head and comforter c. And creatures consider this in the midst of all your wickedness and misery the Lord hates to hear you curse and swear but delights to hear thee pray and complain that thou art a sinner and undone without and for want of mercy But intending to speak of these some other opportunity I return unto our present occasion which I shall desire to speak unto from the first Doctrine namely That Gods people are strangers on the Doctr. earth Gera 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incola inquilinus That this is a truth clearly and plainly from the Text I suppose none will question but yet take one Scripture as a proof and parallel and that is Psal 39. 12. Hear my prayer O God and give ear unto my cry hold not thy peace at my tears for I am a stranger and a sojourner or as the word signifies a Tenant at will that liveth in such a place where neither father nor friends were born such was David and such was Abraham Isaac and Jacob as were all my fathers So are all the children strangers advena and sojourners out-commers and forraign born for so are all Gods children they are not born of blood though of the blood royal nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God John 1. 13. CHAP. II. Sheweth that Gods people are strangers and how I Shall unfold this Doctrine first by shewing you how and in what regard the Saints are Strangers in the earth and likewise the ground why they are said to be strangers and then make use of it to our present occasion First How are the Saints said to be strangers in this earth are they not livers dwellers and dealers in the earth as well as other of the children of men They are so but yet the Saints are strangers in the earth and that in these three respects 1. In regard of their entertainment and 1. In regard of entertainment acquaintance acquaintance I might make these distinct but for brevities sake in one and at once In these respects the children of God are strangers in the world as the children of Israel were in Egypt so are the Saints now And how was that was it not with hard entertainment with hard usage burthens and bondage was their greatest priviledges For Gods Israel to be under Task-masters so many years was very strange and yet very true Exod. 3. 7. And what more is now unto Gods children the world is still an Egypt unto them it stills strives to keep in bondage it tempts and stricks it entertains with burthens and acquaints with Mark 5. 17. woes We know strangers finde cold entertainment because of non-acquaintance The world
none can say certainly what they expect but I hope the best as well as others would you have me to say certainly that is more then Paul doth or I think any Saint Nay but do not so reckon Mark the Apostle not onely in the behalf of himself but of others also 2 Cor. 5 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens Mark Christians the Christians expectation not that every childe of God doth come up to this faith of certainty and assurance but we are all for to desire it as all strangers they desire home and know their home and travel after it though it be but by steps and strides yet a constant pace goes far so Christians must all keep journeying and going on though not coming to this attainment and thou poor weakling faith though thou canst not say so much yet think the more press hard and follow after though thou canst not go so fast as such whose evidence is sure Though thou canst not say I know and we know yet say I hope and it is best yea happy for that soul whose evidence is clear though we all cannot say We know yet let us not be sad but say We may know In this Pronoune We lies much divinity for the comfort of a Christian for we know we have tabernacles of clay poor bodies of dust and ashes And why should not we know we have a building of God with all such properties as not made with hands eternal in the heavens Methinks every Christian is like a stranger and a traveller that comes into his Inn and takes up his lodging for a night the people bring him meat and drink and gives him bed and board but they know not whence he comes nor whether he goes but now he knows himself where he goes and whether he would so Christians though the world knows not yet they do For we know c. I am a traveller and a stranger but I have a home a house a heaven a building I expect it saith Faith c. I am a stranger saith Patience but I have a building I wait for it saith Patience It is but to day and to morrow and the next day it shall be perfected so saith Patience I must have its perfect work a little to day more to morrow the third day I shall have possession I am a stranger in the earth saith Love but I have a building and O how I long for it Psal 42. 2. My soul thirsteth for God for the living God when shall I come and appear before God! Now unto such souls that make out after home heaven and happiness with such a triplicity of We We expect it saith Faith wait for it saith Patience long for it saith Love to such gathering of a heart in Grace the Lord doth make a gracious answer Cant. 1. 11. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver Mark poor soul here is a We to answer thy We not a Wo but a We not to dismark thee but to make thee gracious and glorious Thou that hast an I of faith expecting and I of patience waiting and an I of love longing this is a Christians We Now the Lord unto thy soul hath his We We will make thee I will saith God the Father and I will saith Christ the Son and I will saith the blessed Spirit All this makes this We to make the soul graciously glorious and gloriously gracious Now be perswaded O soul upon this thy future expectation here thou art a stranger living in thy houses of clay bedecked onely with furniture of infirmity weakness and crosses and a few broken comforts and crackt enjoyments but in heaven there is brightness and purity there is blessedness and peace there is never broken joys and everlasting comforts there are houses richly furnished with furniture free from all infirmity bordered with gold and set forth with silver all variety interwoven for soul satisfaction Hasten O strangers O strangers hasten without lingring long for this thy expectation But may some say I know every childe of Obj. God shall be well provided for of their heavenly Father Eye hath not seen nor ear heard 1 Cor. 2. 9. neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what the Lord hath prepared for them that love him but there is that to be passed would make one fear the straits of death is not an easie passage it fills my heart with grief and my eyes with tears at the present sence of my deceased friend but what fears and pain and staggering may it be if I should be called to pass the straits of death the Lord knows In Answer unto this and so as pertinent to our present occasion I shall adde but a word of comfort and consolation and so conclude the time and Doctrine CHAP. VII Containing comfort for dejected souls in their loss of Christian friends and encouragements for estranged Saints in this world 3. IF it be so that the Saints are strangers on the earth then Saints be you freed from fear grieve not for the death or departure of the faithful nor being faithful be thou not afraid to dye To all Gods children death is but a messenger of life and a calling from the cross to the crown You know every one will hasten to a father or a friends house and what though there be a plash of water and a few bryers to go through if we do wet our feet or tear our garments so long as we are going home such things are nothing home and the father makes us through all Christians I will not say all your way is paved and smooth to heaven and happiness but some rubs fears sorrows may be in your way but know assuredly Christ hath sweetned the grave for every childe of God what though you do wet your feet by fears and pricks your hearts with sorrow let the hope of home and father and Christ make you be comforted and encouraged Captain Death hath taken away a friend now and he stands in the way to press thee too but may not we be comforted in this My friend was a stranger here and he is now gone home to his dwelling place where father and friends are yea where he shall want for nothing freed from fears and cares aches and pains but fed with favor love and life such dishes that the world never had at their tables The Saints indeed have meat in heart and hand I mean at present that the world knows not of but alas Saints though this be wine and milk yet this is but the first mess in this spiritual banquet Our Master Christ keeps the best wine and the best chear and best welcome until the last After death every thing to a faithful soul is disht out and disht up unto Eternity the longing soul through the straits of death is satisfied and
clearest Spectacle So Heaven it is a great volume but to every believing soul it is contracted into a very small print so that though the Creature put on the choisest Spectacle of Reason he cannot read a word and the Christian though he hath on the Spectacle of Reason and that which is suited to the Print which is Grace yet he can read but darkly yet read he can but 't is obscurely with ifs and ands fears and doubtings And what 's the reason Because he looks through an infirm medium But now put but off or rather put but on the Spectacle of Glory and then we shall see face to face know as we are known Yea and the sum of this the Apostle speaks in that 1 Cor. 13. 12. For now we see through a glass darkly but then when the eye of faith is opened to fruition we shall see face to face c. CHAP. IV. The second Excellencie The Lords presence proclaims comfort And what will not this do against fears and dismayings SEcondly Although the fearing soul The Lords presence speaketh comfort to believers against fears and dismayings doth not see this special presence so beautiful and so full of splendor yet know that for the answering of all thy fears and dismayings it shines forth abundance of comfort And thus I charge all you that are the beloved of Gods soul to make use of it for thus God is present with you on purpose to administer comfort to you by his Spirit which Spirit is no less then Gal. 5. 22. love and joy and consolation And what will not this administer against all fears and dismayings 1. First what will not the love of God Gods love is in his presence administer Canst thou say by experience that earthly things administer comfort and refreshment to thy body and shall not Gods love much more refresh and chear thy fearing soul All earthly comforts are but Wine and Wine may chear the heart as the Psalmist speaks Ps 104. 15. But now the love of Christ is ten thousand times better and the Spouse finds it more sweet Cant. 1. 2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better then wine Now this love of God is with thee by this special presence And if the love of earthly relations as of Father Husband Wife can administer comfort what will not the love of my heavenly Father and Christ my Husband who hath loved me with an everlasting Jer. 31. 3 love Yea when this love is round about me yea such a love that passeth Eph. 3. 19 2 Cor. 5. 14. knowledge Yea such a love that is about Saints is above Angels a love of an attractive sweetness not straitning but constraining the soul to comfort against all fears and dismayings 2. Though the love of God may administer enough comfort yet in this I am Gods kindness yea loving kindness about Believers with thee there is not only Gods love but Gods kindness yea his loving kindness And what will not the loving kindness of a God answer The kindness of a faithful friend is much but the kindness of a Father that 's more But what is this to the loving kindness of a God David tels you it is better then life Ps 63. 3. Thy loving kindness is better then life And he speaks this when his straits were as great as thine can be He was in a bewildered condition yet the loving kindness of the Lord administred comfort above life And that his loving kindness is round about thee by his special presence mark how familiarly the Lord speaks to thee Fear thou not for I am with thee As if he would lay all in thy lap whereby thou mightst be comforted 3. This special presence brings special This special presence hath in it special mercy to remove fears mercy with it yea God thus proclaims himself altogether a God of mercy In this I am with thee there is not so much as a moment of anger for if he was in any way with the soul but mercy the soul might fear as if he had said I am with thee a God of terror the soul might tremble but there is not the least of terror to affright thee in this my special presence but all mercy love and kindness to stir thee up against terrors and dismayings And therefore mark how the Text opposeth all slavish fears saying I am with thee fear not And as perfect love should cast out slavish fear so should mercy take in only hope and to that soul that hopes in mercy mercy alone is about such a soul without the least of terror yea against all terror and affrighting Therefore fear thou not but be thou comforted and hope in mercy Psal 33. v. 18. 4. This special presence is with thee to It is a full joy for a fearing soul against fears comfort thee as it is a full joy and a full tyde of comfort against all thy sorrowings So that if the question should be To what end the Lord encompasseth the soul with his special presence it is that our joy might be full for in his special presence there is fulness of joy Ps 16. 11. And if we take this fulness only to be in glory why should a night of sorrow so much trouble us for that joy comes in the morning And yet being a Believer thou art not benighted Although the Sun be not in the Meridian or in his highest altitude yet he is risen and shines above the Horizon of fears and doubtings So that to you must be applied that of the Prophet Mal. 4. 2. To you that fear my name that is to the poorest believing soul shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings And what joy must this administer when these wings that overshadow thee are no less then all the saving benefits of Christ Redemption Justification Sanctification yea the entrance into glory And to comfort thee they all encompass thee with healing A precious balm for comfort and refreshment against fears and dismayings So that though the soul flag through fears so that it cannot be upon the wing of prayer unto God as Christ speaks unto his Disciples Joh. 16. 24. Ask that your joy may be full the Father doth as it were prevent the soul that is fainting with fears and brings his wings over the soul saying Though you faint and ask not yet do not doubt but fear not I am with thee and in me there is such a full joy that may comfort thee against all thy sorrowings 5. This special presence of God doth There is in Gods being with believers all support to succor against fears not only administer comfort as it hath love in it and kindness mercy and joy but it hath in it for thy comfort all strength power and support So that grant thou art feeble weak and staggering why yet if thou hast a Stander that which way soever thou reelest thou
all spiritual and temporal fears may be personal yet all personal fears may not be spiritual but the believer may be surprized with all these fears spiritual fears temporal fears personal and fears national c. The worst of fears are spiritual and these do most usually disquiet the peace of Gods peculiar and therefore I shall first speak to them and I shall be brief in each Gird up therefore the loyns of your mindes as Job speaks Job 38. 3. and bring in all your Objections here 's enough in the Text to Answer all let your fears be never so numerous and never so great 1. Objection will arise from sin for that 's the ground of all fears and troubles Saith the soul I have been a great sinner broken all Gods righteous Laws and Object Christ hath indeed satisfied so that I need not fear but the remembrance of them cannot but be grievous unto me in regard I was so wilful and so wicked against a God so gracious surely God may cast such a one as I out of his mercy and out of his remembrance Ah but thou must not so remember that Ans which the Lord forgets thou mayest indeed remember thy sins with joy and rejoycing that Christ hath satisfied but such kinde of fears and doubtings argues distrust And to chear thee in this account keep still in minde the Lord remembers them not Isa 43. 25. I even I am he that blotteth out transgressions for mine own name sake and will not remember thy sins and the Text is positive I will not remember What thy sins why For I am with thee So Verse 5. of the same Chapter and here in the text the Lord saith the same I am with thee which I would not be if thy sins were in my remembrance For I the Lord am of purer eyes then to behold the least iniquity Paul remembreth indeed his sins but he does it with joy at the thought of mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. I was a Blasphemer a Persecutor and injurious but he triumphs in mercy I obtained mercy and so do thou for mercy is a Royalty that may be gloried in by every fearing soul But saith the soul my sins are not Obj. onely many but Giant-like and this aggravates my affrighting Paul sinned greatly indeed but ignorantly I have sinned greatly and wilfully and have not I just cause to fear No if thou apprehendst pardon by Ans Christ The Prodigal was wilful when he said Give me my portion Luke 15. 12. and he goes away spends all wilfully and one would have thought the Father should never have received him more but he no sooner returns but the Father imbraces him kisses him takes him about the neck and if in this there was cause of fear he might have feared So though thy sins be never so mighty yet they are not too big for the right hand of Gods righteousnesse for that imbraceth thee that upholdeth and Gods presence is so far from fears that it speaks comfort and bids thee fear not But saith the doubting soul I have abundance Obj. of temptations that daily beset me and Paul saith Heb. 12. 11. No chastning for the present seems to be joyous but grievous Ah but what follows why meat in thy Ans very mouth Temptation brings in enough to Answer servile fears For it yieldeth saith the same Apostle the peaceable fruit of righteousnss unto them which are exercised thereby And adde but Christs promise that he will succor and his special presence which will uphold and strengthen and thou hast enough What will not the everlasting arm of Gods righteousnesse accomplish thou mayest very well say as David doth 1 Sam. 17. 37. He that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear c. So if Christs right hand of righteousnesse could free thee from the condemning power of sin never fear but the same hand that is about thee will deliver thee from the tempting power of sin which thou confessest to be the cause of thy fears and affrightings David might very well make such an Obj. inference for he might speak as in the person of Christ of whom he was a type And I do believe that Christ hath done it and is both able and willing but I have sinned against my heavenly father and if Ps 130. 3. he be strait to mark what is done amisse but in one days infirmity what soul is there but must needs fear 'T is true indeed were God so strait unto his own children as he is to wicked men then we might not only fear but tremble But mark the Text Ps 130. 3. If thou Lord An if of inference not of doubting wilt be extreme to mark what is amiss c. It is by way of supposition and it implies that God is not strait but is to thee to succour and support thee yea to cover a multitude of infirmities forgiving iniquitie transgression and sin and thou mayst read thy Fathers heart ready to relieve thee by his special presence so far is he from grieving of thee or fearing of thee that like a tender father to his beloved child he bids thee fear not yea Christ who knew thy Fathers heart very well would not have said that if thou be but a little one yea the least of all in the stature of grace yet saith Christ Mat. 18. 14. It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish for he is about thee by his special presence Well but I am a poor worthless Creature Obj. what am I that God should give me his presence or have regard to my afflictions and fears Many times the soul will say in its fears as the Centurion Mat. 8. 8. Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under my roof As Moses saith Exod. 3. 11 Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh But mark the Lords answer it is like Ans unto the Text. Thou thinkest thy self unworthy but certainly that shall not excuse thee I will be with thee for I have seen the afflictions of my people and the oppression wherewith the Egyptians have oppressed Exod. 3. 11. and thou must go for their relief and fear thou not for I am with thee even I not Angels though they be ministring spirits for your comforting yet as touching your fears and sorrows I am with thee and be thou couragious But the believing soul may object and say There will come a time indeed when Obj. all tears shall be wiped away and trouble shall cease it will indeed be so that sorrowing and sighing shall flie away but this is for the time to come for the future as the Apostle Peter speaks Act. 3. 19. When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord then indeed may I expect relief from all my fears and sorrowings But the Text answers in the present tense Ans yea and is in earnest that thou shouldest
Christ do mind the things of Christ Rom. 8. 5. They that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit that is All their thoughts words works projects and contrivances do habitually fix and center in Christ Try therefore which way thy thoughts thy projects run If they meet in Christ then from these and such like Evidences drink down thy spiritual comforts for from our union with Christ flow such spiritual incomes even benefits enough to hold up the heart in the worst of outward crosses losses persecution trial troubles whatsoever Mark therefore CHAP. III. Sheweth the precious Incomes by being one Spirit in Christ FIrst All the precious Promises are yours 1 Tim. 4 8. Godliness is profitable unto all things having the promise of this life that now is and of that which is to come True Godliness cannot be without union with Christ and poor Creatures it is very certain that this life will not make thee happy But now if another will if a Jesus and Eternal Glory will you have this riches promised in that life that is to come This life that now is is indeed to make you gracious and in it you have a rich promise of comfort Joh 4. 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will be with you to the end of the world A precious Jesus in a precious promise is enough to bear up the soul in all temptations What though thou art poor personally if Christ be one with thee spiritually thou hast a plenty in the midst of all thy poverty The Lord is a sun and a shield Ps 84. 11. yea he will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that are Believers What saith the Apostle for the chearing of thy spirit 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises What wilt thou desire more If promises that are precious if promises that are great if exceeding great and precious promises will do thee good they are all thine if thou hast union with Christ 2. All the richest Graces are ours from the least of Faith to the fulness of Assurance Gods graciousness is the richest and supereminentest grace And it may be for the present thou hast but a grain or a drop of that Ocean but know the whole Sea of love is all thine It may be thou goest weeping notwithstanding thou bearest Ps 126. 6. precious seed yet know thy spiritual comfort is sheafs of joy yea joy unspeakable and full of glory At present thou hast by union with Christ no less then Riches of grace and Gracious riches nay but Exceeding riches of Grace is all yours if you be Christs Ephes 2. 7. 3. All the sweetest Comforts are yours if you have union with Christ I cannot say all earthly Comforts but rather Crosses the sweetest and heavenly Comforts are yours and the very thought of this should swallow up ten thousand Crosses how much more the possession Yet this is the fault of Christians one little trouble or Affliction swallows up abundance of Enjoyment whereas one thought of Christ and one enjoyment from him should swallow up abundance of afflictions What will not peace of Conscience bring which is a continual feast unto the soul by Christ being thine And if Joy in the Holy Ghost may comfort thee that is thine If wine refined if wine and milk if water of life if the Spring of all comfort may comfort thee it is yours if you be married to Christ 2 Cor. 1. 3 4. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and God of all comfort And lest the soul should think to have him thus only in Heaven he adds that he is a God of comfort for you on Earth to comfort you in all your tribulation that we may be able to succour support and comfort others by the comforts wherewith he comforteth us And what a precious Income is this to have by Christ all heavenly sweet and precious comforts 4. By union with Christ all the highest Priviledges are yours If it was a priviledge to be called the Son of Pharaohs daughter what a high priviledge is it to be sons and daughters of the most high God and thus thou art by being united unto Jesus Christ 1. What a priviledge is it to be born an Heir unto some Great man on earth What honour and homage will men give to Heirs upon this account But by this union with Christ thou art an Heir to God and Coheir with Christ 'T is true thou wast not born to it but every Believer was bought into this eminent high and noble priviledge And if we do but consider the price it may suffice to set forth this priviledge 1 Pet. 1. 19. Ye were not redeemed with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Iesus Christ 2. It may be thou art poor and therefore Great men upon Earth will scorn to cal thee Friend Brother Sister Son Daughter many are so proud that in thy poverty they wil be ashamed to own thee But thou hast this priviledge in being joyned to Christ that the Lord of all is not ashamed to call you Brethren Sons Daughters Friends nay you that are joyned to Christ are Gods jewels Joh. 1. 12. To as many as Mal. 3. 17. believed to them he gave power to become the sons of God And saith the Apostle Heb. 2. 11. For this cause he is not ashamed to call us Brethren For what cause The verse before tels you because of union thou hast this priviledge He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are both one for this cause he is not ashamed to call us brethren 3 What a priviledge is it counted to be free of some Corporations as to be a Freeman of London and such like Cities And Paul tels you it was his priviledge to be free-born But now the Saints of God by being united unto Christ are made free of that new Ierusalem which is Heaven it self Christ hath inroll'd his Saints in the book of life all your names are written and enrolled in Heaven and you are Citizens by vertue of your union Eph. 2. 19. 4. What a priviledge is it to be freed from all Arrests Mens persons count this a great priviledge But what is it to have the soul free and to have it so free that it shall be free indeed Such a priviledge have Saints by Christ he by marrying them unto himself hath made them free free indeed from all arrests No condemnation to them that are in Christ It would be well if wicked men that have no interest in Christ could bribe Satan Death and Hell and at the great day of Judgment come off from their arrests but that is impossible but if they could Conscience will rise in judgment against them and issue out a greater Writ then that of Belshazar upon the wall But now Believers are free by vertue of Christ having this priviledge that none shall lay
any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for Christ hath dyed and also is risen Rom. 8. 33. again who will not suffer them to be tempted to be touched or attached but deliver them out of all 5. That soul that hath union with Christ hath not only such an Income as all the precious Promises all the richest Graces all the sweetest Comforts all the highest Priviledges but also all the noblest Hopes are yours if you be Christs What a noble hope is that which a gloriovs Christ gives unto every gracious heart Col. 1. 27. Which is Christ in us the hope of Glory This hope is a mysterie yea a glorious mysterie yea there is riches of glory in this mysterie By union with Christ this is our spiritual Income Christ is in that soul the hope of glory True it is that if in this life we had only hope we were of all men most miserable as the hope of wicked men is who make gold their hope Job 31. 24. as Job speaks But saith the soul I have not thirsted after such base and earthly hopes as this worlds good or this worlds gold but Heaven and God and Grace and Glory yea the noblest hopes Christ in my soul the hope of glory 6. And lastly not only the noblest hopes are thine by being one with Christ but all heavenly enjoyments are thine by vertue of thy union And this is so large an Income that Saints and Angels cannot express Eye hath not seen neither hath ear heard neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for such that are in union with Christ Heaven and all Heavens enjoyments Christ and God and Glory a glorious God a glorious Christ a glorious Glory I can say no more All is promised and all shall be accomplisht Saints united to Christ have all theirs and they are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 23. And out of all that hath been said I shall adde but a word by way of use 1. Unbeliever come forth and behold the Income of the Saints and with a holy emulation enquire what is thy portion say as they in the Canticles What is your Can. 5. 9 beloved more then another beloved Say in a melting frame of pity over thy own soul What must you that are called to be Saints have such an Income as all these Promises all these Graces all these Comforts Hopes and Priviledges And what must I have Tell thy soul with sadness If thou art out of this spiritual union with Christ then all the fearful Threatnings all the heavy Judgments the Vials of Gods wrath with eternal judgments and everlasting torment is all yours if you be not in Christ and become a new creature Search therefore and seek For such Benefits and such spiritual Incomes have gracious souls by being in union with a gracious Christ 2. And last of all Believers Live at that rate as becomes the Espoused of the Lord Jesus They that have great revenues fear not wanting especially if it be certain and sufficient then we cast to keep house according and live and lay out sutably to our yearly maintenance Now none can keep a better house then Believers for they have such a spiritual Income that nothing can be more certain nothing can be more sufficient What will not Promises Graces Comforts Priviledges answer when they are all precious rich sweet and heavenly Every of these is by Christ an eternal maintenance constant durable that waxeth not old Thou mayst even feed thy very faintings and feast thy fears for there can be no lack where there is such spiritual and heavenly supply Terror for Professors OR Mans Fruitlesness without Saving Faith Jam. 2. 19. Thou believest that there is one God thou doest well the Devils also believe and tremble CHAP. I. Shewing the import of the Text with the Doctrine and Parts for further Demonstration THis Epistle was not particularly written to any Church but in generall to the scattered Tribes as may be seen cap. 1. 1. And yet you have the Apostle often calling of them by this appellation Brethren as in the following Chapters Notwithstanding this he reproveth them and that sharply of two eminent faulrs that were among them First in regard of their Partiality And secondly in regard of their Charity So ver 3 4. compared with 15 16. And I think these two things the world will never remedy But that the Saints should be thus uncharitable so lofty and so partial who would not wonder they having so righteous a God and so merciful a Father Yet this Iames found amongst them And therefore he comes more close to them in the 5. ver Hearken my beloved brethren Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of a kingdom Mark how the Apostle comes in with this as if so be they were dull of hearing and therefore he speaks it as whispering in their ears as if he were ashamed the world should know that Professors should be Despisers and so uncharitable unto their poor Brethren who were as good as they were by the Fathers side and by faith though not so rich in outward ornaments and goodly apparel Grant saith the Apostle that you be rich and great and goodly in apparel yet you need not be ashamed or despise a poor believer for if he be poor yet if a believer he is as good as thou art All one in Christ rich in faith May be thou hast much more in thy hands but what of that the poorest in Christ is an heir of a kindom for God hath promised this to them that love him Verse 5. Take heed therefore none of you be thus partial as to despise a poor brother in the faith of Christ for they and you bear the impress of a worthy name And being thus partial as to despise you blaspheme your holy calling in the profession of Christ Verse 7. And know Professors if you have the faith of Christ in respect of persons it cannot stand with saving faith There is a faith that will not save as the 14 Verse hath it But have as large a profession as you will if you have not the nature of faith truly operative and working in charity and lowliness of minde all is nothing Profession without practice and performance is but a dead faith and profiteth nothing for thus he illustrates in the 15 16 17. Verses If a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say unto them Depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body what doth it profit the meaning is have as many good words as you will yet if you have not practice in a measure suitable unto your expressions you are alone your faith is but a dead faith words though never so sweet without works are but as a sounding brass and a tinkling symbal From the scope
the same form with the Devil he is the first in wrath because he is thy father but thou art as yet no better then a child of wrath because thou art not begotten again by a lively faith a faith that is active and full of love and longings after Jesus Christ who is alone within the soul the hope of glory It may be thou hast lived thirty forty or fifty years but what Faith hast thou It may be thou hast lived under the teachings of Christ and under the offers of grace and peace and reconciliation this is more then ever the Devil had and yet he hath as much faith and knowledge as thou hast if thou hast not saving sanctifying faith for the Devil hath a faith of Time and Ages and if thou hast not learned beyond him thou must not sit above him take heed thou art not thrown down to him or below him What the Papists say of their Church that men must believe as the Church believes so may it be said of the generality of professors only not by such a necessity but such is most mens practise That they believe but as the Devil believes and in a sense many must give place to the Devil even in believing at leastwise in obeying But know as you are Companions here to believe alike so take notice that without saving faith thou must live alike in torment It is very like but that Servant was within the pale of profession Luk. 12. 45 46. he had a tongue to say I am a Believer and make no question of heaven and happiness but in his heart he said My Lord delays his coming Here is a profession of one God as these in the text had yet the Lord of that servant may come in an hour and cut him asunder and give him his portion with unbelievers 3. If the common belief of men be no better then the belief of Devils only in the aforementioned differences as that the Devil is without hope without repentance and both these are annexed yet to the life of man from the Bowels of mercy while it is called to day beg earnestly at the gate of the bountiful God for mercy and true faith beg Heaven to cleanse thy leprous soul of lust and sin and to give thee saving faith that thou mayst outstrip the Devil before thou dyest For if thou hast all knowledge and all faith so that thou couldst remove mountains yet all this is nothing without Christ be in your hearts by faith Say therefore as he doth in the Gospel Mar. 9. 24. Lord I believe help my unbelief I have a common profession but what will this profit me The Devils do believe and yet are the first of unbelievers I believe Gods soveraignty that Christ dyed for sinners yet Lord I believe help mine unbelief And that this may be from thy heart consider these few particulars 1. Consider what will profession profit thee if thou attainest not the end of it They that run if they do not attain it is no prize but rather a trouble Men by professing and not attaining will come home by weeping-cross for as there will be nothing due so there will be a heavy loss the loss of Heaven the loss of God his glory thy own salvation Consider therefore so to run that you may obtain the end of saving faith which is the salvation of your souls 2. Thou hast sins of Commission that are enough to condemn thee the least of them being charg'd upon thee and without faith in Christ all must be charged But yet consider if thou couldst diminish sins of Io. 3. 19. Commission what wilt thou do for sins of Omission This will be the condemnation that light is come into the world but men love darkness more then light And because thou didst not believe thou didst not love thou didst not savour of the grace of God Consider thy want as well as thy wickedness If thou wantest a heart-love to Christ in the best of all thy professions and performances thou art but as a sounding brass and as a tinkling cymbal 3. Consider what abundance do profess how few there be that shall be saved There is but a little flock that need not to fear the enjoyment of God and his kingdom Luk. 12. 32. but there is a multitude that do profess that think they shall attain but the Devil will as soon because they have not filial fear in their profession nor saving faith the fruit of the Spirit of grace within their hearts Compare but that of Isa 10. 22. to the practise of the world and certainly it may make thee look about For though the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea yet a remnant of them shall be saved This Paul quotes in Rom. 9. 27. and makes it applicable to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews This also let Professors now consider for though I dare not forbid any to hope yet I am afraid that through common and National profession most will miscarry 4. Consider the character of the last times There will be but a little Faith but abundance of Profession Every one takes it for granted that we are in the last times and in those times it 's remarkable to have but little faith and love but without question never more profession but it is most false and as cold as mens charity which is very significant to be now for in these dayes of ours never was there more profession of the Christ of mercy and the Christ of love but never more coldness and deadness to shew works of mercy and love to one another And this is no wonder for when men are wanting to their own souls in a lively and sound faith no marvel they are not wanting unto men in a cold and frozen charity Men love the world more then Christ and his members though they seem by profession to have a love to both Joh. 3. 19. yet they rather are in darkness then in the light because their hearts are evil 5. And lastly consider the deceitfulness that is in our own hearts For what is most mens security but even the name of Christianity and the heart loves to have it so All is well thinks the common Professor if he hath been baptized into such a faith or rather into such a formality brought up under such Parents lived under such a Ministry and accounted of the Parish-Church a member then they think as well as the best This is most mens security and this is Satans subtilty to deceive the hearts of men The Devil hath wrought a notable and cunning design in the world to make people believe that if they be accounted Christians and in common in such a Parish that all is well and that they are Christians indeed and members of the Church as well as the best But let us not deceive our selves nor our souls in being such outside Jacks in Religion and Gods service and worship for all are not Israel that are
so kindly as if I were at home Oh my Fathers promise and providence it is sweet but at his house and from his hand and at his table that is the kindness that is most kindly Bread is sweet and life 's a comfort but the God of all comfort is best of all And I count not any thing dear that I may go home though all be mine so that I may finish my course with joy Act. 20. 24. And thus much to shew how the Saints are strangers in this world the Reasons why follow CHAP. III. Sheweth Gods people to be Strangers and why 1. BEcause in the earth Christians are not at home though worldly men Reas 1 pitch their tents here for a continuance the Saints do not they say in this tabernacle of clay they have no continuing city but expect one to come Heb. 13 14. They know this earthen pitcher of all this worlds comforts must be broken and therefore they are like prisoners of hope expecting their exchange And therefore the Apostle tels us our condition at present as being strangers 2 Cor. 5. 6. Knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. And then he tels you not only our state but our present desire also in v. 8. We are confident I say and willing Mark Saints are desirous rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. A Christians abode is not altogether in the body while in the body but however still their desires are working upward crying Our conversation at present is in heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour Phil. 3. 20. the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Saints are strangers in this earth because Reas 2 their kindred and acquaintance are in heaven Where our kinsfolks and our ftiends are we do not count strange but when one is without father or friend and in a strange place too this must needs be strange And Christians are thus destitute as from the world Thus are the Saints fatherless and friendless as I may so express it the world will afford them hatred and it is no other measure then the true Friend of Saints met with even our Lord Jesus and he bids his Disciples not to wonder at the worlds usage why because they are Rom. 8. 29. compared with 1 Pet. 2. 9. not of the worlds linage not of that stock or race Saints you came of another kind of another generation ye are a chosen generation of a more noble family however you are esteemed as strangers on the earth it is because your kindred is in heaven Joh. 15. 19. If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Mark the world hath a double enmity Saints have a double enmity from the world against the Saints First they envy because they are in the world and not of the world If ye were of the world the world would love its own therefore are ye hated And secondly they envy because the Saints are chosen out for that they are Christs friends therefore are they hated Christians are to make the words of Christ good as well as the world makes them as the Saints find by the worlds daily enmity Saith Christ Joh. 12. 32. And if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me This he did virtually on the Cross and in his resurrection and ascension as a publike person for all believers And the faith of Christians is to act much this way Saith the Apostle to the Romans Rom. 6. 11. Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ was lifted up in the stead of all Believers and Believers are to make their reckoning so that when he died they died Redemption satisfaction and justification was all by Christ and with Christ as in the person of all Believers they were all lifted up with him So that that of the Apostle may be triumphed in by all Saints Rom. 8. 33 34 c. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that justifieth He justifieth Christ as being lifted up for all Believers as on the Cross as from the grave as ascending into heaven as sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us Observe the principle of all motion upward or heaven-ward it is all in Christ Jo. 15. 5. without him we can do nothing He it is that is the Spring and Principle of all heavenly heart motion And if I be lifted up c. Not an if of doubting but of inference And therefore to bring it home Christ doth draw up the hearts of all Gods children to have company with their Father and with their Brother the Lord Jesus Heb. 2. 11. for he is not ashamed to call them so Saints must needs be strangers on the earth when their company kindred and acquaintance are in heaven And thus saith John 1 Joh. 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you And what was that That was the manifestation and appearance of our Lord Jesus in the flesh as upon the earth as appears in the former verses Well but to what end was this To take them off from false fellowship and perswade them into the true for saith John That ye also may have fellowship with us implying that though they were in the world yet they were strangers And if you be Saints so must you be too We have but small acquaintance here below we are indeed on the earth but truly we are strangers we have little acquaintance or accord with the world but as passengers we must take our lodging for a night and that night here though we be brethren we are ready to fall out by the way but however we have a Father and a fellowship though here but little friendship yet above not on earth but in the heavens we have there both kindred and acquaintance there 's our Father and there 's our friend and there 's our fellowship For truly our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Iesus Christ 3. Saints are strangers in the earth because the world is strange to them The Saints have large hearts for the Good of the world but not for the Goods of the world My hearts desire saith a true Child of God is That none might perish but 1 Tim. 3. 7. Ro. 10. 1. that all might come unto the knowledge and obedience of the truth But they will not The world will be strange to Christ and strange to Christians and we must be strange to them or else be strangers unto the Lord and unto his truths For what saith Christ Mat. 6. 24. No man can serve two masters for either he will hate the one or love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other Ye
cannot serve God and Mammen I could wish all Moral hearts would consider this and not couzen the soul by their double haltings But now the Saint takes the word of Christ for truth and saith Rather then I will be a stranger unto Christ I will be strange unto the world For Iam. 4. 4. The friendship of the world is enmity against Christ What though we have frowns from the world and the world will be strange to us yet we have favours from our friend Yea though in the world we have a portion of persecution yet from Christ we have a portion of comfort Ioh. 16. 3. In the world ye shall have tribulation strangeness and hard usage but be of good comfort I have overcome the world And this is a precious favour Believers believe it against the worlds frowns 4. And lastly Saints are strangers in this earth because there is a necessity of either being strangers or friends The Texts before Mat. 6. 24. speak a necessity of being one Ye cannot serve God and Mammon be in friendship with the world and in friendship with the Lord We must either hate the one or love the other hold to the one or despise the other And saith the godly heart Rather then I will be estranged from the Lord take the worlds friendship who will I will not have it at such a rate as to lose my friendship with the Lord For in his favour is life Ps 30. 5. What though I am a stranger and a traveller for a night I shall be at home in the morning when I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Ps 17. 15. And therefore what though a stranger here there is a necessity except I would lose the Lords favour but that is better then life Away therefore world away riches honours profits Rather then to lose the shineings of the Sun the Moon shall be under my feet Rather then be estranged from my precious Father and my friend the Lord Jesus all the worlds pomp glory and pleasure all sublunary things shall be under my feet And thus much for the grounds and reasons why the Saints are strangers in the earth First because they are not at home secondly because their acquaintance and kindred are in heaven thirdly because the world is strange to them And Fourthly because of necessity they must be strangers or friends The uses pertinent to the present occasion follow CHAP. IV. Sheweth Characters for tryal whether we be strangers on the earth or no. FIrst by way of tryal or examination Secondly of dehortation and exhortation Vses Thirdly of comfort and consolation First If the Saints be strangers on the Vse 1 earth then let us make search and serious inquiry into each of our own hearts whether we be Saints by being sojourners in the world There is a daily sojourning in the spirit by all the children of God while they are in the flesh not like the Post who is a traveller indeed but is but onely from stage to stage and so to return whence he came out But Saints are strangers to a Heb. 11. 10. City whose builder and maker is God never to set their rest up till they be at home in their heavenly habitation Now to try whether we be such travellers and in this world strangers take a word in these three or four following characters 1. Do we set up our abode in this world and what is our esteem of life and goods and all that we possess you know strangers though they bed and board yet they count not any thing as standingly their own but look and wait for a remove and therefore have of all things such present estimation as gain but loss Yea and I count saith Paul Phil. 3. 8. all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord and do count them but dung that I may win Christ Second Character Could you contentedly live here in this world always or are you waiters till your change comes are Joâ— 14. 14. you grieved that time spins out and your life must end or have you a desire to depart O yes saith the stranger I could not live here from my friends my father wife Pâ—il 1. 23. and children not for a world if you would give me my dwelling for nothing I cannot be contented So the Christian if I might have all the world yet my content and comfort is elsewhere and how shall I get home to my heaven and house of happiness that 's my care and daily trouble not that I would make more haste then speed but fain I would be gone and I care not how soon Come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22. that I might come to thee who art my heaven and happiness Thirdly Have you another place in your eye then this your present enjoyment strangers still think of home so Saints are still thinking of their eternity the home of heaven is still in the eye of faith and heart of love of every true believer Alas saith the poor soul Here I have no continuing Heb. 13. 14. Finiti ad infinitum nulla est proportio City no continuing Goods Lands Livings And if I had a continued house I would be a continued Tenant for what is earth to heaven perishing to perpetuals finite to infinite my fathers love is above all O saith the longing soul when shall I get home when shall I appear before my father in Sion I am here a stranger and an alien as were my fathers and my dear brethren My dear Saviour had neither Luke 9. 8. holes nor houses nor whereon to lay his head He had another Kingdom and thâ— is mine by faith I have it in my eye and this is my daily expectation Abraham looked for a City whose builder and maker was God And Moses had respect unto the recompence of reward and these were strangers and sojourners as appeareth by the Apostle Heb. 11. 9 10. verse 26. The fourth and last Character is this Examine whether the world loves you or if it hates you The lovers of the world and the beloved of the world are not the children of God but the children of the world Christ gives this as a Christians character John 15. 18 19. If the world hate you ye know that it hated me before it hated you If ye were of the world the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world therefore the world hates you Mark it If ye were of the world that is if you were one of them and in their family having one father you would have the same friendship the world would love his own not count you strangers but stroke you as one of her own worldly brats But if you are of heavens family are travellers through the world as through a wilderness to your Canaan and rest as the traveller through a Town the dogs will bark so Christians through this world must expect the