cometh out again and is Gold tried only the Dross and mixture is taken out so it is here this Spiritual and Heavenly Gold which was in the fire and was then Gold the most precious one even he the same Jesus who dyed for our sins and was buried he in that very personal body is raised again discharged from the guilt of our sins and free from the fruits thereof God did not leave his Soul which was made an Offering for our sins Isa 53. 10 in Hell nor suffer his Flesh in which he was put to death 1 Pet. 3. 18 to see corruption Acts 2. 27-31 So the Apostle Peter saith Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. He that descended is the same also that assended far above all Heavens even into the presence of God that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 8-10 The Stone which the builders set at nought and disallowed the same is made the head of the Corner 1 Pet. 2. 7. It is even he the same person who was delivered for us that is raised again and taken from prison and judgment And in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily even in the body of his flesh Col. 2. 9 10. And this same Jesus shall so come in like manner As those men of Galilee saw him go into Heaven Acts 1. 9. 11. And herein is he preferred before David He fell on sleep and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption and his Sepulchre is with us saith Peter unto this day but Christ whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 36 37. 2. 29-32 And Christ in those fourty days after his resurrection in which he was seen of his Apostles Shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs Acts 1. 2 3. And shewed them his hands and his feet that were nailed to the Tree and his side that was pierced with a Spear of a Souldier and his Disciples did see and look upon and handle his raised body by which it appeared he was not a Spirit simply but hath a body that hath flesh and bones And these infallible proofs are given us that we may know and be assured That Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing in him we may have life through his name Luke 24. 36-40-48 John 20. 19-31 And of this the Apostles are Witnesses and have testified That he is the first born from the dead brought forth out of the heart or Womb of the Earth as Jonas was out of the Belly of the Whale Mat. 12. 40. Col. 1. 18. Rev. 1. 5. And it is he that person that same Jesus that is very Christ Acts 9. 22. Anointed with the Holy-Ghost And in him this first-born from the dead it hath pleased all the fulness to dwell even all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and so he is become Gold for us and hath the pre-eminence in all things Col. 1. 18 19. 2. 9 10. And hath all Dominion given unto him Because he humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross therefore hath God highly exalted him and given him who so humbled himself a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bowe c. Philip. 2. 8 9. And it is needful and good for us to be rooted and grounded in the hearty perswasion and belief hereof that we may be saved and preserved from those evil and Antichristian Spirits that say There is no resurrection of the dead and so by consequence that Christ is not raised again and then we are yet in our sins and the Apostles are found false Witnesses of God and faith is vain and those who are fallen asleep in Christ are perished But Christ is risen from the dead and is become Gold for us even the same that was tried in the fire 1 Cor. 15. 3 4-12-20 And herein he answereth to nay infinitely exceedeth and goeth beyond Gold that is the most incorruptible Metal Yet it will perish though tried with fire 1 Pet. 1. 7. It may canker and rust Jam. 5. 3. And is called a corruptible thing 1 Pet. 1. 18. But his Blood is said to be and is precious as opposed to corruptible of infinite value and worth and highly to be esteemed by us because it is incorruptible 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. And he himself in his own body in which he died for us is in the virtue of his precious and incorruptible Blood raised again no more to return to corruption Acts 13. 34. And is become incorruptible Seed even the Word of God which by the Gospel is preached unto us he liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 23-25 Isa 40. 8. And whosoever is born of this Seed shall live for ever this man continueth ever and therefore hath an unchangeable Priesthood He was dead and is alive and liveth for evermore and whosoever believeth on him though he were dead yet shall he live and he that liveth and believeth shall never dye 1 John 2. 17. John 11. 25 26. In such like respects he is said to be Gold tried in the fire 3. In the next place let us consider what is imported to us in the end why he counselleth this Angel to buy which is also a powerful Motive and Argument used to move us to have such an high estimate of this Gold as to buy it at any rate That thou mayst be rich To which I shall speak more briefly because what is intimated herein hath been noted formerly In this end then is signified unto us 1. That those that have not this Gold tried in the fire they cannot indeed be rich or inriched with the true riches but are poor miserable Creatures in the eyes of him that judgeth righteously though they have large possessions much Gold and a multitude of Rubies We may apply that saying of the Prophet to them Surely these are poor For they know not the way of the Lord nor the judgment of their God Jer. 5. 4. Alass all the substance here below will not procure the love and favour of God in which is life Cant 8. 7. These riches will not deliver from the stroke of Gods hand or from the Testimonies of his displeasure Will he esteem thy riches No not Gold c. Job 36. 18 19. They profit not in the day of wrath or death Zeph. 1. 18. Prov. 11. 4. They are deceitful riches they promise somewhat or rather we promise to our selves much contentment and blessedness in the enjoyment and possession of them but they are not there is no substantial and durable good in them That rich man in the Parable whose ground brought forth plentifully so as he was careful and thoughtful how to dispose of his fruits not having room where to bestow them and therefore resolved to pull down his Barns and build greater and there to dispose all his fruits
repentance Rom. 2. 4. So it is used in this sense in the beginning of every of the messages to the Churches And in that he saith I know I take notice of thy works he signifieth 1. That he doth not pass sentence upon men or their works he doth not approve or reprove till first he considereth their works he taketh notice of them and pondereth all their goings before he justifieth or condemneth Prov. 5. 21. Hence in every of the Epistles to the Seven Churches after he directeth them and giveth a description of himself he first saith I know thy works Rev. 2. 2 9 13 19. chap. 3. 1 8 15. The Lord is a God of judgment and by him Actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2. 3. So when the cry of Sodom was great and their sin grievous he saith I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me and if not I will know Gen. 18. 21. He is excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice he will not afflict men do therefore fear him Job 37. 23 24. And this is for instruction to us that we should not reprove or fault another till we consider what his works are and know and take notice that they are such as are condemnable by the light of the glorious Gospel but to be imitatours of Christ Jesus according to the instructions of his Grace 2. In that he saith I know thy works he signifieth his love to us and care of us such is his love and kindness towards us that he considereth our works that if they be not perfect before him and in his sight he may rebuke us and not suffer sin upon us Levit. 19. 17. So great is his charity towards us that he covereth our sins so as to seek and pursue our good and such is his charity that it leadeth him to take notice of our works that when need is he may reprove us and sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by the word So when he declareth his love and faithfulness towards Israel he saith I have been a rebuker of them all and addeth I know I take notice of Ephraim and Israel is not hid from me They will not frame their doings to turn unto the Lord. Hos 5. 2 4. 3. He herein gives us to understand whose works he knoweth especially and taketh notice of I know thy works their works that have had means and advantages He knoweth not in this sense mens works till he preventeth them with his goodness he looketh not to gather Grapes of Thornes nor Figs of Thistles he knoweth that in us as of us dwelleth no good thing and that our works must needs be evil and unprofitable before his Grace bringeth salvation to men as it doth to all men in due time Titus 2. 11. But when he hath vouchsafed some means and afforded some light to men then he looketh down from Heaven to see if there be any that understand and seek after God Psal 14. 2. He fashioneth mens hearts alike and then he considereth all their works Psal 33. 15. But especially when men are brought unto and planted in his Vineyard then he pondereth what their doings are He expecteth that there should be some return from them suitable to the means used pains taken and care exercised towards and about them So he saith for instruction to us also Behold mind this well and give attention to it these three years I come seeking Fruit of this Fig-tree Luk. 13. 7. So when he telleth us what he had done to his Vineyard that he fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof and planted it with the choicest Vine and built a Towre in the midst of it and also made a Wine-press therein he addeth and he looked that it should bring forth Grapes Isa 5. 1. 2. Matt. 21. 33 37. He taketh notice of them especially whether there be with them the work of faith and labour of love he expecteth that that earth which is so inclosed and ordered and which drinketh in the rain that oft cometh upon it should bring forth herbs meet for him by whom it is dressed even the work and labour of love that it may receive further blessing from God Heb. 6. 7 10. His eye is continually upon his Church and Churches as to preserve and deliver them from evil and to dispence to them whatever may fit them for fruitfulness before him that they may shew forth his praises who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light So to observe what impression his Grace hath upon them how it is received by them and what it produceth in them or whether it be received in vain That so he may rebuke and chasten them as he doth as many as he loveth Rev. 3. 19. You only saith he have I known of all the families of the earth therefore will I punish you for all your transgressions Amos. 3. 2. Hence when John in vision saw Christ in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks he saith his eyes were as a flame of fire Rev. 1. 14. To denote unto us the piercingness of them and that he is very exact and observant in his inspections amongst the Churches to see and take notice what their works are and to manifest the evil of what he doth reprove amongst them for answerable to the greater priviledges and advantages they have above others accordingly he doth expect more from them unto whom much is given of them shall much be required and to whom men have committed much of them they will ask the more Luk. 12. 48. 4. And here he signifieth what he knoweth and taketh notice of thy Works not their profession only Men may profess to know God trust in him love him cleave to him and yet in works deny him being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate and void of judgment Titus 1. 16. Men may say they believe the Testimony of God concerning Christ yea they may be perswaded of the goodness and truth of it and have some love to it and hold it forth as their opinion and plead for it against opposers and yet not so receive the love of the truth as to be saved thereby or to suffer it to work effectually in them and to bring forth the work of faith and labour of love as it doth in those that heartily receive it and suffer it to dwell richly in them 1 Thes 1. 3. 2. 13. But what doth is profit my Brethren saith the Apostle though a man say he hath faith and have not works Faith if it have not works its proper works is dead being alone Jam 2. 14 26. They are not mens pretences and professions simply he taketh notice of but whether the word of God be received by them as it is in truth the word of God so as to work effectually in them to redeem them from their iniquities and turn them to God from
also in him we are compleat because he is the head of all principality and power Heb. 1. 4 14. Ephes 1. 20 22. Col. 2. 10. This man was counted worthy of more honour then Moses who was the Mediator of the first Testament inasmuch as he who buildeth the house hath more honour then the house Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a Servant But Christ not as a servant but as a Son not in only but over his own house He is the Lord of it and hath dominion over it and he only Ephes 4. 5 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Heb. 3. 2 6. 10. 21. And he hath obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the Mediatour of a better Testament established upon better promises Heb. 8. 6. He is a more excellent High Priest then was Aaron or any of the high Priests under the Law A more excellent person they the Sons of men he is Jesus the Son of God Heb. 4. 14. they had infirmity but he is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher then the Heavens Heb. 7. 26 28. they were made after the law of a carnal commandment but he after the power of an endless life Heb. 7. 16 17. they were made Priests without an oath but he with an oath Heb. 7. 20 21. They were many Priests because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood which passeth not from him to any other to no Vicar on earth wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him c. Heb. 7. 24 25. They ministred about a worldly sanctuary but he is the Minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man Heb. 9. 1. 8. 2. They offered up sacrifices which could never take away sin for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sin But this man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever even himself his own body once for all sate down on the right hand of God from ever offering any more a propitiatory sacrifice he needeth not daily as the former High Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the peoples for this he did once when he offered up himself Heb. 10. 1 12. 7. 27. They entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but he into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us he is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the Heavens Heb. 8. 1. 9. 24. He is more excellent then all Kings and Prophets in former times he is anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows Heb. 1. 9. God hath set this King upon his holy hill of Zion and raised up him a Prophet whom all are to hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto them and whosoever will not hear this Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people Acts 3. 22 23. He is excellent in wisdom above all men for God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him yea he is greater therein then Solomon who was wiser then all men 1 King 4. 29 31. with Matt. 12. 42. He is more excellent then the mountains of Prey Psal 76. 4. This man is more precious then fine gold even this man then the golden wedge of Ophir Isa 13. 12. Man knoweth not the price of this excellent one this wisdom that is from above neither is it found in the land of the living it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir with the precious onyx or the Saphire the gold and the crystal cannot equal it no mention shall be made of coral or of pearls for the price of wisdom is above rubies The Topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it neither shall it be valued with pure Gold Job 28. 13 19. He that came down and cometh down from above is above all above all other persons and things Wisdom is better then rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to him Job 3. 31. Prov. 8. 10 11. He is more excellent then all the priviledges of the flesh and then all our works of righteousness zeal devotions frames and qualifications and therefore the Apostle counted those things that were formerly gain to him and in which was his life confidence and consolation loss for Christ yea he went on to count all things as loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ that he might win him c. Phil. 3. 4. 9. Oh! happy is the man that findeth Wisdom For she is more precious then Rubies yea all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her Prov. 3. 13 15. There is none so excellent none so inriching as is this Spiritual and Heavenly Gold He doth more yea inexpressibly more exceed all other persons and things then natural Gold doth excell all other Metals whatsoever 3. He is called and compared to Gold because as Money answereth all things in having Gold tried Gold a man may have any thing here below Eccles 10. 19. So it is most fully and compleatly true here now by faith and in some spiritual first fruits and shall be hereafter in the Harvest and in a compleatly satisfying and glorious injoyment He that hath Christ hath all things in such a maner as he hath and enjoyeâ— him The father hath so loved the Son because he fell into the ground and died and rose again in that his own personal body that he hath given and delivered all things unto him and filled him with all fulness he is become a Fountain of Grace and Truth a Treasury of all forgiveness Wisdom Spirit and Life and in having and being made partakers of him those Treasures in him are also by faith received In him we have Redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Gods Grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. To him give all the Prophets witness That through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive the forgiveness of sins Acts 10. 43. 13. 39. In this beloved one and in having him they are made accepted Ephes 1. 6. And have righteousness without works imputed to them they are made the righteousness of God in him So the Apostle signifieth that in winning Christ and being found in him He should have the righteousness which is through the saith of Christ Rom. 3. 22. 4 5 6. 10. 9 10. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Phil. 3. 8 9. To as many as receive him to them he giveth power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name John 1. 12. They are the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3. 26. And because in having him they are Sons God hath given unto them and sent forth into
and his goods Yet be was not rich towards or with God Luke 12. 16-21 And so more generally is it true with respect to the enjoyment of these uncertain riches though men bless themselves in the possession of them and think highly of themselves because of them and others account them in an happy and good condition yet if they have no better then these uncertain riches if they have not a Right and Title to and Interest by saith in a better and induring substance which men only can have in having Christ they are in truth but miserable men piteous persons objects of pâ—ty however they lift up themselves hereby and are praised and admired at and bowed down to by others And as a man when he awaketh lightly esteemeth and despiseth his dream because he then perceiveth there was no truth in it it was but a dream though in his sleep he thought himself to be in a most desirable and blessed condition he fancied himself to be rich and full and needing nothing but now perceiveth it is otherwise then he imagined so when the Lord awaketh he will despise their Image namely their prosperity in this World and those worldly riches which are called an Image either because men boweâ—own themselves to them and worship them and trust in them or also and rather in that place because they are not they have but the likeness of true riches and are no more the true riches then the dream of happiness is happiness indeed nor are they that are possessed of them any more enjoyers of substance then one that imbraceth an Image or Picture is of the party thereby represented Psal 73. 12-20 He doth but imbrace a shadow a very lye that which will not satisfie He that loveth Silver shall not be satisfied with Silver nor he that loveth abundance with increase Eccles 5. 10. And this might be useful to instruct and move us to take heed and beware of covetousness and to have our conversation without it not to labour to be rich in those riches for they are not and a man that hath them yea though he had all the riches of the World is notwithstanding that a poor miserable wretched man Prov. 23 4 5. Luke 12. 15. And it sheweth us how lightly God esteemeth these riches in that he dispenseth them to the men of the World and counteth them but poor ones that have never such an abundance of them and it is powerful to admonish them that have them not to trust in these things for they will but deceive them when they are in greatest need they will then or before certainly make themselves wings and flee away nor lift up themselves above others because they are herein preferred before them for they are in truth as miserable as the poorest man in the world notwithstanding these riches for this is but the wealth of the heathen of uncircumcised ones Zech. 14. 14. Yea herein they are in a worse condition then those that are destitute of these uncertain riches in that through their idolatrous esteem hereof and trusting herein they are hindred from seeking after the true riches as is signified by our Saviour to his disciples Matt. 19. 21-24 Verily I say unto you saith Jesus that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven Again I say unto you it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God Mark 10. 23 24. And the same also may be said of other things that are reputed and called riches and in the having and injoyment whereof men think themselves to be better then others As the wisdom of this world though a man be rich therein rich in knowledg and utterance yet if he have not this gold tried in the fire he is but in a piteous condition for the wisdom of this World is foolishness with God and the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain 1 Cor. 3. 18 20. Yea and though a man be concerning the righteousness of the Law blameless and endeavoureth to avoid all evil forbidden by the holy and righteous law of God and to do the things required thereby and so to walk blamelesly among men and hath this as his gain and riches this will but deceive him for this is not the true riches and so it will not profit him 〈…〉 nd therefore the Apostle for Christ did count all but dung and dogs-meat that he might win Christ Isa 57. 12. Phil. 3. 4 9. It is signified to be an evil of a like nature and as dangerous for a man to trust to his own righteousness as to turn from his righteousness compare Ezek. 33. 13. with chap. 18. 24. Nay whatever a man hath as his riches who yet hath not Christ he is but a poor miserable man whatever marks and signs he hath whatever good works he hath been doing or exercising himself in and unto though he should give all his goods to feed the poor and his body to be burnt What visits good motions visions revelations gifts utterance promises brought to his remembrance c. Whatsoever he hath yet he that hath not the Son hath not life hath not forgiveness hath not the favour of God and fellowship with him 1 Joh. 5. 12. he hath not father promises inheritance he is but a poor piteous man how highly conceited soever he be of himself and how highly soever he be esteemed by others The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand He that hath the Son that believeth on him as the Scripture hath said hath everlasting life he that believeth not the Son and so hath him not whatever frames works sufferings knowledg gifts parts attainments visits motions soever he hath or pretendeâ—â— to have yet he shall not see life but the wrath of God abideâ—â— on him Joh. 3. 16 18. 36. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11 12 13. Acts 4. 12. Joh. 8. 24. They are poor miserable Angels and Churches whatever outward order they are in or whatever ordinances they are under or whatever face and appearance they have in the flesh or how great soever their boasts are of themselves though they say they are rich and increased with goods c. who have not Christ as their beauâ—y and glory excellency and comliness Isa 4. 2 5. Cant. 5. 9 16. 2. In this end and motive also is signified to us that be we never so poor and miserable as with respect to the riches wisdom righteousness c. of this world and though these riches here below of what nature or kind soever they be will not truly inrich us yet in buying and being made partakers of this Gold tried in the fire we may be rich truly rich Christ is and hath unsearchable riches Ephes 3. 8. So that he that hath him is with him made partaker of the true durable and substantial riches of those which perish not but indure unto everlasting
life Joh. 6. 27. Riches and honour are with him yea durable riches his fruit is better then Gold yea then fine gold and therefore those that love him shall inherit substance and he will fill all their treasures Prov. 8. 18 21. He hath riches of understanding in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and they that receive and retain him their hearts are comforted with and they are made partakers of the riches of assurance of understanding Col. 2. 1 3. They are made partakers of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ which knowledge hath an excellency in it above all other knowledge it passeth all knowledge for here-through they are filled with all the fulness of God Phil. 3. 8. with Ephes 3. 10. By this knowledge their Chambers their upper and principal parts their minds understandings hearts and souls be filled with all precious and pleasant riches Prov. 24. 4. Christ is made of God to them wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 30. He hath riches of mercy Rom. 9. 23. He is rich therein Ephes 2. 4. And they are blessed with this great blessedness and inriched with these great riches who have and retain him even the weakest in the faith their sins are forgiven them for his name sake and they receive the forgiveness of them through his name 1 Joh. 2. 12. Rom. 4. 5. 7. He is rich in mercy to all that through faith in his blood call upon him they are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Rom. 10. 12. with Acts 10. 43. 13. 38 39. He hath riches of grace he is full thereof Joh. 1. 14. And of his fulness they that receive him receive and grace for grace vers 16. So as they are made sons of God by grace they obtain that favour of the Lord. Joh. 1. 12. And what admirable grace is this according to that Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us who were by nature the children of wrath even as others Ephes 2. 3. that we should be called the sons of God 1 Joh. 3. 1. This is marvelous grace and favour and because they are sons they have the spirit of grace given unto them even the spirit of God's Son whereby they cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. They have the treasures of righteousness given unto them Christ is made of God to them righteousness and they are made accepted in and cloathed upon with him Prov. 10. 2. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Ephes 1. 6. And have liberty and freedome to come with boldness to the throne of grace that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. And they are heirs together of the grace of life 1 Pet. 3. 7. He is very rich and inriching and evidenced so to be in that length of days is in his right hand God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son â—he that hath the Son hath life Prov. 3. 14-16 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. And this is so inriching that it is powerful to take off our minds from the things here below according to that set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God Moâ—tify therefore your members that are upon the earth Col. 3. 1-3 4. He hath riches of Glory God hath set a Crown of pure Gold on his head and given him glory and he shall appear in his glory and those that receive and have him are called to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ Psal 21. 2. 3-5 Col. 3. 4. Titus 2. 13. 2 Thes 2. 14. 1 Joh. 3. 2. Yea what shall we say Though they that have him are as having nothing yet in injoying him they are as possessing all things now by faith some spiritual first fruits and hereafter they shall possess and be possessed of them in a glorious injoyment and fruition of them In the fear and worship of the Lord are riches honour and life Prov. 22. 4. This is the way then for those that are wretched and poor and miserable to become truly rich in buying this gold tried in the fire for the Lamb hath worthily received riches Rev. 5. 12. And with him God freely giveth all things Rom. 8. 32. What a great incouragement then and motive to us all is this to hearken unto and come to Christ to seek him till we find him which we shall do in seeking him in his way for that good name of his is rather to be sought after and chosen then great riches and his loving kindness rather then silver and gold Prov. 22. 1. How much better is it to get Wisdom then Gold And to get understanding is rather to be chosen then choice silver Prov. 16. 16. Hence when the holy Ghost saith the fruit of wisdom is better then gold yea then much fine gold he afterwards saith Now therefore hearken unto me O ye children c. Prov. 8. 16-20-32-34 Aswell as also it is useful to admonish them that have those riches here below not to despise the poor of this world that are in Christ and walk after the spirit for they are truly rich So much the Apostle James saith to them who did despise the poor and lightly esteem them Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2. 5. They in having Christ Jesus have in and with him in Heaven by faith a better and an induring substance better substance then that of this world and that which is induring whereas these riches below are uncertain Heb. 10. 34. And they are quickened to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and which sadeth not away reserved in Heaven for them who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. Yea they that have the word of reconciliation in their hearts and have it fitted to their lips how poor soever they are in this world yet they have a treasure in earthen vessels by which they are indebted to and do inrich others also Rom. 1. 14 15. 2 Cor. 4. 7. with chapt 6. 10. And this might therefore warn others and especially those that have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ not to despise these poor ones for how poor soever they are amongst men and as with respect to the riches of this world yet Christ hath loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood and hath made them Kings and priests unto God and they shall reign on the earth Rev. 1. 5 6. 5. 9 10. Yea and the consideration hereof that those that have Christ have in and with him unsearchable riches is proper and powerful to comfort such against those occasions of sadness
of God from him abideth not on any man on that account nor is any man held out from God because of his natural and necessary pollution simply The father henceforth judgeth no man otherwise then by Christ but hath committed all judgement to his Son Heb. 1. 3. Dan. 9. 24. Joh. 5. 22. And all that have sinned are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 23 24. He once appeared in the end of the World to put away and abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself He was manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin he hath not failed therein Heb. 9. 26. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Ezek. 18 2 3 4. He hath obtain'd also the forgiveness of our personal sins in which we sin after the similitude of Adam's transgression he hath obtained power to make reconciliation for the people Heb. 2. 17. Dan. 9. 24. he hath received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also Psal 68. 18. in him there is forgiveness and in his name it is preached unto all nations beginning at Jerusalem which was even the slaughter house of the Prophets and where our Lord was Crucified Luk. 24. 47. with chap. 13. 34. in him the Apostles had in their ministration to declare redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God's grace Ephes 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. This man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God from ever offering up any new sacrifice or repeating or reiterating the former Heb. 10 10-12 7. 27. He hath also obtained a recovery of our loss all have sinned and come short of the glory of God in which and unto which they were created God made man in his image in a righteous and happy condition but man in seeking out many inventions thereby lost that image of God and Adam begat children in his own image Gen. 1. 26 27. Eccles 7. 29. Gen. 5. 3. But now Jesus Christ the second man hath restored that which he took not away he is the last Adam in whom mankind is again created in the image of God after a more glorious manner then in the first Adam He hath restored our nature in his person into the image of God into perfect innocency 1 Joh. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 19. integrity righteousness immortality and eternal life Jam. 3. 9. 2 Tim. 1. 10. 1 Job 5. 10 11. Isa 45. 24. in him it hath pleased the father that all fulness should dwell and there is in him perfection for every man Col. 1. 18 19-28 2. 9 10. And he is become a quickening spirit and herein preferred before the first man Adam who was made a living Soul and abiding in that condition in which he was created might have conveighed life to his posterity but being fallen could not quicken dead ones neither himself nor any of his posterity But Christ is a quickening Spirit to quicken those that are dead in sins and trespasses 1 Cor. 15. 45. The living quickening bread that giveth life unto the dead world and they that eat him even they shall live by him John 6. 33-35-51-57 All things are here ready and prepared for all men in him he is made of God wisdom and righteousness c. And this righteousness he hath now openly shewed in the sight of the Heathen and hence all the Earth is called upon and exhorted to make a joyful noise unto the Lord to make a loud noise and rejoyce and sing Praise Psal 98. 1-5 Jesus Christ hath recovered all our loss into himself and is glorified in our nature with the Glory he had with the father before the World was John 17. 5. And he hath obtained the Inheritance of new Heavens and a new Earth of a better and more glorious Inheritance then the first man had in the first Creation and an excellent Dominion over the works of God's hand and so as with respect to these two last branches the Apostle sheweth to us that Christ who by the Grace of God tasted death for every man hath obtained that which the first Adam had and lost Compare Psal 8. 4-8 with Heb. 2. 6-9 And there shall be in due time a restitution of all things when God shall send us Jesus who now is preached to us Acts 3. 20 21. The whole Creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption iâ—to the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom 8. 19-21 And all this is that righteousness which Christ hath prepared for us and which they shall partake of that believe on him as the Scripture hath said In him there is the forgiveness of all our sins yea he is made of God to the believer redemption which non imputation or forgiveness of sins is righteousness without works whereby our sins are covered Rom. 4. 5 6 7. with Psal 32. 1 2. And a robe of righteousness in being cloathed upon wherewith they are made accepted in the beloâ—ed Ephes 1. 6. Those that buy this are righteous even as he is righteous 1 John 3. 7. And Christ doth present them in the body of his flesh in which he was raised again from the dead Holy and unblameable and unrebukeable in his sight Col. 1. 22. And as found in him they are all faiâ— and there is no spot in them Cant. 4. 7. Christ is become theirs and they are cloathed upon with him and reckoned after him being buried with him in baptism wherein also thâ—y are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised Christ from the dead Col 2. 12. Ephess 2. 5 6. And they are begotten to a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undesiled and that fadeth not aâ—ay reserved in the Heavens 1 Pet. 1. 3. Christ is made of God to them righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. And this the righteousness they have to appear before God in the best and first robe even Christ himself and the righteousness he hath wrought and obtained this the VVedding Garment Luke 15. 22. Mat. 22. 11. 2. By this VVhite raiment or those VVhite Garments are meant the fruits of this righteousness believed and believed in Jam. 3. 18. For this the Apostle prayeth for the Phllippians That their love might abound yet more and more in all knowledg That they might be sincere and without offence being filled with the fruits of righteousness which fruits are by Jesus Christ received and believed in unto the Glory and praise of God Philip. 1. 9-11 And of these fruits there are some more inward and some more outward 1. Those more inward and wrought in the Spirit of the mind by the Spirit in the Testimony in glorifying Christ and taking of his things and shewing unto us are Humility This is compared to a Garment Be ye all clothed with Humility 1 Pet. 5. 4. And this Garment these needed to buy of
the body of our Lord was laid That his Raiment was white as Snow Mat. 28. 2 3. Mark 16. 5 The like also is said of the Angels that spake to Christs Disciples when he was taken up into Heaven Acts 1. 9 10. And of that which appeared to Cornelius Acts 10. 3-30 See also Rev. 15. 6. And it is needful that the Angels of the Churches especially should be arayed with White raiment and not with works of darkness and in putting on Christ as their righteousness and the fruits of righteousness they have those Garments as is before shewn and are therein in some measure like to Angels meetly apparalled to carry the glad tidings of the Gospel and to be Instruments of of good to others in word and conversation Tit. 2. 2-8 Isa 52. 7-11 1 Tim. 3. 1-7 4. 12. Tit. 1. 6-9 2. More particularly this Raiment is said to be White to note the purity of it So those White Garments of the Priests in former times are said to be holy Thus is it is said Aaron shall put on the holy linen Coat and he shall have the linen Breeches upon his flesh and shall be girded with a linen Girdle c. These are the holy Garments Lev. 16. 4-32 Ezek. 44. 16-19 So Clean and White and Pure and VVhite are put together to signifie that whiteness and cleanness or purity do meet together here Rev. 19. 8. 15. 6. And so this VVhite Raiment is holy the Priests in former times were so legally and typically but this is so in truth they were clothed in white linen but Christs Angels and Priests that minister unto him are cloathed with righteousness Holiness becometh his house for ever Psal 93. 5. The righteousness of Christ or Jehovah our righteousness is holy Christ is the holy one 1 Joh. 2. 20. VVithout spot and blemish 1 Pet. 1. 19. There is no pollution in this righteousness of his 't is called the righteousness of God without the Law which he hath prepared and accepted and it must therefore necessarily be pure and spotless For he is a God of purer eyes then to behold evil Habak 1. 13. And the fruits of this righteousness as produced by Christ are holy and pure and though as put on and worn by us there are mixtures cleaving to them yet Christ is daily cleansing them and making them acceptable and welpleasing to God 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 13. 15 16. And the believers are instructed daily to cleanse themselves 2 Cor. 7. 1. And when one of the Elders demandeth what are these that are arayed in white robes Himself answereth These be they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them White in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7. 9-13 14. And indeed this is white raiment the purity and whiteness whereof is inward as well as outward it is white throughly as in white linen it is sincerely pure and this is compleatly true of the righteousness of God without the Law which Christ hath brought in for us without us and imputeth to him that believeth in him and in a measure true of the fruits of righteousness those Garments are entirely pure and white and not like those things which are so outwardly only but inwardly are black and uncomely yea loathsom and abominable some of them The Apostle calleth Ananias the High-priest whited VVall he sAt to judge him according to the Law and appeared righteous when as he was indeed and truly inwardly unrighteous Acts 23. 1 3. Our Saviour saith of the Scribes and Pharisees that they were like unto whited Sepulchres which indeed appear beautiful outward but are within full of dead mens bones and of all uncleanness even so they also appeared righteous unto men but within they were full of hypocrisie and iniquity Mat. 23. 25 28 But whatever cloathing they had and how white soever it appeared to man on the outside they had not on this VVhite Raiment here commended for this is throughly and entirely VVhite not like a whited Wall or Sepulchre but white as Snow Mat. 28. 3. or Wooll Rev. 1. 14. 3. This Raiment is white as the light Mat. 17. 2. Shining and glistering Mark 9. 3. Luke 9. 29. Such as being bought by his Angels and Churches and put on and found in is powerful to give light to such as have their understandings darkened and to discover and Cure their errours and mistakes and so tendeth to the profit and benefit of those that are without to open their eyes and Cure their ignorant thoughts and imaginations concerning the disciples of Christ and the Gospel professed by them While men see them cloathed with and appear before God onely in the righteousness of another even of Christ who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification it preserveth them from having idolatrous esteems of them and worshipping them for herein they may see that they are sinners in themselves and men of like passions with others and that they could not work righteousness for themselves nor have they any other righteousness to be cloathed with and rejoyce before God in then that which is manifested by the faith of Christ to be for all poor sinners aswell as themselves Act. 14 15. Rom. 3. 22. and hereby men may be convinced that the true and unfeigned beelivers have nothing in themselves to glory in but in their gloryings they glory in the Lord where others may glory with them and be also incouraged to come unto Christ Jesus for forgiveness and righteousness And while they put on and are cloathed with the fruits of his righteousness and shew by a good conversation their works with meekness of wisdom it tendeth to stop the mouths of such as are ready to say that Christ is the minister of sin and his Gospel a 〈…〉 Doctrine and ministry of unrighteousness and giveth men incouragement to be licentious for when they see that the Grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men is so heartily received by them as that thereby they deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and put on bowels of mercy kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering c. and walk soberly righteously and godly in this present world this cutteth off occasion from them that desire occasion and maketh them ashamed that falsly accuse the Gospel and hearty belivers and is a powerful means for the winning them into Christ who will not be won by the word Whereas on the contrary when those that profess to be Christ's disciples receive his grace in vain and walk dishonestly they give occasion to the adversaries of the truth to blaspheme the name of God and his Doctrine Hence the Apostle Paul exhorteth the believers to do all things which God in the Gospel is working in them both to do and to will of good pleasure without murmuring and disputing that they might â—e blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among
were not ashamed Gen. 2. 25. But Adam in listening to the temptation and lye of the Serpent was by him deceived first in the female and then in the male and eating of the forbidden fruit and therein seeking out many inventions to better his condition and to be as Gods to attain to an higher state and to have a self-sufficiency in himself sinned against God And by this one man sin entred into the World and death by sin and so death pâ—ssed upon all men in whom all have sinned Rom 5 12. So he brought shame upon himself and all his posterity and now he was ashamed and afraid because naked Gen. 3. 10 11. There is now a nakedness upon mankind naturally they are without and destitute of that original clothing that was upon them that righteousness and uprightness All have sinned and come short of the glory of God in which and unto which they were Created Rom. 3. 23. They are destitute of the understanding of a man as at first Created by God Every man is bruitish by his Knowledge and void of sound Wisdom Job 11. 12. Prov. 8 4 5. 30. 2 3. There is none that understandeth Jer. 10. 14. They are destitute of the righteousness in which they were Created of that love to God and one another They have lost the Image of God in which they were Created Rom 3. 9 10 11 12. Yea and they have sinned and are sinners and as they come into the World they are polluted and defiled They are conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity Psal 51. 5. Who can being a clean thing out of an unclean not one Job 14 4. 15. 14 25. 4. And so they are naturally inclined to all that is evil Every imagination of the thought of mans heart being only evil and that continually Out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts murders adulteries blasphemies an evil eye covetousness pride foolishness and these things desile the man Yea he is very abominable drinking in iniquity like water even as a thirsty man drinketh in water to cool his thirst and refresh him so man drinketh in iniquity or as a Fish continually drinketh in water Job 15. 16. Gen. 6. 5. 8. 21. Mat. 15. 19 20. Mark 7. 20-23 And when they come to act they do abominable works such as are shameful and of which they are ashamed when the eyes of their understandings are opened and they see things in their right and proper colours Psal 14. 1 2. Rom. 6. 21. Aswell as also there is the guilt of sin upon them and they are by nature obnoxious to the wrath of God and lyable to his judgment Rom. 3. 19. Ephes 2. 3 And the fruits of sin in weakness shame death c. A shameful nakedness is upon them in Soul and body from the Crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is nothing upon them but filthiness and uncleanness sinfulness and misery And this might hide pride from us and take us off from boasting in our birth and parentage or in any work of ours or in any thing natural to us and help us to cease from man for whereof is he to be accounted for we are all as an unclean thing sinful shameful Creatures And it may also cause us to admire at the riches of Gods Grace towards us who prepared for us such excellent raiment for the covering us when we were in our blood and so polluted a 〈…〉 defiled at so dear a rate and cost as by the abasement of his onely begotten Son who therefore was cut off that he might obtain justification and forgiveness and bring in everlasting righteousness Yea and they remain and continue naked and destiture of all that is good and lye open to the storms of God's anger and their nakedness is more shameful who after means is vouchsased and light extended love darknessrather then light and believe not on the name of the only begotten Son of God on such the wrath of God abideth be they never to wise rich and honourable in this world and they shall 〈◊〉 see life Joh. 3. 18 36. The Lord after he had affo 〈…〉 means to lead men to repentance looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God They are all gone aside they are together become filthy stinking and shameful there is none that doth good no not one Psal 14. 2 3. Rom. 3. 1 2 9-11 Their iniquity is greater then formerly it was and their shame more shameful in that there is lewdness found with such in their filthiness and they refuse to be washed and cleansed when God is purging them and causing the scum to swim aloft Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 4 5. Hos 11. 3-5 And this exposeth men to the wrath of God upon a new account though yet while it is called to day Jesus Christ the righteous is the propitiation and covering for such like shameful evils even for the sins of the whole world so taking away the sin of the world that judgment may not be speedily executed but that he may procure and exercise further patience and extend further means to open their eyes and to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God 1 Joh. 2. 2. Joh. â— 29. Act. 26. 18. Yea those Angels and Churches who after the tastes of the graciousness 〈◊〉 the Lord depart from him have a shameful nakedness upon them for in departing from him they depart from their raiment which will only cover the shame of their nakedness and cloth them as afterwards Hence the Apostle severely reproveth the Galatians and sheweth the greatness of their iniquity in that after they had known God or rather were known of God and were by him called into the grace of Christ for all forgiveness and righteousness That yet they should listen to those witches that came amongst them and by them be perverted to seek to be justified by the law and to perfect by the flesh what was begun in the spirit Gal. 1. 6-8 3. 1-4 4. 8. 5. 1-8 Thus also his Church in former times did shamefully herein and laid themselves naked and open to God's displeasure on this account Hence the Lord by way of complaint thus expostulateth with them O Generation see ye the word of the Lord have I been a wilderness unto Israel A land of darkness Wherefore say my people we are Lords we are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing We will come no more unto thee Can a Maid forget her ornaments or a bride her attire Yet my people have forgotten me who was their clothing and ornament days without number Jer. 2. 31 32. with Isa 6â— 10. Hos 2. 2-7 Jer. 3. 20-25 Thus it was with this Angel and Church of Laodicea who treacherously departed from the Lord as a Wife from her Husband and entertained other lovers besides him and though he had stood