in thee to encline thee to repentance of thy sins and to believe in Christ how sayest thou didst thou never meete with his Spirit thus moving to have drawne thee to Christ yea doth he not now stir when these things are put to thy remembrance sure in these seasons hee is calling thee and striving with thee to draw thee hee is taking the yoke from of thy jawes and laying meate before thee wherefore though thou be blind and deafe and lame yet now looke and heare and rise and do not refuse or withdraw from his Spirits opperationes for he hath powre to bring thee in and if thou do turne in at his reproofes and turnings he will powre forth Spirit on thee and make known his gracious words unto thee Ier. 2 5 6 30. Mich. 2 7. Rev. 3.20 Gen. 6.3 Hos 11.3.4 Mat. 23.37 Isa 42.18 Pro. 1.23 2 Cor. 6.1.2 It is thy refusall and withdrawing in these seasons that endangers thee to the great condemnation Oh therefore turne not from him that first speakes from heaven deprive not thy self of such precious mercy and life Ioh. 3.19 1 Cor. 2.3 and 12.25 But if others will by following lying vanities forsake their owne mercies and in such seasons for worldly causes hang back and loose their owne soules Iona. 2.8 Mat. 16.24.25 Yet thou that art pinched with and troubled for thy sins and afraid of wrath and death and hast assayed many wayes in workings of thy owne to find peace and life and not attamed but art weary and heavy laden Oh let the tidings of this grace and love of Christ and all these motives therefrom prevaile with thee to let go all thy other hopes and desires and repent and believe the Gospell acknowledge the grace of Christ and submit and harken to him and yeild to his gracious call and opperationes who calleth thee by name and he will give the rest and life Mat. 11 27 28. Isa 55.1 3 and 61 1 2 3. Psal 34.8 Tast and see hee is gracious Vse III. This also may be an admonition to all men believers and others to beware of udging of Gods hatred or love towards any man or of the miserablenesse or happinesse of any mans Spirituall and eternall condition by a mans having or wanting being rich or pore in the honour riches friendship powre or good report among men seeing this love of God that makes happy is not like that of the world nor so testified and knowne all things of that nature comming alike to all good and bad Eccless 9.1 2 3. Such as are very dear to God may in all these outward things be very pore Iam. 2.5 As Iob and such may be very rich as David Salomon c. And such as live in ignorance unbeliefe and impenitencie may be very pore and such may bee very rich Iam. 5.1.6 Ier. 5.4.5 And so may men given up of God be also very pore Iud. 1.6.7 And such also may be very rich in these outward things Ier. 12.1.2 Iob. 21.22 So that by these things love or hatred cannot be knowne only correctiones by afflictiones meeting with a man to prevent his sinning or humbling and turning from sin are found most often on those God most loves Heb. 12.7 Hose 4.14 Wherefore to judge a mans self or others simply by such outward povertie or riches fulnesse or want prosperity or adversity is very unsafe and the way to justify the wicked and condemne the generation of the just Psal 73.1.15 And therefore to be shunned of us Ioh. 7.24 Yet doth not this hinder but that the receite of such outward favours as they are fruites of Gods tender compassiones and his love and faith-fulnesse to his redeemed one 's procured and sanctified through the bloud and grace of Christ and the receiver in beholding that grace made more humble in himself and enlarged thereby to give thanks to God and shew forth his love to brethren and compassiones to men more abundantly are testimonies of favour from God and of grace in the receivers Psal 145.8 9 and 136.24 25 and 111.5 and 75 3. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. 2 Sam. 7 18 19. 2 Cor. 9.8.15 And also correctiones for offences received as from the hand of a gracious God and as sanctified through the bloud of Christ in which the receiver is humbled to the acknowledgement of his owne sinfulnesse and Gods righteousnesse and so more submitted to the teachings of grace corruption more mortified and he more conformed to Christ are arguments of favour to the receiver Pro. 3.11 12. Heb. 12.5.11 Iam. 1.12 Whereas when a man prospers in outward things growing proud and persisting in evil more abundantly thereby It is an argument of displeasure from God and wickednesse in man Psal 73.5 6 7 8 9 18. and 92.6 7. And so likewise is it for men to be followed with judgements therein to grow hard and desperate in persisting in evil wayes Exod. 7. c. Isa 26.10 11. Though still outward prosperity or adversity bee of themselves neither prooses of love nor of hatred in God Vse IV. This likewise may bee both an admonition and motive to such as are babes and yet but weake in the saith of Christ who through some spiritual discoveries of the grace of Christ in the Gospell have been helped in some measure to deny and goe out of themselves and to receive the Gospell so as in some measure they believe in Christ and love him and yet are but weake and lyable to many insirmities as the disciples at the time of this love affirmed were To you I say seeing this is recorded and spoken for your sakes that you may know what portion you have in Christ Jesus and with what love you are beloved of him as is before shewne Oh be warned and moved to looke for this love Oh do not sit downe and rest in this that you have seene his love to man-ward and experimented his compassiones to you and found some peace in your consciences in receipt of remission of sins and some accesse to the throne of grace though this be sweet and precious but waite through the Spirit in dependance on him and in this considence seeke ernestly in supplication and use of his appointed meanes in attending to the Gospell to have your faith established in his peculiar love of delight and well-pleasednesse Rom. 5.1 5. Heb. 6. 1. Gall. 5.5 Psal 105.1 8 and 106 4 5. Eph. 1.17.20 And give all diligence by excercising and walking in faith and love and yeelding too and bringing forth the fruites of the Spirit and waiting at his posts that you may have this speciall love of Christ more cleared and assured to you 2 Pet. 1.5 11. Heb. 6.11 Isa 55.1.5 Pro. 8.34.35 And to that end suffer not your hart by any meanes to fall back to the love of the world and the things thereof 1 Ioh. 2.15.16 Neither desire to be loved of Iesus Christ as the world loveth her friends Ioh. 14.27 and 15 19 20. Nor to
be under his teachings and in fellowship with him and his people Psal 73.24 Ioh. 6.68.69 Gall. 2.20 And thus were they in Christ by faith and love and delight in him and submission to his teachings in spiritual fellowship with him and his people in his ordinances Pro. 8.34.35 Psal 27.1.4.5 And thus were they branches in this spiritual and True Vine IV. The degrees considerable about being in Christ as branches in the vine are threefold I. Preparing and drawing to him II. Establishing and firmeing in him III. Farther rootednesse in knowne and growne establishment and fruitfulnesse I. In Some sence or degree or preparation and drawing to a nighnesse with Christ into the outward court of his temple and under his shadow and teachings into fellowship with his people in his ordinances to beare his name and soe into the way in which waiteing they shall be fastened in him as that Psal 78.5.8 and Hose 1 1 3.4 And this is when in the heavenly call or in the declaration of the Gospell soe much light and powre of the spirit goeth forth that they are brought to diserne and believe the truth of the report Gall. 3 1 So far as to admire the excellencies of Christ and his doctrine Gall 4.14 To desire after him Ioh 6.34 To yeeld to be his disciples to attend among his people in his ordinances and to make profession of his name soe far those of whom Paule was yet afraid Gall 4.11 Yea so far those 1. Ioh. 2.19 Yea soe far Iudas and Simon Magus Act. 8.13 But yet these are not so prevailed with by the grace extended as to yeild up soe far to its opperationes as to deny themselves and let al their owne interests goe for Christ and soe to be drawne out from the love and fellowship of the world in the estimate of reliance one and desire of retaining the repute and advantages of humane wisdome righteousnesse honour riches c. to have all their delighs satisfying in Christ who is not yet formed in them nor they yet come to keep sabboth in him Gall. 4.9.19 Heb 4.1.4 These also are of those that are called but not yet chosen and soe though with such chosen ones as 1. Pet 2.9 Yet not of them 1. Ioh. 2.19 Though while they abide they are reckoned brethren and together with the rest branches in the vine and in abiding there is hope fulnesse that they in due season shall be ingrated and firmed Gall 4 7 11 12 13 and 5.4.10 Yet of these their be two sorts one sort that are humbled and gained through the grace believed to take heed to the word as to a light shineing in a dark place 2 Pet. 1 19. And in waiteing to yeild themselves to obey the doctrine and grace of Christ and of these little feare but great hope Heb. 3 7 14. 2 Ioh 9. The other sort such as doe secretly allow themselves to satisfie some pardominat lust of coveteousnes pride c. and as Iudas and Simon Magus and of such though while abideing some hope they may be prevailed with yet it s but smal and doubtfull and the feare great 1 Ioh 2.19 Whence that destinction Iud 22 23 And that exortation to one of these latter Act 8 22 23. II. There is a farther degree when through the grace believed in the heavenly call they are pervailed with to suffer the losse of all for Christ and by the powre of the grace believed enablied to take satisfying in Christ and hartily to rest on god in Christ for eternall life and all that apertaines thertoo and soe given up to be the Lords Act 26 18 Rom 4 23 25. And heerin receiveing in believeing remission of sins and the spirit of adoption to inhabit comfort and lead them Rom 5 1 5. and 8 2 14 15. They are soe knit to Christ and to his chosen ones that their delight is in him and fellowship with him and them so as they cannot depart from him Ioh 6 68 69 Ioh 1 2 3 4 and 2 19 20. Psal 16 1 2 c. And thus are they by grace chosen out of the world the state love and fellowship of the world into Christ and love and fellowship with him and his Ioh 15 16 19 1 Pet 2 9. And soe though weaknesse be found in them and they may yet be wanting in the fulnesse of joye in respect of cleare knowledge and usefulnesse of their establishment yet are they not of the world but in a stable condition and such as shall never be forsaken Heb 8 Ier 31 And thus were these spoken too branches in the vine in Christ the True Vine III. Yet is there a farther degree of rootednesse and growth in onenesse in this vine such as was prayed for these that were already one in him Ioh 17 20 21 Which is in a more abundant and bright discoverie of the excellencies of Christ in the hope of his call and glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints and the powre of the resurrection giveing more full testimony and knowledge of establishment and soe full assurance more conforming to Christ Eph. 1.14.17.20 Rom. 8.16.17.32.33 c. Which these also had after Christ his assencion and giveing of the Holy Ghost 2. Cor. 3.18 and 4.6 To those of the first degree is hopefulnesse in abiding and the greatnesse of the danger mencioned in unfruitfulnesse and departure to those of the second degree safety though not alwayes the knowledge comfort and usefulnesse of it and to losse of much may they come by unfruitfulnesse and want of constancy in abideing in drincking in and yeilding to the opperationes off his grace To those off the third degree is assurance and knowledge and usefulnesse of their safety with more growth in rootednesse and fruitfulnesse Now this saying in this place Yea are the branches is soe ordered that though it bee immediatly and directly spoken to those at that time of the second degree yet it hath its usefulnesse to both the other as is hinted in this already sayd of them IV. That which is intimated and set forth in their being affirmed to bee in him and hee in them Hee the vine they the Branches and soe branches in him is more then I can reach in my understanding much lesse can I expresse it but according to what I am helped to understand I will briefly mencion as according to Scripture I may I. Their union that they are one in and with Christ and as this in other simillies is shewne as that of a marriage in which is a donation by God of Christ to the hart and of the hart to Christ an acceptation consent and covenant between Christ and the hart and a fellowship for fruite in which they become one Spirit Rom. 7.4.5 1. Cor. 6.17 And that of a building a temple or house hee the foundation the beleevers together builded on him his temple or house for an habitation of God through the Spirit 1. Pet. 2.4.5 2. Cor. 6.16
on him and love him that so they might come to partake of this peculiar love Ioh. 11.42 and 17.21.22.23 and 20.31 As Iesus Christ set forth the privilledges of his disciples in the hearing of the multitude Mat. 5.3.8 That the multitude hearing the same might bee alured to become his disciples that so they might also come to partake of such priviledges II. More speciall and peculiar for such as by the spirit of grace are enabled through the Gospell in the knowledge of the propitiation made by Christ and the eternall life that is in him and the love of God in the gift of his son to believe the truth and goodnesse of the report of the Gospell so as there through they are convinced and emptied of their former delight and considences and alured and overcome to submit and come into Christ Rom. 6.17 Isa 55.4.5 Ioh. 6.44.45 And in believing receive from God through Christ remission of sins peace in conscience and accesse to God Act. 10.43 Rom. 5.1.2 Eph. 2.17.18 So as heerby they are enabled to believe both the redemption and reconciliation wrought in and by Christ with God which is in him and hee is and that reconciliation that by his spirit he worketh in men to God and the eternall life that is in him to bestow and in this believing to depend on him for the same and in that dependance to love both him and their brethren Rom. 5.6.7.8.11 and 4.22.25 1. Pet. 1.8.21.22.23 These though yet accumbred with such like infirmities as these disciples were are yet true believers in end lovers of Christ and built upon him and in the same condition and so loved even as they were as is evident by comparing our saviours profession to Peter and Peters aplication of the same to all unfeyned believers and lovers of Christ Mat. 16.16.17.18 With 1. Pet. 2.3.4.5.9 And our saviours promise to all so believing in and loving of him Ioh. 14.21.23 And this affirmation charge and direction is recorded for their learning that through patience and comfort of the scriptures they may have hope Rom. 15.4 And so not only know they are beloved but even so beloved of Iesus Christ even as the Apostle writ to those that believed and knew they had life that they might farther know this eternall life and their having of it and so believe more and more and have their joy full 1. Ioh. 5.10.11.12.13 and 1.4 with Ioh. 15.11 Object It seemes as if believers now could not have like assurance of such peculiar love and so such consolation in it as the e had to whom Christ spake it because they had it from Christ his owne mouth which none now can have because he is in heaven Ans This is a great mistake and wrong conception confuted by our saviour himself who before he lift the world did testifie that he would send another advocate and comforter even the Holy Spirit of truth in his stead and place to be with the believers for ever and that his Spirit should bring his words to their remembrance and teach them al things Ioh. 14.16.17.18.21.23.26 Yea soe as it should be noe dammage to them that he left the world and went to his Father but more gainfull to them then if he had not gone in bodily presence from them Joh. 16.7.8.15 And this Holy Spirit gives to believers a twofold knowledge of this peculiar love though not both alwayes at once and this he doth I. By making a man a believer glorifying Christ so in his hart as hee not only brings him to believe the propitiation made by him but in believing that love and goodnesse to depend on God in Christ for farther saving and for that eternall life that is in him 1. Pet. 1.21 Rom. 3.24 25. and 4.23 25. and 5.8 9 11. And therein effects love and a Christ-like disposition 2 Cor. 3.3 In which believing he gives them interest in Christ and in al that is Christ 1 Cor. 1.30 and 3.22 23. And such in their believing veiw of this affimation and invitation may know themselves so beloved and envited of Christ and have the same assurance and consolation thereof that these had to whom Christ spake If not somthing more then they had till after his assencion that they received the promise of the more abundant portion of the Holy Ghost compare Rom. 15.4.5 1 Joh. 5.10.13 with Joh. 16.7 15. and 30.31 II. By a more peculiar witnessing such love as this into their believing hart Rom. 8.15 16 17. By a supernaturall illumination and inspiration of his gracious word and promise into the hart in which hee cleares up and sheads abroad even this peculiar love more abundantly therein Ioh. 14.26 Rom. 5.5 Tit. 3.5 6. By which Spirit Christ doth manifest his presence with them acquaint them with the things of the Father and himselfe which gives more abundant consolation to the beleevers as it did to these when they received the same Joh. 14.21 23. and 16 13 14 15.7 Act. 2. Cant. 1.2 And to this end was this recorded that believers might know certainly their interest in this peculiar love and have the consolation of it waite therein for the more full peculiar testimony therof so great their consolation thereby From these three things thus observed Viz. That it is Jesus Christ that hath affirmed so great love c. And that it was affirmed to believers and that it is recorded for believers that they may know how they are beloved I. Al that reade and heare the same should be stirred up to obey and embrace the Gospell of Christ in which not only deliverance from sin and death is declared and tendered but also for such as doe believe such peculiar love and eternall life to be farther found in Christ and the greater grace it tenders the greater the sin and the more woful the condition of al that doe slight and disobey the cal thereof Act. 8.38.39.41 Hose 11 7. Heb. 2.3 and 12.25 2 Thes 1 8. Oh that men would believe and turne II. Believers have good cause to praise and glorify God for recording the affirmationes of and invitationes to such grace in the Gospell Rev. 22.16 17. And also to give the more ernest heed to this great love and to the invitation and direction for continuance therein seeing it is from Christ to them Heb. 2.1 4. And according to this threefold consideration vew the words themselves now in the words themselves are three things considerable I. Our Saviour serious affirmation of his love and the manner of it to his disciples As the Father hath loved me soe have I loved you II. His gracious exortation invitation or charge Continue yee in my love III. His sweet and safe direction how to continue in his love including a promise in it If yee keepe my commandments yee shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commands and abide in his love I. The first thing to be vewed in our Saviour serious
portion wisedome rightcousnesse sanctisication redemption treasure riches Psal 16.5 1 Cor. 1.30 To have him for their Father and captaine to acquaint them with the misteries of God to fight their battels answer their enemies subdue their lusts tread downe Satan under their feet Isa 55 4 and 42 1 8. Mich. 7 18. Rom. 16 20. To sanctify them throughout and preserve them to his Kingdome 1 Thes 5 24. 1 Pet. 1 4 5. To be blessed with all Spirituall blessings and compleate in him Eph. 1.3 Coll. 2.9 To have him loving them as the Father hath loved him and so estating them in all his owne things so as they who because of the excellencie of his loving kindnesse do put their trust under the shadow of his wings shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of his house and he wil make them drink of the river of his pleasures and fill them with fulnesse of joy in his presence and pleasures at his right hand for evermore Psal 36 7 8 and 16 11. So that wee may well say of them happy art thou Oh Israel who is like unto thee Oh people saved by the Lord the shield of thy help and who is the sword of thine excellencie and thy enemies shall be found lyars unto thee and thou shalt dwell in safety alone Deut. 33.29.28 Psal 31.20 Mich. 7.9.10 Vse II This may also be a motive to presse forward and alure all men to looke to Iesus Christ and come in and submit to him in repenting and forsaking their sins with all their former delights and hopes and believing the Gospell in its report of the great love of God in giving his son to die for their sins and rise for their Iustification and suffering this tidings to prevaile to the breaking of their harts in sight of and sorrow for their sins against so gracious a God and so loving a saviour and for which the Lord Iesus suffered so much and to cause them to renounce reliance on any wisedome strength righteousnesse or works of their owne endavourings seeing nothing lesse then the bloud-shading of Iesus Christ could make peace for them nor any thing but the Spirituall application of that bloud can effect peace in them Mar. 1.15 Act. 2.37 Zach. 12 10. Phill. 3 3 4 7 8. Gall. 2 21. 1 Pet. 1.2 Therefore to looke and submit to Iesus Christ and to waite for Spirit and teaching from him and not to rest but be attending the Gospell and yeelding to all the Gospell requires till he by his Spirit applying the vertue of his death and resurrection to them do overcome them to believe and so effect peace and newnesse in their hart Isa 42 1 8 and 45 21 23. Ioh. 8.30 31 36. Tit. 3.4.5 And the rather and the more are they to be vehement for this and presse heertoo because in the attainement of this so great and peculiar love is to be met with all Ioh. 1.12 and 3 16. and 7 37.39 Therefore whatever thou bee that hast not yet attained let the hearsay of this great and peculiar love to such as believe in him and love him now prevaile with thee and perswade thee to open thy eare and attend with thy hart to the Gospell and suffer it to prevaile with thee to bring thee to repentance and faith in Iesus Christ and to the love of him Oh consider Metives I. Iesus Christ hath loved thee his compassiones have been great towards thee he gave himself a ransome for thee and died a grievous and ignominions death for thy sins and rose for thy justification and is become thy Lord to whom thou owest thy self thy life and all that thou hast and hee hath powre to absolve thee and powre to judge and condemne thee and yet waites for thee and stands ready to send forth Spirit to thee to make knowne his grace in thy hart and bring thee into him 1 Tim. 2 6. Heb. 2.9 Rom. 14.9.10 11 12. 1 Cor. 6.20 Psal 68.18 And shall not all this goodnesse melt and breake thy hart in pieces for thy sins for which his bloud was shead and for thy long enstrangment from and oft rebelliones against him that hath so loved thee and died for thee and to renounce reliance on thy owne wisedome righteousnesse and strength to fall downe before him and turne to him and seeke for life and Spirit from him and the rather seeing he might justly condemne thee and yet in his so great love and compassion still calleth thee saying seeke mee and live Oh turne thee horne thee that iniquity may not be thy destruction Ezek. 33.11 and 18 30 31. Isa 55 6.7 Pro. 8.31.35 II. If thou obey this his heavenly call soe as thou be overcome thereby to deny thy self and renounce thy owne former lusts hopes and to believe his love and goodnes soe as thou depend on him for life love him thou shalt not only receive remission of sins and a new hart with peace therein accesse in grace which yet is better then all the things of this world Rom. 4.23.25 5.1.2 Act. 10.43 Psal 32.1.2 But thou shalt therewith also partake of the same peculiar love of Iesus Christ in which himself is beloved and shal not this alure move thee to seeke him Ioh. 7.37.38.39 14.21.23 III. And the more to move encourage thee to this repentance and faith in him he hath caused this his speciall love that he beareth to those that believe on him and love him to be written and spoken off That thou mayest know what love thou shalt partake off in believing in him and loving him Ioh. 20.31 Rom. 15.4 Ioh. 1.7 5.34 1. Ioh. 1.3 And for a paterne and farther encouragement to thee he hath all ready communicated of his speciall love to such as before they believed were as great sinners and as far off as thou to encourage thee to repent and believe that thou mightest partake of the same love also 1 Tim. 1.15 16. And will not this prevaile with thee IV. And to remove all stumble because thou caust not come to Iesus Christ unlesse God by his Spirit draw thee this also he hath declared that at one time or other he will be tendering to thee yea and it s not to be doubted when by his servants hee is teaching the Gospell to thee Pro. 8.31.32.35 Ioh. 1.4 5 9. Mat. 28.20 But thy imbessellity ought rather to stir thee up to pray him to draw thee then to stumble and discourage thee from turning in to him Cant. 1.4 And I pray thee answer in thy hart this question the Gospel having been preached to thee hast thou not at one time or other felt or discerned some spiritual motiones abont the death of Christ for sinners hinted into thy hart with suck light as hath given thee to see much sinfulnesse and miserie in thy self and much mercy and hope in Christ and this with such force as it hath strooke at thy hart and stirred and moved with
of continuing in his love First For the things to be enquired into that wee may know them the first is what were the Fathers commandments concerning Jesus Christ and in the scripture they appeare to bee these two commandments I. That he should save all men by giving himself a ransome and offering up himself a sacrifice for them to make propitiation for their sins so as to make them saveable and to open the door for a speciall and eternal saluation for al those that submit to him and believe on him 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 10.7 And this command encludes in it his taking the nature of mankind subject to humane infirmities Rom. 6.3 His being made under the law for them that were under the law Gall. 4.4.5 His bearing the sins of the world Ioh. 1.29 2 Cor. 5.19 His dying the death for every man 2 Cor. 5.14 Heb. 2.9 His rising againe acquit of all the sins imputed to him and a victorer over all the curse and death imposed on him and over all the enemies he conflicted with 1 Cor. 15.4 1 Pet. 3.22 And so by the eternall Spirit offering himself with out spot to God sealing the new Testament with his precious bloud and with the vertue thereof entred the holy of holies to make reconciliation for the sins of the people and appeares in heaven before God for them Heb. 9.11.12.14 15 16 17 23.24 All this is in the first commandment II. That he should bring all men to the knowledge of the truth and so enlighten and convince them that the Lord may dwell among them and how ever that they may be brought to acknowledge Jesus the Lord to the glory of God 1 Tim. 2.4.6 Rom. 14.9.11.12 And more especially such as are in the day of grace submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth to guide them into all truth and to unite and conforme them to himself making them meete for and in due season partakers of the inheritance with himself Ioh. 16.13 14 15. Isa 55.4 5 2 Cor. 3.3 18. Coll. 1.12.13 1 Pet. 2.3.9 And this commandment containes in it His declaration of the Gospell His communication of Spirit His enliving the dead His opening the eyes of the blind and the eares of the deaf his bringing the prisoners out of prison his comforting cloathing and bewtifying them with grace and glory Isa 61.1.2 3. Luk. 4.18 21. Isa 42.1 8 and 49 6 9. And that these two commandments the one to work and accomplish in himself as the publick person in the roome and place a perfect salvation for mankind with God by giving himself a ransome for them and so purchasing them into his owne dispose as their Lord and so making them saveable Rom. 14.9.10.11.12 The other to offer the knowledge and tenders of this grace to them that they may come to the knowledge of the truth Ioh. 1.9 And that such as are submitted to the acknowledgment of the truth in the day of grace and abide therein hee to confer upon them and work in them eternall saluation Ioh. 8.31.36 That these bee the commandments of the Father concerning Jesus Christ our Lord is evident I. By the expresse and plaine affirmation of the scriptures speaking of the mind and will of God concerning the Man Jesus Christ the mediator betweene God and men what God willeth concerning him that he would have done by him It saith of the first God will have all men to be saved And of the second And come to the knowledge of the truth And speaking of the answerable performance by Christ it saith of the first hee gave himself a ransome for all and of the second a testimony or to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2.4.5.6 Both which are expresly said in other places also to bee his will to be done by Christ and which he came and undertooke to doc and having sinished the one part that respecteth the one commandment and beene performing and stil is performing the other part of his wil which respecteth the other commandment Psal 40.7 8 9 10 Heb. 10.7 9 10 12 15 16. Isa 61.1.2.3 II. By the plaine testimony and confession of Jesus Christ himself who as he was abased and died for our sins and rose for our justification and so offered himself as the ransome to God and became the propitiation for the sins of the world so he comprehendeth his humilation death and resurrection under the first part of the will of his Father and calleth it his commandment saying I have powre to lay downe my life and I have powre to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father Ioh. 10.18 And of this part of Gods will its most probable he spake Ioh. 6.38.39 I came down from heaven not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent mee and this is the Fathers will which hath sent mee that of all that he hath given mee I should loose none but should raise it up againe at the last day Agreeable to that is said els-where As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.22 Agreeable to that which he after saith The bread which I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Ioh. 6.51 And this to be heere-ment appeares I. In that this said Vers 38.39 Is made the ground of his faithfulnesse and powre for that he said before Vers 37. and after Vers 40. II. In that the phrase is altered Heere is said hath given as intimating to purchase but in Vers 37. It is said giveth as intimating by the heavenly call III. And in that the other part of his will is exprest as distinct and in other tearmes Vers 40. And to manifest his love and obedience to his Father in this command in laying downe his life and offering himself as the sacrifice for the sin of the world Ioh. 1.29 That the world might know it when he was in the house where those that sought to apprehend him could not have come to take him he said that the world may know that I love the Father and as the Father gave mee commandment even so I doe arise let us go hence Joh. 14.31 And thus have wee the first commandment given to Christ set forth by his owne testimony And for the other commandements hee saith expresly This is the will of him that sent mee that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last daye Ioh. 6.40 intimating To glory for all shall rise and speaking of the Gospel and the ministration thereof through which he sendeth forth Spirit to enlighten and convince and to bring the convinced to believe and the believer to partake of eternall life in which respect the Gospell is a light and a judge Ioh. 12.46 47 48 49.50 He said I have not spoken of my selfe but the Father which sent mee hee gave mee a commandement what I should say
and in respect of us in suffering for all it can charge us with that so through his death for us we might be dead to it 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 6.10 11. and 7.4 And by his death and resurrection spiritually evidenced and aplieil to us bee in bolieving freed from the bondage of it Gall. 4.4 5. and 3.25.26 5.1 So that such commands in respect of such a bond is not heere ment II. Such commands as are beyond all the reach anâ— powre that is or ever was in any creatures and these are To make satisfaction for sins entred and to take them out of the waye and to abollish death and to procure favour and life againe with God for mankind And allso by Spirit to make knowne this saluation wrought and to communicate the same to such as embracing this knowledge doe there through believe and so to enlive and sanctifie them therewith and therein working salvation in them and communicating eternall life to them which commandments are before shewne what they are and how they belong only to Jesus Christ our Lord the mediator betweene God and men who is found faithfull and perfect in performance thereof and by fullfilling the one hath wrought salvation with God for men and in full filling the other offereth salvation to men and communicateth eternall Salvation to those that believe in him as is before declared nor is there any creature in and by whom the fulfilling these commands can be found that beeing peculiar to Iesus Christ our Lord Ioh. 28.1 23. Psal 40.6 10. and 49.7.8 Isa 49.6 9. and 50.2 9. Heb. 10.1 10. So that these commands are not heere ment III. Such commandements as are given by Jesus Christ the fulfiller of these former commandements unto those who by his Spirit through the Gospell are drawne to believe on him into whose hart by the same Spirit he putteth those commandments Heb. 8.2 6 10. Ier. 31.33 Which commandements are not such or so given as to bind us to worke our righteousnesse in and by our owne observances and performances by our owne strength or such as we had once in Adam or by his devine providence have in our naturall powres as the former law did under which by nature we were and under which he was made for us such commandements so given are to us-ward beeing fallen heavy and burthensome neither can wee have life in our observance of that law but his commandments bee not grievous but easie sweete and affording-light and life in the observance Rom. 8.2.3.4 Phill. 3.3 9. Gall. 2.21 and 3.5 10 25. and 4. and 5.18 Ioh. 1.14.16.17 Rom. 3.27 Matt. 11.27.28 1 Ioh. 5.3 Gall. 6.8 Nor are these commandements of Jesus Christ to his disciples such or so given as those which have already beene shewne to be put upon Jesus Christ himself and poculiar to him Psal 40.6 Jsa 50. to the end 1 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor. 3.3 17 18. But they are such commandements and so given as that they come from Jesus Christ our saviour in the declaration of the saluation wrought in and by his owne person with God for men in fulfilling the first commandement he received of his Father and the saluation which by Spirit applying the former he worketh in men to God in fulfilling the other commandement he received of the Father when he helpeth any to believe in which believing he putteth these commandements into their hart Ioh. 6.38 40 and 17 6 8. 2 Cor. 3.3.17 18. Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.6.10 Which commandements are to believe on him and to love one another which by this first consideration appeares to bee the commandements of Christ to his disciples and those heere-ment 1 Pet. 1.2.8.18.19 20 21 22. Consider II. That the commandements of Christ to his disciples are such commands as are I. Contained and expressed in the Gospell II. Put with the Gospell by the Spirit of Christ into the hart of believers III. And do naturally and aptly spring up in the beliefe of the Gospell I. The commands of Christ to his disciples are contained and exprest in the Gospell the Gospell fully declaring the mind of Christ not only in declaration of that good he hath wrought for us and that which hee is able and ready to worke in us and to confer on us but that also which hee requireth of us that wee may receive him and be followers of him Mar. 1.14.15 Act. 13.38 40 and 20 27 35 and 26 18. 2 Cor. 5.19.20 Whence the Gospel also is called the commandement 2 Ioh. 4.5 1 Ioh. 2.7 2 Pet. 2.21 Rom. 16.26 And the law of Christ the law of faith the law of righteousnesse the law of the Spirit of life and the law of libertie Gall. 6.2 Rom. 3.27 and 9 31 32 and 8.2 Iam. 1.12 And the so receiving the Gospell as thore through to believe on Jesus Christ and love our brother and yeeld to and walk in that faith and love is called obedience of the doctrine of faith of Christ Rom. 6.17 and 16 19 26. Heb. 2.5.9 And all not so receiving the Gospell where it comes are said not to obey the Gospell the word the truth 2 Thess 1.8 1 Pet. 4.17 and 3 1. Gall. 3.1 The Gospell of Christ is a full and perfect doctrine and stands need of no other law for precepts to direct and leade such as come into Christ having in it self not only generall but particular precepts even for every branch of al that which the grace of God requireth of believers as to give some instances precepts for repentance Mat. 3.2 Mar. 1.15 Act. 17.30 For submission to Christ and receiving his reproofe and forsaking all wee have for his sake Iam. 4.6.7 Pro. 1.23 Mat. 16.24 25 26. For believing whatever his Gospell reporteth Ioh. 12.36 Mar. 1.15 For approbation of and resting on him Pro. 4.8 Isa 30.7.15 For hearing and attending to the sayings of Christ Pro. 8.10 Mat. 17.5 For looking to Jesus Christ for beginning and finishing in us all that belongs to life and godlinesse Isa 45.22 Heb. 12 2. For loving the Lord Psal 31.23 And therein and so for child like affectiones to God Mall 1.6 For brotherly affectiones to believers 1 Pet. 4.8 For compassion and meeknesse to such as are ignorant and out of the way Mat. 5.44 As likewise for being feare-lesse and strong in the way Isa 8.12.13 and 41.14 1 Cor. 16.13 For being patient Iam. 5.7 For being sinceere Tit. 2.7 For being fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 And so alwayes and in all to have God and Jesus Christ only for our God and Lord 1 Cor. 8.6 1 Ioh. 5.20.21 To worship him in Spirit and truth Ioh. 4.24 To seeke to glorify his name in all things 1 Cor. 10.31 To delight in keeping sabboth with him Isa 58.13.14 Heb 4.10.11 And with his Heb. 10.25 To veeld our neighbour that preheminence and respect God hath given him in our love care and service and so to honour our parents and not to hurt but preserve the
life chestity wealth and good name of any one in desire word and deed 1 Tim. 1.6 Eph. 5.20 30 and 6. Coll. 3.5.10 1. Thess 5.15 And many such like precepts and more over precepts for to delight ones self in God and rejoyce in Christ Iesus Psal 37.4 Phill. 4.4 To pray and give thanks in the name of Christ Iesus Joh. 16.24.26 1 Thes 5.17.19 To love one another even as Christ Iesus hath loved us and to walk in that love Eph. 5.1.2 1 Joh. 4.11 And so to beare each others infirmities and burthens seeking each others good and preferring them in love before our selves Rim. 15.1.3 Gall. 6.2 Phill. 2.4.5 Rom. 12.10 To hold forth the word of life by an Holy confession and unblameable conversation before all men Mat. 10.28 Phill. 2.16 To edefy one another in our Holy faith and to preserve in and stir up each other to love and good works 1 Thes 5.11.14 Ind. 20.21 Heb. 10.24 To yeeld up all our members to God to fulfill all these sayings and motiones of his Spirit Rom. 12.1.2 Phill. 2.1.2.6 Gall. 5.24 1 Thes 5.19 To beare the reproach of Christ with patience and faithfulnesse to the death Heb. 13.13 Rev. 2.10 And to waite for the comming of Christ c. 2 Pet. 3.12 All these and such like precepts leading us to yeeld up our selves as servants to Christ and in and for him to his people doing all things to Christ that are contained and expressed in the Gospell Coll. 3.17.23 And yet also so expressed as in the Gospell appeares I. That these particular precepts are not in respect of the obligation such or so given as the law of works enjoyneth that is to fulfill them by our wisedome and in our owne strength Rom. 8.3 and 10.5 Or to make our selves righteous before God in and by the keeping of them Gall. 2.21 Rom. 10.3 Or to get Christ and his righteousnesse or life or the enheritance by our keeping of them Rom. 9.16.31.32 Gall. 3.18.21 Rom. 11.6 and 4.1.2 But in the declaration of the saluation so wrought by Christ and the righteousnesse and life to be found in him to shew what is suitable walking therein and thertoo and what his mind is concerning such as believe for working in them and leading of them that so believing him our righteousnesse wee might looke to him and depend on him to work all this in us and for us so leading us in his strength to performe them all Tit. 2.11.14 1 Thes 4.1.2.3 1 Ioh. 3.16 and 4 9 10 11 12. 1 Thes 5.23.24 Isa 26.12 Psal 138.8 II. That the way to performe these particular precepts is not by a first setting our eyes on them and so striving to doe them because we ought to do them and that wee may so do that wee ought to do 1 Sam. 2.9 Iosh 24.19 Den. 5.29 Zach. 4.6.7 Pro. 3.6.7 But first to looke to that which Jesus Christ hath done and suffered for us and that he hath promised to us that there-through believing in him wee may love him and one another and so walke in that faith and love wherein all contained in those particular precepts will be effected in us his Spirit leading us to the same 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. Joh. 7.38.39 2 Cor. 3.17.18 Rom. 8.2.14 Gall. 5.16.18 So that faith and love appeare by this to be the commandements heere-ment being so contained and expressed in the Gospell yea as the summe of all the patterne of whole some words therein 2 Tim. 1.13 Yet is not this expression enough unlesse wee take in the next namely that the commandements of Christ to his disciples as they are contained and expressed in the Gospell Soe II. They are put with the Gospell by the Spirit into the harts of believers Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 First it is to be noted that when God calleth men to Christ by the Gospell and doth by his Spirit enlighten their harts in the knowledge of his insinit grace in Christ so as hee in glorifying Christ and the word of his grace to them causeth them to admire and glorifie Christ and the word of grace and so draweth them to Christ that they run to him and hee meeteth and receiveth them then doth Jesus Christ not only manifest by Spirit with supper naturall light and Spirituall evidence and demonstration his love and his Fathers love and gracious mind and so the truth and goodnesse oâ— his Gospell or word of grace but also by a Spirituall it spiration enfusion and devine powre doth enter his grace and gracious word into their hart so as he causeth them to understand believe and love it and so to receive it that it takes place and seates it self in their hart Act. 2.3 Isa 55.5.6 Joh. 6.37.45 Mat. 16.16 17. Heb. 10.32 Act. 13.48 Joh. 1.11 12 13 and 17 2 â— 1 Cor. 2.4.5 14 15 16. 2 Cor. 3.3 18 and 4 6. Psa 36.9 and 119 130. Whence this word is called also the ingrafted word able to save Iam. 1.21 And said to bee pâ—â—â— in them 2 Cor. 5.19 And received of them 1 Thes 2.13 And to bee in them Joh. 15. Now when Jesus Christ doâ—â— thus put his word into a believing hart he doth also thereby effect and give a new hart and in that new hart doth Jesus Christ put or write his commandements 2 Cor. 3.3 Heb. 8.6.10 Causing and enabling them in and through their beliefe and receite of the word of grace and so of that which Christ hath done for them when they were his enemies and hath in the heavenly call done in them and is now able and ready to do for them being called to believe and depend on him for saving them by his life and communicating eternall life to them Rom. 5.1.10 1 Ioh. 2.24.25 1 Pet. 1.21 And so to worke in them and for them all that which in the precepts of the Gospell is required of them Jsa 26.12 Psal 138.8 1 Cor. 1.8.9 1 Thess 5.24 And to conferre on them all that which in the promises of the Gospell is set before them Rom. 4.20 24. 1 Tim. 1.12 And this faith or believing and dependance on him for all this is the first and great commandement put by Christ into the hart of the believer Phill. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.21 And in this beliefe in Iesus is contained and by his Spirit given and effected and in the believing hart in some measure experimented the springing up of all before-said Viz. Repentance in change of the mind estimate and thoughts of God an himselfe of sinne and of righteousnesse with griefe for his misconceiptiones and miscarriages and a turning the hart to Christ and to God in Christ beeing the first steppe in believing in Christ Luk. 24.47 Act. 5.31 With 10.43 and 26.18 20. Mat. 21.32 and 9.3 Submission to Christ in receiving his reproofe and letting all goe that hee reproveth and discovereth vile and vaine and yeilding to him for life and guidance Rom. 10.3 10. Phill. 3.3 7 8. Eph. 5.24 2 Cor.
10.4.5 Believing Jesus to bee the Christ and the truth of Gods report concerning Christ and his love in giving him and his promises to him and all believing in him Ioh. 4.10 12. and 8 24. and 20.31 Inward a probation of Jesus Christ and that discovered in him and done and to bee done by him with rest and quietnesse of hart therein as in that which is enough Phill. 3.3.8 and Psal 16.6.7 Harkening to Christ in attending to his sayings and waiting for and yeilding to his teachings Psal 85 8. and 119.33 Looking to him for the beginning and finishing of all that belongs to life and Godlinesse Isa 8.16.17 Mich. 7.7 Inward and harty love to the Lord Jesus Christ and to God in him Isa 6.4 With 1 Cor. 2.9 1 Pet. 1.8 Which love springing from the love of God shead abroad in the hart doth encline the hart with childlike affectiones to God 1 Ioh. 4.14 Ier. 3.19 Psal 116. 1. And with unfeined delight in and love of brethren 1 Pet. 1.22 And love of compassion and mercy to men 2 Cor. 5.14 And soe hath Christ put in the hart of the believer the love of our brother 1 Ioh. 4.21 Which is his second commandment and like the first in that as the first receiveth soe this worketh forth all righteousnesse So as I. This faith and love doth quallify the hart faith working by love Gall. 5.6 And so make the hart of the believer sit for all inclinationes labours and services of love in that it makes it strong to endure and go through all the sufferings of it Cant. 8.6.7 Patient to endure that which is to be undergone and for gone for it 1 Cor. 13.4.8 Sinceere in seeking none of a mans owne ends but only the beloved and so preserves from stumbling Phill. 1.9.10.11 Fervent to accomplish that wherein it may testify love to the beloved Psal 116.12 Constant in all things that love leadeth too orthrough 1 Ioh. 2.10 Yea and likewise II. This love through or by which faith worketh doth move and spring up freely in the hart inclinationes and motiones to as much as the law of works of it were in its force could compell or enjoyne too as to have God for our God for ever Zach. 13.9 To worship him in Spirit and truth Psal 95.6 To glorify his great name Phill. 1.20 To delight in keeping sabboth with him and his Psal 27.1.4 To give our neighbour that preheminence God hath given him in our service and care and so to seeke to preserve his life dignity chastity estate and name and to fly the lust of having any thing from him that is his Rom. 12.10 and 13 8 9 10. Yea farther III. This love flowing in this faith doth move and leade to things higher and more excellent then the law could have led too as namely To long after and delight and have all our well-pleasednesse in Iesus Christ in whom God hath his and so to be beholding his glory and drinking in of the fulnesse that is in him Psal 73.25 26 and 84 1 2 and 27 1 4. Cant. 1 2 3 and 2 3 5. To love our bretheren as Christ hath loved us 1 Ioh. 3.16 and 5.1 And in this faith and love to glorify Christ and the word of his grace Phill. 1.17 20 21 27. To edify our brethren in faith and love 1 Cor. 8.1 and 13 to the end To hold forth the word of life Eph. 6.19 And all in faithfulnesse without loving our lives unto death Rev. 12.11.17 Yea and to say farther IIII. This love by which faith worketh stirreth and worketh effectually in these motions for fulfilling the same in yeelding up ones self to the Lord as his and al the members as his servants to walk in and according to this love Psal 119.125 and 106 9 10 19. And this also in love of longing and waiting for the appearing and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Tim. 4.8 Rev. 22.17.20 And thus in scripture it appeares that all particular precepts are found and performed in believing in Christ and loving one another and so how Christ hath put with the Gospell his commands in the hart of believers and though the degree or measure heerof be different and in some very small yet in some degree or other may every believer that hath attained to walk in faith and love seale this truth by experience Ioh. 7.37 38 39 and 3.33 Rom. 8.1 2. 1 Ioh. 2.8 And yet that there be no mistake the next expression is to be added III. That the commandements of Christ to his disciples are such as do naturally and aptly spring up in the beliefe of the Gospell Ioh. 6.28 29 40 47 and 5 37 38. Eph. 1.19 1 Thess 2.13 The Gospell declares Iesus Christ to be the son of God and saviour of the world the head husband high-priest Prophet and King of his church Act 2. 37. and 8 37 and 9 22. Ioh. 4.42 Eph. 5.25 Heb. 5. and 7. Rom. 1.3.4 And that he hath come in the flesh and died for our sins and rose for our justification and so wrought reconciliation and saluation for mankind with God Rom. 4.25 1 Cor. 15.3.4 2 Cor. 5.19 1. Tim. 2.4.6 And that he is exalted at Gods right hand and filled with grace powre authority and Spirit to offer salvation to men Act. 5.31 32. 2 Cor. 5.20 And to work it in such as believe Ioh. 1.12.16 And to condemne such as refuse and rebell against him Rom. 14.9.11 And in this declaration the Gospell also declareth the intence love of God to mankind in the gift of his son to be the saviour of the world that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life 1 Ioh. 4.14 Ioh. 3.16.17 The well-pleasednesse God hath taken in and with his son and that he hath done is and doth Mat. 3.17 and 17.5 The propitiation hee is for the sins of the world and the advocation he maketh for believers Ioh. 1.29 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 Heb. 9.24 The peculiar love of God to Christ and to all those that believe in Christ Ioh. 5.20 Psal 33.13.19 And what Christ is to and for them and what he will work in them and bestow on them 1 Cor. 1.30 Ioh. 1.12 16 and 6 27. And all this is in the Gospell and by the ministers thereof and by the Spirit set forth as the foundation and ground of the heavenly call enviting to Christ Isa 55.1.6 And whosoever is by the Holy Spirit enlightened to understand and enabled to believe al this with his hart being convinced and drawne thereby to Christ Joh. 3.37 42 and 6 44 45. Pro. 1.23 Isa 61.1.2.3 The Spirit doth farther enter the hart sheading abroad this so great and rich love of God therein so as there doth from this grace naturally and aptly spring up in the thus believing hart from this grace believed A beliefe and dependance on Jesus Christ for eternall life and all that appertaines thereto Rom. 5.1 5 6 10 11. 1 Ioh. 2.24.25 And
also an unfeyned love of our brother 2 Cor. 5.14 1 Ioh. 4.21 1 Pet. 1.22 From both which commands writ in the hart aptly springs up all contained in the particular precepts of the Gospell as is before shewne Ioh. 4.13 and 7 38 39. And walking in this faith and love in minding the precepts and veiw of the opportunities the motiones to go according to the mind of Christ will aptly spring up so as one may go one serving in newnesse of Spirit and not in oldnesse of letter Pro. 6.20 21 22 23. Ioh. 3.16 17. Rom. 12.2 and 7 6 25 and 8 1 2. So that from this whole consideration that the commands of Christ to his disciples are such commands as are contained and expressed in the Gospell and put with the Gospell by Christ into the hart of the believer and do naturally and aptly spring up in the believe of the Gospell it appeares that believing in Iesus Christ and loving our brother are the commands of Christ heere ment Consider III. The commandments of Ghrist to his disciples are such as are suitable to the commendements himselfe hath performed for them Pro. 3.1.13 Heb. 3.8.9 1 Cor. 6.20 Now hee in fulfilling the commandements hee received of the Father for us having taken away our sinnes and dyed our death and soe purchased us and wrought salvation for us and by his Gospell and Spirit sent forth having made knowne this salvation to us and in aplying it evidenced himselfe to bee our righteousnesse and life and ready and able eternally to save us 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Ioh. 3.5 Heb. 5.9 Suitable heerto it is that wee abhoring our sinnes and denying our selves our wisedome righteousnesse strength with all that is ours and all fleshly delights and considences to accept of him for all and so to believe in trust too and depend on him for all grace righteousnesse life and safety 1 Cor. 1.30 31. Phil. 3.3.4.7 8 9.10 1 Pet. 1.13.14 Gall 1.20 And hee having so loved us suitable it is that wee should so love one another 1 Ioh. 3.16 Eph. 5.2 So that in this consideration it also apeares That believing in Iesus Christ and loving our Brother are the commandments of Christ heere ment Consider IV. The commandements of Christ to his disciples are such commandements as he hath given into their harts and cannot nor are otherwise required to bee kept then as they are in the hart whence believers confesse that they have received the command from him 1 Ioh. 4.21 And hee is said to write them in their harts Heb. 8.10 And the commandement is true in him and in them 1 Ioh. 2.8 The law without was engraven in tables of stone and writ in leaves but the Epistle of Christ is writ by his Spirit in the hart 2 Cor. 3.3.7 The law without leaves under sinno and death but Christs law within affords life 2 Cor. 3.6.7.8 9 10. Whence Christ saith hee that hath my command ments and keepeth them hee it is that loveth mee Ioh. 14.21 In which consideration it apeareth that faith and love Which all Christs disciples have Coll. 1 4. and are to keepe and walke in Heb. 3.14 Are the commandments heere ment And yet that this may bee moore evident some proofes heerof may be considered Proofe I. These two commandements of faith and love as they are contained in the Gospell and spring from the Gospel believed so they contayne the whole summe of the patterne or forme of healthfull and sound words which the Gospel requireth of us 2 Tim. 1.14 And of all that which the Gospell believed springeth up in the hart 1 Ioh. 5.13 Ioh. 20.31 1 Ioh. 3.1.3 and 4 19 21. Whence the commandment is called the word of the Gospell it selfe believed 1 Ioh. 2 7. And the Gospell is called the commandment which in hart believed that which is said before of Christ his keeping his Fathers commandements is by believers found true in him and that which is said in consideration the second of faith and love springing up in the hart the believers find true in them because the darknesse is past and the true light now shineth 1 Ioh. 2.8 And so in respect of the Gospell put in the hart it is called the old command and that which was at first heard and received from Christ and which quickeneth and in respect of its Spirituall entrance receipte and abiding and the faith and love springing up therefrom it is called the new commandement being allwayes greene and flourishing so that the believer may thereby bring out of the good treasurie of his hart things new and old Mat. 13.52 Which according to all the considerationes proveth faith and love to bee the commandements heere ment Proofe II. These two commandements of faith and love are the commendements which God giveth unto and putteth in the hart of his children Ier. 31.33 Phill. 2.29 Eph. 2.8.10 They are the commandements of God the Father when he calleth and uniteth men to his son Jesus Christ causing them to beliefe on the name of his son Jesus Christ and to love one another as his son hath given commandement 1 Ioh. 3.23 and 4 21. And they are the commandements expresly given by Iesus Christ to all his disciples when he makes knowne his Father to them to believe on him for eternall life Ioh. 12.36 and 14 1. And to love one an other as hee hath loved us Ioh. 13.34 and 15 12. And these are also the very commandements which the Holy Ghost putteth into the harts of believers 1 Pet. 1.21.22 1 Ioh. 3.21.24 So that these two commandements of faïth and love are evident to be the commandements heere ment Proofe III. All labouring to attaine and fulfill in performance any or all other particular preceipts of law or Gospell which flowes not from and is not acted through this believing in the name of Iesus and love of the brethren whatsoever endeavours and services they bee and how and to what end soever otherwise done whether To please God and get boldnesse with him or to get therethrough the righteousnesse of God and so Christ and faith in him and love to brethren or to assure themselves by such attainments and observances of a peculiar interest in Christ even all whatsoever so done to comfort themselves therewith all of it I say as the scripture shewes I. It is but a serving of God according to the oldnesse of the letter and so leaves the doores thereof under sin and curse and the feare of both Rom. 7.6 25 and 8 2 7. Gall. 3.10 Tit. 1.9.10.15 Ioh. 3.5.6 II. The doers thereof do therein and thereby deprive themselves of and hold themselves out from enjoyment of Christ and unfeyned faith in him and love of brethren Rom. 9 32. and 10.3.4.1 Sam. 2 9. Zach. 4.6 Psal 107.11.12 Ecclez 15.16 and 16.15 III. They deceive themselves and are deceived in all that which by such observances and ataynments they judge themselves by to bee in Christ and to have peculiar interest in
manifested the hart is brought to esteeme basely of it self and highly of him and in beliefe of this grace effected by him is brought to beliefe on him and so on God in him for that eternall life and all that belongs theretoo which is in him to give and work this being the faith heere-ment that is the first commandement Rom. 3.24.25.26 and 4.5.22.25 and 5.1.8.10.11 To which faith or to them so believing the promises theretoo are very great as the receite of the remission of all a mans sins Act. 10.43 Accesse to the throne of grace justification and hearing and answer of all prayers so put forth Act. 13.3.6 Rom. 5.1.2 Mat. 21.22 fruitfulnesse and living springs of Spirit yea such though dead shall live and living shall never dye but shall have victory over lusts support and victory in afflictions and temptations in a word they shall never bee ashamed of their hope but have eternall life Ioh. 7.37.38.39 and 11.25 and 14. and 15. c. III. The love to brethren that flowes from his love believed which is the second command Ioh. 13.34 and 15.12 Hath also great promises to it as that all such love with the fruites thereof shall be accepted as to himself and shall be rewarded even to the least fruite thereof Mat. 10.40.41.42 And that God dwelleth with such and they in him and are his friends 1 Ioh. 4.12.16 Ioh. 15.14 And shall abide in the light and be watered and blessed and filled with love from God and Brethren 1 Ioh. 2.11 Isa 32.8 IV. Walking in faith and love begot in the hart through the word of grace and issuing therefrom hath great promises also of encrease of light and strength and much fruitfulnesse every way before God Pro. 8.12.18 and 10.29 1 Cor. 13 to the end V. Yea even all the fruites of faith and love in every particular service thereof have promise of acceptance and blessing and answer of prayers Heb. 6.10 Gall. 6.8 1 Ioh. 3.22.23.24 And all comprehended and summed up in this if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love So that if the love of God and Christ towards us bee of any force with us and desired of us let it be a load stone to us and have its perfect work with us to give up all our members to God in keeping these commandements of Christ Rom. 12.1.2.3 Phill. 2.1.2.3.4.5.6 And to prize the same above gold and silver and all earthly enheritances Psal 119.72.111 And count it as our meate and drink to be exercised in the services thereof Iob. 23.12 Ioh. 4.34 And to be diligent and unwearied therein through what trials soever wee passe for the same Gall. 6.10 That so wee may take up our content in his love and in keeping his commandements abide in his love and so his joy remaine in us and our joy be fully sound and encrease til it come to fulnesse in the harvest in his visible presence which is the end and scope of these sayings of our saviours in Ioh. 15.9.10 As the Father hath loved mee so have I loved you continue yea in my love If yea keepe my commandements yea shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers ecommandements and abide in his love From which words together in one considered wee may observe as a broviary of all that hath beene said these few lessons therein Obs I. That the choise happinesse heere to be desired and obtained and which hath all satisfying fulnesse in it to satisfie Spiritual desires and that wil also beare through al troubles and bring to everlasting blessednesse is to be beloved of the Father as he loveth Christ and to be beloved of Christ as the Father loveth him and this appeares heere plainly by Christ his promising of it as the choise happinesse to his disciples and his prayer for them Ioh. 17.21 And promise to them Ioh. 14.17.21.23 And the prayer of his people for it Psal 106.4 Cant. 2.4.5 And their profession of it Cant. 1.2.3 Psal 30.5 Obs II. That this peculiar love belongs too and is to be expected believed and waited for of the weakest that through grace believe in Jesus Christ and love their brethren and this is evident by our saviours affirmation of it to his weake disciples and willing them to continue in it and the enjoyment of this peculiar love with promise of establishment in it and fulnesse in due season is the portion of all that walk in faith and love and this is evident in our saviours saying if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love c. Obs III. That it is good and well-pleasing in the sight of God and Christ that all that believe in him do continue and abide in this his peculiar love and this is evident both by his charge continue you in my love and his promise and direction if yea keep my commandements yea shall abide in my love c. IV. Obs IV. That the meane or way for believers to continue and abide in this his peculiar love is to keepe his commandments as hee kept his Fathers commandements though wanting in such perfection of degree in keeping yet in like manner and this is evident in the direction and promise in expresse words V. Obs V. That all believers so keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ shall infallibly continue and abide in this his peculiar love And some ground or reason of these things may be seen in the words also I. Reas I. Our Saviour affirming such love to them calling them to continue in it directing them how and giving the promise to them shewes his will and giveth ground and reason to confirm all to them II. Reas II. Our Saviour keeping his Fathers commandements and thereby first redeeming us and then giving us life sheweth both the Fathers love to us in giving him such commandements and Christ his love to us in fulfilling those commands and giving such sweet commandments to us also in which himself hath gone before us doth give us ground encouragement and motive both for believing in him and loving one another and for walking in this faith and love III. Reas III. His manifesting our beeing reckoned of God after him and his loving us as God loves him and that as hee in keeping his Fathers commands to procure us life abode in his Fathers love so wee keeping his commands in receite and exercise of the life given us shall abide in his love all this is that very thing wee are to believe which will endeed consolato and set us on walking IV. Reas IV. This keeping his commandments is an exercising our selves in his love and suffering it to have its perfect worke in us and soe is the very leading in and way of continuing and abiding in his love All which as it is seene in the words so it is very usefull as is foreshewn I. Vse I. It sheweth just cause of reproofe of and griefe and lamentation for many I. Such a mistake the marke either in their conceiptiones or pursuite of happinesse seeking it in favour liberty riches and honours amongst men feeding on ashes II. Such as professe to seeke God and yet either ignorant of or not pressing after this choyse happinesse but striving for life in their own righteousnes or spending their choyse strength to know that Christ dyed for them leaving this peculiar love unsought only to be challenged in a blind conclusion and consequence III. Such as having begun to see and tast this peculiar love either again through folly withdraw or complain for want of other loves II. Vse II. It is a good admonition to us all neither to seeke other loves then this of God and Christ nor to rest in his love of compassion without the knowledge and enjoyment of this peculiar love but seeke this above all things III. Vse III. It is a good motive to al that have seen and tasted this peculiar love in believing To continue and abide ever in it IV. Vse IV. An exortation to keepe the commandements of faith and love and to walke constantly therein as is before shewn I. Motive I. None but such love Christ Jesus sinceerly Ioh. 14.21 II. Motive II. Nene but such have assmance of abiding in his peculiar love III. Motive III. All such shall assuredly continue in this his peculiar love V. Vse V. This is a consolation and encouragement for al that believe in Jesus Christ and walke in faith and love to goe one without fainting in hope and dilligence till they come to the end of their hope in the fruition of glorious love FINIS ERRATA PAg. 16. lin 38. for one hinne read one in hinne pag. 20. lin 7. for with read which pag. 22. lin 23. for servant read servants lin 28. for allso read also lin 35. for father read farther pag. 23. lin 30. for Christ read Christs pag. 25. lin 22. blote out to also pag. 28. lin 2. for lift read left lin 24. for delight read delights pag. 29. lin 16. for lift read left pag. 30. lin 37. for Saviour read Saviours pag. 31. lin 4. for Saviour read Saviours pag. 33. lin 3. for apase read apease pag. 43. lin 35. for wel-pleased read well-pleasednesse pag. 44. lin 14. for doore read dooer pag. 45. lin 22. for infint read insenit pag. 52. lin 18. for horne read turne pag. 57. lin 18. for they read thy pag. 58. lin 28. for both read doth pag 58. lin 39. for lovinesse read lovelinesse pag. 30. lin 6. for thet read that lin 36. for is read as
and courage and bewty is gone Psal 125 5.8 Ezek. 19.10.13 Iud. 12. As heere Vers 6. V. That when they are withered men gather them while they retained his word and till the light sweetnesse and savour of it was dried up they could not be so easily drawne by Satan or lusts or men to other doctrine or to idolatrie or oppression persecution or the like but being withered they are driven with every wind and men gather them to any superstition oppression c. they turne into Egypt or the world againe and their sin growes ripe and they become of the seed of the Serpent the worst of men Iam. 1.14.15 Inâ— 4.5.12 Mat. 5.13 As heere Vers 6. VI. Men thus throw them into the fire and they fall under the wrath of God and his angels shall bind them in bundles and they shall be throwne into everlasting fire Pro. 7.7.27 Mat. 13.30.41.42 As heer Vers 6. A faire and whole some warning with might terrify any that receive gospell from remaining as high-way or stonie or thorny ground or harbouring such a secret evill disposition as ludas and Simon Magus did or from dispising the word and quenching the spirit and it is a wholesome admonition to al believers to shun all degrees of withdrawing and backssliding from faith love or any opperationes of the grace and spirit of Christ and now farther our saviour with this admonition joynes and gives to his disciples for quickening up their spirits a sweet and foreceible exhortation and encouragement to abide in him and that hee and his word may abide in them and this from manifold sure grounds and strong motives that will meete in one Viz. I. The experience they had already found of the goodnesse of him in and by the word he had spoken to them Vers 3. He had spoken and given to them the word gospel or glad tidings of peace remission of sinns and everlasting life which the father hath prepared in him which word of gospel the father gave him to spake Mar. 1.14.15 Ioh. 12.49.50 and 17.6.7 In which word or gospell is declared The peace or atonement Christ by death resurrection and sacrifice hath wrought and the fulnesse of grace and truth iâ— him and the greatnesse of Gods love in giving him and hâ—â— readinesse to accept all that believe on him Luk. 24 46.4â— Ioh. 1.4.9.12.14.16 and 3.16.17 And the father sending forth spirit in this declaration did so enlighten their harts anâ— prevaile with them that he therein brought them to beleeve Mat. 16.16 In which repentance was wrought in them anâ— they received remission of sins and life and so were turned from darknesse to light begotten to Christ made cleane and righteous in him and so sanctified to God and had interest iâ— the things of Christ Act. 11.18 and 10.43 Rom. 5.1.5.8.10.11 Tit. 3.4.5.6 Ioh. 3.5 In which they expetimented his word to be the words of eternall life Ioh. 6.68.69 So that as in him through that he hath done in himselfe life was prepared for men even so through him by his word and spirit bringing the word to their hart they had received of the life in him and so experimented the goodnesse of him in his word and to them and such as they this must needs be a strong and forceible motive to abide in the faith and love of him and to have his word abiding and opperating in them Psal 119.93.1 Pet. 1.21.22.23 and 2.2.3 Whence that 2. Pet. 1.9 II. The powre effecacy and fruitfulnesse of the same grace that will operate and shew forth it selfe in fruitfulnesse in those that abide in him and have his word abiding in them Vers 5. So that such as abide in mindfulnesse of his word and so in their beliefe estimate love of and submission to him and his teachings and so suffer his word to abide in them in its opperationes it will be profitable and fruitfull in them and make them fruitfull also Heb. 4.12 Isa 55.3.10.12 I. It will free them not only from that casting of withering and burning foremencioned Ioh. 11.25.26 But also from those out-goings falls snares hart condemnationes and sore correctiones that others by inconstancie and forgetfulnesse of him fal into Rom. 8.1.2 Isa 4.2 Psal 119.9.92 1. Cor. 15.1.4 II. It will bring forth plenty of fruites in them of love joy peace patience meeknesse heavenly desires and motiones that will spring forth to spirituall prayers confession conversation c. Coll. 3.16 Ioh. 7.38.39 III. It will leade too and bring forth blessed fruites in their word and conversation for convincing unbelievers aluring the convinced to Christ and edifying believers Isa 61.3.7 2. Pet. 1.7.8 2. Cor. 13.18 And this also is a strong and forceible motive to abide in Christ and that his word may abide in us III. The abundant love of the Father to Christ his Son soe that al that are brought to and abides in this his Son and have him in his Word and Spirit abiding in them he loveth them as he loveth his Son with the same delightful love Ioh. 12.26 14.23 17.23 And giveth them eternall life Ioh. 3.35.36 And whatsoever they aske of him they abiding in Christ and his words in them it shall be done to them vers 7. Ch. 16.23.24.27 Which also is a strong motive to abide in him and that his words may abide in us Pfall 66.18.19.20 IV. The assured comfortable issue of all namely That in his word abiding in them and they abiding in him and so bringing forth fruites their mayn desighne and buysinesse even that in which they are one with God and Christ shall be accomplised to the satisfying and joying of their harts that is God shall be glorified and so they shall be disciples and followers of Christ like him endeed vers 8. Phill. 1.20 Which is a sweet prevayling motive And how much more all these in one the fore-experiments and present operation of his grace the Fathers love and answer of prayers and glorifying himself in their fruitfulnesse is it a strong motive to exort and encourage to abide in Christ and to have his word abiding in us And our saviour having thus already instructed admonished and encouraged his disciples proceedeth in the 9. and 10. Verses To a father encouragement direction and instruction of them to this Abiding that their joy might be full From which practise of our saviour might be observed I. That the work of the ministration of the Gospell is a continual worke to be followed not only for bringing in men still to Christ but even also for building up and encouraging those that are in Christ while they are in these clay tabernacles so was the ministration of the Gospel by Iesus Christ from the beginning of it from the baptisme of Iohn till the day that he left the world Act. 1.21.22 Ioh. 16.28 and 17.4.12.13 And so was the ministration of his servant till the time of their departure 2. Tim. 4.6.7.8 2. Pet. 1.13.14 And such is the ministration
overcame their evill with goodnesse and followed on his entertaiment and wooing of them till he acquainted them with his fathers words and love and united them to himself in faith and love Isa 42.2.8 Ioh. 17.6.7.8 And though happily some even brethren might through their weaknesse murmur at the receite of such prodigals and black-mores to advance them to such nighnesse with himself as the elder brother at the youngers entertainment with his father Aaron Eminam at Moses marrying an Ethiopian and the believing jewes at such familiarity with believing Gentiles Luk. 15.28 Numb 12.1.2 Act. 11.2.3 Yet he disdained them not nor was ashamed of them but as one that saw and would not see their deformity heredily and kindly entertained them and set his love upon them and spake comfortably to their harts Oh love endeed never to be forgotten Isa 42.19.20.21 Psal 113.6.7.8 VII In that he hath accepted their faith and love and prayers and returned them some discernable experiments of his goodnesse in suports in troubles some deliverances out of temptationes graunts of many requests some accesse and approach to himself some roome in his house and in the harts of his with many refreshings in his courts and some hope of future happinesse All fruites of love Rom. 3.26 and 5.2.5 and 7.24.25 Psal 16.2 and 92.12 Isa 56.5.7 VIII In that they have his word for it even written also for their consolation that they may know that he loves and is not ashamed to be knowne to love them Prov. 8.17 Ioh. 14.21.23 IX Yea they have had some hints and evidences of the Holy Spirit given into their hart of his love to them and the Spirit is truth and the comforter 1. Ioh. 3.24 and 4.19 and 5.5.6 Rom. 8.15.16 X. By all the former they come to see him to be their great high priest interceading in heaven for them Heb. 7. and 9. So that it is many wayes evident he loves them and they knowing and believing his love in redeeming them with his owne bloud when they were his enimies and receiving them and washing them when they were in their bloud and such Ethiopians affording them so many favoures and some vissits of his Spirit since as from all these they have discerned such love of his as hath caused them to believe in him and love him so having attained to believe in him and love him they cannot deny but they know that he hath loved them and that he loves them much yea so as if they do not close their eyes by some fleshly reasonings and suffer themselves to be withdrawne from the remembrance of his love thus manifested it will draw them into admiration and acknowledgement of this his love and inflame them with more love to him and desires after him and frame them to be like him in loving their brother and hee also will returne manifestationes of more love to them of which will be spoken in the next observation Cant. 1.2.3.4 and 2.3.5.1 Ioh. 4.16.19 Ioh. 14.21.23 And this being a sure and undeniable truth that Iesus Christ hath thus verily and manifestly loved those that believe in him and love him yea through his love manifested did make them believers in him and lovers of him yea so as they might have the knowledge of his love to them and their love thereby inflamed to him I. Informeth us That such as do unfeynedly believe in Iesus Christ and love him they have an inward principle of life and love with in them that as it was begotten so it is quickened sed and moved by a fountaine of life and love in Christ to them 2. Cor. 3.3 Coll. 3.10.11 Psal 16.7.8 Hose 14.5.8 Ioh. 15.1.2.5.2 Cor. 5.14.15.17 Psal 36.8.9 Which is ready to mind them of Christ and his love and so to move guide and leade them as to deny all fleshly lusts and services so to all services of love to and for Christ Ezek. 36.26 Ier. 31.34 Rom. 8.14 Gall. 5.17.22 Tit. 2.11.12 c. Yea and this also upon all occasiones that in their way are offered to them as on the sight and veiw of mortall men to remember the love of God to mankind whom he created and for whom provided a saviour Act. 17.26 Tit. 3.4 Heb. 2.14 And the low estate that Iesus Christ abased himself unto for our sakes in becoming man subject to humane infirmities Phil. 2.6.7.8 And how he died for and gave himself a ransome for all men Heb. 2.9 1. Tim. 2.6 And on sight of the evills and follies committed by men to remember the shame and ignominy that Christ tooke on him in being made sin for us and the curse he suffered being numbred with transgressors and put to death on the tree for us 2. Cor. 5.19.21 Gall. 3.13 1. Pet. 2.24 And the propitiation that hee by his bloud hath made for our sins and the sins of the whole world 2. Cor. 5.14 1. Ioh. 2.2 And the great misery and wickednesse the worldlieth in because they do not know believe and come into Christ for this grace Ionas 2.8 Ioh. 3.18.36 1. Ioh. 5.19 And the great love of God to themselves that were even such in bringing them out of such darknesse disobedience and misery and acquainting them with and making them partakers of so great grace 1. Pet. 2.9.10 Tit. 3.3.4.5 And giving them such hope to hold forth to those that are yet in darknesse and in no worse case then themselves were once in yea having shewed them mercy for that end 1. Tim. 1.12.15.16.17 and 2.1.6 And in sight of believers and the grace appearing through them to remember the faithfulnesse of God in performing his promise of bringing into Christ Isa 55.4.5 and 53.11 And the faithfulnesse of Christ in sending forth Spirit through the Gospell Mat. 28.20 Ioh. 16.7.8.15 And the vertue of his bloud by his Spirit applied too and sprinckled on the consciences of men Heb. 9.14 and 12 24. 1 Pet. 1.2 3 21 22. And the relationes union and fellowship they are brought into and the hope given them through Christ Eph. 4.4 7 12 16 and 2 17 22. And still are they more minded of all these things as they experiment the fraily of humane nature the opposition of flessily lusts or the opperation of grace in themselves 2 Cor. 4.7 13. Gall. 5 17. 1 Ioh. 1.7 9 and 2.1 2. And stil are they more minded of these things in reading and hearing the things of Christ set forth in the Gospell 2 Pet. 1 12 and 3 1 2. And as this inward principle of life and love doth leade and apt them by all these meanes to such minding of these things so in the minding of them it self is opperative and springs forth in motiones of love joye peace confidence goodnesse and desires to confesse and to pray to God and to praise him to mourne for and pitty and compassionate men to rejoyce for receive and edify brethren to shew mercy and walk in truth and righteousnesse and blamelessely towards all Eph. 4.20
be adorned and filled with such praise honour riches friends powre and good report as the Lord often filleth his enemies withall and they that have their portion in this life glory in Iob. 21. Psal 17.14 And if the Lord do give you a fulnesse in such outward things beware you do not set your hart upon them nor glory of them or be delighted with them Psal 62.10 Iob. 31.24.25 Least they turne to be a snare to you and so damp your delight in good and intangle and unfit you for the service of the Lord and so deprive you of better riches Deut. 8.10.20 1 Tim. 6.9.10.11 But in jealousie of your selves and in considence in him pray him to be mercifull to you in fitting you for all he giveth you and to blesse his mercies to you in framing your hart by his grace to the acknowledgment of his goodnesse and faithfulnesse in good use making of all the things he giveth into your stewardship and that the light of his countenance may shine upon you Pro. 30.7.8.9 Psal 67.1.2 That you may take occasion more abundantly thereby to hold forth the word of life Phill. 2.16 To shew compassion and do good to all men and be ready for every good worke Tit. 3.2.8 Gall. 6.10 To testify love in the services thereof more abundantly to the houshold of faith in fathering the ministration of the Gospell reliefe of the needy bowels of the saints use of hospitallitie and so to be rich in good works Gall. 6.6.9.10 Philem. 7. Heb. 13.1.2 1 Tim. 6.18 And so shall all your outward fulnesse be no hinderance but profitable to you and others Ecclez .. 7.11 Againe if the Lord deprive you of such fulnesse and keepe you low and excercise you with tribulation in that respect so as you are poore and destitute of same riches friends liberty c. among men bee not offended neither murmur at his dealing with you seeing you are deprived of nothing but what Jesus Christ was deprived of in this life hee was the chiefe beloved yet hee was more emptied and afflicted heere then you are yea have not resisted against sin holding forth the faith to the bloud it is enough for the disciple to have as good use heere as his master but you are not yet brought so low Job 2.10 Mich. 7.9 Heb. 12.3.4 Joh. 13.16 and 15 19 20. Do not murmur therefore but in patience possesse your soules Luk. 21.19 Yea and the rather seeing the want of these outward things and afflictions about them is no argument of want or hinderance of having the most peculiar love Pro. 3.12 Isa 43.1 2 3. Yea when they are occasioned by the profession of the Gospell and suffered for the Gospell sake they are great testimonies of peculiar love Act. 9.15.16 Rev. 7.14 Mat. 5.11.12 Wherefore let neither fulnesse nor emptinesse withdraw thee but let they hart be one and thy desires towards such love as in which Christ Jesus is beloved and seeke to be setled and stablished therem seeing it appertaines to thee Vse V. This likewise may be an exhortation to all that believe in Jesus Christ and love him rightly to prize and estimate this peculiar love of Christ to them Soe as I. To rejoyce in the Lord evermore and let the portion you have received of him and that you have in him be well-pleasing to you and seeke and receive and take up all your satisfying content and glorious rejoycing therein Phill. 4.4 Rom. 5.11 Psal 16.5 6. If you have fulnesse of outward things and bee soe kept and carried in the use thereof that the world cannot but commend you and that many are beholding to you yet doe not you rejoyce in this Iob. 31.35 Hose 14.3 Psal 20.7 But rejoyce in the Lord that hee is your portion and hath forgiven you your sins accepted you to favour and is become your wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and hath given you his promise that hee will bee with you your strength guide and salvation Ier. 9.23.24 1 Cor. 1.30 If the Lord hath enlarged you with many vissits and usefull spirituall gifts and great successe therein that much is done by you and you therein preferred before many others yet in this rejoyce not that you are so enlarged and preferred before others but rejoyce in the Lord that is become your portion and hath writ your names in Heaven and set his delight on you 1 Cor. 4.6 7. Luk. 10.20 If the Lord exercise you with wants in outward things many tribulationes yet be not discouraged but rejoyce in the Lord that hee is your portion and that you have in him all fullnesse of spirituall blessings and treasure that cannot be wasted and that hee hath set his love on you and giveth you all things pertaining to life and Godlinesse and will cause all things to work for the best to you and after a little tryall possesse you with the crowne of life let the beliefe heereof cause you to endure as seeing him who is invisible and suffer not temporary asslictiones to hinder your rejoycing in him Lam. 3.19.24 Psal 119.55 57. Eph. 1.3 2 Pet. 1.3 4. 2 Tim. 4.8 Heb. 11.26.27 Psal 66.6 Who will in due season fill you with joy If the Lord try you with some darknesse hidings of his face though that bee the forest of all tryals yet let not your hart sinck into discouragement nor count it a strange thing as if it could not stand with peculiar love or might not befall beloved sons but in the depth of humilliation and abasing of your selves yet rejoyce in the Lord that is yours and hath appeared to you and because he loved you with everlasting love hath drawne you with loving kindnesse and though he hide his face from you both still even now love you and is your light and protexion in him is noe change and in due season he will return againe to you and bring you forth to the light and you shall see his righteousnesse Ier. 31.3.20 Lam. 3.31 Mich. 7.7 8 9 10. Therefore rejoyce in him If divers temptationes assaults you rejoyce not in sight of many outward and sencible helps and props but rejoyce in the Lord and in the powre of his might Eph. 6.10 c. In a word when you a proach his courts and use his ordinances yea and at all times rejoyce in the Lord because of this his great and peculiar love and loveninesse Cant. 1.4 Psal 27.4 II. To be meeke and patient in all the tryals we meete withall for the profession of the Gospell and for walking in faith and love and the services thereof and to bee constant therein notwithstanding all tryalls wee must meete with for the same seeing hee loves us with such speciall and peculiar love Heb. 10.36 Rev. 2.10 and 12.11 And that also seeing It is agreable to the having of his choyse love to goe through many sufferings in the services of love Act. 9.15 16. It is from the hand of our well-beloved
Fathers commands Secondly For the things expressed they are fully and plainly affirmed which should bee to us proofe sufficient yet for better usefulnesse wee may veiw them that wee may the more profitably believe them I. The first of them is that Jesus Christ hath kept his Fathers commands not only those that apertained to his own person as hee had taken our nature and had a soule and body like us and was made under the law for us which law hee also perfectly kept and fulfilled and so in that respect was altogether without sin and perfectly righteous Which is greatly for our benefit 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Pet. 2.22 and 3.18 Heb. 7.26.27 But also as that heere specially ment and which wee are heere especially to heed he hath kept those commands which the Father gave him in respect of his office and mediatorship for which hee so fitted him and which were so peculiar to him and needfull for us that hee should performe 1 Tim. 2.4 5 6. Heb. 10.7.19 In respect whereof hee is also the just one and faithfull and perfectly righteous in fulfilling them 1 Ioh. 2.1.2 and 1.9 And that hee hath kept these commands is evident I. By the plain affirmation of Scripture In respect of the first command that he gave himself a ransome for all men by the grace of God tasted death for every man 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9 Hee humbled himself and became obedient to the death even the death of the crosse Phill. 2.8 Died for our sins and was buried and rose againe the third day according to the scriptures 1 Cor. 15 3.4 In respect of the other command a testimony in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 Hee is the true light which lighteth every man that commeth into the world Ioh. 1.9 He taught in their sinagogues c. Luk. 4.14 15 22. He taught and advocated for his disciples and gave his Fathers words to them and sent and sendeth forth Spirit from his Fathers right hand Act. 2.33 Eph. 4.7 8 12. And was and is faithful to him that appointed him as a son over his owne house to edify preserve consolate and glorify them Heb. 3.1 6. Isa 61.1.4 II. By his own testimonie both by words and deedes by word he said I will give my flesh for the life of the world I lay downe my life that I might take it againe this commandment have I received c. The Father gave mee a commandment what I should fay and what I should speake therefore even as the Father said unto mee so I speake I have saith hee to his Father sinished the work which thou gavest mee to doe I have manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest mee Ioh. 6.51 and 10.17 and 12 49.50 and 17 4 6. By deed lie went out of the house and over the brooke and into the garden and offered himself to those that came to apprehended him and died and rose and ascended and sent forth of the Holy Ghost c. Ioh. 14.31 and 18 1 4 c. Act. 1 and 2. III. By the testimony of his Father that Jesus is his son in and with whom hee is well-pleased bidding all to looke to him and heare him and assureth that hee is full of Spirit and will not faile in whatever appertaineth to him to doe Mat. 3.17 and 17 5. Isa 42.1.8 IV. By the evidence and witnesse of the Holy Ghost of whom it is said the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father hee shall testifie of mee Ioh. 15.26 And so is the Holy Ghost a witnesse of these things whom God hath given to them that obey him Act. 5.32 God also bearing witnesse with signes and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his owne will Heb. 2.4 Yea the Holy Ghost will so evidence the righteousnesse of Christ in his perfect keeping of these commands that he will reprove the world of sin because they believed not on Christ that had ransomed them and received Spirit and sent forth light to bring them to believe And he will enable such as are turned in his reproofes to believe on Christ 1 Pet. 1.21.22 And will farther glorify Christ in the harts of believers and guide them into all truth Ioh. 16.13.15 That they may know him in respect of his faithfulnesse in these commands to be all wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption for and to them an all life and good in them 1 Cor. 1.30 Coll. 1.27 and 2 3 9 10 and 3.11 V. By the experiments of those that are taught of God who in the knowledge and beliefe of this grace met with in Christ his keeping these commands for us have seene and experimented that through his obedience and faithfulnesse in the first command having offered himselfe in sacrifice for the sin of the world It is that the earth is preferved that life is reprived that Gods patience and long-suffering is extended and that mercies and bownty are dayly renewed and the foundation of repentance laid and the doore of hope and life opened to them Psal 75.3 Act. 17.28 Rom. 1.16 With. 2.4 Lam. 3.22.23 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Tim. 4.10 And that through his faithfulnesse in the other command making known and aplying by his Spirit the vertue of his bloud to them and working by his Spirit in them it is that they believe in him and love him that they enjoy remission of sins peace with God joye in the Holy Ghost knowledge of their sonship support in tryalls refreshing in ordinances fellowship with God and brethren hope of glory c. Rom. 4.24 25. and 5.1 11. Phill. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.21.22 Rom. 14.17 18. 1 Ioh. 1.1 2.3 4 7. Psal 36.8 65.4 So that from their experments they can set too their seale that hee is true Ioh. 3 32.33 Rom. 8.1 2 3 4. VI. By the witnesse of all those faithfull ministers of the word that have this gracious testimony inspired to their hart who beare record of this Gospel that declareth this which Christ hath done and is at his Fathers right hand ready to do knowing they declare no fable and that where this is faithfully declared they are witnesses and in such witnesse bearing Christ sends forth the Holy Ghost to enlighten and beare witnesse to others that they may believe 2 Cor. 5.18.19 Act. 5.31 32 and 10 44. 1 Pet. 1.12 Mat. 28.20 1 Ioh. 1.4.6 So that it clearly and many wayes appeares that Iesus Christ hath kept his Fathers commandments this being encluded in that great misterie 1 Tim. 3.16 II. The second thing expressed is that Iesus Christ in keeping his Fathers commandments did abide in his Fathers love So that I. In keeping these commandments even while he was made low and under law for our sakes and did humble himself to be made pore and to die for us yea in all his sufferings he went through whose love soever he lost and of whatsoever he was deprived and whosoever hated and persecuted him yet in all his Fathers love and
him and unfeyned faith and love so measuring themselves by themselves and trusting to their own harts for their testimony which is folly 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 and 11.3.4 13. Luk. 18.11.12 Ier. 17.5 10. Pro. 28.26 Whereas Those that in the beliefe of the Gospel are emptyed of themselves and all relyance on any righteousnesse wisedome or strength of their owne or that is humane and through the beliefe of the grace reported in the Gospell brought to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for beeing saved by his life and through that believing to love the Brethren shall in abiding in his faith and love and walking therein find the motiones to all that is contained in particular precepts in fit seasons stirring in them Ioh. 7.37.38 Hose 14.8 Gall. 5.22.23 Rom. 8.2 14. 2 Cor. 5.14 As is before shewne in the second consideration and so yeilding up theretoo and walking therein I. They serve God acceptably and in newnesse of Spirit Rom. 12 1 2 3 and 7.6 II. They are ceasing from their own works and so accepting and entring into his rest Heb. 4 3 11. 2 Pet. 1 5 11. III. They yeild forth a justification and testimony of the truth and livelynesse of their faith in Christ and love of brethren Iam. 2 to the end In which believers are not under the law but under grace and so walke after the Spirit and keepe the ommandements of Christ in Faith and love which are the commandements heere ment Gall. 5.6 16 18 23. Proofe IV. Walking in this faith and love put in the hart is before shewne in all the former considerationes to leade to the right fulfilling of all righteous affectiones and services required both in the law and the Gospell so as whosoever hath these commandements in his hart and keepeth and walketh in them both receiveth all good from God and yeeldeth forth all exceptable service to him and to brethren Ioh. 14.21.23 Rom. 5.1.5 and 12 1 3 and 13 8 9 10. So at this also evidenceth these to be the commandements heere ment Proofe V. Those that through beliefe of the grace reported in the Gospell do believe in the name of Christ and in that beliefe love their brethren and so walke in this faith and love have their faith imputed to them for righteousnesse and their love accepted as that which shall be visited with more loves and through both experiments of grace met with Rom. 4.22 25 and 5 1 5 and 8 1 2. 2 Cor. 3 3.18 Ioh. 14.21.23 And by the testimonie of God and Christ himself they do righteousnesse and fulfill the law and al righteousnesse 1 Ioh. 2.29 and 3 7 9. Rom. 13.8 9 10. I. They fullfill the end of the law in accepting Christ for righteousnesse and loving their brother Rom. 10.3 4. Mat. 22.39 40. II. They obey the Gospell and word and doctrine of God and Iesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.17.18 2 Thess 1.8.10 III. They honour obey and follow God Eph. 5.1.2 Even the Father and the son Ioh. 5.23 37 46 and 14 23 and 16 27. And the Holy Ghost that commeth from the Father and the son and witnesseth of Christ and teacheth Ioh. 14.26 and 15 26. 1 Ioh. 5.6 12. Rom. 8.14 IV. They have eternall life 1 Ioh. 5.11 12. Gall. 6.8 And so keepe the commandements that they find them not grievous but delightfull 1 Ioh. 2.3 10. So that it every way appeareth that faith and love put in the hart are the commands ment II. For the second thing in this point what it is to keepe his commandements it may be answered briefly in two words namelie first to keepe or retaine them in the very hart in the mind will and affectiones Pro. 3.1 and 4.21 And Secondly to observe them in the life in giving up all the members as servants to walke according thereunto Pro. 4.25 26 27. Rom. 12.1 2. 1 Cor. 6.20 But to give a more full and ample answer it might be said the keeping his commandements is I. To retaine and hold fast the Gospell or word of grace that hee hath enlightened our harts with and so put in our harts that he hath begotten faith and love in our harts thereby let this word dwell in our harts in the beliefe and apprehention of the goodnesse of the report and of all the reproofes requirings and promises of it let it be kept in the love desire estimate wherein it was first received and there through Christ in it exalt it and tye it about thy hart and bow the neck too it and this will watch for us teach lead and counsell and be a light to us Rev. 3.3 Coll. 3.16 Pro. 4.8 9 and 6 20 21 22 23. Joh. 15 5.7 II. To hold fast and nourish in our harts that confidence in Christ for life sanctification preservation and guidance and protextion through all sufferings and services of love to the enheritance Gall. 5 5 6. Heb. 3.6 14 and 10 35. And that love member like to brethren and compassionate to the sons of men which in putting in his gracious word hee by his Spirit discovering his grace begot in our hart Heb. 13 1 Ioh. 3 18 and 4 10 12. III. To suffer the word of grace and the faith and love begot thereby to have its perfect worke in us to putt no stoppage by carnall reasonnings too it but yeild up all our members theretoo and to all the motiones of the Spirit that spring there-from and there-through and according theretoo Rom. 12.1 2 3. Phill. 2.1 2. Iam. 1 4. To the denying of all fleshly affectiones and lusts and the obeying all the fruites of the Spirit Gall. 5.16 17 18 22 25. 1 Thess 5.19 IV. To doe all wee have to doe in all the sufferings and services of love in the remembrance of and according to the word of grace and in and with the exercise of the faith and love begot thereby Psal 1 2. Heb. 11 and 12. 1 2. 1 Ioh. 4. to the end And so as is before amplyfied in opening what it is to continue in his love that and this meeting in one V. Seeing it was peculiar to Christ that in all his walking in this world hee never sinned yea if wee consider his humane nature he had no sin if we consider his life he did no sin if wee looke on the law of nature or works under which wee were borne and under which hee became for us hee kept and fulfilled it all to the ful if wee look on those commands and that worke the Father gave him to doe in respect of us he fully finished it yea one may say if wee looke on the commands of faith and love hee left for us to walke in hee also hath given us example and gone before us and walked without failing in both and if besides his nature personall conversation and example and besides his propitiation wee looke on his ministration of the Gospell and care for the continuance thereof after his departure lo he was perfectly faithful