ground of all Religion Satan labours much to undermine and shake it and the Atheisme of mans heart is very prone to suspect and doubt it and mens weake and feeble lame and halting apprehension of this truth is one maine cause of the great abundance of Atheisme and prophanenesse For the effectuall and invincible perswasion resolution and through setling of your hearts therefore in this truth that God is looke 1. into the booke of Scripture and 2. into the booke of Nature 1. Looke into the booke of the Scripture and there fasten your eyes 1. upon the plaine and apparant Testimonies which it gives of God By the mouth of Job aske now saith he the beasts and they shall teach thee and the fowles of the aire and they shall tell thee or speake to the earth and it shall teach thee and the fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this in whose hand is the soule of every living thing and the breath of all mankinde By the mouth of David The Heavens saith he declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-worke By the mouth of Paul God saith he who in times past suffered all Nations to walke in their owne wayes neverthelesse he left not himselfe without witnesse in that he did good and gave us raine from Heaven and fruitfull seasons filling our hearts with food and gladnesse And againe As I passed by saith he to the men of Athens and behold your devotions I found an Altar with this Inscription To the unknowne God whom therefore ye ignorantly worship him declare I unto you God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Neither is worshipped with mens hands seeing he giveth life and breath and every thing And most evidently writing to the Romanes he saith That which may be knowne of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternall power and God-head so that they are without excuse 2. Fasten your eyes upon the miraculous and mighty workes recorded in Scripture as the dividing of the waters of the red Sea and making the children of Israel to passe through them the giving of waters out of a stony rocke the raining of Manna from Heaven the sending of Quailes in the wildernesse the restraining of the fire in Nebuchadnezzars furnace that though it burned yet it hurt not the three children cast into it the shutting of the mouthes of the Lyons that they hurt not Daniel cast in among them the curing of diseases which no Physitian could heale the raising of the dead which no created power could doe the feeding of many thousands with a few loaves and fishes and many such like evidently declaring that there is an Almighty hand doing such great and mighty works 3. Meditate upon the prophecies and predictions there receiving their full and sure and certaine accomplishment in many ages after according as it was foretold arguing an eternall and All-seeing Spirit by whom they were inspired 4. Observe the punishments there miraculously inflicted upon the old world the Sodomites the Israelites in the wildernesse Pharaoh and many others and you shall reade the Justice of an Almighty God punishing the wickednesse of man 5. Consider well a way revealed to life and salvation above the capacity of man and Angell God appearing to the Patriarckes entring into a Covenant of life and peace with them sending his Prophets with tydings of a Saviour to come and at last sending his owne Sonne conceived by the Holy-Ghost in the wombe of a Virgin the humane nature assumed into the unity of the second person Christ God and Man in one Person a perfect Mediator between God and man a worke so strange and wonderfull that the Angels doe admire it and desire to pry into it a singular demonstration of Gods infinite and unsearchable wisedome 6. Observe also the mighty efficacy of this word of God upon the hearts of men piercing their hearts dividing between the bones and the marrow the joynts and the spirit presents as in a glasse the most close and secret sinnes of man before him filling them with terrour and amazement humbling and abasing them below the dust raising them out of the grave of sinne to a new life fetching them forth of Satans prison as the Angell brought Peter out of Herods prison turning their stony hearts into hearts of flesh making their leprous soules pure and cleane as Naamans flesh in Jordan healing the wounds of their consciences which no worldly balme could cure plainly declaring that an holy and Almighty Spirit did both inspire them and worke by them 7. Observe in the sacred Scriptures a generation of people so changed by the use of the word from what once they were That they are now distinguished from all the world besides as the living from the dead as the light from darkenesse as the Vine from the thorne and the Lambe from the Wolfe men called out of darkenesse into light men hating their former estates wayes and works more then ever they loved them Men chusing to live in any misery rather then in the allowance of the least sinne Men contented to be hated of father mother and all their friends according to the flesh that they may please Christ taking the spoyling of their goods joyfully reputing the reproach of Christ greater riches then all the treasures of the world Men pleasing contenting blessing and applauding themselves in the having of Christ though they have nothing else willing rather to lye in prison and dye a thousand deaths then deny or leave Christ Now whence is all this were they borne soâ— no they were once as others are Is it of themselves no the Leopard cannot change his spots it is indeed no other but the worke of a holy gracious and mighty God it is his worke which makes men to differ Had not this generation of men a cleare understanding and a lively and sweet apprehension of the Majesty power beauty and goodnesse of this God they would never for his sake endure such reproach hatred and trouble from the world Turne from the booke of the Scripture to the booke of Nature and here you shall see a Deity shining as the Sun in the Starres and putting it selfe forth as the root in the branches and appearing as the Artificer in his workmanship And thus looke 1. Vpon the whole universe the great house of the world the Earth as the floore and the Heavens as the roofe and covering plainly demonstrating the eternall power wisedome and Godhead as the Apostle saith When we see a great and stately house builded artificially composed severall peeces of stone timber lime earth and other materials skilfully and strongly joyned
saith God the Father unto Christ will preserve thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people to establish the earth and when Christ was baptized and solemnly entred upon his calling He was confirmed by a voice from heaven saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 4. In respect of the doctrine which he taught no private nor humane doctrine but the doctrine of God his Father I am come saith Christ in my Fathers name declaring his truth and seeking his glory and ye receive me not if another shall come in his owne name preaching his owne invention exalting and magnifying himselfe him ye will receive to him ye will adhere him you will admire and adore And againe elsewhere I have not spoken of my selfe saith Christ but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandement what I should say and what I should speake and I know that his commandement is life everlasting whatsoever I speake therefore even as the Father said unto me so speake I. 5. In respect of benediction Christ is come in the name of the Lord accompanied with the fulnesse of all blessing from God In thy seed said God to Abraham speaking of Christ shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed unto you first saith Peter God having raised up his son Jesus sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities and God saith Saint Paul hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ 6. In respect of the end which Christ proposed to himselfe his Fathers glory he came in the name of the Lord not seeking his owne but his glory who sent him I seeke not mine owne glory saith Christ I honour my Father if I honour my selfe my honour is nothing And thus Christ came in the name of the Lord ordained prepared called of the Lord declaring his Fathers will accompanied with the fulnesse of his Fathers blessing intending and seeking his Fathers glory The whole shewing That Christ is furnished with authority and all divine abilities to minister all peace and salvation to Gods servants This was tipyfied in Joseph Joseph was sent of his father to visit his brethren in the wildernesse Christ was sent of God his Father to visit mankinde sinfully straying in the wildernesse of the world Joseph was set over the whole land of Egypt and over the Kings house by Pharaoh King of Egypt Joseph was furnished with wisedome understanding and the Spirit of God to rule the people and with all the store and fulnesse of Egypt to minister to the necessities of the people Christ is set by God his father the King of Kings over the whole world in generall over the Church of God in speciall Christ is furnished with treasures of all wisedome to guide the people and with all divine and heavenly fulnesse to minister to the severall necessities of Gods servants to fill them with all spirituall fulnesse This was also figured in Josuah Josuah was confirmed in his calling by the dividing of the waters in Iordan at the presence of the Arke standing therein Christ was confirmed in his calling by the opening of the heavens and the Spirit descending in the forme of a Dove upon him when he was baptized in Iordan Moses being dead Joshuah was made the Captaine of Gods people Moses leading them to the land Joshuah entring them in the land the Law ceasing and the Ceremonies thereof vanishing Christ is appointed the Captaine of Gods Church and people the Law leading to Christ Christ by his death and conquest giving men entrance into the heavens Joshuah overcame the enemies of Israel and going before them brought them into the land of Canaan allotting to each one their portion Christ hath overcome the enemies of his Church and is ascended into heaven before us there to prepare for all the Lords servants It is not the Law but Christ that ministers salvation to the Lords people Christ Iesus is the authour of our spirituall conquest there is no way for man to heaven but onely by Christ who came from heaven Christ is the Iacobs ladder by whom God descends to us in his grace and through whom we ascend to God by our faith This was likewise typified in David David was anointed King and Ruler over Israel Christ is anointed King and Ruler over Gods Church David delivered Israell from the great Goliah he slew him with his owne weapon Christ overcame the infernall Goliah the Devill and brought deliverance to Gods chosen Christ by death Satans weapon destroyed him that had the power of death The power of all opposers is meere weaknesse to the power of Christ Jesus Such is the transcendent fulnesse of Christs abilities that he turnes the instruments of mans destruction to further mans salvation this calling preparation and mission of Christ was prophecyed by the Psalmist His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth There is Christs universall jurisdiction and kingdome over men of every nation I will give thee saith the Lord by the Prophet for a Covenant of the people a light of the Gentiles There is Christs ordination to be the publisher of the Covenant of peace the Author of reconciliation between God and man the revealer of the mystery of mans salvation and the Spirit of the Lord saith the Prophet in the person of Christ is upon me and he hath anointed me to preach glad tidings to the meeke There is the calling the preparation unction and full furnishing of Christ with all abilities to execute his Mediatory office and in this respect Christ is sometimes termed by the Prophets a servant for his calling and obedience to his fathers will an Angell for his mission being sent of God and for his publication of the tydings of salvation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner stone a sure foundation for his strength to sustaine them that are built upon him a noble Ruler for his sacred prescription and gracious administration of Gods Church and kingdome a fountaine for his efficacy to purge out sinne and for his fulnesse to satisfie the thirsty soules of all beleevers a Sun of righteousnesse for the fulnesse of the light of knowledge and comfort which he dispenseth and for his blessed influence into the soules of his servants The Sunne doth not shine more clearly in the starres then the authority and ability of the Sunne of righteousnesse to save us doth shine in these Propheticall predictions and this calling mission full and through preparation of Christ to this office of mediation between God and man is plainly declared by the Evangelists and Apostles Saint Mathew speaks of Christ as of a Shepheard sent to gather the sheep which are lost Saint Marke as of an Embassador sent with tydings of peace as of an heire sent to rule
over us to be honourably entertained by us Saint Luke as of a Physitian sent to heale us as of a ransomer sent to free us and to restore spirituall liberty to us And Saint Paul saith plainly When the fulnesse of time was come God sent forth his sonne made of a woman made under the Law to redeeme them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons and in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily and he filleth all in all And the authority calling preparation and fulnesse of Christs abilities to save us is very manifest 1. In regard of the power communicated unto Christ as Mediator All power both in heaven and in earth is given unto him power of vivification he quickneth whom he will as he raised Lazarus out of the grave power of illumination he openeth and no man shutteth as he opened the eyes of him that was borne blind power of sanctification he purgeth away all sinne as he cleansed the leprosie from the uncleane power of remission as Lord and King he forgiveth sinne he blotteth out sinne as the Sun the cloud power of pacification as he appeased the winds and waters power of administration as the high Steward of Gods family the supreme Pilot over the ship which is the Church of God as the great Centurion over the Lords army and chiefe Justice in Gods Kingdome power of subiugation casting downe and breaking in pieces all opposing forces as the stone out of the mountaines burst Nebuchadnezzars Image power of protection and sustentation in all troubles as Noahs Arke sustained him in the deluge and Christ safe guarded the three children in the fiery furnace The miraculous and mighty acts of Christs power are cleare and manifest declarations of his calling and commission and of his ability to minister salvation 2. In regard of Christs exaltationâ— He is exalted above all principalities he is exalted above all the common creatures as the Creator and workman above the worke as the Lord above his lowest servants he is exalted above all Angels as the Prince above the Nobles as the son above the attendants he is exalted above all devils as the Conquerour above the captives he is exalted above all the Saints of God as the head above the members as the King above the subjects as the bridegroome above the bride He is set at the right hand of God an exaltation whereof no meere creature is capable Christs Majesty dignity glory and exaltation doth even infinitely surpasse the dignity and honour of man and Angell He is made higher then the heavens others ascend into heaven have their dwelling in heaven but Christ is made higher then the heavens being God and man in one person having an exaltation above all Saints and Angels the inhabitants of heaven all that is in heaven and in the earth being put under him Christs sitting in his Fathers throne Christs exaltation above all creatures fully declared his ability to save his chosen from all evils 3. In regard of Christs impletion and filling of all He ascended farre above all heavens that he might fill all things Christ filleth all things with his power and common and generall operation as the Sunne fils all the earth with his influence with his absolute authority and dominion as a King fils his kingdome with his common gifts and mercies as the Master of the house fils all the persons of the house Christ filleth the Devils and damned men with his justice wrath vengeance but he filleth his Church and children with his ordinances as a teacher fils his schoole with books and rules of instruction as a nurse fils the childe with her breasts and the Master of the feast his guests with food these he filleth with knowledge as the Sun the aire with light with spirituall life sence and motion and all heavenly graces as the head the members as the root the branches as the Sun the starres sweet and comfortable excellent and gracious is that fulnesse which Christ ministers to his members and by his filling of his faithfull servants he verefies his Fathers mission and preparation of him to accomplish mans salvation 4. In regard of his proposing of his Fathers glory and referring all to his Fathers praise as the supreme and ultimate end of all his service and undertakings an ingenuous son preferres his fathers honour above his owne honour a good servant his Masters profit above his owne profit a loyall Embassador the Kings will message advantage and renowne above his owne will errant benefit or credit Christ as Mediator was both a sonne a servant and Gods great Embassador preferring his fathers will pleasure and praise above his owne I seeke not mine owne will faith Christ but the will of him that sent me and againe he sought not his owne glory but the glory of him that sent him and to the father Christ thus speakes of himselfe I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the worke which thou gavest me He glorified his father on earth by declaring his fathers will and counsell by making his father appeare glorious in the eyes of the people by ascribing all his miraculous and mighty works to his fathers power by fulfilling his Law by his obedience by satisfying his fathers justice by his sufferings by gathering home the soules of men to God his Father to know his Fathers will to adore his Fathers name to obey his Fathers precepts to beleeve his Fathers promises to love his Fathers truth to glorifie his â—athers name and every way to conforme themselves and their doings to his Fathers testimonies and by his full intendment and glorious accomplishment of his Fathers honour he compleatly demonstrated his ordination and preparation his comming in the name of his Father to be mans Saviour CHAP. XIII IN this with open face may all men behold and see Gods dispensation of salvation unto man by Christ his Sonne Christ is come in his Fathers name ordained prepared most absolutely and compleatly furnished to communicate salvation to the Lords chosen others come in the name of the Lord to procure and promote the salvation of man instrumentally ministerially subordinately dependantly but Christ is come in his fathers name to give salvation unto man absolutely and independantly by his owne power meritoriously by his owne worth and merit efficiently by the efficacions and mighty worke of his owne Spirit fully and everlastingly being able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him the Lord Jesus is the efficient and meritorious cause spring and fountaine of mans salvation There is no other name given under heaven wher by man can be saved but onely the name of Christ The name of the creature is a name of weaknesse emptinesse unworthinesse the name of mans righteousnesse is a name of many pollutions the name of mans worke and services is a name of debt and manifold
Men are often very dangerous self-lovers in their holiest and most honourable performances It argues a humble sweet and gracious disposition of mens affections to be able to rejoyce in the godly service of others a humble soule is joyfull and thankfull that God is honoured the Church benefited the Gospell preached the cause and kingdome of Christ promoted by others as if himselfe had been the instrument Gods glory is a humble mans maine desire and intendment and is much joyed to see the same accomplished and in these characters as in plaine letters may all men reade the truth and power of their self-denyall and accordingly judge of their condition CHAP. X. BUt it may be here demanded how many wayes a man may deceive himselfe in the point and matter of self-denyall The heart of man is deceitfull above measure and man is very prone to deceive himselfe as in other necessary points and parts of salvation so in this of self-denyall To this therefore I answer that man is apt to deceive himselfe in this behalfe eight wayes 1. By denying himselfe superstitiously Thus many deny rest food and liberty necessary lawfull and allowed whipping scourging macerating pinching and even starving their owne flesh denying themselves the use of such creatures as God hath ordained and provided for the comfort and supportment of his servants God hath made man subordinate Lord over the works of his hands and hath put all things under his feet all sheep and oxen and the beasts of the field the fowles of the ayre and the fishes of the sea Every creature of God saith the Apostle is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer yet many in their superstition deny themselves the free and Christian use of the creature placing their Religion and self-denyall in abstinence from some sorts of creatures This is a law of Antichrist mentioned by Saint Paul forbidding to marry and commanding to abstaine from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving Such self-deniers are none of Christs but Antichrists subjects Men placing their self-denyall in the observation of humane inventions are farre from denying their owne corrupt and carnall lusts and affections they that make tradition the rule of their Religion are farre from spirituall and true mortification zealous observers of humane devises in stead of denying themselves deny the Lord Jesus Of such therefore the Apostle testifies that they are vainly puft up in their fleshly mind and not holding the head which is Christ and rebuking their superstition as repugnant to Christs death he saith wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the commandements and doctrines of men This is the superstitious mans self-denyall 2. By denying himselfe covetously Many out of an immoderate desire after earthly riches and inordinate love to the world deny themselves bodily rest rising up early and sitting up late and eating the bread of sorrowes they deny themselves necessary food and rayment they travell under their worldly abundance as a galled horse under a heavy burthen they want nothing of all their soules desire yet God gives them not power to eat thereof This is the miserable worldlings humility and self-denyall and in this he is ready to please and applaude himselfe this man indeed abaseth himselfe below the dust but he doth not humble himselfe under Christ he makes himselfe the drudge and slave of worldly dung and drosse he makes not himselfe the servant of Christ 3. By denying himselfe partially He denyes some but not all his lusts he walks in some but not in all the ordinances of God Jehu denyed Baals Priests he put them to death but he allowed the calves in Dan and Bethel Saul denyed himselfe in the refuse of the Amalekitish stuffe he destroyed the refuse but he denyed not himselfe in the bleating sheep and lowing oxen he spared them Herod denyed himselfe in many things he heard the Baptist gladly and did many things but he denyed not himselfe in Herodias he continued his incest He that denyes not himselfe in all things truly denyes himselfe in nothing he that allowes himselfe under the power of one sinne is farre from Christ farre from the knowledge of Christ as he that allowes one moate in his eye is farre from the cleare and comfortable sight of the Sunne far from the life of Christ and health of grace as he that allowes himselfe in one disease is farre from health of body farre from the love of Christ as the woman which allowes one strange lover in her bosome is farre from the love of her husband he is farre from the way to life as he that keeps himselfe and travels on in one false way is farre from his right path farre from all interest in Gods promises as he that breakes one Covenant and condition of his Lease hath forfeited his whole Lease and farre from spirituall liberty and freedome as he that is fettered with one strong chaine is farre from bodily freedome he that denyes not all sinne denyes none as it is sinne hypocriticall miserable deceitfull is their self-denyall which is partiall and halt like Israel between God and Baal between vertue and vice between the earth and heaven still abiding under the power of sin without either truth or perfection in grace 4. By denying himselfe Constrainedly Not for love but for feare not for the hatred of sinne but for the sence of misery attending sinne as the dog denyes himselfe his meat when he is sicke and the Sow denyes her wallowing in the mire by reason of the coldnesse of the weather Lord saith the Prophet in trouble have they visited thee they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them When the hand of God is heavy upon them they walke humbly they deny themselves their former carnall contentments with the Mariners they cast out Jonah in the storme This is the afflicted mans self-denyall a denyall not springing from any principle of grace but forc't upon the soule not arising from any hatred of sinne but from the punishment of sinne As Mariners cease from the Sea and lye fast in the haven while the stormes last but as soone as the weather is calme they put themselves forth againe Thus many when the storme is up when their soules are tossed with the tempest of trouble they cease from their worldly and carnall wayes but as soone as their estate is cleare and calme againe they returne to their former trade and practise of sin Constrained deny all is neither cordiall nor perpetuall 5. By denying himselfe hypocritically seeming to others to deny himselfe when yet indeed he doth not as Ahab put off his Kings roabes and
in himselfe but all his glory is in Christ the very whole of true Christians is from Christ Jesus Christ is both the fountaine filling and the life quickening them they cannot but acknowledge with Paul It is Christ lives in them In the words we have 1. A terme of opposition But 2. An Agent or Authour Christ he is the Author of this spirituall life 3. An Act liveth Christians live not the life of grace by themselves it is received from Christ 4. A Subâ—ect in me True believers are the only subject of spirituall life First of the terme of opposition but a word signifying an opposition of things in that sense in which things are opposed Labour not for the meat saith Christ which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life and again lay not up for your selves treasure on earth but lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven And so likewise it is the Apostles charge be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is And be not drunke with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit And thus the Apostle here I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me I live indeed but it is not of my selfe but from Christ it is not of nature but of grace Christ is the root of spirituall life in me It is plaine and manifest to the feeling and experience of Gods children that they have not the life of Grace and holinesse from themselves but from Christ Jesus they know that Christ is the authour and finisher of their salvation they know that Christ is in them Examine your selves proove your selves know yee not that Christ is in you except yee be reprobates saith the Apostle We know saith S. John that we are of God quickning regenerating enlightning and sanctifying us and we know that the sonne of God is come and hath given us an understanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his sonne Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternall life they know that Christ is in them as a root enlivening them as a Sun illuminating them as a Refiners fire purging them The woman of Shunem knew that the Prophet had raised her dead son to life the children of God know that Christ hath raised their soules which were dead in sinnes and trespasses the blind man knew that whereas he was blind he did now see and that Christ had opened his eyes Gods children have experience of Christs opening the eyes of their understanding Naaman knew that Jordan had washed away the leprosie which clave unto him Gods servants know that they are washed sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God Gods children know that of themselves they are dead in sins and trespasses and that Christ is the authour of spirituall life unto them they know that of themselves they are empty of all spirituall good and that Christ is the fountaine filling them they know that in their naturall estate they are the slaves of Satan the bond-men of the world the servants of corruption and that Christ alone is the worker of their freedome the beginning and the end of their salvation The life of grace and holinesse is not of man but of Christ no child in the course of nature can beget it selfe but is begotten of another Parent no child of God in the way of grace is the authour of his owne regeneration and new birth but is begotten again by the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Spirit of God perswading them of the truth informing them in the virtue and applying to them the power and efficacy of Christs resurrection begetteth them againe unto a lively hope mans receiving of Christ is the receiving of spirituall life and new-birth As many saith the Evangelist as received him to them gave he power to become the sonnes of God which were borne not of blood not by the Nobility and dignity of their Parents according to the flesh nor of the will of the flesh not by the ability and strength of nature not by any activity liberty or freedome of their owne nor of the will of man not by the art or industry education or instruction of man but of God It is not in the power of man to regenerate man God useth man as his instrument but God himselfe accomplisheth the worke as a supreme and free agent when and where he pleaseth Man is an alien to the life of God and can no more raise himselfe to a spirituall life then Lazarus could raise himselfe to a naturall life Mans conversion is a new creation which is as farre beyond the power of man as the forming of himselfe of nothing All the instruments of spirituall life are dependant no more able to quicken the soule of man then Gehazi with his Masters staffe was able to raise the woman of Shunems sonne to life without Elisha himselfe the life of the soule is hidden in Christ and he that hath not Christ is farre from all spirituall life Such therefore as have no experience of Christs communicating the life of grace and holinesse unto them are none of Gods children their life is a naturall a worldly a carnall and not a spirituall a heavenly and holy life they live by a fleshly and not by a spirituall principle by a corrupt and humane and not by a divine and heavenly rule they live unto themselves and not to Christ they are of themselves and they incline and move to themselves as to their proper Center they confine themselves within themselves they can nor looke nor move beyond themselves That which is of the flesh of a fleshly originall compounded wholy of fleshly principles having no other then fleshly ingredients in it that is flesh discerning after a fleshly and carnall manner and not perceiving the things of God which are spiritually discerned savouring and relishing only things carnall and fleshly minding only that which is vaine corrupt and earthly walking by a fleshly rule the imagination of their owne hearts and proposing a fleshly end the satisfaction of their owne corrupt and sinfull lusts they are not of God as a childe is of his Parents they beare not on them the Image of God as a child doth beare the image of his Father they depend not upon God as a child depends upon his Parents they abide not with God as a child with his Parents they receive not Gods instruction as a childe receives his fathers instruction they love not God as a child his Parent they delight not in God as a child rejoyceth in his Parents the meditation of God is not sweet the thought of Gods presence is not pleasant to them they frequent not Gods house they make it not their dwelling and place of their delight as children doe their Fathers house He that is without Christ is without God
a Christian to have Christ living in him The more we are assured of this the more sweet and comfortable will the meditation of Christ be unto us and the greater our courage against all opposing powers and the more cheerfull shall we be in Christs service And this we shall discerne 1. By the purity of our conversation The order of our life without is sutable to the root and Principle of our life within he that hath a humane soule and life within him doth outwardly walke speake and worke as a man he that hath Christ living in him converseth walketh worketh doth all things outwardly as a Christian conformeth himselfe to Christ is acted moved and guided by Christ living in him as the body is moved and guided by the soule living in the same Christ living in him writes his Law in his heart new moulds new fashions and frames his whole man and makes it sutable to the Law causing him to be holy in all manner of conversation as he that hath called him is holy making him alive to God receiving all his direction from God to be wholly subject unto Gods will totally devoted to Gods service to doe every thing for God and to intend God above himselfe or any thing else as Christ in the dayes of his flesh did all according to the Commandement his Father gave him he sought not his owne but his Fathers honour Thus he in whom Christ lives makes Gods word the rule that guides him he seekes God and not himselfe he purifieth himselfe as Christ is pure and strives what in him lies that he may approve himselfe to God by walking humbly and holily with God 2. By mans invinciblenesse He that hath Christ living in him is very victorious even as Christ is victorious Christ is his life and as Christ is invincible so is the life of Christ in them that are his sinne and Satan may now and then foile them but can never extinguish the life of grace in them because Christ who liveth in them is stronger then all that doth oppose them Ye are of God saith Saint John endowed with the life of God and have overcome because greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world Christ living in his children is greater then Satan who lives in carnall men and therefore they are invincible We know saith the same Apostle that whosoever is borne of God sinneth not is not under the power of sinne gives no allowance to sinne makes not a trade of sinne but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not he keepeth himselfe that which is proper unto God is transferred to the children of God and they are said to keep themselves who indeed are kept of God being kept as Saint Peter saith through the power of God unto salvation having Christ living in them the whole armour of God put upon them the gifts of the Spirit communicated to them giving themselves to the study and practise of godlinesse and being frequent and fervent in holy and humble supplication unto God they are kept that the evill one doth not touch them his temptations are resisted he cannot extinguish the life of Christ in them in all assaults afflictions temptations and tryals they are more then Conquerours through Christ loving them and living in them Christ sustaines them in the deluge of affliction as the Arke sustained Noah in the deluge of waters And though they sometimes slip through the infirmity of the flesh yet they grieve under the burthen of their corruption they are displeased with themselves they depart not from the feare of the Lord they recover and revive they prevaile as Joshuah over the Amalekites they grow stronger and stronger like the house of David they goe forward like Israel in the way to Canaan from strength to strength untill they appeare before the Lord in Sion they shine more and more like the light unto the day of perfection The longer Christ liveth in them the more perfection of life is ministred to them 3. By mans preserving and keeping himselfe from sin and from the world Life preserves the body from putrefaction when the life is gone the body putrifies and rots but whiles life is strong and vigorous in the body the body is fresh and comely Man without Christ doth putrifie and rot in sinne he growes worse and worse but Christ living in man he is preserved from sinne sinne doth not reigne over him they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and dusts their soules are purified by Christ as the gold by the refiners fire and the cloath by the Fullers soape they are kept by Christ as the Garden by the dresser as the house by the dweller they are purged from sinne as the aire is purged from clouds and vapors by the wind and Sun they are washed and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Christ communicates spirituall health and heavenly beauty to their soules he purifies them to be a peculiar people to himselfe he makes them shine as lights he will not suffer sinne to remaine like a mortall wound or loathsome ulcer upon them but he ministers spirituall healing to them by the wings of his ordinances outwardly and of his grace inwardly Secondly they in whom Christ lives are preserved from the world life inables man to lift up his body from the earth to tread upon it with his foot they in whom Christ lives have their conversation in Heaven they mind the things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God they first seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof This is the fountaine after whose waters they thirst the Sunne in whose light they rejoyce the treasure with which they desire to be enriched the thing which they desire suites with the quality and nature of their life Christ living in them they chiefly desire the things of Christ their hearts and thoughts are taken off from the world they prize it as a thing which is not they undervalue it as dung and drosse in comparison of Christ and the things of Christ and they use it as if they used it not Like Gideons three hundred men they lap a little but bow not downe to these waters Christ doth marvellously innoble their disposition in whom he lives he will not suffer them to be carnally affected nor worldly minded The world is crucified to that man in whom Christ liveth 4. By mans oppugning and expelling out of himselfe whatsoever is contrary to Christ It is the property of life to expell what is contrary to it whatsoever doth oppose or prejudice it The life of nature labours to the utmost the expulsion of diseases tending to the dissolution of nature and the life of grace or Christ living in man expels what is contrary to Christ and to the life and worke of grace
them 3. In regard of that full possession which the world hath taken in corrupt and carnall man The Inne where Christ was borne was so full that there was no roome for Christ but in a manger The hearts of earthly men are so taken up with the world so filled with the creature that there is no roome for Christ carnall persons give every worldly businesse preheminence above the Lord Jesus The world affoords Christ a very dishonourable entertainment unholy men are in such subiection under the creature that they cannot serve Christ He that serves the creature cannot have Christ for his Lord and Master ye cannot serve God and Mammon saith our Saviour the world hath so many imployments for them that they have no leisure to come to Christ their inclination to things earthly is so strong that they cannot come at Christs invitation they are so wedded to this that they cannot come to the wedding feast which Christ makes for his friends and Spouse in the Gospell Or if they doe come they bring no wedding garment with them and therefore are unwelcome The creature is so glorious in their eyes that they see no glory nor beauty in Christ for which they should desire him Or if they have some weake and low apprehensions of Christ some slender inclinations after Christ now and then stirred up within them yet the price of enjoying Christ is so great that rather then leave the world they will goe away sorrowfull It is impossible that the soule of man can receive Christ untill it is emptied of the world Christ never appeares glorious and precious till the world appeares base in our apprehensions When the world becomes bitter to our palates then our soules relish much sweetnesse in Christ Jesus 4. In regard of the repugnancy of a carnall mans heart against Christ There is no answerablenesse no sutablenesse between Christ and an unsanctified heart the unregenerate soule is full of antipathy and opposition against Christ The house of Saul opposed the house of David the house and family all that is in a corrupt and carnall man doth oppose Christ in his Ordinances in his Offices and in his operations As darkenesse opposeth light sicknesse health and death life so doth corruption in sinfull man oppose Christ The carnall minde or wisedome of the flesh the counsell discourse reason purposes desires motions and all the actions of carnall wisedome the very Principles and beginnings of them in unregenerate man with all the lusts and afections of the will as anger wrath envy covetousnesse pride emulation c. are all enmity against God set in full and perpetuall opposition against God and Christ the very whole of a carnall man is an armed and fighting enemy against God it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be loving that which Christ hateth hating that which Christ loveth practising that which Christ forbiddeth and eschewing that which Christ commandeth The carnall man like an untamed Haifer breakes Christs yoake and casts away his cords The man in the countrey of the Gadarens possessed with an uncleane spirit mentioned in the Gospell was so fierce that no man could binde him He plucked asunder the chaines which were put upon him and brake in pieces the fetters which tyed him so that no man could tame him Corrupt and carnall man is possessed with such a spirit of uncleannesse and power of prophanenesse that he breakes asunder all the chaines and fetters all the Lawes and precepts which God hath given to binde him his lusts are so rebellious and unruly that no man can tame him the Leviathan laughs at the speare and cares not for barbed irons the horse mocketh at feare and is not affrighted neither turneth backe from the sword the carnall man laughs at the judgements denounced against him he feares not the word of God though sharper then a two-edged sword No exhortation moves him no invitation affects him all instruction is but as the sounding of a trumpet to the deafe and the setting of a candle before the eyes of the blinde Nothing can worke him to subjection under Christs Scepter till God makes him a new creature Every unregenerate person is unchangeable in his opposition against Heaven Very great is the distance between Christ Jesus and carnall persons There is not a greater Antipathy between fire and water then between Christ and prophane mans corrupt nature and thus you see mans Alienation from Christ in his corrupt and sinfull estate CHAP. III. Setting open the dolefulnesse and danger of Mans estate without Christ MAns Alienation and estrangement from Christ declares and layes open the misery and wretchednesse the danger and dolefulnesse of mans estate and condition by nature a condition in which he is without Christ and to be without the Lord Jesus is the misery of all miseries It is not the man that is without the crowne of worldly dignities to honour him without the treasury of earthly abundance to enrich him without the sensuall and seeming paradise of carnall pleasures to delight him or without the presence and countenance of fleshly friends to solace him but it is the man that is without Christ who is of all men the most miserable The estate of Israel without the Arke was very uncomfortable their glory was departed the wife of Phineas tooke no comfort in the birth of a sonne the ordinary joy of Mothers The condition of man without Christ is very dolefull his glory is departed from him all that man hath not having Christ with it is but an Ichobod there is no glory in it For man that is without Christ is 1. Without Life The woman of Shunems sonne was without life untill the Prophet came and spread himselfe upon him Man is without the life of grace alienated from the life of God untill Christ comes and applyes himselfe to the soule of man For Christ is our Life Declaratively he reveales it meritoriously he hath purchased it originally and efficiently he communicates it as the head communicates life unto the members Christ Jesus is the dispencer of the life of grace and glory to all Gods faithfull servants and he that hath not the Sonne hath not life saith Saint John He that hath not the Sonne by cleare and saving knowledge as the eye hath the Sun in the Firmament enlightening and guiding by true and lively Faith as the living branch hath the Vine by incorporation into it by receiving juice and nourishment from it by fervent and unfained Love as the wife hath the husband by wedlocke with him by matrimoniall affection to him and by holy and humble subiection as the Subject hath the King by vailing and bowing to him He who thus hath not the Sonne he hath not life his soule is not spiritually quickned Christ not living in him spirituall death beares dominion over him He is dead saith S. Paul in sins and trespasses A Tree
together variety of roomes framed for the entertainment of many guests and other offices belonging to the house and windowes made in fit and convenient places to give light thereunto we all know that some skilfull workman hath been labouring there the house having no power nor wisedome to raise it selfe and thus when we looke upon this great and mighty house of the world and see it composed of severall creatures Heavens Aire Waters Earth c. variety of roomes fitted for men Beasts Birds Fishes and all other guests belonging to this house The Sun Moone and Starres set on high as great lamps and lanthornes to give light thereunto we cannot but acknowledge that some Almighty and All-wise workman hath been the builder thereof none of these being able to create and set themselves in this orderly manner this we must needs acknowledge though we see not the builder When we see the body and branches of a Tree springing we know there is a root though it be hidden in the earth and we see it not When we see as that noble Duplesses observes a river flowing we presently conclude there is some Spring or Fountaine whence it hath Originall though we see not the same and thus from the Creation and the things seen we must of necessity conclude there is a Deity though invisible and not seen otherwise then as we see the cause in the effect 2. Looke upon the order of things moving We discerne many things moving in the world as Sun Moone and Stars in Heaven the Birds in the aire Men and Beasts upon the earth Rivers running Seas ebbing and flowing and every thing that moves must of necessity be moved of some other by the consideration whereof we are necessarily led to acknowledge a first mover which is God giving motion to all himselfe not moved When we see the body moving we know there is a soule within moving it though we see not the soule When we see the wheeles of a watch moving we know there is a spring that sets them all on going Thus the motion of the creature plainly demonstrates a first mover though our eyes behold him not according to the Rule Secunda moventia non movent nisi per hoc quod sunt a primo motu 3. Looke upon the Series and succession of all efficient Causes We see in sensible things there is an order of efficient causes yet among all these there neither is nor can any thing be found which is the cause of it selfe because so it should be before it selfe which is impossible As for instance the Sonne is begotten of the Father the Father of the Grandfather the Grandfather of the great Grandfather and so upward yet amongst men no man ever was or can be the begetter of himselfe the branch commeth from the Tree the Tree from the root the root from the kernell the kernell gives not being to it selfe and thus we must of necessity ascend unto and rest in some first cause which is God all second causes working in the vertue of the first cause 4. Looke upon the Consent and agreement betweene things different and disagreeing betweene themselves Fire and water are one contrary to another one fighting against another destroying one another yet these you shall see concurring and agreeing together in the building of the universe and in the body of man and beast which plainly shews the wisedome and power of some supreame Commander making such a sweet harmony betweene disagreeing creatures as betweene dissonant strings upon a musicall instrument we acknowledge the art of a skilfull Musitian in the latter and can we doe lesse then acknowledge an infinite wisedome and power of some supreame commander in the former 5. Looke upon the degrees of excellency and goodnesse among things Some are more good and more excellent some lesse good and lesse excellent the Sunne hath more light then the Starres the Vine is more excellent then the Bramble man hath more noble endowments then the unreasonable creatures and whence is this but as every creature hath more or lesse good communicated to it as it doth more or lesse approach unto some chiefest good so that there must be some chiefe and most excellent good communicating freely more or lesse good to every kinde of creature as hee pleaseth 6. Looke upon the suiting and the fitting of one thing to another As in a building when we see one peece of timber fitted to another we say there hath beene a skilfull Carpenter When we see a garment made up and suited to every Member of mans body we instantly conceive some artificiall Tailer hath had the ordering of it and that neither timber nor cloath did thus sute themselves together Thus in this great workmanship of the world observe how light is suited to the eye the sound unto the ayre meat to the palate water to the fishes the earth to plants and grasse to beasts and so of the rest and when we see this how can wee but acknowledge a divine finger thus suiting and fitting one to another 7. To be short tooke upon the subordination and dependance of one thing upon another one ministring to another the Heavens to the Earth the Earth to the Corne the Corne to man Consider also the operation and working even of creatures void of reason for a certaine end working constantly after the same manner and accomplishing their ends by due and apt meanes producing effects above their owne abilities as the Ant which gathers her meat in Summer for the Winter they working by a rule which they know not and ayming at an end which they understand not declare that a higher understanding directs them what also doe many strange and unexpected events and issues of things beyond the wisdome power and imagination of man argue but an Almighty hand working and disposing all things at his owne pleasure what shall we thinke of the preservation and ministring of provision for so many ages to this great Family of the world but that there is some most wise and able governour over this house what may we conclude from the preservation and continuance of a Church upon the face of the Earth against the fury of all Divels and against the power and malice even of the whole world but that there is a God that standeth in the burning bush and keepes it that the fire doth not consume it a rider that sits upon the flood and restraines it from drowning his Church a great commander whom the windes and waves obey one setting bounds to to men and Divels as to the Sea and let these and such like considerations perswade you and strengthen in the beliefe of this That God is And be assured that the more your hearts are over-powred wrought upon and warmed with the study and meditation and setled in perswasion and beleefe of this truth That God is an eternall omnipotent most wise holy and omnipresent being one that is ever present with you 1. The more humble and