the inexhausted fountain of all those streams of blessedness that flow forth all the Creation over the eternal Spring and Well-head of all those fresh Seas and Oceans of all the swelling-tides and bottomless depths of unutterable riches of grace and love to all his elect He must needs be rich who sets up and enriches so many thousand Bankrupts that had not only wasted their goods but sold themselves into slavery and bondage he pays their ransoms buys out their liberty and purchases Crowns and Kingdoms for them It would beggar all the Angels in Heaven to pay down the ransom of one soul yea to purchase the pardon of one sin The redemption of the soul is precious the soul of the meanest man alive is of more worth than a world as he himself tells us who went to the price of souls What then shall we think of Christ who saves so many millions of souls Hence in Scripture the richest things on earth are made use of to shadow out the riches of Christ. Under the title of wisdom he saith Prov. 8.18 19 Riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and righteousness My fruit is better than gold and my revenue than choice silver And Prov. 3.16 Length of days are in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Eternity hath the honour of her right hand riches are the left-hand blessings of wisdom The riches of Christ are not ordinary things not perishing riches but unsearchable and inexhaustible Eph. 3.8 There are unsearchable riches of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to be traced out never to be drawn dry Though all true believers have all their debts paid and are all maintained and advanced by his riches and at his cost and charges yet there is no lessening of this treasure that 's never the emptier Sumit unus sumunt mille quantum isti tantum illi neque sumptus absumitur One believer draws water of life and a supply of all needful blessings out of this Well of Salvation and a Thousand gracious souls do the like and the One draws as much as the Thousand yet the Well is never drawn dry As the Apostle Paul speaks of his over-abundant grace confesses he was dipt in a sea of mercy One Paul obtained as much grace even so whole and compleat a ransom without diminishing as would have saved a world Grace reigns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is rich and Lord of all 5. Christ is a most precious gift He is more precious than rubies and all the things that thou canst desire are not to be compared unto him Imagine what you will name what you can and 't is unworthy to stand in comparison with Christ who is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon him and happy is every one that retaineth him Prov. 3.15 18. It 's too true there are not a few that set light by Christ and can see no beauty or comliness in him that they should desire him but to them that believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2.7 The wise Merchant understood his worth which made him sell all that he had with joy with a very good will so far from sticking and wavering so far from changing his mind that he persists in his resolution with a chearful heart that he might purchase this Pearl of great price Mat. 13.44 The Apostle Paul was at one with himself Yea doubtless I count all things but loss and dung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dogs-meat that I may win Christ Phil. 3.8 Let burning hanging all torments befall me tantumodo ut Christum nansciscar so I may get Christ saith Ignatius Could we give you a particular view and account but that 's impossible of every excellency and all the high perfections that are in Christ you would find him precious in all the parts of his Mediatorship in his person in his natures in his offices in all his gifts and graces Look on him as Mediator and there he shines forth most gloriously and appears to be the most peerless and precious thing in the world as Prophet he is most precious Enoch Noah Moses Elisha David c. were excellent and precious men in their times but were types of Christ he as far excels them as the substance doth the shadow He is Prophet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of eminency and exellency above all other Prophets they spake to the ear he to the heart they searched out the mind of God he came out of his bosome and saith Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding Prov. 8.14 So as Priest he is most precious this office is the most excellent part of his mediation he could never have opened our eyes as Prophet nor ruled our hearts as King had he not died for us O the death and blood of Christ this Lamb of God! how precious of what infinite value The death of a Man is more precious than of a Beast of a King than of many Men of Christ more than a thousand Kings Thousands of Rams and ten thousand Rivers of Oyl had been nothing to the price Christ paid See in the Hebrews how far Christs Priesthood excels all that went before him He alone is an everlasting Priest offering but once sufficient for all gone to Heaven c. and he is Sacrifice Priest Temple Altar and all in one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Never was there on earth a King so precious as Christ though all good Kings are precious he is over all King of kings and Lord of lords his kingdom spiritual over all hearts consciences over all nations ages all sorts and ranks of men from generation to generation he is head and King alone without either Collegue in the largeness of his dominions or Regent in his minority or Vice-roy in his absence How precious is grace one dram of it better than all the treasures in the world Now he is the fountain of it full of grace and truth so Truths Ordinances so Comforts Promises all that belongs unto him very precious 6. Christ is a most pleasant gift Nothing more desirable and amiable than Christ to sinners Excellency is the attractive of desire beauty draws the eye that affects the heart and delight following love makes very delightful Now Christ is altogether lovely Totus ipse in universum delectabilis desiderabilis all throughout from top to toe desirable and delightful the cheif among Ten thousand matchless and incomparable To say nothing of his bodily features though Historians report Christ to be very beautiful as man As God he is the perfection of beauty 't is true beauty is not formally in God yet it is in him eminently and by way of Analogy for if beauty be good and a desirable perfection in the creature it must needs be in the infinite God as the perfection of the effect is in the cause If Roses and Lillies be fair he must be fair that created them but in another kind if the Sun Moon
my husband my lot my portion Who will give me to drink of this Well of water springing up to eternal life this fountain of living waters this pure river that flows from the Throne from the heart of God Canst thou hear so much though infinitely short of his worth and not desire him Dost thou indeed believe that all this is true and yet thy soul not hunger and thirst after him Are these faithful sayings and is not he worthy of all acceptation Is it possible for a rational creature to hear of such a bottomless treasure of such a boundless pleasure and not covet the enjoyment of it O man where are thy wits What 's become of thy reason Art thou a man or a bruit If thou knewest the gift of God and what it is that is offered thee thou wouldest scorn the highest honours the sweetest pleasures the greatest riches yea trample upon all the Crowns and Kingdoms of this world for it It 's an inestimable priviledg that thou art a creature capable of so vast a happiness it 's the astonishing wonder of Heaven and Earth that God would give a Son such a Son to be thy Saviour what could he give more or better and it 's a special favour that the Gospel hath been sent to thee to reveal this great mystery to offer this excellent gift to thee and now when it is tendered wilt thou refuse it Wilt thou neglect and undervalue Christ or wilt thou not rather give it all humble and thankful acceptance Reflect upon those twelve incomparable properties and characters of this gift methinks though I have spoken but little yet I have said enough to one that will let his reason judg to draw out thy most vehement desires after this gift Yet I will add these Considerations more 1. Consider who it is that offers this gift to thee Christ is the gift of God in a peculiar and eminent manner so therefore were there no other reason thou must take it The worth greatness and excellency of the Donor is an argument to move us to take the gift we regard not so much what it is as from whom it is If thy Father or thy Prince offer a gift to thee would'st thou durst thou deny it If thy dearest Friend should send thee a token wouldest thou slight it Now look on the best of men in all his Excellencies in himself relations to thee and thy dependance on him consider in him all that faithfulness goodness greatness or any thing else that would most move thee to take a gift from his hands and there is infinitely more cause to accept this gift at the hands of God The great and glorious God the King of kings Lord of lords and God of gods the blessed Majesty of Heaven the first Cause the original Being self-sufficient all-sufficient absolutely perfect uncapable of any addition or diminution humbles himself to offer this gift to thee 'T is the high and lofty One that inhabits Eternity to whom millions of ages are but as one day who is boundless in his Being Omnipotent in his Power unsearchable in his Wisdom unconceivable in his Grace and infinite in all his Perfections He who dwells in that light inaccessible before whom the Angels the highest of Creatures vail their faces to whom the whole Creation is nothing less than nothing and vanity This God is he that made thee and all things of nothing supports all things influences all things and is all things and infinitely more than all things He is the God in whose hands thy life is and who is acquainted with all thy ways who is of infinite holiness and perfectly hates all wickedness of unlimited power able to avenge himself on thee every moment and turn thy soul and body into Hell Of infinite justice a jealous God who will by no means clear the guilty against whom thou hast sinned and been an offence and provocation to him all thy days and is thine enemy according to strict justice 't is he whose favour is life and whose frown is death and hell c. The height of a person that bestows a favour and the meanness and unworthiness of the object on whom it is bestowed as it doth exceedingly advance and heighten the Grace and goodness of him that doth it so it mightily aggravates the sin and danger of him that despiseth and refuseth it See that ye refuse not him that speaketh from heaven for if they escaped not c. Heb. 12.25 O what infinite grace and goodness is it for this great God to take so much notice of man and do so much for him What admirable wonderful condescension is it for the most High the God of Heaven and Earth that God whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain to manifest such respect to vile polluted dust and ashes yea to them that are rebels and traytors against his Majesty and thereby worthy of hell as once to offer his blessed only begotten Son to us as a Saviour Well may we with David be amazed at it and cry with admiration Psal. 8.14 O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens And adds What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him That so glorious a Lord should mind poor silly weak frail dying man sinful filthy polluted wretched miserable man could not but affect his heart with admiration and astonishment If a friend or neighbour thy equal do offer thee a kindness though but small how ill does he take it if thou accept it not O what horrid indignity dost thou offer to God what dishonour is it to all his Attributes if thou refuse this transcendent gift 2. Consider what it is that is offered to thee when this gift of God Jesus Christ is offered to thee To explain this fully would require the tongue nay exceed the skill of an Angel none can tell what Christ is but Christ himself all those particulars I mentioned speak somewhat of him but not the thousand thousandth part of that excellency that is in him This let me tell thee when Christ is offered to thee the greatest good that ever was that ever will be that ever can be is offered thee There never was nor can be the like offered thee 't is the best gift that ever was received or given in the world more than Heaven and Earth more than the whole world more than millions of worlds is offered thee He who is offered to thee is the Well of Salvation the Lord of Life the Author of all Consolation an Hive of sweetness a Paradise of pleasure an Heaven of joy He is the richest grace the dearest love the surest friend the highest honour the vastest treasure the exactest beauty the chiefest good the fullest felicity He is a comprehensive and universal good not one but all good riches honours pleasures friends relations health life earth heaven the world the other world all
that delivered him was called his Lord. So when we were mancipia peccati diaboli the Devils captives and slaves of sin in which condition if we had lived and died after a hard and toilsome service in the mean time our wages in the end should have been eternal death Christ by his death hath conquered sin and Satan and freed us from that wretched thraldom to this end that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies we might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luke 1.74 75 Thus the Israelites were delivered from Egypt the house of bondage to serve God Hence the Preface to the ten commandments and David confesseth Psal. 116.16 I am thy servant I am thy servant thou hast loosed my bonds If a man had brought another out of Captivity or he had sold himself all his strength or service belonged to the buyer Christ hath bought us from the worst slavery and with the greatest price no thraldom so bad as bondage to sin no prison so black as Hell and certainly Christs blood is better than any money not to serve him then is to defraud him of his purchase no bondage so great as ours no price so great as Christs and therefore no service so great as that which we owe. 2. By the fathers donation or delivery up of them Iohn 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word God hath made us and not we our selves and so hath absolute right to us and dominion over us hath given us unto Christ that we should serve him as well as be saved by him Isa. 44.21 Remember O Iacob thou art my servant I have formed thee thou art my servant O Israel they are given him for a Possession Psal. 2.8 3. By voluntary resignation and surrendring of themselves to him They have given themselves to the Lord that are real Christians 2. Cor. 8.5 'T is by their own consent and contract Rom. 6.13 Yeild up your selves unto God c. Christ loves to have his right and title established By our own consent we take Christ for our Lord and Master and give up our selves to him that we may be no longer at our own dispose and therefore 't is not only robbery but treachery and breach of Covenant to seek our selves in any thing and this resignation must be made out of a sense of Christs love to us in his death and sufferings 2 Cor. 5.15 Christ died that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him who died for them We enter upon other services out of hopes but we enter upon Christs service out of thankfulness 'T was our own voluntary Act by Marriage-Covenant we take him for our Lord our Husband Guide Governour and Protector and as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord so we Christ we have bound our selves by solemn vow and promise to be and continue Christs faithful servants unto the end of our lives now the word is gone out of our lips we may not alter it nor after we have made a vow enquire what we have to do He hath the best right to our best services by this three-fold title and a threefold cord is not easily broken our tongues are not our own to speak what we please nor our hearts to think what we please nor our hands to do what we list By vertue of these and many more titles we are anothers and are bound to live and Act for him according to his will and for his glory 3. What a Lord and Master Christ is The Scriptures give us these Characters or Properties of Him 1. He is the most absolute and supreme Lord. His stile is King of kings and Lord of lords he hath no superior or co-partner with him in his dominion and government all other Power and Lordship is dependent and derivative and subordinate 1. All Power is from him as 1. Civil Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign and Princes decree Iustice. 2. Ecclesiastical 2 Cor. 10.8 That power which the Apostle had was derived from Christ For though I should boast something more of the Authority which the Lord hath given us for Edification and not for Destruction 3. Inward and spiritual Mar. 16.20 They preached every where the Lord working with them the opening of the eyes of the blind quickening the dead turning them from darkness to light were the effects of his power not the parts or piety of the Preacher but his grace and spirit did the work Lastly extraordinary and miraculous power whereby they confirmed the word signs and wonders were wrought in his name and by his power When the lame man was healed and the Apostle examined by what power or by what name they had done it Peter answered Acts 4.10 Be it known unto you all tâ—at by the name of Iesus of Nazareth this man doth stand before you whole 2. As all power is derived from him and dependent on him so 't is to be used and obeyed in subordination to him 1. For him as the authority of Magistrates Parents 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream Eph. 6.1 Children obey your parents in the Lord so wives to husbands servants to masters Col. 3.18 2. According to him Acts. 5 29 the Apostle answered We ought to obey God rather than men 3. All other Lords are responsible to him for the use and abuse of that authority and those gifts they received from him and are therefore punishable by him 2 dly He is an universal Lord Lord of all 1. In regard of persons he is over all Rom. 9.5 He rules over all nations persons hearts all other Masters and Lords are inferiour to him Eph. 6.9 And ye masters do the same things to them that is your Servants forbearing threatning knowing that your master also is in heaven neither is there respect of persons with him 2. In regard of matters and acts outward inward Godward manward civil spiritual all come under his cognizance Eph. 6.5 6. Col. 3.23 Rom. 14.18 in all these things we are to serve Christ 3. In regard of places the three kingdoms of Heaven Earth and Hell have no other Lord but Christ Angels and glorified Saints in Heaven Saints Sinners and every creature on Earth the damned and Devils in Hell are all his subjects 3 dly He is a spiritual Lord for the manner of his rule and government Iohn 18.36 My kingdom is not of this world not from hence Not that he governs not in Heaven and Earth for though his kingdom be not of this world Rex tamen est in hoc mundo Bern. when Pilate had openly declared whose accusation it was Jesus plainly tells him that his Kingdom was not secular but spiritual not of this world So that he nothing intrenched on Caesars
you as persons unconcerned in Prayer Sermons and compassionate workings of his soul for you God knows and you shall know there hath been a Prophet amongst you he hath washt his hands from the guilt of your blood by faithful warnings your blood be upon your own heads yea may not his blood come to be upon your heads Yea may not the guilt of the blood of the Son of God be required at your hands And have you worn out man are you not content to weary men but will you weary out God also Shall Christ weep over you as over Jerusalem and say as Luk. 19.42 If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Though you cannot hear your former Minister's living voice yet I send you one summons more to your eyes in his own words if this will not prevail expect to hear another manner of message from the great Jehovah Cut them down for they cumber the ground bind them hand and foot and cast them into the fire 1. Is there not yet some ignorant souls among you that have not the knowledg of God Christ Gospel mysteries And if you know not this gift of God no wonder you slight it if you know not the worth of this jewel or your need of it you cannot esteem or desire it a blind man cannot distinguish colours swallows many a gnat knows not whither he goeth God complains His people are destroyed for lack of knowledg Hos. 4 6. Solomon saith Without it the heart is not good Prov. 19.2 The Apostle saith If our Gospel be hid 't is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 And the Prophet saith He will have no mercy on a people that have no understanding Isa. 27.11 Alas the whole soul is misguided with this blind guide the will is perverted affections ranging conscience dictates amiss for its a witness but to what it knows and thy clock cannot go if the weights be taken off God Almighty pity you it's a shameful thing to be ignorant but it 's damnning to be wilfully ignorant yea it will aggravate damnation 1 Cor. 15.34 Oh now at last ply your work read pray confer meditate One would think the poor prisoner should take pains to learn to read that knows he must be hanged if he cannot read his neck-verse but if you be negligent God may seal you up in darkness and say if any be ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor. 14.38 2. Is any among you an hypocrite that makes a fair shew in the flesh that paint your outsides with a goodly garnish of common gifts and outside duties that have owned your godly Minister living and honour his memorial now dead but have not obeyed from the heart the Doctrine which he delivered or have not been delivered into the form of Gospel-doctrine that are one thing before others in meetings another thing alone and in your families that can down with some common acts of religiousness but slight self-denying flesh-displeasing duties totally unacquainted with heart-work and mortifying special lusts yea rather use duties as a cloak to cover sin than spiritual armour to fight against it Alas how many is there that were baptized in infancy join with Christians as with a party or faction slide into a profession that never came in by the door of regeneration and so deceive themselves and others Ministers judg charitably of Professors know not mens hearts and though they express their jealousie and so give faithful cautions yet encourage good beginnings and hopeful shews in such an evil day as this is but may be mistaken for who would judg him an enemy that marcheth after Christ in duties wears his colours learneth his postures hath got the word keeps his rank converseth with Saints in a religious habit and language yet such may be hypocrites and prove apostates witness Judas Simon Magus Demas Himeneus Philetus c. Oh Sirs as you love your souls see to the truth of grace the root of the matter be as good or better than you seem the heart-searching God knows your home-behaviour and sees how your principles are stated and as you would see Gods face and meet your godly Minister with comfort be sincere and single-spirited 3. Are any amongst you worldlings addicting your selves to pursue and dote upon the profits of the world That spend most of your time in lading your selves with thick clay and panting after the dust of the earth are these things satisfactory Have you ever weighed them in the ballance of rectified reason did you never hear of better things Did you ever hear that riches made men happy Have you not seen riches take wings and leave the possessor Or have you not seen the rich die as well as poor and leave their wealth behind them Alas the world was never true to any that trusted to it It 's a sad thing to see men almost pressed to death still call for more weight to see persons full of drink greedy of more and complaining they die for thirst Oh but saith Christ I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth in me shall never thirst Ioh. 6.35 The enjoyment of Christ quencheth worldly thirst the Lord awake your spirits to see how vast a distance there is betwixt earth and heaven and stir up your spirits to a proportionable care about soul-concernments 4. Is there a slothful careless or discouraged soul among you that loves his ease better than life that will not take the pains to be saved or that is not resolved for heaven but in suspense as halting bâ—twixt two opinions could have a months mind after Christ were it not for the inconveniences that attend him difficulties in Religion discourage them and having much sense which bears sway distrust prevails and shouts faith to the heart so that the poor soul falls stat at Satans feet grows listless to duty as one who sees the Well dry breaks or throws away his pitcher some are ready to say as those Jer. 2.25 when God saith With hold thy foot from being unshod i. e. do not by putting off thy shoos address thy self to a slothful or an adulterous bed and thy throat from thirst i. e. forbear thy sinful thirst and desires after idols and vanities but thou saidst there is no hope it's to no purpose past cure past care I have loved strangers and after them will I go you may save a labour I am too far gone to turn now God hath cast me off I am desperate and may as well take my fill of ease and sensual pleasures for this is all the heaven I am like to have This is a dreadful case and such sinners surely understand not what it is to be damned and have not learned Christs readiness to pardon and accept penitent sinners That was a wretched answer that that blasphemous Arrian made executed at Norwich in
more mischief than a storm a lethargy of security is more dangerous than a feaver of soul-trouble Take heed to your selves that you lose not what you have wrought but that you receive a full reward let this gift of God make you aspire after the highest enjoyment of God in eternal life which is also the gift of God 3. Live upon and live up to this blessed gift of God improve Iesus Christ. The height of true Christian perfection is a full view of this lovely Iesus a conformity to him and deriving all influences from him there 's fresh springs in him new unheard-of treasures an unknown-land of grace and delights in him set your cistern under the cock put the mouth of faith to the full breasts of Gospel-promises made in Iesus Christ. Pray much give God no rest tell God there 's enough in his Son of that you want in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2.3 why should you want when there 's enough laid up for you why should you be afraid to ask when all is of free-gift God is more willing to give than you are to receive it easeth his heart as it were to give of the riches of his grace to sinners King James gave to Sir Henry Rich after Earl of Holland 3000 l. at once who had wisht for so much money You think saith the King now you have a great purchase but I am more delighted to think how much I have pleasur'd you in giving than you are in receiving Gods gifts finding room and welcome in your hearts is infinite content to an open-handed giver but you must neither slight nor trifle away his gifts you live all of begging beggars must not be wasters Nemo prodiger qui mendicat own God in all give him the glory When thou hast thy best Suit on remember who bought it made it put it on keeps it on what hast thou that 's not received thank thy good Master for so bountiful an alms 4. Admire free-grace in this great gift I have heard of a gracious Christian that lying down in his bed and rising up had this in his mind and mouth Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift Iesus Christ is such a gift as never came out of the hands of God and was never received by the hands of man a gift that consecrates all other gifts as the altar sanctified the gift laid thereon all Gods gifts to us without this would in some sort be giftless gifts crumbs cast to dogs as Luther call'd the Turkish Empire without which all our persons and performances are no better than dung in Gods account yea in Saints esteem as so many cyphers without a figure yea without Christ we our selves had been dead and damn d wretches Christ is the darling of Heaven the delight of Saints the object of Angels admiration If Heaven and earth were consolidated into one massy Pearl it would not be as the dust on the ballance to blessed Iesus cast in all the holy Angels and rational souls they would all be but trifles compared with this Lamb of God He is the best part of heaven all heaven more than heaven the King makes the Court his presence makes heaven which would be a black nothing a Tohu and Bohu an hell without his company Oh that real Saints were transported with admiration of Gods love in giving Christ and Christs love in giving himself for and to them this will be their work for ever begin it here and cry out with the Martyr in the flames None but Christ none but Christ. Be content to be burnt in this heavenly Sun so you may more fully see and admire him Long to see his blessed face upon his Throne though you could not see his face in the flesh Live to him here that you may live with him hereafter Since he is given to you give your selves back to him Come and see make strange discoveries the nearer you approach to him the better you 'l like him We are dim-sighted and unaffected here but perfect faculties and an endless eternity will compleat our praises of Him Thy best is reserved till the last Read and live and learn what Christ is but die and learn better sight will make you perfect Scholars Whither this Christ-admiring friend is gone whither I pray God bring your immortal souls with Your Souls real friend in Christian Offices O. H. Joh. 4.10 Iesus answered and said unto her if thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water THE first thing that God created in the world was Light Gen. 1.3 and the first work of God in the renovation or new Creation of lost man is to create light in the heart of such as dwell in the region of darkness and sit in the shadow of death The natural man is darkness and knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned And Ignoti nulla cupido what we know not we do not we cannot desire one great reason then why men submit not themselves to the government and ways of Christ is because their minds are not enlightned thorowly and in a manner suitably to the nature and worth thereof so long as they feel no necessity of Christ see no beauty or excellency in him they keep themselves at a distance from him and their own happiness Hagar was near the Well but her eyes were not opened and therefore she made not towards it So this Woman to whom Christ spoke in the Text was near the well of living water the fountain of all grace and comfort yet her eyes were shut and she knew it not of which Christ does admonish her in these words If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee c. They are the words of our blessed Saviour to the Samaritan woman at Iacob's Well near the City Sychar and part of that conference he had with her in his Disciples absence In this Chapter you have a relation of Christs Journey from Iudea by Samaria to Galilee together with the occasion thereof 〈◊〉 many observable passages in the way I shâ—ll only and but lightly touch upon those that concern this Woman in whose person is exemplified that saying of the Prophet Isa. 65.1 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said behold me behold me to a Nation that was not called by my name The story is this Our Saviour Christ leaving Iudea retires to Galilee now the way to Galilee lay through Samaria as he went there fell out an extraordinary thing or as Calvin calls it a happy chance for coming to Sycâ—ar which place though its name be no where else mentioned in Scripture is commonly thought to be Sichem situated on the side of mount Gerizzim the inhabitants whereof were murdered by Simeon
and Stars be beautiful the lovely Lord that made them must contain their beauty in the highest measure beauty in God is the amiableness and loveliness of his nature and all his infinite perfections as this pleasantness offers it self to his own understanding and the understanding of men and Angels So that as bodily beauty satisfies the eye and so acts on the heart to win love So the Truth of the Lords nature and all his Attributes offered to the understanding and mind drawing from them admiration and love is the beauty of God The Prophet speaks of it with admiration How great is thy beauty Zech. 9.17 David makes it his one thing that he may behold it Psal. 27.4 David desires no other life but to stand beside God and behold with the eye of his mind and faith God in his Nature and Attributes as he reveals himself to the creature Now this beauty of God shines forth to us in Christ 2 Cor. 4.7 who is the brightness of his Fathers glory and the express character of his person Heb. 1.3 When Moses was to behold God he was hid in the Rock while his glory passed by and that Rock was Christ. You sometimes see beauty that ravishes the heart of the beholder in the children of men O! but Christ is fairer than the Sons of men Psal. 45.2 on which place Austin thus descants To us Believers the heavenly Bridegroom seems to be most fair every way fair in Heaven fair on Earth fair in the Womb fair in the Cradle fair in his Miracles fair in his Doctrine fair in his Stripes fair on the Cross fair in his very Grave To make up a beauty is required 1. A good complexion fairness in colours So Christ is pure white and red Cant. 5.10 white in his Divine Nature which was the brightness of his Fathers substance Red in his humanity being of the same substance with the first Adam who was made of Red Earth White in his holiness Red in his blood and sufferings White in his own immaculate innocence and purity Red by the imputation of our sins which are like scarlet and Crimson White in his goodness and free grace to humble sinners but Red and bloody in his severity to his enemies that will not that he reign over them His effigies was so beautiful that no Painter could ever draw him because of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divine lustre and grace that shone in him His countenance is as Lebanon excellent as the Cedar Cant. 5.15 and 1.16 the Spouse cryes out wondering Behold thou art fair my beloved yea pleasant that is lovely and amiable 2. As he is fair in Coulors so he is comly in proportion and integrity of parts If a person have never so good colours yet if any part be wanting or be not an agreement of parts in regard of quantity scituation and stature 't is no beauty but an error of nature But Christ is beautiful for features for infiniteness and sweetness of order and proportion is so spread over his nature and attributes that nothing can be added to him nothing taken from him He is the fulness of the godhead the perfection of beauty Cant. 5.10 to the end His head is as most fine gold his locks bushy and black as a raven his eyes as the eyes of doves his cheeks as a bed of spices his lips like lillies c. O what a pleasant harmony and specious consent of parts is here yea he is altogether lovely Here she breaks off her praises in a general Elogy which no words can express enough q. d. Alas what is this I have spoken I am too barren and empty of language I know not what to call him but do you that hear me imagine or name any thing that is most desirable most worthy to be loved longed for and admired and that is he he is the desire of all Nations This pleasant and delightful gift is set forth in Scripture by something that pleases all the inward senses Here 's beauty to delight the eye O! how blessed are they who see the King in his beauty Here 's Myrrh Aloes and Cassia sweet perfumes to the spiritual smell Psal. 45.8 He is a bundle of myrrh Cant. 1.13 His voice is most sweet and pleasant to the ear Cant. 2.8 The voice of my beloved so taken with the sweetneâ—s of it that she speaks in broken language His lips like lillies dropping sweet smelling myrrh Cant. 5.13 How sweet is he to the taste Cant. 2.3 I sate down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste of an excellent rellish wine milk honey fatted calf c. are but shadows of this He 's a delicate Banquet The kisses of his mouth and hidden manna are most delectable to the spiritual touch Cant. 1.2 The sense and experience of his mercy the assurance of his love the sealing of his Spirit O how swâ—et to a thirsty soul O taste and see that the Lord is gracious and transcendently amiable and pleasant as Mr. Rutherford Suppose all the corns of sand in all the earth and shores all the flowers herbs leaves and twigs of trees since the creation all the drops of dew and rain that the clouds send down all the stars in heaven all the joints hairs and drops of blood of all men that have been are or shall be were all rational creatures and had the wisdom and tongues of Angels to speak of the beauty and loveliness of Christ they would in all their expressions stay millions of miles on this side Christ and his excellency 7. Christ is a most useful gift In this respect he is the one thing needful and were there no other excellency in him this were enough to commend him to us he is so useful that we cannot be without him Though a gift were never so rich pleasant and precious in it self yet if the excellency in it may not be made use of and it be not good and fit for us it is not much valued But this gift of God is so admirable good for our use that he seems to be fitted and dressed and made all for our use in regard of his Mediatorship that office is wholly for us and our benefit He was born lived died rose again sits on Gods right hand as Advocate and comes to judgment for our sakes and for our good He is God and Man Prophet Priest and King A Saviour a Redeemer a Surety an Advocate a Mediator Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification c. all for use to us lost and perishing sinners He is a jewel indeed but not locked up in heaven to be made use of by none Christ is shadowed forth in Scripture by Head Vine Milk Water c. now what more necessary and useful to men than these Who could reconcile us to God when we were enemies but Christ in his blood Rom. 5.10 Who could justifie us in the sight of God when we were sinners but Christ by his righteousness Rom.
the good of both worlds and infinitely more He is so needful a good that thou art undone without him that 's the misery of hell yea the very hell of hell He is so plentiful a good that thou art perfectly happy in him thou needest no more he is the Heaven of heavens he is the only suitable satisfying good which suits the nature and fits and fills the desires of the rational creature he can enlarge and suit all thy faculties answer and relieve all thy necessities fill up all the capacities of thy heaven-born soul. He is an everlasting good who will stay with thee and stand by thee when all other good things shall fail thee Wilt thou not now say Lord whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire in comparison of thee I 'm sure he is such a gift as thou wouldest have if thou knew what thou dost as thou shouldst have if thou understood thy self and answeredst the ends of the Gospel as thou must have if thou be not eternally miserable O what dost thou think of having this gift as thine own sure by this time thy heart may melt into astonishment and thy bowels be moved within thee and thy soul cry with the Martyr in the flames None but Christ none but Christ Well what saist thou to him is not Christ worthy to be accepted and embraced Is it not worth the while to have him for thine own Whatever thou thinkest now when death shall close thy eyes thou wilt be of this mind when thy soul stands quivering on thy lips ready to take its flight into the unknown regions of the other world when Devils will be waiting to seize upon it as soon as ever it leaves the body to hale it to the unquenchable flames of Hell when thy friends relations shall be weeping and wailing by thee but unable to afford thy dying body the least cordial or thy departing soul the least comfort Ah what wilt thou do in such an hour which is hasting on thee Without Christ on whom wilt thou call to whom wilt thou flee where wilt thou rest or hide thy self from the wrath of the Lamb of God Believe it though thou maist live without him thou canst not die without him without infinite horrour and confusion Is it not thy greatest concern to have him for thine to whom thou must stand or fall for ever from whose mouth thy sentence of eternal absolution or condemnation must come and who shall judg thee to thine unchangeable state of life or death of salvation or damnation though thou maist think thou canst do well enough without him at this day having what heart can wish in the world yet what wilt thou do at that day when the world shall be on a flame if Christ be not thine Once more let me intreat thee to answer Art thou willing or not to have this gift What say'st thou canst thou find in thine heart to deprive thy precious soul of such an inestimable treasure and to leave it naked in the other world to the cruelty of Devils and the dreadful curses of the Law and intolerable wrath of God 3. Consider on what terms thou maist have this gift for thine thou maist possibly think that so boundless and bottomless a treasure must cost thee very dear and the price must be exceeding great of a pearl so matchless and incomparable much will be expected from me and I shall never be able to compass this gift But know sinner to thy comfort all that God requireth of thee is only to accept Christ heartily and thankfully canst thou desire any thing cheaper wouldest thou desire him to fall lower in his terms Nay is it possible to do so and make thee happy How can he be thine unless thou receive him for thine that is a poor favour a vile gift that is not worth acceptance what more reasonable take him for thine and he shall be thine canst thou both deny him and enjoy him refuse the gift and have it too Our emptiness is the best plea and self-denial our best price thou givest more for thy bread thy clothes thy house and for the needful comforts that are for the support of thy frail body than thou needest to give for this great and glorious Christ thou payest money for them but thou maist have him without money and without price One would think that the equity of the condition should both amaze thee and allure thee God doth not â—ell but give his Son he knows thou hast nothing and he would only have thee to know that too and be humbled under the sense of thy spiritual poverty thou maist lose a gift by offering to buy it Thy money perish with thee c. 'T is said indeed Isa. 55.1 Come buy c. for the word is used here improperly for to get attain receive procure furnish your selves c. So Prov. 3.8 and elsewhere something must indeed be done by those that partake of Christ they must come and accept of him And something parted with but of no valuable consideration in gain to God and what would be prejudicial to us and inconsistent with having this gift But God requires not of thee things impossible he doth not say If thou wilt remove mountains dry up oceans stop the course of nature create worlds and Christ shall be thine as great as good as he is he doth not say If thou satisfie my justice answer the demands of my Law merit my love and favour then shall he be thine No he himself hath done all this for thee all that he desires is that thou wouldest receive him that hath done so Neither doth he require any thing of thee that is barbarous and cruel as the Heathen Deities did of their worshippers he says not if thou wilt lance and mangle thy body as Baal's Priests did or if thou wilt go barefoot in sackcloth long and tedious Pilgrimages as the Papists do If you will offer your Children in the fire and give the fruit of your bodies for the sin of your souls as some did then he is yours Nor doth he require of thee chargeable and costly as to offer the best and chiefest of thy flock in sacrifice to him nor as he once did of the young man to sell all that thou hast and give it to the poor Nor as Idolaters lay down such a part of thy estate for thy pardon But he only requires that thou first thirst and then buy be sensible of thy want and poverty and nothingness and then open an empty hand and take Christ as thy Saviour and Lord and wilt thou not do it Canst thou deny him and thy poor soul so reasonable so equitable a request as the Servant said to Naaman If the prophet had commanded thee some great thing wouldest thou not have done it how much more then when he only saith wash and be clean So say I to thee If God had commanded the greatest things imaginable
wouldest thou not to thy power have done them that thou maist injoy the blessed Son of God for thine How much more then when he only saith Take Jesus Christ as thy Lord and Saviour prize and love him as thy Saviour obey and honour him as thy Lord and he shall be thine for ever do but as much for him as the covetous man does for his wealth as the ambitious man for his honour as the voluptuous man for his belly they give their highest esteem their choicest affections and their greatest service to that which they take for their God their chief good And surely Christ is more worthy hereof and will requite thee best for them 4. Consider how God offers this gift to thee his manner of dealing with thee in this is wonderful he offers Christ most really means what he speaks and most tenderly and affectionately He not only offers Christ to thee but invites thee to him what canst thou desire more in a gift or benefit than to have it heartily offered and be invited to take it He offers Christ without grudging falshood or equivocation with an open heart that he may shew how willing and cordial he is to part with this gift He invites us to take him Rev. 22.17 Let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely Nay he shouts and calls aloud Isa. 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Had he once tendered Christ it had been infinite mercy but to entreat us to accept him to perswade and move us as one that would not be denied that 's admirable 2 Cor. 5.20 We are embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God And he commands us to receive Christ his Son and makes this the chief and as it were the only thing he requires of us 1 Ioh. 3.23 and inforceth his just command with most severe threatnings Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven Sometimes he expostulateth with men Wherefore do you spend your money for that which is not bread Isa. 55.2 and adds protestations of his loathness that any soul should perish Why will you dye anger is not in me why should the flame consume the stubble what could I do more what iniquity have ye found in me c He complains and laments most sadly when men neglect and slight this offered gift Why will ye not come to me that ye may have life He came to his own and they received him not John 1.11 O Ierusalem Ierusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Matt. 23.37 Yea with very vehement passions he bewails and weeps over them that pity not themselves Luke 19.42 If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong to thy peace c. Those tears and mournings over Ierusalem for her hard heart and contempt have been and are still over thee He upbraids men with nothing so much as this and threatens no such woes in all the Scripture as against such as refuse Christ Matt. 11.20 Wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida c. Jer. 13.17 Wo unto thee O Ierusalem wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be He is never so angry with any as with them that despise this love and refuse this offer Luke 14.21 Matt. 22.7 He was very wroth when the invited guests would not come So Mat. 21.40 with those Husbandmen that took his Son and killed him and those Citizens Luke 19.27 that would not have him reign over them are destroyed as enemies And when all this will do no good men will not be perswaded nor allured but hang off and keep at a distance he goes away as it were troubled and wishing it had been better He swears and pawns his life on it that he would not have them perish has no pleasure in their destruction Ezek. 33.11 O that they had hearkened to my commandments then had their peace been as a river and their righteousness as the waves of the sea Isa. 48.18 Psal. 81.11 But my people would not hearken to my voice Israel would none of me O that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my ways I would soon have subdued their enemies I would have fed them with the finest of the wheat with honey out of the rock would I have satisfied them O the compassionate pangs of Gods bowels of infinite mercy towards poor sinners O quam stupenda pieatas quam mira Dei dignatio quem regare debuimus ut nos recipere dignaretur ab ipso rogamur ut ad eum venire dignemur It were one would think enough to prevail with us to accept this gift with joy and thankfulness to consider how incomparably excellent the gift it self is But God adds unspeakable benefits with him to draw us to this acceptance as life and favour with God Prov. 8.35 Whoso findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Recovery of Gods image freedom from bondage communion with God liberty of will pardon of sin power against sin deliverance from Satan peace and joy adoption of Sons Ioh. 1.12 acceptance of persons and services audience of prayers a sanctified use of comforts and crosses victory over death assurance of heaven the fair inheritance of all things fulness of joy and happiness pleasures for evermore 5. Consider why God offereth Christ unto thee for what end is he thus sollicitous about thine acceptance of this gift do not mistake me nor deceive thy self by thinking that because God out of his infinite pity to his miserable creatures is instant and urgent with them to accept of Christ therefore he hath any need of thee or seeketh his own happiness therein I tell thee if thou hadst no more need of Christ than he hath of thee thou maist let him alone No it 's purely for thy good for thy real and eternal good that he offers his Son to thee He needs thy service no more than he doth the service of the Damned or of the Devils and he knows how to make use of thee for his own glory as he doth of them if thou foolishly reject this offer of his Son to save thee Had he a work to do he needs not thy help he might have made nobler creatures than the present race of mankind to glorifie his Grace and execute his will and have left thee and all Adam's posterity to glorifie his Justice Thy righteousness will not
Kings Priests Prophets Titles of Dignity Names of Honour or whatever else was ascribed to them to express their Dignity and Soveraignty they were only used â—o express those transcendent Excellencies which these personal Types did adumbrate and appear most properly to belong unto this Prince of Peace 2. So for the New Testament he is almost expressed but always intended and implied in every chapter verse line and word thereof Take away Christ out of the Gospel and there remains nothing but empty words Take Christ out of the History and it is but a meer Fable and remove him from the Doctrine thereof and it falls to the ground being without a foundation Take Christ out of the Precepts and they are not of force or a yoke too heavy for us to bear Take him out of the Promises and they are not Yea and Amen The Promises without Christ are Wells sealed up bones without marrow In the Epistles if Christ be absent there is no Grace Mercy or Peace 2. He is the prime and marrow of all things as well as of words as Austin tells us having gone through all Creatures and enquired of them for God each one of them did answer I am not he Sed per ipsum sum quem quaeris in me but I have my being from him whom thou seekest in me So if we view the whole Creatition and note the particular excellencies of every Creature we should find that all these are derived from Christ he is the pearl of the word and of the world Is there any thing praise-worthy and excellent even in our estimation which we may not find Christ comprehend the same eminently in himself as the vertue and perfection of the effect is in the cause If riches be desirable and excellent Christ is rich and Lord of all in him are unsearchable riches treasures of wisdom and knowledg If you talk of honours as riches so honours are his We behold his glory as of the only begotten Son of God When man was at first created he was created with honour and glory Psal. 8.5 but Christ is better than man in his primitive purity and original splendour not men only but Angels also worship him Heb. 1.6 Philip. 2.9 God hath highly exalted him he saith not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God hath highted him but hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over-highted or super-exalted him and hath given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a name above all names that is real honour above all names all expressions and above all thoughts and above all excellencies not only in this world but in the world to come O how excellent is his name in all the earth Psal. 8.1 If there be any worth in pleasures as many conceive here then is an object altogether lovely and delightful here is beauty to delight the eye sweetest musick in his voice to ravish the ear and that which pleases all the senses of the inward man Another esteemed excellency is Wisdom which Solomon saith exceedeth folly as far as light exceedeth darkness Eccles 2.13 Now herein doth the excellency of Christ chiefly appear for he was filled with wisdom Luk. 2.40 In him were hid treasures of wisdom Col. 2.3 He is the Wisdom of God and saith Counsel is mine and sound wisdom I am understanding In a word there is one excellency more and but one in this world far transcending all these that is Grace for that makes a man excellent Psal. 16.2 The righteous is more excellent more honourable than his neighbour Prov. 12.26 and procures a name better than of sons and daughters even an everlasting name that cannot be cut off Isa. 56.5 But the grace of any Christian is but as the drop to the Ocean in regard of the grace of Christ who is full of grace and truth Iohn 1.14 Grace is poured into his lips Psal. 45.2 yea such uncreated grace hath no one Christ is better than health than wealth than peace than pleasure than wisdom or grace Christ made ours by his Fathers gift and goodness hath all the sweetness comfort and happiness of all these in him and infinitely more All these are but streams that lead us to the fountain but beams that guide our eyes to that Father of lights to that Son of righteousness God reconciled God incarnate 3. Christ is the first and chiefest of all persons which raises him one degree higher in his superlative excellency 'T is reported of Apelles that at his drawing of his rare pictures of Venus among the Heathens stiled the Goddess of beauty that he assembled together the most beautiful Women of the Island of Coos comprehending in that his own work their divided perfections so to conclude this Encomium of Christ I shall collect the Eminencies of all things and persons and beings and shew that he is the chiefest of all chieftains the choicest of all choice persons in Heaven and Earth God Angels and Men of gods so called he is the chiefest nay he stands alone he is the only true and wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 Of Angels he is the chief the Angel of the Lords substantial presence Isa. 63.9 he is the Archangel 1 Thes. 4.16 the Prince anâ— Head of those glorious spirits Col. 2.10 the head of all principalities and powers Of men he is the prince and choicest the chiefest of ten thousand the standard-bearer among the armies of Angels and men the choice of the flock the flower the rose the glory of all the children of men yea he contains all their excellencies whereof some had one excellency some another he hath all Abraham was excellent in his faith Moses in his choice Iob in his patience David in his sincerity having a heart like Gods heart but Christ hath all eminency of grace in one some are gods but must dye like men Christ is the Prince of life that never dyes some are wise but he is wisdom it self some are strong but he is most mighty some are fair but Christ is fairer than the Sons of men Among relations he is the chief among shepherds he is the chief shepherd of our souls 1 Pet. 5.4 the good shepherd Iohn 10.11 Among Sons he is the first-begotten Son Heb. 1.6 the first-born of every creature Col. 1.15 the first-born among many brethren Rom. 8 29. still he hath the preheminence Among Prophets Priest and Kings he is the most excellent and far transcends all others he is in every respect absolutely perfect and a superlatively excellent Saviour so that there is none such no Saviour besides him this is the person whom you undervalue and make light of 3. By refusing this gift of God you do exceedingly gratifie Satan the great enemy of your souls If a man had conference with the Prince of Darkness and should make this motion to him wherein he might most serve and gratifie him I am confident it would be his only wish to such a soul above any thing in the world that he would keep at distance from Christ neither
come near Him nor his Ordinances have nothing to do with him Now will any be so stupid as to gratifie his greatest adversary to his own unspeakable prejudice Is it not horrible indignity to Christ monstrous cruelty to the soul to refuse Christ who hath done and suffered so much for him and to be led by Satan captive and blindfold into misery to slight Christs sweet invitations and yield to Satans malicious temptations Satan is that strong man that hath power over all men in nature he keeps his goods in peace in the palace of our hearts and there sports himself in carrying on the design of the souls ruin sometimes by policy sometimes by force he keeps possession Luk. 11.21 22. And wherein can a man more designedly gratifie Satan further his wicked designs and establish his kingdom yea enlarge his dominion than by siding with him against Christ who besiegeth the soul with Ordinances and Providences for Satan knows well enough that Christs rise will be his fall Christs scepter will be his destruction that when Christ a stronger than he comes he will overcome him and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted pull down his strong holds divide the spoils and deliver poor captive man out of prison and slavery O then do not so much gratifie Satan 4. If you refuse Jesus Christ offered in the Gospel you are guilty of the greatest sin and folly that can be Though for most part men think not so of it and accordingly lay it not to heart yet it is the greatest sin the sin of sins and in some sort the only sin of the world Men commonly think murder adultery theft drunkenness to be very hainous sins and so indeed they be but unbelief far worse for it is the mother of these and all other evils Take all the sins that ever were committed against any of Gods just laws and none is like to this no greater sin can be laid to ones charge than to refuse wilfully and trample under foot the Son of God Christ promises to send his Spirit the Comforter into the world and he shall convince the world of sin because they believe not on him Joh. 16.9 he means this sin alone saith Austin as if not believing in the Son of God were the only sin Indeed it is the main and master-sin O beloved little do you think who daily sit under the Ministry unwrought on by the Word of God what a grievous and fearful sin you commit and dreadful guilt you carry home with you in neglecting from day to day so great Salvation in forsaking your own mercy and in judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life when Jesus Christ this most precious gift is offered to you by chusing rather to cleave to a lust than to Christ blessed for ever and rather to wallow in the mire and mud of earthly riches and swinish pleasures than to receive this most pleasant and excellent gift rather to cast away your time in idleness pride worldliness and sensuality than in seeking after this transcendent favour rather make choice of a life made up of drunkenness whoredoms railing at godliness The greatness of this sin appears in this that it is most directly and diametrically opposite to the most fundamental Doctrine and command of the Gospel the primary and principal command of Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3.23 When the Jaylor being sadly convinced cryed out to the Apostles Sirs what shall I do to be saved they answered him Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved Not to believe is accounted by God notorious disobedience and horrid gain saying Rom. 10. ult In the Law God strictly requires obedience to his just precepts Do this and live by doing these things thou shalt save thy self from hell but no man living being able to purchase Heaven at this rate by Christ he takes off this yoke so that if they will but believe on his Son they shall not be condemned by the Law and thus he treats men Since thou canst not fully obey my Law nor satisfie my Justice I 'le give thee my Son who shall do all for thee through whose perfect obedience thy imperfections may be remitted and healed only thou must believe in him and if thou wilt do but this one thing for thy soul all thy sins shall be pardoned thou shalt be received into favour adopted for my Son and in thy obedience to the rest of my commands I 'le accept the will for the deed though thou canst not perform such perfect obedience as thou shouldest yet if thou labour to do what thou canst I 'le help thee with strength from Heaven bear with unallowed infirmities c. 'T is a sin against light and much knowledg a sin against love and special mercies it binds all a mans other sins upon him it puts and keeps him under the guilt of all his sins Infidelitate manente maneat peccatum omne he that lives in unbelief dies in his sins it makes a mans actions though moral and spiritual be sinful be a man never so holy and devout do or suffer never so much none of these nor all nor whatever can be named or imagined God will not be pleased with them for without faith 't is impossible to please God yea 't is a sin that defiles all a mans outward enjoyments and temporal good things To them that are unbelieving nothing is pure wife children house In a word 't is the height and perfection of madness to refuse Christ Quis nisi mentis inops c. Heaven and earth may be astonished Angels and all Creatures may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishness and monstrous madness 5. If you refuse Christ you utterly undo your own souls for ever if ye miss of this gift ye must expect nothing but misery here and eternal damnation hereafter For there is no name under heaven by which you can be saved Whatever your formalities be how fair soever ye carry in the eye of the world let your profession be never so plausible 't is Christ alone that can save you If you will accept of the Lord Jesus Christ you are in the suburbs of Heaven there is but a thin wall between you and the land of Praises ye are within an hours sailing of the shore of the new Canaan when death digs a little hole in the wall and takes down the sails you have no more to do but set your foot down in the fairest of created Paradises but if you will not accept of Christ let me tell you the truth you are in the suburbs of Hell there is but the cutting of a small thred and you have your portion with hypocrites and unbelievers 1. By refusing Christ you do no less than put and fix your selves in the state of condemnation Let not this be accounted as a harsh censure of my own head for 't is the Scipture Ioh. 3.18 He that believeth on him is
not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and the reason this sentence is past upon such is because they believe not on the only begotten Son of God and the wrath of God abides on them Ioh. 3.36 We are all lost in Adam and if it be the office of Christ to save them that are lost they do worthily abide in death who refuse him and his Salvation 2. This sin of refusing Christ this very sin will e're long bring you actually into the place of condemnation whence there is no return What shall we be damned No far be it from me to pronounce the sentence of condemnation upon the worst of men but this you may be assured of that if you live and die without Christ your portion will be in utter and everlasting darkness 2 Thes. 2.12 That they all might be damned that believed not the truth c. Iesus Christ will be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thes. 1.7 8 9. and take your lot with them Rev. 21.8 The unbelieving shall have their portion in the lake of fire and brimstone the very worst place in Hell Luke 12.48 To say nothing of Temporal Judgments answer me this question Isa. 33.14 Who among you can dwell with everlasting burnings The time will come when you shall remember what the Minister said O how fain would he have had me to escape these torments how earnestly did he entreat me With what love and tender compassion did he beseech me how did his bowels earn over me yet I did but make a jest of it and hardened my heart against all how glad would he have been after all his studies prayers and pains if he could have perswaded me cordially to accept Christ he would have thought himself well recompenced for all his labours he would have laid his hands under my feet and have fallen down on his knees to beg of me obedience to his message and all the entreaties of Ministers are the entreatings of God O how long did he wait how freely did he offer how lovingly did he invite how importunately did he solicite how long did Christ stand knocking at my door crying open to me sinner why sinner are thy lusts and pleasures better than me is earth better than heaven why then dost thou delay or deny wilt thou not be made clean when shall it once be O that thou wouldest hearken to my voice and obey my Gospel O that they were wise As one that is loath to take a denial would not be repulsed O how would he have gathered thee and thou wouldest not shall the God of heaven and earth follow thee in vain from one place to another Turn ye turn ye why will ye die I would not have you perish If you go on with your refusal of Christ you may expect that the hellish gnawing of conscience for this one sin will hold scales with all the united horrour of all the rest you will then cry out O fools and ideots that we were when we refused so excellent a gift so blessed a Saviour we could then see no beauty in him nor comeliness wherefore we should desire him but now how fair and glorious is he whom we see upon the white Throne how desirable is his Sacred Majesty O how amiable is his countenance how doth he shine with incomparable splendor above the brightness of ten thousand Suns What wrong have we done our own souls that we have deprived of so beautiful and delightful an object as this most sweet and glorious Saviour If now we had time and leave to make our choice we would prefer the enjoyment of him whom we once contemned before ten thousand worlds But alas we cannot the term of mercy is expired and the time of justice wrath and vengeance so much spoken of by our faithful Pastors is now come and now we must be judged to the easeless endless and â—emediless torments of the infernal pit And all our pleasures and delights are gone O that we had never been born O that we had been so happy as our horses or swine which die but once and fell no more pain for ever whereas we must be ever dying and never free from pain and misery Wo wo wo unto us that ever we were born to see this day and to die this death and to live this life which will be a never dying death We that accounted such an one a precise fool for his care to receive and improve this gift of God shall groan out this sad complaint in the anguish of our spirits This was he whom we had sometimes in derision and a Proverb of reproach we fools counted his life madness and his end to be without honour now he is numbred among the Children of God and his lot is among the Saints Therefore we have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousness hath not shined upon us and as for the way of the Lord we have not known it What hath pride profited us or what good have riches with our vanity brought us all these things are passed by as a shadow and as a Post that hasts away O with what infinite horrour and restless anguish will this conceit rent the heart in pieces and gnaw up the conscience when he considers in hell that he hath lost heaven for a lust and Christ for a meer shadow whereas he might at every Sermon had even the Son of God his own for the very taking and with him for ever unspeakable joy and glory yet then neglecting so great Salvation must now be crying out therefore against himself as the most raging Bedlam that ever breath'd lye down in unquenchable flames without remedy ease or end Whereas all those that now accept of Christ shall while they live when they die and for ever cry out with the Apostle 2 Cor. 9.15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift 2. Second Branch of Instruction and Exhortation Such as have received this gift of God must make it their care and business to retain and keep him Buy the truth but sell it not Prov. 23.23 Remember how thou hast received and hold fast Rev. 3.3 This was the exemplary wisdom and care of the Church Cant. 3.4 I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mothers house and into the chamber of her that conceived me She came by him hardly and therefore she will not part with him lightly it cost her dear to find him she sought him up and down with tears and pains and returns with many a non inventus yet at last got him with much hazard and danger much loss and suffering and therefore having found him whom her soul loved she would by no means part with him nor leave him for the greatest advantages in the world she knew well that nothing under heaven could countervail the loss of him nothing in this wide universe though never so lovely and desirable could be equivalent to
of candle to any all equally enjoy Eternity there is one lease and term-day to the lowest inhabitant of glory as to the highest and that is Eternity There is common to all one City the streets whereof are transparent gold that the poorest inhabitants of a place do all walk on streets of gold of Ophir is a great commendation of a City 'T is common to them all that they shall never sigh never be sad never be sick never be old never die all feel the smell of the fairest rose that ever men or Angels heard of or can imagine the flower the glory the joy of Heaven the Lord Jesus Christ. All walk in white and can sin no more all have eternal life fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore So Christ is a publick gift all that truly believe may receive him may keep him may use him though there be many thousands of souls that are receiving from Christ yet he is full enough to supply thy wants though millions of souls employ him in the world yet he is at leisure to do thy work too if thou employ him All his offices and benefits are for thy use most properly he is made ordained appointed and fitted unto us of God Wisdom righteousness sanctification and redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Is not a Redeemer of use for captives a Saviour for sinners a Priest for offenders a Prophet for the ignorant a King to deliver such as are in bondage and to conquer and subdue oppressors What is a Physician for but for sick persons Look on Christ in all his undertakings from first to last he is for use As particularly 1. Wherefore did Christ empty himself and come into the world was it not for sinners and will such cast him off and pass him by as useless Did he rent the heavens and come down to thâ— earth on purpose to seek and save lost sinners Luk. 19.20 and 1 Tim. 1.15 and will ye noâ— now make use of him 2. Wherefore was he made a Sacrifice and laid down his life and spilt his most precious blood was it not for us Messias was to be cut off but not for himself not for Angels but for us and did God give his Son to die for no use and purpose is not he the good shepherd that giveth his life for his sheep that they may have life and have it more abundantly Ioh. 10.10 He died that by his death he might reconcile us to God when we were enemies Rom. 5.10 His blood was spilt to justifie us Rom. 5.9 He was delivered for our offences Rom. 4.25 He paid a ransome for us and made satisfaction to divine justice in our nature and stead He gave himself for his Church Ephes. 5.25 26. that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by his word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle that it might be holy and without blemish He died that he might kill sin which would be our death and crucifie the old man and to establish a new Covenant and open a way to Heaven and shall all this be in vain did Christ die as a fool dieth 3. Wherefore did he rise again from the dead was it not for our use and benefit Rom. 4.25 He rose again for our justification that is God did declare by raising him from the dead that he hath accepted the death of his Son as of a sufficient ranâ—ome for our sins and he being our true pledg and surety therefore having satisfied for us by his death and returning again to life gives us a clear evidence and firm argument that God was fully reconcil'd and life purchased for us which assurance we could not have had if Christ our pledg had remained under the power of death and shall not we make use of Christs Resurrection to confirm our faith that God is satisfied for us He rose again that he might quicken us to a new life and shall we lye dead rather than improve 4. What was the end of Christs Ascension was not that also for us and our use and benefit that then he might lead captivity captive and give gifts to men Ephes. 4.8 either passively that Christ might take away from Satan death and hell and all their captives and make them his happy captives and shall such a Redemption be refused Or actively that he might captivate the world flesh devil death and hell which in several kinds had captivated mankind and shall not we make use of him for conquering such enemies He ascended that he might give his Spirit and confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost Act. 2.16 17. and that he might prepare a place for us And shall these great benefits be neglected 5. Once more Wherefore is he an Advocate but to plead for us when we dare not cannot come to speak for our selves What a strange piece of folly were it for a man that has a friend in the Court who is appointed purposely to plead his cause or present his petition and yet he make no use of him when the success of his business concerns his whole estate or life when we have sinned and offended God we have Christ our advocate with the Father to interpose betwixt the blow of Justice and our guilty souls and shall this priviledg be neglected 1 Ioh. 2.1 If we want any thing that God hath laid up for us he is ready to make intercession for us who cannot be denied Heb 7.25 He must perfume all our Sacrifices or they are not accepted offer up all our Prayers or they are not answered What need had we then to make use of him It is only by the blood of Christ that we have boldness or liberty to enter into the holy of holies Heb. 10.19 And by him is a new and living way consecrated for us that we may draw near with true hearts and full assurance of faith Heb. 10.20 22. And none can come unto the Father but by him O then make use of this only name and way and be often walking in it to God and his Throne of Grace Object O but I am a wretched sinner a worthless worm and captive what have I to do with such a precious Saviour with so glorious a Lord Answ. But pray tell me wherefore is Christ a Saviour is he not for sinners Wherefore is he a Redeemer is it that he should lye by God as useless was he not a Redeemer for Captives Hath not God fitted and dressed Christ as I may so speak for sinners use and advantage what if all the world should say so Christ should be a Saviour and save none a Redeemer and ransome none at all an Advocate and plead for none for all are sinners all are captives all are at enmity with God naturally We have the more need to use him because such Now for Direction how we must make use of Christ 1. As for the manner 2. The particular cases wherein 1. How or in what
enemies Col. 1.21 Those that are afar of are made nigh by the blood of Christ he hath broken down the partition-wall and slain the enmity Ephes. 2 16 17 18. If thou hast some dear friend who bestows a gift on thee in token of his dear love and respect to thee and there should be afterwards some disagreeing and falling out betwixt you wouldst thou shew this gift a pledg of league and amity c. thus hold up Christ to God 3. Or though it be not thus yet thou wantest the sense and feeling of his love and art comfortless in the want of it O then make use of Christ in this case who is able to make all Consolations abound and fill thy soul with joy and peace in believing He hath said Ioh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless Tristatur aliquis nostrum veniat in cor Iesus Is any man sad saith Bernard let that sweetest name Jesus come into his heart and so he shall have that peace and comfort that the world cannot give neither can the world take it away from him Christ is a most soveraign Cordial apply and use him and your joy will be full 4. Or art thou terrified in Conscience and groaning under the insupportable burden of a wounded spirit art thou affrighted with accusing and condemning thoughts O go to Christ who as he can make peace in the Court of Heaven so he can create peace in thy heart and still the crys of Conscience and make a calm there also though the waves roar and the winds blow c. thy soul shall have peace in him which passeth all understanding Col. 1.20 And will say in me ye shall have peace be of good cheer let not your hearts be troubled though your hearts ake and tremble yet he is greater thaâ— your hearts who is nigh to justifie you Isa. â—â— 8 so that you may triumph with the Apostle Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died Rom. 8.34 Expect no peace in laying aside Christ. 5. Are you afraid of death and judgment to come in this case also make use of Christ. It 's reported by Cassander that in ancient times sick and weak dying persons were directed and accustomed to make use of Christ at that time especially interposing him betwixt them and Gods Judgment saying these words Lord we put thee the death of our Lord Iesus Christ betwixt us and thy judgment But what need we look into Historians the Scriptures shew what languishing souls and drooping spirits must do Psal. 23.4 5. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death yet I will fear no evil c. Christ hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.4 taken out the venome and malignity of it Death lost its sting in Christs side And now O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Or fearest thou judgment look to Christ and thou shalt not die the second death but he will raise thee up at the last day Ioh 6.49 50. Having Christ thou maist stand in judgment and lift up thy head with joy for 't is the day of thy Redemption then the redeemed of the Lord shall return with joy everlasting and you shall appear with him in glory 4. Fourth Branch of Exhortation Be â—ery thankful for him yea let your whole soul go out in thankfulness be ever praising and magnifying God for his unspeakable mercy in Christ your Sacrifice your Redeemer your Saviour often call upon your sluggish hearts and say Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Psal. 103.1 and 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for this the greatest of all his benefits O be thankful not in a common ordinary formal manner but in the most lively enlarged and raised manner that is possible where the mercy is high and great the thankfulness must bear some proportion to it O let your apprehensions be widened to conceive the vastness of this mercy that your affections may be more enlarged to praise God for it O how shall we get our hearts affected with it what thankfulness can be enough for such a gift should not the whole soul be summon'd in to give its most united acknowledgment of so signal a mercy for God to give his only begotten Son to be a Saviour for sinners Here 's the wonder of wonders God never did the like before and he 'l never do the like again and blessed be his name there is no need he should It would have been admirable mercy if God would have sent some other person upon this Errand to redeem and save undone sinners If send he will why did he not send an Angel or body of Angels to try their skill and see what they could do Nay why did he not send an Angel as once he did with a flaming sword in his hand to keep off sinners from the Tree of Life O this did not comport with his gracious designs though it did too well with the creatures merit therefore he would not do it no his own Son shall be pitcht upon he is the person whom God will send Surely here was love great love great to the degree of infiniteness Millions of Angels were nothing to one Son to one such Son his first-born his only begotten Son the Son of his love who lay in his bosom had been his delight from everlasting O astonishing mercy O admirable goodness and condescention how may we cry out here Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him and the Son of man that thou makest this account of him Psal. 8.4 and 144.3 or as Iob 7.17 What is man that thou shouldest magnifie him and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him Here was God so loving so as can never be expressed never be comprehended Ioh 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed on him might not perish but have everlasting life The Heavens and the Earth were once called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the ingratitude of a sinful people Isa. 1.2 May not now Heaven and Earth Angels and men all creatures whatsoever be called upon to be filled with astonishment because of the stupendious love of God! O Christians what influence hath this upon your dull and sluggish hearts what are you made of that you are no more in the sense of it drawn out in blessing loving admiring and adoring of God Pray if there be any holy ingenuity in you take some pains with your selves that you may be much more affected with it and give not over till you have such thoughts and affections upon Gods giving his Son raised in you as may in some measure answer to those thoughts and affections which you shall have about it when you shall be in Heaven The Angels never reaped that advantage that we do yet they were at praising-work as soon as ever Christ was born
Luk. 2.13 14. A multitude of the heavenly host was praising God saying Glory to God in the highest on earth peace and good will towards men Good Zachary so soon as his mouth was opened begun his Prophecy with Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath visited and redeemed his people Luk. 1.68 69. And old Simeon ended his life with praise and blessing God Luk. 1.19 'T is the duty of all Christians in every thing to give thanks 1 Thes. 5.18 because this is the will of God in Christ much more should every soul give thanks for Christ the top of all blessings the flower of all enjoyments think much of this threefold cord of obligation to praise 1. When a gift is free 2. When it is great 3. When special thanks is most due for though a man receive a benefit from another yet if he have in any measure deserved it before or it be in lieu of something to be done after it abates the thankfulness But though it be free yet if it be not much worth that lessens thanks but if it be a thing of worth yet if it be commonly to be had or given to all this will take off somewhat of the edg of thankfulness But now 1. Christ is an absolutely free gift not only undeserved but undesired and expected kindness by the rules of friendship and love in the heathens judgment doth challenge either recompence if we deal with our matches or acknowledgment where the distance is great and the greater this the greater that Now betwixt God and us the distance is infinite and if it were possible our love and thankfulness should fill up that distance and extend it self to infiniteness Let Angels and men adore and praise God for this gift to eternity in Heaven yet they must be ashamed and blush at the imagination of merit The dignity and worth of this gift must lay an infinite though sinless debt for ever on all the Citizens of Glory whether home-born and natives of the Country as elect Angels or adopted strangers as glorified Saints Christ is the flower glory and crown of free Grace 2 The gift is of unspeakable worth and excellency than which none could ever be greater none better the only begotten Son God blessed for evermore the brightness of his Fathers Glory co-equal and co-essential with the Father there could be no addition at all made to his Glory he was so high he could not be higher so great so good c. He is better than wealth or health than peace or life 3. There 's distinguishing favour in bestowing Christ on thee and not on others that which is common to all will never leave such an impression of wonder and praise but when it comes to me and us that makes deepest impression The passing by of my Father and Mother my Brother my Sister Husband or Wife Neighbour or Friend and taking me is a most endearing favour Two lye in the same womb sit in the same seat hear the same Sermon and one is taken and another left Psal. 147.12 19 20. Praise the Lord O Ierusalem praise thy God O Zion Among many other grounds and reasons that 's one in the 19. verse He shews his wâ—rd unto Iacob his statutes and his judgments to Israel he hath not dealt so with any Nation Here he speaks not of the measure as if others had the same grace revealed in nature but in inferiour degrees for he saith as for his judgments they have not known them and being full of it he concludes Praise ye the Lord Christ esteemeth this the flower of Grace and blesseth his Father for it Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes To consider that of all England all Europe all Adam's posterity that ever were masters of a living soul the Lord passed by so many thousands and millions and the lot of free grace fell upon me precisely by name and not on many besides no less eligible than I was O how should it ravish our hearts into admiration and praise Blessed are your eyes for they see such things that many Kings and Prophets have desired to see and have not seen them Luk. 10.23 O what thoughts will ye have of this mercy in Heaven when you shall have your souls laden with a massy weight of glory and thousands of souls spitting out blasphemies on the Majesty of Heaven out of the sense of the torment of the gnawing-worm that never dies and you consider the soul of Iudas might have been in my souls stead and my soul in the same place of torment that he is now in O the unsearchable riches of the free grace of God in Christ How should we now sing that new Song that properly belongs to all redeemed ones Rev. 14.3 and to say with a loud voice Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitteth on the Throne for ever and ever Rev. 5.8 ad finem and Rev 7.12 O how should we extol and shew forth his praises had we as many tongues as members or joints or hairs were our whole body turned into that one member yet should we not be able for this high and glorious mercy sufficiently to celebrate the praises of the most high God 5. Fifth and last Branch of Exhortation Be fruitful in Christ True thankfulness improves the gift to the Donors honour A friend gives me a token I 'le receive it for his sake a jewel I 'le keep it for his sake a Book I 'le use it for his sake a Ring I 'le wear it for his sake that is so as may best express my love and report his goodness Were we truly thankful to our God we would use and improve this gift for his sake to his glory O let it be our chief care to improve this transcendently excellent gift to his glory who gave it Let me press this Exhortation on â—ou in the words of the Apostle Col. 2.6 As ye have therefore received Christ Iesus the Lord so walk ye in him It is not enough to have or to know that we have received Christ but we are to see that we walk in him or according to him 'T is not sufficient for us to take Jesus Christ this gift of God offered in the Gospel but our deportment and carriage must be such as becomes them that have received so great a favour Christ was the greatest Legacy that ever was bequeathed to poor creatures and he and his benefits that come with him is matter of greatest weight and concernment that ever God be-trusted in the hands of dust and ashes the most rich glorious and perfect gift that ever came out of the hands of God Wherefore let us gird up the loyns of our mind and be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Iesus Christ as obedient
3. Removing the spirit of bondage and restoring peace and joy to the soul He gives them peace with him Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth give I unto you Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid and Iob. 16.33 He gives them a free spirit an inlarged heart a sound mind the spirit of power and love 2 Tim. 1.7 5. He shews his Lordship towards his peculiar people in maintaining them in his service and supplâ—ing them in all their wants From this Head wherein dwells all fullness all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred increases with the increase of God Col 2.19 The Lord is their shepherd they shall not want Psal. 23.1 and 84.11 Verily his houshold shall be fed they shall want no good thing He gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 Even of outward necessaries they shall have what they want if not what they would 6. In defending them against and upholding them in all temptations and troubles He tells them in all their dangers and straits my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 He will keep them in all their ways surely then in all his work safety evermore accompanies duty His Servants are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph. 6.10 They are preserved in Christ Jesus Iude 2. and are never unsafe but when they leave working or with Ionah run away from their Master Micah 5.4 He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide There is no security but in Christs family never are his servants in danger but when they go out of it and he takes care of the seed and posterity of his Servants Psal. 69.36 7. At last abundantly rewarding and dignifying them In doing his work there is great reward That happiness which Christ gives his Servants in this life is unspeakable their work seems to have more of wages than of work in it but in the next life their joy will be so great as that it cannot so well be said to enter into them as they to enter into it Mat. 25.51 Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. The joy of their Lord whose bosom is the hive and center of all goodness and that in which all the scattered parcels of blessedness are bundled up Râ—v 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Their services are all Booked he who formerly gave them abilities for to work will now give them a recompence for working their work though never so great is but small to their wages nor is the weight of their labours comparable to that of their Crown and put in all their heavy sufferings too Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life 2. How is this threefold Lordship exercised 1. By what means 2. For what end 3. In what manner or order 1 st By what means doth he exercise this Lordship 1. By his hand of providence concourse and co-operation in the creature that Providence Christ speaks of in Iohn 5.17 19 22 My father worketh hitherto and I work For what things soever he doth these also doth the son likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Nazianzen well interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. nor for the similitude of those things they do but in respect of the same power and authority of both the Son doth not imitate but co operate he works not like but the same work that the Father doth Quod operatur filius opus patris est Hil. Whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth because they are one God have one will power and working for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son the Father judgeth not alone because he judgeth by the Son The word judging here signifies full power to rule in Heaven and Earth 1 Cor. 8.6 There is one God the father of whom are all things and we in him or for him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him By here notes not the instrumental but the principal cause the Prepositions of and by are not so to be taken that we make two Causes seeing they have but one Nature though they be distinct persons and the Father and Son work together but by these of and by the Apostâ—e differenceth their order and manner of working Col 1.17 He is before all things and by him all things consist 2. By his Word and Spirit in common works and gifts Psal. 110 2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord i. e. God the Father â—ho had said sit thou on my right hand i. e. receive chief power and authority from me and exercise jurisdiction over alâ— shall send forth the Rod of thy power i. e. thy powerful and mighty Rod or the Rod and Scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might â—he means specially the Preaching of the Word which is the Power of God to Salvation and is able to cast down strong holds and every high thing Be thou Ruler by thy word and spirit notwithstanding all the resistance of thine enemies 1 Pet. 3.19 By which aâ—so he went and preached to the spirits in prison by the power and manifestation of his spirit 3. By his Word and Spirit in saving works and effects His Word worketh effâ—ctually in all them that believe 1 Thes. 2.13 and the Spirit of Truth the Comforter which he promises to send Iohn 14.16 18 and 16.14 He shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto on 2. The end or use of this threefold Lordship why or for which he exercises it 1. For his Fathers and his own glory John 13.31 Now is the son of man glorified and God is glorified in him i e He shall be glorified in the admirable work of mans redempâ—ion for death to overcome death is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great glory and shews him to be the Lord of life Col. 1.16 all things were created and do consist as well for him as by him that he might have the preheminence and glory as the first-born of every creature or heir of all things 2â— For the salvation of his chosen that he may give unto them eternal life Iohn 17.2 Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son may also glorifie thee as thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 3. For the overthrow of all adverse power to these ends whatever opposeth the glory of God and happiness of believers his Lordship is exercised for
Servants be less than their delight who have Majesty it self to serve them certainly in Heaven there shall be as many Kings as Subjects 13. He is a tender and compassionate Lord He was made like unto his brethren in all things sin excepted and having suffered himself being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Heb. 2.18 We have not an high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin Heb 4.15 and 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and them that are out of the way He cannot only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bear part in our afflictions but bear with us in our infirmities being thorowly and not lightly touched with the feeling of our infirmities He is sensible of his servants wrong when tempted seduced Rev. 2.20 To seduce my servants as well as fensible of their grief when wronged and persecuted in all their afflictions he is afflicted and takes the wrongs offered to his Servants as offered to himself they that hurt them touch the apple of his eye he covers with the mantle of his excusing-love their unavoidable inâ—irmities The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak 14. He is a most loving and sociable Master who puts his Servants upon nothing but what himself hath done or doth before them he first practiceth what he imposeth on them He lays no yoke upon them but what he himself hath born leads them in no way but himself hath first trodden it He is not like the Pharisees who bind heavy burdens upon others but will not touch them with one of their fingers Matt. 23.4 but he does as Abimelech Judg. 9.48 What ye have seen me do make hast and do as I have done or as Tully reports of Caesar that he was never heard to say to his Soldiers Ite illuc but venite huc So Christ leads by example his voice is follow me Iuvat idem qui jubet 15. He is a good Master As he bears part in their sufferings and is a fellow-sufferer so he is not only their Lord and Master but their helper and fellow-worker whatever he imposes on them he helps and furnishes them to do it he puts them to no work wherein he doth not help them Herein he goes beyond all other Masters who can toil and task their Servants sufficiently but cannot strengthen them Christ encourages and assists them in their work when they grow faint and weary he strengthens them when doubtful he teaches them when slothful sometimes indeed he corrects them but not to kill but quicken them not to destroy them but their sloth when they are sick he pities and spares them when old he turns them not out of his service but the longer they live in it the more they love it yea the more able they are to perform it In a word when they dye he neither suffers them to lye still nor sends them to seek another Master for then they change not their Master for another but their work for a better or rather for their wages Psal. 138.3 Isa. 40 28 29 30 31. Ioel. 2.29 16. He is a most faithful Master he keeps secures and vindicates all his Servants he preserves them and provides for them gives them all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.4 comforts them with exceeding great and precious promises he feeds them with his own flesh and blood he clothes them with his own righteousness he directs them with his own spirit his Servants shall want no good thing they shall neither pine for want nor surfeit with abundance they shall never have so much or so little as to make them unfit for service Christ loves to keep them in working case How can a Servant of Christ want provision when as he can make his very work meat and drink unto him nay his wants meat and drink How can they want whose friend hath and is all things A Servant of Christ may be sick persecuted scorned imprisoned but never unsafe He may suffer evils to touch them but he never suffers evils to hurt them He visits them in and delivers thâ—m from all their troubles He rebukes Kings for their sakes and protects them safely from all enemies 17. He is a holy and impartial Lord and Master and takes account of all his servants exactly and particularly He compares himself to a King that took an account of his servants Mat. 18.23 Mat. 25.19 After a long time the Lord of those servants comes and reckons with them he will not indulg any in their ease and sloth 18. He is a most bountiful Lord and Master and abundantly rewards any service that 's done to him aright thâ—ugh never so little Luk. 19.17 He pays his servants most bountifully Well done thou good servant because thou hast been faithful in a very little have thou authority over ten cities Mat. 10.42 He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet and a righteous man in the name of a righteous man and whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple veriâ—y I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward 19. This Lord is the most dreadful adversary he will sharply and severely punish evil servants who say in their hearts the Lord delays his cominâ— Mat. 24.48 49 50 51. 25.30 Cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness there shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth He that knew his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.47 1 Thes. 1.8 He will come in flaming fire to take vengeance on his adversaries And they shall call to the rocks to fall on them and to hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb Rev. 6.16 20. He is a most desirable and incomparable Lord and such a Master as the world never knew for he makes all his faithful servants sharers with him in his wealth and honour They shall enter into the joy of their Lord Mat. 25.21 Sit in Thrones with him wear never-fading Crowns and inherit his everlasting Kingdom They that now follow him shall be where he is and the same glory he hath they shall have for ever Cadit mundus non cadit Christianus quia non cadit Christus Aust. Let the world fall yet a Christian falls not as long as Christ stands Whereas Satan chuses the subtillest he can find and leaven'd through to do his work and send on his errand for he cannot make a Mercury out of every block he is not able to give a man understanding wisdom and abilities for his work neither can he increase or improve any mans parts and gifts he must have instruments ready to his hand he can but put them forward and tempt them he will give
hearts What a Christian and yet sensual A Christian and yet proud A Christian believing in Christ a man of sorrows and yet given to pleasures What a Christian and yet worldly 4. Such as serve the world and yet pretend to serve Christ Christ tells you it cannot be Ye cannot serve God and Mammon Mat. 6.24 't is impossible to join these together Those that are slaves to the Naaman of iniquity that do not only possess money but are possessed of money that with Iudas will sell Christ for thirty pieces of silver that rise early and lye down late and eat the bread of carefulness that will compass Sea and land to get gain these make gold their God their covetousness is justly termed Idolatry Col. 3.5 Alas my Brethren what is their in the world that it should be so much coveted and heaven slighted What hath the world done for its most faithful servants How oft have we heard them complaining at last O the world hath deceived me and undone me it flattered me in my prosperity and now utterly cast me off in my necessity Ah if I had served the Lord as faithfully as I have served the world he would not have cast me off at last nor have left me thus comfortless and hopeless in my depth of misery 5. Time-servers that change their Religion with the times are not servants of the Lord their Religion is like a piece of wax to be moulded into any frame according as the times alter Such as will be Superstitious if the times be so that will be devout or atheistical according to the times It was the speech of a time-server that was said to be spoken by the King of Navarre to Beza That he would lanch no further into the sea of Religion than he might be sure to return safe in the haven This is the right Picture of a time-server as many turned Protestants in K. Edward's days and Papists in Q. Maries Lastly Those that serve the worst Master that is sin 'T is indeed one thing to be a sinner and another to be the servant of sin that is one that gives himself over to the service of sin that is bound Apprentice to sin The difference was great between Paul and Ahab Paul was sold under sin but it was against his will but Ahab sold himself willingly to work wickedness How many such servants of sin are there as the Centurions servant served him if sin bid go they go such servants are swearers and drunkardâ— that are at the service of their oaths and cups This is a most shameful and pernicious service for it is to serve the Devil Ioh. 8.44 O that the world would believe this that when they serve this or that lust they serve the Devil Cyprian brings in the Devil upbraiding Christ Ostende mihi tet servos qui tibi c. Shew me if thou canst so many servants that have served thee so diligently and willingly as I can shew that have served me Can Satan give you better wages as Saul said to his followers Can the son of Iesse make you captains of hundreds and captains over thousands give you vineyardâ— and oliâ—â—yards c. 1 Sam. 22.7 Aâ—as if sin had not put out your eyes as the Philistines did by Sampson that you cannot see the vileness and cursedness of it you would nevâ—r grind in its mill for the wages of sin is death 3. Use of Exhortation two Branches 1. To all to perswade them to esteem chuse and embrace Christs service 2. To Christs servants to take care to be such servants and perform such service as shall be found good and faithful approved by Christ. 1. Is Christ such a Lord as you have heard then let every one of us be prevailed with to take him for our Lord and give up our selves to him and become his servants this day we must either resign up our selves to this excellent Lord or we cannot be true Christians 2 Cor. 8.5 this is the essence of Christianity and life of Religion and marrow of Profession To wear the badg and livery of Chriâ—â— in external profession without this is nothing but a dead carcass an empty shadow and will turn to our greater condemnation another day That which will be enquired after at the great day is not who owned Christ as Lord in profession but who honoured Christ as Lord by real subjection and resignation of themselves unto him The great question will be Whether did Christ reign over us and bring us under his Law and Dominion and upon the decision of this important question depends the everlasting state of our souls and bodies in the next world If you now say unto Christ We are Lords we will not come at thee depart from us we desire not the knowledg of thy ways or as Pharoah Who is the Lord that I should obey him He will say unto you at the last day Depart from me ye cursed I know you not nor will your crying Lord Lord then any thing avail you O then let it be your resolution now to resign your selves to this gracious Saviour take him for your Lord and Soveraign Kiss the Son serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling O that your hearts would once at last say as 't is foretold of Gospel times Isa. 44.5 I am the Lords other Lords have had dominion over me but henceforth by thee only will I make mention of thy name Isa. 26.13 We will not say any more to the work of our hands nor to the lusts of our hearts to the world the flesh or to sin ye are our gods for with thee O Lord poor lost creatures find mercy Hos. 14.3 Whatever your neighbours acquaintance or kindred let them chuse whom they will serve yet we are resolved for our part we will serve the Lord Iosh. 24.15 O my friends what say you to this motion what answer give you to this invitation is it not most reasonable and considerable you are prest to come to Christ and take his yoke and bow the knee before him c. What will you do will every one of you give up himself to Christ resign soul and body to the service of this glorious Lord Have you found or ever heard of any thing in him that may deter you what iniquity have you seen in him that you keep at distance from him and walk after vanity Is he not worthy of your love not good enough to be your Master can you bestow your selves better employ your selves more profitably what sticks it at would you take time to consider of it and defer your resolutions to another day so you have done too long already and ventur'd too far by your delays To day if you will hear his voice then harden not your hearts Seek ye the Lord while he may be found call upon him while he is near He now saith hearken unto me and I will make a covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Encline your ear
come unto me Hear and your soul shall live why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not Hearken diligently unto me eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight it self in fatness Alas ye feed on husks and chaff till you return to Christ. Isa 55.2 3 4 7. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and fools delight in folly turn ye at my reproof Forsake the foolish and live and go in the way of understanding O that you were wise and would understand these things and consider your latter end O that there were such hearts in you c. O that ye knew the things that belong unto your peace in this your day before they be hid from your eyes O when shall it once be what is your resolution shall Jesus Christ be your Lord and Master or shall he not Take heed how you refuse him that speaks from heaven do not as you want Christ despise this loving invitation and make light of this gracious offer lest his wrath be kindled in his breast and you perish He that hath so long held forth his Scepter of Grace yet stands waiting for your return yet stretcheth forth his arms to embrace you yet opens his very heart to entertain you Hark he bids you come and lodg your souls in his warm bosom yet he calls by his Word yet he strives by his Spirit and follows you with checks of conscience and renews his mercies on you every morning would fain draw you with cords of love if it would be But it will not be always thus his patience will not always wait his Spirit shall not always strive with man the door of mercy shall not always stand open When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door saying Lord Lord open to us then 't is too late Luk. 13.25 O come to Christ now or never do it this day or you may never be invited again Hear now Christ bespeaks and wooes thee sinner Cast down thy weapons of rebellion surrender thy soul to me give me thy heart submit to my government I vvill pass by all thy former resistance and put up all the wrongs thou hast done me I will remember thy iniquities no more but pass an act of everlasting oblivion upon them O look unto me and be ye saved This is my business with you my beloved at this time this is mine errand to your Souls What answer shall I return from you to him that sent me The great work you know of us Ministers is to perswade men to become Christs covenanting Servants to consent to his Laws and acknowledg his Lordship our way to win your hearts is to tell you what he is some little hath been spoken but not the thousand part of the excellencies of this incomparable Lord O he is the chiefest of ten thousâ—nd his name is wonderful he is God and Man in one person he is Man that you may not be afraid of him God that he may be able to do you good He is the Lord of lords and King of kings Heir of all things Saviour of the world c. 'T is infinite condescention of love in him to treat with you or intreat your consenâ— that he may be your Lord. This being a matter of greatest importance and knowing the terror of the Lord let me perswade you for that end I intreat you to press upon your selves and improve in your retirements these considerations as motives 1. Motive Yeild up your selves to the service of the Lord Christ or you are unjust you do him open wrong Equity and justice requires that you render to all their due jus cuique tribuere is the first and most proper act of justice Tribute to whom tribute fear to whom fear honour to whom honour Rom. 13.7 It is a common principle among you which nature teacheth that you deal righteously with men owe no man any thing do no man wrong let every one have that which of right appertaineth to him And if we may not deny unto Caesar the things that are Caesars it is but right we should also give unto God the things that are Gods by so many just titles Why now you cannot without apparent wrong to Christ deny him your selves you are his and owe your selves unto him and all you have and all that you can do you are not your own but his I lay claim unto you in the name of Christ and challenge your souls and bodies to his use Dare you deny the claim or will any step out and question this title The Lord Jesus hath laid challenges to you It has been a custom in England on the Coronation day as multitudes of people were feasting in Westminster-Hall a Herald comes forth and Champion for the King and proclaimed his title to the Crown and if any questioned his title he was there ready to make it good I do now proclaim to you that Christ is your Lord and you are his Servants and challenges your service if any question his Title I will justifie it and make it good let the case come to tryal on condition that whoever is convinced shall yield subjection Let me ask you then Did not he make you and not ye your selves Psal. 95.6 and does not he preserve and sustain you and ye are the Sheep of his pasture Vers. 7 Did not Christ purchase you with his own blood 1 Pet. 1.18 Were you not the dearest purchase and was not the greatest price paid for you that ever the world heard of Well what say you to this Title Doth not justice give every one his own and are not you Christs If there be any creature in Heaven or Earth that can lay a better claim or pretend a juster Title to you than Christ then let it have your hearts and service but if the Lord Jesus have the full and sole right to you then do not so much wrong him and your own souls as to deny or withstand this just and reasonable motion 2. Give up your selves to this Lord or you are unthankful gratitude as well as justice requires this at your hands Nothing is more abhorrent to an ingenuous spirit than the brand of ingratitude to be so base and unworthy as to render evil for good ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris call a man unthankful and you call him all that 's naught abhor it as death to be guilty or have the name of ingratitude Well now suppose a man had by some capital crime incurred the danger of the Law and the sentence of death were past upon himâ— should another step in and humble himself to beg the pardon or begger himself to buy the freedom for him Must not that man be wholly his who hath ransomed him from the Gallows This is our case Sin was our work and Death was our wages
every command and doing it because commanded eying the precept in every performance praying hearing giving because Christ bids me And with greatest reverence serving with reverence and godly fear Heb. 12.18 remembring our distance Augustus said to one that gave him homely entertainment Who made you and I so familiar 3. Solely No man can serve two masters Luk 16.13 Not serve them so as to please both scarce so as to please either not serve sin or Satan at all nor man in opposition to or competition with Christ who keeps servants to serve others We must be undivided serve him and none but him forsake all and follow him 4. Faithfully sincerely as Moses who was faithful in all his house as a servant Heb. 7.5 Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and truth Josh. 24.14 q. d. If you intend to serve him it must be done in uprightness or else you do not serve him at all God abhors a Hypocrite more than a Sodomite 5. Fervently zealously diligently fervent in spirit must be joined with serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 Do all we do with all our might the living God must have lively service How diligent was Abrahams Servant in his Masters work he would not eat bread till he had done his errand and when 't was done he stay'd not on compliments The Twelve Tribes served God instantly day and night Act. 26.7 Diligence is the property of a good servant 6. Entirely absolutely universally 1. In respect of the subject with all the faculties of the soul and members of the body Rom. 6.19 with all our abilities 2. In regard of the Object though never to irrational to flesh and blood this is reason enough the unerring Lord will have it so not pick out our work never examine what the service commanded is but who commands it with blind obedience 3. In all places in private as well as in publick for he hath yea fills all places if thou canst find out a place where he doth not see thee there it shall be lawful for thee 〈…〉 others we must have respect to all his commands 7. Constantly and perpetually in time of prosperity as well as adversity and e contra he is ever the same and so should his servants and service be we can neither begin too soon nor continue too long in Christs service none ever repented of either there must be no end of working till of living Faithfulness unto death hath the only promise of a Crown of life Rev. 2.10 everlasting Rom. 14.9 This service takes in the whole man and life 2. For Motives and Encouragements besides what was in the Characters and Properties of the Master consider but what a service this is and that will be motive enough to embrace and lay hold on it 1. It is a most honourable service whether we respect the Master or the work 't is more honour to serve Christ than to serve Emperours nay to have Emperours serve us he is the better man that serves the better Master Now he is the best Master 't is usual with the Apostles to prefix this among other their Honourary titles Paul a servant of Christ This was one of the fairest flowers in their Garland the meanest offices about Princes are accounted honourable Servire Deo regnare est 't is Royal and Kingly a glorious Master and glorious fellow-servants Angels and glorified Saints all the ser 〈…〉 honourable the practice of all vertues praying and praising c. Honorabilia legis Hos. 8.12 If ever it be put to your choice either to have the greatest outward favours or serve Christ with disgrace chuse the latter with Moses Heb. 11.24 25. He refused to be called the son of Pharoahs daughter chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Reproach and indignities for Christ are favours chains and prisons for Christ is a mark of honour and rich treasure 2. Most comfortable a service full of soul-ravishing joy A day in his Courts is better than a thousand elsewhere Psal. 84 10. 'T is a type of heaven where is fulness of joy it leads to communion with God who is the God of all consolation O when Saints meet with God in duty they are in a corner of Heaven 3. A most profitable service we are indeed unprofitable servants but sure we have a very profitable service under him they that speak against the Lord with stout words saying Mal. 3.13 14. It is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances And Iob 21.15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit shall we have if we pray unto him speak without all truth and reason for never any truly served the Lord who gained not evidently by it your labour is not in vain in the Lord 1 Cor. 15. ult No man ever kindled a fire on his Altar for nought The servants of Christ may be poor here but this is the working time and in their sufferings they serve him 1 Tim. 6.6 't is great gain 4. 'T is a necessary service and indispensable we are not left to our own liberty to chuse whether we will serve him or no this is the unum necessarium and must be done 1. Though the thing to be done be dangerous Phil. 2.30 Not regarding his own life 2. Though it be difficult to us 3. Though unlikely to take effect Luke 5 5. VVe have toiled all the night and have taken nothing nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net though men forbid and withstand us and would beat us off from it Acts 5.29 VVe must obey God rather than Man 5. Most easy Mat. 11.29 30. None other so easy 1. In regard of the nature of this service His Commandments are not grievious Ioh. 5.3 There is certainty in this employment 't is easy to the new nature as the light of the Sun is delightful to those that have good eyes to them that love God and have the right art of serving him 2. In regard of other services That under the Covenant of Works and that under Sin and Satan 3. 'T is easie in regard of the help afforded to it 'T is easie for a Child to lift up a great weight when a Giant holds his hand and lifts with him Christ and his Spirit assist It were not only hard but impossible if left to our selves in it but da domine quod jubes jube quod vis I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me 'T is easie to act what Christ in the Covenant of Grace will accept and in respect of the reward and compared with the service of Satan and Sin that afford no gawdy-days 6. 'T is the greatest freedom it not only consists with but brings freedom 't is the Law of liberty Iam. 1.25 He is the Lords freeman 1 Cor. 7.22 Iohn 8.32 It is perfect freedom and will free us from all
sundry Sermons preached at St. Iames Dukes-place by Zech. Crofton The life and death of Edmund Stanton D. D. To which is added a Treatise of Christian-conference and a Dialogue between a Minister and a Stranger Sin the Plague of plagues or sinful sin the worst of Evils by Ralph Venning M. A. Cases of Conscience practically resolved by I. Norman The faithfulness of God conâ—idered and cleared in the great Events of his Word or a second part of the fulfilling of the Scripture The immortality of the Soul explained and proved by Scripture and Reason to which is added Faiths-triumph over the fears of death by Tho. Wadsworth A Treatise of the incomparableness of God in his Being Attributes Works and Word by George Swinnock M. A. A discourse of the original c. of the Cossacks The generation of Seekers or the right manner of the Saints addresses to the throne of Grace with an Exposition on the Lords-Prayer The administration of Cardinal Ximones A discourse of Family-instruction by Owen Stockton with directions for those that have suffered by the Fire An Essay to facilltate the Education of Youth by bringing down the rudiments of Grammar to the sense of seeing which ought to be improved by Syncresis by M. Lewis of Totenham An Artificial Vestibulum wherein the sense of Ianua Linguarum is contained compiled into plain and short sentences in English for the great â—ase of Masters and Expeditious progress of Scholars by M. Lewis Speculum Sherlockianum oâ— a Looking glass in which the admirers of Mr. Sherlock may behold the man as to his Acuracy Judgment Orthodoxy A discourse of Sins of Omission wherein is discovered their Nature Causes and Cure by George Swinnock Mr. Baxter's Reformed Pastor His Majesties Propriety in the British Seas vindicated Quakerism no Christianity or a through-Quaker no Christian proved by their Principles and confirmed by Scripture by I. Faldo Differences about Water-baptism no bar to Communion by Io. Bunian The Dutch-dispensatory shewing the vertues qualities and properties of Simples the vertue and use of Compounds whereto is added the Compleat Herbalist Judg Dodaridge's laws of Nobility and Peerage Dinglys Spiritual Fast. Solitude improved by Divine Meditation by Matth. Ranew A Murderer punished and pardoned or Tho. Savage his life and death with his Funeral sermon Small 8 vo A defence against the fear of death by Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed by William Gearing The godly mans Ark or a City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with Mrs. Moors evidences for Heaven by Edmund Calamy The Almost-Christian discovered or the false-Professor tried and cast by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian-freedom or a discourse shewing the extent and restraints of Christian-liberty by S. Bolton D. D. The sinfulness of Sin and fulness of Christ in two Sermons by Will. Bridg. A Plea for the godly or the Righteous mans Excellency The holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A Treatise of Self-denial All three by Tho. Watson The life and death of Tho. Wilson of Miâ—dstone in Kent The life and death of Doctor Samuel Winter A Covert from the Storm or the fearful encouraged in the day of Trouble Worthy-walking press'd upon all that have heard the Call of the Gospel The Spirit of Prayer All three by Nath. Vincent The inseparable union between Christ and a Believer by Tho. Peck A discoâ—rse of Excuses setting forth the variety and vanity of them the sin and misery brought in by them by Iohn Sheffield Invisible reality demonstrated in the holy life and triumphant death of Mr. I. Ianeway The Saints encouragement to diligence in Christs service both by Mr. Iames Ianeway A discourse concerning the Education of Children Convivium Coeleâ—te a plain and familiar discourse concerning the Lords Supper both by R. Kidder The Saints perseverance asserted in its Positive-ground against Mr. Ives by Tho. Danson A Wedding ring fit for the Finger by Will. Secker The Young-mans Call and Duty by Nich. Lockyer An Explanation of the shorter-Catechism of the Assembly of Divines by Tho. Lye The Childs Delight with Pictures by Tho. Lye The life and death of Tho Hall A Plea for the Non-Conformists tending to vindicate them from Schism by a Doctor in Divinity The flat opposition of Popery to Scripture by I. N. Chaplain to a Person of Honour The Weavers Pocket-book or Weaving spiritualiz'd by I. C. D. D Two disputations of Original-sin by Richard Baxter The History of Moderation The welcome Communicant The ready way to prevent sin by William Bagshaw The Little-peace-maker discovering foolish Pride the Make-baâ—e Philadelphia or a Treatise of Brotherly-love by Mr. Gearing Reformation or Ruine being certain Sermons on Levit. 26 2â— 24. by Tho. Hotchkis The Riches of Grace displayed to which is added the priviledg of Passive Obedience and 52 proposals in order to help on Heart-humiliation by Will. Bagshaw The parable of the great Supper opened in 17 Sermons by Io. Crump A present for Teeming-women by I. Oliver Non-conformity without Controversie by Benj. Baxter The Christians daily Monitor by Iosh. Church A Treatise of Closeâ—-prayer by Richard Mayo The Religious Family by Philip Lamb. A sober inquiry or Christs Reign with Saints a thousand years A discourse of the prodigious Abstinence of Martha Taylor A Memento to young and old by Iohn Maynard The priviledg of the Saints on Earth above those in Heaven by William Hook Index biblicus multijugus or a Table of the holy Scripture wherein each of its Books Chapters and particular matters are distinguished and Epitomized The day of Grace with the conversion of a Sinner by Nath. Vencent The Greek Testament in 8 vo An easie and useful Grammar for the learning of the French tongue by Mr. Gosthead Gentleman Mr. Raworths work and reward of a Christian. The Miners Monitor or advice to those that are employed about the Mines A Protestant Catechism for little Children A Scripture Catechism by Samuel Petto A Catechism according to the Church of England Grotius Catechism Brief of the Bibles-History The Fountain sealed by Dr. Sibbs Nero Tragidea Cottons None but Christ. Cornelianum dolium The Christians earnest longing for Christs appearing preached at the Funeral of Mr. Noah Webb by Dan. Burgess Wilsons Catechism Elenchus motuum nuperorum in Anglia Cocains Poems Poor Robins Jesâ—s Croftons Foelix Sâ—elus or Prospering prophaneness provoking holy conference by Zech. Crofton Gramaticus Analyticus by the same Author Alexanders advice to his Son Artificial Embelishments H. Excellency of Christ set forth Gods Soveraignty displayed by Mr. William Gearing In small 12 s. The duty of Parents towards their Children A little Book for little Children A method and instruction for the Art of divinâ— Meditation All three by Tho. White The considerations of Drexelius on Eternity The shadow of the Tree of Life by M. M. The Psalms of David newly translated more plain smooth and agreeable to the Text than any heretofore The Prisoners Prayers Mr. Henry Lukin's Life of Faith Awakening Call to Sinners Câ—umbs of Comfort or the Lord Bacons Prayer FINIS