bind them on thee as a Bride doth I will contend with them that contend with thee and I will save thy Children I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet Wine Isa 49.17 18 25 26. And in that famous place of the Holy Apostle There hath no temptation taken you but what is common to men but God who is faithful will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 And in that other famous place Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy works shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end that thy Children shall come again to their own border Jer. 31.16 17. And as he is King so is he that merciful High Priest subject to the like infirmities of his Brethren and Sympathiseth with them and succors them under their temptations Heb. 2.17 18. chap. 4.15 chap. 5.2 And is able to save them to the uttermost Chap. 7.24 25 26. and in fine is universally concerned in all their troubles and difficulties in all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and bare them all the days of old Isa 63.9 And this his power and protection is not only in general but in all particular Cases of Afflictions and Troubles as shall be more particularly expressed in handling of the Priviledges of the New Covenant The third Branch of Princely power over Subjects is expressed in the exercise or extent of his bounty towards them and no King or Prince ever exercised such bounty or goodness towards his Subjects as Christ hath done and still doth to all such as believe in him and that in two respects First By shewing his free pardon of all their transgressions and sins by a full and general act of oblivion entered into the Records of Heaven by the Blood of Jesus I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 43.25 I have blotted out as a thick Cloud thy transgressions and as a Cloud thy sins return unto me for I have redeemed thee Isa 44.22 And that famous record of free love bounty and absolution from sin And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickned together with him having forgiven all trespasses blotting out the hand writing of Ordinances that was against us and contrary to us and took it away nailing it to his Cross Col. 2.13 14. And not only by the pardon of Sin and thereby delivering from wrath to come and eternal misery But Secondly By raising lost man from the miserable state by Nature and Sin Ez. 16. To the highest pitch of honour glory and eternal happiness in making them Heirs of eternal Life and joynt heirs with Christ in Glory as many as received him he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name Joh. 1.12 13. and if Children then Heirs and Joint Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Joh. 17.22 What greater bounty can there be and what higher love can be expressed or can be equalled to that of Christ to Believers Greater love hath no man than this that a Man lay down his life for his friend but God commendeth his love to us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5.6 to 11. All which is more particularly insisted on in the Doctrine of the New Covenant Thus when we see what a happy state is that of a Christian who can find themselves within that everlasting and sure Covenant of Peace and Eternal Happiness with Christ who is that infallible Prophet to teach his People and lead them in the way wherein they cannot err Isa 35.8 and that merciful High Priest who hath offered himself once for all a Sacrifice for Believers and is able to save to the uttermost and is that only Potentate and bountiful Prince rewards the Faith and Obedience of his People with Eternal glory from whence may be these clear uses and inferences of consolation to all such as believe in Jesus First Is Jesus Christ that infallible Prophet the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 to lead and instruct his people Is he wisdom himself Prov. 8.1 and all things are revealed unto him of the Father Is the Spirit given to him to bring glad tydings to his People even to the Prisoners of Hope Isa 61.1 2 3. doth he instruct and give Wisdom and Knowledge to all that asketh Jam. 1.5 Then what person can be so ignorant in any of the matters of God or between God and their own Souls but here they may have a promise of supply he who to Believers is all and in all is to them in the darkest circumstances their God and they are commanded to trust to him who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant and walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50.10 And he is to them Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 Secondly Is Christ that glorious High Priest who once for all by his own blood hath entered into the holy place and obtained eternal Redemption for sinners Heb. 9.11 12. what reason is there for disquietude or doubting seeing he hath sacrificed himself for Believers even though the black Cloud of their Iniquities be as crimson and scarlet Isa 1.18 and though they may under temptation with Jacob and Israel say their way is hid from God and my Judgment is passed over from my God Isa 40.26 27 28. to end yet in him they ought to comfort themselves in this that the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the Earth fainteth not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding he giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isa 40.28 29 30 31. And should under the Apostles consideration That we have not an High-Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are without sin comply with his exhortation let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.15 16. And with the same Apostle triumph in a holy rejoycing There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is
63.5 The Sheepheard of Israel is that tender hearted Physitian who sympathiseth with his People In all their Afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence sayed them In his Love and his Pity he Redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 His compassion is great his Bowels yearn and are turned for them how shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled Hos 9.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Am I a God at hand and not a God afar off Jer. 22.23 The Lord cannot forget his People though the Cloud of darkest afflictions may hinder their apprehensions of his love and care of them I have even called thee by thy name though thou hast not known me I am the Lord and there is none else besides me I guarded thee though thou hast not known me I Form the Light and Create Darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Isa 45.4 5 7. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds wherefore although the pale and dark side of the Cross should look grim upon the Christian he is by Faith and Patience to look thorough the Cloud to the Conquerours and lay hold of him in his Promises though the Vision tarry wait for it it will speak at last and he that will come shall come and will not tarry Hab. 2.3 No Man did look thorough a paler Cloud than this Prophet Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the Vine though the labour of the Olive and the Fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no Heard in the Stall yet will I rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of my Salvation the Lord is my strength and he will make my Feet like Hinds Feet and he will make me to walk upon my High Places Hab. 3.17 18 19. The holy Prophet Micah after he had viewed the folly of all humane expectations weakness and deceitfulness of friends relations and all other Men puts his confidence alone in God and thereby takes great courage and resolution and seems to make Inference of Faith upon the view of humane vanities Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my Salvation my God will hear me rejoyce not against me O mine Enemy when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me He will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his Righteousness Mic. 7.1 to 11. The second branch of Gods Promises to his People is of his great Mercy Love and Reconciliation under the greatest Sins the Lord doth not measure his dispensations as Men do their benevolences by scanty measures and do pardon lesser and not greater offences for that Sins of the deepest dye are no bar to his Mercy He came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance In the Language of his Mercy the whole need no Physitian but the Sick Luke 5.31 32. His Invitation is look unto me and be you saved all the Ends of the Earth Isa 45.22 And come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy loaden and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 My Thoughts are not as your Thoughts neither your Ways my Way saith the Lord for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Thoughts higher than your Thoughts c. Isa 55.8 9. Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet they shall be made white as Snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wool If you be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land but if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured with fire Isa 1.18 19 20. Christ makes a free Market of Mercy and puts no limitation to his bounty but offers freely upon the Sinners acceptance by Faith and Repentance Ho every one that thirsteth come to the Waters buy Milk and Honey without price c. Isa 55.1 2. his satisfaction is for all and for all manner of Sins upon Faith and Repentance God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever should believe in him should not die but have eternal Life John 3.16 17. Christs love is free and respects not the greatness of Sin but the sincerity of Faith and Repentance yea When we were Enemies and without strength Christ died for us Rom. 5 6 7 8. Davids uncleanness and Murther of Uriah was no bar to Divine Mercy 1 King 21.29 Nebuchadnezzar on Repentance found Mercy Dan. 4. Manasses Idolatry Witchcraft and other great Abominations received Mercy on Repentance and When He was in great affliction he sought the Lord and humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers and Prayed unto him and he was intreated of him and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem and into his Kingdom Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God 2 Chron. 32.12 13. Thirdly His Promises upon Relapses although it is ill complexion to sin after receipt of Mercies as with the Dog to the Vomit and the Sow to the Mire yet Repentance in its due qualifications gives a rise to Mercy The Lord had to do with the most stubborn People on the whole Earth who revolted from God in most heinous manner And yet how often did he renew his Mercies to them the whole tract of the Israelites Life was Rebellion and Revolts nevertheless he regarded their afflictions when he heard their cry see their backslidings and the Lords wonderfully renewed Mercies towards them Psal 106. Psal 107. all The Lords wonderful free and early Mercies were eminently manifested to Israel nevertheless see their stupid revolt and ingratitude but they rebelled against him and converted all his kindness and mercies to the feeding of their lusts and abominations of Idolatry Ezek. 16. from 15 to 37. Wherefore the Lord in his Justice sends them under severe punishments to verse 60. and then the Lords anger is pacified towards them and he remembers his Covenant with them when they are ashamed of their sins and abominations and return to the Lord by Repentance to the end of the chapter That thou mayest remember and be confounded and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame when I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord. The Lords Ear is always open to the cry of a Penitent sinner The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth Psal 145.18 Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity
1 Tim. 6.7 8 9 10. This Blessed Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Wisdom Light and truth it self teacheth his People to a dependance on himself by Faith and Submission in all Providences and as in the foregoing Scriptures we are taught the emptiness of all other supports besides himself and the emptiness of all other Enjoyments his purpose therein is to wean our Hearts from thence and fix them on himself by Faith and Submission in all Providences he tells us that a Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of what a Man hath in the foregoing Instance of the Rich Husband-Man and that Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God this was the Doctrine of Moses to the People of Israel when in the Wilderness they murmured for want of Bread and when they were shut up from expectation of help and all probabilities of supply were hid from their Eyes he minds them of the great wonders God had wrought for them in their Deliverance from Pharaohs Servitude and designing to wind up their thoughts to God by Faith that he would as well relieve them in that straight as well as he had done from under former difficulties and therefore tell them Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God Deu. 8.3 Implying that the sole pleasure of God influences all the Creatures and that God in his Omnipotence and Wisdom is not confined to the Methods and Appearances of Men but can in his own way accomplish his purpose at his own pleasure his Blessing on the Creature can Augment them to such a Pitch as he designs he can make a little Pot of Oyl swell to many Barrels when he designs to manifest his Power and good Will to Man 2 Kings 4. to 8. he can make one or two single Meals feed and refresh for forty Days and forty Nights he can make five Loaves and two small Fishes feed five thousand Men and cause the Fragments left to exceed the first bulk Luke 9.12 to 18. he can open the Windows of Heaven and give a Blessing so as no room is for it to be stowed Mal. 3.10 he Cloaths the Lillies and feeds the Ravens without their Care or Industry so that Faith and Submission to his Blessed Will and Care will answer all things He it is that Commands seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name believe ye have it and ye shall receive it Math. 7.7 to 13. Now as Christs Doctrine is full and without Parallel so his Sufferings are without example as being without Sin not only against God but upright also and perfect so as he could not offend against Mans Law and that all his sufferings were voluntary of pure love not for Friends but for Sinners and Enemies wherefore such as believe in him and have the Hope of eternal Life ought chearfully and patiently to endure Temptations and bear their Afflictions in the Flesh and willingly take up and bear the Cross and more paraicularly for these Reasons First To bear the Cross is Christs Command Secondly For this we have the Example of Christ his Prophets Saints and Martyrs Thirdly We have his Manifold promises of Assistance Fourthly The Cross is the inevitable Path and Way by which he leads his People to the Kingdom of Heaven Fifthly It is the means by which he fits his People by Holiness for that eternal Union and Communion with himself Sixthly The Reward of Eternal Life at the end of the Race is exceeding great First Patient suffering and bearing the Cross is Christs Command Christ Jesus the Word of God by whom is forgiveness of Sins and Redemption through his Blood who made our Peace through the Blood of his Cross Preacheth this Doctrine come unto me all ye that Labour and are Heavy Laden and I will give you rest take my Yoak upon you and learn of me for I am Meek and Lowly in Mind my Yoak is easy and my Burthen is Light Math. 11.28 29 30. When he sends out his Disciples to Instruct and Convert the World he tells them he sends them as Sheep in the midst of Woolves he Commands them to be wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves and that they shall be brought before Kings and Governors and hated of all Men for his sake and that they could not expect better Entertainment than he their Master that they must deny Father and Mother and all other Relations and things dear to them for his sake and if they loved their Lives or any thing else better than him they should loose them and he that taketh not up his Cross and followeth not him was not worthy of him Math. 10.10 to end This also hath been the strain of all the Prophets and Apostles to Preach up Patient bearing of the Cross to you it is given saith the Apostle not only to believe but also to suffer Phi. 1.27 to 31. let us go forth therefore saith the same Apostle unto him bearing his Reproach Heb. 13.12 to 16. Count it all Joy saith the Apostle James when you fall into divers Temptations knowing that the Trial of your Faith worketh Patience but let Patience have her perfect works that ye may be entire wanting nothing James 1. to 6. take the Prophets saith the same Apostle for an example of suffering affliction and Patience ye have heard of the Patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pittiful and of tender Mercy Jam. 5.7 to 12. For even hereunto are we called saith the Apostle Peter because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps who did not Sin neither was guile found in his Mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that Judgeth Righteously 1 Pet. 2. to end ch 3 14 25. Whos 's own self bore our sins in his own Body on the Treâ— that we being Dead to sin should cleave unto Righteousness by whose Stripes we are healed see further of this 1 Pet. 4.12 to end Secondly We have the Sufferings of Christ and his Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs for our Examples the Holy Scriptures give an account of the Opprobious usage of Christ his patient Sufferings his Ignominious death who willingly gave up his Life for Enemies see this more particularly under four heads elsewhere These Holy Scriptures Isa 51.6 chap. 53. all Psalm 22. all John 14.31 Mat. 27. all give the fuller history of the Particulars The whole book of Holy writ offers to our view a large Catalogue of the sufferings of Prophets Saints and Martyrs with their patient deportment therein how patiently did Moses the mildest of Men bear the revilings of Aaron and Miriam and prayed for Miriam Numb 12. so the Lord healed her How humble was David under his Son Absolom's Usurpation
of man were evil and only evil continually So we find Thoughts Affections and Actions concurring in that first transgression the rebellious Thoughts mutining against the Command the lustful affections after the fruit that was good to eat and pleasant to the Eyes and to be desired to make one wise and the actions in eating thereof Now as by this degeneracy in our first Parents the whole Nature of Man in Adams Apostacy was corrupted that thenceforth their thoughts were evil and only evil continually So that whatsoever mans estate was at his Fall he must now have a new life by Jesus Christ and as his Nature and whole Man was corrupted so must he be wholly framed a new by being transformed into that holy frame after the Spirit and Image of him that created him and that in all his thoughts affections and actions and whether it be so or not let every man search and try himself and First In his Thoughts If any man be in Christ he is a new Creature in his Thoughts let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus saith the Holy Apostle and a right regulation of a mans thoughts consists First In placing of them on proper objects Secondly In the right Government of them directed to these objects Man in his degeneracy and state of Nature is as in a Feaver the whole Mass of Blood being so disordered and infected that nothing is regular with him much less his Thoughts for that he is of the Earth Earthly and in that natural darkness that he neither knoweth or can understand the things of God like the blind Mole always working and walking about the Earth and Earthly things and in his ferment of affection to the Creatures is hurried with frantick raptures after them and finding in them no satisfaction flys from one vanity to another like Noah's Dove can find no rest and as Solomon saith finds all vanity and vexation of Spirit so as he hated all his labour the Wicked Man is unstable in all his ways but these renewed are made partakers of the Divine Nature and place their desires on Heavenly objects have the same mind in them that was in Christ Jesus as Christ came into the World to do the Will of his Father in the Redemption of Man and did behave himself as his Kingdom not being of this World even so Christians are in this World as Sojourners and must not look on the things of this Life as the objects of their delight or objects of their inheritance and therefore must be Spiritually minded For to be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace Rom. 8.6 Now the objects of the Spiritual Man must be Spiritual and nothing can with satisfaction or delight contemplate any thing but what it hath a resemblance unto or affinity with it so that if the Thoughts be Spiritual they will be fixed on Heavenly and Spiritual objects which are only two First One God in the Trinity Secondly The benefits accrewing to man from thence First On God as that only essential and omnipotent Being by whom the World was made and subsists in his Infinite Power Isa 9.6 In his holiness of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity In his Justice to reward the upright and condemn the guilty In his Wisdom As Wisdom it self and who giveth Wisdom to all Men Prov. 8.1 Jam. 1.5 In his Love He is love and dwelleth in love God so loved the World that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life John 3.15 16 17. In his Mercy Witness his long forbearance and forgiveness of Sins through Christ Jesus with the merciful thou wilt shew thy self merciful and with the froward thou wilt shew thy self froward Ps 18.25 26. and so through all the Attributes of God where there is an Ocean of Delight to pitch upon and swallow up and drown all the most longing desires and fill the greatest appetite on which are spent the eternal breathings and delight of the Angels and Saints in Heaven Therefore shall they be before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. â— 15.16 17. Secondly On Christ that Ocean of Consolation to Believers who shall have from him fulness of Joy and Pleasures for evermore who humbled himself to death to see them on the Throne of Glory who was made Sin though he knew no Sin that Sin might not be imputed to them 1 Pet. 2.20 21. Who brought them from being slaves of Sin to the Inheritance of Sonship and Glory with himself and made them heirs of all things John 17.21 22. who is made to Saints Wisdom Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption and all and in all to them 1 Cor. 1.13 3dly On the Holy Ghost the Comforter who shall dwell and abide with them for ever and teach them all things and who shall uphold them in all their ways to guide them in all truth against all dangers and temptations Psalm 91. all John 14.16 17 26. Secondly The second object on which the thoughts of the renewed Christians are to be exercised are the things of great advantage which flow to them from the bounty of God in Christ Jesus but especially that inexpressible dignity honour and happiness of being made partakers of the Divine Nature and being made one with the Father and the Son in mind will and glory and to be where God is for ever in that often repeated place John 17. They shall feed on the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God Rev. 2.7.17 have the white Stone and in it a new name and have power over the Nations Rev. 3.12 21. they shall sit On the Throne of Glory before God and shall serve him day and night shall hunger no more nor thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any heat and God shall lead them unto living fountains of Water and wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more sorrow Rev. 7.15 16 17. The thoughts of Believers being thus directed to their proper objects as they are yet in the Valley of Tears and obnoxious to the temptations of the Flesh and subject to so many incident distractions their thoughts are frequently diverted from their proper course the means thereof to fix them right when any temptation occurs whether from the Lust of the Eyes Lusts of the Flesh or Pride of Life is to compare the object offered with that on which the Thoughts should center and bringing infinite beauty glory and power that which is infinitely full of all perfection and above what eye can see or ear hear or heart apprehend how easily may this parrallel eclipse dazzle and confound the insinuations of Fleshly Lusts which perish in the using Secondly The second part of the renewed man is his affections which also must be spiritualized and renewed for if a man
of his Heart he hanged himself 2 Sam. 17.23 The fourth difference of Gods dispensations to the Godly and Wicked is That the Godly are directed and assisted of God to level all their actions and apply all that is dispensed to them for the Glory and Honour of God but the Wicked apply all to the gratifying of their Lusts the Godly believe that all things as well in prosperity as in adversity work together for their good therefore they level all their purposes and actions at his glory Romans 8.28 Deborah though by God made eminently instrumental in that great victory over Gods Enemies takes not the glory thereof to her self but ascribes it to God Judg. 5. all The great Steward of Heaven dispenseth the blessings of this Life as the Lord in the Gospel gave forth his Talents to such as did profit by them he trusted them with more and gave them Eternal Life as the reward of their care for their Masters Honour and Profit but the slothful and unprofitable Servants are cast into utter darkness where they shall meet with nothing but weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25.14 to 31. Having thus cursorily made enquiry into the emptiness of all humane enjoyments and discovered that no happiness can be found therein we come next to inquire into that compleat felicity of Eternal Life which is the fourth thing treasured up in that bank of Mercy for Believers and that under these considerations First The freedom of it Secondly The fulness of it First of the freedom as all temporal Mercies are of God as we have already discovered so also all Spiritual allowances are of him and from him he is the Father of Spirits and of his free will he hath begotten us by regeneration in Christ Jesus who hath purchased us with the price of his Blood God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life John 3.17 When we were without strength Christ died for us God commendeth his Love to us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us That as Sin reigned unto Death even so might Grace reign through righteousness unto Eternal Life through Christ Rom. 5.6 to end It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth Mercy Rom. 9.16 For by Grace ye are saved through Faith not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works lest any Man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lye promised before the World began Tit. 1.2 Having Predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his Will in whom we have Redemption through his Blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his Grace Ephes 1.5 7. Thus we plainly see the freedom of this gift of Eternal Life though purchased by the Death of Christ yet freely given to us by him The second thing we are to consider of is the fulness of this great gift and for the clearer discovery thereof we shall compare the excellencies of it with the things of this Life in all the advantagious circumstances of the same whereby we shall find the excellencies thereof incomparably excel all that can be pretended desireable in this Life in all their superlative state and condition The glory fulness and excellency of this World is laid down by the Apostle in the foregoing Scripture to consist in the Lust of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye and the Pride of Life and these things perish in the using but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever these being put in the Ballance with eternal Life and its excellencies we shall easily find there can be no parrallel when we consider and believe the Testimony of that Evangelical Prophet Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what great things he hath laid up for such as wait on him Isa 64.4 Hence we may see an inestimable difference seeing all the enjoyments of this Life are only sensual and vanishing and the others are all Spiritual and Lasting to Eternity Secondly If we consider the World as the Apostle describes it and that The Love of the World is not of the Father and by the Apostle James that it is enmity against God and that eternal life is the purchase of Christs Blood how much will this sink the Parrallel 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Jam. 4.4 Thirdly If we compare the Worlds Inventory that in it is only the Lusts of the Eyes the Lusts of the Flesh and the Pride of Life How soon is this cast out of the Scales by the Apostle The Kingdom of God consists not in eating and drinking chambering and wantonness but in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost When all that is said or can be said of the World is summed up First In Eating and Drinking Secondly In Apparel to cloath our nakedness Thirdly In Friends or Relations And Fourthly In Riches or Wealth all which perish in the using as is often demonstrated what Parallel then can be imagined between these two For our better satisfaction we shall examine all these severally by themselves and those things which come in exchange of them First Cloaths of the best Richest or Gordious sort which can be invented afford no cause of glory pride satisfaction or content for at best they are but badges of our Sin and Misery and causes of grief mourning humiliation and repentance for that they were at first upon Adams Transgression invented to cover our nakedness discovered by sin which first brought shame and therefore they are but the cover of our shame and nakedness in which we should neither delight not glory but rather on sight thereof humble our selves in the sense of our original guilt and lost estate in Adam Gen. 3.7 to 12. Secondly The best of Garments have under them infirm Bodies tainted with natural weakness at best and sometimes the Richest cover the frailest Carcase tainted with noisome Distempers the sight of which may make the Garments and what is under them loathsome and abhorrent so that what we have for our necessity to cover our shame and hide our loathsomness should not be our Pride much less our Delight or Glory Thirdly Cloaths are often our Burthen when either by penury we cannot attain to them or the persons are so weak that they cannot bear them in Winter to defend the cold nor in Summer because of heat Fourthly The fashion changeth and frets the Indigent that they cannot have them and draws the richer to excess emulation and prodigality in foppish and unnecessary pomp in the change of fashions to the exciting of Lust and superflous wasting what better may be bestowed on the poor whom God recommends as objects of Charity This being the badge of our shame and sin and the superfluity thereof so much abounding now a days
Knowledge and Understanding So to understand things as they are and not only under the dark shadows of humane appearance First of unity of Spirit As God is a Spirit pure holy and undefiled and of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity and that he must have all his Companions and Citizens of that new Jerusalem like himself and as Christs promise is to prepare a place for his people in that promise Let not your Hearts be troubled in my Fathers House are many Mansions and I have prepared a place for you John 14.1 2 3. And will have them with him so will he have them to be like his Father and him holy as they are holy blessed are the pure in Spirit for they shall see God Mat. 5.8 The natural Man is so cloyed with the liquorish relish of carnal things that he cannot raise his affections to the true contemplation of the things of God and therefore the Children of God must be made spiritually minded The Natural man receiveth not the things of God for they are foolishness unto him neither indeed can he know them because they are spiritually descerned but he that is Spiritual judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.14 15 16. Christians are new Creatures and with them old things are passed away and all things become new they are the Temple of God God dwelleth in them who can have no fellowship with the flesh therefore they must be spirituallized for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit 2 Cor. 5.19 To be carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so then they that are after the flesh cannot please God 2 Cor. 6.15 16 17 18. Secondly Union of the Spirit is to be of one Spirit to mind the same things as God and Christ did before the World began they have and had one and the same purpose intention and mind to do the same things Peace and Unity of Spirit in Counsel and otherwise is the greatest Comfort and Strength of a Society and this is the Harmony of Heaven How doth David magnify this choice blessing How pleasant a thing is it for Brethren to dwell together in unity it is like the precious ointment upon the Head that ran down upon the Beard even Aarons Beard that went down to the Skirts of his Garments as the Dew of Hermon and as the Dew that Descended upon the Mountains of Zion for there the Lord commanded the Blessing even life for evermore Psal 133. all The Lord is a Spirit of Meekness and Peace and by Christs Doctrine the blessing is to the Meek and his Command is to resemble him in the Spirit of meekness I am meek humble and lowly in mind learn of me Mat. 11.28 29. He unites all the Hearts of his People to the unity of glorifying him to have their share of it in constant Hallelujah's see Gods Promise to Christ and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might and of the fear of the Lord Isa 11. to 10. O the admiration of Gods free love and goodness to the Godly in their elevation to such a state of Glory that he makes them all join in such Elogies of his praises that they prompt one another to their perpetual ecchoings of his everlasting glory see what the Apostle adviseth in this case Keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus ye are all called to one hope in Christ Jesus Ephes 4. to 7. To be of the same mind with Christ Jesus is to have the same Will and Purpose which he had as well in doing as in suffering and to do and suffer to the same Ends and Purposes for which he did or suffered any thing Christ did and suffered all things by the joint advice and in obedience of his Father The Father worketh hitherto and I work Lo I come to do thy Will in the volume of thy Book it is written of me Psal 4.6 7 8. Heb. 10.5 In his sufferings and acting in the mystery of Man's Redemption he did all by the resolution of Heaven the Father and Son did agree and join in the Spirit God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life Joh. 3.16 17. Here the Father sends and the Son obeys and cometh and both agree in one in the Spirit In the matter of his Passion on the Cross they concur in one Father if thou wilt let this cup pass over but not my Will but thy Will be done Mat. 26.39 42. The Fathers purpose was that Justice should be satisfied by the Death of the Son on the Cross and the Son humbly submits It is finished and yields up the Ghost John 19.30 Rom. 3.25 26. And so in all the course of his Life as well as at his Death all his steps are squared according to the Will and Counsel of the Father as we see in the History of the Gospel From hence in imitation of Christ are taught to us these two great Duties First Submission Secondly A resignation to the absolute Will of God First Submission In all Afflictions Chastisements and Sufferings in all cases we are to exercise the duty of Submission My Son despise not thou the chastning of the Lord nor faint when thou art rebuked Heb. 12.5 to 12. Chearfulness without murmuring and a Patient bearing up under every dispensation is the duty of submission and with the Apostle to glory in the Cross of Christ Gal. 6.14 God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ by whom the World is crucified to me and I to the World And with the Apostle James count it all joy when you fall into divers Temptations Jam. 1.2 The Holy Apostle Paul was a great Proficient in this learning of submission I know how to want and how to abound and in every condition therewith to be content Phil. 4.11 12. And this should be the course and care of all who resolve to follow Christ Jesus to frame their mind and will under all dispensations to submit and acquiesce to the Will of God This was Holy Davids practice under his so severe and great affliction when he had fled from before his Son Absolom who had usurped his Crown and when weeping barefoot and ashes on his head sent back from him the Ark of God the want of which was a great ingredient to his affliction If I shall find favour in the Eyes of the Lord he will shew me both it and his Salvation but if he say I have no pleasure in him lo here I am let him do to me what seemeth good
disposition that nothing can satisfy except a total ruine and exterpation of the Enemy and their adherents in root and branch and thus it must be with Christians they must not be Neuters or luke-warm but must be mortified to the flesh and the Body of Death Corruption and Sin must be so subdued in them that they must be Dead to the World and the World to them so as they can take no more pleasure therein than the living can have in the Dead with which they can have no Communication I am Crucified to the World and the World to me nevertheless I live but not I and the life that I live in the Flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 chap. 5.24 Hence we see all the Combatants of Christ are wholly his and not divided and can by no means Parley with the Enemies of his Cross the Devil the World and the Flesh and this is their indispensable and commanded duty that they must fight till they overcome for to such alone is the prize of Eternal Life He that overcometh shall sit with me in my Fathers Kingdom even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Kingdom Rev. 3.21 They must live to the Spirit and not to the Flesh with that holy fear over themselves having an Eye on the Enemies Camp and watching against Sin and the Flesh that they may not again return to their folly and that they may place no Earthly thing in their Hearts above Christ and all the days of their appointed time they must wait till their change come As this Christian warfare is continuing and must only end with our lives we are to consider for our encouragement that Christ doth not leave Christians unprovided for such great expedients but provides them a great Train of Artillery as the necessaries of their warfare which is held forth to us in that description of the Armour of the Spirit by the Apostle put on the whole Armour of God c. Eph. 6.13 to 19. First The Loyns girt with Truth which is inward sincerity and constant loyalty to the Cause of Christ Secondly The Breast-Plate of Righteousness to be blameless and of upright conversation towards God and to avoid scandal to the wicked and be an example of Justice and Godliness Thirdly Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace to be peaceable charitable humble and meek and conformable to the Laws of the Spirit and not of the Flesh Fourthly The Shield of Faith believing God in his Attributes of Omnipotency Holiness Justice Goodness and Faithfulness and in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World in all his Promises and Providences by which we may be able to resist the fiery Darts of Satan in answering all objections of unbelief and discouragements from Temptations in the World Fifthly The Helmet of Salvation to believe that Eternal Life is the prize at the end of the Christian race and this is cure against all Trials from want or difficulties in the Way to Heaven to be as assured of Eternal Life as we are cloathed with that Helmet of Defence It is Christ that died who shall condemn Sixthly Praying and Watching as good Souldiers on their Posts waiting for the word of Command to march at all times after the General and Captain of our Salvation Jesus Christ and to be ready with Oyl in our Vessels and Lamps burning waiting for the approach of the Bridegroom to enter into the Marriage feast of the Lamb. Thus seeing this War is constant and for the greatest prize even Eternal Life and though against the most Potent Enemies Principalities and Spiritual Wickednesses in High Places yet Christ the unconquerable Champion is Captain and the Camp is furnished with such compleat warlike provision Christians ought to fight chearfully for these following reasons First Salvation and Eternal Happiness is the prize contended for And we have Christs Promise if we fight in Faith and continue to the end we shall obtain it John 3.16 17 18. Gal. 6.9 Secondly As we are to fight and contend for Eternal Life so it is not only promised to us on our chearful fighting but it is also obtained for us by Christ who on the Cross fought that good fight and freely gives us the booty and prize when we were not capable to do any thing for our selves For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us much more then being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through him Rom. 5.6 8 9. Ezek. 16. to 9. This is that great bait for ambition and desire this is that all which should swell the Thoughts and Affections of all Men. This rightly considered is sufficient to invite all Courage Patience and new Obedience to fill all Hearts with Joy gladness and thanksgiving and stifle all murmurings repinings and discontents under trials or difficulties of worldly concerns and in our Way to Heaven This should induce all to a hearty submission to the yoak and chearful fighting under Christs Banner These Combatants of Christ have the greatest booty rewards and priviledges that any Soldiers can pretend unto and that both of Spirituals and Temporals and those Spirituals are in many respects First They are under an everlasting Covenant with God and God with them I will make with them an everlasting Covenant Rom. 11.27 29. Isa 60.20 21. Hos 2.19 20. Isa 59.20 21. Secondly They have remission of all sins though of the highest and blackest Nature though never so numerous and as a Cloud or a thick Cloud Mat. 11.28 29 30. Isa 1.18 ch 44.22 23. Thirdly They have comfort in Spiritual Darkness and Desertion their case can never be so cloudy melancholly and dark to them but Gods word hath a promise for it Light is sowen to the righteous and joy to the upright in Heart Isa 50.10 Mal. 3.12 Fourthly They are Heirs of all things and shall inherit all things they have the Promise of the things of this Life and of that which is to come Gal. 3.29 chap. 4.17 18. Eph. 1.11 14. Col. 1.12 13 14. Rev. 21.7 Rom. 9.7 8 Fifthly They shall be united to God in Christ in Spirit Knowledge and Glory and be inseparable from him in Christ Jesus John 17.21 to 25. Sixthly They shall be set down with Christ and God in Glory and continue with them for evermore Rom. 8.35 38 39. Rev. 3.21 Thus we see the unquestionable Spiritual advantages of the Godly which no other Interest can bring and as the Saints advantages and excellencies are Inexpressible as to Spirituals so the security and advantages are no less in Temporals as we have already in this Treatise discovered First In general Secondly His Promises in all particular cases As First In Sickness Secondly In Imprisonment Thirdly In Poverty Fourthly Under the unkindness and forsaking of Friends Fifthly Under reproaches
on their Repentance and to check that heat of uncharitable judging or reviling which is freequently pressed in Scripture especially by the Holy Apostle Eph. 4. Throughout the whole chapter where he exhorteth to unity peace and love in particular instances and expresseth the same by many arguments First They are all of one body and one spirit one hope of our Faith verse 4. Secondly One Lord one Faith one Baptism ver 5. Thirdly One God and Father of all by which they are Brethren ver 6. Fourthly They have all several gifts and all useful and therefore none either to be despised or envied all being given for edifying of the body ver 7 to 16. Fifthly They are all joined and compact together in the unity of the Spirit as the Joints and Sinews unite the Body they are Members all of the same body ver 16. Sixthly They are all Members one of another ver 25. And therefore concludes with the Command of these Heavenly Duties be ye angry and sin not let not the Sun go down on your wrath neither give place to the Devil Let all bitterness and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you ver 26 to end And the same Apostle elsewhere let us not Judge one another any more but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block before his Brother Rom. 14.23 Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of Mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long suffering forbearing one another forgiving one another and above all these things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3.12 13 14. See how zealous this holy Apostle is to unite the People of God in Love throughout his whole writings Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves look not every man on his own things but every man on the things of others Phil. 2. to 9. The whole Scriptures run in this strain above all things have fervent Charity amongst your selves for Charity shall cover the multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4.8 and add to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness Charity 2 Pet. 1.7 And above all this we have the express command of our great Lord and Lawgiver Jesus Christ be ye therefore merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful Luk. 6.36 a new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another John 13.34 To conclude this discourse it were desireable that all of the Profession of Christianity though of different methods and worship would seriously consider how much it is the incumbent duty of all Christians to study the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace how agreeable it is to the Command of Jesus Christ from his own Mouth as also by his Messengers as well in the old Testament as under the new Have we not all one Father hath not one God created us why do we deal treacherously every Man against his Brother Mal. 2.10 How much it would remove the stumbling of Heathens Idolaters Atheists and the Prophane who are much scandalized by the Divisions of Christians and more especially of the reformed Churches how much it would strengthen their hands against the Enemies of Truth and what great inducement it might be to invite the dissolute and prophane to join in a body or Church incorporated by love and serving of God with one consent what ease satisfaction comfort and delight it would create to each other when differences janglings and contention about lesser things were removed and the substantial part of Religion to wit holiness towards God Charity and Brotherly kindness with one another were more sincerely pursued How much it would adorn the pretious Gospel of Jesus Christ such unity would be like that pretious Ointment on the Head which run down to the Skirts of the Garment Psalm 133. and would give a most pleasant savour to all the beholders and to Christians themselves like the Churches Spikenard Myrrhe and Camphire Cant. 1.12 13 14. and being once experimentally found will constrain them to sit down under the shadow of God who is Love 1 John 3.16 and Wisdom Pro. 8.1 with great delight and would undoubtedly find his fruit pleasant to their taste Cant. 2.13 This also would be a special mean to entangle others into the Net of the Gospel From all which we plainly see the unexpressible freedom of this Grace and love of the second Covenant which as first founded in Free-grace is also accomplished unto us by the mystery of his love and to enquire into the Tenure and Condition of this Covenant cometh next in course This Covenant of Grace Mercy and Salvation is between God and Man by the Mediator Jesus Christ and the Conditions thereof are mutual on Gods part and Mans part The Justice of God being offended by Mans falling in disobedience and the Counsel of Heaven designing Mans Restoration by means above mans apprehension and capacity the bounty of Heaven makes a Proclamation â—f indemnity and free pardon and God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Joh. 3.16 This is the great Magna Charta of Mans Restoration and Eternal Happiness and as it come of the good Will of God is free nevertheless for the honour of Justice and for the further security of Mans future happiness this Covenant is circumscribed with conditions First On Gods part a free Pardon and reward of Eternal life Secondly On Mans part believe But as we have already shewed that Man rendering himself incapable of doing any good much less to satisfy Divine Justice or in his own strength to manage a new stock of mercy the Wisdom and Infinite Goodness of God in the Counsel of Heaven before the World began hath setled this contrivance that Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God and Second Person of the Holy Trinity should become surety to Justice and undertake for poor lost Man and as Christ is responsable to Justice for Man so Man is tyed up also in the New Covenant to terms so that the Covenant stands also on Conditions between Christ and Man Christ performing to God for Man and procuring to Man the benefits of that new Covenant viz. absolution from Sin and Eternal Life Man performing new obedience to God The terms then of this Covenant on Christs part are that he becomes between God and Man a Prophet a Priest and a King First A Prophet the office of a Prophet is to teach instruct declare and reveal the mind of God to his People And that Christ is that only true Prophet the whole Scriptures concur in Testimony he is that Prophet foretold by whom that Everlasting Covenant was made with Abraham
sort of communication or delight in sin with an abhorence as infectious can any touch Pitch and not be defiled with aversion as an infectious Plague jealous as of the Wiles of the Devil as Intanglements and Fetters Fourthly Zeal With great anxiety after a thorough discovery of every sin in its blackest dress in its Nature Root Branches and Tendencies zeal for full purging and washing not leaving Root or Branch of any Sin unmortified or subdued without any tampering or listning to new affinities or terms of reconâ—iliation or inticements hotly and warmly pursuing every Sin to utter death and destruction Fifthly Vehement desire Like one curious to paint to the Life the Nature Monstruous shape and mischievous quality of every sin as well in its offensiveness to and detestableness with God who is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity as in its perniciouâ—ness to Man exposing him to the wrath of God and barring him from entring into the Heavenly Jerusalem where â—o unclean thing can enter in Rev. 21.27 And as the only Enemy of Mans Eternal Happiness and blasting with a Curse all his temporal enjoyments and the disturber of the Peace of Mans Conscience in a Communion with God and diverts him from enjoying of God in place of Lust and Sin The Sixth qualification is Fear Watching and Praying lest we enter into temptation being always mindful that the subtile Enemy of our Salvation the Devil goeth about night and day like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour And therefore in watching put on the whole Armour of God Eph. 6.14 15 16. and watch over our Thoughts Words and Actions having a continual Eye on the Enemy without as a Sentry standing in view of the Enemies Camp day and night observing the voice of all Gods Providences and Dispensations not putting the evil day far from us but being on our watch with oyl in our Lamps and our Lamps burning knowing that the Bridegroom cometh as a Thief in the night not knowing what hour he will come and therefore to be always ready lest when he comes we sleep and that the door of Mercy may not be shut on us for ever Mat 24.14 The Seventh qualification of true Repentance is Revenge Holy revenge consisteth â—t a restless discovering of sin and not only giving up all society with it and entertainment of it and contradicting or implacable prejudice and hatred to it but also knowing that corruption and sin is such an infect and that of venomous Nature that every piece and crum will excite to a new Rebellion against God And therefore by a holy reâ—enge to give up every Sin and Lust though never so dear intirely to Divine Justice as well to appeale the Wrath of God and avoid his Dishonour as to secure our selves from falling into disobedience and new rebellion by tampering with the seditious deceit of Sin and Lust Cast out the Bondwoman and her Son Gen. 23.10 Be not again entangled with the Yâ—â—k of Bondage walk in the Spirit and ye shall not â—uâ—fiâ—l the Lusts of the Flesh for the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and they are contrary one to the other Rom. 5.1 16 17 24. The next Duty incumbent to Man in order to Eternal Life is to search the Promâ—â—es in Christ Jesus and believe them all men are anxious to have good Titles to their Estates and to know them how much more ought Christians to be solicitous for the knowledge of sacred Records to insure their Interest of something with Christ Christs Promises to his People are either for things Spiritual or Temporal first of things Spiritual which may be considered under these three First The free love of God in sending Christ a Ransom for Sin Secondly All suitable graces and spiritual blessings given by God to the called according to his promise Rom. 8.28 Thirdly Eternal Life and Salvation given to all who believe in Jesus Christ As to the first Scriptures are full of the Records of Gods free love in redeeming Man by Jesus Christ when Man was in no condition to make terms for himself and that early instance of Gods compassion on Man when he had so soon fallen from his Integrity I will put enmity between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 3.15 Here is a clear promise of the Messiah of victory over Sin and Satan And when we were without strength in due time Christ died for us and when we were yet sinners And that compassion of God when Man was contemptible and without help and no Eye pitied thee to do these things to thee and when I passed by thy time was the time of Love and I said to thee live yea I said to thee live And that Evangelical Invitation Ho every one that thirsteth come to me drink of the Waters of Life buy wine and milk without money and without price come to me and I will make your Souls live and make an everlasting Covenant with you Let the wicked forsake his wickedness and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God and he will abundantly pardon him Isa 55. to 8. This strain constant current and Ocean of free Love flows upon free terms upon the most miserable and without any terms or expectation of any return from Man but freely without recompence I am found of them that sought me not I am sought of them that asked not for me Isa 65.1 2. From all which may be seen that great mystery of the Love of God to Sinners which passeth understanding The second thing in spiritual blessings is Gods furnishing Believers with all suitable Graces blessings and Indowments And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God who are called according to his purpose for whom he did foreknow them he also did Predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not also with him freely give us all things Rom. 8.28 29 32. Eye hath not seen neither hath Ear heard nor hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive besides thee O Lord what great things he hath laid up for those who wait on him Isa 64.4 Ask and it shall be given seek and ye shall find whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name believe ye have them and they shall be given you Mat. 7.7 The last instance of divine bounty is Eternal Life To them who by patient continuance and well doing seeketh for glory and honour eternal Life Rom. 2.9 When Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 God so loved the World that he sent his only Son that whosoever should believe in him should not perish but have eternal Life Joh. 3.16 And the glory that thou gavest me I have
erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows 1 Tim. 6.7 8 9 10. Thirdly all Humane Enjoyments are short of Christ the Inheritance of the Saints let us narrowly survey with all the Advantagious Aggravations of Humane Excellency all that can be pretended choice good or desirable in the Creature and we shall find them all short to and far exceeded by the inherent excellencies in Christ the Lord of Glory in these particulars First for that all Created Beings have their rise and being from him and he alone is of himself he is the first and the last all things were made by him and without him was nothing made which was made by him were all things Created that are in Heaven and which are in Earth visible or invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him and for him Col. 1.16 Secondly he is was and alone subsists of himself â—nd all other things were made by him so by him do they subsist in him we live move and have our being Rev. 1.18 Thirdly he is perfect himself all things were made for him and he not for them all things were Created by him and for him Col. 1.16 Fourthly he excelleth all things in Antiquity he is the Antient of Days the First-born of every Creature and First-born from the Dead tbat in all things he might have the Preheminence Col. 1.19 Fifthly in Wisdom he is Wisdom it self and the Fountain of Wisdom in whom are hid all the Treasures of Knowledee and Wisdom If any Man lack Wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth to all Men liberally and upbraideth not read Isaiah 2.6 Col. 2 3. Isa 1.5 Sixthly in Beauty he is the Morning Star the Rose of Sharon the Image of the invisible God who is the brightness of bis Glory and the express Image of his Person Heb. 1.3 Seventhly In power he is Omnipotent and all things else but of limited Power he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth King of Kings and Lord of Lords in him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2.9 15. Who hath measured the Waters in the hollow of his Hand and metted out Heaven with a Span and comprehended the dust of the Earth in a measure who hath weighed the Earth in Scales and the Hills in a balâ—â—nce the Nations are as a drop of a Bucket and are counted as the small dust of a Ballance he taketh up the Isles as a very little thing all Nations before him are as nothing they are accounted to him less than nothing and vanity Psal 90.2 3 4 5 6. Is 40.12 15 17. Fourthly the fourth difference between things Temporal and Eternal is that Temporal things leave a Man at his Grave and in this Life but Spiritual and Eternal continue with the Saints to all Eternity So as when this miserable Life is ended the Saints are happy in their Death and their Spiritual Life of blessed enjoyments then begins Blessed are the Dead which dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their works follow them Rev. 14.13 These Spiritual enjoyments are not seen or apprehended by Carnal sense but are spiritually discerned and are eternal While we look not after things that are seen but after things which are not seen for things which are seen are Temporal but things that are not seen are eternal 2 Cor. 4.18 The Kingdom of Heaven consists not in Eating and Drinking chambering and wantonness Ryotting and Drunkenness but in Peace and Joy of the Holy Ghost This State of Possession of Spiritual things is briefly comprehended under these Heads First it Commenceth when all Humane Enjoyments fail and continueth to all Eternity Secondly it is incorruptible and not subject to changes Thirdly It is a compleat fulness of all Happiness First when Enjoyments of this Mortal Life leaves a Man at his Grave after he hath experienced the uncertainty vanity and vexation of Spirit touching Humane Enjoyments then he enters upon the quiet possession of Eternal Happiness as in the foregoing Scripture all the People of God are Sealed Marked and Secured from after danger and made firm Pillars in the House of God eternally in the Heavens hurt not the Earth neither the Sea until we have sealed the Servants of the Lord in their Fore-Heads Rev. 3.12 which mark is a white Stone and in it a new Name the Name of Christ and the City of God which is their being renewed by the Spirit of Regeneration Rev. 7.3 Chap. 2.17 They are under an everlasting Covenant with God I will make a Covenant of Peace with them and it shall be an everlasting Covenant and I will place my Sanctuary amongst them for evermore Ez. 37.26 There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth who shall condemn it is Christ that dyeth yea rather that is risen again and maketh intercession for us Rom 8.1 31 34. But on the other hand the Lot of the Wicked after they have enjoyed their good things in this Life like the rich glutton they are confined to everlasting wrath and misery Remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things and Lazarus his evil things therefore thou art now Tormented and he Comforted Luke 16.20 to end The Righteous are brought out of great Tribulation and have their Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb and are Cloathed with the Righteousness and Glory These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and made themselves white in the Blood of the Lamb therefore they are before the Throne of God Day and Night to serve him in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 to 18. And on the other hand the wicked are Chained in everlasting Darkness and tormented with inexpressible Torments so that they desire Death rather than Life if any Man Worship the Beast and his Image or receiveth his Mark in his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation and shall be Tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and the smoak of their Torments ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no Rest Day nor Night Rev. 14.9 Chap. 6.12 to end Chap. 9.4 to end Chap. 21.8 27. Secondly this State and Inheritance of the Godly is incorruptible and therefore not Subject to changes or Alterations Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again into a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead unto an Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in the
him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of the turn thou not away Math. 5.43 Remember them that are in Bonds as being bound with them and them which suffer Adversity as being your selves also in the Body Heb. 13.3 What doth it profit if a Man say he hath Faith and hath not Works can Faith save him if a Brother or Sister be Naked and Destitute of daily Food and one of you say unto him depart in peace be you Clothed and be you Filled notwithstanding you give him nothing James 2.14 15 16. of these things which are needful to the Body what doth it profit 1 John 3.17 Mortification if thy Right Eye or Right Hand offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee it is better one of thy Members perish than thy whole Body should be cast into Hell Math. 5.29 30. Hence we are taught the Subduing and Mortifying of all Lusts of whatsoever esteem they may be and as dear to us as any of our Members we are to admit no enjoyment of them in Competition with true Holiness and new Obedience He Preacheth up the Doctrine of Love and Charity to all Men even to Enemies you have heard that it hath been said love thy Neighbour and hate thy Enemy but I say to you Love your Enemies Bless him that Curse you do good to them that hate you pray for them that dispightfully use you and persecute you that ye may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and on the Good and the Rain to come down on the Just and the Unjust for if you love them that love you what reward have you do not even the Publicans do the same and if you Salute only your Brethren what more do ye than others but be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect Math. 5.43 to end See that great Doctrine of Mutual Love and Charity he that saith he is in the Light and hateth his Brother is in Darkness even until now he that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him but he that Hateth his Brother is in Darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth because the Darkness hath blinded his Eyes 1 John 2. to 18. We know that we have passed from Death to Life because we love the Brethren he that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death whosoever hateth his Brother is a Murderer and ye know that no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him hereby perceive we the Love of God because he hath laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our Life for the Brethren but whosoever hath this Worlds good and shutteth up his Bowels from the Brother how dwelleth the Love of God in him 1 John 3.14 15 16 17. Let us Love one another for Love is of God and every one that Loveth is born of God and knoweth God he that Loveth not knoweth not God for God is Love in this was manifested the Love of God towards us because God sent his only begotten Son into the World that we might live through him herein is the Love of God Manifested not that we loved him but that he Loved us and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our Sins if God so loved us we ought also to love one another if we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us and we have known and believed the love that God hath to us God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him 1 Jo 4.7 to end A New Commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you that you love one another Jo. 13.34 from all which we are instructed of the Nature and Extent of Charity that it doth not consist only in naked and bare profession of Friendship good wishes and pretended Respects but in the Bowels of Tenderness Compassion Simpathy and suitable Supplies to the necessities of others that Charity is not to be straitned and confined to Relations Friends Benefactors and these in Amity and perswasion with us but is to be extended to Enemies as well as Friends and to all whose Necessities call for our help and assistance in any respect towards their Relief He Preacheth up the Contempt and Denyedness to the World lay not up Treasure on Earth where the Moth Cankereth and Thieves break thorough and steal but seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness then all these things shall be added thereunto and lay up store for your selves in Heaven Math. 6.19 20 32 33. See Christs own Discourse of the Rich Man in the Gospel that it is easier for a Camel to go thorow the Eye of a Needle than for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Math. 19.23 24. See the Parable of Dives who received his good things in this Life and is eternally Tormented and Lazarus who was pinched with Want Hunger Cold and Diseases on Earth was received into everlasting Happiness Luke 16 19. to end See the Parable of the Rich Husband-Man who took anxious care for his Earthly Store but made no Provision for Eternal Life but God said to him thou Fool this Night will I require thy Soul at thy Hands then whose shall all these things be which thou hast provided so is he who layeth up store for himself and is not Rich towards God Luke 12 16. to 22. See the wo the Lord of Life pronounceth against the Rich Wo to you that are Rich for ye have received your Consolation Luke 6 24. And to forward our Mortification to the World let us consider the Advice given by the Holy Apostle Love not the World nor the things of the World for if any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lusts of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but of the World 1 Jo. 2.15 16 17. And the World passeth away and the Lusts thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever 1 Jo. 2.15 16 17. The Holy Apostle James doth eminently discover the danger of loving the World know ye not that the Friendship of the World is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God James 4.4 Let us further consider the Apostle Pauls Character of the World we brought nothing into the World with us and it is certain we shall carry nothing out and having Food and Rayment let us be therewith content but they that will be Rich fall into many Temptations and a Snare and many foolish and hurtful Lusts which drown Men in Destruction and Perdition for the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some have coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows
Nature at such a rate that there being a necessity for an Atonement and satisfaction to Gods Justice for Mans Sin And of a Mediator between God and Man to restore Man to the pure and unspotted Image of God and it being impossible for Men or Angels to make such Atonement or to procure a Mediator The free Love of God raiseth one up even Jesus Christ the Son of God and express Image of his Father to take upon him the shape of a Servant and though he knew no sin to become sin for us so that by taking upon him our Nature and in our shape and place submitting to the Justice of God on the Cross hath paid the Ransom for us and restored fallen man to the Image of God in Righteousness and True Holiness 1 Cor. 15.21 22 47 48. The first Man is of the Earth Earthy the Second Man is the Lord from Heaven and as is the Earthy so are they which are Earthy and as is the Heavenly so are they which are Heavenly and as we have born the Image of the Earthy we also shall bear the Image of the Heavenly and thus Christ having paid the Ransom for Sinners he offers to all Men the free Market of Salvation Pardon and Eternal Life for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not Perish but have Eternal Life John 3.15 16 17. For when we were without strength Christ dyed for us when we were yet Sinners and Enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8. But it may be Objected that Christ had a Body and Mans Nature and the Resurrection from the Dead seems things under the Comprehension of Sense and Feeling Answer Although Christ had and took on him Mans Nature nevertheless the Mystery of his Incarnation Resurrection Ascension Communication of Garces and Eternal Life procured by him must be apprehended by Faith and can never be reached by Human Sense the Natural Man knoweth not the things of God neither indeed can do because they are spiritually Discerned The Second thing in the Treasury of Spiritual Mercies are the various gifts and graces spiritually bestowed by God to believers in Jesus Christ He that spared not his own Son but freely gave him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Ro. 8.32 These choice and spiritual Mercies may be classed up in these three First Such as are absolutely necessary to Salvation and the actual laying hold on Jesus Christ and applying him in his Merits Sufferings Resurrection and Glorification as the only Mediator between God and Man such is Faith for without Faith it is impossihle to please God Heb. 11.6 Faith is that Grace whereby Christ is owned and upon which Salvation is promised in the foregoing Scripture This is that grace that unites and incorporates Sinners to God for ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus this is that grace which gives Life Sap and being to Christians Now the Just shall live by Faith but if any Man draw back my Soul hath no Delight in him Heb. 10.38 This is the only operative and effectual grace where is boasting then â—t is excluded by what Law by Works Nay by the Law of Faitb therefore we conclude that Man is justified by Faith without the Deeds of the Law Rom. 3.23 Although this of Faith be the chief essential grace on which the being of a Christian depends this flows from the spirit of God from whom are all good and perfect gifts and by him are wrought in us for by grace are ye saved through Faith and not of your selves it iâ— the gift of God Eph. 2 8. The second grace is Holiness without which also it is impossible to please God be ye Holy as your Heavenly Father is Holy who is of purer Eyes than can behold Iniquity this grace qualifieth Sinners to resemble God in Purity Innocence and Righteousness Blessed are the pure in Spirit for they shall see God Math· 5.8 and thus it behoveth Christiaâ—s to be for that Christ having taken on him our Nature to purifie it from all the stains of sin he makes all his Children partakers of the Divine Nature and designing to assemble them in the New Jerusalem where no unclean thing can enter they must all be Holy and Clothed with Righteousness This essential Duty is Recommended and Commanded to us in Scriptures we are all his Workmanship Created in Christ to good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly Framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2.8 9 20 21. And that ye put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is Corrupt according to the Deceitful Lusts and that you put on the new Man Created according to Holiness Eph. 4.21 to end If ye be risen with Christ seek these things which are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God set your Affections on things above not on things on Earth for ye are Dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is your Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Mortifie therefore your Members which are on Earth and put on the New Man which is renewed in knowledge aften the Image of him who Created it Col. 3.1 2 3 4. They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit to be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the Carnal Man is emnity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so these that are in the flesh cannot please God and if Christ be in you the Body is Dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness for if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye but if through the Spirit ye mortifie the Deeds of the flesh ye shall live for as many as are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God Rom. 8.5 7 10 13 14. and every one that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure 1 John 3.3 The third Special grace coming from this great Magazine of Heavenly Store is Mortification although there is such affinity and connexion amongst spiritual graces that they are not perfect nor compleat but when in one Chain and joyned together yet this grace hath some thing peculiar in it as being that special piece of Accomplishment which frames the Soul to an immediate closing with Christ Mortification is either the curbing or subduing superfluous excrescences or growth of superfluous Humours in the Body or like proud flesh about a wound under Cure or the total destroying of that which hath the Preheminence and may destroy a better Life as the
it is worth consideration to reflect on the great threatnings denounced against such vanity and superfluity by the Prophet Isaiah especially against the Pride of Women The Lord shall smite them with a scab and discover their secret parts and take away all their bravery and their round tires like the Moon the changeable suits of Aparrel the Mantles Wimples and Crisping Pins the Glasses fine Linnen Hoods and Vails instead of a sweet smell there shall be a stench instead of a girdle a rent instead of well set Hair Baldness instead of a Stomacher a Girdle of Sackcloath and burning instead of Beauty Is 3.16 to end This being one great Idol of the flesh and our shame let us see how this Lust of the flesh is compensed to the godly and glorified Believers First for that all their Sins and consequently their shame are taken away in Christ Jesus For as in Adam all died even so are all made alive in Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Eternal Life Joh. 3.16 Fear thou not for thou shalt not be ashamed neither shalt thou be confounded for thou shalt not be put to shame thou shalt forget the shame oâ— thy youth and shalt not remember the Reproach of thy Widow-hood any more for thy Maker is thy Husband Isa 54.4 The Saints of God have the rotten Garments exchanged with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes and have made themselves white in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 7.14 Thus the Saints of God as Inhabitants of the New Jerusalem being Cloathed with the Righteousness of Christ are cleansed from all sin and shame and so have no necessity of Cloaths to cover sin or shame Secondly the Saints have no occasion for Cloaths to Comfort the weakness of their Bodies for that when raised from the Dead they shall not have Corrupt Bodies of Corruptible Elements but shall be Clothed with Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies not subject to change nor tainted with infirmities of Nature Hunger or Cold Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption for this Corruptible must put on Incorruption and this Mortal must put on immortality 1 Cor. 15.50 52 53. So that they shall have no occasion of the Corruptible Rags of most Sumptuous Apparel how much then have the Saints translated into glory the Advantage over such whose Earthy and Crasy Corps must be Clothed with rotteâ— Garments to cover their shame sin and nakedness and defend their infirm Bodies from offence of Cold and Heat of which the Saints are not sensible Secondly Eating and Drinking being the second Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh it is so gross a predominant and necessity of Nature and weak Mortality that it is not only the peculiar Resemblance of Bruits beneath the Dignity of Mans Soul and as it is the necessity of Nature so it is the great burden of Nature to be under that necessity that some Sensualists of whom the Apostle saith whose God is their Belly whose glory is their shame who mind Earthly things and Human Experience tells us how far this Tyranny upon Man so prevails that their luxuriant Appetite never suffer them to be at ease but either after the quantity or variety of eating and drinking they are hurryed with further desire and thereby often miserably loaded with hurtful diseases thus delicate Mortals are plunged in misery by that they so much delight in this was the Case of the Rich Glutton in the Gospel but on the other hand the Saints in Heaven are not Afflicted with troublesom Appetites for they feed on the Manna in the midst of the Paradise of God for they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them to living Fountains of Water Rev. 21.4 6. their feeding is their Eternal beholding God and the Lamb but the Wicked feeds on the Eternal Wrath of God if any Man Worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark on his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out into the Cup of his Indignation and he shall be Tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb Rev. 14.9 10. Thirdly The third Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is that insatiable Appetite the World hath after the Riches of this Life what hath already been said of the uncertainty emptiness and vanities of Human Riches in the foregoing case of the Rich Glutton and the many Instances of that Nature may give the Complexion of that State and what Christ saith of the Rich Man that it is hard for a Rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and that the Rich have received their Consolation and Portion in this Life do all sufficiently illustrate the Contemptibleness and Misery of that Life if not rich towards God but on the other Hand Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God Mat. 5.3 Christians though never so poor in this World have all things in Christ They are Sons and Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 32. all which shew how far the State of the Godly though Poor in this Life exceed the Condition of the wicked though rich as Craesus if not rich towards God Fourthly the fourth Branch of the Lusts of the Flesh is the pleasure Men in this World take in Relations Friends and Companions but what is said before of this what Christ saith who loveth Father Children Relations Life it self or any thing else better than him is not worthy of him and whosoever looseth any of these things for his sake shall have double in Heaven is sufficient to give us a Parallel of the State of the Godly and the Wicked who Lust after the Flesh but let us see what account the Apostle gives of a far better exchange the Saints have made of the choicest of Companions but we are come into Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem unto an innumerable Company of Angels into the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of sprinkling Heb. 12.22 23 24. David was weary of the Society of wicked Men wo is me that I dwell in Mesheck and Sojourn in the Tents of Cedar so when the Saints are sure that he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell with them they will freely part with the Company of Sinful Mortals Ps 120.5 The Lusts of the Eyes being the second part of the Worlds Inventory we shall examine it with the excellent discovery of the Saints Light
the Eye being the more curious and choice Organ of Natural and Sensual Understanding and Delight the right Frame and Complexion thereof affords a Man the greatest Satisfaction of all Sensual Faculties and yet we see how frail and weak it is at best soonest and easiest wounded and diminished by Age or Accidents and must needs have supports by glasses in Old Age or otherwise and at last it wholy fails at Death whereby we find these two defects in it First It is but weak Secondly It altogether fails at Death The Silver Threads are cut and the Golden Bowl broken at the Well Ecl. 12. to 6. read all In these Considerations the godly have much the Advantage for when inlightned they are made of a spiritual Frame strong and vigorous as being built on Christ the Rock of Ages by Faith and when renewed in him and Translated into Glory can admit of no defect nor be subject to any Infirmity you hath he quickened who were once Dead in sin he hath quickened us together in Christ Eph. 2.1 As Christ being once raised from the Dead was reed of all further Natural Infirmities even so renewed Sinners even in this Life have the Cataracts and Scales of Natural Darkness taken off as spiritually enlightned and made partakers of the Divine Nature and are taught to see and understand the Mysteries of God and Godliness which the Natural Man knoweth not nor can understand to be Carnally minded is Death but to be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can he the Carnal Man receiveth not the things of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned but he that is Spiritual judgeth all things Rom. 8.6 7. for who have known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him but we have the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2.14 15 16. Thus Christians having the Eyes of their Understanding enlightned they can see and understand distinctly for they walk and see by Faith and not by Sense and being here as to the World Strangers and not minding the World in a Carnal Method as Worldlings do and as dis interessed they do impartially make the more certain observation and judgment of things of this Life therefore we are always confident knowing that while in the Body we are absent from the Lord for we walk by Faith not by Sight we are confident and willing to be absent from the Body and be present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5.9 The Saints have yet a further excellency in their sight for when they are Spiritualized in this Life and the natural ignorance taken off by their ingraftment in Christ when these Silver Threads are cut they are enlightned with the knowledge and sight which fails not and united to Christ that first and Original Light and their knowledge is eternal and unextinguishable and augmented to the seeing not only in part as in this Life but to know as they are known and to see as they seen eternally in the Heavens that they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that they may be perfect in one We know in part and we Prophesie in part but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away when I was a Child I spoke as a Child I understood as a Child I thought as a Child but when I became a Man I put away Childish things for now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. In this side of time our Eyes are blurred with Sorrow and Grief and our sight marred but in the Translation all Tears shall be wiped away from our Eyes there shall be no night there they shall need no Candle nor light of Sun or Moon for the Lord giveth them Light Hence plainly may appear the great difference between the Lusts of the Eyes in a Carnal Man and the Transcendent excellencies of the sight of the Saints in glory for that the Carnal Eye of the Body can only reach sensual Objects and that under great Infirmities and Weakness but the Spiritual Light reacheth Heavenly Objects and that in full extent and continues its strength to all Eternity The last thing which makes up the Worlds glory and excellency is the Pride of Life by which may be understood all Worldly Honour Credit Titles and Preferments which do chiefly consist either in naked Titles of Honour or Titles with Preferment and Benefit attending them in both which respects we shall find that of the glorified Saints infinitely excell all that can be pretended from the World Worldly Titles of Honour of the Highest Elevation or Degree as Dukes Kings Emperors and such like are splendid in Carnal Fancy but having no intrinsick value depending only upon the frothy Opinion of others the professors thereof may fall from them into more Contempt than they were in esteem by reason of their Titles Power and Glory as daily experience teacheth but the Saints are Sons and Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Jesus Christ and their Names Titles and Dignities are entred in the Records of Heaven and they are Sealed with Truth that cannot lye The grace and calling of God is without Repentance To him that overcometh will I give a New Name better than the Name of Sons and Daughters the Name of God and the City of God which cometh down from Heaven this is more Honourable than that of the Order of St. George or St. Andrews or any of the most splendid Dignities on Earth Rev. 3.12 These Titles are not only glorious though not made up of the vain and flattering notions of Carnal fancies and outward gaity and shew but are also accompanyed with the richest Preferments and greatest profit such as are thus dignified with the Name of God on them are in the Presence Chamber continually before the Throne of God Day and Night and he that sitteth on the Throne dwelleth amongst them they shall Hunger no more neither Thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on them or any Heat Rev. 7.15 16 17. Though these be not eminent Titles yet not all and what the richest greatest and most generous Princes on Earth cannot give the Lord gives to the Saints he makes them Sons and Heirs of his Everlasting Glory he that overcometh shall inherit all things and he shall be my Son and I will be his God Rev. 21.7 If ye be risen with Christ then are ye Heirs according to his promise and joynt Heirs with Christ and because ye are Sons God hath sent forth this Spirit of his Son into your Hearts whereby ye cry Abba Father wherefore thou art no more a Servant but a Son and if a Son then
contrived and fitted them for it for as Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor Corruption Incorruption so the Lord doth provide his Saints Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies capable to receive these Spiritual Manifestations of his Glory and of Christ and all the Heavenly Host 1 Cor. 15. read all As this is an Eminent Instance of Eternal Happiness that Believers shall be Cloathed with Spiritual Bodies like that of Christs so it may Minister great Consolation to Afflicted Misers that the time doth not only hasten in which they shall be delivered from Misery but that also they shall have Bodies incapable of any misery The third Eminent instance of this Eternal Happiness is to be admitted into the Fellowship of Christ and all the Heavenly Host that they may be with me where I am Jo. 17.24 It is usual to Strangers to inquire into all the Magnificence of all Countries where they Travel the Queen of Sheba came to see the glory of Solomon Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadour of the King of Babylon all his Glory Power and Wealth but what 's all the Earthly glory but Poppet shows to the glory of God which is above Human reach and as the greatest Honour Kings can give their Subjects is to admit them into their presence and constant Fellowship so this is the Chief Dignity of Saints that they are admitted into the immidiate presence of God and Christ and that not under a Cloud or Vail of the Flesh as Moses saw God in the Mount and as the Lord appeared in the Camp of Israel and at the Door of the Tabernacle but face to face to behold the fulness of his glory for when we are under the Clog of these Earthly Bodies we cannot behold the Majesty of God but when we are Clothed with these immortal Bodies we shall see as We are seen and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. And as the glory of God himself is sufficient for all admiration and Satisfaction so the sight of the glorious Host of Heaven cannot but be exceeding delightful to see the sufferers for Christ enjoy the reward of their Patience and Faith to him that overcometh will I grant to sit down with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father on his Throne Rev. 3.21 These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 15. This is the patience of the Saints these are they that keep the Commandments and the Faith of Jesus these sing the Song of Moses Rev. 14.4 12 13. These are the Souls of those who were beheaded for the Name of Jesus and the Word of God Rev. 15. 3 4. ch 19.7 8 9. Rev. 20.4 These are they which were invited and prepared for the Wedding of the Lamb. See the Apostles Description of the Heavenly Society but ye are come unto Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. As it 's no small part of Eternal Happiness to be admitted into the immediate presence of God so is it to be continued there to all Eternity The greatest favourites have fallen Haman was Hanged and Achitophel Hang'd himself because his Court fell but the Favour of God is for ever he that abideth in the Will of God shall indure for ever 1 Jo. 2.17 his People are all Sealed and Marked they are made Pillars of the Temple of God have his Name on them and can go out no more they are before the Lord Day and Night Rev. 3.12 and dwells with him they are Heirs of all things and can never fall from the Favour of God Rev. 21.7 Fifthly As the Saints of God are Eternally in his presence and so confirmed in their Happy State that they cannot fail so they have all after Pain Sorrow Grief and Trouble wiped off and secured from it they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more there shall no Sun light on them nor any Heat for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them unto living Fountains of Water and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death nor Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any pain for the former things are passed away This is the Portion of Believers in their Eternally Blessed Estate of all which these improvements may be made First Compare Man in his Estate of Nature and Misery with him in his Estate of Grace and Glory Secondly Believe the promises to Believers Thirdly Be Comforted and rejoyce in the Faith of Salvation promised in the Gospel First Man in his best Estate is altogether Vanity Ecl. 2.11 ch 13. ch 4. ch 5.12 17. Secondly In Relation to Corruption his thoughts are impure all his Thoughts and Imaginations Evil and only Evil continually Gen. 6.15 Mat. 15.19 Thirdly As to performances all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and Menstruous Garments the whole Head sick the whole Heart faint Is 1.5 6. ch 64.6 Fourthly Heart Deceitful a Body of Death full of all Evil Jer. 17.9 Rom. 7.18 Fifthly Darkness without Light or knowledge of God and his truth or the Redeemer Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 2.1 2 3 11 12. ch 5.8 This being the Picture of Man in Nature without Grace Let us view him in Christ and renewed First All glorious within Holiness to the Lord Heir of all things all things yours Rev. 21.7 Rom. 8.32 Secondly Made sure a Pillar in the Temple of God go out no more hath Gods Name and City on him his Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 3.12 ch 7.15 16 17. Thirdly Continually in Gods presence God Dwells with them Rev. 3.21 Fourthly Crown'd with Everlasting Happiness and Glory no more Sorrow nor Pain the former things are past away Rev. 21.3 to 8. Secondly Believe Gods promises and rejoyce in them First Is Man lost by Nature and the Heir of Wrath and hath Christ dyed for sinners Eph. 2.3 Rom. 5.6 7 8. Secondly Hath God promised Redemption by his Blood and Eternal Life on Faith in him Jo. 3.16 17 18. Rom. 5.9 Thirdly Hath he said in vain seek ye my Face and live Is 45.19 20. Fourthly Is he in Compliment who is he that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light let him Trust in the Name of the Lord and stay on his God Is 50.10 Fifthly Are his professions of Love and Care a dry and only Complimentive and not Real Is 49.15
16. read all Sixthly Does the free Market of Grace Merit no Admiration Thankfulness and Credit Isa 55 1 2 3. Seventhly Are not these words of him that cannot lye Dissemble or Deceive As I live saith the Lord I desire not the Death of sinner but rather that he should repent and live Come and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as Scarlet I will make them as Wooll though they be red as Crimson I will make them as Snow Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy Laden and I will give you rest Is 1.18 Mat. 11.28 Eighthly Is not this Christs own Voice Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any Man will open to me I will come in and he shall Sup with me and I with him And to him that overcometh will I give to sit with me in my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rev. 3.20 21. Now how great was the Stupidity and Folly not to believe these Fatherly Invitations and Comply with them that we may be Eternally Happy Inference Though Man by Nature in the above Description be inexpressibly Miserable yet not without Remedy by Faith in Jesus Christ who dyed for a sinner and Salvation and Eternal Life promised to Believers in him Rom. 5.5 6 7. Jo. 3.16 17 18. wherefore we should take Heart Courage and a patient waiting on him And for our Assistance and Encouragement First Under the deep Sense of Mans Misery in the condition of Natural sin as in the preceding Description of Man with a continual Lowliness and Humility of Mind as a check to Pride Self and Sin looking into Mans Character when any thing of Sin or Temptation offers and with the Apostle cry out O Wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from this Body of Death Rom. 7.24 Secondly Have deep Admiration of the height and depth of the unsearchable Love of God in Christ Jesus who hath made Christ to Believers all and in all Eph. 3.17 18 19. Col. 3.11 Thirdly Be Reconciled to the Cross of Christ and Affliction as the happy means of Reconciling thee to God before I was Afflicted I went astray but now have I learned to know the Law I will return to my place and hide my Face until they acknowledge their Iniquities seek my Face in their Afflictions they will seek me early Hos 5.15 I have refined thee but not with Silver I have chosen thee in the Furnace of Affliction Is 48.10 I will bring her into the Wilderness and there I will allure her and speak Comfortably unto her Hos 2.14 I reckon that the present Afflictions of this Life which are but for a Moment are not worthy to be compared to that exceeding weight of glory that shall be revealed in us 2 Cor. 4.17 18. Fourthly Ly patiently under the Rod until the time of thy Deliverance come and quarrel not with the Instruments of thy Chastisement hear the Voice of the Rod and who hath appointed wait for the Vision though it tarry it will speak Hab. 2.3 Say with David Lo here am I let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight 2 Sam. 15.25 26. as with the Apostle I have learned in every condition therewith be content I know how to want and how to abound Phil. 4.11 12 13. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord until he plead my Cause and Execute Judgment for me Mic. 7.9 Fifthly Believe it to be a Truth and be Comforted in it that all things work together for good to such as wait for him and that the end is Eternal Life in Jesus Christ Ro. 8.28 Faith and Salvation are inseparable Companions as well from the Covenant of God in Christ Jesus as from the Fidelity Power Promise and good Will of God and this alone is able to answer all the Cavils of Malice and Disquiet or Discouragement which may arise from the Consideration of the meanness or misery by Nature or under the sense of Mans weakness under his sinful Condition in this that he that believeth shall have Eternal Life Jo. 3.16 17 18. for though Man in his best Condition by Nature without grace be a meer Picture Shadow Vapour Bubble and like a Bell upon the Water or dew on the Grass that withereth his whole Life Labour and Sorrow Vanity and lighter than Vanity so as he desireth Death rather than Life and at Death is the end of all his glory and his Misery is endless in Everlasting Destruction as in the foregoing Description hence is the unspeakable Consolation of Believers that the Covenant of God is everlasting not of the things of this Life only but also of the Life t come the gifts and calling of God are without Repentance and herein doth the excellency of the Covenant of grace exceed that of the Covenant of Works with Man in his first Creation First The first state and Condition of Man naturally considered was of the things of this Natural Life only but the New and second Covenant is of things of this Life and also of that which is to come so that the New Covenant which hath the promise of this Life and of that also which is to come is more valuable than the other Godliness is great gain 1 Tim. 4.8 c. Wherefore Christ adviseth us not to store up perishing things but rather the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness Mat. 6.19 to 24. Secondly We see in Natural Mans Description what a slippery thing he is and the meanness of his Condition and where all with him ends but the Enjoyments of the New Covenant is the Inheritance of all things which perish not nor change Ro. 11.29 Thirdly To this New Covenant belong Priviledges which make Happiness here and Eternally hereafter by all which the Fellows of this Covenant are endowed with the greatest priviledges and assisted with the Richest promises that infinite Wisdom and Goodness thought fit to make a happy State here and Eternally hereafter Fourthly The excellency of this Covenant is such that the priviledges thereto belonging qualifies and secures the Heirs of this Covenant against all vicissitudes in this Life and fits and moulds them for the Enjoyment of that Eternal State provided and secured by this New Covenant the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God designing to make Believers Citizens of the New Jerusalem made without Hands eternal in the Heavens alters and changes the whole frame of Man from what it was formerly in Nature and squares him to that Heavenly building Although of Gods free Will and Pleasure for his own glory without the necessity of any further perfection Man was at first Created by God as the free love of God in Christ Jesus is the only Rise of Mans Eternal Happiness nevertheless it is not only compleated by Election but also by Regeneration and newness of Life in Christ Jesus and by being made Holy as God is Holy and therefore the whole frame of
the elect as well of Soul as Body is changed into the likeness of Christ in Spirit and Body If any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature all things are made New and old things are done away 2 Cor. 5.5 17. That you put off the Old Man which is corrupt according to the Deceitful Lusts and that you put on the New Man which after God is Created in Righteousness and True Holiness Eph. 4.22 23 24. That such fashioning and change must be before the Elect can fully be admitted into the presence of God and enjoy him unchangeably may appear by these reasons First for that the Wisdom and Goodness of God intending to compleat Mans Happiness and to magnifie the Mistery of his love by their immediate enjoyment of himself in the Spiritual Clear and full presence of glory That they may be one with me see me and behold my glory Jo. 17.24 The Communication of Gods glory being so sublimely spiritual and not apprehendible but by these who are purely spiritual therefore our dark understanding must be made spiritual The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God neither indeed can do because they are spiritually discerned but he that is spiritual judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.14 15. and therefore in order to compleating of the Saints Happiness and to frame them for that he promiseth to put his spirit in them and give them a New Heart and renew a right spirit in them so as they may suitably enjoy God Eze. 36.25 26 27. Secondly Divine Wisdom knowing how Earthly mindedness runs after the Creature and being intangled therewith is clog'd from thirsting after God and things spiritual to be Carnally minded is Death but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace for that they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they who are after the spirit the things of the spirit because the Carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Ro. 5.5 6 7. And therefore to wean their Hearts from the World and to wind up the Affections of the elect to himself it behoveth their frame to be made spiritual The Lord Jesus Christ gives this as his Command to his Disciples to be spiritually minded and to mind Heavenly Treasures which are not Corruptible and useth this Argument for where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 20 21. And thus the Lord Jesus making his People of a Heavenly and Spiritual frame chiefly to mind Heaven and Spiritual things sets their Affections more earnestly on himself disengages them to Human Enjoyments Reconciles them to Afflictions and makes them more easie under the Cross If in Solomons experience that all the World is but Labour and Sorrow and Death is more to be desired than Life how much more easier will the Affections of the renewed be under all Disappointments of Carnal things when with the Apostle they look to Heaven and the inseparable and everlasting Communion of God will they not count all things but Dung and Loss in Compare with the Excellencies of Christ Ro. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present Life are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us And in that other Famous Scripture for our Light Afflictions which are but for a Moment work for us a far more exceeding and an Eternal weight of glory whilst we look not after things which are seen but after things which are not seen for things which are seen are Temporal but things which are not seen Eternal 2 Cor. 4.17 Hence we see how great is the goodness and wisdom of God towards renewed Mortals intreating them with so great Mercy and Love in convincing them of the vanity of Earthly shadows and discovering to them that so High Deep Long and Broad Mistery of Love in Christ Jesus which passeth knowledge and the Riches of the glory of that Mistery which is Christ the hope of all glory made manifest in the Saints Eph. 3.9 18 19. Col. 2.26 27. And by their choice of these excellencies above the Creatures to make all things else to be esteemed of no value and in their Souls desire to Eccho forth none but Christ and having so spiritualized their minds that they can neither Touch Handle Smell or delight in any thing but him and what tends to his glory and their Enjoyment of him Thirdly In the framing of the Saints Bodies at the Resurrection in a Spiritual and Incorruptible Body for Christs designing not only Mans Redemption from wrath to come but also to make them Coheirs and participate with him of his own glory John 17.22 And in respect the frame of our Carnal and Corruptible Bodies is not capable to receive that glory nor to continue under the Enjoyment of it for that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of glory nor Corruption inherit Incorruption he therefore changeth that Corruption into Incorruption and makes Mortality put on Immortality and changeth our vile Bodies into the fashion of his glorious Body 2 Cor. 15.42 to 55. according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself Phi. 3.21 What then can or will be wanting to compleat the Eternal Happiness of the Saints seeing they have so sure a Covâ—â—ant with such ample Priviledges and that they are and shall be fitted as well in Body as Soul to receive these Rivers of Pleasures in the Enjoyment of God in whose presence is fulness of Joy and at whose Right Hand there are pleasures for ever-more Ps 16.11 What then remains for the Prisoners of Hope but to sit down admire the Heighth Depth Length and Breadth of that Incomprehensible Mistery of the Love of God in Christ Jesus Eph. 3.9 18 19. and by Faith Love and Patience to sit down under his shadow with great Delight Cant. 2.2 and against all Crosses Temptations and Difficulties to take Comfort in the Faith of Eternal Happiness there is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit if God be for us who can be against us who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that Justifieth who is he that Condemneth it is Christ that Dyed yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right Hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us who shall separate us from the love of Christ I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus From what hath been said we see Believers firmly stated to the Title of Joynt Heirs of glory with Jesus Christ and in a firm Covenant through him with the Father and having so fair an interest at stake their Duty is to pursue the same with Faith Courage and
Enemies and the last Enemy Death it self by taking away Sin the Sting of Death and as the great Trophy of his Victory hath Blotted out the Hand-writing of Ordinances which was against them and contrary to them and Nailed it to his own Cross and so hath compleated the Victory for Believers Col. 3.13 14 15. From hence may be seen the Truth of that great Mistery of Gods Love in Christ Jesus Eye hath not seen neither hath Ear heard c. Is 64.4 and how great Reason then have sinful Mortals to be much in the Admiration of all the Dimentions of that inexpressible Mistery of Christs Love which passeth knowledge Eph. 3.18 19. As the many Advantages from the Booty in this Conflict and Christs Example is an inducement for chearful fighting so is the Example of the chearful Companions of this Combate of which see a great Tribe of the Royal Combatants under this Banner of Christ fighting to Death with Immortal Glory set down before the Saints Banner is the Cross of Christ God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ Gal. 6.14 In this Cross or Banner Christ carries in it as the Trophy of his Victory and Motto for the Comfort of Sinners that Hand-Writing of Ordinance above mentioned and this is the Magna Charta of Believers Col. 2.14 He that Believeth on him shall never perish but have Eternal Life John 3.14 to 18. Thirdly The third Encouragement for chearful fighting is Christs express Will and Command Let not your Hearts be Troubled you believe in God believe also in me c. Jo. 14. to 5. Rejoyce always yea I say rejoyce evermore Col. 3.16 17. The whole Scripture is full of Exhortations of the Godly's Rejoycing in God Let the Hearts of them that seek the Lord rejoyce again rejoyce in the Lord always I say again rejoyce in the Lord Ps 105. all Phi. 4.4 the Combatants under Christs Banner have peculiar Reasons of chearfulness beyond all others First For that their General was never defeated neither can be for how is it possible that Wisdom Power and Experience which Christ is in himself can be Defeated Secondly All other Souldiers fight in Hopes of Victory here the Victory is insured and already obtained Christ hath already fought the Battel and Christians are but to follow chearfully and receive the Prize He hath trod the Wine-press of his Fathers Wrath and none of the People were with him Is 63. to 5. He is that only High Priest and Sacrifice for Sinners and is the Blood of Sprinkling Heb. 12.4 Heb. 4.15 16. He is our Fore-runner and Harbinger to take possession for us within the Vail Heb. 6.20 He is able to save to the uttermost Heb. 7.27 He is offered up once for all By his own Blood he obtained Redemption for Sinners to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 12.27 He is our Advocate to make intercession for us 1 Jo. 2.1 Thirdly All the Soldiers Wounded in this Conflict are Healed and Cured by the Balsom of his Blood He was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him and with his Stripes we are Healed Is 53.5 O Mistical Balm of Gilead doth any Generals Blood prove the Soldiers Balsom but that of Jesus Christ the lives of Millions of Soldiers are Sacrificed to the Life of their General but this General dyed to save the Lives of his Soldiers God commendeth his Love towards us for while we were yet Sinners Christ dyed for us Ro. 4 25. Ro. 5.9 10. Fourthly Those who fight under this Banner shall never be overcome even though they fight to Death they may be troubled but not destroyed perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 1 Cor. 4.8 9 10. They may be killed all the day long and counted as Sheep for the Slaughter and yet in all this be more than Conquerors Ps 44.22 Ro. 8.36 37. He hath so Framed Fitted Fashioned and prepared them in a spiritual Building and Frame by putting his invincible Spirit in them Eze. 36.26 27. and so Armed and Disciplined them in a Spiritual Warfare that they are invincible they have on the whole Compleat Armor of God that though their fighting be against Principalities and Powers and spiritual wickednesses in high places they are secured against all assaults enabled to fight all Battels and though they should and must resist unto Blood and in this fight lose their Carnal Life yet shall they be gainers and victorious Eph. 6.12 to 19. He that saveth his Life shall lose it and he that loseth his Life shall find it Mat. 10.29 He that raiseth up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up and present us with him 2 Cor. 4.14 Fear not him that can kill the Body and do no more but fear him that can destroy both Soul and Body in Hell Mat. 10.28 Fifthly Christ's Soldiers are not straglers but are all chosen of God from the beginning of the World and before the World was Romans 9.8 11 16. Ro. 8.29 30. They are all Named Marked Listed and Entred in Christs Muster-Roll of his Saints they have the Mark of God The White Stone and New Name and on them the Name of God and the Name of the City of God Rev. 7.3 ch 14.14 ch 2.7 ch 3.8 12. so that they cannot be lost stolen or forced from their Colours having Gods Name and Mark on them Eze. 8.4 5. Sixthly They are all given of God to the General Christ Jesus and I have manifested thy Name unto the Men which thou gavest me out of the World thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy Word Jo. 17.6 12 15 24. They are peculiarly guarded and kept by Christ that they may not be lost but are preserved against all evil Ps 91. all Is 54.10 they are protected against all Poysonous or hurtful Weapons no Weapon framed against thee shall prosper and every Tongue which shall rise against thee in Judgment shalt thou Condemn this is the Heritage of the Lord and their Righteousness is of me saith the Lord Is 49.2 16. They are in Christs own keeping so that they are graven on the Palms of his Hands and are Eternally preserved to the enjoyment of God and to be set on his Throne and When he maketh up his Jewels they are spared Rev. 3.24 Mal. 3.17 Seventhly This one thing more is peculiar to Christs Army whereas in other Armies the Soldiers some are pressed others hired of divers Nations Languages Judgments Interests and Perswasions all Christs are Volunteers Thy People shall be a willing People in the Day of thy Power Ps 110.3 They are all of one Spirit with Christ he puts his Spirit within them Eze. 36.25 26. Jer. 32.39 They are all united to Christ and are of one mind and Will with him one in us as we are one John 17.21 They are all of one mind and unanimous amongst
original guilt imputable to them in so much as they are part of that Mass which was corrupted common experience in all Ages tell us that unhappy constitutions of Parents either natural or accidental render Posterity exceeding corrupt as well in Intellectuals as in bodily habits and what reason can be given why men beget men and not beasts and beasts beget beasts and not men but because of the Affinity of Nature between the Sire and what is begotten the same Parity of reason will infer that from corrupt Men corrupt Issue must be produced and how can it be otherwise supposed for what is begotten of man can give no quality to it self and therefore must participate of the nature and ascribe its quality to that by which it is begotten This also is clear from Scripture who can bring a clean thing from an unclean not one Job 14.4 If a man be sinful polluted and unclean as Adam was after his fall how could his Posterity be clean they have it not of themselves and could not claim or derive it from him David gives us for this a clear Scripture proof in his own acknowledgment of Original guilt behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me Psal 51.5 From whence comes this pollution of David the Embrio took it not from its lodging in the Womb there being nothing there to defile it therefore it must needs have it from its polluted Parents Do not dayly and woful experience instruct us that the first Acts of Children is wickedness and if not restrained and instructed they will perish in Sin and Atheism whence comes this Man was created Righteous and Holy untill he wilfully defiled himself doth not then this wickedness arise from that first pollution of Nature in Adam and so descended and fell on all Posterity and continues successively until Nature be polished by Grace and man be renewed in Christ Jesus and made conformable to the Image of him that Created him in Righteousness and true holiness wherefore we must conclude all men under Sin by natural Generation and for this the Scripture is most clear for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under Sin and in that other place of the same Apostle Wherefore as by one Man sin entred into the World and Death by Sin so Death passed upon all Men for that all have sinned Rom. 3.9 Again therefore as by the offence of one Judgment came upon all Men to condemnation For as by one Mans Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous Rom. 5.12 18 19. Having discovered from Scripture and by other arguments that by Adams Transgression his Nature was corrupted and that thereby his Posterity partaking of his corrupted complexion and nature are also tainted with his corruption and are thereby guilty of his original Transgression we come next to consider the consequences thereof upon his Posterity and these are twofold First The Posterity of Adam are made subject to Death and disabled from succeeding him in the many priviledges he enjoyed in his Integrity Secondly They are disabled in natural enjoyment and spiritual performances For the first as we have already cleared upon Adams transgression an act of attender passed against him and he was deprived of his Soveraignty over the Creatures enmity was sowed between him and them and the Earth was accursed for his sake and he himself exposed to toil misery and sorrow so that all these evil effects have fallen on his Posterity and they also made subject to Death This is already cleared from their participation of the corrupt nature and consequently the Judgments which have followed must also affect them and they are thereby brought under the Judgment of Death as by that Scripture already cited as by one man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin so Death passed upon all men for that all men have sinned Rom. 5.12 So as Adam had not seen Death if he had not sinned and sinning was brought under the Judgment of Death all his Posterity likewise sinning in him are liable to the Judgment of Death For the Wages of sin is Death Rom. 6.23 Secondly The Posterity of Adam are not only disabled from succeeding him in that glorious state of his Integrity but are disabled in the use of natural enjoyment and spiritual performances First In natural and temporary enjoyments for though the World be respited from utter ruine and God continues Man on Earth with a Course of Day and Night and the usual seasons nevertheless since the Curse on the Creatures for Mans Sin the enjoyment of Creature delights is attended with such uneasiness that Mans Life is a continual dying and a Life of Sorrow Man that is born of a Woman is of few days and full of trouble he cometh forth like a flower and is cut down he flieth also as a shadow and continueth not Job 14.1 2. See Davids testimony of the greatest of Men surely Men of low degree are vanity and Men of high degree a lye to be laid in the hallance they are altogether lighter than vanity Psal 62.9 If we take Solomons opinion of the whole World he plainly tells us all is Vanity and Vexation of Spirit Eccles 2. all The holy Apostle gives us an Inventory of the World In the World is only the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eyes and the Pride of Life and these things are not of God and perish in the using 1 Joh. 2.15 16. The holy Apostle Paul informs us that the whole Creation is brought under subjection and groans under bondage for Sin Rom. 8.20 21. So that since the Curse for Sin the World is but a Stage of Sin Sorrow and Misery This also is proved from daily experience what Age Nation City or Family is exempted from the lash of mortality misery or changes is not the greatest Earthly glory honour wealth and strength clouded in a moment and brought to nothing and this is the just effect of mans Sin and Rebellion and will be the continuing Lot of the Seed of Adam untill the Restoration of Man in Christ Jesus according to the Image of him that created him and that the bondage of the Creation be restored by the coming of the second Adam and restitution of all things by him Rom. 8.21 22. The second thing wherein Man is disabled by Adam's Sin and inherent Corruption from the first pollution is not only natural feebleness and weakness all the vital and corporal faculties being disabled from that original wholesome and vigorous Constitution of the first Adam whereby the actions are either corrupt or faint in comparison with what they were before the Fall but also in Religious performances and duties so as all these actions and performances are either wholly corrupt and sinful or so weak and scanty that they are rather a Skeleton or Picture than real Duties This is illustrated from these three Instances First
they said to be of that Pedigree we see Christ would not suffer the Scribes and Pharisees amongst the Jews to claim to Abraham because they did not his works we see the Prophet Isaiah chargeth the Jews to be an adulterous race and that they were of a Mother divorced from her Husband where is the Bill of your Mothers Divorcement whom I have put away behold for your Iniquities have you sold your selves and for your transgressions is your Mother put away Isa 51.1 What glory is it to be of noble blood which for the worst of Crimes was attainted and to be of Illustrious birth when the Issue is Adulterous and Spurious this is the Fountain and Spring of the Blood and Pedigree of all Mankind of higher or lower degree on Earth and this cross bar is inherent in the Scutcheon of all Mortals this is that Mené Tekél Dan. 5.25 the Motto of all the natural Issue of Adam and this stain is not to be blotted out but by the Blood of that Scape Goat the Lamb Jesus Christ who must blot out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his Cross Col. 2.14 Secondly This Sin having such Complication of all manner of sin in it and being the Fountain from whence came all manner of Corruption look not on it as one single act to be extenuate with that excuse of eating only a little of forbidden Fruit but look on it as a poysoned Fountain in which were lodged all enchantments to sin and that deliberate contraction of enmity against God an evil Heart of unbelief stuffed with malice glutted with covetousness swellen with pride cankred with envy fretted with discontent and boundless in desire Thirdly When by Providence Affliction or Chastisement for sin cometh consider that before Sin came there was no sorrow that Justice and Judgment must attend Iniquity and as Sin was first punished by a deluge of misery on Mankind so the Continuance must not escape the like fate and look on all acts as coming from that Fountain of Corruption and make not the single act of any one transgression the sole cause of mourning repentance and reformation but run the act to the spring of the Heart and fix on the Soul that vehement desire fear zeal indignation and revenge in the act and corruption in the fountain what Indignation yea what fear what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge and never meet with any sin or temptation to it but with an Eye of Jealousie as over a Pit of Destruction Fourthly When Providence deprives thee of any Earthly enjoyment for the reasons in Divine Wisdom murmur not to be denied some of thy desires but remember thou wast guilty in Adam of grudging God the reserving of the Tree of Knowledge and by thy impatient bearing of losses thou makest the old sore of Adams transgression bleed afresh in discontent but rather let the memory of Original Sin oblige thee to submission contentment sorrow and repentance Fifthly Are all men guilty of Adams transgression and are of the same corrupted and degenerate blood and some by course of Providence raised to Wealth and Honour above others what reason then hath the exalted or brother of high degree to dispise him on whom the deceitful Riches of this World have not smiled this Man who dispiseth his Brother is forgetful of himself as if not of the same blood with the other he is like a man beholding his natural Face in a glass he beholdeth himself and goeth away and forgetteth what manner of Man he was Jam. 1.23 24. The Riches and Honour of this Life should not raise a Man in esteem of himself above his brother for what he hath is given to him of God who can as equally level him with his Brother and thereby make him remember his own Pride and that the other is of the same Blood with him See the Instance of this in Nebuchadnezzar and many others I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven all whose Works are Truth and his ways Judgments and those that walk in Pride he is able to abase Dan. 4.29 to the end Consider what the Apostle James saith of Carnal partiality of preferring the Rich in Gay Clothing with a goodly Gold Ring and despising the poor Brother and what arguments he useth to the contrary Are ye not then partial in your selves and are become Judges of evil thoughts hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to those that love him and ye have dispised the Poor do not Rich Men oppress you and draw you before the Judgment Seats do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called if ye fulfil that royal Law according to the Scripture thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self ye do well but if you have respect to persons ye sin Jam. 2. to 10. Here by strong arguments he proves the partial preferring the Rich before the poor to be sinful First For that the Godly though poor in this World is the worthier person in Gods esteem in that he is chosen of God an heir of the Kingdom of Glory Secondly That Great and Rich Men are Enemies to the Godly they bring them before Judgment Seats and oppress them Thirdly Rich Men are not Enemies only to Godly Men but to God and Blaspheme his Holy Name Fourthly That the royal Law of God commands the Duty of equal love love thy Neighbour as thy self Wherefore since Pride and Ambition was a cheif ingredient of that first Fountain of sin let none through Pride dispise him who was of the same blood with himself though not in that equal Worldly Splendor or Glory but consider as Pride did ruine Adam and abased all his Posterity so Justice will take the like vengeance upon all the Race of Adam guilty of the same Crime Whoso dispiseth the poor reproacheth his Maker Prov. 17.15 God is Maker of poor and rich Prov. 22.2 Sixthly Are all men of one Blood and Family and so Brethren and Members one of another Eph. 4.24 This calls all men to mutual Sympathy mutual Assistance and supply of one another this is that express Command of Christ that ye love one another as I have loved you John 13.34 And the Apostle presseth this most vehemently Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his Brother 1 John 3.10 We have passed from Death to Life if we love the Brethren and he that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death he that hateth his Brother is a murderer and hath not Eternal Life We ought to Lay down our Life for the Brethren 1 Joh. 3.14 15 16. This Love consists not only in the Airy Compliment of professed and pretended Friendship but First In a general Sympathy Fellow-feeling and Compassion in all Conditions and Circumstances Spiritual and Temporal like Christs Love to
his Church In all their Afflictions he was Afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his Love and in his Pity he redeemed them and carryed them all the days of old Isa 63.9 Secondly This Love is extensive to all wants and necessities or else it is empty and profiteth not Whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of Compassion how doth the Love of God dwell in him 1 Joh. 3.17 And the Apostle James is to the like purpose If a Brother or a Sister be naked and destitute of Daily food and one of you say to them depart in peace he ye warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not these things which are needful to the Body what doth it profit Jam. 15.16 Seventhly Is it so then of a lamentable truth that all men are concluded in Adams Apostacy and that there is a woful Degeneracy in the Soul of Man from that primitive Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness and that all men in Nature are dead in Sin and have their Conversation with the Lusts of the Flesh fulfilling the desires thereof and of the mind according to the Course of this World according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience and are by Nature the Children of Wrath. Eph. 2.1 2 3. And that there is even amongst the renewed a Law in the Members warring against the Law in the Mind Rom. 7.23 Ch. 8.1 And that by reason of Sin the Creature is Subject to Vanity and the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain for the Adoption and Redemption Rom. 8.20 22 23. And that in this degeneracy a mans life is his burden and there is no true pleasure under the Sun confirmed in Solomons experience Therefore I hated life because the work that is wrought under the Sun is grievous unto me for all is vanity and vexation of Spirit Eccles 2.17 all Seeing then this Earth is but a sojourning and no abiding place and that here is neither Pleasure Rest nor Happiness how much is it mortal mans concern anxiously restlesly and with a believing Impatience to pursue close after these two things First That as by one man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin so Death passed upon all men for that all men have sinned Rom. 5.12 And that as by the offence of one man Judgment came upon all men to Condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to Justification of life Rom. 5.18 That man would seriously apply himself to the Throne of Grace that he may be found in the Faith that he may be intituled into Eternal Life in Jesus Christ that only mediator and for that the first Image of God in man was wilfully abolished or defaced by man that by the bounty of Free-grace he may be begotten again by the regeneration of the Spirit unto a lively Faith and that he may put on the new man of Righteousness and True Holiness Eph. 4. â—â— And may be renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created it Col. 3.10 And may be set free from the Law of Sin and Death by the Law of the Spirit of Life And that he may be spiritually enlightned not by the Spirit of the World but by the Spirit which is of God and that he may know the things freely given of God 1 Cor. 2.12 And that he may be spiritually minded that enmity of the Carnal mind may be removed so as he may no more mind the things of the Flesh but the things of the Spirit Rom 8.5 6 7. That being raised from the Death of Sin by the Spirit of Christ he may seek these things that are above where Christ is Col. 3.1 And may be accounted to be called a Child of God an heir and Joynt heir with Jesus Christ and may also be glorified with him Rom. 8 17. That he may be dead and crucified in Christ to Sin and may also live with him in Glory Rom. 6.8 Secondly Seeing the Earth was accursed for mans sake Gen. 3.17 18 19. And that the Creature was made Subject to Vanity not willingly but by reason of him who Subjected the same in hope Rom. 8.20 And that the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together for redemption from the bondage of Corruption unto the glorious liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.21 22 23. That he may watch and be always ready with Oyl in his Lamp for the coming of the Bridegroom who cometh as a Thief in the night Rev. 16.15 And may earnestly pray that the Bridegroom would hasten the coming of his Kingdom and the new Heavens and the new Earth and set the Sons of God at liberty from the Liberty of Sin and Corruption and that the glad Tydings of that Heavenly Proclamation may be heard Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and God shall dwell with them and they shall be his People and God himself shall be with them and be their God And God shall wipe away all tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more Pain For the former things are passed away Rev. 21. to 6. Having thus viewed Adam in his Primitive Integrity in Glory Honour Righteousness true Holiness and perfect Knowledge with absolute Soveraignty over the Creatures the Darling and Friend of God and all the Creation at Unity and Peace with him and in Subjection to him and in Amity amongst themselves And afterwards by Man's falling from God Man the declared Enemy of God and by a guard of Angels barred out of Paradise deprived of his Soveraignty and Enmity sowed between the Creatures and the Earth accursed and the Creation brought under Bondage and the Posterity of Adam once the apparent Heir of all Righteousness true Holiness Knowledge Honour Glory and Soveraignty over the Creatures disabled and cut off from that glorious succession and exposed unto all misery and under the servitude of Sin and Wrath Rom. 3.23 Eph. 2.3 And in place of that Unity of the Sons of God and shouting together for joy nothing to be seen or heard but Subjects rebelling against their Soveraign and the whole Creation Split in Enmity and Envy Malice Oppression and Unrighteousness to have filled the whole Earth where is that corner of the World where ambition for Dominion Covetousness for Wealth private or publick animosities have not drowned the sense of all comfortable enjoyments Man raging against the Creatures and they against him and each in contention devouring one another and nothing to be seen but a woful Convulsion and dismal complexion and the degenerate frame of that first and beautiful Fabrick of the Creation from its so late purity and glory This then being the Tragical Condition of all Mortals Subject to Sin and Misery as entailed on them from the Inherent Corruption of Nature Job 5.6 Who can
Gen. 17.7 And that Prophet promised to Moses and I will raise them up a Prophet amongst their Brethren like unto thee and I will put my words into his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him Deut. 18.18 And he is that Prophet of whom the Apostle speaketh Of this Mans Seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Act. 13.22 And this is that rod out of the Stem of Jesse on whom the Spirit of the Lord doth rest The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the Lord he shall not judge after the sight of his Eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his Ears but with Righteousness shall he judge the Poor and Reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth and shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the Wicked and righteousness shall be the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Isa 11. to 11. And this is that Prophet who hath received the Spirit in full The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath appointed me to Preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captive and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God and to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the Oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness Isa 61. to 4. He is the only true Sheepheard of the Sheep and entreth in at the Door to whom it is opened and the Sheep hear his voice and follow him he knoweth his Sheep calleth them by their Names and leads them into the true and good Pastures John 10. to 6. He is the infallible guide and teacher He is the Way the Truth the Light and Life and no Man cometh unto the Father but by him Joh. 14.6 He is the only true light that lightneth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.6 This then being the first step of Christs Mediation between God and Man to be their Teacher to instruct them their duty towards God by his infallible Spirit this should lead us again with the Apostle to cry out O the depth and infinite dimensions of the Love and Wisdom of God to sinners If we consider Mans Fall from his credulity in believing the lying suggestions of a fallen Angel in the Mouth of a Serpent and not believing of God and that to avoid mans splitting on this Rock God sends his infallible Spirit of Truth to guide them in all Truth and bring them under the Law of the Spirit by Regeneration and a new Life in Christ Jesus by putting his Spirit in them to make them walk in the Spirit and no more in the unprofitable course of this World in the Flesh and Lusts thereof and endoweth them with the Wisdom and Graces of his Spirit to perform to God new obedience as shall be shewen in examining of the Christian Duties as the conditions of this Covenant on Mans part how much should the consideration of this mystery of Love and Wisdom lead our anxious desires after attaining unto a large stock of this enriching and confirming Grace and to be endowed with the knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus by which poor Believers are not only retrieved from Sin and Wrath but are kept sure in Christs Hand from falling away from God as under the first Covenant John 17.6 to 13. The second branch of Christs Mediatory Office is to be a Priest and the Office of a Priest being to offer up Sacrifice for Sinners we shall consider how this agreeth to Christ and is performed by him the holy Apostle tells us That he that desireth the Office of a Bishop or Teacher desireth a good work 1 Tim. 3.1 And he also tells us that it is so honourable and sacred that no man taketh it to himself but he that is called thereunto as was Aaron Heb. 5.4 And therefore God in displeasure with Uzziah the great King of Israel for intruding into the Priests Office struck him with Leprosy to his death 2 Chron. 26.18 to end But none can claim better or so good a Title to the Priesthood as our great high Priest Jesus Christ who took not that honour to himself but it was given to him of his Father who said to him this day have I begotten thee and thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5.5 Psalm 110.4 Isa 7.13 14 15 16. And although he was Heir of all things and by whom the World was made and being the brightness of the Fathers glory and express Image of his person he was annointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Heb. 1.2 3 9. And made the High Priest by the Council of Heaven for Mans Eternal Salvation and as he had this his call immediately from Heaven so he hath it with more transcendent eminency than other Priests in many considerations First The holy Apostle Paul tells us that all Priests taken from amongst Men are compassed about with Infirmities and Sins and as in compassion to others so also for their own as well as for the sins of others they are to offer up Sacrifices Heb. 5.1 2 3. ch 7.23 28. chap. 9.7 but this our great High Priest though in Compassion to us he took our nature upon him and was subject to natural Infirmities and in the Flesh was tempted with like Infirmities to succour such as were tempted yet without sin Heb. 2.16 17 18. chap. 4.15 However he is essentially holy for such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needeth not daily as these High Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own Sins and then for the People for this he did once when he offered up himself Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly All other Priests are made without an Oath but he with an Oath for those Priests were made without an Oath but this with an Oath by him that said to him the Lord Swore and will not Repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck and hath an unchangeable Priesthood Hebrews 7.21 24. Thirdly Other Priests are for a time his Priesthood is for ever and unchangeable as in the foregoing Scripture They were many Priests and not suffered to continue because of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them for the Law maketh High Priests which have Infirmities but the word of the Oath
of his Crown and defiling his Wives in the sight of the Sun when he and all the People went out of the City bare-foot weeping and ashes on their heads when they fled from Absolom If I shall find favour in his sight saith he he will bring me again and shew me both it meaning the Ark of God in which he much delighted and his Habitation but if he say I have no delight in thee lo here am I let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight 2 Sam. 15.25 26. With the like humility and patience he bore the cursings and revilings of Shimei and David said let him curse because the Lord hath said Curse David who then shall say why hast thou done it it may be the Lord will look upon mine affliction and that the Lord will require me good for his cursing this day 2 Sam. 16.7 to 13. How humbly did Hezekiah lay himself and Rabsecahs Railing and Blaspheming Letter before the Lord at the Siege of Samaria and see the event thereof by Gods wonderful delivering of the City by his own immediate hand 2 Kin. 19. How did Holy Job the mirrour of Patience and Innocence in his great affliction abase himself before the Lord when his Eyes were opened when he could justify himself to Man but not before God I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear but now mine Eyes see thee wherefore I abhor my self in Dust and Ashes Job 42. to 7. How resolutely did the three Children with Faith and Patience submit to the fiery Furnace for the honour of God and his Truth Our God is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hand but if not be is known unto thâ—e O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the Image that thou hast set up Dan. 3.16 17 18. how couragiously did Daniel worship the Living God when forbid upon pain of being cast into the Lions Den and we see what glorious deliverance he had Dan. 6. Holy Stephen couragiously and patiently endured Martyrdom and kneeling down prayed for his Enemies Father forgive them they know not what they are doing Act. 7.60 The Holy Apostles were made spectacles of Men and Angels God hath set forth us the Apostles last as spectacles of Men and Angels and to the World 1 Cor. 4.9 The Cross of Christ was the glory of Paul and should be of all Men God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ Gal. 6.14 See the instances of the Apostles sufferings we are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not to despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body for we which live are always delivered to death for Jesus sake that the Life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 2 Cor 4.8 9 10 11. See a farther instance of the Apostles suffering but in all things approving our selves as the Ministers of God in much patience in afflictions necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tumults in labour in watching in fastings in pureness of knowledge by long sufferings by kindness by the Holy Ghost by love unfeigned by honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as deceivers and yet true as unknown yet well known as dying and yet behold we live as chastned and yet not killed as sorrowful yet always rejoying as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Corinthians 6.4 to 11. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one thrice was I beaten with Rods once was I stoned thrice I suffered Shipwrack a Night and a Day I have been in the Deep in peril by Water in perils by Robbers in peril by mine own Countrymen in perils by the Heathen in perils in the City in perils in the Country in danger in the Sea in perils by false Brethren often in weariness painfulness and watching often in hunger and thirst often in cold and nakedness 2 Cor 11.24 to 28. See the Instances of the Churches sufferings and great afflictions almost incredible and by Nature without Grace intollerable her sore runs in the night her friends not only left her but dealt treacherously with her and became her Enemies the Enemy spread his hand on all her pleasant things her people have given their pleasant things for Bread no sore like my sore desolate and faint delivered into their hands from whom she was not able to rise she was trodden as in a Wine press Priests and Elders gave up the Ghost for Famine Children and Sucklings swoun away in the Street and Women eat their Children of a Span long Enemies hiss and wag their Head and say we have swallowed her up this is the day we looked for and yet in all this she can with patience and submission say Why should the living Man complain man suffereth for his Sin all this is less than our iniquities do deserve Lam. 1. all chap. 2. all And thus justifieth the Lord and applieth to him by Prayer and Confession of Sin for Mercy the Holy Apostles also rejoyce in their afflictions that they are counted worthy to suffer for the testimony of Jesus and say in all this through Grace We are more than Conquerours and God forbid that we should glory in any thing save in the Cross of Christ Thirdly Promises of assistance as the greatest evils are alleviate and greatest extremities are lessened by hope and help of means and relief and as the most diseased persons in the most chronical and malignant Distempers are eased composed and half cured by the sight of a famous and approved Physitian and by his assurance or opinion that the Distemper they labour under is curable or that the Distemper which he can easily cure will not only work it self out but will also cure and cleanse the body of more gross and contagious humours which are more dangerous and infectious of the blood as Agues often cure Hectique and malignant Feavers which more invade and annoy the brain and endanger the Life so the blessed Lord Jesus Christ being the great Shepherd and Physitian of Souls in whom the Godhead dwelleth bodily not only knoweth as being omniscient but also has all power both in Heaven and Earth given to him hath not only the means in his own hand but by his Promises hath engaged himself by his faithfulness that he will heal help and deliver his People therefore faith in the Promises of God doth and should uphold his afflicted and discouraged People and these Promises are sure numerous and by Divine Wisdom and Love suited and proportioned to the exigence of his People in all cases either in Spiritual or Temporal maladies and these Promises answer to the twofold estate or condition of Man as he is
the Soul everlastingly to perish how should not the Soul be wise and condescend to the Divorce and say what have I any more to do with Idols doth not the great Physitian of Souls tell us it is better that one Member perish though never so dear or desirable to the flesh than that the whole Body and Soul should be cast into Hell which will follow inevitably if not divorced from Lust and be renewed in Christ Mat. 5.20 30. A Second preparation is to consider the great advantages will accrew by this Divorce of Lusts such who are thus Divorced shall be made Sons and Heirs of God with Christ John 17.22 23. and shall have all things Rev. 21.7 When lopt off from the World they shall be united unto God in Christ Jesus their short sufferings and parting with the Lusts of the World shall work for them an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 18. They shall have treasure in Heaven instead of and in exchange of Earthly Riches Their Life shall be saved in losing of it and lost in saving of it Luke 9 23 24 25. Who then would not part with uncertain Riches for Heavenly Treasure with a rotten Member for a sound Body a paltry pleasure for Eternal happiness Thus the Patient being prepared of the necessity of an Incision to preserve Life and with Cordials of promises to prevent faintings he must go on couragiously to cut off all corrupt and festered members of what quality or whatsoever use and for this we have Christs express command if thy right Eye or thy right Hand offend thee cut it off If Father Mother or any of the dearest Relations come in competition all must be forsaken for him Luke 9.23 24 25 26. Thy life must not be preferred to him but a man must take up his Cross and follow Christ so that nothing however so choice or dear to us must stand in the way against or in ballance with Christ but in all these things a man must deny himself and lose all for Christ Mat. 5.29 30. If any man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are done away and all things are made new mortify therefore your members which are on Earth 2 Cor. 5.17 The fourth Spiritual advantage from Heavenly bounty is Regeneration It is not enough to cut off old withered branches or lop Trees to make them fruitful and propagate new Trees but plashing ingrafting or inoculation is necessary even so in the Christian Musbandry though cutting off the old luxuriant branches of Lust be absolutely necessary by mortification yet this is not all for the Christian must have a new life for that by the impurity of Sin and Concupiscence of our Natures since the Fall the whole Mass of Blood or Nature is corrupted And God saw that the wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of the Thoughts of his Heart was evil continually Gen. 6.5 Therefore he must be ingrafted into Christ the true and living Vine I am crucified to the World and the World to me nevertheless I live but not I but Christ that liveth in me and the Life that I live in the Flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 That ye put off concerning their former conversation which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lusts and that ye be renewed in the Spirit of your minds and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in true holiness and righteousness Eph. 4.22 23 24. And be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect Will of God Rom. 12.2 Know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be reprobates now we are no more strangers nor forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and with the houshold of God and are built upon the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets Christ Jesus being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.19 to end All which Scriptures teach us that the Christian is a new man hath a new â—ife and is built on Christ the foundation and nourisher of his Life and that Christ is the Vine wherein the barren Branches must be cut off and the fruitful nourished This holy Lord Jesus Christ convinceth the great lawyer Nichodemus of the necessity of Regeneration of being born again by the Spirit Unless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3.3 5. Now in this great concern we are to consider two things First To make a right discovery of the truth of this new Life by Regeneration Secondly We are to consider seriously of the means how this Conquest and new Life may be preserved First As this is the greatest concern to man to be well founded in his claim to Heaven so it is easy to the flesh to be deceived in this thing for as it often falls out among Women that they are deceived by false conceptions and travel long in expectation of the Birth when both they themselves and others are in hopes yet it proves at last a deceit oftentimes to the destruction of the person having nourished Diseases and Corruptions instead of a true Birth so no doubt many may seem to be under conception of this Heavenly Birth have some symptoms and appear to labour under pain to be delivered of the old corruption and bring forth the Spiritual Birth and yet Christ is not formed in them As the desire of issue makes many Women use many uneasy and expensive means so many men for the lucre of Heaven strain far and yet come short because their Hearts are not straight with God Simon Magus offered a large sum for the Holy Ghost the young rich Man in the Gospel kept all the Commandments Annanias and Saphira sold their possessions and brought the Money to be distributed amongst the Saints and yet all fell short of this new Birth and so of the Kingdom of God we are commanded to try the Spirits for every Spirit is not of God wherefore that we may find out the truth and reality of this new birth It is fit to reflect on the actions of the former Life and examine the new life in all its parts and find out whether the suitable effects of the change and new birth be produced for according to the effects of life so must we judge of the Life whether it be renewed or not for the Tree is known by its fruits The effects of life are chiefly three First The Thoughts earliest in the conception of the rational creatures Secondly The Affections Thirdly The Actions These three generally make up the whole Man and as we find these three concurring in the first degeneracy The Thoughts
be in Christ he hath mortified the Flesh and the Lusts thereof and if the Thoughts be duly placed on God and the blessings flowing from him it may be the more easy to regulate the affections It is certain while we are in the Body there is an unavoidable conversation with the Creature upon us and the degeneracy hath so much prevailed that even in the renewed there is a law of the Members against the Law of the Mind and therefore our Life is a constant Warfare Rom. 7.23 and for this reason great care must be taken to govern the affections and although it is impossible in some respects to keep the affections from carnal objects however the renewed man must mortify the Flesh and Affections thereof and as helps thereunto we must First Distinguish between giving our Affections wholly to any Creature as resting on that as our chief good and so delighting in it and between letting out our desires to any Creature in subordination to the Creator in some lawful end and in this consideration we are to love nothing intensively with our whole delight and satisfaction except God who alone is able to fill the desires of our Heart but we may in moderation use and take some complacency in the Creature as helps from God to assist us in our Pilgrim state to advance his Honour and discharge our Duty to him Secondly We must consider that since the Apostacy in Adam the Judgment of the Curse is fallen on all Creatures and the Creation is brought under the Bondage of Corruption and the Creatures are fallen under the King of this World as a forfeiture for Sin and the Devil made Prince of the Power of the Air and this World put under his Dominion though under restraint from God and that the Natural Man or Love of the World is enmity to God He that loveth the World the love of God is not in him John 1.2 15. and by the Apostle James the friendship of the World is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a Friend of the World is the Enemy of God Jam. 4.4 Thirdly We must consider that Christs Errand to the World was to reconcile God to Man and therefore he humbled himself by taking upon him the Nature of Man and restored it from the vanity and impurity of Sin to all such as shall believe in him for though the whole Creation was subjected to servitude for Sin nevertheless Christ by his coming and suffering hath paid the Ransom for Believers and for them removed the Curse from the Creatures Because the Creatures also shall be delivered from the Bondage of Corruption into the glorious Liberty of the Children of God for we know that the whole Creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now Rom. 8.21 22. Hence then measures may be taken to regulate our Affections First We ought to love God and set our affections on him above all things and in loving of him we cannot go the due length much less be in excess Secondly We should love nothing beneath Christ but in subordination to him and in reference to his glory and that we may the better serve him Thirdly In our use of the World we must remember the Worlds degeneracy and as in that state it is accursed and the love thereof is enmity to God so that if we be not our selves reconciled to God all the Creatures are accursed to us and we usurpers of them so that we must use them as purified to us from the impurity of the Curse by the Mediator and all in a mortified manner according to the Will of God Be not conformed to this World but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds that ye may prove what is the good perfect and acceptable Will of God Rom. 12.2 In the use of the Creatures We must use them without sensual affectation as things that have a stamp of danger in them with fear lest we be again enticed to sin against God in our delight in any thing more or so much as in God and that we be with the Apostle mortified to all things I am crucified to the World and the World to me in that often repeated place Gal. 2.20 Thus then must mans Affections be regulated as a new Man and doing away the old Lusts of the Flesh and knowing nothing after the Flesh the Children of God are all incorporated into a new society in Christ Jesus and must needs have their Conversation different from the World Ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but Fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the Household of God Ephes 2.19 Therefore they must love and delight in Holy and Spiritual things They are no more under the Law of Sin to Death but under the Law of the Spirit unto Life they are not to walk after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 2 12 13 14. Christ himself knowing how mans Affections are apt to incline to Earthly Vanities and sink under the delight of the Creatures Commands to lay up Treasure in Heaven Where your Treasures are there your Hearts will be also Seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness let us follow that choice directory for Holiness and Heavenly mindedness Luke 12.31 to 35. If ye be risen with Christ seek these things which are above where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God set your Affections on things in Heaven and not things on Earth for ye are Dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God Mortifie therefore your Members which are on Earth Fornication Uncleanness Inordinate Affections Evil Concupiscence and Covetousness which is Idolatry seeing you have put off the Old Man with his Deeds and have put on the New Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that Created him put on therefore as the Elect of God Bowels of Mercy Kindness Humbleness of Mind long Suffering forbearing one another forgiving one another put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness Col. 3. all See the Instructions for our Holy and Heavenly Conversation Ephe. 2. all Chap. 4.22 to end Chap. 5. all Rom. 6. all they that are in Christ have Crucified the flesh and the Lusts thereof if we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit Gal 5.24 and 25. Thus then we see how Christians are to govern their affections next we come to consider their Actions As the Christian is and must be a New Creature and Holy in all manner of Conversation so must he be in his Actions in two respects First They must be all Just and Holy in themselves Secondly They must be directed to proper ends First As a Mans Thoughts ought to be pure and Affections clean so must his Actions for one piece polluted defileth the whole Lump and a good Tree produceth good Fruit and there can be no pretence of uprightness in any Man where the Actions or Conversation is Corrupt so that all Actions of a Man must be squared by the
killing fourscore and ten thousand men in the Camp of Assyria and when Senacherib fled and at his Idolatrous Devotion God raised up his own Sons to Butcher him 2 Chron. 32. to 24. How eminently was the Pride of Herod taking Glory to himself and not giving to God severely punished by his being suddenly struck to Death and consumed by Worms Act 12.20 to 24. Where is now the glory and Honour of Caesar Pompey and Alexander and all the antient Heroes can their History or ours witness any thing to make out happiness farther than that all perish in the using Object It may be objected if contentment be not to be found in the things of this â—ife how come the Apostle to say haviâ—g Food and Raiment let us be therewith content For answer we may take up the word content to signify the placing our sole and full satisfaction on some object without desiring any farther and in that sense it is unlawful to place our contentment in any Creature or content may signify an acquiescence in the use of any Creature Enjoyment in the measure time and towards the end it is given us as being contented with so much of the Creature as God will give us for our use in this Life without murmuring or stinting of him to time or measure and in this sense is the Apostle's meaning as he explains himself I have learned how to want and how to abound and in every condition therein to be content Phil. 4.11 12 And yet he longed for Christ and Eternal Life and gloried in nothing but in the Cross of Christ by whom the World was Crucified to him and he to the World Gal. 6.14 So that though he used the World with contentment that is with acquiescence it was not his full satisfaction and rest but Christ was his end he drove at in that use of the Creature Now as from what hath been said we see the things of this Life though they make no happiness they are given both to the Godly and to the Wicked but with these differences First The Godly have them as owning them from God the Wicked ascribe them to themselves or their own industry or suppose they have them by chance Secondly They are given to the Godly as Instruments in their Journey to Heaven or Travelling expences but the Wicked have them as their Portion Thirdly They are given to the Godly with submission to the Will of God in time manner and quantity but to the Wicked with murmuring repining and covetousness after more Fourthly They are given to the Godly to be improved for Gods Glory but the Wicked spend them on their Lusts First The Godly have the Blessing of owning the dispensation of all things to them as from God that they are all made created and supported by him and that they do all flow from him of his free goodness and pleasure For by him were all things created and for him and all things consist by him and he is before all things Col. 1.16 17. Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Light with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 Holy David ascribeth all his Power Greatness and Grandure to God He sent from above and took me from many Waters he delivered me from my strong Enemies and from them which hated me for they were too strong for me Psal 18.16 17 18 19 31 to 41. Psal 27. to 4. But on the other hand the Wicked boast of their own strength glory and greatness and ascribe all to themselves as if they were the original of their own glory and greatness Is not this great Babylon saith Nebuchadnezzar which I have built for the honour of my Majesty and Glory of my Kingdom Dan. 4.30 It was Rabsecah's boasting Where are the Gods of Havah and the Gods of the City of Sephervaim Who are they of all the Gods of the Countreys that they should deliver them out of my Hand Thus the Wicked boast themselves and give not the glory to God 2 Kin 19.35 36 37. Secondly The second difference is that the Godly have all allowances as helps and not as their Portions but the Wicked have them as their all and their Portions See what Christ saith to the Rich Glutton he had his Portion in this Life and is chained up in everlasting darkness and misery but poor Lazarus though he was glad of the Crumbs from under the Rich Mans Table is placed in everlasting Paradise of happiness The Arms of the Wicked shall be broken but the Lord upholdeth the Righteous and their Inheritance shall be for ever the Wicked shall perish and be as the fat of Lambs they shall consume away into smoak shall they consume such as be blessed of him shall inherit the Earth and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off Psal 18.16 to 29. Christ himself adviseth his People not to be anxious or make provision for the Flesh for that he will take care of them but against the Wicked whose care is only for this World he pronounceth Curses Wo to you that are Rich for ye have received your consolation wo to you that are full for ye shall hunger wo to you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep Luke 6.20 to 26. The third difference is That the Godly receives these things with a humble and thankful mind with submission to the Will of God in giving taking away or continuing but the wicked fret repine and murmur at every eclipse or change whereby his Condition seemeth to be worsted and covetously curseth God in his Heart when he hath not his full desire I create the fruit of the Lips peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord but there is no peace to the Wicked saith my God the Wicked are like the raging Sea casting up dirt and mire Isa 57.19 20 21. Hence then see the different complexion of the Godly and Wicked the one patiently submitting the other constantly murmuring how patiently did Job bear the loss of his Children and vast Estate The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken blessed be the name of the Lord in all this Job sinned not neither charged God foolishly in his Heart Job 1.21 22 23. But on the other hand see the restless and implacable malice of Satan to persecute Job Job 2. to 6. How patiently did David submit himself under the revilings cursings and reproaches of Shimei and the King said let him curse for the Lord hath said to him curse David who then shall say why hast thou done it my Son which came out of my Bowels seeketh my Life how much more may this Benjamite do it 2 Sam. 16.10 11 12. See on the other hand the tragical turbulency and murmuring temper of the Wicked in the instance of Achitophel whose Counsel with David and Absolom used to be as of an Angel of Light because his Counsel was rejected in the Pride
a Heir of God through Christ Rom. 8.15 17 26. He maketh his Saints Co-partners of his own glory with the Father and placeth them to sit on the Throne with himself and The glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one Jo. 17.22 23 24. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Rev. 3.21 Hence we see how far all the Glory Grandure and Enjoyments of this Life come short to that inheritance in Heaven and expectation of Believers Having thus viewed the emptiness of all these Carnal and Earthly pretentions with the fulness of the Saints inheritance we come now to the answer of these three foregoing Objections Object Frst The Scope of the first being that the Kingdom of Heaven is to be purchased on hard Terms by the loss of all the Comforts and what 's dear in the World and that such Doctrine is Discourageable and inclines Men to to a taking up with and delighting in the pleasures of the Flesh by Solomons advice rather than in the loss thereof anxiously to seek after so hard a bargain as the Kingdom of Heaven Answ In answer to which we must lead the Objector back to the Survey and Consideration of the two things in Competition viz. Worldly Enjoyments and things of eternal Life and when the vanity uncertainty and emptiness of the first is considered and compared with the infinite excellencies and fulness in the last and as Heaven is of more value than Earth so these earthly things must be of less esteem than these Heavenly and seeing in Merchandise and good Husbandry the value of the thing in purchase is considerable beyond the price or in ballance with it in prospect of the advantages that may accrew so that in reason it cannot be pretended that the getting of Heaven in all the glorious excellencies thereof can be a hard bargain though the World under its best pretentions should be given in purchase For what hath a Man profited if he gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Mat. 16.26 Secondly Consider God is the Author of life made Heaven and Earth and disposes of it at his pleasure hath he not then the Terms in his own hand must we cut and carve and make bargains for our selves and of our side only must we have Heaven and Eternal Life on our Terms or on Gods Terms as he have the World to us freely he may make what Terms he pleaseth and if we will not close with God on his Terms we may and must go without the bargain And these are Christs Terms he that taketh not up his Cross Daily and followeth not me is not worthy of me Mat. 10.38 Thirdly This Doctrine of self-denyal Crucifying the Word and Mortification neither doth or should discourage from the purchase of Heaven for that it doth not forbid the use or comfort of the Creature but commands that it be used aright according to the Will of God Whatsoever is sold in the shambles that eat asking no question for Conscience sake the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof 1 Cor. 10.25 26. We are not forbid the use but the abuse of the Creature we are Commanded to Crucifie the flesh and the Lusts thereof but we are not commanded to destroy Nature or Despise the Moderate use of the Creatures for our Moderate and Temperate Subsistance but forbidden the Ryoting of the Creatures on our Lusts and though many of Gods People do voluntarily abstain from the abuse and superfluous use of the Creature or that by his Providence the plenty thereof may some time be restrained from them even to streights yet he supplieth that with the Blessing of a Contented Submission and teacheth how to want and how to abound and in every Condition therewith to be content Phi 4.11 12. and leadeth them to a dependance on himself that he will not suffer them to be Tempted above measure but that with every Temptation he will give an outgate that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 And make them wait on the appointed time for the vision in their greatest streights Hab. 2 3. We are not forbid the moderate use of the World for supply of our Necessities as Mortals when used in the fear of God and in Faith of Jesus Christ but we are forbidden placing our Affections on Earthly things when they come in Competition with Christ his Honour and Interest and clog our desires and duties towards God so as not to set his glory before us as the main design in every thing Fourthly Solomons Advice is mistaken as if he he should encourage Men to satiate and delight themselves only in the Pleasures and Enjoyments of the Creature without Dependance on God or to take that of the Creature for their all and not mind future Happiness he only in experience of Humane vanities reproves Mens resting on the Creature as making an Idol thereof and adviseth the moderate use of it without anxiety in reproof of the Worldlings who in the too excessive affection of the Creature take not the free and thankful enjoyment of it but Covetously hoards it up and makes a God of it which he accounts foolishness and warmly reproves resting on Creature delights Eccl. 11.8 9. Object The second Objection is that the Doctrine of Saints sufferings seems contrary to Scripture which in many places promise peace Tranquility and Protection and plenty to the Church and People of God Answ This is easily answered for either these promises are to the Church and People of the Jews all which were conditional on their Obedience and performed to them when in their Duty and afterwards upon their Repentance until their falling off in Crucifying the Lord of Glory however they are still the People of Promise and in his own time he will bring them to his Marvelous light and shew them his Salvation Secondly In no place of Scripture hath the Lord promised a constant Tyde of Temporary Mercies but upon their continuing in Duties and he hath reserved to himself the giving and taking them away at his Will and Pleasure and for his own ends in his Divine Wisdom and no Man can pretend to that Innocence but he must with David and the Church confess in Righteousness hast thou Corrected me less than mine Iniquities do deserve La. 1.18 Cha. 3.39 So we may conclude our wants Afflictions and Chastisements are from the Hands of Justice for Sin Thirdly Although the Lord often brings his best People under sore Afflictions Troubles and Wants as experience of all Ages teach us yet all this is in love and mercy and but for a short time to convince them of and bring them from their sins and to wean their Hearts from the World and to wind them up to himself by Repentance and to draw their Hearts more eagerly after him the Kingdom of God and
Righteousness and as a tender hearted Father leaves not the Child altogether unpunished yet he corrects in measure thus the Lords exercising his Peoples Faith Patience and Obedience can never be said to be their Discouragement or contrary to any of his gracious promises to them in Scripture but should rather be atributed to that gracious promise of never leaving or forsaking of them Jer. 30.11 chap. 31.18 19 20. Isa 43.2 And in his chastising of them he distinguisheth between them and Bastards Heb. 12.7 8 9. But on the other hand it is the unhappy Lot of the Wicked to be let run on in all manner of Ryot without punishment and their Eyes to stand out with fatness to be given over to their own Hearts Lusts to their utter destruction and to be given over to a reprobate sense and to take no pains upon them but gives them leave to swallow down the Consolation of their Lusts with the bitter Pill of Eternal wo. Wo to you that are rich for you have received your consolation wo unto you that are full for ye shall be hungry wo to you that laugh now for ye shall weep wo unto you when all men shall speak well of you for so did their Fathers to the false Prophets Luke 6.24 25 26. Job 21.30 Obj. The third Objection is This Doctrine seems to be contrary to and disparageable of the Nature of God who is holy loving just and tender hearted to suffer his own Children who love and serve him best to be hampered with all the ill usage of Mortal Life yea put to Death for his sake and amongst men it would be great ingratitude for a Man to suffer his Children and best Friends to be thus used Answ The Lords suffering his Children to lye for some time under the smart of the Rod can never be imputed to his want of tenderness for them for as a Father can hear the complaints of a Disobedient Child under correction at the same time his Bowels of Compassion turn after him and yet he Corrects the Physitian loves and takes care of the Patient though he will give him no Cordial until the Physick work neither will the Chirurgeon take off the Plaisters though they smart until the wound be clean and whole so the Lord suffereth the Rod of Afflictions to work up the sinner to a Conviction that the Cordials of his Love when reconciled may be more accepted of notwithstanding in the mean time his Compassion faileth not In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them in his love and in his pity be redeemed them and bore them all the Days of Old Isaiah 63.9 How shall I give thee up O Ephraim how shall I deliver thee O Israel how shall I make thee as Zadma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my Heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled Hos 11.8 I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him nevertheless I will correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 chap. 31.18 19 20. Secondly The Lord cannot be counted unkind much less ungrateful to his Children when for a moment he chastiseth them and recompenseth with eternal Salvation I reckon that the sufferings of this present Life which are but for a moment are not worthy to be compared to the Glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 8.18 For our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not after these things which are seen but after these things which are not seen things which are seen are temporal but things not seen Eternal 2 Cor. 14.17 18. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great Mercies will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my self from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee saith the Lord Isa 54.7 8. For his anger endureth but for a moment in his favour is Life weeping may endure for a Night but Joy cometh in the Morning Psal 30.5 Thus then the Lord by his temporary Chastisements cannot be said unkind or ungrateful to the best of Saints when he exchangeth the momentany afflictions with Oceans of his goodness In thy presence is fulness of Joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 Besides all this Consider the Godly's stumbling at the Wickeds Prosperity Ye have said it is in vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinance and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts and now we call the Proud happy and they that work Wickedness are set up yea they that tempt God are even delivered Mal. 3.14 15. Job that Pattern of Wisdom Patience and Experience gives also an account of the prosperous state of the Wicked and their arrogancy against God And in the second part he gives an account of their end Job 21. to 16. thus Their Candle is put out destruction cometh on them God distributeth on them sorrows in his anger they are like the Chaff before the Wind his Iniquities are stored up against his Children his Eyes shall see his destruction and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty what pleasure shall he have in his house when his Months are cut off in the midst of them the wicked is reserved to the day of Destruction they shall be he brought forth to the day of wrath Job 21.16 to end See the Issue of the Rich Glutton clothed in Purple and fairing daintily and poor Lazarus begging the Crumbs at his gate and the Dogs licking his Sores remember that thou in thy Life receivedest thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented Luke 16.19 to end Hence we may clearly see Gods bounty and gratitude to his People and well may they relye on his promises of rich rewards for their Faith and Patient sufferings for him Verily I say unto you that ye who have followed me in the Regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his glory ye shall also sit on Twelve Thrones Judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel and every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters Father Mother or Children or Lands for my sake shall receive one hundred-fold and shall inherit everlasting Life Mat. 19.28 29. The Godly may be persecuted and suffer Death but shall be happy in their Death Blessed are they that dye in the Lord they cease from their Labour and their Works follow them And this is their reward these are they which come out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes
23. See the Marks Characters and Complexion of the Citizens of the New Jerusalem He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly and dispiseth the gain of oppression that shaketh his Hand from holding of Bribes that stoppeth his Ears from hearing of Blood that shutteth his Eyes from seeing of Evil he shall dwell on high his Habitation shall be the Munition of Rocks Is 33.15 Ps 15. These are they which came out of great Tribulation which have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb no unclean thing can enter there without are Dogs and Swine Rev. 14.45 But we are come unto Mount Sion and to the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all things and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect and to the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 to 25. The fourth thing relating to this State are the Manifold Priviledges belonging unto them within it which may be thus expressed First They within this Covenant are all Marked Sealed and Recorded with God Secondly They are under an everlasting Covenant with God in Jesus Christ Thirdly To them belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals and under every exigent Fourthly All are united to God in Jesus Christ First They are all Marked Sealed and Inrolled with God as God Marked Cain to keep him from Mans Fury and Rage for the Murther of his Brother Abel when Cain was accursed with Gods displeasure for that Horrid Villany so God of his Love to the Saints Marks them with his own Image to keep them from the Destruction of Satan and Inrolls them in the Book of Life to be called by Name in the Resurrection Hurt not the Earth nor the Sea until we have Sealed the Servants of God in their Foreheads Is 4.3 Rev. 7.3 The Lord takes that care of his People that as he commanded by the Pass-over the Door-Posts of the Israelites to be sprinkled with Blood as the sign of his Peoples Habitation so he puts his Mark of Holiness in the Hearts of his own to distinguish them from the wicked who in their Conversation and Hearts have Wickedness and Sin the Mark of the Beast and Worship his Image he Writes on his People his Name of Righteousness and gives them for a Mark The white Stone and in it a New Name Rev. 14.9 by which white Stone or Holiness they are Distinguished from the Wicked in their Conversation and the New Name is a Badge of Honour and ground of inward Consolation to themselves Secondly The second advantage of this State is that they are under an everlasting Covenant with God Thirdly To this Covenant do belong universal promises both in Spirituals and Temporals The fourth and great Priviledge of this State is that Mystical and never enough admired Union of the Saints to God in Christ Jesus That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the World may believe that thou hast sent me Jo. 14.20 Ch. 17.21 As Life Eternal is the reward of Faith and Patience and as this Life Eternal is the great Prize at the end of our Christian Race and as we ought to use all Diligence to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling there is no greater Encouragement can be imagined for our help in this than the faith and due consideration that Believers are mystically united to God in Christ Jesus Although all the Creatures and Man especially are parts of God as coming out of the Mass of Gods Omnipotence yet Man is no Natural or Physical part of God so to speak Though Man be Gods by Creation and Man in Adam having fallen from God by breach of the Divine Law given to him God of his Infinite Wisdom and Goodness hath provided a remedy and mean to restore and unite lost man to himself and this Union is by the renewing of Mans Nature and changing it unto a Spiritual frame When we were dead in sins hath he quickned us together in Christ Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Jesus for he is our peace who hath made both one and broken down the middle Wall of Partition between us having in his Flesh abolished the enmity in the Laws Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make to himself of twain one new Man so making peace that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 1.5 13 14 15. read all Thus by grafting the Soul on Christ by Faith is made a Spiritual Union with God whereby they receive all Spiritual Blessings by a Heavenly Communication from Christ as the Graft receiveth Sap Substance and made fruitful from the Stock into which it is grafted this mystical union of Believers between God and them consists principally in these four First In Unity of Spirit with God in Christ Jesus Secondly In unity of holiness Thirdly In unity of Love Fourthly In unity of Glory Of all which Believers are partakers with God in Christ Jesus First To be one in Spirit is to be one in Wisdom Knowledge and Purity of understanding now God is a Spirit and must be Worshiped in Spirit and Truth and though God made Man consisting of a Soul and Body and did illuminate him with knowledge and understanding though under a vail of restriction and as ambition and the concupisence of his Heart did deprive him of the advantage of his first state and the Wisdom of God intending to restore Man and place him in a surer Relation to wit that everlasting Covenant of Peace through the vail of Christ's Cross He hath to the renewed bestowed all Spiritual Light and Knowledge yet because we have this Heavenly Treasure in Earthy Vessels and the heavy clogs of our Carnal Bodies and infirmities of the Flesh hinder mortals even though renewed to behold and apprehend these Heavenly excellencies communicable under that Spiritual Union and Christ intending to have the Saints made fully perfect and capable of union with himself he prays the Father that they may be one with the Father as the Father and he is one I in them and thou in me that they may be perfect in one that is to be of one Spirit Wisdom and Understanding it cannot be supposed that Christs intention is that the Creature though first renewed and afterwards glorified should be elevated to that sublimity of perfection equal with the Father and himself but that their perfection should be in kind nature and purity of God and Christs perfection knowledge and wisdom especially in these three respects First In purity of Spirit and Spiritual mindedness Secondly In oneness and union of mind and will Thirdly In perfection of
in his sight 2 Sam. 15.25 26. He had the like submission when he was reproached railed at and had stones cast at him and was cursed by Shimei Let him Curse for the Lord hath said to him curse David who then shall say why hast thou done so let him alone for the Lord hath bid him it may be that the Lord will look on my Affliction and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day 2 Sam. 16.7 to 13. But what is all this to that entertainment the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ met with on Earth for our Sins who knew no sin who was buffeted and reviled after the most outragious manner and bore it with incredible Courage Patience and Meekness Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2.21 to 25. Holy Stephen suffered with that meekness of Spirit that he gave up the Ghost praying Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing Act. 7.59 60. The second Duty is resignation as submission is the patient acquiescing to the Will of God in all his dispensations without murmuring and a contentedness in every condition penury and want as well as in abundance so resignation is the chearful giving our selves up to God to be disposed of by him in every dispensation trials troubles losses and crosses under all the exigences of Life Christ would not use the Arm of Flesh to rescue himself from being Crucified but the Cup which the Father put in his hand even the bitter Cup of his Fathers Wrath he chearfully drank it out because it was his Fathers Will John 18.11 Holy Job was a Pattern of Patience and Resignation though thou wouldst slay me yet will I trust in thee The Couragious three Children who were not daunted with the Decree against them their Faith Courage and Resolution brought them to a holy resignation We know our God is able to deliver us and he will deliver us however be it known to thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods nor worship the Image that thou hast set up Dan. 3.16 17 18. Thus should Christians in imitation of Christ not so much mind their present sufferings temptations and condition as the Duty of Faith and Resignation in giving themselves up to the Will of God in Obedience Faith and Patience and for their encouragement in this they have Gods Promise of deliverance from his own immediate hands if other helps appointed by him should fail I looked and there was none to help I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own Arm brought Salvation unto me and my right hand it upheld me Isa 59.16 That other famous place in the Prophecies of Jeremiah is a great staff to Faith and Resignation under desertion of all helps even lovers relations and friends all thy lovers have forsaken thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the Chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased therefore all that devour thee shall be devoured c. And all thy Adversaries shall go into Captivity and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil and all that Prey upon thee will I give for a Prey for I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord Jer. 30.14 to 18. and that other famous place in Isaiah chap. 49.15 to end giveth great encouragement to Faith and Resignation under the greatest extremities as being forsaken of Friends Relations and much oppressed by Enemies All things which Christ did were holy and just he minded only things of a Heavenly and Spiritual Nature as his Kingdom was not of this World so all his people mind Heavenly things they are Strangers and Pilgrims here in this World and Travellers only with him to the new Jerusalem and as Pilgrims must not set their Hearts on things in the Way but on their Heavenly Treasures Lay up to your selves treasure in Heaven for where your Treasure is there will your Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 to 33. Love not the World nor the things of the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the Lusts of the Flesh the Lusts of the Eye the Pride of Life is not of the Father but of the World and the World passeth away and the Lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.15 16 17. Hence we see as Christ minded only Heavenly things so he would raise his People to Heavenly mindedness and by his description of the World his purpose is to wean his Peoples affections from it Object But it may be objected that this Doctrine of the Contempt of the World seems contrary to the Doctrine and Duty of Charity and Christs new Commandment Love one another and love your Brethren as your selves and that to Believers is also allowed the comfortable use of the Creatures must not Parents love their Children Husbands their Wives and other Relations which in Scripture is commanded as a Duty like as Industry and Provision for Families how can this consist with the not loving of the World Answ For answer to this the Lord Jesus Christ who is that wonderful Counsellor the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Wisdom it self Prov. 8.1 in whom dwells the Godhead bodily love it self and Justice it self doth not teach inconsistent Doctrines neither that which is inconsistent with his Holy Nature of Justice Wisdom Love and Charity but all his Doctrines are Coherent and Harmonious therefore we must understand him in the Language of the Spirit The World may be taken up two ways First As in Gen. 1. and 31. And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and God rested on the Seventh Day which was appointed a Sabbath and left off working and Abode not in the glory or beauty of his works which were all good but returned to himself in that glory with his Father Secondly The World may be taken up when for Mans sin it was Accursed Gen. 3.17 18 19. and was given into the Hands of the Dragon and the Prince of the Power of the Air was made Lord of it Eph. 2.2 Now in the first sense to love the World as God did when Man and all things were in Integrity and to behold and enjoy the World as God did resting into himself so admiring God in the Creature and resting in the Creator this loving and using the Creature or World is not inconsistent with the love of God but to use and delight in the Creature when under the Curse Power and Dominion of Satan and rest on it and not on God is inconsistent with the love of the Father Secondly By the words of the Evangelist If any Man love the World the love of the Father is not in
liveth in me and the Life that I live in the flesh is by the Faith of the Son of God that loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 2.20 From hence and other Scriptures and History of the Saints Lives we see the different usage of the Godly and Wicked the Saints are Dead to the World and their Delight and chief Satisfaction is in God the Wicked make the World their God and sole Delight and glut themselves with Satiety in it but the Godly can find no Contentment in the Creature but with Reference to God in Christ Jesus and make him their chief Delight and cry out none but Christ and this is the Prohibition of the Gospel that we should not love Father Mother Brothers or Sisters or our own Life more than God Mat. 10.37 38 39. but God doth not forbid the lawful use of the Creatures but only forbids using it in Vanity Superfluity and Prodigality Secondly In being of the same Mind with Christ is not only to Act Do and propose the same things with his Father but also to do all and suffer all for the Glory of God The Worldlings kiss their own Hand and Sacrifice to their own Net and say their own Hand hath done it and ascribe the glory of all the Enjoyments they have to themselves or to the Creatures in which they delight and say These are the Rewards which my Lovers and Companions have given me Hosea 2.12 13. Nebuchadnezzar ascribed all to his own Power and Glory Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the House of the Kingdom by the Might of my Power and for the Honour of my Majesty and see the Event and Gods Just Judgment upon him while the word was in his Mouth there fell a Voice from Heaven saying O King Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken the Kingdom is departed from thee and they shall drive thee from Men and thy dwelling shall be with the Beasts of the Field they shall make thee to eat Grass as Oxen and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High Ruleth in the Kingdom of Men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan. 4.30 to 34. See the Pride of Herod and taking to himself the glory due to God and the fatal Judgment of God on him for it And immediately an Angel of God smote him because he gave not God the glory and was eaten of worms and gave up the Ghost Acts 12.21 22 23. On the other Hand Christ set the Fathers glory before him as the chief Scope and Design of all his Actions and Intentions When his supposed Father Joseph and his Mother sought him with Care and came back to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple disputing they told him they had anxiously sought him he answered not with Apology or Excuse but said How is it that you sought me wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers Business Luke 2.46 to 50. We see that he placeth all his Business in the Honour and doing of the Will of God yea he placeth his Esteem on all such and accounts such only to be his Relations as obey his Fathers Will And Jesus answered and said to them these are my Father Mother and Brethren which hear the Word of God and do it Luke 8.21 We see in all the Miracles and Wonders Christ wrought Curing Diseases and Raising the Dead he Exhorts to the giving of glory to God and more particularly in that Famous place Thus saith the Lord let not the Wise Man glory in his Wisdom nor the Rich Man glory in his Riches neither let the Mighty Man glory in his Might but let him that glorieth glory in this that he knoweth and understandeth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving Kindness Judgment and Righteousness in the Earth for in these things I delight Jer. 9.23 24. Thus then ought all the Followers of Christ to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that is to set Gods glory as the chief Scope of all Designs and Actions before them He that gloryeth let him glory in the Lord and whatsoever we do whether we Eat or Drink let us do all things to the glory of God 1 Cor. 1.31 The World was made by God and for his Honour therefore all should be ascribed to him hence we may find whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus if we do what he did and to the same end and glory of God therefore it behoveth us to bring all our Actions and Purposes to this Touch for if they be not of this stamp they are Reprobated Counterfeit and will not be allowed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary for all the Children of God are led by his Spirit wherefore we must try the Spirits whether the same mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates but ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwelleth in you now if any Man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ be in you the Body is Dead because of sin but the spirit is life Rom. 8.9 10 11. because of Righteousness but if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you Ro. 9.10 11. Thirdly Unity of Spirit is to be one in Knowledge there is nothing raiseth Mans thoughts more than desire of Knowledge and nothing Magnifieth Man more than Knowledge and herein doth Man most excel all other Creatures not only that God hath made them Lords over the Creatures but that he hat endowed him with a Rational Soul capable of understanding above other Creatures and in nothing is the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God more eminent than by the different measure of Knowledge bestowed on Mankind Man in general exceeds all other Creatures in Knowledge and Ingenuity but every Generation and Nation exceed others at such a Rate so as what in one Age or Generation is a Riddle and hid as a Mystery in another it is Perspicuous clear and easie so that the knowledge of things is the darling of Ages Although we have the Sun Moon and Stars the Fabrick of Heaven Earth and the Seas the indefatigable and daily Travels of Discoverers and the use of Reading and the Antients to inform us either of the parts of the Earth and Treasures thereof yet are we still to seek as well of the Parts as Treasures of things undiscovered The New Inventions of Mens Ingenuity or the secrets of Nature and Power of Art make it true which Solomon saith he that increaseth in Knowledge encreaseth in Sorrow because the Soul of Man is restless and the account of the Idolatry Wickedness and Rebellion of Man on Earth is just cause of Sorrow Grief and Mourning because of the
no Murderer hath Eternal Life abiding in him 1 Joh. 3.15 Secondly The second branch of Divine Love approved of God to make up the Union of the Saints with God is that laving out the Bowels of charitable assistance in the supply of the Saints necessities like the good Samaritan in the Gospel not only to see and pity his affliction and condition but to support it God is not only a bare Spectator of our misery and maladies but also a healer of all our wounds and is that only Physitian of Israel and hath and applies that balm of Gilead even the Balsom of his own Blood to cure us hereby know we the love of God for us because he laid down his Life for us and we ought to lay down our life for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 But whoso hath this Worlds good and seeth his Brother have need and shutteth up his Bowels of compassion from him how doth the love of God dwell in him 1 John 4.9 If God so loved us we ought also so to love one another Greater Love hath no man than this that a Man lay down his Life for a Friend Joh. 15.13 to 18. The Duty of Christian charity is recommended and commanded as the evidence of Christian sincerity The blessing is to the liberal the liberal Soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered himself Pr. 11 24 25 26. See the exhortation from Christs own example But ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that tho' he was Rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his Poverty might be Rich and that famous exhortation consider them that are in bonds as being bound with them and such as are in adversity as being your selves in the Body Hebrews 13.3 See how the Apostle James challengeth a naked beholder of the poor naked and indigent If a Brother or Sister be naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say depart in Peace and be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not these things which are needful what doth it profit Jam. 2.15 16. So that it is not bare profession which makes Love but the fulfilling of the Commandment love thy Neighbour as thy self as Christ loved his Church and laid down his Life for her so ought we also for whom Christ died Hence we see how great is the Priviledge of Believers for whom Christ both died and is risen again and taken possession of Heaven for them and that the Father will love them with the same love with which he loved his only Son before the World was so Believers should not be affraid for Love admits no fear There is no fear in Love for perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in Love 1 John 4.18 What quiet and comfort therefore may Believers have who find that love of God constraining them to wait on him by Faith may with David say we will not fear what man can do unto us and with the Apostle if God be with us who can be against us be of good courage for God will strengthen your Hearts Fourthly As the Saints are one with God and Christ 1. In Spirit 2. In Holiness 3. In Love So 4. In Glory which is the highest priviledge imaginable and is clearly held out in the Text And the glory thou hast given me I have given them that they may be One even as we are One. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me John 17.22 24. And as God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son to dye for Sinners so Christ continues his Love that he will have all for whom he died to share of the same glory with himself and this is the highest exaltation and expectation of the Saints contrived by the Wisdom of God and accomplished by the Death and Resurrection of Christ and his being set down at the right hand of Glory for us This superexcellent state of the Saints Glory and Eternal Happiness is branched out in a fivefold consideration First In their blessed Death Secondly Their Spiritual and Immortal Bodies Thirdly Their being admitted into the Presence of God and Host of Heaven Fourthly Their being continued in that state for ever Fifthly All Sorrow Tears and Mourning to be everlastingly done away First Man in his first Creation was made Lord of all Creatures and tho' after his Fall by the Wisdom of God and infinite Love of Jesus Christ was reconciled to God by a new Covenant of Peace nevertheless was continued in a Prison of Clay subjected not only to all Natural weakness sickness cold hunger thirst and other natural infirmities of the Flesh and uneasiness of Life but also while in the body obnoxious to the Temptations of Sin and grief of Soul through the weakness of the Spirit under the clog and coverture of the Flesh as the experience of all Men Witness that this Life is but Labour and Sorrow therefore the Wisdom and Goodness of God and love of Christ Jesus hath so contrived that the Soul a Prisoner to misery and infirmities should have the Chains of Mortality knocked off by Death and be let free to Eternal Life And this is the first step of Saints effectual Happiness The Holy Apostle clearly testifieth that whilst we are in the Body we are absent from the Lord and therefore not only we but the whole Creation groan under these Infirmities and long for the Liberty of the Sons of God even the Redemption of our Bodies and therefore it 's revealed that Death is as it were the opening of the Prison Door to the Prisoners of Hope to set them at liberty from all the miseries of Mortality and Temptations to sin and gives them a free Pass to the Land of Rest Blessed are the Dead thy dye in the Lord they cease from their Labours and their Works follow them Rev. 14.13 And this is a great Consolation to Believers for as Death is the end of all Fleshly pleasures it 's also the end of all sin and Misery so the way of Death and the Grave ought not to be loathsom or irksom to them for that Christ the Captain of our Salvation hath proved both ways and for us led Captivity Captive O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory and the last Enemy is Death who is led Captive by Jesus Christ he will swallow up Death into Victory he will Ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hos 13.14 The Second instance of Eternal Happiness is to have Spiritual Bodies The glory of Heaven and presence of God which is Eternal Happiness being designed for the Saints therefore the Lord in his Eternal Wisdom hath