He will esteem thy Reproaches c. and thy parting with wealth for his sake 2. Better Riches in regard of better gain by them the gain of Grace Spiritual consolation of a Kingdom c. If sufferings for Christ abound consolations abound more 6. The love of Christ is every thing we need this is the Gold that will make us rich Money answers all things but 't is most true concerning the love of Christ 1 Cor. 15.28 That God may be all in all so he is in himself and by love he is all things to the Saints Christ's love is Grace and Glory and every good thing Jacob might well say to Esau I have all Gen. 33.11 So 't is in the Original because God said Jacob have I loved 7. The love of Christ is such that it will make him when glorified serve the Saints As their Duty is to serve one another in love so Christ doth this he did in his state of humiliation but how much more to be admired is this Luke 12.37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching verily I say unto you he shall gird himself and come forth and serve them Here we may say as the Disciples when Christ said a little while and ye shall not see me and then a little while and you shall see me we know not what he saith we are not to understand it after a carnal manner Christ did serve his Disciples at his last Supper he feasted them with himself as Crucified and with the benefits of his Death In his Kingdom he shall feast them with his Glory and with himself as glorified in that he feasted them now with signs of himself in this with himself in sight shewing all his Riches and Glory to them John 16.14 Christ promising the Spirit said he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you this he doth in the conversion of a sinner shewing the Righteousness Merits Power and Wisdom and Love to his Saints but when Christ himself shall appear then he himself shall shew them all that he is and hath here is my righteousness the price and value of my Blood her 's my Love and Grace her 's my Glory He kept the Passover with his Disciples feasting them with the benefits of his Death in a large upper-room furnished c. Heaven is indeed the large upper-room furnished there Christ is feasting the Spirits of just men made perfect with the Glory of his Life he shall shew his Glory as having the fulness of the Godhead in him as the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth as a Prince and Saviour as a Bridegroom Joseph said to his Brethren ye shall tell my Father of my Glory in Egypt Christ shall when he appears tell the Saints of all his Glory in Heaven and let them see and hear that which Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard c. as Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadors of the King of Babylon the House of his precious things and there was nothing of worth which he shewed not unto them This is the Entertainment that Christ will give c. What encouragement is this to be found in those duties to which this Promise is made That is Seek the Kingdom of God give Alms lay up Treasures in Heaven let your Loins be girt Lamps burning be like men waiting for their Lord This is farther set forth Math. 26.29 I will drink no more of the fruit of the Vine until I drink it new with you c. Quest What is that Wine Answ Contraries illustrate one another now in Rev. 14.10 there is mention of the Wine of Wrath without mixture as the portion of the wicked on the other side then the Wine of Love without mixture is the portion of the Saints Pure Wrath is the portion of the Ungodly pure love the portion of the Godly Evil without mixture of good is the portion of the Wicked Good without mixture of Evil shall be given to the Saints Wicked men shall not have so much as a drop of Water to cool their Tongues Saints not so much as a spark of Fire to torment them Thus we see what Riches of Love there are in Christ which we should be careful not to despise nor abuse by indulging our selves in any evil way because we hear of such Riches of Love If any shall turn Grace into Lasciviousness they may know that there is fury that shall smoke against such Behold the goodness and severity of God goodness to such as continue in his goodness but severity to such as abuse his goodness as who knows the Power of his Love so who knows the Power of his Wrath His Love is above our Faith and his Wrath above our Fear Learn then to love Christ because he loves to live to him because he loves please him serve him deny our selves take his Yoke because he loves and take heed we do not that abominable thing which he hates take heed of that abominable thing Covetousness of that abominable thing Pride Lying Deceit Hypocrisy Lukewarmness and remember that he that loves Saints so much hates sin as much and he looks that those whom he loves should love him and hate the thing that is Evil. CHAP. IV. 2. THere are in Christ Riches of Righteousness Rom. 5.17 They which receive abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness Abundance relates to both there is abundance of Grace giving and abundance of Righteousness given there is uncreated Righteousness in Christ as God which is Infinite Perfect Unchangeable so there is Riches of it and no Iniquity in him Christ may challenge all as God did the Jews what Iniquity have your Fathers found in me Jer. 2.5 There is also the Righteousness of Christ as Mediator which is twofold 1. In his works for Men. 2. In his works towards Men. First In his works for Men being a surety and representative undertaking to fulfil that Righteousness for them which they could not for themselves that hereby he might reconcile them to God and make them stand as just in his sight Here consider 1. Christ's Righteousness fulfilled for the Elect is a full and compleat Righteousness Christ taking the form of a Servant did fulfil the Law both for matter and manner substance and circumstances The Law requires not more active and passive Obedience than Christ yielded The Law is exceeding broad Christ's Righteousness as broad as that The Law was Spiritual so was Christ's Obedience Sin was infinite in Evil because committed against an infinite Person Christ's Righteousness had infinite good in it infinite Glory because fulfilled by an infinite Person who obeying was Equal with the Person commanding Obedience and demanding satisfaction for man's disobedience so that here are Riches of Righteousness Paul had good reason to be found in it What a glorious change is wrought by its imputation it makes a sinner a righteous Person By the Obedience of one many shall be made Righteous 2. It 's
and am abundantly satisfied with him I am Empty Poor Blind and Naked I will buy of him Gold White Rayment Eye-Salve c. And he hath bought my Life bought my Service and he is worthy of it And I am not my own I will glorify him This is the will of a sound Christian that is in the way of Life 2. They are doing Christians Math. 7.21 Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven He that is travelling in the way towards Heaven is careful to do the will of the Father in Heaven Doing his will is not the way so as Christ is the way but such as are in the way are doing Christians He that looks on God as the Supreme Good can't but look on the will of God as the Supreme Rule and the Glory of God as the Supreme End and if God be in the heart he will be in the Life God is seen in his doings he that dwells in God will work in God and will bring forth Fruit unto God will abound in the work of the Lord and their labour will not be in vain in the Lord. Abound in Zeal for God's honour fruitfulness in the work of Righteousness Labour in the Lord in the will of God live Godly Righteously and Soberly and youâ— labour shall not be in vain Altho' your work deserve not a Reward yet God will not forget your work of Faith and labour of Love So Christians that are in the way of Life must be doing in the Lord such as are travelling towards Heaven must have their conversation in Heaven they that walk towards God must walk with God Sect. 17. Use By this it appears that few there be that walk in the way of Life Few there be that WILL like Christians and that DO like Christians that act like such that are in the way of Life How few that set their Souls to the Gospel that is full of precious Promises of tenders of Mercy it holds forth the glorious things of Christ his infinite fulness to Sinners and their freedom of access to it But are not these by most counted a strange thing Are they not made light of How rare is it to find a plenary and full consent of heart to the proffers of the Gospel A full will to take Christ and to enjoy God as the Supreme Good Hos 5.4 They will not frame their doings to turn to God So you that follow the course of the World that wallow in the pollutions of the World as Drunkeness c. Your doings are not framed like the doings of those that are turned towards God that go towards Heaven with your Faces thitherwards your Faces your outward aspects and appearances are not thitherwards if the hearts be thitherwards then the Face and outward appearance are so also The will is not right in many as Particularly 1 You that allow your selves in Sin and consent to Lust What I do said Paul I allow not That is in doing any thing that 's contrary to the will of God he did not allow himself Now if you allow your selves in Sin if you Sin with a secret allowance of Heart that is contrary to the will of a true Christian The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit if you consent to the Flesh and have no lusting against it then your will and consent is not the will of those that are in the way of Life 2. You that delight not in the Law of God after the Inner Man your Wills are not upright That Will that 's spoken of in the Text is not wrought in you Rom. 7 2â— I delight in the Law of God after the Inner Man There 's a suitableness in my will to the will of God the will of God's working is that the will of God should be the Rule or that it should stand The Will of God's working delights in the will of God and rejoices in acknowledgement of his Highness Isa 13.3 Let God be acknowledged as God and be feared and loved c. his will is against Sin and 't is for Holiness Rom. 7.16 If I do that which I allow not I consent to the Law that it is good There is consent to the Law and dissent from sin for where there 's no consent betwixt your Wills and the Law your wills are not those in the Text. The Will that 's mentioned in the Text is 1. A Will altogether perswaded to embrace Christ Not like Agrippa's Will almost perswaded not an imperfect Will but a thorow Will a Will that consents to God as the supreme good consents to come to Christ as the way of Life to take hold of Christ as the one thing necessary and as most lovely and to walk in the way of the Gospel as the best way Not like ths young Man's Will he was willing to follow Christ but not to depart from his Riches to follow Christ He did love Christ but his Riches more than Christ this is but an imperfect an almost perswaded Will. Here was not a full consent I will take Christ whatever it costs me though it cost me Lands and Life c. This thorow Will this willing altogether to take Christ and to obey the Gospel is the Will of such a one as is in the way of Life Whoever go thorow to Heaven have this thorow Will The young man that was but almost perswaded and had but a half Will and Consent to take Christ was but almost come to the Kingdom of Heaven not far but almost willing c. and so but almost a Christian Math. 12.34 2. A Will altogether perswaded to take a whole Christ a whole Will to have a whole Christ Christ as Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Christ to Redeem and Christ to Reign over I count all things but Dung to win Christ c. Every thing in Christ is precious to a perfect Will As his Humiliation so his Exaltation over them as his Obedience imputed 〈…〉 his Dominion exercised over them His Mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely in every part in every Office As the Will in the Text is not divided so not a dividing Will as a Will not divided halting between Christ and the World so not a Will dividing Christ parting his Offices which is a greaâ—er evil than parting his Garments As not half perswasion to have Christ so not a perswasion to have but half Christ but a whole Will to have a whole Christ 3. A Will that 's altogether towards Heaven that is that consents to this that Heavenly things are better than Earthly Eternal better than Temporal and to be with Christ is better than to be in the World 'T is better to be in Heaven than in the midst of Earthly Pleasures and Delights 2. For Doing consider that their doing who are in the way of Life is 1. A doing the will of God When the Will is that God's
forc'd from his Heritage and not fed with it and 2 When there was a Famine in the Land of Canaan then his Heritage failed him and he went down into Egypt to be fed there But there shall be a time when the true Israel of God shall not only have but be fed with their Heritage their Heritage shall not fail them There is no Famine of Bread in the true Canaan Bread shall be given them and their Waters sure There shall be no prophane persecuting Person as Esau to make them fly from it 6. A Sabbath rightly kept is as the Gates of Heaven as Jacob said of Bethel this is the Gates of Heaven The Rest of the Sabbath is a figure of the Rest of Heaven and of Christ's Kingdom The work of the Sabbath is a figure of the work of Heaven the Joy in communion with God tasting in his Ordinances that the Lord is gracious is the first Fruits of the Joys of Heaven Heb. 4.4 5. He speaks of the Seventh day God did rest then from all his works and in this place if they shall enter into my rest Observe Those that keep a Sabbath aright to the Lord do enter into the rest of the Lord they rest from their own work and refresh themselves in the Lord. v. 9. There remaineth a rest or Sabbatism to the People of God that is a day to rest in and rejoyce in the Lord and honour him and this is the figure of the Eternal rest the Saints have in Heaven Directions for a Gospel keeping of a Sabbath To what was spoken before from the Text let the 92 Psalm be added where we have a pattern and directory for it The Title of it being A Psalm for the Sabbath-day 1. God is to be praised for making us glad through his work v. 4. It 's a good thing to give thanks c. to shew forth his loving kindness and faithfulness his loving kindness in giving Christ to be made Flesh and Sin a Curse c. Thou Lord hast made me glad through thy works through the work of Redemption Justification Sanctification Our own works make us sad when we think of them 't is with grief and Godly sorrow but thy works c. The works of the Redeemer fulfilling Righteousness making his Soul an offering for Sin and making Intercession changing me into thine Image these make me glad I will triumph in thy works I am ashamed of mine own works but I will glory in thine I am ashamed of mine own Righteousness which is as filthy Rags but I will triumph in Christ's which is most perfect and glorious I trust not to my own works but I trust in thine and not only trust but triumph in them over Sin Satan Death and Hell How great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep We should not only take a slâ—ght view but have very serious thoughts of them and be much in meditating on them As the Angels desire to look into them and with a holy admiration of them Such Knowledge is too wonderful for me c. When Christ took not on him the Nature of Angels but the Seed of Abraham and took Sin upon him and so loved us as to give himself to suffer Death and passing by many so loved me as to give his Spirit to quicken me when I was dead in Sins and to prepare me unto Glory what a great work is this Now it is proper for the Sabbath to cease from our own works which weary us c. To contemplate on and make our selves glad with the work of the Redeemer There are also the works of his gracious Providence in which God gives great experience of his Love Mercy c. to his People Object When we consider how much the Saints are afflicted in the World the are chastened every morning and in the mean time the Wicked spring as the Grass and the workers of Iniquity do flourish How can we be glad thro' God's works of Providence Answ Here God's thoughts lye deep but enter into the Sanctuary of God draw nigh and search into them and so you shall understand that which shall make you glad As for the wicked they spring as the Grass but 't is that they may be destroyed the wicked in their Prosperity are but as Grass and the best of them but as Grass on the House-top Grass soon withers and that on the House-top the soonest of all Thou Lord art most high if they be more high in Worldly Prosperity c. As for the Godly if they now suffer and are afflicted in their outward Man in worldly things 't is that they may be saved for ever The Wicked now prosper that they may perish for ever This he further sets forth Lo thine Enemies shall perish my Horn shalt thou exalt c. The World being high in worldly Prosperity are in the way to be thrown down Saints being low are in the way to be exalted the wicked exalting themselves glorying in their wickedness in their worldly enjoyments having exalted thoughts of themselves shall be abased but the Godly humbling themselves under the mighty Hand of God shall be exalted 2. On this day a Spirit of Prophesy should be exercised as to praise God for and make our selves glad in the works that are done so by the Spirit of Prophecy to consider from the word what God will do and make our selves glad in the works that are to be done ver 10. I shall be anointed with fresh Oyl I have some Light I shall have more somewhat I know of the Mystery of Godliness and I shall know more Some Grace I have received I shall have more I have a little strength I shall have more the little Faith and Love I have shall be increased thou wert a a Spring to me heretofore I had Grace in Conversion and all my fresh Springs are in thee and thence I shall have fresh Oyl 'T is good to exercise a Spirit of Prophecy it will make us glad amidst all our weaknesses and wants c. ver 11. Mine Eyes shall see and mine Ears shall hear my desire of the Wicked the Church's Eyes shall see her desire on Anti-christ the Man of Sin on Babylon the great ver 12.13 The Righteous shall flourish as the Palm trees the Righteous are oppressed but they shall flourish in and under their oppressions and shall grow under their burdens and take root downward and bear fruit upwards so doth the Palm-tree bear more fruit when 't is burthened He shall grow like the Cedar in Lebanon the wicked grow but as the Grass the Saints grow like the Cedar That is lasting and a Tree that continues long and the wood is very durable and lasting Those that be planted in the House of God shall flourish even when old And then are most green and flourishing in Grace When the outward Man perisheth the inner Man is renewed Lastly All this must be that God may shew himself upright he will put a
or maketh a lye neither Hypocrites nor profane Persons there the dark Saint shall be full of light the weak shall be strong the too much Earthly and Carnal Saints shall be Spiritual and Heavenly and the divided Saints shall be all one and this shall in an especial manner be accomplish'd among the Jews When the Jews were cast off what was their condition We see it set forth Ezek. 22.18 Son of Man the House of Israel is become Drossie all they are Brass and Tin and Iron and Lead they are even the dross of Silver but when they shall be called then they shall not be the dross of Silver but pure Gold nay compare them in their most glorious and pure Estate which formerly they were in as when they had the Law given them on Sinai when the Tribes were brought into such excellent order and they had Moses their Leader and Aaron the High-Priest when they were fed with Angels food and had the Cloud and Pillar of Fire and the Tabernacle in which was the Ark I say compare them in this Estate with what they shall be at last and we may well conclude that they are but as Brass to Gold for then they had but the shaddow but when they shall be called they shall have the Body and Substance Then they had the Law given by Moses and written in Tables of Stone but at last given by Christ and written in Tables of their Hearts and Christ will be their High Priest and Prince upon a Throne and the shall have the Cloud and Pillar of Fire too Upon all the Glory there shall be a Defence and as their Estate shall be more excellent then ever heretofore so they shall be an eternal excellency and then all Nations shall bow before Christ and be made to serve him and some of the chiefest in the Nations the Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring Presents The Kings of Sheba and Saba shall offer Gifts In the beginning of Christ's Kingdom not many Mighty and Noble were called it being in great contempt and under great Persecution but when this shall become a great Mountain and fill the whole Earth and God shall beautify the place of his Sanctuary and make the place of his Feet glorious then many Mighty and Noble shall be called and brought into it Jer. 33.21 Their Nobles shall be of themselves Rev. 21.24 there is mention of Kings bringing their Glory and Honour into the new Jerusalem where they shall find better Glory then they bring Isa 49.7 Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord which is Faithful Isa 60. There are four Promises made concerning Kings with reference to these times verse 3. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising verse 10. Kings shall minister unto thee There is a time of their ministring unto the great Whore but at last some of them will hate the Whore and love the Saints and minister unto them verse 11. Thy Gates shall be open continually that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles that their Kings may be brought verse 16. Thou shalt suck the Breasts of Kings Now when this shall be then shall the Church be prepared as a Bride be adorn'd for her Husband and have Glory suitable to Christ's Glory When he shall come all the Saints shall come with him Zach. 14.5 The Saints in Heaven and all the Saints on Earth shall be all gathered unto him they shall come from the East and West and sit down in the Kingdom of God 2 Thess 2.1 I beseech you by the coming of Christ and our gathering unto him As the Lord was present in the midst of the Camp of Israel in the Ark which was the sign of his presence and all the Tribes were gathered in order about him and the Levites next to him so when Christ shall come all the Saints shall be round about his Throne and be all Priests near unto him then Christ shall come in the Glory of the Bridegroom and the Church shall be in the Glory of his Bride the Angels shall be the Friends of the Bridegroom and Saints the Bride the Lambs Wife Then Christ shall have his mystical as well as his personal Glory for as Head and Husband he accounts not himself pefect but in the perfection of his Spouse and Members the Church being the fullness of him that filleth all in all this shall be the New Jerusalem and that City and Temple mention'd in Ezek. 40. c. set forth under legal expressions The Law had the Shadow of good things to come but the Body is of Christ that City and Temple is the Body of legal shadows when we read of a Temple Court Chambers Priests and their Garments of Burnt-offerings and Peace-offerings by all we must understand that which is the Body of these legal shadow Christ shall be the Priest by whom Believers are reconciled to God and the Saints shall be made Priests to God Christ the Prince and all the Saints shall reign with him every one shall have a Chamber a Mansion there now they long for the Courts of God then shall they be in those Courts and be Pillars there Ezâ—k 43.27 The Priest shall make your Burnt-offerings and Peace-offerings the meaning is I will accept you Now what hath been spoken to set forth the Riches of Glory that are in Christ shews what reason there is to have the highest esteem of Christ as better then all other beloveds well might David say Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee Here we may consider further 1. The sight of Christ's Glory shall be the Saints blessedness Blessed are your Eyes for they see if there was so much blessedness in seeing him in his humble State then what blessedness shall it be to see him in Glory the Wicked that dye in their sins shall see Death John 8.51 He that believes on me shall never see Death unbelievers shall see it The Greek word imports a seeing by contemplation and speculation the death of the wicked is a contemplative death as we read of some they live a contemplative life being for speculation and not for practice so we may say of the wicked in Hell they dye a contemplative death as we read of the hurt of the second death so very much of the hurt thereof comes by contemplation the same words are used Rev. 11.12 when the Witnesses ascend in a Cloud 't is said that their Enemies behold them they see and have the speculation of their Glory and Joy but do not intermeddle with it they have a terrifying and tormenting vision but not a beatifical vision of their Glory and the wicked see death and their contemplative death is a proportionable punishment of contemplative wickedness which abounds as we may suppose beyond practical thoughts being more then actions they are contemplating on that which continues
and heightens their torment they think upon the vain course they led upon the seasons of Grace they slighted the great Salvation neglected by them they contemplate on the eternity of their Misery and they think on the happiness of those that they persecuted and hated Dives is said to see Lazarus afar off the wicked think on the blessed estate of the Godly but on the other side the Saints never see Death but Light and Life they shall see Christ and be ever with him beholding his Glory Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they be with me to behold my Glory to be in everlasting contemplation of it and the Light of him shall satisfy and they shall be ever seeing him there shall not be any Cloud upon his Glory true he shall come in Clouds but when he comes Clouds shall go away when he ascended a Cloud received him out of the sight of the Disciples when he descends a Cloud shall usher him into their sight and then Clouds shall for ever pass away that Saints may for ever see him and then they shall see Christ and all other things by Christ The Lamb is said to be the light of the new Jerusalem by this light they shall see Christ himself as by the light of the Sun we see the Sun and by Christ's light all other things as the Scripture and all those things contained therein The Jews before Christ came knew him by Types and Signs but after Christ came they knew these Types and Figures by Christ now we know Christ by the Scriptures but when he shall appear we shall know the Scripture by Christ now we know the Creator by the Creatures then shall we know the Creatures by the Creator now the invisible things of God are known by the things that are made then that which is invisible to us of the things that are made shall be known by the Light and Glory of him that made them And their seeing shall be a beatifical Vision Christ shall then see the Saints and be satisfied and they shall see him and be satisfied Exod. 24.11 The Elders of Israel saw God and did eat and drink not as when they made the Calf but either they did eat of the Sacrifices or did eat and drink Spiritually they delighted in the Glory of the Lord and fed their Eyes and feasted upon the brightness of his Glory which was better to them than the most pleasant meat In answer to this Christ promises that we shall eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom this is the Portion of the Saints in Heaven they shall see Christ as God manifest in the Flesh and the God-head in Christ After the general Judgment they shall see God immediately as All in All and not only through the Man-hood of Christ. 2. Christ shall be a fountain of Glory to the Saints they shall receive of his fullness Glory for Glory as the Sun communicates the Glory of his Light so shall Christ the Sun of Righteousness which he beginning to do here shall do it perfectly to the filling of Souls and Bodies with Glory they shall have the Glory of being one in the Father and the Son Joh. 17.21 3. Christs Glory is a Pattern of the Saints Glory who are predestinated to be conformed to the Image of the Son Rom. 8.29 they shall see and be like him and be satisfied with his likeness If Saints now suffer so did Christ and as Christ is glorified so shall they if we suffer 't is no worse with us than 't was with Christ and when Christ shall appear it shall be as well with us as to a like Glory tho' not an equal Glory with his they shall appear with him in Glory there shall be a Manifestation of the Sons of God which the Creature hath an earnest expectation off that they may be delivered from their bondage unto the power of the Man of Sin into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.18 19 20. 1. A Gracious Liberty which they have being under Grace and in a State of Grace being free from the Curse of the Law from the raigning power of Sin and from being led Captive by Satan at his will this is a Liberty where with Christ hath made free 2. A Glorious Liberty where with Christ shall make them free not only from Sin as a King but from Sin as a Tyrant and from any temptations and buffetings of Satan not only from pleasing Men and walking as Men but from all persecutions from Men for Righteousness sake they shall not hurt nor destroy c. such a glorious Liberty shall be to the Sons of God a triumphant Liberty as under Solomon's Reign when there was neither Adversary nor evil Occurrent And as the Creature so the Saints also having the first fruits of the Spirit do groan for the Adoption even the Redemption of the Body There is a two-fold Adoption Rom. 8.23 First by receiving power to be Sons through believing in Christ Joh. 1.12 2. In receiving the Portions of Sons and that Inheritance which belongs to them as Joynt-Heirs with Christ There is also a two-fold Redemption 1. Of the Soul from under the power of Sin Satan and the World 2. Of the Body from Persecution and Trouble which is the State Saints shall be in after the fall of Babylon when there shall be none to make them afraid as also there shall be Redemption from Death and the Grave so that their vile Bodies shâ—ll be fashioned like Christ's Glorious Body Only 1. Consider if you would see Christ and be like him in Glory see that you be found in him having his Righteousness Psa 17.15 I shall behold thy Face in Righteousness that is thy Righteousness those that will not submit to the Righteousness of God must not look to be Exalted to his Glory yet an inherent qualifying Righteousness also is by many and may well be understood in that Expression whom he Justified them he Glorified 2. You must be Holy without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord you must be sanctified into a likeness with him in Grace else look not to be satisfied with his likeness in Glory 3. Confess Châ—ist and stand for his Glory In his Temple should every one speak of his Glory Psal 29.9 So should we in his Spiritual House they that delight not now to be speaking of his Kingdom and talking of his Power and of the Glorious Honour of his Majesty must not look to have an Inheritance in his Kingdom In his Temple is the joyful sound of his Glory such as now hear the joyful sound shall have the joyful sight of his Glory 4. Do all to his Glory confess he is Lord to the Glory of the Father be just to his Glory be sober to his Glory be charitable and mercifull to his Glory Pray Hear Eat Drink do all to his Glory all things are of thee of thine own have we given thee 1 Chron. 29.14 all Waters are from
last must their Souls be brought The Kingdom of Christ is the wealthy Place Into that the Church at last shall be brought The Israelites had great Afflictions in Egypt and were led through the Water of the Red Sea and through Fire afterwards the burning at Taberah the stinging of the fiery Serpents and at last were brought into Canaan the wealthy Place were they enjoyed Vineyards they planted not Houses they built not so the Church is under hard bondage in Egypt Spiritually so called and that may have great Tryals in the Wilderness but at last it must enter into that Rest that remains and that wealthy place prepared for it or moist well watered Land as the words import or into a Refreshing as the Greek hath it Suitable to this the Apostle speaks Of times of refreshing from the presenee of the Lord Act. 3.19 After these sore afflicting times under the Reign of that Man of Sin shall be times of most sweet and abundant refreshing from the presence of the Lord when he shall consume Antichrist with the Spirit of his Mouth and destroy him by the brightness of his coming and so make the Kingdoms of the World his own Kingdom 4. See that you have a true right to those true Riches you must have Christ that you may have his Riches he that hath the Son hath life 1 Joh. 5.12 he that hath Christ hath his Riches you must be in Covenant have the Lord for your God be his People and all is yours ye are Christ's 1 Cor. 3.22 23. you must have Christ as Saviour and Lord and Christ must have you to be his Servants and Followers to be his Spouse and Members do not content your selves with a Thought and Opinion that his Riches are yours but see that it be so indeed Laodicea thought her self to be Rich but was Poor as worldly Mens inward thoughts are as Psa 49.11 that their Houses shall continue and so the inward thoughts of some are that they have an Interest in the Riches of Christ when they are none of theirs as he that getteth Riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his Days and in the end shall be a Fool Jer. 17.11 So he that thinks he hath Christ's Riches and hath them not indeed in the end shall be a Fool Math. 13.12 From him that hath not shall be taken away that which he hath he that hath a Name and not the thing a Name to live to be rich in having Christ and is dead and without Christ indeed shall have his Name taken away He that hath a form of Godliness and not the Power shall have the form taken away He that hath Gifts and not Grace shall have his Gifts taken from him he that hath a Lamp and not Oyle shall have his Lamp taken from him as 't is said concerning Judas his Bishoprick let another take it but on the other side to him that hath shall be given He that indeed is partaker of the Unsearchable Riches of Christ shall then have them more yea more abundantly The End of the First Discourse THE SECOND DISCOURSE OF Knowing CHRIST Crucified 1. CORINTHIANS ij.ij. For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified THere were two sorts of men that took offence at Paul's Preaching Jews and Greeks as appears in Chap. 1.22 1. Jews The Preaching of Christ Crucified was to them a stumbling block they dreamt that the Messiah should abide always John 12. â—4 and never die or be crucified they expected a Messiah that should restore the Kingdom to Israel and that which was to be understood mainly in a Spiritual sense they understood carnally of outward and mundane Peace and Glory They that had such high and large expectations of temporal felicity would not believe in a Crucified Messias that Life Salvation Eternal Glory and an everlasting Kingdom should spring from a Cross from a cursed death upon it their vailed understandings and carnal hearts could not be perswaded of They expected likewise some visible convincing Sign to Evidence to all the World that he was the Messias without which they will not believe Chap. 1.2 The Jews require a Sign 2. Greeks who were Philosophers Disputers of this World had wise and subtil heads these Greeks seek after Wisdom they apprehended there was no wisdom in Paul's Preaching Chrâ—st Crucified 1. Because he did not speak Reason they deemed it commendable wisdom to deny assent to that which was not made apparent by Arguments clearing it to Mens Reason Paul Preached naked Truths only upon the Testimony and Authority of God Now as Thomas would not believe unless he did feel so will not these Greeks unless these Truths be evidenced to Reason The Jews seek after a Sign the Greeks after a Convincing Reason The Jew will have it made evident to his Sense by a Miracle the Greek by a sound Argument to his Reason that Christ Crucified is the Saviour of the World so Natural Reason and Carnal Wisdom is made the rule and standard for the proof and trial of Divine Truths 2. They dislike his manner of Preaching 't was not sufficiently adorn'd with Wit and Eloquence the Truths that he Preached were not set before them in a comely dress they conceived both wisdom of Matter and wisdom of words to be wanting Truths of God Soul saving Truths are rejected because they were not delivered in enticing words of Man's Wisdom here 's the ground of the Offence To these groundless grounds of Offence the Apostle replies by urging his Commission given by Christ his Practice grounded on and conformed to that Commission and the Reasons why such a Commission was given him 1. He shews his Commission Chap. 1.17 Christ sent me not to Baptize but to Preach not with wisdom of words c. not to Baptize c that is this was not my principal work that he set me about but to Preach which is the greater and more noble work Verbum est vis Sacramenti Preaching is the means to beget Life Sacraments do but seal and confirm what is begotten the Church may sometimes subsist without the Administration of Sacraments for a time as the Jews in the Wilderness but not without the Preaching of the word though Hypocrites are of a contrary mind herein if they have Sacraments administred and their ordinary Service kept up no matter how little preaching there be but says Paul Christ sent me not to Baptize that is to Baptize and not to Preach or to Baptize as my chief and principal work but to Preach and that not with wisdom of Words His Commission was not to go and preach wisdom of words or to go in the strength of natural Wisdom or rational Arguments to convince their Judgments or with enticing words of mans wisdom with well-set Sentences and Eloquent Phrases to move their Affections but declare plain and naked Truths set Christ Jesus before them as Crucified urge the Testimony and Authority
told this in the City and they went out to see him but I can tell you greater things behold a Jesus that will save you if you come to him from all things that you have wickedly done will it not be worth your study and pains to know him If you should hear of a Physician able in cure you of all Diseases what flocking would there be to him would you not all desire acquaintance with him such an one is Christ he is able to cure you of your worst Diseases to heal all your Soul Infirmities and save you to the utmost certainly he is a Person worth the knowing 5. The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 with chap. 33.16 He that will be for a Wedding Garment to you he that spreads his Banner of love and casts the Mantle of his own Righteousness to cover your nakedness to hide your Deformities that so the Lord may not see Iniquity in Jacob that he may look on you as comely through his beauty put on you surely there can be nothing more precious to a Self-condemning Sinner than to know this Name The Lord my Righteousness that shelters me from wrath and tâ—at renders me accepted with God Isa 23.24 The Inhabitant shall not say I am sick they shall be forgiven their Iniquities their Righteousness is of me The knowledge therefore of this name of Christ cures the Soul of its Sicknesses of all its discomforts and sadness and fills it with consolation so is most precious 3. In Relation to his Church so he is Head thereof Col. 1.18 He is the head of the body such a head as the Husband is to the Wife Eph. 5.25 so he loveth his Church with his choicest and most tender love he nourisheth and cherisheth his Church v. 29. he takes care to provide for and preserve his Church This Relation is most sweetly set forth in the book of Cant. Chap. 4.9 Thou hast ravished my heart my Sister my Spouse c. thou hast taken away my heart Christ's Heart is wholly taken up with his Church none else have his heart and from these sweet Manifestations of the love of Christ and of the incomperable Excellencies of Christ which the Church contemplates on Chap. 5.10 c. She concludes at last v. 16. His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely thus she hence concludes as the Apostle Non Eximium duxi c. there is none whose Graces are so excellent whose Love is so burning whose Beauties are so shining whose Dignities so high none that hath all Power all Fulness as Christ therefore I determine not to knâ—w any thing among you save Jesus Christ c. Again such a head he is as the natural head in the body that is the Fountain of Sense and Motion there is the Understanding and Knowledge seated there is the light of the body by it all nourishment is conveyed into the body now such a head is Christ in him dwells all Fulness he hath the Spirit he hath Life in himself he hath Wisdom to inform and instruct to make us wise to Salvation he hath Righteousness to Justify Grace to Sanctify c. so all Spiritual Good Peace Life Grace is treasured up in him how excellent then must the knowledge of him be 4. Consider him in his Offices And so he is 1. A King all power is given him to save his Church and to subdue his Enemies he hath power to save and destroy to give Life and to take it away to raise up to Heaven and to cast down to Hell a King full of Might King of Kings that is able to cast down all Kings that do oppose him to bruise them with a Rod c. for he shall overthrow all the Kingdoms that will not set his Throne to be established amongst them full of Might to save his Members of weak he makes them mighty even him that is feeble mighty as David and the House of David as God as the Angel of the Lord before them thus Christ is a Glorious King Now of all the Persons in a Kingdom the People desires to know the King and Christ being the greatest King it must needs be the most excellent Knowledge to know him as such 2. As Prophet He is that Prophet the Inspirer of all other Prophets The Woman of Samaria apprehended a great deal of Excellency in this that Christ could tell all that she had done but he was a Prophet that knew and could make known far greater things he knew not only what Men had done and what was in their Hearts but what God had done all his works are open to him because what the Father wrought he wrought and all that was in the Fathers heart his eternal saving Purposes his Good Will towards Men his Righteous Decrees Christ knew all For he is in the bosom of the Father as Son of God and knows all things he is the word of God he is that Prophet to make known to Men the gracious Purposes of the Father Joh. 1.18 He is the Lord which teacheth to Profit and tells how Men may be saved he makes known the things belonging to our everlasting Peace is not he worth the knowing above all 3. As Priest humbling himself and becoming obedient to Death Offering himself without Spot to God to take away Sin by one Sacrifice of himself he bare our Griefs and received our Stripes He remains still a merciful high Priest that hath compassion on our Infirmities and knows how to succour them and all this out of meer Love and free Grace Now the Knowledge of Love that is most sweet the knowledge of the greatest Love is the best Knowledge 2. Consider the Effects of this Knowledge further to shew its Excellency And these are 1. Justification and Peace with God This Knowledge of Jesus Christ surpasseth all other Knowledge because this produceth that Peace which passeth all Understanding It begets Peace in the Understanding quiets it against all perplexing doubts that arisâ— from the knowledge of Sin and apprehension oâ— wrath it acquits from Self-condemnation and accusations It satisfies the will and begets a complacency it is well pleased upon the knowledge of Christ and closing in with him in whom God is well pleased It allays all Storms and Tempests of Fears Griefs c. raised by the Conscience that is awakned to see its Sinful and Cursed condition It saith to all diâ—quieting Affections Peace be still thus this Knowledge begets Peace in the Understanding and Will Affections a calmed Spirit a Peace 't is that satisfies nay 't is a Peace that more than satisfies it surpasseth Knowledge it exceeds thoughts it goes beyond desires it passes all and that because Christ is Prince of Peace that is that none hath power to Command to make Peace to give Peace to a Sinner He alone hath power of Life and Death of forgiving and Retaining Sin He makes Peace by the Blood of his Cross dies to make Peace that he might satisfy Divine
the business of their Salvation I say such only shall not perish but have everlasting life the Scripture is plain in this that only Saints shall see God that no Whoremongers c. shall see God If Persons be of very weak capacities yet such is the plainess and clearness of the Scriptures in things that are absolutely necessary that they may understand them here is milk for Babes as well as stronger meats for more experienced Christians As there are great Depths for Elephans to swim so shallows for Lambs to wade through as there are some things hard to be understood which the unlearned do wrest c. so there others easy to be understood which the unlearned may follow to their Salvation then let none plead their want of parts as a ground of their neglect of the word as if it were only for men of Learning to search into it but as all have Souls to save so let all that have the use of Understanding and Reason search the word that they may be saved and great encouragement there is because if Men are willing to learn and know the things of their Salvation and of Christ's Kingdom they have a Promise from God to be taught Joh. 6.45 Hebr. 8.10 we know God did inable Children to sing Hosanna to Christ Math. 2â— Isa 32.4 The heart of the rash inconsiderate Men shall understand knowledge and the Tongue of the Stammerer shall be ready to speak plainly they shall be all taught of God that are willing to learn of God and the Spirit that leads into all truth is a Spirit of Promise Use first Reproof of two sorts 1. Those that receive not the word of God with so much respect as the word of Man And it is to be observed for the most part that if the word be not received with the respect that is due to the word of God then it is received with less respect than is due to the word of Man If the word be not embraced as God's 't is despised more than Man's If Men love it not above any word they hate it more than any word and what 's the reason 1. Because it is a great Enemy to what Men do naturally love as their own Souls If they receive not the word so as above all to desire to yield obedience to it then they hate it for it reproves for an Herodias it forbids that which is Mens great delight to follow it contemns the World and it condemns Sinners Hence if the word be not embraced as the word of God with that Fear and Reverence that is due to it 't is hated and despised more than the word of Man Thus 't is with all those that take delight in Sin and greedily hunt after the things of the World and care for nothing but to satisfy their own Lusts and desires they can't but hate the Light because their deeds are evil There is hardly a medium betwixt these two a receiving of and submitting to the whole word as God's and a hatred of it in some parts at least every Sinner hath such a disposition to the word as Ahab to Michaiah I hate him because he Prophecies not good to me so the word gives not a tolleration to commit Sin which is only good in a natural Man's Eye and therefore 't is hated 2. Pride is another reason That which is generally condemned to be the Devil's first Sin is our great Sin Pride the Devil thought himself too high to submit so he rebelled against God that he might Rule he 'll uphold and maintain a Kingdom against God rather than submit to God though he know that he shall be destroyed for it in the end now there is this devilish disposition in every one of our hearts the pride of them lifts us up against God we of our selves chuse to be our own Lords though we destroy our selves hereby rather than Christ rule over us that we might be saved Who is Lord over us is a question arising from that proud disposition of our Hearts the proud Men in Jeremiah said as for the word thou hast spoken in the Name of the Lord we will not do it this we all do if God do reveal his word and not work by his Spirit 2. Those are to be reproved that receive it but as the word of Man some do in a sort receive the word and think that they receive it aright yet 't is but as the word of Man as 1. When they have nothing else to ground their Faith upon then humane Testimony if the should be asked why they believe the word to be God's can give no other reason then that their Fathers and Mothers said so and 't is generally so believed and embraced now those that believe it because others believe it receive it only as the word of Man so the Papists receive it as the word of Men and all that have no testimony from the Spirit no true work on their hearts c. 2. Those that perform Duties that are required in the word to be seen of Men as did the Pharisees they Fasted Prayed and gave Almes were zealous of the Law all to be seen of Men they sought the praise of Men now they that do any thing that the word requires to be seen of Men see not God in his word they that love the praise of Men and out of that seem to be Religious receive the word only as the word of Men then says our Saviour how can ye believe 't is impossible ye should receive the word as God's and believe it by a divine Faith if ye seek Honour one of another Joh. 5.44 therefore if you come to pray and hear only to satisfy Man's expectations of you you receive it but as Man's word 3. Those that take up Mens Ordinances as of equal authority with the word are as zealous for a humane form of prayer as for the word c. they that make Man's words equal with God's make God's word no better than Man's therefore said our Saviour Math. 15.3 9. By your Traditions you make void c. you urge your Traditions as if they were so necessary as the word and hereby you make void the word That hath not any authority amongst you as the word of God for Men to set their Thresholds by God's their Posts by his is to defile his holy name Ezek. 43.7 8. that iâ— by making God no better than Man 4. When Men look on the word as binding the outward Man and not the heart that Religion consists in a bodily exercise that it is sufficient if we come with our bodies before God and honour him with our lips as Men think it enough if you yield outward obedience to their commands for they have no power over the Conscience Now if it be thus in matters of Religion that our hearts are not brought into obedience to the word that we think our thoughts and affections are free and our hearts being loose c.