on the Foundation A Man that hopes for Salvation must stay and rely on Christ He is the sole Foundation Other Foundation can no Man lay c. This Foundation is laid by the Father and fix'd by his Eternal Decree and by Christ's being Incarnate by being laid down in the Grave and set up at the Right Hand of God 't is in vain for Men to lay another Foundation of their own Duties and Good Works but that you may have Life you must be laid by the Father on Christ in hiâ— Eternal Decree chosen in Christ that is to be saved by him given to Christ and actually laid on Christ by the work of the Spirit Baptizing you into Christ Converting Renewing you after the Image of Christ and then actually laying your Selves on Christ by the Exercise of your Faith depending on and adhering to him so that this is the one thing needful for Ministers to Preach and for you to know That you may be the more convinced of this I shall prove it by Scripture and add some Arguments for faâ—â—her Confirmation I shall begin with Scripture Testimonies because that must be my work which Paul Professes to be his v. 1. To declare the Testimony of God to evidence the Truths I deliver by Divine Authority out of the word of God that is a Truth for Faith to rest on which is found in the word and founded upon the Word Now both Old and New Testament hold forth this Truth This was Abraham's Joy that he saw Christ's Day the Knowledge of Jesus Christ was most precious to him This God requires a People above all to Glory in Jer. 9.21 Let not the Wise Man glory in his Wisdom the wise Statesman the Philosopher c. but in this that he understandeth and knoweth me The meanest Person that knows Christ hath more to glory in than the most knowing Person in the World that is Ignorant of Christ If you had with Sâ—lomon Understanding exceeding much and largeness of Heart that you could speak of the Nature Vertues and Excellencies of all Creatures and Ignorant of Christ yet he that knows any thing of Christ hath more to make him renowned Well may we glory in this for Christ is a Peoples Glory Isa 60.1 Christ tells his Disciples that their condition was more happy than that of the Prophets because they knew more of Christ Blessed are your Eyes c. The Prophets were more blessed because they knew something of Christ though but his back parts because they knew he should come but more blessed are you because you see Christ come amongst you Math. 13.16 what these knew see Math. 11.4 5 6. If the clearer Knowledge of Christ doth make you more blessed than Prophets that had more intimate communion with God and Revelations from him of future things then certainly this is the most precious Knowledge To know the Scripture or to know the mind of God what things he will bring to pass hereafter all this is nothing to the Knowledge of Christ for blessed are you above and beyond all the Prophets c. yea this puts all Believers since Christ did reveal himself to the World in his Offices into a degree of Glory above John the Baptist Math. 11.11 amongst them that are born to Women there was one greater than John but he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he none was greater none of the Prophets that is than John because Christ was born in his time and he saw the Lamb of God Joh. 1.29 but the Kingdom of Christ was not then so fully set up Christ did not so openly manifest himself to be the Son of God John died before Christ died and arose and ascended before there was a flocking of Men in unto Christ therefore it follows he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven i. e. in the Kingdom of Christ his Kingdom of Grace set up in the World he sees more of Christ's Glory than John did in his time and so is greater Certainly then the Knowledge of Christ is most excellent and precious it makes you not only greater than great Scholars and Learned Men but than Prophets yea than John Baptist will you hear Paul plainly expressing his Opinion see Phil. 3.8 I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ The Knowledge of Christ is the Excellency of Knowledge so excellent that in comparison with him other things are but Dung Col. 2.3 In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge .. Observe what kind of Excellency this is 1. 'T is Secret Hidden not outward and visible the natural Eye cannot discern the Excellency of it 't is a hidden Treasure Although Carnal Men cannot Judge it to be most Excellent yet in Truth 't is so * Thesaurus dicit absconditos quod non Eminent magno Splendore conspicul sed potius sub crucis humilitate simplicitate contemplibili quasi delitescunt Calvin 2. There are Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge all Wisdom is in Christ he hath all Knowledge of all things in himself but that is not the meaning here Treasures of Knowledge are not only in him subjectively but objectively there is a Treasure of such glorious things in Christ in his Person Nature Offices c. that he that knows Christ hath a Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge he hath the most precious and excellent Knowledge and Wisdom that is to be gotten such Wisdom that it may be said of this created Wisdom and Knowledge of Christ what is said of Christ himself the Eternal and Increated Wisdom Prov. 8.11 Wisdom is better than Rubies and all things that may be desired are not to be compared with it this is the meaning of these words Significat nos perfectè sapere si Christum verè cognoscimus Calvin That we are truly wise if we know Christ truly This will further appear if we consider 1. The Excellency of Christ in himself 2. The Excellent Benifits of the Knowledge of Christ 1. The Excellency of Christ in himself 1. In general Christ is the most glorious Person King of Glory Psa 24.7 as Death is called Job 18.14 the King of Terrors that is Omnium terribilium terribilissimum the Terror of Terrors the greatest of Terrors so Christ is King of Glory most Glorious none like him Moses was a Type of Christ a typical Mediator and had abundance of Glory from Christ by reflection 2 Cor. 2.7 so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the Face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance What then is Christ the Fountain from which this Glory is derived Heb. 3.3 This Man is counted worthy of more Glory than Moses because he is the builder of the House He was Moses's Lord Moses had the Glory of a Servant of Christ Christ is the Lord and King of Glory Christ is then most Glorious Hag. 2.1 The Glory of the latter House is greater than the Glory of the former
says a sinner must dye but what saith Paul He loved me and give himself for me out of love he made his Soul an offering for sin and now who shall condemn by which it appears that the power of his love to work out Salvation is beyond the power of sin to Destroy 2. The love of Christ towards the vessels of Mercy did abound beyond self-love The Law is to love our Neighbour as our selves Christ did more When Peter said Master pity thy self he was so great an offence to him that he calls him Satan He pitied Souls to be saved more than his Body and loved their lives even to his own Death And if the Jews had ground to say when he wept over Lazarus behold how he loved him much greater cause is there to say when Christ dyed for sinners behold how he loved them If the sheding of tears was so great a demonstration of his love what was this that he yielded his Blood should be shed 3. It abounds beyond all the wants and weaknesses of Saints It is not exhausted by what he hath done for them or bestowed on them as he hath the Residue of the Spirit so the Residue of Love and Grace even the fullness of it so as he accounted no suffering too great to undergo for them so no good thing too great to give them Heaven a Kingdom the fullness of Joy Holyness Light and Grace is not too much for his love to bestow we cannot have less to make us happy and 't is not more then his love can make us partakers of 2. The love of Christ is an abiding love he loves with an everlasting love here 's a love not to be quench'd with many waters which no floods of either Human or Diabolical or Divine wrath could Drown Having loved his own he loved them to the end John 13.1 that is the finishing of that work he had to do for them in the World and will to the end of his Mediatory work till he hath brought up all the Saints to the measure of the stature of his own fullness and when his love shall have brought him to this glorious end of his work in perfecting all the Saints and presenting them to the Father who shall be all in all and he shall have thus loved them to the end then he shall love them without end The Saints have then ground to comfort themselves with the abiding love of Christ If the World pass away if Riches come to nought c. yet the love of Christ doth not pass away and when there is so constant a hatred from the World and such abiding malice against the followers of Christ in evil men and evil Angels there is an abiding love of Christ to comfort them 3. The love of Christ was once a love fulfilling the Law and now is a love fufilling the Gospel it was once a love fulfilling Precepts and now is a love fulfilling Promises Rom. 13.10 Love is the fulfilling of the Law such was the love of Christ love brought him that was Lord of the Law under the Law and carried him through it even to perfect obedience â—is love made him say it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and by this there is Reconciliation and Peace with God and as it was once the fulfilling of the Law so now of the Gospel All the Promises are yea and Amen in Christ's love When Saints are unworthy of the good of the Promises the love of Christ will bestow it on them There are Promises of not remembring sin of giving Grace and Glory and every good thing of putting the Law in the mind of turning all to good of saving out of all troubles and love will fullfil them all the Gospel is the Testament and Will of Christ and there must be the Death of the Testator that the Will may be of force Now here we may take notice of this truth Christ dyed that his will may be of force and lives again to the Executor of his own will and his love is the fulfilling of it hence Christ promiseth to his Disciples I will not leave you Orphans I will come to you John 14.18 Christ being dead they were Orphans c. but happy were it for many poor Orphans if their Fatheâ—s could come again and set all things right and see that every Child should have his portion now although this cannot be yet it was so with Christ He arose from Death and will be the Executor of his own Will and hence he is called the everlasting Father having a Fatherly love and regard to all the Saints which is everlasting and which will perfect that which concerns them Saints are the travel of Christ's Soul and he must see the travel of his Soul Isa 53.11 Rachel said give me Children or else I dye Christ said let me dye that so I may have Children Rachel dyed in travel and did not live to see of her travel Christ dyed in his travel with the vessels of Mercy and lives again to see of the travel of his Soul Every Saint at first was a Benoni a Son of Christ's sorrow in that he dyed in bringing them forth but afterwards a Benjamin a Son of his right hand he being alive for ever more and is ever seeing them to his satisfaction and they shall see him for ever to their satisfaction and living again he will see that they be partakers of that Grace and Glory that he bequeathed to them 4. The Love of Christ is such that when it finds not its Object lovely it can and doth make it lovely Christ found Mary Magdalen a sinful Woman and so not lovely but made her lovely in converting her Paul was an Enemy to Christ but he converted him his love made him lovely it made him a Believer a Saint a faithful Servant unto him This is set forth in Ezek. 16. Thou wast polluted in thy Blood I passed by thee and thy time was the time of love and love made them lovely I spread my skirts over thee I washed and clothed thee and decked thee with ornaments and thy beauty and renown was perfect through my comeliness put upon thee If we have cause to say as Isaiah wo is me a man of unclean lips If we abhor our selves and repent we may take comfort in this Christ doth not abhor but his love doth make us lovely 5. The love of Christ turns all evil things to good life death things present things to come all are yours the love of Christ makes them so and gives an advantagious and profitable propriety in them and makes even Reproaches for Christ's sake Riches and better then the Treasures of Egypt Heb. 11.26 Riches are things of worth so are Reproaches for Christ The Apostles rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ And better then Riches 1. In that God doth not esteem any man's wealth nor him for his wealth's sake will he esteem thy wealth Job 36.19
joyned as Husband and VVife so are one Spirit no man hates but loves and cherishes his own Flesh even as the Lord the Church his Name is called on the Saints they are made partakers of his Benefits of his Riches Relations Inheritance and Glory They are joyned also as Head and Members 1 Cor. 12 1â— As the body is one and hath many members so is Christ The Head is for the Members and the Members for the Head the Head Rules the Members serve the Head ascending and entering into Glory the Members must follow the Head into that state of Glory Being joyned to Christ they have that Power and Priviledge to become the Sons of God to be Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with Christ. 3. The next of the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence which we may take notice of is that of Regeneration making men of Flesh Spirit of sinners Saints of dead alive to God we are his workmanship Eph. 2.10 A Saint is a work beseeming God commending his divine skill All the Saints shall come unto a a perfect man in Christ as the expression is Eph. 4.13 and be prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband and presented without spot or wrinkle having minds filled with light hearts with love fear and all other Graces In this work the witty inventions of wisdom shall appear 2 Thes 1.10 He shall come to be glorified in all his Saints and admired in those that Believe as by them so in them Angels shall admire the work of God in and upon the Saints for 't is a work the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 In that by the Churches the manifold Wisdom of God comes to be known unto them Eph. 3.10 4. Then the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence have been seen in doing of great things by very inconsiderable means It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching as it was judged by the wise ones of the VVorld to save them that Believe God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the mighty and things that are not to bring to nought things that are Weak means therefore are not to be despised when a Wise Omnipotent God is at work in and with them What great things were done by a few contemptible Persons as the World Judged for the Conversion of many Souls and the setting up the Kingdom of Christ So for outward Deliverance and Salvation God can work it by weak means as by the three hundred men which were with Gideon who took water in their hands and lapped being contented with a little of the creature for present refreshment were ready to go forward in the work they were called to of Christ it is said Psalm â—10 7 He shall drink of the Brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the lead By these few did the â—ord scatter the great Host of the Midianites and here Wisdom dwelling with Prudence did suggest a witty Invention and Stratagem of carrying Trumpets in their right hands and empty Pitchers and Lamps within them in their left which terrified the Hoâ—t and brought all into confusion and thus God can by a few of his Servants who know how to use creatures and not abuse them who are burning and shining lights sounding forth the truths of the Gospel and the Praises of the Most High break the Rod of that Oppressor the man of sin as in the day of Midian Isa 9.4 for yet a little while and the indignation shall cease and the anger of God in his destruction and the Lord of Host shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the Rock of Oreb and he will do to him and his followers as unto the Medianites as to Sisera as to Jabin at the Brook of Kison which perished at Endor They became dung for the Earth not only as dung upon the Earth but for the Eearth they had fatted themselves with the Fruits of the Earth but at last all their glory and wealth c. shall be as dung to make fat the Earth And as many of the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence have been discovered so more must be As there were witty inventions in the first Creation so there must be in a New Creation which shall so far exceed that when the new Heavens and the new Earth shall be Created the former shall no more be remembred neither shall come upon the heart The Glory of the latter House shall exceed the Glory of the former what inventions shall be in and about the new Jerusalem that City which hath Foundations whose Builder and Maker is God described in Ezekiel by legal Expressions which are to be known as Christ not after the Flesh but after the Spirit it is the body and substance of all legal Shadows which is set forth and shall appear in that City and Temple there described John's Vision of the new Jerusalem is the same with Ezekiel's which shall have the Glory of God have light like a Stone most precious the street thereof is pure Gold as transparent Glass there shall not be such darkness of ignorance sin corruption and misery as now it hath no need of the Sun or Moon for the Glory of God doth lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 5. There have been and will be also the witty inventions of VVisdom dwelling with Prudence in works of Providence and Preservation the Bush did burn and was not consumed the world is set on fire of Hell the hearts of wicked men burn with malice and anger against the Godly the Anti christian party have a Fire continually a burning within them against the followers of Christ and hence have made use of so much outward fire against the Saints yet cannot destroy the Church of the First-born who have the Name of God in their foreheads and are the first Fruits of God and the Lamb. VVhen â—haraoh studied to desâ—roy the Male children of the Hebrâ—ws VVisdom dwelling with Prudence had a way to preserve them and Moses who was to be the Deliverer was secured and bred up in Pharaoh's Court Infinitly doth the wisdom of God exceed man's wisdom and so when the time shall be for Redemption out of Egyptian and Anti-christian Bondage as God is providing his Instruments so he will call forth and command his Sanctified and Mighty ones for his anger even them that rejoyce in his Highness to put down Babylon and execute the vengeance of his Temple upon it when Goliah defied the Armies of Israel and terrified them God brought David to the Camp and put it into his heart to fight with the Philistine who being Armed as he thought sufficiently the Lord knew where he was bare and with David's Sling and Stone slew him and David cut â—ff his head with his own Sword In like manner must that Goliah at Rome be destroyed by a Stone cut out of the mountain without hands and by his own Sword for the
flowing in till there be fullness and then they never flee away concerning Babylon's wealth the cry will be Alas alas in one hour so great Riches are come to nought Rev. 18.16.17 but Sion's Riches never came to nought being the durable Riches Prov. 8.18 2. They many times hinder Mens entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven 't is hard for â— Rich Man to enter thither because Riches are loved more than that Kingdom but being rich in Christ and having Vertue and Knowledge Temporance and Godliness added to Faith so you may know that Entrance shall be administred abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of Christ 2. Pet. 1.8 11. 3. The love of Money is the Root of all Evill a Root bearing Gall and Wormwood as Lying Deceit Violence Apostacy Pride c. on the other side the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much good will grow as Obedience Zeal of following Christ Boldness to Confess him a heavenly Conversation with contentment with food convenient as the love of Money is the Root of Sin so of piercing Sorrow and distracting Cares but the love of Christ's Riches will be a Root out of which much Peace and Joy will grow even that Peace which passeth Understanding and Joy unspeakable and full of Glory 2. Let those that are partakers of Christ's Riches take these Instructions 1. Be poor in Spirit when you are rich in Christ being rich in the Spirit of Christ given you be poor in your own Spirits Paul said in nothing came I behind the very chiefest Apostles though I be nothing 2 Cor. 12.11 whatever I have now there was a time when I had nothing and was nothing I see now but I was blind I am Righteous now but I was a Sinner and by the Grace of God I am that I am 1 Cor. 15.10 I have no Sufficiency of my self but his Grace is sufficient for me thus be poor in Spirit then you are blessed for yours is the Kingdom of God Math. 5.3 blessed are those that are thus poor in Spirit for they are rich blessed are they that are empty for they are full blessed are they that are thus nothing in Christ they have all 2. Know that it is by your Faith you are Rich Jam. 2.5 rich in Faith Faith seeing Christ Faith receiving Christ and staying upon him makes Rich. Thou standest thou livest thou lovest thou followest Christ by Faith therefore be not high minded but fear be not low minded but believe 3. Such as are rich in Christ should be rich towards Christ 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Charge them that are rich in this World that they be rich in good works much more should those that are rich in Christ be rich in good works abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15 58. 6. 20. 4. Prize the Riches of Grace as well as the Riches of Glory Isa 33.6 the fear of the Lord is his treasure as the fear of the Lord and zeal of worshiping God was that which brought so much treasure to Hezekiah and filled his Treasures with precious things so the Worship and Service of God was esteemed by him as a great Treasure the Treasures of Grace which he had in his Heart were better than the house of his precious things he is a sound Christian that looks on the favour of God and the fear of God as his Treasure 5. Communicate of your Riches As the Ministration of the Spirit so the Riches of Christ are given to profit withal and we should be good Stewards of them in trusting as we are intrusted comforting as we are comforted when Christ gives his Riches he gives his Charge with them Occupy till I come Luk. 19.13 with 1 Pet. 4.10 6. Honour the Lord with your earthly Riches feed Christ hungry and cloath Christ naked we may argue as the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.11 If we have sown Spirituals is it a great matter if we reap your Carnal things If Christ sows his Heavenly Spiritual Incorruptible Riches is it a great matter for him to reap our Carnal make you Friends of the Mammon of Vnrighteousness Covetuos Men look on Mammon as their best Friend Saints should not do so but make themselves Friends with it Not Christ we can't make him our Friend by our Riches Believe come to him Reverence him and so he will be our Friend our Riches cannot purchase his Friendship but make the Saints our Friends do good to the Houshold of Faith and then when these fail they shall receive you with Joy and consecrate your Gain to the Lord If Men have not a heart to it themselves the Lord will do it for them Mich. 4.13 I will consecrate their Gain to the Lord c. when covetous Men make a God of their Wealth Saints should Honour God with it 2 Sam. 1.21 Ye Mountains of Gilboa let their be no Rain nor Dew nor Fields of Offerings the Fields of Canaan were Fields of Offerings of the Fruits of them were made Offerings to the Lord so shâ—â—ld the Fields of Saints be Fields of Offâ—rings tâ—eir Riches the Riches of Offerings and 〈◊〉 â—hat is in the hands of wicked Men is the Mammon of Unrighteousness but shall in the handâ— of Saints be the Riches of Righteousnesâ— 3. Comfort to such as have Christ and his Riches with him Those tâ—at have theâ—â— Portion only in this life and enjoy their good things here hereafter mâ—y have torment and as Jam. 4.1 Go too now ye Rich Men weep and howl for the Miseries that are to come upon you But go too now ye Sainâ—s that are so much scorned and contemned in the World so much persecuted c. rejoyce and be exceeding glad great are your Riches â—n Christ much have you received mo e is laid up for you great is your reward on Earth but far greater in Heaven If you are of the Poor of the World you are rich in Christ if you loose outward Riches for Chrâ—st's sake you have an hundred fold and in the World to come Everlasting Life and the fulness of heavenly Riches In every State you may know how to want and how to abound having Food and Rayment you may very well be content and account Food convenient as all Phil. 4.18 I have all and abâ—und having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you what an Excellent frame of Spirit was there and most worthy of our Imitation and what cause is there to rejoyce in filling up that which is behind of the Sufferings of Christ as Paul did Coll. 1.24 seeing Christ is filling up that which is behind of our Grace and Glory and is the Lord Proving and Trying you as Silver is tried doth he bring you into a Net and lay Afflictions upon your Loins doth he at any time cause Men to ride over your Heads what is the Issue of all Psa 66.12 Thou ledd'st us through fire and Water and brought'st us out into a wealthy Place Heaven is the wealthy place thither at
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 excellency of Knowledge For the more effectual pressing of this Use I shall shew 1. What kind of Excellency Christ's is 2. What Knowledge of Christ it is you must have that you may have the Excellency of it 3. What means to use to get it For the first you must know that the Excellency of Christ is not an outward earthly or sensual Excellency we may say of Christ as he doth of his Kingdom my Kingdom is not of this World the Glory of my Kingdom is not such as the Glory of earthly Kingdoms the great Priviledges of my Kingdom are of another nature as Freedom from spiritual Slavery from Tyranny of Lusts Remission of Sins Right to heavenly Inheritance Members of the Body of Christ so we say of the Excellency of Christ 't is not worldly sensual 't is not that which can be beheld by the Eye of the Body nor by the Eye of natural Reason 't is a Divine and Spiritual Excellency The Glory of Christ is that which he had from all Eternity with the Father his Excellency that in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead that by assuming Flesh he comes to be a meet Mediater that in him is Power to save from sin Righteousness to Justify Grace to Sanctify and Merit to Glorify In a word that by his blood there is a way into the Holy of the Holies an entrance administred into the Everlasting Kingdom that we are begotten again to a lively hope of an Immortal Inheritance The chiefest Excellency of Christ is not that he restores Temporal Peace All things are by Christ there is the Promise of that for these outward things shall be added to those that seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Those that by Christ are made Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven shall Inherit the Earth too but that is not Christ's chiefest Excellency 2. What Knowledge of Christ must we have that we may be said to have that Excellency of Knowledge 1. We must know Christ in both his Natures in all his Offices In both his Natures that is the Excellency of Knowledge to know him to be Immanuel God with us If we look on him only as God we shall but know him to be God against us God whose Justice is offended and wrath provoked But look on him as God and Man then it is God with us so 't is life to know him you see him then as Mediator as making Peace as reconciling God and Man there is sweetness there is preciousness in that Knowledge You must know him in all his Offices as Priest to Redeem as King to Reign as Prophet to Instruct You must thus know Christ that you may see him in the latitude and fulness of his Excellency so we see him described Rev. 5.6 A Lamb slain there a Priest having seven Hornes that is perfection of strength and seven Eyes thar is perfection of Wisdom In consideration whereof the Saints admire him and Sing a new Song of praise v. 12 13. 2. Know the Terms on which Christ tenders himself to Sinners he is that Pearl of greatest price an you must sell all to purchase it you must part with your Lusts part with Estates with Friends forsake all to follow him you must know the emptiness and vanity of these things and that there is such infinite worth in Christ as that he well deserves that you should part with all for his sake you must know that 't is a blessedness to be called to suffer for Christ's sake that 't is matter of rejoycing to be accounted worthy to suffer shame for his Name then do you see the Excellency of Christ indeed when you can account it matter of Joy to part with all for Christ and an honour to suffer for him 3. Know him in a way of propriety and particular application that you may be able to say as the Spouse My beloved is mine and I am his as Thomas my Lord and as Mary my Saviour All the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ is in this Appropiation If you can say that he was a Lamb slain for you if he be your Wisdom making you wise to Salvation revealing to you the Mysteries c. If your King reigning in your Hearts if his Blood be yours his Merit his Spirit his Fulness of Grace your's that 's Excellent Knowledge 4. Be as diligent to know what Christ's Will is that you should do for him as what his good pleasure is to bestow on you Benefit and Duty Promises and Precepts Labour as well to know the mind of Christ commanding Duties as the will of Christ making Promises Account as the Blessings of his Mouth so the Law of his Mouth dearer then thousands of Gold and Silver As soon as ever Christ revealed himself to Paul and said I am Jesus whom thou Persecutest Act. 9.5 He re-apprehended a great worth and Excellency in Christ being Jesus a Saviour so much as might well deserve that he should offer himself a Sacrifice of Praise to Christ and so he askes what wilt thou have me to do I am bent now to do any thing for thee thou hast made thy self known as Jesus and thou shalt be my Law-giver I desire to know thy will Lord what wilt thou have me to do that I 'll do that alone I will do I will know no Voice no Mind no Will but thine So you must know Christ's Will and only Christ's Will in matters of Religion and Worship My Sheep know my Voice They know nothing in matters of Religion but what is Christ's Voice The Voice of Men requiring obedience to their Commands in matters of Religion and conformity to their Institutions and Ordinances i. e. a worshiping of God in their way that they know not they will not practice any thing in matters of Religion unless they can see the Authority of Christ stampt on it and the mind of Christ in it 5. Content not your selves with Speculative and Historical but labour for Experimental Knowledge this is the Excellency of Knowledge as Christ knew when Vertue went out from him so labour you to know Christ feelingly by receiving Vertue into your Selves from Christ 'T is not the Excellency of Knowledge to be able to talk and discourse of Christ to hear of him by the hearing of the Ear but to feel Christ this is the excellency of Knowledge As Sin is truly known when you feel the burden and groan under the evil of it and are weary and heavy laden with it so Christ is known when you experimentally perceive the power of Christ in you the Grace of Christ Sanctifying you and the Life of Christ quickning you that Christ is in your Understandings as Light and Wisdom informing them in your Wills satisfying them in your Affections ruling in and over them We may observe Paul expressing Conversion by these two Phrases 1. By revealing Christ in a Man Gal. 1.16 that is when Men do not only hear a Voice without this is Christ
also in you that believe IN this Chapter you may observe two things 1. Paul's Relation of the Story of his Preaching the Gospel to the Thessalonians which for the manner was done with boldness v. 2. and in sincerity not in guile v. 3. not out of covetousness v. 5. but his sincerity appeared in two things 1. Because his aim was to please God v. 4. as pleasing God A service is never pleasing to God unless it be our aim and desire above all to please him 2. In his most affectionate desire of the Thessalonians 7.8 that is that they might be won to Christ and be saved Aiming at pleasing God and a desire to win Souls to God are always joyned together Remember these two marks of sincerity 2. The success of his Preaching the Gospel the good it wrought for which he blesses God In the Text observe 1. The Apostles Thankfulness and Praise offered up unto God He doth not Sacrifice to his own Net but casts in his Net to catch Souls for Christ and blesses God for what is done by him The work is only God's to make his word effectual and all the Glory must be his For this cause thank we God 2. The matter of his Thanksgiving and the ground of his praise Because when ye received the word of God ye received as 't was in Truth i. e. as it ought to be received And therein observe further 1 The Divine Authority of the word asserted As it is in Truth the word of God 2. The manner how it must be received by men As the word of God himself 3. The way in which it comes to work effectually that is by believing it Doct. The word contained in the Books of the Old and New Testament is in Truth the word of God This is the first Stone that must be layed when you begin the work of saving your Souls this is the Foundation of Religion our Faith our Hope our Profession of Religion is all vain unless this Principle be rooted in our Hearts Heb. 5.12 I may say of some of you as the Apostle of some of them Ye have need that one teach you which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God Now this is one of the first of those first Principles which that you may be instructed in Four Truths are to be shewn Truth 1. That word which is held forth as God's is so in Truth It hath God for its Author And if you ask as Christ concerning the Coin whose Image and Superscription hath it the Answer is God's give then to God the things that are God's You must not come with the Devil's Question no not in your hearts yea hath God said it But be like the Thessalonians here c. That there is a God that made the World and and all Creatures I hope is certain to you and that this God is to be worshipped There was a Law written in man's heart which did teach him how God was to be worshipped but Sin hath almost blotted out this Law so that there remains but here and there a Character of it and impossible it is that thereby we should come to a saving knowledge of the mind of God 'T is with us in respect of the things of God as with the Blind Man Mar. 8.24 Christ put his hands upon him and askt if he saw ought I see Men at Trees walking So we in our natural condition we see God as Man and as Trees and so fall to such gross Idolatries to worship stocks we look on evil as good on good as evil Now as Christ did put his hands the second time on the Blind Man and then he saw clearly so God must give his Law the second time and give us Eyes the second time and restore a divine and spiritual Light to us then we shall see the things of God clearly The former of these he hath done he lest his will upon Record in the word which in truth is his The latter we must desire him to do if he hath not done it already and as a means to further this I shall endeavour to prove it to you And here take Notice of three things as necessary to establish you in this Truth 1. There is the Spirit in Scripture giving Testimony to it as Christ says Though I bear witness of my self it is true John 8.14 So the Spirit in Scripture giving witness to it self is true John 3 33 34. Faith receives that Testimony 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scâ—ipture c. 2. Pet. 1.21 Holy Men speak c. Truth 2. There are Arguments to be drawn from the word it self to Evidence the Divine Authority As 1. The Power and Efficacy of the word The word is quick and powerful c. Heb. 4.12 There is a twofold word of God 1. There is the Eternally begotten word of God that is the Second Person John 1.1 this is most Powerful Omnipotent because he is God All the great works of God were done by this word v. 3. All things were made by him He is called the Word because begotten of the Divine understanding beholding the Divine Essence And as a word doth express and is the Image the Conceit of the mind so the Son is the express Image of the Father Now some understand that place of this word 2. There is the written word of God which may be called the word of the word of God Christ is the word of the Father This is the word of Christ Col. 3.16 He is the great Prophet that revealed this word Now as Christ is called the Power of God because by him all things were made so this word is the power of Christ 't is a powerful Instrument in his hand whereby he doth all great works Rom. 1.16 destroying Satan's Kingdom and setting up his own Kingdom converting Souls c and in this respect 't is said to be quick and powerful c. by this power Christ overcame the Devil Math. 4.4 7. ' Its written now the power of the word is seen 1. In conviction of the Conscience a wing and restraining mens Spirits How many proud Hearts have been made to stoop and fall down before the power of the word and to stand trembling before it as Act. 24.25 Felix trembled and said go thy way for this time c. he could not stand before the power of the word and experience tells us what a power the word hath in awakning sleepy Consciences in pricking Men at the Heart that they know not what to do in wounding Mens Spirits in such a manner as that the wise man says of it a wounded Spirit who can bear so as that the most exquisite torments of the body are not to be compared with it the scorching of Fire the dividing betwixt the Joynts and Marrow yea Death it self is nothing to it for would not a wounded Conscience choose Death to be freed from the torment thereof what a power is it that the word hath when Men have gone on in
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.
Grace Gospel Righteousness have a Gospel Spirit So you are well prepared and walk through troubles dangers and oppositions in the midst of Satan's fiery darts and the World's reproaches and still the life of your Peace and Joy in the Love of God in Christ be preserved v. 17. Take the Helmet of Salvation Salvation being made sure shall be an Helmet on your Heads whereby you shall receive the blows of Tongues c. and not be hurt this shall defend you against all the Curses of the Law 1 John 4.17 Herein is our Love or Love with us made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of Judgment When others shall fear the Wrath of the Lamb c. you shall have boldness and not be ashamed in this World c. when your Salvation is sure the Soul dwells in God in the Love of God All-sufficiency Power Wisdom c. 4. The more assurance you have of your Salvation the less earthly will your thoughts and hearts be this will raise your Spirits and carry them up to God in Christ So that 1. You shall dwell in Love you shall dwell in God and God in you He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 John 4.16 And this is a glorious habitation for a Soul to dwell in the Love of God in Christ The World will be but the habitation for your Bodies The fulness of the Lord Jesus the Love of God which hath length and breadth c. shall be the habitation of your Souls The want of this the not breathing after the Assurance of Salvation makes men so earthly that their Souls are still travelling in the Creature seeking Joy and Contentment in the World 2. You 'll dwell safely and secure who can hurt those that dwell in God God must be overcome before they can be destroyed God is a better habitation then the World so whilst you dwell in the World above all labour for the assurance of the Love of God 5. The more Assurance you have the greater abounding of Grace there is from Christ 2 Pet. 1.11 Give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure so an entrance shall be administred aboundantly to you into his everlasting Kingdom then shall you expect the more and receive the more you shall come with the more boldness and receive the more Grace 6. Now is the day of Salvation the day wherein great Salvation is offered to you Behold now is the acceptable time now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6.2 Now in my absence work out your own Salvation Now is the day to make Salvation sure now Salvation is offered to you and revealed Christ now calls on Sinners and beseeches them to be reconciled to God Now God lets down the coâ—ds of his love in Christ that you may take hold on them and live Now is the Righteousness of God revealed for Sinners to embrace that they may be justified Now is the day in which the Spirit is poured forth Now is the day in which Christ is working the works of God that is for calling of Sinners out of the World and gathering the Elect into his Kingdom by the preaching of the Gospel for the saving of Souls and reconciling them unto God And this day shall have a night And now is the day and season for you to work out your Salvation to make it sure A night shall come when none shall have the means and opportunity of working out their Salvation the Night of Death or day of Judgment which is a Night in this respect then 't is too late to work out Salvation if you neglect Salvation now you shall not escape wrath in that day Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at first begun to be spoken by the Lord 't is great Salvation Salvation from the greatest misery to the enjoyment of the greatest Glory to an exceeding eternal weight of Glory 't is great Salvation spoken to not hid from you but spoken to you that you might make it sure And if the Gospel be hid when spoken consider what the Apostle says 2 Cor. 4 3. If our Gospel be hid it is to them that are lost Section 5. Use 2. Direct 1. To Sinners Such as are yet strangers from Christ and from the Covenant of Promise that you may make Salvation sure To this end 1. Build on a sure Foundation let your hopes of Glory be founded on Christ Christ is a sure Foundation Isa 28 16. A foundation of Justification Sanctification and Life that will not fail You may be as sure of acceptance as Christ anâ—â—o continue in favour with God as sure of Glory as Christ and to remain in a state of Glory and as sure of Life as Christ as sure to live because I live ye shall lille also Joh. 14.19 Christ's Life is a sure foundation of a Believers Life Christ's Acceptance a sure foundation of his Christ's Glory a sure foundation of his Glory so then hearken to the Lord's call Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth Sinners look to me who came to save you from your Sins know that there is death in Sin there is Damnation to all that are out of me your Lusts are hurtful Lusts if you follow them they will work out your ruin will bring everlastiâ—g hurt to your Body and Soul Fleshly Lusts war against the Soul they war against the Salvation Life and Peace of your Souls your Life consists not in the abundance of your Riches c. 'T is no profit to you to gain the World and loose your Souls in the Creature Neither is theâ—e any life in youâ— Dâ—tiâ—s These aâ—e no sure foundations to build youâ— Salâ—ation upon hopes of Salvation built only â—n them is like a House built on the Sand. So 〈◊〉 Christ to you look off from all those Behold me behold Life in my Death Peace in my Blood Righteousness in my Obedience Behold Love in me and Bâ—wels of Compassion with which you shall be received by me thus look to Christ and you shall â—e Salvation in him he that believes on him shall not be ashamèd for he shall be sure of Salvaâ—â—on You are all by nature of the World that lies in wickedness on which condemnation is coming apace Now prepare an Ark for the saving of your Souls Christ is this Ark as Noah in the Ark was safe and sure of being safe let the Waters rise as high as they would the Ark caâ—ried Noah still above them and when he was in the Ark God shut him in and then if any would have entred in none could Christ is the Ark prepared for the saving of Souls the Door of the Ark is not yet shut Christ calls you to come in unto him if you come not before God shuts the Door of this Ark there is no escaping of Condemnation O whilst it is to day if you will hear his voice harden not
it shall be to those The Reading in the Margin is very considerable for he shall be with them the unclean shall not be there because the Lord shall be with them there as before the Lord their Righteousness the wayfaring men tho' Fools shall not err therein Tho' in themselves Fools without Divine teaching yet being taught of God they shall not err Verse 9. No Lyon shall be there nor any Ravenous Beast shall go up thereon None to affright them out of those Paths but the Redeemed shall walk there and as here Dwell there They shall be Pillars in the Temple of God and go no more cut Rev. 3.12 We read of lively Stones 1 Pet. 20.4 made so by coming to Christ the living Stone so are Saints the Materials of the Church Stones but living Stones seeing Stones upon one Stone was Seven Eyes Zech. 3.9 So hearing Stones speaking Stones and walking Stones so these Pillars shall be lively Pillars walking Pillars going in the House of God but never going out of its Paths they shall be Paths to dwell in 6. Verse 14. I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the Earth thou shalt get above all former troubles and Persecutions Rev. 17.7 The Woman the Mother of Harlots hath a Beast carrying her on which she rides having Seven Heads and Ten Horns and this Woman Verse 15. Sitteth on People Multitudes Nations and Tongues on these she rides they carry her and on those she rides over the Saints and treads them down who are the true worshippers and rides over their backs This Woman rides upon the High places and High Persons of the Earth which carry this Woman giving up their strength and power to the Beast which is called before the Woman here 's a Beast riding over the true worshippers whose condition is suitable to what is said Isa 51.23 They said to thy Soul bow down that we may go over and thou hast laid thy Body as the ground and as the street to them that went over The great Whore says to the Soul bow down and would have them submit their Souls and Consciences to her and to receive her Doctrine Commands c. But observe when Souls are call'd for the Saints will not yield them to bow down but thou hast laid thy Body as the ground Saints chuse to have their Bodies trodden down rather then to bow down to an Idol with their Souls This hath been long the condition of the true witnesses and so will whilst the Woman rides but what is said there I will take the Cup of trembling out of thy hands and put it into the hands of them that afâ—â—ict thee which say thus to thy Soul Observe Rev. 17.16 The Ten Horns that is the Ten Kings that give up their power and strength to the Beast shall hate the Whore shall throw off their Rider and shall make her desolate and naked and eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire And then shall the true Church ride upon the High places and be above former troubles How was this fulfilled to the Jews after their return from Babylon when they were subject to their Enemies and had seldom any breathing time from their troubles Doubtless then this Prophecy looks far beyond these times 7. 'T is Promised and Prophecied I will feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father Q How doth this prove that this Prophecy respects Gospel-times and in special those times when the Jews shall be called Ans Thus. When the Jews came out of Babylon it was but Judah that returned And so one upon the place who would understand it only of the Jews returning from Babylon straitens the sence thus The Heritage here meant is the land of Canaan part of which was the Land of Judah and so when 't is said to ride upon the High places of the Earth by Earth in general saith he we are to understand the Land of Judah in particular But observe the promise is I will feed thâ—e with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father and it was the whole Land of Canaan was Jacob's Inheritance and so the Promise of being fed thus includes the calling and bringing back of the Ten Tribes when the stick of Joseph and Judah shall become one Jacob gave all his Sons an Inheritance in Canaan and now when this Prophecy shall be fulfilled then all the Tribes shall be called and have their Lot as is fore-told Ezek ult Now observe as it appears that these Promises have respect to the Gospel times so the condition of them is a strict observation of the Sabbath-day under the Gospel And so in this Prophecy of the Old Testament we find a Jus Divinum for the Christian Sabbath which may well go under its old and first Name though another also be given it under the New Testament The Lord's day which now we are to observe by vertue of the Fourth Commandment tho' the day be changed and the Fourth Commandment does require us now to observe the first day of the week that being made a Christian-Sabbath by divine appointment as much as it did the Jews to observe the seventh day which may be cleared by an Instance in the Second Commandment which hath a negative part not to make any graven Image forbidding Men to institute and appoint ways of Divine Worship and an affirmative part requiring us to worship God in these ways and in the use of these Ordinances which he hath commanded So under the Law the Second Command did bind Men to observe the Ordinances of Circumcision the Passover and offering Sacrifices And now under the Gospel it bind us to observe Gospel Ordinances as Baptism the Lord's Supper c. But the Second Commandment remains the same only hath different respects so the Fourth from the beginning and under the Law did oblige to the observing of the seventh day and now the first day yet the Command is in matter the same there 's no change in the Command only it hath different respects Quest How doth this change appear and how will it be made out that Christ commanded the observation of the first day Answ It 's evident there was Apostolical and Christian practice of it in the Primitive times and so ever since then were the solemn meettings for Worship Act. 20.7 Upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached unto them till midnight And then Collections were made for the Poor 1 Cor. 16.2 As on the first day of the wâ—ek when Christ rose the Disciples were assembled Jesus came and stood in the midst of them so from this time this was kept as the Christian-Sabbath and it may be well thought that Christ commanded the Apostles to observe it Act. 1.2 3. Christ gave Commands by the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles and spake of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Now this is a great thing that pertains to the Kingdom of God upon Earth or if Christ