foretold of him both substantiall and circumstantiall were exactly fullfilled in him The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Ioh. 1. 14. Jesus Christ These things I only touch upon without enlargement Secondly In relation to his people Christ is the riches of Christus est nobis thesaurus spiritualium divitiarum Day in Text. 1 Cor. 2. 7. the Gospels glory The blessed Apostle is very open in his expression to this purpose We speak the hidden wisedom of God which God ordained unto our glory Many rich and glorious are the true Christians advantages from Jesus Christ I shall briefly point at four which St Paul hath recorded together in Eph. 1. And before I mention the particulars the generall which he premiseth being very comprehensive is worthy consideration Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Eph. 1. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenlies in Christ The Originall neither restraineth the word Heavenly to places or things but the holy Ghost hinteth thus much That whatsoever spirituall blessings which are incomparably the best any Saints receive from the Lord either here upon earth or hereafter in heaven all are derived through Christ The particulars follow 1. Electing love is in Christ He hath chosen us in him before ver 4. the foundation of the world 2. Adoption into the right and priviledges of Gods children is by Christ Having predestinated us unto the Adoption ver 5. of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 3. Fatherly acceptance with God pardoning all sins is upon the account of Jesus Christ He hath made us accepted ver 6 7. in the beloved in whom we have redemption through his bloud the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his grace 4. And the possession of our rich Inheritance is by reason of our co-heirship with Christ Jesus In whom also we have ver 11 12. Neque solum gratiam omnem inherentem habemus a Christo derivatam sed gratiam acceptationis divinae ad vitam aeternam habemus Dav. in Text. Vse 1. obtained an Inheritance c. that we should be unto the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ These short touches may be sufficient to clear the truth of the doctrine I proceed to the Application Ministers therefore should in this regard the more abundantly preach Christ Our Apostle having in the Text told the Colossians that Christ is the riches of the glorious Gospel he addeth immediately in the verse following whom we preach yea this is considerable that when Paul was a prisoner for such preaching he maketh this the greatest boon to be begg'd of God in his behalf that he might have liberty with ability to declare such things unto them in his Ministry Continue in prayer withall praying for us that God Col. 4. 2 3 4. would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the Mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds that I may make it manifest The like request he maketh unto the Ephesians Pray Eph. 6. 18 19 20. alwaies in the Spirit c. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an Ambassadour in bonds And he greatly glorieth in this as a transcendent honour That he was made a Minister of the Gosple to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make all men see Eph. 3. 7 8 9. what is the fellowship of the mystery c. And this practice may prevalently be perswaded by the consideration of 1. The Ministers Office 2. The Peoples need First By Office We are Stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2. and it is required in Stewards that a man be found faithfull In this respect we must produce for the honour of our Master and the use of his Family such Treasures with which he hath been pleased to entrust us As Abrahams servant Gen. 24. 53. brought forth Jewels of silver and Jewels of gold to win the heart of Rebecca to Isaac so should we spread before our people the unvaluable riches of Christ that we might work out their hearts unto him Secondly As our Office so the Peoples necessities do call for our help herein for there are hidden things herein as the word mystery intimateth 1 Cor. 2. 7. which very few understand in comparison of the multitudes who are palpably ignorant hereof This our Saviour suggests who having by the Parable of the Sower taught that not above one part of four receive saving profit by the Gospel preached among them he said unto his Disciples Vnto you it is given to know Luk. 8. 10. the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God but unto others in Parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand And nothing that can possibly be taught is more usefull Vt sciant nihâ— doâ—â—ri posse absolutius Cal. in ver 28. and advantagious Hereby the proud heart is most kindely humbled and the humbled heart most sweetly comforted This knowledge will enrich the poor in Spirit and keep them lowly who are rich in grace It will encrease the hatred of sinne the contempt of the world faith in the promises love to God Christian courage zeal patience together with humble boldnesse in addresses unto God upon all occasions It is the one thing necessary By means hereof as the Luk. 10. 42. Apostle hints in the verse following the Text Ministers may hope to present their people perfect in Jesus Christ But these things I do only name without enlargement yet before I dismisse this Use I desire leave to entreat my Brethren in the Ministry to minde the counsell and practice of this our Apostle 1 Cor. 14. 23. 18 19. viz. to study familiar plainnesse in unfolding these rich mysteries of glorious Gospel grace which are treasured up in Jesus Christ My second Use must be directed both unto Ministers and Vse 2 people To move them to seek more and more the knowledge of Christ Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in Col. 3. 16. Prov. 2. all wisedom How unweariedly labourious are men in digging into the bowels of the earth to finde and to fetch out the riches there Now of how little worth is all the worlds wealth being compared with Christ The Gospel is the treasure Mat. 13. 44 46 in the Field of which the Parable speaketh and Christ is that one Pearl of great price which is of more worth then any mans All. Therefore the Scriptures should be searched as Joh. 5. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men search for treasures to make further and fuller discoveries of Christ because in him eternall life and all things conducible thereunto are to be enjoyed Saint Paul who by experience knew the worth of
apud Londinenses Pastor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon the much lamented Death of the truly Pious Youth Mr William Spurstow who deceased Anno Dom. 1633 4 March Aetatis 9. BLest Soul thy Parents only Son Thou wast Nipt in the bud and into deaths Den cast In Spring time both of age and year Thy Sun Is soon gone down soon is thy short race run True an Apprentiship th' hast serv'd on earth Of nine years but the tenth thou paist to Death As her due Tithe She will not be deni'd Young old rich poor are carried down this Tide Thou liv'st though dead in th'memory of those Who knew thy life and saw its holy close The honour thou didst to thy Parents bear Thy humble carriage witty words indear Thee unto all Those sparks of Piety Kindled wiihin thy Soul by th' Almighty Dazled the eyes of men Thine exc'llent parts Admired were by all Thou wonst all hearts But stay needs he Encomiums Reader know He joys above while we him wail below E. C. Student in Syd Coll. Cam. Upon his Funerall Text Col. 1. 27. Christ in you the hope of glory With which he was much affected in his life time and of which he did often speak THis Text did much refresh this Saint now dead Christ was his Hope his Glory Crown and Head Whilst here on earth Christ dwelt in him by grace But now he dwells with Christ and sees his face His Body though in grave to Christ is knit His Soul with Christ in Christs own Throne doth sit Christ was his hope on earth but now he is His Heaven his All his his for ever his E. C. Student in Syd Coll. Cam. Upon the Death of M. william Spurstow YE Muses Helicon what can you lie Thus mantled in a stupid Lethargy Breathe out your souls with sighs melt into tears And let your griefs be equall to your fears For him poor soul whose Fate it was we see To bid adieu in its minority Mourn that gloomy day on which it took its rise To seek a mansion in heavens Paradise What was his worth what Friends losse in verse Were but lost pains in both for to rehearse His purer mettal'd Soul needeth no Praise Or Art to'dulterate all this can't raise The price of such a Pearl that had alone What bounteous Art or Nature made her own And boldly this I 'le speak unto his praise His holy Life doth much exceed his daies O pray that such bless'd hopes may longer live Examples to such youth as cannot give W. H. The Text. COL 1. 27. Which is Christ in you the hope of Glory THe Subject matter of this Text is Jesus Christ and therefore seasonably suitable to the expectation of this Assembly which is to hear a Funeral Sermon For whereas wine is to be given unto those that be of heavy hearts what Prov. 31. 6. Cordiall is comparable with Jesus Christ who is called and deserveth to be accounted The Consolation of Luk. 2. 25. Israel In the Text Christ is tendred or rather commended to the consideration of these Christian Colossians under a threefold notion 1. As containing the riches of all Evangelicall mysteries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 referre oportet Dav. in Text. The Relative which must necessarily be referred unto the word Riches in the fore-going part of this verse as is manifest from the Originall in our Greek Copies Although the vulgar applieth the Relative which unto mystery and I acknowledge Christ to be a mystery as the holy Ghost doth Eph. 3. 3 4. often suggest in the holy Scriptures And indeed his conception and his hypostaticall Union c. give us just occasion to call him wonderfull Isa 9. 6. yet in this place I humbly conceive that he is held forth to our view as the Riches of the glorious mystery of the Gospel 2. As being the groundwork and the foundation of every good Christians good hope of happinesse Christ the hope of glory I have heard of Ships laden with rich commodities from which their owners expect great advantage called The Hope or The good Hope Under this Name may beleevers reall Saints well own the Lord Jesus The Hope of glory 3. As inhabiting dwelling in beleeving Christians for this end that by his abiding and operating in them he might be unto them the hope of glory Christ in you the hope of glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erasmus notat ccdices quosdam sic habere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inter vos ut legit etiam Syrus interpres Beza in Text. Some Translators render the words Christ among you but I rather cleave unto our English Translators both old and new which do answer our Greek Copies and accord with the most learned judicious Interpreters Christ in you the hope of glory Having thus briefly given in the division of the Text with the Interpretation of the words both together I proceed to the handling of the Points of Doctrine hence considerable for our Instruction The first Truth observable is this That Jesus Christ is the riches of all Gospel-glorious Mysteries Doct. 1 The Apostle Paul acknowledging much glory in the Administrations of Moses wherein there was much Gospel though vailed and shadowed under Types and Ceremonies yet telleth us That Evangelicall ministrations do exceed in glory and that the former had no glory in respect of this latter 2 Cor. 3. 9 10 11. which excelleth and is much more glorious Now the riches of all this glory are in Christ Concerning which the expression of the same Apostle is observable The unsearchable riches of Christ The riches of this Gospel-glory in Christ Eph. 3. 8. may be discovered with reference 1. both to God 2. and to Ex parte Dei ex parte nostri godly Christians First In regard of God All the revenues of glory which come unto his Majesty from the Gospel are most eminently in Jesus Christ And therefore at his birth the Angels sing Glory to God on high 1. In him are all the treasures Luk. 2. 14. Col. 2 3. 1 Cor. 2. 7. 1 Cor. 1. 24. Eph. 3. 18 19. Eph. 2. 7. Eph. 1. 6. of wisedom Here is wisedom in a mystery 2. And Christ is as the wisedom so the Power of God Divine Omnipotency is no way so fully discovered as in Christ 3. In him is divine love which passeth knowledge which is beyond all dimensions 4. And as for mercy how full is the language of the Apostle The exceeding riches of his grace in his kindeness through Christ Jesus And speaking elsewhere of Gospel-incoms he addeth To the praise of the glory of his grace Here might be added the unspotted holinesse and untainted justice of God more glorified in the unexpressible humiliation of Jesus Christ then in any other way whatsoever And who knoweth not how the honour of Gods Truth is triumphantly glorious in Christ because all things
walk after our own devices Ier. 18. 11 12. and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart Or if the razing of hopes foundations doth not produce such wretched wicked resolutions with what sinkings and dolefull despondency will the awakened Soul be overwhelmed Our Proverb saith Was it not for hope the heart would break Therefore sleight not mine advice neither delay the use of Gods means to gain a well-grounded hope Isa 38. 18. of your eternal salvation your life is both short and uncertain And they who go down into the pit cannot hope for Gods truth Now for your help herein I shall in my next doctrine leade you to Christ who is the true Christians hope of glory That Christ is unto faithfull Christians the hope of glory Doct. 3 As my Text speaks this truth in open words so elsewhere our Apostle thus expresseth himself The Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 1. 1. Luk. 2. 28 29 30. which is our hope And here Simeon anchored his hope of heaven for he taking Christ in his arms said Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation For the clearing of this Point there are two things enquirable 1. What is meant by Hope of glory 2. How Christ is to be accounted the Christians Hope of glory First The hope of glory 1. Either signifieth the glory hoped for as it 's taken in many other Scriptures The hope laid up for you in heaven ver 5. Tit. 2. 13. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2. Or the glorious hope the grace of hope whereby the Soul desirously expecteth future everlasting glory according to the words of this our Apostle I know that this shall tend to my salvation according to my earnest expectation and Phil. 1. 19 20. hope Secondly Christ may truly be called the hope of glory in both these senses 1. Being the glory of his people Israel viz. the matter the Luk. 2. 32. Gloriam quam speramus Christus est gloria quam habemus quam habituri simus Rolloc in Text Ioh. 1. 16. 2 Cor. 3. 18. object of their chiefest glory both here and hereafter He is the Christians All both upon earth and in heaven Christ is the glory of heaven the very heaven of heaven 2. And being the root from whence holy hope and all other graces do spring From his fulnesse we all receive grace for grace And whom we beholding as in a glasse we all are changed from glory to glory Grace is glory begun and glory is grace perfited and both these we have from Jesus Christ For the further opening and evidencing of this Doctrine viz. That Christ is the hope of glory Consider that a Christians hope is attributed 1. Efficiently to God the Father working it by the holy Ghost The God of hope cause you to abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost 2. Instrumentally Rom. 15. 13. to the word of God which is the word of his grace Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written that Rom. 15. 4. we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 3. Evidentially to the work of saving grace in the soul manifesting it self by its operations there God gives good 2 The. 2. 16. hope through grace whether faith Rom. 15. 13. or love 1 Joh. 3. 14. or any other sanctifying frame of heart 4. And yet in a way of peculiarity Christ is the Christians hope which our Apostle intends in this Text wherein there is some Emphasis The hope that hope He is singularly eminently the hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Thes 1. 3. of glory Fundamentally our hope of heaven is built upon him Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ saith the Apostle Now the true Christians hope of glory is raised out of Christ 1. Upon that federall transaction which passed betwixt God the Father and Christ his Sonne The Apostle speaking of the Covenant thus expresseth himself To Abraham Gal. 3. 16. and his Seed were the Promises made He saith not And to his Seeds as of many but as of one And to thy Seed which is Christ And hither as I humbly conceive we may referre that passage in our Saviours Prayer unto his Father relating to himself Thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should Ioh. 17. 2. give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him Upon this account the Apostle seemeth to encourage hope In hope of Tit. 1. 2. eternall life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began For unto whom besides Christ could the Almighty then viz. before the world began be engaged by any promise Prov. 8. 22 32 33. Solomon doth suggest transactions betwixt God and Christ his essentiall wisedom before the Creation concerning the welfare of man amongst which transactions doubtlesse this was one that through him beleevers should have hope of glory 2. Because of his satisfactory Passion For whereas sinne committed against God and Gods wrath kindled against man Heb. 3. 17 18. are the only hindrances of entrance into glory Against them who sinned God sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest The Lord Jesus by his sufferings did break into pieces those barres and made way for Christians admission into Heb. 9. 26. 1 Thes 1. 10. glory For he took away sinne by the Sacrifice of himself and Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come As he removeth guilt by satisfying divine justice so he quenched the flames of Gods anger by the shedding of his bloud And hereupon followeth hope of glory 3. By vertue of his meritorious purchase The Apostle Eph. 1. 14. calleth a glorified estate in heaven The purchased possession received by Redemption whereas man had made forfeiture of his happinesse which consisted in communion with God and was altogether unable to ransome it the Lord Jesus bought it back again by his perfect obedience which was esteemed of valuable consideration for so great a purchase because of the infinite excellency of his person being both Heb. 10. 7 9 44. God and man Though man through the worthlesnesse of his person and weaknesses of his best performances cannot deserve the least accommodation from the Lord yet mans hope of glory is upheld by the deserts of Emmanuell of Rom. 8. 3 4. Christ God with us 4. Through the effectuall prevalency of his prayer Christ said with confidence unto his Father I know that thou hearest me alwaies And this was one great Request which Ioh. 11. 42. he made Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory Ioh. 17. 24. which thou hast given me for thou hast loved me before the Foundation of the world This Petition is a good prop to support hope of glory in a
gracious heart 5. From the end of his Ascention We all do beleeve that Christ is received up into glory And himself before his 1 Tim. 3. 16. departure from earth said I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive Ioh. 14. 2 3. you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Here is good Anchor-hold for hope which entreth into that within the veil whither the forerunner is for us entred Christ Heb. 6. 19 20. is gone into Heaven as our Harbinger to provide glorious mansions for us and to take possession in our behalf And the Apostle Peter writeth thus unto the scattered Christian Jews God raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God From all these considerations jointly considered this conclusion is confirmed by Scripture-strength and evidence That Christ is unto beleeving Christians the hope of glory The application followeth Vse 1 Therefore without Christ there cannot be any well-grounded 1 Pet. 1. 21. Extra Christum non gloria sed ignominia expectanda est Hun. in Text. Eph. 2. 12. Iob 21. 7 13. Psa 73. 7 Iob 7. 6. expectation of future glory As this smart inference followeth undeniably from the Text under hand so the same Apostle is open and expresse for this truth elsewhere Suggesting to the Ephesians their sad condition in an unchristian estate he connecteth these two particulars viz. ye were without Christ having no hope Although prophane godlesse and Christlesse men may have their expectations of outward comforts accomplished and possesse more then heart could wish yet in regard of spirituals and eternals we may be confident that they spend their daies without hope In which respect they should rather be looked upon as objects of pity then of envy when they are in their greatest jollity and prosperity because being Christlesse they are poor hopelesse creatures Take man in his best estate imaginable out of Christ and upon the serious Survey of himself he shall have cause to say What is my strength that I should hope Iob 6. 11. And as Paul said in reference to himself and them who sailed with him in a sad Sea-voyage that when neither Sunne nor Starres in many daies appeared and no small tempest lay on Act. 17. 20. us all hope that we should be saved was then taken away So let the chiefest Sonnes of men with their highest parts be laid under the storms of divine displeasure without Gospel-light discovering Christ and all hope of salvation will be quite removed Hence fair occasion is offered to discover their dangerous Vse 2 delusion who build their hopes of heaven upon creaturefoundations As the Papists who in their Ave-Maries call Spes nostra the Virgin the mother of Christs humanity Our Hope who also trust unto their works as meritorious causes of Salvation So others also who imagine happinesse attainable from the right improvement of Natures abilities without the meritorious satisfaction of Jesus Christ whereas the Scripture doth not only assert that there is not salvation in Act. 4. 12. Gal. 5. 4. Sclus Christus is est per quem vitam aeternam expect are licet Piscat in Text. any other besides Christ but doth also affirm that Christ is become of no effect unto you whosoever of you are justified by the Law Oh that this short sharp expression from an Apostolical pen might warn the wanton wits of these unwary times to take heed of crying up Nature and morall abilities with the neglect of Jesus Christ who alone is the foundation hope of future glory Vse 3 Therefore the communication of glory is from meer mercy Rom. 6. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Donum gratis datum Eternall life is the gift of Gods grace through Jesus Christ Although I touched upon this before yet I take it up again upon a double account partly because the Apostle in this Text intends a check unto them who mixed their own righteousnesse with Christ and partly because many in these daies not only Papists but other proud Opinionists do derogate from Gospel-mercy by ascribing too much unto mans naturall strength morally improved whereby Gods design in making man happy by Christ is directly crossed and disappointed Let the words of the Apostle Paul be seriously considered Ye are in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto 1 Cor. 1. 29 30 31. us wisedom and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption that no flesh should glory in his presence that according as it is written He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord Our All in tendency unto peace comfort and glory is therefore from Christ according to divine project and purpose that man when at the highest might be abased in himself being necessitated to acknowledge that all his advantagious incomes both in regard of glory begun on earth and compleated in heaven are from Christ Now that I may more clearly advance Gods rich grace and free mercy in bringing beleevers to glory by Christ I heartily desire that these three things may be observed viz. 1. That Christ himself was the gift of God Vnto us a Isa 9. 6. Sonne is given saith the Gospel-Prophet And our Saviour himself in his conference with the woman of Samaria calleth himself That gift of God by way of superlative eminency Ioh. 4. 10. being the richest and freest gift that ever God bestowed upon the children of men 2. That the grace of faith whereby the Soul receiveth Christ and happinesse by him is the free gift of God likewise To you saith Saint Paul to the Philippians it is given to beleeve Phil. 1. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 18. 27. The Originall suggests that it was given of grace which our Translation doth elsewhere expresse Apollo is said to help them much who had beleeved through grace And this our Apostle in his Epistle to the Romans affirming that our Justification is from mercy not merit addeth these words Therefore it is of faith that it might be of grace Rom. 4. 16. 4. That all our spirituall priviledges received from Christ himself are from him upon terms of mercy and grace Forgivenesse Eph. 1. 7. Tit. 3. 7. Eph. 1. 6. Joh. 17. 22. Jude 21. of sin is according to the riches of his grace We are justified by his grace We are accepted in the beloved to the praise of the glory of his grace And himself in his prayer to the Father saith The glory which thou gavest me I have given them Answerable hereunto is the advice of Saint Jude Keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternall life It 's meer mercy not merit that holdeth up the heart in expectation of Heaven All these particulars being put together will undenably evidence the strength of this my Inference viz. That Because the Christians hope of glory
the handling of the point of doctrine here propounded And because the doctrine hath two branches the one necessarily implied the other openly expressed I shall distinctly speak unto them both The truth implied in the first branch of the doctrine is 1. Branch of Doctrine Joh. 1. 12. Eph. 3. 17. this viz. that Christ is in Beleevers As beleevers do receive him so he dwelleth in their hearts by faith And therefore it is noteable that the Apostle having moved the Corinthians to prove themselves whether in the faith he addeth Know 2 Cor. 13. 5. ye not that Jesus Christ is in you This in-being of Christ in beleevers is to be understood not of an abode in them or any where else on earth corporally for in that sense the Heavens must receive him until the time of the restitution of Act. 3. 21. all things but of an habitation spirituall according to the testimony of the Apostle Because ye are Sonnes God hath Gal. 4. 6. sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts Thereby intending to teach us that Christ is in beleeving Christians spiritually And this truth is by various metaphors suggested in the holy Scriptures 1. By being compared unto showrs which descending from heaven do sink and soak into the bowels of the earth He shall come down like rain 2. And his Name Psa 72. 6. Cant. 1. 3. Psa 109. 18. is like unto ointment poured forth which worketh it self into the bones not staying upon the outside of the person receiving it 3. He is meat and drink indeed unto the soul from Joh. 6. 55 56. whence he himself concludeth my doctrine He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud dwelleth in me and I in him 4. Hereto might be added that he is the soul of our souls whereby we live spiritually Christ is our Life And mans life Col. 3. 4. Dan. 7. 15. is said to be in him 2 Sam. 1. 9. The body is called the sheath of the Soul which expression hinteth that the soul is in the body as the sword in the scabbard In like manner Christ who is the Christians life is in all them whom he enliveneth Having thus cleared the truth that Christ is in beleeving Vse 1 Christians I proceed to the application of it under three heads of Uses First For Instruction in four particulars 1. Hence the Godhead of Jesus Christ may be concluded undeniably for this spirituall ubiquity of Christ in the souls of all reall Saints in all the places of the world cannot belong unto any meer creature whatsoever This argument Saint Paul produced Act. 17. 23 24 27 28. to distinguish the true God from all Idol-gods He is not far from every one of us Omnipresence proveth Deity And the conclusion followeth with like strength when beleevers assert this truth He is in every one of us 2. This discovereth the unparellel'd condescentions of Jesus Jesus Christ being willing to abase himself thus low as to be within poor sinfull creatures This was a matter of admiration 1 King 8. 27. Mat. 8. 8. unto Solomon But will God indeed dwell on earth The good Centurion said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof And the Psalmist with much affection calleth upon all the servants of the Lord to praise him and Psa 113. 1 3 5 6. praise him again upon this account Who is like unto the Lord God who dwelleth on high who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth Did God humble himself in looking out of himself off from his own infinite beauties and perfections to view either men on earth or Angels and Saints in heaven How much greater is this condescention in Christ to make his abode in the souls of sinners Let me here dart only two thoughts into your mindes 1. That Christ came out of his Fathers bosome where he Joh. 1. 18. Prov. 8. 30. was daily his delight rejoycing alwaies before him 2. That the hearts of the best upon earth wherein he inhabits are like dark dungeons in regard of the clouds of ignorance not dispersed 1 Cor. 13. 12. Isa 64. 6. and like unsavoury dunghils in respect of many noysome lusts not fully subdued Therefore guess with gratitude how low our blessed Lord doth stoop in being content to dwell in us even in us every way so vile and so unworthy 3. This giveth us to understand the dignity of all true beleevers As they are precious excellent more excellent then Isa 43. 4. Psa 16. 2. Prov. 12. 26. others in many other respects which I now have not occasion to mention so upon this account that the Lord Jesus Christ is in them Moses the man of God judgeth Israel in this regard in a condition farre better then any other people For what Nation hath God so nigh unto them And how Deut. 4. 7. much was Zacheus affected with the apprehension of this favour this honour when Christ promised to abide at his house When he had climed into a tree to take a view of Luk. 19. 5. Christ and Christ telleth him that he should not only have a transient sight of him but also enjoy him as his guest oh how was Zacheus think you elevated by this entertainment Now such and greater honour have all his Saints Psa 149. 9. It was no doubt a very great honour put upon the blessed Virgin Mary both in her own account and in the judgement Luk. 1. 42 43 48 49. of all Christians that she did bear the holy body of Christ in her womb for a time He that is mighty hath magnified me and certainly the inhabitation of Christ by his Spirit in the souls of his servants is not a priviledge inferiour 4. This whispereth the madnesse and misery of all such who do dare to make opposition against beleevers for seeing Christ is in them therefore in so doing they seek as it were to pluck down Christ his house upon his head I shall not enlarge this Use 1. Either by shewing the various waies whereby wrong is done unto the servants of the Most High viz. by secret plots and open persecutions either by abating their comforts or encreasing their sufferings either by corrupting their judgements or drawing them to sin 2. Or by manifesting Christs knowledge and sensiblenesse of these their injuries together with his severity against their enemies witnessed both by judgements threatned in his Word and executed in the world from generation to generation But I only wish those who are herein guilty to minde the Item given by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Corinthians If any man defile the Temple of God him will God destroy 1 Cor. 3. 17. for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are The second Use is for the comfort of all true beleevers Vse 2 seeing Christ is in them I remember what is recorded concerning Paul that the
the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of reward But 〈◊〉 you eye in Christ what is equitable and imitable then consider in Moses what is attainable by the industrious actings of faith and meditation And yet to prevail further upon your spirits in promoting your magnanimity and patience by minding your hope of glory in Christ I wish you to compare your present sufferings on earth with your future glory hoped for in heaven both in regard of their quality and continuance for the one are both light and short whereas the other is both weighty and eternall The experience of Gods servants hath often put a Probatum est unto this direction 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. For this cause we faint not for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporall but the things which are not seen are eternall Secondly Those who have not as yet received Christ to dwell in them are to be moved as they desire heavens glory hereafter and the comfortable hopes of it here upon earth to give entertainment unto Jesus Chaist Zacheus upon an hint given of Christs willingnesse to come into his house comes down out of the Sycamore-Tree quickly and receiveth him joyfully Now do you with seriousnesse consider Luk. 19. 4. with what 1. importunity 2. patience 3. and promises the Lord Jesus calleth upon you for entertainment Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and Rom. 3. 20. open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 1. There is the use both of a voice and knocking therefore importunity He speaketh by his word and knocketh by his Spirit with some recoylings of an awakned conscience 2. This importunity is not only once it is not a knock or a word and away but he standeth he staieth and waiteth for admission This speaketh much patience 3. This patient importunity is backed with promises of communion upon willingnesse to take him in I will sup with him and he with me as if he had said I will feast his soul and I will accept of his provisions for my welcome Now if by these motives to which many more might be added you be disposed to enquire what you should do that may come into you and be in you the hope of glory I would refer you to the counsell given by the Psalmist which is doubled because weighty and necessary Lift up your heads O ye gates and be lift up ye everlasting doors and the Psa 24. 7. 9. King of glory shall come in Hence two directions may be gathered 1. That our souls which in regard of their immortality are called everlasting doors must willingly receive him He is a great King and will not take up with an out-house for his lodging for the place of his gracious abode Eph. 3. 17. He dwelleth in the heart Either there or not at all Therefore by meditating upon the fore-mentioned particulars suggesting Christ his deservings and the incomparable benefits to be received by him seek to prevail with your selves that your warmest loves strongest longings and highest joys may be laid forth upon him 2. That he must be received as Lord and King with free contentment to submit unto his Scepter and Regall Authority In houses where Kings were wont to be entertained Rex was usually written upon the door all the rooms were to be disposed of for his use In like manner must they commit the Keys of government into the hands of Christ with willingnesse to be ruled by him in all things who would receive him and through him the hope of glory 3. Hereto may be added heart-humiliation For whereas high stately Palaces are esteemed the fittest houses for the entertainment of earthly Princes Jesus Christ the King of glory maketh choice of lowly hearts for his habitation For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell Isa 55. 15. in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit Therefore levell your mountains of self-conceit lay your selves in the dust upon the serious review of the evil both of your lives and natures together with the deserved misery which you be neither able to resist nor undergo and make an unfeigned self-resignation unto the Lord to be alwaies in all things governed by him so may you expect the coming of Christ into your souls and the comfort of good hope of glory through him This one thing I earnestly move as a matter necessary to salvation by Jesus Christ viz. self-deniall with submission to Christ as tendred in the Gospel upon terms of free-grace The Apostle Paul looketh upon the Jews as not in the state of salvation Because they going about to establish Rom 10. 1 3. their own righteousnesse submitted not themselves unto the righteousnesse of God Their priviledges were high and their costly Sacrifices many and therefore they hoping without Christ then preached to work out their own welfare fell short of blessednesse The same Spirit of pride and self-dependance is in all our natures which is extreamly mischievous obstructing the way unto Christs welcome into the soul therefore I entreat and beseech Christians again and again herein to be exceeding carefull Neither let those who are most rich in parts duties enjoyments rely thereupon with disrespect of Christ Nor yet let Poor souls burthened with guilt beggarly in abilities most vile and unworthy in their own account keep off from Christ through distrustfull discouragements For as all good hope of glory is raised from Christ heartily entertained so no one who humbly obedientially stoopeth under his government Joh. 6. 37. shall be rejected In the last place The Doctrine administreth much comfort Vse 4 unto mourners bewailing the death of such who as they have just cause to beleeve had received Christ into their souls before they left this world because from this ground ariseth good hope that they are admitted into heavens glory Upon this account the Apostle disswadeth drooping and perswadeth chearfulnesse in Christians upon such occasions I would not have you ignorant Brethren concerning 1 Thes 4. 13 14 18. them who are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope For we beleeve that those who sleep in Jesus God will bring with him and so shall we ever be with the Lord Wherefore comfort one another with these words In this regard regular love to our deceased Christian Friends would turn our water into wine our tears into joys If ye loved me said Christ to his dejected Apostles ye would rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father And this was ethe rason as some