of our Lord and Saviour his Counsel Command and Proclamation but let it rather be a principal motive to us to make the Exhortation the more effectual since it is the Counsel of Christ the Wonderful Counsellor who saith Counsel is mine let us with all readiness and thankfulness accept and embrace it as being worthy of all acceptation for it is the Counsel of the most worthy Person most Wise and able to give the best Counsel a Person on purpose sent from God the Father his only begotten Son the second Person in the glorious Trinity made Man and now God-Man for ever in one Person named Jesus Christ he it is that hath given this excellent Counsel to the World namely to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness which is not only his Counsel but Command for all Power is given unto him in Heaven and in Earth to Counsel and Command God the Father hath annointed him to be a Prophet a Priest and King so he was here on Earth and remains such in Heaven for ever A Prophet to give Counsel a King to Command that it be received and a Priest on our behalf to God the Father to make continual intercession for us that his Counsels and Commands may be effectual to us for our salvation and he is actually and effectually the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him in this Command that seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness A Command that can no wayes be thought grievous a gracious command indeed to seek a Kingdom not an Earthly but an Heavenly Kingdom the Kingdom of God Gods Kingdom a Kingdom all of Gâ—â—ce and Glory where he dwells in all his glory Whâ—t Prince that hâ—th many Kingdoms will Counsel and Command a Subject especially a Rebellious one to seek one of his Dominions but our gâ—â—cious Prince and Saviour doth Counsel and Command every one every where to seek the Kingdom of God by way of Proclamation Ho every one that haâ—h no Money come buy Grace and Glory without price Wherefore do you spend Money and Labour for that which satisfieth not Incline your ear and come unto me hear obey and your Soul shall live inviting all â—oâ—â—â—ly by Counsel Command and Poclamation but by Promise for their incouragement Ask and it shall be given you Seek and ye shall find Knock and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened The experience of all that are in a state of Grace on Earth and in a state of Glory in Heaven that have not lost their labor in seeking should be a powerful motive to every one that is to seek and is at a loss for Grace and Glory to seek that he also may find for he that seeketh findeth even Eternal Life in the Promise which God that cannot lie hath promised before the World began and will be righteous in performing to all them who by Faith lay hold thereof for all the Promises of God in Jesus Christ are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God The General Assembly in Heaven will give in this testimony There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord hath spoken unto us all came to pass whoever turns Gods Promises into Prayer God will for certain turn his Promises into Performances unto them Oh do not lose Grace and Glory for want of asking seeking and knocking Is the Lord God a Sun and Shield Will the Lord give Grace and Glory Will he withhold no good thing from them that seek him â—â—th he â—aâ—â— A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you I will take away the Stony heart out of youâ— flesh and I will give you an heart of Flesh I will put 〈◊〉 spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Staâ—â— and ye shall keâ—p my Judgment and do them yet wi◠〈◊〉 be enquired of you to do all this for you Is this all 〈◊〉 requires to be enquired of Is seeking the way to â—â—â—ing seek the Lord while he may be found Call upoâ— him while he is near the Lord is nigh mâ—â— all them tâ—â—t call upon him to all that call upon him in truth tâ—â— hand of God is upon all them for good that â—â—ek him God never said and never will say to any of the house of Jacob Seek my Face Favour Kingdom and Righteousness in vain But then we must seek this Kingdom of God and his Righteousness right It is not every seeking that will serve turn nor every seeker that findeth true it is that every wicked Man may and must seek first Gods Kingdom and Righteousness It is a Wicked Principle in them who affirm That a Wicked Man may not Pray Because he cannot Pray he may I hope Pray That he may Pray May he not desire Grace I am sure the desire of Grace is Grace in every one common grace at least which is to be Excited Exerted and Improved for special Grace the blessing of God can turn common grace into special to him that hath and improves it it shall be given the right seeking is with the whole heart then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go and Pray unto me and I will hearken unto you and ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart God is for the whole heart My Son give me thine heart they only are blessed that seek him with the whole heart I entreated thy favour with my whole heart saith David The only way to get Mercy Grace and Glory from God is to entreat the Favour of God with the whole heart with the mind will and affections even all the powers of the Soul must be vigorously at work in this spiritual duty in seeking first the Kingdom of God The Members of the Body must be also Instruments herein the strength of the inward and outward Man is to be put forth our Natural strength our Spiritual strength all the power we have and can get from God We had need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and to Pray That he would grant us according to the Riches of his Glory even his glorious Power to be strengthened with all might by his Spirit in the inner-man since we wrestle not against flesh and blood only but against principalities against powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high places We have three potent enemies to out-wrestle the Flesh the World and the Devil all combined against us we have God to wrestle with by Prayer and all other holy means for the obtaining of Grace and Glory if we be not Conquerors through Christ strengthening us we lose not only the prize of an incorruptible Crown but by our unfaithfulness and cowardize bring upon our selves an infinite weight of Judgment It is he that
with seeing their glorious Redeemer face to face and the faces of the general Assembly of the first-born and the stately Buildings made without hands the place of their everlasting abode with the honors pleasures and riches of its furniture which from the beginning of the World no eye hath seen O God besides thee what is prepared The Tongue Mans glory will be everlastingly employed in warbling forth the glory of God and the glory with God in the highest Praises in Singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb glorious things are spoken of thee and in thee O City of God The glorious Words which will proceed out of the mouth of Christ will be the Wonder and Joy of Angels and Saints It will be the Work and Wages of the Glorified to be speaking to themselves in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody in their hearts unto the Lord. What melody will it be to the Ear to be ever hearing this new Song sung in perfect harmony with Ten thousand times ten thousand and Thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Thou art worthy who wast slâ—in and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nâ—â—iâ—n and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests worthy is the Lamb that was slâ—in to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honor and Glory and Blessing Blessing and Honor and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever But Why do I speak of what is unspeakable and undertake to write of that which is so unconceivable He that was caught up into Paradise which is the third Heaven heard unspeakable words which it is not possible or lawful for a Man to utter and if it were possible for them to be uttered it would be impossible for them to be understood The Ear will have its perfect hearing there Doth not the Ear try words saith Job no need of trying words in Heaven where every one is a perfect Man not offending in a Word It is natural to all to natural Men especially to spend their time in nothing else but either to tell or hear some new thing as natural so spiritual persons have their delectation the one in hearing what Men say the other in hearing what God says I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace to his People and to the Saints even that peace which passeth all understanding Faith and all other Graces and Comforts comes by hearing the Word of God Preached and Read the benefit of hearing here in this life under the means of Grace is an unvaluable blessing What glory then will it be to hear of nothing but glory every one there will be very attentive to hear what God the Lord will speak who hath the words of eternal life If all bare Christ witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceed out of his Mouth when on Earth in his estate of humiliation much more will all in Heaven bear witness and admire and adore the glorious words which will proceed out of his mouth in his state of Exaltation his mouth is most sweet his words are altogether lovely here here only will the Ear be satisfied with hearing Let me hear thy voice saith Christ to the Church his Spouse for sweet is thy voice If the sanctified voice of his Church in Prayers and Praises be so sweet to Christ now How sweet will her glorified voice be to him in his glory and How sweet will Christs voice be then and there to his triumphant Church his voice will be sweeter than all theirs In Heaven there only is the hearing ear and the persons and things worthy to be heard What Instruments of Musick there will be and Musicians to time and tune and sound them to delight and ravish the sense of hearing God only knows The voice of Harpers harping with their Harps have there been heard Musick upon Rivers of Water make the sweetest and most solemn sound At Gods right hand there are Rivers of pleasures where there will be such Musick as will ravish the ears and hearts of Angels and Saints for ever What spiritual Meat and Drink there will be in Heaven to delight and please the spiritual taste or palate who can tell Sure I am there will be feeding and feasting in Heaven Our Lord Jesus will be the true Bread as truly in Heaven without Ordinances as on Earth in his Ordinances and so will his precious Blood be drink really and spiritually also but the manner of eating and drinking there is such a Mystery as cannot now be known and may not be spoken to If every Saint can say How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey to my mouth If the word of Christ be so sweet to a Christian sanctified How sweet will the word Christ be to such an one when glorified How sweet are the fruits of holiness and righteousness to a true believer who sits under Christ the Tree of Life with great delight How sweet I say is his fruit to his taste in the way of an Ordnance but to him that overcometh Christ will give to eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God which whosoever eats of shall live for ever To taste that the Lord is gracious here is good to taste that the Lord is glorious will be best The glory of the Body is but the Body of Glory for our vile Bodies to be changed that they may be fashioned like unto Christs glorious Body What a high expression of glory is this When Christ was Transfigured in the Mount his face did shine as the Sun and when he revealed himself to St. John the Divine from the excellent Glory his Body was clothed with a Garment down to the foot and his Paps girt about with a Golden Girdle his head and his hairs were white like Wool as white as Snow and his Eyes were as flames of Fire and his Feet like unto fine Brass as if they burned in a Furnace and his voice as the sound of many Waters and his Countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength so shall the Righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father but the glory wherewith the Soul will be filled will be much more glorious by how much the Soul excels the Body The glory of â—he Soul will be the Soul of Glory and the Glory of Christ put upon the Body and Soul the Glory of them both It doth not yet appear what we shall be â—ut when he shall appear we shall â—e like him as in our Bodies so also in our Souls We have for substance the same Souls with Christ â—he same faculties and qualities as understanding will memory conscience and affections with their executive powers which are so precious that one Soul in Christs account and esteem is more worth than one
in deed and truth not a talkative love but an active vigorous faithful fruitful love is acceptable both to God and man even the love that is kind and thinketh not evil is not easily provoked like unto Christs Love which he shewed evidently in his active and passive obedience doing good to all men not being weary in well-doing especially unto them who are of the houshold of Faith loving all Saints as Saints imitating Christ as in his active so in his passive obedience suffering with them and for them with all long-suffering and patience being their Brethren and Companions in Tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Lives for the Brethren we love not the Brethren if we love our Lives better than them This is Love that we walk after the Commandment of Christ they that walk worthy of God walk in the Wayes of his Commandments with and before the Lord humbly obeying from the heart that form of Doctrine which he delivered them that they may serve him thereby in newness of Spirit and in newness of Life they who would enter into Life must thus keep the Commandments for blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates of the City Is there then a Kingdom of Grace and Glory Is it purposed prepared purchased promised and reserved in Heaven for us Have we a real interest in and a true Title to this Kingdom O let the high praises of God then be in our hearts in our lips and in our lives who hath called us unto this Kingdom and Glory Let David's resolution and practice be ours I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live I will sing praises unto my God while I have any Being every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name his Heart and Tongue and Life were fixed and prepared for this blessed Work called therefore the sweet singer of Israel My heart is fixed and prepared O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth he prayes that he may praise O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise his whole Life and Conversation nothing else but a continual Hymn to God How fearful was he to sin O-let me not wander from thy Commandments refraining his feet from every evil Way that he might keep the Word of God hating every false Way rejoycing in the Way of his Testimonies as much as in all Riches inclining his heart to perform his Statutes alway even unto the end Was it David's Duty Delight and Work to be still praising God and is it not ours Have we not or may we not have as great reason and occasion to bless God as he every one that will may have God and Christ and Grace and Glory to praise and bless God for as his portion and happiness for ever If every one of us with David could say Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee He may also say when his flesh and his heart faileth him God is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever which is matter great enough to praise the Name of God for with a Song and magnifie him with Thanksgiving It is the silent Work of all the Works of God to praise him passively and the highest duty of Saints to bless him actively All thy Works shall praise thee O Lord and thy Saints shall bless thee David calls upon the whole Creation to pay this homage of praise to God as their duty and Gods due Praise ye the Lord from the Heavens praise him all Angels all Men Kings of the earth and all People Princes and all Judges of the earth both young Men and Maidens old Men and Children Sun Moon and Stars Earth Sea let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name alone is excellent his Glory is above the Earth and Heaven his glorious Name is exalted above all blessing and praise O the Treasures of Excellencies that are in God in every one of his unsearchable Names his Word and his wonderful Works his Works of Creation Redemption Providence c. which are external of Election Predestination Justification Adoption Regeneration Sanctification Consolation which are internal and the everlasting Kingdom of Glory matter for eternal praises Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable so are all his other Attributes God is especially to be praised in his Sanctuary every one there is to speak the praises of the glorious honour of his Majesty and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom Glorious things are spoken of God in his Kingdom of Grace and more glorious things here unutterable are spoken in the Kingdom of Glory Behold now is the accepted time to prepare and tune our hearts tongues and lives in the Kingdom of Grace for this Duty and Work of praise in the Kingdom of Glory what is it to glorifie God but to praise him whoso offereth praise and ordereth his Conversation aright glorifieth him It is meerly for want of the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and him Crucified and our unacquaintedness with the glorious excellencies of this Kingdom of God which is a Kingdom of Grace and Glory and our interest in it that we speak no more of the glory of this Kingdom and glorifie God no more by speaking to our selves in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs making melody in our hearts unto the Lord giving Thanks alwayes for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Were all in these Kingdoms Eye-Witnesses of the Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ and Ear-Witnesses as Peter and others were of his receiving from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased I say Were these things ever before our eyes and ever sounding in our ears there would certainly be more seeking and praying and praising God for this Kingdom of God which contains all the glory we can possibly want or wish than now there is Have we not a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto we should all of us do well that we take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in our hearts Do we not say that the whole Word of God is true Is there any that professedly deny a future state of glory Why do we not all bless God for it till we bless God in it Let every
Word are his Laws Angels all Kings and Kingdoms are his Subjects All power is given unto this King in heaven and in earth he hath a Kingdom in every true Believer where he dwells and reigns as King The Sacred Scriptures are his Laws written not with Ink but with the Spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in fleshly tables of their hearts their bâ—dies souls spirits every member faculty power quality and all that is within them mind memory will conscience affections thoughts intents desires c. words actions and all their enemies sin Satan and the world the honours pleasures treasures thereof are his Subjects This King of Saints is personally in heaven but dwells and reigns mystically in true Believers by his Spirit by his Word by his Grace Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit Now the Office of the holy Spirit is by Regeneration to wash and cleanse our bodies souls and spirits from all filthiness that by his divine power we may be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth And by applying also the blood of Christ If the blood of bulls and goats sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your consciences from dead works Ye know ye were not redeemed from your vain conversation with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ The holy Ghost is given to purifie our hearts by the grace of faith This King by his Spirit Word Bloud and Grace creates in us clean hearts and renews right spirits within us and thereby also prepares our bodies souls and spirits to be temples and habitations meet for his Majesty to inhabit and dwell in As our bodies are filled with our souls and spirits so would our gracious King have us filled in our bodies souls and spirits with all the fulness of God Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Such is the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man that according to his mercy he saves us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost which he sheds upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour He would have his word dwell in us richly in all wisdom for reaching and admonishing one another By his blood he dwelleth in us How free was he of it during the time of his pâ—ssive obedience in his estate of humiliation He poured out his soul unto death Being in an agony his sweat was as it were great drops of bloud falling down to the ground He offered his side to be broached that he might shed his hearts blood for our redemption the remission of our sins reconciliation our sanctification and salvation In whom we have redemption through his blood Without shedding of bloud there is no remission He hath made peace through the blood of his cross Reconciling all things unto himself whether they be things in earth or things in heaven The blood of Christ through the eternal Spirit purgeth our consciences from dead works to serve the living God Being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him In his estate of Exaltation how free is he also of his blood by the virtue of it he makes continual intercession for us In the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper we have his blood given to drink which he tells us is drink indeed and calls upon us to drink yea to drink abundantly He dwelleth in us by his grace It pleâ—sed the Father that in him should all fulness dwell a fulness of grace and truth The fulness of him that fi leth all in all That of his fulness we all might receive grace for grace Through him great grace was upon all the Apostles and many of the Primitive Christians He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers with gifts and graces for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ That we henceforth be no more children tâ—ssed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love The Universal Church is the body of Christ his Spirit the virtue of his Bloud his Word Graces and Comforts are the life welfare and soul of it Christ our King dwells in this his body and every member of it which is his Kingdom by righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost He covers his body with the robe of his righteousness for their Justification which is their upper garment And to the Church the Lamb's Wife is granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen her under garment which is righteousness for Sanctification and purity both in body soul spirit and conversation The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus This Church or Body of Christ looking for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness is diligently to be found of him in peace without spot and blameless And knowing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for the sake of his Body which is the Church he became poor that through his poverty it might be made rich through him have an access by one Spirit unto the Father of lights from whom cometh every good gift and every perfect gift whether of Nature of Grace or of Glory For the Lord God is a sun and shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly The spirit of power of love and of a sound mind are his gift which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created the new man to be renewed in the spirit of his mind For that the soul be without knowledge is not good especially the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and him crucified all other knowledge shall vanish away but this is life eternal to know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ
therefore your members purifying our hearts by Faith a Faith that worketh by love and worketh love in their souls who obey the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love not only of Brethren but Enemies so that they can love them with pure hearts fervently That we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil we wrestle not only against flesh and blood but against Principalities against Powers against the rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high plâ—ces we must take unto our selves the whole armour of God having our loynes girt about with truth and having on the brest-plate of righteousness and our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the shield of Faith wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and Hope the Helmet of Salvation the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching â—hereunto with all perseverance whereby we shall be more than Conquerors through him that loved us nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ not Tribulation though we must through much Tribulations enter into the Kingdom of God or Distress or Persecution or Famine or Nakedness or Peril or Sword neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers â—or things present nor things to come nor heighth nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord So that in this warfare though the way be not Peace yet the end of it is Peace it yieldeth the Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby even that Peace which passeth all understanding and Joy which is unspeakable and full of glory The Kingdom of God whether the Kingdom of Satan will or no will be the kingdom of Righteousness of Peace and of Joy in the Holy Ghost to the seekers of it the fighters for it the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force By Repentance towards God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ we enter into the kingdom of God and this Kingdom of God enters into us by Repentance towards God we are delivered from the power of darkness by Faith we are traâ—slâ—ted into the kingdom of his dear Son Repentance turns Sin Satan and the World out â—f the heart that Faith may let Christ into it the voice of Faith is Lift up your heads O ye gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors that the King of Glory may come in Who is this King of Glory Christ who dwelleth in the heart by Faith and where Christ is he hath his kingdom of Grace As many as receive him or that believe on his Name of his fulness receive Grace for Grace Christ and his Grace are inseparable he that hath the Son hath life he that hath not the Son hath not life our life is hid with Christ in God Christ is Gods first and greatest Gift himself tells us he is the Gift of God given to the World of Mankind before the foundation of the World in Gods everlasting Decree and with in and through him hath given all things pertaining to Life and Godliness even from the first Grace of Election to the last Gift of Eternal Life Election According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the World Acceptation of our persons according to the good pleasure of his will he hath made us accepted in the Beloved Creation To us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Redemption In him we have Redemption through his Blood according to the riches of his Grace A General Redemption we thus judge That if one died for all then were all dead dead in sins and trespasses dead in Law and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them by the Grace of God he tasted death for every man Regeneration The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature all things are past away behold all things are become new Justification By the offence of one Judgment came upon all men to Condemnation even so by the Righteousness of one the free Gift came upon all men unto Justification of Life in whom we have the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of his Grace that they may receive forgiveness of sins by Faith that is in me saith Christ Reconciliation Being Justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ the Peace of Reconciliation God hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself and Christ in his Ministers beseeching us to be reconciled unto God We who sometimes were far off are in Christ Jesus made nigh by his Blood for he is our Peace that he might Reconcile us unto God in one Body by the Cross having slâ—in the enmity thereby and made both one having broken down the Middle-Wall of Partition between us abolishing in his flâ—sh the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinancâ—s for to make in himself of twain one New Man so making Peace Having thus made Peace by the Blood of his Cross God by him Reconciles all things unto himself whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven and we that were sometime alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death The Favour of God In whom also we have access by Faith into this Grace of Favour wherein we stand an unconceivable unspeakable mercy Jesus was in favour with God to bring us into favour with God whoso findeth Christ findeth Life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. In this Favour is our Life this Loving kindness is better thâ—n our Life next to the Glory of God I know nothing in comparison or competition to be minded regâ—rded sought made sure of and prized but having keeping and increasing in the favour of God It was the happiness of Christ as Man here on Earth to increase in favour with God David entreated this favour with his whole heart I know no chief good besides God and his favour the whole Benefits and Comforts of our Election Creation Redemption Regeneration Justification Reconciliation Adoption Sanctification and Glorification are summed up in Gods Face Countenance and Favour towards us in Christ Adoption The Son of God was made the Son of Man that we who are the Sons of Men might be made the Sons of God by Adoption when the fullness of the time was come God sent forth
Communication The glory which the Father gave unto Christ he hath given to Christians that they may be one in glory even as the Father and the Son are one I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one A Mystery that cannot be seen otherwise than by the light of glory From this most intimate union there doth arise such a Communion between Father Son and the Holy Ghost and the Triumphant Christian Church as will yield infinite and uninterrupted satisfaction much of this Communion will be a mutual Commendation Behold thou art fair my Beloved behold thou art fair behold thou art fair my Love yea pleasant thou art all fair my Love there is no spot in thee saith Christ of his Church Militant When Christ presents to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish there will be no want of expressions for commendation of her nor will the Triumphant Church want triumphing matter and words to set forth the Praises of her altogether Lovely and dearly Beloved Head and Husband when he comes to be glorified in his Saints he will be admired in and by all them that believe then will the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in us and we in him according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus he will rejoyce over us with Joy he will rest in his Love he will joy over us with singing when his Glory shall be revealed that we may be glad also with exceeding Joy When Solomon was anointed King the People rejoyced with great Joy so that the Earth rent with the sound of them When Saints are Anointed Kings by the King of Kings What shouting for Joy then will there be in Heaven There is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth When all Sinners by Repentance have commenced Saints in Glory then not only the Angels of God but the God of Angels will rejoyce over them with Joy unconceivable and full of Glory Then will God supply all their needs according to his riches in Glory by Jesus Christ the riches of the glory of the Mysteries of Christ which now are unsearchable will then be laid open The Lord shall open unto his Heavenly Family his good Treasure where every one shall have full and free liberty to take his everlasting portion of glory not for himself only but for the Community the glorified have a partnership in each others happiness Every one in Heaven hath a full view of a share in and a right unto the glory of every blessed Angel and Saint which greatly adds to their glory therefore it is such a weight of glory In the Primitive Church they had all things common neither was there any among them that lacked 〈◊〉 the Church Triumphant where there is perfect Charity all things will be for ever common because they are of one heart and one Soul In this covetous World it is far otherwise every one stands much upon his own glory The Wise Man doth glory in his Wisdom the Mighty Man doth glory in his Might the Rich Man doth glory in his Riches but glorifieth not God with them in bâ—ing rich in good Works making others poor to make himself rich contrâ—ry to the Example and Prâ—â—â—ise of our L rd Jesus Christ that though he was Rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his Poverty might be Rich with the Riches of his Grace and the Riches of the glory of his Inheritance being heirs of that Kingdom which G d the â—ather in his everlasting Decree purposed to them We have obtained an Inheritance according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself being Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will and not only purposed but prepared for them from the Foundation of the World In my Fathers house saith Christ are many Mansions I go to prepare a place for you which eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of Man the things which God hath prepared what God hath prepared Christ hath purchased Our Inheritance is the purchased possession We lost not only our selves but all our right to the Kingdom of Glory All have sinned and come short of the glory of God By the grace of Redemption our Lord Jesus Christ hath recovered this forfeited Glory That Kingdom and Glory which Christ hath purchased God hath promised to the Poor in this World whom God hath chosen rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him and because he is faithful that promised this Kingdom is preserved which is an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled and that sadeth not away reserved in Heaven for them who are the called according to his purpose even the purpose of God according to Election not of Works but of him that calleth for as there is a Kingdom purposed so are there persons that are purposed to this Kingdom and prepared to it that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of Mercy which he hath afore prepared unto Glory even a pecu iar or purchased People the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood for we were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ that we might be the heirs of the Promise of the Crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation for as there is an Inheritance in Heaven reserved for all that are called according to purpose prepared purchased and Children of the Promise and if Children then Heirs and Joynt-heirs with Christ in his Kingdom of Glory so these are kept by him that is able from falling and presented faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy These are the persons unto whom it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God and to enjoy the Mercies Graces Comforts and the glorious Priviledges thereof both for time and eternity Thus have I through the gracious assistance of Gods Holy Spirit in some measure opened the Mysteries and Treasures of the Kingdom of God which as it is a Kingdom of Grace so also a Kingdom of Glory having finished the Doctrinal part the Application followeth 1. For Information of the Necessity Excellency and Utility of the Christian Religion There is an absolute and infinite necessity that every one should profess and practise the true Religion in the Doctrine and Duties of it which are according unto Godliness for the attainment of Grace and Glory which in conjunction with the Glory of God is the one thing necessary Such a thing there is as Pure Religion and undefiled whereby we bind our selves in a Solemn Covenant to be what God would have us to
which passâ—th all understanding and as theâ—r Minds and Wills and Consciâ—ncâ—s so their Memories are sanctified they hide the Word of God in their hearts or memories a repository for this heavenly Manna to be laid up and kept in for then are we saved if we keep or hold fast in memory what is Preached unto u and we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we hear lest at any time we should let them slip out of our memory or run out as leaking Vess l and whereas they that like not to retain God in their knowledge or to acknowlede God and therefore are given over to a reprobate mind void of judgment fulfilling the desires or wills of the flesh to do those things which are not convenient being convinced by their own defiled accusing Conscience forgetful hearers deceiving their own selves for which cause God gives them up unto vile affections yet the Sanctified Soul having crucified the Flesh and mortified the inordinate affections thereof set their affections on things above not on things on the earth having their conversation in heaven These are Israelites in whose Spirit Speech and Behaviour there is no guile for he is an Israelite which is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the heart in the â—pirit and not in the Letter whose praise is not of Men but of God Behold the desire and delight of God is in truth in the inward parts the hidden Man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price these are the upright in heart and life who dwell in the presence of his grace here and in the presence of his glory hereafter those who are holy are just doing as they would be done by and if a Maâ— be just and do judgment and justice that which is lawful ind right hath not lift up his eyes to the Idols of the House of Israel neither hath defiled his neighbors Wife neither hath come near a menstruous Woman h th not oppressed any but hath restored to the Debtor his Pledge hath spoiled none by violence hath given his Bread to the hungry that hath taken off his hand from the poor and hath not given forth upon Usury neither taken any increase that hath withdrawn his hand from Iniquity hath executed true judgment between Man and Man hath walked in Gods statutes and hath kept his Judgments to deal truly he is just he shall surely live with the General Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written or inrolled in Heaven which are the Spirits of Just Men made perfect The Just are good also not good as God or good to God our goodness extendeth not unto him so there is none good but one that is God who is eternally essentially absolutely infinitely and originally good Every good and every perfect gift cometh from above from the â—ather of lights When God had made every thing he saw that it was good but when he had created Man in his own Image then it is said God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Man at first was made very good he was naturally good before he sinned he was very good through the Image of God upon him and before he is good again this Image of God must be in a supernatural way restored unto him which consists in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Nothing can make our Natures good but the Divine Nature the good work must be begun in us before we can think a good thought speak a good word or do a good work till then we are disobedient and unto every good work reprobate and void of judgment being sanctified we are meet for the Masters use and thereby prepared unto every good work yea throughly furnished unto all good works Let us examine our selves Are we holy as God and his Law are holy God is our only perfect pattern his Word or Law our rule to walk by His command is be ye holy for I am holy God is essentially holy and personally holy the Father is holy the Son is holy the Spirit is called the Holy Ghost The Law is holy the People of God are holy called holy Brethren and a holy Priesthood chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World to be holy and without blame before him in love his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Redeemed and delivered out of the hands of our enemies to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of our life effectually called out of darkness into marvellous light to be holy in all manner of conversation presented a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Have we then this holiness in our hearts and lives the end of our Predestination new Creation effectual Calling and Glorification which is to love God and hate evil Godliness is Godlikeness Do we as God doth Love righteousness and hate wickedness Are our hearts sound sincere and perfect in his Statutes Have we respect unto all his Commandments Are we negatively and positively holy Do we deny ungodliness and worldly lusts Do we and are we fully and firmly resolved to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world and to have our fruit unto holiness then shall our end be everlasting life Are we just both to the just and unjust Do we speak the truth in our heart and act accordingly Do we to all men as we would be done by or Do we go beyond and defraud our brother in any matter the Lord is the avenger of all such Do we desire we labour we to owe no Man any thing but love He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much Do we render to all their dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honor to whom Honor Are you like God without respect of persons just in all your dealings to low and high small and great to the poor that want power to come by their own as well as to the rich Are you just and faithful in matters of Distributive and Commutative Justice to all men in all estates bond and free in all times good and bad prosperous and adverse and that alwayes then shall ye be recompenced at the Resurrection of the just while the unjust whose Damnation is just are reserved unto the day of Judgment to be punished for every transgression and disobedience shall receive a just recompence of reward Every Man according to his Deeds Glory and Honor and Immortality Eternal Life to them who by patient continuance
in well doing or doing as they would be done by seek it But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the Truth but obey unrighteousness that do not as they would be done by Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul that doth evil that worketh not Righteousness speaketh not the Truth in his heart that backbiteth his Neighbor with his Tongue that receiveth endureth or taketh up a reproach against his Neighbor in whose eyes a vile person is not contemned and honoreth them not that fear the Lord that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth that putteth out his Money to Usury and taketh reward against the Innocent he that doth these things shall surely perish Are we good indeed and in truth though not very good Are our hearts and lives good make the Tree good and the Fruit will be good every good Tree bringeth forth good Fruit. God is good essentially and personally it is his Nature and Property to be good to make good to do good so there is none good but one Thou art good and doest good saith David of God the Father Christ saith of himself I am the good Shepherd thy Spirit saith David is good These three Persons namely the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost had every one a hand in making Man very good at first Let us make Man so also in re-creating or renewing us after the Image of his goodness are we also filled with goodness The Lord is good to all and his tender Mercies are over all his Works God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness Are we good in all Estates in all Places in all Times in all Companies As we have opportunity do we good unto all Men especially unto them who are of the Houshold of Faith Doth our goodness extend it self to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the Excellent in whom we delight Do we also good to them that hate us and Pray for them which despitefully use us and persecute us then are we the children of our Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good and Servants to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ who when he cometh and reckoneth with them will say to every one Well done thou good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful over a few things enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord And How great is that goodness which God hath laid up for all them that are good and do good and trust in him before the Sons of Men Since the beginning of the World Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God besides thee what he hath prepared for them that wait for the hour which is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear the voice of the Lord Jesus and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation I have been the longer upon this use of Examination as being a matter of the greatest moment not to be deceived in That which is our greatest concern in this World next to the glory of God is to have an assured interest in the Kingdom of Grace and also a true Title to the Kingdom of Glory Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness is the word of Exhortation which high and low rich and poor young and old are to attend unto with all possible sincerity seriousness and diligence It is the duty and the dignity from the King upon the Throne to the Beggar upon the Dunghill to seek this Kingdom of Grace and Glory The greatest hath as great need to seek it as the meanest all are come short of the glory of this Kingdom because all have sinned Our greatest fear should be least any of us should seem to fall short for ever of so glorious a Kingdom and our greatest care desire and endeavor should be next to the glory of God to enjoy him in the way of his Grace here till we arrive at the full vision and fruition of him in Heavenly Glory This Kingdom of God is lost because we are lost it is lost to us and we lost to it but not so far lost but the true seekers of it may find it and themselves be found in the right way of seeking it It must be found otherwise the seekers of it lose themselves and this Kingdom for ever Many will seek to enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory but shall not be able There be many that say Who will shew us any good but few there be that strive to enter in at the strait Gate and walk in the narrow way which leadeth unto life and therefore few there be that find it There is no rational Creature upon the face of the Earth that is exempted from this duty of seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Sinners as well as Saints are to hearken unto and obey the Counsel Command and Proclamation of Jesus Christ herein The chiefest sinner hath a Call and Command to seek it which is his Warrant and a Promise for his incouragement Ask and it shall be given you Seek and ye shall find Knock and it shall be opened unto you The chiefest Saint hath no dispensation against this Duty Counsel and Command but looking diligently lest any Man fail of or fall from the Grace of God least any root of bitterness spring up seeing he looks for such great things is to be diligent that he may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless at his coming that when Christ who is our life shall appear he also may appear with him in glory Sinners such I mean as are unconverted and are strangers and enemies to God his Christ Grace and Glory and their own greatest enemies have most need to be exhorted excited and perswaded to seek first these things namely the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness which can never happily be done till they be first disswaded and prevailed with from self-seeking self-pleasing flesh-pleasing for the satisfying whereof earthly things are minded and sought after inordinately and therefore it is the Wisdom of our Lord Jesus before he persuades to the seeking of Spiritual and Heavenly things by Reasons Arguments Motives and Disswasions to free the Minds and Hearts and Affections of his hearers from their anxious and troublesome thoughts fears and cares concerning carnal and earthly things pertaining to the Body namely what they should eat what they should drink and what they should put on Take no thought for your life Is not the life more than meat and The body than raiment Your heavenly Father feedeth the Fowls of the air Are not you much better than they Why take ye thought for Raiment consider the Lilies of the field if God
Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost which passeth all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus that our conversation wiâ—l be without Pride in minding high things seeking great things for our selves or covetousness being content with such things as we have because God hath said He will never leave us nor forsake us and we are therefore to take heed and beware of covetousness for a Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth having food and raiment we are therewith to be content for we brought nothing into this World and it is certain we can carry nothing out God his Kingdom of Grace and Glory with content is great gain What will it profit a Man to gain the whole World and lose God his Kingdom and his Soul Men of corrupt Minds and destitute of the truth suppose that Gain is Godliness but the God of this World hath blinded the minds of these Men which believe not lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them yet if God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness would shine into their hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ and the Excellencies of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus and the Righteousness which is of God by Faith those things which were gain to them they would count loss for Christ yea doubtless they would count all things but loss for the excellencies they see in God Christ Grace and Glory â—nd would willingly suffer the loss of all things and count them buâ— dâ—ng if by any means they might attain unto the Resurrection of the dead for the price of the High calling of God in Christ Jesus who hath called them out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light of Grace which hath made them meet to be Partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in the light of Glory against they be translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son where they shall be ever with him to behold his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father the brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person for we shall see him as he is not through a Glass darkly but then face to face with open face beholding the Glory of the Lord we shall be changed into the same Image of Glory the Lord Jesus Christ shall change our vile Bodie that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body now we are the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in Glory and we shall be like him in our Souls for if we hâ—ve been planted together in the likeness of his death we shâ—ll be also in the likeness of his Resurrection which God the Father according to the working of his mighty Power wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own righ hâ—nd in the Heavenly places and hath raised us up together and mâ—de us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus and according to his abundant Mercy begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for them who are kept by the Power of God to rejoyce indeed with Christ in joy unspeakable and full of Glory which all they who first seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness may assure themselves of But such as invert the Order of Christ that first seek the things of the World and the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness on the by that take Earthly things for their Home Heaven Portion and the Heavenly Glory for a Reserve they forfeit and will come short of this Glory which will be their greatest misery remaining the Children of the Devil they shall be like him in Deformity and Damnation Christ shall say to them on the left hand at the Great Day Depart from me ye Cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels they who refused to be as happy as God would have had them shall be as miserable as he can make them the pain of loss and the pain of sense both which the Godly escape the Ungodly shall feell in Hell Eternally Who can imagine what a loss God and the Kingdom of Glory will be and Who can endure almost to hear of dwelling in Everlasting burnings they that are Enemies to the Cross of Christ whereby the World should he Crucified to them and they to the World whose God is their belly whose Glory is their shame who mind Earthly things their end is to be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power for the suffering the Vengeance of Eternal Fire How much better is it for every one of us in the fear of God to be obedient to this Heavenly Call Counsel Command and Proclamation of our dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man in his Glory otherwise How shall we escape the Damnation of Hell if we neglect so great Salvation See that we 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 Christ speaketh yet in his Word and by his Ministers who are his spokesmen he that heareth them heareth him and he that despiseth them despiseth him that sent them and they that despise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be lightly esteemed Be it far from us to put Christ upon complaining of us as against his Israel of old All day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gain-saying People least we hear him say because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no Mâ—n regarded but ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would none of my Commands I also will laugh at your Calamity I will mock when your fear cometh as desolation and your destruction cometh as a Whirlwind when distress and anguish cometh upon you then shall ye call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me my Kingdom of Grace and Glory but they shall not find me nor it they shall ask but they shall not have they shall knock but it shall not be opened unto them for that they would none of my Counsel they shall have none of me or my Kingdom but whoso hearkneth diligently unto this Word of Christ Seek ye first the Kingdom of God the Kingdom of Grace shall dwell in them and they shall dwell in the Kingdom of Glory where they shall be for ever quiet from
attained let them walk by the same Rule mind the same thing and if in any thing any one be otherwise minded God shall reveal in this way only even this unto him that we may with one mind and one mouth Glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edifie another who are to speak unto Men to Edification and Exhortation and Comfort no corrupt Communication should proceed out of our mouth who are Gods mouth to the People and the peoples mouth to God but sound speech that cannot be condemned which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister Grace unto our Hearers Our Speech and Preaching is not to be with the inticing words of mans wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that the Faith of our Hearers may not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God For this end are Ministers to beseech the Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that they strive together with them in their prayers to God for them that he would open unto them a day of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ that they may make it manifest as they ought to speak not as pleasing men but God which trieth their hearts that so the Word of the Lord may have free course may run and be glorified and they may come unto their people in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ keeping back nothing that is profitable not shunning to declare unto them all the counsel of God that they may be pure from the blood of all men such an one was Tychicus a beloved Brother and faithful Minister in the Lord to make known all things And Paul I have shewed you all things Taking heed to themselves to their Doctrine and to all the Flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers teaching them publickly and from house to house not ceasing to warn every one night and day with tears in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil who are taken captive by him at his will Ministers by whom also they believe good Ministers of Jesus Christ nourishing up their Flock in the words of Faith and good Doctrine whereunto they have attained gentle among them cherishing them even as a Nurse cherisheth her children so labouring as to support the weak and comfort the feeble-minded studying to shew themselves approved unto God Workmen that need not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth to give them their portion of meat in due season among whom they have gone preaching the Kingdom of God instant in season out of season reproving rebuking exhorting with all long-suffering and doctrine making manifest the savor of the knowledge of Christ in every place unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish to the one the savor of death and to the other the savor of life ruling them well over whom the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers that they might remember and obey them who have the Rule over them submitting themselves for they watch for their Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for them These Elders that rule well especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine are well worthy of double honour both countenance and maintenance who feed the Flock of God which is among them as much as in them is taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords over or over-ruling Gods Heritage but Ensamples to the Flock in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity blameless as the Steward of God a Lover of Hospitality apt to teach a Lover of good men and good things sober vigilant just holy temperate of good or modest behaviour patient toward all men one that ruleth well his own house having his wife and children in subjection with all gravity behaving themselves among them that believe holily and justly and unblameably whereof they are Witnesses and God also even then when they have cause to think that God hath set them forth as it were appointed to death and made them a spectacle or Theatre unto the World and to Angels and to Men because they are Fools for Christ's sake that others may be wise in Christ weak and despised that their people may be strong and honourable being also content both to hunger and thirst to be naked and buffeted reviled persecuted defamed and made the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things and to have no certain dwelling place on Earth that they may have a certain dwelling place in Heaven for ever If Bonds and Afflictions abide or wait for the faithful Ministers of the Gospel none of these things move them neither do they count their life dear unto themselves so that they may finish their course and their Ministry which they have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God for what is their hope or joy or crown of rejoycing or glorifying is not the sound conversion and salvation of their Flock even in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming Certainly they are their Crown and Joy what manner of persons then above all others ought Ministers to be who are workers together with Christ beseeching one another who preach the Grace of God to others that we receive not the Grace of God our selves in vain giving no offence in any thing that our Ministry be not blamed but in all things without vain-glory commending or approving our selves as the Ministers of God in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distress in stripes in imprisonments in tumults and tossing to and fro in labours in watching in fasting by pureness by knowledge by long-suffering by kindness by the Holy Ghost by Love unfeigned by the word of Truth by the Power of God by the Armor of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left by Honour and Dishonour by evil Report and good Report as Deceivers and yet true as unknown and yet well known as dying and behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowful yet alwayes rejoycing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing yet possessing all things and whether we be through many Tribulations besides our selves it should be for God or whether we be sober it ought to be for our peoples sake we should give attendance to Reading Praying Studying Meditation Examination Exhortation giving our selves wholly to them
peculiar bosome beloved sins search out your own sin keep your self from your iniquity if you would have good success in seeking first the Kingdom of God II. Let us put off and put away far from us these and all other sins in the fear of God or all our seeking the Kingdom of God will be but labour in vain Sinners God calls Heaven and Earth to record against you this day that he sets before you Life and Good Death and Evil Blessing and Cursing and desires you to choose Life even eternal Life O choose not Sin and Death before it Let my counsel be acceptable unto you break off your sins by righteousness and the iniquity of your covetousness by shewing mercy to the Poor lest God be wroth smite you and hide himself from you but rather seek good and not evil that ye may live be not faithless but believe God upon his Word Seek ye me saith God and ye shall live Their heart shall live that seek God his Kingdom and Righteousness in the use of all his holy means which I need but almost to name they are so often insisted upon but too seldom duely practised as namely 1. Hearing the Word preached in season and out of season instantly as Ministers are to preach it with solemn Preparation Intention Retention and a loving Affection in the hearing of it turning every Truth and Duty you hear into practice without delay for not the hearers of the Law but the doers are justified and blessed in their doing 2. Frequent Fasting frequent Praying and Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all men that they may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth which is our striving to enter in at the strait Gate Strait is the Gate and narrow is the Way which leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it even of them who seek to enter in and are not able because not willing to be at the pains and patience which is necessary to the finding the narrow Way and walking in it till they be meet and worthy to enter in at the strait Gate there is no pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations or Reasonings and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God or bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ and the Laws of his Kingdom but by this good old way of Fasting Praying and watching to purpose every man that striveth for the mastery especially of spiritual enemies is to be temperate in all things some do it to obtain a corruptible Crown we an incorruptible If we would so run as to obtain so fight as to overcome we must keep under our body and bring it into subjection that our Old Man being crucified the body of sin may be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin lest that by any means when we have done all save this which is the main we our selves should be everlasting Cast-awayes better the body of the flesh and the body of sin be destroyed in the severest way of duty than the soul be for ever lost in a way of sin how pleasing soever to the flesh Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee cut them off and cast them from thee it is better for thee to enter into Life halt or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire by Fasting Praying and watching Heaven suffereth violence and onely the violent take it by force Holy Fasting especially alone and by our selves Prayer without ceasing keeping our Hearts Lips and Lives with all diligence by circumspect watchfulness from sin and all occasion and temptations thereunto are Gods gracious means appointed us for the obtaining of Grace and Glory 3. Reading searching and meditating of the Holy Scriptures day and night that the Word of Christ may dwell richly in us in all Wisdom with fervent and faithful Prayer before and after the duty for the Spirit of Truth to sanctifie us through the Truth duties much neglected both in Families and in our private communion with the Lord and I fear by too many of us slightly indifferently and indiligently done Were the Word of God read searched and meditated daily by us as it ought to be it would make us wiser for our selves in all respects than we are it is able to make even Children that exercise themselves therein wise unto salvation It is very great pity and a very great sin it is that every one that cannot doth not learn to read and every one that can doth not walk in Wisdom redeeming his time to search these Sacred Records day and night in which he thinks he hath eternal life I make no doubt but our most Gracious Sovereign the King and Governors will out of their Christian Wisdom Care Zeal and Charity which in many things they have manifested take order also that all who are capable both young and old in these Kingdoms may be diligently taught to read the Holy Scriptures that they perish not for want of knowledge that so the good Word of God may be daily read publickly in all Faimilies with Prayer and Praise to the Praise and Glory of God the Increase and Advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and their own immortal Honour Which I daily pray may come to pass and am in a longing expectation of as knowing there is Wisdom Wealth and Willingness Power and Prudence every way Ability and Opportunity in you our Governors and Counsellors for the accomplishing and effecting so great and good and necessary and pious a Work besides the many Thousands that wait for your Call Command Counsel Countenance and Encouragement to assist herein which labour of Love to so many perishing Souls will never be forgotten by the Lord and the administration of this Service will not only supply the want of Saints but will be abundant also by many Thanksgivings unto God Now the Lord make all Publick Persons in Church and State Publick spirited herein that the fruit of Righteousness may be sown in Peace by them that make Peace to the Glory of God and the Publick Good Were the Law and Gospel which is not to depart out of our mouth read and meditated therein day and night by us all high and low rich and poor c. that we might observe to do according to all that is written therein this would make our way prosperous then we should do wisely and have good success especially in seeking the Kingdom of Grace and Glory which is our best Wisdom to do every one for himself and each for other till we find it and attain it Whosoever delights in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate day and night shall be like a Tree planted by the Rivers of Water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doth shall prosper the universal faithful practice of these duties would through the blessing of
his Goodness is another Grace to be desired and laboured after towards the attainment of the Kingdom of God Reverential filial fear of God is the first beginning of true Wisdom which is the principal thing to be looked after The fear of the Lord is the instruction of Wisdom What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose None are wise but fearers of God Behold the fear of the Lord that is Wisdom and to depart from Evil is Understanding The fear of the Lord is to hate Evil and the evil way yea every false way which every prudent man is careful to do that he may walk in the way of Life which is above to the wise that he may depart from Hell beneath I know no greater or better wisdom than departing from Sin and Hell for fear of God to walk in wayes of holiness out of love to God for the obtaining a Kingdom of Glory whosoever would receive a Kingdom which cannot be moved let him have Grace whereby he may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear passing the time of his sojourning here in fear working out his own salvation with fear and trembling Above all put on Charity no Grace brings us more into favor with God and all good men yea even the worst of men sometimes than Charity A man that is truly charitable both to Body and Soul is a man almost by himself and that hath that Charity which suffereth long and is kind that envieth not that behaveth not it self unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh not evil with all the other properties is in a more excellent way to the Kingdom of Glory than any other and therefore my advice is that every one would strive to excel in this most excellent Gift Duty and Grace of Charity that he would follow after Charity till he be found in Charity an example in Charity fervent in Charity in that Charity that covereth a multitude of sins that the Charity of every one of us all towards each other abounding all our things may be done in Charity that so we may be in Charity one with another which is the end of the Commandments and the bond of our perfection O the unspeakable excellencies of Faith and Hope and other Graces but the greatest of them all is Charity Charity makes a man so good that when one will scarcely dye for a righteous or just man peradventure for a good or charitable man some would even dare to dye if not he dare dye for himself or for the Brethren which he ought to do when lawfully called thereunto None in so sure and safe a way to the Kingdom of Glory as a man of Charity Put on therefore as the Elect of God bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another as Christ forgave you but above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfâ—ction and besides being partakers of the Divine Nature and giving all diligence to add to faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness add Charity for so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 5. To Charity add also Chastity which is a virtue not only necessary and preparatory but essential to the Kingdom of God for there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye Having therefore promises for this end let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God that we who according to promise look for new Heâ—vens wherein dwelleth righteousness may be dâ—lâ—gent to be found of him in peace without spot and blâ—meless that we may then be presented as a chaste Virgin to Christ 6. Get Self-denial Live in the daily practice of it if you would not have God deny you himself his Kingdom Grace and Glory if any man will come after Christ let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow him He must go the same way that Christ went that means to come to Heaven he hath led us the way for he is our way he himself went every step to Heaven in a way of Self-denial his wisdom will way and work was wholly subjected to the wisdom will and pleasure of his heavenly Father I seek not saith he mine own Will but the Will of the Father which hath sent me and I do alwayes those things that please him every one of us is to please his Neighbour for his good to edification and the reason is for even Christ pleased not himself leaving us an example that we should follow his steps Our own wisdom will and way standing either in competition with or opposition unto the wisdom of God which seems foolishness to us is to be denied the world by wisdom knows neither God nor his Son Jesus Christ The hidden wisdom which God ordained before the World unto our Glory is such a mystery that none of the Princes of this World knew and therefore they crucified the Lord of Glory Nor can any natural man receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Let no man therefore deceive himself if any man seem to be wise in this World let him deny himself become a Fool that he may be wise to deny his own Will as well as his own Wisdom that he may be willing in the day of Gods power to be what God would have him to be and to say not my Will but thine be done on Earth as it is in Heaven which is the highest Wisdom Self-love must also be denied Naturally men though they will not own it are Lovers of their own selves which makes them covetous and proud to be Lovers of Pleasure more than Lovers of God The love of God for himself and love to our Neighbours without dissimulation is the cure of Self-love which is false love and therefore true hatred Self-love is Self-hatred The Times are perilous when men are Lovers of their own selves covetous proud Lovers of Pleasures more than Lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof Hold fast the form of sound words with a sound mind by the Spirit of Faith and of Power and of Love that instead of denying the power of Godliness you may exercise your selves unto all Godliness in denying Ungodliness and worldly Lusts that you may live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil World Learn in what state soever you are in therewith to be content Learn both how to be abased and know how to abound Be content to be poor in this World which is the true meaning of